Chapter 101: Chapter 101

"But I can only enter the dreams of those who have had physical contact with me."

He smiled bitterly. "And my time is running out."

His spiritual form was indeed collapsing, growing more and more transparent.

"But I'm not the only one who has touched you, am I?"

"No, but ordinary people are too fragile. Entering their dreams would only drive them mad. Among the Enchanters, you are the weakest, which makes it easier to enter your dreams."

Jenkins's mouth twitched. The man's honesty was a little too brutal.

"Sir, what do you need me to do?"

"In my yard, under the large tree, in line with the third plank of the fence, I buried a box. It contains some gold pounds I saved up. I want you to give it to my wife, so the children can have a better life. But it's best if the Church doesn't find out."

Wonderful. Mr. Barnard was still the same good man Jenkins had met when he first transmigrated.

"It's money I saved from side jobs—all legal, don't worry. I died in the line of duty, so the Church will compensate my family and help with the children's schooling. But if this money is discovered... while nothing terrible would happen, it wouldn't be good for them."

A pleading look filled Mr. Barnard's eyes. This must have been the reason he had lingered even after death. The request wasn't difficult. He could just slip on the black robe one night, dig it up, and toss it into the house. Of course, not anytime soon. His last reckless visit had likely raised suspicions. He would have to wait a while.

"If that's all, then I can do it."

Jenkins considered it for a moment. This would be a fitting way to repay the man for saving his life, and then they would be even. Of course, he also deeply respected Mr. Barnard's character.

The middle-aged man nodded gratefully. "I won't let you do it for free. When I leave, I will give you a gift."

"That's not necessary."

Jenkins waved his hands dismissively. "You're too kind. It's no trouble at all."

"No, you must take it."

Barnard was firm, exceedingly so. It was almost as if someone was forcing him.

Since he was so insistent, Jenkins didn't argue.

"Sir, I have one more question. What happens after we die? Where do we go?"

This world had no concept of a divine kingdom, but there were legends of a river in the underworld. The Church of Death and End's ability to create small quantities of the Extraordinary item, B-12-4-4432, the River Styx Water, was related to this. It was one of the few things in the world that could erase an already learned ability.

"I don't know either. But in the end, we all have to move on."

He offered another bitter smile, then removed the hat from his spiritual form and bowed to Jenkins, leaving behind only a few blue particles that slowly dissolved into the dreamscape.

Chocolate's eyes were half-open, watching with a hint of scorn as Barnard's spirit floated out from above Jenkins's body. Cracks appeared on his transparent form, and a look of astonishment, which then morphed into resignation, crossed his face. His spiritual body slowly shattered, turning into the purest form of spirit and merging back into the world.

The cat rose elegantly and swept its fluffy tail across its master's face.

Jenkins shivered, an inexplicable blush rising on his cheeks. He sat up in bed, panting, and realized his pajamas were soaked through. He glanced around warily before patting Chocolate's head.

"Good boy. Did you sense something? Were you trying to protect me?"

Chocolate lifted his head and nuzzled乖巧地 against Jenkins's palm.

It felt like something new had been added to his body. He summoned the points of light representing his abilities, and sure enough, there was a new one:

[Soul Departure from Dream (Blue Heteromorphic)]

"Oh, by the Sage!" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Jenkins fell back onto the bed. "Heteromorphic? Like a nightmare or a ghost? Why is there a special classification for heteromorphic abilities? Is it the core of some bloodline-linked power? And what about my badge and fruit platter?"

He stared at the azure point of light, feeling that sleep would be impossible for him tonight.

Subconsciously, he focused his thoughts on the light, and a wave of fatigue washed over him.

He felt his body rising. The black robe, the ring, and the candle once again joined his soul, freeing it from its physical prison.

Looking down, he saw his own body lying on the bed, breathing rhythmically with his eyes closed. Chocolate was curled up beside his head, curiously watching his sleeping master.

He called out softly, but the cat seemed unable to hear his spiritual voice.

In less than half a minute, the spirit within his spiritual form was nearly depleted.

If he didn't return now, something terrible might happen. The black-robed figure sank back into his body.

Jenkins trembled a few times and sat up, turning his head to look at the red and blue twin moons.

"Mr. Barnard believed in the Unlit Moon and probably had divine abilities, which is why he was able to linger for so long with the power of the moonlight. I'm still too weak. I can't try to use this ability for long periods until I gain some form of divinity."

But since it was called "Dream Soul," perhaps he could try leaving his body over a short distance and then entering a dream.

The next day, Jenkins heard from Papa Oliver about the aftermath of the previous night's operation. All five orthodox churches had eliminated their corresponding possessing spirits. Apart from a few weak entities still lingering in the city, the hospital spirit incident was considered concluded.

Of course, the Church leadership had become aware that certain mythological creatures, which should have vanished, had reappeared. The hunt for the man in the black robe continued.

The Cursed Item, A-10-1-0230, the Parchment from the Future, had proven its prophetic validity during this incident. However, in other matters, such as the Williams affair, its predictions had been wildly inaccurate. Therefore, the item was temporarily sealed away in a secret space behind the Gate of All Things while its final handling was still being debated.

Jenkins was still very interested in that object. He had a bone from it buried in his own yard and had no idea how to destroy it.

That evening, after settling Chocolate, Jenkins went to the trash-strewn street in the slums to meet Skylark Miss, as they had arranged.

The church's city-wide operation last night seemed to have had an effect; the night was exceptionally quiet. Not just the slums, but even the pubs had closed early. Only the distant, towering chimneys continued to spew black smoke into the night sky, just as they always had.

"Your skill in disguise is truly commendable."

Skylark Miss was still wearing an oversized black robe. Perhaps the shoes underneath had been specially padded, as she appeared slightly taller than Miss Hersha.

"I already have a conclusion regarding the Williamette matter."

This time, Jenkins's disguise was that of a young woman. By his own aesthetic standards, her beauty was on par with that of Hathaway Hersha and Briny Mikhail.

A deep female voice inquired, filled with skepticism.