Chapter 33: The World’s Greatest Clown!

Ever since he’d analyzed Marcus’s ability, Ethan had long since known his path for future growth.

Apart from building multiple circles to develop his mana, another aspect would be understanding various ability users to develop spells of his own.

Thinking of this, he sat cross-legged near the dying clown, his mana concentrated in his eyes.

"So that’s how you did it."

"Using your body as a central hub, you can condense mana into all forms of illusion."

"However, this most likely needs sufficient build-up, so you decided to buy time with that game of yours."

"No, that’s not it. The person who played the game with me was an illusion, so that means you were preparing long before I arrived."

"Could it be you planned to use this ability on the Red Viper Gang and wipe them out?"

Muttering in thought, Ethan’s eyes glowed with understanding as he seemed to have a much clearer picture of the Clown King in front of him.

Cynical, smart, apprehensive, and unswerving.

An opportunist in every sense of the word, and the kind of person who thrives in the midst of chaos.

"Looking at it now, such an ability seems to be tailored just for you."

"I wonder if a person’s initial disposition and character has anything to do with the abilities they awaken."

Scanning the Clown King’s body, Ethan discovered something strange.

Unlike Marcus, whose mana ran a certain course through his body giving him strength...

The clown’s mana in this case ran through his brain, concentrated on his pineal gland, and then emitted a strange wavelength.

"This..."

"I see. No wonder his body was so weak; it seems his ability is purely mental."

"That’s why he couldn’t even stand a punch."

"Using his ability to trick others while the real you secretly acts."

"While not a bad ability, it ultimately loses to absolute strength."

Shaking his head, Ethan had already seen through the ability.

While not exactly weak, against true powerhouses, it was ultimately a dud.

’The only way it would be somewhat better was if he somehow developed the clones to the point of being able to cause harm.’

’Maybe concentrating the mana in them till they land physical hits.’

’Or maybe detailing the illusions to the point where it even tricks the opponent’s senses, making them believe they’re injured when they’re not.’

Lost in thought, his max-level comprehension began to churn at full speed as all kinds of ideas and paths began to unravel in his mind.

Not only that, but the mana pattern in the clown’s brain was rapidly being analyzed by him.

Thanks to him concentrating mana in his eyes, he could see it!

A dense, branching web of mana pathways surrounding the brain

with a central node near the base of the brain and numerous fine branches connecting different neural regions.

In his sight, with every second that passed, violent mana pulsed through the network in irregular, overlapping waves.

Compared to the low-level body strengthening spell, this was leagues apart in complexity.

Adding to the fact that it was in the brain, any small mistake could leave him an idiot for life.

"Amazing! The central node seems to act as a main concentration point for mana regulation."

"The neural branches distribute the mana through the brain and coordinate illusions."

"Combining these two, they then emit a mana wave at the pineal gland that interferes with the perception of nearby targets!"

"Amazing!"

Like a scientist who had just made a significant breakthrough, Ethan was filled with euphoria as his understanding was nearing completion.

Raising his right hand, a small hand suddenly appeared, and inside it, a bunny jumped out.

"So this is an illusion with mana!" he whispered as he tried to touch it with his right hand.

Unfortunately, just as he had expected, it just passed right through.

*Cough* *cough*

"Hey, isn’t this my ability?"

"You monster, hahaha!"

"It seems you’re even stronger than I ever imagined!"

"Reinhardt bastards! Your days are numbered, hahaha!" laughed the clown as he watched Ethan conjure up an illusion.

Hearing this, Ethan couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He didn’t remember when he agreed to help him take revenge.

However, considering he was about to die, Ethan still decided to talk to him for a bit.

Plus, now that he had mastered a new ability, he was in a great mood.

"Hey, if you’re about to die, can you be more silent?"

"Also, it is indeed your ability, but it also is not," Ethan paused.

"Unfortunately, given the short period of time, I can’t fully analyze your ability, so I can only make small-scale spells like this."

"Plus, I can’t control them as seamlessly as you did."

"After this, I’ll have to spend more time researching how to improve."

"As of right now, it’s nothing more than a cheap imitation."

"A low-level illusion spell, if you will."

Sighing inwardly, there was one thing he didn’t say.

Once he got back home and fused both spells, under the ten-thousand-fold increase, perhaps they could evolve into something terrifying.

At that time, could his illusions affect reality? Could his strength be able to rip tanks?

Ethan didn’t know, but he was looking forward to it.

"Is that so? A cheap knockoff."

"Well then, Smith, I hope you use my power well!"

"Haha!"

"It was a nice run! Although I died as a clown..."

"But even then! I was the world’s greatest clown! Don’t you think so, haha!" he laughed, his breathing slowing down.

To which Ethan, thinking of what he could have been in the future, sighed in response.

"Indeed, you were the world’s greatest clown."

Hearing this, the Clown King, as if reaching some sort of acceptance, died with a wide smile open.

He died doing the one thing he would always do, be it when he was happy, in pain, or angry.

Laugh!

"Although I don’t usually care for who I kill, for this ability you gave me, I’ll make an exception for you."

"Rest in peace, Clown King, and I hope you can continue to laugh even in your next life."

Talking to himself, Ethan looked at his surroundings with extreme calm on his face.

With the Clown King’s death, the surrounding illusion was rapidly deteriorating.