Chapter Nine: The Terrifying Power of the Confession Spell

Bal’s sudden confession of his misdeeds left everyone in a state of shock, their eyes turning to Link with a mix of fear and awe. They might not have known exactly what Link had done to Bal, but it was clear Bal’s strange behavior was somehow linked to him.

In truth, it was indeed Link’s doing. He had used a new skill he acquired the previous night—Confession—on Bal.

Confession was a spell of the mind, usable only on the wicked, and only if the target’s mental strength was weaker than the caster’s; otherwise, it would have no effect. Once afflicted, the target would, for the next three minutes, have their conscience and guilt awakened and amplified to an unbearable degree, forcing them to confess their sins, just as Bal was doing now.

Moreover, Confession sometimes went beyond self-reproach. There was a chance, during its duration, to convert the target into a devout believer if the caster pressed them with persuasive words, leading the target to a sudden epiphany—essentially a form of psychological suggestion.

Its effects were nothing short of terrifying—a spell to dominate the soul. Yet the limitations were considerable: not only did it require the target’s mental strength to be lower, but the caster also had to know the target’s name. Whether it was the full or true name didn’t matter, but it had to be a name the target acknowledged; otherwise, the spell would fail. When Link had called Bal’s name just now, asking if he knew his guilt, that was the trigger, akin to chanting a spell.

Though Bal was a first-rank warrior and not lacking in mental strength, Link, having lived two lives and merged with all of Neil’s memories, was endowed with a mental fortitude far above the norm—enough to surpass Bal’s. The effect was immediate.

To be honest, Bal was truly a beast without conscience. Listening to his confessions, not only Link and his companions, but even most of the local thugs present, felt revulsion. It was one thing to harm outsiders, but to prey upon his own mother and sister—what kind of creature was that? Even among the dregs of society, it was rare to find one who would stoop to such depravity.

At first, Link had considered using Confession’s hypnotic effect to convert Bal, given his decent strength. But upon hearing Bal’s “confessions,” any such thought vanished. For scum of this degree, purification was the only answer.

With this in mind, Link suppressed his disgust and anger, speaking in a solemn voice, “Before the Father, Bal Black, your evil is beyond redemption; even the merciful Father cannot forgive your sins. Only by ending your own life can you cleanse your soul.”

At these words, Bal’s face lit up with joy, as though a man lost in darkness had found the light. He asked excitedly, “Father, is it true? If I take my own life, my sins will be washed clean?”

Link maintained his sacred demeanor. “As the Father’s voice in this world, I do not lie to a sinner. Bal, only death can cleanse your sins.”

“I understand.” Bal stood up, beaming, then drew a sharp dagger without hesitation. “If death can absolve my sins, then I accept it gladly.”

With that, and to the horror of all present, Bal drove the blade deep into his own heart and fell forward, eyes rapidly losing focus. Yet on his face was a look of pure, innocent happiness, as if a child embraced by his mother.

It was eerie—eerie beyond description.

The entire monastery was plunged into silence by the bizarre spectacle. Then, someone cried out, “Monster! Run for your lives!” The assembled thugs and hooligans scattered in a panic, fleeing as though their lives depended on it, desperate for extra legs to carry them away faster.

In the blink of an eye, the rabble had vanished, leaving only Link’s handful of companions behind.

Now, those who remained looked at Link with a reverence tinged with fear. Where once there had been respect, now there was dread. None understood how he had done it, but to make a first-rank warrior kill himself with just a few words—such power was truly chilling.

People fear what they cannot comprehend, and Saka and his friends were no exception. Staring at Link, who stood motionless after Bal’s demise, they were at a loss. At last, Saka summoned his courage and stepped forward to thank him. “Father, thank you for saving us.”

At these words, Link’s body trembled, as if coming out of a trance. Looking up, his face was a touch pale, his eyes betraying a trace of shock and confusion.

In truth, Link had ordered Bal’s suicide out of a moment’s fury. Witnessing the act left him shaken. Even after two lives, this was his first time causing a death, and though he hadn’t killed with his own hands, it was still killing. Naturally, there was a sense of anxiety and discomfort.

He wasn’t nauseated as some novels describe, but Link still felt far from well. The psychological impact was significant.

Even so, given another chance, Link would make the same choice without hesitation. For Bal’s crimes, dying ten times would not suffice; anyone with a shred of humanity would not spare such a monster.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Link avoided looking at Bal’s corpse and turned to Saka. “Saka, are you all right?”

Saka nodded. “I’m fine, Father. Don’t worry, they’re just surface wounds. With some medicine, I’ll be back on my feet in days.” He paused, then asked carefully, “But, Father, you don’t look so well. Are you sure you’re all right?”

Link shook his head. “It’s nothing—just a bit drained. It’s almost laughable; though I am the Father’s voice in this world, my strength is still lacking. Making one sinner atone is a heavy burden for me.”

He spoke the truth. Though the effects of Confession were astounding, the cost was steep. For Link, a single use consumed a third of his magic and mental energy. He might have inner force now, but that could not substitute for magic or mental strength.

Saka nodded, understanding, but then asked with some concern, “Father, won’t Bal’s death bring you trouble?”

Link smiled. “Don’t worry. The world’s better off without such filth. With all the lives he’s taken, even if the constables find out, they won’t trouble me.”

Saka sighed in relief, smiling as well. He didn’t see anything wrong with Link eliminating Bal; in this lawless town of Kinko, where crime and murder among the rabble were commonplace, Saka was long accustomed to such things. As long as Link wouldn’t be implicated, he was at ease.

At that moment, Link’s gaze shifted to the side. Saka followed it and saw someone lying on the ground—Jack, unconscious and apparently abandoned by his own men.

Link was about to approach when Saka, fearing Link might finish Jack off as well, hurriedly said, “Father, his identity isn’t ordinary—you can’t kill him!”

Link paused. “Why? What’s so special about him?”

Saka’s expression turned grim. “His surname is Sparrow—Jack Sparrow.”

“Sparrow? Wait, isn’t that the mayor’s name?” Link recalled that Kinko Town’s mayor was Tony Sparrow. “Don’t tell me he’s the mayor’s son?”

“He is. The youngest of three, and the town’s most notorious wastrel. Otherwise, do you think this monastery would have fallen into the hands of thugs?” Saka said with a wry smile.

Link fell silent. This was truly a thorny problem. In the world of Sola Kong, religions abounded, but secular power far eclipsed the sacred. As the mayor’s son, Jack Sparrow was effectively the crown prince of Kinko Town.

What to do? Simply letting him go was out of the question. This brat had caused enough trouble already and wasn’t likely to back off easily. If Link let him off, there was no telling what he might pull next—not that Link feared him, but Saka and his sister would be in danger.

With that, Link’s eyes narrowed as he made up his mind. “There’s no way to make peace now. It’s all or nothing—time to convert this brat!”

Although he hadn’t managed to convert Bal, Link already understood Confession’s potential. To convert a spoiled youth like Jack should be entirely possible.

With that thought, Link asked Saka to take Jack to an empty room within the monastery, saying he needed to educate Jack alone and make him realize his sins.

Saka, having witnessed Link’s power to inspire confession, didn’t argue and promptly carried Jack into a nearby chamber.

When Jack awoke, he found himself in a dim room, bound to a chair. Panic seized him, and he struggled, only to hear a sudden voice: “Don’t bother struggling. Those ropes are strong—you won’t break free.”

Startled, Jack turned toward the voice to see Link smiling at him from beside the bed.

Jack’s brow furrowed in a scowl. “Neil Night!”

“Oh? So you know me?” Now it was Link’s turn to be surprised.

“Hmph. Did you think I’d go after Saka and his sister without checking your background first? Those few priests my father treats with such respect—I wouldn’t dare cross them. Pity you’re not one of them. I heard your church is about to be taken over by someone else. How pathetic.” Jack’s cold sneer turned into a mocking laugh.

Link merely smiled, unruffled. “My situation may not be ideal, but yours seems worse. Falling into the hands of a pitiful man like me—who exactly are you?”

Jack’s mocking smile froze. He dropped the act and looked Link straight in the eye, speaking bluntly: “Fine, say what you want. If you plan to use me to threaten my father for help, forget it. I’m just an eyesore of an illegitimate son—he and my two brothers would probably be glad to see me disappear.”

At this, Jack’s cold sneer returned—not directed at Link, but at himself and the family he spoke of.

Link could practically smell the melodrama. So family feuds weren’t limited to the rich and powerful—even small-town officials could have them.