"Just a drink and a peck, misfortune and fortune are uncertain."
Even Abel wasn't sure if this transformation would ultimately be beneficial.
Considering that he would inevitably need to utilize this talent in life-or-death situations, Abel decided to activate it directly.
He wanted to experience the effects firsthand, to understand what to expect before facing a real enemy. Hesitation could prove fatal in such encounters.
"Well..."
As he activated the [Heart of the Other Ghost] talent, Abel was immediately struck by a wave of excruciating pain.
His heart pounded violently, and a torrent of deadly toxins surged through his bloodstream, rapidly spreading throughout his body.
In the blink of an eye, his skin paled dramatically, mirroring the appearance of the original white spots that had plagued his body.
His pupils dilated, taking on a strange, fiery red glow in the dim light.
Even his hair underwent a dramatic transformation. The once short black hair began to grow wildly, eventually reaching his waist and turning completely white.
This was the true form of the "Other Ghost."
Abel's appearance was now so drastically altered that even Law might not recognize him.
"Call..."
After the transformation completed, Abel let out a sigh of relief. The initial pain had subsided significantly, reduced to a mere discomfort.
"Adapting in advance was the right decision," he acknowledged.
The initial pain had been far more intense than the system description had indicated.
If he hadn't mentally prepared himself, the experience would have been far more overwhelming.
Abel examined his pale hands, clenching his fists to assess the changes within his body.
While the effects were subtle, he could feel a noticeable increase in strength.
However, as this was his initial activation, the true extent of the power increase was difficult to gauge.
"And in order to unleash the true power of this talent, the first thing he has to do is to lay a solid foundation. It is impossible to reach the sky in one step."
So after a brief adaptation, Abel quickly released the ghost form.
The toxins that had spread throughout his body were quickly withdrawn back into his heart, the white spots receded, and the long white hair immediately reverted to its original short black length, with the excess hair shedding as gray flakes.
Within a minute, five days of his lifespan had been consumed. However, the pain was a secondary concern at this point.
He immediately attempted to release a small amount of toxins from his heart.
In the next second, familiar white spots began to reappear sporadically on his body, accompanied by faint labor pains.
"Sure enough, it can be controlled," Abel muttered.
Suppressing the discomfort, Abel checked the [Heart of the Other Ghost] talent.
Reassuringly, this minor release of toxins was not considered an activation and did not deplete his lifespan further.
Otherwise, explaining this sudden change in appearance to Law would be impossible. Any inconsistencies in his explanation could lead to mistrust and create a rift between them.
Therefore, maintaining his current appearance was crucial.
At this time, his character column displayed the following:
[Host: Gustavers Abel]
[Elementary Trading Qualification]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: Ten years old]
[Height: 140cm]
[Weight: 25.5kg]
[Life: 4 years and 355 days]
[Talent: Heart of the Other Ghost (Blue)]
[Ability: None]
[Trading Points: 825]
. . . . . .
Seeing that his remaining lifespan was less than five years, Abel felt a momentary urge to spend all his trading points on [Red Hearts].
However, he quickly regained his composure.
He understood the value of his trading points.
Furthermore, what difference would it make if his lifespan was five years or ten?
In the short term, such an expenditure would be a waste of resources.
Instead, he decided to retain his trading points for more practical purchases.
After figuring this out, Abel no longer dwelled on the matter.
However...
"Law has been gone for quite some time. Why hasn't he returned yet?"
A frown creased Abel's brow. He suddenly had a bad feeling.
Leaving a subtle mark behind, he immediately set out to search for Law.
Fortunately, he could now control the retraction and release of the lead virus.
To an outside observer, he appeared to be an ordinary child, albeit slightly pale.
Not long before Abel's departure, Law, who had covered the white spots on his face with a coarse cloth, was apprehended by the boss for stealing bread.
He was severely beaten as punishment.
Fortunately, Law had protected his face, preventing his identity from being revealed.
Any exposure would have undoubtedly created a significant commotion and likely jeopardized his life.
After the beating, Law sat dazed in a corner of the street, weakened by hunger. He yearned to return to Abel, but his body was weak.
"Poor child. Here, take this change and buy something to eat," a kind-hearted woman passing by said, offering him two coins.
It was a generous gesture.
Two hundred beli was a small sum, but enough to purchase some black bread. After all, a newspaper cost only one hundred beli.
Law hesitated for a moment, then abruptly snatched the coins from the woman's hand and fled the scene, leaving the woman bewildered.
He didn't want her pity or sympathy. He would rather "steal" her money.