Compared to Flament, Dark Great Snake Kass had one extra Gift prepared for Temude.
That was making him sign the Soul-sucking Ghost covenant in the Abyss, learning on the spot the Dark Hand, that signature Skill every Soul-sucking Ghost must have.
The most common use of Dark Hand is to invade other adventurers and siphon extra soul from them; at this near-endgame stage it doesn't look like it has much use.
However, if this Combat Skill is used on a Monster, you can gain an extra portion of soul; and if you choose to give up that extra soul, you can instead get a temporary minor Life Force boost.
When you're about to use a King's Soul, even a tiny Life Force boost is worth popping!
"Third one."
In the Initial Firestove, where scorching Ash swirled everywhere, Temude was clutching the head of a dying Black Knight with a blood-red Dark Hand, draining Life Force from the opponent.
