"I believe this is the first time we meet," the psychiatrist bowed. "I am Doctor Joseph Hearts, the host of this… settlement."
Xavier remained silent for three seconds before replying, "I am aware. We are not here for this settlement Mister Hearts, but for you."
"Pardon?" The man raised a brow.
"You know your sins, Mister Hearts," Xavier said. "You broke the doctor's oath."
"But you are not with the Thirteenth, are you?"
"No." Xavier shook his head. "I just didn't like the way you do things. Hence, we are here to erase your existence?"
"Is that so?" Doctor Hearts did not seem scared at all. "But before that, would you like to hear my offer? After all, why make enemies when you can make enemies?"
"Offer?" Xavier looked at those amicable Hazel eyes. "Proceed."
"You know how haunted spots are the perfect hiding spots for wanted and seclusive beings, and the zone I host is one of the best in the entirety of the continent. I would like to offer you shares of this space in exchange of my life?"
"One of the best in the entire continent?" Xavier laughed mockingly. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
"67 minutes." Xavier pocketed the watch back. "We passed through the tests in just over an hour. And you are saying this is one of the best place in the world?"
"To be honest, I was quite surprised myself," Joseph replied. "But the fact that you passed the tests through such ease is the reason I am offering you these terms. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even bothered having such a civilised conversation with you. I believe you are already aware that those so called tests can't hold a candle before the real challenge of a haunted house—the Curse."
"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation," Xavier said. "We are not here for the haunted house, nor any offers. We are just here to clean a bit of the filth that lingers in this world."
"Is that so?" The smile on Joseph's face disappeared. "Then we have nothing to talk about."
A shadow originated from Joseph's feet, getting longer and longer—inch by inch—every second, until it grew two storey long. Once it reached the length, the shadow rose from the ground, taking the shape of the curse the duo had faced before at the pond.
The faceless being let out a screeching howl and disappeared from the spot.
Eulene brought out her sword and slashed at the spot beside Xavier. Another screech sounded as the Curse appeared back to its original spot—beside Joseph.
Through the whole process Xavier remained unfazed.
Joseph fixed his gaze on Eulene's thin sword, before moving his eyes to Eulene's silver mask. "Are you a Paranormal?" he asked.
Eulene remembered Xavier's words. 'Give them a show.'
She looked right into Joseph's hazel eyes—no—through them. "Whose question is it?" Her voice was heavenly, with a tone of utmost sovereignty and arrogance.
Joseph widened his eyes. His lips twitched. Even a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead.
[Nice!] Xavier transmitted. [Follow me]
Xavier began to hover forward with a steady pace. Eulene did the same.
Honestly, she was having fun. And she knew that the upcoming battle was not going to be easy. However, it only added to her excitement.
The confident approach of the duo caused Joseph to subconsciously take a step back. He gritted his teeth and turned to the tall Curse standing beside him.
He teetered his gaze between the Curse and the approaching duo, gritting his teeth harder and harder as he contemplated over a decision.
"Fuck!" He shouted. "Possess!"
The tall Curse looked down at its host. The being opened its mouth to a crescent smile. The interior of its mouth was shades darker than its already black exterior.
It used its long and slender arms to touch Joseph's head.
Xavier stopped in his tracks, prompting Eulene to do the same as well.
Joseph's pupils turned white. The Curse got sucked into his head. A high frequency howl escaped from Joseph's mouth as he began to transform.
He got taller and taller, along with his dress. Evidently, it was not his body that was transforming, but 'his space',
Joseph soon reached a height exceeding two storeys. It was only his height that changed. The width of his body did not change in proportion, causing his torso and limbs to look like sticks compared to his figure.
Even Joseph's handsome face was gone. With the disproportionate transformation, he did not even look like a human anymore.
Eulene felt disgusted. It was one thing to see a monster, but it was a different matter altogether to witness such a disproportionate human body.
The two and a half storey tall Joseph could not stand straight. He stood like a hunchback, but still overshadowed everything.
His eyes were still white, devoid of any pupils.
Eulene could sense the same Yin energy of the Curse from him—but even more intense and evil.
She clicked her tongue. She had seen vengeful and resentful spirits back in her home world, which were the counterparts of this world's Curses. She even had witnessed cases of possessions.
But this was the first time she ever saw a human becoming such a disfigured monster, that too—this strong.
Undoubtedly, this was a dangerous opponent. But she was unfazed. She had faced worse monsters before.
Eulene subconsciously turned to Xavier.
[Beware!] Xavier transmitted to Eulene. [When a Curse possesses its host, its authority not only enhances, but also transform. So, our prior knowledge of its powers are completely useless.]
Eulene turned back to the tall hunchback monster and became warier.
The possessed Joseph was looking at the point her and Xavier with its pupil less eyes.
The monster could teleport any time.
[DODGE!] Xavier's word rang in her mind.
He intuition screamed the same. She coiled her Qi to the max and dodged to her left.
But alas!
It was too late.
This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com