Henry started to browse the book and got some hint. The church became some kind of hospital for the people when the Japanese came to the Philippines during WW2. Lots of people died and massacred from the war and priests also got executed.
Henry got a good clue about what happens but that is only about WW2.
"Hey, aunty... Can I ask you about stories about the church? I need it." Henry asks while having a note like he is interviewing her.
"Ohh? Hmm... I'll try to remember. What do you want to know?"
Only now did he get a good look at the librarian. She was already reaching 60s as her wrinkles on the side of the eyes but her eyes full of experience and wisdom. She was wearing a blue blouse and a kind smile.
"I'm Henry Karlos, I just want to know what bad happen to the church? From history, stories, rumors, and tragedies..." Henry ask while lowering his voice like he was begging.
"You young man. People here like to listen to gossips and rumors. If you already read it, this has been one of the islands that Spanish colonists came and resisted in success. Then finally fail when time passes. We didn't resist Spaniards as he was far from the mainland and at WW2 this became one of the campsites of the Japanese Army. The church was the base used by the resistance. It used to be just a bricks church so they didn't think about it having a basement. That place became a very strategic base for them. Guerilla warfare that resistance is best in but one man then did betray them. Before the resistance was destroyed and forced to flee. They hanged the traitor on the church bell as execution" She solemnly said. Wiping her teary eyes.
"This town sure hides such stories," Henry said trying to make her forget out the sadness.
"Hahaha, yes. Let's continue, the church was burned with the rest of the clergy executed for assisting the resistance. That was the end of WW2, but that church seems to become a cursed place at night. There was adultery that happens and the husband caught his wife cheating on him at the church. He overheard their conversation and things escalated to murder. He killed both his wife and the adulterer. After that, he burns himself at the church ground as forgiveness for his sin. Later on, A few more accidents happen during the night that makes the people believe that the church is now curse
At night it became a nightmare place." She ended the story. Henry thank her for the wonderful narration and gave her a cup of coffee. He rests in the library as he sorts out the things he discovers.
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At lunchtime, Henry is at home eating his fill while contemplating.
"I have more than 10 days left. If I can pull this off then it will be easier and the only adjustment is needed. I'll buy some livestock starting tomorrow. I can't get to have any more suspicions around me." Henry left a serving for Harbek and got to the basement. He set up the punching bag that was left to dust on the side of the storage and started to do some punch.
Later he also got his baton. Focusing on the combination of his weapon. He tried to do some shadow combat while imagining any possible action a spirit can do. He makes his left-hand focus on defense with the stick on keeping foe at bay and range and knuckles for the right.
"Let's add some basic spin per attack. Yeah, I don't know how many spirits live in that church but having an overall grasp of the situation is a must." Henry started to train his combat.
To know about Henry, he used to be a Kali or Escrima practioner but stops when a boxing champion of their college decided to bully him. He was a very paranoid man and also a coward but not a beta type.
He used his fear to fuel his paranoia to train harder. Every night he will think if suddenly he gets stabbed or got bullied again in a worse condition and die. He repeats it every night and constantly polishes his craft.
It disappeared when he breaks the man's arms and ended his career in boxing. Henry covered in guilt and fear move to a different college. This time he avoided being close to everyone but enjoys going to pubs and parties to loosen his stress and depression.
Arnis isn't just a stick art but a deadly form of combat using a knife and blade with a combination of grappling, punches, kicks, and weapon disarming. It is a smaller version of the saber. An arm's length single-edge curved sword focused on cut and slash with a rare stab.
It being a forearm length weapon, it's easy for a practioner to grasp the distance with Henry's mastery with it and boxing. He can navigate his foe to his comfort zone and strike safely. A cowardly act of combat that focuses on his self-preservation.
Henry rested after doing a full two hours of routine and started to sleep. He can't do anything for the moment except wait for his peak condition.
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Next day...
Henry wakes up refresh mentally but has a lightness on his body that seems to disorient him.
"Haaa... Shit. It's taking effect. I need to finish it now." Henry mumbles in distress. He eats a heavy meal and started to train again for the whole morning.
In the afternoon, Henry focuses on studying the magic book. He studies the two curse he can use at the moment. Using his imagination to think about outcomes if he did some light change with reference to a Latin Translation as the current weak curse he can use is chanted on Latin.
He thought of two variations from the [Corruption Spit] by using different words. Except for corrupt, he thinks of burn and melts. The two have a different use, Burn can create a small wall as a side effect for afterburn and the melt will have a bigger area of effect.