Chapter: First mission
The grand house loomed before me, its darkened windows and imposing facade hinting at the danger within. I stepped inside, my senses on high alert. The air was thick with curse energy, and every shadow seemed to pulse with menace.
The curse spirit appeared with a snarl, its form shifting and flickering as if struggling to maintain its shape. Its eyes glowed with a sickly light, and it sneered "You think you can defeat me? You're nothing! Human
I met its challenge with a cold, confident smile. Let's see how tough you really are cocky bastard
Without warning, the spirit lunged, its dark tendrils whipping through the air. I dodged its attack, moving with practiced ease. The spirit quickly conjured illusions, multiplying itself into several indistinguishable copies.
I activated my eye technique, slowing down time for two seconds. The world around me stretched, and the illusions froze mid-movement. I scanned the scene carefully, noting the subtle differences between the real spirit and its copies. With my target identified, I launched a powerful punch straight at it.
The blow hit hard, and the spirit staggered, its form wavering. It retaliated by summoning a swirling vortex of darkness that began to close in on me. I knew I had to act fast.
I used my other technique, the slow-down power, which allowed me to reduce the speed of objects and attacks around me. The vortex's movements slowed, giving me a chance to evade its grasp. I concentrated my curse energy into a series of precise punches, targeting the vortex's weakest points. Each strike sent shockwaves through the room, destabilizing the vortex further.
The curse spirit's form flickered and struggled to maintain its defenses. It tried to reform, but I was relentless. I waited for the cooldown of my time-slowing ability to end, keeping my movements precise and efficient. I used my slow-down power to keep the spirit's attacks sluggish and easy to dodge.
Finally, as my time-slowing ability was ready to use again, I activated it. Everything around me moved in slow motion, allowing me to find the perfect moment to strike. With a surge of curse energy, I delivered a crushing punch to the spirit's core. The impact was devastating, causing the room to tremble.
The curse spirit let out a final, desperate roar before its form disintegrated into dark energy. The battle was over, but I wasn't finished yet.
I took a deep breath and assessed my curse energy. Using the time-slowing technique took about two units of energy, and with a cooldown of four minutes, I needed to be careful. My slow-down power, on the other hand, didn't have a cooldown but drained energy based on how much force it was countering.
I climbed the grand staircase, moving deliberately through the maze of rooms. Each step was measured, my senses alert for any remaining threats. I checked every room thoroughly making sure there were no hidden dangers left.
When I was satisfied i made my way back downstairs. The driver, waiting outside, greeted me with a professional but slightly warmer demeanor. "Did you handle the curse spirit?"
"Yeah," I replied my voice steady. "The mission's complete."
The driver nodded, her expression softening. "Good job. It's always a relief to see someone handle their first mission so effectively."
"Thanks," I said. "I'll be ready for whatever comes next."
The drive back was quiet, and I took the time to reflect on the fight. It had been a challenging first mission, but it was a valuable experience. I felt more prepared for the tasks ahead.
The drive back was silent. I sat in the backseat, reflecting on the mission. It had been a grueling test of my skills, but a necessary one. As the vehicle approached my home, an unusual feeling pricked at my senses.
"Stop the car," I said abruptly.
The driver, a mix of professionalism and curiosity in her eyes, glanced back. "Why? We're almost at your place."
"I just need some time to clear my head. Drop me off here."U can go back on your own.
She nodded, pulling over and letting me out. I watched as she drove away, leaving me standing on the quiet street near my home.
You can go back home now," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'll make my way back on my own."
As the car drove away, I felt a strange pull toward the finger. It was almost as if it was calling out to me.
I had an unsettling feeling—something was off. I couldn't shake the sense that something important was close by. As I walked, my senses sharpened. There was a faint, sinister aura in the air.
Approaching a nearby alley, I noticed an unusual, almost imperceptible disturbance in the atmosphere. The sensation was familiar, but it had a darker edge. I focused, letting my curse energy flow through me, enhancing my senses.
There it was—a cursed object, radiating dark energy. I reached out, and there it was what looked like a sealed box.