Jean watched helplessly as Dih mercilessly strangled the peasant girl while the other women cowered in terror. She knew that there was something sinister in Dih's past. She had never told her, but she didn't need to. Dih's mind control must be fueled by deep feelings of hatred within her, just as they must have done with Al-Hek in the past. A hatred fanned by Jerok.

  However, she discovered that her assumption was incorrect. There was no trace of emotion on Dih's face. A knot in her stomach warned her that this could only be possible if he was in absolute control of her. She had to be careful if she didn't want to end up the same way.

  Faced with Jean's inaction, Al-Hek approached the bar. He was good at bluffing, but not so good at keeping up the facade.

  “Get out of here, Al-Hek.” Jean muttered, crouched behind the bar.

  Al-Hek hesitated, but ended up obeying. He had one foot out of the inn when a loud psychic scream came out of Jean's mouth. The blast knocked down everyone in the inn. Everyone fainted. Dih and the peasant girls all fell into the same corner. Al-Hek fell flat on his face outside.

  Jean looked at them in alarm and cursed herself. She hadn't expected the skill to have such a powerful effect.

  “[Not everyone has your Willpower, Jean. Keep that in mind the next time you infuse such power into your skills. It's too much for normal minds. I guess you don't want to include [Innocent Killer] among your marks, right?]”

  Jean had no time to feel remorse; Jerok was the first to recover. She thought about attacking, but if he had lost control over Dih, he might try to control her now. A touch and a piercing look had been enough for Dih, but she didn't know the extent of his powers.

  Jerok stood up disoriented and put his hand to his ears. He was pissed off. “Bitch! What have you done!”

  Jean remained still. Analyzing every gesture and every glance.

  Jerok turned furious at the discovery of blood, taking a couple of steps closer. “How did you get through my magical defenses so easily?!”

  Jean was tired of the act. “You're not close enough to submit me?”

  The man's eyes changed to purple as he smiled mischievously. “A psychic attack! I have to admit, I didn't expect you to be able to do something like that. It's not common at all.”

  Jean remembered where the skill came from. It would be necessary to find out how the rat abomination had acquired it.

  “I've faced illusionists before.” Jerok remarked.

  Jean smiled back. “You're a pathetic liar! You're so pathetic that you need to hide it by attacking weak villagers who can't hold a candle against you! What did you have against them? Someone from the village humiliated you in the past?”

  He looked at her with bloodshot eyes. A look he tried to disguise by bursting into laughter. “And what did my boys do to you? Are you one of those women who hates men who don't let themselves be dominated by a whore?”

  “I think you're confusing me with your mother! I killed them because I don't want scum like that alive!”

  He laughed out loud. “See! We're not so different! You could crush them and that's what you did, just like me!”

  Jean snorted. “There's nothing to save in you!”

  “Do you intend to lecture me? You?! A creature suffering under the sun? Don't make me laugh! What are you really? A demon? A succubus?”

  Al-Hek began to stand up. Dih didn't move despite the fact that she was already conscious. Both were bleeding from the nose and ears.

  “Come here, baby!” Jean murmured.

  Al-Hek stood dumbfounded at the entrance.

  “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Come, let me heal you!” She insisted in a motherly tone.

  Al-Hek still couldn't believe his ears. “Did you call me baby?”

  Jerok could barely speak from laughter. “Baby?! What's that?! Some kind of fetish?!”

  Embarrassed, Al-Hek reluctantly approached. Jean didn't take his eyes off Jerok as he healed him except for a brief moment. Jerok took the opportunity to cast two small magic circles on the ground. Through them emerged two creatures wrapped in fire that burned the wooden floorboards upon contact.

  Jerok finished the preparations with a barrier of fire that enveloped his entire body. He then turned around nonchalantly and pointed his open right hand at Dih. He didn't take too kindly that she was whispering with the peasant girls.

  Jean smiled at Al-Hek as she finished healing him and charged forward, screaming from the sun exposure. She couldn't afford to go easy on him. A swift succession of Rapid Assault combined with Cursed Punish would quickly end the fight.

  Jerok didn't bother to avoid even one of the fourteen punches that strike swiftly and devastatingly upon him; he didn't need to. The impacts were absorbed by the aura of flames. Magic fragments of the barrier pierced her skin at the same time her fists burned. Yet, she didn't stop. She was determined to endure until she managed to hit him, and so she did.

  Another onslaught of punches and the barrier collapsed. His side was the first to suffer the consequences. His ribs and chest caved in with the next two blows. By the time he tried to redirect the flames that were beginning to erupt from his hand, his right arm was already broken. Luckily, the flames had barely reached Dih and the peasant girls.

  A final punch to the cheekbone took half his jaw and teeth. Jerok glared resentfully from the ground at Dih after realizing that the whispering had been a distraction; the peasant women were still unconscious. “BIIIITCH!”

  Jean turned sharply toward one of the summoned creatures. A hellhound was viciously biting and pulling ferociously at her right leg. If it weren't for her Cursed Armor, it would have ripped it off. That was not the only threat. A step away from the other, a lesser imp-like demon was conjuring a still tiny fireball between its hands.

  Despite the terrible pain of her burned hands, Jean let the mana build up in her fist for a few seconds. The devastating impact pulverized the fireball and pierced the creature's torso. Its body slammed against the bar just inches away from Al-Hek.

  The next thing to vent her anger and pain would be the hellhound. The only difference was that it foresaw the danger and tried to burn her with its fiery breath. Seconds later it became a burning skewer stuck in the floor. Both creatures vanished in red smoke as Jean hurriedly healed herself.

  Without wasting a second, she conjured Cursed Tenacity, increasing her Willpower; she had been careless. Jerok was next to her with his left hand raised and his eyes glowing. Darkness loomed over at an alarming speed. Was this how his victims felt before they fell into a trance?

  Al-Hek threw a dagger at him, hitting him square in the palm. That slowed the process enough for Jean to get closer. The only thing that still told her where he was, were his glowing eyes.

  She soon lost control as she cursed herself for her lack of judgment; she should have killed him when she had the chance, even if that meant enduring the creatures' attacks. She had underestimated him. What kind of power did he have to overcome her 95 Willpower points?

  A deafening beastly roar erupted from within her chest. “I refuse! This bastard can't defeat me! He's nothing!”

  The darkness cracked around her. The control of her body returned with the realization that her thumbs were sinking into his eyes. He screamed madly until he lost consciousness along with his vision.

  Jean fell to the ground while Al-Hek shielded her from the sun with his body. The clothing covering her had burned along with the fire barrier. Weakened by the dangerous drop in corruption from 42% to 21% of Cursed Graveyard, she focused on healing.

  With glassy eyes, Jean held out her hand to Dih, who was approaching with blood dripping from her ears and nose. Without caring she was still naked, Dih leaned down and gently grabbed her hand. “I'm sorry! I almost didn't make it in time.”

  Al-Hek interceded. “It was our fault! ... Mine! I'm sorry I dragged you into this.”

  Jean continued to heal herself and Dih at the same time. “It wasn't your fault. From now on, let's always move together!”

  The moment they saw a tear fall from Jean's eyes, they both understood what they now meant for her. They both responded in unison. “No!”

  Jean vented her anger on Dih's hand. “What?!”

  Dih gritted her teeth, looking at Jerok while holding back the urge to beat him to a pulp. “This bastard could have killed us if he managed to control you... Admit it! We are a burden to you! You can bring us back, but we...

  Jean abruptly stood up, leaving Dih's hand orphaned. “Stop!”

  She stomped on Jerok's head, waking him up. “Spit it out! What do you know about Choog? Is he an ally of yours?”

  He laughed. “Fuck you, bitch!! Fuck you and that fucking bastard!!”

  Jean glared at him with hatred. “I'd like to torture you and make you pay for what you've done to these people and gods only know how many others, but it's not worth it.” She then looked at Al-Hek. “Kill him!”

  He looked at Dih and she nodded almost instantly. “You need to level up more than I do.”

  After cutting his throat without the slightest remorse, Al-Hek tried to relieve the tension. “Baby? How could you, Boss?”

  Jean paid no attention to him; she wasn't in the mood. She grabbed the corpses of Jerok and Maneth and dragged them out of the inn. The sun had already set a minute ago.

  Al-Hek moved closer to Dih. “I'm truly sorry. Are you alright?”

  She nodded, hiding her privates. “Let me get dressed first!”

  Outside, Jean lightly corrupted Jerok's body and all his subordinates with Cursed Binding. If she corrupted them with Cursed Manage, she wouldn't be able to learn anything from them. While she waited, Al-Hek came out of the inn. Jean was about to ask him to go check if there were any more bandits left, but in the end she gestured for him to sit nearby; Dih's words still lingered in her head.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “I'm sorry you had to expose yourself to the sun to save me, Boss!” He pointed at Maneth. “I underestimated him! I didn't expect that prick to have an infallible shot! Also... I'm truly sorry for what Dih had to go through because of my arrogance.”

  She rested her hand on his shoulder. “It’s my fault too. None of this would have happened if I could give you more level.”

  “Are you kidding?! You've brought us back to life! Besides, the level thing won't matter when we form a bigger group.”

  “A group...” Jean looked at the ground thoughtfully to then place her hand on Jerok. Only the ashes remained.

  “Why has this one disappeared in such a different way?” Dih asked from the doorway of the inn. She was still dressing.

  “It's a different skill. It doesn't recharge Cursed Graveyard, but I can learn their skills and improve my attributes. I only do it with creatures I know I can learn something from.”

  Both watched in silence as one corpse after another was consumed. The scattered weapons were no exception. “You can also absorb weapons?!”

  Jean nodded. “It's what makes me so tough.”

  “And what have you learned?” Dih asked expectantly when Jean finished.

  “Not bad! I've learned 7 normal skills, 2 cursed ones and improved +1 Strength, +2 Dexterity and Endurance and +1 Intelligence!”

  [You have learned Magical Enhancement — Level 1.

  You can temporarily improve an attribute by 10 points. It will not manifest as an independent skill, it will be combined with Cursed Tenacity.]

  [You have learned Hawk Eye— Level 1.

  You can now zoom in by 10%. It will not manifest as an independent skill, it will be combined with Cursed Perception.]

  [You have learned Magical Aim — Level 1.

  Allows to imbue projectiles with mana to control them midair. High mana consumption. It will not manifest as an independent skill, it will be combined with Precise Aim.]

  [You have learned Telekinesis — Level 1.

  Far from your reach? Not anymore. You can move objects no bigger than half a kilo at will.]

  [You have learned Cursed Aim — Level 2. Unique Skill. Combines the effects of:

  ? Precise Aim

  ? Magical Aim

  ? Telekinesis

  Your mana allows you to perfectly control any projectile of your own.]

  [You have learned Summon Familiar — Level 1.

  Allows the summoning of a minor familiar. You must first form a bond with one. It will not manifest as an independent skill, it will be combined with others into Cursed Servant.]

  [You have learned Summon Planar Creature — Level 1.

  Allows the summoning of a minor creature of the Planar dimension. You must choose it from those available before. It will not manifest as an independent skill, it will be combined with others into Cursed Servant.]

  [You have learned Cursed Servant — Level 1. Unique Skill. Combines the effects of:

  ? Summon Planar Creature

  ? Summon Familiar

  ? Flesh of your Flesh

  Allows you to summon a previously created servant that will await your call from inside your inventory.]

  [You have learned Mind Control— Level 1.

  Strong enemies of very weak Willpower, I call them puppets! Your control will increase the higher your Willpower and skill level].

  [Elemental Curse has increased to level 3.]

  [Swift Strike has increased to level 6.]

  [Dash has increased to level 9.]

  [Cursed Punish has increased to level 6. Rank 2.]

  [Cursed Binding has increased to level 7. Rank 2.]

  [Cursed Armor has increased to level 1. Rank 3.

  The defensive capacity of the barrier has increased by 10%.]

  [Cursed Healing has increased to level 3. Rank 3.]

  [Source’s Link has increased to level 6. Rank 3.]

  “Are you serious?!” Al-Hek was dumbfounded. “Nine fucking skills for killing these guys? You know what it takes to get one?”

  “Actually, there have only been 3! The two cursed skills were created by merging normal skills.”

  “And how much mana those skills require.” Al-Hek asked.

  “Leave her alone! That doesn't concern us.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “On the contrary! It's just as important to know your allies as your enemies!”

  Together they scoured the town looking for more dead people, but the only thing they found was a huge dog locked in a building. A dog that the whispers warned her to leave alone. “Why?”

  “[In your current state, it will kill you.]”

  “You always giving good news! … … Thank you for letting me know that Al-Hek was in danger!”

  “[You should trust me a little more!]”

  “Sometimes you don't make it easy at all!”

  ?????? ??????

  Despite going all over the village, Jean returned empty-handed to the inn. Perhaps it was time to cure the peasant women.

  “Where is he?”, one of them asked in fright.

  “You have nothing to fear! Jerok is dead! I have personally taken care of him.”

  The women looked at each other in relief. Two of them burst into tears. “Did you kill them all?”

  Al-Hek hesitated. “We think so!”

  “Are you sure?!”

  Jean stepped forward. “You will never see them again! Now... I'd like to know what the hell happened here and who is Choog?”

  The woman began to cry. “Gods! Why always us?!”

  Jean waited patiently until the woman was able to speak. “It's not the first time that damn bastard has attacked us! He tried a couple of years ago, but Choog repelled the attack. He probably escaped and came back to get revenge on the village.”

  “So Choog killed the previous group of bandits. Is he an adventurer?” Dih asked.

  The woman shook her head. “Choog is the mayor's dog. A big, good boy who has fought alongside adventurers since he was born.” The peasant girl began to cry again. “But now… Now he’s possessed! He has killed the mayor and all his servants.”

  “Possessed?” Jean asked.

  Al-Hek pointed behind him in the direction of the dog. “Wait a minute! You speak of the mutt locked in the propped up house? To say it's big is an understatement! He easily weighs 200 kilos!”

  “No! He wasn't that big!” Tears and whimpers almost kept the women from speaking. “Everything changed since the mayor entered the ruins. They intended to resort to an ancient relic to wipe out the goblins that have been coming out of the dungeon in droves lately.”

  “Ancient or cursed relic?” Jean inquired.

  “Who cares?! Does it make any difference?!” Another peasant woman blurted out.

  “If only the mayor hadn't gone personally! If only he had left the job to the adventurers, none of this would have happened! He brought the curse to the town! Damn idiot! As if locking himself in his house would change anything!”

  “Why didn't you ask the Guild for help?” Dih asked.

  “They never send someone competent! Never! Only rookies!”

  “It reeks, Boss! It's no coincidence that these bastards have appeared at this precise moment. I bet my precious ass that Jerok was part of something bigger. I don't think he caught these people off guard by chance!” Al-Hek muttered.

  Jean left the inn at a brisk pace. Al-Hek and Dih followed close behind her. “We're leaving!”

  “Where to?” Dih asked.

  “It’s hunting time! I'll pay Choog a visit later!”