Chapter 193
From long ago, whenever he was around that brat, nothing good ever happened. This whole auction fiasco was definitely that little bastard’s fault.
“Did he run his mouth again or what?”
I told him over and over not to speak out loud!
Every time that little shit opened his mouth, something strange happened.
Perfectly fine items broke, windows shattered……
“Shit!”
I should’ve just cut out his tongue so he’d never speak again! Letting him be because it would lower the product value—maybe that was the real mistake.
“Tch!”
Spitting on the floor as if to vent his anger, he let out a long sigh. If there were at least some brats around, he could’ve taken his frustration out on them.
‘Those soldiers aren’t saying unnecessary things, are they?’
The director’s face twisted further as he recalled the orphanage children the soldiers had taken away for “temporary protection” until all investigations were finished.
–Meow.
“Huh?”
Walking alone down the orphanage hallway, Director Jerry stopped short at the unfamiliar sound.
Something had appeared in front of him, strolling casually before blocking his path.
“What the hell, a cat?”
It was a cat with pure white fur marked by red stripes.
The cat sat down and stared straight up at him.
Meeting its gaze, Director Jerry flinched without realizing it.
‘What the hell?’
Why did his spine feel so cold?
Annoyed at himself, he scowled and muttered a curse.
Now even this worthless crap is getting on my nerves!
“You picked the wrong time.”
With a vile grin, the director strode toward the cat. He’d found something to vent his anger on in place of the kids.
–…….
Even as he approached, the cat didn’t move an inch, only continuing to stare at him.
That gaze sent another chill through him, but Jerry forced himself to ignore it.
“You damn cat—!”
Whoosh!
“…!”
Director Jerry, who had rushed forward to kick the cat with all his strength, suddenly froze stiff.
“U–UAAAAAAAH!”
In an instant, the cat grew enormous and lunged at him.
The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was himself being sucked into the pitch-black maw of the cat’s gaping mouth.
“Ugh…….”
Director Jerry slowly pushed himself up, his head pounding as if it were about to split open. When had he passed out?
“Damn… was that a dream?”
Maybe he’d been too stressed lately. He was having all kinds of bizarre dreams.
There was no way it could’ve been real. A cat suddenly growing huge and swallowing him whole? Impossible.
“…Where am I?”
Pressing his aching head, he finally noticed how utterly unfamiliar his surroundings were.
“Why… why is it so dark?”
A space drowned in thick darkness. There was nothing—only endless black.
Once again, a chill ran through him. It was the exact same feeling as when he’d met the cat’s eyes.
A sticky, indescribable presence seemed to coil around his entire body.
[Wow. You’re kind of impressive, mister.]
“…! Wh–Who’s there?!”
A strange voice echoed out. Whirling around, he saw a woman standing there, surrounded by bright light.
[Before I even spread a curse, finding a soul already this perfectly rotten is a first for me.]
At the sight of the bizarrely dressed woman, Jerry instinctively stepped back.
What is she? And those clothes—what the hell? Her thighs are completely exposed!
[Truly magnificent.]
Whoosh!
“U–Ugh!”
In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of him. She leaned in close with a wide grin, and Jerry collapsed to the floor.
“W–What are you?!”
[Me? Well, if I had to say……]
She leaned in again, grinning crookedly at his face.
[I’m the one who will stain your soul with the karma you’ve accumulated.]
“…What?”
What kind of nonsense was she talking about? Karma? Soul? He couldn’t understand a word.
‘This woman’s completely insane.’
Her clothes, her behavior—nothing about her was normal.
[Do you know what happens when a soul is stained by a curse?]
As if unconcerned with his thoughts, she stepped back, her smile widening.
[Life itself becomes hell.]
“You crazy bitch, what the hell are you saying— Agh!”
Jerry couldn’t finish his sentence.
Her foot came down on his head.
She pressed down hard with her sharp heel, and Jerry screamed in agony.
[Looking at your soul, hell is already guaranteed after death. But that’s something for later.]
“Gghhh!”
Press. Press.
He struggled desperately to escape, but his body wouldn’t respond. It was as if it no longer belonged to him.
[Now imagine what happens when a curse is added to a soul this rotten. Curious? Curious? Even if you’re not, listen.]
She giggled.
[Living becomes hell.]
After trampling him for a while, she finally stepped back and met his gaze.
[Don’t worry too much, mister. The curse I’m placing only works if you’ve committed sins. If you lived a good life, nothing would happen—might even bring you luck. But judging by the state of your soul, I doubt it.]
“W–What….”
He still couldn’t understand anything. A curse? Karma? Why was she doing this to him?!
[Don’t think too hard about it. You don’t look very smart anyway.]
Pat. Pat.
She gently patted his head.
[Remember this. You’re going to hell no matter what once you die. Even if life becomes hell and you kill yourself, hell will still be waiting. Whether you suffer hell while alive or after death—that choice is yours.]
“…Hell?”
That single word lodged itself deep in his mind. Goosebumps spread across his body.
“Why are you doing this to me?!”
[I told you. Your karma. If you’d lived decently, none of this would be happening.]
She clicked her tongue while surveying the pitch-black surroundings and stepped back again.
[Then let’s begin.]
“B–Begin what—?!”
Whoooosh!
She blew out a breath, and black powder poured from her mouth, completely covering his body.
“What is this—?!”
He frantically tried to brush it off, but the powder seeped into his skin and vanished instantly.
[See you next time, mister.]
“W–Wait! What did you do to me—?!”
[And hey, bastard.]
“…!”
[Talk down to me again and you’re dead. I may look young and cute, but I’m way older than you. You wanna die, huh? Tsk.]
“Eek!”
Reaching out to grab her, Jerry froze when he saw her holding up both middle fingers, radiating an icy killing intent. He recoiled in terror.
[Bye-bye~]
Smiling brightly as if she’d never been threatening at all, she waved cheerfully and vanished completely.
“W–What the hell was that…?”
As soon as she disappeared, the darkness closed in again.
How do I get out of here?
As despair washed over him and he let out a long sigh—
Slide.
“W–What is that?!”
Something was crawling up from his feet.
Looking down, he screamed.
Strange things were wrapping around his body, climbing upward.
“U–UAAAAAAAH!”
Worse still, they began to eat him alive.
Screaming in unbearable pain, Director Jerry thrashed violently.
