Raito didn't say a word. He stayed quiet, then the familiar notification box flickered to life before his eyes.

[Seduction Magic from Cursed Spirit – Disabled]

Raito smiled faintly, then dropped his expression back to neutral.

It finally completes, the cursed spirit said with a proud grin. There's no man who could resist my beauty.

Well, you said you used Seduction Magic, that's the only reason why, Kira muttered from the ground.

The cursed spirit chuckled. He's already mine now. This guy will work for me.

Snap out of it, Raito! Snap out of it! Kira shouted, struggling to stand. I didn't expect you to, snap out!

Raito slowly turned his head, looking at her. For a moment, his gaze softened, his eyes flashing faintly as if his heartbeat matched hers. Then, he turned back toward the cursed spirit.

The cursed spirit smiled sweetly, raising her hand toward him. Come on, my ame, she whispered, reaching out to place her hand on his shoulder.

But suddenly, she froze. Her instincts screamed danger.

She jumped back, just in time. A clean slash from Raito's dagger cut through the air where her arm had been.

She landed gracefully, her smile fading. Put yourself up… something isn't right. You should've been tamed by now. You should be walking under me. I used Seduction Magic! There's no man able to resist that! What's going on?

Raito looked at her coldly. Are you done? I was just tired and sick of waiting. But don't touch me with your filthy hand, you ugly monster.

The cursed spirit's expression twisted. What did you just say? Don't you dare ever call me ugly! she screamed, her voice echoing through the dungeon.

A scream ripped the air. The cursed spirit lunged forward like a blade drawn from the dark, hair whipping back as she aimed straight for his face. He flinched, raised a hand to his nose, not because he was ashamed of being called ugly, but because the stench hit like a rotten wound. It wasn't the metallic tang of blood. It reeked of rot, of filth. The smell matched her, vile, corrosive.

He smiled, slow and cold.

The spirit lashed out, sending a thread of blood so fine it could slice a whisper. The filament screamed through the air, but he didn't move. A magic shield snapped up around him, a silent wall that swallowed the thread. The red filament struck and skittered uselessly away.

She didn't stop. Blood rose from the floor, fresh, screaming fragments of the lives she'd taken. She shaped them with a flick of her wrist into spear after spear, each one humming with malice. They launched at him with inhuman speed.

He slipped a hand into his pocket as the first spear slammed the barrier. He watched, unhurried. When the next projectile came, he brought his hand out and slammed his palm against the shield. The impact shuddered through stone and air. He slid his hand back into his pocket like he was tucking away a coin.

Are you done? he said, voice calm.

Her face contorted, rage spilling out. You called me ugly. You said I stink. You will pay! Her words were a cascade, fury, pride, fear. Don't forget who I am! I am one of the strongest blood spirits, a top-tier cursed spirit. You should tremble. Bow to me. Men like you don't deserve to stand before—

He cut her off with the same flatness that made the air drop cold. You talk a lot.

She lunged again, claws and blood and teeth. He didn't move to strike her first. Instead, he listened to her rage and answered with one sentence that left no echo.

I haven't seen any proof you can back that up.

Raito tilted his head slightly, his eyes glowing with quiet contempt.

Oh, really? Then let me tell you something, he said, voice cold. You know the Black King, don't you? You must have felt his aura. His pressure still lingers in this dungeon.

The cursed spirit froze.

You were hiding here because of him, Raito continued. You didn't move an inch from this part of the dungeon because if you did, he would've killed you instantly. You claim to be strong, but you were terrified of him.

The cursed spirit's face twisted. No way… you're joking, right?

Her voice trembled, but she forced a smile. Yeah, I could sense his pressure. It was all over Dungeon A the moment I came here. His presence was unbearable. If I ever fought him, I'd be dead in seconds. I couldn't seduce him either, the Black Spirit inside him resisted it. And I couldn't control his blood. His power was beyond me.

Raito's expression didn't change. Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore.

He took a step forward, his tone like a blade.

I killed him. Just before coming for you.

Her eyes widened. For a moment, there was fear, real fear. Then, she smiled again, wicked and composed.

Well, you actually did me a favor, she said softly. With him gone, I can finally move freely. I still have my trump card. Blood control.

Her voice deepened, echoing through the dungeon. I can command the blood inside your head, make it explode from within, shattering your bones, bursting your heart. You'll die before you even realize it.

She stretched out her hand, veins glowing crimson. Blood Devour!

A red thread of power snaked through the air and connected to Raito's body. His blood began to move violently under his skin. She smiled. There it is. The blood in your veins… it's mine now.

But Raito didn't even flinch.

He looked down at his arm, where faint red marks pulsed. Then he smiled, cold, sharp, dangerous.

A digital chime echoed.

[Warning: Unknown source attempting to control user's blood.]

[Override engaged — Source disabled.]

The cursed spirit blinked, confused. What? Disabled? No… that's impossible!

She stretched her hand again, chanting. Blood Devour! Blood Destruction! Move!

Nothing happened.

What—why can't I use it? she gasped.

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