ATTIC.
Lynn, paralyzed and with severe nerve damage, clenched his teeth and used the last of his strength to uncork a vial of Flesh Regeneration Elixir.
The moment the elixir spilled onto his palm, the damage to his spine robbed him of all control over his body.
But the potion was already taking effect, rapidly repairing his broken tissues.
"Twenty seconds… hope that's enough…"
He gritted his teeth.
His gaze fell on the Faceless Demon’s Heart lying beside him.
This cursed object was undeniably powerful—his trump card—but even after using such a bug-level item, he had still failed to kill that monster!
At this moment, the heart had already turned pitch black.
Indeed, this heart was formidable.
But at the same time…
An artifact of such power came with unimaginable side effects.
Whoosh—
A powerful suction force suddenly erupted from the heart, and he instantly felt his blood boiling.
The next second, the heart split open, latching onto his chest.
Thump—
Thump—
The heart began to beat violently, siphoning his blood in an unending stream.
As it drank, the heart turned a deep crimson, as though dyed in fresh blood.
From an outsider’s perspective…
It looked like a pulsating, blood-red tumor growing from his chest.
"Double the suffering, huh?"
Lynn gritted his teeth.
But the Flesh Regeneration Elixir, sensing the rapid loss of blood, began accelerating his blood production in response.
The two forces were now locked in a stalemate.
However, Lynn knew…
If he didn’t recover in time, twenty seconds later, he would still be dead.
Lynn bit down hard, his bloodshot eyes filled with desperation.
"Come on! Mutate! Hurry up and mutate!"
Right now…
His only hope lay in the mutation brought on by the elixir.
The damage to his spine had severed control over his limbs—he desperately needed new ones.
And then, at long last, the system notification chimed.
> Ding! Your body has undergone a Level-3 mutation.
Rip—
Almost simultaneously, his left eye bulged violently, and a blood-red serpent slithered out from his eye socket.
> Ding! Analyzing mutation…
> Ding! Warning! Your current physique and willpower are insufficient to fully control this mutation. Control efficiency: 31%.
>
> Level-3 Mutation: Brain Serpent – A flesh-and-blood snake spawned from the brain, possessing an intense bloodthirst.
In an instant.
Lynn was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable urge to kill, a hunger that surged from the depths of the mutation—so strong that even his mind was infected by it.
"Only 31% control?! Guess I have no choice but to gamble!"
Gritting his teeth, he mustered every ounce of willpower he had left, struggling to direct the serpent writhing out of his eye socket.
Through its frenzied movements…
Lynn finally managed to have it bite down on the second vial of Flesh Regeneration Elixir strapped to his belt.
Crack—
The vial shattered instantly.
Scarlet liquid splashed across his entire body.
And at that very moment, Lynn completely lost control of the Brain Serpent—it began twisting and thrashing wildly.
As if drawn by the intense scent of blood…
The Brain Serpent suddenly lunged, sinking its fangs into the Faceless Demon’s Heart, which was still latched onto Lynn's chest and drinking his blood.
Fresh blood splattered.
An intense conflict erupted between the two.
The Brain Serpent began viciously tearing at the heart, while the heart retaliated—its surface sprouting tendrils of flesh in an attempt to consume the snake in turn.
Lynn lay there, gasping for air, watching this grotesque battle unfold.
His brain and heart were fighting each other.
Such a horrifying scene could only exist in this dark world.
Yet, because the heart and serpent were now engaged in their struggle, the rapid loss of his blood finally slowed.
Meanwhile, the Flesh Regeneration Elixir was swiftly repairing his damaged spine.
"Just a little longer… I’ll make it…"
Meanwhile, downstairs…
The mass of writhing limbs had finally stilled.
The enormous, frozen pupil trembled slightly, and the monster’s grotesque body began to wriggle.
> "Core repair complete… Commencing body takeover…"
> "Threat index adjustment… Extreme."
> "Prey devour priority… Highest."
> "Commencing hunt."
>
> Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Buzz—
The enormous pupil flared red.
It suddenly lifted its gaze—fixating on the ceiling.
In the very next moment, its massive body burst through the floor, crashing into the attic with a thunderous impact.
Its gaze swept across the bloodstained walls and floor.
But Lynn was already gone.
> "Target locked… Highest priority devour objective… Activating Spectral Vision."
One of its eyes flickered into a ghostly, translucent state.
The next second—
It whipped around and leapt forward.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile.
On a fog-drenched street.
Lynn, cloaked in tattered robes, staggered forward, his body twisting unnaturally as he sprinted through the mist.
The Brain Serpent writhing from his eye socket was still locked in battle with the Faceless Demon’s Heart latched onto his chest.
But at the very last moment, the Flesh Regeneration Elixir had repaired his spine, restoring control over his body.
Gritting his teeth—
Lynn pushed through the pain and ran like hell toward No. 44.
Because he knew… that monster wouldn’t stop hunting him.
His only chance at survival was to seek help from the cursed house—a ???-level anomaly!
Finally—
As he broke free from the dense fog, a silhouette came into view.
From somewhere ahead, a soft humming echoed through the streets.
The next moment—
A woman in a blood-red dress strolled toward him, cradling a baby in her arms.
Her body was drenched in blood, yet her expression remained serene—her lips curved into a slight smile.
In her other hand…
She casually carried three severed heads.
Straws were stuck into them.
She sipped casually.
Her gaze flickered toward the staggering figure of Lynn, and she blinked in surprise.
"Huh? That brat from the potion shop?"
Slightly astonished.
Then her scarlet eyes swept over Lynn’s blood-soaked body, the severed tendrils on his back, the writhing serpent emerging from his eye socket.
An exquisite kind of grotesqueness.
"My, my… what a unique look you have today, sweetheart. Is this some kind of performance art?"
She cradled her child, stopping before him.
Amused, she gave him a slow, teasing once-over.
Lynn panted heavily, wiped the blood off his face, and grinned.
"Yeah, something like that. Your curse hasn’t worn off yet? Why didn’t you drop by tonight?"
The Blood-Drenched Wraith pursed her crimson lips, her eyes glinting playfully.
"Oh? Missing me already? Still savoring last night’s tenderness?"
She let out a sultry chuckle.
Lynn’s current, blood-soaked appearance seemed to suit her aesthetic.
"You weren’t home?"
Lynn narrowed his eyes.
She lifted the severed heads in her hand and sighed sweetly.
"Oh, dear… it’s quite the headache, really. My little girl is still growing, you see. Without the proper nutrients, her development might be stunted… so as a responsible mother, I had to go out and take care of things myself~"
"Uwah~"
The baby in her arms twitched its ears and took a sip through the straw.
> [Lynn’s SAN -10]
Smiling, she took another slow glance at his gruesome appearance.
"So, my dear little sweetheart… what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"
Lynn forced himself to tear his gaze away from the three severed heads she was holding and took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.
“I’ve run into some trouble—big trouble. I tried to handle it myself, but as you can see…”
He spread his arms helplessly.
“I’ve lost at least a ton of blood.”
The Blood-Drenched Wraith chuckled. “So, the infamous potion shop owner finally has a problem he can’t solve?”
Lynn adjusted the serpent coiled in his eye socket and replied earnestly, “Yes. So let’s make a deal. I know you’re ridiculously strong. If you help me take down the monster chasing me, I’ll waive your tab for five months. How’s that?”
“A limited-time offer—don’t miss out~”
The Blood-Drenched Wraith’s smile remained unchanged. She didn’t move.
“If you’re being hunted,” she mused, “why are you standing here so calmly, chatting with me? Aren’t you the least bit anxious?”
Lynn rubbed his temples and said seriously, “Would panicking solve anything?”
Her smile widened.
Behind them, the rolling crimson mist surged forward like a tidal wave.
Thump—
Thump—
Each tremor shook the ground like an earthquake.
> [Warning! Warning! The crisis is rapidly approaching!]
> [Warning! Warning! The crisis is rapidly approaching!]
Yet Lynn still didn’t move.
He met her gaze—her ever-smiling eyes—and finally let out a slow breath.
“Fine. Name your price. Whatever conditions you want, just say them. Surely, you wouldn’t really want to see me die, would you?”
The Blood-Drenched Wraith’s expression grew even more amused.
“Oh? So, the little trickster thinks he has me figured out.”
She licked her lips lightly, then leaned forward.
Her scarlet lips brushed against his cheek, leaving behind a faint, intoxicating scent of blood.
“You’ve never submitted to me before, have you?”
A voice like the whisper of a devil curled around his ears.
“Then beg me.”
“Kneel before me. Lick my toes. Tell me you’re willing to submit to me, and I’ll help you.”
The corner of her lips curled playfully against his skin.
A brief silence followed.
Even the air itself seemed to freeze.
“…Is this flirting?” Lynn tilted his head with a smile.
“No.” The Blood-Drenched Wraith’s smile remained unchanged.
“I don’t like to flirt in situations like this.”
Silence.
A low, thunderous rumble spread through the air.
And then—
Lynn’s lips curled into a smirk.
“See ya.”
He clapped her on the shoulder, then walked right past her.
Pulling up the hood of his Blood Cloak, he moved like a shadow, swiftly vanishing into the black mist at the end of the street.
“If the shop is still standing by morning, I’ll help you lift your curse. I might even give you a little discount.”
“Catch you later.”
He turned his chin up slightly, flashing a thumbs-up at the baby in her arms—who had curiously turned its head toward him.
His grin gleamed in the dim light.
And then—
His figure disappeared into the mist.
No explanation.
No further response.
As if the question didn’t even need answering.
The Blood-Drenched Wraith stood there in stunned silence, gazing after him.
She looked a little surprised.
A little amused.
And maybe—just maybe—a little impressed.
“…That guy…”
She pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a sigh of exasperation.
“He really is—”
Splat!
A tentacle shot out, piercing the mist.
In an instant, it yanked Lynn back.
Before he could even react—
He was pulled straight into her arms.
A soft, overwhelming warmth enveloped him.
She hugged him tight, mercilessly smothering him in the vast, oppressive softness of her chest.
“Too cute!!!”
> [Ding! Blood-Drenched Wraith’s affection +10]
> [Ding! Blood-Drenched Wraith’s affection +10]
“I was joking! Just joking! You’re really something, huh? You can actually lift my curse, and now you’re acting all manly—seriously, that’s super hot!”
“That smile just now—god, it was amazing! I love guys who can stay tough even at death’s door. It just sets off my maternal instincts~ ☆(≧▽≦)☆”
“Love it! Love it!!”
“Oda! Oda!!” The baby waved its tiny hands excitedly.
The Blood-Drenched Wraith, glowing with joy, clung to Lynn like a child squeezing a plush toy.
She wiggled happily, hugging and squishing him like he was the best thing in the world.
Lynn struggled desperately, but her grip was inescapable.
He was like a tiny boat caught in a raging tide—helpless against the overwhelming waves.
Finally, he managed to surface for air.
“What the hell are you doing?!” he choked.
She grinned.
“…Helping you.”
> [Crisis Level: 90]
> [Crisis Level: 100]
Lynn finally broke free, gasping for breath—
Only to see her face split open before his very eyes.
Rows of razor-sharp barbs and tendrils emerged from beneath her skin.
Her cheeks peeled back, revealing a grotesque, grinning maw.
“Told you I’d help~”
Squelch—
In that instant—
Countless nightmarish black tentacles exploded from her body.
They slithered like monstrous vines, piercing the ground.
The street shattered beneath their assault.
Enormous chunks of stone were ripped free, swept up into the air by her tendrils.
BOOM—
A deafening explosion.
Dozens of massive projectiles tore through the blood mist, forcing the lurking monster to a sudden halt.
As the haze dispersed—
The twisted, blood-drenched puppet came into view.
The grotesque vertical pupil in its massive body locked onto Lynn and the Blood-Drenched Wraith.
> [Target confirmed… Commencing hunt…]
> [High-strength interference detected… Analyzing…]
> [Species: Wraith Aggregate… Consumption priority… High…]
> [Threat level… High…]
Lynn stared at the scene in shock.
The Blood-Drenched Wraith simply smiled.
Handing her baby over to Lynn, she elegantly stepped forward.
Her long, pale fingers grew nearly half a meter—turning into dripping black claws.
Her wild hair twisted and writhed, morphing into a nest of hissing, human-faced vipers.
Drip—
She lifted her head again—
And the light in her eyes turned to pure madness.
“Lynn~ You really pissed off a tough one this time, huh? Hehehe…”
Her grin split all the way to her ears.
Blood-drenched claws swayed before her, her posture eerily unsteady.
A sickening, chaotic giggle bubbled up from her throat.
Lynn clutched the baby tightly and backed away fast.
“Be careful! That thing isn’t easy to kill. Don’t underestimate it!”
Frantically, he relayed everything he had learned about the monster—its abilities, weaknesses, how he had fought it so far.
Every detail.
“Not easy to kill, huh…?”
The Blood-Drenched Wraith’s grin widened.
She swayed on her feet, curses spiraling off her body like a living storm.
Even from behind her, Lynn could feel the sheer, bone-chilling malice she radiated.