Chapter 45

This is the first time the purification didn't work.

I'm a bit nervous.

If I get cursed back... "Barrier Reinforcement"

First, I need to ensure my own safety for the sake of my peace of mind.

Ari's whole body is covered in black patterns.

It must be a mutated version of the curse.

Speaking of curses... curses, vengeful spirits, possession.

...Could it be that the curse has transferred?

I look at the giant ant.

Looking into its eyes... I can't tell.

But, I'll start with what I can think of.

Suddenly, the Core appears in front of me.

It defended me from the giant ant's attack.

The Core's whole body glows, and the giant ant is blown away.

The vibration echoes through the cave.

When the giant ant stands up, the Core growls and warns it.

Soa and Hio also stand beside the Core.

The giant ant... is it a child?

A considerable number of smaller ants, much smaller than the giant ant, appear.

All of them have black patterns.

I get a bad feeling.

I'll do what I can.

If it's possessed, I'll perform an exorcism.

Eh??

...I can't do it, I can't imagine an exorcism.

What else, what else.

The sound of the giant ant's teeth clattering echoes.

Click, click, click.

...I'm scared.

Ah, it's in an abnormal state.

Since it's possessed, it must be the heart, right?

The heart is bound by something, preventing the ant from showing itself.

So, I'll imagine the heart... anything will do.

I imagine the ant bound in space, then burn the bindings, or cut them.

Cut them, and let it move freely in space.

"Curse Release"

A ring of light appears around the giant ant and the smaller ants.

A wall of light envelops them, and as the light pours in, the black patterns gradually fade.

With a "pop" sound, the light disappears, and the giant ant without the patterns is there.

The smaller ants also lose their patterns.

Success?

Can curses in this world transfer... that's scary.

When I observe, the giant ant is looking at me.

Without the previous warning, it just... looks at me?

The giant ant moves a little closer, and the Core warns it.

The stopped giant ant... I can sense a confused atmosphere.

I've started to read the atmosphere a little when I'm with the Core and the others.

But communication is still difficult.

I approach the giant ant.

Somehow, I pet its head... oh, it's cold and smooth like porcelain.

I had the impression it would be rough, but I ended up petting it.

I don't know that the giant ant was even more confused.