Chapter 229: 229

Then came a regal-looking individual, her posture exuding authority. Her eyes scanned the surroundings with a cold, calculating glare. She had a crown of thorns digging into her scalp, and her limbs were bound in heavy chains that dragged behind her. As her gaze fell on James, he felt a crushing weight of tyranny, a need to submit. She represented the curse of power used to dominate and oppress, a ruler who would bring others to their knees with her mere presence.

In contrast, a brute of a man followed her, his muscles bulging grotesquely, veins pulsating just under his skin. His skin was a patchwork of scars and fresh wounds, and his hands were unnaturally large, capable of crushing bone with ease. He radiated raw physical power, but his curse was the compulsion to use it to harm and control. As he moved, the ground seemed to tremble, and James felt a primal fear, the instinct to flee from the violence this being embodied.

From the mist, another figure appeared, dressed in flamboyant attire, seeking the attention of all around him. His face was an ever-shifting mask of other people’s features, never settling on his own. His curse was the insatiable need for fame at the expense of others. As he paraded, James felt a repulsion, sensing the underhanded tactics this being would use to climb to the top, no matter who he trampled on.

But there was also another side of fame. A figure cloaked in shadows emerged, shunned and whispered about. His face was blurred, constantly shifting and never clear, representing anonymity and public disgrace. The curse of public disgrace hung heavily around him. As this being moved, James felt a pang of empathy, understanding the crushing weight of being forever scorned and humiliated.

Then, a grotesque figure lumbered forth, adorned in tattered finery that had once been luxurious. His skin was a sickly gold, shimmering unnaturally, and his fingers were elongated into claws that clutched at invisible riches. Coins and jewels seemed embedded in his flesh, causing him constant pain as they glittered with a cursed light. This was the embodiment of wealth, cursed to be consumed by greed. As he moved, his eyes darted, and James felt an overwhelming desire to hoard and protect, a greed so intense it made him sick yet he couldn’t help but want more riches to himself.

Lastly, two more beings stepped forth. One, an artist of extraordinary skill, displayed their talents with a sneer, belittling all who watched. His fingers were unnaturally long and nimble, but his eyes were hollow, devoid of joy. This was the curse of talent used to demean others. As James watched, he felt his own inadequacies magnified, a deep-seated shame for not measuring up.

The final figure was a tragic sight. They were frail, their movements shaky and unsure. Their hands, once deft and sure, were now clumsy and weak, fingers twisted and useless. Their eyes, once filled with confidence and spark, were now clouded with despair. This was the curse of never having talent. As James observed, he felt a profound sorrow and fear, the terror of a life lived in mediocrity, haunted by the dreams of skills they never possessed. The haunting memory of what they aspired to be, now forever out of reach, was etched on their weary face.

James stood among these cursed beings, each a reflection of a twisted aspect of human desire and ambition.

Back in Mahu’s realm, she was busy retwisting Ikenga braids when all of sudden Ikenga cursed tattoos glowed purple, his eyes glowing too, which caught her attention “What’s that? she asked

Ikenga smiled as he got even more comfortable before responding “That is the cue for the awakening of Osisi and Boros”

Ikenga waved his hand, A sight of what was happening in his realm appeared, meanwhile he closed his eyes connecting with his realm.

James was looking at the other cursed being, when they felt the presence of something heavier and divine looking at them, The cursed spirit inside of everyone available was pushing them to kneel as their creator is among them.

Hearing the word creator, the cursed being could immediately guess who that was “Ikenga, god of nature and curses”

Ikenga form was with Mahu, but a shadow of his appeared and the shadow was the same height as Osisi and Boros, so when the cursed being bowed all they saw was his toes.

Ikenga looked down to embodiments of the collective negative emotions of society, summoned or attracted by widespread resentment towards specific behaviors or traits.

Since his curses appeared, it has been nothing but a thorn on the human side, as their every deep hidden secret is being presented in front of them.

Many have looked into his words which came with the birth of curses so they have a pretty good idea on why it happens, yet humans being the creature they are only got scared for a few weeks before they turned back to their regular life.

Some even began taking advantage of the curses, purposely cursing their neighbor who has been a bother to them. Too bad curses didn’t work that way yet that have stopped them, as they kept finding ways to one up each other.

Many of the cursed beings here are a good example of the darkness hidden deep in the human heart. Looking at the first Woman that appeared “Evara” the name was whispered to Ikenga from the cursed spirit inhabiting her.

Evara is the result of unchecked lust from both men and women. She had once been a celebrated figure in her small village. With flowing raven hair, piercing green eyes, and a radiant smile, she was the epitome of beauty and grace. Everyone admired her, and her presence brought joy to many. But with admiration came envy, and with envy came resentment.

Evara had the misfortune of attracting the attention of too many. Suitors from far and wide sought her hand, but Elena, desiring true love, rejected each one who came for superficial reasons. Her rejections, while polite and considerate, sowed seeds of bitterness in the hearts of those who were turned away. Whispers of her arrogance and unapproachability began to spread.

The village was small, and gossip traveled fast. A group of spurned suitors and envious women gathered, their collective resentment brewing into something dark and sinister. The spirit manifested in Evara’s life one fateful night, whispering insidious thoughts into her mind. At first, she brushed them off, thinking herself paranoid. But the thoughts grew stronger, and soon she found herself liking the whispers which prompted her to completely merge with the curse returning back her consciousness.

By the time she did, the whole village was already under the effect of her curse as men and women fell at her feet, with each madly aroused looking at her, Evera found herself chuckling at the sigh, the once innocent girl was gone.

Looking away, Ikenga looked at the man who appeared after her. The man was named Alaric, and his backstory was a stark contrast to Evara yet almost the same. Alaric had always been aware of his extraordinary looks and charm. From a young age, he realized that his striking features and magnetic personality could get him anything he desired. He embraced his gifts with a sense of entitlement, manipulating and using others to his advantage without remorse.

Alaric grew up in a bustling city where appearances were everything. He quickly learned that a well-placed smile or a flirtatious glance could open doors that were closed to others. Alaric reveled in the power his beauty gave him, using it to climb the social ladder, seduce partners, and secure wealth. He never hesitated to exploit his looks, seeing them as a tool to achieve his ambitions.

But Alaric’s charm came at a cost. The people he manipulated, the hearts he broke, and the rivals he outshone harbored deep resentment towards him. What Ikenga and Alaric found funny was that their resentment didn’t come from how bad he did them, instead it came from them resenting why they weren’t blessed like him as for the women whose heart he has broken their resentment came from them knowing they can’t have him alone for themselves.

Ikenga looked at both Evara and Alaric, both cursed being felt his look before suddenly they felt like a restraint had been lifted off of them.

With the release, Evara and Alaric both looked at each other. An attraction that was never there before was felt by both of them, the attraction came with the desire to merge.

Almost like they both read each other’s minds, Evara and Alaric quickly created a distance between each other. They both looked scared as they looked up only to feel the calm, anticipating eyes of Ikenga staring at them.

At the same time, from the void all cursed spirits created till today made their presence known as they gathered around Ikenga. The air in the realm of Ikenga was thick with an oppressive energy, swirling with the malevolent power of countless curses. The landscape became a distorted reflection of reality, filled with shadowy shapes and twisted forms. In the midst of this eerie place, two figures stood facing each other: Evara and Alaric.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep