Chapter 88: McSuile Family

[ — Status Screen —

Ace: It was indeed a miracle that I wasn’t exposed as a Cursemaster.

Ace: Rose, were you able to find anything about Janice and Delores’ personal lives? For instance, how they treated mortals or what the McSuile family’s attitude was toward them?]

Ace took some time to process all the information Dame Wasp shared about Janice and Delores. He still couldn’t comprehend how he managed to leave without being discovered by Delores—or the fact that he had been in the presence of modern-day royalty. Recalling his offhanded comment about a threesome to Janice and his lingering gaze at Delores’ semi-naked body, he finally grasped the meaning of the saying: ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’

Reflecting further, Ace considered that the only reason he had been treated as an equal by them was that he was Mandy’s guest. This made him rethink Danny’s theory about Mandy having the Midas touch. The way Janice and Delores had kept up their facade of being an actress and manager in Mandy’s presence, even until the end, suggested that Janice valued their friendship—though her true intentions remained unclear. 

Knowing Janice was the modern-day princess of the McSuile family, Ace couldn’t see any reason for her to value a country girl’s friendship unless she thought of Mandy like a pet. He couldn’t help but worry about Mandy, assuming the worst. Ever since he entered the ‘World of Curse,’ all he had seen was its vile and ugly evil, so much so that he had begun to believe it wasn’t capable of any good.

Adding his cautious nature to the mix, he couldn’t see past the evil it had shown him to recognize any good if there was any. However, he was wise enough to realize that, in his current mental state, even if he stumbled upon gold, he might discard it, believing it to be fake. To avoid such misjudgment, he sought counsel from his Toy Summons, encouraging them to intervene if he was wrong.

Therefore, he vowed never to animate two identical Toy Summons, as he needed their individuality stat to remain at its maximum. This way, they could fully actualize the complete characteristics of the characters they were designed after, compensating for his lack of experience and ignorance with their character design. It was an undeniable fact that both Dame Wasp and Emi were the reason he was still alive.

[ — Status Screen —

Dame Wasp: Master, aptitude for curse energy is not hereditary. While the chances of Cursemaster parents giving birth to children with an aptitude for curse energy were high, it was not guaranteed. This was one of the reasons the ‘World of Curse’ did not consume the mortal world entirely and even defended it when necessary. It was also the reason the Curse Slave method was originally created—after all, even animals love their offspring.

Dame Wasp: Even in the McSuile family, there are many mortals. They are famously known for treating their mortal and cursed descendants equally. The mortal descendants often take key positions in the government or military, while the cursed descendants become powerful Cursemaster and serve in the C.I.B. However, some mortal descendants choose to become Curse Slaves of their own volition. Whether in the government, military, or C.I.B., all have benefitted from their selfless service and sacrifice.

Dame Wasp: In summation, the McSuile family and its members are true patriots. Their combined contributions to the country justify their royal status and the government’s trust in appointing them as its “Eyes” in the “World of Curses.”

Dame Wasp: Master, there is more to the ‘World of Curses.’ You must truly embrace it to see all it has to offer. But since you choose to hide in the shadows, you see only the monsters lurking there, missing the rest of what it has to offer.

Dame Wasp: Lastly, I couldn’t find anything specific about Janice and Delores’ attitudes toward mortals. I don’t think they would have waited this long to take action if they had ill intentions toward Mandy. However, I will subtly reach out to the cast and crew who worked with them on the Cyber Craft movie serie to draw a profile and better understand their attitude toward mortals.]

Knowing her Master’s overcautious nature, Dame Wasp subtly urged him to step out of the shadows and embrace the ‘World of Curses.’ She then immediately proposed her plan to investigate Janice and Delores’ attitudes toward mortals by leveraging their history as an actress and manager duo in the Cyber Craft movie franchise.

Dame Wasp was aware it was impossible to change her master’s nature overnight, and pressing him to do so could have adverse effects. She had to remain patient and keep trying. Her master’s history as a bullied student had left deeper scars in his heart and mind than he was willing to show. It was apparent to her that she had to help him heal those wounds if she ever wanted to see him embrace the light.

[ — Status Screen —

Ace: That’s a great idea, Rose. But make sure not to leave any traces—after all, her status is sensitive.

Dame Wasp: Yes, Master. Rest assured.

Ace: Emi, have you finished compiling the stealth ninja arts you promised me?] 

Emi Nakamura, being a skilled kunoichi shaman, when animated, her school’s ninjutsu actualized as her innate curse art’s Cursed Ninja Arts. It contained numerous ninjutsus that could now be performed using curse energy. One of those ninjutsus was concealment ninjutsu. 

Emi promised Ace that she would use it to modify the cursed shroud arts. Occasionally, she would borrow his Apex Earring for additional assistance and thoroughness. As a result, Ace paused his study of cursed shroud arts and focused solely on body reinforcement arts. After the recent run-in with an Ocean-tier Cursemaster, he couldn’t help but check in on her progress.

[ — Status Screen —

Emi: Master, with the help of the Apex Earring, I managed to compile it this morning. I planned to surprise you during your next practice session, but since you asked—The combined curse art is called Curse Concealment Arts.

Emi: Once you master it, unless your enemy possesses enigmatic curse arts or tools, you won’t need to worry about being identified as a curse user or discovered while in hiding. Since I couldn’t find information on void-tier Cursemaster’s detection capabilities, I can’t guarantee its effectiveness against them.

Emi: Still, it is created using the best of two universes: Cosmic Combat and Apex Boy Band. Not to mention, my school’s ninjutsu is unparalleled in Cosmic Combat, capable of tricking even cosmic beings. So, it should prove sufficient for your present needs.

Ace: Great! I’ll head to the lakehouse and start practicing immediately, using my Apex Persona and your Presence Erasing talisman. 

Dame Wasp: Master, don’t you plan to return with Mandy?

Ace: She’s a big girl; she can return on her own. Besides, why would I go back there and risk exposing my identity as a curse user?

Dame Wasp: But, Master, you must—for my sake.] 

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep