Mutagen

<strong>Day 129 - 12:15 PM - Newton Lake, Veteran's Memorial Park, Oaklyn, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America</strong>

The atmosphere inside the area affected by the cursed tree suddenly became stagnant. Mark could not help but retreat because of the sudden change. It was better to be cautious than to get caught off guard.

Mark immediately flew back and hovered in front of Mei and Elise. He did not know what was happening, but for some reason, he was feeling some sort of danger.

He stared at Ellse, his appearance changed. His hair turned white along with his complexion, fangs grew on his teeth, and his ears became pointed. It was his original appearance as an Evil Spirit.

Aside from Ellse, the Cursed Tree behind him started to emit an evil aura that was different from the Miasma that already scattered around it. Along with its release, dead evolved fishes and insects that were hiding under the like started to float. It was as if the lake was alerting everyone of the ominous event that was about to come.

"Ellse!" Illia flew towards Ellse together with Jude. "Why did you activate the curse?! It's not the proper time yet!"

"My Queen, do you really have to ask that?" Ellse replied. For some reason, his conduct was way different from when Mark revealed their plans.

"That demon there revealed our plans to Elise. Even the idiot Ellse's relationship with their family."

It was strange. Ellse was referring to himself in third-person. No, it was like the Ellse earlier, and the Ellse now were two different people.

Hearing Ellse's reply, Illia understood.

The very reason they did not wipe out the Settlement in Audubon High School was for this very event. Slowly killing the survivors, pushing them into the corner, and harassing them in every way. It was all for the sake of feeding their despair and other negative emotions to the curse.

But the most crucial part of it was Elise.

Devils, Lesser Demons, and Evil Spirits feed off the negative energies that humans emit. It was the very reason that the weaker Evil Spirits tend to scare people to absorb their negative emotions.

And Elise was exceptional in that regard.

Mark also noticed the same thing, and that was why he knocked her unconcious. The more chaotic her mind was, the more negative energies were being released from her emotions.

In a sense, she was the complete opposite of Empaths that could absorb negative energies from the emotions of people around them.

That was the cause of her miseries since her birth. Because of the negative energies around her, evil spirits tend to gather near her. They would make her life even more miserable to feed off the energies she emits.

It was also the very same reason that made people subconsciously avoid her because they somehow felt uncomfortable when she was around.

But of course, to Ellia, the guardian of the Cursed Tree, she was a treasure.

She contributed a whole lot to make Elise's life miserable. That included Jude, who became her partner in crime since six years ago. It was when a beam of light fell from the destroyed meteorite and landed on his body, giving him the powers that he had now.

All of what happened to Felicia was included in their schemes.

When she became neglected and tried to suicide, Elise did not know that she caused the spirit of her brother that was sleeping inside her body to be sucked by the Cursed Tree.

That was when the current Ellse appeared and became another of her accomplices. Although he still had the fragments of the real Ellse that would come out from time to time, soon, the boy's spirit would be absorbed by the reborn Evil Spirit.

It would not be long before the curse was completed perfectly.

However, the sudden appearance of Mark and his group destroyed the plans they prepared for years.

Unfortunately, there was no going back. The curse had already been activated.

Illia just needed to compromise.

CRACK! CRACK!

The bark at the center of the trunk of the Cursed Tree started to peel on its own. For each bark that fell, a surge of red, sinister light would seep out of the gaps.

When the bark was peeled off in a circular shape, a demonic magic circle was revealed with Swastikas around it.

After seeing that magic circle appear, Illia's eyes lit up.

"My King, Ellse. Follow me."

"What for?"

Jude complained. He was not feeling well as he stared at the magic circle.

"Ellse activated the curse prematurely! We need to supplement the remaining mana needed for the ritual."

After saying that, Illia flew towards the Magic Circle. Ellse immediately followed without question, while Jude also flew with a bit of hesitation.

When they arrived in front of the Magic Circle, it only when Jude noticed that it was about three meters in diameter. It was huge.

"My King! Put your both hands in that circle, Ellse you on the opposite side."

Illia said, pointing at smaller circles on the left and right side of the Magic Circle.

When the two did that, the magical energy in their bodies automatically circulated.

Illia smiled. The ritual was back on track.

***

On the other side, Roan was getting restless.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be stopping them?"

Roan shouted at Mark in impatience.

It was the most reasonable action. However, Mark was only watching. If this continued, Elise would be subjected to more danger. That was what he could feel.

Mark frowned at Roan.

"Shut up! I want to see what will happen."

Roan was taken aback. He started to think if Mark was an idiot or something. Roan became seethed in his emotions. He did not mind if Mark wanted to watch, but he should not make his sister face more danger.

Sensing Roan's emotions, Mark sighed.

"Give her to me."

Mark took Elise from Mei.

Then...

"Here, catch!"

Roan's eyes turned wide as he saw Mark toss Elise towards the border.

If this continued, Elise would definitely turn to dust.

But then, Mark waved his hand. A surge of black mist touched the border first before Elise.

Then, that part of the border suddenly dissolved, allowing Elise to safely pass through.

Roan jumped and caught Elise by reflex. Even so, his heart was pounding hard.

"You!"

Roan glared at Mark. It looked like he wanted to skin Mark alive.

"What, she what you are worrying about, right?" Mark shrugged. "You better bring her away. She's still the target of those guys there."

Roan wanted to complain. However, he decided not to. Giving Jude the last killing stare, Roan carried Elise away, jumping from roof to roof.

As Mark recalled the surge of Miasma, the border returned to normal. He turned back to the three that was supplying magical energy to the Magic Circle. It seemed that they did not notice him open up the border with ease.

"Gege, should we get ready?"

Mei asked.

"We should," Mark replied with a smile. "They seemed to be waking up something. Whatever it is, expect something at the level of that Flame Demon or maybe stronger."

Mark then took out two things.

"Keep this just in case."

He handed to two things to Mei. It was no other than the item he used in clearing the way after being chased by outlaws and the crystal needed to power it.

"That's the last one I had. I've been keeping that just in case. Remember how I used the last one?"

Mei received the items and nodded.

Mark and Mei were preparing. It was then when...

"AAGAAHHH!!! WHAT IS THIS!"

Jude's panicked voice echoed loudly.

"My Queen, what is the meaning of this?!"

Even Ellse seemed to have a problem.

When Mark and Mei turned to look, they saw that Jude and Ellse were slowly sinking into the trunk of the tree. It seemed that they were powerless to resist.

On the other hand, Illia flapped her wings, watching the two. She had a sinister smile on her face.

"Sorry, My King. You too, Ellse. We could have avoided this if the curse was activated properly along with human offerings. But it can't be helped. My Master's rebirth needed a soul and a vessel. The two of you are the only ones available right now."

"No! Illia, didn't you love me?!"

Jude shouted, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"You really believed that nonsense?" Illia laughed in a lascivious manner. "You know what I am, a Succubus. I can give love to any men I wanted. But of course, none of them can be compared to my Master."

Jude could only open his mouth, but no say anything. He could not believe that he had been used as a pawn. He was a King. He could be someone greater in the future.

"My Queen, why?"

Ellse said. Being bound to the curse, he knew that he would not be able to escape this. Still, he needed the reason why.

"No reason, really," Illia replied. "Also don't worry. After your soul fused with my Master's, your sister will be his first meal. You and your sister would be together forever. Hahahaha"

"F*CK! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"

Jude shouted in his last moments. His whole body was swallowed by the cursed tree at the same time as Ellse's.

Illia turned towards Mark and Mei.

"My Master will be reborn soon. You two are purebloods. My Master will surely accept you two if you pledge allegiance. I also like strong people. I can be your woman."

Mark shivered. The Succubus was giving him some suggestive gestures. He glanced at Mei. She did not seem to be affected, though inside, she could not wait to tear this demon apart.

He patted Mei's head and snickered at the Succubus. Mark knew that she needed to bid for time and decided to talk to them. Well, there was really no need for this since Mark wanted to see things to the end. Nevertheless, he did not mind playing with this woman.

"No, thank you." Mark then pushed Mei forward in front of him. "You are too sexy, not my type. I prefer some proportioned bodies like my girl here."

"GEGE!"

Mei blushed.

On the other hand, Illia was definitely embarrassed in a negative way. This was the first time that someone told her something odd like this. Her self-confidence took a hard blow. Furthermore, she was secretly releasing magic to seduce the man in front of her, but it seemed to have no effect.

But nevertheless, Illia could not deny it. The girl in front of her was far too beautiful compared to her.

Her eyes alternated at Mark and Mei. She could not understand how someone with a face like him ensnared this kind of beauty.

While alternating her eyes, however, she noticed something.

It was as if something was missing.

Then, Illia saw Mark tilt his head with a smile filled with ridicule.

"You just noticed?"

That words of his snapped Illia.

Elise, the key piece to the ritual, was missing. Eating Elise would stabilize the rebirth of Illia's Master to his perfect condition. Without her, although the ritual would still be successful, her Master would be weakened and would need time to recover his past strength.

"But how..."

Illia's eyes stared at Mark widely. There was no place here that Mark and Mei could hide her without causing chaos among the infected below.

Then, Mark stretched his hand, opening a small black hole in front of him. He then took two pairs of packed juice and straw, handing Mei one.

"She's inside here. If you want to get her, you have to defeat me first."

Mei looked at her Gege. He was lying with a straight face.

He revealed that he had some sort of space storage. However, it was the best way to cover that Elise was already brought away by Roan. Besides, it would be hard for her to realize that Mark could open the border, or he was able to control another kind of Miasma.

"YOU!"

Illia was seething in anger. She might not be able to contend against Mark in strength, but Elise was needed to perfect her Master's rebirth. Even if she had to lay down her life, she would do everything to take Elise back.

The Succubus wielded her daggers, ready to charge towards Mark.

But then...

"Illia, stand down."

A deep, chilling voice echoed from the cursed tree.