The Titan Skull raised its gaze, speaking indifferently, "I never imagined—that you would harbor such vile thoughts towards such a young girl. But from what I see of your little schemes—they're not perverse to that extent—If I'm not mistaken—you probably want to keep playing the nurturing game—raising my daughter little by little, subtly molding her—let the water flow gently—let my dear girl slowly remember your shape, huh!"
The Titan Skull's face showed a malicious coldness.
Buzz—
Lynne was utterly hollowed out this time.
"I didn't... I really didn't... I..."
Lynne desperately wanted to argue.
"Huh—" The Titan Skull coldly turned, interrupting him, looking down dismissively, "Still pretending? If I'm not mistaken—you've probably already found out about my daughter's preferences—You might even know—My daughter loves shiny things—loves to be taken out for grand meals—enjoys bubble baths—loves to go out for drives and adventures—"
He let out a venomous cold laugh.
"She loves—being cuddled to sleep at night, doesn't she—you scoundrel—"
Lynne stood there, hollow, muttering to himself.
I didn't know before... But now it seems I know everything... Sir, are you sure you're not teaching me step by step? Are you really sure?!
The Titan Skull continued to look down at him indifferently, "But even if you know all this—trying to abduct my daughter is impossible—because as long as I am awake for even a moment—I will never let my daughter out of my sight—"
Lynne, feeling hollow, responded, "That's really good to hear..."
The Titan Skull, with narrowed eyes, said indifferently, "Unless you can figure out my chaotic schedule—"
Lynne (((;Д;))).
The Titan Skull paced slowly, continuing, "But you surely don't know—that I am only chaotic on days one, three, and five—lucid on two, four, and six—and on the seventh day, I give my daughter a day off—And it's only on that day that I let her go out on her own—without anyone to accompany her—I also sleep very deeply—so deep that even if she brings back any creature, I wouldn't hear it—But you definitely didn't know that—did you—"
Lynne (((;Д;))) said, "Yes... yes, I didn't..."
The Titan Skull closed its eyes, speaking softly, "So you see—your idea of abducting my daughter is nothing but a pipe dream—and if I ever see you alone with my daughter—I'll eat you—do you believe me?"
Lynne numbly said, "I believe..."
The Titan Skull nodded, adding indifferently, "However, lately I've been having trouble with my vision—seeing double often—I'm not sure when it'll get better—You didn't hear that, did you?"
Lynne hollowly said, "No..."
The Titan Skull nodded, standing with tentacles crossed, eyes closed: "That's good."
[Ding! The Titan Skull is very pleased, his favorability with you +10]
Lynne stood there, utterly bewildered and at a loss for words.
So... Is this some kind of hint? No! It almost feels like an explicit instruction! Isn't this basically a step-by-step tutorial? But that's not right! This was supposed to be a simple misunderstanding, so why does it feel like it's getting more complicated the more I try to explain?!
"Alright."
The Titan Skull said indifferently, "I've said what needed to be said. I was thinking of eating you right now, but my teeth haven't been great lately. Seeing you fills me up, so I might consider not eating you for now. But don't be ungrateful or give up halfway through, ah—"
The Titan Skull narrowed his eyes, revealing his frighteningly threatening teeth. His massive teeth, sharp like guillotine blades, glittered ominously at Lynne as if saying, "If you dare abandon your pursuit, I can easily grind you up like a dessert."
Terrifying indeed.
Lynne o(╥﹏╥)o said, "I understand... thank you for the guidance, Sir..."
This feels like being coerced into something against my will! But I truly see Little only as a great customer and a good friend, nothing more! I really don't have any ulterior motives!
After a long while, the Titan Skull resumed his indifferent demeanor, standing with his tentacles crossed, and said softly, "That's enough about my daughter. But you probably have many more questions for me. I'm in a good mood—I might give you a chance to ask them—"
Lynne vigorously shook his head, clearing his mind of the recent emotions and pushing them to the back of his mind. He quickly regained his composure, his expression turning serious as he earnestly said, "Yes, I indeed have some questions. I can tell that you, Sir, and your family... don't seem to be native to this world. So, where exactly do you come from?"
Lynne hesitated. This was a doubt that had been nagging at him ever since he encountered their family. According to the system's introduction, they seemed to be skulls that had fallen from a higher world into this dark one. And the [Titans]. In various legends on Earth, they are portrayed as a mighty race, akin to gods.
The Titan Skull, maintaining its indifferent posture, replied, "Of course, we are not natives of this world. I think you might already know—we are Titans—A supreme race that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods."
Lynne was taken aback.
The Titan Skull continued, "Your world is known to us as [The Realm of the Dead]—a dark world abandoned by the gods—Cursed—chaotic—unfortunate—filled with hatred—all the refuse and beings that should not exist in reality, along with the dead who are not meant to transcend, are dragged into this world—doomed to never find peace—Of course—apart from this refuse, there are many organizations that consider themselves sacred, interfering with this world, even sending troops to wage war against the monsters here—"
He glanced at Lynne.
"And there are not a few like you who have, due to various reasons and unfortunate circumstances, fallen into this world."
Lynne's expression turned contemplative. After a long pause, he earnestly looked up, asking seriously, "Then how can one leave this place and return to their original world?"
Hearing this, the Titan Skull displayed a ghastly grin, as if Lynne had just told the world's greatest joke. His tone started to become increasingly chaotic.
"Leave? Yes, you can leave—because you are among the living—But returning to your original world is not so simple. There are countless stars in the sky, and you, who have fallen to the ground without a beacon—How can you find your world—among the myriad stars?"
Lynne gazed intently back at him, his hands slowly clenching into fists.
"It seems you really want to go home," the Titan Skull said maliciously, smiling wickedly. "Yes, who wouldn't want to—return home? Who would want to stay—in this malevolent world forever?"
He lifted his eyes, filled with venomous hatred, mockingly and chaotically staring into the dark night.
"For three thousand years— I've been cursed and confined here—for a full three thousand years— Hate, rage—my fury never extinguishes. Every time I think of the past—those curses torment me—but the more they torment me, the more I refuse to submit."
Suddenly, he burst into a crazed, venomous laughter. Thick, pitch-black tentacles sprouted from his eye sockets, nose, ears, and mouth. Each tentacle burst into seething black flames with a whoosh.
Lynne was greatly shaken, immediately looking up and exclaiming: "Sir!"
"Ha ha ha—I too wish to return—to my world—to burn them—to devour them—"
The Titan Skull's eyes ignited with raging, chaotic flames. The burning tentacles, like viscous rivers of fire, began to recklessly spread across the wilderness.
[Warning! Warning! The target's chaos level is significantly increasing! Host, please evacuate immediately!]
[Warning! Warning!]
The system's urgent warnings echoed in Lynne's ears. Clearly, the recent conversation had triggered the Titan Skull to recall the past calamities.
"I don't want to be—trapped here—turned into such a monster—suffering—enduring endless agony—making my wife—my daughter—suffer—"
In an instant, he raised his head savagely, his gaze piercing the dark sky.
"You—cannot suppress me—you—cannot bind me— One day—I will return from this hell, and burn you all to ashes—"
A chaotic and furious roar echoed.
Under Lynne's gaze, the Titan Skull, with its boundless, burning tentacles, leaped towards the pitch-black sky. The colossal head, ablaze with furious flames, resembled a spear piercing the heavens, vowing to obliterate the darkness that dared to bind him.
Lynne watched in shock as the head transformed into a fireball, hurtling towards the dark firmament. But just as the figure was about to vanish from sight, something unexpected happened.
Whoosh—
From all directions, the dark ground suddenly erupted with countless ethereal, black chains, shooting toward the sky. Each chain, dozens of meters thick but nearly transparent, appeared as if his leap had triggered some cold curse.
Buzz—
In an instant, the Titan Skull, attempting to break through the night, was swiftly bound by these ethereal chains from the vast heights.
Boom—
The massive head crashed heavily onto the ground, creating a burning crater.
Spurt—Spurt—Spurt—
The ethereal chains lashed at his head like serpents, leaving ash-like scars on his face and cheeks.
"Ha ha ha ha—Ha ha ha ha—" The Titan Skull laughed savagely, enduring the horrific whipping. "You—cannot trap me—you won't let me die—live either—ha ha ha ha—"
He laughed maniacally, trying to leap again, to break free from the world's constraints.
But those ethereal chains instantly bound him again, pressing him firmly to the ground, continually scorching his head. Yet he continued to laugh, to rage, to resist. Just as he had said, the more they tried to bind him, the angrier and more defiant he became.
Lynne dashed quickly to the edge of the crater, his eyes immediately reflecting the frenzied Titan Skull, bound and tormented in the center by cursed chains.
[Warning! Warning! Do not approach! Do not touch!]
[Target's Curse Power Level: Origin-level!]
Spurt—Spurt—
The ethereal chains were not just binding him; they were relentlessly whipping him!
"Is this the cause of his madness?" Lynne watched intently. "Is it a curse..."
If it was indeed a curse if the curse was the source of this resistance and rage...
In an instant, Lynne lifted his head with a determined expression. Almost immediately, he leaped down into the pit, tentacles erupting from his shoulders like an exoskeleton, enabling him to move rapidly toward the Titan Skull like a spider.
[Warning! Warning! Do not approach! Do not touch!]
But Lynne paid no heed. He remained composed. Like a swift cheetah, he darted through the gaps between the rising ethereal chains.
If it was a curse... If it was the curse causing this suffering... He clenched his wrist, his eyes emitting a dazzling light.
Maybe. I can.
In that instant, Lynne leaped up, threading through the gaps between countless chains, reaching out towards the Titan Skull.
[Ding! You are activating Temporary Curse Removal. Would you like to proceed immediately?]
"Yes!" Lynne affirmed.
Instantly, a blinding light surged from his hand, enveloping the Titan Skull in its brilliance.
[Ding! Target's power level is too high, Temporary Curse Removal significantly weakened!]
[Ding! Unable to fully remove the curse, maximum curse removal limit: 15%. Do you wish to continue?]
"Yes!"
[Temporary Curse Removal activated successfully!]
[Target's curse weakened to 85%!]
[Host's mental energy depleted.]
The Titan Skull raised its gaze, speaking indifferently, "I never imagined—that you would harbor such vile thoughts towards such a young girl. But from what I see of your little schemes—they're not perverse to that extent—If I'm not mistaken—you probably want to keep playing the nurturing game—raising my daughter little by little, subtly molding her—let the water flow gently—let my dear girl slowly remember your shape, huh!"
The Titan Skull's face showed a malicious coldness.
Buzz—
Lynne was utterly hollowed out this time.
"I didn't... I really didn't... I..."
Lynne desperately wanted to argue.
"Huh—" The Titan Skull coldly turned, interrupting him, looking down dismissively, "Still pretending? If I'm not mistaken—you've probably already found out about my daughter's preferences—You might even know—My daughter loves shiny things—loves to be taken out for grand meals—enjoys bubble baths—loves to go out for drives and adventures—"
He let out a venomous cold laugh.
"She loves—being cuddled to sleep at night, doesn't she—you scoundrel—"
Lynne stood there, hollow, muttering to himself.
I didn't know before... But now it seems I know everything... Sir, are you sure you're not teaching me step by step? Are you really sure?!
The Titan Skull continued to look down at him indifferently, "But even if you know all this—trying to abduct my daughter is impossible—because as long as I am awake for even a moment—I will never let my daughter out of my sight—"
Lynne, feeling hollow, responded, "That's really good to hear..."
The Titan Skull, with narrowed eyes, said indifferently, "Unless you can figure out my chaotic schedule—"
Lynne (((;Д;))).
The Titan Skull paced slowly, continuing, "But you surely don't know—that I am only chaotic on days one, three, and five—lucid on two, four, and six—and on the seventh day, I give my daughter a day off—And it's only on that day that I let her go out on her own—without anyone to accompany her—I also sleep very deeply—so deep that even if she brings back any creature, I wouldn't hear it—But you definitely didn't know that—did you—"
Lynne (((;Д;))) said, "Yes... yes, I didn't..."
The Titan Skull closed its eyes, speaking softly, "So you see—your idea of abducting my daughter is nothing but a pipe dream—and if I ever see you alone with my daughter—I'll eat you—do you believe me?"
Lynne numbly said, "I believe..."
The Titan Skull nodded, adding indifferently, "However, lately I've been having trouble with my vision—seeing double often—I'm not sure when it'll get better—You didn't hear that, did you?"
Lynne hollowly said, "No..."
The Titan Skull nodded, standing with tentacles crossed, eyes closed: "That's good."
[Ding! The Titan Skull is very pleased, his favorability with you +10]
Lynne stood there, utterly bewildered and at a loss for words.
So... Is this some kind of hint? No! It almost feels like an explicit instruction! Isn't this basically a step-by-step tutorial? But that's not right! This was supposed to be a simple misunderstanding, so why does it feel like it's getting more complicated the more I try to explain?!
"Alright."
The Titan Skull said indifferently, "I've said what needed to be said. I was thinking of eating you right now, but my teeth haven't been great lately. Seeing you fills me up, so I might consider not eating you for now. But don't be ungrateful or give up halfway through, ah—"
The Titan Skull narrowed his eyes, revealing his frighteningly threatening teeth. His massive teeth, sharp like guillotine blades, glittered ominously at Lynne as if saying, "If you dare abandon your pursuit, I can easily grind you up like a dessert."
Terrifying indeed.
Lynne o(╥﹏╥)o said, "I understand... thank you for the guidance, Sir..."
This feels like being coerced into something against my will! But I truly see Little only as a great customer and a good friend, nothing more! I really don't have any ulterior motives!
After a long while, the Titan Skull resumed his indifferent demeanor, standing with his tentacles crossed, and said softly, "That's enough about my daughter. But you probably have many more questions for me. I'm in a good mood—I might give you a chance to ask them—"
Lynne vigorously shook his head, clearing his mind of the recent emotions and pushing them to the back of his mind. He quickly regained his composure, his expression turning serious as he earnestly said, "Yes, I indeed have some questions. I can tell that you, Sir, and your family... don't seem to be native to this world. So, where exactly do you come from?"
Lynne hesitated. This was a doubt that had been nagging at him ever since he encountered their family. According to the system's introduction, they seemed to be skulls that had fallen from a higher world into this dark one. And the [Titans]. In various legends on Earth, they are portrayed as a mighty race, akin to gods.
The Titan Skull, maintaining its indifferent posture, replied, "Of course, we are not natives of this world. I think you might already know—we are Titans—A supreme race that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods."
Lynne was taken aback.
The Titan Skull continued, "Your world is known to us as [The Realm of the Dead]—a dark world abandoned by the gods—Cursed—chaotic—unfortunate—filled with hatred—all the refuse and beings that should not exist in reality, along with the dead who are not meant to transcend, are dragged into this world—doomed to never find peace—Of course—apart from this refuse, there are many organizations that consider themselves sacred, interfering with this world, even sending troops to wage war against the monsters here—"
He glanced at Lynne.
"And there are not a few like you who have, due to various reasons and unfortunate circumstances, fallen into this world."
Lynne's expression turned contemplative. After a long pause, he earnestly looked up, asking seriously, "Then how can one leave this place and return to their original world?"
Hearing this, the Titan Skull displayed a ghastly grin, as if Lynne had just told the world's greatest joke. His tone started to become increasingly chaotic.
"Leave? Yes, you can leave—because you are among the living—But returning to your original world is not so simple. There are countless stars in the sky, and you, who have fallen to the ground without a beacon—How can you find your world—among the myriad stars?"
Lynne gazed intently back at him, his hands slowly clenching into fists.
"It seems you really want to go home," the Titan Skull said maliciously, smiling wickedly. "Yes, who wouldn't want to—return home? Who would want to stay—in this malevolent world forever?"
He lifted his eyes, filled with venomous hatred, mockingly and chaotically staring into the dark night.
"For three thousand years— I've been cursed and confined here—for a full three thousand years— Hate, rage—my fury never extinguishes. Every time I think of the past—those curses torment me—but the more they torment me, the more I refuse to submit."
Suddenly, he burst into a crazed, venomous laughter. Thick, pitch-black tentacles sprouted from his eye sockets, nose, ears, and mouth. Each tentacle burst into seething black flames with a whoosh.
Lynne was greatly shaken, immediately looking up and exclaiming: "Sir!"
"Ha ha ha—I too wish to return—to my world—to burn them—to devour them—"
The Titan Skull's eyes ignited with raging, chaotic flames. The burning tentacles, like viscous rivers of fire, began to recklessly spread across the wilderness.
[Warning! Warning! The target's chaos level is significantly increasing! Host, please evacuate immediately!]
[Warning! Warning!]
The system's urgent warnings echoed in Lynne's ears. Clearly, the recent conversation had triggered the Titan Skull to recall the past calamities.
"I don't want to be—trapped here—turned into such a monster—suffering—enduring endless agony—making my wife—my daughter—suffer—"
In an instant, he raised his head savagely, his gaze piercing the dark sky.
"You—cannot suppress me—you—cannot bind me— One day—I will return from this hell, and burn you all to ashes—"
A chaotic and furious roar echoed.
Under Lynne's gaze, the Titan Skull, with its boundless, burning tentacles, leaped towards the pitch-black sky. The colossal head, ablaze with furious flames, resembled a spear piercing the heavens, vowing to obliterate the darkness that dared to bind him.
Lynne watched in shock as the head transformed into a fireball, hurtling towards the dark firmament. But just as the figure was about to vanish from sight, something unexpected happened.
Whoosh—
From all directions, the dark ground suddenly erupted with countless ethereal, black chains, shooting toward the sky. Each chain, dozens of meters thick but nearly transparent, appeared as if his leap had triggered some cold curse.
Buzz—
In an instant, the Titan Skull, attempting to break through the night, was swiftly bound by these ethereal chains from the vast heights.
Boom—
The massive head crashed heavily onto the ground, creating a burning crater.
Spurt—Spurt—Spurt—
The ethereal chains lashed at his head like serpents, leaving ash-like scars on his face and cheeks.
"Ha ha ha ha—Ha ha ha ha—" The Titan Skull laughed savagely, enduring the horrific whipping. "You—cannot trap me—you won't let me die—live either—ha ha ha ha—"
He laughed maniacally, trying to leap again, to break free from the world's constraints.
But those ethereal chains instantly bound him again, pressing him firmly to the ground, continually scorching his head. Yet he continued to laugh, to rage, to resist. Just as he had said, the more they tried to bind him, the angrier and more defiant he became.
Lynne dashed quickly to the edge of the crater, his eyes immediately reflecting the frenzied Titan Skull, bound and tormented in the center by cursed chains.
[Warning! Warning! Do not approach! Do not touch!]
[Target's Curse Power Level: Origin-level!]
Spurt—Spurt—
The ethereal chains were not just binding him; they were relentlessly whipping him!
"Is this the cause of his madness?" Lynne watched intently. "Is it a curse..."
If it was indeed a curse if the curse was the source of this resistance and rage...
In an instant, Lynne lifted his head with a determined expression. Almost immediately, he leaped down into the pit, tentacles erupting from his shoulders like an exoskeleton, enabling him to move rapidly toward the Titan Skull like a spider.
[Warning! Warning! Do not approach! Do not touch!]
But Lynne paid no heed. He remained composed. Like a swift cheetah, he darted through the gaps between the rising ethereal chains.
If it was a curse... If it was the curse causing this suffering... He clenched his wrist, his eyes emitting a dazzling light.
Maybe. I can.
In that instant, Lynne leaped up, threading through the gaps between countless chains, reaching out towards the Titan Skull.
[Ding! You are activating Temporary Curse Removal. Would you like to proceed immediately?]
"Yes!" Lynne affirmed.
Instantly, a blinding light surged from his hand, enveloping the Titan Skull in its brilliance.
[Ding! Target's power level is too high, Temporary Curse Removal significantly weakened!]
[Ding! Unable to fully remove the curse, maximum curse removal limit: 15%. Do you wish to continue?]
"Yes!"
[Temporary Curse Removal activated successfully!]
[Target's curse weakened to 85%!]
[Host's mental energy depleted.]
