Chapter 46 Chapter 46
Was this guy a demon hunter? But how could it be that he looked almost exactly like Maxwell? Why did he have the power to move objects without touching them?
“Did you finally reach a decision? We don’t have all night,” he hissed impatiently.
“I don’t trust you, and that’s my final word on this matter,” she said, waiting with bated breath for the outburst that would follow.
Maxwell chuckled sinisterly, the cheerfulness entirely gone from his voice. This man creeped her out so much. It was like he kept hitting a switch, constantly changing from one persona to another as if he wasn’t sure which role he wanted to play.
“Great, then I’m going to have fun killing you now, just like everyone else who entered this building,” he proclaimed.
Maxwell’s eyes widened. Valerie didn’t receive a warning before he suddenly moved, nearly crushing her beneath him as he shielded her with his body.
He grunted, and she felt his pain exploding in her back. His body slumped, shuddered, having taken too much damage. He exhaled, the distorted expression on his face revealing his desperation.
Valerie was scared for him, her hand soothingly moving over the back of his head. “Are you alright?” she whispered, her mouth close to his neck. He smelled of blood and ash.
“Yes, don’t worry,” he said, shakily pushing himself off her. He couldn’t convince her with his words; she couldn’t bear seeing the proud demon like this.
He got up, gathering light in his palm, though it wasn’t as bright as it should have been. He had to have crossed his limit by now. Worry gnawed at her heart. She had always seen him as invincible, as someone who never faltered and could take any hit thrown at him.
Now she had to realize this wasn’t true at all. He was not immortal. Of course, he could die, maybe not as quickly as a human, but he could perish just like any other being.
Light flashed as it shot from the demon’s palm toward Maxwell, who didn’t have time to defend himself. Maxwell’s magic crashed into him at full force, singeing his clothes and blond hair, but he didn’t back down and wiped the blood off his brow with his sleeve. “Wow, you’re so violent!” he commented lightly as if he wasn’t just as bad. “As expected of a demon. I’m upset you chose him and not me, Valerie.”
“Shut up. Tell me who you are,” she hissed and stood next to Maxwell while glaring at the other man, who smiled coldly.
“But you already know.”
She gritted her teeth, losing her nerves due to his behavior. He was infuriating, and his childish attitude and ruthlessness unsettled her.
“Do you know who he is?” she asked Maxwell.
“He was created by the creature that dwells in this building,” Maxwell spat hatefully, “And he probably tried to lure you somewhere to kill you and consequently me as well.” Valerie could only stare at him in horror. Maxwell’s touches had felt so real—what kind of creature could create such an elaborate illusion?
“Do you really believe him?” Maxwell piped in. “I know you’re smarter than that, Valerie.”
“I do believe him. Show your true colors and stop playing around.”
Maxwell laughed, and the kind expression on his face warped, making way for a creepy sneer that contrasted with his earlier smile. His form blurred, reshaping itself into someone else, and suddenly, Valerie and Maxwell were facing a woman. She had long black hair and wore a pristine and beautiful wedding dress, but the large red stain in the middle of her chest destroyed the image of a happy bride. Her skin was ashen, covered with veins, and her eyes were so dark they appeared black.
“Shame. You could have died peacefully, Valerie. You wouldn’t even have noticed. I put so much effort into creating the perfect illusion for you,” she said regretfully.
“Who are you?” Valerie stuttered, inching closer to Maxwell, who observed the ghostly woman closely.
“My name is Iseul,” she answered. “I died in this house on my wedding night. My husband shot me through the chest without mercy, and I’ve wandered the halls of this mansion ever since.”
“You became an evil spirit,” Maxwell said, and she nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. It was the only way to get revenge. I killed the bastard; he died screaming and pleading. I’ll never forgive him for murdering me on our wedding night.”
Valerie knew she was supposed to be angry at the spirit, but couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Iseul must have loved this man and hoped for a happy marriage. “But you got your revenge. Can’t you just… move on and find peace?” Valerie asked.
“Oh, you humans are so naïve. It’s endearing,” she giggled. “I lost my chance to find peace long ago, so I’m having fun killing humans. It has become my favorite source of entertainment over the years.”
“Killing humans? What did you do to my friends?” Valerie shouted, horrified to hear the answer.
“I was about to murder them, but then you two arrived… I knew I had to stop you first since a demon poses a much bigger threat than a group of weak humans, so I trapped them in the basement. I’m going to take care of them later,” Iseul said gleefully. “It was easy to trick them with my illusions; they just needed to see something they desperately wanted, something they could never attain. That’s all humans need to run right into their doom.”
“It’s no use to reason with an evil spirit,” Maxwell growled. “Just let me take care of it.”
“Can you?” Valerie asked, looking up at him to see a familiar arrogant smirk on his lips. It was a bit weary and looked unsettling with all the blood on his face, but it reassured her.
“Watch me. Once an evil spirit has shown its true form, it’s vulnerable and can easily be sent to hell. I’ve been waiting for her to make this mistake,” he whispered so quietly that Iseul couldn’t hear.