Extra's Descent

Chapter 81 Curse [6]

Chapter 81 Curse [6]

Step—

Stepping forward, Brandon stood by Oliver's side.

He then smirked.

An opportunity presented itself.

Brandon had been frustrated, due to the lack of progress.

Of course, he knew his strength wouldn't be enough to defeat the Wraith Beasts.

But Oliver was here.

If Brandon could just sneak and deal the last hit, it would be free EXP.

Raven was here as well, he must have had significant progress in the past month.

After all, unlike himself, Raven had access to the system dungeons.

"Hurrrrrr—"

The bushes rustled and the Wraith Beasts emerged. The Beasts stood tall, a little over 8 feet. Their mouths were wide open, boring sharp fangs. Thick dark gray hide served as their defense.

"Hurrrrr—"

Looking around, there were a total of five beasts. Something Oliver could work with.

Surely, Oliver should have gotten stronger after six years.

An Astrea Academy Professor was at least an A to S- Rank after all.

"Hurrrr—"

With a loud growl, the Wraith Beasts jumped them from all sides.

Immediately, everyone dispersed, setting a fixed distance behind Oliver.

With the sole exception of Brandon and Raven.

Noticing, Oliver screamed out loud.

"You two! What are you—"

Turning around, he could see Raven holding a dagger in each hand. Brandon on the other hand held an ice sword in each hand.

"...Don't tell me."

"We'll assist you."

"..."

Sighing, Oliver stepped forward.

Snap!

Snapping his fingers, cursed flames engulfed the Wraith Beast in front of them.

Smirking, he turned his head around to look at Brandon and Raven.

"Let me handle this."

Flicking his head, he met Brandon's gaze.

"I'll need your help with something else later. Save your strength."

"..."

With what?

But...

Brandon wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

"Hurr—"

Splurt—!

Brandon instantly flashed forward and finished off the burning Wraith Beast.

Everyone's eyes widened and their mouths formed an 'o' shape.

Oliver was no exception as he looked at Brandon with wide eyes.

"You."

Brandon just shrugged it off.

[You have slain a Wraith Beast!]

[+200 EXP]

At the same time, the other beasts growled and jumped on Brandon.

Snap.

As Oliver snapped his finger, all of a sudden, the beasts were engulfed in cursed flames.

They were gradually weakening and burning to death. Realizing, Brandon flashed forward and thrusted the ice sword inside the Wraith Beast's hide.

Cr... Crack!

The hide was thick and Brandon's sword was starting to crack. He had to use up a lot of strength.

[+200 EXP]

But at the same time...

Swoosh—!

Raven followed his example. Cuts and grazes etched all over the Wraith Beast's body. This persisted until he made sure the Wraith Beast was dead.

"Find everyone."

Brandon's eyes widened but immediately changed his expression and nodded.

Claire turned to look at Brandon.

"What does he mean, find?"

"This city... People have gone missing for the past six years. Children and adults alike."

Brandon then pointed at David who stood still, as if waiting for them to enter the forest.

"Oliver believes it was all caused by..."

He clenched his fist and sneaked a glance at Sarah who had a conflicted expression.

He then turned to look back at David.

"...That man."

"..."

Claire didn't know how to respond to that.

But that was when she realized.

"Brandon!"

"What?"

"I'm unsure about this. But inside the forest there were dolls."

"...What about it?"

But the next words that Claire said shook Brandon to the core.

"I think... I think the missing people you are looking for are inside those dolls."

Thud!

All of a sudden, Sarah's legs gave out and she slumped down on the ground.

"No, no, no, no, no."

Noticing, Brandon immediately rushed towards Sarah.

"Sarah..."

"No, no, no, no."

She ruffled her hair and continued to mutter to herself with wide eyes.

"No, no, no, no, Emma..."

"Sarah..."

Hearing his voice, she looked up at Brandon. Grabbing his arms, she pursed her lips.

"Brandon... Don't you get it? That doll I picked up..."

She didn't finish her words. She couldn't finish it. How could she?

Drip. Drip...!

But that was all Brandon needed to hear to understand the situation.

Oliver was eavesdropping as well. Before entering the forest, he paused and turned to look at Brandon.

"Fucking Wraiths."

It was a Wraith's ability.

The same way as they possess a human with a weak mind. They could transfer a weakened person's soul.

But...

"Why dolls?"

Brandon questioned himself.

It was way too specific.

All of a sudden, David—who was silent throughout the whole ordeal—finally spoke.

"Sa-rah..."

His voice was hoarse. As if he was using the last of his strength just to mutter those last words.

"Dad!"

"David!"

Sarah and Oliver immediately called out to him.

"...I ma-de ...a doll ...for y-ou and—Uh.... Will... Emma ...like it—Ukh!"

Those last chilling words. The last of David's will before the Wraith completely took over six years ago.

That was when they realized.

The entire time...

Those people...

"The dolls..."

They were all made for Emma and Sarah.

And yet...

The Wraith had used those dolls to trap a human's soul.

And one of them...

Was Emma.