Chapter 516: Cursed Bone

Chapter 516: Chapter 516: Cursed Bone

A few hunters turned and walked into the depths of the cave. A moment later, they emerged carrying several bundles wrapped in animal hides.

They carefully placed the bundles on the wooden table in front of Seraphina Sullivan, then retreated to the side.

Kyle Kane personally unwrapped the hides, revealing what was inside.

It was a pile of bones.

Bones of all sizes were scattered on the animal hides.

There were long arm bones, elegantly curved ribs, and terrifying skull fragments—every single bone emanated a faint, ghostly light, looking truly extraordinary.

Crystal Lynn’s eyes widened, her expression one of utter shock.

’Bones?’

’This is the "treasure" they were talking about?’

’A pile of dead people’s bones?’

Kyle Kane didn’t notice Crystal Lynn’s expression, or perhaps he did, but assumed her shock was due to the "preciousness" of the bones.

He pointed at the bones smugly and began to introduce them effusively:

"Don’t be fooled just because they’re bones. These are no ordinary items!

These were found deep within the Demonic Zone, and every single one has a special Effect!

Just carrying one will bring you good luck!

One of my tribesmen survived a Demonic Tide just by carrying a bone like this!"

He grew more excited as he spoke, spittle flying from his mouth. "And this one! See it?

I found this one myself, and after carrying it, I feel like my own Power has grown stronger!

When I’m hunting, even those Demonic Beasts are no match for me!" Kyle Kane did his best to talk up the items’ power.

But Seraphina Sullivan wasn’t entirely convinced.

She listened quietly, a faint smile still on her face.

But her eyes had already seen through the true nature of these bones.

[Item Identification] activated.

In her vision, a semi-transparent information panel appeared on the surface of the bones:

[Item: Cursed Bone]

[Source: Fragment of a Demon God’s Remains]

[Status: Polluted by Demonization Energy]

[Effect: The holder will be eroded by Demonic Qi, their body gradually weakening, but their perception of Power will be enhanced—meaning the holder believes they are growing stronger, when in fact they are heading towards death.]

[Note: These are bone fragments left after the traitors devoured the Demon God. Each bone retains the curse the Demon God cast before death.]

After reading it, Seraphina Sullivan lowered her eyelids, hiding the murderous intent that flashed in her eyes.

’Cursed Bone.

Kyle Kane and his men carried these bones every day, thinking they had obtained "treasures," thinking they were "getting stronger."

In reality, they were being slowly devoured by the Demon God’s curse.

Hilarious?

Pathetic?

No.

They deserved it.’

Seraphina Sullivan looked up, the same faint, unreadable smile on her face. She didn’t expose the truth, only saying lightly:

"They are indeed... quite special."

Kyle Kane didn’t catch the sarcasm in her tone and became even more smug. "Right? Right! We brought out our most prized treasures! Miss Sullivan, look, these treasures should be enough to trade for your food, right?"

Seraphina Sullivan nodded, pretending to take some things out of her ring.

Not the reserves from Scavenger’s Farm, but ordinary food from a regular backpack—a few packs of compressed biscuits, a few bottles of mineral water, and a few cans of food.

Kyle Kane’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Enough! Enough!" he nodded repeatedly, reaching out to take them.

But Seraphina Sullivan held the food down, looking at him with that same unreadable smile.

"Captain King, before we trade, I’d like to ask a question."

Kyle Kane’s hand froze in mid-air. A flash of impatience crossed his face, but he quickly suppressed it. "Go ahead, ask."

Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze fell on the pile of bones as she asked softly:

"These bones... where did you find them?"

Kyle Kane froze for a moment, then answered casually, "Deep in the Demonic Zone. There’s a place that’s littered with these bones.

We risk our lives every time we go, which is why they’re so precious."

Seraphina Sullivan nodded and didn’t ask any more questions.

She released her hand, letting Kyle Kane take the food.

Clutching the food, Kyle Kane grinned from ear to ear. He ordered his men to leave the "treasures" behind and then hurried away.

Only after Kyle Kane was a good distance away did Crystal Lynn dare to speak.

"Seraphina!" she whispered, her voice full of disbelief. "Those bones... those bones are..."

"Fragments of a Demon God’s remains," Seraphina Sullivan said calmly.

Crystal Lynn sucked in a sharp breath.

Flora Sullivan’s long hair drifted slightly as her gaze, complex and thoughtful, fell upon the pile of bones.

"They... they treat the Demon God’s bones like treasure?" Crystal Lynn’s voice trembled. "And carry them around every day?"

Seraphina Sullivan shook her head. "They’re meant for us. They wouldn’t wear them themselves. The longer you carry them, the faster you die."

Crystal Lynn fell silent.

She looked at the pile of bones glowing with a ghostly light, at the faintly visible cracks and stains on them, and suddenly felt a wave of nausea.

Those people had not only killed their own Guardian God, but had also devoured his remains and now used his bones as a trophy to boast about.

And now, they were being slowly devoured by a curse.

What was this?

A cruel joke played by fate?

Seraphina Sullivan stood up, her gaze falling on the pile of bones. She was silent for a few seconds.

Then she said softly:

"If they want to die, I won’t stop them."

"But before that, I have to complete my mission."

She turned to look at Crystal Lynn and Flora Sullivan.

"Get ready," she said. "We’ll be making our move soon."

「The night deepened.」

Most of the oil lamps in the cave were extinguished, leaving only a few that cast a faint glow.

Kyle Kane and his hunters also found places to rest, conserving their energy for tomorrow’s "sacrifice."

Everything seemed normal.

But Seraphina Sullivan knew that tonight would not pass peacefully.

She sat leaning against a rock at the edge of the cave, her eyes closed as if she too were resting.

But her consciousness was wide awake, her senses fully extended, capturing every subtle movement around her.

’Kyle Kane and his men were waiting for us to put on the Cursed Bones.

Once we’re weak and powerless from the curse’s erosion, they’ll make their move.’

’A pity—

They don’t know I’ve already seen through it all.

And I’m not going to wait.’

—

The hours before dawn are when people sleep most soundly.

Seraphina Sullivan opened her eyes, her gaze perfectly clear.

She pursed her lips and gently blew.

[Sweet Fragrance] activated.

A faint, almost imperceptible pink fragrance drifted from her mouth, spreading out silently.

The fragrance was sweet but not cloying, light but not fleeting. It was like the gentlest spring breeze, or the most reassuring scent of a mother’s embrace.

The cave was already poorly ventilated, and with the stillness of the dead of night, the air barely moved.

The pink fragrance, like an invisible net, slowly enveloped the entire underground cavern.

The first to inhale the fragrance were the ordinary Native People.

Peaceful smiles appeared on their faces as they slept; they rolled over and fell into an even deeper slumber.

Next were the hunters. Some of them frowned, but their brows quickly smoothed out, and their breathing became steady and deep.