Chapter 6: Incantations of Forbidden Curses

With a heart full of apprehension, Claudia turned to the first page of the Grimoire of Forbidden Curses.

A complex, exquisite sigil dominated the majority of the parchment, its intricate lines forming the faint silhouette of a crown. Beneath this crown sigil lay a single incantation—a string of characters representing only phonetics, their original meaning utterly distorted.

At first glance, Claudia’s previous caution and unease vanished. Instinct, driven by a primal hunger for knowledge, seized control of her mind before she could even realize it.

She reached out, her fingertips tracing the script. Her eyes grew distant, lost in a trance of uncontrollable greed and longing. A moment later, strange syllables escaped her lips, her voice rising and falling in a rhythmic, melodic cadence.

As Claudia chanted, the incantations upon the page seemed to spring to life. They flowed into her body like a living tide, birthing an indescribable transformation within her soul.

The cacophony of the bustling market outside seemed to be sealed away, severed from the tiny shack. All external noise faded into the distance until only a blurred, chaotic echo remained.

Simultaneously, within Luo Wei’s vision, the data stream representing Claudia refreshed. The most prominent change was her rank.

[Transcendental Grade: Sequence 8 — Dormant Chrysalis]

She completed a promotion just by chanting a single verse from the Grimoire?

Luo Wei was genuinely surprised. From Claudia’s memories, she knew that advancing along a Transcendental Path required both a specific Magic Potion and a corresponding Ritual. Potions were incredibly precious; even with a known recipe, they required materials from exotic aberrations or abstract transcendental concepts. The Rituals were even more cumbersome, each requiring specific, often bizarre preparations.

More importantly, the Ritual itself was considered a “transgression”—an act that veered away from civilization and the protection of the sacred fires. A single mistake could lead to an irreversible, catastrophic end. Because of this, the knowledge required for promotion was the most guarded secret of every organization.

Perhaps there are certain prerequisites I’m not seeing…

Luo Wei pondered briefly before leafing through the detailed breakdown of Claudia’s abilities in the information stream.

The “Dream-Walker” sequence. Upon entering a dream state, their spiritual inspiration becomes exceptionally keen. They can influence the composition of their own dreams and apply minor suggestions to other dreamers nearby.

It seemed… lacking in combat capability.

Luo Wei felt a flash of doubt. If that was the case, how had Claudia managed to stay active last night after being riddled with bullets and knife wounds? She soon found her answer.

[Nightmare Ritual]

The dream world was far from safe. Hidden deep within the subconscious, beyond the reaches of conscious thought, lurked unimaginable Nightmare Aberrations. Through the power of a Ritual, Claudia could temporarily transform herself into such a creature, assuming its eldritch characteristics. However, the price was her own life force—a flame flickering precariously in the wind.

Under normal circumstances, a Sequence 9—and even her current Sequence 8—should have found it impossible to complete such a high-level ritual. Even Claudia herself didn’t fully understand the specifics of the “Nightmare Ritual.”

Now, having completed her promotion, Claudia had become a Sequence 8 Dormant Chrysalis. Beyond the abilities of a Dream-Walker, she could now modify her own or others’ dreams to a certain extent, and could even briefly manifest dream-logic into reality.

Yet, the most critical change lay elsewhere…

[Domination Degree: 20%]

By using the incantation to promote, one-fifth of Claudia’s soul now belonged to Luo Wei. Luo Wei could even faintly sense that Claudia’s sequence abilities were now hers to command.

Luo Wei knew she wasn’t actually a “Forbidden Curse Witch.” The only explanation for this development…

…Is this happening because of the Grimoire?

Luo Wei’s gaze fell upon the open book in Claudia’s hands, her expression turning serious. It appeared an inexplicable link had formed between her and this dangerous tome. Though the long-term consequences were unclear, the current result was undeniably beneficial.

This world is much more dangerous than I imagined…

Claudia’s memories had pulled back the curtain on the world’s true face—a reality shrouded in mystery and hidden perils, where both Transcendentals and commoners lived in trembling fear, huddled under the protection of the sacred fires. Having more power under her control was never a bad thing.

Luo Wei turned her attention back to the cultist she now partially “dominated.” Regardless of her tragic circumstances, Claudia was an irredeemable piece of scum. However, as a tool to be used, she was perfect. Luo Wei felt no psychological burden in squeezing every last drop of value from her.

Furthermore…

A few vague ideas began to take shape in Luo Wei’s mind, and the corners of her mouth curled into a faint, mischievous smirk.

***

Claudia stirred, her spiritual senses clearer than ever before. While chanting, she had felt as though she were standing amidst an infinite starry sky, watching a rain of brilliant meteors. That ethereal state had left her intoxicated; it was only when the subconscious “Death Suggestion” echoed in her mind that she snapped back to reality.

Every Transcendental embarking on a Sequence Path understood that they walked a road of the unknown, perpetually risking the loss of civilization’s protection. Therefore, they all implanted a mental suggestion—a tether to keep their minds anchored within the territory of reason.

Coming to her senses, Claudia broke out in a cold sweat. But the panic was short-lived as she realized the change in her body. After a moment’s hesitation, she lifted a finger and snapped it.

This was the trigger for her transcendental power. In an instant, a brief, thin veil of a dreamscape enveloped the room, causing even her own physical form to turn faint and translucent.

This was something a Sequence 9 Dream-Walker could never achieve. Only a Sequence 8 Dormant Chrysalis could force the dream world to bleed into reality.

“I actually… promoted…”

Claudia was shocked, then consumed by ecstatic joy. A flicker of light returned to her haggard, withered face. This promotion meant everything. If a Sequence 9 was merely a glorified sacrifice for the Sanctum, a Sequence 8 possessed the status required to touch the inner circle. The potions for Sequence 8 were rare, and the ritual failure rate was notoriously high.

The Dream Sanctum would surely welcome a Sequence 8 Priestess who had promoted without any cost to the organization.

More importantly, it meant…

Her sister, Cleo, could be saved.

Claudia clutched her heart, her uncontrollable euphoria causing her frail body to wheeze in a painful, sobbing whine. But in the next heartbeat, Claudia sensed something else in her hidden shack.

She instinctively reached for the dagger at her waist, her gaze sharpening with vigilance. An underground cultist was not a career that tolerated the light; she knew plenty of ill-intentioned rivals were watching her from the shadows, not just the Enforcement Guards.

Then, her vigilant expression transformed into one of pure terror. The joy of her promotion was instantly washed away.

Just a few paces away, a hazy, shimmering phantom had appeared. Its face was indistinct, but she could clearly discern the silhouette of a young woman, sitting with an air of profound, elegant composure.

The phantom did not speak. It simply watched her.