The Strongest Curse Master

Leaving the curse array formation, heading out of the town, I stopped a mile from the explosion site. This way I could not only monitor the curse terrorists gathered over the collapsed hill but also other curse activities approximately a mile from their location using my curse map. Such that I wouldn't be caught off guard by any unexpected hostiles.

On my way over here, I had subtly summoned Emi and had her use the curse clout to move in the shadows and plant substitution talismans spanning from the curse array formation to the hunting grounds to ensure escape routes for both me and Ava. Regardless of my opinion about Ava, if I were to escape when the situation got sticky, leaving her behind, I would be no worse than a deserter, who left his comrades to die.

"Ace, I know you don't like me, but I am here, so let me help you get to a better vantage point," Ava proposed, as I hovered from one tree to another trying to find the perfect one to camp on.

I turned to look at Ava and nodded, agreeing with her. She tried hard to remain indifferent, but her brimming eyes gave her joy away as she formed a disk of condensed light, 2 meters in diameter. I hopped on it and soon it began to ascend into the clouds.

"FYI, I don't hate you, Ava. I think you are a great friend. As far as your feelings for me are concerned, unless you feel the same way about the old version of me from our old high school, I don't think we would work out. Because if you take away my curse abilities, I am still the same old fat kid who struggled every day trying to stand up to his bullies. And for a fact, I know you didn't even notice that version of me despite being in the same class, forget developing feelings. The way I see it, it is hopeless. Let us not waste our time and energy exploring it," I informed Ava, hoping that if I was honest with her, she would understand and give up on her hopeless pursuit. Honestly, her behaviour was getting embarrassing for us both.

Ava's eyes turned pensive as she listened to my words. I had no idea what was going through her mind, but the climbing froslight platform came to a halt between two clouds. Ava then used her ability to weave the clouds to surround us, while leaving my line of sight open. I couldn't ask for a more perfect vantage point because I could see the allies and curse terrorists from here without using the scope. They were hovering above the collapsed hill, and I was at a higher altitude than them, as such, I had an unobstructed line of sight to my target.

Without any further ado, I took position, but before taking aim, I checked my curse map to ensure I didn't miss anything and I did: a huge mass of curse energy was hiding underneath the collapsed hill. I wondered how I missed it earlier and what it was. Unless, it entered my range during the last couple minutes. Meaning it was both fast and stealthy for its humongous size. I could only guess it was a Curseling of sorts. But the question was, what was it doing here? And the Matthews and others don't seem to notice its presence.

With too many questions in my mind, I took aim, using the leprechaun scope to monitor the Curseling hiding underneath the collapsed hill. I noticed it was bigger than I had imagined. However, as I further scrutinized the Curesling, I spotted a very thin line of curse energy, like a thread of silk, extending out of the Curseling's core. I followed it to find that the thin string of curse energy ending in the curse core of the masked figure holding up the sub-space orb. As such, I immediately guessed the profession of the latter, it was a Curse Charmer. At this point, I couldn't help but ask myself: who the heck did I steal from?

A team of sky-tier curse users containing two curse professionals, a curse caster and a curse charmer. Even the C.I.B. would consider twice before sending such a generous lineup into an enemy country, let alone on a suicide mission. Either these guys were blessed with too many capable curse professionals or desperately needed the money I stole from them.

Neither was good news for me because it meant these guys wouldn't stop until they made an example out of me or got their money back with interest.

Reaching this conclusion, I decided I needed to send the organization behind them a message that I will kill everyone they send after me, and they should forget about the money as it was mine now. I would rather donate every penny to ‌middle-class families across the country than return it to their organizations.

Why just middle-class families? Because the government was taking care of the Rich and Poor using the taxes it squeezed out of the middle-class families year round.

Back to the matter at hand, I used the leprechaun scope to try and read the situation. They appeared to be negotiating terms. Learning this, I frowned because I could only send my message across to the organization behind these curse terrorists if none of them made it back alive.

Knowing what I had to do, I resolved to do what needed to be done. Aiming at the curse charmer, I planned to kill the strongest first and leave the rest to the allies. As for the hostages, may the Lord be with them. I was ninety-nine percent sure that with the speed and effect of the mischief bullet, the curse charmer would not have the time to react, let alone threaten the hostages.

Just to be sure, I used two charges of the curse tool thunderbomb to charge the rail rifle. Honestly, the best $300 million I ever spent. Then, using the passive weapon mastery of my apex earring, I took aim and opened fire, all while my heartbeat remained steady as a drum. As if it were akin to breathing to me.