Field and Story

Since urban legends involved one-on-one communication, William happened to be exceptionally skilled at "talking," so he decided to use conversation as an entry point and gradually release Social Phobia.

If he could spread the fear completely, even the Silver Circle Diseased would sink into it, their consciousness collapsing and turning them into walking corpses.

Feeling the woman's body tremble, William knew the fear had taken effect. He continued commenting on the exhibit, even poking his head deeper inside, without blinking once.

The deeper the fear was planted, the greater its subsequent influence would be.

Until a violent shudder forced the woman's legs together, a repulsive force suddenly thrust William out of her body. Her arms folded back, closing the coat.

William looked regretful. "Is the exhibition over? To be honest, I still haven't seen enough... But thank you very much all the same, Miss Daria."

William even bowed like a gentleman. In his eyes, he had achieved a "perfect connection" with this urban legend. He had not been frightened away, had not shown the slightest hesitation, and had not made a single mistake in his commentary. Everything had been flawless.

By all rights, the other party should not make things too difficult for him. It might even remove the spatial restriction right then and there.

More importantly, the fear had already taken effect and would inevitably influence the subsequent extermination process.

Gak~ gak~ gak!

That bubbling sound, rasping up from deep in the throat, rang out again. Even The Gestalt One's body trembled faintly beneath such a sound.

A series of sounds like flesh being cut by knives spilled from the woman's throat,

"You... are very... special.

You are the first person to observe carefully and offer such favorable comments.

Your eyes seem capable of extremely meticulous observation.

Your eyes