"Did you really admit you were gay just to stay alive?"
Chen An's mouth twitched hard. That bizarre move had left him speechless.
The Shrek boy across from him sighed softly. There was bitterness in his eyes, and he didn't look like he was faking it.
"I was forced to join the Holy Spirit Cult.
"Evil Soul Masters abducted me when I was little. They brainwashed me, but I still have a shred of reason left. I know what I want.
"They forced me through a Holy Spirit Cult ritual. The stains you see on me are an evil curse carved into my bones. I can't wash them away.
"When I advance again, I'll have to do what the other Evil Soul Masters do: hunt living beings and feed on their lives.
"Otherwise, the curse will turn on my body and I'll explode. But I don't want to do that."
Chen An sensed his killing intent and silently took half a step back.
"But what does any of that have to do with you following me?"
"Everything!"
The boy looked up, his voice suddenly ringing with confidence. "Because I'm gay!"
"Why do you sound so proud of that?!"
Ignoring Chen An's disgusted expression, the boy gazed at him with rapt eyes. He raised a hand as though gently stroking some treasure, his stare fixed on Chen An's face.
"Such a beautiful face...
"I watched your entire match. Your strength captivated me, and that blindfold really does it for me."
The cold drink in Chen An's hand suddenly lost all appeal. A chill crawled over his skin, and his mouth twitched wildly. "You're disgusting."
"You don't understand."
The boy tipped his head toward the sky, his expression rapt and obsessive, as though he were lost in his own world.
"I carry