The guest room was a wreck after the explosion. Shattered glass mixed with flakes of plaster covered the floor, and the lingering smell of gunpowder still hung in the air.
The Curse User Qingxiao had dazed with a slap lay slumped in the middle of the carpet, his eyes vacant and unfocused.
Seeing this, Qingxiao got up and headed for the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water came from inside.
A moment later, Qingxiao emerged carrying a basin filled to the brim with cold water. He walked up to the Curse User and, without the slightest hesitation, dumped the entire basin over his head.
The icy water instantly soaked through his black clothes, streaming down his hair and neck into his collar.
The Curse User shuddered violently, his muscles spasming as he choked and coughed repeatedly.
His unfocused eyes slowly regained focus. When he made out the two people before him, he stiffened his neck and turned his face away, clenching his back teeth in a show of stubborn defiance:
"Don't waste your time... I won't tell you anything... The organization won't let you get away with this..."
Suguru Geto raised an eyebrow at the sight. In the shadows beside him, a Cursed Spirit's mouthparts quietly parted a fraction:
"There's no point holding out. Once I let a Cursed Spirit take a few bites, you'll be willing to talk."
Qingxiao suddenly raised an arm across Suguru Geto's path, stopping him.
"Hold on, hold on. Don't use your Cursed Spirit yet."
A wicked grin spread across Qingxiao's face. He deliberately straightened up, putting on an inscrutable air, and lowered his voice to sound mysterious:
"This is the perfect chance to show you the new ability I just developed."
Seeing Suguru Geto's curious expression, Qingxiao nearly broke character and hurriedly thought