Ch. 3: The Woman

TW: Mutilation

The spirits agreed cheerfully and childlike laughters echoed. The dwarves among the bunch also joined after having a good relationship with Xu Qiren.

Xu Qiren witnessed the body full of red spots and blisters where disgusting yellow pus comes out of them, became more mutilated.

Xu Qiren doesn't know what they did, but black things akin to deformed mushrooms started to grow, the back of the man started to deform and got a hunchback. 

His cheeks started to swell to the point he can't even cry or shout properly.

Some spirits and dwarves started to join the fun as well. They also wanted to vent their anger to the human who gave them pain just by being near them.

Although they won't usually vent due to such reasons, because they are afraid they might feel the pain again (only in cases they were caught or the target got some strong enough amulet)... Seeing others join the fun made them think that he won't harm them anymore just by being near.

And so, the man started to lose consciousness due to the pain they inflicted to him.

'No! We won't allow you sleep!'

'Yeah! Bad guy! Bad guy!'

She may hate to admit it, but Xu Qiren felt fear from the spirits for the first time since she often treated as kids younger than her, in which the spirits felt and made them paused a bit, but hearing Xu Qiren thanks and feeling that she doesn't fear them anymore, made them continue and have fun.

In Xu Qiren's train of thought, she should feel happy and grateful towards them since they are taking revenge for her. And out of all the people she met, only them, who aren't even considered as people, treated her the best.

"I'll leave this guy to your care, everyone. I am really grateful to what you've done to me during my stay. Oh, and don't forget to burn him alive and everything here." Xu Qiren thought that everything the man owned here must be burnt and gone. 

It's something that will make Xu Qiren less aggrieved and some cleansing for this wonderful place.

'We'll take care of him, don't worry Qiqi!'

'Nice idea, Qiqi!! We like it so much!'

'Yeah! Take a rest too... hmm, being a human is really high maintenance, you should really join us, Qiqi!'

'Yes! Yes! You will be able to see us for sure if you became one of us!'

"I'll think about it..." Xu Qiren cheekily said despite making up her mind to join them after this, and smiled.

When Xu Qiren smiled, she looked like her age, a vibrant 12 years old.

She stepped out of the 'bahay kubo' and for the first time, she felt free.

She enjoyed the fresh air and coldness of it.

Taking a deep breath as tears trickled her cheeks.

"This feels so good."

"Ain't it?" an ethereal voice was heard from behind.

Xu Qiren was not alerted as she instinctively knew the other party does not mean any harm.

The woman wearing a casual clothes with ethnic patterns, as if she's a local here, smiled at me gently.

"Mount Banahaw is really a beautiful place to call home. The captain ruling this place is really kind to give us a sanctuary. Don't blame them. They do not know this area exists and this is like our exclusive playground where humans won't get near. It's actually a mystery as for why that man possesses such a powerful amulet that not only ward off the evil but also the good kinds. It was really troublesome to the point we, elders, got a major headache for the first time. Gosh, that man is such a devil," she exaggeratedly sighed loudly.

Xu Qiren smiled, "I don't really blame them, I am actually grateful that the spirits and dwarves still approaches me despite that. Did you perhaps told them so?"

The eyes of the woman glittered, "Yes! That's the least I can do, right? Ah... by the way, do you still want to go back?"

"I don't want to... but I don't know if I can join, after all, I am not pure anymore."

The woman frowned for the first time, "It's not your fault, don't worry, I'll talk with the oldies here."

"That... Thank you, again. I know that spirits weren't even supposed to get near me since the house is full of protective amulets and spells, but with your help, they managed to." Xu Qiren is smart despite not being able to get proper education and managed to connect it.

"Hmm..." The woman then turned to Xu Qiren and scanned her.

"You are really smart. I'll bring you to the oldies after we discussed. Don't worry, it won't take long. You can rest as you bath."

Xu Qiren paused, "I am going with you?"

"Else?" The woman rolled her eyes.

Xu Qiren stayed silent, still marveling to the feeling of 'feeling honored'.

....

After taking five steps, Xu Qiren saw a pool and humans that are smiling and chatting each other.

But Xu Qiren knew, those are not humans.

Xu Qiren can feel the energy they emit is something a human can't have.

After observing more, there are people with mushroom heads, a horse that has an upper torso of a human and acts like a human, and some otherworldly beautiful women.

"Don't stare at them too much, cleanse yourself first, else they might feel something disgusting is staring at them and get offended, haha."

'Does that mean... I am disgusting?' Xu Qiren sulkily thought.

As if reading her mind, the woman just laughed, "That's just how it is. In the first place, you should cleanse yourself first before travelling further here. For us to welcome you and receive some common blessings."

This is actually something every traveler practices. To cleanse themselves with the water coming from the mountain. However, Xu Qiren was kidnapped, how can she do such thing?