ROAD TO PENNSYLVANIA

[Kudos, The Damned One]

[Second Curse Task Completed]

[Your Curse: Understanding Human Feelings]

The screen appeared once Malron had gotten far enough away from the pursuing demons. Malron was relieved to have successfully completed the task assigned to him by the system. It was a success, even if the compensation he received was completely useless.

"What is the point of understanding human emotions?" Malron muttered quietly.

[Every mission you undertake will eventually bring you benefits.]

[The reward of the curse is something you cannot avoid].

[Is there anything else you wish to ask?]

"Counsel. Show me the Chronicle."

[Your Chronicle, The Damned One]

[Demonic Power: +900]

[Trident Flame: + 990]

[Wrath: +998]

[Temptation: +999]

[Cunning: +998]

[Malice: +997]

[Angelic Power: +99]

[Sword Eternity: +9]

[Patience: +1]

[Sincerity: +1]

[Compassion: +1]

[Benevolence: +1]

Malron let out a long sigh of resignation as he looked at the status of the system in front of him. He glanced to the side, where Kieran slept soundly on their journey to Pennsylvania.

"Does my status have something to do with Kieran?" Malron asked quietly.

[You have a very strong bond with your master this time, The Damned One]

"Does he have a system like mine? Can you show me?"

[The system can only convey that you are connected to each other]

[The system cannot provide your master's status]

"So he has a system? Just like me?"

[That is not your concern at this time]

[Is there anything else you want to ask?]

"How can I not feel hungry right now?"

[Eat]

[Please fulfill your duties to the end]

[Hell always awaits you]

The screen and voice disappeared, leaving Malron with only the empty asphalt highway in front of him, lit by the headlights of passing cars. It was dark all around, but Malron could see the star-studded sky. Suddenly, he felt a sense of wonder at the beauty of the world.

"Damn, so it seems this curse is about understanding human emotions," Malron muttered irritably. "How could I actually enjoy the natural conditions of the world? It's disgusting."

Several hundred meters ahead, Malron saw the gas station and diner sign. He glanced at the tank arrow, which was only a quarter full, then decided to turn into the gas station. 

The diner was still open, although some of the lights inside had been turned off. Malron tapped Kieran on the shoulder to wake him up.

"Kieran! Wake up!" the demon said.

Kieran blinked, his hand reflexively covering his yawning mouth. "Where are we, Lord?"

"I have to fill up the gas. Get some food," Malron replied.

Still groggy, Kieran nodded. He got out of the car and dragged his feet towards the diner. 

Meanwhile, Malron filled the tank until it was full. The demon took some fifty-dollar bills from a plastic bag in his pocket and put them into his pants pocket.

When he was done, Malron parked the car next to the diner and walked over to Kieran, who was already sitting in one of the booths with his eyes closed.

"Did you order food?" Malron asked.

"Just fries and coke," Kieran replied hoarsely.

"That's okay, isn't it?"

Kieran nodded again. "I'm not that hungry. I'll just have what's available."

Malron put both hands on the table, then suddenly felt cautious. His eyes scanned the diner, sensing something strange. He immediately grabbed Kieran's hand.

"We have to get out of here," Malron whispered.

"What's wrong?" Kieran asked, startled.

A 'ding' came from the kitchen. Malron stood up and looked at the empty cashier's counter. An old woman emerged from behind the counter, carrying a tray of fries and two glasses of coke.

Her appearance was ordinary, but Malron sensed a different aura from the old woman.

"Did you fill the tank?" the woman asked kindly.

"Seventy dollars and twenty-five cents," Malron replied.

The woman set the tray down on the table. "Our card machine is broken, so we only accept cash."

Malron reached into his pocket and handed over one hundred and fifty dollars. "Will that cover the fries and drinks?"

The woman nodded. "I'll bring you the change. Please enjoy your meal."

"Just keep the change. We'll take the food away, if you don't mind," Malron said, staring sharply at the woman.

"Yes, of course." The woman's smile made Malron even more suspicious.

As she walked toward the cashier's table, the old woman stopped, cleared her throat quietly, and turned her body toward Malron. She folded her hands and tilted her head slightly.

"It's you, isn't it?" the old woman pointed at the television screen in the corner of the diner.

Malron and Kieran immediately turned to the TV, both startled. It was a local news program, showing pictures of Kieran and Malron labeled as fugitives. It was mentioned that Kieran and Malron were probably terrorists who had attacked people in the Albuquerque chapel.

Kieran's eyes widened, unable to believe what he saw.

"But..." Kieran's voice choked.

"Do I have to call the police?" the old woman murmured, chuckling softly.

"If you dare do that, I'll—" 

Malron was cut off by the old woman. "The police are too far away. I won't call anyone, old demon."

Kieran stood up, then looked back and forth between Malron and the woman standing near the cashier's desk. " Old demon? What does that mean?"

Malron hurried up to the old woman, not wanting Kieran to know who he really was. Delayed, as much as possible, until Malron could cover it up.

"Who are you really?" Malron asked. "Your aura is different from most humans."

"Summoner, in my younger days," the old woman replied lightly.

"So you summoned demons before?"

"I gave up that path decades ago," the old woman replied. "But I can still sense your kind. There have been more of you lately. I don't know what's going on, but I don't want to get involved."

Malron remained silent, without comment.

"Stygian Lords and other names of your kind; the thirteen great demons," the old woman continued.

"How do you know I am one of them?"

"Your aura is like Relgriz." The old woman's face darkened. "Because of him, I decided to leave and run away from the summoners. All my comrades were killed, dragged into the demon world by him."

"Do you seek revenge now?"

The old woman shook her head. "No. Actually, I'm afraid if you all come. For I sense that not only you are coming, but that several great demons have also come to this world."