The Predecessor’s inheritance and the Successor’s First Curse

Words.

Du Lang didn't expect that launching a curse through the Curse Platform was that easy. He suddenly wondered whether he had just passed through a standard 'fantasy system novel protagonist' scenario and settled into a Japanese 'fantasy world novel protagonist' setting. From the brief description provided by Sibyl, the Curse Platform could achieve great feats at little to no cost – as long as it fit within its designated specialty.

"Even the mystical gurus of the past needed extreme effort and due diligence to achieve their status…"

Of course, the Curse Platform couldn't easily achieve physical phenomena – that could be readily inferred from its description. Curses were targeted towards sentient beings – people, in often cases – instead of physical landforms. He couldn't walk around setting everything besides him aflame or demolishing concrete structures with a stomp of his foot like most protagonists in the recently trending webnovels, but cursing people into a miserable life didn't seem difficult anymore.

I curse you – how simple was that?

Granted, he never attempted cursing anyone yet, but the sheer implication of Sibyl's hint threw Du Lang's mental reasoning off guard. The underlying idea of ultimate authority over any person's life and future by a few spiteful words reeked of insanity and power. Regardless of how logical reasoning failed to explain Sibyl's presence before him and the chain and dagger that had materialized with a swing of his arm, Du Lang couldn't help but become doubtful.

"The Curse Platform… if it is regarded as a platform, surely there must be a framework that I can work upon?" Du Lang murmured with a light frown.

"Sibyl, do you have anything about the Curse Platform in regards to a framework or previous collection? Did my… predecessor leave something for their junior?"

[Profile configuration for predecessor host 'Gou Erming' initialized. Overwrite applied profile configuration?]

Sibyl's response was practically instantaneous, and left Du Lang with no time to think. A bead of sweat trickled down his back to remind him of the peculiarity that was the floating black sphere, and he subconsciously bobbed his head towards the near hypnotic female voice.

"Overwrite."

[Command received. Profile configuration 'Master of Curses' applied.]

A swift stream of words slapped the underside of his ears, and Du Lang inadvertently flinched at the perfectly innocuous and unpretentious title 'Master of Curses' that had registered in his brain. Part regret and expectation raced through his veins as he sat and awaited Sibyl's next train wreck of words, though the regret trumped over the expectation by a large factor…

[Profile configuration initialized, integrating saved framework and interface. Congratulations, host Du Lang. Privilege has been restored to <master> threshold. Please explore the new world around you with great care and enjoyment.]

The female voice that was once tinged with an innocent warmth had abruptly adjusted to that of a cold, calculative and reserved charm. Du Lang gulped as the hairs on the back of his neck trickled at the perceived sensation of someone glaring down the back of his neck, and couldn't help but briefly imagine the visage and appearance of a female secretary.

The alluring yet aloof beauty with her fantastic figure but perpetually disdainful and chastising voice, the secretary of the evil boss in any Oriental drama… his predecessor enjoyed this type of woman!?

No, not like he - a pitiable junior - had much to retort...

[Four types of basic curse models initialized. Enervate, Elude, Distort, Desecrate. Primary soul artifact of the host has been renamed and reclassified as <Soul Parrying Dagger>. <Freeform> curse creation model framework initialized with Beginner Privilege.]

"What are these curse models you speak of? By <Basic>, what do you mean by that?"

[Curse models are preconfigured rituals of curses. The range, efficacy, consumption of resources, and depreciation of the curse over time is initialized by Sibyl, and does not require the use of an active ritual. Preassigned keywords are utilized to trigger initialized curse models.]

Du Lang quickly wiped at the small thread of drool poking its head from the trenches of his lips, and gestured for the floating sphere to continue its speech. With the back of his palm pressed against his mouth, he tapped at the countertop to sort out his thoughts.

[Curse models are assigned into three categories: basic, improved, and freeform. The initial computation and formulation of the curse model are preprocessed by Sibyl for <Basic> curse models. <Improved> curse models refer to variations and evolution within a basic curse model, and can progress without limitation. <Freeform> curse models cannot be improved, and all necessary computations must be provided by the host.]

"It resembles a game system too much…" Du Lang furrowed his brows in contemplation.

"<Improved> and <freeform> curse models, what are the differences? Surely it can't be restricted to that of mere consumption and configuration."

[Vertical scaling and horizontal scaling.]

The black sphere's response was delayed by a few breaths, but the curt and crisp response immediately informed Du Lang the crux of the matter. The single statement caused a tinge of elation to arise within his heart, but brought forth an aftertaste of unease. The more he stared at the floating Sibyl, the more the fuzzy sphere resembled a game system.

<Improved> curse models implemented vertical scaling to basic curses. In essence, as per Sibyl's introduction, the effects of <Basic> curses could be improved and evolve without limit, but their variations were limited. <Freeform> curses could integrate numerous types of variation, but their limit of evolution was pretty substandard.

"A weapon, and an ingot?" Du Lang clucked his tongue in annoyance.

"A weapon can improve its sharpness and durability, but cannot escape the confines of its created purpose. An ingot can be wielded into a large variety of weapons, but the intrinsic qualities are confined at birth… Sibyl, did my predecessor leave behind any completed curse models for me to use?"

[Eight <Improved> curse models initialized. Distort Time, Distort Space, Obliviate, Exterminate, Enthrall, Power, Sunder, Ghost's Path.]

The fact that his 'recently deceased' predecessor had left behind a substantial inheritance caused Du Lang's heart to throb with emotion, but the atrocious naming sense caused his forehead to throb with incredulity. His lips and eyebrows twitched of their own will, and threatened to rebel with all their might.

Distort Time? Distort Space?

What was this sense of naming – did his predecessor truly believe that he was playing a game? And what was with the fourth curse model – 'Exterminate' – what was he supposed to be, some novel's atrocious and overpowered protagonist?

To think that these names and curse models originated from over a hundred years ago…

"Can you explain their specifics?"

Du Lang incessantly wailed in abject horror inside his mind, but eventually bit the bullet. With each statement that escaped from the immeasurable depths of the black sphere, the famed nightmare journalist, the great 'Dalang' of Jingdou, was beat into submission.

[Distort Time. Variation of <Basic> curse model Distort. Depending on the host's Privilege, the curse can distort the flow of time around a specified target for a varying duration.]

[Distort Space. Variation of <Basic> curse models Desecrate and Elude. Depending on the host's Privilege, the curse can bend and disrupt spatial coordinates within a varying spherical field.]

[Obliviate. Evolution of <Basic> curse model Enervate. Bypass the defenses of a specified target and render into oblivion.]

[Exterminate. Evolution of <Basic> curse model Desecrate. Eliminate the physical form of a specified target. Eliminated mass is relative to the host's Privilege threshold.]

The tirade and lecture of incomprehensible depths of torment and angst could be tolerated when it was presented by a pretty voice that was exuberant with youth and innate curiosity, but when the speaker replicated a persona that was constantly strict and formal, almost as though the words spoken were absolute convictions…

What a torment!

[Enthrall. Evolution of <Basic> curse model Enervate and integration with <Improved> curse models Distort Time and Distort Space. Through assistance of the <Soul Parrying Dagger>, cause a specified target to be consumed by their innate fears.]

[Power. Evolution of <Basic> curse model Elude and integration with <Basic> curse model Desecrate. The host's will is imposed onto a specified target.]

[Sunder. Variation of <Improved> curse model Obliviate. Convert physical mass into direct energy. Converted mass is relative to host's Privilege threshold.]

[Ghost's Path. Evolution of <Improved> curse model Distort Space. Translate the spatial coordinates surrounding the host to an alternate plane of existence. Duration is relative to the host's Privilege threshold.]

When the cold and brutal bashing had ceased, Du Lang retrieved his hands from his temples. He took a long draft of cold water to thoroughly jolt himself back to reality, and gave the black sphere a hard stare. When he felt that the cold female secretary persona instilled by Sibyl had begun panicking, he released a pained sigh.

"Why do I feel that I died and reincarnated into some crappy fantasy world…"

[The host has not perished. The world has remained unchanged relative to the host –]

"–that wasn't a question towards you!"

Du Lang scowled in frustration, but ultimately gave up trying to rationalize his way out. Cleaning the glass and returning towards his seat before the kitchen countertop, the defeated journalist then displayed an abrupt uncanny smirk.

"After all that, nobody can remain immune to temptation, no? I'm only human… I just want to try it out, for once… Sibyl, with this… 'Master of Curses' profile left by my predecessor, how do I cast a curse?"

[Curse models that require assistance through the <Soul Parrying Dagger> are automatically triggered by a defined movement or configured action. Otherwise, the host needs to configure a keyword or phrase for each curse model to be able to use them. Certain curse models require additional categories of input.]

"Defined movements with the <Soul Parrying Dagger> – the dagger and chain from earlier?" Du Lang mused with great interest.

"I'm assuming that the keywords of my predecessor have been wiped during the 'migration'… then it's settled! Sibyl, I want to utilize the curse model Power!"

[<Improved> curse model Power initialized. Custom activation not available. Requiring additional conditions: field, world, word.]

"Additional conditions? Field, world, and word? What do they entail, more specifically?"

[Conditions are initialized subsequent of curse model. Field: the curse model operates on a specified entity. World: operation of the curse model utilizes the world's influence and affects physical mass. Word: the curse model operates via the commands of the host.]

The first two conditions seem to overlap?

Du Lang hesitated for a brief moment, but shook his head and gave no further thought. Fueled by resentment towards the circumstances of his 'misfortunate retirement' and the cocky young intern that had caused his downfall, Du Lang took a deep breath as his eyes shone with a wolfish gleam.

"Power, word. Double the duration and intensity of Fan Ruyan's menstrual period."

[Conditions met. Successful activation of <Improved> curse model Power. Applied condition: Word.]

The serene yet solemn female voice ringing directly in his mind as well as the rapid flashing of violet light across the black sphere caused a vicious happiness to flush through Du Lang's chest. Before he could taste the sweet fruits of his revenge, his vision immediately blanked and Du Lang felt his head crash heavily against the cold marble countertop.

[Warning. Activation of <Improved> curse model bypassed limitations of host's Privilege threshold, has consumed 50% of spiritual essence reserves. Host's soul will be forced into recovery state for a period of eight hours for full recovery.]

What… what the f*ck?