Chapter 659 - Gennie, The Woman That was Supposed to be Dead (1/2)

Day 148 - 12:39 AM - East Area Forest Border, San Roque, Pandan, Catanduanes

In the middle of the night, a reddish-black dragon was dumping unconscious men on the mud. In the forest not far from it, a Demon was surrounded by different magical races.

It was quite a surreal scene, a scene that almost no human in modern times would believe.

Mark shrugged at the silence that enveloped the surroundings.

There were no lies in what he said. It was also true that the only time he met this Aunt of his was when he was just a small boy. Nevertheless, it seemed to be hard for these races to believe him.

But then, Mark's Aunt stepped forward with an unsure expression.

”You are... Mark?” She asked. ”That boy that suddenly got lost for no reason and then just appeared in front of the house after sunset?”

”Ah...”

Mark could not make a come back to that.

That event did happen. But for some reason, even in his subconscious, Mark had no recollection of what really happened that time. Still, out of all things, that was what she remembered.

Well, it was no like Mark did anything remarkable to remember when they went on vacation here at that time.

”That's me.”

Mark shrugged as he replied.

Of course, as the reply started to sink in her mind, her eyes grew wide. It seemed that it was really shocking that the Demon standing in front of her was the very same kid back then.

On the other hand, Mark was a bit less surprised to see her here. Not as a human but as a half-spirit.

Gennie dela Providencia, that was her maiden name. She was the third child among the six siblings and the third female too. Well, they were supposed to be seven, but one child was not only born odd but also died shortly after birth.

She was married to a rather unfaithful man. But even so, she lived her life like normal with her children.

But then, when neither her husband nor her children were at home, they came home only to find a cold corpse in the living room.

And to say, while it was announced as cardiac arrest, her death was quite mysterious.

Not to mention that there were rumors of her being courted by something inhuman. It was not just a rumor in the family, but it seemed that it was secretly known by the neighbors too for some reason.

Furthermore, that was not the first instance. There were others way before that.

In their family, Gennie was the most attractive woman. Well, towards non-human beings. It was not wrong to say, though. Among her siblings, her looks were far better.

But even so, she married a human and had children. She was also faithful. It was very unlikely that she would follow her non-human suitors and leave her family. And yet, here she was, already turned into a non-human being.

And why could Mark tell that she was just a half-spirit? It was because she was alive. She was not just a soul at all.

It made Mark think that whatever the thing that was buried in her grave, there was no way that it was her at all. Probably it was just a trunk of a Banana Tree, like how the folklore went.

After all, there were various stories of people being kidnapped by elementals but were proclaimed dead. It was because their bodies were found. However, that body was not a real one but just a banana trunk covered with illusion. Once the body was buried in their graves, the illusion would be dispelled.

And once the family members or other people dug the grave, they would find nothing inside the casket but some dried plant matter.

Gennie's death was too mysterious. After all, she had no history of having heart problems, although it was true that her body was getting weaker as time went by. That was why even though they were present at her funeral, some people believed that she was not dead and was taken away instead.

And since she was present here, it seemed that it was true that she was taken away by spirits and elementals instead of dying.

Gennie stared at Mark, scrutinizing his appearance. Nonetheless, she was not saying anything. She was quite a shy person. Furthermore, the strange circ.u.mstances around her fueled this trait of hers. And even though they were relatives, it was the first time she saw Mark after twenty-four years. Trying to confirm Mark's identity was the best she could do.

Finally, after about half a minute of staring contest, Gennie opened her mouth.

”You've grown big.”

She said.

Mark could only smile bitterly. It was also true, after all. Back then, Mark was just a small child, even compared to his cousins of the same age. It was even though the shortness of stature ran strong in their family.

But now, Mark was a tall man, probably taller than any of their relatives here in Catanduanes. Even Gennie standing straight was just up to his c.h.e.s.t. That was how short she was.

Gennie slowly took a step forward. After all, it had been years since she was able to talk to any of her relatives. She might be shy, but her longing for familial interaction seemed to have taken over.

But of course, it would not happen just like that.

Gennie could only stop as her arm was grabbed by the Tamawo that stood in front of her earlier.

”Ordulk, what are you...”

Gennie turned to the Tamawo only to see him shaking his head.

”He might be your nephew but don't forget that he's a Demon. Those Demons nearly caused you to die.”

Gennie could only clench her fist dejectedly.

On the other hand, Mark's interest was piqued.

It seemed that his Aunt became a Spirit, not because she wanted to. Also, by how it appeared, these Spirits did not want it either. However, it seemed that they had no choice, and it was only the way for her to live.

”Can you not associate me with those Demons?”

Mark spoke to the Tamawo called Ordulk.

”What are you talking about?” Ordulk said, with hostility. ”Demons are Demons. All of them are the same.”

”Wow, what a prejudice.”

Mark could not help but say.

Of course, those words only made Mark gain more hostility from the surroundings. It seemed that these bunch had the worst experiences with Demons.

”In any case, I'm not interested why you people as too hostile.” Mark shrugged as he turned to his Aunt. ”Aunt Gennie, are you the reason why they are protecting my brother, no, probably the whole family, right?”