23 When you use powerful cursed abilities... (2/2)

He looked over his own status and groaned. His pet's former curses were all there, including a few others that were not originally there including one called Cursed Form which seemed to relate to his current appearance. He looked it up.

[Monsterfication: The owner of this skill will slowly lose their original form and progressively turn into a terrifying monster. Warning some of these mutations may hurt.]

[Cursed Form: Randomly the owner of this skill will transform into a hideous monster that will randomly attack non-cursed creatures around it. While transformed your character is controlled by AI. The transformation will normally last a few minutes. Adept bonus: The duration has a higher chance of being an hour.]

(They weren't kidding when they said the effects would be harmful. Getting rid of these curses seems even more important now.)

The kitten looked over himself. (I'm still alive? I'm small again? Wait, I'm not cursed?! Ken! You are the best!) It mewed happily.

(I'm glad you are okay.) The hunter replied. (However, I am going to have to rely on you a lot now. Not only do you need to regain your strength, I'm the one cursed now.)

The Lynx kitten nodded. (I'm on it! I will be very helpful. I will find the lady so she can break your curses! Thanks for saving my life!)

Princess came up and gave her friend a hug. (I'm glad you both are okay! Who or what was that, that attacked you?)

Ken didn't hug her back because he remembered his cursed touch skill. (I don't know.)

Princess let go.

Ken leaned down and picked up the silver arrows that had been ejected from Lux's body after sacrifice was used.

[You have cursed touch. All things you touch with your hands will be given a curse. Silver is designed to harm evil beings. The arrows have resisted your touch. You have taken 10 points of damage.]

Ken put them in his inventory. (Princess, it seems my hands will curse whatever I touch right now and not just people, can you or Jericho loot the assassin's corpse?)

Princess gave a nod.

Jericho shrugged since he had no clue what was being said. ”I know we just got done being attacked, but shouldn't we find that apprentice?”

”Loot first.” Princess replied. ”I'll let you touch the dead body brother.”

Jericho shook his head as he came over to the hunter. ”Why did you have to say it like that?” As he touched the corpse it vanished and left a small pile of items.

[Quiver of normal silver arrows: See normal steel arrows with the following adjustments: Damage to evil creatures *1.5. Damage to non-evil creatures -2]

[Nature's cloak (Tier 2) Level 15: +5 Defense and Magic Defense except against fire. While worn you can activate the skill nature camouflage.

Nature Camouflage: Become the same type of coloration as your surroundings making you harder to spot. This only affects outward appearance and does not stop others from identifying you by other senses.]

While Jericho looted and explained the items, Ken scanned back through his battle log. (Princess, can you tell your brother to play that soothing composition again? I think it helped with Lux's and my curses earlier. Had I known I would have had him play it to help with Lux's curses sooner. Even though we are searching for a healer to remove them, every little bit helps.)

Princess relayed the message.

”Okay, I can do that. I have been meaning to get that one more proficient anyways since it seems to be one of my most productive pieces.” Jericho pulled the piano and the ocarina. He played and sung the song repeatedly.

After three times playing the piece, […Your curses have weakened. Cursed Touch has regressed from 3/10 to 2/10 Adept. Evil Aura has regressed from 2/10 to 1/10 Adept. Cursed Form has regressed from 4/10 Adept to 3/10 adept. The likelihood of transforming in the near future has been reduced.]

Another five play-throughs later… […Your curses have weakened. Cursed Touch has regressed from 2/10 to 1/10 Adept. Evil Aura has regressed from 1/10 to 0/10 Adept. Cursed Form has regressed from 3/10 to 2/10 Adept.] [Ally's abilities are presently not strong enough to further weaken your curses. Search for another method or improve ally's skill…]

(Princess, can you tell Jericho that his music has stopped working but to keep playing? If his skill level increases, he may be able to further weaken the curses.)

Jericho also received notifications about his composition. [Part 1 has improved. 0/10 Adept: Adept bonus: Listeners will have their skills cost slightly less Stamina and MP, Part 2 has improved. 8/10 Beginner, Part 3 has improved 2/10 Adept. Serenade for the Soothing of the soul has improved. 0/10 Adept. Adept bonus: This piece now has a greater impact on dispelling harmful effects. (Locked requires tier 3 healing to receive the adept bonus.)]

”It looks like I need to increase my healing skill line then. It will take me a while to get the song up that high.” Jericho muttered to himself. ”But we have spent a lot of time standing here. Shouldn't we be going?” He put away the piano and pulled out the zither. It was more mobile.

Ken turned to his house cat sized lynx companion. (Lux, can you track her?)

He sniffed around a bit. (Follow me!) The curse-free Lux led the way.