45 Way of the Caged Soul: Demon Release (1/2)

Stigma was covered in small cuts and bruises, but it was nothing serious that would affect his health, so he can still train. While he was with minor injuries, he took a peek if the Demon was fine.

The Demon had a haggard expression with beads of sweat flowing down its head, going down by its neck, he could see dried blood all the way to his suits.

Strangely enough, the damage it should had sustained during the fight had completely healed. Such as the wounds on its fist from constant thrashing on hard objects that should have shown torn tissues and even the stab wound on its neck was gone.

If he didn't knew any better, it had just gone through a party if you ignore the blood on his chest. But he was more curious and wanted to learn more about the cultivation he was going to use, since it sounded like the general terms were only explained.

”Hey, about the Cultivation...” When Stigma turned his head he suddenly saw a hand facing him, gesturing Stigma to stop the thought for a moment and listen.

”Do not worry Dear Sir, all will be explained and keep in mind, Demons who make deals always follow through them to the end...so for now, rest....”

The Demon sat in front of Stigma as it continued to rub its throat from time to time. Insinuating that it was still suffering from the 'Curse mark' Stigma had placed on it.

Like how most eastern cursing is described, object that are cursed become a symbol of misfortune to anyone who owns it or when people die their spirits would reside not just in areas, but including objects to cause harm anyone near its vicinity due to their strong lingering emotions.

Stigma was going to call this ability 'cursing or marking' as a general term[1] and use symbols as a marker. The reason was due to his Grudge energy being a substance that sticks to any surface it came in contact with and stretches when needed, then when mixed with other elements such as fire, it will be affected by the corresponding elements ability.

He had already seen how effective the combination with fire when he tried it on trees and beast. So he started calling the effect 'Scorch/Burn' similar to how it was in RPG games, and for now the chinese symbol of fire, is the 'Scorch curse'.

Albeit for now he can only do it in physical contact, ignoring the whole sacrifice people or using blood scenario, also the effects only last until Stigma releases or removes it himself. Though he wasn't sure he can do similar feat with other curses applied by other.

'But, if I can learn how to use it properly, maybe....'

While Stigma was busy with his future plans, he didn't notice the Demon was smiling at him the whole time. But it was hard to tell what it was thinking, questioning what plan it had on mind.

Stigma wasn't sure how much time had passed, but due to him absorbing all the beast souls natural vitality, he was almost fully recovered. However instead of leaving, the Demon told him to wait little, because it wanted to show something.

Moments later, the attendances revealed themselves from behind the trees, as if they were waiting for the right moment to appear. Stigma then turned to the Demon if it had an explanation, but his expectation were out the window when he heard it's next words.

”Now then...it's about time...” The Demon got up and smiled at him, then walked towards the attendances with a gleeful face. He also hid behind his hands looking like a gang boss, but seemed out of place due the height difference.

The sudden decision of the Demon had made Stigma clench his fist, he realized he made a great error. If he remembered correctly, the deal was that he had to kill it to win, but it had already surrendered to Stigma, so it can't harm him in anyway due to breaking the deal.

But that doesn't mean the servant's were part of the deal, so he ordered them ahead of time to surround and kill Stigma if it ever failed. The Demon wasn't planning to follow with the deal at all!

'Mother Fucker!' Gritting his teeth, Stigma stood up and tried to think of an escape plan. They had him encircled and from above, plus not only do they have the numbers but the terrain is to their advantage as well. Now he had to face all of them and somehow get way.

He saw that the faceless attendance numbered over fifty or so, he wasn't sure what they were, but he was sure he could take them one at a time if he had the chance. But with their hands hidden from behind was causing Stigma to worry, he would not get out unscratched if they had any long range weapons at hand.

If they ever decide to attack now, Stigma would be in deep shit, since he wasn't use to fighting groups as of yet. He can only prepare himself for what is about to happen.

As Stigma thought about his plans, the little Demon raised it long arms to his side while showing his bloodshot eyes, along with his over stretched out grin on his face. Making it look like a creepy performer, but instead of revealing beautiful show, it was about to release a horrible nightmare.

”ARE! YOU! READY!” With it's bloodshot eyes and heavy breathing, the Demon looked sinister.

Stigma was about to bolt when all of a sudden. The attendants brought out black robs and aimed at him, causing him to falter. If he ever survived this, he will put that 'piece of garbage' into a boiling pot of oil[2]!

He soon realized why the Cultivation was called: Way of the Caged Soul: Demon Release. He was going to be the Demon's prisoner as it source of food or worse a sacrifice!

Left with no choice he stood his ground and waited for the right timing to break the encirclement, however one of the attendance too he was baffled from suddenly being shoot at - with confetti and streamers.

*POP!**POP!**POP!**POP!**POP!**POP!**POP!*

All around him, he saw the attendance held devices that shoot confetti and streamers like those in parties. Hearing such an out of place sounds had gotten Stigma to leave his mouth wide open and his eye to twitch repeatedly.

”Congratulation, Dear Sir! You have successfully made a Cultivation breakthrough on your first try! Time for your rewards!”

The Demon was holding a bell in each hand, the attendance followed by revealing small drums or cymbals, then started playing with a festive mode like drum performance in China. Completely ignoring the fact, that they looked like they were going to kill Stigma.

”Hah!?!!!?!” Stigma's confusion was sounded, since the Demon had already shown that it can bend the truth or hold out on information, that is why he was lead on by the most misleading atmosphere that had ever happened in his life.

Seeing the previously serious Stigma turned completely dumbfounded, made the Demon laughed out of joy from his successful prank.

”Haa ha ha ha, don't be so scared Dear Sir, it's just a harmless jest. I already explained that you have already won so don't be so tens- Awk! Awk!” Without listening to its reasoning, Stigma went after it and started choking the little Demon with both hand, showing an extremely annoyed face.

He had never been so scared and embarrassed in his current life time, so he was quite pissed when the Demon made a huge misunderstanding.

”Die, you little bastard, die!” Stigma continued to gritted his teeth as he tried to choke it, but the Demon fought back by grabbing his wrist and tried to explain.

”Awk! - Please calm down Dear Sir, I mean no harm, I saw a memory of you enjoying a festival that used such methods so I thought it was a perfect time to used them. Also you are they type who was always serious so I thought it would be nice to smile once in a while.”

Stigma relaxed his grip and took a deep breath. He didn't really plan to kill it as the prank was harmless.