Chapter - 4

"Stand up," Kaito commands, testing the limits of his control.

Without hesitation, she rises from her chair, her movements mechanical yet precise. He suppresses a grin, feeling a rush of power surge through him.

"Come closer," he says.

She steps around the table, stopping inches away from him. Her scent—subtle hints of soap and lavender—fills his senses, but there's no warmth in her presence anymore. She stands there, silent, waiting for his next order.

Kaito tilts his head, observing her like a scientist admiring his latest experiment. He wonders just how far this control can go.

"Raise your right hand," he instructs.

Her arm lifts effortlessly, her hand hovering in the air.

"Now your left."

She obeys, her hands now outstretched like a marionette waiting for its strings to be pulled.

"Drop them," he orders, and her arms fall to her sides.

Kaito steps back, crossing his arms. He speaks again, his voice quieter but sharper. "Tell me what you're thinking."

For a moment, there's silence. Then, in a monotone voice, she replies, "I am thinking only of what you want me to do."

His smirk deepens. Complete submission. Perfect.

---

Testing Her Limits

Kaito takes a step around her, studying her from every angle. His mind races with possibilities. If I can control her movements, can I alter her thoughts? Her emotions? Her memories?

"Do you know who I am?" he asks, his tone curious.

"Yes," she replies. "You are my stepson, Kaito Asura."

"Do you care about me?"

"Yes."

He narrows his eyes. "Why?"

"Because... I must."

Her response feels hollow, mechanical. It's not the affection she used to show him, and yet it satisfies him. He's reshaped her into a vessel of obedience, and that realization fills him with a mix of triumph and detachment.

"Good," he murmurs.

He gestures toward the sink. "Now, finish the dishes."

She nods and moves toward the sink, resuming her task without a word. As her hands glide over the soapy water, Kaito feels the connection between them strengthen. He can sense the rhythm of her heartbeat, the flow of her thoughts—or rather, the lack thereof. She isn't acting on her own anymore. She's an extension of his will.

---

Pushing Further

A dark thought crosses Kaito's mind, and he decides to push the boundaries of his control. He steps closer to her, his voice low and commanding.

"Drop the plate."

The sound of ceramic shattering against the tile floor echoes through the kitchen. She doesn't flinch, doesn't react. She simply stands there, waiting for his next command.

"Apologize," he orders.

"I'm sorry," she says, her voice calm, devoid of the usual warmth that would accompany such words.

"Clean it up," he continues, testing her reactions.

She bends down, picking up the broken pieces with careful precision. Kaito watches her, a mix of awe and unease stirring within him. She's fully under his control, but the sight of her subdued, emotionless, is both thrilling and unsettling.

The First Ripple of Consequences

As she finishes cleaning, a sudden jolt of pain shoots through Kaito's head. He staggers, clutching his temple, the connection between them faltering for a brief moment.

"Prolonged control may lead to unpredictable consequences," the earlier warning echoes in his mind.

He straightens, brushing it off as a momentary lapse. But as he watches his stepmother return to her tasks without question, a nagging thought takes root.

What if this isn't sustainable? What if she breaks?

For now, he pushes the doubt aside. This is just the beginning of his experiment, and there's so much more to explore.

Kaito retreats to his room, his mind swirling with frustration and curiosity. The fading control over his stepmother gnaws at him. Sitting on his bed, he gazes at the glowing blue screen, which now hums softly in front of him.

"Level 2 Unlocked: You have successfully controlled your stepmother."

His lips twitch into a faint smirk, but the message isn't as satisfying as he hoped. The text shifts:

"Warning: Prolonged control depletes cursed energy rapidly. Your reserves are insufficient for extended control. To enhance your powers, you must increase your cursed energy immediately."

Kaito straightens, his heart quickening. The screen changes again, revealing his next mission:

Mission: Harness cursed energy from the Abandoned Temples of Sin.

"These ancient ruins once housed rituals to appease fallen gods and dark deities. The air is thick with cursed energy, a remnant of human sacrifices performed centuries ago. To claim this power, you must conquer the cursed spirits haunting the temple. Beware: the rituals that created these spirits are still alive within the walls."

Kaito's eyes narrow, his frustration transforming into determination. He closes his fist, the faint pulse of cursed energy responding to his resolve. "If this is what it takes, so be it," he murmurs, standing and heading out of the room.

(The Journey to the Temples)

Night has fallen, casting the world in shadow. Kaito slips out of the house, the cool evening air prickling his skin. The temples lie on the outskirts of the city, shrouded in an ancient forest said to be cursed.

As he ventures deeper, the dense trees seem to close in around him, their gnarled branches reaching like skeletal fingers. The path is overgrown, and the faint sound of rustling leaves and distant whispers accompanies each step.

After hours of walking, he reaches a clearing. The ruins of the Abandoned Temples of Sin stand before him, their once-majestic structures now crumbling with age. Blackened stones, engraved with sinister symbols, radiate a faint, ominous glow. The air here is heavy, saturated with the oppressive presence of cursed energy.

Kaito inhales deeply, the tainted energy swirling around him. His body reacts instinctively, his cursed power stirring within, ready to absorb the dark essence.

(Entering the Temple)

The first step inside is like crossing into another realm. The oppressive atmosphere becomes suffocating, and the silence is deafening. Kaito moves cautiously, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor. Ancient, flickering torches cast eerie shadows, and the faint smell of decay lingers in the air.

The walls are carved with grotesque imagery: scenes of sacrifices, dark rituals, and worship of malevolent gods. Each step feels heavier than the last, the cursed energy growing stronger, coiling around him like a living thing.

Suddenly, a low growl echoes through the temple. Kaito stops, his body tensing. From the shadows emerges a cursed spirit, its form a horrific amalgamation of twisted flesh and glowing energy.

(The Confrontation)

The spirit towers over Kaito, its translucent body flickering with malevolent energy. Its hollow eyes fixate on him, and a cacophony of whispers fills the air.

"Another mortal come to claim our power?" it hisses, its voice layered with venom and mockery.

Kaito stands his ground, a dark smirk spreading across his face. "Not just to claim it—to make it mine."

The spirit lunges with unnatural speed, its claw-like hands slashing through the air. Kaito leaps back, his reflexes sharp, his cursed energy flaring to life. Shadows ripple around him as he channels his power into his fists.

With a burst of energy, Kaito launches a counterattack, his strikes landing with precision. The spirit howls in rage, its form momentarily destabilized. But it quickly regenerates, its laughter echoing through the chamber.

"You cannot destroy me, boy. I am the embodiment of centuries of suffering!"

Kaito's expression darkens. "Good. I'll make you part of me."

Closing his eyes, he focuses on the cursed energy surrounding them. He extends his will, drawing the spirit's essence toward him. The air crackles with power as Kaito begins to absorb the spirit's energy, his own aura expanding, intertwining with the spirit's resistance.

The spirit screams, its form writhing in agony. It tries to break free, but Kaito's will is unyielding. Slowly, its essence disintegrates, merging with Kaito's power.