Chapter 20: A Curse in the Shadows

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A Dangerous Gamble

Lucian Valcrest stood atop a ruined pagoda, overlooking the gathering of Heaven's Chosen.

His hand pulsed with dark energy, the newly acquired Shadowbane Curse waiting to be unleashed.

'Seraphina…' he mused. 'You stand between me and complete control. Should I remove you?'

His fiancée had regressed.

She had memories of his downfall.

And yet, in this life, she was protecting him from corruption.

Was it love? Or guilt?

Lucian's smirk faded for a moment. This woman… was troublesome.

But that only made it more interesting.

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Choosing the Target

Though Seraphina was a threat, cursing her outright was reckless.

Instead, Lucian turned his gaze to another target.

Feng Hao.

A disciple of the Imperial Sect.

A powerful swordsman.

And the one most vocal about Lucian's suspected treachery.

'Perfect.'

With a flick of his wrist, he activated the Shadowbane Curse.

[Target Selected: Feng Hao]

Effect: Luck Decreased

Future Fate Encounters Weakened

Unforeseen Disasters Increased

Far below, Feng Hao shuddered as an invisible force wrapped around his soul.

He didn't know it yet…

But his destiny had begun to unravel.

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Seraphina's Instincts

Meanwhile, Seraphina felt a shift.

A ripple in fate.

She turned abruptly, her golden eyes scanning the area.

'Something… just changed.'

She narrowed her gaze at Lucian, who stood in the distance, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face.

Her heartbeat quickened.

'Is he… interfering with fate itself?'

This was dangerous.

If Lucian could alter destiny… then even her memories of the past might become unreliable.

'He's even more dangerous than I thought.'

But even as doubt filled her heart, so did something else.

A lingering, undeniable connection to him.

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The System's Next Mission

As Lucian basked in his latest success, his Villain System chimed.

[New Mission Unlocked: Corrupt a Hero's Heart]

Goal: Lead a Chosen One onto the path of darkness.

Reward: Abyssal Dragon Physique

Lucian's eyes gleamed.

'Turn a hero into a villain?'

Now that was something he could enjoy.

And he already had a target in mind.

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