Chapter 46: Utilities Are Free in My Home

[Demon’s Hand: Level 1 basic skill. Summons the Demon’s Hand, dealing damage to all enemies it touches. Each use consumes 30 mana points. Current damage: 100 points per strike. Attack range: within a radius of ten meters.]

The Demon’s Hand descended from the heavens, striking the two men engaged in their illicit act, abruptly halting their movements and forcing them into agonized cries. Terrified, they dared not continue.

Lin Xiao burst from the room, raising the Galactic Destruction Axe, intent on ending their sinful entanglement.

“We’re sorry, we’re sorry! Please forgive us—we were wrong!”

A white man hastily raised his hands, kneeling and repeatedly bowing his head, while the other lay on the floor, groaning in pain, grievously wounded by the Demon’s Book.

Lin Xiao paused, unwilling to silence them all; he needed live witnesses to find Joey.

“I have a few questions for you. Answer honestly—if I catch a lie or you refuse to speak, one of you will be ignited by this axe. Do you understand?”

He lifted the Galactic Destruction Axe, conjuring magical flames that flickered before he extinguished them. Such a weapon consumed much mana, and he preferred to save it if unnecessary.

The two men trembled, their arrogance vanished. They agreed without hesitation.

Lin Xiao considered, then chose not to ask about Joey’s whereabouts yet. Instead, he began, “Who are you? And what’s the story of this house?”

“I am Chad, and this is my boyfriend Patrick. Like you, we were once the owners of this house. We quarreled over Halloween pumpkin decorations, and then a masked stranger in black killed me—and then Patrick. Now, we exist in this form, unable to leave.”

So, they too were former owners, killed by the house’s spectral horrors and turned into ghosts themselves.

“Please don’t destroy us. We’ve tasted death once and don’t wish to experience it again. Since becoming like this, we’ve harmed no one. We only want to have each other and never be separated again.”

Chad pleaded bitterly. Lin Xiao frowned—not out of aversion to their sincere love, but because keeping them around could risk further casualties if they were attacked.

Sensing his hesitation, Patrick quickly added, “We promise—absolutely—we won’t harm you. We’ve seen your power; you could destroy us. All we desire is to love each other, not cause any trouble.”

Sheriff Hope and the others stood aside. Will and Number Eleven, moved by their pleas, hesitated to speak. Sheriff Hope advised gently,

“Jonathan, God teaches us to forgive. Since they’ve done nothing wrong, perhaps we should spare them this time.”

Lin Xiao was about to reply when a sound of running water echoed from his bedroom—the unmistakable noise of someone showering.

“Who lives next door to you?” he asked, for Chad and Patrick posed no threat, but other specters might.

“That’s a mother and her daughter. They moved in before us; they’re longtime residents here.”

Chad explained. Lin Xiao suddenly recalled the painting of the bathing lady—could she be the mother? She looked young, not quite fitting the image.

Regardless, he decided to investigate. Leaving it unchecked was risky, for who knew what danger might lurk.

He led the way to his bedroom, opened the door, and heard the shower running in the bathroom, accompanied by a gentle humming—a cheerful melody.

“Hey, you in there—do you think my water and electricity are free? Hurry up and finish!”

Lin Xiao shouted at the bathroom, motioning Will not to look. Chad and Patrick lingered at the doorway, neither daring to enter nor leave.

A delicate hand opened the bathroom door and beckoned Lin Xiao inside, inviting him to join the bath.

“Sorry, I don’t like bathing with strangers—especially in my own bathroom. I’ll count to three. Get out quickly, or I promise you’ll regret your choice.”

Lin Xiao raised the Galactic Destruction Axe, igniting magical flames, and shouted,

“One!”

“Two!”

Just as he was about to say “three,” a figure wrapped in a bathrobe stepped out—indeed, the woman from the painting, now descended from its frame.

“How heartless! Are all men this insensitive, cold as stones?”

“Not always. It depends whether she’s truly human or something else. To people, I am gentle. To strange things, I show no mercy.”

Lin Xiao replied coldly, brandishing the axe in warning. Before these entities, he could afford no weakness, or risk being devoured, body and soul.

“Your words are cruel. We were once living beings, human just like you. But evil robbed us of life, leaving us to wander here, unable to enter paradise.”

The blonde beauty spoke with plaintive dignity; in life, she must have been someone of high status.

“So what evil stole your lives—and now seeks to take ours?”

Lin Xiao pressed on. Their killer was likely the source of the haunted house, and the one who took Joey.

The blonde hesitated, her gaze fixed on Lin Xiao, torn between confession and fear.

“I believe you can name the culprit, for I will send him to hell with this axe. Isn’t that your long-cherished wish?”

Lin Xiao raised the Galactic Destruction Axe, its magical flames burning fiercely. Such fire, capable of consuming supernatural power, inspired both fear and hope in her—for she saw a chance for release.

“My name is Vivian. I was the first owner of this house, once a celebrated star admired by thousands.

All began because of me. I insisted on building here, despite repeated warnings that this place was cursed. Foolishly, I dismissed them as superstition.”

Vivian smiled bitterly, recounting her tale. Ignoring all advice, she built the house on this land, unwittingly opening the gates of hell and unleashing evil.

One day, while bathing with her daughter, hands emerged from the tub and strangled them both. Since then, they have been trapped here, unable to escape.

As more owners moved in, the death toll climbed. Now, over a dozen have died inside, turning this house into a true haunted mansion.

“The basement! Everything began there. Evil nests in that place; it’s the source of the curse I summoned. The one you’re seeking is surely there too.”

Vivian explained.

Lin Xiao was not surprised. He had already guessed the basement was the origin. He wanted her to confirm it, and to learn more about the culprit, so he might prepare for the unknown foe.

After all, he had already suffered two defeats at the enemy’s hands. He could not be sure he’d survive a third encounter, so he had to determine whether he possessed the strength to eliminate the source once and for all.