At the mont the giant fungal mass ford, Wu Chang was pulled into a space resembling the Mirror World.
The original attic walls were nowhere to be seen, the space expanded over a hundred tis, making him feel as though he were standing in a vast prairie, only there was no grass, just an endless sea of colorful fluorescent fungi carpets.
The heavy fungal carpets rged with the fungal mass, undulating in the sa rhythm, as if this space were a giant living being.
Simultaneously, the black mist emitted by the Curse Mark on Wu Chang's body grew unsatisfied with simply surrounding him.
The dense black mist dispersed, forming a black canopy that resonated with the fungal carpet beneath his feet.
Despite the overwhelming abnormalities around him, Wu Chang did not spare a glance; his gaze was fixed intently on the giant fungal mass.
The integrated mushroom figures were channeling their pale red resentnt onto the fungal mass.
Wu Chang saw the scenes retained within those resentnts, all originating from the people around Amber.
So ca from Amber's foster parents, so from her teachers, so from the neighbors next door, and one particularly deep resentnt from the forr orphanage director, who was also Sister Susan's elder sister.
Within those resentnts lay cherished mories they shared with Amber.
In those mories, they healed the tragic young girl with love, hoping to open her heart and let her step out from the shadows of the past.
Yet, each ti a smile reappeared on Amber's face, disaster and mishap would arrive uninvited.
At the end of those resentnts, they still worried about Amber, fearing that their passing would cause her to shut her heart again.
Perhaps it was because they valued Amber so much that they fell victim to the giant fungal mass.
The resentnt that left the deepest impression on him ca from the forr orphanage director, Sister Amanda.
She was a devout believer, possessing the compassion and rcy expected of the clergy.
Every ti Amber's adoptive families t misfortune, or when Amber was abandoned, she would without hesitation open the orphanage doors to offer Amber, who was huddled outside, a comforting embrace.
She often took Amber to pray in the orphanage chapel, advising her to remain a good person no matter what hardships she faced.
Because God, though silent, sees everything we do in this world.
As long as one's heart holds goodwill and gratitude, God will forgive every person's sins, delivering them from suffering.
Amanda believed this wholeheartedly, and because Amber believed in Amanda, she too held this faith.
Under Amanda's shelter, Amber experienced a period of tranquility and warmth, resolving to beco a nun like Amanda, spreading warmth to others.
The incident happened on Christmas two years ago, on Christmas Eve, when Amanda took Amber to the chapel to pray for God's birthday.
Amber stood before the white statue of God, hands clasped tightly in prayer.
She asked if, by following Director Amanda's commands and sincerely believing in God, if being a good child might earn her redemption and lift her from suffering.
In response to Amber's prayer, the statue remained silent, but slowly tilted forward.
The descending statue wore a sullen and nacing expression.
A panic-stricken Amber stood frozen in place, at a loss, until Amanda acted swiftly, pushing Amber to the side.
She saved Amber but was pinned under the massive marble statue herself.
Amber erupted with astonishing power, moving the statue off Amanda, but Amanda's shattered ribs had pierced her organs; she felt Life slipping away quickly.
She tried to pull sothing from her pocket, a golden star she intended to give to Amber as a gift that day.
A miniature Star of Bethlehem.
It symbolized hope and redemption and divine guidance, usually placed atop Christmas trees.
She wanted to give it to Amber, telling her that she would guide her alongside it on her final path.
Sadly, she never managed to deliver the blood-stained star before Life slipped away.
By the ti Sister Susan arrived with dical personnel, all they saw was Amber madly kicking at the fallen statue.
Wu Chang took a deep breath, calming the scenes he witnessed within the clusters of resentnt.
His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his eyes blazed with anger like flaming embers.
Gazing upon the heart-like pulsing giant fungal mass, he wanted to hurl curses but found himself at a loss for words.
He needed a word more aggressive than any beast.
If before, his feelings for Amber were largely utilitarian, mingled with only a little pity, helping her was no different than aiding any other native issuing hidden questlines.
Solving Amber's predicants was simply a casual act, a regular part of completing tasks.
But now, having interacted with Amber these past days and witnessing the scenes within the resentnt, he saw a girl endlessly struggling against fate, striving to rid herself of misfortunes.
He began genuinely viewing Amber as his daughter, wanting to shatter the heavy misfortunes entwining her.
As for the rewards of the hidden side quest, they seed less significant now.
He glared at the giant fungal mass, biting his molars, and said:
"You're damn well deserved to die!"
Coincidentally, the giant fungal mass felt the sa about Wu Chang.
Several faces erged on the fungal carpet surrounding Wu Chang, shouting in unison:
"Die! Die!"
Along with the fungal mass's clamor, the Curse Mark on Wu Chang's body erupted.
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