“Mind your own business!” Misoup kicked at him, her expression fiery.Kirin quickly released her wrist, catching her ankle with one hand and swiftly tripping her other leg. Misoup, not one to go down easily, grabbed his collar and used the momentum to swing herself up, clinging to Kirin to avoid falling.Kirin, momentarily stunned, instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her. His hand, however, landed on something soft.For a split second, time seemed to freeze. Misoup’s body went rigid, hanging onto him like a lifeline. Their eyes locked in a moment of mutual shock.Kirin’s eyes darted down to where his hand rested – right on Misoup’s chest.Both of them stared, speechless, at the awkward position.Misoup’s face flushed a deep red as the realization hit her. “What the—”Kirin’s hand trembled as he quickly withdrew it, letting her down gently. Misoup, stunned by the unexpected contact, stood frozen in place, her face

OutsideAfter leaving the bedroom, Kirin struck the nearby wall with a clenched fist, frustration etched across his face."I can't believe we're just standing here watching Mr. Nelson walk to his death... and there's nothing I can do about it.""This was Mr. Nelson's choice. We need to respect that," replied Godber, leaning against the wall and rubbing his brow, looking equally weary.Turning his head, Godber glanced at Patrick. "Did you send out the message Mr. Nelson wanted us to release?""Yes, but it needs to be done gradually. Carl is cautious, so we have to lure him out slowly," Patrick said, frowning. "I have no idea where he's hiding now."Mr. Nelson was nearly exhausted and determined to become a Voodoo Lwa. There was no way he could muster the energy to hunt down Carl, the slippery fox. They could only wait for Carl to surface.Kirin calmed down for a moment, then said, "I don't get it. If Mr. Nelson had decided to deal with

"Yes, I have. Nothing serious," John replied, his voice softening slightly. "Thanks for all your hard work."Jacob, feeling a bit guilty, responded, "It’s no trouble... When do you think you’ll be back?""I can't say for certain, but we'll return as soon as possible," John said coolly. "Just get that song translated quickly.""Understood."…Jacob was efficient. Early the next morning, John received the file from Jacob. It contained the translated lyrics of the Hag's song:“Tonight, I wait in vain. Yesterday, you held me close. Now you’re gone, my love. Where are you now, my love? You said you'd be here tomorrow...”As he read the translation on his phone, John's brows furrowed, deep in thought. He scrolled down further, finding the song's origin and explanation.While he was engrossed in reading, there was a sudden commotion near the cave. John turned slightly to see the Hag, carrying a basket and wrapped in a headscarf, totte

Inside the cave.The Hag sat listlessly next to a tattered bronze mirror, her gnarled face reflected in its tarnished surface. Her lips trembled as she stared at the grotesque image before her. With a sudden snap, she slapped the mirror down onto the table, as if to suppress the painful memories it evoked.Every glance at her own face reminded her of the deep betrayal she had suffered.Her lover, Poma, had betrayed her.She remembered how her father had disapproved of their relationship. She had threatened to end her own life, leaving her father with no choice but to relent. On their wedding day, her father gave her a pot of flowers, saying that this "Heart's Desire" could test a person’s true feelings. He wanted Poma to water it with his own blood to prove his sincerity.But she couldn’t bear to see her beloved hurt. She trusted the sweet promises he made, so much so that she taught him the long-lost secrets of voodoo medicine herself.And