Chapter 45: Courting Disaster Under My Roof

Even though it had fallen from epic to ordinary, the Star Annihilation Battle Axe was still a supernatural weapon, imbued with mysterious powers beyond the mundane. When the blade struck the portrait, a piercing, mournful scream erupted. Will turned pale with fright, but he didn’t stop, hacking at the picture frame with all his strength.

Blow after blow, the frame splintered into pieces, yet he continued until a hand gripped the axe handle, and a voice said gently, “That’s enough, Will.” Only then did he stop, hurling himself into Lin Xiao’s arms as he manifested once more.

Even when pulled into the painting, Lin Xiao could still see and hear what was happening. He saw Chief Hope clutching the picture frame for dear life, Will picking up the Star Annihilation Battle Axe and smashing the frame to bits. Then, a wave of dizziness swept over him, and he found himself back on the staircase.

With the Impression of Sunrise shattered, Van Gogh’s Starry Night struggled even more violently, but the outcome was now beyond doubt. Lin Xiao reversed his grip on the battle axe, pressing one hand firmly against the frame before bringing the blade down in one decisive stroke, splitting it clean in two.

A shrill scream echoed as the lines within the painting twisted frantically. Even the surrounding space seemed to warp as a familiar figure was flung from the canvas, landing heavily on the ground—it was Number Eleven.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for slaying a Level 3 Spirit Within the Painting. Source Energy +20.]

But Lin Xiao felt no joy at the system’s notification. These monsters were far too bizarre—capable of pulling people directly into their images. If not for Chief Hope and Will’s desperate resistance, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Chief Hope’s hands were covered in blood, deep gashes carved into his palms by the sharp frame, leaving him gritting his teeth in pain.

Lin Xiao came forward, gesturing for him to hold out his hands. Lifting one, he invoked his skill—Purification.

His inner magic transformed into a gentle force, pouring into the wounds, which healed at a rate visible to the naked eye, soon returning to their original state.

“Incredible, Jonathan! Your ability is nothing short of miraculous,” Chief Hope exclaimed, raising his hands in amazement, full of envy for Lin Xiao’s magic.

Lin Xiao smiled faintly. This was the strength of the cleric—powerful support abilities. Though their offensive power couldn’t compare to ghost swordsmen or fighters, they could both fight and heal, making them invaluable all-rounders.

Especially when dealing with spirits and demons, clerics were perfectly suited for the task. Once advanced to exorcist, they became specialists in confronting such creatures.

“Now that I have enough source energy, I should find an opportunity to reach Level 5. After that, each upgrade will begin to refine my magic, and my strength will soar once more. I won’t be so easily caught off guard.”

Having been trapped twice in a row, Lin Xiao acutely felt his own weakness. Against these supernatural entities, no amount of power seemed enough. Even Number Eleven had been ensnared this time—it was clear he was still far from being able to crush everything before him.

With both paintings destroyed, the rest returned to normal, lying scattered across the corridor and stairs. In truth, there should have only been two spirits within paintings—one slain by Will, the other’s source energy absorbed by Lin Xiao.

“Jonathan, when I used your axe to smash the picture frame just now, I felt a surge of warmth inside me. What’s going on?”

“What?” Lin Xiao’s expression shifted dramatically. How could that be? Only he should be able to absorb source energy; it ought to be a system function. The Star Annihilation Battle Axe was just a weapon, not supposed to have the ability to absorb source energy.

Will looked equally puzzled, adding, “Actually, I felt this warmth even when I was possessed by the Mind Flayer, but after smashing the frame with the axe, it grew much stronger, flowing all through my body. I feel so warm.”

Lin Xiao frowned. So that was it—could it be that the Mind Flayer’s possession had accidentally granted Will a special ability? The capacity to absorb source energy wasn’t due to the battle axe, but rather the Mind Flayer’s powers?

He had only a vague understanding of the Mind Flayer’s abilities; the original show hadn’t described the monster’s powers in detail. It was known to control humans and spawn revolting creatures, but the specifics were unclear.

“I felt it too,” Number Eleven suddenly spoke up. “Will’s life force is much stronger than before, though still not as strong as yours, Jonathan.”

She could sense others’ life force thanks to her psychic powers, allowing her to gauge the presence of supernatural strength.

“Of course. I did absorb a lot of source energy to finally reach Level 4,” Lin Xiao thought, though he didn’t say it aloud. He didn’t know the answer either, so he set the matter aside, focusing instead on saving Joyce.

As they conversed, a rhythmic slapping sound came from the bedroom in the corridor—unmistakably the kind of sound associated with certain unspeakable adult activities.

“What’s that noise?” Number Eleven asked with curiosity. She and Will, both innocent of such matters, were oblivious to its meaning. Chief Hope and Lin Xiao, however, were old hands and exchanged awkward smiles as they led the group toward the source.

Given recent events, even knowing what was likely happening, Lin Xiao didn’t dare let down his guard. Who knew what tricks lay within? He gripped the Star Annihilation Battle Axe, igniting its magical flames.

As for Number Eleven’s budding staff, it had been taken by the little girl from the painting. When all the paintings returned to normal, the girl remained missing from her canvas, and so the staff had vanished as mysteriously as Joyce.

The sounds came from Will’s room, mixed with odd moans. Lin Xiao and Chief Hope both knew all too well what that implied.

Strangely, both moans were clearly from men. Lin Xiao gently opened the door, and the four of them peered inside. On the large double bed, two naked white men were engaged in skilled, bizarre activities.

“What the—? Are they really…?” Lin Xiao was dumbfounded. He’d never seen such an explicit scene and was overcome with a wave of revulsion.

He quickly turned away, shielding Will and Number Eleven from the sight. He couldn’t let the children be corrupted.

Then, raising the battle axe, he charged forward and shouted, “How dare you do this in my house! Tired of living, are you?”

With a leaping slash, he brought the axe down upon the bed. Instantly, the two entwined figures vanished, and the slapping sounds came again from the bathroom.

Lin Xiao’s face darkened with rage. They’d changed locations—was there nowhere in the house they hadn’t defiled?

He stormed toward the bathroom, but as expected, it was empty. Then, outside on the window ledge, the two figures reappeared, their bodies moving in that same obscene rhythm.

Now Lin Xiao was truly furious. Not only were they carrying on, they were mocking him as well.

He no longer conserved his source energy. Raising his hand, he gathered his magic, preparing to unleash his Holy Light skill. But just then, the two men vanished again, and the slapping noises resumed in the corridor.

Will and Number Eleven looked over, finally grasping what was happening. Number Eleven screamed in shock, while Will’s face was filled with curiosity, wondering at the strange actions.

“You’ve really made me angry now,” Lin Xiao ground out between clenched teeth. Such indecent scenes witnessed by his younger siblings—how could he explain the trauma later? Though, admittedly, today’s horrors had already left deep scars.

Demon’s Hand!

The two men, now lost in their obscene passion in the corridor, were suddenly interrupted as a giant hand—like that of a demon reaching up from hell—smashed down upon them.