"Could you please repeat that?"
The detective rubbed his forehead.
"I'm not sure I understood correctly."
The police officer beside him looked equally bewildered.
"Was I not clear enough?"
Hayley looked confused.
"No, you explained it very clearly."
The detective took a deep breath.
"I just want to confirm something."
"You took the box from the restricted area."
"Yes."
Paxton nodded.
"Then you brought it to an antique shop on Hollywood Boulevard owned by a Chinese businessman."
"Correct."
Hayley nodded as well.
"He told you the tarot cards inside possessed evil power and would bring death."
"That's right."
The detective stared at them.
For several seconds.
Then his voice suddenly rose.
"And after hearing that, you idiots used the cards to perform a tarot reading anyway?!"
The room fell silent.
"Uh…"
"That's basically what happened."
The group exchanged awkward glances before nodding.
The patrol officer covered his face.
As someone who had personally witnessed the orphanage incident, his worldview had already been shattered.
He could only describe these college students with one word.
Talented.
Truly talented.
"I honestly think you should have listened to the antique shop owner."
The officer sighed.
"Detective…"
Grant hesitated.
"Are you saying what that man told us was actually true?"
"What else would I be saying?"
the detective replied.
"The police believe this stuff?"
"The facts are right in front of us."
The detective leaned back in his chair.
"You don't have to believe it."
"But reality doesn't care what you believe."
"I know it's difficult to accept."
"But there are countless things in this world that you don't understand."
"Just because you've never seen something doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
For a moment—
he felt as though he was speaking to his younger self.
"Respect the unknown."
"Don't gamble with your life."
"Because once you realize something is wrong…"
"It's usually too late."
Madeline's face turned pale.
"Then what are we supposed to do now?"
"If you want to survive,"
the detective said seriously,
"go to that antique shop immediately."
"Apologize to the owner."
"Then beg him to save your lives."
"It has to be him?"
Paxton asked.
The detective nodded.
"If there is anyone who can definitely help you."
"It's him."
"Assuming he's willing to forgive you."
After leaving the police station, everyone's expressions became complicated.
Before—
they had dismissed Lucien's warning as nonsense.
Now—
everything he predicted had come true.
Not only had they ignored him.
They had mocked him.
And now they had to go back and ask for help.
For a group of prideful young people—
that wasn't easy.
"Fine."
Lucas shrugged.
"I admit that guy might actually know something."
"But why do we have to beg him?"
"If we're dealing with evil spirits, shouldn't we just go find a priest?"
"A Vatican-certified clergyman sounds way more reliable than some random exorcist running an antique shop."
Grant immediately frowned.
"Did you even hear what the detective just said?"
"This isn't a joke anymore."
Lucas remained stubbornly unconvinced.
Hayley finally spoke.
"Regardless."
"We should return to the antique shop."
Everyone looked toward her.
"Ellis didn't kill herself."
"There was nobody else in the dormitory."
"We all know that."
Her voice became firmer.
"Instead of wasting time searching for someone whose abilities we know nothing about…"
"It's better to seek help from someone we already know is capable."
After a moment—
everyone nodded.
"Seven o'clock tonight."
"At the antique shop."
"Don't be late."
The group separated.
They had arrived at the police station confused.
They left carrying the shadow of death.
Even California's usually bright sunshine felt cold.
Soon—
the sun set.
Night arrived.
One by one, the six survivors appeared outside Lucien's antique shop.
Seeing everyone arrive safely, Hayley quietly relaxed.
But when she looked around—
she noticed the exhaustion and gloom on everyone's faces.
Just two days ago—
they had been laughing together.
Drinking.
Joking.
Enjoying life.
Now—
everything had changed.
Taking a deep breath, Hayley pushed open the shop door.
Immediately—
her eyes met those of the black-haired young man behind the counter.
Lucien looked completely unsurprised.
As though he had known they would come all along.
Everyone waited for Hayley to speak.
But she couldn't find the words.
What was she supposed to say?
That she had ignored his warning?
That she allowed herself to be persuaded into using a cursed tarot deck?
That someone had already died?
It was too embarrassing.
Too shameful.
"We…"
"We've come to ask for your help."
Seeing Hayley's hesitation, Grant stepped forward.
"It's about the box from the other night—"
"I know why you're here."
Lucien interrupted him.
"No need to explain."
His gaze swept across the group.
Then he asked casually:
"The girl named Ellis isn't here."
"She died, didn't she?"
Everyone froze.
Grant could only smile bitterly.
As expected.
Lucien's way of speaking remained just as unpleasant as before.
The others immediately looked unhappy.
Only Hayley and Grant managed to stay calm.
Lucien ignored their expressions entirely.
Instead, he fell into thought.
Something felt wrong.
He had expected the curse to take another couple of days before escalating.
The reaction had happened too quickly.
Then he suddenly asked:
"Did the detective tell you to come here?"
The group stared at him.
Shock filled their faces.
They hadn't mentioned the police.
They hadn't revealed anything.
So how did he know?
"You…"
Madeline couldn't help asking.
"Did the detective contact you?"
"No."
Lucien replied casually.
"You can figure it out with basic reasoning."
Then he continued.
"You're living under the threat of death."
"Terrified every second."
"But do you know what kind of people die most easily?"
Everyone instinctively shook their heads.
Lucien smiled.
"In this world—"
"Good people don't die easily."
"Bad people don't suddenly die either."
"The ones who die mysteriously are usually idiots."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Lucas finally exploded.
"Hey!"
"I know you understand supernatural stuff."
"Maybe you're even some kind of exorcist."
"But you should at least show basic respect for the dead!"
Lucien looked at him.
Then laughed.
"You think I'm talking about Ellis?"
Lucas frowned.
"Aren't you?"
Lucien raised a finger.
Pointed directly at Lucas.
Then smiled.
"No."
"I'm talking about you."
"Look."
"This is exactly what a deathly pallor looks like."