“An excellent question. Simply put, the card was meant to bond souls together.”
Bond the souls together? What happens then?
“A variety of things. Once the souls are bonded, anything can happen!”
Hmmm, that doesn’t really tell me anything. Got any specific examples?
“Let’s see. As you know, when you and Grida-sama were bonded, Furutsu-sama...”
Huh? What?!
“You were able to share the magician card, regenerate mana automatically, share the storage card to allow her to take items out and manage items you didn’t touch, among other useful effects.”
Wait, wait, wait! Wait!
“Yes, what is it?”
Don’t act so matter-of-fact about it! Grida and I are bonded? When? Where?!
“Were you not aware of this?”
No?! No one told me anything!
“Well, the curse card is ‘on silent’ by default, so to speak. Should I do some periodic announcements from now on?”
Y-Yeah, please do. Why are you silent by default, anyways?
“But it’s rather odd that you haven’t noticed. I may be on silent, but there should still be a loud noise when souls bond.”
Really? I haven’t heard anything like that... Wait a second. Was it that big metallic clack sound?
“Ah, yes, that’s the one! The bonds are set with heavy locks, and there’s no silent mode for that.”
The real question is why you keep trying to keep these things secret! This is important stuff!
“Also, if you were able to unconsciously form a bond with Grida-sama, I would think there’s no need for explanations or practice. If both of you wish to be together for as long as either of you are alive, the card will activate automatically and a permanent lock shall connect you.”
Back then, I think I only gave Grida her name and said “nice to meet you.”
The voice chuckled. “That’s not all. According to my records, you also promised that you would find a way to safely take her out of the storage card.”
You’re right. That’s my reason for living.
“Right. But!” it said emphatically. “Logically speaking! There’s no way you could find a way to remove her! Meaning, you swore to each other that you’d search for a method together for eternity. Viewing things in a positive light, this is the conclusion that I came to!”
Hmmm, I can’t tell if you’re an optimist or a pessimist here, but let’s put that aside for now. This means that our bond via the curse card, all by itself, gave us new abilities?
“Yes! You’re only in the first stage of your bond, and yet you’ve found so many abilities! I look forward to watching you deepen your relationship!”
So we can’t just bond and let things be.
“Furutsu-sama, this is why I’m called the curse card. Please remember this, okay? The more you bond with a soul, the more advantageous effects the two of you will receive. Conversely, if your bonds are shallow, the effects will be more negative.”
I see, that makes sense. That does sound like a curse to me.
“Whoops, we’ve talked a bit too much. Time will shortly return to normal. Furutsu-sama, I urge you to form a soul bond with the other two members of your party. I’m sure you’ll receive an ability that will save you from this situation.”
How do I do that?
“It’s simple. You must decide that you’ll be with them for as long as either of you are alive. The other two must wish the same. Now, bond with them! Oh, and this time around, I restored your body to normal. This is a onetime thing, okay? Keep it a secret!”
My surroundings started to slowly speed up.
Grida, sorry to make you worry. I’m fine now.
“Oh, I’m happy! I’m really so happy!” she cried.
Fresa stood in front of me, her legs shoulder-width apart. In front of her was Datil with a sword in his hand. Both were protecting me from the queen ant, who was inching closer to us.
Grida, I’m gonna live by your side. I’m not gonna whine or give up anymore.
“Yeah! Okay! It’s a promise! Promise me, okay?”
Yeah, I promise. I paused. Grida, do you like Fresa and Datil? Do you want to be with them too?
“Yes. Yes, of course! I really like both of them!”
Then this won’t be a problem. Let’s do this. I wish to be with Fresa and Datil for as long as I live.
Ding! “You have sent a request to soul bond. Please wait. You are waiting for [002] bonds.”
Clack. Clack.
The moment the metallic sounds played, Fresa and Datil started glancing around.
You guys heard that too, right?
“Furutsu, I just heard something.”
That’s the sound of locks on my soul. I’ll have to wait for their replies now.
I rolled towards Fresa’s feet.
“Ah, I’m so glad! You’re better, Apple-san!” Fresa cried. She picked me up and hugged me.
Datil slowly made his way towards us, his sword still raised. “You seem fine, Apple-san. You’re tough! But we’re in a tricky situation here.”
I agree. That’s why I need both of your help. I know you can’t hear me, but please understand me!
I shouted as loudly as I could telepathically.
Fresa! Datil! I want to stay with you guys! Please, lend me your strength!!!!!!!!!!!
“Datil?”
“Fresa-san?”
They both looked at each other quizzically, then down at me with big smiles.
“Of course, Apple-san! Let’s be together alwaaays!” Fresa said. Clack.
“Well, that was my intention from the start. We’ll live and die together!” Datil said. Clack.
Ding! “[002] bonds have been approved. Soul bonds have been completed. Abilities will appear in 5...4...3...”
They understood me! They understood me!
“Let’s work hard together, okaaay?”
“All right, now that that’s decided, let’s kill this puny ant and go home!”
Fresa! Datil!
“Furutsu! Your power!” Grida said.
Yeah, thanks to the soul bonds, they’re giving me power, and I’m sharing my own with them!
Ding Ding! “Due to the curse card, every member’s base abilities have increased. New abilities have been discovered.”
I’m overflowing with power!
Ding Ding! “‘Furutsu’ has learned ‘Shackle’ and ‘Resistant Outer Layer.’”
Ding Ding! “‘Grida’ has learned ‘Barrier Isolation’ and ‘Coin Creation.’”
Ding Ding! “‘Datil’ has learned ‘Cell Manipulation’ and ‘Pseudo-blessing.’”
Ding Ding! “‘Fresa’ has learned ‘King of Apples’ and ‘Hoard Lottery.’”
We all simultaneously learned abilities that seemed to strengthen us. I’m not sure what some of these are supposed to do, though.
“Furutsu, this is amazing!” Grida said.
Yeah, we might be able to finally beat the queen.
“Fresa-san, is this...?” Datil asked.
“Yeees! It must be! This is it!” she cried.
Everything seems crystal clear now. I’m not sure how to put it, but I feel incredibly relaxed.
Datil and Fresa’s attitudes had done a complete one-eighty, and they were smiling now.
“Fresa-san, I heard—no, I sensed it.”
“Yeah. This is odd, but Apple-san must’ve given us some powers!”
Hey, I got a few abilities too, so we’re even, okay? Not like you can hear me, though.
“Huh? Can they not?” Grida asked.
Of course. I don’t even have a mouth.
“Hmmm? But they definitely responded to you earlier, didn’t they?”
You’re right. My heartfelt cry, which they shouldn’t have been able to hear, still reached them.
“Hey, Datil. I heard Apple-san’s voice earlier!” Fresa said.
“Yeah, I definitely did too! We must’ve gotten these powers because we responded to it!”
In other words, it was a miracle.
“What is this? I don’t feel pressured or scared at all.” Datil was grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, and we’re so close to the ant too,” Fresa added, smiling along.
The queen’s literally right in front of us.
“Have you decided to surrender, you puny weaklings?” she hissed. She was so close that one swing of her staff could easily hit us, and she promptly did so towards Datil’s face.
“Hey, I can see that, you know? Cell Manipulation!” For an instant, Datil seemed to waver, and the queen’s staff was hurled into the air. I heard another announcement.