- Curse core analyzed and is determined to be of Formless belonging to Earworm curseling.
> Curse core: Earworm (Formless)
i) Source: Dame Wasp.]
"Just in time," Ace exclaimed as the trio received a status screen report on the curse core Emi had fed to the cursed toybox after it had done analyzing the first one.
"My guess was right. I believe the title says it all," Ace remarked proudly, taking pride in the fact that he had previously deduced that he wasn't able to sense any curse energy from the driver that drove them into the cursed array formation because the latter was hypnotized rather than being possessed or turned into puppet manipulated by curse energy.
Meanwhile, Dame Wasp shared detailed information on the Earworm Curseling with her master without even him having to ask through the status screen.
Target: Earworm (Formless)
Info: The Earworm has no fixed form; it appears as a dark, amorphous entity that constantly shifts and floats in the air, often mistaken for a wisp. Its size can vary based on the amount of negative energy or curse energy it has consumed. It lacks facial features such as eyes, teeth, a nose, or ears, yet its amorphous body is surprisingly expressive. It conveys basic thoughts by morphing its shape. Its entire body is composed of tiny dark particles that swarm and move together as though controlled by a single mind. This unique form enables it to vibrate its curse energy to produce noises, complete sounds, and even music. However, while it lacks physical strength, it can absorb physical damage and evade attacks by reforming its body.
Earworms typically attach themselves to mortal targets with sharp hearing as they remain invisible to mortals but can be heard by them. However, the sounds they produce, although heard through the ears, are registered by the mortal's mind only after being processed by their brain. As a result, these sounds often seem like subconscious inner thoughts. Mortals haunted by Earworm curselings rarely realize they are being haunted or even sense the presence of the curseling. This lack of awareness is crucial, as Earworms can hypnotize those who discover their presence, compelling them to commit acts of self-harm, including suicide.
The Earworms whisper into the ears of their victims, repeating words or sounds that had the most profound psychological impact on them. Whether it be a plea, song, scolding, or playful banter, the Earworms replicate the exact voice and tone that left a deep impression on their targets. They whisper these relentlessly, causing distress and unease, and then feed on the negative emotions that arise from it. In many cases, prolonged haunting by an Earworm can drive its victims to the point of self-harm or suicide, unable to endure the relentless voices in their heads.
Although earworms lack many senses, they possess the ability to use Curse Location and absorb and perceive sound waves. Their Curse Location ability is exceptional compared to others because they are formless and capable of vibrating curse energy to emit various curse waves. They can also mimic the sound waves their formless bodies absorb. Thanks to this, it is easy to locate an earworm in a room by identifying its "dead spot," where all sounds end.
The Curse Location ability works by emitting short, high-frequency curse waves that bounce off objects in the surroundings and return as echoes. By processing these echoes, earworms can create an accurate mental image of an object's shape, distance, and other characteristics. Similarly, this skill also allows earworms to mimic the sound waves they have absorbed and whisper it into the ears of the mortals they are haunting from any location as if it is right in their head.
When not haunting a mortal, the curseling will occasionally emit sound waves it has previously absorbed, creating a lingering, eerie voice that resonates in its surroundings. As a result, mortals in the vicinity become frightened, believing the place is haunted. This also allows the curseling to find its next target.
Earworms use curse energy to emit waves that help them navigate and locate prey.
Earworms can absorb sound waves in their surroundings and then emit similar sound waves by vibrating their body at corresponding frequencies and wavelengths. The interesting thing about the sound produced by earworms is that they don't lose intensity within a set range, defying the rules of physics.
Earworms can focus their vibrations to generate powerful sound blasts capable of creating explosions and breaking through thick concrete walls.
Due to their formless body, earworms can negate most attacks aimed at them, that was if any manage to land.
Earworms can hypnotize their haunted targets and implant various instructions in them, including but not limited to self-harm and suicide. With proper training and guidence it can be used to let the hypnotized target perform and execute complex actions and tasks.
i) Curse Masters are advised to eliminate this curseling as soon as possible, as they will not hesitate to haunt even curse users with heightened hearing. Once the curseling deems them a threat, it will hypnotize them into committing suicide.
ii) Source: Cursepedia, C. I. B, Steal Song Society archives.
iii) This data is created for human convenience by humans. Curselings do not have access to this information.]
"With such a sneaky curseling partner, that fool chose to fight head-on to avenge his dead friends. Idiots like him don't deserve such a valuable curseling," Ace commented as he went through the information on the Earworm curseling.
"Master, emotions get the better of even the wisest," Dame Wasp pointed out, feeling that her master was belittling the relationship between the curse users they had killed. "Not to mention, those we killed weren't just his friends—they were his grandson and beloved wife. It's not surprising that he lost all rational thinking." Given Ace's willingness to forsake the life of a regular teenager to protect his family from the shadows, she couldn't understand how he of all people could be so dense about the love shared and enjoyed by his enemies.