Sylvia's breathing was steady as she slept soundly. I placed her in a safe spot and turned to face the Baron of Ashes. She glared at me with twisted eyes, but she wasn’t much of a threat. In fact, I was thankful that the Baron had taken over McQueen’s body.0

“Foolish creature,” I muttered. “Why did you try to possess a body that doesn’t even suit you?”0

It was incomplete. Though it had managed to dominate about seventy percent of McQueen, the remaining thirty percent resisted. The Baron had bitten off more than he could chew with a named character.0

"You know as well as I do that you can’t challenge me with that body," I continued, aware that the oath within her prevented it from causing me harm. "You’re at a dead end, parasite."2

My mocking words provoked a furious reaction. Its black pupils glared fiercely, and then, unexpectedly, he made a desperate move.0

Fwoooosh—!0

The Baron abandoned Louina's body, unleashing a vast cloud of ash that enveloped me like a storm. Within the swirling mass, a grotesque face emerged.0

"Yes, I was foolish," the Baron of Ashes admitted with a twisted grin, lingering in the air. "But you, you're different."0

Soon, the Baron of Ashes lunged at me, its entire being merging with mine. A violent voice erupted from deep within my chest.0

“How dare you, a worthless being, call me a parasite?!” the Baron of Ashes raged. Its presence clawed at my subconscious, dredging up memories like grains of sand.0

I quietly warned, "Reconsider. This is for your own benefit."2

“You’re nothing! I can devour someone like you easily!”0

“Foolish creature,” I muttered. Memories of past misdeeds, vile acts, and malignant emotions raced through my veins, yet I remained unbothered. Enduring it all, I asked, “Do you truly believe you can handle this?”1

The Baron didn’t respond, but his panic was clear.0

I merely smiled...1