Chapter 2

I tossed my bag on the bed after I returned to my tiny, rented apartment. I sprawled out on the bed before slipping my hand under the pillow and pulling out a yellowed notebook.

I flipped to the first page and read the entry that was written in wonky handwriting.

The incident had happened in 2008. After my seatmate, Timothy Jackson, stole my eraser, I said that he would definitely slip and fall in the next three days.

Timothy ended up falling into a cesspool that was near the school on the third day. It took a long time before the adults fished him out. A rancid stench followed him wherever he went for a whole week.

I flipped to the second page.

The next incident took place in 2011. When the class representative, Kevin Hill, accused me of cheating, I declared that the entire school would learn something humiliating about him in the next three days.

Kevin's love letter was confiscated by the homeroom teacher on the third day. It was pasted on the most eye-catching spot on the notice board.

Kevin felt like dying when he saw how all the teachers and students crowded around the board to read it.

I flipped to the third page.

A bully kicked my desk in 2014. I told him his family would fall to ruins in the next three days.

The bully's father was arrested for embezzlement on the third day. His family's assets were also seized.

In the end, the bully transferred to another school. Apparently, he ended up working at a construction site, moving bricks.

I flipped to a new page and began writing.

"2026. My boss, Frank Gordon, is withholding my salary from me. He also ripped my resignation letter to shreds. I told him he'd go bankrupt in the next three days."

I stared at the words for a long time after I was done writing, feeling a little uneasy.

Truth be told, I had no idea if I actually had the ability to curse someone.

I always assumed that the incidents that took place in the past were just pure coincidences. After all, it seemed highly unlikely that someone could actually possess the power to make something a reality by just speaking it aloud.

If I did have that kind of power, I would have entered the lottery a long time ago.

Mom didn't share the same sentiments as me.

I recalled how I had told her about what happened after I successfully cursed someone. She had dragged me to the balcony before surreptitiously closing the door and drawing the curtains.

"Our ancestors were professional geomancers, Mike," she said in a hushed voice. "Your great-grandfather was blessed with a certain power during his time. Anything that he says will come true."

I had been eating an apple at the time and nearly choked to death upon hearing her words.

"I know you're a superstitious person, Mom, but you should try to use your common sense more often. We're already in the 21st century. Don't tell me that you still believe in this nonsense?"

Mom slapped the back of my head and exclaimed, "Why would I lie to you? When your great-grandfather said that the village head's cow was going to die, it actually fell off a cliff!

"When your great-grandfather claimed that his neighbor, Mr. Vaughn, was going to go bankrupt, his house was broken into on the third day! This is a power that has been passed down through our family for many generations. Do you understand?"

As I rubbed the back of my head, I assumed that Mom had started her menopause early. Her imagination was totally out of this world. However, her next words immediately made me sober up.

She pointed a finger at me and hissed, "This power takes effect regardless of whether you're uttering a blessing or a curse. It's why you should refrain from speaking too much in the future, especially if you want to curse someone.

"In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all! Your life is shortened every time the power activates!"

A shiver ran down my spine as I was pulled out of my memories.

I looked down at the words on the notebook. I tried to recall what else I had said at the office other than cursing Frank to go bankrupt.

I racked my brain as I tried to recall the encounter, vaguely remembering that I had uttered something in my heart when Cassidy was berating me while pointing at me.

"You should be careful. Your arrogance is going to make you bald one day."

I inhaled sharply. I hastily snapped the notebook shut and stuffed it back under the pillow.

It couldn't be.

Cassidy would actually lose her mind if my words came true. She cherished her long, wavy locks more than life itself.

I was deep in thought when my phone on the nightstand vibrated, notifying me that I had just received the latest news.

"A woman was burned by hot water when she was having dinner tonight. She has been rushed to the hospital."

My hand was shaking when I tapped on the article.

Although a mosaic had been used to protect the woman's identity in the attached photo, I immediately recognized the flashy, mink coat and signature stilettos that she was wearing.

My phone nearly flew out of my hand when I leaped up from the bed.

Did the curse actually activate? Did someone actually splash hot water on Cassidy's head while she was having dinner?

Perhaps I should truly consider entering the lottery if I were having such terrific luck.

I swallowed and looked at the ceiling, feeling a little uneasy.

It seemed that this power was a lot more absurd than I previously thought.