Chapter 98: The Honest Man: Hidden Rules (Bonus Chapter)

“Grandfather, why doesn’t he use this box himself?”

Louis asked.

Karl glanced at the man.

The man selling the box froze instantly. “Uh, I feel I can’t keep such a treasure—better to give it to someone who can truly use it.”

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances; no one believed him.

Then—

“In fact, this box requires six lives as a price to fulfill a wish—and it can only grant a single-word wish.”

Karl spoke slowly, revealing the box’s true secret outright.

And indeed, the box bore several Roman numerals, from zero to six; the part resembling a combination lock, marked with “JACK,” was clearly rotatable.

“He didn’t know this rule. He only knew the box consumes people to grant wishes. He feared being devoured himself due to ignorance, so he decided to sell it for money and returned with his family.”

The man’s face grew even stiffer. Gazing into Karl’s calm yet authoritative eyes, he finally blurted out the truth: “This… I… I really didn’t know. When my father found it at Rose Manor, he just thought it was pretty. I only assumed it was the French Demon Box because of the legend, and wanted to sell it to you.”

“Please, forgive me. Let me go.”

“No, you have no chance left,” Karl said calmly, his tone absolute.

“I gave you a chance. But you disrespected me. You sought wealth through danger, trying to deceive an old man who values honesty. Now, you have no chance.”

“No, no, sir, that box is mine—I…”

The man could say no more, for Max had already ordered two burly men to drag him out. What happened afterward? Who knew?

Witnessing a man being dragged away, the room’s atmosphere grew heavy.

Karl smiled, easing the tension. “Don’t be tense. A liar who deceives others isn’t worth this much attention.”

“Now, let’s continue discussing this box.”

“I need to confirm whether it has any hidden dangers—and whether it truly grants wishes.”

As he spoke, Karl’s gaze turned to Ilyss.

Ilyss was the most renowned medium in this region, and crucially, she had a reputation for integrity—unlike others with minor tricks. She had collaborated with the Carno family several times; they knew her well. That’s why Karl chose her.

Louis now understood his grandfather’s intent: he was being made the observer. After all, this was a matter of the occult—he couldn’t judge it properly. That’s when a family member like himself was needed.

He looked at Ilyss, then glanced at Mimi. Mimi noticed his gaze and nodded to him.

At that moment, Ilyss struggled to meet Karl’s eyes. “Alright.”

Ilyss placed her hand back on the demon box and closed her eyes.

Louis took the opportunity to study Ilyss. He wondered what kind of power a medium like her possessed—did such powers have categories?

Mimi could astral project and had faint precognitive ability. What about Ilyss?

After one glance, Louis frowned. He saw no astral projection—only faint, semi-transparent energy seeping from her body.

That energy was calm, like delicate tendrils reaching toward the demon box.

It also emitted a certain vibration.

If he couldn’t understand it, he’d reverse-engineer it by observing what she was affecting.

Louis shifted his focus to the demon box.

Unfortunately, he saw nothing.

After a long while—

“Huuu!!”

Ilyss suddenly opened her eyes, gasping for breath. Mimi rushed to support her.

Once she caught her breath, her gaze toward the box was filled with pity. “This box has deeper secrets, Mr. Karl. I must warn you again—it is deeply ominous. If you still decide to use it after hearing what I say…”

Ilyss shook her head and said no more.

She never interfered with others’ choices.

“Please speak,” Karl said, his expression unchanged.

“His name was Jack. This happened at the end of the nineteenth century…”

His name was Jack. He was once an ordinary man, until he was possessed by a demon. He nearly lost his body, but his will was strong—he fought back and was never fully consumed. There were even signs of symbiosis.

At that time, he sought help from a priest. The priest had never seen such a case and managed to partially restrain the demon. Greed then took hold. He crafted a special box, lying to the man that stepping inside would exorcise the demon.

In truth, he sealed both Jack and the demon inside. He exploited the demon’s contract ability, twisting it into a mechanism: sacrifice six souls to fulfill one wish.

But due to the demon’s limited power, the priest imposed a restriction: only four slots on the box could be turned to form a single word to grant the wish.

Later, the priest sacrificed six people and successfully wished for a child of his own.

Within the box, Jack and the demon gradually merged into one, eternally enduring darkness and soul-torment.

Afterward, the box circulated across England and France, granting many wishes—and causing many deaths.

“The box has three hidden rules. Jack told me: anyone who uses it will go to hell upon death.”

“A person can only make one wish. Once a wish is granted, their soul is already claimed—worthless for further use.”

“The box’s wish mechanism is flawless—it never breaks its promise. Past wishes were indeed fulfilled. But whether a wish is fully realized depends on the demon’s power. If it lacks strength, your wish will be only partially granted.”

Ilyss paused here, glancing at Louis, then fixed her serious gaze on Karl. “Jack also told me—the demon has taken an interest in your grandson. If it escapes, who knows what it might do?”

???

Karl’s hand, which had remained calm until now, clenched tightly. His cloudy eyes sharpened.

“You’re certain?”

Ilyss nodded without fear. “Yes. That’s what Jack said.”

“Oh, and one more hidden temporary rule—the priest himself, to prevent loopholes, sacrificed himself. The demon cannot harm the one who activates the box.”

“That’s all. Now, Mr. Karl—do you still wish to activate this box?”

“….”

“….”

The entire room sank into an unbearable silence.

Karl closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Beside him, Max opened his mouth, then closed it. He glanced at Louis, then at his father—his face twisted with inner conflict.

Louis, however, remained expressionless, merely studying the box and pondering its rules.

(End of Chapter)