I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 178

“…!”

 

Dana was thrown into the cold lake with a splash.

 

What is this?! Those insane people!

 

Dana flailed her arms and legs while holding her breath. And then, she immediately realized. Ah, I can’t swim. Instead of floating up, she was sinking deeper. Her body was overwhelmed by freezing cold, and a crushing pressure gripped her chest as she struggled—trying to rise, up, up… But it was just her mind. Her body continued to sink. Slowly, down to the bottom of the lake.

 

At some point in her thrashing, Dana looked down and… Huh? She froze. Then, she blinked her stinging eyes in the water.

 

What is that?

 

There was no bottom to the lake. The bottom, which should’ve been covered in soil, stones, and water plants, was—

 

A mirror?

 

The entire bottom of the lake was like a massive mirror, reflecting the lake in reverse. Dana saw her reflection beyond the surface. It was her, Dana… No. She realized again. That wasn’t her. Because that woman had her eyes closed—as if in a deep, peaceful sleep.

 

That’s not me. Then who is it? Who is that woman, sleeping beyond the mirror?

 

That wasn’t all. Beyond the woman, something else faintly appeared. Something long and winding. Like a snake, but not a normal snake. More like a serpent with multiple heads.

 

One, two, three, four, five… Just as Dana began to count the heads, a strange feeling swept over her. It was a hunch. If she touched that mirror, she might be able to touch the woman. Maybe she’d be pulled into the space where that woman was.

 

So Dana, as if entranced, reached out her hand. But then she suddenly pulled her fingers back. The suffocating feeling she’d momentarily forgotten was closing in again. She was going to die. She couldn’t breathe. It hurt so much. The agony… And in that moment, her mind trembled.

 

[What do you wish to see?]

 

Wooooong. Her mind resonated deeply.

 

[What do you wish to see?]

 

What does she want to see?

 

“If you look into the Mirror Lake during the Soul Wedding Festival, you can see anything you wish to see.”

 

Dana never imagined that was true. But who cared about that now? She was dying!

 

Bubbles burst from Dana’s lips. In a dizzying instant, a name surfaced in her mind. Lord Carl.

 

Lord Carl. I want to see you—She thought at that very moment.

 

Dana’s eyes flew open. Something hit her mind all at once, like thunder and lightning.

 

“We have to ensure her premature death.”

 

It was Carl.

 

“I need to take her inheritance rights.”

 

That was Carl.

 

“Dana, do you like me?”

 

That was also Carl.

 

“Try moving me.”

 

That one was also Carl.

 

“Don’t go. Dana. I’m sorry.”

 

Carl, Carl, and Carl. Memories about Carl poured over her like a torrential storm. The shock made her gasp, and she swallowed a mouthful of water.

 

“…!”

 

Pain stung her nose. Her eyes burned. Her chest felt like it was on fire. It was excruciating.

 

I’m going to die…

 

Blub blub. The last bubble slipped from her lips. She no longer had the strength to struggle. As she sank further and further—

 

Something was approaching. Dana saw it. Through her blurred vision, she saw a man swimming toward her. The man extended his arm and wrapped it tightly around her waist, pulling her into his arms. He changed direction at once—upward, upward, and upward again…

 

“Cough, cough!”

 

Finally, Dana broke the surface. Gasping for air that washed over her like salvation, she burst into a fit of coughing.

 

She was alive. She finally felt like she would live!

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Dana turned her head, still coughing. It was Carl. Soaking wet, he was holding her waist as he swam. She dazedly stared at his smooth profile. Lord Carl. Lord Carl, which is—Uncle.

 

Dana shut her eyes tightly. Entrusting herself to Carl’s strong arms, she sank into a cold shock. Lord Carl had saved her.

 

Uncle Carl had saved me… Ha. Haha. Laughter or maybe a cough escaped her.

 

“Are you okay?” Carl cut through the water and asked again.

 

Dana didn’t answer. It was because she didn’t want to. So, she made no response at all.

 

At last, they reached the lakeshore, and Carl pulled her onto dry land.

 

“Cough, cough!” Collapsing forward, Dana spat out water.

 

Carl patted her back. It was a gentle touch, which made her want to laugh since it was so absurd.

 

“What do you think you’re doing, Lord Carl!”

 

“Why did you interrupt the ceremony!”

 

“We were just about to open the gate to the Ice Lake!”

 

Shouts erupted from the villagers.

 

“Why did you step in and ruin everything!”

 

“We were so close! We finally could’ve reached the Ice Lake!”

 

“This was your plan, Lord Carl!”

 

Accusations rained down. But Carl took them all like arrows, and murmured, “But Dana was in so much pain…” His voice sounded like a murmur to himself, as if even he couldn’t believe his own excuse.

 

But maybe this too was just an act. After all, he was the worst kind of liar.

 

Fragments of memory rose up—memories of Carl, Carl Windsor, Uncle Carl.

 

What now? He tried to kill me, so why did he save me? What lie will he use to fool me this time? How will he try to use me? This time… This time too, he will make me miserable.

 

Dana slowly lifted her head. The thoroughly soaked Carl was looking at her. She quietly met his gaze.

 

Carl’s eyes were desolate. They looked like he had figured everything out. Maybe he was more confused than she was.

 

“I really hate you…” Dana’s lips trembled from the cold as she spoke. “You’re the person I hate most in this world.”

 

There was no answer. Only water slid down Carl’s ice-cold cheeks. Drip, drip—it fell from his chin and shattered on Dana’s hand. But why did that moment feel eternal?

 

Bang! Suddenly, the air was torn by a gunshot. Dana flinched. Her eyes finally broke away from Carl.

 

“Excuse me. Could you move aside?”

 

A man’s voice rang out at the same time.

 

“My sister is over there.”