Information

Shingami has a minion!

Midora the Devren

Shingami
Legacy Name: Shingami

The

Nightmare Cadogre
Owner: Alkuna

Age: 7 years, 8 months, 2 weeks

Born: June 30th, 2018

Adopted: 7 years, 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Adopted: June 30th, 2018

Statistics

Level: 10
Strength: 25
Defense: 25
Speed: 25
Health: 25
HP: 25/25
Intelligence: 33
Books Read: 33
Food Eaten: 0
Job: Unemployed

Arthur Winchester stepped out of his stylish sky blue Aston Martin Valkyrie, the sound of gravel crunching under his feet, breaking the stillness of the night as he made his way to his grand mansion. The moonlight bathed the expansive lawn in a silvery hue, causing the fountain in the middle to sparkle like an abandoned diamond necklace. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the intoxicating scent of blooming jasmine that hung in the air. Yes, life was good.

The spacious entrance welcomed visitors with a warm, inviting light from elegant pendant fixtures, casting a gentle shimmer on the gleaming marble floor. The walls were adorned with priceless artwork, each piece worth enough to support a small nation's education for an entire year. Taking a moment to appreciate the grandeur, he headed upstairs to his office, his mind buzzing with ideas for his next big purchase. His private sanctuary was a reflection of his achievements, featuring shelves packed with leather-bound books that he knew he’d never read, and a grand mahogany desk large enough to host a dinner party for twelve.

Sinking into the plush, high-quality leather of his executive chair, he let out a contented sigh as the thick padding conformed to his body. With a flick of the switch, his computer powered on, and once it had finished booting up, he began browsing his go-to websites, eager to find something new to add to his collection.

He owned a fleet of seven cars, one for each day of the week. His lavish home was outfitted with expensive, hand-carved furniture imported from the far reaches of Subeta, and the marble floors were adorned with stunning, exotic, area rugs. Preparations were well underway for an upcoming party; the catering was all set and paid for, boasting more food than his numerous guests could possibly consume in one evening He had musicians booked and even arranged for several ice sculptures to enhance the ballroom's decor. Maybe this time he’d add a statue or some kind of sculpture to his collection.

He came across a life-sized jade statue of a woman holding a pitcher on her shoulder, but that design felt way too typical. Then there was a marble bust of Hermes adorned with a delicate gold mask, but ancient deities just didn’t cut it anymore. A striking Legecia or a majestic Archan? Those were everywhere. Feeling let down by his favorite art vendors, he was ready to check out another site, when something caught his eye.

The life-sized sculpture was a magnificent sight - a Nightmare Cadogre cast in sleek black zirconium, its claws and fangs crafted from highly polished platinum. The exquisite detail work brought the fearsome creature to life, its eyes gleaming with an almost lifelike intensity in the photographs. While anyone could claim to have a statue of a Greek God, not many could say they owned a piece depicting one of the most fearsome pets imaginable. Sure, the real creatures were all show and no substance, but that only added to the allure of the sculpture, which radiated a sense of danger. Maybe this striking piece could serve as a fierce guardian in his office.

With a grin, Arthur looked forward to purchasing it the following day.

Arthur was used to dealing with all sorts of challenges, but a hesitant seller was never one of them. Typically, he could simply wave around a check with a battalion of zeros lined up, and any objections would flutter away like butterflies in the breeze. Yet in this case, the seller sized him up in his sharp suit, fancy Qrykee leather shoes, and sleek luxury car, and flat-out turned him down.

The seller launched into some absurd backstory about the sculpture. According to him, this sculpture of a Nightmare Cadogre was supposed to represent a legendary beast from long ago, known as Shingami. This creature was infamous for preying on the rich and powerful, and it was supposedly taken down by the Hunters three hundred years prior. The seller asserted the sculpture itself was cursed, as all its previous owners had met rather unfortunate fates.

Arthur had brushed off the stories as nothing more than silly superstitions. While he found the tale amusing and appreciated how it enhanced the item's appeal, his main interest lay in its uniqueness rather than any alleged curse attached to it. Acquiring the piece had been a hard-fought negotiation, but in the end, he managed to convince the seller and make the purchase. This was set to be the crown jewel of his collection.

His staff had been strangely hesitant to handle the sculpture, but they finally managed to position it in the corner of his study. Later that evening, as he went to turn on the lights in his office, the talisman around his neck suddenly grew uncomfortably warm. Before long, he felt the sticky, uncomfortable sensation of sweat pooling beneath his tailored shirt.

Surrounded by the best security money could buy, he was safely ensconced in his own home. Each piece of the wrought iron fence was etched with protective sigils, ensuring that once the gate swung shut behind anyone entering or leaving, nothing could breach the barrier. An additional barrier of salt lay just beyond the fence, deterring any intruders from the Vale. The windows and doors were lined with silver, keeping any monsters at bay; as long as he didn’t open the door to let anything in, he was secure. Plus, the entire grounds were monitored by security cameras, leaving no blind spots for any sneaky intruders. If even a tiny Popoko dared to cross his lawn, the motion detectors would alert him, providing a crystal-clear video feed to track the little creature until it scurried away.

Annoyed by the talisman's increasing heat, he yanked it off and tossed it into the desk drawer beside him. He knew he needed to call the Hunters and complain. Perhaps he had overpaid for it; its supposed protective powers appeared to be failing, likely due to shoddy craftsmanship or something along those lines.

The moment he tucked the talisman away, a sudden chill shot down his spine, making the hairs on his neck stand on end. He paused, listening intently, but the house was silent save for the steady ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Shrugging it off as a relief from the oppressive heat or perhaps a figment of his imagination, he dismissed the eerie sensation as merely a lingering remnant of the sculpture's unsettling story that had followed him home.

The crouching Nightmare Cadogre sculpture appeared poised to leap from its pedestal and prowl the hallways like the predator it resembled. As he glanced over, he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that the cast metal eyes had moved to follow him as he entered the room. It was a ridiculous thought, really; the sculpture was nothing more than a lifeless hunk of metal.

The shadows cast by his desk seemed to twist and writhe in his peripheral vision, distracting him as he tried to focus on the documents before him. His attention kept wandering back to the Cadogre. He wanted to dismiss his irrational fear, but his heart pounded like a caged bird, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Deep down, an instinctive dread gripped him, but in the confines of his office, he should have felt completely secure. After all, nothing could breach the perimeter without triggering a whole array of sensor alarms.

As Arthur finally started to settle in and concentrate on the paperwork laid out before him, he was startled by a grating, metallic sound that broke his focus. His gaze immediately darted to the sculpture. At first glance, it hadn't moved an inch since he walked in. Yet, something felt strange; the sculpture's head, he was certain, had been turned to the left, facing the doorway. Now it stared straight ahead. Had the metallic figure just shifted its head, giving him a side-eye? Arthur dismissed the notion as absurd, letting out a derisive snort.

He shifted his focus back to the papers after a brief pause.

He heard that faint, barely noticeable scraping sound again, and this time it was impossible to brush off. Arthur's head shot up, and he felt a chill run down his spine as he saw the sculpture's head begin to turn. Its dark eyes locked onto him, giving off a vibe that felt almost like it was sizing him up, ready to pounce. The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically, becoming icy and heavy with an ominous tension.

The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed midnight, and with each toll, the sculpture's movements grew bolder. Its gleaming zirconium limbs stretched out, the platinum claws scraping against the marble floor with a high-pitched, grating sound like nails on a chalkboard. He watched, transfixed, his breath quickening as the creature came to life before his eyes. Desperate to flee, Arthur tried to stand, but his legs felt heavy, rooted to the spot by an unseen force.

Shingami's jaw unhinged, revealing rows of sharp teeth made from the same platinum as its claws and saber fangs, as if yawning. It then turned towards Arthur and let out a low, guttural growl that reverberated through the room, growing louder and filling his ears, making the air vibrate. Arthur felt the chill of its breath as it took a step closer, and the temperature in the room suddenly plummeted with preternatural speed, as if a glacier had materialized.

The sculpture began to move with a purpose, stalking Arthur like a giant cat. Arthur's initial fear escalated into full-blown panic as his heart raced, threatening to burst from his chest. He willed his legs to carry him forward, awkwardly navigating around his desk and heading for the door. Yet an unseen force grew stronger the closer he got to the exit, trapping him mere inches from freedom, held back by his own paralyzing fear of the curse coming to life.

The chill in the room had turned into a frigid cold that seemed to seep into his bones. Delicate patterns of frost bloomed across every surface, radiating outward from the creature's feet. As the icy tendrils spread, the vibrant hues drained from the room, leaving behind a monochromatic palette of lifeless gray. Arthur felt as though he had been transported from reality into a strange, colorless parallel world.

Shingami's eyes glowed with a faint crimson light, the sole splash of color in the otherwise drab room. Arthur's thoughts were flooded with visions of his own end, anxieties he never realized he harbored, unfolding like a macabre puppet show for the entertainment of this age-old tormentor.

The sculpture moved once more, its heavy metal feet thudding against the marble floor beneath the ornate rug. Arthur's hand shook as he reached for the doorknob, his gaze locked on the creature's unblinking stare. Its metal paw extended, nearly grazing Arthur's shoulder. He shuddered at the radiating from its razor-sharp talons, feeling like icy tendrils coiling around his soul.

The doorknob turned slowly, the sound of the lock disengaging echoing through the silent house like a gunshot. Fueled by adrenaline, Arthur burst through the door and stumbled into the hallway, the cold air whipping around him in fierce wind. Ahead, the grand staircase waited, with the wall lamps casting a dim light that made the shadows dance around Shingami, who was close behind. Taking the stairs two at a time, Arthur's heart pounded in his ears, drowning out the creature's heavy steps. The smooth oak banister felt reassuring under his hand as he raced down the staircase, his fancy shoes echoing against the marble steps.

The chandeliers in the dining room swung wildly, their crystals clinking together in a chaotic melody as the wind whipped through. Arthur shivered, feeling as if a blizzard had swept through the room. The plush carpet did little to muffle the sound of his frantic footsteps. Arthur could sense the sculpture closing in on him, the harsh sound of zirconium scraping against marble serving as a chilling reminder of the danger right behind him. His eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for a weapon or a means of escape.

A glint of silver caught his eye. The Hunters had mentioned that silver worked wonders against the beings from the Vale, hadn’t they? This had to be it, right? He hoped so! The antique dinner service gleamed on the polished table, illuminated by the light of the lamps. He grabbed a carving knife from the set, its solid heft oddly reassuring in his shaking grip. Spinning around, he pressed his back against the wall, aiming the knife at the doorway. Shingami charged into the room, its movements fluid, glowing eyes fixed on him.

Arthur's chest heaved with panicked breaths, cold sweat trickling down his forehead and stinging his eyes. Deep down, he realized he couldn't keep running from it; he had to confront it head-on. Gripping the knife tighter, his knuckles turning white, Arthur lunged forward as the Shinigami came within reach. The blade sliced through the air, aimed at the creature's throat. Unfortunately, it barely scratched the dark, metallic surface. Shinigami's clawed paw shot out, knocking the knife from Arthur's grasp. The blade clattered to the floor, bouncing off the marble and skidding under the dining table. Why hadn't the attack worked? Did he need something more powerful, like holy grenades?

Arthur staggered backward, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched in horror as Shingami took another menacing step closer, its eyes gleaming with twisted delight. As it lifted its clawed paw, Arthur felt an icy grip tightening around his throat, like a cold metal noose constricting his breath. Gasping desperately, Arthur's hands clawed at his neck, but the invisible force refused to release its grip. Shingami's grin widened, showcasing its horrifying teeth, and it dawned on Arthur that he had seriously misjudged the strength of this ancient curse. As the room began to darken around him, Arthur felt his consciousness slipping away.

A cold, mocking voice filled his mind, sneering, "You lived a life of gluttony, indulgence, and waste." The scathing words echoed through his thoughts, each one a stab of ice. Vivid images flashed before him - his extravagant parties, the mountains of discarded food, and the rivers of spilled wine, a montage of excess and neglect. "Throwing cash around to show off meaningless luxuries." The faces of his so-called friends, who once flocked to enjoy his riches, now morphed into distorted expressions of greed and contempt.

Shingami's voice resonated with an unsettling power, the darkness thickening around the edges of Arthur's vision. "There is nothing left for you," the gaze of the sculpture pierced through him, exposing the emptiness that defined his life. "And there shall be nothing left of you," the creature growled, its grip tightening. Arthur could no longer breathe, a chilling sensation coursed through him, dulling his senses and snuffing out any desire to fight back. The icy tendrils wrapped around his soul seemed to jerk and there was a terrible, painful ripping sensation. The encroaching darkness enveloped him completely, and in that moment, Arthur slipped away into oblivion.

As the Corpse Bearers team prepared to transport the body of wealthy socialite Arthur Winchester to the Sapidum Cadaver Catacombs, Richard let out a heavy sigh. The bruises on Winchester's neck revealed the grim story of how he met his end. The mansion staff had tipped off Bravo team that their employer had recently acquired a supposedly cursed sculpture, which was now missing. Connecting the dots, it became evident that yet another creature from the Vale was on the hunt for those who lived in sin.

Francis crouched beside the body, intently studying it while tapping into her magic to look deeper than just the physical form.

The Hunters would eventually track down the creature, and they had two options: either eliminate it for another hundred years of tranquility or at least confine it. In the meantime, the town seemed to harbor yet another malevolent entity stalking its streets.

Monique's voice floated up from beneath the dining room table, catching Richard's attention. "Sir?" He looked down just in time to see her emerging, a bent silver carving knife in hand.

Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise and let out a quiet whistle as he helped his teammate get back on her feet. She placed the blade into his hand, and he took a moment to examine the tip carefully.

Monique's tone was serious as she asked, "Do you realize what this means?"

"Arthur fought back, but silver proved ineffective against this beast," Richard said bitterly. "The man was a damn fool to give in to the sin of Gluttony, yet he showed bravery and could have redeemed himself."

"It devoured his very soul," Francis said grimly, brushing off her hands and gesturing for the Corpse Bearers to remove the body. "This was no ordinary foe - it’s a soul-consuming monster, impervious to silver and able to shrug off blades. One that cannot be engaged directly." She paused, a grave look crossing her face. "There is only one being capable of such feats... Shingami has returned."

"If it had been any other creature, Arthur probably would have made it through," Richard's tone was filled with anguish. Then he unleashed a torrent of curses, each one more inventive than the last, without ever saying the same thing twice.

Creatures were spilling out of the cursed forest in greater numbers, and the Hunters were starting to feel the weight of this unsettling trend. To make matters worse, these beings were becoming tougher, more lethal, and harder to take down. The team would definitely need armor-piercing rounds for Shingami. With a heavy heart, he decided they should also get a silver-infused net to help tackle whatever danger was on the horizon. Even if the creatures had some sort of immunity to silver, the net could at least buy them some time by slowing them down.

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Name: Shingami

Type: Cursed Statue

Alignment: Evil

Known Rules: Unlike the rest of the monsters from Vyces platoon, Shingami does not actively hunt his victims. Instead he is an ambush predator: posing as a valuable and unique, but notoriously cursed statue. Those who wind up as a seller will swear that he was not in their inventory until the interested buyer was targeted. All sellers will know of the statues cursed history, and will make a considerable effort to dissuade the buyer. The seller will eventually give in, pressing desperate warnings upon the buyer until the statue is taken away. Ruling over the sin of Gluttony, his statue always catches the eye of those who want something purely for the sake of having it with no need or use other than to have it in their possession. In this way, he bypasses all other safeguards to get close to his victims before attacking. No one is quite sure where his statue goes after a kill, until he appears in the inventory of a seller.

Combat: Completely immune to all forms of melee combat, as well as substances usually used to fend off the Vale's monsters. Small caliber ammunition ricochets off, though high-caliber, armor-piercing artillery has not been tried. Explosives have also not yet been tried due to the short time between the statue's appearance, purchase and attack. Due to being a known member of Vyces Platoon, it is believed that he cannot be stopped or killed.