How to get a stack of 200 Curse? Also, Does cursed dagger innately activate Demonic Strength, or do I need to actually have curse stacks on me?

So, I didn't damage check and corralate between dagger base and then dagger with the mutation, so I was wondering if anyone knew already. Furthermore, I was tryna get the 200 Curse head by afking in the stilt village room with the bell curser, but when he applied his 52nd curse on me, i just died XD. I was pairing dagger with damned vigor, but I was afk, so it didn't even matter, lol.