Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Quest (2)

I walked along the road with Theo.

“Ahem. Ahem.”

Beside the humming Theo, I checked the Quest again.

More precisely, the Quest reward.

[Entry Ticket]

[A ticket that allows entry into the Tower.]

It wasn't an item, but a skill.

That meant the reward wasn't coming from Cream—it was the system itself intervening.

'…The system.'

A realization suddenly came to me.

"Hyung?"

Theo tugged on my hand after I stopped in my tracks, but I needed a moment to organize my thoughts.

It felt like I had found a clue.

I thought back to the "game."

'How could you enter the Tower in the game?'

At the login screen, players could choose between [Field] and [Tower].

From the very beginning, the Tower had been separated from the continent.

My gaze naturally shifted toward Theo.

"What is it?"

I looked into Theo's silver-gray eyes as he tilted his head.

I recalled the being who had briefly awakened when Theo awakened.

The voice of Theo Homer, the Tower Keeper Banished from the Tower, echoed faintly in my mind.

'You… You're an Outsider, aren't you?'

Theo Homer had called me an Outsider.

The phrase "last player" still bothered me, but if there was an outside, then there had to be an inside.

'If the "outside" is Earth…'

There was a world that the NPCs didn't know about.

A world permitted only to the "players."

Maybe I would be able to meet other players.

That thought reassured me.

I might even find a way to return to Earth there

'Reassured? A way back to Earth?'

A bitter laugh escaped me.

Deep down, I had already acknowledged that this place wasn't just some game.

'Nothing's certain yet.'

I couldn't jump to conclusions.

Not until I confirmed it myself.

First, I had to enter the Tower and meet Theo Homer.

I had a feeling he would answer my questions.

And to do that, I first had to play the "game."

"Let's go, Theo."

"Hyung. A whole bunch of ghosts came over. They said they smelled something delicious…"

"That's enough, Theo."

"Okay!"

I took Theo's hand again and continued walking.

'Finishing the Quest comes first.'

I needed to quickly hunt some Corrupted Rabbits, complete the Quest, and get the Entry Ticket from Cream

Then reality suddenly crashed back into me.

"Ah… the Quest."

"Yes, the Quest! Your first Quest!"

Unlike Theo, I couldn't smile.

I was the one who had to fight.

Someone who had never even been in a fistfight had to pick up a blade and face demonic beasts.

The moment I recognized that reality, the pressure closed in on me.

My heart began pounding.

But as if my worries meant nothing, Theo spoke with a bright smile.

"Hyung. But someone said they'll help."

"Help? With what?"

"Hunting rabbits."

The only ones Theo could even talk to were ghosts

'Ah.'

I let out a quiet exclamation before asking,

"Spirit Possession?"

"Yep!"

After his cheerful reply, Theo listened to the spirit for a few more moments before continuing.

"But they said possessing me wouldn't mean anything. They said I'm too weak. What's a weakling?"

"…Anyway, then?"

"They're asking to possess you directly instead. They said it's possible if you agree. They said it'll help."

Apparently, one of the nearby ghosts was trying to persuade me.

I looked over Theo's ability again.

[Spirit Possession]

[Can guide a successfully bound spirit to a desired target.]

[However, a successfully bound spirit cannot have its bond removed without the consent of both parties.]

[Bound Spirit 0/2]

[※ The number of Bound Spirits may change depending on Mana.]

Now I understood how it worked.

Theo first accepted the spirit, then transferred it to the desired target through possession.

The problem was that I had no idea what would happen afterward.

It might even try to take over my body.

Even so, I couldn't simply ignore the temptation.

'I'm not in a position to be picky.'

The Bound Spirit count still bothered me.

[Bound Spirit 0/2]

Once one of those slots was used, there was no taking it back.

But I didn't have another option.

I steadied myself and nodded.

"It'll be a trustworthy ghost, right?"

"Yep! They said to tell you they're an expert at hunting demonic beasts!"

"Alright. Let's do it."

Theo beamed, then activated his ability in an instant.

"Okay!"

[Theo casts 'Spirit Possession'.]

*

Bleeegh!

I collapsed onto the ground and vomited over and over.

"Huff… Huff."

"Hyung! Are you okay?"

"Huff… I-I'm fi…"

"Waaah! Hyung! I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please don't die, Hyung!"

Forget possession.

I had nearly died.

From cardiac arrest.

The moment Theo activated his ability, I began seeing ghosts everywhere.

Every single one of them looked horrifying.

Some looked as though they had been violently torn apart and devoured.

Some had no legs and crawled across the ground with only their arms.

Others were nothing but legs wandering around.

Some carried their own severed body parts.

There were ghosts clad in full armor, while others wore light armor.

And that wasn't even the end of it.

Huh? Did you come to our world?

The instant I was overwhelmed by the unbelievable sight, every ghost turned to look at me.

Just as I could perceive them, they could now perceive me.

On top of that, countless voices poured into my ears without pause, leaving me unable to think straight.

You can hear us now?

I think you can see us! You can, right? You can, right? You can, right?

You can see us! You really can!

Can you hear our voices too? I think you can hear us!

I want to touch you! Give me your body!

Give me your body! J-just once!

Move! I was here first!

As if that weren't enough, they all started approaching me.

My meager Mental Strength couldn't withstand the ghosts' ghostly aura.

I blacked out.

"…Sigh."

I let out a deep sigh and comforted Theo.

Looking at him, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

'Did Theo grow up seeing things like that?'

He probably did.

Now I completely understood why he had always been so timid.

No matter how strong someone's nerves were, they wouldn't be able to endure seeing things like that all the time.

"You've had it rough."

"Waaah!"

I spent quite a while soothing him as he buried himself in my arms and cried his heart out.

'This is a problem.'

At this rate, I wouldn't be able to use Theo's ability.

It meant the Mercenary Points I'd spent had gone to waste.

'What should I do?'

I couldn't head out on the Quest empty-handed.

I didn't know what a Corrupted Rabbit was like, but it was still a demonic beast.

I couldn't simply dismiss it as just a rabbit.

Somehow, I had to find a way.

'Should I just grit my teeth and endure it?'

Should I just close my eyes and let myself be possessed?

The ghosts were far too terrifying and far too numerous for silly jokes to chase away the fear.

"This won't do. Theo, let's head back to the village first… Huh?"

Just as I was about to return to the village to come up with a plan—

I saw a pair of crimson eyes.

Eyes stained completely red.

They were the eyes of a beast that seemed to radiate ghostly aura.

Grrr

Crimson fur.

A chilling growl.

Sharp, protruding fangs.

Long ears standing upright.

"Uh… Hello?"

I gave an awkward smile and waved.

ROOOAR-!

Apparently, that only provoked it.

The rabbit pawed at the ground as though it would charge at me at any moment.

I gripped my dagger tightly and hurriedly took a fighting stance when Theo spoke beside me.

"I think that's a Corrupted Rabbit, Hyung!"

I could only click my tongue at the sight of his sparkling eyes, as if he hadn't been crying just moments ago.

It seemed his fear had disappeared along with his Mental Strength.

"Yeah. I think you're right."

Holding Theo in one arm, I widened the distance between us and the rabbit while surveying our surroundings.

Fortunately, there was only one.

"It's only one rabbit."

"Hyung, are you okay?"

Yeah.

It's only a rabbit.

Even if it was as big as my waist.

Even if its coarse fur looked like armor.

Even if its fangs were longer than my dagger.

ROOOAR-!

Even if its roar was as thunderous as a lion's.

"Hyung, your legs are shaking really hard!"

"Don't worry, Rabbit. Theo's no big de—"

"I'm Theo!"

"…Right."

I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on the dagger.

The rabbit still watched me cautiously, looking ready to pounce at any moment.

I wished it would just size me up and leave, but there was no sign of that happening.

While I stood facing the beast that was prepared to attack at any second, Theo tugged lightly on my sleeve.

"What is it?"

"Mister says we should try again."

The parade of ghosts I'd seen earlier flashed through my mind.

'Still… I don't have a choice.'

There wasn't any other way.

I'd confidently come out here, but how was I supposed to beat that monster?

Even if I somehow won, I certainly wouldn't escape without serious injuries.

It was better to borrow a ghost's strength.

"Alright. Tell him I'm ready whenever he is."

"Okay!"

But while I was talking to Theo—

ROOOAR-!

The rabbit seized the brief moment my concentration slipped.

It leaped high into the air.

In an instant, it cut the distance between us in half before crouching down once more.

One more leap, and it would reach Theo and me.

"Damn it! Theo, get back first—"

Forgetting about possession and everything else, I turned around to retreat.

At that moment, I saw a strange light flash in Theo's eyes.

Like an enraged beast, Theo shouted at the rabbit.

"Stop getting in the way!"

The aura radiating from his silver-gray eyes spread across the entire area in an instant.

[Ghost Wail]

At the same time, a piercing scream echoed through the surroundings.

I gasped and hurriedly turned my head.

"…What?"

The rabbit was lying on its back, flailing helplessly.

When I looked back again, Theo wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.

"Hehe!"

"You… this…"

Now I understood.

How had I forgotten?

Theo had another ability.

This was Theo's innate skill, [Ghost Wail].

The effect was far more incredible than I had expected.

Just as my tension eased in relief—

[Theo casts 'Spirit Possession'.]

Another message appeared before my eyes.

One I definitely wasn't happy to see.

"Huh?"

"Mister said we should finish this quickly!"

"N-No, Theo! Wait!"

There's no need to rush!

We don't need possession anymore!

I wanted to shout those words, but my voice wouldn't come out.

It was already too late.

He's back!

You can hear us, right?

Welcome back! Welcome back!

The world filled with countless voices.

Ghostly yin energy seeped into my body, making me tremble from head to toe.

Even after experiencing it once, I couldn't get used to it.

Desperately trying to suppress my fear, I shouted,

"Don't come any closer!"

I pointed my dagger at the ghosts gathering one after another.

"Just try coming any closer. I won't just stand by… Huh?"

Something suddenly felt off.

'What's going on?'

The ghosts that had rushed toward me like zombies were nowhere to be seen.

No—they were still there.

But instead of gathering around me, they were flocking somewhere else.

Hehehe. This one's interesting.

Doesn't he look delicious?

Should I pluck out some of his fur?

Hahaha! This is fun! So much fun!

Toward the Corrupted Rabbit.

That was the moment I understood how [Ghost Wail] worked.

"…Oh."

The moment I lowered my dagger, another message appeared.

[Theo has successfully bound the Black Hunter.]

[Under Theo's guidance, the Black Hunter attempts to possess Kim Iseo.]

Before the message even disappeared, a streak of light shot toward me.

[The Black Hunter attempts possession.]

[An unknown power detects an impure presence.]

[An unknown power purifies the impure presence.]

"Huh?"

Fwoooosh!

Something inside my body suddenly erupted into fierce flames.

At the same time, a dreadful scream rang out.

[The Black Hunter writhes in agony.]

"Urk."

[The Black Hunter begs for mercy.]

"Ugh."

[The Black Hunter pounds on the door while wailing.]

"Urgh."

Was it because the spirit was struggling so desperately?

Every time a message appeared, my head throbbed.

"This is driving me crazy."

No matter how desperately it begged, there was nothing I could do.

[An unknown power purifies the impure presence.]

I didn't even know what this "unknown power" was.

A little time passed.

[The Black Hunter…]

[…kneels…]

It seemed the Black Hunter had nearly exhausted all of his strength as well.

[…]

At last, the moment his strength was completely spent—

An unprecedented power gathered in my left hand before erupting outward.

FWOOOOSH!

Within the brilliantly multicolored radiance, I could no longer sense any "impure presence."

It simply felt like an enormous mass of condensed energy.

[Can guide a successfully bound spirit to a desired target.]

Was it merely coincidence that those words appeared at the same time?

Whether it was coincidence or not didn't matter.

What mattered was that I knew how to use this energy.

'Let's try it.'

I looked at the dagger in my right hand.

Then I raised my left hand, now filled with that energy.

There was nothing complicated about it.

All I had to do was bring the energy into contact with the dagger.

[The Black Hunter possesses the 'Beginner's Dagger'.]

[You have obtained the Black Hunter's Dagger.]

"Wah!"

This time, it worked.

The dagger flashed brilliantly, and I returned to reality.

Focus returned to Theo's previously hazy eyes.

As we both stared blankly at each other, a loud voice suddenly rang out.

Grrraaah! Damn, that hurt like hell!

It came from inside my head.

Hummm. Hummm.

No.

From the dagger.