The air inside the dungeon had grown heavier with each step they took downward. Shellia Emerald, her black hair tied back to keep it from falling into her face, carried herself with both grace and determination. This time, there was no flowing noble gown—she wore light armor and a practical tunic, clothes fit for battle and survival rather than court appearances. The daughter of Duke Gerald Emerald no longer looked like the pampered noble lady of the mansion; here, she was a Spirit Beloved walking in the depths of a ghost dungeon.
Behind her, Lumiel Ark followed with steady, unshaken composure. His platinum hair shimmered faintly even in the dim torchlight, and his teal-blue eyes reflected calmness that seemed unearthly. His priest robes had been adjusted for dungeon travel, but he still carried himself with the same noble, sacred bearing. He was a protector, a guardian, and though he rarely raised his hand in combat, any creature that dared to approach Shellia was silenced instantly by his wind element infused with divine purity.
And then there was Yuki. Today, he had returned to the form of a young boy, white-haired and blue-eyed, his aura soft yet bright. From time to time, he floated lightly rather than walking, almost as if he were weightless. His small steps made no echo, unlike the armored boots of adventurers who once explored these depths.
They had reached the 20th floor when exhaustion finally crept in. The dungeon's oppressive aura gnawed at both body and spirit. Even though Shellia's divine power strengthened her, she was still human, and the pressure of so much malice built up in these depths was suffocating.
So, they paused.
Shellia sat on a stone, her back against the damp wall, unwrapping the bundle of food Mira had prepared before their departure. Bread, dried meat, and some fruits—simple meals, but a taste of home in this dark place. She shared with Yuki, who chewed happily, and even offered some to Lumiel, who accepted with quiet gratitude.
It was during moments like this that Shellia realized just how different her life had become. No more banquets, no more dances where noblewomen whispered behind their fans. Now she rested in shadowed dungeons, with a spirit and a priest as her only companions.
By the time they reached the 30th floor, fatigue had dulled Shellia's body, but something else filled the air. A tension, a strange vibration, as though every stone in the dungeon whispered of the presence waiting for them.
Yuki's eyes lit up like stars. He grabbed Shellia's sleeve, tugging at her with the excitement of a child who had just discovered a hidden treasure.
[Shellia! This is it! This is what I was waiting for!]
She frowned. "You seem too happy for a place this grim. What's going on, Yuki?"
The boy's grin widened, his blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.
[You'll see soon. Trust me, Lia. This is important for your destiny.]
Shellia hesitated. Her heart pounded with nervousness, but she nodded. If Yuki believed, she would follow.
The heavy doors creaked as she pushed them open, revealing the final chamber of the dungeon. A rush of icy wind swept out, carrying the scent of rot and old ashes.
The room was massive, carved like a throne hall, though it was crumbling and swallowed by darkness. The walls were etched with faded glyphs, ancient runes that spoke of curses long forgotten. The floor was littered with bones and shattered weapons, as though thousands had fallen here over countless ages.
And at the far end, sitting upon a cracked throne carved from obsidian, was a woman.
Her hair burned like crimson fire, long waves that cascaded over her shoulders. Her eyes glowed a deep scarlet, piercing and merciless, like two burning coals. She was breathtaking, her beauty haunting, yet her presence filled the room with suffocating malice.
She did not rise. She only watched them with eyes that pierced through flesh and soul. When she spoke, her voice echoed against the walls like the song of the damned.
"I will destroy this world… the world that betrayed me."
Her words slithered like poison.
Shellia felt her chest tighten, her divine power flickering as fear gnawed at her heart. This was no ordinary ghost—this was something far greater, a being steeped in darkness for thousands of years.
She glanced at Yuki, then at Lumiel.
Lumiel's calm composure did not falter. He stepped forward slightly, his teal eyes shimmering with light. Wind swirled faintly around him, carrying a divine aura. For the first time, Shellia saw his true strength—a merging of divine energy and elemental wind. A force so pure, so natural, that it seemed almost destined to oppose corruption itself.
"This one is dangerous," Lumiel said softly. "Stay behind me, Lady Shellia."
But Shellia shook her head. "No. I am Spirit Beloved. This is my trial too."
The woman's laughter rang through the chamber, sharp and bitter.
"You dare stand before me, child of Emerald? Do you know what it means to be betrayed by all? To watch the world turn its back? I will tear it apart—I will make them all suffer as I have suffered!"
With that, the air exploded into shadow. Her figure blurred, and the entire throne room trembled as waves of dark energy cascaded outward. Skeletal hands clawed from the ground, shrieking wraiths poured from the walls, and the stench of death filled the air.
Yuki's voice rang clear in Shellia's mind.
[Don't falter, Lia! This is where you must shine! I'll strengthen your divine power—believe in yourself!]
Her hands glowed as divine light spread through her body, mixing with the small boy's radiance. A warmth surged within her veins.
Shellia raised her hands, summoning a shield of divine brilliance, and the wraiths screeched as they burned against it. Her purification light pierced the gloom, tearing through skeletal forms.
Lumiel's wind roared. Sharp gales infused with divine light sliced through monsters with effortless grace, scattering their ashes across the chamber. His face remained calm, but his aura was fierce, the embodiment of a protector.
The red-haired woman descended from her throne, her scarlet gown fluttering like fire, her eyes burning with rage. She raised her hands, and darkness coiled like serpents, striking at Shellia.
Shellia stumbled, shielding herself, but her voice rang out. "If the world betrayed you… then let's find another way. Let's not destroy—let's search for happiness instead!"
For a heartbeat, the woman's crimson eyes flickered. A shadow of pain, of despair. Then she screamed, lashing out with a torrent of dark energy.
Shellia's heart pounded, but she knew—this was her moment. Closing her eyes, she summoned every drop of divine power, every ounce of faith within her. Yuki's small hand gripped hers, his energy flowing into her like a rushing river.
She raised her arms and cried out—
"Divine Purification!"
A blinding light erupted. It engulfed the throne room, sweeping away the shadows. The darkness shrieked, tearing apart like paper in a storm.
When Shellia opened her eyes, she gasped.
The woman was no longer standing.
Instead, before her floated a fox—its fur a brilliant crimson, shimmering like molten fire, its eyes a deep golden hue, filled not with malice, but with sorrow and beauty.
Shellia's breath caught.
"Orielle…"
The name left her lips unbidden, as though it had always been meant for this spirit.
At once, red light surrounded the fox, warm and powerful. Orielle drifted gently into Shellia's arms, her body small yet burning with vitality. The light cocooned them both, and Shellia felt an unbreakable bond form between their souls.
A chime rang in the air.
Before her, once again, the panel window appeared. Letters glowed bright across the air.
> Name: Shellia Emerald
Title: Spirit Beloved
Job: Spirit User (Advanced)
Divine Purification → Medium Purification (Upgraded)
Spirits Contracted:
Yuki (Healing – Divine Light)
Orielle (Healing Flame – Fire Element)
Slots Remaining: 3
Shellia trembled. Her hands cradled Orielle, the crimson fox, whose golden eyes met hers with gentle warmth.
[From now on, I am yours, Shellia.]
The fox's voice was clear, proud, yet soft.
Yuki beamed, his boyish smile radiant.
[See, Lia? I told you this was destiny! One spirit wasn't enough for you. You'll gather many. This is only the beginning.]
Shellia could barely breathe. She had always thought one spirit was miraculous. Now, she held two—Yuki and Orielle. Two companions, two bonds, two lights to guide her path.
Lumiel stepped closer, his calm face softening into admiration.
"It seems, Lady Shellia," he said, bowing slightly, "that fate is carving a path far grander for you than any of us expected."
Shellia looked down at Orielle, then at Yuki, her chest swelling with determination.
Yes. This was only the beginning.
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