I didn't sleep. I want to know what's going on. I stayed up all night to complete that quest. Whether it's a quest or not doesn't matter to me—I just felt something odd, like something was left unresolved.
Around midnight, I saw a man walking down the street. There wasn't a single person around. No lights, only the pale glow of the full moon. That alone gave me chills—but I wasn't afraid at all.
After about thirty minutes of following him, he went under a bridge. I kept my eyes on him from a distance. He seemed to be searching for something.
There were several tunnels beneath the bridge. He entered each one, inspecting them carefully, as if looking for something important. I couldn't figure out what he was after. I had never seen him before, so of course I didn't know who he was. I didn't follow him any further that night. I returned to my inn. Sleep evaded me. My mind was racing, but no thoughts stuck.
If he's a ghost, why would he be searching for something? Ghosts don't need anything. They don't eat or sleep. The only explanation that makes sense is—he must have lost something precious when he was alive. Something he cherished deeply. Something that tied his soul to both happiness and sorrow... and left him hollow.
The next morning, I went to the library.
"How can I help you?"
A beautiful young woman with glasses asked me.
"I'm new here. I want to gather some information—no, I mean, see the sights, learn about local activities… that sort of thing," I said with a smile. A fake one.
"I see. Go straight, then take a left. Head to the third shelf. You'll find what you need," she said with a warm smile.
Her real smile brought a real one to my face, and I said, "Thank you for your help."
"My pleasure. It's my job," she replied with another smile.
I started searching. Besides books, the library also archived recent events and local news. I combed through reports from the past six months, hoping to find a clue.
Since I saw the man under the bridge, I assumed he may have died there—perhaps in an accident. The fact that the quest was recently issued suggested the incident was recent too.
I searched tirelessly—from noon until late afternoon. Finally, I found something. About one and a half months ago, five workers died during a bridge construction project. Four of the bodies were recovered and returned to their families. But one remained unclaimed—no one knew where he had lived, or who his family was. He was buried in a local graveyard.
After reading that, everything started to make sense.
I stepped out of the library. The librarian girl wasn't at her desk. The streets were slowly filling with people returning home, bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun. I spotted the librarian girl walking alone on the street. She noticed me and stopped.
"Heading home?" she asked first.
"Yes," I replied with a smile.
I was curious about her name, so I asked.
"Oh… my name? I'm Eriza. I live on Palantal Clock Street."
"Heh… you really shouldn't tell strangers where you live. But anyway, I'm Mahiru. It's late, but nice to meet you."
"You know, I see a lot of people every day at work. Some youngsters look angry but have soft hearts. Some older folks smile gently but hide dark intentions. When I saw you, I didn't sense anything evil… but I did feel something soft. Like your soul is searching for something."
"You saw through me. Everyone has their own struggles. We all fight for our dreams, for what we love. Some of us search for what we've lost, or what we still hope to find."
"You're right. Our souls always seek things we don't even know we need."
A sudden gust of wind kicked up, swirling dust in the air. She chanted a wind spell to clear it. I noticed—she didn't have any magic items.
"You don't have any magic items… How can you cast a spell?!"
"Who needs magic items? They just enhance spells. The true source of magic is the human heart."
That reminded me of an ancient book I once read in the palace. It was so old, no one even visited that section anymore. And this library didn't seem to have any new books either. I was puzzled—but I brushed it off.
"No, I mean, I was reading too long in the library. I guess I'm just a little dazed," I said, offering a poor excuse even a child wouldn't buy. She didn't question it.
Instead, she said, "A thousand years ago, people didn't know how to use magic. So they began experimenting—eventually infusing magic into their DNA. Generation by generation, magical power became part of us. That power is controlled by our hearts. Some use it for good, others for evil."
"Wow, I didn't know that… thanks for telling me."
"No, thank you. It's been a while since I talked this much with someone. Want to come to my place for some tea?"
"I appreciate it, but I've got some things to take care of. Maybe another time," I said with a smile.
"Sure, anytime. I'm heading home now. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
For the first time, I had said those words to someone. She was kind and calm. But something she said surprised me. Why can't I use magic?
Never mind. I won't think about it now—I have more urgent things to do.
That night, I made up my mind—I would speak to the man face to face. Even if he was a ghost, he didn't seem evil. His soul hadn't found peace. Maybe none of his dreams had been fulfilled in life.
So I stayed awake until midnight again. Once more, he walked down that same lane. He went under the bridge, still searching. This time, I stepped in front of him.
"Hello there. May I help you find what you're looking for?"
...That sounded like something a gangster would say. Ugh, my communication skills suck.
He looked straight at me.
"You're not a ghost… you're human," he said.
He could speak.
"Yes, I am."
"It's been a long time since someone spoke to me. Since I had a conversation with a living person. Aren't you afraid?"
"To be honest… no. I came here out of curiosity."
"Curious? About what?"
"You didn't become a ghost by accident. There's a reason. Maybe a wish of yours was left unfulfilled. That's why your soul hasn't been released—you're still trying to complete it. I want to know what that wish is. I want to help you fulfill it."
"You didn't think I might be evil? Why would a human go out of their way to fulfill a ghost's desire?"
"I didn't think you were evil. I watched you for a while. That night, I followed you. You were so focused on your search, you didn't even notice me. A living person would've sensed someone behind them—but you didn't. That told me you're lost in something deeper than fear or anger.
And besides… I may be human, but I don't understand human emotions very well. I want to learn more. And since you were once human, I thought maybe I could understand humanity better through you. If you share your unfulfilled desire with me, I'll gain insight into what binds a soul. And if I help you… maybe I'll understand myself better too."
"You're insane… but I can tell you're sincere. I'll tell you everything."
I gave him a gentle smile.
"I'm from Pantoran, a neighboring state. I came here two years ago for work. I used to be a farmer, but a terrible drought struck Pantoran—many died, and the land turned barren. So I left, hoping to earn money here and send it back home.
I saved every coin I could. My dream was to return to my family and live a peaceful life. But fate had other plans. I died before I could see them again. The money I saved was left behind. My family doesn't even know what happened to me… and I never got to say goodbye."
"So one of your wishes is to see your family again. What about the money?"
"The bag where I kept my savings also had pictures of my family. Since I died here, I can't leave this place. But I want those photos with me. If my family ever comes looking, I want them to know—I remembered them till the end. That's my only wish."
"I'll grant your wish. I'll take you back to your family."
"But… how? You can't just carry a ghost to Pantoran."
"The royal officials here form contracts with magical beasts. If that's possible, then forming a contract with you should be too."
"Are you out of your mind? Do you even have experience with something like that?"
"Yes. I do."
"Then explain. What kind of experience?"
"I'll tell you… when the time is right."
I drew a magical circle and formed a contract with him. The ritual succeeded. It transformed into a ring, which I placed on my finger. He would awaken in a day—his spiritual energy was too depleted.
There were still two hours left until dawn. I rushed back to my inn and woke up the squit—he just sleeps all day.
He's started to understand me lately. I took him with me to the bridge. Together, we searched for the money bag. Maybe returning it would bring peace to the ghost's soul. Maybe he gave up after so many fruitless nights. But I won't give up.
I will fulfill every hope he once held.