How long have I been asleep? My head feels heavy, as if filled with a fog pressing from inside my skull. Slowly I open my eyes, trying to adjust to the light coming through the window. This room feels familiar... my own room, or rather the room the captain provided because of my work. My body is still tired, and every movement makes the scar on my stomach remind me of what really happened a few months ago.
That dream haunts me again. My brother. Even though it's been more than three months since his death, his shadow and figure keep appearing at the edges of my mind, refusing to fade. He should be resting in the afterlife, but the wild spirits that roam, devouring newly released souls, have made my brother's spirit wild. Full of anger, vengeance, and pain left unresolved. I push the blanket aside, look at my own stomach, and run my hand over the wide scar that still marks the incident in the forest.
This reality is hard for anyone to believe. I went hunting about seven months ago, and that wound was very real. The wild animal that attacked me almost took my life. After that incident, many things happened. I was accused of theft, and my brother defended me with all his strength. He even accidentally pushed someone until that person died. My brother was arrested and taken somewhere unknown, and three months ago he returned—lifeless, his body horribly mangled.
One week after the funeral, my brother's spirit appeared again, attacking me like in the recurring dream. The figure perfectly mimicked my brother's appearance. Occasionally I could still see traces of his anger and sorrow in its eyes, even though the real body was gone. In that encounter, the captain saved me. He helped me fight off that spirit, driving it away before I was dragged into darkness.
After that event, I joined a group tasked with exterminating the wild spirits that disturb people. Our duty is not only to guard territories but to maintain the balance of the kingdom. Wild spirits left free will swallow more souls, creating destruction that could spread across the continent. We must ensure no soul gets lost, and any spirit too dangerous must be controlled or put to rest.
I fall silent for a moment, letting those thoughts drift before realizing one important thing. I'm late. The chime of the big clock announces six in the morning. My shift starts at seven, and it takes about thirty minutes to get to the assignment location on foot. There's no time to delay. I take a deep breath, prepare myself, and stand. The scar on my stomach reminds me that every step could be a test.
Today I must return to a world full of darkness, soul-hungry spirits, and memories clinging to every corner of my mind. This world does not wait for the weak or the fearful. I grip my sword, check my gear, and step out of the room. Rain or sunlight, darkness or light—any of it could be the next battlefield. I have to be ready.
Each step feels heavy, but I know I cannot retreat. Everything that has happened to me, everything I have endured, is the reason I must keep moving. For the kingdom, for the safety of innocent souls, and for one memory that keeps haunting me—my brother, who still has not found peace.
For thirty minutes I walked until I finally arrived at headquarters. The first thing I saw was the captain, with his usual bright smile — too bright, really. Honestly, I don't even know how to explain it, but that man is… strange. For someone in such a high position, he's way too loud. I mean… too friendly.
I quickly lowered my gaze, silently apologizing for badmouthing him in my head. Standing right beside him was a tall blond man with an unreadable expression — William, my senior. To be honest, I always tried to keep my distance from him. Not for any clear reason, I just… felt uncomfortable whenever he was nearby. There's something in his gaze that makes the back of my neck stiffen.
"I'll be sending you to Rifoyd Village with him" said the captain, patting William's back hard enough to make him stumble forward with an annoyed look.
Ah, no. Please, no. Just let me go alone!
"Don't even think about going on your own, Peter" the captain's voice came again. His hand reached out to ruffle my hair lightly — but just enough to make me want to scream out of embarrassment.
"I can't let a coward like you handle a mission alone" he said casually, as if it were the most normal statement in the world.
I froze on the spot. My chest tightened — not from pain, but from my pride shattering into pieces. Great. Just great.
William glanced at me with a crooked smile, an almost mocking look that sent heat rushing to my head. What a perfect start to a miserable day.
"What? You don't want to go with me, huh?" Liam raised a brow, his tone light but dripping with teasing.
Of course not! Please, captain, consider my comfort too!
I held my breath, trying to calm myself. Any protest would be useless anyway. Besides, I still needed guidance — as humiliating as it was to admit.
I shook my head slightly. Liam didn't back down. With quick movements, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and dragged me along before I could even open my mouth or ask the captain for help.
Ah, seriously, your arm is too heavy, sir… please move it!
I struggled a little, but his grip was firm and his steps confident, pulling me along with no mercy. Every step made me want to groan, but no one seemed to care — except me.
---
The captain watched Peter leave from a distance, his eyes reflecting something unreadable. For a brief moment, he remained still, gaze locked on the two figures walking away, until another voice spoke from behind him.
"When do you think he'll finally realize everything?"
The captain shrugged as if he didn't care, then slowly turned around. There was something behind that faint smile — something that made the air around him feel heavier, colder than usual. His gaze was sharp, but within it hid a mystery no one could easily grasp.
---
So, this mission was supposed to be simple.
Villagers reported strange screams echoing from one of the houses in Rifoyd every night. A foul, rotting stench would fill the area, strong enough to make people sick, and no one dared to go near — not even to investigate.
But once morning came, everything vanished.
No sign of chaos, no wounds on the inhabitants, and even the smell of decay would disappear as if it had never been there. Everything looked normal. Peaceful. Untouched.
Hah… stories like this. Too cliché, too ordinary to be truly frightening.
But the truth is, I know that behind the calm of morning, something still lingers — something that waits patiently for the dark to fall before it shows its face again.
Crazy… even imagining it is enough to make me tremble.
I have to investigate this, face whatever spirit might be hiding there, and get rid of it before anyone gets hurt. Every step toward that house felt heavier, every second carried a tension that crawled into my bones. Even Liam's presence beside me couldn't calm the unease pressing in my chest.
I swallowed hard, steadied my breathing, and took another step toward the house that had become the center of the reports. The faint rustling of the wind was louder than the chirping of birds still hiding among the trees — and behind the tightly shut window, a faint shadow seemed to follow my every move.
While Liam was busy talking to the village chief in the living room, I decided to wander deeper into the house, wanting to look around a bit. Everything looked… normal.
The floor was clean. Windows locked neatly. Furniture in perfect order.
No signs of disturbance. No chaos.
They said the family who lived here looked perfectly fine.
So where are they now?
And… am I even allowed to inspect the place without their permission?
The question made me hesitate — but curiosity pushed my feet forward.
As soon as I crossed the doorway, something slammed into my chest.
My heart pounded so violently it felt like it would burst, each beat echoing painfully through my skull. The pain was sharp, almost burning, forcing me to my knees. I clutched my chest, gasping.
I tried to steady my breath — but then, something warm trickled from my nose.
A metallic taste filled my mouth. I raised my hand, staring at the crimson streaks staining my palm.
Huh… why am I bleeding? What's happening to me?
My whole body trembled as I looked up. And then — my mind froze.
A head.
It was hanging from the ceiling, suspended in midair as if it existed only to terrify whoever dared to look at it. The skin had turned a ghastly shade of blue — the mark of a long, cold death. Flies and maggots swarmed around it, some falling to the floor, writhing across the boards now slick with blood dripping from above.
Hahh… hahhh—
My breath hitched.
Panic constricted my chest and throat, each inhale scraping like glass. Cold sweat rolled down my spine as my knees buckled again. My body trembled uncontrollably, every nerve screaming under the weight of a fear I couldn't contain.
I wanted to turn around and run, but my legs wouldn't move.
It felt as if they were glued to the floor. Every passing second only made the panic inside me build higher, stoking a fear I couldn't even put into words. The sound of my heartbeat thundered in my ears, blending with my ragged breathing and the faint squelch of the damp floor beneath me.
The disgusting insects crawled closer — swarming, fluttering, writhing all around me.
Their stench was overwhelming, sharp enough to sting my nose and twist my stomach in revolt. Flies and maggots clung to my hands, moving as if they wanted to burrow beneath my skin, spreading a wet, sticky sensation that made every nerve in my body scream.
Instinct took over. I yanked my hand back with all the strength I had.
"Aah—ahh!" I screamed, my voice cracking from the shock.
I stumbled backward, but nausea hit me hard, freezing half of my body in place.
When I tried to crawl away, something caught my leg — wet, sticky, unseen — and held me there.
It was like being trapped inside a nightmare I couldn't wake from.
My whole body trembled, tears spilling down my face as the mixture of disgust and fear made breathing impossible.
I didn't know what else to do but scream — scream with everything I had left.
Luckily, my voice was loud enough to reach Liam.
In an instant, he was there, running toward me. His hand struck my back lightly — not a blow, but enough to shatter the moment.
And then… everything disappeared.
The horrifying vision melted away, replaced by a modest, tidy home.
The floor shone, the furniture was neatly arranged, and the air smelled clean.
No insects. No blood.
No severed head hanging from the ceiling.
I swayed on my feet, eyes wide, trying to make sense of it.
"What… how…?" I muttered, but my tongue felt heavy, my voice unwilling to come out.
Liam's cold gaze met mine. His brows furrowed slightly, the only sign that he noticed my confusion.
"What are you doing?" he asked, voice flat but sharp.
I opened my mouth to answer — to tell him what I saw — but the words died in my throat.
Only a weak, broken sound escaped. "A-ah…"
Liam exhaled sharply, irritation flashing across his face.
"If you can't do your job properly," he said, tone clipped, "then at least stay still and keep quiet. Don't move unless I tell you. You're just slowing me down — do you understand that?"
I bowed my head, breath trembling, fear still coiled tightly inside me.
"…I'm sorry, senior" I whispered, barely audible between uneven breaths.
I wiped my face roughly, forcing my shaking hands to steady. I couldn't let myself break now.
I chose this job. I swore to see it through.
So why was I still trembling like a frightened child scared of his own shadow?
My purpose was clear.
I wanted to free my brother's soul — the soul that had been devoured by a wild spirit, trapped in a world that no longer belonged to him.
So why was I hesitating now?
Why was I letting fear consume the very resolve that had brought me here?
Get it together, Peter.
You're a man. Not some helpless little boy who can't stand alone in this cruel world.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. But before my courage could fully return, the sound of soft footsteps came from deeper inside the house. The steps were light, yet enough to make the hairs on my neck stand on end. Slowly, an old woman appeared in the doorway—she must have been ninety years old, maybe more.
Her skin was wrinkled, her eyes narrow and sharp, perhaps from weakened sight. But that gaze… it pierced through me, as if she was seeing something far beyond our bodies.
"Ah, Grandma Carte" the village head said, quickly approaching her with a respectful demeanor. "These are the people I called to conduct the investigation."
The old woman merely nodded slightly, her face expressionless. No smile, no greeting. She simply walked past us calmly, as though our presence meant nothing to her.
Liam raised an eyebrow, watching her back as she slowly disappeared down the corridor.
"Who is she?" he asked flatly.
The village head turned toward him. "She's the only resident of this house."
I stared at him, confused. "The only… resident?"
What did that mean? The reports mentioned screams and strange noises echoing through the night. If only one old woman lived here, then who was screaming all those nights?
And why did she seem so calm? Not even the slightest surprise at seeing two strangers arrive to "investigate" her home?
I looked around. The house was huge—far too big for one person to live in alone. Every piece of furniture was spotless, gleaming without a trace of dust. Even the floor beneath our feet gave off the scent of freshly cut wood, though the house was clearly old.
Could a woman that old really keep this place so clean without any help? Or… was there something here helping her? Something unseen, yet real.
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening again. There was something about this house that didn't make sense. And the more I thought about it, the clearer it became that we weren't the first people Grandma Carte had ever "welcomed."
Honestly, this was all far more complicated than I'd expected. My mind was nowhere near as sharp as Liam's or the Captain's. They always knew what to do, while I… I didn't even have any useful abilities to rely on.
The Captain could control water and create illusions to aid in exorcism rituals. Meanwhile me? I nearly faint just from seeing blood. I was nothing more than an ordinary man among extraordinary people.
Liam seemed deep in thought, scanning the surroundings with a contemplative look before finally saying something that completely caught me off guard.
"For now" he said casually "we should enjoy some local food. The night's still long, and we'll need our strength for the task ahead."
I almost dropped my jaw. Seriously? Food?
The village head chuckled lightly at that. "Ah, yes, quite right! The disturbances usually begin close to midnight. Come, come—I've already arranged a place for you to stay the night."
With enthusiasm, Liam nodded and followed the village head out of the house. I glanced back once toward the place where the old woman had vanished. For some reason, an uneasy feeling lingered in my chest—as if her eyes were still watching from behind the walls.
But Liam seemed perfectly cheerful.
All the way down the path, he chatted with the village head, who eagerly described the village's local delicacies.
"I've heard the wine here is really good. Is that true?" Liam asked, his tone light, like a casual tourist.
"Of course, Sir!" the village head replied proudly. "This village produces the finest wine! We supply it directly to the capital—naturally fermented, strictly quality-checked, even certified by research!"
I exhaled softly.
Talking about wine in the middle of a mysterious murder case with potentially wandering rogue spirits? Truly impressive priorities, Senior Liam. I'm terrified, and he's busy chatting about wine! Captain, please save me from this!
And wow… look at this. The village head had truly prepared a special lodging for us. However, unfortunately, of all the available rooms, only one was left. One room, one bed.
I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself from the bitter reality that tonight I would have to share a bed with Liam, the most annoying man I've ever known.
I quickly bowed in greeting and sincerely thanked the village head before he excused himself. Meanwhile, Liam had already darted over to the reception desk to flirt with the woman on duty.
"You are the most beautiful innkeeper I've ever seen" he said confidently, winking with his trademark self-assured style.
The woman was clearly surprised, her cheeks flushing, but she tried to maintain professionalism. With slightly trembling hands, she handed the room key to Liam.
"Enjoy your stay, Sir" she said politely.
Liam chuckled softly, twirling the key between his fingers like a trophy.
I could only shake my head slowly and follow him up the wooden stairs to the upper floor.
The air upstairs was damp. The smell of wet wood lingered in every corner, remnants of the morning rain still clinging to the walls and window frames. Afternoon sunlight slipped through the curtain gaps, casting golden streaks into the dust-filled air.
Upon reaching the room, Liam immediately opened the door without a word and stepped inside first. He flopped onto the soft bed, reclining casually while spreading his legs, deliberately blocking the space I might occupy.
"Alright" I muttered inwardly "I understand your point, Senior. I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."
The old sofa in the corner looked small and hard, but I preferred cramming there rather than lying next to Liam, who had a habit of snoring loudly every night.
Liam let out a small yawn, then turned toward me with a teasing smile that made me want to kick him.
"You can handle it yourself, right?" he said casually. "I'll nap a bit. If you have trouble dealing with that rogue spirit later, just call my name. I'll come save you."
His tone was overly confident, even. Without waiting for my answer, he tossed a small box toward me. The box contained talismans shaped like cards—protective tools commonly used to restrict a spirit's movement so it couldn't get too close.
The box hit my chest with a solid thud before falling to the floor. I picked it up with a blank expression.
"Thank you for your trust, Senior" I said flatly, trying to hide my irritation. "I'll remember your words… if I end up dead later."
Liam just shrugged, chuckling without a trace of guilt. "See? You're learning to talk like a real man."
He then lay back, pulling the blanket over his chest, and within seconds was asleep, breathing evenly.
I stared at him for a long moment, torn between admiration and annoyance. How could someone sleep so easily in the middle of a case like this?
What a heartless man. Tossing responsibilities onto others, then sleeping soundly as if the world were perfectly fine.