Chapter 534: Wailing Ghosts
In the summer night, the stars were exceptionally bright. In the mountainous forests and grasslands, various sounds of insects, birds, and toads echoed.
Two dark shadows darted swiftly under the silver moonlight. One moved like a ghost along the ground, while the other hovered just above it, gliding quickly through the air.
Though they couldn’t use their former Sequence powers due to their assumed identities, Lolan Hill could now use Yi Xuegelin’s Necromancer Sequence powers to allow herself to fly in a semi-ghostly form.
Following the map and road signs, the two arrived at the small village nearby within a short time.
They didn’t enter the village directly but stopped several hundred meters outside.
“Let me observe first,” the young lady said, her azure eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
The ‘Red Hat’ nodded in understanding and stood by to protect her.
Lohil’s body slowly floated into the air. The doll in her arms also opened its eyes, and both recited incantations together.
Clear and icy words echoed through the night, followed by a chilling wind that began swirling around them.
Soon, this cold wind expanded, seeping into the vast wilderness below, weaving through every crevice in the trees, grass, and houses.
Pale purple light particles scattered like fireflies into the summer night, dreamlike yet fleeting, making one feel as if it were all just a dream.
The ‘Red Hat’ stood by, watching the girl in the sky, his staff planted firmly on the ground.
“This Puppeteer is something else. Are all the new members of the Judgement Department monsters? Even that lazy wizard was. He thought to himself.
He shook his head slightly, then watched the blue-haired star-eyed girl slowly descend from the sky.
“Any results?”
Compared to the previous method of asking door-to-door, gathering clues, using special instruments, and constantly speculating, Lolan Hill’s panoramic scanning detection ability was truly astonishing.
In a short while, every flower and tree within fifty miles came clearly into her mind.
Soon, she noticed something unusual.
“Come this way.”
This place was behind the village, where there was a desolate forest. In the black night, thorns occasionally protruded from the shrubbery. The girl walked through it as if she were a star sprite, stepping lightly to avoid pebbles, pits, and thorns, moving gracefully.
However, the ‘Red Hat’ behind her struggled. Although he managed to avoid some thorns and pebbles, his trousers were torn in several places, ruining his usual elegant appearance.
Fortunately, Lolan Hill didn’t spend much time in the forest. Soon, she stopped at the foot of a small hill.
“Where are we?”
“Under this small hill lies a girl who recently passed away. She might be Jinna, the one mentioned in the town’s rumors.”
Such small towns and surrounding villages rarely had many deaths, and Jinna was the only confirmed one.
“Can you gather more information?” The ‘Red Hat’ looked at Lohil.
“I’m not sure, but I can try.”
Lolan Hill stepped forward, facing away from the ‘Red Hat,’ connecting her consciousness with Yi Xuegelin.
“Can you reassemble her soul, Yi Xuegelin?”
She asked internally, knowing Lohil had already found remnants of the girl’s soul.
“We can try, but her memories and thoughts may become confused, and it won’t last long,” Yi Xuegelin replied.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
The girl raised her hand in the dark forest, and the doll in her arms mimicked the gesture.
A cold necromantic power flowed from her palm, spreading out and sinking into the ground.
Even though it was summer, the two felt as if they were atop a snow-capped mountain, sensing a chill.
Glimmering spiritual lights gathered, rising like grains of sand from the soil and fallen leaves, dancing in the air.
These soul-like particles, shaped by special magic, gradually formed a vague silhouette, translucent and indistinct, showing glimpses of the scene behind her.
Ah—
A soul-wrenching wail spread silently, sweeping across the forest, silencing all creatures, creating a quiet space amidst the noisy summer night.
[No, don’t kill me, please, don’t kill me, ah—]
Emotions and fragmented words emerged from the soul, causing discomfort to the surrounding life forms.
Fortunately, both were Extraordinary Beings and weren’t harmed by the dead spirit. However, it was clear that the girl’s death wasn’t caused by a Demonic Beast but by murder.
Lolan Hill took a deep breath, focusing her mind and placing her pale hand before the ghost, communicating and soothing her.
Gradually, a calming rhythm spread from her, like ripples in still water.
After a long time, the ghost finally stopped her chaotic and fearful wails, becoming somewhat calmer.
[I am Lohil. Can you tell me who you are?]
The girl thought to herself.
[I, I, who am I]
[I am called Jinna. I lived in this village since I was young.]
The ghost regained some sanity, recalling her past.
[Jinna, why are you so afraid? Did something bad happen to you?]
Lolan Hill sent her thoughts again.
[I am afraid. I am afraid… I am afraid of being abandoned by Mathew. I like him.]
When mentioning liking, the soul became brighter, suggesting this emotion was significant in her past memories.
[But Mathew grew up. He became tall and distant. I couldn’t catch up. I was worried and felt inferior. His mother didn’t like me. She wanted him to marry someone better.]
The ghost fell into memories of her past love, which seemed especially deep and important in her final moments.
[Mathew said there was a way to help me. If I became an Extraordinary Being, my mother wouldn’t object.]
[But, but…]
The ghost began to tremble, remembering painful and sad events.
[But I was too foolish. I had no talent and kept making mistakes. Mathew visited me less often. It seemed he was tired of me.]
The ghost’s mood sank again.
[What happened next?]
[Then, Mathew returned. He said he would teach me a special cultivation method. Then, we could be together, ha ha.]
Jinna’s mood lifted.
[I was so happy. He didn’t abandon me. I worked hard and improved. Yes, I reached Sequence 3. Isn’t that great? Super great! Ha ha.]
[But I haven’t told anyone. This is our secret. I need to keep cultivating so we can be together. Those noble ladies are just born with advantages. I don’t look bad either. Many people like me.]
[What happened later?]
[Later, later… Hmm, I can’t remember. I think I became very powerful? I even injured a Demonic Beast. But I can’t recall clearly. However, Mathew returned. I wanted to see him. He arranged to meet me here, our secret base since childhood.]
[Why did he look at me with such disappointment and regret? What did I do wrong?]
[No, don’t kill me, Mathew. I was wrong. I’ll change anything, please don’t kill me…]
The ghost’s thoughts fell into chaos again. Despite Lolan Hill’s efforts to soothe and ask, she couldn’t escape the sorrowful emotions.
After a long while, the soul particles dispersed once more, leaving a slight distortion in the air.
“Chaos corruption?”
The ‘Red Hat’ spoke after a long silence, clearly noticing the disturbance.
“Yes.”
Lolan Hill lowered her arm and turned, her eyes showing fatigue and sadness.
“She was likely taught a strange cultivation method by Priest Mathew, which corrupted her with Chaos. Before her death, she gradually lost her sanity. And Mathew ended her life himself.”
“What a cruel story.”
The ‘Red Hat’ stepped forward, planting his staff into the ground. Smoke rose from the soil and leaves, followed by some sparks and ashes.
He used pure magical flames to burn the remains and soul fragments underground, cleaning thoroughly before pulling his heated staff from the ground.
“Let’s go back.”
The ‘Red Hat’ removed his hat, dusted it off, and put it back on.
“Perhaps Priest Mathew has already been silenced.”
(End of Chapter)
