[Main Objective: Fill the Crystal]
[Crystal Status: 29%]
[Side Objective: Reach 30% Crystal Status to unlock more Incantation Techniques and basic rewards.
[Soul Core Credit: 59]
---
Two nights later…
"Tada!" The two ghosts stood by the lake, their arms stretched out as if presenting something magical. "According to our scouting team, there's a hidden cursed ghost in this very lake."
"When we came to check, we both confirmed there's something odd—evil in there," the male ghost added, pointing at the lake. "Deep down in there."
"And according to our very brief research, many years ago, a woman's body was thrown in here, but her body was never found!" the female ghost quickly added, as if this was all just trivia. "And rumors have it that when an unsuspecting male, around the age of 18–20, swims here, the chances of drowning are high."
The male ghost nodded. "There've already been too many reports of drowning in this river, which explains all the warning signs around the area."
"This river ghost drowns her victims. Some were found washed up... but many remain missing to this day!" they said in unison, raising their fists as they grinned. "Good luck, boss!"
Mikel glanced at the ghost duo, noticing how casual they looked while relaying this grim information. Not only were these two getting comfortable, but he could tell they were adapting to their task.
"Hah." He nodded, placing his flashlight on the ground.
Mikel crouched by the river, scanning its stillness. It was almost midnight, and the water was oddly calm, calmer than a still lake.
What do you think, Doom?
[An elemental malevolent spirit tied to nature is an interesting foe, Master. However, you would be at a disadvantage fighting it underwater. Would you like a quick overview of its type?]
Mikel nodded, reaching toward the water with his fingertips. But just as he did, a hand suddenly grabbed his arm from beneath the surface. It was slippery, slightly bloated, and purple, with veins dark like ink pulsing beneath the skin.
His lungs seized, and just as he gasped, the hand yanked him down into the water.
SPLASH!
The two ghosts watched as Mikel's other hand accidentally knocked over the flashlight. The beam danced across their hollow faces before it eventually fell into the river with a soft plunk.
"Good luck, boss~!" the female ghost cheered, hands cupped to her mouth. "Try not to drown!"
"We'll just be here when you finish her, boss!" the male ghost called out.
The female ghost hurriedly took small steps to pick up Mikel's bag. Hugging it, the two of them walked away from the river and ducked behind a huge tree, tilting their heads side to side, watching the bubbles rise on the surface.
---
Meanwhile, Mikel held his breath as the hand tightened around his arm, dragging him deeper—deeper than this river had any right to go.
The flashlight spun gently in the faint current, casting a sickly glow through the murky water—then the light hit him. The riverbed dropped off sharply beneath him, and a numbing cold slithered up his legs.
Then he saw her.
His heart clenched. His eyes widened.
A woman's bloated, discolored face stared at him without blinking.
Shit!
Mikel was slowly getting used to horrific sights, but this one still sent a shiver down his spine. He kicked at her with all his might, but being underwater made his efforts sluggish and weak.
The water grew colder by the second, and the pressure closed in—hugging him like death itself.
As always, Doom's screen appeared with no regard for timing, popping up at the edge of his vision.
[Would you like an epic song to boost morale?]
Mikel clenched his teeth, struggling not to inhale. With no other choice, he reached for the slimy hand and clasped it tightly. At the same time, the Blood Chain crawled from his wrist toward the ghost's grip.
The river ghost twitched and tried to let go the moment she sensed it—but this time, Mikel wouldn't let go.
[Playing Morale Booster: Sweet Dreams.]
If he let go now, he wouldn't resurface. If he failed here, the river would claim him, and he would just be another nameless, forgotten corpse.
He mouthed, water surging into his throat, "Blood calls. Wrath unfed."
Mikel choked mid-chant, but pulled himself deeper, grabbing the ghost's soggy hair. As he did, a rift opened behind her, and the Book of the Dead slipped out. The pages flipped open rapidly, stopping on a blank sheet.
It got wet—but not soaked—as new letters appeared. Unlike the usual fiery script, this time the words looked as if written with soaked hands.
One word appeared, wet and ancient:
Elemental.
SHHRIEK!!
The river ghost screamed. Though soundless in the water, the vibrations were sharp enough to make Mikel's ear bleed. She clawed at him, baring her jagged teeth, ready to bite through his arm.
But the Blood Chain shot out, intercepting her.
CLACK!
Her teeth collided with the beads and stuck there, eyes going wide in surprise. She tried to pry herself loose, but her fangs were caught.
At that moment, Mikel used the last of his breath to complete the chant. "Awaken the binding thread!"
Black scripture ignited across her slimy skin like chains of ink and fire. She shrieked again, the chain yanking back violently. As she writhed in pain, Mikel released her and swam upward as the current began to surge with rage.
---
The two ghosts watched in silence, blinking. Then, blinking again.
"Hah!"
They flinched as Mikel's head resurfaced, gasping so hard it pierced the silence.
"Boss!" the female ghost beamed, watching him crawl to the river's edge. "You're back?! That was fast!"
"Welcome back, boss!" the male ghost called, hopping out from behind the tree, ready to skip over.
"Stay back!" Mikel barked, still panting. He tried to pull himself out of the river. There wasn't much time left.
It wasn't over yet.
He had only triggered the curse. The ghost wasn't exorcised yet. He still needed to seal it—and feed it to the cursed relic.
But just as he swung his leg over the rough riverbank—
An ice-cold grip locked around his ankle.
He froze. The chill crept through him like death. And above it all, Doom's twisted taste in timing returned.
"Sweet dreams are made of this…"
Of course, Doom had auto-renewed his Spookify subscription.
And with that, Mikel was dragged back down into round two.
As the synth chorus echoed through his skull, Mikel's face contorted—not with fear, but with fury.
He wasn't about to die to a waterlogged banshee while Doom played DJ.