24 Hearts

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Calypso’s Nightmare

In one attack, dozens of ghosts disappeared without a trace, leaving the streets empty and clean. The bloody thorns glistened and melted down to the Altemia impaled on the muddy ground. Jeanne’s baffled eyes turned to Judah, waiting for an explanation. But he doesn’t say anything.

She wished Judah would explain what just happened. Wondering why he wouldn’t speak, Jeanne shifted her focus back to the new cluster of ghosts coming at them.

The Blue Lancer gripped her shield and lance and braced for their attack. However, it seemed that she didn’t have to.

The moment their enemies came close, the arms that disappeared sprouted from the Altemia once more.

Papapat!

Thorns shot straight at the ghosts that passed over it. More enemies emerged from all directions, and Jeanne braced for combat again, but she didn’t have to.

Once more, the dagger sucked in whatever enemy it latched onto. The thorns disappeared again, melting back into the dagger on the ground.

All it took was a blink.

Hundreds of ghosts disappeared from Jeanne’s sight. Of course, more enemies came their way. Finally, it was Jeanne’s turn to fight.

Judah coughed, “Let’s deal with the rest.”

“Okay. Uh, Judah?”

As Jeanne stepped forward to charge at their enemies, a rough sigh seeped through the sound of the pouring rain. Looking back at her companion, she saw Judah heaving, putting his hands on his knees as if he was tired. He reached out his hand and flashed her a thumbs up, trying to convince her that he was okay.

His face told a different story. Judah grew pale. There was no way he can continue using his power.

“I will take care of the remaining enemy. Please take a break.”

Jeanne went a few steps ahead, put her shield in front, and dug the soles of her feet deep into the earth. Then in a loud flash, magic power exploded from her body, sending mud and water in all directions. Blue magic erupted from her body like a pillar of light, stealing the attention of the remaining ghosts. They were only a few left, and she could handle them by herself.

──────!

She stabbed her lance to the closest ghost. No sound came from the attack, but the spirit was blown away by the magic of her lance. Jeanne lifted her feet, and with a heavy stomp, she crushed the ghost into thin air.

The rest of their enemies followed afterward. She might have defeated them slower than Judah, but it didn’t take her long to clear out the street.

All that was left for them to face were the ghosts destroying the village hall’s green veil. They were pouring all their nerves into the veil, unaware of the demise of the rest of their allies.

“Are you okay, Judah?”

Jeanne turned and checked on him. Judah nodded, looking much better than before.

“I’m okay. I did what I could. It was more difficult to handle than I thought.”

Altemia’s -Liberation- skill required more stamina than expected. He used it to see how much he could absorb with it.

The waves of ghosts coming at them were too many to count, and since the veil was near its end, Judah had no choice but to sacrifice himself to trigger -Liberation-. Its power was certain, but he could die if he used it recklessly.

“That is truly a powerful fragment… Ah, don’t mind what I said.”

“…Let’s just get this over with.”

Twenty ghosts were ganging up on the veil. The vulnerable spirits had their back turned, making it easier for Judah and Jeanne to kill them.

“Is that all of them?”

As soon as Judah said that, the veil collapsed. A ghost cackled, escaping into the building through the roof. It was too late now. Judah grabbed Jeanne before she could run and pointed at the village hall’s wall.

“Jeanne. Break it!”

“Okay!”

They didn’t know the number of people inside the hall, but they were likely to be hauled up in the center of the room. If Jeanne broke the wall, no one would get hurt by the impact.

Quaang!

Jeanne’s lance struck the wall with her magic power, and the wall broke down with a loud bang. Different voices and screams rang into the air, but thankfully no one had gotten hurt. Before they could step inside, the sounds of sword unsheathing swung at them.

“Move back!”

Jeanne stepped forward with her shield up. Her wet armor crushed the broken wood below her feet, firmly supporting Jeanne’s body. A man swung his sword at her, but his attack bounced off like nothing.

“A ghost with a shield? A person? Who-who are you! If you wish to live, go in! If you want to die, get out!”

“… That’s bullshit”, Judah mumbled as the two of them stepped into the hall.

Who would even break down a wall and not come in? Why even were they asking such a thing?

‘And why is it quiet?’

The people inside might have missed the ghost that went in through the roof, but looking at everybody ahead, they looked more afraid of Judah and Jeanne. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. The only thing that happened was adventurers pointing their weapons at the two of them.

‘Is the priest among them? I can’t find him…’

Or did he die already? It could be.

While Judah took off his coat, Jeanne lowered her shield and lancer and asked the adventurers to do the same.

“We missed a ghost outside. Has anyone seen it?”

“You missed one? We didn’t see it. But you! Who are you?”

“I’m an adventurer with a quest in this town. I met a hunter on the way, and he asked for help, so we came in a hurry. We took care of all but one of the ghosts outside, so don’t worry.” Jeanne replied politely, shocking the people inside.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure. Could you please tell me which direction it came in? We were sitting by the right wing.”

“I saw it going through the roof.”

“The roof?!” Their widened eyes shot up at the ceiling.

The eyes of those who overheard the conversation did the same. Something magical hung from the ceiling, emitting light upon them. Looking closely, the building had another floor.

“Is there no one on the second floor?” Jeanne interrogated the foolish citizens.

“Ah, the priest!” An adventurer stuttered.

“You guys are crazy.”

Judah grumbled as he looked around, finding the stairs and going straight at them. Judah ran up two steps at a time, hearing banging at the floor above. The door to the room from where it came was shut tight, and its knob was locked as well. Judah was about to kick the door down, but as Jeanne appeared right behind him, he stepped out of the way. He didn’t need to say anything for Jeanne to break down the door with her mighty lance.

Khwaja!

The door clattered into a million pieces. The sight before them came as quite a shock. In the room, a priest in a nun’s uniform laid down a girl onto the floor.

“Oh my god. Hello strangers. You’re not possessed by ghosts, as far as I can see.”

She squeezed the girl’s head, who made no sound, as her body shriveled like a cigarette being extinguished. The priest was a woman with a fascinating atmosphere, unlike the traditional priest. She wore a white garter belt and a veil over her short skirt that revealed her legs like a makeshift nun outfit. She tilted her head at them.

“Oh my god. I hope they are people without malice.”

Judah approached and caught the priest, who was about to fall. The adventurers and people who followed them cried out to the fallen priest.

「Save the Cherryu Village 2.」

[You missed the last ghost, putting the priest in danger, but the fact that you saved this village does not change.]

[The people are currently unaware of the situation, but soon they will realize that you were their savior and will thank you.]

[Level increased by 1. Magic resistance increased by 1 (including companion).]

[There is an opportunity to recruit the priest as a companion.]

Judah sighed in relief as he read the quest’s completion message. The ghost they missed was the last. He handed the priest over to an adventurer who seemed to be her companion. When the adventurer carried the priest, he looked around, unaware of what to do. The crowd huddled around them as he frowned at the priest’s disgruntled appearance. The companion looked like a naive guy.

‘Why do you go with such people?’

The woman must be an intermediate or higher priest, capable of holding a veil to protect her body for ten days. And even in that state, she was still able to defend herself from someone who was possessed.

‘A companion…’

As a reward for the quest, he was given a chance to invite the priest, but will he recruit her as his companion? A priest’s healing abilities and other skills would be useful for him. Once she wakes up, Judah would decide.

“You had a hard time, Judah. The town seems to be safe now.”

“You also had a rough time. We should lay low.”

“Definitely.”

Jeanne smiled gently, conjuring away her lance and armor. As he descended the stairs with her, Judah checked his status window.

──────────────────────

「Status Window」

[Name: Judah Arche]

[Title: Little Hero of Serenia Castle (2)]

[Level: 25]

[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden_A)]

[Number of resurrections: 2]

[Strength: 42(C) / Potential A]

[Health: 42(C) / Potential S]

[Agility: 44(C) / Potential SS]

[Magic Power: 44(C) / Potential B]

[Magic Resistance: 54(C) / Potential S]

[Charisma: 5(F) / Potential A]

[Knowledge: 17(F) / Potential B] ◀ Special

[Luck: 84(A) / Potential S] ◀ Special

[Remaining points: 10]

──────────────────────

While hunting ghosts earlier, his level rose by 1. And as a reward for this quest, his level rose by 1 more.

‘My level is now 25.’

Was this enough to break -Calypso’s Nightmare-? He had two fragments, so it was possible, but he was unsure.

And despite winning the quest, Judah grew anxious by the eyes of the people that watched them as they descended the first floor.