[Ghosts], which were only supernatural stories in my previous life, are real in this world, and the one before me is strong.

Ghosts are undead creatures that live on dead Mana or similar dead energy from different beasts.

They use mental skills and powerful illusions to distract the opponent and hunt them with unique skills.

The ghost was holding one of the <Blood crystals> that were inside.

I knew it would be like this when I first saw him.

It won't be a problem for me, even if it took all three of them. But, suppose it was to come back when I was in..

My life was at stake here.

But... I was sure it will come back for the other two.

It would be horrible to stay here and spend the night in the tree.

And... it was more disadvantageous to be ambushed by some illusion skills.

There was a small possibility that if I can attack it first, I might get the upper hand.

I was nervous, but I somehow had some confidence.

The raging heart had slowed down, so there might be a way to win against this thing.

I was crafting a feasible plan in my head, but then...

The ghost turned its cold, emotionless blue eyes in my direction.

I was still looking at it with [Mystic Eyes] and it seemed like it was looking deep within them.

An icy shiver ran down my spine as I looked at it.

The next second... the ghost vanished.

Or, more clearly, I was into a different world.

A plain grass field with a clear blue sky.

This was a scene that was quite similar to those old times computer screen wallpapers.

But there was a cool breeze in this place.

The warmth of this scene was almost real.

But... it lasted for a little.

After a second or two, I was back to normal and the first thing I saw was a translucent white hand before my eyes.

After a quick moment, my head turned to the other side and avoided the punch.

'[Quickstep]!'

I jumped on the ground before the cave and into the open area.

"Ha... ha..."

My breathing was heavy right now, and my heart was almost jumping out of my chest.

It wasn't because of the ghost's strength but because of the sudden fast movement.

It was almost instinctive, and this was the first time I had done something like this.

The ghost was too fast, so it was easy to assume it has some skill like my quick steps.

It was an alarming moment as the ghost's two right fists were covered in thick, gray flames.

It was dead Mana, and if that thing had hit me... I was as good as dead.

The slow Mana poisoning would be one thing, but the sudden pain that would come after getting hit was life-threatening.

"[Quickstep]."

Widening the distance between us, I took out my bow from my storage device.

The ghost was still some distance away as it was looking at me with intrigue-filled eyes.

Though it didn't have any mouth, its eyes were making a crescent smile.

That looked creepy as hell!

But this wasn't the time to dwell on such things.

Stretching the bowstring, I channeled light element particles.

This was an undead creature and the light element was the most damaging to it.

As the three arrows of light materialized on the bow, the ghost's smiling eyes turned grim.

It wasn't serious, but actual fear.

It was that effective against these creatures.

After a moment of staring at me, it quickly disappeared and reappeared just before me.

I knew something like this might happen, so I was already prepared for this one.

Releasing the light arrows, I used my skill just when it was perfect before me.

With [Quickstep], I threw myself a bit more away from it.

The arrows of light didn't hit it, but one managed to slightly grace its lower left hand.

"Ghhhhhhhhhh!"

It screamed like it was the most painful thing it had felt in its life.

A black-gray smoke started flowing out from that slight cut.

Its blue eyes turned bloodshot as it looked at me again.

But I was already done preparing the next set of arrows.

The angry eyes took a sharp turn into fear-filled eyes.

It was an impressive sight to look at a ghost shaking in fear.

But this wasn't the time to make fun of the enemy.

Releasing two arrows at both sides of it, I fired the third arrow with its head at the center.

It was an (Arrow spin) but the ghost managed to back off instantaneously.

It was a good move, but also a grave mistake.

It had widened the gap between us and I was now more free as a long-range fighter.

Stretching out my bowstring, I gathered various light particles.

This was my first time, but the situation was just right to test the (tier-2) spell of light element.

A normal arrow of light like before materialized on my bow.

But, it was more heavy and dense than before.

The ghost was furious, and its eyes were now red.

A crimson red which resembled blood perfectly.

When my eyes met them, they sent me to another place.

A graveyard, filled with graves and a red full moon painting the sky.

Skeletons coming out of some graves.

Sounds of screams and an owl on the tree.

This was the real 'normal place' for a horror movie to me.

But this didn't even last for two seconds this time.

I knew the ghost would try to run away if this fight was looking impossible to win.

That was the reason the arrow that was materialized on the bow looked small like that.

Even if it felt dangerous, it will attack me, for instance, after using its illusion skill.

The ghosts relied on those skills too much, so even though they were strong, they might end up dead in front of someone like me.

As soon as I came back, I used [Quickstep] and backed off just enough to dodge the attack coming from the left side.

And, as I predicted, the ghost appeared on that spot, all four hands burning with dead Mana flames.

A grin spread out on my face, and I released the arrow.

The ghost had a shocked look when there was nothing after its four-hand punch.

Looking at its side, it spotted the arrow of light that was growing bigger and bigger as it closed in on it.

A grim expression clouded its face and even before it could activate its skill and move away, the arrow had turned into a spear.

The spear pierced the ghost's thin abdomen, and a blast of gray clouds clouded the area.

It was a terrible explosion of dead Mana, and I wholeheartedly wanted to avoid getting stuck in it.

With quick movements, I crawled inside the cave and sealed it with all the Mana left in me.

[[ Master! Are you ok?! ]]

Celes came out and spoke as soon as I set down at the cave door.

There was a bright smile on my face right now.

Though I was out of breath, I managed to let out some words.

"Celes... ha... that was... hm... amazing!"

It drenched me in sweat, and my hair was a mess now.

This was my first fast-paced fight with a powerful opponent without thorough planning.

It was different from all the fights that I have had from the time I fell into this hell.

It was an almost impossible opponent, but I managed to defeat it.

I managed to kill an undead ghost!

Most importantly, I survived after defeating the enemy.

It was the most mentally exhausting battle I had and my head was still spinning from using that much concentration in the (Spear of light).

[[ The Master was amazing! ]] She was happy too.

I knew how she felt and I also knew she was feeling what I was feeling throughout the fight.

And... I could feel her helplessness.

"Celes, don't let it discourage you. You are the most helpful being in this hell for me.

Though there wasn't any use of your skill in this fight, there will be more places and battles where your skill will save me and probably many other lives.

Cheer up~!"

I tickled her small body, and she laughed.This chapter's initial release occurred on the N0v3l-B1n site.

It looked like she understood what I wanted to say.

She was one of the most intelligent beings I have met in this jungle.