Chapter 58 - Ghosts in the Sky
The higher you go, the bigger the dungeons become.
Honestly, what we’re seeing right now?
It’s nothing compared to what’s coming.’
In places like the Demonic Wastelands or the Celestial Realms,
there had been battles on the scale of full-blown wars.
Compared to that — this was nothing but a quiet prelude.
Kikikikik!
A shrill, eerie laughter shattered the silence.
Jhin , frowning, turned his head and caught sight of something dark rushing across the far horizon.
What was that?
The vast, full moon was suddenly obscured by a black swarm —
like a cloud of bees blotting out the sky.
But as they flew closer, the details became clearer.
Ghostly figures draped in black rags were flying in tight formation, closing in fast.
Jhin asked dryly,
«You said this was the safe route?»
«...That’s what I was told,» Pete replied awkwardly.
«No way to avoid them?»
«I didn’t hear anything about monsters appearing either...»
As the ghosts drew nearer, their identity became obvious.
Each one gripped a long scythe, like a death god about to reap souls —
ghost-type monsters.
’Specters.’
[You have entered the Hidden Zone: "Train Rooftop."]
[Hidden Quest "Night of the Reapers" has begun.]
«Incoming!»
The mass of scythe-wielding Specters hurtled down toward them.
Jhin checked his weapon calmly.
There was at least one small consolation:
This single hidden quest would cover all the objectives that would normally have been split into ten separate quests across Zones E-1 to E-10.
’No helping it.’
In fact —
this was better.
Grinding through ten minor quests would have only wasted time.
Now, they had a chance to clear it all at once, even if it meant taking a risk.
Jhin looked at Caleb and Luke.
«You two — just focus on surviving.»
«Got it. No worries about us,» Caleb replied steadily.
It would have been dangerous for Caleb alone — but with Luke beside him, they could manage.
Jhin then turned to Millie.
«Let’s concentrate on clearing the quest.»
«Right.»
Nodding, Millie suddenly looked around — and let out a small laugh.
«...Looks like Pete’s vanished again.»
«As expected,» Jhin said, shrugging.
He had noticed earlier that Pete had quietly disappeared.
Not that it was surprising.
That was why Neon had been called a "mirage."
It was probably due to some exclusive skill linked to his items.
Even without combat abilities, he could freely roam high-level dungeons thanks to it.
Kyaaah! Kiaaah!
At that moment, the Specters screamed and swooped down with their scythes raised high.
Millie immediately unleashed a barrage of magic bullets.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
«Remember, ghosts are immune to physical attacks!» she called.
«I know!»
Jhin ducked under a slashing scythe and channeled Power into his fist.
[Skill "Power Concentration (F)" activated.]
Unlike facing a physical boss like a Trigger, he didn’t need to spend long gathering power.
Just a sliver of Power was enough to hurt a Specter.
By operating that way, he could conserve Power and extend his endurance.
[Skill "Power Concentration (F)" proficiency has increased.]
With precision, Jhin slammed his mana-infused fist straight into a passing Specter’s face.
Kiiiiiek!
[Monster "Specter" defeated.]
At the same time, his eyes swept the battlefield.
Soft skills captured the flow of the swooping Specters perfectly —
their movements, their angles of descent.
’There’s a lot... but still manageable.’
And then Jhin —
became a ghost among ghosts.
Reading their movements, countering them ahead of time, he was able to attack even more cleanly.
BOOM! BAM! CRASH!
Everything was going in Jhin ’s favor.
The battle unfolded without a hitch.
They had already covered a significant distance across the train’s roof when—
Suddenly, Pete reappeared, shouting at the top of his lungs:
«Everyone run!»
«What now?»
«It’s a Giant Specter!»
No sooner had he said it, an ear-piercing wail cut through the night.
The cold wind that followed was enough to freeze the sweat on their skin.
And then, from the darkness — it appeared.
Eyes like bottomless pits.
A towering ghost, descending from the sky like a herald of doom.
[Hidden Boss Monster "Giant Specter" has appeared in the E-Zone.]
Maybe they had killed too many Specters.
Either way, a sudden hidden mid-boss had spawned, and the entire party could only swallow hard.
«That thing...
It’s easily as strong as a high-tier elite! Way stronger than the Station Master!
It’s practically an E-grade floor boss!»
Pete rattled on nervously.
Even Caleb and Luke looked grim.
The pressure radiating from the Giant Specter was overwhelming.
Jhin looked down at his own goosebumped arms and steadied his breathing.
«Everyone, get ready.
We’re going to break through.»
Millie, a little worried, asked,
«Should we help?»
«No.
Just stay far away.»
Because he had no intention of sharing.
[Activating item "Attention Seeker’s Ring."]
[No allies nearby. Health +20.]
Millie gathered the others and quickly retreated.
Pete stared at Jhin — marching alone into the battlefield — and muttered,
«What the...
Hans’s fighting alone? Are you sure we shouldn’t help?»
«He said no.»
«No, seriously —
do none of you realize what’s happening? His level is supposed to be—»
KUUUUUUUUUNG!!
A massive boom erupted from the front lines.
The Giant Specter —
a terrifying, towering monster —
was smashed so violently it looked like a mere goblin getting swatted.
If you didn’t know better, you might think the Giant Specter was some low-tier mob.
Millie tilted her head and said casually,
«Well...
Jhin ’s level should be low, right?
He only cleared the Trial nexus a few days ago.»
But Pete kept staring straight ahead, dazed, muttering under his breath:
«...Low level, my ass...»
KUUUUUUUUNG!
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