CHAPTER 77.5 - Legendary Ghost Number 23, Ghost of Solitude
(POV - Saik, 6 years old)
"Don't you feel ashamed staying here while your parents suffer?" said Number 2, without taking her eyes off her book.
"I hate funerals. The last time I went to one, an old lady's ghost tried to molest me."
"…Well, you've got a good point. I won't scold you this time."
Ugh, so boring.
My parents are at a funeral for a friend of theirs who died in an "accident" after falling down the stairs. Number 2 went to the crime scene to investigate and found several clues proving it wasn't an accident but a murder.
She made my parents happy, so I'll return the favor by killing her murderer. But that doesn't mean I want to go to her funeral—so tedious. I don't want to sit for over five hours doing nothing. And funerals still give me the creeps because of that pedophile old lady who tried to molest me two years ago when I didn't yet know how to eliminate ghosts. Fortunately, she couldn't touch me, but seeing her pretend to lick parts of my body I'd rather not mention filled me with disgust and… fear. Tsk. Seriously, was that old lady my mom's friend? I wasn't wrong to keep tabs on my parents' friends to make sure no creep gets near them.
Speaking of that old lady, has she gone to hell yet? Back then, I didn't know how to eliminate ghosts, and she stopped following me when I started developing my power and managed to touch her for the first time, meaning I'd soon be able to hit her. She got scared and left. I'd forgotten about her, but now that I remember, my hatred for her is back. I'm coming for you, you daughter of…! Oh, no, I can't curse; my mom forbids it.
Ugh, I'll look for her later. I'm too comfortable here, lying on the van's seats with the air conditioning blowing right at me. Pretending to be asleep worked better than I thought.
Number 2 is lending me her lap to use as a pillow. She's one of my legendary ghosts with the biggest, softest thighs, perfect for my head.
"What are you reading?"
"Dark Summer. It's more interesting than I expected, though the plot is a bit fantastical."
"Yeah, it's hard to imagine a simple kid without powers being able to kill criminals and be the nightmare of a crime organization. I really liked the novel; I might even read it again."
…
…
…
Time keeps passing, and it doesn't seem like my parents are leaving soon. It's 2 a.m., but I can't sleep because of the pain. My whole body aches, especially my abdomen. It hurts when I move, like it's being crushed. Do I need to train my abs? Well, if Number 1 says so, I guess I do.
Ugh…
"I'm going to see Hanako."
Yesterday, I got a new legendary ghost without knowing how, so I'll take the chance to find out, and also keep looking for Thiago. It took a lot of effort to train him to be useful in fights; I don't want to lose him.
"Don't bother her; she's probably asleep."
"There's never a bad time for love. Have you never been in love?"
She sighed and closed the book.
"Whatever. Are you going yourself, or sending a copy?"
"I'll go in person; I won't risk it failing again. I'll leave a copy sleeping."
Because of that failure, I missed seeing Hanako's smile on our first Valentine's Day. I'll never forgive myself! I need to see Hanako!
•
•
Oh, wow… What's going on? The ghost hunters are in a frenzy, running around with weapons and artifacts. Are they preparing for a massive attack? I arrived just in time! Hanako, I'll be your hero! Oh, and speaking of beauties, there she is, carrying a huge box, barely able to walk because of its weight.
I landed beside her and took the box from her.
"Let me help you."
"Shadow?!"
She hugged me tightly… Is she crying? Uwaaaah! Copy, what happened yesterday?!
"You're alive, you're alive! I knew it, I knew it!"
"Fufu. Don't worry, sweetheart, no one can kill me before our wedding in 12 years."
"Nine would be better," she said, kissing my cheek.
S-she's rubbing her cheek against mine.
So cute. I'm a lucky guy!
"Shadow?!"
Shut up, idiot, you're ruining my romantic moment with Hanako… Huh?
Everyone stopped and is staring at me. I thought they were used to my presence by now. What happened yesterday? Does it have to do with the legendary ghost I got? Pretending I know nothing will raise suspicion, and I don't think they know about the legendary Doppelgänger ghost, at least not that I'm aware of. Better not risk it.
"What? Don't you have anything better to do? Let's go play, Hanako."
"How are you still alive?!"
Ugh, that old man's here to bother me again. If you weren't Hanako's grandpa, I'd have killed you already.
Hanako and the others think I was dead, huh? I suspect the possessor fought me and did something to make them believe he killed me. Ugh, if only my copy hadn't failed. I'll improvise.
"Does this answer your question?"
Number 22 came out of my body, and that made the old man fall to his knees. Wow, I didn't expect such a dramatic reaction. I guess he's confirmed the possessor is dead, and I came out victorious.
"H-Hanako, it was self-defense."
It's very likely that possessor tried to kill me. I just came to give Hanako her gifts; I didn't plan anything. If I'd run into a possessor off guard, I wouldn't have attacked him—that would've ruined the Dianney plan.
"Don't worry, I know," she said, smiling and taking my hand. Her soft, perfect hand.
Ugh, I wish I could always have you with me. Just wait a little longer; when things are normal, we'll live normal lives together! I'll take you far away from these people who treat you badly just for being weak.
"Impossible. H-how did you escape hell?" said the old man.
Hell? No wonder my copy brought back some kind of demon. Escaped from hell? Ahhhhh! Why did it have to fail?! I wish I could recover those memories. How did he do it? Is my Thiago in hell? I have to assume he's gone.
"And why would I tell you, idiot? Let's go play!"
I tried to take Hanako with me, but she hugged me from behind. Uwaaaah! That was so sudden! Thank you for the hug, I love it…! Huh?
She jumped back, still holding me. Why…? Huh?
"What?"
Something—or rather, someone—landed hard right where I'd been standing. She saved me?! I knew my heart wasn't wrong; we're meant to be together!
Hanako was about to fall, losing her balance upon landing. Fortunately, I managed to turn and switch places with her. I hit the ground, and she fell on top of me. You protect me, I protect you.
"Thanks for saving me, sweetheart."
"It was a pleasure, Shadow," she said, smiling at me.
You're so adorable! This is what I needed after putting up with crazy Rossy for so long. A sweet, kind, polite girl. I love you!
I started kissing her cheeks.
"You're so adorable! I'm so lucky to have you by my side!"
"I feel the same!" she said, kissing me back.
"Stop being so precocious!" said a boy… pulling Hanako's ear.
"Noooooo!" she screamed, almost crying…
He dared… pull her ear? In my presence?
"Let go of me, brother!"
"Don't call me brother, trash…! Huh? Huh?!"
Number 4 sliced off that jerk teenager's ears with her claws and tossed them to me.
I caught them and took Hanako's hand.
"Come."
She nodded and stood behind me. She's trembling… trembling…
From my prior investigations, I learned how much Hanako suffers with her family, just for not being able to use her spiritual power. Her own power is incompatible with her and even damaged her soul, making her weak. They look down on her for not being useful to the organization. Why do they treat their daughter so badly? Do they really care more about the organization than Hanako's life? They disgust me.
I looked at this boy, screaming in pain. He's suffering in agony, and his parents tried to rescue him, but Numbers 1 and 30 stopped them. You care a lot about your son who is useful to you, huh? You're failures as parents. Don't worry, Hanako, when I kill your parents, I'll take you with me.
"You didn't just pull her ear; you called my Hanako trash."
"Hahahahaha! You made Shadow mad, idiot! Poor thing," said Number 4.
"Tendons."
"At your command!"
Number 4 cut the tendons in his feet, slicing through his thick boots, and he fell to his knees before me. He can only glare at me, unable to do anything. After all, he knows perfectly well he can't hurt me, and fighting would only prolong his suffering. A smart guy, huh?
I forced his mouth open and shoved his disgusting ears inside.
"I won't kill you because you're my future brother-in-law, and I'd never kill Hanako's family because she's my best friend, and that would make her sad. You treat her badly, but you're lucky she's a kind girl with a pure heart. But if I find out you insult or hit her again, I'll make sure you meet the worst fate possible."
I grabbed him by the neck and threw him toward his parents, who… huh? They didn't catch him. They don't care about their eldest son either…? They're not paying attention to him. They're aiming their weapons at something else. Who are they…?
"I love you, I love you!"
H-Hanako hugged me again and is kissing me on the lips! I feel like my heart's about to explode with happiness!
"What a pain. Hey, hey, hey, are you still ignoring me? I don't have much time; I've got homework."
Tsk. Who's interrupting my happy moment now?
The thing that landed was a person. Well, well. A possessor?
White hair, black eyes with white pupils, very pale skin, tight black sleeveless clothes, black pants, and fingerless black gloves… Yup, a possessor. He looks like the transformation I got when I activated Number 22. And judging by the ghost hunters' reactions, he's a bigger threat than me. Interesting.
"What do you want? Can't you see I'm enjoying my time with Hanako? Go do whatever you're planning and don't interrupt me."
"I didn't come for them. I came for you."
"I see. My fame's growing, huh?"
My legendary ghosts entered my body.
"This is a fight you can't win, not even by cheating. Let's go," said Number 1.
I can't win? I have 23 legendary ghosts, and you say I can't win? Who is this guy?
"Do I know you?"
"You stole my name. There can't be two Shadows in this world."
"…You want to kill me just for that?!"
"You killed my men to get in here just for that stupidity?!" shouted the old man, furious.
"Yes. Change your name, and I'll leave."
"Tsk. Why would I?"
I've grown attached to Shadow, and it fits my powers. I refuse to give up my name! Plus, I love how Hanako says it.
"Just change your damn name so he'll leave!" said the old man, lifting me off the ground by my neck.
Does this guy scare you that much? If Number 1 thinks it's impossible for me to beat him, it must be true.
Do you have to choke me, jerk?
I kicked him, sending him flying into the statues. So nostalgic—I defeated him like that the first time… I think I used my fist back then. I don't remember.
"You're annoying, old man."
"So? Will you change your name?" said the guy.
"Will you kill me if I don't?"
"You're not good or evil, so I'd rather talk with you. But if you keep refusing, I'll kill you."
Not good or evil? Finally, someone who gets me!
"Can Hanako still call me Shadow?"
"Just her."
"Fine. I'll be… hmm… 'Sombra'?"
"Thanks. Bye."
Hehe. You don't know Spanish.
He walked away, passing through the ghost hunters like it was nothing. No one dares shoot or talk to him. Wow… so cool!
"What are you doing? Trying to kill me?" he said when I jumped onto his shoulders.
"I'd like to know more about you."
"Whatever."
I turned to Hanako.
"I'll come see you tomorrow! See you, sweetheart!"
"S-see you tomorrow! And be careful with him, please!"
"I will!"
We left the shrine, and he started running at high speed. Huh? He passes through people, but no one can see him. I made myself invisible as usual, but it seems he can do it too. Who is this fake Shadow?
"How long have you been Shadow? I've been for about five months."
"One month."
"And you don't think I deserve the name for having more seniority?"
"I like Shadow."
"You're not willing to give it up, huh?"
Ugh, so childish, and this is coming from a six-year-old! One day, I'll take my name back…! Uwaaaah!
He stopped suddenly, and I went flying, crashing face-first into a wall. Ow, now my aching body hurts even more.
"A new member, Shadow?"
"Is he a tiny man?"
We entered an alley, and I was surrounded by several people dressed like street vigilantes or something. Their outfits are like the disguise I use to hide my identity. Do they do the same?
"Saik, Saik, look to your left!" said Number 4.
I looked to my left. There's a girl sitting far from everyone, with an old lady's ghost beside her. She's looking at me with eyes full of fear and… she's crying. Does she know me? Why is she reacting like this? I feel so much sadness in her.
"His name is 'Sombra,' and he might join us."
Fake Shadow yawned and walked away.
"I'm going for food."
He ran off again, leaving me alone with these people. Isn't he afraid I'll kill his friends? Or are his friends as powerful as him? Ugh, I still don't understand this world and its mysteries.
Including the girl, there are five people. Two teenage girls, one teenage boy, a young adult around 25, and an adult woman about 40.
"…Hello?"
"His voice… Hahahahaha! Even his voice sounds like a little kid's!"
Should I pretend to be an adult?
"I detect a lie-detection ability, master. I don't recommend lying," said Number 30.
If Number 30 says so, she's probably right.
"I'm six years old."
"…He's really six?!"
Everyone's shocked. Did no one doubt it? Do they all have that ability?! Who the hell are these people?
"Look at the girl," said Number 1.
I'm wearing bandages, so they can't tell who I'm looking at.
I looked at the girl sitting far away. She stopped trembling? She's not looking at me with fear anymore and stopped crying. Weird. Did I stop being scary just because I'm a six-year-old…? No, there must be another reason.
"A little kid, in this life…"
The woman's eyes filled with tears, and she hugged me tightly.
…Yeah, I definitely don't understand anything.
•
•
Fake Shadow came back with food, and we all gathered to eat.
I managed to gather some info about this group. In short, they're people with spiritual abilities who lost everything because of demons called "Shadow Spirits." According to them, shadow spirits possess people and turn them into demons, gaining powers based on their lives. For example, a gluttonous obese man becomes a demon that can eat anyone, or a sex addict becomes stronger by raping. Sins define the demon.
Why do the ghost hunters hate or fear this group? Simple: they're possessors of legendary ghosts. They all have one, meaning I'd have to kill them to get theirs. For now, I'll try to gain their trust and attack when I'm stronger.
Where do shadow spirits come from? They don't know, so tomorrow I'll investigate with the ghost hunters when I visit Hanako. They must have an origin, and if I find it… what would happen? I don't know. I'll keep investigating if I suspect it's related to legendary ghosts; if not, I'll ignore it.
What interests me most is this fake Shadow. Did he really just come to make me change my name? He doesn't want my legendary ghosts or anything? It's too good to be true.
For now, I'll play along. Right now, I'm interested in something else.
"Isn't she going to eat?" I asked, since the solitary girl is far away, silent, with her head down.
"She doesn't like being around people or being seen eating. She always waits until no one's watching to eat."
…Her stomach growled; I heard it. She's hungry but doesn't want to be near anyone. Why?
Whatever. I wasn't going to eat anyway (mostly because I don't trust them), so I'll give it to her.
I activated Number 3 and made the others think I'm eating with them. Shadow keeps watching me. He's immune. I'll keep that in mind.
I took the plate of food and walked toward her. I'm not planning anything bad, so she shouldn't worry.
And since he's not stopping me, he knows it.
I stood in front of her.
"Take it, I don't want it."
She says nothing and stays still. She's not afraid of me but doesn't want to talk. Why is she like this? I don't think she's just bitter; there must be another reason.
"Do you like eating alone? Or do you not like being watched?"
She reacted to the word "watched"; her body trembled when she heard it. She doesn't like being watched…? Watched… Hmm… Nothing comes to mind.
"She was probably raped, master. I smell fear in her, fear of the men in the group," said Number 30.
Did they rape her?
"I doubt it; I don't sense malice in them. She's just afraid of men in general. You're a little boy, so she's not scared of you."
I see… She doesn't want to share a table with men.
Everything around us turned white, and everyone disappeared. Before she could panic, Number 3 came out of my body.
"Hi!"
Her ghost stays still, doing nothing. Is it so powerful it's not afraid of me?
"She's my legendary ghost, Number 3, to be precise. Isn't she adorable?"
"Fufu. Trying to win my heart? I'll tell Hanako!"
"Uwaaaah! Don't you dare!"
"I won't say anything if you give me more candy. Hehe."
"Tsk. Blackmailed by my own legendary ghost."
Whatever, I can get candy easily anyway.
"She's the legendary ghost of illusion, meaning they can't see you, and you can't see them. I don't know why you're so afraid of men, and I won't ask, but at least I want you to eat your food warm, not cold."
I offered her the plate again and smiled.
"Want it?"
"…Are you… really… a little kid?"
Her voice sounds so low and weak from lack of energy, and her body is very thin. Why does she torture herself like this?
"I'm six, but I know it doesn't seem like it from how I talk. It's the consequence of having spiritual powers, after all. I guess you understand."
"…Thank you."
She didn't look up but took the plate.
Good, I did my part.
"Hope you like it."
I turned to leave, but she grabbed my hand.
"Don't… go… please."
"Sure."
I understood what she wanted—some company so she wouldn't feel alone.
I sat beside her.
"My name is… well, it was Shadow, but that Shadow doesn't want me to use it. Call me Sombra, please."
"I'm… Brigitte."
"A pleasure."
I created another illusion and made a plate of food appear in my hands.
"Bon appétit."
I started "eating," and she did too.
They haven't attacked me, so Shadow must've explained I'm not planning anything bad. I hope they understand why I'm doing this.
"Do you play video games, Brigitte?"
She shook her head no.
"I do. I love racing video games! Especially motorcycles. When I grow up, I'll ride a motorcycle!"
I'd look cool on one, I know. I wonder how I'll look as an… Oh, I remembered I already know how I'll look as an adult; I used Number 3 to see it. Will I be considered handsome or ugly? W-will Hanako find me attractive? I hope so.
"Want to watch TV?"
"TV…? Where?"
I snapped my fingers.
"Don't snap your fingers at me! Say 'please.'"
Ugh, Number 3 is getting rebellious.
"Please."
"Hehe. Much better!"
An illusion of a TV appeared, playing a movie. Number 3 spends all her time watching TV, so her power stores her memories and can recreate them as illusions.
She sat beside me and rested her head on my shoulder.
"Hope Hanako doesn't get jealous. Hehe."
"If you tell her, I'll cut you off from candy for eternity."
"So cruel!"
"…Hanako?" asked Brigitte.
Oh, interested in my love life? Time to show off!
"Make Hanako appear, Number 3!"
"…What? Why?"
"To show off my future girlfriend/wife to Brigitte."
"Ugh… Why is my master so weird?!"
Hanako appeared, and I hugged her tightly. So cute, even as an illusion!
"If he's like this as a little kid, I'm scared of what he'll ask me to do when he's a teenager."
Huh? I don't get it.
"This is Hanako, the girl I like! Isn't she a charm?"
"Childhood love… So cute," said Brigitte, smiling.
A spark of comfort or happiness in her cold eyes.
Wow, that was quick. I'm slowly gaining her trust!
Just a bit more, Saik. A bit more.
"By the way, is she your legendary ghost? She's very quiet," said Number 3.
"Yes. S-she's Number 23."
…Number 23?
•
•
(POV - Brian Johnson)
"It was a pleasure, master!"
"Likewise."
Another meeting done. The success of my work should make me happy, but I don't feel that way today. I can't stop thinking about what I saw.
Demons exist, just like powers. Shadow Spirits? What are they? No matter how much I search in books, I can't find anything about them. I don't look online because I know the government is aware of these beings. If they know I know, they'll kill me to keep it secret.
Eyes, lips, and holes. Those women turned into that because of their sins. Do only sinners become those?
"This is exciting," I said, getting into my car.
For the first time in a long time, I'm excited about something. The mere idea of learning more about the real Shadow Spirits fills my heart not just with curiosity but with freedom. I feel happy to be alive because it lets me discover something new I truly want to know.
But where can I find the information I want?
"You should get a van; they're more comfortable."
…
…
…
Huh?
"What?"
"Uwaaaah!"
Good thing I wasn't driving yet, or I'd have crashed! It's him, the kid who saved my life!
"Did I scare you?"
"What do you think?!"
"Sorry. Drive; you'll draw attention staying here."
"Y-yes, sure."
I started the car and began driving while he's lying in the back seats, reading my manga.
"You created a manga with Shadow Spirits without knowing they existed, right?"
"Yes, I was surprised by the coincidence too. But in my work, the monsters are created from people's negative feelings. Is it the same with them?"
"Yes, something like that. Sins change people."
"Do they have an origin?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"…Are you one of them?"
"I have a legendary ghost, not a spirit. They're completely different."
Legendary ghost? This world and its mysteries.
"I didn't come to socialize but to give you this."
He put his hand on my shoulder. What's he giving me?
"You share some kind of connection with the Shadow Spirits; I don't think it's a coincidence I was nearby to save you. Fate wants you to do something to destroy them. Plus, I don't want you to die; you haven't finished your manga yet. I don't want my purchases to be for nothing. Bye."
He opened the window and jumped out. Did he already give me something? I don't feel anything.
"…I share a connection with the Shadow Spirits? How?"
"Nah, I don't know. Got a cigarette, old man?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"What? Stop staring at me, creep; your gaze disgusts me."
…A tiny fairy?! Uwaaaah!
"Idiot, you almost crashed! Keep your damn eyes on the damn road!"
"W-who are you?!"
"Tsk. Why the hell is my new possessor a shitty old man? I'm the great legendary ghost Number 32, the fairy ghost…! No, now I'm the dream ghost…! Damn sister, I'll kill you someday!"
Legendary ghost?!
•
•
(POV - Saik)
Brigitte was always a lonely girl, unable to make friends because of her social anxiety. She was always considered the weird one in class, the ugly one, the one no one wanted. A girl destined for solitude, which is why legendary ghost Number 23 was drawn to her and forcibly made her its possessor, with terrible consequences.
She wasn't born with the ability to see ghosts; she gained it when she became Number 23's possessor. Her legendary ghost forcibly altered her body and soul, and like Hanako, it ended up damaging her soul due to their incompatibility.
Because of that weakness, regular ghosts began attacking her and even… raping her. Simple ghosts took advantage of her. The same thing that almost happened to me.
Every day, she was raped in her room, and her family didn't know what to do with her. After all, they couldn't see anything; it was like it was all in her imagination. The constant rapes and attacks from ghosts made her life hell. Fed up with the situation, her family tried to institutionalize her, but she didn't want to go and escaped. If there were ghosts taking advantage of her in her own home, she assumed there'd be more in a hospital. Inexperience and ignorance lead people to make bad decisions. Ghosts aren't that easy to find in the Capital, considering ghost hunters eliminate any they come across, and hospitals are their main focus. But she didn't know that.
She escaped her family, and they chased her until she was attacked by a Shadow Spirit, drawn by the spiritual power she was unconsciously emitting, unable to control her new great power. The demon killed her family when they tried to flee upon seeing it, and when she was about to be attacked, she was saved by the fake Shadow.
Ghosts can do more harm than I imagined. Now I understand a bit better why the ghost hunters' work is so important.
A simple ghost can cause so much harm to a human. What would happen if they became powerful and learned to touch normal humans? So much potential to become the world's new dominant race… I think I value this organization a bit more now. But they're still useless against people as powerful as me or the fake Shadow.
"I found you, Shadow!" said Hanako, lifting the box I was hiding in.
"Ugh, I thought I hid well. My turn! Go hide."
"Yes!"
She nodded quickly and ran off.
"S-so cute, your girlfriend, S-Saik."
"Thanks, Number 23, though she's not my girlfriend yet. But she will be soon! By the way, what do you want for dinner? Your choice today."
"C-can I choose?! T-thank you, master! I want sushi, please," she said, smiling.
"Fine by me."
At least she's happier now than before.
Number 23, the legendary ghost of Solitude. Former name: Brigitte.
Her legendary ghost switched places with her when I killed her to get her ghost, and her memories were erased or something. She knows a lot of things, like the taste of foods, dishes, animals, but nothing about her life. I didn't fully understand that part, but she knows nothing about when she was alive. Number 1 said it's because she died having a life full of pain, a life not worth remembering, or so he thinks. It's a theory, though there are other possible reasons, like her soul being weak or the transformation into a legendary ghost having consequences. Number 2 thinks it has consequences, and Number 4 thinks it depends on the soul's power. I wonder what the right answer is.
They're probably looking for me right now for killing her, but I had to seize the opportunity. That Shadow guy is more powerful than I thought, so I killed her when he left. The others had powerful legendary ghosts, so I escaped. I'll go for them later.
If I'd stayed longer, he definitely would've found out. He's too naive for taking me to his friends, but that doesn't make him any less powerful.
"Number 31 went crazy again!" shouted Hanako's brother, running out of his house with his weapons.
Number 31? I wonder how powerful she is, considering she's a number higher than 30.
…Nah, I'll deal with it later; no rush. I'll enjoy my time with Hanako…! After all, her parents are the possessors of legendary ghosts Numbers 26 and 27. When I capture 24 and 25, it'll be their turn, and if my plan fails, Hanako will hate me forever.
I hope I don't fail… I really don't want to fail.
Ugh, 24 legendary ghosts under my power, 76 to go.