[Host: Mikel Graves]
[Age: 17]
[Level: 10]
[Class: Protocol Upholder]
[Description: A rare shaman class granted access to the Protocol — an ancient system that allows the Bearer compatibility with all types and subtypes of skills, both combat and spiritual.]
[Warning: Misuse of the Protocol may lead to Spiritual Degradation.]
[Current Protocols Available: Exorcism Protocol (Tier I), Recovery Protocol (Tier I), Curse Techniques Protocol (Tier II), Emergency Protocol]
[Note: Emergency Protocol Activation is unknown.]
[Abilities Gained: Night Vision (Passive), Exorcism Instinct (Passive), Curse Trigger (Active: 12-hour cooldown)]
[Weapon: Blood Chain — Bound]
[Current Curse Affinity with Host: 23%]
[Curse Suppression, Dark Relic Class]
[Two embedded shards.
Note: Three shards embedded may unlock its next technique.]
[Warning: Misuse or starvation may gnaw at the Host's lifespan and soul.]
[Weapon: Book of the Dead — Active]
[Current Curse Affinity with Host: 14%]
[Spirit Absorption/Skills (2), Phantom Contracts (Open), Ghost Index (Open), Incantation (to be learned)]
[Warning: Overuse may erode the Host's mind.]
[Rewards from Last Quest:
— Three Basic Talismans
— Techniques for Successful Phantom Contracts
— Recovery Protocol Upgrade
— Incantation Guide
— System Upgrade]
[System Upgrade: Secret Shop Available]
[Secret Shop: Basic Talismans, Recovery Potions: Health and Spiritual Mana]
[Purchasable only with Soul Core. Soul Core can be obtained through exorcism, purification, and rewards from successful missions.]
[Main Objective: Fill the Crystal.
Crystal Status: 25%]
[Side Objective: Learn a proper incantation. Refer to the Book of the Dead.]
---
The Headmaster, Boo, insisted Mikel stay in his home until he could start attending the academy. He basically wanted Mikel to begin his "summer lessons." However, Mikel had different plans. He appreciated the offer, but he couldn't just abandon his own home—not yet, not in that kind of state.
The headmaster eventually relented, giving Mikel one trick to keep himself safe until the new school year. And that trick was...
Standing in the midst of the ruins of District 5, Mikel's face twisted.
"Now I really look like a deadbeat," Mikel muttered, staring at the henna-like scripture inked on his arms and nape.
They said a talisman would do, but this was better. It wouldn't wash off, even in the shower — at least, not easily. This would keep Mikel hidden in plain sight, in a world infested with curses and malevolence. Once these markings disappeared, another attack on his life would be expected.
Shaking his head, he looked up at the ruins before him. A deep sigh escaped him as he rested his hands on his hips, staring at what remained of his home. The government had offered to help rebuild the neighborhood — the entire south block of District 5, but that would surely take forever.
"I never thought renovation would cost that much," he muttered, clicking his tongue at the memory of his quick trip to the bank and then to a construction company for quotes.
Even though he had lived frugally, Mikel could barely cover the cost of materials. As for labor... well, maybe if he saved for another ten years.
"Damn it," he grumbled. "What did I expect? Maintenance alone is expensive. That's why I have to learn it myself."
Simple repairs might be doable. But renovation? That was beyond him.
With no clear plan, Mikel began picking up chunks of concrete off the ground. Doom was quiet, likely exhausted from the flurry of alerts and warnings it had issued.
[... or I am simply exhausted trying to understand your choices.]
Mikel gave the floating screen a glare and flicked a small pebble at it. The screen rippled as the pebble passed through harmlessly.
"I told you, this is my home. I'm not abandoning it. Not in this state," he hissed, eyes softening as he looked again at the wreckage — the only piece of his grandmother he had left.
"Doom, don't I get something like a builder's ability or something?" he asked, already knowing the answer. "Or maybe something to move things with my mind? Just something useful to make things easier for me?"
[Shaman Protocol is not meant for the living.]
[I'm afraid we cannot help you in this matter.]
"Figured." He sighed and brushed it off as he picked up another rock. "Honestly, I don't even know what to do with all this."
Part of the house still stood, but the roof had caved in, and sections had crumbled. He didn't even know where to start or how to. Still, he kept moving rubble, piling it near the ruined remains of the neighbor's house.
[Picking rocks? That is the grand plan?]
"Yeah? You got something more useful advice?"
[Progress awaits.]
"This is also progress..." But just as he was about to dump more debris over the broken fence, he stopped.
"Huh?"
A small hand held out a pebble to him.
He followed the arm up to a little girl in pajamas, clutching a stuffed bunny to her chest.
She smiled sweetly, still holding the pebble out.
"…" His gaze paused at the grotesque injury on her side, visible through the torn fabric of her pajamas. "Say, Doom…"
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Ghosts can't touch things, right?"
[Yes, normally — but there are different types of ghosts, like poltergeists. Friendly ghosts that could cause physical disturbance.]
A slow, crooked smile spread across Mikel's lips as an idea started to form. His eyes squinted, glinting with something darker. "And if the Protocol isn't for the living, then it's not a problem if I use it on ghosts, right?"
Doom hesitated, sensing something unsettling from its host. It didn't like the idea forming in its host's mind, but then:
[Yes.]
"Ha… ha…"
Mikel let out a low chuckle — something feral, unnatural. It sounded less like a teenage boy and more like a malevolent entity. His gaze burned with a twisted energy. Even a wraith would mistake him for one of their own.
[Master, I am tempted to activate the Emergency Protocol.]
The little ghost girl clutched her stuffed bunny tighter, fear creeping onto her face. She dropped the pebble and backed away, watching as Mikel seemed to "transform." Her shoulders trembled as the corner of her innocent eyes reddened.
"Papa!" she cried, dashing to an approaching man and clinging to his leg like it was the last safe place in the world. She hid behind him, peeking around his side.
Mikel froze, his devious grin fading as he locked eyes with the new person in the area. He recognized the man, as the latter lived three doors down. Just someone he would nod at in passing, and had received occasional side dishes whenever his wife would restock their fridge.
His eyes caught the subtle transparency on the right side of the man's head.
"…" Mikel blinked, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.
The man looked at him calmly and let out a quiet sigh — not tired, not irritated, just… resigned.
That's when it hit Mikel.
"So... you also died last night, huh?"