Chapter 17 – Ghost Parasite Infection
The adventurers were walking toward the north forest, where the bandit hideout was rumored to be.
"Leader Pyrtho, we found many monster corpses there too," one of them reported.
Pyrtho smirked. "Then let's track those corpses. They'll lead us to something."
The adventurers cheered, "As you wish, Leader Pyrtho!"
But in Pyrtho's thoughts, his smile twisted. Insects… I will lead you all to your end. Still… this is strange. Why are all the monsters here already dead?
Suddenly, an idea came to him. Yes! This must be the track of a territorial boss monster! HAHAHA!
They reached their destination. Dozens of wolf corpses lay scattered on the ground.
"Leader Pyrtho, look… this is horrible…"
In front of them was a massive pile of Night North Wolf corpses — around 358 in total.
One adventurer's jaw dropped. "Wh-what is this?! So many corpses!"
Another muttered, "This is ridiculous…"
Pyrtho crouched, examining the wounds. His eyes sharpened. These marks… too clean. This isn't a territorial monster. This is human work.
He raised his hand. "Prepare your equipment! We move forward!"
The adventurers shouted in excitement, "YEAH!!" — all except one, who lagged behind.
Notification
Ghost Parasite is continuously damaging your HP.
You've inflicted Fear.
You've inflicted Daydream Nightmare.
Critical State: HP 14% left.
"N-NO! Get away from me!!" The adventurer fell to his knees, backing away from something unseen.
Before him stood a grotesque tall hooded figure, its face hidden in mist, its hand reaching for him.
A hollow voice echoed:
"You… are… now… dead…"
"G-GHOST!!! HELP ME!!" the man screamed. He bolted in terror, running from the figure.
Some adventurers spotted him. "Huh? Why is he running?"
"I don't know… maybe he's scared?"
But the man's screams carried: "GHOST!! GHOST!!"
Others only laughed. "Ghost? What a child…" They ignored him and kept walking.
Notification
Ghost Parasite is continuously damaging your HP.
Fear reduces Magic and Physical Defense.
Daydream Nightmare prevents you from attacking.
Critical State: HP 3% left.
The adventurer stumbled, gasping for air. "Wh-why is this happening to me!!"
A scythe pierced through his chest. "ARGH!!" Blood gushed out.
A chilling voice whispered:
"You… are… now… my… puppet."
Back with the main group, some adventurers were chatting as they walked deeper into the forest.
"This is exciting!"
"Yes! But… can I ask you guys something?"
They looked at him and nodded.
"I recently got a notification."
"Oh, congrats! Is it about a quest—"
He cut them off. "No… it's not about a quest. It's… about something else. Did you guys ever get the notification about Ghost Parasite?"
They glanced at each other, confused.
"Ghost Parasite? No… not me. What about you guys?"
Most shook their heads. But one raised his hand. "I… also… shrr…uj…ddn…rrb…"
His words jumbled. He collapsed unconscious.
"What?!"
"Healer, heal him!"
But then—
Notification
You've now inflicted Hallucinations.
Ghost Parasite is continuously damaging your HP.
Emergency State: HP 26% left.
The questioning adventurer suddenly saw himself surrounded by monsters.
"Where are my companions?! Why am I here alone with monsters?!"
He panicked. "Tch… monsters! Take this!!"
He summoned a magic circle.
Spell: Magic Arrow (Rare).
The "monsters" roared strange words. "Twchek!? Pyewk!?"
The adventurer shouted, "I don't care what you're saying—DIE!!"
But in reality, his spell was aimed at his comrades.
"W-what?! Why are you attacking us?!"
"Shield up! Indestructible Fortress!!" A massive barrier protected the group.
"Phew! Thanks!" some sighed in relief.
Others panicked. "Why is he attacking us?!"
The shield-user muttered, "He's possessed."
"But… his fighting style… that's really him. It's exactly how he fights monsters."
"What was he talking about before he changed?"
"He was talking about… notifications. Ghost Parasite…"
The shield-user's eyes darkened. "So that's it…"
Before he could finish, the unconscious adventurer suddenly rose and stabbed his arm.
"ARGH!" Blood spilled.
"AMBUSH!!"
"You… must… all… die…"
Notification
Critical damage. -9% HP.
Due to critical damage, you've inflicted Ghost Parasite.
The shield-user ripped the sword from his arm. "Tch… two of them possessed now…"
A healer rushed to him. "Hold still!"
But suddenly—
Notification
You are now inflicted with Ghost Decay Heal.
You are now inflicted with Acid Decay.
You are now inflicted with Cursed Heal.
The shield-user's eyes widened. He punched the healer away.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"He's not one of us anymore… he's theirs."
The battle grew chaotic. Skills clashed.
"Dark Flames Fantasia!"
"Internal Flame Magcyias!"
"Acid Cursed Rain!"
Explosions filled the forest.
Then a calm voice cut through.
"What is going on here?"
"Leader Pyrtho!! Our savior!!"
Pyrtho smirked. Insects… don't call me your savior.
He raised his hand. "Skill: Call of the Gates."
The adventurers trapped inside the shield vanished, teleported back to camp.
Pyrtho turned to the three possessed ones. "Now… let's play."
Chains erupted. "Skill: Boundless Chain."
Two were instantly bound.
The hallucinating one shouted, "Leader Pyrtho, what are you doing?! The enemies are gone, not us!"
Pyrtho's only answer was a cold stare as he drew his long sword.
The adventurer panicked. "You're with them too?! Then DIE! Limit Magic Finale!!"
A massive circle formed in the sky.
But Pyrtho only laughed. "Child's play."
He lifted a doll. The magic rained down, but only the doll bled.
"Skill: Doll Forbidden Seals." Pyrtho grinned. "One soul sacrifice… wasted. But you two…" He looked at the chained adventurers. "…you'll be perfect sacrifices."
He opened his grimoire. "Secret Stored Sacred Lives!"
Notification
Invalid effect.
Target has no soul.
"What? No soul?!" Pyrtho's eyes narrowed. Undead? This is new…
The hallucinating adventurer used his last mana. "Skill: Magic Arrow!!"
Pyrtho ignored it, focused on the message. No souls…?
The arrow struck to pyrtho but when he checked the face of pyrtho its his face and body.
The adventurer froze. "H-huh?! Why I'm there!? My attack—why—"
Darkness swallowed him.
A voice whispered:
"Your soul is mine."
The man vanished in a pool of blood.
Pyrtho sighed. "Not worth my sacrifice… tch." He glanced at the chained two. "No souls. Useless."
"Skill: Abyssal Hellflame (Unique)."
Blue-red flames devoured them.
Pyrtho turned away. "That fire cannot be extinguished."
He disappeared into the forest's shadows.
But watching from the start was Velcous, hidden.
"…As I thought. He's not normal. Those skills… in Roy's memories… he was part of the Seven Deadly Sins."