James stopped walking.
No—he stopped listening to the noise behind him and focused forward instead.
Smoke drifted between broken buildings. Ash floated in the air like gray snow. Far down the road, something large moved.
Too large.
James narrowed his eyes and counted silently.
Distance… perspective…
"Five hundred meters," he muttered.
Ark looked at him, confused. "What?"
"There's something coming," James said, voice low. "Not a goblin. Bigger. Stronger."
Murmurs spread immediately.
Some people stiffened, fear flashing across their faces. A few parents grabbed their children and hurried them inside the school building without a word.
Others scoffed.
"Yeah right," a man sneered. "You just want us to panic so you can steal supplies."
Another crossed his arms. "We've been hiding here just fine. Don't start trouble."
James felt irritation rise—but the weight in the air was growing heavier by the second.
"I don't need your trust," James said flatly. "Hide. Watch me if you want. If I steal anything, stop me."
Silence followed.
Then—reluctantly—they moved.
Doors closed. Windows were barricaded. Eyes peeked through cracks.
Too slow, James thought.
The ground trembled.
Ark's sister clutched her brother's sleeve. Ark swallowed.
James turned.
The creature burst into view at the far end of the street—running.
Not lumbering.
Not slow.
Running.
Its massive legs crushed pavement with every step, speed utterly mismatched with its size.
James's eyes widened.
That fast…?
By the time he inhaled, the orc was already at the school gate.
Metal screamed as it was torn from its hinges.
James felt it then.
Something new slid into his vision.
A translucent red bar hovered above the monster's head.
Long.
Thick.
Overwhelming.
James froze.
"…HP?"
His heart slammed against his ribs.
Since when could I see that?
There was no time to question it.
The bar barely flickered as the orc roared and stepped inside.
James pulled his dagger from his inventory, grip tightening.
Behind him was the building Ark and his sister were hiding in.
He remembered his words.
I'll help you.
I'll protect her.
James exhaled.
"Sampon," he whispered.
The ghost appeared beside him, relaxed, hands behind his back as if they weren't facing death.
"I am ready," Sampon said cheerfully.
James stared at the orc. "Weakness?"
Sampon tilted his head. "It has none."
"…What?"
"It is weak because it lacks weakness," Sampon clarified. "It relies entirely on strength."
James slowly turned to him. "That's the opposite of helpful."
Sampon smiled. "You asked."
"You don't even have a physical body," James said sharply. "Can you actually fight it?"
"Yes."
"…How?"
Sampon pointed.
At James.
The meaning hit instantly.
"You want to possess me."
Sampon nodded. "Only temporarily. With permission."
James's mouth went dry. He glanced at the HP bar again.
It was still full.
The orc took another step.
If it reaches the building…
"Will I lose control?" James asked.
"No."
"Will I be conscious?"
"Yes."
"Will you protect the people behind me?"
Sampon's expression softened. "With my existence."
James clenched his jaw.
"…Do it."
The world lurched.
Sampon plunged into him like cold water flooding his lungs.
James gasped—but felt no pain.
Then his arm moved.
Not by his command.
Do not resist, Sampon's voice echoed inside his mind. Observe. Learn.
The ground shook violently as the orc charged.
James's body vanished to the side an instant before impact.
Stone exploded.
James's dagger flashed.
The blade sliced across the orc's thigh.
The HP bar trembled.
Barely.
James sucked in a breath.
That barely did anything!
"Of course," Sampon replied calmly. Your body is fragile. But precision matters.
The orc swung wildly.
James ducked—too slow.
A grazing blow sent him skidding across the ground, pain screaming through his ribs.
The HP bar didn't care.
The orc roared.
Focus, Sampon instructed. Watch its breathing. Its footing.
James forced himself to watch.
Each step cracked the ground—but the orc overcommitted.
They moved again.
Strike. Retreat. Feint.
A ghostly double of James appeared in front of the orc.
Another to the side.
The orc roared and smashed one illusion—then another.
The real blade plunged upward.
Blood sprayed.
The HP bar dipped—just a little more this time.
James felt awe ripple through him.
"Again," Sampon said.
They leapt.
Sampon climbed the orc's back, blade flashing.
Eyes were slashed.
The orc screamed—blind now—swinging wildly, destroying walls, tearing apart the courtyard.
The HP bar dropped faster now—but James's body trembled.
"This is too much," James gasped.
One decisive strike, Sampon replied.
The system window flickered.
[Defeat the Orc and receive a special reward.]
James's eyes widened. "Sampon—can you see that?"
"No," Sampon said, surprised.
James explained quickly.
Sampon laughed. "Then finish it."
"But can you? With my stats?"
Sampon paused.
"…Not cleanly."
The orc stumbled.
Sampon seized the moment.
They lunged.
The dagger plunged deep—straight into the orc's chest.
The HP bar shattered.
The orc froze.
Then collapsed.
Silence.
Cheers erupted.
Sampon withdrew, ghostly once more.
James stood there, shaking, shy and overwhelmed as the applause washed over him.
He stared at the fading HP bar.
"…So this is the line," he whispered.
"And I just crossed it."