For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they found themselves living through an entire day without the horrifying sight of bloodshed and violence. Nestled within the sanctuary of the forest, they basked in the rare sensation of safety. However, despite this newfound respite, they remained vigilant, their movements measured and their voices hushed, as the threat of the spirits dragging them back to the hunt area are still hunting them. A full day had come and gone, and Gina, the first to awaken, lay resting in the protective embrace of Zeno's arms. With the passage of time, she had seized the opportunity to replenish her depleted mana, ensuring her readiness to continue monitoring events unfolding across a distant continent. Gina had masterfully employed her teleportation magic, traversing vast distances to assess the situation. Her dedication was unwavering, and she was determined to confirm that the purgers and spirits that had relentlessly pursued them were no longer a th
The forest, with its solemn grandeur, exuded an aura of bygone solitude. Untouched by the relentless march of humanity's spirit, this wilderness remained a hidden realm of nature. Towering trees cast long, enigmatic shadows, while dense undergrowth veiled the land beneath a lush canopy, shielding it from the harsh sun's rays. The forest stood as a timeless sanctuary, its towering sentinels guarding the enigmatic realm beneath. Yet, for the three souls venturing deeper into this tranquil wilderness, the forest's allure remained unnoticed. Their faces bore the weight of sorrow, their steps slow and deliberate. In their midst, Blink bore the lifeless form of Gaige, carefully making his way up a hill. Zeno had found this serene spot to be the final resting place for their cherished companion. Gone were the signs of weariness that had plagued them during their arduous journey. They had found time to cleanse themselves and had lovingly prepared Gaige's tiny form, making it presentable for
Gaige's eyes remained fixed on the screen in front of him as he contemplated his dire financial situation—negative two million EC and a staggering debt of -1500 EXP. The mission displayed on the screen offered the highest reward yet, but it still fell short of what he needed to secure a flight back to Adermordna, the place where the purging had occurred. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to accept it and work tirelessly to earn what was required. [Mission: Purge the Spirit Criminal] [Target: Rosina] [Target’s description and background information are locked.] [Requires 5 EXP to unlock] [Reward: 1000 EXP and 100,000 EC] [The mission must be completed in twenty-four hours.] [Do you accept? Yes or No] With a wicked grin, Gaige confirmed his acceptance of the mission, but his excitement waned when he noticed the timer. [Mission accepted; the timer starts now!] "There’s a timer?" he muttered, his eyes scanning the mission details. Amidst his exhilaration, he had overlooked this
"Come inside; I can give you free cakes," the old lady urged, kindness radiating from her voice. Gaige couldn't help but contemplate the old lady's ulterior motives. It was evident that there was more to her than met the eye. He wondered what kind of spirit she was, what her true objectives were, and what crime had landed her on the purger's hit list. Feigning hesitation, Gaige responded, "Free? I don’t have money." "Oh my, don’t worry, I won’t charge you," the old lady reassured him. "B-but," Gaige stammered, continuing his act. He twirled his long scarlet hair around his finger, attempting to maintain a feminine facade. However, he soon abandoned the pretense, realizing that it was futile. He decided to let the old lady believe whatever she wished, all the while remaining prepared for a confrontation. If the situation could be resolved without a protracted battle, all the better. "How about you help me bake it, and you can have as much as you want?" the old lady proposed, her v
"Hey, Adal," Gaige called out. [Yes, Purger Gaige.] Gaige couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance every time he was addressed as a "Purger." It was a label he couldn't embrace, as he held a deep aversion to it. His ultimate goal was to avenge the returnees who had suffered and perished during the hunt, and he longed to return to the peaceful life they had once known. The injustice of their plight, forced into multiple lives of suffering, was something he could never comprehend. His resentment momentarily sidetracked him, his thoughts lingering on the Earth system's injustices and the purger designation before he redirected his attention to his conversation with Adal. "Adal, why does my rank remain at 548? Many purgers have perished, and others have risen and fallen in the hunt. Shouldn’t my rank have moved at least a little?" Gaige queried, curious. [Rank updates in real-time, but due to the system error, ranks remain unchanged.] "So, when will my rank be updated?" Gaige inq
Gaige had grossly underestimated the spirits he was targeting. His impulsive killing spree was taking him perilously close to his own demise. He once believed that spirits would be easy prey, but that assumption had nearly proven fatal. The pamphlet that had come dangerously close to striking him was unexpectedly razor-sharp, capable of splitting a car in two. Dazed for only a moment, Gaige quickly refocused on the spirit that should have been dead, wondering how it had survived his direct shot. Before he could ponder this further, the spirit calmly revealed its secret. It rose from its prone position as if waking from a nap, demonstrating its body's unique ability. It was encased in a thin, glass-like paper that it could manipulate to both defend and attack. "Adal, is there a way to abandon a mission?" Gaige inquired, hoping for a way out. [You can't abandon a mission in the middle of a fight. You can respawn if you die on a mission, but there will be penalties. However, the syste
The revelation hit Gaige like a thunderbolt. As he stared at the screen, the weight of its words pressed down on him, leaving him in a stunned silence. It was a chilling truth he hadn't fully comprehended until now. "One-lifers or all the creatures living on Earth cannot reincarnate and will completely lose their soul, so ghosts and the undead are meant not to exist on Earth. If they do, they are meant to be extinguished." It was a profound realization that shattered the boundaries of his understanding. Until this moment, Gaige had assumed that a purger's sole duty was to eliminate returnees—those who came back from the dead. But the system's message revealed the grim extent of their responsibilities. The eradication of returnees was just one facet of their grim task.“Are you a ghost or a ghoul?” he asked again. “Aren’t you going to answer me?” his tone laced with frustration and impatience. He tightened his grip on the firearm, determined to make this shot count. Confidence surged
The woman's voice broke the silence like a gentle whisper. "Hey, I can give you whatever you want, but you only have to read bedtime stories every night." She spoke fluently in Earth's language, her eyes shimmering with an inexplicable otherworldly allure that transcended words. Gaige's response came in the form of an incredulous, "What?" Yet, his question was met with an unsettling moan from the woman, and a disgusted grimace twisted his features. As he roughly yanked his hand away from her ample chest, the woman emitted a strange and scandalous sound. He had assumed she wouldn't permit his escape, causing her bosom to bounce enticingly as she released an intoxicating aphrodisiac scent. With his nose covered, Gaige extended his middle finger toward her before bolting away. He sprinted as though his life depended on it, determined to avoid the woman who seemed to exude trouble. However, curiosity gnawed at him. Was her scarlet hair merely a coincidence, matching his own? What kno