THE GHOST HUNTER .

Emily moved through the shadows, her steps silent as she followed the suspicious figure through the streets of Miravale. Night after night, she had kept watch, tracking this cloaked stranger. And now, she was amazed to see them returning to Eldermere—after having spent the entire day trailing her and Ray.

This wasn't random. Whoever they were, they were after something.

Emily stayed close, keeping her distance while the figure moved deeper into the city. It wasn't until midday that she saw something interesting. The figure stopped in a secluded alley and seemed to converse with someone—yet no one was there.

She narrowed her eyes. What's going on here?

Without wasting time, she pulled out her communication crystal. "Ray, I've found something. Come quick."

Within moments, Ray arrived. Emily pointed discreetly at the figure.

"See her, Ray? That's the one who's been following us. And she's the same person you saw in a black robe carrying the goat that night."

Ray stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the figure from a distance. Without hesitation, he grabbed Emily's wrist and held it firm.

"Hmm… so she's not the mastermind behind this," he muttered.

Emily blinked. "What do you mean, Mr. Smart Hunter?"

"Look at her hand carefully."

Emily frowned and studied the woman's wrist. Then, she noticed it—a small, engraved metal tag. A slave tag.

Emily inhaled sharply. "Wait… but slaves can't act without their master's direct order. They can't even eat without permission, let alone move on their own."

Ray turned his gaze to the woman, his voice calm but cold. "So, tell me—who's controlling you?"

The cloaked figure stiffened. Then, to their surprise, she spoke in a flat, unwavering voice.

"It's me. You caught me red-handed."

Ray exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. He took the woman aside, stepping away from Emily for a moment.

When they returned, Emily immediately noticed the change. The woman's eyes were now filled with terror.

"Ray… don't tell me," she whispered. "You used your dark aura on her?"

Dark aura—the ultimate psychological weapon. Soldiers used it on spies to break their minds and force them to spill information. But only those with weak wills succumbed to it.

Ray ignored her concern and motioned for the woman to lead the way.

The path took them to a grand castle, larger than most in Eldermere. The moment they stepped inside, an elderly man—dressed in fine robes—approached them with barely concealed anger.

"You have no right to barge into my estate, Ghost Hunter!" he snapped. "You failed your mission, and now you come here like you own the place?"

Ray only smirked, crossing his arms lazily. "Oh? Then I suppose you won't mind if I tell everyone that this whole ghost mess was your doing? Or rather… your daughter's doing?"

The old man's expression faltered.

"Don't spout nonsense," he said through clenched teeth. "My daughter has nothing to do with this."

Ray rolled his shoulder, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "Then call her here. Let's see."

Moments later, the entire family gathered in the hall—the father, the mother, and the daughter.

Ray studied them closely, his sharp gaze assessing their physiques.

"Hmm… You're all healthy. Strong, well-built—bodies fit for warriors," he noted. Then, his gaze landed on the daughter. "But you… why don't you have the same build?"

The father bristled. "Ghost Hunter, even if we're not as strong as you, you can't just insult my daughter like that!"

Ray scoffed. "Nice attempt at deflection, but that's not what I meant. We all know that in Eldermere, every able-bodied person trains as a soldier. Yet, your daughter doesn't have the body of a warrior—why?"

Silence.

Then, Ray pulled out a photograph and held it up.

The family went pale.

The image was of a young boy, no older than eleven. His body was frail, nothing like the warriors of Eldermere. And yet, this photo was found inside their home.

"Hmm… funny, isn't it?" Ray mused. "Why do you have a picture of a Miravale boy here? Especially when both towns hate each other so much that a relationship like this would never be tolerated?"

The old man faltered, his voice cracking. "W-Well…"

Emily folded her arms. "So it was you guys behind the ghost incidents. But, Ray—how did you figure out the daughter was the one involved?"

Ray turned the photograph over.

"This boy is eleven, but look at his body. Even at that age, if he were from Eldermere, he'd have started training. His muscle structure would have shown signs of it. But he doesn't. That means he's from Miravale."

Emily nodded. "Right. But that still doesn't explain why they have his photo."

Ray shrugged. "I don't know."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, I have no idea," Ray admitted. "But one thing is clear—this photo is here for a reason. And the only young person in this household is their daughter. Meaning, she must've had some kind of relationship with him."

Emily frowned. "And let me guess… this kid is dead?"

Ray smirked. "Bingo. And I'm betting she's been trying to bring him back."

Emily inhaled deeply. "Well… this just got more complicated."

Ray nodded. "Oh, it's just getting started."