Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Inside is Cleaner Than Expected?
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The inside was cleaner than expected?
“Shwoong?”
Swing-Swing tilted its head at the firmly shut door.
“Shwooo…”
It was probably reacting like it hadn't expected the door to be closed...
But that wouldn't be a big problem.
I'm a crow, after all.
It's common knowledge that crows can pick simple locks.
Not that I wasn't human to begin with.
I figured there'd be some mechanism nearby to open the door, so I looked around.
“Kak.”
The most eye-catching things were two stone statues.
They were carved so vividly, it looked like they could flap their wings and take off any second.
Like, if you dismissed them as mere decorations and walked past, they'd ambush you from behind—that kind of vibe.
They reminded me of gargoyles, those staples from fantasy novels.
But I didn't need to worry about them attacking me.
“Caw...”
They just stood there motionless, even as I kept staring them down.
Not even a twitch when I hopped on top and pecked at them.
With my Crow's Eye ability, I can read an opponent's basic info.
The fact that nothing showed up meant they weren't alive.
In other words, 100% pure decorations.
“Kak kak!”
While pecking around the statue's head, I found what felt like a marble button.
Yeah, I knew there'd be something like this hidden here.
Tok.
Dr-r-rulk.
When I pressed down on it with my whole body, the heavy door slid open on its own.
“Shwooo!”
Swing-Swing flew circles around me, practically jumping for joy.
“Shuuuwoong!”
I couldn't understand it, but it was probably something like, Amazing crow!
Psh, what, over something this simple?
Any crow can do this much.
I entered the mansion.
“Kak.”
The inside was cleaner than expected?
The exterior looked like a half-collapsed ruin, but the interior was surprisingly tidy.
There was no electricity or anything, but some mysterious purple glow illuminated the whole place faintly, so visibility wasn't an issue.
“Shwoong!”
Swing-Swing darted around like a fish in water.
Had it been living here all along?
Makes sense why it brought me, then.
No signs of other monsters, so was it asking me to live here together?
Kinda like a little ghost repaying a favor.
“Shwoooong.”
After flying around for a good while, Swing-Swing stopped in front of another door.
Unlike the front gate, this one was a simple push-to-open design.
Of course, it wasn't that simple for Swing-Swing, who shot me a pleading look.
It didn't have eyes, per se, but the eye-like parts sparkled.
Kkiiik...
I opened the door as requested and peered inside.
“Wooo?”
“Ooo?”
“Wooo woo...?”
Baby Lace LV1
Baby Lace LV2
Baby Lace LV1
Baby Laces were huddled together in a bunch.
At least ten of them.
Unlike Swing-Swing, which had grown to pillow-size, these were still just handkerchief-sized ghosts.
So that's why Swing-Swing brought me here.
To fatten me up, huh?
“Kak kak.”
It'll take the leftovers.
Look at those plump, juicy fabrics—prime experience points.
Alright then...
“Kaaaak!”
Itadakimasu!
The moment I leaped into their midst.
“Shwooooong!”
Swing-Swing came rushing in.
Kang!
It bashed my head hard with the acorn helmet I'd given it.
“Ppi-yak!”
I let out a startled squawk.
Hey, Swing-Swing, what the heck?
“Shu, shwoong...”
Swing-Swing looked shocked at its own action, clearly flustered.
“Shwoong...”
It rushed over and rubbed my head, like it was apologizing...
“Woooong...”
“Ooo woong...”
Maybe because they were babies, they weren't aggressive like adult Laces.
More like the innocent way Swing-Swing had acted.
Swing-Swing didn't want me attacking them.
Then why bring me here?
Especially after I'd evolved to eat ghosts.
“Shwooo...”
Swing-Swing puffed up between me and the Baby Laces.
The Baby Laces trembled.
“Kak.”
Probably scared because I looked ready to attack.
Oh well.
Shwaaak!
I spread my wings wide.
“Ooo ooo woong...”
“Ooo woong woong...!”
The Baby Laces huddled together, shaking even harder at my movement.
“Shwoong...!”
Swing-Swing gave me a look like it knew I wouldn't hurt them.
Just like when we first met, I mimicked the shoulder paradise bird's dance moves.
Thud thud thud.
Hop.
“Woooong!”
“Ooo woong...”
The trembling Baby Laces suddenly giggled like nothing happened.
Yeah, making friends first, I guess.
I had no idea what Swing-Swing wanted, but for now...
Main Quest Updated.
“Ppi-yak?”
A welcome message to clear up the frustration.
Tragedy of Skarnas Village
1. Having decided to set out on an adventure, you pushed forward through countless trials.
You nearly lost your life to a wicked witch and chanced upon a sage who offered you guidance.
Your destination: Skarnas, a small village famed for its delicious grapes.
2. But what is this?
Skarnas's radiant beauty has long faded, with no trace of human life to be found.
After battling hordes of monsters, you found yourself hunted by savage hounds.
3. A survivor remained.
With the help of a girl hiding in a stone building, you barely shook off the hounds.
From her, you learned the truth of the incident.
4. Your resolve hardens.
To unravel the village's secrets and avert the looming catastrophe, you take a small yet monumental step.
You repel the oncoming ghosts and follow the girl’s lead.
5. The girl led you to a grand mansion.
She reveals it was once an orphanage.
This ruin, thick with vital energy, harbors countless restless spirits.
6. The girl stops you from exorcising them.
Seeing her actions and the non-aggressive ghosts, you ponder:
Is physical exorcism truly right?
Might there be another way?
7. A thought flashes by.
What if you resolved their grudges?
Quest Clear Condition: ???? Defeated
Quest log.
Last time it cut off mid-4, but now it's updated a ton.
I read through slowly and summarized the info.
The place Swing-Swing led me to was an orphanage.
And what it wanted wasn't for me to physically exorcise these guys, but to resolve their grudges.
Honestly, my first thought was, why me?
I get it if it was like with Swing-Swing, where we'd bonded, but these were total stranger ghosts.
But the quest log's wording was ominous.
Game quests often pack more info into the descriptions than you'd think.
Most players skip them and get stuck in weird spots.
Going back to reread usually clears it right up.
Same here.
It reads like a neutral recap, but it's guiding my actions.
Resolving these ghosts' grudges is probably the key to this quest.
And the update right after my actions means I was on the right track.
Baby Laces, not regular ones. An orphanage. Giggling at my dance.
I couldn't know their exact story, but I could guess.
So, only one thing for me to do.
“Kak!”
Come on, little ghosts.
I'll play with you till you drop today.
*
“Woooong!”
“Kaaaak...”
“Ooo woong...!”
“Ppi-yak...”
Let go, you rascals.
I lay on my back, panting.
These kids wouldn't let me go once they grabbed on.
Was playing with children always this exhausting?
“Shu, shwoong!”
Even Swing-Swing made a slightly troubled gesture.
“Zzaaak...”
I really played with them for ages.
Tag, hide-and-seek, even giving them rides while flying around.
And playing with ghosts somehow drained my energy.
Swing-Swing freaked out and rushed over to zzwap some back into me, but I was still wiped.
“Woooong...”
Not satisfied yet, one tugged at my feathers.
“Jjak...”
Enough already.
Let's rest a bit, kids.
After I surrendered, a few ghosts gathered around me.
“Wooo woong.”
They waved at me.
Their already translucent bodies grew even more transparent.
I instinctively knew what that meant.
“Woong woong!”
“Woooong!”
Playing till I collapsed resolved their grudges.
They were pure souls without much grudge to begin with.
Orphanage kids' ghosts.
Tiny ones that trembled at the sight of me but tilted their heads in curiosity.
All they wanted was to play freely with someone.
“Shuuwoong!”
Swing-Swing waved its stubby arms like seeing them off.
“Woooong!”
“Woooong!”
The ghosts bowed slightly in thanks, their forms fading to pure light.
Plop.
Only handkerchief-sized cloths remained where they had been.
Not vanished like the Laces I'd hunted, but peacefully passed on after grudge resolution.
Got nothing tangible, but it felt rewarding.
“Kak?”
Huh?
Didn't I get nothing?
“Kaaaak...”
Leveling up this much just for sending a few LV1 Baby Laces to the afterlife?
“Woooong?”
Some ghosts still lingered, not yet passed on.
So if I send those too...?
“Kakakak!”
These poor souls were starting to look like lucky charms.
“Shu, shwoong...”
Swing-Swing shrugged like it didn't matter.
“Kak!”
“Woooong?”
The moment I geared up for another round of tag with these treasures.
Main Quest Updated.
“Kak.”
Yeah, makes sense after sending a few ghosts off.
Hold off on extra levels—check the update first.
Tragedy of Skarnas Village
7. A thought flashes by.
What if you resolved their grudges?
You put that idea into action.
8. The ghosts simply craved playtime.
You played until they were exhausted, and the ones whose earthly regrets were lifted began passing on one by one.
9. But some ghosts have yet to pass on.
You try to play more, but they shake their heads.
As if held back by some other reason.
The quest update stopped there.
Held back by another reason?
“Kak kak.”
Whatever it is, just say the word.
Want food or something?
Should I fetch a kiwi?
Or catch a fat kiwi bird?
“Woooong!”
“Wooo woo...!”
Suddenly the ghosts started acting weird.
Panicking, they flitted about frantically.
“Shu, shuuuwoong? Swoong! Swoong swoong!”
Swing-Swing too.
It gripped my wing tight, trying to lead me somewhere.
...Something only ghosts can sense?
Come to think of it, the temperature dropped too.
Main Quest Updated.
New text appeared in real-time on the quest log I had open.
10. The Ghost Bride senses the anomaly in the mansion.
What?
A new name I'd never heard.
And instinctively, I knew this was the Earthbound Spirit Ethan mentioned.
The Ghost Bride lets out a shriek.
No sound reached me, but I covered my ears with my wings anyway.
Something was wrong.
I had to escape this place ASAP.
The Ghost Bride screams.
I bolted with Swing-Swing at top speed.
By the time we reached the front gate, I couldn't believe my eyes.
The gate I'd left open was firmly shut.
The Ghost Bride comes for you.