Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Crows Are Delinquents
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"Caw."
Caw-thud.
This is my current status.
I'd leveled up so much it felt like I was cheating, wondering if it was really okay to get this strong so fast.
This place was supposed to be a horror house in name only—a spot where it slowly drained the life from anyone who entered.
But for me, now evolved into a Shadow Crow, a mansion crawling with Laces had turned into what gamers call a perfect grinding spot.
On top of that, thanks to the mystery sponsor showering me with silver coins, hunting them down had been a breeze.
I'd never seen other silver coins before, but I could tell right away these weren't ordinary ones.
No matter how roughly I handled them, they bent but never tarnished.
And look at that shine.
Had to be slathered with holy water from this world or something.
"Shwoooong..."
Every time Shiny's cloth brushed against a silver coin, it got all crispy-looking. Made me think these were anti-Lace weapons made just for the job.
Anyway, with all the silver coins and silver items I'd racked up, clearing out this mansion had been smooth sailing.
My traits were perfectly suited to the situation, too.
A Sturdy Beak I could rely on anytime, anywhere.
Glow and Shadow Form linking up into a killer combo.
I figured this setup was the most reliable.
If I needed something else, I could just swap out Glow for another feather.
Swapping feathers was second nature after all the practice, so as long as it wasn't mid-fight, I could switch traits in a flash.
Now everything was ready.
All that was left was dealing with the Ghost Bride.
I crept closer bit by bit until I had a clear view of the room with the golden drawer.
"Ah... ugh..."
As expected, the Ghost Bride was still holed up in that room.
Not that she couldn't leave if she wanted to.
She'd even gone outside the mansion today, so she could step out anytime.
But with an intruder like me in the house, she had no choice but to guard the spot.
She probably figured a crow like me could be taken down by swarms of ghosts, so it made sense for her—the most important one—to stand watch herself.
It blocked any surprises, too.
But I'd wiped out all those ghosts, leaving just her.
What I had to do was simple.
Thud thud thud.
"Caw."
I strolled right up in front of her, casual as could be.
"Ugh... ah...?"
I twitched my tail feathers and fluttered my wings a little.
You know, the "look at me" vibe.
"Ugh..."
She glared daggers, but no attack came.
Just as I'd guessed—she was super protective of that space.
Her not attacking was good, but this standoff could drag on forever.
I took a deep breath.
Time to make my move.
Staring straight at the Ghost Bride, I pulled out the white handkerchief I'd stashed away.
"Oooong..."
The kid from the orphanage, a pitiful soul she'd raised.
No way she wouldn't react.
Last time, when I'd bolted with Shiny, I hadn't crossed that threshold.
But things were different now.
Back then, I'd looked desperate to protect Shiny.
She must've thought I wouldn't hurt it.
But now?
Peck.
"Oooong..."
I nipped at Baby Lace's cloth with my beak.
No words needed—she'd get the message.
"Kyaa!"
I stuck out my tongue a bit and puffed up my head feathers.
Hey, you think the Lace you raised so carefully is safe with me?
Felt a little thug-like, but hey, crows are delinquents by nature.
"Agaaaah!"
Perfect reaction, right on cue.
The moment the little ghost screamed—just like we'd planned—her eyes rolled back and she bolted over the threshold.
She'd never touched a Little Lace before, but Baby Lace? Fair game now.
The Ghost Bride saw me as a real threat.
Probably pegged me as some black-haired delinquent punk.
Phase one—taunt the Ghost Bride and lure her away—half-successful.
The only issue? Her reaction was way hotter than I'd expected.
Fwoosh.
Not a metaphor.
"Caaaaw!"
Flames actually burst into the air.
Not one, but three of them.
Fwoooosh!
Purple flames shot out at her gesture.
She meant business—really out to burn me alive.
"Caaaaw!"
Boom!
I rolled aside, dodging the blast.
Didn't see that coming.
I'd figured sneaky and icy if she used any skills, not straight-up fire.
"Agaaaah!"
Swoosh!
Her left arm whipped out at the same time.
The gruesome grasp the Laces had shown.
Craaaack!
But nothing like the Laces—this shredded half a mansion pillar.
Overwhelming power, no other word for it.
Strongest foe I'd faced in this world, hands down.
And I'd just provoked her.
Fwoosh!
Barely dodged, but another purple flame spawned.
Boom!
She fired them in sequence while chasing me down herself.
She'd really held back when I had Shiny with me.
But I couldn't get caught here.
I tossed the little ghost forward as my pumpkin feather glowed.
Clang!
Tri-colored flash exploded in an instant.
The burst created just enough shadow to hide in.
Screeech!
Boom!
Right as her hand came from the left and purple fire from the right, I slipped into the shadow.
Sizzle.
"Kakak!"
I burst out, grabbed the little ghost in my beak, and flew for all I was worth.
Fwoooosh!
Another flame closing in.
My back started to singe, so I twisted midair.
Kaboom!
The fireball rocketed straight, smashing satisfyingly into the corridor's bend.
No matter how strong, she couldn't hit me from that angle.
Phase one exceeded expectations.
...Feathers a bit scorched aside.
I kicked into high gear.
"Aga, agaaaaah!"
The Ghost Bride's roar echoed behind.
I could feel her hot on my tail, berserk.
If she caught me, she'd rip me to shreds, no doubt.
Why risk this crazy plan? To get into the room she was guarding.
Couldn't enter while she was there.
Could I now?
Nah, she'd fry me like crow fritters if I turned back.
Luring her wasn't enough.
I needed more time to slip into that room.
And I'd prepped for that.
"Agaaaah!"
Just as the Ghost Bride rounded the corner with a shriek, charging at me.
"Oooong!"
"Ungoong!"
My backup actors sprang into action.
The corridor was littered with Baby Laces and shed cloths from the purified ones.
Handkerchiefs scattered everywhere, silver coins and silverware dumped around them.
What would the Ghost Bride make of it?
"Ah... aga..."
Not just one aga anymore—agas, plural.
"Agaaaah!"
She charged in a frenzy.
The second her hand reached for the fallen cloths...
"Shwoooong!"
Phase two kicked off.
The source? Shiny, of course.
Our proud Little Lace hovered high up, acorn lid in both hands.
Tinkle.
Ghost Bride snapped her head up, spotting Shiny.
She'd get it now.
Those "trampled under silver" weren't her baby ghosts—they were shed husks from the purified ones.
"Oooong..."
Her little ghosts were safe, just faking screams.
She whipped her head toward me.
Long arm stretched for the attack, but...
Crack!
Lightning from a clear sky stopped her cold.
"Kya aaah!"
Silver coins packed in Shiny's acorn lid.
Even a Ghost Bride screamed getting pelted with that much silver.
Bet those ghosts who'd attacked me earlier felt the same.
Won't vanish her, of course.
But shaking off that premium silver would take time.
Crackle crackle!
And this was my one shot to reach her room.
"Kyaaaah!"
I ignored her screams and bolted straight for the room.
Nothing in my way.
Other ghosts were gone; she was pinned.
I shoved the door open, past the bed, eyes on the drawer.
The softly glowing golden drawer.
Yeah, same radiance as when I met the Sage and Shiny.
Calmly opened it and checked inside.
Missable in a rush, but crammed with junk.
Anyone else would've struggled to spot the anchor item.
Not me—Crow's Eye locked on instantly.
A small golden box glowing bright.
Tiny, just big enough for a ring.
The ring binding the Ghost Bride to this world.
Found her love, but it was all a lie.
That grudge seeded in the ring, trapping her here as a vengeful spirit.
One job left: smash the box, break the ring, set her free.
"Caw...?"
But when I opened the lid, I froze.
The spot for the ring was empty.
The box was bare, yet golden light still leaked out.