Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Don't Put Your Fingers in My Wings
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"That's why I'm telling you we don't have much time left. Things are fine for now, but the nights are only going to get longer, and that scarecrow will start rampaging for real soon enough."
Eternal Night hadn't ended yet.
As the sage had warned, the omens would only intensify as time passed, until Eternal Night finally descended.
And when that happened, the scarecrow—its host—would go berserk.
"It's far stronger than I ever was as a vengeful spirit. A true demon, through and through. The wisest course is to avoid it altogether... but something tells me you won't be doing that, benefactor."
To put it bluntly, the Ghost Bride was stronger than me.
I'd weakened her with silver this time and avoided a direct confrontation to barely pull off this result. In a pure one-on-one, I'd have ended up as crow roast.
A scarecrow even stronger than that Ghost Bride.
And unlike her, it probably didn't have any glaring weaknesses.
"To face the scarecrow, you'll have no choice but to grow stronger before it fully awakens. But you're more than capable, benefactor. You may look like a crow now, but I can see your extraordinary potential."
"Caw."
Her words gave me a little boost in confidence.
"A scarecrow's essence is that of a straw doll—cold iron and hay. The flame I passed to you should prove effective to some degree, so I recommend training in fire manipulation before it wakes."
So that's why the skill she gave me was Shadow Flame.
She'd handed me a weapon tailored to fight it.
After all this, I couldn't just run off without taking it down.
I needed to gather more traits before it fully awoke and make thorough preparations.
For now, that meant following the quest to stop Eternal Night.
"Stories of fine village wines, idle chit-chat... I wanted to talk more with you, benefactor. But time doesn't permit it."
The Ghost Bride's form flickered faintly.
She was barely holding herself together.
Right before ascending, she wanted to help me one last time.
"Allow me one final thanks."
The Ghost Bride bowed her head to me.
"Part of me wishes you'd follow me, but I'll respect your choice."
She bid farewell to Swooshy, too.
"Shwoong!"
"Caw-kak."
My role was simple.
I gently cradled Swooshy, giving her the fierce, reassuring gaze of a bird of prey.
Her daughter was in my care now—I had to show some pride.
So she could ascend without a shred of regret.
"Rebecca, my beloved daughter."
The Ghost Bride embraced both me and Swooshy at once.
"When you called me 'mother,' I felt like I owned the world."
Swooshy's eyes—dark as night—glistened with tears.
"Don't repeat my mistakes, dear. Don't let fleeting winds hurt you. Don't let the harsh sun wound you."
"Sh, shwoooong!"
Those were the Ghost Bride's final words.
She must have had so much more to say.
Yet she swallowed it all.
To give me information and aid.
With a flash of white light, the Ghost Bride and her little ghosts vanished completely.
The mansion's chill faded, warmth flooding every corner—but ironically, it felt even colder now.
"Shwooo..."
But that cold wouldn't last.
I patted Swooshy's shoulder.
I'll make sure of it.
*
The mansion’s chill and vengeful aura faded away.
Ethan and Erica could tell their mysterious ally inside had successfully vanquished the Ghost Bride.
"That's not just a simple exorcism. Warmth is spreading everywhere—I'd say they actually sent her soul to rest."
"No way... How? Even Mary failed."
"Not only priests can put vengeful spirits to rest."
Their ally had accomplished the task masterfully.
"Ugh, I'm dying to know. We can go inside now, right? Come on, let's check it out and ask how they did it!"
Ethan shook his head at Erica's words.
"Better to head back for now."
"Huh? Why? It's just a quick peek."
Ethan's gaze drifted to the fogged-up window.
"They showed up here like they knew everything, fought the Ghost Bride solo. They could've asked for help if they wanted... Whoever's in there probably doesn't want their identity revealed."
"Doesn't want their identity out? ...N-No way?"
Someone who turned the impossible possible, without claiming credit.
Someone who could bring smiles to faces in this dangerous world.
The name everyone revered.
"A hero...?"
Ethan suspected the one inside was a hero.
"Even if not, we shouldn't approach until they invite us. Coming here alone means they need to hide their identity, whatever the reason."
Or they could be dangerous.
Ethan swallowed the last thought.
"Fine, if you say so. But Ethan, doesn't it sting? You tossed that treasure hoard you loved so much."
The "treasure hoard" referred to the silver coins he'd thrown in.
A hefty sum even at face value—but these were dungeon silvers, specially blessed by the Emerald Church, worth far more.
Yet Ethan spoke without a hint of regret.
"Didn't you just call them offerings?"
He believed they'd helped the mysterious ally.
"Think of it as a true offering then. Who reclaims a gift to the gods?"
"Ugh... Not even my stuff, and it hurts. Whatever, it's yours—do what you want."
Erica knew Ethan had suspiciously deep pockets.
That silver longsword of his, gear no adventurer party could afford—he'd just procure it out of nowhere.
He'd hand out "found" equipment to party members now and then.
She figured he was a noble's son in hiding.
His looks screamed nobility, and that stiff speech? Total "I've got secrets" vibe.
Even accounting for that, those silver coins hurt to lose—but they were his, so she couldn't complain.
"Besides, don't we have people to check on first before barging into the mansion?"
"Right! Ugh, what are you waiting for, Ethan? Let's hurry back!"
They turned toward their party members, resting after battling the Laces.
The Ghost Bride was gone, but they hadn't fully uncovered the village's truth yet.
They'd assess their status, then decide: investigate more or regroup in the village and return later.
*
【The True Tragedy of Skarnas Village】
1. Thanks to your ingenious handling, the Ghost Bride resolved her grudge and ascended.
But you gained new information from her: the tale of the scarecrow, host of the Eternal Night summoned by the noble Karida.
2. An overwhelmingly powerful foe you can't hope to face yet.
You've succeeded in your original goal of sending the Ghost Bride to rest—no one would blame you for retreating now.
Of course, the choice is yours.
Quest Clear Condition: Defeat the Scarecrow
I checked the updated quest.
If I'd just exorcised the Ghost Bride normally, this wouldn't have unlocked.
I'd have thought Eternal Night was over, stuck around, and met disaster.
It was tough, but sending her to rest was the right call.
And the rewards? Extremely satisfying.
【Shadow Crow LV12】
【Status】
「Fatigue」
【Skills】
「Crow's Eye LV3」
「Bird's Wisdom LV2」
「Feather of Night LV1」
「Shadow Flame LV1」
【Traits】
「Sturdy Beak (Mountain Eater)」
「Glow (Jack-o'-Lantern)」
「Shadowization」
With the Ghost Bride fully ascending, I'd leveled up again to 12.
Not only did my skill levels rise, but I even got Shadow Flame.
If the Ghost Bride gave this much, what would defeating the scarecrow—the one the quest says I can bail on—bring?
"Caw!"
A bit of greed stirred.
But first, get used to the new power.
「Shadow Flame LV1」
Acquire a Shadow Feather.
Consume the Shadow Feather to wield black flames.
Consumed Shadow Feathers regenerate after a set time.
A shimmering new feather appeared on my right wing.
This was the Shadow Feather—and using it unlocked a new technique.
"Shwoong!"
Swooshy nodded, clutching a bottle cap full of water.
Fire precaution.
Target: the piano where the Laces had lurked.
I glared at it and swung my wing.
「Shadow Flame LV1」
Paang!
The rippling feather shot off like an arrow.
Whoosh!
It transformed into shadow-hued flames.
"Caw-kak!"
So this was Shadow Flame.
A name and sight that stirred a man's soul.
What about its effects?
Roarrr!
It engulfed the entire piano in an instant.
My vow to fill this mansion with warmth was already coming true.
"Caw caw!"
Swooshy, water!
"Shwoooong!"
Swooshy darted over and splashed it, but the flames didn't die.
"Shwooo...?"
Fire that water couldn't extinguish...!
It stirred a man's soul twice over.
"Caw."
But hey, that was cool—now to put it out.
Or the whole mansion, then the village, would burn.
And any passing scarecrow, too.
...Wait, wouldn't that auto-complete the quest?
"Shwoong!"
Clang!
Swooshy whacked my head with her acorn helmet, as if scolding bad thoughts.
"Cheep."
Too bad—the world I wanted to burn was safe. Plan failed.
The flames around the piano suddenly died down.
"Caw?"
And the piano was fine.
...So what did this fire burn?
"Caw-kak."
As Shadow Flame, it had to differ from normal fire.
But no way to tell now.
Probably needed a living target to see true effects.
Scrap the "burn the village" plan.
After more practice with Shadow Flame and Shadow Feathers, I headed to a room with fluffy bedding.
I wanted to train all day, but the body had limits.
Exorcising the Ghost Bride had drained me too much.
Growing fast mattered, but so did proper rest.
"Caw caw."
That was enough for today.
Time to sleep.
"Swooshy."
Swooshy fluttered naturally to my side.
She was female named Rebecca, but she was Swooshy—no big deal.
I spread my wings slightly, making space, and she burrowed in.
"Caw-kak."
Swooshy, you're extra bold today.
Coming all the way inside?
"Shwoooong?"
Swooshy poked her face out.
Now only her head stuck out from my wing.
"Caaaw-kak...?"
Am I dreaming?
"Caw-kak!"
How'd you get inside me!?
"Swooshy."
Swooshy shwooshed nonchalantly.
Was it because she was a Shadow Lace, slipping into this Shadow Crow?
"Shwooong...."
I grabbed her with my beak and pulled her close.
Don't stick your fingers—or anything—in my wings.
Her blending into my body seamlessly had its uses, but first time? Kinda creepy.
Say something first next time.
"Shwoong."
Swooshy gave a sassy look.
Promise to ask next time?
I lightly scratched her acorn helmet with my beak.
Yeah. Let's get along.
....
Wait, acorn helmet?
"Caw?"
Hiding in my shadow? Fine for a Shadow Lace.
But that acorn wasn't shadowy.
I stared at Swooshy.
"Shwooooong?"
I glanced at the silver items neatly stowed nearby.
Shadow Laces could hide in my body or shadow.
Objects touching a Shadow Lace's body turn shadowy too.
Which means...
"Caw-kak!"
Swooshy could double as inventory space!?