Chapter 9 – Ghost Crystal and Blood Oath

Chapter 9 – Ghost Crystal and Blood Oath

Roy and Velcous walked in silence, the trees thinning behind them as the forest path opened to sunlight. The scent of pine still clung to the air, but Roy’s mind was elsewhere.

“Oh, wait,” Roy suddenly muttered, eyes widening slightly. “I killed two enemies already…”

Velcous tilted his head. “Yes, Master. That means your passive skill should activate.”

Roy opened his menu.

[Passive Skill – Collection of Ghosts (Unique)]
Description: You may collect the ghost of any fallen entity you kill.
Progress: 2 / 2
Effect: Gain stats from collected ghost or summon it.
Cooldown: 25 minutes per summon use.

“I forgot about this…” Roy whispered. “So I can either gain a skill from the wolves… or summon one as an ally.”

Velcous crossed his arms. “If I may suggest, Master… choosing a skill is the better option.”

Roy glanced at him. “Why?”

“Because of your other passive—Ghost Grimoire. Any skill you gain through ghosts is converted into a ghost-type. And don’t forget—Ghost Past is still on cooldown. That one has a 1-day wait before you can absorb anything else.”

[Passive Skill – Ghost Past (Unique)]
Description: You may absorb one skill from a fallen entity you’ve touched.
Cooldown: 1 Day.

Roy blinked, surprised. “You really do know a lot...”

Velcous looked thoughtful. “I don’t know why… it’s like the knowledge was already inside me when I awoke.”

Roy narrowed his eyes. “When did your consciousness begin?”

Velcous scratched his head, awkward. “That’s hard to explain. I think… I had all your memories from the start. From the moment I was born from your shadow.”

“Like... since birth?” Roy asked, confused.

“Let’s say... yeah. From the day you were born, I was there.”

Roy froze. “So you're like… my twin brother?”

Velcous smiled faintly. “Yes. So... do you feel like we’re siblings?”

Roy blinked, then gave a small chuckle. “Well... if you’ve seen everything from my birth till now, then... yeah. I guess it does feel like that.”

Velcous looked away, clearly embarrassed. “I’m glad… you see me as a sibling.”

Both of them scratched their heads at the same time. The air between them grew awkward.

“…Alright, let’s stop this cringe conversation,” Roy muttered.

“I agree,” Velcous nodded. “Let’s focus on your skill selection instead.”

Roy sighed and opened his passive window again.

[Collection of Ghosts – Progress: 2 / 2]
Choose one reward:

Skill of the Wolf

Summon Ghost Wolf (Lv. 28)

Ghost Crystal (Refining Material)

Roy’s eyes locked on the third option. “Ghost Crystal…?”

He frowned. “Wait, I thought I could only choose between gaining skills or summoning ghosts… What’s this third option?”

Velcous leaned closer, peering into the window. “Ghost Crystal...? I’ve never seen that before. But if it’s rare enough to appear here, it might be valuable.”

Roy hesitated, thinking. “Hmm… Alright. Let’s take the gamble.”

Velcous smiled. “Go for it, Master.”

Roy clicked the third option.

[Item Obtained: Ghost Crystal (Refining Material)]
Description: An ultra-rare item invisible to the human eye. It can evolve any equipment that is Ghost-type or higher.
— Chance to become Ghost type: 50%
— Chance to become Cursed type: 25%
— Chance to become King type: 12%
— Chance to become Ancient type: 9%
— Chance to become God type: 1%

Roy’s jaw dropped. “Wh-What the hell is this...?”

Even Velcous looked stunned. “M-Master… That thing is very powerful…”

“Yeah…” Roy breathed. “Insane…”

Suddenly, a new notification appeared in front of him.

[Ghost Crystal is reacting to your Wolf Fang Tooth Dagger (Epic)]
Ghost Crystal has found a new host.
Would you like to fuse Ghost Crystal and Wolf Fang Tooth Dagger?
→ Yes / No

Roy stared at the message. His thumb hovered over ‘No’.

“This dagger... Yur and Maro made it for me.”

Velcous remained quiet for a moment. Then he spoke gently. “Whatever you choose, I’ll support it. I follow what makes you happy, Master.”

Roy closed his eyes. He remembered the day they gave him the dagger—the smiles, the pride. Then the blood. The pain. The fire.

“…But weakness won’t make me happy,” Roy muttered. “I need strength... I will change the future.”

He pressed Yes.

Ding! Fusion Successful.
You gained Ghost type!
Ding! Ultra Chance triggered — You gained Cursed type!
Your Wolf Fang Tooth Dagger has duplicated due to dual classification.

1x Ghost Tooth Dagger (Epic)
Description: Forged by a promising blacksmith, evolved into Ghost-type.
Effect: +2 Soul / +1 Ghost Skills

1x Cursed Blood King Dagger (Unique)
Description: A weapon once wielded by the founder of the Blood Oath—now cursed.
Effect: Unlocks Skill – Blood Oath Contract
Passive – Cursed Bleed

Roy’s hands trembled slightly as two new daggers materialized—one ghostly white, the other deep crimson, pulsing like a beating heart.

“Wh-What…?” he gasped. “Two weapons…?”

Velcous was speechless for once. “Master… Are you… lucky?”

Roy’s eyes gleamed. His grip tightened on the hilts. “No. This... this is the start of my training to change the regrets!.”

Velcous smiled warmly. But then his expression darkened. He winced, eyes closing briefly. “Master. My summoned wolf has been killed by… bandits.”

Roy’s expression sharpened instantly. “Where?”

“In the north forest,” Velcous replied grimly. “The same place where your friend were ambushed. And… it’s also where the monster wave begins.”

Roy gritted his teeth, rage surging inside. Then he paused. “Speaking of monsters… what’s their status?”

Velcous focused for a moment, then replied, “My ghost wolf scout saw hordes of them—low to mid-tier monsters gathering. The wave has started.”

Roy narrowed his eyes. “Then you take the mo—”

Velcous interrupted, smiling faintly. “You don’t need to finish the sentence, Master. I already know your plan. I’ll hold the monsters back. You deal with the bandits.”

Roy smiled, grateful. “Thank you, Velcous. I’ll repay you after this.”

“Alright!” Velcous grinned. “But only if you treat me to some bacon-onion bread!”

Roy raised a brow. “You’ve got the same taste as me…”

They both chuckled, and without another word, they turned toward the north—toward the danger, the revenge, and the fate they would soon rewrite together.