Chapter 10 – The Gate of the North

Chapter 10 – The Gate of the North

Roy and Velcous sprinted through the bustling streets toward the northern gate. The air carried a faint scent of iron and dust, stirred by boots and hooves. People went about their business, completely ignoring the white-hooded figure gliding beside Roy.

Roy shot Velcous a puzzled glance. “Velcous… why is no one looking at you?”

Velcous’ voice was calm, almost amused. “Perhaps because they cannot see a ghost, Master. After all, only the living who have touched death can truly perceive me.”

Roy’s eyebrows lifted. “That… actually makes sense. Still creepy, though.”

Velcous tilted his head. “I can also possess the corpse of any fallen entity I’ve killed.”

Roy’s pace faltered for a heartbeat, his eyes wide. “That’s a terrifying skill.”

A faint chuckle. “Of course, Master.”

As they neared the northern end of town, Roy’s eyes caught the blacksmith’s shop. Through the closed door, Maro and Yur resting quietly inside, their faces heavy with sadness.

Velcous glanced at Roy. “You can visit them if you wish.”

Roy shook his head firmly. “No. First, we deal with the monsters… and the one who hurt Maro and Yur.”

Velcous bowed his head. “As you wish, Master.”

They arrived at the northern gate—only to find a large crowd gathered. Soldiers in armor and armed adventurers stood in tense clusters, voices raised in argument.

Velcous’ tone sharpened. “Master, it seems the army and adventurers are at odds over something.”

Roy muttered, “Yeah…”

Velcous’ faint smile curved under the hood. “You need not speak aloud, Master. I always know what you are thinking.”

A familiar voice rang out from the crowd. “ROY!”

Roy turned to see a man in army uniform, rifle slung across his shoulder—Loid. He waved energetically.

Roy waved back. “Hello, Loid!”

“What are you doing here?” Loid asked, curious.

Roy thought for a moment. “Just… checking what’s going on.”

Loid sighed. “Not good. The adventurers want the gate opened so they can level up outside.”

Roy clenched his fist. “They still think this is a game?!”

Loid shrugged. “Honestly… yeah. But hasn’t it felt like one from the start?”

Roy’s gaze hardened. “That’s the problem. Right now, they see it as a game. But ten years from now… this will turn into something far worse than they can imagine.”

Loid frowned, confused, but Roy’s tone left no room for questions.

“Thanks, Loid,” Roy said quietly. “This time… I’ll make sure you survive.”

Loid grinned. “Good. Then you can save me a seat at dinner later.”

Roy chuckled. “Yeah, yeah.”

Loid’s expression shifted. “Wait… what happened to the blacksmith owner? Did he—”

A deafening magical blast shook the air near the gate, cutting him off.

“Tch, another adventurer causing trouble!” Loid cursed. “Stay here, Roy—your health isn’t good enough!” He sprinted toward the commotion.

Roy’s thoughts sharpened. Velcous… can you possess the living?

“I can,” Velcous replied, “but only for a short time. Perhaps six minutes at most.”

“That’s long enough. Can you take over the leader of the adventurers?”

“Yes, Master.”

Roy’s eyes narrowed. He remembered clearly—the main reason the monster wave succeeded was because the gate was opened. “You know what to do.”

“Yes, Master.”

At the gate, soldiers shouted at the gathered adventurers.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Open the gate! We want to level up outside!” came the reply from a frustrated mage.

“You can’t! There are reports of massive monster activity out there!” an army captain barked back.

A man in shining plate armor stepped forward, voice booming with confidence. “I am Rath, leader of the adventurers. Level fifty. Open the gate—we’ll eradicate the monsters outside.”

The soldiers exchanged stunned looks.
“He’s level fifty?!”
“We might actually stand a chance…”

“Should we open it?” one soldier whispered.

Loid’s voice cut through sharply. “No! We can’t open the gate!”

Gasps rippled through the soldiers.
“Is he crazy?”
“That’s like a cockroach challenging a cobra!”

The adventurers turned hostile glares on Loid.
“Who does he think he is?”
“He’s just some army grunt!”

Rath smirked. “Hello, I’m Rath, lv—”

“I know exactly who you are,” Loid interrupted. “But we’re not opening the gate just because you’re high level!”

Murmurs broke out among the army.
“He’s dead.”
“Yeah… he’s so dead.”

High above, Velcous’ voice whispered through the cold air. I found you.

Back at ground level, Rath’s smile grew sharper. His hand moved toward his sword. The adventurers behind him readied their weapons.

Loid braced himself, jaw tight. If I have to die here to protect the people, so be it. These awakened fools still think this life is just a game.

A voice unlike any other sliced into the minds of all present.
“Forbidden Spell: Ghost Ancient Possession.”

The crowd froze.
“What was that eerie voice?”
“Where did it come from?”

Loid kept his eyes closed, ready for the blow.

But instead, Rath’s voice changed—low, halting, unnatural.
“…Let’s… leave… here…”

Confused murmurs swept the adventurers.
“Leave? What?”
“I thought we were opening the gate!”

Rath raised his sword—not toward the soldiers, but toward one of his own.
“If… you… want… the gate… open… you’ll… have… to… kill… me.”

The adventurers stared in disbelief.

The vice leader shouted, “You heard him! Move back—now!”

“Leader, what’s wrong with you?”
“This is insane…”

Reluctantly, the adventurers sheathed their weapons and began retreating.

From the crowd, the vice leader’s eyes narrowed at Roy for just a moment—then he turned away.

Roy’s gaze followed him. Why’s that guy staring at me like that?

Loid, meanwhile, was trembling with relief. “I… I thought I was dead.”

Soldiers muttered to each other.
“Didn’t he want to open the gate?”
“Yeah… what the hell happened?”

Roy stepped toward the gate.

“Roy!” Loid called out.

“Hey, that’s Roy,” one soldier muttered.
“Isn’t he friends with Loid?” another added.

Loid moved past the frozen Rath. “What’s with this guy?”

“Don’t get close—he’s acting weird,” Loid warned.

Roy just shook his head. “Weird? He’s unconscious.”

Rath’s body slumped, and Loid cursed. “What the—”

Only Roy saw Velcous’ hooded form drift away from Rath’s body.

Well done, Velcous, Roy thought.

Thank you, Master.

As soldiers rushed to aid Rath, Roy’s focus shifted. That guy before… did you notice him staring at me?

“Yes,” Velcous said. “He is the vice leader of the adventurers. And I suspect… he knows something.”

We’ll deal with him after the monsters and the bandits.

“Yes, Master.”

Behind them, the retreating adventurers grumbled.
“What’s wrong with Rath?”
“He backed down without a fight.”

The vice leader’s voice cut through their complaints. “He is no longer our leader.”

Shock rippled through the group.
“What?!”
“Why?”

“He was possessed… by something unknown,” the vice leader said coldly. “We move tonight.”

A grin spread among the adventurers.
“Finally, we’ll hunt after dark!”
“Yeah! This’ll be fun.”

The vice leader’s eyes darkened with intent. I’ve found the perfect candidate… for the Seven Deadly Sins