Chapter 11 – The Northern Gate and the Ghosts of Regret

Chapter 11 – The Northern Gate and the Ghosts of Regret
Roy, Velcous, Loid, and the rest of the army stood tense by the northern gate. Rath’s unconscious body lay nearby, guarded but unresponsive.
Loid glanced warily at the fallen adventurer, then turned to Roy.“That guy was acting strange a moment ago. He wanted to open the gate—then suddenly changed his mind. Thank God he didn’t.”
Roy shifted focus from Rath to Loid, his voice grave.“Yes. When the gate opens, many innocent people suffer.”
Loid nodded firmly, eyes sharp.“You know this well. Even though we aren’t awakened, we keep fighting to protect those innocents!”
Roy’s mind flashed back fifteen years—an escort mission in the north forest.
The scene unfolded:
Gunfire echoed through the trees. Bandits and monsters swarmed the backup army. Amidst the chaos, Loid lay wounded, clutching Roy’s arm, blood trickling down his face.
“Hang in there, Loid!” Roy urged desperately.
Loid coughed, blood spattering, his grip weak but fierce.“I have… one final request, Roy…”
Tears blurred Roy’s vision. “Don’t talk! Wait for the medics—”
Loid interrupted, voice fading.“Find my… little sister… and my little brother…”
Roy’s voice broke with determination.“I will find them! What are their names?”
Loid whispered faintly, then his hand went limp in Roy’s grasp.
Back to present:
Roy placed a firm hand on Loid’s shoulder.“I knew you were still a good person.”
Loid flushed slightly, embarrassed.“Well, I nearly died back there… and I wasn’t ready. Still no girlfriend, you know.” He chuckled softly.
Roy scratched his head and laughed quietly.“Whatever you say, Loid.”
Roy’s tone turned serious.“Do you have siblings?”
Loid looked confused, scratching his head.“Nope. I’m an only child.”
Roy’s thoughts churned.I thought he had siblings… my regret was never finding them. But now he says he doesn’t?
Loid frowned at Roy’s odd expression.“You’re acting weird. You already know, right? I shared some photos of my family.”
Roy shook off his confusion and focused on the task ahead.I think that later let's focus on the monster wave. “As a soldier, I have permission to leave the gate, right?”
Loid gripped Roy’s shoulders, urgency flashing in his eyes.“Are you on some kind of suicide mission? Did the general order this?”
Roy shook his head firmly.“No, I’m helping the scout unit with a gathering mission.”
Loid sighed in relief.“Good. I thought you meant hunting bandits. The scout team is outside the wall now. I’ll report to the higher-ups. See you around, Roy.”
“See you,” Roy replied, turning away.
His thoughts immediately sought Velcous.“How did your ghost wolf get past the gate, Velcous?”
Velcous answered calmly,“It’s a ghost-type ability—undetectable by human eyes.”
Roy frowned.If humans can’t see it, how did bandits kill your wolf?
Velcous looked worried.“Probably a high-level awakened.”
Roy’s mind raced.A high-level awakened? Then…
Velcous confirmed grimly,“Yes, likely connected to the monster wave.”
Roy resolved.“I need to level up fast.”
Velcous added,“My ghost wolf found something in the bandits’ hideout—two siblings, many prisoners, and a high-level monster deep in a pit. Level seventy-five. One bandit’s level is ninety-five.”
Roy opened his status window, contemplating his options aloud.
Name: RoyLevel: 18Class: Ghost SummonerTitle: NoneAge: 24
Skills:

Ghost Dash (Epic) +1
Ancient Ghost Summon (Unique) +1
 Locked (Collect Ghost Fragments) (20+ slots)


Passives:

Ghost Grimoire (Unique) +1
Ghost Past (Unique) +1
Collection of Ghosts (Unique) +1
Revive of the Past Ghost (???)(13+ locked)


Inventory:

1x Ghost Tooth Dagger (Epic)Forged by a promising blacksmith, evolved into Ghost-type. Effect: +2 Soul / +1 Ghost Skills
1x Cursed Blood King Dagger (Unique)Once wielded by the founder of the Blood Oath—now cursed. Unlocks Skill – Blood Oath Contract, Passive – Cursed Bleed


As Roy focused on the window, a soldier waved at him.“How’s your health, Roy?”
Roy ignored the call, absorbed in his stats.
The soldier turned to the gate guard, concerned.“What’s wrong with him?”
The guard replied,“Probably scout mission fatigue. They’re moving all day, from sunrise to sundown.”
The first soldier nodded knowingly.“Dangerous work, but it’s Roy’s specialty. He’ll manage.”
Roy thought bitterly,Tch. Level 18 isn’t enough to take down a level 95 bandit.
Velcous suggested,“How about leveling first, then summoning a unit?”
Roy’s eyes flickered toward his skill list, realizing the dagger’s effect.“So I can use the skill that summoned you?”
Velcous smiled.“Let’s try, Master. I’ll watch your back. If I kill the monsters, you won’t get experience or souls.”
Roy’s resolve hardened.“Perfect. I need those levels to rewrite my regrets.”
Roy exited the northern gate. The scout unit gathered under their leader’s watchful eyes.
“Attention!” the leader barked.
The soldiers snapped to attention. The leader stepped down from the platform and approached Roy.
Roy felt a sharp killing intent—but held his dagger firmly, ready to summon if needed. Instead, he saluted.
The leader’s voice was cold.“Your punishment for disrespecting orders: you’re assigned to scout the monster horde in the north forest.”
Roy stood rigid, saluting. Perfect, he thought bitterly. I knew you were a coward, leader—you fled while the town suffered.
The leader’s voice boomed again.“We scouts are strong, but the leader is strongest of all!”
“YES, SIR!” the scouts shouted in unison.
“Good. Now, dismissed.”
The leader glared at Roy as he left.“Tch! You think you’ll survive that suicide mission?”
Roy didn’t even glance back.
Velcous whispered,“My advice: summon ghost monsters to level up while you fight those high-level bandits.”
Roy’s thoughts raced.I don’t have your ability to summon multiple units at once.
Velcous explained,“My skill activates whenever an entity dies near me—I summon it instantly.”
Roy shuddered at the power.“You’re overpowered, but I won’t depend on you alone. This is my regret. I will fix it with my own hands—and kill whoever injured Maro and Yur.”
Velcous nodded.“Yes, Master. I’ll follow your command.”
The sun began to set as they ventured into the north forest, the monster wave looming.


A scout was suddenly cornered by a pack of wolves.“Sht, this isn’t good! Tch! F*ck you, leader of scouts!” he yelled, struggling as the wolves bit into him.