Specter's Stage

With the spider still struggling in the web, I took a deep breath and chucked my spear at the rocks. Miraculously, it struck the mark, and the rocks tumbled down, crashing onto the spider. It screeched in pain as the rocks crushed it, finally finishing the beast.

Panting and drenched in sweat, I stood over the spider, my legs covered in jelly.

“Ha… take that, you overgrown pest! Looks like I still got it!”

And just like that, I beat my first monster in Nod. By myself, nonetheless! Hehe. A big creature like that must give you a ton of XP.

“Hmmm, that’s strange. Normally, some sort of transparent display is supposed to pop up and congratulate me for leveling up, especially this early in the game.”

I started frantically swiping my fingers in the air around me, as if trying to summon an invisible interface. If I were in the city right now, I’d definitely look like a fool. After several minutes of flailing around like a madman, I gave up, sulking as I realized that Nod just isn’t that kind of world. Now that I think about it-this would be a hell of a shit tutorial!

With my path now free, I continued ahead with a newfound confidence I never had at the start of this expedition. Even though this isn’t a video game, I felt like I’d gained some XP in my heart. Suddenly, I heard muffled sounds coming from the room in front of me. You’d think I’d be scared, right? Well, you’d be wrong! Fueled by my recent victory, I charged straight in, ready to take on whatever beast dared challenge me.

But to my surprise, what I found wasn’t a monster. Hanging from the ceiling, wrapped tightly in a web, was a woman. The web encased her entire body up to her mouth, but I could recognize those beautiful strawberry locks and icy scent anywhere.

“Kamei!” I exclaimed.

I rushed toward Kamei, quickly slashing at the webs that had her tangled up. She fell into my arms, coughing as she tried to stand. My mind raced—who could have done this to her? Who was strong enough to trap Kamei like this?

“Kamei! Are you okay?”

“Yuuki, watch out! This is a trap!” she warned in a panic.

“A trap?”

I barely had time to register her words before I felt something cold and eerie touch my shoulders. I tried to turn around, but before I could react, it was like my body was hit by a powerful, burning gust of wind. Suddenly, both Kamei and I were sent flying across the room. My head slammed against the rocks, and I tumbled to the ground. So far, I’d managed to avoid taking serious damage, but now…I was bleeding like crazy. The room spun around me, and I felt lightheaded, I was probably down to 10 HP.

I forced my gaze upward, and there, standing over us, was a dark figure cloaked in shadows. Despite the cloak, I could see his well-dressed attire underneath, making him look like some strange mix of a mysterious wizard and a jester, especially with that ridiculous mask of his. Whatever he was, this guy screamed trouble.

“Ouuuhooo, it seems like the cat has caught the mouse!” he laughed.

“Yuuki, run away,” Kamei said, her hand already reaching for her gun.

“You don’t plan on fighting that guy alone, do you?”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she shot back coldly.

“I wasn’t commanding you, I was just saying it’d be dangerous,” I tried to explain, but she wasn’t having it.

“And look who’s talking!” she snapped. “Why did you have to come back here, anyway!? I told you we’re done!”

“Because… I made a mistake,” I admitted.

Kamei’s hostile glare softened just a bit.

“I…I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier. That was a mistake. I really shouldn’t have done that,” I confessed.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, just as I thought she might forgive me, she sneered, “Were you so helpless without me that you had to come running back for my help?”

“This…really isn’t the time for this,” I said, exasperated.

“Hmph, well fine. Just know your place next time. Babies should sit in the rear seat.”

The wizard-jester thing sat down, munching on popcorn with one hand and wiping tears with the other.

“Uuuooo! How touching! What a beautiful love story!”

“We’re not in love!” we shouted in unison.

“Huh? Why’d you stop?” he teased.

“Quit playing around!”

Kamei fired a massive storm of bullets at him. Watching Kamei in action again, even though it’s been less than a day, felt strangely nostalgic. Each bullet found its mark, making significant damage—or so I thought.

“That serves him right!”

“Uoooooooohahahahaha!” he cackled, his laughter echoing through the cave.

I’ve never seen Kamei this terrified before. She quickly fired another barrage of bullets, but the jester just kept laughing.

Sweat dripped from her brow, and her entire body shook. I could practically see her heart palpitating out of her chest.

“W-who the hell are you? What are you!?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

“Hehehehehe! Let the show begin, for I, Specter, am in the spotlight!” he declared with a theatrical bow.

“Specter? How scary,” I muttered.

“Who do you work for!?” Kamei yelled.

“I am what they call, a Knightmare General,” he replied, a devilish smirk playing on his lips.

Kamei’s knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, tears of terror streaming down her face. “Y-you!”

“Kamei, what’s the matter!?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.

“The Knightmare Generals…they’re the ones who destroyed my village. They work directly for the Nightmare King."

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” I exclaimed.