‘Gulp… This really isn’t some ghost village, is it?’ ‘A strange mist had enveloped the village at some unknown point, not only obscuring their path forward but also erasing the way they had come. Qian Qiao swallowed hard, her gaze darting nervously around. Instinctively, she retreated further into the center of their group.
In stark contrast to Qian Qiao’s evident fear, Bai Xia displayed not a hint of apprehension. Instead, her eyes glinted with interest.
“I suppose so? After all, even zombies have appeared. I wonder what other strange and bizarre creatures will emerge next. Will there be Lickers?”
“Lickers?”
“Ah… I forgot that none of you seem to have watched Resident Evil.”
The puzzled expressions on the others’ faces made Bai Xia realize that this world lacked the classic movies and games from her past. While similar plotlines might exist, the terminology was clearly entirely different.
Though they couldn’t grasp the concept of Lickers, the term “Resident Evil” had clearly resonated with them.
“…This game’s worldview is primarily magic-based, so it wouldn’t possibly be related to ‘Resident Evil’ as you described. But since it’s a magic world, though, could there be ghosts or something?”
Perhaps to prevent herself from succumbing to fear, Qian Qiao attempted to disperse the chilling atmosphere with words. Bai Xia turned, casting a glance at her, then pointed behind her.
“Like that, behind you?”
“Huh?” Qian Qiao froze for a moment before an indignant expression blossomed on her face. “You’ve played this trick once, Bai Xia; do you really think I’d fall for it again?”
“No, there truly is a ghost behind you.”
Since it was Moonlit Night who spoke this time, Qian Qiao’s retort, which had been poised on her tongue, became lodged in her throat. She stiffly turned around, only to be met by a ghastly pale face.
More precisely, the creature hovering behind her was entirely pallid. Its face bore no discernible features, and though its form vaguely resembled a human, its body was semi-transparent.
Qian Qiao remained silent for approximately two seconds.
“A ghost—!!!”
Her tearful shriek not only startled Bai Xia and the others but also seemed to momentarily stun the very ghost that had materialized behind her.
At that moment, Black Sky One Sword, who was closest to Qian Qiao, finally made his move. Yet, his greatsword, whistling through the air, passed through the ghost’s body without the slightest resistance or inflicting any damage!
“…Physical attacks are ineffective?”
[Soul of Resentment]: Level 20, HP 1200. A departed soul unable to return to the underworld due to lingering hatred and corruption after death. Lacking a physical body and with its spiritual essence muddled, it possesses no direct means of attack but can interfere with enemies through possession.
Talent: Spectral Form: As a departed soul, it is immune to all physical attacks. In areas abundant with dark and death energy, its recovery and movement speed are increased.
Skill: Possession: Infiltrates the target’s body, causing them to lose control of their physical form for a short duration. It also applies a ‘Resentment Aura’ to the possessed target, lowering their attack power, critical hit rate, and magic defense for a set period. (Possession cannot be repeatedly used on the same target within a short timeframe. If the Soul of Resentment is expelled during possession, the skill will be completely unusable for a short period.)
Black Sky One Sword’s attack proved futile, but the monster’s complete attributes were now laid bare before everyone.
Just as Bai Xia drew her weapon, preparing to dispatch it with a few swift strikes, the so-called Soul of Resentment plunged into Qian Qiao’s astonished body first!
“Don’t come near… A-re!?”
Qian Qiao’s words were cut short as she suddenly spun around, bringing her staff down squarely onto Black Sky One Sword’s head.
The young man couldn’t react in time; dazed by the blow, he staggered a few steps before collapsing onto the ground beside them.
Of course, as a mere mage, Qian Qiao’s staff only chipped away a sliver of Black Sky One Sword’s HP, but it was enough to cause a brief moment of chaos.
“I… I didn’t mean to! My body isn’t under my control at all! Ahhh! Get away! Quickly, get away!”
With a face contorted as if on the verge of tears, Qian Qiao swung her staff again at Black Sky One Sword, who had just managed to scramble to his feet. This time, however, the prepared young man easily parried the blow with his sword.
Rubbing the cheek where he’d been struck, Black Sky One Sword’s mouth twitched. “I know you didn’t mean to, but… why did you hit *me* first?”
On one side, Qian Qiao, controlled by the Soul of Resentment, relentlessly pursued Black Sky One Sword, staff strike after staff strike. On the other, Bai Xia and the others could only watch helplessly. None of them possessed skills to dispel negative status effects, nor did they have any dispel scrolls; going over would only add to the confusion.
Fortunately, the Soul of Resentment couldn’t compel Qian Qiao to use any magic, allowing Black Sky One Sword to manage the situation.
This continued for about six or seven seconds. Then, Qian Qiao, who had been relentlessly chasing Black Sky One Sword, suddenly stiffened. In a flash of dark light, the Soul of Resentment finally detached itself from her body.
After detaching, the Soul of Resentment circled briefly in the air before rushing without hesitation towards the nearest target: Black Sky One Sword. However, three light arrows had already pierced its form, and in the instant it faltered, Bai Xia swiftly lunged forward, slicing it into fragments with a few rapid strikes!
****
The demise of the first Soul of Resentment was far from the end, for soon, more creatures emerged from the surrounding mist. There were four more Souls of Resentment, alongside seven mutated Blood Corpses.
Pure physical damage dealers like Qin Zheng and Black Sky One Sword were powerless to prevent the possessions. Thus, Bai Xia and Moonlit Night each had to guard one of them, ensuring no vengeful spirit could approach.
As for Qian Qiao? Surrounded by Blood Corpses and vengeful spirits, it was enough for her to simply take care of herself.
The unique nature of the Souls of Resentment indeed presented Bai Xia and her companions with considerable trouble, especially given that a new wave would refresh after the first was cleared, making the situation even more difficult to handle.
However, they soon uncovered a weakness in these peculiar entities: before possessing a target, the Souls of Resentment would briefly transform their bodies into a misty state. In this form, they were neither invincible nor immobile.
As long as they seized the opportune moment, a coordinated attack could instantly kill them, posing no significant problem.
Of course, given the extremely brief window and their location within an area thick with death energy, accidents were bound to happen. For instance—
“Boss, look out!”
Having not anticipated the Soul of Resentment would suddenly accelerate and evade her attack, Bai Xia was unexpectedly struck. Possessed, she immediately spun around and slashed her blade towards Qin Zheng, who stood beside her.
Her attack, naturally, was not comparable to Qian Qiao’s staff. Thus, even a mere normal attack was something Qin Zheng dared not directly block, as a few strikes could very well leave him critically wounded.
At this juncture, however, retreating was clearly too late. Moreover, Bai Xia’s speed surpassed his own, meaning even if he fell back, he would be instantly pursued.
So, what was to be done? Even as he dodged the initial strike, Qin Zheng fell into deep contemplation.