Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

Inhuman Being

When Ghost came across Ted, she couldn’t help but notice his pale complexion.

“Seriously? Is that guy even human?!” He blurted out in frustration, swiftly sharing the information he had gathered and recounting what he had witnessed.

“They walked right into an ambush, but something’s off. I mean, who in their right mind would ambush a heavily armed party like that? These so-called bandits were different, though. They were decked out in fancy gear and moved with an uncanny precision. It looked like their plan was to distract the party and then hit the guy from behind with a surprise attack. Everything seemed normal, until it wasn’t.”

According to Ted, based on their gear and tactics, it was possible that they were private soldiers hired by a noble.

It seemed they had set their sights on Curtis, a young man being considered as the next duke and a potential royal match. It was likely that these operatives were working for a noble who harbored a grudge against the Endrake ducal family. However, their plan was quickly foiled.

“It was a seamless and unexpected strike from behind. Nobody could have seen that sneaky attack coming, and the timing was just perfect. But he responded with absolute perfection, and took the attacker down effortlessly.

“Honestly, it felt like he swung his sword without even giving a second thought to his opponent. Can you believe that? It’s impossible, right? But there he was, slicing through the poor bloke as if he were cutting through butter. And from that moment on, it was a total one-sided beatdown.

“The scene at that moment… Even though I was observing from way back, I got this eerie feeling like his eyes were locked onto me. I could feel the fear creeping up my spine.” Ted’s body trembled slightly.

“It must be true, if you say so,” she replied nonchalantly.

“Hey, Ghost. I won’t point fingers at you, but how about we entertain the thought of steering clear of that person? There’s a chance he’ll end up self-destructing in those ruins, right?” Ted expressed his genuine concern.

“No,” Ghost contemplated for a moment, then shook her head. “Based on your information, there’s a good possibility that he’ll succeed and come back unscathed. I have to proceed. Though I’ve sensed the presence of powerful monsters in the ruins.”

There was no trace of despair on her face. In fact, she showed very little emotion at all.

Noticing her usual composed and detached demeanor, Ted released a sigh. “I had a hunch you’d say that. Alright, I get it. I won’t try to stop you. But don’t overexert yourself, alright? We all know the guild will be in one heck of a pickle without you.”

“I’ll do my best. I have to go now. It’ll probably take about a week to navigate through ruins of that size.”

“Yeah, got it. I’ll be at the usual mountain cabin, so hit me up if anything happens. Just… seriously, don’t do anything reckless.” With that said, Ted strolled his way back into town.

Without even bothering to see him off, Ghost casually turned her back. Once again, she ventured into the forest, returning to the ruins.

***

After spending a day keeping watch near the entrance of the ruins, the party finally arrived. The stark contrast between the fatigued companions and the vibrant, energetic figure of Curtis was evident. Even from a distance, his aura exuded liveliness, displaying his vitality and strength as a living being.

With his noble-like appearance, neatly groomed bright brown hair tied in a knot that flowed down his back, and a meticulously maintained suit of armor with a longsword at his side, he resembled a knight straight out of a storybook. However, there was something peculiar about his gaze. Within those eyes, there existed a wild fierceness, reminiscent of a beast.

Unexpectedly, Curtis glanced in her direction.

Without losing her composure, Ghost quickly took cover in the shadows. She made sure to maintain a safe distance, avoiding any careless errors that could give her away. Concealed from view, she contemplated the situation at hand.

After holding her breath momentarily and carefully observing for any signs of movement, she confirmed that Curtis wasn’t approaching her location.

“He really is a troublesome opponent…” Uncharacteristically, she let out a sigh.

Curtis seemed to almost sense her presence, displaying a remarkable intuition. Even from a distance, his movements distinguished him from ordinary individuals.

His steps were light, seemingly defying gravity, and his posture conveyed a relaxed yet vigilant demeanor, leaving no room for carelessness. But what truly set him apart was the subtle, yet unmistakable, chilling aura that surrounded him, triggering sensations in her senses unlike any opponent she had encountered before.

“Even so… he’s still human.”

Blades will penetrate his flesh, that much is certain. He’s not a ghost. She nodded silently, reaffirming her confidence.

As someone who bore the name Ghost herself, she believed he was not an opponent she couldn’t overcome. It was a natural conviction, not a matter of pride or arrogance.

Being a ghost that could walk like a human, to hold and grasp things—that was her essence.

They’re starting to move.

The chilling atmosphere gradually dissipated and faded away. She cautiously peeked from behind the cover of the trees, observing as they all advanced towards the ruins.

The true test lay ahead.

Keeping a safe distance, she resumed tracking him, devising a plan on how to bring down the inhuman being.

***

Author’s Note:

I came. I saw. I conquered—A horrifying violence, taking the shape of a human. Spreading death and raging like a tempest. And upon reaching the destination, the realization dawns. The real thrill is yet to come.

Up next: The Tragedy Unleashed by the Hero

It resembles a savage beast cloaked in human guise.