I didn't sleep.I want to know what's going on. I stayed up all night to complete that quest. I am saying that I will complete quest but It's quest or not that doesn't matter to me. I just felt something odd. I felt something left unsolved. Around midnight, I saw a man walking down the street. There wasn't a single people out in street. I followed him in the dark. No lights around just the light of the full moon. That gave me much chill but I Didn't feared at all.
After walking for about thirty minutes, he went under a bridge. I kept my eyes on him from a distance. I saw him searching for something.
There were several tunnels beneath the bridge. He entered each one, searching carefully as though he were looking for something important. I couldn't figure out what exactly he was searching for. And obviously I won't know cause I am seeing him first time. I didn't pursue him any further that night. I returned to my inn. Sleep evaded me. My mind was racing—but no thoughts seemed to stick.
If he's a ghost, then why would he be searching for something? A ghost doesn't need anything. They don't eat or sleep. The only explanation that makes sense is that he might've lost something precious to him when he was alive—something he cherished deeply. Which is wrapped his soul with happiness and sadness. Also that left him empty.
The next morning, I went to the library.
"How Can I help you?"
A beautiful young girl with glasses asked me.
"I am new here so I want to collect some information.... no I mean great views of nature, activities of locals this kinda news." I said it with a smile. That was fake though.
"I see. Go straight and left. And to towards third shelve. You will find it." she said to me with real smile.
Her real smile gave me a real smile and i said, "Thank you for your help"
"My pleasure. And this is my work" she said with a smile.
I started searching. Aside from books, the library also archives recent events and local news. I began reading through news reports from the past six months, hoping to find some clue.
Since I saw the man searching beneath the bridge, I assumed he must have died there, perhaps in an accident. Considering the quest was recently issued, it made sense that the incident happened not too long ago.
I searched the news tirelessly—from noon to late afternoon. At last, I found something. About one and a half months ago, five workers died during a bridge construction project. Four of the bodies were recovered and sent to their families. But one body remained unclaimed—no one knew where he had lived or who his family was. And he was buried in a local graveyard.
After reading that, everything suddenly made sense. It all became clear. I stepped out of the library. I didn't saw librarian girl there. The streets were beginning to fill with people returning home from work, as the sky turned orange with the setting sun. I saw that librarian girl in the street and he was walking alone. Then he saw me and stopped after seeing me.
"Going home" She spoke first.
"Yes." I replied with a smile.
I was curious about about her name so i asked her name.
"Oohh..... My name? I am Eriza, I live in Palantal Clock street."
"Hehhh..... This is not good to tell a stranger about Where you live. By the way I am Mahiru. It's late but nice to meet you."
"You know I saw a lot of people everyday during my work. Some youngsters look angry but have soft heart and some senior citizen have a gentle smile but evil heart. After seeing you, I didn't felt anything evil but I felt something soft and your soul is searching for something."
"You saw through me. Everyone has there own problem in his life. Everyone fought for there dreams, everyone fought for what they love and some seek themself what he lost and what will he achieve or what he wanted to achieve"
"You are right. Our soul always seek for the things we don't even know or Imagine."
After saying that a strong wind came dirts are swirling around she chanted wind spell to get rid of the dirt. I notice she didn't have any magic items.
"You Don't have any magic items. How can you chant magic spell??!!"
"Who needs magic items to chant spell? Magic items just add extra boost and power. But the core of the magic is human heart."
Then I remembered the book I finished back then in palace. That was too old. Even no one enters. And i didn't even saw a new book entered on this library. I puzzled. But before that I have to take care of it.
"No I mean I was reading too long in library so I got puzzled."
I told a poor lie that even a child can understand. But he didn't ask back any question.
But she said, "History of thousand year people didn't know how to use magic. So they started experiments. And then injected it in there DNA. And from this generation to generation gain magical power. Magical power manipulates by there hearts will. Some are evil and some are good"
"Wow i didn't know...thanks for telling."
"Nah Nah....Thanks to you. After a long time I spoke to someone that much. Wanna come to my place and have a tea?"
"I really appreciate that. But I have to do some work. I will come later." I said that with smile.
"Sure,anytime. Ok am now leaving. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow"
for the very first time I said that to someone. She was a nice and calm girl. But I am surprise for what she said. And I have a question why can't i use magic then? Nevermind I won't think about it now. I have other works to do.
That night, I made up my mind—I would speak to the man face to face. Because even though he was a ghost, he didn't seem like an evil one. His soul hadn't found peace. Perhaps, none of his hopes had been fulfilled in life.
So I stayed awake until midnight again. And once more, he passed through that same lane. He went under the bridge, still searching. This time, I boldly stepped in front of him.
"Hello there. May I help you find what you're looking for?"
That was a gangster type question i guess. Huh my communication skill sucks.
He looked straight at me.
"You don't look like a ghost. You're human."
He can speak too.
"Yes, I am."
"It's been a long time since someone spoke to me," he said.
"A long time since I had a conversation with a living person. Aren't you afraid of me?"
"To be honest, I'm not afraid. I approached you out of curiosity."
"Curious? About what?"
"You didn't become a ghost by accident. There must be a reason. Maybe a wish of yours remained unfulfilled. That's why your soul hasn't been released—and you're wandering around trying to complete it. I want to know what that wish is. And I want to help you fulfill it."
"Did it never occur to you that I might be an evil spirit? Why would a human go out of their way to fulfill a ghost's desire?"
"At first, I didn't think you were evil. I watched you for a long time. I followed you that night. But you were so absorbed in your search that you didn't even sense my presence. A living person would've easily realized someone was behind them. But you didn't notice—because you were so lost in thought. That's when I understood—you don't mean harm to anyone.
Secondly, I may be human, but my understanding of human emotions is shallow. I want to learn more about the human psyche. And since you were once human, I believe I can understand humanity better through you. If you share your unfulfilled desire with me, I'll gain insight into the human heart. And if I help fulfill your wish, I'll understand the emotions that keep a soul bound."
"Your thoughts are crazy… but I can tell you're sincere. I'll tell you everything."
I gave him a gentle smile.
"I'm from Pantoran, a neighboring state. I came here about two years ago for work. I used to be a farmer. But then a devastating drought struck Pantoran—many people died, and the lands became infertile. So I came here, hoping to earn a living. Most of the money I earned, I sent back to my family.
I also saved some money with the dream that one day I would return home and live peacefully with my loved ones. But fate played a cruel trick on me. I never got to see my family one last time. Even the money I had saved was left behind, and my family still doesn't know what happened to me. I'll never see them again… and I'll never retrieve that money."
"So one of your wishes is to see your family again… but what about the money?"
"The bag where I kept the money also held pictures of my family. Since I died in this state, I can't leave it. But I want to keep those photos with me. If my family ever comes searching for me, I want them to know I remembered them till the end. That's my only wish."
"I'll grant your wish. I'll take you back to your family."
"But… how do you plan to take me to Pantoran?"
"The royal officials here form contracts with magical beasts for their protection. If that's possible, then forming a contract with you should be possible too."
"Are you out of your mind? Do you even have any experience with such things?"
"Yes. I do."
"Then explain—what kind of experience?"
"I'll tell you everything… when the time is right."
I drew a magical circle and formed a contract with him. The ritual succeeded. After the contract, it transformed into a ring. I wore it. He would awaken after a day—his spiritual energy had been heavily drained during the process.
There were still two hours left before dawn. I rushed back to my inn. I woke up the sqit—he just sleeps all day.
He's begun to understand me after spending some time together. I took him with me to the bridge. Together, we began searching for the money bag. Since he had saved that money for his family, returning it to them might finally give his soul peace. Perhaps he had given up after searching countless nights and never finding it. But I won't give up. I will fulfill every hope he once held.