How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

Page 78

Cass didn't know what others thought about ghosts, judging from Sirocco's expression...

Are boys not afraid of ghosts?

Does that mean I need to do some courage-building training to impersonate my brother more convincingly...?

"...Sirocco, I bought instant rice that can be made by simply adding hot water, so I don't have to go through the trouble of cooking it myself."

"No, no, Cass, you don't understand. Cooking in the wild is the only way to truly experience the experience. That's what makes you feel like an explorer, and that's the romance of an explorer."

Is that right?

Cass didn't quite understand the connection between cooking and romance.

But since Sirocco likes to do it, let him do it well.

"Speaking of which, Sirocco, you look so much like a girl, yet you're not afraid of ghosts."

Cass sat down on the half-rotten bench next to Sirocco and watched him peel potatoes.

"Who says girls have to be afraid of ghosts and scream while clinging to their boyfriend's arm? I'll sue you for discrimination."

"...If I used my original body, I could hold onto Sirocco's arm?..."

What are you muttering about?

"No, no, nothing at all, ahahaha..."

As they chatted, Cass's tension eased somewhat.

Eee-woo-woo-woo-woo...

The sound of what seemed like a cold autumn or winter wind echoed through the dilapidated church, causing Cass's body to stiffen abruptly.

Cass reflexively drew his sword immediately, searching for any unusual activity within his field of vision.

Something appeared before Cass as if it had sprung from the ground. It was a hand, as thin as a withered branch, belonging to someone unknown.

...No no no no no no no, disappear quickly ...

Cass shouted in his mind, but this phenomenon naturally wouldn't disappear.

Then a mournful sound rang out, followed by a sound that spread from the hands to the shoulders, and then the head emerged from the floor.

Long, flowing hair, a emaciated body... This was a woman. But where there should have been eyes, will-o'-the-wisps flickered, and broken teeth were visible in her mouth.

For that floating, ethereal body, Cass could only think of one word: ghost.

Seemingly to deliberately provoke Cass's fear, the ghost, after revealing its entire body for a long time, waved its claw-like hands and let out a shrill cry:

“Eee ...

So that voice was yours!

The entire church began to shake violently, pews fell one by one, and small pebbles began to fall from the walls and ceiling. More ghosts emerged and danced around the church ceiling.

You must stand firmly, or you will fall.

Despite these thoughts in his mind, Cass's body simply wouldn't obey him.

Control over his body was fading away; his stiff body collapsed to the ground like a sandbag.

"Could it be that Mute's attack is still causing you aftereffects? Low blood sugar?"

The voice sounded in Cass's ear, followed by a slender yet strong arm supporting Cass's shoulder.

Sirocco appeared beside Cass at some unknown time.

"Don't worry, the ghosts here can't cause any physical attacks... They're pitiful too, sent here as sacrifices, forcibly transformed into vengeful guardians who linger here..."

As Sirocco spoke, he realized that something was wrong with Cass.

"Are you OK?"

Seeing Sirocco's surprised expression, Cass wanted to say that it was nothing, but he couldn't utter a word.

Sirocco seemed to understand the situation, and pulled Cass by the back of his collar, making him sit down against the wall.

He brought up the ring clock, took out the barrier artifact, and a semi-circular blue space unfolded, isolating the ghosts outside the barrier.

During this time, the ghosts continued to wail and drift, but the shaking of the church stopped.

Several seconds later—but it felt like several minutes had passed. The ghosts were still floating, but their volume gradually decreased, became weak, and eventually disappeared.

Kas isn't averse to all supernatural things. He actually finds slimes quite cute, and zombie and psychopathic killer movies are a must-watch while eating.

The only thing I can't accept is something that has no physical form, can appear or disappear at will, and can crawl around on walls and floors.

"So you really are afraid of ghosts. I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was this serious."

Sirocco held a white mug containing a brown liquid, with wisps of white smoke releasing an aroma somewhere between coffee and chocolate.

"Have a drink to calm down."

Cass took the cup; surprisingly, it wasn't too hot, just the right temperature. He took a sip—

"Hot cocoa?" Cass's eyes lit up, and he took a few more sips.

"It tastes so good... better than anything I've ever had before."

"I used the [heating] function to control the temperature, so that the aroma of the beans could be brought out without ruining their rich flavor."

"Good, awesome..."

Cass blushed and happily picked up his hot cocoa to continue drinking.

"Um, Sirocco..."

"Ok?"

"Please don't tell anyone that I'm afraid... I'm not used to spirit-type monsters."

"Heh, of course I won't tell you. It could be used against you later to blackmail you into spending more gold coins. If I tell you, it won't be effective anymore, right?"

“You bastard…” Cass gave a helpless, wry smile.

Sirocco returned to the makeshift kitchen, which was built using a portable stove fueled by crystal cores, and started adding oil to the frying pan.

He had considered the clever uses of heating.

For example, water makes up 60% to 70% of the human body.

I can steam the enemy's brain just by putting my hand on their head.

Another example is heating the air to kill the enemy with heat.

However, I later tried it in the kitchen and found that it heated the water from 14°C to 60°C very quickly, in 30 seconds.

But nobody's going to wait for you quietly for 30 seconds in the heat of battle... If you're already in melee combat, wouldn't it be better to just use a knife?

"Speaking of which, Sirocco, why did you want to become an explorer?"

Quite suddenly, Cass brought up this topic.

It might be a sudden whim, or perhaps a sense of security, that gives them the energy to care about other things.

Watching Sirocco pan-fry chicken from the side, Cass couldn't help but wonder:

“Bride enjoys the training process, Corcy is in it for the money, and you already know what I'm saying. Remember you said it was for the Veiled Minotaur? You hate the monsters on the second floor that much?”

56. Katya, saw through it.

"If it's purely for money, Sirocco, your approach is too extreme, too irrational, and too reckless..."

"Oh... are you insulting me?"

"No, no, no! How could that be! I absolutely did not question your actions, Sirocco. I was just a little curious. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

Cass shook his head vigorously in denial.

In fact, Cass was half right.

Is that so...? Why would I want to go to the dungeon?

To make money... I've already mentioned this to Brid.

Sirocco understood that the crux of the problem was—

The question is why I became a warrior of pure love.

Is it really necessary to push ourselves to this extent?

The veiled minotaurs are indeed the foundation of Operation Sirocco.

So why such hatred?

They were willing to risk their lives.

As Sirocco finished seasoning the dish, he casually remarked:

"This is the story of a friend of a friend..."

"A friend's story?"

That's Sirocco's own business.

Cass wisely refrained from pointing it out.