CHAPTER 44: MAKING A GHOST BLUSH

Deklan saw it earlier when he peeked into the town hall’s main lobby.

Something that sent a shiver down his spine.

From the moment he was transmigrated into this world, the Ghosts he had seen in this world are quite the same as the ones in his home world—the Pale Night Lady, Pumple, and the wraiths were all Ghosts that don’t look foreign to his eyes.

But the one inside this town hall... It made him recall one popular Ghost in his world.

A slit-mouthed woman with an unnatural smile.

Deklan saw her inside, levitating in the main lobby like it was submerged in water.

She was there for everyone to see, so it didn’t take long for Deklan to realize what she was.

A loose black and red kimono, deathly pale skin, and a slitted mouth that reached under her ears.

Even though she wasn’t smiling earlier, seemingly in hibernation as her eyes were closed and she was floating idly, there was no mistaking her. Not to mention, she was also holding a folded fan with a pointy top, capable of slitting flesh easily.

Deklan didn’t want to know how the fan would feel against his flesh.

Abandoning this scout is the best course of action.

But the system was being an asshole.

"Tell me this is a fucking joke..."

Deklan stared at the sudden quest panel blankly; his face ashen as if his soul was ripped from his body.

His high perception told him that the slit-mouthed woman was unlike any Ghost that he had ever fought before, and disturbing her hibernation sounded like the dumbest thing he could do. "In case your mind is in the damn gutter, that thing is certainly an Alpha Ghost, so she’s definitely at the silver rank."

"Aren’t we on the same side here?" He asked exasperatedly. "This is like asking me to die."

[Just run away, host. It’s only an hour of spanking. No biggie.]

[Besides, I heard being spanked would make your butt bigger. And it’s perfect for you.]

A vein bulged on Deklan’s forehead.

Clearly, the system was messing with him right now.

Deklan ducked down beside Pumple, contemplating his situation.

He was now given two options to choose from—whether he should abandon his pride or risk actual death.

And this time, there will be no transmigration.

No more chances; he’ll go straight down to hell.

In hindsight, clinging to his pride of not wanting to be spanked by that damn bitch who brought him to this world—would certainly be the death of him. Most dead people are prideful, and the ones surviving were those who could adapt to the situation at hand.

Deklan knew that.

It was Paul who taught him about this: that sometimes, admitting defeat is the right thing to do.

But it was also that deadbeat Father who told me a man should never abandon pride! Fuck it!

Deklan has come to a decision.

In order to uphold the chivalry code of Paul, he must scan this damn slit-mouthed woman inside.

Just as adrenaline coursed through his veins, making his breath grow heavier with each inhale, his eyes widened as a thought came to mind. He blinked his eyes once, and then twice, before his lips curled into a mischievous smile.

Who am I kidding? I’m someone from the 21st century. This is nothing!

Deklan crouched and walked to the side, hiding behind the wall and tall bushes, and then focused on his hands.

He used the Ghost Conqueror skill again, but he wasn’t making a spear or a handgun.

"It’s going to be hard to do," Deklan muttered as he gathered mana to his palms; his eyes narrowing to focus. "I have to really picture it good, but it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s magic. As long as I can picture how it works clearly, it will take shape."

Swish...

Slowly but surely, an item began to manifest.

It was an electronic item the size of a hand, almost like a handphone, but it’s not.

Pumple watched the entire process with sparkling eyes.

He was fascinated by what he was seeing, exactly like a kid would when he saw something new.

Once the item formed, it fell from the air, and Deklan caught it.

Deklan regulated his breaths, calming his nerves as this was the moment of truth, whether he could finish the sudden quest easily or not. If this thing failed, then he would need to go inside—and scan manually through engaging a battle with the slit-mouthed woman, or at least wake her up.

Both would end up badly.

Decisively, Deklan pushed the power button, and the screen lit up.

On the bottom, there was a blue dot, and above it, curved lines fanned upward like measurement arcs

As soon as he tapped the blue dot, it began to pulse faintly.

Naturally, it was a radar device.

I wanted to make glasses that can see through walls and scan anything beyond, but it’s too complicated.

Deklan could only make do with this, but as long as it worked, he didn’t care.

Upon pointing the radar device toward the town hall, his eyes flickered with excitement when a red dot appeared. It should be none other be the slit-mouthed woman. And by tapping on the red dot, the scanning process was initiated.

...

[Riven-Mouth Maiden — Alpha Ghost]

Rank: 1-star Silver

Potential: B

Rarity: ★★★★

——

Statistics

Strength: D+ — (↑↑)

Agility: C+ — (↑)

Endurance: C-

Intelligence: B- — (↑)

Perception: C

Mental: B

...

Deklan punched the air the moment the stat panel appeared.

He could feel the urge to scream rising in his throat, but he restrained his excitement.

It was a big success!

"Eat that, you stupid system! Don’t fucking test me!"

Deklan shouted whisperingly, patting himself on the shoulder as he was successful in his experiment.

Even though he didn’t know whether it would work or not, it was a good thing that he decided to try.

Splash!

Just then, Deklan was startled when the radar device in his hand shattered, inflicting another round of backlash, causing his nose to bleed. But even so, that didn’t stop him from being excited, "So what if I can only use it once? I’m still a genius!"

Seeing no answer from the system, he grinned.

"Hey, what’s wrong?" He talked to the air while rubbing his nose. "Say something, bitch."

[Fine...]

[Sudden Quest completed!]

[Give yourself a pat on the back, host. Congratulations, you’ve outdone yourself!]

"Hmph! You’re talking to someone who was going to excel his finals had it not been for that damn truck that doesn’t know how to press the brakes," Deklan uttered, proud of himself. "I’m a total genius! Why don’t you start adding ’genius’ every time you say host?"

As Deklan was going on and on, Pumple was frozen like a statue beside him.

Pumple was staring at something, and though it was nothing but a pumpkin, the fear was evident.

It’s like he was seeing a Ghost.

A Ghost scared of a Ghost; Deklan would’ve teased him for such an irony.

"Also, you’re going to start giving me recommendations to grow stronger whenever I get money."

"It’s good too if you also give me a reward to spank you in return. Hmm, hmm... that’s a good reward."

Wuii... Wui...

"Not now, Pumple," Deklan shrugged his leg, kicking Pumple away. "I’m teaching this stupid system a lesson."

Wuii!

"What is it?!" Deklan turned to face Pumple; his face clearly showed that he was annoyed as Pumple was headbutting his leg like there was something urgent. He doesn’t want his triumph over the system to be disrupted.

It’s a rare occasion, and he wanted to capitalize on it.

"Hmm?" Deklan raised a brow. "It’s urgent? What is it? Are you hungry?"

Wuii!

"Look behind me...? Why are you so dramat—"

Deg!

Deklan’s heart skipped a beat, and his body stiffened instinctively the moment he remembered where he was right now. He had been too elated about beating the system that he unconsciously raised his voice, loud enough for anyone around to hear.

And that includes the Riven-Mouth Maiden.

Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Don’t panic! You know what she’s going to ask. Calm down!

Even though he kept repeating those words in his mind, there’s no helping it.

His heart was now pounding so hard that it might even come out of his chest.

Despite not being ready, Deklan slowly and hesitantly pivoted his body around to look at what was behind him. And the moment he did, his heart skipped a beat again.

Just like what Pumple said, the Riven-Mouth Maiden was behind him in absolute stillness.

She didn’t make a sound, nor did she announce herself with her presence.

Fortunately, she wasn’t right behind him, but standing by the door.

And on top of that, her black fan was directly before her face, covering her slitted mouth.

But what scared Deklan the most was her gaze.

It was almost like she was peering into his soul; that nothing he was hiding could escape her eyes.

Gulp!

Deklan swallowed harshly, but forced a smile.

Going with what he knew about this particular Ghost from his home world, he knew that showing any sign of unfriendliness or surprise would only do him harm. Deklan has to put on a brave face and wait for her to make her move.

A few seconds passed by in silence until, eventually, the Riven-Mouthed Maiden approached.

She wasn’t levitating anymore.

She walked across the distance with deliberate, graceful steps and stopped a good distance away.

Even Pumple was scared to the point that he needed to hide behind Deklan.

Looking dead into Deklan’s eyes, the Riven-Mouthed Maiden tilted her head and squinted her devilish eyes slightly. "Am I..." She finally opened her mouth, and what came out of it was a voice so endearing it made Deklan feel dizzy. "Pretty?"

Deklan prepared to answer, knowing exactly what to say.

But as he blinked, his eyes almost widened in shock when the Riven-Mouthed Maiden was suddenly a few inches away from his face. And decisively, she lowered her black fan, exposing her smile that stretched from ear to ear.

One that was so hideous that anyone would practically pass out.

"Am I pretty...?" She asked again.

"Pretty?" Deklan smiled wider. "I’d say you’re beyond that. You look like someone who wins every argument. If you’re willing, I’d date you right now! And if you’re not willing, you’re more than pretty enough to make me a criminal and kidnap you. So, what do you say? Be my girl, or do you rather be kidnapped?"

Just as the words left his lips, Deklan immediately fell silent.

He let his question linger as he unconsciously held his breath, not knowing what to expect after this.

But instead of the bad things he thought would happen, the Riven-Mouthed Maiden averted her gaze.

And for some reason, her cheeks reddened naturally.

Hold on... Did she blush? Do I really have game? Or am I really that handsome?