Faceless Phantom

I looked at the hole on the ceiling above the birdbath.

"It is night already…"

Stars were spread in the sky. The moon was big and bright. Its blue light was dancing through the hole. It was then I realized something.

'Of course!'

I moved the statue and made it face southwest. Water flowing from its eyes, making the statue crying. The symbol also began to shine. Then I looked at northeast. It was the direction where the right pillar was. A line of shining blue light was moving. And it became something that resembled a face. As I was about to take a closer look, a splash sound was heard. I looked at the birdbath. There was a marble that was shining blue light inside the water. I picked it.

[You have earned Moon Key]

I could guess I had to put it on the keyhole somewhere on the right pillar. So I walked closer to the face on the pillar. When I was close from the pillar, the face popped out from the pillar and floating around me like it was observing my presence. Then it faced the Moon Key on my hand. Suddenly it was swallowed by the face.

[Moon Key disappeared]

The wall between the pillars was slowly sliding downward. Revealing a path to the secret room. The face floating back to the pillar and disappeared. I looked at Mirage and she nodded. As we got in, the wall was closing the path again.

At the end of the path I could see a white light. It was definitely the secret room. We kept walking until we stepped into the room. Then something popped out.

<Belgram's Workshop>

'Belgram? Is it the mysterious artisan's name?'

If my math was correct, the secret room size might be around 10x10 meters. It could be bigger or smaller. But I was sure that it was half of the herb room. There were some tools like anvil, burner or whatever it was called, weave machine thing and some other things which artisans used for making their products. Well… Even though I had high INT, it didn't mean I knew everything.

"This room…"

As Mirage mumbled, she stepped into another room at the end of the workshop. I followed her.

It was a small bedroom. The furniture were placed neatly and also very tidy. There was a framed painting hung on the wall. A couple was painted on it.

'They must be Belgram and Melleth.'

Melleth had a pair wings. Long beautiful blond hair. Long pointy ears. Deep blue ocean eyes. She was wearing elegant black dress. When I looked at her face intently, it was similar to a girl who was standing beside me somehow. However, my mind was thinking about what kind of race she possibly was.

'She is a winged spirit? What is winged spirit called?'

Beside her, Belgram was standing. He was tall and muscular. Gray hair and beard. Violet colored eyes. He was wearing something that looked like a blacksmith would wear. I knew already that he was a human. However, something surprised me. I noticed someone between them. She was small I almost didn't notice her.


'…!?'

I finally could be able to understand. The small little girl was wearing a white dress. Long white hair. And heterochromia eyes. Her right one was blue. And her left one was violet. She was smiling very brightly.

'Mirage is their daughter?'

Now only one question that wasn't answered yet.

'How did she get amnesia?'

Mirage was staring at the painting with a longing expression. I tried to break the ice…

"Do you know them?"

She looked at me for a moment and then staring at the painting again. She shook her head.

"I…don't know. But… It feels like… I know them somehow. There is something… I don't know how to explain it. It's…"

"You miss them?"

She looked at me again as if she was confused. Then a faint smile could be seen on her face.

"Maybe… But I'm afraid of them somehow. Could it be they're my family? Or maybe relatives? Still, it feels strange to have a mixed feeling for them. How can I miss and fear them at the same time?"

"It's okay… You don't have to force yourself. Time will tell you about it later."

"Thank you…"

'She's afraid of them? Are they the reason she has amnesia? She doesn't even know the little girl is her. But I could be wrong though. It's possible that the girl on the painting isn't her.'

I sighed. There was a lot of things that I didn't know. And I really needed to calm my brain from thinking. Well, as I said… Time would tell me about it later.

I looked around the room and approached a table. There was a book. I opened the book and read it. Records of what was happening were written on each date. It was a journal.

'August 7th, 561.

I finally created a prototype. With this prototype, I can become closer to understand the origin of crystal. However, I need more data about the source of Zeon…'

'February 24th, 562.

Third attempt of the experiment. I connected soul with Melleth and found something… unsettling. It has to be something with its nucleus. If I could alter its core then I can study it further and find the solution.'

'April 14th, 562.

Something went wrong. I have to reverse the experiment. I have to undo what I've done! If I couldn't, then I have to destroy it!'

'April 16th, 562.

Forgive me, Melleth. I regret what I've done. I will pay the price even with my death. I promise you, I will save her.'

'April 21st, 562.

The ring is the answer! I have to recreate and modify it. I could save you both! Just wait for me-'

The next pages were torn.

'Today in-game date is July 25th, 1601. It was a thousand years ago. That means, Mirage is over a thousand years old!'

Of course, it was really obvious that she could be really old. She was half spirit after all. Just like the immortal Elven race. I myself was an Aphu and they were considered long lived race.

I closed the journal and thought it might be useful later, so I put it inside my bag.

[You have earned Belgram's Journal]

I noticed that there were drawers on the table. I slowly opened them one by one. When I opened the third one, I heard a thud sound. Something shiny was inside. I grabbed it and took a closer look. It was a crystal as big as my palm. I couldn't identified it with observe though. But there was a strange description on it.

[Unknown Crystal]

A strong aura is flowing from inside the crystal.

It could be a rare material for making something since this was a workshop where Belgram the mysterious artisan made his products. I put it inside my bag.

[You have earned Unknown Crystal]

I continued looking and looting around until there was nothing good to be found. When I was done, I wondered what Mirage was doing. So I went back to the bedroom.

She was sitting on the bed. Looking at her figure making me felt hypnotized.

Knowing that she was over a thousand years old. However, she was not really aged at all. She looked at me and spoke…

"Can we have a talk?"

I was anxious at first but then I came to my sense and nodded.

"Please sit down."

I came closer and sat beside her. I looked down, waiting for her to speak. I couldn't look at her at all. I didn't know if it was because I was timid, introvert, or couldn't act normally around girls.

"I'm really thankful that you saved me from the curse. As to how I know I was cursed, I actually remember something earlier. When I looked at the birdbath… I don't know the detail, but… Someone… It was really vague I couldn't see their face clearly. They put a ring on my finger and there was also a skeleton face wearing black robe behind them. I'm sure it's the lich you've defeated."

'A ring?'

I tried to look at her. She was looking at her palm as her right thumb and index finger were placed on her left ring finger. I couldn't see the ring though.

"They seemed talking to each other. Then the lich was casting a magic on me and they left me afterward. The next thing I remember was I saw you. You were fighting the lich. So I tried to help you with all my power."

"I see… I'm really glad you did that. It really saved me. Thank you…"

Her smile was illuminated by torches on the wall. Looking at her smiling face making me frozen somehow.

'Is it lagging?'

Time was almost stopped until her smile fainted as she showed me both of her hands. There was a ring on each of her ring fingers. Two identical rings. Silver rings with unique ornament and eye-shaped emerald.

"I know these rings must be important. What do you think they do?"

Now that she mentioned it. Those rings probably had a purpose. Belgram also wrote about it on his journal. I took out the journal and gave it to her.

"…??"

"It's probably his journal."

I pointed my finger to the painting. However, her face was still confused so I tried to explain it by opening the book where the ring was mentioned.

"Here… I don't know exactly what they do, but I'm sure they are made to save you."

She looked at me with still her confused face. Trying to understand what I meant.

"You are probably his daughter. Their daughter…"

I pointed my finger to the painting again. She looked at the painting again and suddenly got up. She walked closer to the painting. Pointing her finger at the little girl and then pointed it at herself as she turned and looked at me. I got up and searching something what I saw when I was looting earlier. It was a dresser with a mirror on it.

"Come over here."

I gestured to make her standing in front of the dresser. She was tilting her head at first but then she came closer. The mirror was high enough to look at while standing. She stood right in front of the mirror and looked at her own reflection.

She was amazed… No, more like she was shocked and terrified. Then her face changed into pained expression. She fell on her knees and held her head with both of her hands. I was surprised.

"A-Are you okay?"

"…I…"

"I'm sorry…"

I sat on my knee while looking at her. It was a situation where you wanted to help but couldn't do anything or there was nothing you could do to make it better. I felt guilty.

"I remember…"

"…"

"They were…they were…monsters…"

'What? They were monsters?'

"What do you mean?"

"They...madness..."

My face was stiff. I didn't know what else to say. But seeing her struggling like that was hard for me. I unconsciously grabbed her shoulder with my left hand.

"I'm sorry… You don't have to remember it anymore…"

"…"

She slowly put her hands down. I could see her smile on her sad face.

"Thank you… I don't have anything to pay, but… I will give you what I have…"

She grabbed my left hand, took off my glove and then put the ring on her right ring finger to my left ring finger.

[You have earned Artifact of Melleth]

"I hope this ring will also save you…"

I was suddenly flustered by her act. I didn't expect her to do that at all. I backed off slowly.

"Umm… Thank you... I think I will go now…"

I stood and walked away. However, she also stood and followed me. I turned around and stopped.

"Ehhh… Aren't you going to live here? I think this is your room."

She looked down at the floor. And only silence was heard. It was really awkward I didn't know what to do. I realized it wasn't like I was inside some games where you could enter into random NPC house without permission. You could do whatever you like, or you could even rob their belongings. And then you left without being caught or saying goodbye.

'If she wanted to follow me then that means she wants to go to the town? But she doesn't have anyone…'

Indeed. She didn't have anyone. She didn't know anyone. Of course, I knew exactly what it felt. She might know someone if she didn't have amnesia, but now she had absolutely no idea where to go without her memory. Thinking about it, I felt heartless for leaving her alone after she was suffering in pain.

"I'll be back later. I will visit you."

She was still silent. I could see she was moving her fingers repeatedly and bit her lip. It was like she wanted to go with me but she doubted it because I was actually a stranger to her. But something was strange about her expression.

"Do…you…want to go…with me? Maybe you'll remember something when you travel outside, you know."

I could see that she was smiling, then she nodded while still facing down. When I was about to see her smile a little bit more, a window suddenly popped out.

[Mirage has become your partner]

///////

Congratulations!

You obtained a Partner.

///////

'Partner!?'

///////

Zeroth

HP : 1400/1400

MP : 1080/1080

Mirage

HP : 3750/3750

MP : 1500/1500

///////

'Her HP and MP are higher than mine.'

There was her name under my name. It was like we were in a party. Despite I was surprised, I was really curious and excited. Sadly, I couldn't check her stats and skills even if I wanted to. Then I noticed the system window about Partner kept flashing like a new notification that hadn't been read yet. So I opened the system window and tapped the message.

///////

Mirage

Race : Ania

Job (Class) : Astral Alchemist (Artisan)

Hobby : Crystal Siren

[Stats]

HP : 3750/3750

MP : 1500/1500

STR 75 VIT 75

DEX 75 AGI 75

INT 75 WIS 75

[Skill]

Active:

Shapeshift Lv. Max, Soul Mimic Lv. Max, Requiem of Madness Lv. Max, Healing Serenade Lv. Max, Song of Purity Lv. Max

Passive:

Astral Alchemy Lv. Max, Singer Lv. Max, Natural Forager Lv. Max

Soul Mimic:

None

///////

Mirage profile was shown on a new window.

'All her skills are on max level!?'

I almost opened my mouth but I gulped instead. Two skills piqued my interest. I opened their description.

[Shapeshift]

Level Max

Active: An ability to alter form into disguise. It also gains its current form's special ability and weakness.

Mana cost: 250

[Soul Mimic]

Level Max

Active: Devour an absorbed soul and possess its skills. Obtained skills will be replaced if new soul is consumed.

Mana cost: 50

Those were amazing skills. Even her stats were greater than mine. I was happy but…

'Will my stats and skills raise with her around me?'

Just like in a party. The experience would be shared. Still, with her amazing stats we could take down stronger monsters and gained a large amount of experience. But, I didn't know if she could fight in her current situation. She could be a support for me though. However, I felt something didn't feel right somehow. I rubbed my face with both of my hands.

'Aaahhhhh…too much thinking! Just think about it later! Yeah… What matters now is going back to town again.'

But then I remembered that I got multiple system messages when I defeated the lich. So I checked my profile and I was right. There were some skills that were upgraded. I immediately opened their description.

[Greater Wisdom]

Level 1

Passive: Greatly increase Maximum MP and Magical Defense. It also increases mana regeneration.

Effect: 20%

Mana Regen: 6/minute

[Formidable Mind]

Level 1

Passive: Greatly trigger negative mental state resistance in combat. Possible to reflect debuff to its caster.

Chance: 10%

Reflect chance: 1%

[Advanced Sword Mastery]

Level 1

Passive: Increase STR and DEX when using swords as weapon.

Effect:

+10 STR

+1 DEX

[Endurance]

Level 1

Passive: Decrease damage taken by enemies. It also triggers negative physical state resistance in combat.

Effect: 100 damage

Chance: 1%

After seeing Mirage's stats and skills, seeing mine wasn't really excited anymore. I sighed.

"Well then… let's go to the town."

Mirage nodded and followed me.

・・・

Nuztak Laboratory,

Town of Azurdan.

A blond woman with white lab coat was hurriedly packing her stuff into a big suitcase. A moment later, a man wearing the same coat appeared.

"What are you doing?"

"Moving…"

"What!? You can't do that! We need you to be here. Those patients-"

"I don't care… He's coming…"

"Who? Who's coming?"

She opened her mouth for a moment but she shut it again. Then she answered as if she was terrified just by saying the name. She decided to not say his name…

"O-origin…"

"F-first…p-patient?"

"I got a message from Ethan. And he said that he… Origin was there."

"…"

"And our spy just informed that Franco…He…He's dead…"

Silence was filled the room. Only the sound of packing was heard. A minute passed, and the man began to speak as he was really terrified…

"W-wait for me… I'll get my suitcase…"

"We don't have much time… I'm sorry I won't wait for you…"

"Fuck! That bastard! I will kill him later!"

The man ran out the room and disappeared.

"Yeah, it's all his fault. It's because of that OLD BASTARD! GOD DAMMIT!"

Closing her suitcase in rage, she immediately grabbed it and left.

Meanwhile, a man with black clothes and hat was standing in the dark. He was looking at a woman who was leaving the building with a suitcase on her chest. He was smiling…

"Found you…"