Colm approached the gate, his eyes locking onto the lone guard posted out front. A huge grin spread across his face, excitement bubbling over as he closed the distance. The first person I've seen in months. The thought sent a jolt of nervous energy through him. It had been so long since he'd spoken to anyone other than his phantoms, and he couldn't deny the mix of eagerness and unease knotting in his chest.

As he moved closer, Colm cast Analyze, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Joss (Level 70) - Human

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Level 70? For a guard? He'd half expected to be stronger than most after everything he'd endured. Maybe this is normal here, he mused, his mind racing. Does everyone go through ordeals like mine?

Shoving the thought aside, Colm came to a stop in front of the guard. With a nervous yet friendly wave of his hand, he managed a simple, "Hello."

* * *

Joss stood at the gates, another dull shift stretching endlessly ahead of her. She hated guard duty—not because it was hard, but because it was mind-numbingly boring. Most days, the excitement mounted to adventurers heading off to nearby Echoes to train or merchants trickling in with goods. Rarely did anything noteworthy happen. Still, she didn't mind it all that much. The quiet gave her plenty of time to focus on her Meditation skill, and she was close to breaking it through to Tier 2. If she could just push it a little further, the boost to her regeneration would be well worth the monotony.

Sighing as the hours crawled by, Joss absentmindedly scanned the horizon, her focus slipping. Then, something caught her eye—movement in the distance around the bend of the walls. At first, she squinted, unable to make out more than a dark blur against the flatlands. Whatever it was, it was moving fast. Straight toward the gates.

"Oi, heads up," she called over her shoulder to another guard. "Something's coming. Keep on alert."

Gripping the spear resting against her shoulder, Joss turned her full attention to the approaching figure, her instincts flaring as her mind raced through possibilities. Bandits? A rogue monster? She tensed, muscles coiled like a spring, her sharp eyes narrowing as the figure drew closer.

It was humanoid, but something about it felt off. A chill crept up her spine as she noticed the spectral shapes trailing close behind—three ghostly forms, their ethereal presence radiating an unsettling, otherworldly aura. The way they moved, silent and unnatural, set her teeth on edge. What the hell am I looking at? she thought, gripping her weapon tighter as the tension thickened in the air.

Narrowing her eyes, she activated Analyze—a skill that had finally upgraded to Tier 2 last week. The improvement made her life ten times easier when identifying people or creatures from a distance, and she was more than a little smug about it.

Colm Arden (Level 60; Spirit Warden) - Morvyn

Phantom Warrior

Phantom Spearman

Phantom Archer

Joss blinked. Her brow furrowed as her grip tightened reflexively on her spear. Only level 60? Spirit Warden? Phantoms? And a Morvyn? That's different. I've only ever read about them, she thought, her curiosity piqued, and at least glad it didn't appear to see some rogue undead.

The man's form grew clearer as he closed the distance. His gait was steady and quick, but his ashen-gray skin and the blue lines tracing across his body made him stand out like a ghost against the vibrant plains behind him. The phantom trailing him only added to the eerie presence that sent a shiver down her spine.

What the actual fuck? Her pulse quickened, a chill creeping down her spine.

She had heard the stories, read the books—but seeing one in real life…

A shudder ran through her as the weight of the moment settled over her, pressing against her chest.

And those phantoms? They don't just creep me out… they terrify me.

Her gaze locked onto them as they moved. The man stepped forward, deliberate and controlled—but the phantoms… they didn't just walk.

Between each step, they seemed to glide, their movements carrying an unnatural fluidity, as if gravity itself had no hold on them. It wasn't right. It wasn't human.

Her stomach twisted. They weren't just eerie—they were wrong.

Shit, gotta pull it together.

Forcing the swirling thoughts aside, she steadied herself, exhaling slowly as she resisted the urge to activate Gleam. Instead, she adjusted her posture, straightening her shoulders and slipping back into a composed, professional demeanor.

As the man approached, she tried to push down the lingering terror, willing herself to see him for what he was—rather than what fear painted him to be.

He's not as bad as Gramps can be, she thought with a small, fleeting chuckle.

* * *

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Colm stood before Joss for a few awkward seconds, feeling her gaze sweep over him. She looked tense, her body poised and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, she beat him to it.

"Hello, Colm. What brings you to Brimhope today?"

Hearing his name spoken so softly caught him off guard. Her voice was calm, a welcome contrast to the endless groans of the undead that had plagued him for so long. For a moment, he simply stood there, letting the sound wash over him. Meanwhile, Joss continued to watch him cautiously, one hand held on her weapon.

The city's name—Brimhope—stirred something in him. After enduring the horrors of Brimwhistle, he couldn't ignore the connection. They have to be related, he thought, his mind racing to piece together the possibilities.

He shook himself out of his stupor, silently cursing his own awkwardness but forgiving himself quickly. Months of isolation, death traps, and near-constant fighting would do that to anyone, he reasoned. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke.

"Honestly… it's a long story," he said, letting out an awkward laugh.

Joss didn't react, her expression unreadable, as if she were waiting for him to give her something more.

Seeing he wasn't off the hook, Colm sighed and continued. "The short version is I more or less just appeared in this world. I don't know how, or why, but I woke up surrounded by undead and found myself in ‌an Echo where I could survive and thrive before eventually making my way back to that cursed forest." He glanced briefly at her for any reaction, but her face remained impassive.

"After a lot of running, a few close calls, and some lucky breaks, I found my way here," he finished, his tone light but edged with exhaustion.

As Colm finished his explanation, he noticed the reason behind Joss's guarded stance. His phantoms hovered nearby, their silent, spectral forms as imposing as ever. Realizing how unnerving they must appear, he let out a sigh and added, "I'm sorry. It's been months, I think, since I've really talked to anyone."

He gestured to the ghostly figures surrounding him. "You're the first person I've seen since I arrived here. I know nothing about this world, and my phantoms—" his hand swept toward them, "—well, they've been my only company since I got here. I guess I've gotten so used to them I didn't think of how they might look to someone else."

His voice softened at the end, a mix of exhaustion and relief betraying just how long he'd been alone.

After a few moments of silence, Colm stood patiently, waiting for Joss to process everything he'd said. Finally, she spoke, her tone steady but not unkind.

"I see. That's quite the story," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if still weighing his words. "I'd be interested in hearing more of the details sometime, but for now, I can tell you're exhausted."

Her demeanor shifted slightly, more official as she continued, "If what you say is true, there's a lot of information you'll need to unpack. For now, though, you may enter the city. Brimhope welcomes all who come to its gates—we believe this city is a haven for everyone." She paused, leveling a serious look at him. "That being said, we have rules. We strictly forbid the use of abilities within the city walls. We can't risk destructive behavior. Non-compliance will cause swift consequences: banishment at best, and death depending on the severity of the situation."

Colm blinked in surprise, taken aback by the city's openness. He had half-expected to be turned away outright, his claims dismissed as delusional ramblings. Letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, he nodded. Communication and honesty, at least, helped him this time.

Joss continued, shifting her weight slightly. "You said you just arrived in this world and know nothing about it. I take it you don't have any money? Unless, of course, you stumbled across some on your way here."

Colm froze. Shit. I didn't even think about money. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "No. I don't have any," he admitted, mentally berating himself for the oversight.

Joss chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Just as I thought. On a personal recommendation, I think the Adventurer's Guild would be a good bet for you. They offer work—contracts and jobs suited to combat. Based on your level and what I can see of you, I don't think you'll have any problems handling the tasks they throw at you. It's a good way to earn enough for room, board, and anything else you might need. Even if you don't want to deal with the jobs there I'd highly recommend checking it out at the very least. And if fighting isn't to your liking, though, you'll need to find something else."

Colm nodded, absorbing the information like a sponge. "Thank you. I think I'll do just that. How do I find the Adventurer's Guild? And is there a good place to learn some things? Like a library or something?"

Joss pointed past the gates. "The guild has a library that might suit your needs. Once you're through, follow the main street. It'll take you to the central plaza—you can't miss it. There's a fountain right in the middle, and the Adventurer's Guild is a large building with a red roof. It stands out." She paused, her gaze flicking to his spectral allies. "Dismiss your phantoms, and I'll let you through."

"Right," Colm muttered, dismissing his phantoms with a thought. Their spectral forms shimmered before vanishing, leaving only empty space where they once stood. He watched them fade, a flicker of melancholy settling in—he had grown so used to their presence that their absence left him feeling exposed, almost naked. Even knowing it was only temporary, the emptiness around him felt unnatural, a stark contrast to the constant, spectral company he had come to rely on.

Satisfied, Joss stepped aside as the heavy gates groaned open, granting Colm his first glimpse of the bustling city beyond. His eyes widened as he watched countless people maneuver their way through crowded stalls lining the streets. The air buzzed with the sounds of merchants bargaining, goods being sold, and the lively chatter of the townsfolk.

It was incredible—so full of life, a stark contrast to the silence and despair he'd grown accustomed to. Colm took a deep breath, savoring the moment, and stepped forward to join the flow of the city.

Just as he began walking through, Joss's voice rang out behind him, pulling him back.

"One more thing!" He turned to see her smirking faintly. "When you get to the Adventurer's Guild, ask for Jerry. He's the local historian there, employed by the guild. He knows this place inside and out—he might help you get your bearings."

Colm gave her a grateful nod. "Thanks for everything, Joss."

"Don't mention it. Welcome to Brimhope," she said, her tone lighter now.

With a final glance back, Colm stepped into the city, feeling both cautious and hopeful for what lay ahead.

* * *

Joss watched as Colm disappeared into the city, a quiet chuckle escaping her lips. "I think he's going to cause quite a stir," she muttered to herself, her gaze lingering on the crowds that swallowed him up catching glimpses of an occasional gasp at his appearance. Yeah we don't see many Morvyn around here.

Her mind drifted to her Truthseeker passive—both a blessing and a curse. It had never failed her, always revealing when someone spoke a lie. But everything that man said… he believed it to be true. If even half of what he claimed actually happened, he's going to make quite the mark on this town.

Yet it wasn't just his words that lingered in her thoughts—it was that class and that race. Joss frowned, crossing her arms as she mulled it over. I haven't seen or heard of any class that summons phantoms like that before. And the power radiating off him… She could still feel the faint echo of it, a mix of curiosity and unease gnawing at her.

Whatever tier his class is, I don't think I'd stand a chance in a one-on-one fight with him. Her thoughts shifted to the phantoms she'd glimpsed by his side. Those alone… they felt like an imposing force. Honestly, the phantoms alone felt stronger than some adventurers I've seen in this city.

She exhaled sharply; her gaze lingering on the now-closed gates. That man is strong. Dangerously strong.

She shook her head, glancing back at the now-closed gates, Colm's presence still lingering in her mind. Brimhope's quiet days might just be over.

She sighed softly, her thoughts turning to Jerry. Hopefully, he'll be able to get him sorted.

With that final thought fading, Joss turned her focus back to the horizon, stretching endlessly before her. Letting the sounds of the bustling gates drift away, she settled into her stance, closed her eyes, and focused once more on her Meditation skill, letting the world around her blur into calm.

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