Side Story 3-2
When news came that they had to go on an adventure, Dee was thrilled—but at the thought that ghosts might appear, she shivered all over. In the end, as Kyle had predicted, curiosity won, and their adventure to the haunted house was confirmed.
While enduring Stephanie’s nagging, Dee packed quickly, leaving the newly enrolled twins with the Enfer couple—that is, their parents. Kyle figured that if he told the kids they might not see them for over a week, they would cry, and if the kids cried, he probably would too, so he kept his distance.
Fortunately, Dee quickly confused the kids with lines like, “This is your adventure!” and, “A true adventurer doesn’t cry even if they don’t see Mom and Dad for a week!” The twins bought it for a moment, thinking, “So this is our adventure!” and waved cheerfully. Of course, once reality hit, they’d cry their eyes out.
After saying goodbye and packing, the two of them headed boldly toward the haunted house.
“I practiced everything in my dreams. I’m a haunted-house expert now,” Dee said.
“So… it’s not scary?”
“Of course not, of course not.”
Talking like that, they arrived at the island where the haunted house stood. Around the island, a search party Kyle had sent, along with Jin’s men, maintained strict vigilance, which somehow gave outsiders an intimidating, heavy feeling.
The island’s population of 37 gave the outsiders cold stares before disappearing. This place was definitely different from any other region.
From the moment Dee set foot on the island, she clutched Kyle’s arm tightly, refusing to let go. Kyle, for his part, found it slightly pleasing that she held onto him like that, which Dee noticed and scolded him.
“You enjoy it when I’m scared?”
“Of course I worry about you. But… how often do we legally get to be alone like this? Of course, I love our twins—they’re the most precious—but still.”
Dee patted Kyle’s back as he scrambled to smooth things over.
“Got it. I know what you mean. You love them, but they’re exhausting, right? They always get into trouble at the same time.”
They reached the door, which no matter what, had never been opened. Dee examined it carefully and nodded.
“I understand what it means that Sian left traces here.”
“Seems so…” Kyle replied, glancing at the suspicious bird sculpture on the roof.
“This looks dangerous,” he said.
“But we can’t just leave Sian involved, whatever this is,” Dee insisted.
“True. Whatever it is, we have to root it out.”
The couple shared the same resolve and approached the door. Dee placed her hand on the door that wouldn’t budge even under Kyle’s strong push, then gripped the handle and pushed.
“It shouldn’t open… yet it did?”
The door swung open with little effort. Dee turned to Kyle, amazed.
“I think Sian Clay invited me here.”
“…What?”
“I’m certain.”
It was a house that required a certain level of divine power to overcome. And in this empire, the only one with that power was Diana Enfer—that is, Dee.
If they left the house as it was, who knew what could happen. Kyle suspected the islanders here might already be affected by it. That anyone would reject this lovely priestess was impossible.
Kyle clicked his tongue.
“This really has become an adventure.”
“Did you think it was a fake adventure?”
“I was originally planning a leisurely trip with you,” Kyle grumbled.
Meanwhile, Dee, curious, peeked through the opened door, then quickly closed it and boldly told Kyle:
“Kyle, brave you go in first. I’m a coward.”
“I was planning to go first anyway. You just couldn’t wait and peeked.”
“Fairies are always impatient, you know. Hurry, hurry.”
“By the way… what exactly is the fairy realm? Didn’t you say it goes up to level 36?”
“Really?”
“How could humans survive at level 36?”
“They can’t. That’s why they’re so angry.”
Kyle, doubting Dee’s firm answer, peeked through a window on the closed door. Inside the lobby, a row of dolls was displayed. Their reckless desire for material things clearly reflected Sian Clay’s essence. When Kyle looked inside, the dolls’ eyes rolled and looked at him. The sight of countless eyes staring at him was chilling, even for Kyle. Dee held onto his arm tightly beside him.
“See? Did you see the eyes move?”
“Seems like Sian is dead. Only resentment remains.”
“Why do you say such scary things so seriously?”
At that moment, from the hill below, Kyle’s right arm, Jader, came running.
“W-wait a moment!”
He had been out of breath from rushing here before they entered, then stopped and coughed heavily. After lowering his mask slightly and bowing, he gave Kyle a glance suggesting a private word. Dee scolded him for being shy despite seeing him for years.
“You’ve known us for years and still shy?”
“No! It’s not that… ah, well…”
Flustered, Jader hesitated, clasped his hands, and eventually reported to both of them:
“We found Sian Clay’s whereabouts.”
“Is this something Dee shouldn’t hear?” Kyle asked.
Jader shook his head and continued reluctantly:
“Sian Clay was indeed captured by pirates and taken to a pirate island. Somehow, after years of being trapped there, they managed to get a ship and reach a position to leave… but recently, they fell ill with a local disease and likely won’t survive more than three months.”
Kyle nodded. Jader glanced at Dee, then continued cautiously:
“However, a famous sorcerer on that pirate island took a liking to Sian Clay. They promised to grant their final wish before dying.”
“What… what’s the wish?” Dee asked, a bad feeling rising.
“The sorcerer seems capable of summoning the souls of the dead. It appears that power was used in this haunted house.”
“Ah… so that means…”
Kyle stopped mid-sentence, realizing why Jader had been glancing nervously. Dee laughed hysterically and asked:
“So, if I understand correctly, Jader…”
“You probably understand correctly…”
“The souls of the dead are here… so that’s the same as ghosts, right?”
“Yes, that’s right, priestess… what should we do?”
Even timid Jader shivered, sympathizing with scared Dee. After reporting, he hurried away, clearly not wanting to stay near the haunted house.
Dee gripped Kyle’s arm tightly.
“Did you hear that? There really are ghosts. We’re in big trouble!”
Kyle nodded seriously and hugged her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll always be by your side.”
“Is there really no choice but to go in?”
“I really don’t want to either. But since you’re the only one who can open this door… resolving the citizens’ fears is also our job, right?”
“Ugh, you’re annoyingly responsible…”
“But don’t worry. I’ll be the first one caught by the ghosts.”
“Hmm, thanks. That’s comforting.”
Dee muttered but smiled at the fact that Kyle remained steadfast. Despite what he said, Kyle didn’t want her to enter this terrifying house.
“If it’s too scary…”
When Kyle hesitated, Dee deliberately widened her eyes and said:
“Enough. Let’s just dash in and come back.”
She boldly kicked the door open, and Kyle couldn’t help but laugh at her courage. Dee noticed and asked:
“Why are you laughing?”
“You’re brave—it’s impressive.”
“Really? Am I impressive now?”
Her eyes sparkled at the compliment. Kyle smiled.
“Yes. You’re the woman I’ll love my whole life.”
“Now that I think about it, I guess I won’t lose to you either,” Dee said, beaming, linking arms with him.
“I read the stars. We’re destined to like each other for life.”
“No wonder, I had the same feeling.”
With that, the two stepped inside the haunted house.
