Volume 3—Chapter 60: The Shadow
Two girls moved quietly through the dim hallway, their footsteps muffled by the thick, dust-laced air. The flickering lights along the ceiling cast long shadows, distorting their reflections on the walls. The atmosphere was oppressive, like the building itself was holding its breath.
Aria slowed her pace, scanning the deserted floor. “Aneira, let’s head upstairs. There’s nothing here,” she said.
“No need to turn back,” Aneira replied, pointing ahead. “There’s another stairwell at the end of this hallway.”
Aria raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. “Is that so? That’s convenient.”
“Well, considering how wide this building is, it’d be weird if there weren’t additional staircases,” Aneira said, trying to keep her tone casual, though she was still gripping the baseball bat a little too tightly.
Aria nodded. “Alright, let’s head up then.”
They continued forward, their footsteps echoing softly through the empty corridor. The silence between them lingered until Aneira broke it with a question.
“By the way… what’s the name of the person you’re looking for?”
Aria gave her a sideways glance, suspicion flickering in her eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
“Well, maybe if we shout their name, they’ll hear us. It could make finding them easier,” Aneira said with a shrug.
Aria exhaled sharply, her expression deadpan. “That would be a great idea… if we weren’t in this weird space.”
“Huh? Why?” Aneira asked, blinking in confusion.
“You really need me to explain?” Aria gave a half-smile, the kind that wasn’t amused. “I thought someone who brought a baseball bat would be more aware of how dangerous this place is.”
Aneira frowned. “Are you implying I’m dumb?”
“Not exactly implying…” Aria muttered before moving on. “Anyway, I already tried shouting their names before I ran into you. What I got in return was a skeleton monster attacking me.”
The colour drained from Aneira’s face. “Skeleton monster…” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
That triggered something in her. For a moment, the fog in her mind lifted. Why had she suggested something so reckless? She knew—knew without a doubt—that shouting inside a dimensional crack was taboo. It attracted things. Dangerous things. But the knowledge had been sitting in the back of her mind, like a dream half-remembered. Something was clouding her awareness in this place, dulling her instincts.
“Aneira? Why are you just standing there?” Aria called, turning around.
“Ah… sorry,” Aneira said, snapping out of her trance and hurrying to catch up.
They resumed walking, and after a beat, Aria spoke again, this time more softly.
“Irana and Viola,” she said.
“Huh?” Aneira blinked.
“The names of my sister and my friend,” Aria clarified. “Irana and I are twins, just so you know. In case you happen to see her and think she’s my doppelgänger or something.”
“Oh. Got it. I’ll remember that,” Aneira said, nodding.
With that, the two of them climbed the staircase, the shadows on the wall seeming to stretch further as they ascended into the unknown.
Meanwhile, somewhere behind them in the dimly lit hallway, a shadow moved with eerie silence, gliding along the edges of the walls. But Aria, with her sharp instincts, caught something—just a flicker at the edge of her vision.
She turned her head slightly, casting a quick glance behind them.
Nothing.
The hallway remained empty, as if the shadow had never existed. No echo of movement, no lingering trace.
But this time, Aria chose to say nothing. She narrowed her eyes briefly, then turned back around and kept walking beside Aneira.
“So,” Aria began, shifting the topic with feigned casualness, “you mentioned earlier that you live here?”
“Uh… yeah. So what about it?” Aneira replied, glancing at her warily.
“You must’ve known about the first victim then,” Aria said, her voice steady but probing.
“First victim?” Aneira repeated, puzzled.
“The first person who disappeared over the last few months,” Aria clarified, her eyes focused ahead.
Aneira’s shoulders stiffened slightly. “Yes… I know who you mean,” she said, lowering her voice. Not only did she know, she remembered every detail—especially the final words that person ever said.
“Why do you bring that up now?” she asked nervously.
“Do you remember which apartment was hers?” Aria asked plainly.
Again, Aneira paused. “Why are you so interested?”
“I want to confirm something,” Aria replied, nonchalant but firm.
Aneira hesitated. Then, with a sigh, she said, “I don’t remember the exact number, but… coincidentally, it’s on the next floor. The one we’re heading to now.”
Aria blinked slowly, her expression unreadable. “That’s convenient. It’s almost like the scenario is deliberately written to keep moving forward.”
Aneira let out a dry chuckle. “What, are you saying we’re inside a novel or a movie? That’s a funny joke.”
“I hope it’s a joke,” Aria muttered. “But…”
Suddenly, without warning, Aria jumped backwards and launched a powerful strike toward thin air.
Aneira flinched. “What are you—”
But before she could finish, Aria spun mid-air and delivered a precise roundhouse kick.
This time, her foot made contact.
Something invisible shimmered into view with the force of the impact and hit the floor hard with a grunt. Slowly, it took shape—a woman.
She had long black hair, streaked with odd patches of white. As the light caught her face, Aneira’s eyes widened in recognition.
“Hey… you’re that investigator guy’s partner,” Aneira said, pointing at her.
The woman grinned, her lips stretching into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Glad you remember me, sweetie,” she said in a voice that was both teasing and unsettling.
But it wasn’t just her smile or voice that made Aneira step back in alarm. It was the unnatural white strands in her hair, glowing faintly, almost pulsing like a heartbeat.
“…You…” Aneira said breathlessly, realisation striking her. “You’re possessed… by a spectre!”
At that, the woman’s eerie smile vanished like smoke. Her eyes darkened, and she slowly lifted her gaze to lock eyes with Aneira, her expression turning cold.
—
“Spectre? What is that…?” Aria asked, her voice flat, more curious than alarmed.
But before either of the others could respond, the woman lunged at Aneira with sudden, brutal force. The air cracked with the speed of her movement as she swung a clawed hand toward Aneira’s face.
Aneira barely dodged in time, stumbling back into a defensive stance as the fight began.
Aria blinked.
“Uh, excuse me?” she said dryly, taking a small step to the side to avoid a flailing kick from the woman. “Can one of you at least answer my question?”
Aneira, locked in close combat, managed to glance back at Aria with disbelief etched on her face.
“Are you serious right now?” she snapped, just before she was caught off guard.
The woman’s uppercut landed cleanly, sending Aneira staggering backwards with a grunt of pain.
Aria sighed and folded her arms. “Guess that’s a no.”
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