I Refused To Be Reincarnated

After two minutes of stumbling, Julius' eyes lit up as he sensed strength and Qi return to his body. He rapidly converted his energy, using the wood element to hasten his recovery, and realising his big brother's blade must have helped heal him. With his gladius drawing Qi, they formed an incredible pair of weapons.

Refreshed thanks to their help, he picked up his pace, his boots echoing against the rocky ground of the misty canyon.

As the damp air licked his sweat-covered skin, he noticed a lonely hut after three minutes of walking. 'Is it the dullahan's living quarters?' he mused, scanning the area and hoping to spot the two girls.

"Are they inside?" He muttered, pressed for time. Then, he shouted tentatively, "Morgane, Nova, where are you?"

Echoing his question, he heard hushed whispers coming from the lodging before the door creaked open, revealing the red-haired girl carrying a booklet and the Banshee.

"I can't believe you survived!" Nova exclaimed, smiling like a child before noticing the blinking ghost carried on the boy's back. Her smile instantaneously froze, and her eyes widened as she asked, "What happened to him? His soul is collapsing!"

Alarmed by her words, Morgane swiftly ran to the duo, her blue eyes scanning the ghost.

"He tried to find the dullahan's weakness and was wounded. Can you heal him?" Julius asked, his heart filled with hope after finding Morgane.

However, she shook her head, her lips quivering. "I-I can't do anything. He is beyond saving," she answered, sadness gripping her heart. It was a miracle his soul didn't dissipate already. She really couldn't do anything, and not even a tier six essence would help.

Upon hearing the catastrophic news, Julius clutched his chest as his heart threatened to explode in his chest. "No, no, no! He can't die. You must save him, please." He yelled, his breathing ragged and his vision spinning. Their journey had just begun with many things and places yet to be discovered, so how could his big brother die? He couldn't accept it.

Unfortunately, Morgane remained silent, her head lowered, and her shoulders slumped, feeling guilty. After all, she was the one who insisted on exploring the canyon's deepest part despite Adam's reluctance.

As an uneasy silence settled briefly, Nova's eyes trembled briefly before a flash of resolve flashed in their depth. "We can save him, but I'm afraid no one will like the cost," she said, grimacing at her memories of the ghost she disliked the most.

"W-What price? Let's go, I'll pay it!" Julius urged, wishing nothing but to save his brother.

"You won't be the one paying. Adam would most likely be the one to," she said, conflicting emotions clashing in her head. Since they defeated the guardian, they now had access to what lay five hundred meters further, meaning she could ask her master for help. Yet, she knew him. He never worked for free, always taking the lion's share in deals, no matter the situation.

"I don't care! If he dies, he won't have any use for his possessions, anyway. So, lead the way!" Julius roared, unwilling to waste a single second when his brother's life could end at any moment.

"Alright then. But keep in mind that he might resent you depending on what is asked," she said before floating towards the unreachable canyon's end.

Julius swiftly ran behind her with renewed hope, thinking, 'As long as he lives, we'll find a solution.'

After running through the thickening mist for three minutes, something he never imagined was possible appeared before his widening eyes.

Instead of a house, a castle, or simply the passage's wall, he gazed at a large city surrounded by water. Tall buildings towered in the distance, and he noticed ghostly figures patrolling the gigantic walls. Further ahead, he saw a grand palace, its towers illuminating the darkness and chasing the mist away.

"Follow me and don't speak," Nova said, bringing him out of his observation before floating to the city walls with a grimace.

As the trio made their way, a grey ghost covered in ethereal armor met them. "Why are two humans here?" He asked, frowning in displeasure. Living beings were unwelcomed in the dead's territory. It was a universal rule everyone knew. So, why were they here?

"They defeated the guardian and want to heal their friend," Nova said, pointing at the flickering Adam. Then, she added, "After he recovers, they'll leave. You have my words."

"Hmm. Can you prove those kids defeated that old coot?" The guard asked pensively, finding the claim unrealistic. After all, the dullahan had stood guard for centuries, never permitting passage to any evil ghost or living being.

"We have his essence," Nova responded, gesturing for Julius to show it.

After a brief inspection, the guard scratched his ethereal cheek. No doubts were permitted. It was really the dullahan's essence. "Follow me. I'll guide you through the city and supervise your stay." He started abiding by their rules before adding, "To avoid misunderstandings after you get the wrong ideas, I'll inform you that any guard here is stronger than the guardian.

So, follow the rules and leave without causing trouble."

Everyone nodded and followed in his steps before Nova explained the guard's identity, "They are soul reapers, ghosts created by this city's master to uphold his rules. Seventy years ago, there were fifty of them guarding the walls, all in the fifth tier."

'Fifty tier-five ghosts?!' Julius thought, his pupils dilating. Shepard had told them only a hundred mages reached the fifth tier on the entire planet. So, how could a city possess half that number without anyone noticing it?

Discerning his shock and comprehending his thoughts, Nova said, "The royals sent a mage's regiment once. But they were obliterated by the guardian. The few survivors reported the canyon was filled with evil ghosts, prompting them to throw the ones plaguing their territory here."

As Julius and Morgane mused her revelations, they reached and stepped through the gate. Then, their guide said, pointing his finger toward the palace, "Only our master can treat your friend. Considering the situation's urgency and the achievement of defeating the dullahan, I contacted him on our way."