Hey everyone, sorry for the delay in updating the story! It's been a bit of a whirlwind. First, I had a VIP event to manage, then I had to go through a minor surgery. On top of that, the chapter I originally wrote didn't quite fit where I wanted it to. It took me a bit to realize that it actually belonged later in the story, not right now. Plus, the chapter I've written now turned out way too big for a single update, so I had to split it into two parts.

The good news? I'll be posting three chapters back-to-back in the next few days. Thanks for your patience, and I can't wait for you all to dive into these updates!

Training had been going well. Lucy was improving her skills with the help of her two trainers, and I was finally learning to control my use of natural energy without going on a complete rampage. The twins were easing me into it, taking things slow, which seemed to work.

After arriving at the guild like we did most days, Lucy and I wandered over to the quest board, ready to pick something from the usual selection. Just as I reached for a quest sheet, the receptionist, Kira, waved us over. Her expression looked a bit happy, maybe even a little hopeful.

Lucy and I made our way over to the reception desk.

"Hello there adventures, there is a quest that just opened up, so some people are saying there is something strange happening at this graveyard but when people checked there was nothing. No grave robbers or damages or well anything. So they put a quest and I thought of giving it to you two"

Lucy raised an eyebrow, fixing Kira with a deadpan look. "And why's that?"

Kira met her gaze. "Because you're experienced D-ranks, this quest has a size and rank cap"

Lucy gave a slow nod, but there was a spark of suspicion in her eyes. "Alright, I read you. And what's the payment?"

"Fifty copper a night, which adds up to three silver for the whole assignment," Kira replied, watching Lucy's reaction. She added quickly, "And, of course, food and accommodation are included—as long as you're okay with sharing a single room."

Lucy stopped, crossing her arms as she considered the offer. She looked over at me, her expression thoughtful, weighing the cost against the reward. I could tell she was close to accepting, though still skeptical.

"And the shift?" Lucy asked.

Kira nodded. "From dusk till dawn. Just the night. All we need you to do is keep watch, investigate anything unusual, and report back. If anything major comes up—like evidence of magic or foul play—I'll push for a hazard bonus for you."

Lucy considered this, tapping her fingers on the counter. "Alright. The room's no problem, but if things get hairy, we're expecting that bonus."

Kira nodded. "Fair enough if you have the evidence and thank you both for taking this. The townsfolk have been losing sleep, so you're doing them a big favor."

With the agreement settled, we took the quest slip and got ready for a few nights in the graveyard, wondering if this would be as simple as chasing away pranksters or if there was something more sinister lurking in the shadows...I pray to god this is nothing but pranksters, I don't want to deal with ghosts.

As evening settled in, the watchman led us through the graveyard. He took his time, pointing out all the VIP crypts, family plots and the couples graves, I wanted to make a joke like not even in death do us part but I was terrified of this place. Anyway It was clear he loved his job—he knew every name, every story, and seemed to remember exactly who each person had been before coming here to rest forever.

After the tour, he brought us to a small, weathered shack at the edge of the grounds. "This'll be your room for the next six nights," he said, smiling warmly. Inside, the shack was a bit rough, with two thin mats on the floor.

"I hope this setup works for you," he added, his grin widening. "You can stay inside or explore around the grounds, whatever you prefer. Someone from town will come by with your meals."

With that, the old man nodded, then turned and strolled off, leaving us to settle in.

"Any idea why we were picked for this quest?" I asked Lucy who was circling the room.

Without even turning, she kept scanning the small, dusty shack. "It's because of our rank and because we're only two people. A quest like this can't be given to higher-rank adventurers since they require higher pay, and most D-rank teams are parties of five or more. We don't fit either of those categories, so they get to hand us a cheaper reward and basic accommodations."

I nodded, realizing the practicality of her explanation. "Makes sense. Guess we're the bargain choice."

She smirked, finally glancing back. "Lucky us."

Instead of exploring the grounds, I made a couple of owls to keep watch for us, while Lucy and I settled into the shack. A while later, the owls gave a signal, their cries echoing through the quiet graveyard. I was half-tempted to abandon this quest and get out of there, but Lucy stopped me, insisting we go check it out.

We found a lone man standing among the graves, holding a small bundle.

Without hesitation, Lucy approached him, and I followed.

"Hey, I'm from the town. I brought food for you both," he said, offering the bundle.

Lucy glanced at me. "He's the one the old man mentioned."

The man's brow furrowed. "Old man?"

"Yeah," Lucy replied. "He showed us around earlier, he said he was the watchman."

The young man looked at us, a touch of surprise in his expression. "The watchman passed away a few months back. He saw… something here a few nights before he died. Whatever it was left him terrified." He stopped, glancing between us, as if unsure whether to say more.

The night felt even quiter, we looked at each other.

The man suddenly burst into laughter. "I'm sorry! The old watchman asked me to pull this little trick on the next folks who'd be on duty here. I wasn't planning to, but your owls startled me so much, I thought I'd get even."

I went from feeling spooked to flat-out annoyed in a split second. One glance at Lucy told me she wasn't thrilled with his prank either—her face was a mix of irritation and disbelief.

We took the food and went back to the shack.

Midnight

"Do you think there really are ghosts out there?" I asked Lucy, half-joking, but curiosity got the best of me.

She looked at me like I was asking if water was wet. "Of course there are—ghosts, specters, ghouls, and don't forget zombies."

"Damn..." I muttered, suddenly a bit more uneasy.

"But relax," she added, "the owls will let us know if anything stirs out there."

"Yeah, they will." I gave a small nod. "So, if you want, you can get some sleep."

"Don't mind if I do," she said, starting to shrug off her jacket and pull her shirt over her head.

"WAIT, WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I shouted and tried to cover my eyes, emphasis on the 'trying'

She paused, looking back at me with a smirk. "Getting into my nightwear. Why?."

"But...I'm still right here!" I managed, trying not to let my voice crack.

Her smirk widened. "Guess you better close your eyes, then, because I'm taking it *all* off."

I quickly turned my head, looking away from her as my cheeks burned. "I won't look, don't worry."

A couple of minutes later, I asked, "Are you done yet?"

"Nope," she replied, a little too casually. "Can't find my underwear, so I'm still rummaging through my bag."

Another five minutes ticked by, and my patience started to wear thin. "You were finished a long time ago, weren't you?"

A slight pause, and then, "Still searching, but if you don't believe me, you could always turn around and see for yourself."

I hesitated, weighing the risk. "No...I'll pass."

But after two more minutes of suspense, I threw my hands up in defeat. "I can't take this anymore!" I spun around to face her, only to find her fully dressed, lying back on the mat with a smug, devious smile.

"Busted," she whispered, laughing at my flustered expression.

I got up and did the same, changing into my nightwear before lying down on the mat. I could feel her gaze lingering on me, never once looking away.

After a moment, she spoke. "I wanted to ask you something."

I turned, curious. "What is it?"

"Are you... a virgin?" she asked, her tone half-serious, half-teasing.

The question caught me completely off guard. "Why... why do you want to know?" I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.

She shrugged, a playful glint in her eye. "Just curious. You act a bit innocent sometimes. Makes me wonder."

Feeling my face warm, I looked away. "That's... kind of personal."

She laughed softly, the sound light and teasing. "So... is that a yes?"

I took a deep breath, deciding it was easier to be honest. "No, I'm not. But it was just once, and it felt... hollow," I admitted quietly. "It wasn't with someone I cared about, so afterward, it just felt... wasted."

The teasing smirk slipped from her face, replaced by something more understanding. "I get that. Sometimes, it's not about the act itself but who you share it with that makes it matter," she said, a thoughtful edge to her voice.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling the weight lift a little. "I guess I thought it would mean more, but it didn't. Put me off the whole idea for a while."

She nodded, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling. "Maybe next time will be different," she said gently. "When it's with someone you actually want to be with."

I smiled faintly. "Maybe."

She glanced over with a mischievous glint. "Who knows? Maybe she's someone you've already met... someone just a few feet away from you," she said with a playful wink.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, trying to ignore her teasing as I settled in. "Good night, Lucy."

She laughed again, and finally, the room grew quiet as we both drifted off to sleep.

The second night followed the same pattern—Lucy kept up her teasing, pushing the boundaries, and I still stubbornly refused to give in or look her way.

After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "Can I ask you something?"

I let out a sigh. "Is this going to be like last night?"

She didn't respond right away, and her tone softened. "The girl who was your first... what happened with her?"

I hesitated, feeling a mix of emotions rise up. It was a personal question, one that I didn't exactly enjoy revisiting. But Lucy was someone I trusted, someone I could actually talk to. Still, I didn't feel ready. Weighing my options, I finally said, "Sorry, I just... don't want to talk about it."

She seemed to understand, her usual playful tone fading. "Alright. Good night," she said softly, turning away as we both drifted into sleep.

By the third night, it was almost routine. She pulled the same stunts, and I turned away, trying to ignore her attempts to draw my attention.

Just as I was settling down, a voice whispered beside me, gentle yet strangely clear. "She wants your attention, you know. That's why she keeps teasing you."

"What do you mea.." I froze realizing instantly that it wasn't Lucy who had spoken. Turning slowly, I saw a figure standing at the foot of my mat—a ghostly woman dressed in white, her long red hair framing a soft smile as she looked at me.

"Aaaa aaaa" i screamed

"What do you want" lucy asked her casually.

"Your friend is weird" the ghost laughed at me and looked at Lucy "my name is Emily how are you both"

Lucy shrugged and crossed her arms. "So, Emily, are you the reason people are so scared of this place?"

Emily tilted her head. "Not entirely. I'm part of it, but I'm not the only one."

Lucy didn't flinch. Instead, she just leaned in a bit, her curiosity taking over. "And what exactly is your part in this?"

Watching Lucy handle this ghost like it was nothing, I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. Determined not to let her do all the work, I finally stepped forward, standing beside her.

Emily's grin widened. "Oh, it seems your boyfriend found some courage."

Lucy scoffed. "He's not my boyfriend. And stop changing the subject."

Emily chuckled, then shrugged as she started to explain. "Someone ordered me to scare people away. To make sure no one got too comfortable around here."

"Someone?" I asked, finally finding my voice. "Who?"

Emily stared at me, raising an eyebrow. "I told you—I don't know." Then she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not brave, not bright. How do you survive?"

Lucy smirked, not missing a beat. "Better than you, considering you're a ghost."

Emily's laughter was like a soft echo around us. "You're right; maybe I was the one at a disadvantage." Her gaze softened, and then she sighed, almost wistful. "If you'd like, I can show you where the one who summoned me is."

Lucy gave her a suspicious look. "Why would you help us?"

Emily smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Watching you both… the way you tease each other, the way you look out for each other… reminds me of my love. We never got the chance to go far." Her form seemed to shimmer, almost fading before it solidified again. "Maybe, in helping you, I can find some peace."

With that, she turned and floated toward the door, glancing back as she moved through it like it was nothing.

"Well," I muttered, getting ready, "let's follow her."

Ok guys, that's it for this chapter. Onto the next one.