Hayleen let her head thump lightly against the wall and let out a muffled whimper, this is why she wanted to stay home that night, but did anyone listen to her? No!
Because, why listen to the girl with premonition!
Hayleen was going to kill Laurely for talking Sydney into going, and she was sure she could convince Olivia to help her hide the damn corpse in a forest somewhere obscure, they'd never be caught!
She huffed softly, with both "Missions" and "Guide" being greyed out, now taking on a dark grey instead of a light grey, she decided to turn her attention to "Library" to see the "Blessings" that the System had talked about.
She could plan murder later.
__________
"Library"
"Mission History"
"Encounter-Glossary"
"Blessings"
"Skills"
________
Mission History:
(1 Mission(s) completed/attempted)
[Latest Mission]
__
-Unique Mission: Tutorial-
Mission Ranking [**]
Mission goal: Survive all ghost encounters
-Completion Rate[S]-
Monsters Encountered: 5
Specter *1
Wandering Soul *1
Lost Soul *3
-Rewards / Items-
Soul Lantern (Soul) *1
Resentment Hound (Spectre) *1
Resentment Hound (Soul) *3
Blessings: 5
Specter *1
Wandering Soul *1
Lost Soul *3
Skills: *2
__
-Completion Rate bonus-
-Nightvision (Mortal)
-Eye of the Dead (Soul)
__
-Extra rewards-
Mystery Reward *1
_________
Encounter-Glossary
-Lost Soul
-Wandering Soul
-Spectre
-Ghoul
-Stalker
-Resentment Hound
__________
Lost Soul
A Lost Soul is a type of ghost that originates from a being dying with unresolved conflicts or regrets, it is unable to pass on and wander around without a goal.
________
Wandering Soul
A wandering Soul is a being that originates from a Lost Soul, this ghost has found their way and is able to pass on.
This being has yet to pass on as it is waiting for something or someone, this can be a loved one from their lifetime or someone who helped get justice for them after their death, sometimes this person is simply someone they have taken a fancy to.
__________
Specter
A Spectre is a being full of vengeance and resentment, they have died a gruesome and unjust death and refuse to pass on without getting vengeance and revenge for what has happened to them.
They are dangerous beings that will attack whoever gets close and will not stop until their target.
____________
Ghoul
A ghoul is a corpse that has gained the most basic of sentience, they are animalistic and resemble the movie stereotype zombie, they are created after the death of a being with so much resentment that the body is soaked in it, so much so that the corpse gains a life of its own.
__________
Stalker
A stalker is a formless shadow that wanders without purpose, they are harbingers of misfortune and often accompany Spectres and Red Spectres in voids of existence.
_______
Resentment Hound
A Resentment Hound is a creature born from leftover resentment unable to pass on with the ghost they originally belonged to.
Only ghosts with abnormal amounts of resentment are able to bring these Hounds into existence when they choose to let go and move on.
______________
Hayleen sighed, feeling her head throbbing with all this information and the possible meaning of this, with so many creatures and ghosts, all of which she had encountered in person, it was impossible that they were only in the "Voids" and as there was a ghost on Veranna, in the same hospital that she was currently residing in even, their existence could not be disregarded.
There would surely be even more ghosts and creatures that she had yet to see or encounter that wandered this earth.
Disappointingly, it seemed that the glossary only gave information on things she already had knowledge of.
She wasn't sure if this "thing", the "System", was the cataclysm for the appearance of these beings, or if it just gave her the ability to see them.
She wasn't sure which of these options would be worse.
Both had long term and short term repercussions that would be hard to ignore and or avoid.
She shook her head, focusing back on her phone as she slid her thumb onto the next option that wasn't greyed out.
_________
Blessings
_________
Blessing of the woman in the gales.
The woman in the gales has given you her blessings.
Blessing of Ice and Snow.
The cold never bothered you, and it never will.
You can no longer freeze to death.
You will feel not feel the cold beyond a slight chill unless supernatural forces are involved.
[The story of the woman in the gales]
The woman in the gales, or the woman of ice and snow is as much legend as it is folk lore and reality.
The woman in the gales is a story often told in the Southern continent, the story focuses on a woman who froze to death on the streets on a cold, icy night with a snowstorm raging all around.
It is said that the woman in the snow was a wanderer who had hurt her foot and froze to death because she couldn't find shelter, others say the woman in the gales was a match stick seller or coal seller who had stayed out too long, some speculate that she was a homeless woman with no one to turn to.
Whoever tells the story, a few details will always stay the same- the person will always be a woman, she will always have frozen to death, a snowstorm will always be raging on the night of her death, and she will always wear a tattered dress.
It is said that you can encounter the woman under following circumstances-
A woman froze to death not too long ago, there is a snowstorm coming that day and it is nearing night time.
The woman who has frozen to death will be sitting, or cowering, against a house wall and there will be a blown out candle sitting at her feet.
If you light the candle, you are said to gain the favor of the woman in the gales and good luck is sure to come your way.
_____________
Blessing of the Forgotten child.
The forgotten child has blessed you.
(This Blessing was applied to the item "Soul Lantern")
You will never fear the dark as you are never alone.
[The story of the Forgotten child]
The forgotten child is a story often told in the Eastern continent and is a tale of caution for mothers and children alike not to leave each others sights, this story is often associated with the Teale Mountains, the coldest place in the eastern continent, history has it that explorers from the southern continent immigrated due to political strive and landed on the shores of the Eastern continent, not willing to go back, and unwilling to bear the weather of the Eastern region, they settled at the top of the mountain range and have remained there to this day.
This place, the cold Teale Mountains, is where this legend is supposed to have first appeared, a small child was selling coal along with its mother before the mother left for some reason or another, not long after the mother had left, a small avalanche rained down on the small town market and killed the child.
The mother returned days after, but found only the small frozen hand of her child sticking out underneath the blanket of snow.
On especially cold days you are rumored to hear the childs delighted laughter.
A statue in the form of a small child holding a bouquet of flowers was then built in the middle of the town market, in their memory and in rememberance of the tragedy that killed 143 people, if you ever see a small child skipping around the statue, feet coloured blue with ice and cold, hands stained black from coal, then you better run and hide as an avalanche is coming.
Leaving a bouquet of fresh Scilla and Pieris Japares, both flowers found on and around the mountain, are said to ward of bad storms and avalanches.
Other legends have it that the small child was abandoned and forgotten by the mother, freezing to death in the cold due to the mothers negligence right in front of their homes door, spiteful and angry by this betrayal, they are said to lure wanderes and passerbys to the forgotten and dilapidated building that was once its home, that is said to be in the middle of nowhere, before leaving its victims to their fate, others tell of a tale of a child offering to take the wanderes home, leading both their souls into the afterlife.
Those who believe in the tale teach their children from an early age: Never take the hand of a child of snow.
________________
Blessings of the Man without a voice.
The man with no voice has blessed you.
(This blessing was applied to the item "Soul Lantern")
You will always be heard.
[The story of the Man without a voice]
A tale from the Nothern lands, it is said that one day you may just stumble upon an old, red and black notebook, tattered at the edges and bulging with yellowed pages, it often bears the insignia J.R, from there, you have two choices, either ignore it and leave it for someone else to pick up, or take it with you.
If you are to take it with you, you aren't allowed to speak or let the notebook leave your sight for as long as need be, because he will come to collect his notebook, no matter where you are, and if he catches you speaking, he'll take your voice as well.
If you leave with your voice intact then you are said to never lose your voice again.
Other legends build on this, saying that if you damage his book in any way, shape or form, you will hear him speak, they say his voice is like the cruelest of tortures and if you ever hear him speak, you are cursed for the rest of your life, however long or short that may be.
_____________
Blessings of the Dame in the lake.
The dame of the lake has blessed you.
You fear not the dark, nor do you fear the cold.
The dame has decided, you shall not fear the creatures of the lake neither.
The creatures in the waters of lakes and ponds will never attack you unless provoked.
[The story of the Dame in the lake]
Some say it was an accident, some say it was a murder, whatever the truth may be, the end result is still the same and ends in the death of a woman once scorned.
Someone who once stood tall condemned to walk in eternal darkness, always afraid of what's to come.
The blind lady that drowned in the lake will pull whomever makes fun of those different down into her watery grave.
__________
Blessing of the Betrayed.
The betrayed has given you her blessing.
You who has looked death in the face, shall always be able to keep your composure and a cool head, no matter the situation.
You who has helped even when you shouldn't, you who has luck and intelligence that will be the envy of other.
Luck shall always be on your side, you with your loyal companion on your right and your Lamp of souls in the left.
[The Tale of the Betrayed]
[??? ( Complete at least a [***] Mission before unlocking the story of the betrayed.) ]
____________
Skills
-Nightvision*
Nightvision allows you to see in the dark, no matter where, no matter when.
Note: The Skill has merged with the blessings: Blessing of the woman in the gales, Blessing of the forgotten child, blessing of the dame in the lake.
Nightvision (Mortal) has been upgraded to- Nightvision (Soul).
Your new nightvision allows you to see in complete darkness, in the depths of the waters, in the snowy gales and storms of all kinds.
You have immunity to darkness-blindness, water-blindness and snowblindness.
-Eye of the dead (Soul)
You can see ghosts and other supernatural beings.
_______________
She stood up wordlessly and let her feet carry her away from the source of her headache, the sole of her shoes producing loud tapping sounds as she stalked along the corridors, a thousand thoughts flying through her head.
She stopped, looking to her left.
Room 277.
She silently turned to the other side and tried the door to room 276, it was locked.
278, locked.
279, locked.
280, locked.
Storage room, locked.
281, locked.
282, locked.
Door leading to the operation rooms, locked.
277, back at the beginning.
275, locked.
274, locked.
Breakroom, locked.
273, locked.
272, open, but the door is stuck.
277, back at the start.
"..."
She tried door 272 again, but now with more force than a light push, she heard the door gave a loud screech of resistance in response, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent building.
The door opened ever so slightly but got stuck again, she looked down to her knees, feeling a gaze upon her, unfriendly as it was, and sure enough, a pair of glowing eyes stared at her with malice, she blinked before jamming the door shut in the frame again.
She huffed and turned, going for the fire axe hanging in a glass case on the wall next to door 275.
*CRASH*
The glass shattered into a million glass shards, glimmering under the artificial light as they clattered to the ground in a rain of glittering pieces, there were a few large pieces that clattered to the ground loudly, while others were fine pieces that looked like snow as they fell, making a noise aking to fine hail.
She grabbed the axe, careful not to let the glasspieces pierce her skin, and took it out, the blade glinting dangerously as she turned it and twisted it to inspect it.
Her pair of charcoal brown eyes was reflected in the steel blade, shimmering as she inspected the edge before coming to stare at her reflection, she had light purple bags under her eyes and looked like she could use some sleep, but the thing that made her stare a bit longer before returning to reality was the fact that her eyes were calm and still, staring ahead with purpose and plan.
It was now that she noticed just how calm she was, it was a curious thing, but not surprising, if she were to be asked, sure, the ghosts were new, but it was by far not her first time exploring an abandoned or empty building near or after nightfall.
She hummed under her breath as she threw the axe up and down lightly, getting a feel for the weight, it was around the length of her entire arm and weight about 6 pounds if she had to take a guess, it had a red handle with a short rope on the end and it was as sharp as it could be, she smiled, satisfied with the trophy of her victory against the glass case.
Hayleen exhaled, setting the axe down to give her the freedom of shaking out her shirt that was now covered in fine glass shards and a bit of dust from around her hand and put it back on, giving her right hand a bit of a shake to stop the tingling.
She picked the axe back up and went back to door 272, if she got out of the timeloop, she'd pay the hospital back for the broken door, but now, she had better things to worry about.
She swung the axe in her hand, letting it bob up and down as she walked, then grabbed the handle tightly with both of her hands and aimed at the hinges of the hindrance of a door.
Two powerful swings later-
The hinges broke and clattered to the floor before the annoyed teen kicked it in, it fell inwards with a loud thud, and then there was a loud screech filled with pain.
Hayleen peered in only to see a hand, no, a claw, scratching at the floor, trying to wrangle free from under the heavy weight.
"Ooops." She stated flatly before she stepped on the fallen door, further crushing whatever was under it, she could hear whatever bones it had cracked under the combined weight.
Now, Hayleen knew her gut feeling wasn't all powerful and almighty- it didn't fail her in this moment either, no matter what others might think considering the thing now stuck under her feet hadn't set off warning bells in her head, or gut.
Her instincts warned her of the constant threat of the situation at hand, and it wouldn't scale down, disregarding the constant danger, just to alert her of something less dangerous, an example would be that her gut was constantly throbbing lightly as she was walking and looking around and it didn't go away just to come back as a slight sting.
Looking unimpressed at the thing, she stepped inside fully, turning to the room fully expecting to see another bloodbath, but the room looked completely normal, if you ignored the thing writhing on the ground, that is.
She stepped off the door and further into the room, turning to the bathroom.
The door was open and there was nothing inside, she walked over, peering in through the mirror to see if she had to expect another beastly surprise.
There was a shower in there, halfway hidden from view by the fully opened door, she could see through the mirror that the light blue curtains were drawn.
She debated for a moment before shrugging and pulling a chair from next to the empty bed over to the bathroom and grabbed the door handle.
She pulled the door shut with lightning speed and placed the chair underneath the door handle, effectively locking it from the outside, then she turned back to the empty room, throwing a glance over to the fallen door, the hand was twitching, but made no further move to escape or show that it was alive.
That was fine with her.
Looking around, the teen soon found her focus redirected to the bedside table covered in papers, striding over she picked up the paper on the top and began to skim through it with mild interest.
It was a medical report, now Hayleen didn't understand even half of the medical jargon written down, and she didn't even try beyond figuring out what it was about.
It was from a patient named Estella Grace, a pretty name, Hayleen mused, it detailed her treatment after an accident that left her with burn scars, now from what she could understand, which, admittedly wasn't all that much, the scarring would be permanent and would hinder her movements by a fair bit, making most fine or delicate work just about impossible as both her hands were scarred beyond repair.
Scowling slightly, she set the papers in her hands down on the bed before sifting through the rest of the pile left on the table, among other things, such as more medical reports, surgery documents, waivers and even an NDA, for whatever that may have been, too much terminology for Hayleen to understand anything beyond "Classified Prototype treatment." and "I hereby acknowledge everything written in this contract and agree to all terms and clauses stated within, Grace.E."
There was also a photo, hidden among the small mountain of official documents, agreements and contracts, bills, etc, it depicted a lady looking to be around 22, standing before a large painted picture of a landscape, a trophy in her hands and a wide smile on her face.
Hayleen didn't have to be a genius to know who the person in the picture was, especially if she took the uneven paper and droplet like smudges and marks into consideration, teardrops if she had to guess, it was Estella, bright crystal blue eyes shining with fervor and blonde hair put up in a bun.
Hayleen felt sorry for her, an artist with hands scarred so badly she'd never be able to use them normally ever again, she peered back at the being trapped under the door.
Was this... Estella?
"Estella?" She asked, inching a bit closer to the creature under the door, staying two feet away but craning her neck to watch out for any reaction.
It stayed silent, her question going unanswered, the hand didn't even twitch, she wasn't sure what she had expected.