"I'm sorry, Master! I'm so sorry!" Lydia was bowing on the ground.
"Weak Heal!" I said after pulling the knife out with a whimper.
After escaping the ghost town, Lydia had picked me up and carried me back to Adventurers Guild. Of course, I could have healed myself in the town square, but she was so panicked I didn't have a chance to tell her. Now, I was healing myself while revealing the state of the city of Old Chalm to the Guild Master. Everyone was shaking their heads in disbelief. Those that had been in Old Chalm seemed to have eyes filled with familiarity and just a hint of fear.
The Guild Master shook his head. "I didn't realize things had gotten so bad there. After your performance in the dungeon, I think I took your abilities for granted. I'm sorry."
"No, I took this mission willingly." I shrugged. "Besides, who says I'm done there?"
"We're going back?" Lydia's head raised, and fear shone back on her face.
"We need a bigger party." I sighed. "Regrettably, I didn't realize Lydia was a scaredy-cat about these things."
"Sorry…" She responded tearfully, so I patted her on the head to let her know it was okay.
"I'd like someone who is good with ghosts. What about that priest in town?"
"He should be back any day now. He tends to go on pilgrimages." The Guild Master explained but then sighed. "However, he's no battle priest. About all he is good for is changing a few jobs and charging exorbitant prices."
"Who else can I get to come with me?"
"In this city?" The big sister who was sitting nearby and listening with interest snorted, "You'd have better luck visiting one of the nearby cities."
"There is always the slave block." The Guild Master suggested hesitantly. "I wouldn't normally recommend it, but any slave you bought would have to join you."
"What kind of slave would work?" I asked. "Is there a priest slave?"
He leaned back thoughtfully. "It'd be rare to find a priest turned to slavery. The church is usually a stickler about that sort of thing. All priests have some ties to the church. Although they can be rented out or sent on pilgrimages, owning one is considered dangerous. Having no individual autonomy, they'd be like a dark priest. Rather, you'd be looking for someone with a high spiritual energy."
"Hey, Deek, you remember how the dungeon seemed to wear on our minds the longer we were there?" The big sister added. "That's a kind of spiritual attack. Most dungeons have them… but ghosts attack in the same way. They attack the spirit, not the body. This is why so many people have such a fear for ghosts, where we can handle the zombies. They literally induce fear by attacking your very lifeforce! I've heard catkins and related animalkins are particularly vulnerable to this kind of attack."
"I'm sorry…" Lydia was nearly in tears.
"It's okay, you couldn't help it." I couldn't stand to see her sad.
I gently stroked her ears until her eyes closed and she started to relax again. She put her head on my arm and started purring, her tail lashing back and forth from between the spokes of the chair.
"You've grown close to her." The big sister said, crossing her arms in a way that emphasized her enlarged chest, a somewhat pouty expression on her face.
"Ah… Haha…" I laughed awkwardly. "She's important to me."
Her purring grew louder unexpectedly. The big sister blinked and then let out a sigh of helplessness. I'm sorry, big sis, but I just don't see you that way. Plus, I think you might break me in bed.
"Jobs with high spirit would be things like Shrine Maidens, Paladins, Templars, Inquisitors, Necromancers, Shamans, Druids… well, just about anyone with strong magical ability. Someone with Lydia's job is pretty useless against ghosts. I recommend you find a spell caster."
"Alright, I'll look for a magic-casting slave then. Perhaps someone who can read." I stopped and glanced over at Lydia. "Is that okay with you?"
Lydia looked up at me and blinked.
"Master is Master. Since I am weak and can't do what master needs… one more slave is okay." Then her voice dropped dramatically, and she spoke completely to herself. "As long as it's not a pretty girl."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing, Master. Let's go."