Belle spends the next few days lethargically lazing around the house. Liz never asked him what was wrong, and he appreciated that. Maybe he was being stupid; just accepting missions willy-nilly could lead to consequences. But he did like the system. It helped him make money, which he desperately needed, confirmed that ghosts were real, and led him to more connections. He was never the type of person who easily made friends despite being so extroverted, people found him weird and strange for his random obsession with the occult. So he learned to stop bringing it up, the friends he made after that didn't last as long. Belle knew he had problems, he couldn't keep a job for shit, always getting bored after a few weeks. And he never thought things through, jumping into dangerous situations at the drop of a hat. He was also terrible with money, but that was easier to sort out than the rest. Should he abandon the only thing that's making him money just because it got a bit dangerous? To most people that was what you would do, but Belle didn't think that was the direction he wanted to go in. But he should be more careful next time, make sure he doesn't get caught off guard again.
"Are you okay? You're heads been steaming for a while, did baby Belle think too hard again." Liz teases. She's standing in the kitchen, chip bag in hand.
"Hmph, at least I can think." Belle bites back.
"Whatever loser, we should do something this weekend, I've been bored." Liz easily changes the topic.
"Give me a few days and I can think of something fun," Belle responds.
"Sweet, you gonna pay for it?" Liz asks.
"Sure, sure, you're such a cheapskate." He grins.
"I'll have you know I take my girlfriend on the most lavish dates possible so you better not call me poor when I know your ass would spend all your money without me helping you." She snaps.
"Keep talking, once you spend all your money on gifts for your girlfriend and I have to spot you twenty dollars I am absolutely going to rub it in your face." He smirks. The conversation ends there with both sides flipping each other off. Liz puts down the chip bag, apparently, it was her breakfast for the day, and she heads off to work leaving Belle home alone. As he's not mulling over what happened a few days ago anymore, he finally decides to open the system and check what he has. This reveals 130 more Ghost Points, adding up to a total of 280, and the reveal of a new ability, [Paralyzing Fear]
[An intense feeling of fear is enough to freeze even the most strong-willed person in place. Paralyzes anyone within a 3-meter radius for 2 seconds. Can be used once every hour.]
The ability is perfect for escape and it seems it can freeze anyone, regardless of how strong they are. This ability can also be used to get a guaranteed hit on a ghost, it's perfect for both offense and defense in a way. While he's admiring his new ability and abundance of Ghost Points, he decides to check out the next main mission out of curiosity. He didn't plan on doing it, but the name caught his eye, [Mirewood Haunted House]
[A traveling Haunted House business that's business has been slowly declining, people have reported being touched and scratched at by the employees despite there being a strict no-touching policy. It got worse when someone died in their haunted house but they are still in business today traveling around the country. Would you like to accept this mission?]
[Yes] [No]
Belle didn't want to do another mission so soon, but the haunted house was the perfect location for an outing this weekend. He could invite Leslie as well and introduce him to Liz. The timing of when the system secures the location was also perfect for the weekend. Without any hesitation, Belle clicks the [Yes] button. The call came on Friday. Liz was at work when he answered the phone.
"Hello, is this Belle? The new horror streamer that's been mentioned in different forums?" The voice on the other end of the phone asks.
"Yes. But, how did you get my number?" Belle questions. He knows it has something to do with the system but he wants to make sure his phone number isn't just lying around somewhere.
"We called the parent company you stream from and they gave us your number." The person reveals. Belle doesn't know about any parent company so he assumes it must be something the system made up.
"Okay, and what are you calling about?" He questions.
"I run a traveling haunted house and would be delighted if you and some friends came along to stream the place." They offer. The invitation is obviously something to gain more traction for their failing business, but it's the site of the next mission so Belle willingly agrees. The person gives him the details and address of the haunted house. The date is set for Saturday at 9 P.M., the place is only an hour away and Belle immediately calls up Leslie to ask if he wants to go. Leslie enthusiastically agrees, saying something along the lines of needing to take Luna on a walk like she's some sort of cat. When Liz gets home that night, Belle tells her about the haunted house.
"So tomorrow you want me to go to an actually haunted haunted house? Bitch bring it, I'll knock some ghosts out." She chuckles.
"I also invited a friend to come with us, do you mind?" He asks.
"Nope, I want to meet this other friend of yours, ooh did you fall in loooove." She drags out the last word sarcastically. They both burst out laughing at the notion, it was a stupid joke, not even the least bit funny, but they don't have a care in the world.