Hitoshi stumbled out of the dense bush, swatting stubborn leaves off his hair and sleeves. "Not here either, just where is she anyways....." he grumbled, puffing out his cheeks in frustration. His sandals squelched against damp grass as he dusted off the remaining foliage clinging to his clothes. "I think we've looked everywhere, No. 4!"

" We checked the servant quarters, all those twisty hallways on the first floor and even those creepy corridors… ugh." He shuddered at the memory of the strange undead creatures they had passed along the way.

Zombies with milky white eyes had groaned and dragged their somewhat decayed limbs past him.

Sights of Specters and ghosts hovering soundlessly above the cold, stone floors, their corporeal yet semi transparent forms flickering like candlelight. 

Ghouls with fang filled jaws that conversed calmly as they chatted with each other in passing disputes, and multiple Wraiths cloaked in shadows who whispered unsettling words into the wind. 

' Just why on earth did I end up in such a spooky place......" When recalling all those things, he couldn't help but think that even Skeleton No. 4, plain and bony as he was, seemed downright pleasant by comparison.

Hitoshi grimaced. ' Why does it seem like everyone here looks like they could eat me whenever they felt like it? ' But at the thought of a beautiful frosty faced maid with raven black hair, a light smile emerged on his cute little face. " We'll at least not everyone" he mumbled softly.

Skeleton No. 4 didn't bother saying anything nor did he feel like comforting him, instead his flaming green eyes were busy scanning the grounds like one who was completely focused on finding a really precious artifact as if his life depended on it. 

His expression was, unsurprisingly, as plain as bones could be, but Hitoshi convinced himself the skeleton was probably worried.

Trying to be encouraging, Hitoshi puffed up his chest and declared, "Don’t worry, No. 4!, I promise We’ll find her no matter what!"

Just as the words left his mouth, he sneezed violently, nearly doubling over from the force of it. "Achoo!"

' Huh...what was that about.' Hitoshi thought, using his wrist to wipe his nose.

Before he could fully recover, glowing blue screens popped up before his eyes in rapid succession.

«[+50 Affinity Points]»

«[+20 Affinity Points]»

«[+20 Affinity Points]»

«[+10 Affinity Points]»

«[Congratulations!]»

«[You've reached Level 5.]»

«[You have 25 unallocated stat points and 25 skill points.]»

The flood of notifications left Hitoshi slack-jawed, not knowing that they were supplied by Eri Onee-san who had discovered his little handy work back at the scullery.

 "Huh?" he muttered, blinking his adorable big blue eyes at the shimmering text floating midair. When he suddenly thought of his status window, it materialized before his eyes, displaying his current progress:

---

Status Window

Level: 5 (20/100 AP)

• HP: 50/50 [+40]

• MP: 0/0

• Strength: 1

• Charisma: 4

• Agility: 1

• Stamina: 3

• Intelligence: 2

• Perception: 1

• Vitality: 2

• Skills:(SSS Class) Emotional Bubble Wrap, (S Class) Admiral Squeaky Fingers.

• Unallocated Stat Points: 25.

• Skill Points: 25.

---

His lips twisted into a pout as he scrutinized the bizarre skill names again. "Who even comes up with this stuff?" he muttered, cringing at the overly cutesy title Admiral Squeaky Fingers.

Before he could dwell further, Skeleton No. 4's fiery gaze fixed on him with unsettling intensity. " Are you done staring into the distance, if so then hurry it up, we still got an heiress to find remember..." 

"Uh… yeah, yeah! Let’s keep looking," Hitoshi stammered, clearing his throat and straightening up. "Maybe she’s around the back of the estate, I remember we haven't checked there yet!."

Skeleton No. 4 nodded silently and turned to lead the way. Hitoshi jogged to catch up, the soft crunch of grass under his foot, filling the quiet air.

As they walked side by side, Hitoshi’s curiosity got the better of him. "Hey, No. 4, what’s this Young Miss even like anyway?"

" You've been acting kinda strange everytime you mentioned her...is there something wrong with her or something?."

' is this boy insane?!!! ' The skeleton suddenly felt as if the child beside him was beyond fearless!, to suddenly dare to imply that the Countess's daughter was defective was such a bold claim!. 

His head rapidly shifted left and right, as if looking out for anyone who might've heard them, when he saw a few other servants not to far away, his teeth began chattering in fear.

At that moment, Skeleton No 4's little soul flame was flickering uncontrollably like a trembling rat before a viscous cat.

 He stared at the Servants while trembling, only When he saw non of them reacting as if they hadn't heard the little human boy did he let out a rare sigh of relief before glancing back at the cute little boy beside him, who was currently staring at him with a curious gaze, as if expecting his answer.

' This little human...he's not insane.., no!, he's completely evil, asking me?, does he want to drag me into his mess?!' 

' No, that can't be it, could it be that I accidentally offended him earlier so he's now thinking of slandering me in public to instigate a rumor?!' Skeleton No 4's bones turned chilly at the thought, unconsciously shivering a little as his thoughts ran wild. Staring at Hitoshi, he felt as if this harmless little adorable munchkin beside him was more dangerous than he expected.

 Realizing that he had wasted too much time in his thoughts which looked completely suspicious, he replied hurriedly.

 "How could you think that the Young Miss has any problems?, She's the young miss?!." his voice even blunter and louder than ever as if trying to prove that he didn't dare to harbour such thoughts.

Hitoshi blinked, confused. "That’s it?. You sure? Cause it looks like you think she is...." 

' hahaha, you think I'll fall for your trap?!, DREAM ON!!!'

' if I explain I'm sure you'll look for a way to twist my words you little brat!.' 

' damnit!, why did I even allow this human runt to accompany me in the first place!.' Skeleton No 4 couldn't help wondering whether his luck had finally run out.