We continued through the forest as we introduced ourselves to Noko as a party.

—"We’re adventurers from the guild," Maya said, adjusting her sword. —"I specialize in fire techniques with my blade."

—"Wow, so cool-nya!" Noko bounced, ears twitching.

Zara crossed her arms.

—"I wield lightning."

—"Amazing-nya!" Noko’s eyes sparkled like a child at their first festival.

I stayed quiet, avoiding eye contact to dodge questions about myself…

—"What about you, Noko?" Zara asked. —"That ice arrow against the Fungoid King was impressive."

Noko puffed out her chest.

—"I have the blessing of nature spirits! Wind grants me speed, and water fuels my ice arrows. Freezing’s the best way to handle Fungoids in a forest-nya!"

—"Wow…" I murmured, surprised.

Zara grew thoughtful.

—"It’s rare for someone to have blessings—that makes you special." She paused, then added, —"Speaking of which, Noko mentioned you also have a blessing, Ren."

—"Look! There’s the mansion!" I blurted, pointing enthusiastically to divert the topic.

We arrived at the mansion. The property was massive, with overgrown but spacious gardens.

—"Damn, you got a steal," Maya said.

—"Yeah, the price was pretty good," I admitted.

Zara eyed the darkening sky.

—"Looks like rain. Let’s head inside."

—"R-Rain?!" Maya paled. —"Inside, NOW!"

—"What’s wrong?" Zara asked.

—"Nothing!" Maya lunged at me, clamping a hand over my mouth to stop me from mentioning her rain trauma. —"Move it!"

As the first drops fell, Maya bolted to the door, where Noko waited.

—"Guys, it’s unlocked-nya!"

We stepped inside, greeted by a creeping chill.

—"Feels… off," I whispered, rubbing my arms.

—"Yes. This cold is likely from the ghosts," Zara confirmed.

—"Light!" Noko raised her hands, summoning floating flames that illuminated the foyer.

—"Whoa, Noko, that’s handy," I said, impressed.

—"Fufuu~ Noko’s the best-nya!" She twirled in a circle.

As we explored, shadows seemed to writhe alive. I jumped at every creak, sweating bullets. In my world, this only happened in horror movies. Maya and Zara feigned calm but instinctively huddled near Noko’s light. Noko, meanwhile, giggled, chasing shadows like it was a game.

Then—a ghost erupted from the floor, reaching for me.

—"Back off!" Noko flashed a burst of light, dispersing it.

I gaped.

—"Noko, was that…?" Zara asked.

—"Yep! With the light spirits’ help, I can purge ghosts-nya!" she declared proudly.

Maya trembled silently, unnerved by the pounding rain outside. Suddenly, another specter lunged at her.

—"Maya, look out!" I shouted—but she wouldn’t dodge in time.

Without thinking, I thrust out my hands. A golden radiance erupted from my palms, vaporizing the ghost mid-leap.

—What was that?

Purin’s voice echoed in my mind:

—"That’s ‘Purify’! A light spell only a rare few can use. And you, my dear Ren, can wield it because you’re special!"

So… Purify, huh?

The party stared at me, stunned.

—"T-Thanks, Ren…" Maya stammered.

—"Ren… was that Purify?" Zara pressed.

—"Uh…" I grinned nervously. —"Let’s keep exploring!"