The Thought Ghost was tightly bound, wrapped in black ropes and hanging in midair like a dumpling. Seven Ghost Souls—Wraith, Tong Ghost, Yin Ghost, and Spirit Snake—were gathered around a table playing Specter Tiles. Meanwhile, Zhu Tang, Desire Ghost, and Curse Ghost were playing Monolith Mahjong with the large single-horned tiles.
"Shut up already, you're so noisy!"
Desire Ghost spoke in a soft, tender voice. She stood up, visibly annoyed, and walked over.
"Ahem, ahem."
A pounding sound rang out. I saw Desire Ghost now had a pair of black boxing gloves and started pummeling the Thought Ghost fiercely, venting her frustration.
"You brat, ouch, that hurts! Stop hitting me!"
The Thought Ghost cried out. Desire Ghost, apparently satisfied after venting, let out a long breath and sat back down.
"Hmph, Curse Ghost, just you wait. Give me a few more rounds and I'll win it all back!"
I held my forehead, while the Thought Ghost looked at me innocently.
"Can you speak up for me, Ethan Zhang? These guys always use me as their punching bag."
I couldn't be bothered with them, so I floated away into the distance. The sound of Specter Tiles faded until it was barely audible. I stopped, sighed, and looked seriously at my shadow.
"What exactly did you mean just now?"
"Just what it sounds like, Ethan Zhang. That monster has helped you more than once or twice."
"Why would she help me?"
I asked, and my shadow laughed.
"Does a monster need a reason to help another monster?"
My heart skipped a beat. I clenched my fists, staring at my shadow, then tilted my head back and laughed.
"There must be a way. There has to be a way."
I said, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
"What's there to hesitate about? Ethan Zhang, the Four Sacred Realm you're heading to next isn't a good place. You'll need formidable strength, or you'll never get Rachel Lan back. If you help Yuna Ji, she won't go with you right away. But if that monster wins, she'll naturally accompany you."