"Just a small favor, alright? Please, buddy. Oh, what's your name, by the way?"
Oh, I'm Zhang Qing... Zachary Young.
I didn't give my real name, since I've caused some trouble around here before.
"Oh, Brother Zhang Yuan, you probably don't know. I lost something in the lake a long time ago. I've been searching for it for over a hundred years, but I've never found it."
Damn, you've been looking for it over a hundred years and still haven't found it. Now you want me to help? Who knows how long this'll take. I couldn't help but curse in my head.
"I can't see in the water," Old Nine said. I let out a sound of surprise and looked at him.
You've been searching for a century and still can't find it. How am I supposed to have any luck?
"You're different. You're not me, haha. Just help me out—I won't let you suffer for it."
Looks like I can't refuse this ghost. I nodded and agreed; he really seemed desperate.
Alright, just tell me—what exactly are we looking for, Brother Zachary?
It's a Specter Pearl—a green one.
I almost wanted to curse out loud. Green? Looking at the lake water—even if it's clear, at the bottom, in that environment, how could I possibly see it? I don't even know how deep this lake is. I really wanted to slap myself for agreeing to help.
Brother Zachary, finish eating first. When you're done, I'll take you down. Your eyes—they're so bright. You should be able to find it, haha.
I shot Old Nine a resentful look and helplessly followed him to the water's edge.
I'm not a good swimmer. But if it's the Specter Pearl, I'll try.
I muttered this as I stared at the lake.
"That can't be right, brother. You're a ghost—you should..."
I glared at him, Brother Zachary.
"No worries, no worries, relax, brother. I won't let you swallow a drop of water." Old Nine said, raising his hand. Suddenly, I saw a massive black shadow. With a splash, a ghostfish the size of a person leapt out of the water, jaws wide, aiming to swallow me whole.
I cried out, raising my fist as Deathbane Aura surged forth.
"Ah!" I shouted, startled. "Brother Zachary!"
Old Nine shouted from the side, kicking the ghostfish and sending it flying away from me. Then he floated over, hands moving rapidly.
I saw droplets of water, like bullets, instantly pierce through the ghostfish. Then Old Nine shouted again, lifting both hands. Two streams of water, sharp as blades, sliced the ghostfish into three pieces. Old Nine flew over, clamped the fish's head with his legs, grabbed the separated body with his hands, and turned to me, grinning. "Brother Zachary, looks like we're in for a feast tonight."
"We're eating well tonight, Brother Zachary. Didn't expect this big guy to show up on its own, haha. Haven't seen a ghostfish this size in ages."
With a couple of loud thuds, Old Nine tossed the ghostfish down beside me.
I forced a stiff smile. Just now, I realized I was no match for this ghost—he was seriously tough. "Brother Zachary, watch yourself."
"Come on over, Brother Zachary. We're heading for Midway Town."
Old Nine reached out, and with a bubbling sound, a giant bubble rose from the surface of the lake. After leaving the water, it didn't burst, just quietly floated on the lake. "Brother Zachary, get in."
Go on in, Brother Zachary.
I made a sound of acknowledgment, a bit afraid, and walked over. I reached out, and my hands slipped into the bubble—it didn't burst. Finally, my whole body was inside.
"Let's go, brother."
Old Nine sat atop the bubble, which gradually began to sink. Once underwater, it was pitch dark—nothing could be seen.
"I can't see anything! How am I supposed to find it?" I shouted.
"Huh? Brother, you can't see? No way, you're a ghost!"
"I was born... died this way, alright?"
I snapped back at him.
Suddenly, waves of green light illuminated the scene. Gradually, I could make out the bottom of the lake—strange water plants and ghostfish, but all at a distance, as if afraid to get closer.
"Are you a Blue Wraith?"
I asked.
Yeah, so what? Brother Zachary, haha.
I swallowed nervously. Good thing I hadn't made any big trouble with him, or I'd be in real danger. But then I remembered—he needs my help, not the other way around.
"Brother, do you see it yet?"
Old Nine urged me.
"How could I possibly spot such a tiny pearl? Go a little deeper."
"Ah, brother, I didn't mean the pearl was tiny. It's green—you can spot it at a glance."
As we got closer to the bottom, I kept looking around, but still saw nothing. Old Nine led me all around the lakebed, but I didn't spot any green pearls.
"There's nothing here—just water plants and rocks. No green pearl. I really have something urgent to do."
Old Nine stopped moving. At my urging, he sighed.
"Alright, let's search a bit longer. If we can't find it, we'll go back up."
Old Nine lowered me to the lakebed and began a thorough search. Bathed in green light, I kept scanning for anything unusual.
"Wait!" I shouted suddenly.
I stared at the lakebed beneath my feet, sensing something moving in the mud.
"There shouldn't be anything down here but ghostfish, right? Crabs, shrimp, or anything like that?"
Huh? Crabs? Shrimp? What's that? No, don't worry, Brother Zachary.
I reached out, the bubble didn't burst, but my right hand felt cold. Then I reached into the moving mud and touched something hard, like a rock.
Brother Zachary, did you find something?
"Seems like a rock, nothing..." Before I finished, the rock under my right hand moved. I cried out in surprise.
What's wrong, Brother Zachary?
"The rock at the bottom—it moved."
Old Nine climbed down from the bubble and crouched in front of me. Eyes wide, he seemed unable to see clearly underwater, so he fumbled around.
"Looks like there's a small crack," Old Nine said, picking at it. Suddenly, bubbles rose all around, and it sounded like something was down there—I heard a low humming noise.
A dull creaking sound echoed, and my eyes widened.
"What is that?"
Before I could finish, the water turned gray and murky as sand billowed up from the bottom. Through the haze, I saw something massive, a huge shape turning over.
Old Nine's figure vanished. Suddenly, the bubble carrying me shot upward. I had no idea what was happening below. The bubble burst as we reached the surface, sending me toward the central island. With a loud pop, it broke.
I fell to the ground, staring at the lake—now completely turbid. A giant black shadow was drawing closer.
"Waaah..."
With a roar, I looked up in shock as the sky was blotted out, water pouring down like rain. A huge wave surged over, sweeping me away. With a bang, I slammed into a wooden fence and finally stopped.
The water slowly receded.
Damn, that's one huge Haunted Clamshell.
In the sky, the giant Haunted Clamshell, jaws wide open, was lifted by Old Nine's hand. It was at least a quarter the size of the lake—I was utterly stunned.
Suddenly, Old Nine let go, turning into a ball of green light that darted into the mouth of the clamshell. Moments later, he reemerged, holding a crystal-clear, basketball-sized green pearl.
Haha, I finally found it! This Specter Pearl—I've finally got it!
Then, to my amazement, the giant Haunted Clamshell in the sky began to disappear, green smoke rising from the fading areas. By the time it fell toward the water, it was only the size of a car, the rest vanished.
When it hit the lake, it turned into a wisp of green smoke and vanished.
Old Nine laughed heartily, descending from the sky. With a bang, he tossed the Specter Pearl in front of me.
Thank you, Brother Zachary. I've been searching for this thing for so long—it's drained me. I never thought it would turn into such a huge Haunted Clamshell at the bottom. Thank you.
I breathed a sigh of relief. The pearl was striking—vivid emerald green and crystal clear. I couldn't help but reach out, but as soon as I touched it, I cried out.
Memories flashed through my mind in an instant. With a cry, my Deathbane Aura surged wildly. My mouth felt itchy, and as I opened it, two fangs grew out, my skin twisting and contorting.
Brother Zachary, don't touch it carelessly. Even for a fierce ghost, this thing is too much—let alone ordinary Blue Wraiths. They can't handle it either, haha.
Old Nine pulled my hand away, and I instantly felt relieved. I quickly checked myself—no abnormalities.
By the way, Brother Zachary, you remind me of someone I knew centuries ago—he came looking for this pearl, too. He was human, funny, right? Why would I lend it to a person?
I laughed along with Old Nine, saying nothing.
"I don't even know how to thank you."
Old Nine looked around.
No need, just get me to the other shore. I have urgent business in Midway Town. I need to go.
I got up to leave, but strangely, although I'd just been drenched, my clothes were perfectly dry.
Here, Brother Zachary—just a little something for you.
With that, Old Nine touched the surface of the Specter Pearl. A flash of green light, and I saw a pea-sized emerald pearl. Then Old Nine dashed into the house.