39. Red-Light District Ghostification Uproar

“I’ll try it out first and then let you know.”

“Do that. And since we don’t know the side effects, I hope you don’t use it in the labyrinth until we figure them out.”

“Of course. There’s no way I’d use an untested item in the labyrinth.”

The Potion of Turning into a Rat had information about changing tastes, but this Ring of Spiritualization had absolutely no information on its side effects, so I decided to test it outside the labyrinth first.

‘Where should I try it?’

Rafnel said the duration of the Ring of Spiritualization depends on the mana I have, so for me right now, it’d probably last only one to two minutes at most.

If my body is inside a wall or the floor when the effect ends…

‘Instant death.’

Spiritualization nullifies physical attacks and lets you pass through walls and floors.

It’s the perfect item for escaping or dodging traps.

But unless your body is harder than steel, even the slightest mistake could be fatal.

So when using it, you always have to keep track of when the effect will end.

If you miscalculate the timing by even a second, you’ll get stuck in a wall or floor and explode.

‘Figuring out the side effects is important, but to use this properly, I’ll need practice.’

To use it effectively in real combat, I’d have to internalize the timing of the effect ending through experience.

Meaning I absolutely had to test it outside the labyrinth first.

“Guess I’ll try it here.”

I arrived at a suitable open space.

A vacant lot used by the street kids of the red-light district as a playground.

Decently spacious. No structures.

Probably the best place to test the ring’s capabilities.

If I tested it inside a room or building and got stuck in a wall or structure, I’d die like an idiot.

An open space or empty area seemed perfect for testing spiritualization.

Luckily, maybe because it was lunchtime, no one was around.

The timing was just right for testing spiritualization.

‘Can’t resist trying out such a rare treasure.’

Something like the Ring of Spiritualization is a genuine treasure-something you can’t get even if you desperately want it.

Rafnel is a weirdo for casually making something this incredible and tossing it to me to test out.

“Let’s see. Do I activate it like this?”

Since I was asked to test the ring’s performance and report back later,

if it’s good, I’d definitely haggle the price down and buy it as cheaply as possible.

That’s how you make the most of a hole-in-the-wall shop.

If I paid full price, I’d go bankrupt.

Besides, what’s wrong with scamming a rich old elf?

They live forever anyway.

No matter how hard I struggle, I won’t even make it to 100 before I die.

I’m sure someone who’s lived for millennia won’t get mad over a few gold coins.

“Alright, then.”

I channeled mana into the ring and activated spiritualization.

Instantly, my body felt weightless, and all the clothes I was wearing fell off.

-Wh-what the?!

Did my body turn into a spirit, making all my clothes pass right through me?

What the hell?!

Spiritualization only turned me into a spirit.

The clothes I was wearing weren’t part of the effect.

Isn’t this the side effect?!

No, having all my clothes stripped off is seriously problematic.

-Ugh, why does my voice sound like this too?!

Even my voice changed.

It became incredibly thin and shaky.

Like I inhaled a ton of helium and then had a vibrator pressed against my vocal cords.

I sounded like some annoying brat.

-Ugh…

On top of that, I couldn’t touch anything in this state.

Physical attacks were nullified, but I also couldn’t exert any physical influence.

I couldn’t put anything into my inventory, and even if I took something out, I couldn’t hold it.

My body was floating, my clothes were gone, and all I could do was wander around like this.

‘This seems like a defective product. Wait, no-hold on. I can’t pick things up, but I *can take them out… Ah!’*

If I stick my hand into an enemy’s head while spiritualized and pull something out from my inventory…

Isn’t this an instant-kill move?!

If I stick my hand into an enemy’s skull and pull out a dagger… wouldn’t their brain turn to mush?

‘But the downsides are too big.’

I’m not fully invisible-just translucent-so enemies can still see me.

I also seem weirdly slow, making it hard to close the distance quickly. And my body gets blown back easily by wind.

‘Good thing I tested it in an open space. Strong wind is a weakness too? I’m unaffected by physical attacks but still get pushed by wind? Hmm. That’s a bit of a problem.’

First, I’d need to get used to the spiritualized state to use it properly.

Maybe if I get used to it, my movement speed will improve a little?

‘If only my clothes didn’t come off, it’d still be usable.’

The idea of wandering around naked was a bit unsettling.

I’d have to show my bare body to everyone around me.

Not to mention, I’d have to strip and redress every time I activate spiritualization.

Seems a bit inconvenient.

‘It could be a great instant-kill move if used right, but I’d need to compensate for the downsides first.’

The effect was about to wear off.

I should grab my clothes, head back to Rafnel’s shop, and ask for some adjustments.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“Ah! Ahhh! A g-ghost!”

“What?! It really is a ghost!”

“Kyaaaaah!”

-Ughhh!!

Damn it.

Before the ring’s effect ended, the kids who owned the lot came back.

‘Damn street rats!’

They started throwing rocks at me and causing a commotion.

I tried to explain I wasn’t a ghost, but no one listened.

Well, it wasn’t that they wouldn’t listen-my voice in this spiritualized state was so shaky they couldn’t understand me.

Plus, the kids were terrified.

They were panicking and didn’t even try to talk to me.

“Go away!”

“Don’t take our playground!”

“Kill it! Kill the ghost!”

“Big brooo! I’m scaaared!”

“Kids under seven, get back! It’s a monster! A monster crawled out of the underground tomb!”

Ah, so they think I’m a monster.

Well, they are kids from the labyrinth city.

It makes sense they’d assume some evil spirit escaped from the underground tomb.

Yeah, their fear wasn’t the kind of terror modern people feel seeing a ghost-it was the fear of a monster crawling out of the labyrinth.

It was a different kind of fear.

The ingrained fear of monsters.

“What’s going on?”

“Huh? That’s…!”

As the street kids screamed about a ghost and started a fight, the women of the red-light district-who had been resting during the day for night work-began peeking into the lot.

“Oh my! A b-big-dicked ghost?!”

“Kyaaaah…! Ugh…”

“Huh. Looks like a virgin ghost.”

“Sisters, I’ll call the guards.”

The adults pulled the kids back and called for security.

I need to run.

But I can’t run.

‘The spiritualization is about to wear off.’

The crowd has me completely surrounded.

To escape, I’d have to phase through a wall or fence.

But what if the effect ends while I’m inside?

I’d get stuck and explode.

“What is that?!”

“It’s really a ghost!”

Fuck.

The guards are here already.

-It’s not a ghost!! It’s the effect of spiritualization! Ugh!

Mid-explanation, the spiritualization wore off.

“Wait, you’re human?!”

“What the hell are you doing stripping in the red-light district?!”

“It’s not like that! It’s a side effect of this accessory! Ugh!”

“Arrest him! Illegal ability use and public indecency! And spreading fear in the labyrinth city! Take him away!”

I got arrested.

In an instant, I was pinned to the ground with handcuffs on both wrists.

I could’ve resisted, but picking a fight with the guards would’ve been seen as challenging the city’s authority.

That would only make things worse. A fine could turn into actual jail time.

More importantly, I didn’t want a life-or-death duel with a gold-rank adventurer, so I just let them take me.

Clang!

“Ugh… Fuck.”

I was thrown into a cell.

The stone floor was disgustingly cold.

“W-wait! I want to call a guarantor!”

“A guarantor? You, a criminal?!”

“No, seriously. Look at this!”

I pulled something out of my dimensional pouch, and the guard’s eyes widened.

“I have a dimensional pouch. I was part of the vanguard in the labyrinth conquest after the Great Cataclysm. You’ve heard the rumors, right?”

“I’ve heard, but…”

“This is a misunderstanding. I wasn’t stripping in the kids’ playground for bad reasons. I’d like to call a guarantor. Here, take this first.”

I handed the guard two gold coins.

Bribes are essential when you’re in an unfair situation.

This is a medieval labyrinth city-no laws against corruption here.

Bribes are the most important tool for getting out of unjust situations.

“Hmm. You want to call the guild leader as your guarantor? A dimensional pouch owner *and two gold coins… Fine, stay in there for now. I’ll pass the message to the guild.”*

“Thank you.”

I could finally breathe.

The guards in the labyrinth city have a weird sense of honor.

Once they take a bribe, they’ll do their best to accommodate you.

I gave them two gold coins-they can’t just ignore that.

The stone floor was freezing, though.

I took out spare clothes from my inventory, put them on, and leaned against the wall.

Who knew testing the Ring of Spiritualization would land me in jail?

And the side effects are bullshit too.

‘Damn it.’

The side effects of the Ring of Spiritualization.

What are they, you ask?

–Hey, can you hear me?

–Heeey. I think he can hear and see us?

–Hey, kid. Can you see us? You can, right? Right? Huh?

–Heeere~ Look at this? It’s a pussy! Hehehehehe!

–Hoh? This brat’s got nerves of steel, huh?

–This little bastard’s really trying to pretend he can’t see us?

–So cute. Little Eastern runt. Look at my pussy. Come on. Look.

–A guy this big has quite the pride, huh?

–Kehehehehe. Look how red his ears are. Adorable.

What the hell are these crazy ghosts?

The moment spiritualization wore off, these prostitute ghosts started appearing.

Three evil spirits.

One had bandages over her eyes, another had hair so long it covered her face, and the last had pitch-black pupils.

I couldn’t tell if they were dressed or not.

They kept circling me, talking like they were trying to seduce me.

Was it because I used spiritualization in the red-light district?

It’s like a bunch of insane prostitute ghosts latched onto me.

‘I absolutely can’t respond or let them know I’m aware of them.’

That was Rafnel’s warning.

Don’t acknowledge stray ghosts.

She said if you attract their attention, they’ll become a nuisance.

It was already weird that things I couldn’t see before suddenly became visible.

Maybe it’s a side effect of the Ring of Spiritualization combined with my Spirit Eye.

But why did it have to be lustful ghosts of all things?

If I slip up even a little, these three might gang up on me, drain my life force, and kill me.

–Tch. Sis, this brat’s no fun. He won’t answer.

–Did someone warn him about us?

–Was it that bitch Rafnel? Damn her.

Huh?

They know Rafnel?

So they’re not just random ghosts?

What are they? I don’t get it. This is scary.

–Hey, kid. If you’re gonna ignore us, you better keep it up.

–Kehehehehe. Cute little Eastern runt. You’re totally freaked out, aren’t you?!

–Hey, just answer once. Huh? I’ll show you my pussy. Huh?

–Sis, that won’t work. He’s dead set on ignoring us.

–Kehehe. Let’s see how long he can keep it up.

–Fine. Keep ignoring us. When you slip up, we’ll torment you seven times worse.

–Little runt. Looking forward to tonight?

–Kehehehehehe!!

Soon, the three evil spirits vanished.

Did the side effect wear off?

“Fuck… I think I messed up.”

I’m uneasy.

What would’ve happened if I answered them?

All three were big-breasted ghosts, but still, they were terrifying.

This labyrinth city has too many hidden mechanics-one wrong move, and I might die.

“Hey, porter. The guild leader came in person, just like you asked.”

“Ah…!”

While I was still brooding over the three ghosts, the guild leader herself arrived as my guarantor.

The guards were all visibly intimidated.

The Adventurer’s Guild in the labyrinth city holds more power than just a simple association.

Especially since Moira, the guild leader, is a heavyweight even the nobles don’t dare mess with.

“Guild Leader…! I-I’m sorry. Because of me…”

“Sigh. Hey, Shion. What the hell are you doing? Why were you putting on a nude show in a kids’ playground?”

“W-well, you see…”

Yuria was standing behind Moira.

She smirked, looking at me like she was teasing me.

“Get out of the cell first. We’ll talk later.”

Moira probably won’t let this slide.

She’ll probably assign me some quest as punishment.

Fine by me.

But right now, I’m so embarrassed I could die.