Chapter 1313: Chapter 1313

"The Writer will use—"

Seeing that Corpse Gentleman intended to give them no time to act, launching an immediate attack, Hathaway moved quickly to command her character. But her words caught in her throat. The moment the evil spirit charged into the lingering green light, it let out a wretched howl. Then, like an ice cube tossed into a fire, the white metal miniature dissolved into the hospital backdrop.

"Indeed. Life-based abilities are certainly effective against spirits. Judging by that display, Nolan's 'Writer' must be one of the finest healers in the city."

Magic Miss offered her praise, though it was unclear if she had genuinely failed to notice something unusual about the [Life Source] ability, or if she was tactfully offering Hathaway an excuse to protect her privacy.

After vanquishing the second spirit, the logical next step would have been to examine the letter found on the corpse. However, shaken by the recent events, the group first decided to search for the spirit's remains. They soon discovered a pile of bones in a corner of the rooftop, which, just like the last one, carried a curse.

If they burned it, the adventurers would be safe from the curse, but the city of Nolan outside the window would fall into even greater peril. If they didn't, the five adventurers in the hospital would have to press on while bearing the burden of the curse.

"If the information we gathered is correct, this curse significantly increases the likelihood of a fatal accident," White Cat Mr said, his voice troubled. "If we don't burn the remains, I'm afraid our characters could die. But if we do, Nolan will..."

"Burn it," Jenkins said bluntly, cutting through the hesitation. "The adventurers absolutely cannot die. They're not just our friends—Nolan is counting on them to save the city."

Jenkins stated his opinion without hesitation. In truth, everyone at the table understood the grim calculus. But to make that choice was to personally add another heavy weight to the scales of Nolan's impending doom.

The story resumed. Hathaway had her Writer character use an ability to revive the unconscious merchant's daughter, and then the group began to read the letter.

Corpse Gentleman relayed the letter's contents to the group. The deceased had belonged to an organization that manufactured a special kind of tobacco. Recently targeted by the Church in Nolan, the group was running low on key ingredients. He had come to the hospital on a friend's tip, having heard that a reclusive but immensely powerful Enchanter lived there.

As for why he had fallen victim to the evil spirit, that was a question the five adventurers couldn't answer with their current abilities. Jenkins suspected his own character sheet might list a skill like [Awkward Divination] or something similar, but Hathaway made no mention of it.

"So this abandoned hospital isn't completely deserted," Mr. Hood surmised. "Someone has been living here in seclusion for all these years."

He then proposed an idea.

"We don't know if this recluse is good or evil, but finding them is likely the key to this story. After living in the hospital for so long, they must know its secrets."

Jenkins instinctively glanced at Corpse Gentleman, whose expression remained as placid and unreadable as ever—just as it had been every moment since Jenkins had first met him.

"What is Corpse Gentleman's goal? It feels like he's deliberately steering us toward meeting 'him'."

But regardless of Jenkins's suspicions, the story moved forward. After defeating the second spirit, the group of five continued their search of the main building, but they encountered no third malevolent entity.

Still, the dilapidated building was fraught with peril. Corpse Gentleman would frequently interrupt their actions with sudden pronouncements. "The fragile floor, worn away by time, cannot bear your combined weight. You all plummet to the level below." Or, "As you open the cabinet, toxic fumes from decaying chemicals billow out. Make a roll for luck and constitution to see if you are poisoned."

Yet, thanks to the ever-resourceful Writer, the party managed to survive these trials. By the time they finally emerged from the main building, they had miraculously suffered no casualties.

The whirring of gears and machinery from beneath the table was constant, transforming the layout of the building and terrain as the adventurers explored. Were it not for the apocalyptic scene unfolding outside the window, it would have been an enjoyable game. Unfortunately, the fate of an entire city rested on their shoulders.

"The exhausted explorers finally step out of the hospital's main building," Corpse Gentleman announced. "Although they are unharmed, their recent experiences have left them keenly aware of fear and despair. Now that they are outdoors, a sense of relief washes over them. All previous penalty modifiers are temporarily removed. This effect will last until you enter another building."

Corpse Gentleman paused for a moment, then extended a pale finger toward the five miniatures.

"But danger often strikes when you least expect it. Absorbed in their exploration of the building, the adventurers failed to notice that upon exiting, they walked directly into an ambush. A pack of wild wolves, having strayed into the hospital grounds, has them surrounded."

"I object!" Jenkins interjected immediately. "This hospital is far too unsettling. Wild animals would sense the danger and instinctively avoid this place!"

He knew this was impossible, precisely because he had been to the real hospital himself.

"What you say is logical," Corpse Gentleman replied. "But it has happened all the same."

"In other words, the wolves shouldn't be within the hospital grounds. Their presence means something unexpected has occurred—for instance, someone might have summoned them," Magic Miss deduced, picking up on Corpse Gentleman's hidden meaning. The latter neither refuted nor confirmed her suspicion.

Ten brass-colored metal wolf miniatures materialized on the game board, surrounding the five adventurers and the cat before Corpse Gentleman had even finished his announcement.

"Since the wolves ambushed you, they act first. Two wolves will attack each of you, and they will all lunge. You may now react, but be warned: the distance is too short. You cannot take any action other than a direct counterattack—which means you cannot, for example, rescue a friend." Get full chapters from novel-fire.ɴet

Jenkins was certain Hathaway's heart was pounding again, because Briny's character stood no chance fighting two wolves bare-handed.

"The merchant's daughter is carrying a pistol," Mr. Hood declared immediately. "She's an explorer, after all. She wouldn't be unarmed."

"Using a firearm requires an extra roll... very well," Corpse Gentleman conceded. "Since the distance is so close, we'll assume a guaranteed hit. But you can only attack one target at a time."

"One target is fine," Mr. Hood said. "It's better than being attacked by two wolves at once."

After speaking, Mr. Hood shot a wink at Jenkins, who was seated next to him, silently urging him to have his noblewoman use her pistol as well. Briny's character sheet did indeed list a pistol and even a small steam-powered fragmentation bomb, but Jenkins had no intention of doing so.