Chapter 27: Chapter : 27 : The Train And The Ghost Bride!

The aftermath of their spider massacre still lingered in the damp, bloody air of the dungeon’s subway level. With the monsters slain, and no other threats appearing for the moment, the party continued walking along the cracked platform, the flickering lights above casting long, eerie shadows on the wall.

Luna clung to Aiden’s arm like a cling wrap that had just discovered possessiveness. She wasn’t just walking beside him—she was practically fused to his side, tail swishing contentedly.

“Master~” she purred softly, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. “You smell like victory and blood… It’s kinda hot.”

Aiden smirked. “That’s one way to compliment a guy.”

Lysandra walked behind them, arms crossed under her chest, eyes twitching every time Luna said “Master” with that syrupy affection. The green tint on her face wasn’t from dungeon lighting—it was pure jealousy.

Tch. I’m the one who’s engaged to him… So why does it feel like she’s more his fiancé than me?!

Ivy was in her own little world. She walked beside Lysandra, her tiny hands folded behind her back, eyes darting everywhere.

“Onii-chan! What are these funny boxes on the wall?” she chirped, pointing at the rusted vending machines, which looked like ancient relics.

“Those are… snack gods,” Aiden said without thinking.

Ivy gasped. “Gods?! Do they grant food as blessings?!”

Lysandra narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean by gods, Sir Aiden?”

“I mean…” Aiden coughed, suddenly realizing he should shut up before he blew his isekai cover. “Never mind. They’re broken now.”

Luna giggled. “You’re weird sometimes, Master.”

“You’re one to talk. Weren’t you sniffing me two seconds ago?”

“I was appreciating your musk! There’s a difference!”

Lysandra grit her teeth.

That damn wolf! Stop flirting!

She moved faster until she was beside Aiden on his other side. “Sir Aiden, I wanted to ask… when this dungeon is cleared, what will you do first?”

“Oh?” Aiden blinked. “I guess… get some rest?”

“Together?” Luna cut in, wrapping both arms around his. “You promised me the next night, remember~?”

Lysandra’s eye twitched. “Y-you’re shameless! Right in front of others?!”

“I’m just reminding him. It’s my fiancé privilege.”

“I’m his fiancé too!”

“Oh, really? Because I don’t see you doing much fiancée-ing~”

“W-what does that even mean?!”

“Exactly.”

Aiden sighed. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or terrified.”

Ivy, meanwhile, had approached the old train car up ahead. It was parked quietly in the tunnel, its doors slightly ajar. The windows were fogged from the inside, the metal rusted, but the structure itself stood tall like an abandoned iron beast.

“Waaaa~ What’s this, Onii-chan?” Ivy asked, her face glued to the window.

“That’s…” Aiden paused, choosing his words carefully. “A… uh… big people box.”

Ivy gasped again. “Do people live inside?”

Lysandra frowned. “It looks like a metal carriage, but… where are the horses? How does it move?”

“I bet Master uses magic to make it fly,” Luna said with a wink, clearly enjoying Aiden’s discomfort.

“Flying metal boxes?! What kind of nonsense—” Lysandra started.

Before they could keep bickering, the train suddenly made a ding! sound. Everyone froze.

“I-It’s alive?!” Lysandra stammered, stepping back in panic.

Luna drew close to Aiden again. “Master… you sure this thing won’t eat us?”

Aiden shrugged. “Only if it’s hungry.”

“NOT FUNNY!!” Lysandra and Luna screamed in unison.

Ivy skipped toward the open door. “Can we go inside? It looks cozy~!”

The system screen appeared in front of Aiden.

—

Mission: Solve the Mystery of the Phantom Carriage

Description:

A cursed train roams this sector of Floor 1. Whispers speak of a ghost bride who haunts its rusted halls, forever waiting for a groom that never came. Only by uncovering the truth behind her sorrow can the spirits be freed.

Warning:

Those who enter the Phantom Carriage may never return. The veil between life and death is thin here. Choose your actions wisely.

Objective:

– Investigate the Phantom Carriage

– Discover the origin of the ghost bride

– Uncover what binds her to this train

– Put her spirit to rest

Reward:

+20 Bond Points

Failure Penalty:

⚠ A random party member will be forcibly dragged into Floor 2 alone.

—

“Ivy, wait—!” Lysandra lunged, but the girl had already hopped onto the steps.

Luna groaned. “There goes our peace…”

Aiden sighed. “Let’s just go with her before she befriends a ghost or something.”

“Oh, don’t jinx it!” Luna barked.

They entered the train car. It was dusty and quiet. The seats were covered in cobwebs and the lights flickered with unnatural timing. Aiden walked ahead, cautiously. Ivy sat on one of the torn benches and started swinging her legs like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“This place smells like old socks,” Luna muttered, nose wrinkled.

“Better than spider guts,” Aiden offered.

Lysandra stayed near the door, arms crossed. “I don’t trust this place.”

“Oh, relax, Princess,” Luna said sweetly. “There aren’t any beds here for me to seduce Master on.”

“I—YOU—!” Lysandra almost combusted on the spot.

“Girls,” Aiden warned.

“She started it!” both said at once, pointing at each other.

Then Ivy pointed forward. “Onii-chan… someone’s coming.”

The laughter died in their throats.

From the front of the train, the lights flickered… then dimmed.

A cold breeze passed through the car.

Then they saw her.

A figure in white.

She wore an old bridal dress—frayed at the bottom, laced with dried blood. Her face was covered with a translucent veil, and her hands were pale, stiff, unnatural.

Aiden immediately stepped in front of the girls.

“Who… the hell?” Luna whispered, claws extended.

The figure slowly floated down the aisle of the train.

Lysandra backed away, pressing Ivy close to her, raising her arms slightly in case she needed to shield the girl again.

“Onii-chan… her eyes…” Ivy said shakily.

Under the veil, two hollow sockets stared forward, glowing faint blue.

The bride stopped a few feet away from them.

Then—her head tilted.

CREAK

She opened her mouth—

And the lights in the train all shut off.

—

END OF Chapter 27: THE TRAIN AND THE GHOST BRIDE!

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