Chapter 568: Can’t Leave
Throughout all of it, Lana remained completely calm.
Her expression never changed. She behaved as though she couldn’t see any of them.
The ghosts gradually became frustrated. Eventually, most of them gave up and searched for another target.
However, one ghost remained different. Unlike the others, it continued clinging to them from a distance.
Its hollow eyes remained fixed on Myra the entire time. And for some reason, that made Lana feel deeply uneasy.
However Lana had already instructed Mr. Crow to secretly watch over Myra.
Mr. Crow frowned deeply. The dark feathers around his shoulders rustled as he looked at Lana with suspicion.
"I truly don’t understand why you’re so insistent on protecting this little girl."
His voice carried genuine confusion. It wasn’t as though he believed Lana was unkind.
On the contrary, he knew very well that she was a compassionate person. Yet recently, her actions regarding Myra had become increasingly suspicious.
Lana was not the type to trust strangers so easily. Even if that stranger happened to be a child. Especially in a dangerous place like this.
Lana simply chuckled. "Don’t ask so many questions."
A mysterious smile appeared on her lips. "Just do what I’m telling you."
Mr. Crow rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine."
Although he remained unconvinced, he ultimately obeyed. Meanwhile, the little girl herself remained completely unaware of the arrangements being made around her.
Myra happily skipped beside Lana while the Direction Spirit continued leading them through the forest.
Occasionally, distant ghostly cries echoed through the woods. However, Myra seemed completely unaffected. Eventually, the Direction Spirit suddenly stopped.
The little spirit tilted its head. Its previously excited expression slowly transformed into confusion.
Then it began looking around helplessly. Lana immediately noticed.
"What happened?"
The Direction Spirit shook its head. Then it pointed in the opposite direction.
Seeing that reaction, Lana instantly understood. ’Uncle must have moved.’
Most likely, Axel had used a teleportation talisman. That would explain why the Direction Spirit had suddenly lost its bearings.
Just as Lana was about to follow the new direction, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed nearby. "Don’t take her with you."
The voice was cold and unpleasant. Lana pretended she hadn’t heard anything. She continued walking calmly.
However, the ghost merely chuckled. "Don’t pretend that you can’t see me."
Lana’s footsteps paused ever so slightly. The movement was almost imperceptible. Yet it was enough.
The ghost’s grin widened. "Got you."
Finally, Lana turned her head. Her gaze landed on the old ghost standing beneath a nearby tree. "How did you know?"
The ghost laughed softly. "Because every time another ghost appears near you, your eyes subconsciously move toward the little girl beside you."
His gaze shifted toward Myra. "You always make sure she’s safe first."
Then he pointed at her. "Maybe you’ve been able to see ghosts all along."
"Oh? Good observation. Anyways, what do you want?" Lana asked calmly.
The old ghost smiled darkly. "I want her."
His finger remained aimed directly at Myra. "Give that child to me."
Lana’s expression didn’t change. She simply shook her head. "Unfortunately, I can’t do that."
At the same time, Myra instinctively grabbed Lana’s hand. Her tiny fingers trembled slightly. "Sister?"
She looked up in confusion. "What are you doing?"
Lana paused. Then she smiled gently. "Nothing."
She pointed toward the old ghost. "A big bad ghost over there wants to take you away."
Her tone remained playful. "Does Myra want to go with him?"
The little girl immediately shook her head so hard that her hair bounced. "No."
She tightened her grip on Lana’s hand. "I want to stay with Sister."
Lana chuckled. "Then that’s settled."
With that, she looked toward the ghost again. "Now that you know her answer, shouldn’t you leave?"
The old ghost stared at her for several seconds. Then his expression darkened. "You will regret this."
Yet Lana merely smiled. "I can say exactly the same thing to you."
The old ghost’s figure gradually disappeared into the shadows. Meanwhile, Lana continued walking as though nothing had happened.
Soon afterward, the Direction Spirit successfully located Axel’s position again. It turned out that Axel had indeed used a teleportation talisman.
Otherwise, the Direction Spirit would never have become so confused. As Lana followed the spirit through the forest, she gradually began hearing familiar voices.
The sound of conversation drifted through the trees. She immediately recognized them. The group.
Based on the distance, she estimated they were only fifty steps away. However, before she could continue walking, Myra suddenly tugged on her sleeve.
"Sister."
Her voice sounded hesitant. Lana looked down. "What is it?"
Myra lowered her head. The cheerful expression she usually wore had completely disappeared. "I don’t want to go near strangers."
Lana blinked. "Why?"
The little girl nervously twisted the edge of her dress. "Because they always get scared of me."
Her voice grew quieter. "And sometimes they try to wave dangerous things at me."
The words struck Lana unexpectedly. The sadness hidden inside them made her heart ache.
For a moment, Lana couldn’t speak. Then she slowly crouched down until they were at eye level. "Myra."
The little girl looked up.
"Do you know who you are right now?"
Confusion appeared on Myra’s face. She tilted her head. "Aren’t I a human?"
Hearing those innocent words, Lana’s chest tightened painfully. For a brief moment, her determination wavered.
The child genuinely didn’t know. She had absolutely no idea. However, Lana quickly steeled her resolve.
Smiling softly, she spoke. "Well, Myra. I want to tell you a little story."
The little girl nodded obediently. "Okay."
Lana gently began. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little girl. She lived happily with her parents. One day, her parents came to this forest."
The wind quietly rustled through the leaves around them. "And somehow, they lost her."
Myra listened quietly.
"The little girl wandered through the forest for a very long time. She was lonely. She was scared. Eventually..."
Lana paused briefly. "She died."
Myra’s eyes widened. "But after she died, she became an angel."
The little girl gasped. "Really?"
She blinked several times. "That’s so sad."
Then she hesitated. "Does that girl know she became an angel?"
Lana shook her head. "Not at first. But that angel was kind. Beautiful. And she always helped people."
A warm smile appeared on Lana’s face. "Do you want to know who that angel is?"
Myra pursed her lips thoughtfully. Then she pointed at herself. "Is it me?"
When Lana nodded, Myra froze. For several seconds, she simply stared.
Finally, she spoke softly. "How do you know I’m an angel?"
Lana remained silent for a moment. Ever since entering the forest, she had constantly felt watched. That strange sensation had never disappeared.
Then she had encountered Myra. And suddenly the feeling of being watched was gone. That was when she realized something important.
Neither of them had shadows. No living human could exist without a shadow.
It was impossible, which meant only one thing. Both of them were spirits. The thing that truly confirmed her suspicion, however, was Myra herself.
The child genuinely didn’t know she had died. Because of that ignorance, her soul had remained incredibly pure. Pure enough to potentially become a Shiki.
Looking at Myra, Lana smiled warmly. "Because angels are easy to recognize."
Myra blinked. Then Lana lifted her jade bracelet.
The bracelet shimmered beautifully beneath the faint sunlight. "How about this?"
She gently pointed toward it.
"I have a place inside this bracelet. There are beautiful houses. There is food. There is safety."
Lana’s voice became even gentler. "If you agree, we can become partners."
She carefully chose her words. "From now on, I’ll take care of you."
Hearing those words, Myra lowered her head. The little girl remained silent.
Lana didn’t pressure her. Instead, she smiled softly. "If you don’t want to come with me, that’s okay too."
Myra looked up in surprise. Lana continued.
"Even if you refuse, I’ll still bring you chocolates. And snacks. And anything else you need."
The little girl’s eyes immediately became moist. Then she clenched her small fists.
Looking at Lana with determination, she finally spoke. "Sister."
Even though her voice trembled, her gaze remained firm. "I really want to go with you."
A smile appeared on Lana’s face. However, Myra’s next words made that smile freeze.
"But..."
The surrounding forest suddenly seemed darker. The little girl slowly turned her gaze toward the endless woods surrounding them.
Fear filled her eyes.
"This forest won’t let me leave."
At those words, Myra’s eyes immediately turned red.
From the moment she had arrived in this ghost forest, she had been trying to leave.
She had wandered through countless paths, crossed countless trees, and followed countless directions.
Yet no matter where she went, it always felt as though some invisible force was preventing her from escaping.
The forest was like a giant cage. A cage she couldn’t see and couldn’t break.
Eventually, she realized that something was wrong. However, because she was frightened, she chose not to think about it too much.
Instead, she buried those fears deep inside her heart and continuously prayed.