As soon as the Burari docked, Goi leaped gracefully onto the land. From the deck, Damun called out, "Hey, Goi! Wait a moment!"
Goi raised a hand, pointing toward the left.
"What's over there?"
Damun followed Goi's gaze before responding, "Why? That's just the outskirts of the village—only a few small homes there." He then gestured toward the center of the village. "There's also the Soma administrative office over there. They've got guest quarters for visitors."
Goi glanced at the place Damun indicated but, without a word, started walking toward the area he had originally pointed to. As Damun and his crew carefully unloaded the timber, Damun called after him, "Once you're done with your business, come to the Office! Let's share a drink!"
Watching Goi disappear down the path, Damun muttered, "Does he use some kind of magic? He's just walking, but he moves so fast..."
Goi soon reached the quiet outskirts of Soma Village and came to a stop, surveying the surroundings. Thatched-roof houses lined the road, each with a persimmon, chestnut, or ginkgo tree standing in the yard. There were no packs of dogs running about, not even dried-up droppings on the ground. The dogs of this village remained silent in their courtyards, watching the stranger with wary eyes.
On the broad wooden platform in front of each home, villagers sat motionless, staring vacantly into space. Yet their eyes, turned slightly to the side, discreetly tracked Goi's every move. He focused his gaze on a house at the far end of the village and started walking again.
As he passed each house, the leaves of the trees rustled despite the absence of wind, and the dogs, still silent, shifted cautiously to follow his movement. The villagers, as if acting on unseen command, rose from their porches and slowly walked toward their doorways, still feigning a trance-like stupor.
Goi tilted his head, murmuring, "How can the presence of eerie energy be this strong in such a small village?"
Fifty paces ahead, near a well, a middle-aged woman was pretending to draw water while glaring at him with intense suspicion. When he was about twenty paces away, she spoke.
"Young man, have you lost your way? What business do you have here?"
Goi stopped and met her gaze before slowly drawing his bronze gladius. The woman tensed, lowering her stance defensively. "Why are you drawing your sword?"
"I just need to check something. Don't be alarmed," Goi replied, tilting the blade to catch the sunlight. Then, he chuckled. "A water ghost is hiding in the well."
The woman shrieked in a piercing voice. "You've come to take my son again!"
Suddenly, a pack of large dogs surged from behind Goi, charging at him with bared teeth. Glancing at their reflections in his blade, he muttered, "Even the dogs are possessed..."
Sheathing his bronze gladius, he unsheathed his steel blade in one swift motion, striking down the lead hound. Without pause, he leaped backward, slashing at the next wave of attackers. In mere moments, ten of them lay defeated.
Sensing a chilling presence behind him, Goi hurled his steel blade into the air, immediately drawing his bronze gladius. He spun, slashing in a full circle.
"Cleansed!"
Golden light radiated outward in a brilliant arc. An eerie wail filled the air before silence fell. The middle-aged woman collapsed to her knees, her eyes regaining clarity. The remaining dogs whined and scattered, scurrying back to their homes. Goi looked down at the lifeless animals and sighed. He muttered regretfully, "Damn... If I had known this method would work..."
The woman, now appearing completely lucid, blinked in confusion. "Where am I? My body... I felt like I was dead..."
Goi sheathed his swords and approached her. "Did you... save me?" she asked hesitantly.
Offering a hand, he helped her to her feet, though she wobbled and sank back down. "Oh dear... why am I so weak?"
Crouching beside her, Goi asked, "What happened to you?"
"I... I don't know," she admitted, shaking her head. "My body wasn't my own. I thought I was dead."
"Then what is the last thing you remember?"
"The last thing...?" She clutched her temples, searching her mind. "Something good. A happy memory... Oh! My son! My son came home!"
Goi listened patiently as she recounted her story. When she finished, he rose to his feet. "I understand. I will go to your home. The one with the large mulberry tree, correct?"
She nodded, then hesitated. "But my son... does that mean..." Meeting Goi's solemn gaze, she lowered her head in sorrow.
After guiding her back to the well, Goi made his way to the house with the large mulberry tree. As he approached the low fence, he spotted a young monk, barely past boyhood standing on the porch, gripping an iron rake. Seated behind him on the wooden floor was a woman in her twenties, staring blankly into the distance. The contrast between the two was stark.
Goi stepped through the gate. The young monk raised a hand. In an instant, ghosts hiding in the well and the mulberry tree swarmed toward Goi. He swiftly drew his bronze gladius and slashed, sending crescent-shaped golden light slicing through the air. The malevolent entities dissolved into nothingness, leaving only a chilling breeze behind.
The monk's eyes widened. "You bastard... You can see them?"
Goi smirked. "Such rude language for a child monk. You need to learn some manners." He stepped closer.
At that moment, the woman sprang forward, collapsing at Goi's feet.
"My husband... He came back, but he's not my husband..." She wept uncontrollably.
The young monk's voice turned desperate. "My love! Step away! That man is dangerous! He wants to take you away from me!"
Tears streaming down her face, the woman looked at him. "I was so happy you returned... but… that young monk… I feel so sorry for him…"
As she broke into sobs, the monk screamed and charged at Goi with the rake.
"This is my home! She is my wife! Get out, you bastard!"
Goi evaded his frenzied attacks, clicking his tongue.
"A dead man has stolen the monk's body." The monk swung the rake wildly, but Goi moved with ease, careful not to harm the woman.
"Shut up! Keep your mouth shut!" the monk shrieked. But before he could strike again, the woman cried out.
"Please! My love! I will die with you if I must. Just let this poor monk go!"
The young monk froze. "Y-You... I don't want someone as young and beautiful as you to die…"
A voice rang out behind him.
"Cleansed!"
A golden gust swept over the monk's body. A spirit emerged, a man's sorrowful form. "I'm sorry... I love you... Live happily..." With those words, he dissipated into the wind.
The monk collapsed, unconscious. The woman reached for the fading spirit, wailing, "My love! My husband!" But he was already gone.
Goi sighed, sheathing his sword.
"Truly sorry… To lose your love twice…"