The Ghosts' Invitation（EN） (Pixiv Fanbox)

An old cemetery far from human habitation.

She had come here late at night to fulfill a request received from the guild.

“...There.”

Before her, having reached the cemetery, stood a woman.

Her attire suggested she was an adventurer like herself, but her body emitted an eerie glow in the dim darkness, her feet dissipating like smoke, no longer forming a human shape.

“...Are you ‘Alicia of the Lost Sword’?”

She asked the woman.

The woman called Alicia turned, her eyes glowing red as they locked onto her.

“Oh? Such a lovely little visitor at this hour, in this place. Yes, I am Alicia.”

Alicia answered with a smile.

Though wary of that defiant grin, she continued the conversation.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Laila. I'm an adventurer here on a guild request."

“Huh. You. I've never seen a ‘Half-Wolf’ adventurer before, but you have incredible magical power.”

Alicia gave her—or rather, Laila—a condescending look.

Laila felt a slight discomfort at that gaze.

“You, you're using this graveyard as your base, aren't you? Playing tricks on people passing by nearby? I want you to stop that.”

Lira's guild request was, quite simply, to negotiate with Alicia.

Lately, Alicia had been appearing before people passing near the graveyard late at night, like now, and acting in ways to frighten them.

Those frightened people consulted the guild, and Lira was chosen as the negotiator—that was the background to this situation.

"I've heard you were once a splendid adventurer. ...Even now as a ghost, you hunt monsters around here to protect the nearby village. That's why the guild wants a peaceful resolution if possible. If you promise not to bother anyone else, we won't do anything."

Laila stared at Alicia with a serious gaze.

Unaware of Laila's feelings, Alicia sighed wearily and replied.

“You came all this way just to tell me that? You and the guild are both incredibly naive.”

Laila felt a slight irritation at Alicia's defiant attitude.

But the words that came out of her mouth next were unexpected.

“But fine. I'll accept your offer.”

Laila couldn't hide her surprise at Alicia's unexpected reaction.

She hadn't expected her to agree to negotiate after those condescending words just moments ago.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I won't do anything to surprise anyone else anymore. In exchange...”

Alicia smiled and paused for a night before continuing.

“I want your body.”

“!?”

Lyla's shock at Alicia's words lasted only a moment.

The next instant, she felt her entire body fall downward.

“...! What!?”

Laila instinctively looked down at her feet. The ground, which had been solid just moments ago, had suddenly turned to mud, pulling her feet down.

And it wasn't just turning to mud—something seemed to be grabbing her sinking feet.

As Laila struggled with this strange sensation, the thing revealed itself from beneath her feet.

“These things... Undead!?”

What appeared at Laila's feet were several undead creatures.

Emerging from the mud, they began grabbing her arms and legs with their arms and tails, trying to prevent her escape.

And Laila's body began sinking further.

“I'm sorry, Laila.”

Behind Laila, who was struggling against the undead, Alicia apologized.

A smile that didn't seem like it belonged on someone apologizing was on her face.

“Alicia... Why...?”

“You see, I don't want to stay a ghost like this. That's why I've been searching for a way to come back to life all this time. And finally, I found it—a way for me to come back to life.”

“A way to come back to life?”

“Yes. But for that, I need a new body. One with enough magical power. That's why I've been bothering the humans near this graveyard. And today, I finally found it.”

Laila felt the blood drain from her face at Alicia's gentle tone.

“You wouldn't... mean me...?”

“Yes. I knew the moment I saw you. Your body has more than enough magical power for me to come back to life. I won't need to bother with the others anymore. I'll take your body. This is the ritual for it. It'll hurt a little when you sink, but it won't last long. So don't worry.”

Alicia described her terrifying plan with a smile, showing no hint of malice, and Laila was horrified by her composure.

Meanwhile, the undead at her feet continued to try to pull her down into the mud.

Would Laila truly become Alicia's body...?

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So, this month's final backer post was “Ghost × Bottomless Swamp.”

Since it's Halloween season, I thought I'd draw something ghost-themed.

It's not just sinking into the bottomless swamp—being forced down by someone else is pretty great too, right? (sly grin)

As revealed in the story, the original character's name is “Laila.”

I'll also be sharing some concept art for her, and I hope you'll continue to cheer her on in her future adventures.

Well then, see you again next month.