Chapter 2

It was the days leading up to All Hallows' Eve, when the veil between worlds thins and spirits roam freely.

As the most sought-after medium in this area, I was unusually busy this month.

Especially today, my head had felt heavy and clouded since morning. My intuition screamed that something was wrong.

Sure enough, by evening, I received a massive offer from Damien Thorne, the CEO: five million dollars to retrieve a ring.

But when I arrived at the scene, the lake felt frigid, an icy wind blowing right through me.

I probed Damien. "Mr. Thorne, are you absolutely sure you only need the ring?"

"Of course! Can you get it or not? Give me a straight answer, I don't have time to waste with you."

"Retrieving the ring isn't the problem. But anything else… that might be tricky."

I could clearly feel a resentful spirit lingering nearby, likely trapped underwater, its silent cries carrying an icy chill.

Just as I tried to pinpoint the source of the sound, Mark, Damien's assistant, grew impatient.

"Seriously, are you a legitimate medium? You have zero professional courtesy! You don't even greet Mr. Thorne, and then you ask all these weird questions? What's wrong with you?"

"Yeah, we're all waiting to party with Mr. Thorne! If you can do it, hurry up and get to it! Don't waste our time!"

I hesitated because I feared Damien was hiding something from me. That wave of resentment was clearly directed at him.

Based on my years of experience, a single glance was enough to confirm that the woman currently nestled in Damien's arms was not his fiancée.

I pointed to the diamond ring on the woman's ring finger and asked, "Mr. Thorne, isn't your fiancée's ring already on her hand?"

"Ha! Open your damn eyes! This is Mr. Thorne's adopted sister! Our lady is vacationing in Australia right now, you think everyone has as much free time as you do?"

"Ugh, are you going to retrieve it or not? If you can't do it, just get lost! Do you really think we have leisure time to waste in this godforsaken place? Take a good look at yourself, you’re not even fit to breathe the same air as him!"

Seeing the irritation on everyone's faces, I sighed.

It wasn't that I didn't want the job.

But today was a particularly sensitive day. Any other time, I might have just closed one eye and retrieved it.

But messing with the spirits near All Hallows' Eve is playing with fire. One wrong move and it could cost you everything!

I wasn't about to risk a life on my watch.

After all, this was crucial for my reputation, and I couldn't afford to be careless.

As I hesitated, a cold gust of wind suddenly swept past my ears, making my legs tremble.

I understood. This big job today was likely out of the question.

I shook my head. "Mr. Thorne, come back to me after All Hallows' Eve."

"I'm afraid I can't help you now."

The words had just left my mouth when I turned to leave, only to find a group of burly men blocking my path.

"You're not going anywhere until you retrieve that ring."

"My family is holding a wedding banquet the day after tomorrow. If you mess this up, I promise you won't see tomorrow's sunrise."

Damien said, picking up an iron rod from the ground. "I'll give you two options: either you get the ring, and my wedding goes off without a hitch. Or, you leave those legs here as a wedding gift to me."

"Your choice."