On the other side of the Haunted House.
"Five Thunder Method!"
A loud shout rang out.
A Crawler exploded into chunks of charred flesh under a blast of lightning before the white-haired old man with the long beard.
He landed lightly. Though already past eighty, he remained agile and vigorous in his old age.
"Master, it looks like there are even more monsters here than we thought. The ghostly aura seems thicker than before!"
The boy held a peachwood sword, standing straight with a wary gaze.
The old man stroked his long beard. One eye was wrapped in bandages, but he still looked solemn and dignified, as steady as a mountain.
With an unhurried gaze, he stood with his hands behind his back and said,
"No matter. They're only a few minor ghosts, though they are indeed much stronger than our local Evil Spirits. Let's keep going. Once we find the leader hiding here, we can restore peace to this place."
Neither of them said anything more.
They once again advanced swiftly and cautiously.
They kept walking for an unknown length of time.
The boy asked hesitantly, "Master, do you hear something?"
The old man said calmly, "I do. A terrifying hissing sound. It often jolts me awake in my dreams, like the whispers of some evil god, leaving my mind unsettled."
"Master, your hearing aid is broken."
"..."
But the very next moment after their exchange,
Piercing shrieks suddenly rang out from the corridor ahead, along with countless horrifying scuttling sounds.
The master and disciple's expressions changed instantly.
"It's not my hearing aid this time, is it?!"
"No!"
In an instant,
Waves of icy wind swept toward them.
They immediately saw countless skinless ghosts racing toward them from the far end of the darkness.
Shrieks filled the air, and