Ghast Guide

In a small office, two people are sitting opposite each other on fluffy couches. The older one is squinting into a monocle, reading a paper intently. The younger man, opposite him, is showing a nervous expression. A redhead through and through along with very prominent freckles makes him stand out. Not really considered good-looking by even people he is close with. The young man has tried to acquire work to build up his resume for a while. However, since he has no recorded experience, no one is willing to hire him. This meeting is his last bastion of hope. With mounting debts, he can only go for the more dangerous jobs that have large payouts.

What kind of jobs? Well, cleansing ghosts as a guide. Ghosts plague humanity in many different forms. From wraiths that inhabit dark forests and sewers to revenants that come back for revenge against their killers. The specific job that the young man is applying for is the purification of a mansion deep into the Nameless Woods. A very dangerous mission as basically no information is provided.

The older man, Jacob Wellington, is desperate as well. No guides are willing take this mission as several groups have gone missing.... As the mayor of a minor city he has to keep local hotspots for ghosts under control. Unfortunately, he isn't provided enough money from the government to put up more for this mission. Otherwise, he wouldn't even look at this novice guide. He places the paper down and all energy immediately drains out of him.

"Honestly, you don't have enough qualifications for this job. However, if you are willing to risk it, I will accept you regardless. You must know that I have no hopes for clearing that damned mansion. My appeals to the government for help will most likely be lost so, don't expect a rescue either." Jacob Wellington

"Yes sir, I have run out of options here. This mission is the last straw I can grab at." Young man

"I honestly don't care mister-?" Jacob Wellington

"Tethers, Dan Tethers. It should be on my resume, shouldn't it?" Dan

"Well, Mister Tethers, I don't care about your circumstances. Just stamp here and get on your way. Perhaps a miracle will happen? Probably not....." Jacob

"Yes sir!" Dan

That is how Dan Tethers took up his first official job as a guide.

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"Damned forest! I've had enough of these bloody ticks and mosquitoes!" Dan

Tethers had made his way into the Nameless Woods. Rather eerie place. The locals from long ago never named the place resulting in it's unique name. Along with it's unique name are a peculiar species of tree that has blood red sap. A logging company tried to harvest them and sell them at a high price. Nothing good came of that. All the employees that chopped down 'any' of these 'Bloody Oak' ended up with misshapen spines. Their bones flourishing out of their bodies to resemble trees. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, no one died. The company later went bankrupt due to not being able to compensate their rather malformed employees a ridiculous sum that the government decided upon.

"Who the hell decided to build a mansion this deep in the woods. Hope no wraiths pop up....." Dan

Dan entered a more secluded area of the woods. A place where most would immediately leave after seeing. A deep pool of greyish water that has no visible bottom. It would be easy to conjure images of twisted creatures pulling themselves out of it. With the surrounding Bloody Oak that are leaking high amounts of sap making the whole scene even more horrible. The young man walks up to the pool and dips his finger in. Not water. Slime. A few flick of the hand and its off of him.

"Rather odd.... Wonder if any fish live in this goop.... There might be, based on the unique species of plants that I've seen in these woods..... Not important, really." Dan

Dan pulls out a map to see a pond landmark rather close to the mansion that he is supposed to go to. The map was poorly drawn by someone who was forced to map these woods. Criminal punishment is up city mayors to a degree. Several figures from the government make sure that the mayor's don't abuse their power by over or under punishing criminals.

"This has to be.... This landmark here..... A grey blob drawn with crayon..... I mean what else could it be." Dan

Eventually, Dan reaches the mansion after getting lost a few times. The place is rather large. Five stories along with dozens of rooms on each floor. Unknown if there is a basement..... A few gardens full of unkept roses surround the sides of the mansion along with several different sheds. The main pathway to the front doors are overgrown with weeds. Even the walls of the mansion are overgrown with ivy.... Still the mansion of unknown age and origin is in rather good shape.

"I'd rather not go in. A place this big.... If I can though.... I'll have a real launch to my career. " Dan

Dan walks up the pathway to some stone stairs that reach towards giant wooden doors that have rose etchings in them. Climbing those stairs gives the full splendor of these doors. They're damn well beautiful. They dwarf any human out there. With the massive eagle knockers on the door, it gives off an intimidating vibe.

"Let's see here.... hnnnnnkkkk! No good. Won't budge.... Use the knockers I guess?-" Dan

*errrrrrkk

"Hmm.... A bit delayed aren't you. Welp. No turning back after this. I've heard many stories of people getting trapped in places where ghosts congregate...." Dan

Dan walks into the mansion. The massive doors slam shut as if devouring the young ginger. The inside of the mansion dumbfounds him as it does not fit with the exterior appearance. Instead of stone or wood, the place is made of concrete and steel. Something that should not exist here.

"The entrance hall is floored with concrete.... The roof is wooden so that means the upper floors should be as well? Wonder what those pipes are for. Rather thick.... Black fluids? Does this place pump oil up or something?" Dan

"Hey, you." ????

"What!?!" Dan

Dan jerks forward as he hears a foreign voice invade his ears. A woman's voice but, one that has a slightly masculine depth to it. He quickly turns around to see a woman floating above. She has an ethereal ghostly presence surrounding her. Deathly pale with black sclera and silver eyes being the most catching part of her. She is a red head just like Dan but, of a different quality altogether. A massive white sheet wraps her many times making her look like she is ready to take a trip to an extremely cold place.

"What are you?" Dan

"Well, it seems that you've never encountered a Key Ghast huh. Hmmmm? You some novice or something?" Key Ghast

"Key Ghast!" Dan

Dan blurts out in fake surprise. He doesn't really know much about different types of ghosts let alone whatever a Key Ghast is.

"Well, you probably won't live too long here. That last group died in the first day. Give up hope kid. This place has seventy-two floors full of psychotic and annoying ghosts." Key Ghast

The Key Ghast circled around Dan a couple times in amusement.

"Wait. What? There are only five floors right?" Dan

"Sixty-seven sub-floors. Surface floors are relatively safe. You can live there for the rest of your life if you want. Food and water is pumped up from down below just to spoil up here...." Key Ghast

"Can't I just leave? You make it sound as if-"

"Yep~. You're trapped here for the rest of your life or until this place is cleared. If you try to leave, a thick fog will block you. Time is a bit weird as well but, I don't think that's important."

"Darn!!!" Dan