Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 58: Is This the Ghost?

Max pushed the tavern door open.

A thick murmur wrapped around them instantly. Laughter. Shouts. Glasses clinking.

The air smelled like alcohol and smoke.

Moon wrinkled her nose.

"What a gross place..."

Max stepped forward. His eyes scanned the room.

A group of devils played cards at a round table.

Gold and silver coins were stacked in the center.

One slammed the table.

"I told you it was a full house!"

Another growled.

In a corner, a devil lay sprawled on the floor.

Completely drunk.

Snoring.

Sophie frowned.

"Charming."

Max kept looking.

But he didn’t see Varis.

Or Neros.

"...They’re not here."

Sophie crossed her arms.

"They came in here."

Moon puffed her cheeks.

"They’re definitely hiding."

Max pointed at the counter.

"Let’s go."

They walked up to the bar.

The bartender was cleaning a glass with a dirty rag.

A red-skinned devil with short horns and tired eyes.

Max placed his hands on the wood.

"We’re looking for two people."

The bartender didn’t look up.

"Everyone’s always looking for someone."

Max continued.

"A big man, heavy armor."

He paused.

"And a red-bearded dwarf."

The bartender slowly shook his head.

"Haven’t seen anyone like that all day."

Sophie stepped forward.

"We know they came in here."

Moon pointed at the devil.

"Liar."

The bartender raised an eyebrow.

Max lifted a hand.

"Easy."

He looked at the bartender.

And gave a faint smile.

"Let me handle this."

Sophie sighed.

Moon crossed her arms.

Max leaned his elbow on the bar.

"Maybe you should think again."

His hand moved.

Clink.

Two gold coins appeared in front of the bartender.

The devil looked at the coins.

Then at Max.

"...Hmm."

He scratched his chin.

"Now that you mention it..."

Max pulled out three more coins.

He slid them slowly.

"Maybe your memory improves."

The bartender took the coins.

Made them disappear quickly.

And smiled.

"How curious."

He paused.

"Because actually..."

He leaned in slightly.

"...I’m no snitch."

Silence.

Max frowned.

His hand moved fast.

He grabbed the bartender by the shirt.

Pulled him over the bar.

"Listen carefully."

His voice dropped.

"We came for the night special."

The bartender blinked.

Then smiled.

"Ah... why didn’t you start with that?"

Max let him go.

But as he did, his arm knocked a bottle.

The liquor spilled.

Splashed the bartender’s shirt and part of the floor.

Silence.

Several gazes turned toward them.

A devil at the card table frowned.

Another cracked his knuckles.

The atmosphere tightened.

The bartender raised a hand.

"Hey, hey. Relax."

He looked at the others.

"It’s nothing."

The gazes slowly turned away.

The noise returned.

Max sighed.

"...Sorry."

The bartender smiled.

"Don’t worry."

He glanced at the coins.

"You already paid more than enough for a new outfit... and a few bottles."

He turned around.

"Come."

He gestured for them to follow.

They stepped behind the bar.

Moon looked around curiously.

"This feels secret..."

The bartender crouched.

His fingers found a small metal ring on the floor.

He pulled it.

A hatch opened.

Darkness.

Wooden stairs descended into a dim path.

A faint murmur rose from below.

The bartender pointed.

"The night special is served down there."

He paused.

"But only one of you can go."

Max looked at the stairs.

Then at Sophie.

"You okay with me going?"

Sophie nodded.

"Yes."

She placed a hand on Moon’s shoulder.

"We’ll wait here."

Moon raised her hand.

"Bring something tasty!"

Max gave a small smile.

"If I make it out alive, I will."

He turned.

And started down the stairs.

The hatch closed behind him.

***

Max reached the last steps.

The murmur became clearer. Laughter—deep, high... mixed.

He stopped in front of a wooden door.

Closed.

Light seeped from underneath.

And from the other side—laughter.

Max frowned.

’The Ghost...’

That name again.

It annoyed him that he couldn’t remember.

’Where do I know it from...?’

He clenched his teeth.

’There was a quest...’

Blurry images crossed his mind.

Smugglers.

Borders.

A clear warning.

"Don’t let them get away with it."

Max lowered his gaze.

"...Great."

He sighed.

He didn’t know who was on the other side.

Or if he should trust them.

But he had already come too far.

He raised his hand.

Knock.

He knocked on the door.

The laughter continued.

No response.

Max blinked.

Frowned deeper.

He knocked again.

Harder.

Knock. Knock.

Silence... no.

More laughter.

And then, a loud, shameless burp.

Followed by more laughter.

A vein popped on Max’s forehead.

"...Seriously."

He placed his hand on the handle.

Turned it.

It didn’t move.

Locked from the inside.

Max sighed.

"...Alright."

His hand went to his back.

And he pulled out his hammer.

The metal glinted faintly in the light.

He raised it.

"If you don’t open..."

He rested it on his shoulder.

"...I’ll come in anyway."

He took a step back.

Prepared the strike.

And the moment the hammer was about to fall—

The door opened.

Max froze.

On the other side, a succubus. White hair. Pale skin. A smile full of fangs. She wore an elegant dark suit. Impeccably tailored. Like a mafia boss.

She looked him up and down.

Her gaze stopped at the hammer.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Well..."

She leaned against the frame.

"Is this your famous friend?"

Max blinked.

Behind her—

Varis was sprawled on a couch.

Holding a bottle of beer.

Laughing.

Neros, beside him, had one too.

Much calmer... but clearly comfortable.

"HAHA! There he is!"

Varis raised the bottle.

"Come on, Max! Join our great conversation!"

Max looked at them.

Then at the room.

Couches.

Table.

Drinks.

Relaxed atmosphere.

"...What...?"

His brain couldn’t process it.

The succubus tilted her head.

"Before that..."

She pointed at the hammer.

"What were you planning to do with that?"

Max reacted.

Quickly.

He lowered the hammer.

Put it away.

"...Nothing."

He looked away.

"I was cleaning it."

Silence.

Then the succubus let out a soft laugh.

"Of course."

She stepped aside from the door.

And slightly extended a hand.

"A pleasure to meet you."

Her lips curled into an elegant smile.

"I’m Lamia."

She paused briefly.

Her eyes gleamed.

"I’m known as..."

Her smile widened just a little.

"...the Ghost."

Silence.

Max stood still.

He blinked.

"...Huh?"

The realization hit him hard.

The Ghost...

Was... her?