Warning: When two or more individuals who have been infected by the monster enter close proximity with each other, the monster becomes restless.

Reading the warning section of the quest one more time filled Merlin with a sense of dread. He interpreted this as the ghost becoming more aggressive. Its behaviour up until this point felt more like it stalked its victims, giving them a grace period before attacking. But now it was possible that he'd be attacked immediately after leaving the town that now acted as a safe zone.

He checked on Sir Redmond's condition, only to see that the man also seemed to be in pain, but before he could say anything an ear piercing whistle rung out from outside the building, grabbing the attention of both Merlin and Sir Redmond. The two turned to face the window towards where the sound seemed to originate from.

Merlin saw that Sir Redmond's office had a view over most buildings in the market area, as well as a clear view towards the eastern gate. He also noticed that there was practically a straight road from the gate to the mansion illuminated by only nine streetlights.

"Oh no. Not again." Sir Redmond mumbled. Merlin turned around only to see that the old man's body was shaking, and his facial expression indicated that he was terrified.

The ear piercing sound returned, followed shortly after by a strong gust of wind that blew through the town. The windows of the mansion started shaking violently, threatening to shatter if they received any more force. Several loud banging sounds could be heard from outside as the wooden shutters of the various buildings down the street started flailing around in the wind.

Sir Redmond fell back from the window and started crawling towards his desk. Before Merlin could ask him what he was doing, a flash of light caught his eye. When he turned around to see what changed, he noticed that the lantern that was hung on the eastern gate was no longer lit.

It didn't take him long to piece together what was about to happen, he saw several individuals moving towards the gate like something had happened. But not even a few seconds later he heard a collective scream, and another streetlight had vanished.

Merlin's attention snapped back towards Sir Redmond, who at this point was frantically trying to unlock a small chest he had stored away in his desk.

More screams rung out, they were getting louder, indicating that whatever was causing them to scream was getting closer.

When Merlin dared to turn towards the window once more, he saw the silhouette of several people getting impaled by a long tendril, only for the light that barely illuminated the scene to vanish moments after.

There were only four streetlights left, and it seemed people had finally caught on to what was happening, as they were now running away while screaming in terror, rather than walking towards it with curiosity.

Merlin took his shield and gladius out of his inventory and equipped them quickly. He wasn't sure what he planned on doing next, but now that settlements were no longer safe zones, he didn't have a chance to just run away.

Two more streetlights were destroyed, and Merlin could feel his heart almost beating out of his chest. He dared to peer out of the window once more, and now he could see the creature barely illuminated by the various sources of light coming from the nearby buildings.

There it stood in the middle of the market area, with its thorn-covered tendrils now dripping in blood. A familiar scene that left a bad taste in Merlin's mouth.

As if it could feel Merlin's gaze, the ghost's head snapped up and it stared directly at him. Merlin just stood there in a daze as he stared directly into the vacant sockets where its eyes would have been.