Chapter 24: Arrival at the Camp: Yulunca, Maria

In the car.

Louis, sitting in the back seat, watched the shrinking town of Ravensfall and finally relaxed his tense body.

Facing a powerful ghost for the first time, he had to admit he was genuinely nervous.

Especially in this childlike state.

Louis touched the divine statue in his chest, feeling somewhat reassured, and squinted as the town faded into the distance.

He knew he would return soon.

For now, first head to the destination, then deal with Estelle—step by step.

Thinking of this, Louis unconsciously glanced at Estelle, who sat across the car, hidden behind someone else. Estelle seemed to notice, looked at Louis, then turned away without a word.

Yet her heavier breathing caught the attention of Emma, who had been watching her closely.

Emma immediately wore a smug smile.

She gave Louis a thumbs-up.

Louis chuckled softly, shook his head, and raised his own thumb.

In dealing with Estelle, he had clearly become Emma’s ally—even though they’d always been “friends.”

In the front seat, David drove attentively, while Angela kept calling people on the phone—women, it seemed—unaware of the minor drama behind them.

…

Mississippi State, Kurna Camp.

The camp lies in northern Mississippi, where numerous lakes attract many immigrants and tourists who come to sightsee or settle.

Kurna Camp is one of them, with a small town nearby.

Today, near noon, a car slowly drove into the area.

“Kurna Town, finally here.”

Louis observed the streets: many pedestrians, cars, suitcases, and people dressed lightly; shops thrived, looking quite prosperous.

David first took everyone to a hotel, then began preparing for camping at Kurna Lake—most supplies could be bought in town.

Louis, however, first inquired about the place. It was a habit from his past life: gathering intelligence, especially in unfamiliar environments.

Fortunately, Louis looked excellent—black tousled hair, a high nose bridge, crystal-blue eyes, and a youthful face full of collagen; he looked like an adorable little boy, highly attractive to older women.

He easily obtained everything he wanted to know.

“Seems like a very ordinary town, just with too many camps scattered everywhere.”

Louis rubbed his chin, thinking.

That’s fine—perfect for figuring out how to get rid of Estelle. Fine, keep it simple: find a chance to trick her out alone and make her “accidentally” fall into the water.

Meanwhile, Emma and Estelle were each taking their own actions.

Emma bounced over to the front desk and used the best weapon of children to get the information she wanted. Upon learning there was a computer in the hotel, her smile brightened further.

Estelle wandered around the hotel, listening to conversations. When she heard rumors of ghosts and students jumping from abandoned classrooms, she smiled too.

On the other side.

David, returning from shopping with Angela, suddenly bumped into someone.

It was a mother and daughter—blonde, fair-skinned. The girl had two braids and looked cheerful and lively; her mother, however, was extraordinary: under the flickering lights, her expression was strangely innocent, and she was quite beautiful.

“Sorry, are you okay?” David helped the girl up.

He took a few candies from his pocket and handed them to the girl.

The girl took them, smiled at David, and asked, “Are you also here for vacation, Uncle?”

“Yes, heard the scenery here is nice, so I came to see.”

After a few more exchanges, the mother behind the girl remained silent, only gazing at David with a seductive look. David felt a warmth in his chest but remembered why he was here, said a few more words, and hurried off with Angela.

Yulunca watched David’s retreating back and suddenly smiled. “Mature, kind, and seems to have money.”

“Mom, what do you think?”

The mother behind her blushed slightly and lowered her head shyly.

Yulunca instantly understood.

“Hmm, this hotel…”

She gazed deeply at the hotel.

“Come on, Mom, we should go to school.”

The two gradually walked away.

And the direction they headed was precisely around the lake where Kurna Camp lay.

There stood a girls’ church school.

…

Perhaps because last night’s maneuver had been exposed, Estelle was now avoiding him—even when Louis showed weakness, she gave him no chance to be alone.

Meanwhile, Emma was acting mysteriously, doing something unknown.

For the entire half-day, Louis found no opportunity to quietly eliminate Estelle.

Then David returned.

“Come on, kids, let’s go camping!”

Louis clapped along obediently.

Soon.

They arrived at the campsite: a beautiful lake, grassy fields dotted with tents—other campers.

After giving a few instructions, David, led by Angela, hurried straight to the center.

There, women of various skin tones—some curvy, some glamorous—chatted among themselves.

Emma watched this scene with cold eyes; Estelle’s gaze was even colder—truly murderous.

Louis’s lip twitched. He felt something was about to happen.

Whatever. Let it unfold—but Emma’s correction today will be renewed!

That night.

Inside the tent, Emma had a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat, muttering something—seemingly cursing someone.

The next day.

David continued his dates, now with a few new women. Emma shrank, glanced at Louis, then began scribbling on paper, doing something unknown. Estelle sat silently before the tent, coldly watching David’s side…

Louis couldn’t keep watching. He was now using pine resin to make a spell-grade oil for the Taming Flame technique—a shortcut that lets the body endure flame for extended periods without burning.

Rustling.

The grass stirred.

Louis froze, grabbed a stick from the ground, and hurled it hard.

“Ah!”

A girl’s voice cried out. The next second, a beautiful girl with blue-gray eyes stumbled out, clutching her head.

Thump!

She tripped over a stone and fell flat.

Yet she didn’t cry out.

???

Louis frowned, walked over, and extended his hand.

The girl shrank back timidly. Seeing Louis didn’t withdraw his hand, she seemed to confirm something, then grasped it and stood up.

Looking at her like this, Louis felt dazed—as if transported back to Emilia’s estate, to that tiny black room.

“Hello, I’m Louis.”

“Y-you… hello, I’m Maria.”

(End of chapter)