The Ikaragi house had seen many strange things before.
But tonight might have been the strangest yet.
The kitchen window was shattered.
Glass littered the floor.
The counter had claw marks running through it.
And floating in the middle of the room was a hand-sized poltergeist examining his misty arm like someone inspecting a new jacket.
Stud sighed dramatically.
"…I liked this coat."
Serena stared at him with open irritation.
"You're a ghost."
"Yes," Stud replied. "A ghost with fashion standards."
Yuma rubbed his temples.
"Why are we arguing about clothes with a poltergeist?"
Before anyone could answer—
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed outside.
Headlights flashed through the broken window.
A moment later, the front door opened.
Three people stepped inside.
Reige.
Alumna.
And Erika.
They stopped in the entryway.
Reige took one step into the kitchen—
Then froze.
His eyes locked onto the floating poltergeist.
"…Fascinating."
Stud waved politely.
"Hello."
Reige's eyes lit up like a child discovering a rare insect.
"Incredible… a coherent spirit entity with stable form…"
He walked closer slowly.
Stud tilted his head.
"Should I be worried about that look?"
Behind him, Alumna stepped forward.
His sharp gaze moved between the destroyed kitchen and the floating creature.
Then he looked at Serena.
"…You tried to kill it?"
Serena crossed her arms.
"Yes."
Alumna nodded once.
"Good."
Stud raised both hands.
"Hey now—"
Before he could finish—
SHINK.
Serena's dagger flashed again.
Then again.
And again.
The kitchen filled with rapid flashes of steel.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Stud split apart repeatedly into drifting mist.
Then instantly reformed each time.
By the time Serena stopped—
Stud floated there again.
Perfectly intact.
"…Okay," he said slowly.
"Now you're just being rude."
Reige clapped his hands excitedly.
"Incredible regeneration properties!"
Erika, meanwhile, looked far less fascinated.
Her gaze moved from the broken window… to the destroyed counter… to the floating poltergeist.
"…Why is there a monster in my kitchen?"
Stud bowed politely.
"I prefer the term temporary resident."
Erika looked at Reige.
"…We need stronger protections."
Reige nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes. I'll install anti-poltergeist shielding around the house tomorrow."
Stud blinked.
"…Anti-what?"
Alumna stepped forward, his expression serious now.
"Enough."
The room quieted.
He looked directly at the floating spirit.
"State your business."
Stud straightened slightly.
"…I wish nothing but a ceasefire."
Serena snorted loudly.
"Oh sure."
Stud ignored her.
"I offer information and assistance."
Reige tilted his head with interest.
"Assistance?"
Stud nodded.
"Yes."
He floated slightly higher.
"You humans don't understand what is happening right now."
Alumna's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Stud sighed.
"Poltergeists operate within territories."
Yuma blinked.
"…Territories?"
Stud nodded.
"Cities are divided among spirit factions."
He gestured vaguely toward the outside world.
"Normally we avoid each other."
"Small conflicts happen occasionally."
"But recently…"
His voice lowered.
"…something changed."
The room grew quiet.
Stud continued.
"Territory wars are starting."
Reige's smile faded slightly.
"…That's concerning."
Stud nodded.
"Very."
He floated in a slow circle.
"Stronger spirits are expanding their domains."
"Smaller spirits are being forced to serve them."
Yuma looked at him.
"Like you were."
Stud sighed.
"Yes."
Erika crossed her arms.
"So why come here?"
Stud shrugged.
"Simple."
He pointed at them.
"You're dangerous."
Serena raised her eyebrow.
"…Compliment?"
Stud continued.
"I help you track hostile spirits."
"You protect me from them."
Serena immediately pointed toward the door.
"Oh no."
Everyone looked at her.
"There's already one freakshow living in this house."
She jabbed her thumb toward Yuma.
"We don't need another—"
Stud interrupted casually.
"Is it you?"
The room went silent.
Serena's eye twitched.
"…What."
Stud shrugged.
"You said freakshow."
Serena pulled a handgun from her jacket.
BANG.
The shot echoed through the kitchen.
Stud exploded into mist.
Three seconds later—
He reformed again.
"…You humans are violent."
Serena pointed the gun at him again.
"That's it. Out."
Stud floated backward nervously.
"She's bossy."
He looked around the room.
"…Who is she?"
Alumna answered calmly.
"The wife of the house owner."
Stud slowly turned toward Serena.
"…Oh."
He looked back at Yuma.
"…What an unfortunate soul."
Serena's face turned red.
"You little—"
Yuma quickly stepped between them.
"Serena calm down!"
Stud floated beside him and patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"I pray you survive a long life, kid."
Yuma blinked.
"…Why?"
Stud looked at Serena, who was now reloading her handgun.
"You'll need it."
Then he whispered quietly.
"Dealing with a feisty girl like her."
Serena lunged forward.
"GET BACK HERE!"
Stud darted toward the ceiling.
Reige watched the chaos with great interest.
"…I vote we keep him."
Erika sighed deeply.
"…This house is becoming a circus."
Alumna crossed his arms quietly.
But his eyes remained on Stud.
Because if what the poltergeist said was true—
Then the war between spirits…
Was only just beginning.