About

“Listen here, young master. Have you perchance heard that tale?” People call the nights when the moonlight is exceptionally hazy and dark the nights of the Witch’s Moon. They say if you gaze up at the moon on such a night for too long, you will surely be possessed by a ghost and lose your wits. It starts with illusions flickering before your eyes... “In all my years, I have realized one thing. There is always a reason for the stories that endure through the ages.” What? You say you have never heard of such a thing? Tsk, tsk... My dear fellow, you truly know nothing of the world. If that moon is hanging in the night sky, do not even think of looking up. Bolt your windows tight, and no matter who calls from outside, never answer. Even if that voice sounds like your own mother’s. Why, you ask? “Hoo... You are a stubborn one. Then fine, I shall tell you of an incident that occurred in this village long ago.” It was decades ago. The country was engulfed in war, and the enemy’s reach finally extended to this very village. On that day, even the heavens were covered in dark clouds, making it hard to see an inch ahead. The enemy broke into every house, dragging people out, beheading those who resisted, and trampling even those who begged for mercy. Yet, in that horrific hell, there was one who stood before the enemy alone with a sword... It was the wife of a noble house. She was small of stature but possessed elegant grace; she was unmatched in both letters and beauty. Usually gentler than anyone, she could no longer stand by as the people were slaughtered. While her husband was away taking his civil service examinations, she drew her sword with trembling hands and charged at the enemy. But it seems bravery alone could not turn the tide of battle. An enemy blade, approaching stealthily from behind, slashed her eyes, and she was eventually beheaded on the spot. Thus, she ended her life full of sorrow, leaving behind her beloved husband. ...But you see. Something strange happened. The lady had clearly died there, but her body vanished without a trace. No matter how hard they searched to recover the remains, not a single sign was found. The household sent people in every direction, but they never found her. Without a body, they could not even hold a funeral. Ah, what became of the husband? They say upon hearing the news late, he took his own life. As years passed and the horrors of that day began to fade from memory... The rumors finally began to rear their heads again. Whenever a hazy moon rose, villagers began to disappear one by one. And the next morning, another strange rumor spread at the village entrance. They said that on the nights of the Witch’s Moon, a ghost bearing the face of the missing would appear. So, keep this in mind. On the night of a hazy moon, never look up at the sky.