The attic of the manor was a shadowy expanse, filled with the scent of age and neglect. Dust motes danced in the shafts of light filtering through cracked windows, illuminating a space that had been long forgotten. Cobwebs hung like tattered curtains from the beams overhead, and the wooden floor creaked underfoot, a testament to the years of disuse.

As Jenna set down her equipment, she wiped her brow, glancing around the cluttered space. "I'll start preparing the radar setup," she announced, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous room. She opened her bag and began unpacking the components, her fingers deftly sorting through the cables and devices.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team spread out, eager to explore. Kosu wandered to one side of the attic, his eyes drawn to the walls lined with old portraits. Each painting depicted the manor's owners throughout the generations, their expressions a mixture of pride and authority. The clothing styles changed dramatically, yet the air of nobility remained constant.

As he examined the portraits more closely, something began to nag at him. In every single painting, a maid stood in the background, her presence almost ghostly yet undeniably prominent. Despite the passing of time, she bore a striking resemblance to those depicted in previous generations. Though her attire and hairstyle varied, the face remained hauntingly similar, as if it belonged to the same person across the ages.

"Hey, everyone!" Kosu called out, beckoning the others over. "You need to see this."

Riku and Miko approached, curious. "What did you find?" Riku asked, glancing at the portraits.

Kosu pointed to the maid in the latest painting. "Look closely. In every portrait, there's a maid. And she looks almost the same every time. It's like she's timeless."

Miko squinted at the paintings, her brow furrowing. "That is strange. You'd think there would be some variation over the years."

Riku crossed her arms, contemplating. "Maybe she's a lineage of maids who have served this manor for generations. It's not uncommon for families to keep the same staff for years, especially if they've been loyal."

Miko shook her head, her eyes widening with intrigue. "Or what if she's an evil spirit? Maybe she's haunting this place, bound to it through some dark magic."

Thorn, overhearing their conversation, waved a hand dismissively. "Let's not get carried away with the idea of spirits. It's unrealistic to think something like that would show up here. The only place we've seen spirits is behind the dungeon's portal, where they were manifestations created by the magicule within."

"But look at the evidence!" Miko insisted, gesturing to the portraits. "How do you explain the same woman appearing again and again? There has to be something more."

Kosu felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of an evil spirit, but he kept his skepticism. "Whatever the truth is, it's clear that this maid is significant. We should find out more."

Riku stepped back, glancing around the attic. "We need to keep looking for clues. There might be more here about the manor's history or even about this maid."

As Jenna continued to set up the radar, the team turned their attention back to the task at hand. They were determined to uncover the secrets hidden in the attic, not just for the sake of their mission but also to piece together the mysteries that seemed to linger in the air, like the dust motes that swirled around them. The manor held its secrets tightly, and they were determined to pry them loose.

After thoroughly combing through the attic, the team reconvened, their expressions a mix of frustration and curiosity. Despite their diligent search, they had found nothing unusual—no hidden passages, no secret compartments, nothing that could explain the presence of an assassin with such high-level skills in a seemingly abandoned manor.

Kosu leaned against a dusty beam, crossing his arms. "It's hard to believe someone like that would show up in a place like this. What's the story behind this manor, Thorn?" He looked to his leader, eager for answers.

Thorn sighed, running a hand through his hair as he gathered his thoughts. "The City Hall should have some records about this place. The manor was owned by a line of high nobles for generations. It was once a proud estate, a symbol of their status. But centuries ago, something happened—everyone in the manor just... disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Miko echoed, her eyes wide with intrigue. "What do you mean?"

The atmosphere in the attic grew heavy with the weight of history as Thorn began to unravel the tale of the manor's former inhabitants.

"The manor was built centuries ago by the Valen family, a line of high nobles known for their influence and wealth," he explained, his voice steady but tinged with reverence. "They were prominent figures in the city, involved in politics and trade, and their estate was a hub of social gatherings and cultural events. The Valens had a reputation for both their opulence and their dedication to the community."

Kosu leaned in, intrigued. "What happened to them? How could an entire family just vanish?"

Thorn continued, "According to the records, it was a time of great upheaval. There were rumors of political strife, rivalries with other noble families, and whispers of dark magic. One day, the entire family—parents, children, servants—simply disappeared without a trace. Their last known activity was a grand feast held to celebrate a political alliance. After that night, the manor was eerily quiet."

Miko shivered at the thought. "That sounds like the beginning of a ghost story."

"Perhaps it is," Thorn replied, his brow furrowing. "The manor was left to decay, and over time, nature reclaimed it. The city had no interest in intervening, especially since it's situated in a rural area with sparse population. Abandoned villages and manors like this one are not uncommon in our region."

Riku chimed in, "What do you mean by abandoned villages?"

"Throughout history, there have been numerous instances of entire villages being deserted," Thorn explained. "Sometimes it's due to economic decline, natural disasters, or conflicts that drive people away. In some cases, families simply left for better opportunities elsewhere, leaving their homes to rot. The government often turns a blind eye, especially in rural areas where it's expensive to maintain infrastructure."

Kosu considered this, imagining the echoes of lives once lived in the manor. "So, this place is just one of many? It must be filled with stories waiting to be uncovered."

"Exactly," Thorn replied. "Each abandoned site carries the remnants of its past—whispers of the families that once thrived there, the laughter that filled the halls, the tragedies that led to their downfall. The Valens are just one example, but there are many others scattered across the region."

Jenna, still focused on setting up the radar, added, "It's unsettling to think about. These places hold secrets, and who knows what we might find if we dig deeper?"

"Or who might still be connected to those secrets," Kosu said thoughtfully, his mind racing with possibilities. "If the Valens had any enemies, what if they're still out there? What if they were involved in something dark?"

Before Kosu could respond, Jenna's voice broke through the conversation. "I finished setting up the radar and communication!" She stepped back from her equipment, a look of satisfaction on her face. "It's all operational now."

"Great work, Jenna," Thorn said, moving to connect with Marco. He initiated the communication link, his expression focused. "Marco, do you copy? We're ready to start checking the coordinates on the radar."

A crackle of static filled the air before Marco's voice came through clearly. "Copy that, Thorn. I'm pulling up the data now. Let's see what we can find."

As the radar data began to populate on the screen, the team gathered around, anticipation building. They were eager to uncover any leads regarding Sakura's missing team, especially after the unsettling encounter with the assassin.

Kosu couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something significant. The manor's history, coupled with the recent events, hinted at a deeper mystery waiting to be unraveled. Whatever had caused the noble family to vanish, it might still be lurking in the shadows of the past, and they were determined to uncover the truth.