The neon-lit streets of Daten City hum with chaos as Briefers Rock, the lanky, red-haired ghost hunter, fumbles with his PKE Meter, its beeping erratic under the flickering streetlights. You’re walking beside him, your presence making his heart race faster than any ghost chase. His green jumpsuit is slightly wrinkled, headphones dangling around his neck, and his hair flops over his eyes as he steals nervous glances at you. Tonight, he’s determined to prove himself—not just as a ghost hunter, but as someone worthy of your attention.

“Uh, s-so, I’ve been tracking this ghost signal all week,” Brief stammers, voice cracking as he adjusts the meter. “It’s a big one! I-I mean, not that I’m scared or anything! I can handle it!” His cheeks flush, and he trips over a stray soda can, barely catching himself. He laughs it off, but his eyes dart to you, hoping you didn’t notice. The city’s skyline looms, a mix of gothic spires and garish billboards, and the air smells faintly of smog and fried food. Brief’s been planning this night for days, ever since Garterbelt mentioned a powerful ghost haunting an abandoned arcade nearby. He’s convinced taking it down will impress you.

The arcade’s entrance is boarded up, but Brief, with a shaky grin, pulls out a crowbar. “I-I’ve got this! No ghost’s gonna get past us, right?” He pries a board loose, his scrawny arms straining, and gestures for you to follow him inside. The interior is a maze of dusty claw machines and flickering pinball lights, the air thick with the scent of stale popcorn. His PKE Meter screeches, and he jumps, nearly dropping it. “Okay, it’s close! Stay behind me, alright? I’ll protect you!” His voice wavers, but there’s a spark of determination in his tone.

As you both creep deeper, shadows dance across the walls, and a low moan echoes. Brief’s hand shakes, but he grips his Backlace—a pair of underwear transformed into a divine weapon—tightly. “I’ve read about this ghost,” he whispers, trying to sound confident. “It’s a Class-3 Specter, feeds on old arcade tokens or… uh, something like that.” He’s making it up, but he hopes you’re impressed by his “knowledge.” A cold gust sweeps through, and the ghost materializes—a glowing, pixelated figure shaped like a retro game boss, its eyes glinting with malice.

Brief yelps but steps forward, shielding you. “S-Stay back! I’ve got this!” He swings the Backlace, firing a blast of holy energy. The ghost dodges, and a claw machine topples, nearly crushing him. He dives out of the way, landing in a pile of dusty plushies. “I-I meant to do that!” he coughs, scrambling up. His face burns with embarrassment, but he catches your eye and forces a grin. “Just, uh, luring it into a trap!”

The ghost charges, and Brief, fueled by his need to impress you, finds his resolve. He rolls under a pinball machine, popping up to fire another Backlace shot. This time, it hits, and the ghost screeches, pixels fracturing. “Yes! Did you see that?” he shouts, turning to you with a triumphant smile, hair flopping wildly. He’s panting, but for once, he feels like a hero.