The wooden planks sealing off the stairwell had been eroded by years of decay. Their surface had softened to the point that even an ordinary person armed with the right tool could easily pry them off.
If not for the glowing red word “No Entry,” which seemed to restrain the spirits lurking beyond, those ghosts would’ve long since broken through and sent the players running for their lives.
But the light was fading fast.
In that dim, dying glow, the sealed planks began to bulge upward bit by bit, flakes of rotted wood scattering like dust in the stagnant air. Beyond the haze of splinters and decay, faint shapes emerged, pale, drooling faces pressed close, eyes gleaming with hunger.
The sight was enough to chill the blood.
Qi Yu bit down hard on his lip, forcing the scream that rose in his throat back down into his chest.
From the ghosts beyond the barrier seeped a stench of blood, thick, metallic, and suffocating. It wrapped around his heart like a cold fist, dragging it down.
There was no way to run.
From here to the players’ resting area was at least two hundred meters. Even if he sprinted back before those things broke through, what good would it do? Those fragile souls, relying only on their limited tools to survive, wouldn’t last a minute against such monsters.
Qi Yu didn’t even have to imagine it. His mind painted the scene automatically, a massacre drenched in blood.
Were they really about to get a full-party wipe?
But why? They hadn’t done anything wrong today. Surely it wasn’t because no one came to fix the broken planks on the second floor fast enough that they’d be punished with this nightmare tonight?
Qi Yu felt both wronged and… hungry.
After a whole day of running around, half brainwork, half manual labor, he was starving. He suddenly remembered the chocolate bar he’d tucked into his pocket earlier and decided that, even if he was going to die, he’d die on a full stomach.
He reached for his pocket, but instead of the familiar shape of the wrapper, his fingers brushed against something cold and smooth.
Someone’s hand.
Qi Yu froze, then instinctively gave it a squeeze.
A low, amused voice followed, light and teasing, unmistakable in its tone, “Enjoying the feel?”
That voice, he’d recognize it anywhere.
“Xie Shao!” Qi Yu turned around, startled but also relieved. But his joy lasted all of two seconds before his expression froze in disbelief. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Xie Shao was tall, well over one-eighty-five, with long legs, broad shoulders, and a lean waist. The kind of build that made any clothes look good.
Qi Yu, on the other hand, had struggled all through high school to break the one-eighty mark, only to stall out at 179.5. Because of that, he’d always admired people like Xie Shao, tall, balanced, effortlessly good-looking.
Until now.
Apparently, even good bones couldn’t save you from bad wardrobe choices.
Xie Shao’s hair was damp, strands clinging to his forehead, clearly pulled here in a rush straight after a shower. He was wearing a loose white bathrobe with a sash tied around his waist.
That would’ve been fine, borderline indecent, maybe, but acceptable. The problem was the extra layer he’d thrown on: a white lab coat, hanging over the robe like an ill-fitting costume.
The two layers puffed out awkwardly, making him look like a slightly bewildered, oversized polar bear.
Qi Yu’s shoulders started trembling.
Xie Shao gave him a look that screamed exasperation, clearly torn between amusement and the urge to flick him on the forehead.
If it hadn’t been for Qi Yu, he wouldn’t have come rushing out like this, half-dressed, still damp, dragged out mid-shower by the game’s automatic “BOSS attire” feature that forced him into a doctor’s coat. Even walking felt uncomfortable.
“You find that funny?”
“No. No, not at all.” Qi Yu pressed his lips together, trying to keep a straight face. But every time he looked at Xie Shao swaddled in those ridiculous layers, laughter bubbled up uncontrollably.
The effort lasted a grand total of five seconds before his restraint crumbled. Qi Yu shook with silent laughter, completely forgetting the monsters clawing their way out of the stairwell.
Wait, the monsters!
Qi Yu froze mid-laugh, snapping his head up. The ghosts that had moments ago been snarling behind the planks were now huddled together awkwardly, crouched low, eyes darting nervously toward Xie Shao, as if ready to bolt at the first sign of movement.
…Seriously?
The double standard was that obvious?
Sure, Qi Yu knew the difference in their combat power was like heaven and earth, but seeing it with his own eyes still made his chest tighten with indignation, and a sudden, burning desire to get stronger.
He turned to Xie Shao. “Do I really look that tasty?”
He was, after all, a perfectly capable man with offensive skills. Even if he had to use tools to do it, he could still take out a couple of ghosts if he had to. So why did they look at him like he was some kind of five-star dessert?
Couldn’t they at least pretend to feel threatened?
Xie Shao studied him for a moment. Qi Yu’s skin was pale from lack of sunlight, and his lips, pressed tight in irritation, were a shade too red. He nodded honestly, “Yes. Very.”
Qi Yu: “…”
Right. He’d almost forgotten that Xie Shao technically was one of them. Fine. Not worth arguing about.
“Then do you know how I can get stronger?” he asked. “Like, find a secret quest, unlock a power-up, learn some talisman technique, something that lets me slap a ghost so hard it spins like a top?”
Xie Shao smiled faintly. “Hold on to my thigh.”
Qi Yu: “…”
Once again, it became clear they simply weren’t speaking the same language. Maybe they were better off as peaceful, hand-holding friends,
Wait. Hand-holding?
Qi Yu blinked and looked down. Only now did he realize that Xie Shao was still holding his hand.
Xie Shao’s hands were beautiful, clean, long-fingered, with pale, flawless skin, but they were also large, easily engulfing his own. Qi Yu’s fingers, slender and fine-boned, fit perfectly into his grasp, palm to palm, skin warming against skin.
Okay, sure, it was warm. Maybe too warm. But did he have to hold on this long?!
The sounds of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor, other players heading this way. If they saw him standing here holding hands with some strange man while staring at ghosts…
Absolutely not.
Qi Yu gave a small tug, signaling for Xie Shao to let go.
Xie Shao didn’t move. Instead, his fingers brushed lightly over Qi Yu’s palm, tracing an idle curve that made him shiver.
“Let go,” Qi Yu hissed under his breath. “If someone sees us, it’ll look bad.”
“No,” Xie Shao replied softly, voice dripping with mock sadness. “What, I’m not presentable enough? You see them coming and immediately want to throw me away?”
Qi Yu: “…”
He could say yes, couldn’t he? Because seriously, how was he supposed to explain being this close to a BOSS?
But Xie Shao refused to listen, keeping hold of him until the footsteps drew near. Then, finally, he leaned in, his voice low against Qi Yu’s ear.
“The second floor belongs to Song Qing,” he murmured. “The ghosts here are his. They’re… not right in the head. Stay away from them. I’ll suppress them for about an hour, use that time to reseal the stairwell with something that has a proper binding effect.”
He paused, gaze flicking toward Qi Yu’s lips. “Also… you won’t stay with me tonight, and you won’t even let me show my face. I’m very unhappy.”
He smiled slowly. “I should punish you.”
He was already standing close but when he turned his head suddenly, his face filled Qi Yu’s entire vision.
Qi Yu could smell the faint scent of his body wash, feel the soft warmth of his breath against his cheek, see the face so beautiful it could make most women scream. He leaned in closer, closer,
And then, with a soft chuckle, he vanished.
“Qi Yu! Hey, Qi Yu, where are you? Are you still alive? If you’re alive, say something!”
Tang Yu’s voice echoed from the hallway.
Qi Yu: “…”
Grass!
He almost shut his eyes in despair. His ears and face were burning; he probably looked like a disaster.
Xie Shao, you bastard!
When Tang Yu and the others finally found Qi Yu, he was crouched on the floor, a rusty hammer in hand and a wooden table dragged from the next room beside him.
He quickly explained what had happened, crediting his survival to a powerful one-use item.
Through the gaping hole in the stairs, the others could still see the scattered remains of the broken planks, each one marked with claw and nail marks, and the faint shadows of the ghosts that had been lurking there.
That was enough to make their hair stand on end.
If Qi Yu hadn’t gone to the bathroom and stumbled into this, they would’ve been completely defenseless, probably wiped out.
Now, with the stairwell exposed and the ghosts’ eyes gleaming hungrily from the shadows, the players sprang into action.
Within minutes, they’d dragged back every piece of furniture and scrap of wood they could find.
Qi Yu raised his hammer solemnly, “Emergency repair squad of the Abandoned Hospital, assemble!”
Upstairs, Song Qing was fuming.
Blocked from leaving his room, he glared at Xie Shao and shouted furiously, “Xie Shao, are you out of your damn mind?! You’re seriously blocking me over a player? Have you been haunting this floor for so long that you’ve gone crazy?”
“We’re ghosts!” he snapped. “That guy’s human! Wake the hell up! Shake that mushy brain of yours clean, you idiot!”
Xie Shao sat calmly by the doorway, chair tilted back, munching lazily on a chocolate bar.
When Song Qing finally ran out of breath, Xie Shao lifted his gaze and said with absolute sincerity, “I know he’s human. But don’t you think he’s adorable?”
Song Qing: “???”
Xie Shao smiled faintly. “Truly adorable. From head to toe. Even the way he picks his nose would be cute.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
✦ The translator summons words. You may summon coffee. ✦
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Enter the GameChapter 2 · Pick a roomChapter 3 · DeadChapter 4 · AtticChapter 5 · ResponsibleChapter 6 · A bamboo BasketChapter 7 · DiaryChapter 8 · Song QingChapter 9 · Sent to HospitalChapter 10 · Second CopyChapter 11 · Leaking InformationChapter 12 · Special Prop!Chapter 13 · Doctor GhostChapter 14 · Store RoomChapter 15 · Psychiatry HospitalChapter 16 · Things of PastChapter 17 · Second FloorChapter 18 · He’s adorableChapter 19 · You Like Him?Chapter 20 · Kiss meChapter 21 · Group women’s clothing PlayChapter 22 · Where’s my Skirt?Chapter 23 · Wife of Murder Doctor….Chapter 24 · Go to Third floorChapter 25 · You must find me!Chapter 26 · See you in the next dungeonChapter 27 · VideoChapter 28 · Player ForumChapter 29 · Two women vying for one manChapter 30 · The Giant WolfChapter 31 · A Kind and Benevolent FatherChapter 32 · Preparing the change clothesChapter 33 · Red Heart FruitChapter 34 · In what ways do I fall short of him?Chapter 35 · KissChapter 36 · Bald performanceChapter 37 · The Prince Has ArrivedChapter 38 · Prince Song QingChapter 39 · Should we…Chapter 40 · A Kiss of True LoveChapter 41 · BanquetChapter 42 · Snow White KingChapter 43 · KingChapter 44 · I miss you so much!Chapter 45 · LeavingChapter 46 · Wanting to See HimChapter 47 · Resource Type InstanceChapter 48 · The Banquet BeginsChapter 49 · KissChapter 50 · Full-Dive Virtual RealityChapter 51 · Everyone Is a LiarChapter 52 · MegaphoneChapter 53 · Dragon???Chapter 54 · Fire DragonChapter 55 · A powerful Fire DragonChapter 56 · Want Some Barbecue?Chapter 57 · The Characteristics of the GameChapter 58 · A little DragonChapter 59 · Searching for her sonChapter 60 · We’re Going to Tear Up the HostageChapter 61 · Mountain CollapseChapter 62 · DiscussionChapter 63 · Digging for Crystals?Chapter 64 · Making Money Selling LiquorChapter 65 · A KissChapter 66 · I’m the Best LookingChapter 67 · Ghost Ship 101Chapter 68 · Has the Competition Begun Yet?Chapter 69 · LotteryChapter 70 · First PlaceChapter 71 · The Sea Monster ArrivesChapter 72 · CooperationChapter 73 · The Man in the MaskChapter 74 · WarChapter 75 · The Players’ RevengeChapter 76 · ReturningChapter 77 · The End