The Haunted Game Designer

Upon closer inspection, Zhao Xi's black-and-white memorial photo was entirely different from all the previous ones Gao Ming had obtained. The photo was covered in creases and cracks, with all the marks converging on the chains binding Gao Ming's and Zhao Xi's arms.

"The black chains... they seem to be moving..."

Zhao Xi's figure in the memorial photo appeared somewhat blurred, as if he was passing something through the chains to Gao Ming.

"The words on the back of the memorial photo seem to imply that if I want to obtain Zhao Xi's ability, I must let more people know about his past and help him completely let go of his obsessions."

"But then again, what exactly is Zhao Xi's ability? Surviving a fall from a building?"

"There's a huge difference between the memorial photos as well. It looks like I still have a lot to explore and experiment with."

Gao Ming put away the two memorial photos, planning to bring all of them into the game next time and try them out one by one, allowing the deceased to meet each other as well.

"I wonder if Qi Yan is still alive? I should remind Zhao Xi and Teacher Yao that there might still be a cruel and dangerous Rainy Night Killer hiding in the apartment building."

The hallway lights flicked on as Gao Ming returned to the fifth floor. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Xuan Wen executing a perfect back throw, slamming the disfigured investigator onto the floor.

"Doesn't your investigation bureau teach combat skills?"

The investigator, lying on the floor, thought Gao Ming would step in to stop the fight, but Gao Ming's next words froze his plea for help in his throat: "We... we never harm ordinary people!"

"Such principles." Gao Ming entered the room, locked the security door, closed the windows, and drew the curtains. "Now that no one can hear us, how about we have an honest conversation?"

Xuan Wen glanced at Gao Ming, switching to an angry expression. She pinned the investigator's arm down and scolded, "Why did you suddenly appear in my house?"

"It's breaking! My arm is breaking! Let go first, and I'll explain everything slowly!" The investigator struggled to get up from the floor. "You two are both witnesses and survivors of an abnormal event. There's no point in hiding anything from you."

He rubbed his wrist and shared information about abnormal events with the two of them.

"I find it strange... you said abnormal events have been happening in New Hu for the past six months, but why can't anyone find any information about them?" Xuan Wen's voice was particularly pleasant. If she hadn't just beaten him up, the investigator might have thought she was a gentle girl.

"Even for investigators who know various survival rules, the probability of surviving an abnormal event is only thirty-four percent. The survival rate for ordinary people is less than one in ten. Those few who do survive often suffer severe psychological trauma and physical disabilities, and they're sent to the investigation bureau for free treatment." The investigator looked at Gao Ming. "That's why I think you're remarkable. I wanted to recruit you into the bureau."

"If I don't join, will I be taken away for 'treatment' too?" Gao Ming stared at the investigator with great interest.

"No." The investigator's tone grew serious. "It's impossible to hide the truth. Abnormal events will inevitably break out on a large scale. What we can do now is delay the disaster while preparing and responding as best we can."

"Can anyone join?" Xuan Wen seemed to have other ideas.

"Your friend is very smart, and he's the bravest person I've ever seen. If he joins the bureau, he could save more citizens, but he would also face various dangers." The investigator touched his scarred face. "I became like this because of an abnormal event. And I'm considered lucky—of all the investigators who entered that time, only I survived."

"I'll think about it carefully." Gao Ming wasn't sure when the disaster would fully erupt, and joining the investigation bureau seemed like a good option.

"We're on the front lines, facing danger head-on. But correspondingly, when danger arrives, our powers are also considerable." The investigator subtly hinted at Gao Ming before changing the subject. "You two might encounter abnormal events again in the future. This incomplete survival guide from our bureau is my gift to you."

Sliding his black ring, the investigator instructed Gao Ming to take out his phone. After exchanging contact information, he sent Gao Ming a file.

"The anomalous events are classified into seven levels based on their severity, danger, and destructiveness." The investigator held High Life in high regard and carefully explained the information to him:

"Level 0: The occurrence of an anomalous event is confirmed, but it does not exhibit any behavior corresponding to Levels 1 through 6 in terms of severity or danger."

"Level 1: The event displays anomalous phenomena, but these anomalies do not interfere with people in the real world, do not make contact with them, and do not affect the normal lives of those within the event area."

"Level 2: The anomalous phenomena visibly affect people. Individuals within the event area begin exhibiting abnormal behavior, which may include but is not limited to mental confusion, sensory distortion, and cognitive impairment. However, the anomaly remains confined to the event area, and those who come into contact with it retain their sanity. Even if they lose control, they can be restored to normal through external intervention."

"Level 3: A tangible 'ghost' emerges within the anomalous event. Those who come into contact with it lose complete control of their actions, engaging in self-harm, suicide, or attacks on others. Their self-awareness is entirely assimilated by the anomaly, and even their closest family members are unable to stop them."

"Level 4: The anomaly begins showing signs of spreading. As fear proliferates, the scope of its influence continues to expand. At this stage, the 'ghost' at the core of the event rapidly grows, feeding on all negative emotions—murder, bloodshed, terror—all unease becomes its nourishment."

"Level 5: The anomalous event affects a vast area. The 'ghost' within the event has fully 'matured' and is extremely difficult to kill. It has already taken root in people's hearts."

"Level 6: The anomalous event is completely beyond control. There is no solution to such anomalies; they themselves embody fear. All investigators must do everything in their power to prevent a Level 6 anomaly from occurring!"

"The incident we just went through was a Level 3 anomaly because a tangible 'ghost' appeared. To be honest, if it weren't for you, I would be dead." The investigator suddenly recalled something. "By the way, where's the old man who was with us?"

"He disappeared after going down to the first floor." High Life did not mention the existence of the memorial photo.

"Damn it!" The investigator's face changed as he rushed toward the door. "That old man is trapped in the anomalous event!"

High Life followed the investigator to Room 2707. Mr. Yao had already stopped breathing. His daughter had called an ambulance early on, but it was too late.

The contrast between Mr. Yao's frail, withered body and the numerous awards and banners on the walls was striking. Even in his final moments, he had kept a photo of his younger self, heroically intervening in a crisis, right beside his pillow.

"Maybe the old man made his own choice."

The elder was gone, but the room held no lingering chill. It was as if he could finally sleep peacefully.

Once the ambulance took Mr. Yao away, High Life and Xuan Wen returned to Room 2507. Now, they finally had time for themselves.

"You cleared my room's horror game with that uncle?" Xuan Wen tilted her head, studying High Life with her usual gentle smile.

"Don't make it sound so weird. I wanted to bring you along, but you didn't appear." High Life took out Zhao Xi's memorial photo. "The blank photo you gave me disappeared. It seems the 'ticket' can only be used once."

"That's strange. I was forcibly kept out." Xuan Wen slowly moved closer. "That horror game was extremely dangerous. I'm curious—how did you clear it?"

"Based on the investigation bureau's danger classification, the prematurely triggered horror game was roughly at Level 3. However, the ghost in the game probably had the potential to evolve into a full-fledged horror phenomenon." High Life had no intention of handing Zhao Xi's memorial photo to Xuan Wen, but he also couldn't let her keep giving without offering anything in return. "Look closely at this black-and-white photo—I've discovered another way to make you more real, more powerful."

"The chains on the memorial photo's veins… they're pulsating? What is that?" Xuan Wen noticed something unusual about Zhao Xi's memorial photo.

"The chains can be understood as the bonds between family members. I can acquire his abilities, but at the same time, more people need to become aware of his suffering..." High Life turned the photo over. "I'm considering a possibility—if more people learn about Zhao Xi's story and experience emotional shifts because of it, could the deceased Zhao Xi gain something from that? It doesn't necessarily have to involve sending living players to a place where two worlds overlap to face life and death. Maybe we could turn Zhao Xi's experience into a game. That game could serve as Zhao Xi's tombstone, and every emotion players feel while clearing it might have an impact on him."

"That makes sense. But let me remind you of something. Your game only became reality because of what you encountered in that tunnel. It's not because you have some innate ability. If you want your newly created game to become real, you'll probably have to go back to that tunnel and figure everything out."

"I never intended for my game to become real again. I just want to use this method to let more people know about Zhao Xi's story." High Life naturally put away Zhao Xi's black-and-white photo. "If Zhao Xi does change, then you'll also have a safer path ahead."

"What? Are you planning to devour me?" Xuan Wen put her hands behind her back, pretending to be bound.

"There you go again." High Life picked up his backpack and walked out. "Do I look like that kind of person?"

(End of Chapter)

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