Nightmare Strikes

Translator: Cinder Translations

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The night deepened, but one could still make out the countless mottled stains on the ceiling despite the darkness. However, apart from the stains, there was nothing else.

The Fatty withdrew his gaze, looking puzzled at Jiang Cheng. His lips moved for a moment before he cautiously said, "Doctor, I don't understand what you mean."

"It's already midnight," Jiang Cheng said, holding the camera but looking toward the door.

The Fatty grew more confused.

"Yesterday... no one died," Jiang Cheng stated.

At this, the Fatty's body stiffened momentarily, then he began to tremble uncontrollably. He stared at Jiang Cheng's face and couldn't help but ask, "Doctor, isn't it good that no one died?"

"Good," Jiang Cheng replied, his expression unreadable, "but not normal."

"Is it normal for someone to die every day?" The Fatty raised his voice suddenly.

"Exactly," Jiang Cheng nodded affirmatively. "At least one."

They had been in this mission for three full days.

The woman in the cheongsam died on the first night, and Long Tao died on the afternoon of the second day.

Now it was already the fourth day.

Indeed, no one had died yesterday.

Despite some twists and turns, everyone had safely returned to their dorms.

"Doctor," the Fatty swallowed nervously and said softly, "could it be that you're too anxious? Ghosts probably need to rest too."

Jiang Cheng ignored him.

After a moment, the Fatty urged, "Doctor, you've done well enough; don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Jiang Cheng kept reviewing the camera in his hands over and over.

Zhen Jianren had almost filmed the entire music classroom inside and out, even capturing the teachers and students, yet still found no trace of the ghost.

It was as if the ghost had vanished into thin air.

"Clatter!"

Suddenly, the lights in the room turned on.

Jiang Cheng's eyes narrowed, and he immediately looked towards the door.

The chandelier switch was right by the door.

The Fatty, standing at the switch, was startled by Jiang Cheng's sudden gaze.

"Doctor," he quickly explained, "I feel something is off too. I have a very bad premonition; I think it's better if we turn on the lights."

That was fine; after all, he wasn't planning on sleeping tonight either.

With the Fatty keeping him company, it wouldn't feel boring.

But just as he lowered his head to review the video again, his body suddenly froze.

The overhead chandelier remained lit, casting a dim yellow light.

Following his gaze down, he noticed a small shadow beneath him.

It was like a fog that could never be dispersed.

Noticing something was off with Jiang Cheng, the Fatty immediately asked, "Doctor, what's wrong?"

No one answered.

"Doctor?" The Fatty emphasized.

His anxiety grew stronger.

Just as he was about to lose his composure—

Jiang Cheng suddenly moved; he put down the camera and retrieved a black camera bag hanging nearby, putting the camera inside.

"Fatty," Jiang Cheng said while packing, "hurry up and gather your things."

"Doctor, I only have these few belongings, all in my clothes," the Fatty replied, glancing at the inky darkness outside. He swallowed hard, his eyes filled with confusion. "But isn't it too dangerous to leave now?"

He was a bit dazed, especially since just a few hours ago, Jiang Cheng had told him not to leave no matter what tonight.

He looked at Jiang Cheng with bewilderment.

After Jiang Cheng finished packing up the litter on the floor, he put the empty bottle of ice red tea he had just drunk behind the door.

Then he returned, taking off his outer coat, followed by his pants.

The Fatty stared, wide-eyed, as Jiang Cheng stripped down to just his square underwear.

"Doctor," the Fatty exclaimed, eyes wide, "what are you doing?"

In the next second, Jiang Cheng dove into the blankets like a fish, "Hurry up and finish packing, I'm going to bed," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the blankets.

For the Fatty, this night was absolutely torturous. He had a belly full of questions, but before he could ask, Jiang Cheng had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Though he suspected that Jiang Cheng was pretending.

It was possible he would suddenly jump up again, dragging him off somewhere.

So he didn't even take off his clothes, waiting all night.

Until dawn broke.

Footsteps were heard outside the door.

"Who?!" the Fatty asked alertly.

"It's me," came the reply, "it's Luo Yi."

It was indeed Luo Yi's voice, and the Fatty turned to look out the window—it was already bright.

Jiang Cheng also poked his head out from under the covers, sleepily saying, "Let him wait a moment."

Following Jiang Cheng's cue, the Fatty replied, "You wait a moment; we're not up yet!"

Outside the door came a hissing sound, as if Luo Yi had lost his temper with the two.

"Do you have something to say?" the Fatty asked.

"Come to our room for a meeting in a bit; we need to discuss what to do next," Luo Yi replied.

"Okay."

Upon hearing the Fatty's agreement, Luo Yi left to notify the people in room 406.

Unexpectedly, just then, the door to room 404 suddenly opened, and Jiang Cheng's head popped out from inside, calling out, "Brother Luo Yi, please wait!"

Luo Yi turned around upon hearing this, looking at Jiang Cheng with a somewhat strange expression.

"Let's have the meeting in our room instead," Jiang Cheng said confidently, "this way I'll feel more valued."

Luo Yi paused, seemingly not understanding Jiang Cheng's intention, but still nodded and said, "Alright, then hurry up and get ready."

Twenty minutes later, everyone gathered in room 404.

It had rained last night, but today was a rare good weather.

The first rays of dawn broke through the clouds.

Evenly shining into the room.

Pushing open the window, one could still smell the refreshing scent left by the rain.

Given the previous day's opinions of Luo Yi, the few people from room 406 were not very fond of him.

Zhou Taifu was especially outspoken in his skepticism.

As the deadline for the mission approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

"There's not much time left," Luo Yi's face was particularly bad; he felt the rejection from everyone.

But he didn't explain, as that would only complicate matters further.

"Do you really need to say that?" Zhou Taifu muttered, feeling bolstered since Yu Wen was sitting next to him, "By the time the celebration starts, we'll all be dead here!"

Luo Yi's expression darkened upon hearing this.

Zhen Jianren shot Zhou Taifu a glance and scoffed, "I'm afraid Mr. Zhou is being overly optimistic."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Do you think we'll still be alive by then?" Zhen Jianren unbuttoned his shirt, staring him down. "The ghost disappeared during the second rehearsal; this indicates it has undergone some sort of transformation, and the previous rules can no longer restrain it."

"I believe the third rehearsal will be our last chance. If we don't end this mission before the third rehearsal, we'll all die!"

The Fatty swallowed nervously and asked quietly, "So who knows when the third rehearsal is?"

No one answered.

The Fatty felt somewhat relieved.

"Tomorrow," Yu Wen suddenly spoke, pulling out a small red phone from her pocket and shaking it, "Feng Lan notified me ten minutes ago."

Her expression changed slightly, "The location remains the same, but the time is midnight."

(End of the Chapter)

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