“Didn’t Wan Jie tell you? Shouldn’t they report everything to the headquarters?” Bai Xiao couldn’t understand these people’s thinking.
“Wan Jie handed in a very detailed report to the headquarters. It was so detailed that it was flawless. One couldn’t even find any problems with it.” Jing Tuoshen turned around. “However, perfection begets problem. This is why the headquarters wants us to build up a new security force in the east city.”
There was knocking, and the large Zuo Jun walked in. When he saw Bai Xiao there, his eyes glowed with shock.
“The black mist can not only block communications, but it can also turn a person crazy with illusions. To get to the bottom of the source of the mist, we need a batch of security members with firm determination to enter the mist so we can connect with the other cities.” Jing Tuoshen placed a red file on the table. “That is why I called you here.”
The file contained information from many people.
“From today onwards, you will officially join the east city’s special security team and enjoy the privilege of a station chief. The former Queens Investigation Centre Chief, Zuo Jun, will be your vice-captain.” Jing Tuoshen pulled out the page about Bai Xiao and put it into another file.
“When will we depart?”
“You are merely my suggested candidates. The headquarters will conduct a final selection of the whole of Han Hai.” Jing Tuoshen’s gaze darkened. “The candidates will include more than the investigators. The citizens, including the horror game players, can join the selection process.”
“The horror game players are opposing us. Why would they trust us?” Bai Xiao thought it was funny. If any horror game players joined, they would be walking into the trap.
“The appearance of the horror game players gave the headquarters some headache, but that is all. The headquarters has many methods to change and turn them against one another. After all, human weakness is clearer than ghost weakness.”
Jing Tuoshen tossed the red document to Zuo Jun, “The headquarters has already contacted the party behind the horror game players through Dead Water Forum. The big selection will occur in three days. Any living humans can join.”
“Are you surprised? There are many of our spies among the horror game players. We are familiar with their movement. We haven’t done anything because the missions given out by the forum haven’t targeted the headquarters. If anything, the forum has been aiding us, so we’ve reached a silent agreement.” Jing Tuoshen hid the murderous intent in his eyes. “Of course, after we deal with the real problem, the horror game players will be next. There is nothing waiting for them but death and despair.”
Zuo Jun took the file and waved for Bai Xiao to follow them. After they left the room, Zuo Jun whispered, “I don’t know if you’re lucky or unlucky. You better pray that the tragedy will never end.”
“What is your point?” Bai Xiao frowned. He didn’t like Zuo Jun. He sacrificed his classmates just to rise in rank.
“You are not a human now. When the tragedy is over, you will perish.” Zuo Jun had the ghost tattoo, but it was not as obvious as it was on Bai Xiao. “In the big selection, the headquarters will force all the participants to enter the anomaly at the intersection of the two cities. I hope you’ll be obedient then.”
“Jiujiang and Han Hai. I hear we might run into some Red Spectres.”
The neighbourhoods adjacent to Li San Hospital were fully dark. Most citizens had been moved away.
“Gao Ming, I’ve sent the investigation centre headquarters’ request to you. They hope we can explore the black mist with them.” Xuan Wen’s voice came from the phone. Gao Ming was hiding inside a pet toy company not far from Li San Hospital.
“Could it be a trap?”
“Ghosts and monsters can’t enter the black mist, but living humans can. The headquarters have too few people who fit the qualifications, and that’s why they have reached out to us.”
“They will not admit their weakness so easily. There has to be a catch.” Compared to the selection, Gao Ming was more interested in the black mist that surrounded Han Hai. He once saw a world enveloped by the black mist through Ah Fang and the faceless figurine. Whenever a ‘taboo’ power appeared in Han Hai, the world would be twisted, and the black mist would appear. R
“If Han Hai is just a dream, is the black mist world the real world?”
“Perhaps Han Hai is a city built in the black mist world. The memory we have of the outside world is all fake. After all, none of us have really left Han Hai before.” Xuan Wen’s words echoed with Gao Ming.
“Ever since the rainy night when the anomalies started, no one has been able to leave Han Hai. We had left Han Hai before that, but those memories… are not real. They might have been created by fate!” Gao Ming pressed his heart light. His memories about his parents, childhood and past were like feathers fluttering in the wind. They represented hope, light and beauty.
The memories were pretty, but they were unreal. In contrast, whenever he viewed the death memories, they were shockingly solid and corporeal.
Coincidentally, all of Gao Ming’s death memories happened in Han Hai. He used his many deaths to prove that no one had really left Han Hai.
“Everything indirectly proves Lu Zang’s words. Han Hai might be a dream. All the citizens’ memories have been altered. The sinful ghosts have been turned into helpless humans.”
Xuan Wen came from the shadow world, and Gao Ming came from Han Hai. They viewed the problem from the opposite perspective but came to the same prediction.
“We still know too little. This big selection by the headquarters will give those who are selected a chance to access their research labs. Other than that, there are rewards like divine corpses and cursed objects. I thought you’d be interested.” Xuan Wen considered everything for Gao Ming, “However, you can’t go personally. We only need to send the best horror game players.”
“Do you already have the candidates?” Gao Ming trusted Xuan Wen.
“The list is out. I’ll summon them to the old city for the final training.”
“For the sake of safety, I’ll recommend a few more people to join.” Gao Ming sent Fan Li’s information to Xuan Wen. “Are we still unable to contact Bai Xiao?”
“No. He seems to have disappeared.”
“Try…” Before Gao Ming could finish, he heard footsteps. A few horror game players, holding their phones, were slowly heading his way.