After the anomalies occurred at Han Hai, most horror game players lived by an axiom, “one gets killed by standing out and one starves from cowardice.”
The power of the ghosts, the relics of the dead and many objects with curses. The anomalies were dangerous, but they also carried with them the chance to change fate. Every citizen had the ability to gain the power of God, elevating them from livestock to actual horror game players. Shen Tian and Situ Cheng knew what Gao Ming wanted to express. Opportunity coexists with risk. Plus, they had no other choice. By the looks of things, Gao Ming wouldn’t let them go easily.
Unwilling as he was, Shen Tian didn’t show it on the surface. His eyes glowed with admiration and trust in Gao Ming. Those who didn’t know would assume that he was Gao Ming’s biggest supporter. “The investigation centre is our enemy. Just tell us if you need anything. We from the Han Hai Collective Rescue Centre will do our best to help you.”
Situ Cheng nodded. “I have no relationship with Situ An. We merely share the same surname. We will do our best to aid you as well. Han Hai is now surrounded by the black mist and is cut off from the rest. This is the perfect chance to eliminate the investigator centre.”
Gao Ming cut open his chest wound and glanced at Situ Cheng. Drops of blood with a thick meat fragrance stuck to his fingertips.
“Dream Ghosts are stronger than Big Ghosts, and the investigation centre headquarters have more than one Dream Ghost. They can’t leave the headquarters for some reason, but that doesn’t mean we can enter the headquarters.” Gao Ming didn’t hide anything. These people had been imprinted by the torture room, so he didn’t need to hide. “Swallow the blood, and you’ll be able to gaze upon the God of Flesh and Blood.”
Was it poison or a blessing?
Situ Cheng looked to the side to study Shen Tian’s reaction. The old fox had already taken the step forward to swallow the blood. His heart pounded in tandem with God. Strange things appeared inside his blood and flesh.
With a sigh, Situ Cheng gave up the struggle. They knew how dangerous the big selection was. It was the first official conflict between the headquarters and the horror game players. Situ Cheng and the others wanted to sneak in to steal the benefits, but they lost themselves to the winner instead.
“I will not harm you. In fact, I’ll lead you to see the truth.” Gao Ming made everyone part of the God of Flesh and Blood. “The shadow world is infiltrating the real world. Anomalies explode everywhere on a daily basis. The investigation centre is losing its grasp on this city. Or rather, they are rebuilding with a sole focus on the North Port New Hope City. They have already given up Han Hai.”
“They decree the need to protect Han Hai, but they only care about themselves,” Shen Tian hissed, “I know them too well.”
“The situation at Han Hai will only get worse, but there will be more horror game players. Time is on our side, but I can’t wait anymore.” Gao Ming’s voice was calm, but it frightened the two leaders. “One of you will handle the old city, and the other will take care of the east city. I need you to split up and enter the anomalies to deliver the God of Flesh and Blood’s figurines into the creepiest location so that he can be worshipped there.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll succeed.” Shen Tian sighed in relief. Compared to the black mist, handling the anomalies inside the city didn’t sound that dangerous.
“I have a special mission for the two of you.” Gao Ming looked through the mist at the location of Piety Safety Town, “There is still some time until midnight. I’ll give you three hours to prepare. Bring your most loyal followers and stake out Piety Safety Town. Then, you’ll enter the black mist with me.”
Shen Tian and Situ Cheng’s faces turned awkward.
“Your lives are no longer in your hands. Go. Don’t make me wait for too long.” Gao Ming opened a path out for them and watched them leave.
“Gao Ming, those people won’t really help us. They’ll betray us if they have the chance.” Luo Dong found his wife and daughter. He firmly stood on Gao Ming’s side not only because Gao Ming was his saviour but also because he saw hope in Gao Ming.
“They won’t have the chance.” Gao Ming checked Zhang Ding’s head again. He called Luo Dong and Fan Li to his side. “I need you two to help me do something…”
One hour later, Gao Ming left Everlasting Life Apartments. He was the last person to leave the anomaly. The two neighbourhoods were empty. The living was captured by Gao Ming, and the dead were sent into the torture room.
When it was dark, he sneaked back to the old city. He realised Xuan Wen’s traces had been wiped away. He became more anxious. Gao Ming only sighed in relief when he found the mask and phone, as well as some other stuff that Xuan Wen had gifted him in the hidden compartment.
“Everything that I remember clearly is still here. However, the smaller things have been wiped away. Things like Xuan Wen’s daily items are disintegrating like she never existed to begin with.”
Gao Ming put away Xuan Wen’s things and came to Han De Private School alone. He looked at the fleshy tree that covered the sky and was speechless. The Fear Illness combined with his old classmate, Ji Jie, became this new focus point at Han Hai. The Fear Illness was about to lose control.
“This tree is growing so quickly.”
Anomalies made fear the main emotion in Han Hai. Even with Yan Xizhi, the tree could only be stopped and not fully uprooted.
“Is there a way to eat it?” Gao Ming communicated with the God of Flesh and Blood. The giant flesh tree was materialised by the Fear Illness manifestation of the God of Flesh and Blood. They could be considered to be from the same source.
Staring at the giant tree, the God of Flesh and Blood looked stumped. The four faces were excited but flummoxed.
Gao Ming expected this result. The current God still couldn’t eat this giant tree. He needed more divine corpses. When he was more perfect, he had the chance to consume this tree cultivated by the fear in Han Hai.
The God of Flesh and Blood howled as he watched the tree leaves sway. After some time, the roots crawled towards Gao Ming. At the same time, the phone Gao Ming just found vibrated. He looked at the screen. The chatgroup of Class 13 appeared with a red name, Ji Jie.
Ji Jie, “Gao Ming, you came to find me. I’m saying hi to you.”
Staring at the giant tree, Gao Ming keyed into the phone, “Old friend, let me bring you somewhere fun.”