Chen Ge logged into the supernatural forum and noticed his username now glowed purple. Checking his profile, he saw why: the thirty-minute video he'd posted days ago had been shared, viewed, and commented on thousands of times. Skimming the responses, he found most were driven by curiosity, offering little help.
Maybe there's an expert out there, he thought. He created a new thread, detailing the mirror monster's behavior, and used his Purple Account privileges to start a bounty thread.
"After playing the game in my video, I'm being haunted by a creature from the mirror! Need help to eliminate this threat!"
Replies flooded in within seconds.
"OP, you're still alive?"
"Use black dog's blood. Or get a rooster—legend says evil spirits fear them."
"OP, call this number for help. You'll thank me later."
"Ghosts are just lingering memories in the physical world. Killing them brings bad karma. Try kindness."
"OP, have you tried talking to it? Education solves everything!"
"If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!"
"If there's something weird and it don't look good, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!"
"Mix yellow beans, white rice, and Indian ink. Soak in salt water for fifteen minutes, then scatter on the ground to summon bean warriors."
"I saw a video about a guy haunted by a female ghost. He bought a gun, shot himself when she appeared, and dragged her into the bedroom to…"
"OP, seriously, this works: find an iron sword, ideally one that's drawn blood. Ghosts are special magnetic energy, and such a sword can harm them!"
Chen Ge scrolled through the forum replies. Only the iron sword suggestion seemed remotely feasible; the rest were either jokes or impractical. He knew of traditional tales about black dog's blood or roosters warding off spirits, but where could he find those at this hour?
Frustrated, he tossed his phone aside and slumped in the Props Room chair. Facing the mirror monster meant risking his life—he couldn't trust half-baked online advice.
After a moment, Chen Ge pulled out the black phone. It was his only reliable tool, but it followed the Law of Equivalent Exchange: to gain, he had to sacrifice. Through trial and error, he'd learned its rules. Easy and Normal Missions offered rewards to enhance the Haunted House, while only Nightmare Missions granted personal benefits, like special powers.
To defeat the mirror monster, he needed a Nightmare Mission reward. But their danger gave him pause—completing one could attract another deadly specter alongside the monster.
Risk it now or wait?
Then he noticed it was past midnight, meaning the Daily Missions had refreshed. He checked the black phone:
Easy Mission: To create a terrifying experience, control the pace of scares. Triggering them too early can bore visitors. Install sound detectors or surveillance cameras to track their progress.
Normal Mission: You've met the criteria for the Haunted House's first expansion. Find a suitable location soon! Current space limitations prevent Trial Missions to unlock new scenarios.
Nightmare Mission: Strange sounds come from the bathroom every midnight. Follow my directions to uncover why.
Daily Missions refresh at midnight. Users can choose one mission daily, with rewards tied to difficulty.
(Warning: Higher difficulty means greater danger. Choose wisely!)
Chen Ge reviewed his options. The Normal Mission was out—he couldn't expand yet. That left the Easy or Nightmare Mission.
Uncle Xu's money tomorrow should cover surveillance equipment, but buying and installing it will take time. The Nightmare Mission mentions the bathroom… sounds ominous.
He weighed his choices. The Easy Mission was achievable but offered a weak reward. The Nightmare Mission was risky, especially since the trouble started in the bathroom.
Lost in thought in the Props Room, he was jolted by the sawing sound again, louder and more grating, coming from the third floor.
I took the dolls—what's it cutting now? Annoyed, Chen Ge pocketed the sewn dolls, grabbed his hammer, and stormed upstairs. At the Murder by Midnight scenario entrance, he froze. Mirror shards littered the floor, and claw marks scarred the wooden door.
It's been scratching at the door! What's it planning?
Cold sweat coated his back. He pictured the monster, clutching mirror pieces, prowling while he slept. He couldn't coexist with such a threat.
Normally calm, Chen Ge's face darkened. He locked the scenario door and marched down the corridor, hammer in hand. Room by room, he smashed every mirror on the third floor. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the night. By the corridor's end, he felt more in control.
During the first Nightmare Mission, the doll blocked the monster. It fled from Xu Wan when it targeted He San. But after attacking He Feng, it could leave the mirror. It's evolving fast.
He couldn't delay. His Haunted House was gaining traction, and he wouldn't let an unknown creature ruin it.
Locking the scenario again, Chen Ge opened the black phone and, with grim resolve, selected the Nightmare Mission. The reward better be worth it.
"Are you sure you wish to accept the Nightmare Mission? Unknown circumstances may occur."
"Yes."
The screen flared, revealing the full Nightmare Mission description.