Chapter 5: Special Reward—"Survived Against All Odds."
Level 1 Ghost, the Doll.
After flicking the ash from his cigarette, Chen Kun’s hoarse voice broke the silence. “I was so scared last night that I fainted. When I came to, the police told me about it.”
“I see,” the woman said with sudden clarity. “That’s why you survived. I thought it was some high-level ghost from Qingyuan University breaking into your inn, but it was just the doll.”
“Every ghost has its own traits and abilities,” Chen Kun explained.
“You can find this information online. It’s all public,” the woman continued.
“Some ghosts can be physically attacked, some exist as spirits, and some have specific attack methods. For example, the ‘midnight knock’ ghost—if you don’t open the door, it can never harm you. Others are straightforward and attack physically.”
“When facing strange phenomena, you must immediately identify what kind of ghost you’re dealing with and then apply the right countermeasures.”
“Take the doll ghost you encountered last night, for example. Its trait is that it can pay a price to break through safety houses of the same level. It can be physically attacked, and it attacks physically as well.”
“Now that makes sense,” Chen Kun nodded.
“As long as you’re willing to fight desperately, there’s a chance to turn the tables.”
The woman’s interest noticeably waned. She took a small sip of her coffee and smiled. “That’s not bad at all. At first, I thought you survived an encounter with a high-level ghost last night.”
“Well, I hope you live longer. I’ve got some things to take care of, and I’ve already paid the bill.” She stood and left.
Chen Kun watched her walk away—her voluminous waves, high heels, long legs clad in black stockings, and professional attire. He remained silent. Her intentions were clear, perhaps too clear.
And... a bit of a waste.
He glanced at the barely touched coffee across from him. After a moment’s pause, waiting until she was out of sight, he picked up the cup, turned the side without lipstick marks toward him, and drank it down. Then he prepared to leave; he needed to find a place to study the new phenomena that appeared after killing that ghost last night.
Just then—
The woman suddenly returned. She was about to say something but noticed her now-empty cup. She paused, lips slightly parted, then quickly regained composure and smiled at Chen Kun.
“There’s one more thing I forgot to tell you. One of your friends has also come to this world and is in Qingyuan City. I received him. He asked me for your location and should be coming to see you soon.”
“He was quite excited when he saw your form in my office.”
“He has great potential. It seems you two have a good relationship. If you can keep it up, you might live longer.”
“I’m off now.” She waved and turned away again.
...
Chen Kun hadn’t intended to leave just yet. Hearing a friend was coming, he stayed seated and glanced at the information displayed on his corneal interface.
—
“You have slain a Level 1 ghost and gained 1 experience point.”
“Current experience: (1/10).”
“Once your experience bar fills and you reach Level 1, you will become a Professional.”
—
This world had Professionals, a fact Chen Kun had learned online, although they were rare. It now made sense—one had to kill ten ghosts to become a Professional, meaning he needed to slay at least ten dolls.
But he...
Didn’t want to encounter a single ghost, let alone kill one. He simply didn’t want to see these cursed things.
This was a new feature he had just developed that morning. The information on his watch could either be displayed directly on his corneal lens, as a semi-transparent virtual panel in front of him, or on the watch screen itself. There was even a Braille option.
Quite comprehensive.
After last night’s ordeal, the urgency of having his own safety house became even clearer.
Although the inn was a Level 1 safety house, its defense capabilities had been proven insufficient yesterday. It might protect others, but definitely not him.
He needed a house of his own, with full ownership.
Only a safety house registered under one’s name could be renovated—changing the wallpaper to talismans, replacing windows with spirit steel, and so forth. This was a rule in this world. Rented houses could only be lived in, not modified. Only these renovated safety houses could be considered truly safe.
He could even set traps or install automatic attack devices like the “Spirit-Slaying Nine-Barreled Crossbow.”
But...
Buying a house of his own would cost an astronomical sum.
He still didn’t fully understand the logic of this world’s operations. At least, he thought that in a haunted world, coffee shops shouldn’t be open, especially at such high prices.
...
Besides the experience popup on his corneal display, another message appeared.
—
“You survived with fear level at 100%, triggering the special reward ‘Survived Great Calamity.’ Based on player level, you receive an extra ‘Level 0 Prize Pool Lottery Ticket.’”
—
His memories of last night gradually returned.
He only remembered that, overwhelmed by extreme fear, his mind went blank. When he woke again, dawn had come. It seemed he had torn that ghost apart with his bare hands in a breakdown.
In the watch’s inventory, a lottery ticket floated in a grid slot.
Page (2/3)
He tapped “Use.”
In the next moment—
Items flashed rapidly across his corneal display. When the speed slowed, it stopped on one item.
“Congratulations, player Chen Kun, you have drawn a common reward from the Level 0 prize pool: 10 points.”
The prize pool contained three types of rewards:
Common, Rare, and Legendary.
...
Chen Kun lit another cigarette, hesitating as he sank into thought. Surviving with fear at 100% and earning this special reward didn’t seem too difficult. After all, he didn’t even have to face ghosts; he could just hide in a safety house watching horror movies.
Fear level would easily reach 100%, no ghosts involved, basic safety guaranteed, and he could keep earning this reward.
But...
It was a bit self-torturing.
Besides, he felt he’d probably smash the TV the first time his fear maxed out.
Maybe he should just buy some charcoal instead.
He exhaled smoke and sat outside the coffee shop on a patio chair, rubbing his temples in mild frustration. This world was far too unfriendly.
After dark, not only were there many wandering oddities outside, but some places normal by day would become eerie dungeons at night—subway stations, public restrooms, school buildings, and the like.
Many Professionals would stay in these locations before nightfall, then automatically enter the dungeons at night to obtain rewards unavailable elsewhere.
Like furniture for decorating safety houses.
Such items often sold for good money on the market.
As for him...
He would never voluntarily enter any eerie dungeon in his life!
Just then, an excited voice came from behind.
“Brother Kun!”
“It’s really you! Didn’t expect to see you after death!”