Chapter 27: Hiding in the Closet, Okay?

Chapter 27: Hiding in the Closet, Okay?

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

Becoming proficient at this game presented a unique paradox: it was simultaneously straightforward and challenging. The key was to remain fearless; those who did not succumb to fear were safe from contracting the game’s central affliction, known as “Phobia.” However, for the majority of people, conquering their fears proved to be an intimidating hurdle.

In a dark twist of irony, the game also concluded with a bleak scenario. To halt the spread of “Phobia,” the city’s leaders made a drastic decision: they commanded the elimination of everyone in areas plagued by the infection. This harsh measure left the uninfected survivors with no choice but to confront the city’s authorities about their extreme actions.

The potential real-world implications of the game were alarming. “If this game were to leap off the screen into reality, the consequences would be catastrophic,” was a common thought. The rate at which “Phobia” spread in the game was alarmingly rapid, far surpassing any traditional ghost story in terms of sheer terror. It was critical to stop the game from inspiring real-world panic by addressing its root cause.

Gao Ming, the game creator, and a psychologist by profession, emphasized the urgency of their mission: “We have to find the missing child,” he insisted. However, even as he spoke, he experienced a physical reaction indicative of acute anxiety – profuse sweating, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and an unexpected need to urinate. These were telltale signs of “Phobia,” and as a psychologist, he recognized them immediately.

With determination, he stood up and addressed everyone with a loud voice, “Listen up, everyone! Do not trust your senses – what you see, hear, or feel! Don’t let fear dominate you!” Despite his impassioned plea, he was met with only silence in response.

Gao Ming then left to check the living room, only to find Room 405 eerily deserted. A worrying thought crossed his mind: “This isn’t good. It seems I’ve been unwittingly affected by the very thing we’re fighting against.”

Gao Ming’s concern grew as he recalled that Bai Qiao and the sturdy driver had brought along all the new recruits from Investigative Team 1 to tackle this seemingly low-risk anomaly.

A total of ten investigators had entered the fray, but the anomaly they faced had a peculiar trait – it preyed on anyone who experienced fear, regardless of their numbers or strength.

The game “Phobia,” despite lacking any traditional ghostly elements, induced such intense terror that many players chose suicide as an escape from their overwhelming fear.

“I must break free of the fear if I want to help the others.”

Gao Ming aimed to maintain control, staying at the initial, alert stage of fear. The unseen manipulator of the game had attempted to pull him into deeper stages of fear but had not succeeded. Returning to Room 405, he realized that others might be sinking deeper into fear’s grasp. “I must confront and embrace this fear to rescue them,” he determined.

Carrying a backpack filled with obituaries, he lay inside a makeshift “fort of blankets,” adopting the role of a child, deliberately allowing the fear to spread unchecked within him.

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Meanwhile, Zhu Miao Miao, a remarkable female firefighter from the old city district, stood out for her physical prowess, often surpassing her male counterparts. She once had a happy family life until a sudden anomaly snatched her husband and child away three days earlier. Determined to find them, she joined the Investigation Bureau as a rookie, unaligned with any team, but with a personal mission. Though mentally prepared, she quickly realized that her physical strength was no match for the paralyzing effects of genuine fear.

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

Huddled in Room 406, feeling cold and numb, Zhu Miao Miao clung to her bloodied fire axe. The sounds of her colleagues being dragged away and their agonized screams were a constant torment.

In an attempt to fight back, she swung her axe at what she perceived to be a monster, only to be met with the horrified cry of a colleague. The warm blood that splattered on her and the sight of a colleague collapsing in a pool of blood sent her into a state of terror.

She had lost track of the game’s rules, her mind a blank slate of fear.

“You can’t leave now,” a child’s voice eerily echoed in the room. Holding her axe tightly, Zhu Miao Miao backed up against the door, her mind racing with thoughts of accusation and guilt.

“You killed a colleague. You’re a murderer. You’ll be jailed. You’ll never see your family again.”

Challenging the voice, Zhu swung her axe at the empty air. Then, a pale child with a somewhat deformed arm emerged from the wardrobe, reaching out towards her. “I know you’re scared,” he said in a calming tone. “Let’s hide in here together.”