Chu Siyan read the news clipping carefully. It turned out there had been a mysterious disappearance involving two girls. No one could find their bodies; only their bloody clothes and other belongings were left behind in their room. The police had searched for them for a year, but their efforts were fruitless. In the end, the search was called off, and the two girls were pronounced dead just a few days ago.
"Hmm, interesting. If the girls died inside, why is there a ghost roaming outside?" he mumbled to himself.
"Because the body is outside."
Chu Siyan raised a brow. "Possible. Maybe the ghost likes fresh air. Or maybe she likes to bask in the moonlight to absorb more yin energy. I did notice Tilly looking up at the sky strangely."
Jun Siwoo frowned. "Why?"
"Today is a full moon, silly. Ghosts are rampant on full-moon and new-moon days," he mumbled, folding the newspaper carefully before handing it back to him.
Right then, his Apple Watch beeped loudly.
"It's nine. We only have half an hour. Shall we go outside and have a leisurely walk?"
"Hmm." This time, he definitely spotted a smile on Jun Siwoo's face.
"You're smiling. You're handsome when you smile." He grinned and followed after him. Somehow, Jun Siwoo gave him a comfortable feeling. He felt like a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
Wordlessly, Jun Siwoo walked up the stairs.
Chu Siyan, who came after him, switched off the bulb and walked up the dark stairs. He suddenly felt a hand grab his ankle tightly. His heart rate increased slightly as he felt the sticky hand wrapped around him.
He could not breathe for a moment.
'Don't be scared… it's just a ghost in a game… nothing will happen.'
Trembling, he leaned down and patted the hand. "D-don't worry. We will find your bodies and send you guys off to reincarnation."
The grip around his ankle loosened. The woman's sharp nails gently scratched against his skin as she let him go.
The breath he had been holding back came out in a loud gasp. "Thank you for not killing me, sister."
Jun Siwoo, who had already reached the top of the stairs, had heard the entire conversation. When Chu Siyan walked up to him, he was still standing there with his mouth slightly agape, staring at him in astonishment.
"Are you okay?" Chu Siyan waved a hand in front of his face.
Jun Siwoo frowned slightly. "You're a weird one."
"Why do you say so?"
"You didn't scream ear-piercingly," he said matter-of-factly and walked away.
"Do people scream when they see ghosts? Haha… Aren't they just people before they died? Albeit, they do hold resentment toward the living. But being stuck in a dark place, they might feel lonely too," he mumbled anxiously, trying his best to cover up his fear.
Along with the fear, he felt a bit of pity for these ghosts. They had died mysteriously, and their families did not even get to say their final goodbyes.
"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
An ear-piercing scream came from their right. It came from the kitchen.
Chu Siyan and Jun Siwoo rushed toward the sound.
Harris and his group of cronies were shouting and screaming. Liam, the annoying guy who had been unusually touchy with the NPCs, was holding a frying pan in his hand, pretending to bat at a dark figure in the corner.
Chu Siyan searched for the light and switched it on. "Guys, it's not a ghost…" he called out.
Liam screamed again when he saw him.
Jun Siwoo, who was standing behind him, cupped his ears and took a few steps back. Even Chu Siyan could barely tolerate his annoying screams.
"That's the cook!"
Liam stopped screaming, his face flushed with embarrassment. He glanced at the fat lady who was silently drinking a cup of water.
"Bitch! Why didn't you make a sound when we entered this place?" He rushed forward to hit her, but Harris stopped him.
"Enough." He pulled the guy away.
The two girls who accompanied them trembled slightly, hugging each other.
As for the bespectacled guy, he simply stood there frozen in shock.
Chu Siyan looked around. He did not spot the red-shirt guy. "Didn't he come out of his room?"
Everyone went silent. Harris had a grim look on his face. "Yeah… he's most likely dead."
Chu Siyan did not believe it. That man, even though he looked lazy, gave Siyan the feeling that he was very experienced. Even so, a small doubt lingered in his heart.
He glanced up at Jun. "Do you think so too?" he whispered softly.
Jun simply shook his head subtly.
'Great, he's not dead.'
Chu Siyan once again peered at the group. "Did you guys get any clues?"
Harris looked at him with a slightly annoyed expression. "Why? Do you wish to join our group as well? I can still help you if you want."
"No." He rejected him outright again. "We shall be heading out. You guys stay safe."
"Deadbeat guy…" Harris mumbled.
Chu Siyan decided to completely ignore the annoying guy.
Jun Siwoo also followed him to the main door. Just as they opened it, a chilling fog hit their faces.
Chu Siyan trembled violently. "Why do ghosts like blowing cold winds?"
"Go in and get a coat."
Chu Siyan pouted. "I didn't bring anything."
Jun Siwoo gave him a pointed look. "Go borrow something."
"We don't have time…" He tugged at Jun's trench coat. "Can I borrow this for a few minutes?"
"No."
"Too bad. Wait here. I'll borrow something from the seniors." He rushed up the stairs.
Jun Siwoo watched his retreating back with a small smile on his face.
In about a minute, Chu Siyan came running back in a pink sweater with a lot of duck dolls printed on it. Noticing Jun's raised brows, he sighed.
"Sara didn't have a sweater. I had to borrow one from Tilly. Only this one fit me." He pulled at the fluffy pink sweater. "At least it's warm, though."
He heard a soft chuckle.
"Jun, did you just laugh at me…? So mean…" Chu Siyan complained.
Jun Siwoo did not delay any further. He stepped outside and onto the slightly sticky concrete pathway.
Chu Siyan rushed after him. "We only have half an hour. Let's explore places close to us. In the morning, we'll have the chance to explore more."
The places closest to them were a small mini-mart and a coffee shop.
The coffee shop was, of course, closed, but the mini-mart was surprisingly open. The door let out a small bell sound as they entered.
"Hello? Anyone in here?" he called out. "Looks like no one is here, Jun. Why have they left the shop open?"
Jun simply pointed to a small transparent box on the checkout counter. There was a large note on it that said, Please pay for your food here.
"They put a lot of trust in college students."
Chu Siyan walked around the shop, picking out a few ramen bowls and other edible stuff. Back in those days, he had not been allowed to eat junk food because his liver was weak. Now that he was in the game, he could eat anything he wanted.
Grinning, he picked up a lot of junk food. Jun Siwoo silently watched him.
After reaching the counter, Chu Siyan froze.
"I don't have cash." He looked at the transparent box despondently. If he left without paying, he would feel guilty all night. It would leave him unable to sleep.
Sighing, he placed the snacks back down on the counter. "I can get them later."
Jun pushed them all into a plastic bag and shoved it into his arms. "Just eat. I'll pay."
"Wow, really? You're such a kind guy, Jun. Don't worry; I'll pay you back tenfold. My brother is rich."
Jun simply smiled and walked out.
"Coming?"
"Yes~"