Horror Game Designer Chapter 37: Scary Poverty

“Once the anomaly enters Level 4, the risk of it going out of control will increase tremendously. I have to destroy it before then.” Gao Ming planned to head to Si Sui Street to scout things out in the morning. “17, Wan Qiu, come with me.” Gao Ming picked up his bag filled with death portraits. “Suisui, I need you to stay here. If there’s anything, call me.”

“I’ll go with you.” Zhu Suisui stood up. “I’ll not be your burden.”

“It’s not that.” Gao Ming walked to Zhu Suisui. “It’s the issue of trust. Can I fully trust you? If my order is contradictory to the centre’s order, who will you listen to?”

Zhu Suisui didn’t expect this question from Gao Ming. As a firefighter, following rules was her job. “I want you to think about…”

“You saved my life, so I’ll listen to you.” Zhu Suisui said seriously.

“Bring your axe and come with.”

All the members of Team One gathered at the backdoor. The other teams didn’t ask anything. The centre knew about the situation of Team One. Some were gloating, and others showed sympathy. Everyone sighed. Ever since the anomaly appeared at Han Hai, the centre was locked in a passive position. They were desperate for a victory. They needed hope.

As the car drove to East City, Yan Hua and Wan Qiu studied the info on the black band. They had a rudimentary understanding of anomaly. Yan Hua looked scary but was very patient towards Wan Qiu, who also had a sad childhood. Gao Ming picked up his phone. Without looking at his contacts, he called a number. The call was answered quickly. A female, gentle voice came through, “Do you need me over there?” Before Gao Ming said anything, Xuan Wen had already guessed his thoughts.

“East City’s Si Sui Streets. We plan to do something big tonight. We’re going there earlier to check out the place.”

“Haven’t you joined the centre? Why do you still talk like a gangster?” Xuan Wen appeared to be at work. The sound of the keyboard never paused.

“Someone is feeding a horror to aid its growth. If we don’t stop this, it will go out of control.” Gao Ming didn’t go into details. “See you two hours later. Prepare for a feast.”

“Okay, but I have a question for you.” Xuan Wen’s typing stopped, and her voice became sweeter.

“What is it?”

“Why did you give Wei Dayou a video call but not me? Is it because I’m not as good-looking as him? Or you don’t want to see me?”

“...” Gao Ming covered the speaker and looked around. Zhu Suisui drove the car. Yan Hua and Wan Qiu read the info on the band. They appeared to be doing their own things, but their bodies leaned over to Gao Ming. “We still need time to get to know each other.”

“You finished two cups of milk tea while I was tied up. How much more do you want to know about me?”

“Talk to you in person.” Gao Ming hung up and looked out the window.

At the same time, inside Nightlight, Xuan Wen looked at her phone and removed her headphones. There was a barely discernible smile on her face. She wanted to break all shackles and be a real human and enjoy everything that it entailed, including freedom, dignity and love.

…

9 am, Si Sui Street Mei Ling Yun Tun Noodles Shop.

Gao Ming finally found a place to park. They planned to eat there, but as they got out of the car, they were accosted by a dirty old man. “I see it! You’ll all die tonight! Yes! Tonight!” The old man yelled loudly. He wore a tattered thick coat and shoes that didn’t match. Because he was missing a tooth, he talked with a lisp.

“What did you see?” Gao Ming paused. They were indeed doing something dangerous that night.

“You! You! And you! Tragedy will befall you tonight! If you want to survive, you need to paste this talisman at the head of your bed!” The old man took out some old talismans. “Can you let me take a look at them?” Gao Ming called the old man to come closer. He showed the talismans to Wan Qiu. The young man had no reaction.

“So? Do you want to buy some?” The old man asked with a strange tone.

“No need.” Gao Ming showed the axe. “I believe in this more.”

The old man was so scared that he turned and ran.

“Why do you keep scaring people with my axe?” Zhu Suisui pushed the axe under her seat. “Don’t you have your own weapon?”

They entered the shop. Before they ordered, the waitress splashed their shoes with salt. Then, she bowed and apologised. She was so apologetic that Gao Ming didn’t know what to say. “Why did you throw salt at us?”

“You ran into the crazy old man earlier. He’s not clean!” The waitress looked around 40 and was very kind.

“But will salt help with that?”

“It’s that kind of unclean!” The waitress explained after they sat down. “The old man’s surname is Wu. No one knows his name. Everyone calls him Uncle Wu. He lives at Si Sui Street’s most haunted building.” The auntie said mysteriously, “Did you notice how thick his coat is? And how many talismans he’s hiding?”

“It is weird to be wearing a thick coat in this weather.” Gao Ming flipped through the menu.

“There are many haunted units at Si Sui Street Apartments. For security’s sake, new tenants will paste talismans in the corridors. Uncle Wu collects those talismans. He always goes to those places, and that’s why he’s always cold. We all suspect he has a ghost following him!” The waitress described colourfully.

“It is unethical to take down other people’s talismans.” Gao Ming poured himself a glass of water and started to order.

“Si Sui Street Apartments is a famous ghost home in the east city. There are murder cases there every year. However, there’s something magical about the place that keeps attracting people to move.” Zhu Suisui was worried about Wan Qiu, who had touched the talismans, so she wiped his hands.

“The magic is the lowest rental at the easy city. Ghosts are not scarier than poverty!” The middle-aged woman next to them cut in. “I also live there, and I’m used to it. The ghost stories are just rumours.”

“Do you also live there?”

“Yes. And my house is supposed to be haunted! So what? My children still run about, creating troubles for me!” The middle-aged woman dipped the chopstick in water and made a quick math for Gao Ming, “The haunted house comes with complete furniture and that saves me a lot of money. Compared to houses elsewhere, a haunted home is much cheaper. Plus, you don’t need to be worried about horrible neighbours!”

“Aren’t you scared?” Zhu Suisui was curious.

“Scared?” The middle-aged woman scoffed. “I’m not afraid of death, so why would I be afraid of ghosts?”