Yan Zhikai was still the first to summon courage and step forward. He walked straight to the counter, peered at the nurse for a moment, then glanced around the surroundings.

The others followed one by one. Shu Yuxin kept glancing back at the entrance several times but ultimately didn’t run.

Beyond Jiang Zixuan’s earlier warning, she also felt it’d be too embarrassing to turn back after coming this far.

She was such a contradictory person. Before entering the haunted house, she’d been utterly terrified yet never worried about losing face. Now inside, she suddenly cared deeply about dignity.

The nurse behind the counter remained perfectly still—so motionless one couldn’t help doubting if she was even alive. Her head hung low; even up close, no one could make out her features.

To the counter’s right stood a staircase entrance. A faint glow barely illuminated the stairwell. Above it hung an emergency exit sign—but it pointed inward, toward the stairs.

This was how the haunted house guided visitors. Multiple routes existed, all marked by these “emergency exit” signs. Follow them, and you’d eventually find your way out.

Just as Yan Zhikai weighed whether to enter, the old desk lamp on the counter flickered out.

“Ah!” A sharp, distorted shriek cut through the darkness—barely recognizable as a man’s voice.

The sound stopped Shu Yuxin from screaming herself, but the sudden blackness sent a jolt through her. Instinctively, she grabbed Jiang Zixuan’s hand.

Less than a second later, another voice emerged—not from their group. Its tone was unnaturally warped, layered with a hushed whisper and a mysterious whooshing wind. The air grew heavier, eerier.

“Patient Forty-Four… proceed to your appointment…”

As if on cue, the stairwell lights flickered twice.

Shu Yuxin nearly screamed again—the voice came from behind the counter!!

Darkness swallowed everything. Silence from the others deepened her panic. The only comfort was the hand she clutched.

As if impatient with their stillness, the voice returned: “Patient Forty-Four… why aren’t you moving?!”

The counter lamp flashed once. In that split second, Shu Yuxin saw the woman stand up and stare directly at them. Horrifyingly—she had no facial features.

“Aah!!” Shu Yuxin shrieked, frantically urging, “Go, go, go, go!!”

“Let’s go!”

“Shall we head in?”

…

The others snapped out of their daze and chimed in. Yan Zhikai waved in the dark and strode toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”

The stairs were grimy, thick with dust. Yan Zhikai kicked one step curiously—it was real.

“Tsk. That nurse ghost just now—Silent Hill?” Peng Xiaoxiao, utterly unshaken, discussed it while climbing.

“Slight difference—her figure’s nowhere near Silent Hill’s standard,” Yan Zhikai replied with deadpan seriousness.

Peng Xiaoxiao let out a soft chuckle.

Shu Yuxin’s face was pale. “Hey… how much longer is this route?”

“Hard to say,” Yan Zhikai shook his head. “Layout’s been updated since my last visit. Long routes, short routes—you choose. Though I don’t know which is which.”

Shu Yuxin felt utterly defeated.

The haunted house at Leiter Paradise Amusement Park truly earned its reputation.

No scare tactic was off-limits—anything realistically terrifying was fair game. Stylistically mismatched? Maybe. But undeniably effective. Updated regularly, it offered fresh experiences even for repeat visitors. Multiple paths existed: short, long, extra-intense. Unique scares per route meant no boredom—even if anyone would willingly endure multiple runs…

Ahem. Point is: they got separated.

Multiple forks appeared ahead, including two marked “Extra Scare.” Disagreements flared. Peng Xiaoxiao, barely frightened all along and slightly disappointed, pushed for the intense route. Shu Yuxin, already half-paralyzed with fear, found the suggestion unbearable. After discussion, Shu Yuxin and Jiang Zixuan parted ways with the others.

Yan Zhikai sighed inwardly—they’d promised to stick together.

But Shu Yuxin suffered the most.

“There’s courage in numbers.” With the group, she’d held on. Now, terror left her dazed.

Other visitors’ distant shrieks layered onto the haunt’s designed scares, thickening the dread.

Shu Yuxin’s face stayed pale, voice trembling with tears. “Zixuan… can we go back… I really can’t take it anymore!”

Jiang Zixuan smiled wryly. “Turning back’s still a long walk. Let’s push forward—we might exit soon.”

“I shouldn’t have come…” Shu Yuxin clung tightly to his arm, voice thick with regret.

Jiang Zixuan glanced at her. *This girl… really has zero courage.*

They stood in a dim corridor. The staircase ahead was sealed. A sign hung on the doorknob—a red arrow pointing to a side room.

A chill ran down Shu Yuxin’s spine. *Special scare route marker.*

As Jiang Zixuan moved toward it, she yanked his arm. “Hey!! I’m not going in!!”

“…But this is the only way.”

“Let’s find another path!! I’m not going in!!” She crouched, gripping his arm like an anchor.

Jiang Zixuan sighed. “Trust me. Nothing scary in there…”

“I don’t believe you!! I’m not going in!!”

He tugged gently—no movement. Crouching before her, he met her eyes. “How about this? Close your eyes. I’ll guide you through. Staying here isn’t a solution, right?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I really don’t want to go on…”

“Okay, okay. Rest a moment first.” He softened, patting her back gently. “Just follow me. Close your eyes if scared. Think of something else. I’ll get you out. Promise.”

She stayed silent, fingers locked around his arm.

“You can’t expect me to carry you through, can you?” he murmured, helpless.

She said nothing. *I just want out.*

With no progress, they crouched there, locked in awkward silence.

Minutes later, a couple appeared down the hall—green visitor tags visible. Shaken but trying to stay calm, the guy held his girlfriend close as they advanced.

Their eyes flicked to Shu Yuxin and Jiang Zixuan, then to the sign. After a hushed exchange, the girl buried her face in his chest. He took a breath and led her into the room.

Jiang Zixuan looked at Shu Yuxin.

“…Let’s go.” She took a shaky breath and stood. *I can’t be less brave than her… Wait, that sounds weird.*

“If you get scared, close your eyes. I’ve got you,” Jiang Zixuan whispered, guiding her after the couple.

To Shu Yuxin’s surprise, the room seemed harmless—at first glance.

An abandoned ward. Four grimy hospital beds lay scattered. In the center stood four trendy-dressed young women.

Something felt off about them—but she couldn’t say what.

“No tags. Staff,” Jiang Zixuan murmured near her ear.

Shu Yuxin stayed silent, hand still clenched around his.

The couple lingered nearby, watching curiously.

The girls chatted animatedly. Seconds later, one turned, smiled, and called out:

“Hey! You here to catch ghosts in Ward Forty-Four too?”