Watching her daughter head upstairs, Jiang Qianyu tapped open the file Lu Yunzhi had sent.
Task Name: The One Behind the Door
Difficulty: Class B Hunter
Location: Mingri Apartment Building, East City
Brief:
On October 12th, Jinhuan Police Station in East City received a report: a suicide jump occurred at Mingri Apartment Building. The deceased, Chen Yuhao, 17, a senior high school student residing in Room 402 on the fourth floor.
Police ruled out foul play. According to their report, Chen likely acted under severe academic pressure. His parents had previously contacted police multiple times over his suicidal behavior. One week before his death, they found him on the rooftop after he’d been missing for three days.
After returning home, Chen lost most awareness, repeatedly murmuring, “There’s someone outside the door.”
Three days after the suicide, police received another report: a young female tenant in Room 403 on the same floor was found dead by hanging. Investigators noted she had been deceased over seven days.
Neighbors confirmed multiple interactions with her within the prior week. She appeared disoriented, endlessly repeating:
“Don’t open the door. She’ll come in.”
Also three days post-incident, another resident reported a woman with a child knocking persistently at his door past midnight. Concerned, he called police. By the time officers arrived, he was unconscious. He was later declared brain-dead at the hospital.
After on-site investigation, N3 Team classified the anomaly as a Class B Hunter-level threat—originating from spiritual and soul corruption.
Origin time: unknown.
Traits: A woman in her forties, dressed in white with loose hair, accompanied by a girl around eight. Haunts Mingri Apartment Building, appears only at midnight. Initially knocks outside doors; if answered, enters the room.
Recommended elimination: psychic methods. If ineffective, target the little girl as a potential weak point.
The file ended there. What followed were mostly interview logs from residents—largely unhelpful.
Some claimed to hear midnight knocks; others denied any encounter.
As for the white-clad woman’s identity—the detail Jiang Qianyu cared about most—records were virtually nonexistent.
Most who saw the monster were already dead. Those who hadn’t naturally knew little. With only “white-clad woman” and “little girl” as clues, useful leads were scarce.
“White-clad woman… little girl… knocking…” Jiang Qianyu murmured softly, then messaged Lu Yunzhi:
【Yunzhi, what’s the real difference between a Class B Hunter task and a Class A Hunter task?】
She needed clarity. Judging by this file alone, the threat level matched what she’d faced last night—which meant that thing she’d eliminated was merely Class B Hunter.
Lu Yunzhi replied quickly:
【A Class B Hunter task involves one anomaly, not overly powerful—but unlike newborn Class C anomalies, it can already kill.】
【Class A Hunter tasks are different. The entire scenario becomes hostile. It’s not just one anomaly hunting you; multiple may appear. You must follow the scenario’s hidden rules—or die.】
【As for Grade S? I barely know. Rumor says it’s a supercharged Class A Hunter scenario. Way, way beyond me.】
Jiang Qianyu fell silent.
*Scenario…*
She could somewhat control scenarios using the discs in her shop—but only after clearing the monsters inside.
At first, she hadn’t grasped what “scenario” truly meant. Now, a faint understanding dawned.
These “urban legend anomalies”—the higher the rank, the less they were just mutated monsters. The *scenario itself* was the real danger.
Take Mingri Apartment: if this were Class A Hunter or Grade S, Lu Yunzhi wouldn’t just face the woman and girl tonight. Every step would demand caution within the scenario’s rules. One misstep—gruesome death.
No wonder the difficulty gap felt like heaven and earth.
While Jiang pondered, another message arrived:
【Finished the file? What do you think, my strategist Jiang?】
【Read it. Seems doable.】
【So confident? Alright. Tonight, I’ll show you something new—broaden your horizons!】
Lu Yunzhi was naturally bold, though Jiang’s gentle persuasion had swayed her.
Outwardly cheerful, inwardly tense.
She had no idea what tonight held. Danger? Uncertain.
She *could* handle Class B Hunter tasks—that wasn’t a lie. But anomalies never played by rules. Underestimation sank even veterans.
She wasn’t Class A Hunter level. This was nearly a solo run.
Not just for Jiang Qianyu. For herself too—preparing for the coming Class A Hunter task.
As for Jiang actually helping? She held little hope.
She knew Jiang’s ways. Might just be another round of “coquettish pleading.”
Unaware of Lu’s quiet doubts, Jiang Qianyu guided her puppet out of the wardrobe. It tiptoed downstairs.
Night cloaked the streets; without close inspection, the puppet’s joints were barely visible.
She booked a taxi via phone. Moments later, the puppet stood on tiptoe, opened the door, stepped outside, and slid into the back seat.
Clearing her throat once, she spoke in that signature sweet voice: “Driver, please take me to Mingri Apartment Building in East City.”
“Little girl, all alone?” the driver asked kindly.
“Yes, just me. Mom gave me the fare. I’ll pay when we arrive.”
“Alright then.”
The taxi pulled away under Jiang Qianyu’s watchful gaze, carrying her avatar toward Mingri Apartment.
She’d arrive slightly before Lu Yunzhi—perfect for scouting.
A new thought flickered:
How many avatars like this could she create?
If given the chance… could she place them inside scenarios she controlled?
To replace old urban legends… and become new Witches?
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