"Don’t you dare test my limits. Cross me, and I’ll come knock on your door myself."

"Alright, I was wrong," Dr. Chen muttered. He had no clue whether the voice on the line was human or ghost—and frankly, he didn’t care. Right now, only the task mattered.

"What happens if I refuse?"

"A ghost will knock on your door." And by "knock," it meant a real, physical knock.

"Fine. I’ll take the easiest one first—just testing the waters." Dr. Chen chose the "Hell Bus" mission: lowest difficulty, and the only solo task. He wouldn’t let anyone know about the Malevolent Ghost sister clinging to him. After all… the human heart was far less predictable.

"[A bus vanished over a decade ago. Now it’s back…]"

"Spare me the system spiel. Be straight with me."

"[Wait under Bus Stop No. 33 in the East District at midnight. At twelve sharp, a bus appears. Board it. Sit twenty minutes. Get off safely. That bus leads to hell. Don’t let the passengers realize you’re alive.]"

"So everyone on board is dead? Got it. What’s the reward?"

After accepting the contract, Dr. Chen received a black courier envelope. A drop of his blood sealed his VIP status. Two yellow talismans arrived with it.

He was certain—the courier wasn’t human. It felt like someone had stood right outside his door the whole time. Seconds after clicking "Agree," a knock came. He opened the door. Only the black envelope lay quietly on the floor.

"[Reward: Three spirit-repelling talismans. Ignite when a ghost approaches; low-level spirits can’t harm you for thirty seconds. Wind chime: rings if a ghost enters your five-meter radius. Ox Tears: apply to eyelids. While wet, reveals ordinary spirits.]"

"These are just temporary lifelines? Anything that *hurts* a Malevolent Ghost? This feels too passive."

"[Do you even need to ask? Finish the task, level up. Offensive gear comes later. For now, newbie—you get what you get.]"

"Last question. Do I get paid?"

---

"Ahhh… AHHH!" A scream tore from Dorm 502. The door slammed open. A man tumbled out, scrambling on all fours.

Behind him, a woman floated midair. Three invisible forces wrenched her body apart—crunch… crunch… crunch…—bones splintering, limbs tearing.

Her bloodshot eyes locked onto the fleeing man, blazing with rage and betrayal.

"Wh-why?"

If she hadn’t stalled to draw the ghost’s attention, he’d never have broken free. When she was seized, he still had that last talisman… yet didn’t use it.

"I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I just want to live!" That talisman was his escape route—a thirty-second shield to flee the fifth floor. Turning back would’ve cost seconds. Maybe doomed them both.

"I… I’ll haunt you forever!"

With a hoarse final cry, her dangling legs jerked. Her body slumped sideways. Life gone. But those blood-red eyes stayed fixed on him, venomous, unblinking.

"I’m sorry!" The talisman pressed to his chest burned fiercely—not scorching, but warm—a gentle heat melting the icy dread around him.

Blind with panic, mind screaming *escape*, he practically leaped down every flight. As the talisman flickered its last ember… he burst out of the dorm building.