“Room 501’s sealed off. Guess this is where it all starts, huh?”

Dr. Chen reached the fifth floor—his assigned room was 502. Logically, since no one lived up here, he should’ve gotten 501. But 501’s door was taped shut, and the key in his hand read 502.

Seemed like 501 had been locked down for a reason.

With two days until the mission began, Dr. Chen had arrived early to get familiar with the place.

“How basic.” Stepping inside, he saw everything was brand new: three bunk beds, an iron locker by each door, nothing else. A private bathroom? Don’t even dream of it. Overall, the most barebones student dorm imaginable.

“Huh… not even cold?”

He’d expected the usual horror vibe—rotten air, bone-chilling cold. But warm sunlight streamed through the window, and the room smelled strongly of fresh paint. The walls looked newly whitewashed.

Still, Dr. Chen stayed cautious. In horror films, the safest-looking things were often the deadliest.

“Might as well unpack first. Been ages since I stayed in a dorm… kinda nostalgic.” Before starting, he walked to the wall shared with 501 and tapped lightly.

“Yo, big bro next door! We’re neighbors now. Take care of me, yeah?”

He was just joking—but the moment he lowered his hand, *thump, thump, thump* echoed back from the other side.

Room 501 was right there. He’d just seen the sealed door. No one could be inside.

“Ugh… sorry.” Dr. Chen wasn’t scared the ghost would attack. He just dreaded it thumping all night to annoy him. Haunted by the “rotten-face ghost” incident, he’d deliberately chosen the wall facing room 503 to avoid midnight noises.

“Hello? Anyone there?”

*Creak.* The iron door swung open. A girl in a white dress, luggage in arms, stepped inside. Dr. Chen, mid-bed-making, froze.

She was pretty, sun hat on her head—but her smile felt off, like strings were tugging her lips into a forced grin.

“Who are you?”

“Hello, I’m Lan Yiyang. I’ll be your roommate. Nice to meet you.”

Lan Yiyang delivered her rehearsed lines. She knew smiles built rapport, so she kept her lips curved—making her expression unnervingly stiff.

“Don’t—don’t come closer!” Seeing her reach to shake hands, Dr. Chen leaped onto the bed.

It wasn’t dislike. He feared contact would trigger the Crimson Robe. Remember the mental hospital? That woman spoke a few words—and the Crimson Robe severed her head.

“You… what’s wrong?” Lan Yiyang recognized this reaction. Back in school, classmates gave her this look when rejecting her.

She’d greet warmly, only to hear “Don’t come near me”—words that stung.

Memories of those days surfaced. Her hopeful excitement soured into sadness. Why did Dr. Chen reject her? Her hair? But she was wearing a hat…

“I told the admissions director I wanted a single room. What happened? I’m switching rooms.”

He turned to leave. Don’t blame his bluntness—he was keeping distance to save her.

“Strange.”

Watching Dr. Chen’s agitation, Lan Yiyang felt hurt yet puzzled. She closed her eyes, murmuring a quiet incantation. When she opened them, a glimmer flashed in her sapphire-blue eyes.

“Ghostly aura? So dense!”

Through her Yin-Yang Eyes, Dr. Chen’s form blurred. Yi Yan saw thick crimson mist swirling from his clothes, engulfing him completely. She couldn’t see through it. This ghostly energy surpassed every Malevolent Ghost she’d ever encountered.

“Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

At first, Lan Yiyang guessed Dr. Chen was possessed—by one powerful Malevolent Ghost, or many. She knew all five girls in room 501 had died. Their vengeful spirits must now be clinging to this girl, explaining the overwhelming aura.

Yi Yan resolved never to leave Dr. Chen’s side. Otherwise, this girl wouldn’t survive long. His odd behavior? Surely the possession’s effect.

“Why?”

“I’m scared of the dark! Can’t sleep alone. If you switch rooms, I’ll sneak into your room at midnight and climb into your bed! I mean it!”