Horror Game Designer

Chapter 37: Whats More Terrifying Than Poverty?

Confronting a particularly severe and unusual situation, classified as a “Level 4 anomaly,” Team Leader Gao Ming stressed the critical need for immediate action. “We have to tackle this problem while it’s still manageable,” he asserted, highlighting the heightened risk of the situation spiraling out of control.

With a sense of urgency driving their actions, Gao Ming made plans to visit Sishui Street during daylight to gather more detailed information about the strange occurrence.

He turned to his team members, picking up his backpack, which was notably filled with photos of people to remember. “17, Wan Qiu, I need you to accompany me somewhere,” Gao Ming directed. To another team member, Miao Miao, he said, “You should stay here at the office. If there’s any development or if you need me, just call.”

Defiantly, Zhu Miao Miao stood up, eager to join. “I want to come along,” she declared firmly. “I promise I won’t be a burden.”

Gao Ming approached her, reducing the distance between them to a mere half step. He looked at her seriously. “This isn’t about whether or not you’ll slow us down,” he said. “This is about trust. Can I rely on you completely? If you have to choose between my orders and those from our bureau, which will you follow?”

Zhu Miao Miao was taken aback by his question. As a firefighter, her life had been about adherence to orders and regulations.

Gao Ming continued, “Before you decide…”

Zhu Miao Miao interrupted, her voice filled with conviction. “You saved my life; your orders are my priority.”

“Alright then, bring your axe. We’ll all go together.”

At the bureau’s back door, various teams, including other investigation groups, were assembling. The atmosphere in the bureau was a mix of emotions — some were envious of the investigation team, others empathetic, and a few were absorbed in their own challenges. Ever since unexplainable anomalies started emerging in the vast ocean, the bureau had been constantly on the back foot, desperately searching for any sign of success or a glimmer of hope.

On their drive to the Eastern District, Yan Hua and Wan Qiu were seated in the back of the car. They reviewed the information they had on the anomaly, which they had received from the dark ring they’d been handed. Despite his intimidating appearance, Yan Hua showed remarkable patience with Wan Qiu, who had also experienced a difficult childhood. He was a man whose strength was not wielded against those weaker than him.

Gao Ming made a phone call, dialing a number without even looking at his contacts list.

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The call was answered quickly by a gentle female voice, “Do you need my help?”

Before Gao Ming could respond, Xuan Wen seemed to guess his intent.

“We’re heading to the Eastern District, to Sishui Street. There’s a significant operation tonight. Could you come early and scout the area?” Gao Ming requested.

Xuan Wen’s voice, filled with the sound of keyboard keys clicking in the background, teased him. “Working with the Investigation Bureau now, aren’t you? Why do you sound like you’re part of a gang?”

Gao Ming responded, his voice cautious as he was mindful of his surroundings in the bureau car. “We believe someone is fueling these strange occurrences, making them grow faster. We need to intervene before things get even more out of hand,” he explained. “Let’s meet in two hours. And afterwards, we can all enjoy a good meal together.”

“All right, but I have a question for you,” Xuan Wen’s voice softened, the sound of her typing coming to a halt. There was a hint of playfulness, perhaps even flirtation, in her tone.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Why do you choose to video call Wei Dayou but only make audio calls with me? Don’t you find me attractive? Or is it that you don’t want to see my face? Do you see our interaction as strictly professional?”

Gao Ming subtly glanced around the car. Zhu Miao Miao was concentrating on navigating the vehicle while Yan Hua and Wan Qiu were absorbed in examining the information obtained from the mysterious dark ring. However, he noticed that, despite their apparent focus, their bodies were inconspicuously angled towards him, likely eavesdropping. “We still have a lot to learn about each other,” he replied, diplomatically evading a direct answer.

Xuan Wen’s voice took on a slightly teasing edge. “Remember when I was tied up, and you just sat there, calmly sipping two cups of milk tea? Is that your idea of getting to know me better?”

“We’ll have a proper discussion when we meet,” Gao Ming said quickly, cutting the call short as he gazed out of the car window, signaling the end of the conversation.

Back in her office, Xuan Wen took off her headset, her expression a mixture of amusement and contemplation. She pondered the notions of freedom, dignity, and the love she longed for as an individual with her own desires and aspirations.

…

At 9 AM, Gao Ming’s team arrived at Mei Ling Wonton Noodle Shop on Sishui Street.

After a struggle to find a parking space, they were about to enter the eatery when an unkempt elderly man blocked their path. He was shouting frantically, “I’ve seen it! You’re all doomed! It’s going to happen tonight!”

The old man’s appearance was disheveled, wearing a tattered coat and shoes that didn’t match. His speech was impeded by a whistling lisp caused by a missing tooth. Aware of the hazardous mission they had planned for that evening, Gao Ming inquired calmly, “What have you seen?”

“The disaster! It’s coming for all of you tonight! The only way to avoid it is to use this talisman,” the old man insisted, revealing several aged and tattered talismans concealed beneath his coat, which looked like they were from another era.

“May I examine these talismans?” Gao Ming asked, passing them to Wan Qiu for her inspection, though she showed no particular reaction.

“So, are you interested in buying one?” The old man’s voice was peculiar, laced with a hint of madness.

“There’s no need for that,” Gao Ming responded, casually picking up Zhu Miao Miao’s fireman’s axe. The old man, visibly startled by this gesture, quickly scampered away.

“Why do you always use my axe to scare people off?” Zhu Miao Miao grumbled, stowing the axe back under her seat. “Don’t you have your own weapon?”

As they finally entered the noodle shop, the waitress, a woman in her forties with a kind face, began sprinkling salt over their shoes. She was excessively apologetic and overly polite. Gao Ming, puzzled by her actions, asked, “Why are you putting salt on our shoes?”

The waitress explained, “You just encountered that crazy old man outside. He’s considered unclean here!” Her explanation hinted at local superstitions and the community’s perception of the old man.

Gao Ming immediately shot a wry look towards the woman, displeased someone would insult another in such a fashion.

“No, I don’t mean he’s physically dirty,” the waitress clarified as they settled down at their table. “That man, Wu Bo, he resides in the most notorious floor of the Sishui Street apartment complex. He’s always wrapped up in his thick coat, underneath which he hides numerous talismans. He’s perpetually cold, probably because he visits such eerie places. Many of us think he might be possessed!”

Gao Ming raised an eyebrow, casually perusing the menu. “It’s quite unethical, isn’t it? Stealing talismans from the homes of others.”

“The Sishui Street apartments have a reputation for being haunted, marked by a history of unfortunate events and tragedies. It’s common for new residents to acquire talismans in hopes of keeping the supposed evil spirits at bay. But despite its eerie reputation, there’s something about the place that seems to irresistibly draw people in,” Zhu Miao Miao added, visibly concerned, especially considering Wan Qiu had handled the talismans earlier.

“That ‘something’ is the incredibly low rent prices in the Eastern District. In this day and age, what’s more terrifying than poverty?” interjected a middle-aged woman seated at the next table, surrounded by her children. “I live there too. After a while, you just adapt to it. Most of those haunting stories are probably just rumors.”

“You’re a resident there?”

“Yes, I even live in one of the units where there was a murder. But what of it? My kids play and roam around without any problems,” she explained, highlighting the practicality and necessity of living in such a place despite its dark history.

“Aren’t you scared?” Zhu Miao Miao inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Scared?” the woman laughed lightly, almost dismissively. “I’ve seen enough in life to not be afraid of death. So, what else is there to really fear?”