Miles found himself awake much earlier than usual the following morning. His recent transformation into a ghost tar had brought a slew of peculiar changes in his body, most noticeable of which was his diminishing need for sleep. Interestingly, he didnt feel fatigued even with fewer hours spent in slumber.
Just six hours of sleep? He wondered aloud, staring at his reflection as he washed his face. His visage wasnt wearied, instead he radiated a certain cold aloofness, which even seed unfamiliar to him.
The red paper affixed to the back of his hand caught his attention. It had been a whole night; surprisingly, he hadnt felt the usual discomfort from the ghost eyes awakening process. Instead, he had slept peacefully. Still, a thin, barely discernible crack had surfaced on the red paper.
Does this red paper rely conceal the symptoms without addressing the underlying problem? Or is it just an incomplete fragnt? He thought aloud while rubbing his head, The resolution to my brush with death is evidently more complicated than anticipated.
It was clear that with the prevalence of global disasters and supernatural occurrences, every ghost tar was in the struggle for survival. Believing that he could unravel a solution single-handedly seed naive.
As for his discovery that the red paper could suppress the vengeful ghosts reappearance, that was purely coincidental.
Wait a minute, he rembered abruptly, reaching for the human skin parchnt he had with him.
The parchnt held a written line: I woke up early today, noticing the subtle yet ongoing impact of the ghost eye on my body. My need for sleep is dwindling. If this keeps up, sleep might beco unnecessary. Ive heard that ghosts dont require sleep, so it could be true.
Jing told that you knew the survival chanism for a ghost tar. I dont believe he lied, so you must have the vital clue, he mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the parchnt. If you decide to share your knowledge, I might reconsider your worth.
The parchnt revealed additional text: I desperately want to live. The burdens of being a ghost tar are slowly becoming evident: the dread of death, the worry of the vengeful ghosts resurgence, and the changes within myself. These arent burdens a person my age should bear. I questioned the bizarre human skin again today but didnt receive the answers I sought. It didnt provide any useful information.
Perhaps the human skin held secrets it refused to reveal.
What could it be concealing?
Upon reading these words, a flicker of emotions played on Miless face.
He had previously suspected the parchnt of possessing a consciousness. But after leaving the school, it seed to have lost its guiding properties.
Without the parchnts direction within the old mans ghost domain, he would never have escaped alive.
If you withhold useful information, youre no better than a burden. I might as well burn you to avoid carrying around human skin. Its unsettling, he muttered to himself.
Having finished his morning routine, Miles nonchalantly tossed the enigmatic object onto the gas stove, setting it afla. Surprisingly though, the parchnt remained untouched under the dancing flas. The fire, it seed, could not mar it.
Miles, are you trying to burn sothing? Cooking noodles? Strong, drawn by the scent of gas, ca rushing from his room.
Miles cast a glance at the untouched parchnt, a wry smirk playing on his lips, No, just checking if the stove still works.
If youre thinking of cooking noodles, Ive got so sausages, Strong offered.
Its okay, Ive got one too.
Perhaps we ought to bury this strange thing where no one can find it, Miles pondered, furrowing his brows. He couldnt bear the thought of leaving such a bizarre object unattended in the event of his demise.
Just as he was about to conceal the parchnt, a fresh line of text materialized: Ive extracted all the useful information this parchnt can offer. I intend to dispose of it for future safety, ensuring no one else stumbles upon it. But a thought occurs if I can utilize this parchnt to trap a ghost, perhaps I could uncover the answers I seek.
Catch a ghost? Sounds like a surefire way to get myself killed, Miles scoffed, his skepticism evident. Though he didnt put trust in the parchnts strange claims, he decided to hang onto it for the ti being, planning to bury it soplace discreet in a few days.
Two hours later, the malls doors swung open.
Though it was not yet open to the public, Miles and Strong had tasks at hand. Their patrol began at half-past eight.
Didnt we shut down the elevator last night? Why is it operational now? Standing on the escalator, Miles recalled their actions from the previous night.
Pear has the keys, rember? Look, the malls doors are wide open. The boss might return today, so she probably ca in early. Why do you worry about these things? Strong inquired, puzzlent evident on his face.
No particular reason, just curious, Miles shrugged.
Unlike other days, the mall was flooded with light today, starkly contrasting with its usual dim state.
After conducting a thorough patrol, Miles found nothing out of the ordinary.
Everything was as it should be.
This, however, left Miles feeling uneasy.
If he couldnt detect any anomalies, surely that ant the mall wasnt haunted, right? But then, why were people disappearing?
He couldnt shake the feeling that sothing was off about the mall, though he couldnt pinpoint what it was.
Around ten oclock, the arrival of several luxury cars at the malls entrance disrupted the routine.
A group of individuals disembarked, led by a rather short middle-aged man in a suit.
Be alert. The boss has been in a foul mood since the mall shut down, Strong whispered a warning.
This man, known as Mr. Calm, was the owner of the mall. He had previously dealt in real estate, but in recent years had pivoted to establish this shopping center.
Master Catch, welco to my mall. Im hoping you can help us uncover whats gone awry here. Theres been a string of mysterious disappearances lately. Do tread carefully, said Mr. Calm, his face split into an amicable smile. He was leading a portly man in his fifties, followed by a small entourage of apprentices.
Master Catch abruptly stopped and declared, We mustnt enter via the main entrance. Are there any alternative entrances to the mall?
Yes, certainly, we have a service entrance, replied the owner, a touch flustered.
Then lets proceed from there, suggested Master Catch.
Miles, stationed at the entrance, couldnt help but smirk at the unfolding spectacle. This man was clearly a charlatan, spouting nonsense and bamboozling innocent people.
Everyone else, including custors, had been using the main entrance without issue. Why would this supposed master have a problem with it? Even if ghosts existed, surely he would have encountered them during his patrols.
Thats, of course, unless Master Catch had superior ghost-taming skills.
Yet, a single glance at his gleaming, oily face made it clear that he was nothing of the sort.
You all stay here and ensure no one else enters. Ill call if I need you, Pear instructed hurriedly before leading a group of her female colleagues to welco the owner.
Master Catch, with Mr. Calm, the mall manager, Pear, and a few others in tow, entered the mall through the side door. He led them on a stroll around the mall, throwing occasional glances around. Then, he gave an enlightened nod, suggesting he had grasped the crux of the strange occurrences in the mall, although it remained unclear exactly what hed deduced.
Perhaps he had already conjured up a suitable narrative in his mind.
Miles couldnt be bothered. Despite knowing Master Catch was a fraud, he didnt see the point in unmasking him.
If no supernatural activities were afoot, the hefty reward would inevitably go to this imposter, not him.
Hmm? Suddenly, Miless nostrils flared. He detected a faint, rotting sll. That odor is back, and it seems closer, because its more intense than before.
He pivoted, surveying the still peaceful mall, but everything seed in order.
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