As I passed Olivia Owen, she muttered something vicious under her breath.
Hmph, Carter, you’ve got some nerve, huh.
A chill crept over me—I had no idea what was going on. I bypassed the cafeteria on the right and headed for the training rooms, where equipment lined the walls and several rooms occupied the space. At the entrance to Training Room 1, I stopped. Rachel Carter sat on a chair, drenched in sweat, wearing a gray vest and white pants.
Rachel, what’s wrong? As soon as I entered, I saw Rachel Carter staring at me coldly, her face twisted in anger. My heart skipped a beat, but then Rachel forced a smile, stood up, and walked toward me step by step. Her smile was fake—I could tell she was furious.
What... what’s going on...
Carter, you think you’re so capable.
I let out a surprised sound. Why did Rachel Carter’s tone suddenly change when she spoke to me?
Huh? What’s really going on...
Before I could finish, Rachel Carter suddenly side-kicked me straight in the chest. I didn’t even have time to react—I was sent flying, crashing onto the concrete floor.
What happened? What the hell is going on?
Clutching my aching chest, I looked at Rachel Carter. Behind her, I heard laughter. Turning, I saw members of the Phantom Burial Unit gathering around—Old Eccentric was there, and so was Kenneth King. Many were laughing loudly.
What’s so funny? Haven’t you seen this before? Get lost.
Rachel Carter snapped angrily, and everyone shut their mouths, looking ready to leave. I still had no idea what I’d done wrong.
Sigh, Carter, you really are something. You come back and go straight to that kind of place.
I let out a confused sound, staring at Old Eccentric as he walked over. Rachel Carter glared at me, furious.
The brothel, Carter. I heard your cousin sobered up and went there late at night. You tagged along, didn’t you? And you didn’t come back until eleven the next morning.
I blinked in disbelief, my mouth hanging open as I looked at Rachel Carter.
Rachel, let me explain. I didn’t do anything—I just went with my cousin, that’s all. You have to believe me.
I hurried up to Rachel Carter, but she didn’t look convinced at all.
Hmph, all you men are the same. Susan told me everything.
Finally, I remembered—Susan Li and my cousin had planned to leave, and Susan gave me that sly smile. That’s what happened.
I’m not listening.
Rachel Carter’s voice trembled, her cheeks flushed, looking heartbroken as she returned to the training room.
Damn it, cousin, you set me up.
Now I was grinding my teeth in frustration. If I’d known, I never would’ve gone to that place with my cousin. I hurried in after Rachel. She was on a treadmill, running with a furrowed brow.
No matter how I tried to explain, Rachel wouldn’t listen. She just kept running, not saying a word. I’d never seen her so angry before, and honestly, it scared me a little.
I looked around helplessly, not sure what I could do to prove my innocence.
That’s right—Rachel, your ancestor, Ben Lane, was there too. He saw the whole thing. He can vouch for me.
Just then, I heard laughter. I looked down—it was my own shadow.
Laugh all you want.
Women, huh? At times like this, you just have to hold her, give her a kiss, and it’ll all be fine.
Yeah, yeah, ha ha.
It was Grudge and Sorrow, the two ghosts, who stepped out and stood behind me, egging me on to kiss Rachel.
Damn it, you two, don’t push your luck.
I turned and glared at the two of them, my anger rising.
Suddenly, Rachel Carter stopped and walked over, circling past me, then raised her hand and slapped both Grudge and Sorrow across the face, leaving them both dazed.
Really didn’t do anything, Carter?
Rachel Carter glared at me, her eyes full of suspicion. I looked at her seriously and nodded, but she still didn’t believe me. I honestly didn’t know what to do.
Sigh, just show her your memories. That’ll do it.
At that moment, my shadow stood up and said, I let out a sigh.
How do I do that?
My shadow looked at Rachel Carter. She seemed much more relaxed now, but I still didn’t understand why she was so hung up on this.
Just possess her, that’s all.
I looked at Rachel Carter. She nodded. I began to shift my body, little by little, turning into a ghostly form, then took a breath and entered Rachel’s body.
Once inside Rachel Carter, I looked at my own hands. Rachel seemed to lose consciousness, but I could sense a surge of anger from within her—a deep anxiety, especially after Susan’s call yesterday. It was hard for her to get past it.
How do I do this?
I couldn’t help but ask.
Just use your power properly.
My shadow spoke, and I calmed myself, preparing to enter the other world, the realm of my abilities. Gradually, I felt my consciousness fading away.
When I regained consciousness, I was already in that black-and-white space. A flash of firelight—there was Vermilion. In front of Vermilion, Rachel Carter stood quietly, her back to me.
Rachel, I...
Carter, I’m sorry, I...
I rushed over and hugged Rachel Carter.
It’s okay. Just trust me.
I’m sorry, Carter. I don’t know what happened. As soon as I heard you went to that kind of place, I just...
I cupped Rachel Carter’s face in my hands, smiling softly.
Hey, you two, shouldn’t you get out of here? Watching this is annoying. Scram.
Vermilion acted like a boss, shouting at us. I glanced over and saw Grudge and Sorrow standing far away, looking scared of Vermilion.
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What’s wrong with those two?
Vermilion flapped its wings, looking almost amused, its mouth wide open in a grin.
I’m the boss here now. Those two have to listen to me.
I shot them a glare, then hugged Rachel Carter. With a thought, I took a breath and exited her body, landing on the ground. Rachel rushed over and helped me up. By now, the entrance was surrounded by people, all smiling, including David Fang.
You okay, David? I glanced at David Fang’s scarred face—those were the marks left after the last time he was injected with that strange liquid.
I’m fine, Carter. Give it a few years, and I’ll be good as new.
Then I decided to go see for myself—the thing locked up in the Phantom Burial Unit. Old Stone led Rachel, Old Eccentric, Thomas Hu, and me around the back of the main building, where there was a special prison, solid as a fortress. It held people with ties to ghosts. The former director of the asylum where Huang Quan had been was there too.
Carter, when I examined that guy with spirit speech, I found his soul was made of many fragments, pieced together. It’s bizarre—I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
Thomas Hu hoped I could use my Specter Web to check what that guy really was.
We passed the Phantom Burial Unit’s dorms and saw the prison. Its construction was fully automated, and the walls were covered in runes to keep ghosts out. According to Old Stone, only the chief had access.
A white door with a Bagua symbol stood to the side, next to a fingerprint scanner. Old Stone pressed his finger on it, then entered a password. The door slowly lifted open.
We went inside. The rooms were all white, with thick doors that looked incredibly sturdy. At the entrance to Room 1076, I peeked through the window and saw the prisoner inside, wearing a special white straitjacket stained with yellow and black. Fluids had seeped through his clothes.
This guy hasn’t eaten in a long time, but strangely, he’s still alive.
I looked over. The prisoner hung his head low. I stepped a little closer, and suddenly, he looked up, his eyes cold as ice, staring right at us.
I examined the room’s layout. On the right wall, there were two small doors that could be opened. There was also a sealed chamber made of some unknown material, with a bathtub and shower system inside.
Food and water can be delivered directly in here. After eating, the waste goes out through another side.
I couldn’t help but feel confused. I’d seen a big building here before, but only now did I realize it was a prison.
Most of these people are killers, but there’s no evidence. They’re all dead, turned into ghosts, and the evidence they leave behind can’t be used in court. So basically, they’re locked up in the Phantom Burial Unit. Some of them use ghosts for evil too.
Thomas Hu explained, and I nodded in understanding.
The prisoner in front of us whimpered, drooling green and yellow fluids that trickled down from his gag, looking disturbing as he struggled.
I stepped closer and released the Specter Web, preparing to enter his body. Suddenly, he screamed, and I was just as shocked.
What’s wrong, Carter? Thomas Hu asked. I shook my head.
I can’t see any memories at all. It’s all chaos inside him. It’s like he’s just a shell—empty.