I crouched on the ground, pacing anxiously in circles. Unable to use my own powers or escape this story, am I really forced to follow the events as Uncle Ming described, to play along with the story’s script?
Today, I came to deliver the calligraphy that Mr. Luo picked out, after having it mounted and framed for him. Now, I find myself inside this story as well. I subtly altered my role to that of a passerby, acting as if nothing is amiss. In the story, you’re pacing anxiously, desperate, and you run into me—a somewhat familiar face. Hearing you’re off to see a boss, you ask to come with me, and I agree.
Once we go in, do we just take the protective talisman off Luo Yang, and then the story will follow what’s written in the book?
Simon Wang nodded.
They still aren’t aware of my presence. After all, they think I’ve become a complete puppet of the Horror Stories. But they don’t fully understand the Wordcraft technique I use, called 'Yanling.' I’ve secretly written my own story into a hidden corner of the Horror Stories, just to make sure they erase my memory.
I smiled and looked at Simon Wang.
So what do we do now, Uncle Ming? I asked, suddenly recalling something.
Anyway, that Luo Yang isn’t a good person, right? Why not just grab the talisman and go straight home?
As soon as I said that, Simon Wang sighed and began to speak.
The female ghost possessing Wu Fang is named Sophie Young—Luo Yang’s girlfriend. Luo Yang used to work in construction, but only on small projects. By chance, he met a high-ranking official who had a batch of projects, and that official became interested in Luo Yang’s girlfriend.
After Luo Yang’s persistent persuasion, his girlfriend Sophie Young finally agreed. Step by step, Luo Yang rose in the ranks. Sophie thought he would marry her, but one night, she caught Luo Yang in bed with another woman.
Overcome with grief and anger, Sophie Young planned to turn over evidence of Luo Yang’s bribery and corruption, no matter how he begged. In desperation, Luo Yang murdered Sophie and spent a fortune to cover up the crime.
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but feel angry. But then I realized—this must be a story someone made up.
This isn’t just a story, Ethan. It’s real.
I let out a surprised sound and quickly replied.
Let’s do it, no more hesitation. I looked around and found a locked, luxuriously decorated door. Luo Yang should be inside. I said this and moved to knock.
Simon Wang grabbed me by the arm.
If you do that, Ethan, you’ll break the story’s logic. They’ll notice right away. Next time, your memory will be wiped, and it’ll be even harder to remember.
Stuck either way, I really didn’t know what to do. Simon Wang was stunned too, looking quite troubled.
Time was slipping away. I knew I didn’t have much left. If I followed the story, I’d have to help Sophie Young get her revenge and then sleep with my colleague Wu Fang. Even if it’s just a story, I absolutely can’t accept that.
By the way, Uncle Ming, even if we lure out Nathan Ouyang, how am I supposed to get the Endbringer Shard? Suddenly, I remembered the most crucial thing—the shard. If the carrier, Nan Ouyang, doesn’t hand it over willingly, it’s impossible to obtain.
Don’t worry, Ethan. Now, you can do it. As long as you cut off his right hand, you’ll get it.
I heard that’s not...
In the Dream Realm, maybe not. But in Horror Stories, the Endbringer force is already suppressed. Now, the whole Dream Realm follows the will of the Endbringer, seeking to end that world.
Simon Wang paused, then continued.
And the entrance is in Dream City. So, even if Nan Ouyang brings the shard into Horror Stories, the attacks from that world won’t stop.
So I’d better hurry...
Ethan, time flows differently here and there. No matter how many days you spend in Horror Stories, time in that other world won’t move at all. That means when you return, it’ll be exactly the same time as when you first entered Horror Stories.
I breathed a sigh of relief. It was already nine o’clock; Simon Wang and I had been standing outside the door for half an hour. Suddenly, out of the wall, Sophie Young poked her head out. She didn’t look terrifying, just stared at me with resentment. It seemed she thought Simon Wang couldn’t see her, and she ignored him, shouting at me in a harsh voice.
Hurry up, Ethan Zhang, I can’t wait any longer. If you don’t help me, tonight, I’ll eat you.
I nodded hurriedly. Then Simon Wang walked to the room’s door, knocked, casually greeted me, and went inside.
Hmph, let me tell you, Ethan Zhang, just listen to me and you’ll get your reward. Don’t you want it? That woman’s body is quite nice, you know. You’re a man, aren’t you...?
Sophie Young grinned lewdly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
When the time comes, you can do whatever you want. I’m possessing her body, and let me tell you, down below...
I slapped Sophie Young’s hand away. Deep inside, I felt a strong disgust toward her. Sophie Young looked surprised; I glared at her.
I understand. I’ll go now.
While Sophie Young hesitated, I walked to the door with a heavy heart, gritted my teeth, and entered. As soon as I stepped inside, I was stunned—a scholarly-looking man in his forties, wearing glasses, lay beside the table. That must be Luo Yang. Simon Wang stood nearby.
Uncle Ming, did you knock him out?
No choice, Ethan. This time, you’ll have to follow the story’s plot. But when it comes to that scene with the woman, you can choose to fake it.
I immediately forced a smile, then started laughing. But just then, my heart buzzed—a wave of darkness crept over my vision. I had no idea what was happening.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a space of shifting black and white. I was back here again.
You’re really hopeless, Ethan Zhang.
You’re my instinct." I muttered. The version of me with golden eyes appeared before me.
What is your instinct?" The golden-eyed me asked harshly. I muttered a reply.
Coexistence.
Do you think that man outside deserves to die?
I made a sound of acknowledgment, looked at the golden-eyed me, then nodded.
You only know half of it, not the whole. Listen to your heart more, Ethan Zhang. If you get too emotional, you’ll go against your instinct.
I made a sound of acknowledgment, looked at the ghostly part of myself, and walked over, asking:
Can you tell me what I should do this time?" I lowered my head as the golden-eyed me placed a hand on my shoulder, and a burst of wild laughter echoed.
Ethan Zhang, you’ve met that person called Zi Nian, haven’t you?
The golden-eyed me spoke slowly.
I nodded.
There’s such a thing as the law of causality in this world. If you break it too many times, you’ll suffer punishment, just like Zi Nian—slowly tormented until death.
The golden-eyed me turned around, raised a hand, and two images appeared before me—the evil ghost possessing a newborn and the female ghost driven out of her home by an old Taoist priest, images I’d seen before.
I remembered that before, I’d made decisions based only on my own assumptions, but what happened afterwards was different from what I expected.
That man outside isn’t a good person, but the woman isn’t, either. She was only interested in his money, willingly slept with him, and split the money in half. But she was afraid he’d kick her out, so she tried to threaten him. Still, greed brings its own destruction.
I listened quietly as the golden-eyed me spoke.
Behind every event lies impermanence. For example, a terrible criminal might commit evil deeds for the sake of his children. This world is full of uncertainty. So, tell me, if someone commits a crime for their children, is it right or wrong?
I stared seriously at the golden-eyed me, unsure how to answer.
If you can’t see through the impermanence behind these facts, you won’t be able to master your instinct. And tonight, if you follow the story’s plot, you’ll not only betray your instinct but also break the law of causality.
So what should I do now?
The golden-eyed me suddenly appeared before me, placing both hands on my shoulders.
There’s only one chance. After you get the Endbringer Shard, immediately return to the Dream Realm. In this story, only Nathan Ouyang and his puppet, Nan Ouyang, can return to the Dream Realm. I’ll help you a bit—after all, if you die, I’m done for too.
Suddenly, I snapped back to consciousness. Simon Wang looked at me with concern as I panted and stared at him.
Ethan, what’s wrong? I called you several times...
Before Simon Wang could finish, my shadow suddenly stood up, growing thicker and taller until it was as tall as a person. Simon Wang looked astonished, and I was surprised too.
This time, I’ll help you, Ethan Zhang.
As my shadow spoke, it transformed into the exact likeness of Luo Yang, who was lying on the table, and looked at me with a smile in his eyes.