Ji Li was stunned. Just a moment ago, he had heard muffled cries from inside the elevator, but when he pried the doors open, there were already three corpses?
*You really are like the god of death—wherever you go, people die*, the second persona mocked, calculating that more than half of the victims so far had died near Ji Li.
*How can the ghost kill so silently?* the third persona questioned. From the first victim onward, he had been troubled by this.
The ghost had the power to split itself, but that didn't mean it should be able to slaughter people without warning. Otherwise, this mission would be impossible to resolve.
Ji Li's face darkened. The second persona was right—deaths seemed to follow him everywhere.
Two questions weighed on him now: where exactly was the ghost, and how did it infiltrate living bodies to kill them?
He glanced at the corpses. From their blue uniforms, it was clear they were the three missing maintenance workers who hadn't gone down to the basement. They had been trapped in the elevator—and had just died.
There was no need to keep searching.
Ji Li pulled out his phone, the cold glow stinging his eyes, and called Fang Shenyan.
The line connected quickly, and Ji Li asked first:
"Can you confirm the power can be restored?"
Fang Shenyan looked at the three busy electricians, then at the knife in his hand, and gave only an ambiguous reply:
"I'm not sure."
Ji Li wasn't surprised. Human efforts might not be enough to overcome the ghost's influence.
Still, it felt like a wasted opportunity. If the power could be restored, he could access the monitoring room and gain control of the situation.
Perhaps then, those two burning questions about the ghost could finally be answered.
But with the outcome uncertain, his plans were left hanging.
He simply told Fang Shenyan to be careful, then hung up.
Almost immediately, another call came in—Tongguan.
Ji Li exhaled, silently hoping for good news, and answered.
"This is Ji Li."
"Ji Li, the upper-floor workers have been gathered in the lobby by my group and Fang's. But the numbers still don't add up. I suggest the three groups converge."
Tongguan's deep, steady voice carried no sign of being shaken by the deaths.
Ji Li said nothing, only glanced once more at the three cooling corpses, then ended the call and headed downstairs.
The lobby was now packed with black-uniformed workers. Their faces were pale and uneasy, but no one dared to speak.
Light from the building across the street streamed through the glass doors, pushing back some of the darkness, but the workers all huddled together in silence.
Only the southwest corner was left empty—no one dared approach the body of the first female employee, shot twice and dead on the floor.
Tongguan stood with his back to the glass doors, half of his body swallowed by shadow. Tall and rigid, a cigarette between his fingers, he recorded the headcount and details of the gathered workers on his phone.
Chang Nian tied up her loose hair with a band and walked over.
"This ghost is no ordinary one."
Tongguan didn't look at her, continuing his work as he answered quietly:
"A splitting ability… that's beyond what a one-star hotel mission should allow. I'm surprised it's this strong."
Chang Nian sneered, giving him a sharp look. "And you bragged before the mission that this one would be easy. Well? Still think so?
With the power to split itself, 43 workers—it could wipe them all out in three hours if it wanted."
Her words were harsh, but there was no trace of fear in her face. She seemed indifferent to the dire situation.
Or perhaps it was confidence in the man beside her.
Even if her words were laced with scorn for that very confidence.
"No matter how strong it is, this is still a one-star mission. Even with splitting, it won't be without flaws.
I believe if we uncover its killing pattern—or its weakness—we can crush this task."
Tongguan had already compiled a long list. His eyes lingered on entry number 33.
"Ji Li should be here soon." He rubbed his stiff neck, gaze cutting through the crowd toward the shadowed stairwell.
Chang Nian's body stirred at the mention. She pulled a notebook from her coat, flipped it open casually, and read:
"Ji Li entered the hotel at the beginning of October. According to these records, he cleared three missions on his own.
Solo. Three times. Forcing his way up to the one-star level.
This man… is no ordinary one."
As she spoke, Chang Nian glanced at the supposed first victim—the one Ji Li had shot to death.
"When we first arrived at Branch Eleven, the store was already at the one-star level, with an acting manager.
After he died, you took over.
In truth, we've only gone through three missions ourselves—and never alone."
Her words carried a sigh. She thought of the comrades she had once fought beside, now scattered across unknown branches.
Tongguan nodded.
"Ji Li is ruthless, selfish to the extreme, willing to use any means to achieve his goals."
He turned his head toward Yu Guo, who was speaking with Li Xing in the back.
"Fang Shenyan is extraordinary as well. I can see his methods are strikingly similar to Ji Li's.
What I can't understand is why someone like Yu Guo, who seems so mild and decent, would choose to side with them."
Chang Nian covered her mouth and chuckled. "Maybe only people like that can survive in this world."
Tongguan scoffed.
"If living means becoming like that, are they even human anymore?
I believe in justice beyond human schemes. Without tricks and cruelty, I can still keep you alive."
Chang Nian snorted, then punched him lightly.
"Maybe I'll be the one keeping you alive."
"How lively. Looks like almost everyone's here."
At that moment, Ji Li finally arrived. The moment he appeared, unrest rippled through the workers.
Those who had arrived earlier had already spread word of his violent acts, and the rumor spread quickly.
Now, nearly everyone regarded Ji Li and his companions as desperadoes.
Ji Li scanned the crowd, silently counting heads, and frowned.
He approached Tongguan, then gestured for Yu Guo and Li Xing to come closer.
"The three groups are gathered. Time to cross-check the first round of intel."
You can read Eerie Overseer ahead by 60+ chapters ad-free and for free at htt ps://ravenarchives. com/book/eerie-overseer]. Bulk uploads are a bit tricky, so updates here might be irregular, but they'll keep coming.