Time seemed to have stopped.
Fate played a cruel joke on Shen Jian.
When the black dice finally stopped rolling, a red number appeared: 1.
One point.
The ghost's roll was 4, Shen Jian's roll was 1.
At this moment, Wang Xuan tensed from head to toe, cold sweat pouring down, eyes fixed on the crimson number with a hint of despair.
How could this be?
The professional player actually lost.
It was supposed to be a guaranteed difference.
He had assumed Shen Jian had some hidden cheat or method to roll higher numbers, which was why he took over and chose to gamble life against the ghost.
He never expected this outcome.
There was no feeling of relief.
Because sooner or later, it would still be his turn.
[Grandpa Proud: It's over, the big player lost.]
[White Dove: !!!]
[Office Slave: ?]
Wang Xuan had no mood to explain; he was utterly hopeless and began to write his last words.
[Grandpa Proud: Next, it's my turn. If anyone reading this can, please pass a few words to my parents. My address is ******]
[Grandpa Proud: Huh? WTF.]
The chat abruptly stopped.
Because Wang Xuan witnessed something that shattered his worldview.
After the black dice landed with the minimum 1 point, a blurred silhouette suddenly stood up.
A pair of old black cloth shoes moved.
The ghost was reviving.
Part of its body was now visible.
The shoes advanced.
The blurred silhouette moved closer.
It was coming for Shen Jian.
To claim the bet.
This was the most hopeless part of this life-or-death gamble.
If the ghost lost, it would pause for five minutes.
If a human lost, the ghost would act immediately.
Slap!
A crisp sound.
The old cloth shoes froze.
The blurred silhouette also paused.
It seemed utterly confused.
Shen Jian placed a hand in midair, as if resting it on the ghost's shoulder, then pressed hard. The ghost obediently sat down.
"Again. Last time, I didn't spin hard enough."
Shen Jian's voice was deep.
He picked up the black dice and tossed it.
A new round began.
Dice Ghost: ??!
The black dice stopped.
Showing 2 points.
Shen Jian: …
The ghost instinctively picked up the dice and threw it.
3 points.
The ghost won again.
Dice Ghost flared up.
The worn black shoes moved, preparing to stand, ready to enforce the bet.
"Sit down. One more time. This round, I win for sure."
Shen Jian impatiently pressed.
The ghost sat down again.
No matter how hard it tried, it could not break free.
Dice Ghost: …
Big brother, this is boring now.
Shen Jian gritted his teeth and stubbornly threw again.
5 points.
Seeing this number, Shen Jian finally smiled.
Of course, his luck was always excellent.
How could he lose two rounds in a row?
The third round went well.
Soon, the ghost rolled.
The number was…
6 points.
Slap!
This time, before the dice ghost could react, Shen Jian delivered a powerful punch.
"You dared to cheat in front of me?"
Wang Xuan: …
Dice Ghost: …
Wang Xuan was sweating cold.
For a moment, he couldn't tell who was human and who was not.
The dice ghost also faltered.
Your luck is bad, and you hit me?
I lost four rounds earlier without a word. This junior lost three and punched me twice? Really?
At worst, I will let you win once.
The dice ghost trembled and threw first.
6 points.
"…."
Without Shen Jian picking it up, the ghost threw again.
5 points.
Then again.
3 points.
Again.
2 points.
Not safe enough, throw again.
4 points.
1 point.
The black dice stopped, the crimson number showed 1.
Shen Jian picked it up, shook it in his palm, and tossed it carefully.
The black dice spun.
Finally, it stopped.
1 point.
Shen Jian: …
The dice ghost broke down.
"I already rolled 1 point. You still tie with me? Looks like misfortune follows you everywhere."
It gave up.
Whoever wanted to play, could.
Only the blurred outline of the worn black shoes disappeared.
The dice remained motionless.
"Lose and run. This ghost gambling tool is useless."
Shen Jian smirked.
He picked up the black dice.
A notification appeared.
[Paranormal Item — Ghost Dice]
[Description: Want to gamble a round? The cost is your life.]
[Note: Luck is fine? You haven't tried the new version yet.]
Shen Jian was mildly surprised.
This was a supernatural item.
The usage was simple.
If your luck was good, this was also an excellent tool for fighting paranormal creatures.
He placed the dice in his pocket.
Shen Jian left the room.
Continuing toward Room 404.
Three other ghosts clustered around him; his Yin energy surged rapidly.
In less than a day, his Yin energy surpassed 100.
This feeling of growing stronger just by moving… was amazing.
…
Soon, he arrived at Room 404.
Pushed open the door.
The room was in chaos.
As if some creature had ravaged through.
Torn chairs, a bathroom counter chipped in half, a bed broken in two.
But no sign of the player.
Shen Jian frowned.
As he prepared to search, his phone rang.
"Huh?"
Shen Jian paused.
Phones worked inside the horror game?
He checked the screen.
Caller ID: Miss Mary
"Mary?"
Shen Jian raised an eyebrow.
He answered: "Who is this?"
A sharp, grinding voice came from the phone.
Shen Jian squinted and smiled: "I'm heading to Rebirth Manor, Room 404."
Beep… Beep… Beep…
The call ended.
Shen Jian ignored it and continued searching.
In the wardrobe, he found a female corpse.
Lifelike.
No breathing, no signs of life, as if freshly dead.
A yellow talisman stuck to her forehead.
She was the last player of this instance.
Was this… playing dead?
Shen Jian removed the talisman.
The corpse's eyes immediately opened.
She looked surprised.
Blurted out: "Three days have passed?"
Then she glanced at the game interface and understood the situation.
Looking at Shen Jian, her gaze… well, it was like seeing her "golden benefactor."
Shen Jian asked: "Where is the ghost?"
[Queen Sister]: "The ghost isn't in the room. She uses the phone to locate players. Once connected, she will find you."
"Is that the Miss Mary?"
"Yes. She carries a guillotine. Unless the person answering the phone dies, she won't stop."
The woman looked horrified.
As if recalling a terrifying memory.
Ringing…
The phone rang again.
The sharp, grinding voice spoke: "Hello, I am Miss Mary. I'm on the fifth floor of Rebirth Manor."
Tread… Tread…
High heels hitting the floor echoed.
The lights began to dim,
one by one.
Getting closer.
The woman's body trembled.
The pressure of imminent death peaked.
Even breathing seemed to freeze.
The atmosphere held its breath.
Ringing…
The phone rang again.
The sharp female voice from outside: "Hello, I am Miss Mary. I am now at the door of Room 404…"
Creak!
The door was pushed open.
A pale hand reached in.
An international supermodel ghost appeared, wearing black heels, a black evening dress, eyes covered with a black lace cloth.
Sharp teeth bared: "Hello, I am Miss Mary. I am right in front of you."
"I've found you!"
The guillotine rose.
But in the next moment, it was stopped by a black hand emerging from a puddle of black ink at Shen Jian's feet.
The supernatural suppression took effect.
Miss Mary froze.
Standing stiffly in place.
No movement.
Shen Jian's face bore a satisfied smile.
Rebirth Manor truly was a blessed place.
(End of Chapter 5)
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