I'm an ordinary company employee. My greatest joy every day is that I can clock off on ti.
This isn't sothing that can be realized often, because it's only from working overti that I can receive a higher salary. Only from doing so can I gain a little sense of security.
In this aspect, my boss isn't that bad. At the very least, he'll pay for overti, unlike the company next door who only knows how to shout slogans. All they do is pump up the employees without sparing a single penny.
Based on my observations, they aren't far from closing down, because their boss is already trying to sell off second-hand computers on his WeChat Monts.
This isn't sothing I discovered. I'm not friends with their boss on WeChat. This cos from the mouths of the employees.
In this world, it's sexist to say that there's gossip where there are won present. Instead, there's gossip wherever there are people.
Of course, I don't have absolute confidence in those words. There was once a ti when a dog and a cat made feel that they were watching us humans with amusent and gossiping.
Just like now, the golden retriever that always appears near my office building is sitting at the entrance.
Seriously, looking at the grooming of its fur, it doesn't look like it doesn't have a master. How can soone walk a dog without a leash? This kind of person shouldn't be rearing pets. They have no morals at all! Eh, there's a necklace around its neck, a rope, and the end of the rope is in its mouth... As I mumble, I recall of an emoticon that has been trending online:
It has strong self-control!
I snort and cast my eyes beyond the glass doors. The sky is so dark, and large beads of raindrops puml through the stuffy humid environnt and crash into the ground.
F*ck, it rained so quickly! At this mont, I want to question God.
It hadn't been easy for to get off work on ti today. To think that I would encounter a storm; furthermore, I didn't bring an umbrella with !
Back when I was in the office, I noticed that it was dark and gloomy outside and knew that a storm was coming, but I thought I had enough ti to get to the bus stop.
By the ti my bus arrives close to my rented apartnt, the rain should've stopped or be reduced to a drizzle. After all, it's sumr and the rain cos and goes quickly.
I can't help but raise my middle finger at God. Helpless, I turn my head to look at the golden retriever by the door and casually say, "You didn't bring an umbrella as well?"
That was just a self-deprecating comnt of mine, but the next mont I'm shocked.
The big golden retriever rolls its eyes at .
It rolled its eyes at .
Its eyes.
I knew it. This dog has so humanity in it! I look away and mutter.
I examine the storm outside again, wondering if I should just run to the bus stop.
I sniff and, considering how I haven't recovered fully from my cold, I hold back the urge.
Sigh, as a grown man, isn't it normal to only bring a phone, a transportation card, and a key access card?
Who would carry a bag and have an umbrella inside for no reason?
These days, I don't even keep change on .
Forget it. I'll just go back to the office and kill ti. I'll browse through websites and wait until the rain becos a drizzle before I leave. If it really doesn't pan out as I expect, then I'll order takeout... I sigh and turn to walk to the elevator.
Suddenly, I notice an additional vending machine in one corner of the building lobby.
Soin Coffee? I suddenly feel like drinking sothing.
I did as I thought. With the financial freedom to buy beverages below 10 yuan, I confidently walk over to the vending machine and take a gander at the beverages on sale.
Mizone, Nongfu Spring, Master Kong ice tea, and Jasmine tea... Eh... I notice sothing strange when I look through the beverages on display.
It's a box, placed in the corner of the topmost row of beverages.
What the hell? I glance at the screen and read the scrolling images and text.
Soon, I understand what the box is.
It's the recently popular real-life "loot box!"
There are loot boxes even with beverages these days? It really is a tax on one's intelligence... Gambling is indeed exciting... I mutter as I scan what possible contents might be in the loot box.
D*mn, this is interesting.
This loot box is actually related to a new beverage product. It has never appeared on the market before, the bottle has a unique design, and the nas are very stylish!
Seer, Apprentice, Bard, Warrior, Sleepless—Ha, I like that. There's also Lawyer, Assassin, Hunter... I glance at the price of the loot box and realize that it only costs 5 yuan.
It's cheaper than I expected, so I decide to give it a try.
Life is short, so why not give it a try?
As a slave of society, the daily working hours go from nine to six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Excluding work ti, eating, sleeping, and commuting, there's very little free ti for leisure.
Even the monotonous life would get to robots with this happening day after day. It's just so boring.
The property prices are even more depressing. They make you lose the motivation to work hard. One becos dejected or just takes on a mantra of letting things co as they may.
To be able to find a new thrill in cheap forms of entertainnt other than novels, comics, videos, and gas can be considered a surprise.
Taking my phone out, I start scanning the QR code.
At the sa ti, I mutter a few nas in my mind:
Seer, Sleepless, Spectator, Assassin...
These are the beverages that I hope for the most from the loot box.
I will be satisfied as long as it's one of them.
After paying, the vending machine seed to be stuck. It didn't move for quite a while.
I suspect that it's trying to cheat .
Is it packaging it on the spot? I complain as I seriously consider making a complaint.
At this mont, the vending machine finally showed signs of movent. The loot box is pushed out and falls to the dispenser with a thud.
It's ti to witness a miracle! I bend down and push open the sliding panel of the dispenser and pull out the loot box that I really can't consider exquisitely packaged.
After I quickly open the box, I see a bottle wrapped in coiled snakes.
Based on what I saw on the screen, I'm able to recognize which drink it is.
As an Assassin's Creed gar, this is an outco I've been looking forward to:
Assassin!
-x-X-x-
Nice!
I can't help but snap my fingers with my free hand.
As soone who has never even won a consolation prize, to be able to get a beverage I wanted is simply exciting.
Furthermore, the most important thing is that I only spent five yuan. Otherwise, I'll definitely hit it trying it ten tis in a row.
I need to keep this bottle well! I put away my phone, open the can, and take a mouthful of the beverage.
In the next second, my head suddenly turns a little numb. I feel like everything around has beco abnormally blurry, and my entire body becos light as though I'm about to turn into a feather.
In this strange feeling, I vaguely hear muffled ravings that sound like fingernails scratching a blackboard:
"The taste of a Demoness ain't bad..."
"The taste of a Demoness ain't bad..."
"The taste of a Demoness ain't bad..."
This brings an indescribable pain, and I lose all my ability to think.
By the ti the torture ends, I can't rember what happened towards the end, but I know that my face must have been very twisted and hideous.
F*ck. What the hell is this beverage? I turn angrily to look at the vending machine.
At that mont, my head is spinning, and my eyes swell. I have the feeling that I'll collapse at any mont.
However, this doesn't stop from discovering a fact:
The vending machine that still existed monts ago has disappeared!
... Holy sh*t... I can't take my spinning head and the soreness in my eyes. I quickly remove my glasses and prepare to squeeze my nose bridge.
However, just as I take off my glasses, everything returns to normal. My head doesn't spin and my eyes no longer ache.
My vision remains clear, clearer than even before my myopia.
...I scan my surroundings, and every detail is reflected in my eyes. Even a dozen ters away, a mosquito silently suspended on a black stone is vividly clear.
I've recovered from my short-sightedness? That bout of fainting was because of the glasses? I glance around once more, and for so reason, I feel that my vision has exceeded that of a normal person's.
As I try hard to recall, I gradually co to a realization:
I can change part of my body's structure for a short amount of ti. I can obtain feather-like lightness. Even if I jump from high above, I won't be hurt...
A hawk-like vision that allows to see through the darkness...
I'm good at hiding in the shadows...
My steps are nimble and my body is agile. The instantaneous strength I can release is trendous...
I can concentrate all my strength into a single strike...
This... As I suspect that the Assassin beverage that I had just taken was actually so ntal drug that gives hallucinations, I also feel that sothing might have really happened due to my recovery from short-sightedness.
I put on my glasses again and realize that it does leave faint.
No way this is real... The vending machine is gone... It was still there a mont ago... Did I have a fortuitous encounter? I cast my gaze out of the lobby and see people carrying umbrellas or have their backpacks raised in the heavy rain, running about in a hurry.
Before this, I could only barely see silhouettes in this scene, but now, I can confirm the features of every pedestrian.
Of course, the prerequisite is that they aren't wearing face masks.
A fortuitous encounter... Don't tell it's really a fortuitous encounter... I would occasionally fantasize about having a fortuitous encounter, for example, striking lottery worth 10–20 million yuan, but I never expected such a day!
Moreover, it's the Assassin ability that I wanted the most!
Even if it's fake, just healing my short-sightedness makes give this fortuitous encounter full marks! I control my excitent and joy and carefully examine my body.
After confirming that there's nothing wrong with it, I close my eyes and mutter to myself, Thank you, God!
Thank you, vending machine!
Thank you, loot box!
I have to find a place to test the Leap of Faith... Eh, I've recovered from my cold too... I'll think further about it after the rain stops... I look around again, eager to test what it ans to have dexterous steps, agility, and explosive power.
Of course, as a normal person with regular intelligence, I know that I should avoid others in tis like this, lest I expose my fortuitous encounter and create a series of unknown developnts.
At this mont, due to the heavy rain, the people inside the building either have to work overti or have already left. Those without umbrellas either have realized the reality of things or haven't left the office. They either return to the office or bravely run to the bus stop. Therefore, other than the two security guards who have their backs to , there's no one else in the lobby.
I can give it a try. Yes, there's a dog... Heh, so what if I'm seen by a dog? It doesn't understand anything. Would it be able to tell anyone? I imdiately widen my pace and run toward the elevator.
I can feel the changes in my body.
Using a machine as an analogy, my body used to be a rusted machine that had been soaked in water. Now, it was a new, lubricated machine.
A few steps later, I suddenly rember sothing: Previously, several companies in the building had been a victim of theft. Through the surveillance caras, the police found the criminal.
In other words, there are surveillance caras in the lobby, and my every move is being monitored.
Bear with it, bear with it... I stop my attempts and turn back to look at the spots where there might be caras.
My gaze sweeps across the huge golden retriever at the door. It's still impassively looking at the rain outside.
I'll wait till I get ho... I let out a slow sigh, hold my glasses, and head for the elevator.
I heard from my gossiping colleagues at the company that the theft was done by a young rag-and-bone man from nearby.
In the past, this guy was the son of a rich man. Later on, his family waned, and he could only make a living being a rag-and-bone man.
However, the police never found him.
I take the elevator and go back to the tenth floor. My mind is filled with how to be an assassin hiding in the city's shadows.
Nothing is true, everything is permitted! I mutter a few slogans and exit the elevator.
Glancing around, I see a figure standing by the window at the elevator lobby.
He has rare, long silver hair. His features are very distinctive.
So I recognize him. He's the vice president of the company next door, whose surna is Wu.
Of course, this might only be his Chinese surna, because he's either a foreigner or a mixed-blood.
It's such a pity that this guy isn't an idol. He's so good-looking that even the girls in our company often try to "coincidentally" bump into him. They give him flowers and food. It's like he has everything easy in the ga of life... The boss next door really has bad taste. With such an employee, I'd have long changed to running an entertainnt company... I don't know what the company next door is busy with every day. Until today, I don't even know what they do. All of them are garrulous, completely unlike Rozanne when she's joking. They're probably doing multi-level marketing, right? I quickly retract my gaze and not greet him. After all, we're not familiar with each other.
But just at this mont, I see that guy turn around and walk over.
-x-X-x-
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be nervous if the vice-president from next door ca to . After all, I'm not under his jurisdiction.
And I'm not a girl either. My sexual orientation is very normal. No matter how good he looks, it has nothing to do with . I'm even a little jealous.
But now, I've just drunk a bottle of so strange beverage of unknown origins and obtained the abilities of an Assassin I've been dreaming of. No matter who cos near , I can't help but feel uneasy, afraid that others might discover my secret.
At this mont, the silver-haired guy stops in front of and says coldly, "Do you have a lighter?"
Uh... This isn't an attitude a person should have when asking soone for help. Why are you looking at soone like you're looking at an object?
Also, the greatest hobby of youngsters nowadays is to stay up late instead of smoking. Why would I bring a lighter with ?
"No." I shake my head.
At the sa ti, I sigh inwardly.
If the female colleagues in my company find out that the handso vice-president next door smokes, they would definitely have their fantasies crushed. This vice-president's appearance and temperant easily makes one believe he's so untainted immortal. It's impossible to associate him with vices like smoking.
With this in mind, I can't help but ask casually, "Smoking?"
The vice president, who has long silver hair and a beautiful face, raises his right hand, revealing a cigarette between his fingers.
"People are under the impression that you don't smoke," I reply with a smile.
As a slave of society, it's normal for not to be afraid of the vice-president of the company next door. However, ensuring a cordial relationship is almost definite. After all, one has no idea when they will need to job hop and beco their subordinate. Having one more friend ans one more outlet.
Of course, if this gentleman keeps staying in the company next door, then I won't consider such matters. I don't want to enter a weirdo company that just yells slogans eight hundred tis a day.
However, if they're willing to pay a salary of more than 30,000 yuan a month, I dare say that I'll jump ship today. This is the business world, and the first principle is to not go against money. Anyway, as long as I don't violate the law and do not commit cris, what's wrong with shouting slogans? If I get paid a hundred yuan with every shout, I can shout until I make the company go bankrupt!
Hearing my words, the vice-president seems to fall silent for a mont before saying, "A friend of mine taught ."
When it cos to vices like smoking, who doesn't get introduced to it by friends? Only a small number of parents will lead their children astray... Just as I lampoon inwardly, the vice-president next door says in fluent Mandarin, "He's been dead for many years."
"I'm sorry," I respond reflexively.
After that, I find it strange.
Why are you telling this?
This vice president doesn't look too smart...
Since we aren't familiar with each other, I exchange a few pleasantries and stop. I'm too lazy to bother. I point to the corridor leading to my workplace.
"I have matters to tend to."
The vice president nods without any change in expression. He turns around and walks back to the window by the elevator lobby, as if he's watching the rainy scene below.
I leave the elevator lobby and take a right turn into my workplace and head to the office where my departnt is located.
They're all gone? They took all the umbrellas? I switch on the lights and scan the room.
That's right. It hadn't rained when clocking off at regular hours. I left ten minutes later and happened to be caught in the rain...
Seeing that there was no one in the office, my thoughts beca active.
I originally thought of watching videos in the office, checking out the young ladies dancing indoors and finding inspiration from live eating broadcasts to figure out what to eat for dinner. But now, I'm very restless, and I want to test out the various abilities of an Assassin.
Among them, the thing that attracts the most is Leap of Faith, no—Feather Drop spell. No, that's not right either. Who knows what it's called. In short, it's the ability to temporarily change my body structure and land on the ground like a light feather.
This is undoubtedly the most surreal ability of Assassins.
Of course, it is also equally important to that I've had my short-sightedness cured and gained excellent vision.
I have to give it a try...
I slip my glasses into my pocket and dash to the side window of the big office.
It faces a small alley. There's a refuse room that's erected there and no one usually walks past it, let alone when it's heavily raining now.
Ten stories, an empty alley. It's the best place to test the Leap of Faith. I open the window and cast my gaze down.
There are no signs of any pedestrians in the heavy rain. The roads are bleak and gloomy. It's dark everywhere.
The refuse room looks like a small hand could cover it from the tenth floor.
...
Forget it.
It's better to find sowhere lower for the first test.
Just as I reveal an embarrassed and polite smile, I hear a voice behind .
"What are you doing?"
"..." Startled, I turn quickly.
Then, I see my boss.
He had walked into the large office with one hand in his pocket at so point in ti. He's looking at .
"...Mr. Huang, I'm checking to see if the rain has stopped." I quickly think of one reason.
My President's surna is Huang, with the first na Tao, a very handso, fashionable man.
At the sa ti, he's a strange man who beca a father at the age of 18. His daughter has already started college this year. He's only thirty-six years old and is still swimming through the gals. He stays on the periphery amidst the embrace of news anchors and actresses.
CEO Huang doesn't seem to have any doubts about my reason. He nods and says, "You didn't bring an umbrella?"
The more you live, the younger you beco... Glancing at the president's hair which had been dyed chestnut, I honestly reply, "Don't have such a habit."
CEO Huang lifts his hand and strokes his chin.
"I have a few spare umbrellas in my office. Co over and take one."
"You prepared so many?" I ask in a respectful tone. After all, he's the one paying my salary, and it's quite sizable.
CEO Huang smiles and says, "It's from the few ladies from before. As you know, they always like to bring umbrellas with them."
You've extended the battlefield of your flings to the office? Didn't you say that the thing you're afraid of the most is letting your daughter know about this? Doesn't your daughter visit your office every week? I'm first left surprised before nodding.
"Alright."
CEO Huang doesn't say anything else as he turns and walks towards the door.
The way he's standing and how his body is posed gives a strange feeling. I believe that if I were to seize this opportunity and unleash my full strength, I'll definitely be able to backstab him.
Is this an Assassin's instinct? Just as I have this thought, I see CEO Huang stop in his tracks and turn his head back.
Did he sense my ill intent? My body stiffens.
CEO Huang seems to be deep in thought as he slowly asks, "How's your accent?"
"Passable," I mutter carelessly.
CEO Huang nods.
"Help pick up a VIP at the airport tomorrow morning. I'll get Old Ai to send you the details."
"Okay." I don't dare to say no.
After agreeing, I ask, "Mr. Huang, the VIP is a foreigner?"
"Yes." CEO Huang gives an affirmative reply.
At the ntion of this topic, I can't help but ask, "Mr. Huang, why are there so many foreigners around us? We even have to co up with a foreign na in the company?"
CEO Huang leans back slightly and says, "What is an international tropolitan city?
"This is it."
-x-X-x-
After borrowing an umbrella from CEO Huang, I decided to imdiately leave the company and return to my rented apartnt. I plan on testing out my new-found Assassin powers in what's considered the safest environnt.
I live in those old districts that haven't been spruced up. I spend nearly an hour commuting via public transport. The place is filled with old and shabby houses. It's completely different from the high-end buildings found in the new city districts. But living here is more convenient. Besides, the rent is quite cheap.
Since I'm clocked off on the dot today, and there wasn't much of a delay during the journey back and forth, it's still not yet six o'clock. Even if I settle my dinner near my neighborhood, I'll arrive ho before seven o'clock. It's in line with the habits of a modern person. Therefore, I didn't consider settling my dinner near the office. Instead, I rush to the bus stop with my umbrella.
This umbrella is colorful, and it has rabbit ears on it. It really isn't suitable for a stealthy man like ... I look up and run out the door.
One has to bow when under the umbrella after all.
By now, the storm has gone on for about ten minutes, and the ground is beginning to pond. If it were in the past, I would've stepped into a puddle and stained my shoes and pants with dirt and mud. But now, my feet are deft, sharp, accurate, and each step is light—I manage to keep my pants and shoes clean in the rain.
As expected of an assassin... I glance at the bus stop that's just a few feet away from . Just as I'm about to cross the non-motor vehicle lane, I suddenly see a man walk past without an umbrella or raincoat.
His hair is already wet under the heavy rain. His clothes cling to his body as they droop down, water streaming down continuously.
His image is so pathetic, yet his posture remains so relaxed. He isn't running at all. All he does is keep his hands in his pockets as he strolls forward.
Impressive... Due to the rain and the dark sky, I'm unable to discern his face clearly. I only watch him walk past .
Perhaps sensing my gaze, the man suddenly takes out a cigarette from his pocket and puts it in his mouth. He mutters softly, "Wimp."
"..." I dig my ear with my empty right hand.
Who is he talking about?
Forget it, I won't argue with a lunatic.
I'm in a good mood today.
I ignore the man, step up to the bus stop platform, and wait for my bus to arrive.
My luck isn't bad. It takes about a minute before Bus 35 arrives.
Taking out my travel card, I close the umbrella and rush forward.
Hearing the beep, I suddenly feel a little emotional.
If only the travel card can be stored on my phone's NFC, it would be more convenient... I only need to bring my phone when I'm out. Door locks, the subway, and public buses can all be resolved through my cell phone... If I switch my door lock to a fingerprint one, I don't even need to bring my keys with . That's what I call convenience... As I think about it, I find a seat.
Perhaps due to the heavy rain and that it's so ti after peak hour, there are still quite a few empty seats left on the usually crowded bus.
Unfortunately, the prerequisite for switching to a fingerprint lock is for to have my own house... My fantasy is defeated by cold reality.
In this international tropolitan city, with my salary, I don't know when I'll be able to afford a house if I don't get help from my parents.
I can't help but wonder how to use the powers of an Assassin to make money.
Take on assassin missions? No, it's illegal. Although I'm a real, powerful assassin now, I can't beat bullets. Besides, I don't know where to take on such missions either...
It's against the law to break into houses and steal. Besides, other people don't have their money dropping from trees, unless I can lock onto a corrupt official...
I have agile footwork, nimble limbs, and eagle-like vision. How do I earn money with these?
Be a security guard?
But how much can a security guard earn every month?
Or, try dancing? With this kind of control over the body, my dancing will definitely be very impressive. Then, I can do a live broadcast? However, I'm tone-deaf...
As I think through the possibilities, I suddenly feel a little depressed.
It wasn't easy for a miracle to fall from the sky, yet I can't use it to improve my life or earn lots of money with it.
It cured my short-sightedness at the very least. It's a dical miracle that can't be bought even with millions... I exhale slowly and tell myself not to be too greedy.
At this mont, I suddenly feel a chill.
It's not from the air-conditioning, but a coldness that pierced through my skin.
I turn my head and look to the side, only to see that there's no one sitting there.
My instincts tell that there's sothing invisible there.
Hiss, a ghost? I can sense ghosts after becoming an assassin? I first widen my eyes and carefully observe. Then, I retract my gaze and pretend not to notice anything.
If the ghost realizes that I can see it, I'm dood!
Assassins do not have abilities to deal with ghosts!
My body uncontrollably tenses up. I try to act as if nothing had happened, but I'm helpless.
The chilly feeling grows stronger, as if it's getting closer and closer to .
I look straight, but a vision appears in my mind.
A blurry man with a bluish-black face draws nearer and nearer to . He leans to my ear and blows his breath on my face to test my reaction.
This cold lasts for nearly a minute before it gradually weakens.
Before long, the bus stops and the two doors open at the sa ti.
The cold and terrifying aura disappears.
The ghost reached its stop? Even ghosts use buses to travel? Amazing... I relax and have a better understanding of the changes in my body.
I'm not surprised that there are ghosts because I have beco an Assassin. Everything is possible.
The bus stops along the way and I arrived at Ankang North Road 50 minutes later.
My rental apartnt is nearby.
Since the storm has stopped, I don't use the umbrella. I get off the bus and go straight for the place I had planned on eating while on the bus.
"Yuzhou Stir-fry."
There are many old shops in this old district that serve delicious food at cheap prices. This is one of them. If it weren't for the rain earlier, many tables would be set up outside.
Inside the store, I casually glance around.
"Eh..." I smile as I walk to a table and sit opposite a young man.
He ordered only a bowl of Yuxiang shredded pork and white rice. He's looking at his phone while eating with full focus.
"Not on a date?" I rap the table, startling the guy opposite .
He's my childhood friend, Peng Deng. Recently, he's also been working in this international tropolitan city. As I helped him find a place to live, we ended up living very close to each other. It's all in the sa neighborhood.
"How can I have a date when the weather is so bad?" Peng Deng looks up at .
He doesn't put down his phone and asks, "Want to play so ranked matches tonight?"
"I'm not free." I have no intention of playing gas right now. I just want to try the "Leap of Faith."
Peng Deng studies intently for a few seconds.
"You have a girlfriend?"
"I hope so too." I turn my head to the boss. "One stir-fried sliced beef, one tomato fried egg soup, and a bottle of Coke."
When sothing good befalls one, celebrations are in order.
-x-X-x-
Upon hearing my reply, Peng Deng lowered his head again. As he looks at his phone, he feeds himself and casually asks, "What else is there after work?"Don't you work overti if sothing's up?"Good question... I lean the umbrella and seriously think of an excuse.
Peng Deng is a typical smartphone zombie who doesn't even focus on eating. Most of his attention is on his cell phone, but he's actually a very sharp person. He's good at capturing details and can always easily see through my lies.
Of course, most of those lies were a product of not putting enough thought into it. They're more like jokes.
I can't tell him that I'm trying to jump off a building, right? After so thought, I rap the table.
"My boss wants to pick up a foreign guest at the airport tomorrow.
"And he'll only give the details at night. I'll have to make so preparations. I need to practice my accent and contact a driver to confirm the schedule. It's plenty of work."
"Yeah, yeah..." Peng Deng takes a bite of rice and the at shreds before swallowing it.
Then, he asks with a smile, "The Casanova boss you ntioned before?"
"I never said that." I outright deny Peng Deng's claim.
When he looked up at , I smiled.
"I said he fooled around.
"You mustn't make mistakes when passing judgnt."
"Tch." Peng Deng replies before looking down at his phone.
Before long, the dishes I ordered are served. One is stir-fried sliced beef, and the other is tomato fried egg soup.
The oil on the forr glistened, and the aroma of celery perfectly fused with the beef's aroma. The at was very tender, and its juices were salty, but not excessive. The sauce was filled with flavors, and with just one plate of this at, I could finish it with three bowls of rice.
The tomato fried egg soup is part of Sichuan cuisine. Lard is used first. After it's heated up, beaten eggs with water and salt are added to the mix until it's completely cooked.
This way, the fried eggs would be fluffier, and there will be a certain level of saltiness to it. Following that, water and processed tomatoes are put in, along with a few green vegetables.
Finally, the soup will have the obvious fragrance of oil and eggs, mixed with the sweet and sourness of tomatoes. The freshness of the green vegetables make the soup have the delight of a at soup, but without the cloyed taste at all.
Just as I drink a bowl of delicious egg soup, the boss walks over with a bowl of rice and a bottle of cold Coke.
"Ice Cock." I can't help laughing inwardly as I heard his accent.
Considering that I have to "jump off a building" later, it wouldn't be good to eat too much. I ultimately only have two bowls of rice. Of course, I definitely wouldn't waste the at and eggs.
At this mont, Peng Deng still has a third of his food left.
"Don't use your phone while eating; don't eat while using your phone." I stand up and give him a heartfelt lecture.
At the sa ti, I boldly pay only for my share.
Peng Deng and I aren't hypocritical friends who insist on footing the bill.
Furthermore, it's the end of the month. Finances are always a little tight during this ti of the month.
"F*ck, you didn't even give a bottle of Coke." It only took this long before Peng Deng realized it.
"I'm done eating." I pick up the umbrella leaning against the table.
"Extravagant." Peng Deng appraises my choice of buying a bottle of Coke. "Sothing good happened to you? Or are you moonlighting..."
Before he can ask , his gaze suddenly stops on the umbrella with the rabbit ears in my hand.
"Hey." He makes a strange sound.
"My boss lent it to . You know that he has many girlfriends." I understand what Peng Deng is thinking.
"How boring." Peng Deng turns his attention back to his phone again.
I enter the old compound of my rented apartnt after leaving the shop.
The tallest building is only six stories, so there aren't any elevators.
When I pass the entrance to the first floor, I catch a glimpse of the mailbox through the corner of my eye.
"Uh..." So mories churn, making walk over involuntarily and open the letterbox that belongs to Unit 602.
There's a postcard lying quietly inside.
Even without looking, I know that she was the one who had sent it.
She was a middle school classmate and high school classmate with and Peng Deng. She later went overseas for studies and is currently working in this city.
Her family background is good, and she often travels. From ti to ti, she'll send local specialties or postcards to friends in the sa city.
I hesitate for two seconds before picking up the postcard.
The back is indeed familiar as graceful handwriting is plastered across it:
"This is the famous Sedlec Ossuary around here..."
I flip the postcard and take a look. The pillars and walls that are lined with skulls make feel horrified.
Then, I feel that strange sense of holiness.
Shaking my head, I put away the postcard and return to Unit 602.
This is an old apartnt with two bedrooms and one bathroom. It has a history of at least 20 years. I live in a guest room, and a young couple lives in the master bedroom.
This couple are nice people. Not only do they have a sense of hygiene, but they often cook by themselves and invite to eat together. The only problem is that they quarrel at least twice a week. It's quite annoying.
I plan to move to stay with Peng Deng when the rental contract is over.
Of course, the prerequisite is that he hasn't started living with his girlfriend yet.
After putting down the umbrella, I go to the window of the guest room. I peek out and look outside, considering whether I should jump.
Although the rain has stopped, the sky is already dark and there aren't many pedestrians.
Sixth floor... Forget it, I'll go to the building with the small supermarket. I think it's better to be safe for the first ti.
It's only three stories.
This neighborhood is very old, and it has a large population. Hence, there are plenty of stores on the first floor. There are hairdressers, eateries, as well as grocery stores and repair shops. One doesn't even need to leave the compound to have access to these anities.
I change into black clothes as a protective color and take my keys and phone. I arrive at a small supermarket after circling the compound for a while.
I go up the stairs to the rooftop. Looking at the height, I finally feel confident.
When I headed downstairs just now, I tried to jump from one flight of stairs to the other. It greatly improved my confidence in the "Leap of Faith."
Waiting until there's no one below , I take a deep breath, climb over the railing fence, and pose in a ready stance.
It's raining and the road is very slippery. How about next ti?
If I fall and get sent to the hospital, I'll die a societal death if everyone misunderstands this as attempting suicide...
It's only three stories. There was nothing wrong with the feeling I had just now...
After so random thought, I raise my middle finger at myself and exhale slowly.
With a tremble, I leap up and adjust my body.
The speed I descend at is slower than normal. The wind turns into a blanket, holding up in silence.
This kind of slowness is only relative. I still quickly land on the ground steadily, without wobbling or splashing up the muddy water on the ground.
At that mont, I feel like a sharp feather.
What a marvelous feeling.
10 points! I praise myself.
Th-this is really too exciting!
I'm a true-blue assassin who has surpassed all mortals!
Heart blazing, I dash back to the building where my rented apartnt is.
I can't wait to test the Leap of Faith from the sixth floor.
The experience just now tells that six floors isn't a problem. If it's any higher, I'll have to be like Jackie Chan, finding items in the middle, like an air-conditioner, to break my fall, jumping down several floors at a ti.
On the way, I widen my eyes in an attempt to find any acts of sexual misconduct by hooligans, robberies by ruffians, or extortions by baddies. I want to let them have a taste of the power of an assassin, but...
Sigh, the security in the neighborhood is really good...
I sigh and head ho.
At this mont, my phone rings twice.
I take it out and discover that it's from my company's Old Ai. It's the information regarding our VIP.
Zaratulstra... what a complicated na. I smirk and decide on reading the details after another Leap of Faith.
Sigh, even if I'm an extraordinary assassin, I still have to work on stuff my boss instructs to do after work like, as the Japanese put it, a shachiku—a corporate cattle.
Otherwise, I won't be able to survive!
What can an assassin do? Buy a Spider-Man's mask and do a Parkour live-stream session? Without being in a rush to enter the bedroom. I once again think about how to make money using my assassin abilities.
At this mont, soone knocks on the door.
"Who is it?" I ask loudly.
"I'm here to check on temporary living permits!" soone outside replies.
I don't have it, goodbye... I lampoon as I walk to the door and look outside through the peephole.
Two people in police uniforms stand outside the door, with one of them standing in front, blocking the face of the other.
He has a receding hairline and his eyes are slightly gray.
For so reason, I suddenly quiver and feel inexplicably sad.
I open the door.
"My surna is Deng, and I'm the officer in charge of this compound," the gray-eyed officer introduces himself with a smile.
Then, he looks at the information in his hand.
"Zhou Mingrui, am I right?"
-x-X-x-
"Yes." For so reason, I'm restrained and a little sad—it's almost indescribable. It's as if soone had punched my nose. My eyes are sore and I'm about to cry.
I can understand the restraint. Apart from a few people, most ordinary people would definitely be rather cautious when facing the police. I'm no exception.
But why do I have the sudden urge to cry?
These emotional changes and fluctuations are beyond my expectations.
From what I know, such a situation wouldn't even happen to an extrely sensitive artistic youth.
Could this be the side effects of the Assassin potion?
Is this the price for obtaining superpowers?
I blink and control my emotions. Then, I hear Officer Deng say, "Your temporary living permit..."
Before he can finish, another officer whispers, "Captain, it's called a residence permit now. You've forgotten again..."
"Yes, yes, yes. I forgot." Officer Deng wasn't embarrassed at all. He smiled and said to , "Where's your residence permit?"
"I didn't apply for it." I didn't lie, nor do I wish to lie.
"This won't do." Officer Deng shook his head. "Although we won't do anything to you because you don't have a residence permit, this is still rather important. Before you beco a permanent resident here, if your child wants to study in a public kindergarten here, a residence permit is required."
"I don't even have a girlfriend." I smirk forcefully but politely again.
Needless to say, I don't have children.
"Even for you as an individual, a residence permit is very important. As you know, it's very difficult to settle down in our city. Apart from special talents that we let in or people who take different paths, your residence permit, under normal circumstances, needs eh... a few years. Anyway, it's a few years before you're qualified to apply for settlent. This is as important as paying for social security." Officer Deng added.
This makes feel the concern of an elder. I don't argue with him and nod.
"Yes, I'll get it done this week."
Officer Deng smiled and said, "Opposite to your compound is a police station that can help you in the residential application."
He then looks at .
"By the way, in the past two to three months, an illegal religion has been illegally proselytizing in the city. They also use the classic multi-level marketing techniques. They use more modern terms like a 'Fully Automatic Wishing Machine' to entice ordinary people to walk the path of evil. If you encounter them, make sure to be careful and rember to report it to us."
Fully Automatic Wishing Machine... My heart skips a beat at the ntion of it.
It sounds very similar to a vending machine.
However, no one tried to proselytize to back then!
"...Okay." I don't dare to show any hesitation. I think for a second before answering.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Officer Deng doesn't say anything else as he smiles and puts away the tiny notebook in his hand.
Just as he turns around halfway, he suddenly stops.
"By the way, I forgot sothing."
For so reason, my eyes blur upon hearing that.
"It's a joint tenancy, right? Who's living in the other room?" Officer Deng asks in a llow voice.
I close my eyes and calm my fluctuating emotions.
"It's a couple."
"A lady with the surna Sia, and her overseas boyfriend."
"I see." Officer Deng nods. "Rember to remind them to register their residence."
"Alright." I watch as Officer Deng turns around.
Only then do I see the officer standing behind him.
His black hair and green eyes make him look like a celebrity.
Green eyes? He's mixed blood? Or is he wearing colored contacts? I mumble inwardly.
The green-eyed officer looks at for a few seconds before suddenly smiling.
"That evil cult's ans are more secretive than you can imagine. It's very hard to defend against them.
"At tis, you won't need to pay any price to benefit from them, but believe , you will definitely suffer imnsely in the future."
My heart palpitates when I hear this fellow. I recall the Assassin potion and the "Leap of Faith" I obtained.
I got it for five yuan.
Could it really be that cult?
What do they want from after giving superpowers?
"I understand. I'll make a report." I try hard not to show my fear as I reply to the green-eyed police officer.
After sending them off, I return to the cramped guest room and sit down on the bed. I face the computer desk as I contemplate over what happened today.
It doesn't make much sense.
If that vending machine really was created by that cult, there's no need for them to hide. If they give every believer a bottle like the Assassin beverage, then they can rule the world!
Perhaps, there are restrictions?
But an organization that can obtain superpowers is definitely not simple. It's not sothing the likes of ordinary cults can achieve.
But what's the point of giving superpowers?
To get a fighter?
It's not like I'd go. If they dare to look for , I-I'll dare to call the police!
Money?
I'm just from an ordinary family in a small city. Although my family has a place to stay, in order to provide for my other two siblings, my parents haven't managed to save up much money. It wasn't until Benson and I started working that our family situation improved slightly...
After so thought, I pick up my phone and tap open WeChat. I find my brother, Benson Zhou, who works as a civil servant.
"B, did you offend anyone recently?" I send a ssage.
B is the nickna I gave Benson. It stems from the "B" in his na since he's balding.
"Who can I offend?" Very quickly, Benson replies. "I'm just a puny civil servant. I work cautiously every day, and I'm not a politician. I don't even serve the public at a window. Who can I offend?"
Before I can respond, he sends another ssage:
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"I encountered sothing that I suspect to be fraud, but I don't have anything worth being scamd of," I reason.
Benson replies one line at a ti:
"No matter how poor a person is, there's still value in scamming them.
"Who doesn't have any friends or family? If you don't have money, can't you borrow it? Borrow from the people around you or on the Internet. Get all kinds of micro-loans, and that adds up to a huge sum.
"Besides, you still have your body. Can't you sell your kidney, cornea, and blood?
"Besides, there are many female clubs nowadays. Who knows which custor would like your type..."
"WTF, stop scaring ." After sending this text, I quickly add, "Thankfully I didn't take the hit."
I don't want Benson to worry about my drinking of the Assassin beverage.
I have to be careful. I need to imdiately make a report to the police for any abnormalities around .
After chatting for a while, Benson reminds :
"Anyway, don't be greedy. Also, Sa Sa will be here before school starts. Rember to pick her up."
"Got it." I send him a popular emoji.
It's a monocle-wearing emoji: 🧐
After ending the conversation, I lose the urge to continue attempting the leap of faith. I sit by the bed, feeling a little frightened and worried.
After a while, I subconsciously pick up my phone and look at WeChat and QQ.
Among them, one of the QQ group chats has plenty of ssages.
It was a group that I built because we play horror and mystery gas. It's called the Tarot Club, and it's filled with other netizens.
I take a quick scan at it and see soone nad The Star send a ssage:
"Everyone, be careful. A mysterious cult has appeared."
-x-X-x-
Cult? My attention is imdiately drawn to this word.
"What has a cult got to do with us?" a group mber nad "Judgnt" asks.
"Mysterious? How mysterious?" a group mber nad "Justice" asks.
All kinds of ssages appear in the group. It's rather overwhelming.
I originally created this group when I was playing a horror, mystery ga. I invited friends who were quite good at the ga back then, and such gas often contain mysticism-related elents. Therefore, after the ga gradually lost its popularity, the group turned into a group that leaned towards discussing mysticism.
Of course, in any chat group, daily interactions take up the majority of the content, except for sex-related chat groups.
Amongst the mbers, the lady nad Justice is most curious about mysticism. From her daily conversations, I can tell that her family background is quite good and she isn't too old. I think she's a student.
After the group mbers are done asking, The Star types:
"That cult likes to attack ordinary people.
"Especially those who like mysticism!
"They will use all sorts of thods to allow you to obtain powers that exceed the limit of mortals. For example, the later it is at night, the more energetic you are."
"I already have this superpower!" a group mber nad The Magician replies excitedly.
She's also a girl. I rember her ntioning that she has a sizable inco from writing novels on a certain green-colored website, and is considered one of the phenonal writers there.
However, from the way she makes all kinds of suggestive comnts when she speaks, perhaps the green-colored website I'm aware of isn't the sa website she was talking about.
"Compared to the day, I prefer the night," says a group mber nad "The Moon."
What is this fellow trying to say? Is he like a night owl, or is he hinting at sothing? I scratch my chin, unable to read the thoughts of The Moon.
This fellow has always been like this. If you want to say that he has deep knowledge, he will post links regarding exquisite dolls in the group chat from ti to ti, asking everyone to help him at so price slashing site. It's obvious that he's so type of shut-in. But to call him naive and immature, he often says profound things. Whether it's Chinese dicine, Western dicine, or even all kinds of relatively unknown dical knowledge, he gives off impressive vibes with his theories and examples, even if I can hardly understand it.
Previously, he had diagnosed that one of our group mbers—The Hermit—had a rare disease. He successfully helped her recovery from an old ailnt of hers, making everyone see him in a different light.
The Star ignores The Moon and replies to The Magician:
"Then can you only sleep two hours a day?"
"I can, but I can only maintain it for a week. I have to catch up on my sleep after that. Furthermore, my body will feel like it's been run over by a car, with tire tracks on my face 😌," The Magician replies.
The Star continues:
"Anyway, the cult will first allow you to obtain Superman-like powers. For example, you can remain extrely energetic despite sleeping for two hours every day. You can see all kinds of spirits, jump off tall buildings without suffering any damage, and control flas, etc, etc."
"Isn't this good?" Justice imdiately replies.
The Sun, Judgnt, and Magician say:
"Isn't this good?"
" 1"
" 1"
I think for a mont and used my alternate account, The World.
" 1"
The Star sends an emoji:
"😬 A price is always exacted for what fate bestows."
"I didn't say that—Lu Xun.jpg." The Magician replies imdiately.
I suspect this is a subconscious reflex of hers.
"Is there really a power that transcends the mortal world?" Justice asks.
Clearly, she had imagined that The Star was joking.
Without waiting for The Star to respond, The Moon says:
"There are too many things in the world that go beyond your imagination.
"It doesn't an they don't exist just because you don't see them."
The Sun imdiately replies: "There's so mysticism that's real?"
"...Stop fooling kids 😤." a group mber nad The Hanged Man sends an emoji.
"That's right, that's right. There are still young schooling children. One shouldn't talk about the strange and supernatural to children or make suggestive comnts!" The Magician echos in all seriousness.
The Sun replies: "I-I'm already in middle school!
"I'm more than 1.9 ters tall!"
When everyone sees the claim of being 1.9 ters tall, everyone falls silent.
After a while, The Star sends an emoji:
"😓 In short, once one is bewitched by the cult and accepts their gift, they will definitely have to pay a huge price after joining them. I heard that so people went mad and got admitted into a ntal hospital. So of them committed suicide in various ways, dying rather hideously. Others transford..."
Before he can finish, he suddenly stops. His profile picture indicates he has gone offline.
"What transformation?" I ask with my alt, The World.
My main account is The Fool, a mature man worthy of trust. Therefore, I can't ask questions casually.
"Could The Star be held down by those cultists?" The Magician gives a very imaginative idea.
"Haha, how could there be such a thing? I'm talking about a mysterious cul-dfflfnejkd..." Judgnt is also a girl who always echoes The Magician.
After making this joke, The Star cos online again and says:
"F*ck, there was a sudden blackout just now. I had no choice but to switch phones.
"Well that's all from . I have to head out. I have matters to tend to.
"Anyway, there's no such thing as a free lunch, so don't eat it. Don't be bewitched by the cult.
"Bye~"
As The Star goes offline, I suddenly receive private ssages.
They co from The Hanged Man and The Hermit.
"Take note. I think The Star might be a mber of the cyber police."
"The Star might be a policeman. Be careful what you say in the group chat."
...It's really possible. To actually know about mysterious cults... I imdiately reply to the two group mbers:
"It's fine. We're not a cult 😏."
It's not like I'm always the one making suggestive comnts.
Most importantly, when discussing international and dostic situations, I would stop it in ti and send a picture that says "improper discussion about the imperial court is a cri that leads to death."
Glancing at the group chat again, I quit QQ and once again start thinking about what I should do.
After so thought, I'm still out of solutions. It's impossible for to spit out the Assassin beverage, nor can I vomit it out.
I can only pretend that I don't know anything and ignore recruitnt attempts of any cults. If I et them, I'll imdiately call the police... I force myself to focus on my savings and wallet.
At the thought of this, I imdiately free myself from my worries and begin to work.
This is about being a slave of society.
After confirming the flight details, the chauffeur, the hotel arrangents, and the pick-up sign, I do a round of oral practice.
By the ti I'm done with all of that, it's already ten in the evening.
I feel hungry.
I guess I'll go down and buy so snacks... I decide not to treat myself shabbily.
As soon as I walk out of the guest room, I hear a quarrel from next door.
Of course, it's mainly that lady nad Sia Tas, who's shouting at her overseas boyfriend.
Don't you get tired of that... Just as I'm about to lampoon, I realize that the quarrel is getting softer and softer.
Uh...
According to my experience, sothing inappropriate for minors will happen next.
Although I'm not a minor, I'm single.
After so thought, I return to my room, open the window, and jump onto the window sill before jumping down with great familiarity.
In the wind, my body feels light as if all my worries have been blown away.
After landing safely, I heave a sigh of relief. I feel like I've completely grasped the power of Assassin.
The area outside the compound I live in remains lively late into the night. There are a few barbecue stalls, so selling fried rice, so selling stir-fried noodles. So sell street food, like stewed at, cold vegetables, duck necks, and crayfish. People who pass by will unknowingly sit down or co in front of a stall before sadly putting on a kilogram.
Taking into consideration my little tummy, wait, my tummy seems to be missing!
That tiny tummy I've worked so hard to get from all my als is gone!
This is a change brought about by Assassin? I feel surprised once again.
This gives a lot more options besides the snacks. I can have barbecue food to celebrate.
Forget it. I have to restrain myself. If an assassin is 170 cm tall, but ends up being 100 kilograms, wouldn't my target end breaking out into a laughing fit when they see ? I slowly exhale and decide to go to the 24-hour convenience store.
To the left is a FamilyMart. To the right is Lawson. It's very unfriendly for an indecisive consur like .
I heard that Lawson has launched a few new types of ice cream recently... I recall and turn to the right.
Just as I enter Lawson, my eyes light up as I see a gorgeous woman.
-x-X-x-
As an international tropolitan city, there are definitely countless beauties dressed fashionably out on the streets. Even if I don't pay attention to them, I would often find won that catch my attention.
But even so, this person that's inside Lawson is a rare gem. I can't help but steal another look after seeing her.
Her brown-dyed hair cascades down like a waterfall, and two crystal-like accessories hang from her earlobes. Her eyes sparkle, looking as clear and beautiful as the eyes of deers in forests. She has plenty of charisma.
Out of courtesy and habitual shyness, I tear my eyes away from the girl and walk past her to the area where the fridge is.
During this process, I can't help but turn around to take a few more looks, but I suppress my actions to avoid offending her.
Hmm, which ice cream should I buy? I gaze at the transparent sliding door of the coolbox and fall into deep thought.
Recently, the more popular ones are "Fat Crabs," "Iron Cauldron Stew"...
Taking into account my successful "weight loss" and my need to prevent any rebounds, as well as my tight financial situation at the end of the month, I ultimately chose "Fat Crabs."
Then, I go to the neighboring room to get a bottle of chilled CR and a packet of cucumber-flavored potato chips.
All three combined form my supper for the night.
If it was the beginning of the month, I definitely would've bought more. I'll keep them at ho and eat them when there's a need. I don't have to go downstairs every ti, but there's no need to be so carefree with my expenses now.
CEO Huang had once said: "Don't let trivialities take up your most important liquidity."
Without any hesitation, I take my snacks and walk to the counter to stand in line to settle the bill.
At this mont, I suddenly sll a faint fragrance.
In the next second, I turn my head and see the gorgeous beauty walk past two rows of shelves. She smiles and says with her eyes shimring, "Can I add you on WeChat?"
? I arch my arms a little and express my puzzlent in my speech and pose.
I've never had girls ask for my contact details all my life!
"That's right." The beauty nods happily and says with a smile, "Your looks and temperant matches my taste. I want to get to know you."
If she were to praise for being handso or good-looking, I definitely wouldn't have believed her. However, it's not impossible that my looks and temperant matches her tastes.
Maybe she likes my type, right?
For a mont, I understand what it ans to be overwheld and flattered.
In the next second, I beco more wary.
Could it be so multi-level marketing sche?
Or so honey trap?
As an aficionado of legal shows, a fan of the Legal Report of many years, I am instinctively wary of good things falling into my lap.
As I hesitate, the eyes of that beautiful woman standing in front of fogs up. It makes feel ashad and guilty.
Perhaps it's not so multi-level marketing or honey trap... Even if it is, she's just adding on WeChat. It won't be a problem if I pay more attention in the future... I think for a mont and hurriedly say, "Alright."
I turn around and place the bottle of CR on the counter before taking out my phone from my pocket.
However, when I look at that girl again, she has already disappeared.
It's not as if I can't see her. I can still see instances of her back appearing through the cracks of the shelves.
...What about appreciating my looks and temperant... How did you have a change of heart so quickly? Just as this thought flashes through my mind, I heard a chi!
The door of the convenience store opens automatically, and a figure walks in.
It's Officer Deng who had checked on my residence permit in the evening, but he has already changed into casual wear.
He walks to the front desk and tugs at the bottom of his black jacket's bottom. He says to the staff, "A cup of coffee."
As he speaks, Officer Deng turns to look at .
"A-are you footing your bill?"
Before he can finish, he pinches his forehead.
"You are, you are Zhou, Zhou..."
"Zhou Mingrui, Officer Deng. We just t this evening," I reply with a smile.
At that mont, from the corner of my eye, I catch the woman leaving the convenience store.
She gave up striking up a conversation with and ran off in a hurry because she saw Officer Deng? Is she really involved in multi-level marketing or pulling a honey trap?? Feeling regretful and puzzled, I hand over the items in my hand to the shop assistant and say without minding, "Give Officer Deng his coffee first."
The shop assistant spends so ti making the coffee before giving it to Officer Deng.
He gives a friendly smile and heads out with the cup in hand.
After taking a few steps, he stops and says with a self-deprecating smile, "I forgot to remind you that the cult will use all kinds of ans to approach the target. Be careful."
Cult... Suddenly, I am aware of a possibility:
Could that beauty from before be from that cult?
She hit on because I drank the Assassin beverage and beca their target?
Th-this thod really makes it impossible to guard against! They actually used a honey trap! I'm alard. With Officer Deng about to turn around and leave the convenience store, I rush forward and say to him, "Just now, a woman wanted to add on WeChat."
Officer Deng doesn't laugh at . He asks very formally, "What does she look like?"
"Very beautiful, more beautiful than many celebrities..." I give a simple description and conclude, "I don't think I have the charm to make a beauty hit on ."
"Not bad. Many victims only get deceived because they feel that they are very charming," says Officer Deng with a smile. "We will track and investigate this. As for you, you should just try your best. Try not to speak to strangers as depicted in television dramas. Speaking is fine, just don't establish more connections."
My heart warms as I nod vigorously.
"Alright."
After seeing Officer Deng leave, I return to the counter to settle the bill. I take the snacks and walk to the entrance of my residential compound.
Along the way, after passing the barbecue stall, the strong fragrance inundates my nostrils again. It tempts to sit down and order a pile of food.
I sweep a glance, and I see a group of gangsters.
They're sitting on simple plastic stools at the barbecue stall, waiting for the food to be cooked.
Their hair is dyed in all sorts of colors, and it's obvious that they're punks following the scene subculture.
If it were in the past, I definitely would've upped my pace and widened my distance to avoid any unnecessary conflicts.
But now, I'm looking forward to them making things difficult for . I want them to have a good taste of an assassin's prowess.
Just then, one of the hoodlums glances at and stands up abruptly.
Holding a stack of paper, he jogs towards .
I'm thrilled and begin to imagine what pose I should put on later.
The charred yellow-eyebrowed hoodlum quickly cos in front of and says, "Hi there, perhaps you would be interested in Dream Tutoring Classes?"
Dream Tutoring Classes?
This developnt is completely different from what I expected!
As he speaks, the hoodlum hands a flyer to .
"Our Dream Tutoring Classes covers many topics. Even if you're already working, you can learn things from the courses to improve yourselves and even switch careers."
I blankly receive the flyer and subconsciously ask, "Are you a tutor?"
"Yes, I'm a foreign language teacher." The hoodlum smiles arrogantly. "My surna is Da."
Before he can finish his sentence, a few of the hoodlums shout, "Dani, the food is ready. It's ti to dig in!"
"**!" The hoodlum in front of turns around and flips his middle finger before running back.
I shake my head in disappointnt and wrap my snacks in the flier before entering my compound and return to my rented apartnt building.
As this place is old, there are a few lamps along the stairs that are out. So of the floors are dark. I have to take out my cell phones to turn on the flashlight function before I can see where I'm placing my feet clearly.
The surroundings are very quiet. My phone suddenly flashes a few tis, turning extrely dim.
At the sa ti, I feel a cold wind blow past .
-x-X-x-
As the cold wind blows, the flashlight on my phone dims. I shiver and my hair stands on end.
To be honest, after becoming an Assassin, even if there isn't any light, I can still see the surroundings clearly without worrying about what's on the ground.
But there's no conflict between being able to see in the darkness and my need for a flashlight.
Who isn't afraid of the dark?
At that mont, my heart beats faster, pounding like a drum.
Almost at the sa ti, I sense soone watching . The cold wind is the breath of a monster lurking deep in the darkness.
Recalling what happened on the bus previously, I pretended not to notice anything amiss and look down at my phone.
It's broken again?
I had previously encountered the sudden experience of my phone's flashlight dimming, but I was using a crappy phone. At this mont, the "experienced" habitually blad it on the phone.
After "checking" the phone and making the lights turn on again, I continue forward without anything happening.
The eerie wind is still lingering in the corridor. The light flickers in brightness, digging up the fear hidden at the bottom of my heart.
As I walk, I seriously consider what powers an Assassin has against ghosts.
The answer is:
Nothing.
Since I have nothing, I don't look forward to slaying evil or dealing with the possible existence of a ghost as if dealing with gangsters.
One step, two steps, three steps. I calmly walk up the flight of stairs and arrive at the top floor.
The lights in the building are working fine as they shine down with their yellow light.
Everything returns to normal.
Following that, the cold gust of wind stops. The light stops flickering. I successfully return to the sixth floor and stop at the entrance of my rented apartnt.
Phew, there's actually a ghost present here! I have to move out as soon as possible! This thought subconsciously flashes across my mind.
I don't feel any sha. This is an instinctual response that anyone can have!
However, if I quietly moved away, Sia Tas and her boyfriend would definitely not know what's happening here. They'll continue living here. Who knows whether the devil might pester them... Also, there are twelve units in this building. It's impossible for to inform every household, right? Also, how do I say it? Ghosts? Who would believe ? I hold my key, montarily held in a difficult spot.
Quickly hire a capable Daoist priest or monk to exorcise the ghost? But I don't know any. Before today, I didn't even know that there are supernatural powers in this world. It was all fantasy... Yes, the Tarot Club's The Star knows that the mysterious cult provides all kinds of superpowers, which ans he has a certain level of understanding in such matters... Will he know a few masters who are good at busting ghosts? Phew, I'll give it a try. If there's nothing I can do, I'll make an anonymous call to inform the police. I'll post a flyer that ntions how this place is haunted at every household's door, No, not flyer, a bulletin... I quickly co up with a plan.
As for the outco, I don't have any demands. After all, I don't have any experience in this area. Besides, I should prioritize protecting myself.
Opening the door, I enter the room and return to my room. I think for a while before logging on to QQ and entering a private chat with The Star.
Uh, The Hanged Man and The Hermit suspect that he's a mber of cyber police. If I were to directly look for him, he will definitely be able to find my IP address and lock onto my identity... Just as I'm about to type the ssage, I rember the warning from two other mbers of the Tarot Club.
After tinkering for a while, I use a proxy and use my alt, The World, to say to The Star:
"🧐 Are you there? I have sothing to ask you."
"...Don't use that emoji. It scares ." Star replies quickly.
"Why?" I ask.
The Star says:
"😅 This emoji has beco popular recently. It's very strange.
"Furthermore, sothing tragic happened to a family last week. Everyone in that family wore a monocle and died in different places. The only survivor was a girl who went mad from the trauma. She repeatedly tells people not to go near her.
"I suspect that those who use this emoji will be targeted by an unknown existence. They will automatically put on a monocle and commit suicide or kill each other."
"Don't scare 😲." I reply, unsure if I should believe him.
"Haha, it's just a joke. The monocle in this emoji is on a different eye from the tragedy. Furthermore, there are thousands of people using this emoji. Which unknown existence can keep an eye on everyone?" The Star switches to asking, "Why are you looking for ?"
I directly say:
"My area is haunted. Do you know anyone who's good at ghostbusting?"
"I'm very good at that." The Star replies without hesitation.
Then wouldn't I be exposed? I quickly send an emoji:
"😃 I won't trouble you for the ti being. You seem very busy.
"Do you have anyone else that you could introduce to ?"
"Yes, a lady, a dium. She's skilled in techniques from overseas, but I can guarantee that it's effective. There's another foreigner, a priest. He's also good at setting up exorcism rituals." The Star replies.
"They're all foreigners? You don't have Daoist priests or monks to introduce?" I'm more trusting towards local ones.
The Star replies:
"I only know foreign ones!"
"Okay. Who's better?" I had wanted to ask who's cheaper, but considering how soone cheap might not do the job, I don't dare to skimp on that.
The Star imdiately says:
"Ma'am Da."
"I'll give you her QQ number. Add her directly and contact her.
"XXXXXXXXXXXXX."
"Okay, thank you." I quickly copy the QQ number and paste it into the search box.
Ma'm Da's QQ na is "SleepingWithCorpses," and adding her requires one to answer a verification question: "How old are you?"
How old? This question is strange... Do I need to use a countersign? I'm puzzled for a mont. I take a screenshot and send it to The Star.
"What's the answer?"
The Star replies:
"Just answer that you're an adult."
"What's the aning of this? She doesn't entertain underaged clients?" I'm confused.
"No. She just wants to determine the extent she can go in the conversation." The Star answered simply, and then used an image to supplent it: Open to suggestions, ready to be suggestive.
"..." For so reason, I'm at a loss on how to respond. I fill up the verification according to The Star's answer and fill in "Adult."
Da doesn't seem online. I didn't get added even after a few minutes. After thanking The Star, I use snacks to console myself.
After eating and drinking, I head to the bathroom outside to wash up and prepare to head to bed.
Ma'am Da still hasn't added .
I switch on the bathroom light and turn on the tap. I reach for the towel.
Turning around, I suddenly see a figure in the mirror.
That figure is blurry. Vaguely, I see it wearing a small hat. It's a woman in a black dress.
Clearly, this isn't my projection!
It can't be Sia Tas, who wears pajamas as ho!
Instantly, my mind explodes and I hurriedly retreat.
"Don't be afraid," the woman in the mirror says in an ethereal voice. "Soone hired to protect you."
"Who?" I ask subconsciously.
The figure in the mirror replies calmly, "A detective nad Sherlock Moriarty."
-x-X-x-
Sherlock Moriarty?
Sounds like a foreigner...
Moriarty... seems to be the professor in Hols... Sherlock seems to be Hols's first na... This detective is using a fake na, right? It has a style reminiscent of coming up with a na when creating a ga avatar... Perhaps he isn't a foreigner...
I sense sothing from the ghost in the mirror and ask after so thought:
"Who is he?
"Why does he want to protect ?"
At this mont, due to the other party's ability to communicate, my sense of fear has been greatly reduced.
I've beco an Assassin. Isn't it normal for ghosts to exist in this world?
It isn't hard to accept sothing that goes against common sense!
Besides, it's not like I didn't sense sothing on the bus on the way ho.
The blurry woman wearing a petite bonnet in the mirror replies in a flat voice, "Soone wants to harm you."
She didn't tell who Sherlock Moriarty is. Why does he want to protect ... It looks like it's a secret. What is it that can't be said? Many thoughts flash through my mind.
Suddenly, I think of a possibility and blurt out, "That cult wants to harm ?
"Sherlock Moriarty is their archenemy?"
That makes sense!
Otherwise, I wouldn't believe that soone would send a female ghost to protect for no reason, unless it's the police who serve the people.
The female ghost in the mirror falls silent for two seconds before nodding indiscernibly.
"You can put it that way."
At that mont, I feel a subtle change in her eyes, but I can't decipher what emotions are contained within them.
Under normal circumstances, a person without any training would more or less reveal their emotions in their eyes. This would help understand their attitude.
But the entity right in front of is a ghost.
More importantly, the things that can be discerned through the eyes most of the ti are the more intense fluctuations in emotions or unconcealed emotions. Not only is the female ghost in the mirror blurry, but she also has a mosaic over her. Furthermore, her emotions are very mild, almost as though she's emotionless.
After pondering for a mont, I probe, "Which people around are from the evil cult?"
The female ghost in a black dress opens her mouth.
"They..."
Her voice becos increasingly ethereal as it turns weaker and weaker.
Following that, a fine layer of snow appears on the surface of the mirror, just like an old television that has its reception hampered.
The female ghost vanishes amidst the static.
This...
What happened?
I'm not afraid of ghosts anymore, so why did the ghost disappear instead?
Did sothing happen again?
I turn wary and look around, but everything's normal.
When I look back, the mirror has returned to its original state, reflecting my fearful and blank face.
Splash.
The water from the tap gushes out incessantly.
Unconsciously, I grab my wet towel and wash my face.
Nothing has changed.
At the sa ti, I don't sense anything unusual.
Yes, no matter what, I still have to brush my teeth... I force myself to stay calm.
Since things are already like this, what's there to worry about?
After brushing my teeth and wiping my mouth, I return to my room.
The mont I enter, I feel an indescribable feeling.
My eyes are drawn to my cell phone, which I have set on the computer table.
It seems to be the source of all the abnormalities.
Instinctively, I charge over, wanting to hurl the phone out of the window so it's far away from .
However, it's very expensive. I changed it not too long ago... I don't know if there's sothing wrong with it... I'm already an Assassin, and there's the female ghost protecting . What's there to be afraid of? I console myself, walk over, pick up my phone, and plaster my fingerprint on it.
After unlocking the screen, the first thing I see is a ssage:
'SleepingWithCorpses has added you.'
In the next second, my cell phone darkens suddenly, and the lights around seem to be attracted by this bottomless pit. They are all thrown into the pitch-black darkness.
Before I can react, the faint light on my phone ripples, revealing a translucent face that's without any eyes, nose, or mouth.
"There's a ghost in your room."
The mouth of the face opens and closes, revealing a long and bright red tongue. There are five slender fingers at the tip of the tongue, and embedded on the two sides are rows of irregular sharp teeth.
Don't tell you're not one too? I have the urge to give such a reply, but I hold myself back.
Recalling the ssage I just read, I ask with a slightly trembling voice, "Ma'am Da?"
Impressive!
She really is psychic and can control ghosts!
"Yes, I've already made so initial restrictions via the ssenger. That ghost won't affect you tonight, and I won't have the chance to suck you dry." The translucent wobbles shook. "I'll co personally tomorrow morning to deal with it. Give the address."
"Tomorrow morning? I have work to do." I am thrown into a dilemma.
CEO Huang wants to pick up the VIP at the airport!
If I stand him up, I will lose my job!
"Work? Is your boss beautiful?" Madam Da asks through the translucent face.
"He's a guy," I point out the truth.
"You like n?" Madam Da asks without pause.
"How is that possible?" I deny it, amused and exasperated.
"Since that's not the case, why are you still in the mood for work even though you're haunted by ghosts? Or perhaps, you have a female colleague that you have a crush on? You can't skip a day of seeing her?" Madam Da scoffs.
"...Can't it be because I'm poor? If I don't work, who will take care of ?" I have a nagging feeling that I'm being led astray by Madam Da. The conversation is filled with logical errors.
Although I have so savings, it's not a lot, and I have to pay for the exorcism.
Of course, I'm in the mood to work because the female ghost hasn't shown any malice.
Madam Da's translucent face opens its mouth and says, "What about your family?"
"They aren't well-off," I answer frankly.
"Uh... how are your looks?" Madam Da asks another strange question.
"Average." I feel lost.
"Height?"
"A little over 1.7 ters."
"Strong?"
"Ordinary."
"How big?"
"Huh?"
"How big is that thing of yours?"
"Hey!"
"It's like this: I can introduce you to so part-ti work. The other party consists of rich and idle mature ladies. They value young people very much. They're willing to provide the necessary help and beco friends with mutual benefits. Do you want to consider them?" the translucent face rambles on.
"...Auntie, am I just going to give up on my hard work?" I roughly understand what the other party was talking about.
"As long as you understand." The translucent, terrifying face lets out a suspicious laugh.
"I don't plan on doing so," I say without hesitation.
I have my integrity!
Madam Da doesn't bother with the topic and instead says, "Then, when will you get off work tomorrow? Let's schedule an appointnt."
"Nine in the evening." I include the possibility of working overti.
"Alright, give the address. I'll contact you on QQ when the ti cos." Madam Da's translucent face yawns.
This lady's extraordinary performance has exceeded the limits of my knowledge, so I no longer have any doubts about her abilities. I imdiately give her an address and ask, "Eh... Eh... How much will it cost?"
"The basic cost is 20,000 yuan. The price can go higher depending on the difficulty. If you can't afford it, you can consider the part-ti job." Madam Da is rather direct.
I recall my savings and feel a wave of pain.
"What's the maximum it can go?"
Why don't I just forget it?
Besides, the female ghost doesn't seem to have any ill intentions.
"The highest it can go is 50,000 yuan," Madam Da calmly says.
"50,000. Only 50,000?" I'm surprised.
The translucent face snorts.
"I'll give up missions that exceed 50,000. Money is nice, but I need to be alive to spend it."
"... Okay." I see myself on the brink of bankruptcy.
"By the way, I'll give you a docunt. You can download it and read about how to get along with ghosts." The translucent face slowly slides back into the phone.
Then I see SleepingWithCorpses send a BitTorrent seed.
I open it and realize that there are a few videos in it. They're quite large in size and are nad "1," "2," and "3."
Due to the seriousness of the matter, I don't hesitate and turn on my computer to download it.
While I initiate the download, I start playing gas to pass ti.
After a while, the download completes. I open the video file nad "1."
In just a few seconds, a title appears in front of :
"A Chinese Ghost Story."
"I..."
On the glass window, a blurry female ghost wearing a long black dress appears. She holds her cheek with one hand and quietly stares at the computer screen.
User Comments
0 comments from readers