Lost in the Otherworld

The air-raid siren let out a mournful wail three times before abruptly cutting off. The mist that cloaked the village began to dissipate, the entire process lasting less than a minute.

During that minute, the five people hiding in the house felt their hearts gripped in terror.

“What… what are they doing?” Fat Jun's face was ashen, his speech faltering with fear.

“It seems the cycle is repeating,” Gao Yang guessed.

One of the villagers moved first, taking a step forward like a soulless husk. Soon, the others followed, each walking slowly and silently in the same direction.

Qing Ling was the first to notice something wrong, her sense of direction razor-sharp. “They're encircling us!”

Dread washed over Gao Yang. I should have foreseen this! But now it’s too late!

In under a minute, more than fifty villagers had gathered in front of Hua Zi’s yard. In the moonlight, their faces appeared ghastly pale, their expressions lifeless, exuding an eerie and sickly malady, like the walking dead. Their vacant stares were all fixed on Hua Zi’s tightly shut door.

The air grew heavy, like the sea before a storm—silent yet brimming with an ominous undercurrent. They were waiting, waiting for the first crack of lightning to unleash the storm.

“What… what do they want?” Fat Jun stumbled backward in fear.

“How many are in Hua Zi’s family?” Gao Yang asked.

“Five, four men and one woman,” Officer Huang replied.

“Oh, I get it! That’s exactly how many we are!” Wang Zikai exclaimed, smug with his realization.

“The cycle starts again, from the night of the wedding,” Gao Yang clenched his teeth. “They’re… here to wipe out the whole family!”

He should have realized it earlier. Hua Zi’s family had been slaughtered by the village’s beasts. Only then would the bodies have been torn apart like that. But why had these villagers suddenly transformed into beasts and attacked Hua Zi’s family? And after the massacre, why did they seem to forget everything?

Many questions remained unanswered, but none of that mattered now. The only thing that mattered was survival.

“Run! We have to run!” Fat Jun’s voice was choked with tears. “We can’t beat them! We’ll die… we’re all going to die!”

“There’s no time,” Qing Ling drew her blade, having fully grasped the situation.

“If we go outside now, we’ll die even faster!” Officer Huang pulled out his gun, making a quick decision. “Ever played a tower defense game? Hold the house! Kill them as they come! Aim for the head and heart! Gao Yang, Fat Jun, guard the back windows! Qing Ling, Wang Zikai, the three of us will defend the front door!”

“No problem!” Wang Zikai dashed to the door, assuming a battle stance.

Qing Ling stood to his left, gripping her blade in both hands, crouched and ready to strike.

Officer Huang positioned himself behind them on the right, gun raised to cover the two. He turned and shouted to Gao Yang, “Turn on the lights! They may not need it, but we do!”

Gao Yang immediately switched on the lights and quickly shut his eyes.

[System Activated]

[Alert: You are in danger. Luck point gain multiplier increased to 100x.]

[You currently have 72 luck points.]

—Unlock talent.

[Unlocking talent costs 60 points. Proceed?]

—Hurry!

[Unlocking talent…]

[Unlocking talent…]

[Unlock failed.]

—Damn! It never works!

—Put the remaining points into Agility!

[Your Agility has permanently increased by 12 points.]

[Stamina: 27 Endurance: 28]

[Strength: 17 Agility: 39]

[Mental Power: 137 Charisma: 47]

[Luck: 132]

Gao Yang opened his eyes. Whether it was psychological or not, he felt lighter, quicker.

Given his current state, once he borrowed ten seconds of Qing Ling’s Blade God talent, he would be practically useless. The boost in his other attributes was minimal, but if his agility improved, he might avoid a few more attacks, creating more opportunities. At least… it might help him delay death a little longer.

From outside, hurried footsteps echoed. Officer Huang shouted, “They’re coming!”