The Haunted Game Designer

Sitting directly under the living room light, Gao Ming carefully examined two black-and-white photographs, trying to find some clues.

"The 'home' mentioned in the memorial portrait should refer to the world where Weird Father and Weird Mother reside."

"The first photograph says I have become the 'head of the family' and hold the key to opening the door to the home. The key it describes shouldn't refer to a specific object, but rather an ability — like the games I create becoming reality."

"Weird Father and Weird Mother entered reality through the games I created. The parents might not be their actual forms, but merely manifestations they took on upon descending into reality."

Gao Ming wrote down the words they and them in his notebook. He still couldn't be sure what exactly the other party was.

His head throbbed, and he pressed his fingers against his temples. "All the abnormalities happening to me are related to that tunnel! Once daylight comes, I'll go investigate thoroughly — maybe I can find some answers."

Looking at the second black-and-white photograph, only a few minutes had passed, but the image of Qi Yan in the memorial portrait had changed. Cracks had appeared all over his body, and his expression had become even more terrified.

"Is Qi Yan's consciousness — or rather, his soul — being dragged into the world where Weird Mother resides?"

"In less than three minutes, he's already on the verge of being played to death. It seems that 'home' is extremely terrifying."

Gao Ming put away both memorial portraits and quickly dialed the police. He didn't want Qi Yan to die in his house.

"Hello, I need to report a crime — the Raincoat Killer is in my home."

After a brief pause, the operator's voice became noticeably tense: "Are you being held hostage? Don't panic, and don't make any sudden moves. Is he near you? Have him state his demands — your safety is our top priority!"

Glancing at Qi Yan, whose head was bleeding, bound hand and foot, and having drunk the potion, Gao Ming pondered for a moment. "Just hurry over — if you're late, he might not make it."

While waiting for the police to arrive, Gao Ming searched the news on his phone.

Logically, the disappearance of all passengers on a bus should have made the news — yet he couldn't find any reports.

He checked the bus schedules for the night of the Ghost Festival. The official website stated that all buses had been suspended due to heavy rain.

"If all buses were suspended, then what bus was I on that night?"

Having worked as a psychological counselor at Henshan Prison for repeat offenders, Gao Ming had seen all kinds of lunatics. To avoid being influenced by abnormal thinking, he always forced himself to stay rational. But at this moment, a new thought emerged in his mind.

"Something's wrong with this world."

With suspicion in his eyes, everything began to seem off. Gao Ming browsed through the recent news.

"Hanjian, the hub of nine provinces; New Hu, the city of smart technology; Hanhai, an international metropolis — all known for their excellent public security, orderly public life, rich cultural heritage, and harmonious citizens. These cities have been jointly selected as this year's Model Human Civilization Cities through a fair and objective evaluation! They promote the spirit of charity and lead the trend of virtue and kindness! Now, let's welcome Mr. Situ An, Vice President of the Hanhai Charity Association, to give a speech..."

"Breaking News! Riot at Henshan Prison for Repeat Offenders! Multiple inmates injured! Three missing!"

"Breaking News! The only ninth-generation amusement park in Hanjian City caught fire in the early hours, lighting up the night sky. The fire was extinguished by dawn. No visitors were injured, but the park suffered heavy losses and is temporarily closed."

"Breaking News! Multiple vicious incidents occurred last night in Hanhai's old district! Citizens are advised to exercise caution when going out!"

Scanning through the headlines, Gao Ming's brows furrowed. "Unusual incidents are happening frequently, with secret forums and private media spreading all kinds of rumors. Who knows if they're true or not?"

Rain pounded against the windowpane. The shrill sound of police sirens cut through the rainstorm, and hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. Soon, someone pounded forcefully on the living room door.

"They're here!"

Gao Ming opened the door, and several fully armed police officers rushed into the living room. Their eyes immediately fell on Qi Yan, who was bound with professional technique.

"Did you subdue the suspect?" Li Lin raised his hand, signaling the others to search the room. A trace of doubt flickered in his eyes. In all his years as a police officer, he'd never encountered such a situation before.

Before a psychopathic serial killer's identity is confirmed, they are the most terrifying presence—because anyone around you could be the killer. But once the culprit is identified, they are nothing more than a mentally deranged beast." Gao Ming poured himself a cup of hot water. "My name is Gao Ming. I used to work as a psychological counselor at the Hengshan Maximum Security Prison."

"You are very brave, but I don't recommend putting yourself in danger. Before dawn, do not open the door to strangers under any circumstances." The Rainy Night Killer had been caught, yet Li Lin's expression remained grim, something that caught Gao Ming's attention.

"Could it be that the Rainy Night Killer had an accomplice? That doesn't make sense. From a psychological perspective, serial killers of this type tend to act alone."

"Several cases have occurred in the Old Town Port District over the past three days. What you saw on the news is only what you were allowed to see." Li Lin didn't finish his sentence, but the reality was even worse than he implied. A terrifying atmosphere had engulfed the Old Town for three consecutive days—homicides happening one after another, with crime scenes so grotesque and brutal that they seemed beyond human capability.

"All of these murders happened within the last three days?" Three days ago was precisely when Gao Ming had taken the bus into the tunnel—the moment when all the anomalies had begun.

"Stay home tonight, don't take any risks. Protect yourself, and protect your family." Li Lin was about to say more when sudden footsteps echoed in the hallway. A man with a disfigured face, wearing a black ring-shaped communication device on his left arm, rushed inside.

Seeing the disfigured man, Li Lin's brows furrowed even deeper, but he made no attempt to interfere, as if they belonged to different organizations.

The man didn't greet Li Lin. Instead, he scanned the room before heading straight to the bedroom. Just as he was about to enter, his black ring-shaped communicator malfunctioned, emitting a harsh static noise.

After a brief but unsuccessful attempt to fix it, the disfigured man hurriedly left.

"That guy isn't one of yours, is he? How does he have the authority to participate in the operation?" Gao Ming couldn't shake the feeling that the disfigured man looked more like a criminal than a police officer.

Li Lin shook his head slightly and answered in a low voice, "He's an investigator from Xinhu City, but I have no idea what exactly he's investigating."

"Investigator?" Gao Ming, having worked within the prison system, had never heard of that title before.

Li Lin didn't elaborate further. Their mission was to capture the suspect, and they weren't equipped for medical emergencies. Considering Qi Yan's current condition, Li Lin asked Gao Ming a few brief questions before leading his team away.

Gao Ming closed the living room door again and sat down on the couch. Too much had happened recently—there was no way he could sleep.

"I wonder when this rain will stop."

Listening to the ticking of the clock on the wall, Gao Ming took out the two obituary photos once more. Cracks had spread across Qi Yan's black-and-white photo, as if his life was reaching its end.

"This feels like a card game—except the living are turned into cards, while something eerie plays the game."

Gazing at his own colored photo, Gao Ming comforted himself, "Visually speaking, my own obituary photo should at least be a rare card, right? But people like me, with so many parents, never get to be the protagonist in novels."

...

Stepping out of Building No. 4 of Lijing Apartments, Li Lin looked up through his raincoat hood. The entire complex appeared dark and oppressive—only Gao Ming's room had a single light on.

"Xiao Liu, check the background of that psychological counselor right now. He's acting way too calm."

"He wasn't lying. He really is the youngest psychological counselor at Hengshan Maximum Security Prison. A legitimate medical school graduate, and even a licensed neurologist authorized to prescribe medication. However..." Raindrops splashed onto Xiao Liu's phone screen. "Psychological counselors at maximum-security prisons undergo a mental health evaluation once a month. They can only work if they meet the standard. His most recent evaluation showed an issue—it must be a system input error."

"What kind of issue?"

"His danger rating exceeded the maximum limit of the testing device."

The last book of this eerie world—one final chance to make amends.

The protagonist will be the last one to walk out of the darkness.

A new journey begins, let's go!

(End of Chapter)

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