UNTIL DEATH UNDOES US

The automatic doors of Valtox Hospital slid open, and in walked four figures: Marcos Rullo, Sam Grhurl, Rex the Ghostbuster Dog, and Kayo Shiranui.

A few head doctors blinked in confusion. "Who are they?" one murmured.

But just then, a chorus of gasps echoed through the lobby.

Phones, tablets, and TV screens across the hospital flashed with headlines and viral footage—videos from the Shiding Village ghosthunt in Taiwan. The dramatic battle, the spiritual explosions, and most notably…

Rex's fire-sneezing scene.

"Wait—aren't those the ghostbusters from Taiwan?"

"Oh my god—it's them! That's the dog that sneezes fire!"

People swarmed in:

"Can I take a selfie?"

"Could you please sign my biography?"

"Tell us how you did it!"

"Are you guys like… some kind of super ghostbusting squad?"

"How did you all meet?"

"Do you also have super powers, like your dog?"

Amidst the recognition and fan buzz, someone raised a louder question:

"Wait, who even summoned them here?"

"I DID!"

Nurse Regina's voice cut through the noise like a bell. The crowd turned toward her as she folded her arms.

"Now can everyone please get back to work? We've got serious ghost business to handle."

Silence fell. The crowd slowly dispersed as Nurse Regina led the ghostbusters and the top hospital staff—including Head Doctor Walter Cage—into a private control room, accompanied by a few members from the Paranormal Universe Investigation Bureau (PUIB).

The group huddled around a monitor showing surveillance footage. The moment of truth.

"Play it," Regina said.

The footage rewound. They watched—frame by frame—the CCTV officer alone in his booth. Then, the red and grey ghostly figures appeared outside Ward C2—where Richard and Danny had been earlier. The duo drifted away before Regina herself exited the ward.

Seconds later, the red one returned—then lunged. The officer's body jerked, then slumped, neck twisted unnaturally.

They played the audio log. The officer's radio crackled with his final call for help.

"Those figures…" Regina whispered. "They're ghosts."

She stepped forward.

"We also have a patient—Richard—who claims he's been haunted by a red-dressed, pale girl with claws. She was his friend… before she disappeared in a car crash."

Gasps rippled across the room.

"I believe him. He's not hallucinating. Everything happening here is not a coincidence."

Heads nodded. The room was silent.

Then Doctor Cage turned to Marcos.

"What do you think?"

Marcos crossed his arms. "I agree with my cousin Regina. This hospital… is officially haunted. And the cause centers around that Ward C2 patient."

"Then let me ask you this," Cage said. "Do you think you and your internationally recognized team can handle this one?"

Marcos and Sam exchanged a glance.

"Piece of cake," they said together with a grin.

A moment of confidence filled the room—until Kayo Shiranui spoke.

"Excuse me," she said. "Can you rewind the footage—pause on their faces?"

They did. The blurry shot froze.

Kayo stared. Her eyes narrowed. She snapped her fingers.

"We are in real trouble."

Everyone turned.

"I know that grey one. The scythe. It's… too familiar. Back in Japan, my late parents once told me of ghost legends. Once every century, a female ghost appears who wields a weapon like that. And when she does… she isn't just deadly."

Kayo took a breath.

"She's ambitious. A ruler. A hunter. A being of vengeance."

She turned away.

"Be cautious. Be serious."

Everyone was frozen in shock. A few trembled. Some fainted. One nurse collapsed with a heart attack.

Then—

"ACHOO!"

Rex sneezed. His muzzle had been removed earlier during the media attention.

At first, just smoke. Everyone stepped back.

"Wait… did he lose his fire sneeze?" someone whispered.

Rex sniffed. Inhaled deeply.

"AAAACHOOOOO!!"

A roar of ice breath blasted from his nostrils, freezing a wide path in front of him. A boulder of ice formed in the middle of the room.

"What the…?" Marcos knelt. "Rex! You okay?"

Rex tilted his head in confusion, tail wagging.

One last soft sneeze—poof!—a wisp of smoke.

"What's wrong with you, Rex?" Marcos asked.

Sam answered, wide-eyed.

"Back in Shiding… an old man told me this isn't a temporary ghostbusting side effect. It's a permanent gift."

A young doctor filming the whole thing muttered excitedly, "Rex just got new powers… I'm posting this one too."

—

Meanwhile, at Ward C2…

Richard stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Hey man…" he whispered.

Danny turned from his seat. "Yeah, bro?"

"…Do you think Brianna is a bad person?"

Silence.

Danny looked at him but didn't respond.

Outside, the red warning light above the ward blinked faintly.

Everything,was about to change...

To Be Continued...