ICSST CH125: Risk

The zombie’s skin was already tight, but its eyelids suddenly twitched, causing the skin around the sun emblem—where the staff had struck—to contort horribly. It stared at the two humans before it with hatred and malice, as the bathroom light above flickered violently.

After flickering several times rapidly, the bulb suddenly burst with a pop.

“Don’t damage public property.”

Relying on the boss’s presence, Zhou Qi’an recklessly turned on his flashlight.

Shining it around, the newspaper zombie had already vanished without a trace.

Zhou Qi’an stepped forward, his foot landing on broken glass.

A drop of liquid trickled down from the ceiling.

Within seconds, more and more thick, sticky drops fell—like a waterfall of chocolate.

Looking up, the old light bulb had somehow been replaced by a rotten human head. The flashlight illuminated it from below, its eyes staring down blankly, frozen in unyielding resentment and terror at the moment of death.

Zhou Qi’an stepped back, needing to shine the light more clearly.

“It’s the new Manager Wang,” he confirmed.

The boss acted so fast his movements were a blur, swiftly removing the head.

The moment the head was taken down, Zhou Qi’an received a system notification.

[Congratulations on completing your first ghost exchange kill.]

[Deceased identity: Manager Wang

Tonight, Manager Wang and other managers were dining at a KTV across the city. Manager Wang, poor with alcohol, passed out on the sofa; others were drunk and enjoying themselves.

After some drinks, his body was discovered.

All managers are under investigation by private security and will not appear at the company before 8 PM tomorrow.]

This meant the company environment would be relatively safe during the day.

[Main mission: Slay ghosts (1/3)]

Zhou Qi’an drew another conclusion about the newspaper boss’s trait: he was honorable.

No matter what schemes he hid, he had to fulfill his promise of handing over heads.

“I’ll handle the rest,” Zhou Qi’an requested the head from his boss, while flattering him, “You go get some rest.”

In the midnight bathroom, he shouted a loud slogan: “Everything for the company!”

The boss was pleased with his dedication.

It was time to sleep; tomorrow they had to meet the owner of the Gluttonous BBQ Shop and have a good meal.

The bathroom now had only Zhou Qi’an.

He took the detergent and approached the sink, taking off his bloodstained shirt.

To be safe, blood should be cleaned up.

Looking at the stains on the wall and floor, Zhou Qi’an messaged Shen Zhiyi.

In the cold, quiet midnight, Shen Zhiyi quickly arrived; ethereal singing echoed from the washing room.

Zhou Qi’an carefully washed his shirt. His exposed back bore a centipede-like wound, and because of accelerated healing from the potion, it looked more like a dark red occult tattoo, emanating a sinister aura.

Hearing footsteps, Zhou Qi’an didn’t look up but said, “Clean up the bloodstains.”

When Shen Zhiyi steadied him, he got some blood on himself and later could help clean the bathroom floor.

Their focus differed: the young man washed clothes half naked, and Shen Zhiyi found it hard to look away from such beauty.

After a moment, regaining composure, Shen Zhiyi seemed to want to explain something about the shadow: “I…”

Outside, relentless rain fell. Zhou Qi’an hung the washed shirt on the pipe and turned on the tap.

“Your identity, your power, these are your personal secrets, no need to explain to me.”

Shen Zhiyi frowned: “Qi’an…”

“But…” Zhou Qi’an shifted, looking at him sideways, “The part related to me, I should have the right to know.”

His eyes were like the vanished moon tonight, arching gently: “You’ll tell me, right?”

A dangerous tactic.

A trap.

Laced with conscious or unconscious seductive allure.

Shen Zhiyi understood Zhou Qi’an’s game in an instant.

He nodded: “Of course.”

After thinking, Shen Zhiyi delayed: “After this instance.”

Having got the answer, Zhou Qi’an left with the shirt and Manager Wang’s head. Upon returning, the blood around the bathroom and staff dormitory had been cleaned.

Shen Zhiyi stood still, like a layer on top of the clean mop—seeming almost untainted.

With only hours till dawn, sleep awaited. Zhou Qi’an, sure nothing was missed, prepared to rest.

He bid good night for the second time tonight.

Shen Zhiyi: “Good night.”

On the way back to the dorm, Zhou Qi’an messaged Qiao Song: [Detergent is at your door.]

Pocketing his phone, he sighed, thinking he was quite the competent leader.

---

The night passed under torrential rain; the next day everyone still rose early.

Qiao Song, wearing clean clothes, solemnly thanked Zhou Qi’an. He still occasionally scratched his back; the itch wouldn’t subside.

Under Zhou Qi’an’s watch, Qiao Song gave a helpless smile, showing his wound still had a gap that would not heal, emitting faint rot.

“Treatment potions differ from antitoxins,” Qiao Song lamented, but with two days left, hope for escape remained.

He asked, “How are you?”

Zhou Qi’an: “Just a red mark left.”

Likely none of that would remain before leaving.

“…” Too much.

As people began discussing the day’s schedule, Zhou Qi’an checked the time and said, “Let’s go somewhere first.”

The elevator descended to the ninth floor.

Yuan Zhenshu had some mental scars here; the first group leader killing players was still fresh in memory.

Zhou Qi’an was calm, first to exit when the door opened.

This floor was noisier; above the office door, a human head hung from a beam.

The hole from the broken window two days ago hadn’t been fixed; wind blew through, making the head sway slightly. Occasionally, blood dripped, sounding like a swinging wind chime.

The ninth group leader looked pale, her beautiful makeup failing to hide her anxiety.

She was worried the head’s presence would cause trouble and didn’t understand how the executive could be decapitated.

“God.”

Behind her, exaggerated voices sounded.

Seeing the new employees, the ninth group leader was about to vent frustration when Zhou Qi’an, fast as lightning, appeared beside her.

His slender fingers brushed her neck, barely touching the fine hairs standing on end.

“Your head is very beautiful.”

Zhou Qi’an said gently, “You must protect it well.”

As he spoke, his eyes briefly glanced at the hanging head above, politely asking, “Need me to take it down?”

The ninth group leader’s face stiffened but was intimidated by Zhou Qi’an’s cold gaze.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhiyi only moved his finger; a cold wind swept over the woman.

Burdened by guilt, the ninth group leader was silenced.

Zhou Qi’an put his hands in his pockets.

Only supervisors have real authority to make unreasonable demands; older employees mostly give time-consuming orders.

As long as they don’t resist, their lives won’t be threatened.

They lacked instance knowledge on day one and took a loss.

After showing their strength, Zhou Qi’an nodded to the others, signaling it was time to leave.

The older employees probably suspected the deaths of Manager Wang and Zhou Qi’an were connected but were unsure how Zhou Qi’an escaped unharmed.

Word would spread; next time they might think twice before causing trouble.

As the elevator closed and descended, players felt a release of tension.

But Zhou Qi’an’s next words brought them back to icy reality:

“Last night, the newspaper boss tried to kill me.”

After a pause, Qiao Song broke the silence, barely controlling himself: “This guy…”

He resisted cursing; the boss actually betrayed them?

Zhou Qi’an stopped there, reminding to be cautious with the newspaper boss later.

He gave no reason for the betrayal.

Qiao Song fell silent then said, “Theoretically, the dangers in Hao Hui Sha Group are only the bosses.”

Killing the day’s boss would suffice; they had found ways to deal with residual blood. The main mission only said “slay ghosts,” without specifying targets.

Using the heads of players who faked death could act as substitutes.

As for the knocking ghost, without opening the door, they could do nothing.

Zhou Qi’an’s gaze landed on the middle-aged woman. Calmly: “Don’t forget the corpse on day one.”

The hidden corpse appearing in the hall was likely the newspaper boss’s doing.

If they wanted to bypass ghosts and settle bosses themselves, it would be difficult.

“This is the terror of monopoly.”

Truly the monopoly of murder.

“…”

Everyone thought hard, realizing survival by exchange kills was the instance’s set path; trying to alter it manually was nearly impossible.

The overcast day lacked the unique vitality of dawn.

Unlike before, no one relaxed leaving the scary group.

The ghost market and Hao Hui Sha Group—the former was more dangerous.

According to yesterday’s arrangement, players not going to the Human Experience Hall today had to scout the shop.

Sixth Master cheerfully asked, “Swimming pool or barbecue?”

“Barbecue,” the boss pushed up her glasses, sounding dignified, “The pool is too large; barbecue’s difficulty is relatively lower.”

Sixth Master stroked his beard, “Not necessarily, three ghosts have no fixed order. Probably not much difference.”

Chen Su: “Barbecue then.”

Horror challenges involving food usually create disgusting scenes that lower sanity, so are considered dangerous yet more predictable than the pool.

Yuan Zhenshu agreed.

Sixth Master nodded, “Barbecue then,” then mused, “Insurance sales…”

Ghosts must be killed, but sales cannot drop to zero.

Qiao Song volunteered, “Leave it to us.”

On the way, Zhou Qi’an said little, immersed in thinking.

He pondered: Only three ghosts had to be killed, but survival days totaled six. Exchange kill opportunities were unknown, could be day one or much later.

If ghosts were killed early, could they then safely coast?

That chance was nearly zero.

Currently, Zhou Qi’an had two guesses: The knocking ghost may be the final test, and killing it ensures safety; or there were other unknown dangers.

At this moment, he deeply longed for the simpler four-star instance.

“I really want to experience being raised by a low-star instance.” Zhou Qi’an thought bitterly.

Who stole his low-star life?

He glared at nearby players: “Thief.”

All thieves.

Besides Shen Zhiyi and the boss, five others: “?????”

…

Under Zhou Qi’an’s resentful gaze, they finally returned to Fengdu Street.

By day, the street had rare signs of human life. Fewer tourists than before, but like a normal downtown.

At the crossroads preparing to part ways, Zhou Qi’an and Shen Zhiyi walked together, leaving first.

Behind them, several eyes watched with mixed feelings.

Yuan Zhenshu whispered, “Chairman…”

The newspaper boss wouldn’t betray without reason. Zhou Qi’an kept the secret, adding mystery.

Most people here moved emotionally but held back out of respect for Zhou Qi’an.

Chen Su said slowly, “He already said the important parts.”

The newspaper boss’s betrayal contrasted with Zhou Qi’an calmly speaking before them, revealing many problems.

Others experienced the same fleeting greed then rationality.

Observing these changes, the boss watched coldly.

In a dangerous environment, intense trust and affection form quickly.

Dependence, obedience, and fear build up, deepening the “imprinting effect.”

Don’t know why his brainless employee does these shady things.

…

On the busy street, Zhou Qi’an passed Fengdu Daily, which could now be called Night Newspaper.

He stopped, looking up.

As he admired future assets, Shen Zhiyi and the boss’s thoughts seemed to align: “Why bother wasting effort on a bunch of useless people?”

Zhou Qi’an smiled.

Old players were ruthless; full imprinting was impossible, but some affection was necessary.

“Chen Su is from Baichuan. If she’s connected to the Whalers Association, that would be interesting.”

Why didn’t the Whalers Association intervene, letting others do the work?

Especially after threatening on forums before acting—seemed like a bad move, with other motives.

Zhou Qi’an suppressed the doubt, saying, “The major associations are few. These players look well-connected. After one failure, the Whalers may contact others.”

If even a little conscience remains, they’d warn him.

Always keep a backup plan; whether to use it is another matter.

Zhou Qi’an’s main goal was clearing the instance, and more cohesion couldn’t hurt.

“The deeper the instance, the more dangerous. We can’t relax today; insurance sales must improve.”

Shen Zhiyi nodded, eyeing a direction: “The traffic there’s heavy.”

Zhou Qi’an glanced toward a restaurant: “Good, breakfast first.”

“…”

Life needs moments to relax.

Shen Zhiyi never refused Zhou Qi’an. Soon, they arrived at a rich-looking restaurant.

Having inherited a shop, Zhou Qi’an generously waved: “Order whatever you want.”

Just as he picked up the menu, his phone buzzed.

He glanced carelessly:

[Here is the perfect food, enough to explode your taste buds and shock your soul. Gluttonous BBQ Shop customized delicacies, welcome new and old friends! Share after reading to get a free tasting voucher.]

It was a message from Yuan Zhenshu.

Zhou Qi’an ignored it, guessing they were participating in a share event before entering the BBQ shop.

“Want soup dumplings?” he asked Shen Zhiyi.

“Anything’s fine.”

Many customers were at this restaurant. After a wait, steaming hot soup dumplings arrived, stimulating appetite.

Zhou Qi’an picked one up, discussing how to boost insurance sales later.

His phone buzzed again.

[Here is the perfect food, enough to explode your taste buds…]

The same message, this time from Chen Su, an ordinary text laced with a strange chill that made the phone’s metal case feel even colder.

Zhou Qi’an frowned, sensing trouble.

Less than two minutes later, a third message arrived: [Here is the perfect food…]

The message from Sixth Master was even incomplete.

He dismissed the thought that they were just sharing for tasks; these looked like distress signals. Looking at Shen Zhiyi’s phone, he saw similar group messages.

Zhou Qi’an hesitated, then called the only boss whose line was silent.

[The number you dialed is out of service.]

“It’s trouble.”

Putting down the phone, Zhou Qi’an’s tone grew serious.

Whether it was monsters seizing phones, faking identities to send messages, or players sending calls for help, it confirmed one thing: the last group had trouble.

Thinking this, Zhou Qi’an’s expression turned strange. With the boss present, it made no sense that four strong players would fall in one BBQ shop within half an hour separation.

“Let’s go check it out.”

The deal with the newspaper boss must be completed; it’s survival’s foundation.

On the way, Zhou Qi’an and Shen Zhiyi exchanged messages.

Almost immediately, they received a message from an unknown number:

[Congratulations on obtaining a Gluttonous BBQ Shop’s Big Eater Challenge Ticket x1]

[Expires: Before midnight of X month 10]

[If the ticket expires, the owner will resend until the guest participates successfully]

People were all around; Zhou Qi’an kept reading, a trace of confusion in his eyes: “Shouldn’t be.”

It was still daytime; the BBQ shop shouldn’t be as hard as the Human Experience Hall.

Teacher Shen analyzed enthusiastically: “You’re right. Risk is lower for the ghost market during the day, but only under certain conditions like spread risk.”

If they went, the risk lessened.

“…”

Don’t play word games!

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