Chapter Two: The Haunted House Mission System

Tang Ya’s head was wreathed in black flames, her jet-black hair bristling and rising wildly. A streak of utter darkness radiated from her, rapidly spreading in all directions and instantly filling the entire cell.

The gaunt body of the ghost-faced lizard was instantly ensnared by an endless mass of black hair, coiling tighter and tighter. The creature twisted violently, struggling with all its might, clawing desperately in an attempt to sever its bonds.

In the next moment, the surging black hair gathered in midair, forming a blade of pure darkness. Within her domain of hair, Tang Ya moved with lightning speed, swinging the blade so swiftly it was imperceptible to the naked eye.

In the blink of an eye, the monster was sliced to pieces.

Tang Ya seized the mangled remains, drawing them greedily into her mouth. In no time, she had devoured the creature whole, and the cell returned to its former state.

Shang Yi stood by, utterly dumbfounded, his eyes glazed in shock. “So this is the combat strength of a Red-Clad Ghost? Unimaginable!”

“That emaciated monster—could it have crawled out of the prison guard’s body?”

As confusion gnawed at him, a line of text floated before his eyes:

“At the moment of crisis, you chose to trust the stranger Tang Ya. Ghost House Mission System successfully activated.”

After reading the message, a system interface appeared in Shang Yi’s mind.

Dreamland Amusement Park, Haunted House, Western Suburbs of Donghai City

[Nine Yin Mountain Prison Scenario]

Beginner Mission: Disguise.

Mission Description: In this hostile prison, disguising yourself as a prison guard is the first step to survival.

Completion Requirement: Find a way to disguise yourself as the dead prison guard—Lizard.

Mission Hint: The mission progresses in stages. Each correct action in a stage will be rewarded by the system.

After reading the mission description, Shang Yi generally understood the logic of the system.

He turned to the headless corpse of the prison guard, knelt, and quickly stripped off the uniform, putting it on himself.

He also found a ring of prison keys, a pair of handcuffs, and a walkie-talkie with an earpiece.

The system displayed another message: “Congratulations, you have completed the first step of the disguise.”

“You have acquired a monster-restraining item—Demon-Breaking Blade.”

“You have learned the skill: Ghost Hand—your hands channel spiritual energy, allowing you to arrange corpses quickly and achieve desired effects. By applying a corpse’s facial skin, you can swiftly disguise yourself.”

As the message faded, a metallic scalpel appeared in Shang Yi’s hand. The blade was broader and thicker than a standard scalpel, its spine set with serrations.

Simultaneously, a flood of cosmetic and anatomical techniques from the Ghost Hand skill poured into his mind.

He approached the guard’s severed head and wielded the Demon-Breaking Blade.

Minutes later, he had peeled off an intact mask of the guard’s face.

He pressed the skin onto his own face and, using the Ghost Hand skill, quickly molded his features. In seconds, he was the spitting image of Lizard, the prison guard.

The system presented another message: “Congratulations, you have completed the second step of your disguise.”

“You have learned the skill: Ghost Tongue—your tongue channels spiritual energy, allowing you to swiftly mimic any voice you have heard.”

When the Lizard guard had entered the cell earlier, he had spoken. Shang Yi recalled the voice and, using Ghost Tongue, repeated the phrase.

Hearing that his voice was indistinguishable from Lizard’s, he was finally reassured.

At that moment, he saw Tang Ya step onto his shadow, point at the corpse on the ground, then at her own stomach, and finally rest her hands on the side of her head, miming sleep.

Shang Yi didn’t understand the meaning of her gestures and was about to ask, but Tang Ya’s body gradually grew transparent, vanishing into his shadow.

Just then, the walkie-talkie in his uniform pocket crackled to life.

He quickly put on the earpiece and heard a voice announcing, “Attention all units, this is the Warden. Today’s live prisoner experiment is about to begin. Doctor Gao, are you ready?”

“Doctor Gao here, received.”

“Lizard, are you there? Bring the prisoner directly to the physical examination room.”

Knowing he needed to respond, Shang Yi immediately replied in Lizard’s voice, “Lizard here. Understood.”

Another system message appeared: “Congratulations, you have completed the beginner mission—Disguise.”

“You have unlocked Portable Space—Inventory: You can place any item into your portable space and retrieve it at will.”

“You have learned the skill: Left Eye—close your right eye, and your left can see ghosts not yet manifested.”

Shang Yi located the portable space in his mind and tried storing the Demon-Breaking Blade. Sure enough, he could store and retrieve it freely and efficiently.

He closed his right eye, and with only his left, saw a ring of red light flickering at the edge of his vision.

Looking at his own shadow on the ground with his left eye, he saw a vortex of black mist swirling restlessly.

At the vortex’s center was a faint, tiny symbol.

Shang Yi stared at it for a few seconds before discerning what it was—a number: 5%.

Recalling Tang Ya’s gestures, he deduced her meaning.

After consuming the lizard monster, Tang Ya needed to hide in his shadow to digest. The percentage seen by his left eye must indicate her digestion progress.

A notification sounded, and Shang Yi entered the mission interface in his mind.

[Nine Yin Mountain Prison Scenario]

Main Mission: Escape.

Mission Description: Use all available resources in the prison to break out.

Completion Requirement: Kill all monsters in the prison and escape alive.

Mission Hint: Prison map and monster introductions.

Shang Yi clicked to view the prison map and monster details, at last comprehending his situation.

The prison had four levels: the current ground floor of cells, and three subterranean levels.

Basement One held two examination rooms and the warden’s office.

Basement Two contained the medical storeroom and surveillance room.

Basement Three housed the armory and power room.

Apart from the dead Lizard, there were twenty other guards in the prison.

Each guard was possessed by a monster.

If an ordinary guard died, a monster would emerge.

But the Warden and Vice Warden could summon monsters even while alive.

The system gave no background on the monsters, only that no human could contend with them.

Only Tang Ya could deal with the monsters—but she was still slumbering in his shadow.

Shang Yi looked around the cell and, finding no cameras, quickly formed a plan.

He exited the cell. The dim corridor stretched on, deep and foreboding, like the maw of a beast.

Guided by the map, he soon arrived at Basement Two.

Entering the surveillance room, he saw a guard dozing before a bank of monitors.

Hearing the door open, the guard rubbed his sleepy eyes and stared blankly at Shang Yi.

“Lizard? What are you doing here?”

Shang Yi put on a mysterious air. “I came to tell you a secret…”

“Oh? Now you’ve piqued my curiosity.”

He approached the guard, leaning close to his ear. “Here’s the thing…”

Shang Yi drew the Demon-Breaking Blade, pressing its tip to the guard’s throat. “Don’t move. Put your hands behind your back.”