Chapter 3, The Mysterious Heart
The gap in the door widened, and a strange odor wafted over from that direction. Shu Yu inhaled deeply and was horrified to discover that it was the smell of blood! A very, very strong smell of blood! At that moment, he finally saw the hand propping up the door, which looked just like a melted blood-red candle, continuously dripping liquid down.
Old Ding continued to mumble indistinctly: "On you... I feel... cough cough... where are you hiding, quickly take it out..." As he spoke, he groped around Shu Yu's body, drops of blood and flesh falling onto Shu Yu, the stench mingling with the smell of alcohol, making him feel utterly nauseated
In this way, having only a tipsy uncle's dormitory management room truly counts as a good place
It suddenly became soft and liquefied, rapidly seeping into Shuyu's body, disappearing without a trace
The door was opened, and Shu Yu couldn't help but take a step back, pressing tightly against the wall
In the blink of an eye, that blood-red heart flashed through Shu Yu's mind. Is that what Old Ding has been searching for all these years? With his knowledge and expertise, has he stayed in the Zero dormitory all this time just to find this thing? What exactly is this thing?
The new box's material is unknown; it feels somewhat warm to the touch, only slightly cooler than the warmth of Shuyu's palm. This box is deep red, adorned with various shades of spots. As Shuyu's fingers gently rub against it, those spots turn to powder, falling down with a rustling sound. A sudden realization strikes Shuyu: these spots are not the box's patterns, but the same bloodstains!
He covered his face, rolling on the ground, screaming in agony as if he were experiencing some inhuman suffering. Shu Yu sat up, using his hands to support himself as he stepped back a few paces, looking at him in shock.
Shu Yu couldn't help but curl his lips upon seeing it, thinking, what is this? Another box inside the box!
The school is primarily focused on the Evolvers, whose main course is "Application of Abilities." The study of cultural subjects is merely supplementary, and there are no facilities such as study rooms for students to catch up on cultural subjects. Moreover, the dormitory at m.hetushu.com is too noisy, making it quite difficult to find a place conducive to quiet study.
Old Ding seemed to truly feel it, as he made his way to Shuyu's chest, pressing down on the center of his chest. That face, melting with flesh and blood, actually revealed a look of ecstasy, as he shouted loudly: "I can feel it! Right here! I'm going to get it!"
Shu Yu gritted his teeth, his legs kicking violently, trying to throw him off. Lao Ding's scream was so intense it felt like it could tear apart: "I finally found it, it's right here, right here!" At that moment, his scream was completely devoid of any cough, his nails digging deeply into Shu Yu's chest, as if he wanted to forcibly tear him apart and excavate something from within him.
Shu Yu took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and asked: "Old Ding, what happened? What is wrong with you?"
On the wall beside the button, there is a reddish-brown stain that Shuyu immediately recognizes as the color of dried blood. Perhaps the sealed space has halted the passage of time, allowing this bloodstain to stubbornly maintain its form for hundreds of years, as if hinting at the extremely dangerous situation that once existed.
... ...
Shu Yu paused for a while, gathered his courage, and pressed the button. The lid of the box popped open effortlessly, revealing the contents inside
He circled around, repeatedly probing with questions, sometimes asking Lao Ding if he still recognized him, and at other times inquiring about past events. Lao Ding would occasionally engage in some tangential conversation, but he never got to the crux of the matter.
However, no matter how familiar one is with admiration, hearing his voice in such moments and under such circumstances can only be described as an extremely terrifying experience
... ...
The voice was faint, lacking in strength, yet very familiar. After a moment of thought, Shu Yu called out, "Lao Ding! Is that you, Lao Ding!"
As if there were a call from the void, Shu Yu cautiously brought his hand close to that heart, wanting to feel whether it was beating or still. The moment he touched it, the "heart" suddenly melted away!
Old Ding is their dormitory manager, who is usually disheveled and reeking of alcohol, appearing as if he is destined to drown in a bottle. He often isolates himself in his room, drinking to a stupor. He pays no attention to any of the responsibilities of a dormitory manager, such as attendance checks or package deliveries. As a result, the students in the Zero dormitory are completely left to their own devices, and they treat him as if he does not exist
Is he pretending! This is bad! Shu Yu was taken aback, desperately trying to lift him, but the joints were pressed down tightly, making it impossible to lift him for the moment
Blood gushed from Shu Yu's chest, mingling with the blood that Old Ding had dripped onto him. His vision darkened, and he could not help but let out a cry of pain
Is this Old Ding, or is it some monster in disguise?
In most cases, the uncle that Shu Yu sees in the dormitory management room falls into one of two situations: either he is out buying alcohol or he is inebriated. Regardless of the situation, the dormitory management room remains unlocked, and no one interferes. Over time, this led him to develop a habit of studying in the dormitory management room
... ...
Shu Yu reluctantly opened his eyes and saw Lao Ding seemingly pushed by something, falling to the ground and lying on his back.
Shu Yu noticed that his movements were slow and his mind unclear, and the feeling of fear gradually faded away. That thing had already entered his body; he did not know exactly what it was, nor did he know what it would bring him. He must find a way to ask Old Ding about it.
Shu Yu was stunned by the successive sounds, momentarily forgetting the strange heart that had seeped into his body. Especially the scream that occurred right beside him, piercing and tragic; just by hearing this sound, one could not determine what kind of entity was outside, what kind of horrific events it had encountered, or what kind of suffering it was enduring.
What is inside? He picked up the box and gently shook it, but there was no sound inside. He turned it around; the box was smooth and even, with a fine seam in the middle and a button on one side. Upon seeing that button, Shu Yu's heart suddenly skipped a beat!
However, Shu Yu is relatively familiar with him. Shu Yu has always been the top student in the grade, even outshining the student known as the "Star of Hope" by the school, Princess Wageri, in terms of academic performance. He possesses some talent, but such grades cannot be achieved solely by attending classes. Yet, he has a tenacity in his character, often studying hard alone while others are playing.
The dormitory manager in front of me could barely be recognized as a human figure; his entire body resembled that hand, as if he were about to melt into the ground at any moment, looking extremely terrifying. He dragged his feet step by step towards Shu Yu, mumbling to himself: "What have you found... quickly give it to me... cough cough, I have been searching for so long, for so many years..."
Old Ding's fiery eyes fixed on him, murmuring: "... ... give it back to me ... ..."
Shu Yu was unaware of what had happened above, so he glanced up. Lao Ding had been moving very slowly, and he had gradually let his guard down. However, at the moment he turned his head, Lao Ding suddenly lunged forward like lightning, twisting and pressing, effortlessly pinning him to the ground
... ...
Shu Yu was taken aback. Inside was no longer a new box; instead, within the deep red casing lay a blood-red heart, quietly resting! At first glance, it seemed as if the heart was still beating, with thick blood vessels at the top appearing ready to spill fresh blood at any moment. It was a vivid red, as if it had just been extracted from a human body. But upon a closer look, it felt tranquil, lying there quietly as if it had already endured countless years.
Shu Yu clutched his chest, forcing himself to stand up, suppressing the nauseating urge rising within him. He kicked Old Ding over with one foot, staring at the sight of him rolling and screaming in agony. He did not think it through in detail, but a voice deep inside told Shu Yu: Watch him die! Do not let others know what you have gained!
Old Ding's mind seemed to be unclear, as he kept repeating his name, asking him to return his belongings, yet he never specified what exactly he was looking for
A hand groped along the edge of the door, accompanied by the voice of a middle-aged man: "Shu wwwhetushucom .com, is this Shu Yu..."
Shu Yu truly felt the threat of death at that moment. He recalled the techniques taught by the teacher during physical education class, such as counter-grappling skills, but Lao Ding was clearly far more familiar with these techniques, effortlessly subduing him as his nails dug deeper and deeper.
The space behind the wall is not very large. As he reaches in, he immediately touches a box! The sensation at his fingertips is cold and smooth, as if it is a completely unadorned metal box
Amidst the conversation, there were intermittent coughs, and blood bubbles continuously oozed from the corners of his mouth, yet his pair of eyes shone with astonishing brightness, as if ghostly flames were burning within them
Old Ding occasionally finds himself sober; previously, even during such times, he would ignore Shu Yu's presence. Gradually, as their encounters increased and familiarity grew, he would sometimes interject with a remark while Shu Yu was studying—utterly unlike his usual style, yet strange and philosophical in nature
His hands trembled slightly as he held the box, but he gritted his teeth and opened it.
Give it back to me ! ! !
Yet this monster's vitality is exceedingly tenacious; it has been so disfigured that not even a face remains, yet it still reaches out its hand towards Shu Yu, bubbles of blood escaping its mouth. Although no sound is emitted, Shu Yu seems to hear its words:
The noise from upstairs is growing louder; in addition to the continuous screams, there are also booming sounds.
Shu Yu looked around, hoping to find a corner to hide in. However, this was just an empty room, with absolutely no place to conceal oneself.
... ...
Moreover, Old Ding seems to know a great many peculiar things, often bringing them up casually in conversation. Shu Yu is not entirely sure whether this is true or not, but it does not prevent him from being captivated and filled with admiration.
The door creaked open with a soft "squeak," and Shu Yu pressed tightly against the wall, anxiously gazing in that direction
The box is approximately three inches square, just slightly smaller than the hole in the wall. Shuyu's curiosity was piqued, and he smashed the wall open a bit more, eagerly pulling it out. Under the cold and dim light, the shape of the object was clearly visible. It was larger than what he had previously felt, square and solid, with smooth edges. Holding it in his hand, it felt somewhat heavy; it was indeed a silver-white metal box
... ...
He hesitated for a moment, the cries of anguish continued unabated, and it seemed as if someone was dragging their feet towards this door. A layer upon layer of cold sweat broke out on Shu Yu's back, and an indescribable fear surged from the depths of his heart
Previously, Lao Ding appeared as if he were about to melt, but it seemed as though only the outer layer was melting, much like wax adhering to the walls of a candle. Now, he resembles a candle wick engulfed in flames, beginning to melt from head to toe. First, it was his short hair, then his face... Completely melting away without leaving a trace, except for the bright red blood flowing; there was nothing else! Melted completely clean! Completely melted away without leaving a trace, except for the bright red blood flowing; there was nothing else! Melted completely clean!
Bloodstain
That thing is right outside the door! It is going to open the door!
The mingling of the stench of blood and the cries of anguish created a scene reminiscent of hell. Shu Yu was gritting his teeth and enduring it all. The screams grew fainter, and before Shu Yu's eyes, Old Ding gradually dissolved into a pool of blood, which flowed steadily, along with his clothes, becoming part of it.
Old Ding drew closer, leaving behind small drops of blood on the ground like snail slime, reaching out his hand towards Shu Yu. Shu Yu turned around him and shouted, "What exactly do you want me to return to you? How would I know if you don't say anything!"
In the next moment, Shu Yu further confirmed the identity of this "monster"; it was indeed Old Ding! The smell of alcohol, which was almost melting into the blood vessels, could not be faked!
In the next moment, a piercing and tragic scream suddenly erupted from a place very close outside the door, while at the same time, countless exclamations came from upstairs
Suddenly, a louder scream erupted before him
Hearing Shuyu's response, the door was pushed open a little. Old Ding mumbled, "Shuyu... it really is you here... cough cough, have you found something? Show it to your uncle..."
This is indeed a monster
Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief and left the place, covering his chest. The basement, old and poorly maintained, was uneven and littered with collapsed debris. Shu Yu stumbled his way out, and just as he escaped the basement, he saw a shadow coming down towards him!