Chapter 3: Unpleasant Experiences

A sharp cry echoed, and Jiuming raised an eyebrow, realizing that if the sound could reach him, the person must be nearby. After surveying the surroundings and noting the local pathways, Jiuming made his way toward the source of the sound.

Having come to this realization, Bao Yingjie felt his hands and feet turn cold. The night was dark, the road slippery, and society was complex. He had not watched the news on television, but he had hardly missed anything on the computer. In any case... can the two types be compared?

Wait! It seems there isn't even anything here to start a fire. Oh my goodness, are we really going to have to resort to the more insane option of eating it raw?

The man stared blankly at Qiuhong, who collapsed with blood gushing from her neck. Coming to his senses, he noticed that Jiuming's attention was not on them, and quickly pulled her aside to retreat.

I have had enough! I have children and a husband! Why am I here! I want to go back! Long-term repression caused her emotions to erupt in an instant, "You are not like us! It looks so easy for you to just watch from the side, right! It must be you, it has to be you, this monster who brought me here! I want to go back!"

Ultimately, one is also a participant in the situation, and it is time to consider a way out for oneself. Otherwise, one might as well support someone who can survive until the end. By that time, perhaps one can also find a way out, even if one has become a ghost, one can still experience a unique existence as a ghost.

"Alright, alright, if you release the person, how about I don't go over there?" With a faint smile, Jiuming spoke to the man in a negotiating tone.

"Brother Jiu, so you can actually touch things?" Bao Yingjie twitched his lips; he had also considered the words shouted by Qiu Hong. In fact, as time passed and his own weakness grew, this thought gradually deepened.

An intangible pressure and a sense of confinement envelop the hearts of everyone, and many have realized that the chances of encountering others are not as low as they once thought. In fact, if one is genuinely seeking, finding others is not particularly difficult. Sometimes, even sitting still may lead to the sight of someone appearing around the corner

"Who knows? After saying so much, aren't you thirsty?" He waved his hand to interrupt Bao Yingjie’s somewhat suggestive words, "Even though I am here, you all should maintain your stamina."

Bao Yingjie’s performance has been surprisingly good; it can be said that as long as he maintains his current state, he will undoubtedly be among the last few remaining individuals.

Of course not

They found a clean place, and the two people and the ghost sat down again. Bao Yingjie touched his belly, which occasionally let out a gurgling sound, reminiscing about the times of feasting and drinking. Now... he could only recall those moments while slowly grinding his teeth, and due to thirst, he couldn't even produce a drop of saliva.

The chubby boy saw the wavering and struggling expression on Qiu Hong's face and said, "Um, Brother Jiu, do you think that guy who committed suicide should have gone back by now?"

Shaking her head, Jiu Ming looked at the mature woman sitting on the ground, lost in thought, while holding her skirt. She appeared too ordinary, and the extent of her crying had undoubtedly taken a toll on her...

With a light sigh, Jiu Ming felt quite uncomfortable. Here, there were indeed many things he could not prevent. Saving someone?

With a gentle smile, Jiu Ming stood up to stretch his body, then sat back down, keeping an eye on their surroundings to ensure there were no losses... He just didn't know how long they could last, hoping that the performance of this little chubby one would not disappoint him

Anxiety, oppression, combined with the ever-present whiteness surrounding us, brings considerable pressure to everyone. Some individuals, with a strong sense of crisis, do not even dare to sleep well, fearing that if they fall asleep, they might be encountered by others.

Perhaps he can pass the test

"Get lost!" In a fit of anger, Jiuming charged in front of the man and kicked him away, causing him to crash against the white wall. The force of this kick was beyond Jiuming's expectations

Sitting alone on the ground, there was a pool of blood beside Jiuming, and next to the blood lay a shoe, belonging to Bao Yingjie

There are still some who are indecisive, their minds continuously revisiting that phrase: death would merely be regarded by oneself as a nightmare...

Twelve hours have already passed

Bao Yingjie touched the tip of his nose, and the woman named Qiu Hong, whose face was already pale, became even paler. The chubby man was eager to ask further, "How to handle it? How to handle it? With a barbecue grill and a mouth?"

This cannot be considered a reliable place, just like now

Oh my, there really are people with such peculiar tastes

Even if I have become a ghost of this existence now

Suicide, why bother? Why suffer? Do you really believe those irresponsible subtitles?

It is conceivable that the likelihood of the remaining individuals encountering each other does not diminish with the decrease in numbers; it feels as though this place is akin to a vessel for refining poison.

Hiss... Is this for real? Someone actually did this?" Looking at the dried bloodstains on the wall, Bao Yingjie sharply inhaled, observing the direction and accumulation of the blood. It was evident that the person who crashed into the wall had committed suicide. As for the body...

The wall that the nine lives relied on has unknowingly transformed into a long wall extending into the distance. Previously, this place was part of a maze, but now it has become a boundary

One has always been alone, both in life and now in death, having become an outlier. There is an inexplicable sense of fatigue. If ghosts linger in the human realm, it is due to strong obsessions. What about oneself?

A somewhat capricious little chubby boy, a woman in a state of confusion, and the one with nine lives scratched his head, realizing that this team was not easy to lead. Well, everyone here is a pitiful person; if I can lend a hand, I will. After all, he himself is just an ordinary person. Even though his frail body has forced him to develop a remarkably calm mindset in the face of a situation where he could pass away at any moment, he remains an ordinary person, not some kind of monster.

"Think positively; perhaps that person is also a kind individual who does not wish to see others left to die in the wilderness, so they want to help take care of things." With a slight laugh, Jiu Ming said somewhat helplessly

Uncertain of where the strength came from, the frail Qiuhong forcefully broke free from the relentless pull of the nine lives and staggered towards the side passage.

Is it really that reassuring

Oh? The smile on her face stiffened slightly, not from a lack of agreement, but because she saw the determination that had emerged in Qiuhong's eyes as the man grabbed her hair. Sure enough, in the next moment, she took the initiative to lunge toward the man's blade.

It is said that among this group of people, there were initially a few who seemed to be carrying weapons

"... ... I can't believe I'm this unlucky... ..." Feeling a sharp pain in his back, Bao Yingjie turned around to glance at a muscular man with tattoos, who was grinning menacingly at him. A short knife was plunged into Bao Yingjie's back.

Oh? Speaking of which, what is the point of making such a boring and self-indulgent book review in my mind

Not at all, not at all! The little chubby boy quickly nodded his head

Since this is the case, why not make it quick for oneself, and no longer endure this torment slowly here? Thus, in some places of the maze, the white walls were stained with deep red blood

Select the most capable and the most resilient.

It is not that people's hearts are dark; rather, they are forced into it

"Brother Jiu, this corpse wouldn't have 'refreshed' would it?" Bao Yingjie and the woman asked Jiu Ming with a hint of hope. Jiu Ming scratched his cheek and simply pointed to the side, where a faint but visible line of blood formed a droplet.

Apart from providing a few individuals with some secure conveniences, he is unable to offer any substantial assistance to those few. Similarly, those few may also face hostility from others, and perhaps they may harbor a sense of rejection towards Jiuming.

The nine lives are here... ? ... How do they find 'food' ?

Following the place where Jiuming escaped with Qiuhong, Bao Yingjie swallowed hard and quietly followed. Jiuming did not offer any explanation, which eased his mind somewhat. As the saying goes, those who do not engage in wrongdoing need not fear the knocking of ghosts. If Jiuming were to explain a bit more... Of course, this also does not eliminate the possibility that this ghost is particularly good at pretending.

Well, this nine lives is unclear whether it is true or false, but until one reaches a dead end, it is indeed unwise to try it lightly. As for this unfamiliar person, they gently shook their head; is this considered a form of liberation

Wait! They almost acted at the same time. The moment Qiuhong sprang up, Jiuming had already stood up and reached out to grab her, who was charging towards the wall.

In the eighth hour, Bao Yingjie, who had forced herself to sleep, had already fallen into a deep slumber. Mature women, due to mental exhaustion, could not resist the drowsiness and leaned against the wall to rest.

What the hell... they've been taken away. Could it be that some deranged person really intends to use people as backup rations?" Even in surprise, Bao Yingjie’s voice was not loud; even if he wanted to raise his voice, he couldn't. Hunger was one aspect, but thirst was another.

"Let her go..." The man swiftly placed the sharp knife against Qiuhong's neck, "No! If you come any closer, I will kill her!"

The scope is narrowing

After grasping some of the patterns of this maze, movement becomes quite convenient

Hmm? I was a bit anxious just now, but it seems that it can really be done. I will go there to check the situation; would you mind waiting here for a moment?

Bao Yingjie’s words seemed to resonate with a certain determination within her

As soon as they sat down, apart from the feeling of having nine lives, both individuals experienced a wave of weakness, purely due to hunger

Having realized this, Jiuming temporarily has no desire to take action. Even if it is to help others, what does it matter? Assistance without results feels the most futile, much like certain works that are destined to end on a depressing note. No matter how good or joyful the process is, the sudden downturn at the conclusion makes one want to curse!

What do you intend to do with the person you are protecting for me

"It's you! Damn it, don't come over here!" With a blood-stained dagger in hand, a man with cracked lips, holding onto Qiuhong's hair, shouted at Jiuming.

I feel that I have no particular obsession. Looking at my own hands, there are no signs of dissipation. Well, it seems that novels and such are indeed the least reliable.

Is it impossible to stop it

I see... Rest assured, Jiuming slightly shook his head, perhaps he had viewed the matter too simply. However, it truly was not himself who brought you all here