Horror Game Designer

“I personally don’t think ghosts exist.” Brother Xiong noticed Su Mo’s expression and wanted to console him, “The videos on the internet only existed for a few minutes before disappearing. However, that only made me more curious.”

“The arrival of the tragedy might not be bad.” Old Sao’s brain was quick, but his attitude was extremist. “Han Hai doesn’t lack people. It’s hard to find a job here. Instead of festering in the dark, why not give this a shot?”

Old Sao placed the golden ring on the table. He showed the benefits he had gained from the anomalies. “I’ve read many apocalyptic novels. I’ve fantasised about saving the world during high school. Other than medicine, weapons and food, having trustworthy teammates is also very important. Therefore, I share my plan with you.” Old Sao planned to do something whether Su Mo joined him or not. He came to find Su Mo simply because Su Mo was his good brother.

“You’ve seen the last video left behind by the richest man in Han Hai yesterday night. Situ An sacrificed his life to show us the truth. We have to grab this opportunity.” Lee Ding was rather naive. In his world, the world was black or white.

“The centre will not aid us. Instead of being their cannon fodder, I’d rather be the horror game players.” Old Sao said with some admiration, “Entering the anomalies at night, gaining benefits from the horror games. Just thinking about it is so exciting!”

When Old Sao brought up the horror game players, Su Mo felt better. Even though his experience the night before was scary, his body did improve, and a miracle did happen. The image of the masked player in the Home of Butchers appeared in his mind. Su Mo tightened his hands. No one was willing to suffer in the darkness forever.

“I’ll share my plan, and then you can decide,” Old Sao enlarged the map of Li San Hospital he had downloaded from the internet. “Li San Hospital is separated into the front and back buildings. All the horror stories are concentrated around the back building. The medicine Lee Ding’s mother needs is on the first floor of the front building. We’ll change the plan according to the situation, but focus on swiping the expensive drugs.”

“Have you lost your mind? How is that different from stealing?” Su Mo still thought it was too dangerous. He didn’t want to see his best friends die.

“When tragedy arrives, you won’t even have the chance to steal! Medicine is too important!” Old Sao took out his backpack. “Each of us will have a bag. We’ll leave once the bag is full. After sending Lee Ding’s mother her medicine, we’ll find some money and rent a safe house.”

Lee Ding and Brother Xiong agreed with the plan. The situation in their families was worse than explained. Seeing Old Sao like this, he clearly owed more than just online debts.

“I’m glad knowing that you’re safe.” Lee Ding picked up the beer and looked at Su Mo, “It’s fine if you don’t want to join us.”

At that point, Su Mo felt conflicted. He was a real horror game player, but he couldn’t reveal that. They said nothing and finished the food. Su Mo started to pack his stuff. He couldn’t let his friends die. At 2 pm, the four of them took a car to the old city. Using visiting Lee Ding’s mother as an excuse, they came to Li San.

“Don’t do anything in the morning. We’ll follow Lee Ding to claim the medicine once. Try to memorise the hospital layout.” Old Sao transferred all the money he had to Lee Ding.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. We’re brothers.” After Old Sao put down the fruits, they headed to Li San Hospital. The city was huge, and there were crowded buildings everywhere. Private electric lines were common. Many buildings were built illegally. This was the first time Old Sao and Brother Xiong saw something like this. They didn’t think there was such poverty at Han Hai.

“Lee Ding, do you know the way or not?” Brother Xiong followed Lee Ding for so long that he broke out in a sweat.

“It should be here! Where is it?”

“Are you telling me the hospital grew legs and ran away?” Su Mo wanted to tell them to leave, but his phone vibrated. Seeing the message, he had to stop. He received the new group map mission from Dead Water Forum. The group map that night would be at Li San Hospital.

“What are you looking at?” Old Sao poked his head out of interest. Su Mo quickly put his phone away, “Brother… are you in a relationship without telling us? I knew you looked so weak for a reason. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“I’m not like you.”

Before Su Mo could read the mission information, he heard Lee Ding’s cry.

“We’re here! Strange. I remember this place used to be so lively.” Lee Ding scratched his head. “There are many restaurants and stalls around the hospital. Why is it deserted today?” It seemed like the hospital was off that day. The nearby shops were open, but there were no shopkeepers, much less customers.

“They probably heard the news and ran. We better hurry,” Old Sao said. Once he entered the hospital, he heard the clamour and footsteps at the same time. There were patients everywhere inside the hospital. They looked like they were being chased.

“It looks like we were worried for no reason.” Brother Xiong sighed in relief. “Isn’t this like normal? Or were we not at the front door?”

“Focus on the mission.” Old Sao switched on a small video recorder. He recorded everything so he could study it later. Lee Ding held the prescription note and headed to the pharmacy on the first floor.

“Hello. I’m here to refill my medication.” He knocked lightly on the window. Lee Ding pushed the note through the small counter. However, the doctor at the counter ignored him as she wrote crazily in a book.

“Hello. I’m here for my meds.” Lee Ding raised his voice. He looked at the shelves filled with medicine behind the doctor. He wondered if he should come back that night because there were more people entering the hospital.

The doctor slowly raised her head like she was waking up from a dream. She glanced at Lee Ding’s face and then at his note. Suddenly, she asked, “Is it dark now?”

“What? It’s barely noon.” Lee Ding was confused.

“Then, you have to wait.” The doctor tossed the note back. Lee Ding was about to argue with the doctor when Old Sao grabbed him from the back. Old Sao dragged Lee Ding away. He looked so different from normal.

“We need to go now.” Old Sao pulled Lee Ding away. Seeing the confusion on Lee Ding’s face, he silently showed the video he captured on his recorder. In the video, the hospital was empty. There was no one there.