Chapter 104: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest |
Because his actions required secrecy, Shadowman had not interacted much with other Espers. However, he knew of some civilian Esper organizations and often turned into a shadow to gather intelligence.
These civilian Esper organizations mostly had semi-official status and also served as information hubs.
Of course, Shadowman did not expect them to know any secrets, but as long as they could tell if any C-level or above Espers had appeared nearby, it was enough to avoid most risks.
Recently, besides the official war between the Special Security Group and the "Death Hive," there was another noteworthy piece of information: a new C-level Esper had emerged.
It was said that this Esper had inflicted devastating damage on the periphery of the "Death Hive," single-handedly killing numerous Worker Bees and causing two Drone Bees to vanish without a trace.
However, who this person was, what their abilities were, and their power level were all tightly sealed secrets by the Special Security Group.
There was only one vague rumor that this person was a journalist and currently a member of the Special Security Group.
Therefore, whenever Shadowman heard the word "journalist," his heart would skip a beat.
"I just heard about that Esper, and now I encounter a journalist. Could it really be such a coincidence?"
"But now, with the Special Security Group and the 'Death Hive' locked in a standoff, that 'journalist' should be involved in it too. Why would they come here for no reason..."
Out of caution, Shadowman took out the energy level detector he had obtained from an overconfident Esper yesterday.
【No energy level detected】
Seeing the instrument showing no fluctuations, Shadowman breathed a sigh of relief.
If it were the rumored "journalist," he might not be able to handle it either. After all, even the notorious "Grim Reaper's Scythe" and "Raccoon Dog" had met their match.
Since there was no energy level detected, it couldn't possibly be an Esper.
He was overthinking.
Xiang Wen asked suspiciously in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just confirming something. Let's continue." Shadowman replied.
Although Xiang Wen was puzzled, he didn't think much of it. Since Shadowman said it was fine, it was fine.
In the battles between Espers, Xiang Wen had no place. Most of the time, Shadowman wouldn't share his considerations with him; Xiang Wen was only responsible for research and experimentation.
Xiang Wen pushed open the door.
But instead of a patient lying quietly in bed, they were greeted by the blinding light of the room's instantly turned-on lamp and a young man standing in the center, holding a gun in one hand and spinning a sharp blade in the other.
---
Guan Shan had indeed been lying quietly in his bed, thinking about how to record evidence and capture Xiang Wen and his accomplices when they came.
But as Guan Shan stared at the ceiling for half an hour and finally heard the door open, his heart hadn't had time to rejoice when he heard a familiar mechanical voice.
【Scene scan complete, generating horror game...】
"Damn it..."
Guan Shan's eyes widened, and he instantly jumped out of bed.
He hadn't been waiting for Xiang Wen but for the simulator to start up again after two weeks!
【Horror Game Generated: Flying Over the Cuckoo's Nest】
【Loading plot, please wait...】
【Plot loaded!】
【You came to a prestigious psychiatric hospital to treat your illness. During the day, the doctors here smile and laugh, the patients live in harmony, and the atmosphere makes you feel as warm as home. You firmly believe your illness will be cured. However, at night... the doctors smile as they pick up their scalpels, and the patients peel off their skins—】
【Huh? Why are they opening your ward door?】
【*Note: Only by killing the final boss can you end this simulation!】
At the same time, Guan Shan saw the door to his ward being pushed open.
The person pushing the door was shrouded in the shadow behind the door, only their white-gloved hand visible, stained with thick blood!
"Snap!"
The person's fingers clung to the doorframe, leaving a reddish-brown fingerprint, blood dripping down the frame.
In the dim light of the corridor, just this hand created an extremely terrifying atmosphere.
Guan Shan could immediately imagine that the one about to enter would surely be a creepy white coat.
The information of the monster also appeared simultaneously.
【[Surgeon] Doctor (lv.11)】
【HP: 1100】
【Description: A perfect, precise, and elegant surgery! Except it's not happening on an operating table...】
"Ha..."
Guan Shan exhaled, already experienced.
A hospital serial killer, huh?
He immediately equipped himself and, as the doctor stepped into the ward, turned on the room's lights!
The light was the only prompt in the entire room.
【Light Switch】
【Description: No one can keep their eyes open in a flash of intense light, not even a killer.】
The dazzling incandescent light illuminated the whole room, causing strong light pollution to those in the dark, making them instinctively close their eyes.
"Bang!"
Without thinking, Guan Shan aimed at the doctor's body and fired, instantly seeing the doctor's face.
That face could hardly be called a face anymore.
It was a grotesque amalgamation of different faces stitched together, utterly horrifying.
There were at least seven or eight different eyes, four or five different mouths, with parts of different faces forcibly stitched together in the wrong places, with writhing muscles visible through the seams.
If the last bus driver's face was "faceless," then this midnight psychiatric hospital killer doctor was "thick-skinned."
Not just his face, but all his exposed body parts were like this.
"Damn, this is disgusting, a nightmare for trypophobes!"
Guan Shan glanced and immediately got goosebumps.
"-346!"
"Ah!"
A number, along with a scream from all the mouths on the monster's body, broke Guan Shan's revulsion.
From the high damage, he quickly judged, "Didn't hit a vital spot, but this monster's defense is low, so the base damage is much higher. I can kill it directly!"
Guan Shan's eyes narrowed. He activated 【Gravity Control】, stepped forward with a knife, and slashed at the doctor's face!
Looking at this stitched face up close, Guan Shan couldn't help but say, "Damn it, if you're ugly, don't come out and scare people!"
"Slash!"
The blade fell on one of the eyes, leaving a bloody gash, but it couldn't go further.
From behind the doctor, a mass of black shadow split into countless tentacles, half holding Guan Shan's knife and half turning into shadows, wrapping around Guan Shan's ankles and wrists.