The sound of heavy rain drumming against the roof and walls was disturbingly loud. Anna had once cherished rainy days, but now, this downpour accompanied by muffled thunder only amplified her unease. “Who found the body first?” The white-collar worker pointed a trembling finger at the frightened woman, then shrank further into himself. Seeing this, Grace simply shook her head …

Imagination proved unhelpful in reality. Instead, the disseminated scene within the house amplified the existing panic. And some people genuinely believed the man’s words. “A skeleton? Perhaps this is a clue for us. Ghosts are skeletons. We can devise a countermeasure or something!” “Will we all die like this?” “Damn it… Even if it isn’t a ghost, having a murderer …

Two hours later, everyone returned to the lobby on the first floor. Anna keenly observed that the intervening time had visibly altered many people’s expressions. Some wore worry, others an inexplicable excitement, a few had ashen faces, and still others, an air of arrogance. “It seems everyone has made a discovery,” Anna remarked in a low voice. “Everyone, please hold …

Unlike the bright first floor, the wall lamps on the third floor cast a dim, yellowish light. While the natural light filtering through the window was welcome at this time, visibility would be quite poor at night. As they ascended the stairs, the four individuals introduced themselves. The woman in the suit was Grace, a young American entrepreneur. She remained …

Large patches of dark clouds gathered in the gloomy sky, obscuring the rays of the morning sun. The distinct moisture and earthy scent of grass and trees permeated the forest air, yet a faint odor of decay made it difficult to fully appreciate the morning. Thirty people stood before a colossal, rust-covered iron gate. Beyond it lay a vast manor, …