Resurgence of the Unknown

Chapter 7: Footsteps Behind

Yang Jian's legs nearly gave out beneath him as he stumbled forward, breathing heavily. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, trickling down his face and splashing onto the ground. He had just barely escaped death.

"No, I can't stay here any longer. I have to get out of this place... and fast," Yang Jian thought, his mind racing.

He hadn't even had time to fully process the horror he had just experienced. The only thing on his mind now was survival. He quickly grabbed his phone, turned on the flashlight, and forced himself to stand up.

The longer he stayed in this dark, ghost-infested place, the higher his chances of dying.

He began to walk, cautiously making his way forward.

Yang Jian's entire body was trembling slightly, though he wasn't sure if it was from sheer terror or the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

He hadn't walked far when the dim light from his phone revealed two familiar faces—Duan Peng and Zheng Fei. Both were in a state of panic, furiously pounding on a damp, moldy wall.

"Who... who's there?" Zheng Fei stammered, his voice trembling with fear as he turned around, squinting in the dim light.

"It's me, Yang Jian," Yang Jian replied coldly, holding up his phone.

"Y-Yang Jian? You're not dead?" Zheng Fei's fear was mixed with shock.

"Were you hoping I'd die, just like Fang Jing?" Yang Jian retorted.

Duan Peng, overwhelmed with fear and desperation, rushed over and grabbed Yang Jian by the collar. "Why... why did you drag me in here? We've never had any issues! Why are you doing this to me?"

Yang Jian responded by punching Duan Peng squarely in the face. "I never had any issues with you either, but you all tried to kill me! You've got the nerve to blame me now? I told you—if I'm going down, I'm taking some of you with me. I regret not dragging Fang Jing in here too. He should've experienced what it's like to be grabbed by that ghost."

Duan Peng collapsed to the ground from the force of the punch. Ignoring the pain, he began to sob, "I don't want to die... I just want to survive. It was Fang Jing who made me do it... If we didn't, that thing would've killed us all. Better one person dies than all of us, right?"

"So I should be the one sacrificed? That's laughable. If you're so noble, why didn't you volunteer yourself instead of forcing others?" Yang Jian sneered. "And do you really think sacrificing me would have saved you? Don't forget there's still another ghost out there. And don't be naive—Fang Jing has wanted to kill me from the start. He knows something we don't. If I get out of here alive, I'll make sure he pays for this..."

But before Yang Jian could finish his sentence, Duan Peng suddenly froze, his face twisted in terror. He slowly turned to look behind him.

The thick darkness revealed nothing, but he could feel it—a cold hand gripping his wrist with terrifying strength.

Duan Peng's body jerked as he was dragged backward, unable to resist the force pulling him into the darkness.

"Help! Yang Jian, help me!" Duan Peng screamed, his voice filled with terror.

Yang Jian's heart skipped a beat as he caught a glimpse of the pale hand gripping Duan Peng's wrist.

There was no doubt about it—the ghost was back.

He instinctively reached for his phone, ready to play the audio file that had scared the ghost away earlier. But just as he was about to press play, he hesitated.