**Chapter 3: Module and Night Talk**
In mere seconds, the ghoul had charged right up to Lu Li. He remained calm, his fear so minimal it couldn't affect him. Just as the ghoul was about to pounce, Lu Li leaned back, pushed open the temple door, and twisted his right hand to support himself on the ground. Releasing his muscle restrictions, his right hand swelled, veins bulging, as he pushed himself into a roll to the side.
The ghoul's speed was its downfall. It dashed into the temple, causing two piercing screams: one from the old man, the other from the ghoul itself.
Lu Li stood up to see the ghoul melting like a candle in the firelight. He had already deduced that facing the ghoul head-on would be futile, even with his enhanced muscle control. Running into the temple, under the protection of the fire, seemed the safest bet, confirming the game's hint that the ghoul's weakness was indeed fire. Without this, defeating the ghoul would have been nearly impossible, and the old man's death would render the game meaningless.
The ghoul screamed in agony, its sharp claws tearing at its own body, but it couldn't muster the strength to escape. Eventually, it melted into a pool of greasy liquid, leaving behind a tattered burlap robe and a foul stench.
Breathing heavily, Lu Li picked up the firewood outside, closed the temple door, and reassured the trembling old man, who still clutched the marionette tightly. "Are you alright? The monster is dead. There's no need to be afraid."
He shook the snow off the wood and placed it near the fire. Seeing the steam rise, Lu Li relaxed. Once dried, this wood would keep the fire going until dawn.
"That was terrifying…" The old man finally exhaled, touching his chest and glancing fearfully at the puddle, before sitting back down. "Young man, you're incredibly brave to face such an evil creature without fear. Unlike me, I nearly lost my life to fright."
"You flatter me, sir. It was just a bit of courage," Lu Li replied as he arranged the wood. Darkness had fully descended, making the fire seem like the only light, a symbol of hope.
Lu Li then noticed something glimmering among the ghoul's remnants—a transparent crystal. Using a piece of cloth from his torn shirt, he picked up the burlap robe and the crystal.
"Sir, this robe is dirty, but it will dry by the fire," Lu Li said, setting it up to dry while discreetly pocketing the crystal. As he held it, a prompt appeared:
**[Obtained Special Item: Rule Module: Fixation]**
**[Rule Module: Rules are the principles of heaven and earth. A Rule Module is the crystallization of these principles...]**
**[This module's nature: Fixation]**
"Special item?" Lu Li thought, remembering the ghoul's special ability: State Fixation. The ability allowed it to revert to a fixed state after taking damage. Without so many weaknesses, the ghoul would be a truly formidable creature.
"Ah, I'm getting old, not as fearless as you young ones," the old man sighed, his hand absentmindedly stroking the marionette's arm. "Back in my day, I was fearless too. My parents sent me to study, but I got distracted by puppet shows. Eventually, I apprenticed under a puppeteer instead of a teacher."
"You must have been quite the character," Lu Li smiled, listening to the old man's nostalgic tale.
"I was just playful. Watching the puppets move on stage captivated me. Despite my parents' efforts to dissuade me, I stubbornly became a puppeteer. I've performed puppet shows my whole life, wandering from place to place, spending all my savings on her," he said, looking fondly at the marionette.
"Doing something for a lifetime is a real skill. Your puppet is stunning, like a goddess. I truly admire it," Lu Li said sincerely.
"Talking about old times must bore you," the old man sighed, pulling out a packet of oiled paper from his small wooden box. Inside were two pastries. He handed one to Lu Li. "You must be hungry after all that work. Eat, if you don't mind."
Lu Li glanced at the box, then accepted the pastry with a smile. "How could I mind? As long as you don't blame me for sharing your food."
"Not at all," the old man chuckled, shaking his head. He ate his pastry quietly. Lu Li found it quite tasty and finished it quickly. They chatted for a while until the old man, feeling weary, lay down and fell asleep beside the fire. As his eyes closed, Lu Li felt a surge of intense malice, a warning from his sixth sense that great danger was approaching.
The fire flickered, casting shadows, and terrifying howls echoed outside the temple. Lu Li felt dizzy, about to lose consciousness. Just before he passed out, he saw the marionette girl in the firelight wink at him…
End of the chapter.