Prologue

At night, the surroundings are silent, and through the window, I can see the dense tree-lined path below. Opposite the path stands an abandoned old house.

The door of the old house is locked with a rusty iron padlock, which is entangled with white cobwebs.

The old house has been uninhabited for a long time. Ivy crawls over the ornate door, and the window sills are coated with a thick layer of rust. Weeds and wildflowers surround the front and back, giving it a desolate appearance.

This night, as everyone else sleeps, I instinctively glance toward the old house—just like on several previous nights, yellow lights flicker on again.

The faint light flickers like fireflies in the window of the old house, making it appear as if it is stained with water. In the glow, I can vaguely see a burning candle.

Indeed, the old house has been vacant for ages, and it's likely been a long time since it had electricity.

I stare curiously at the house and open the window—voices of women and children drift from the direction of the old house.

It seems as if new people have moved in, as if the house has come back to life.

But we all know it's uninhabited. During the day, we often knock on the door, but no one ever answers.

They say the house is haunted, but I don't believe in ghosts. However, tonight, I've been watching the house since the afternoon, and my roommate and I have taken turns keeping watch, yet no one has been seen entering or leaving.

No one at all.