Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a silvery hue over the room. The night deepened, and the faint light from the living room lamps flickered slightly, illuminating the silhouettes of Chen Jing and Lucifer. They sat face-to-face, a simple hand-drawn map spread out on the coffee table between them. The map was a rough sketch of the amusement park's layout, pieced together from clues provided by Chen Jing's livestream viewers.
"This route is based on old promotional material for the park," Chen Jing explained, pointing at a marked location on the map. "Here, the entrance to the underground level—it's supposedly near the back door of the haunted house."
"Haunted house?" Lucifer frowned, his voice laced with disdain. "A mundane human attraction? That sounds utterly pointless."
"Don't underestimate it," Chen Jing retorted, her gaze serious. "Rumor has it that even before the park closed, strange things were happening there. Props would move on their own, and visitors claimed to hear eerie whispers."
"Humans love to exaggerate," Lucifer scoffed, crossing his arms. "If such a powerful spirit existed, why hasn't it destroyed the entire park?"
"Maybe it's trapped by something stronger," Chen Jing suggested with a shrug, then shot him a teasing glance. "What's the matter? You scared?"
Lucifer ignored her taunt, his eyes fixed on a blank area on the map near the haunted house. He pointed at it. "This space… why is it unmarked?"
"That's a potential underground expansion," Chen Jing explained, circling the area with her finger. "Some think the park built secret facilities there to add more thrills, but they were never opened to the public."
"Secret facilities…" Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "If Beelzebub's minions are active here, these could very well be their lair."
"Sounds terrifying," Chen Jing said with feigned dread, pulling her shoulders up theatrically before breaking into a grin. "But hey, with the mighty 'Lord of Hell' by my side, I've got nothing to worry about."
"Don't expect me to save you," Lucifer said coldly, fixing her with a sharp glare. "Tonight's mission is fraught with danger. If you become a burden—"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Chen Jing waved dismissively. "Don't make it sound like a last farewell. This isn't my first rodeo, you know."
Lucifer's expression darkened, but he refrained from further argument. He turned toward the window, his voice low and ominous. "Tonight will be a real test. If you wish to survive, don't treat this as a joke."
"Geez, what a buzzkill," Chen Jing muttered, shaking her head but keeping a trace of seriousness in her tone. "Don't worry. I've got my grandpa's tools, and I won't need to rely on you."
With their equipment packed and ready, the two prepared to head out. Chen Jing carried a large backpack and gripped a peachwood sword, while Lucifer remained in his signature black trench coat, his figure exuding an aloof and imposing aura.
"You're seriously sticking with that outfit?" Chen Jing quipped as they stepped outside. "Not worried about being mistaken for some eccentric night wanderer?"
"Human opinions are irrelevant to me," Lucifer replied coolly, leading the way.
The park at night was as eerie as ever. The carousel's shadow loomed ominously in the moonlight, as though it might spring to life at any moment. The duo entered through a side gate, following a crumbling path toward the haunted house.
"Hey, Lucifer," Chen Jing whispered, her voice low. "If we really come across those 'lair creatures' you mentioned, will your flames work on them?"
"In my prime, they'd be nothing but ash," Lucifer replied, pausing momentarily. "But now… I can only do my best."
Chen Jing noticed the hesitation in his tone and glanced back at him. For someone as arrogant as Lucifer, his lack of confidence was unsettling. She bit her lip before attempting to lighten the mood. "Well, if it comes to it, I've got my grandpa's talismans. And if that fails… we can always run!"
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, his expression tinged with disdain. "Your optimism is misplaced."
"It's not optimism—it's pragmatism," Chen Jing shot back with a grin. "I have no intention of dying in this dump. Running's always an option."
As they reached the haunted house, the creaking wooden door swung open with a groan. The interior was even more decrepit than they had imagined. Torn spiderweb decorations hung from the crumbling walls, plastic skeletons and doll fragments littered the floor, and the air was thick with a nauseating stench.
"That smell…" Chen Jing covered her nose, grimacing. "It's like… something rotting?"
Lucifer didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. His eyes locked onto a dark red mark—a complex rune strikingly similar to the one they had seen on the carousel.
"A remnant of a summoning ritual," Lucifer murmured, kneeling to touch the mark. His frown deepened. "The energy here is far stronger than last night's."
"So, this time it's even more dangerous?" Chen Jing asked, swallowing hard. Her voice wavered slightly.
"You still have time to regret coming," Lucifer said coldly, though his expression betrayed a flicker of concern.
"Regret? Not a chance." Chen Jing straightened her back, forcing a confident tone. "I'm a streamer. If I die, it'll be in front of the camera."
For a moment, Lucifer's lips twitched upward into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Humans… stubborn and foolish as ever."
Chen Jing was about to retort when a faint buzzing sound drifted up from beneath the floorboards. The two exchanged a wary glance, their senses instantly heightened.
"The sound is coming from below," Chen Jing whispered, her eyes locked on a crack in the floor. "Looks like the viewers' tip was right."
"Get ready," Lucifer said, his voice steady as black flames flickered to life in his hand.
The chill in the air intensified, and the shadows in the park seemed to stir as if anticipating their arrival.
The descent into the underground level was suffocating. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the narrow corridor felt like it was closing in. Chen Jing clutched her peachwood sword tightly, her voice trembling despite her attempts to sound casual. "Why do all you hellish types insist on living in such creepy places?"
"This has nothing to do with Hell," Lucifer replied sharply, his gaze scanning the dimly lit path. "This energy… it's distinctly Eastern."
"Eastern?" Chen Jing blinked. "Are you saying we're not just dealing with Beelzebub's minions, but also local… ghosts?"
Lucifer nodded, the flames in his hand casting flickering shadows on the walls. "Beelzebub's forces haven't fully taken over here. They're working with something more familiar to this land."
"Working together?" Chen Jing's eyes widened before she broke into a grin. "A ghost-demon collaboration? This place is practically a supernatural United Nations!"
Lucifer shot her a glare. "Such alliances are built on mutual exploitation. Once their goals are achieved, they'll turn on each other."
"Sounds delightful," Chen Jing muttered, rolling her eyes. "But it also sounds like a bigger headache. Are you sure we can handle this?"
Lucifer didn't answer. His pace quickened, his expression darkening. Ahead, a partially open iron door came into view, faint whispers and chants echoing from within.
Chen Jing held her breath and peeked through the gap. In the center of the room was a circular summoning circle, its intricate red patterns glowing faintly. Around it stood several shadowy figures—ghostly shapes clad in tattered white robes, with grotesque black fly-like wings.
"What the hell are those?" Chen Jing hissed, pulling back.
"Hybrids," Lucifer said grimly. "Beelzebub's minions fused with Eastern spirits. Their power corrupts souls and erodes minds."
"That sounds… fantastic," Chen Jing muttered, gripping her sword tighter. "So, what's the plan? Charge in or…?"
Lucifer raised his hand, conjuring a black flame that morphed into a rune. "Scout," he said simply, sending the rune floating toward the room.
Before the rune could fully enter, the ghostly figures let out piercing laughter and lunged at it, devouring it in an instant. The summoning circle flared to life, unleashing a powerful suction force that pulled everything toward it.
"It's a trap!" Lucifer's voice rang out as he grabbed Chen Jing, trying to pull her back.
But the force was too strong. The floor beneath them gave way, and the two plummeted into the darkness below.
They landed hard on damp ground, the air thick with mildew and an unplaceable stench. As Chen Jing rubbed her sore arm, she groaned, "I knew it! Nothing good ever happens when I'm with you!"
"Quiet," Lucifer snapped, rising to his feet and scanning the surroundings. "This is the core of the summoning ritual. They lured us here intentionally."
Chen Jing shone her flashlight around, revealing moss-covered floors, walls etched with bizarre runes, and a massive stone coffin in the center, its lid studded with talismans.
"I hate this place," she muttered, taking a step back. "That thing's not going to crawl out, is it?"
Lucifer didn't answer, his eyes locked on the coffin as his flames grew brighter. But as he approached, the runes on the walls began to glow, and shadowy figures emerged—ancient spirits with hollow eyes and twisted faces, their mouths stretching into inhuman grins.
"Just great," Chen Jing muttered, raising her sword. "It's like a horror buffet in here!"
Lucifer stood his ground, though his flame wavered slightly. For the first time, Chen Jing saw something unnerving in his usually confident eyes—fear.
"Hey, Lucifer," she said, smirking despite her racing heart. "Not 'cute' enough for you, huh?"
"Silence!" Lucifer barked, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "These creatures are nothing more than… tricks! I will not fear them!"
But his trembling hand and the faint sheen of sweat on his brow betrayed him.