Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: I Am the Streamer

The question of whether ghosts exist is far more complicated than the age-old debate of which came first, the chicken or the egg. After all, most people know the taste of both, but few have seen a ghost with their own eyes.Even professional paranormal researchers, if asked, would probably struggle to provide a definite answer—let alone a third-rate detective like me.But just because I don't know the answer, doesn't mean I can't respond. In this world, many times, it's not about giving the correct answer. It's about giving the answer that others want to hear.The masked man had said it from the beginning: to become a host in the Underworld Show, you need not only the ability to communicate with the audience but also the skills to protect yourself.This statement was heavy with implication. The trial began the moment I stepped inside.I didn't dwell on whether or not ghosts existed. Instead, I began to reconsider everything that had happened to me that night—the legends of the unlit roads, the old woman clutching a doll in the rain, the interviewers wearing paper masks, and the five bizarre questions.It all seemed to lead up to this moment, breaking every piece of common sense in preparation for the final question.They had set the stage, and the answer they wanted was painfully obvious."I believe in ghosts. That is my answer."As soon as the words left my mouth, the room filled with applause. The three interviewers, still rigid and unmoving, clapped slowly from across the altar table."Four out of five correct. Congratulations, Mr. Gao, you've officially been hired by the Underworld Show and will become one of our contracted hosts."For various reasons, I had been rejected by numerous companies in Jiangcheng—more times than I could count. After being repeatedly turned down, I had come to expect nothing. So, when things went unusually smoothly this time, I was left feeling shocked. But strangely, there was no joy in my heart."Is it really this easy? Isn't this a bit hasty?""No, you're the best candidate we've encountered. If you don't have any further questions, we can sign the contract right here."The man sitting in the center, who resembled me in stature, stood up slowly. His paper mask, which resembled a paper doll, made it impossible to read his expression. He was now staring directly at me."Well, I do have one question. I answered four out of five questions correctly. Could you tell me which one I got wrong?" A misstep in reasoning could be fatal for a detective."You don't need to know right now..." The laughter from under the paper mask echoed strangely. "Because soon enough, you'll experience it firsthand. Then you'll understand exactly where you went wrong.""Experience it firsthand? That's a terrible answer." Any psychologically normal person would avoid experiencing the scenarios posed by these questions."Mr. Gao, do you have any other questions?""No... I don't..." How could I not have questions? My mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but I couldn't voice them. Even if I did, I knew they wouldn't answer—or worse, it might provoke their wrath.The wisest choice to get through tonight would be to feign compliance, and once I left, report everything to the police. I'd get them to arrest these "madmen.""Alright then, let's proceed with the contract." He reached under the altar table and pulled out an old, yellowed scroll of paper, pressing my right hand onto it."Cold..." For the first time touching the masked man's body, I was struck by the chilling sensation, like a corpse frozen in a morgue, waiting for identification."What is this for?" Before I could react, a bizarre insect resembling a centipede but with a dragon-like horn at its forehead crawled out from the floor beneath.It swiftly crawled up the table leg and moved toward the altar.I tried to dodge, but the man with the paper mask had already locked my body in place with strongly grip, rendering me immobile. I could only watch in horror as the insect sank its fangs into my wrist."Ah!" The sharp pain pierced to the bone, and I screamed out, but the pain only lasted for a few seconds. When I regained my senses, I saw a dark, flower-shaped wound on my wrist, the blood staining the scroll. The insect, now lifeless, curled up and fell into the floor's cracks."Contract signed. From this day on, you're officially a member of the Hell Show," the masked interviewer said, releasing me. His tone remained cold and detached. He opened a suitcase beside him."All your broadcasting equipment will be provided by us. You just need to perform and attract more viewers." He opened the case, revealing everything I would need for a live broadcast: a camera, mobile encoder, selfie stick, tripod, and even a large-screen phone.If not for the bloodstains still visible on the equipment, I might have believed this was a normal company."Your live broadcast tasks will be sent directly to your phone. As for how you broadcast, that's up to you, but please remember to only use our provided tools, because only our equipment can capture things ordinary people can't see.""After each broadcast, we'll rate your performance based on your popularity and gifts. You can accumulate points, which can be exchanged for unexpected rewards.""However, with rewards come punishments. If your points fall into the negative, you'll disappear without a trace—just like Xia Chi did."At this point, I could no longer maintain a calm facade. To think that someone could vanish without a sound, without anyone noticing—that was the work of a vast, organized criminal network. And I seemed to have inadvertently boarded this ship of doom."The details are all in the contract. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."I picked up the scroll, still stained with my blood, and read through the fine print. The general idea was clear: never reveal the existence of the Hell Show to outsiders, never refuse tasks, and so on.One notable section was the points exchange table on the back.The first line read: One point can be exchanged for 100 grams of pure gold."Is this a joke? Gold is worth 250 RMB per gram, so 100 grams would be 25,000 RMB!"The list went on, growing increasingly strange and sinister. Five points could exchange for a Thai ghost child. Seven points could get a Western corpse curse. Ten points could exchange for the Guardian spirit. Twelve points for the hand-written manuscript of the Jade Maiden Art, and fifteen points would unlock the Heavenly Eye for mortals.Twenty points for cleansing bones and tendons, thirty points..."What is all this nonsense?" The bizarre list of occult practices left me speechless, as though I had entered an entirely different world.I continued reading, my eyes frozen on the last item:...Longevity: 1,000 points can extend life by twelve hours.10,000 points can allow you to choose to exit the game, resetting everything to the beginning."Done reading? Please keep the contract safe and familiarize yourself with the broadcast tools. Your first live broadcast will probably take place tomorrow night.""Can I refuse?""We don't intervene in how you choose, but your current points are zero. If you stop broadcasting, you will lose ten points.""Okay, I understand. Can I leave now?" Honestly, I didn't want to stay here for another second."If you have any questions, you can call me. The phone in the suitcase can contact me." The man adjusted his mask and waved gently. The door slowly creaked open. "Mr. Gao, I can tell you're a cautious and clever man. I hope you take every streaming seriously and never take your life lightly.""Don't worry. I'm not ready to die just yet." Grabbing the suitcase, I rushed out the door, unaware how long I had been in the room. My legs felt numb, as if encased in plaster."Mr. Gao, I sincerely wish you survive..."I didn't catch the rest of what he said. After all, it was coming from a madman, and I didn't expect anything good from him.I pushed open the door to Room 444, stumbled into the hallway, and sprinted through the dark corridor. After what felt like a long time, headlights finally appeared ahead. "A car!""Where to?" A taxi pulled up in front of me, driven by a balding man."Back to the New District, Tingtang Road East," I gasped, slamming the door."Twenty yuan to start, and a one-yuan fuel surcharge due to new regulations.""Stop talking and open the door," I said, still trembling, not caring about the cost, panting heavily while clutching the suitcase."Look, I'm not trying to refuse you, but it's the middle of the night, and you're in a hurry with a suitcase. Who knows what's inside? What if—""You're overthinking it." I opened the suitcase and showed him the camera. "Don't worry. I'm just a death-defying streamer working in the frontline of insanity."