Edith was suddenly seized by a foreboding chill, the sense of peril crystallizing in this very moment!
She reacted swiftly, closing her eyes, and her medium abilities began to manifest! Instantly, the sensation of being restrained vanished from her hands. For the next ten seconds, Jiang Zhe would have a chance at survival. If she could save him successfully, the total number of death redemption coupons she would receive would certainly exceed one thousand! After all, this was a horror film of moderate difficulty.
Edith shut her eyes, concentrating fully on her perception. However, as time passed, the ominous feeling grew stronger. Nonetheless, thanks to her protection, Jiang Zhe should be able to return alive.
Shortly after, the doorbell rang. She stood up immediately, walked to the door, and opened it. Standing outside was none other than Jiang Zhe! However, the current Jiang Zhe looked dazed, his face pale as death.
"Jiang Zhe? Where were you just now?"
At this moment, instructions echoed in Edith's mind, informing her that she had received 1,800 death redemption coupons. This was the price for rescuing an extra in a moderately difficult horror film. Of course, after deducting the 900 coupons spent, she actually gained 900. It was worth noting that if this were a horror film like "Ghost Festival 3," rescuing an extra would yield between 2,000 to 3,000 coupons. However, the mortality rate in top-tier difficulty horror films would also be significantly higher.
Jiang Zhe stood before Edith like a statue, unable to utter a single word, as if his soul had been drained away.
"Jiang Zhe! What has happened to you?" Edith supported his body, sensing that although she had saved him, he was in no state to provide any information.
"Lindsay," he finally murmured after a long pause, "I... I want to go home first. We can talk about things at school tomorrow."
"Alright. Then, your phone..."
"Give it to me tomorrow."
Jiang Zhe then turned around and disappeared into the darkness without another word.
Edith watched his retreating figure, a creeping unease enveloping her as she gazed at the neighboring house. Though she knew it was the source of everything, there was little she could do.
She returned to her room and called Tang Yincheng's phone, which was answered by Carol and others. With this, Edith considered her task complete.
To the others, Edith saving Jiang Zhe's life was not entirely unexpected. As the sole medium among the thirteenth degree cinema of hell, her presence offered significant protection. Of course, the cost in death redemption coupons was also high, given her frequent role as the leading lady. In top-tier difficulty horror films, the fee might even exceed 1,000 coupons.
"It's getting late; let's head back," Carol glanced at her watch and said, "Regardless, thank you today, Lindsay."
"You're welcome. Let's gather again when we have the chance."
The next gathering, needless to say, would be during Christmas. And it would undoubtedly be mandatory, with no possibility of evasion. Christmas Eve would likely mark the final scene of this horror film.
However, having saved Jiang Zhe, Edith herself might now be in danger. While the protagonist's aura would protect her temporarily, she could not afford to be complacent. Relying on her medium abilities, she could ensure safety even while sleeping, but the same could not be said for the other actors. They would inevitably be compelled by the script to return here. Given the proximity of the two houses, the risk was self-evident. With more people involved, she could not possibly protect everyone. Thus, preventive measures were necessary.
She retrieved a black notebook from her drawer, untouched until now. Tearing out the pages, she used a craft knife to cut her fingers and dripped her blood onto the paper, drawing runes with it. As a medium, using her blood to create talismans was not new to her. These talismans could precisely locate spirits. When she sensed danger and activated her medium abilities, the blood on the talisman would react to the spirit, deducting death redemption coupons in the process.
She created twenty talismans, each finger bandaged afterward. Her constitution allowed for quick healing and no scarring, thus requiring no deduction of coupons. Once she sensed danger in a specific direction, she could activate the blood on the talisman, transforming it into a genuine ghost-repelling charm with properties similar to soul-summoning charms. Like the latter, these were one-time use items. She believed she had covered all blind spots, ensuring protection within the vicinity of the house. Should two individuals face danger simultaneously, she could remotely protect one while using a talisman for the other. Protecting both at once was possible but would be exhausting, potentially causing her to faint. Using a talisman, however, avoided this issue. Saving someone through a talisman would still grant her death redemption coupons, making it a highly efficient method.
After affixing the last talisman, her task was complete. Exhausted, she proceeded to take a shower.
For others, bathing was a complicated affair, as cursed objects would avoid them, leading most to avoid such actions in horror films. Donna, for instance, could never bathe, lest her back tattoo be revealed. However, Edith was different, relying on her innate abilities, which rendered bathing harmless.
Turning on the showerhead, Edith gradually cleared her mind. Jiang Zhe's condition clearly precluded obtaining information from him. With this avenue closed, she must take the initiative. The limited information from her medium abilities, "the black figure," was insufficient. Nevertheless, she now had sufficient reason to focus on the neighbor's issue. For a senior in high school, the college entrance exam, though important, paled in comparison to personal safety. With her parents abroad, she had to take matters into her own hands. Fortunately, self-protection was no longer a concern. Gathering intelligence, however, would likely require waiting for the right opportunity.
After her shower, she returned to her room to sleep. Despite her concerns, she needed to rest. However, she fell asleep quickly, assured by the fortifications she had established in the house. Even if something were to happen, her medium abilities would prevent her from dying in her sleep.
Unexpectedly, the situation took a turn.
An indeterminate amount of time later, she abruptly opened her eyes!
Glancing at the clock by her bed, it was barely past two in the morning. Yet, the third act had begun, its script now imprinted in her mind!
In the pitch-black room, all was silent. For the moment, she sensed no immediate danger.
Nonetheless, she remained vigilant, lying in bed with wide-open eyes. The first scene of Act Three had commenced.
According to the script, she would not die, being the protagonist. However, being startled was inevitable. Lying in bed, waiting to be frightened, was not an option for Edith. She needed to take action. Currently, information was scarce; the haunted house was inaccessible, and the "figure" inside had never emerged. Although neighbors like Uncle Zhao occasionally reported seeing a cloaked figure at the window, no one had ever seen anyone leave the house. Several retired elders living nearby often practiced Tai Chi or sword dancing near the house, but none had ever witnessed anyone exiting. Occasionally, some saw a figure in a black cloak moving strangely at the window.
Edith had never had the opportunity to see the figure herself, nor could she monitor the place 24/7. Given this, seizing the opportunity to counterattack might yield some intelligence.
Of course, medium abilities did not confer invincibility. A misstep could result in possession by a malevolent spirit, leading to a fate worse than the revival of a cursed object.
Suddenly, the talisman in the kitchen on the first floor reacted! However, she made no move. Since she was not in immediate danger, there was no need to worry. She remained safe in bed, conserving her energy.
Soon, the talisman in the living room also reacted, allowing her to pinpoint the intruder's exact location within the house.
Gripping her hand tightly, she waited silently.
Soon, footsteps began to echo from the staircase. Having placed a talisman there, she could sense their approach clearly. Her bedroom, accessible by turning left down the corridor from the stairs, was the target.
Everything unfolded according to the script.
As the footsteps ascended the stairs, they moved toward her room.
Yet, Edith remained composed. Even without the talisman, she felt no fear, especially since the script indicated that Lindsay would use the talisman at her bedroom door to repel the intruder. However, since talismans were one-time use, she decided to see the intruder's true form. Activating her medium abilities required only a thought, unlike cursed objects, which needed to be retrieved.
Hearing the footsteps, she rose from her bed, following the script, and moved to the door, pressing herself against the wall. The footsteps drew closer...
As soon as the door opened, Edith would immediately activate her medium abilities! She was determined to uncover the identity of this intruder!
This was not arrogance but confidence in her abilities!