Chapter One: The Miracle Worker

"Sir, you wouldn’t want these photos of yours to be seen by anyone else, would you?"

Inside the dormitory, a smiling youth held up his phone, grinning at Ji Linmo, whose collar he had seized.

Ji Linmo's expression froze as he stared at the phone.

—In the photo, his own face was twisted, eyes bloodshot, mouth gaping wide and monstrous, devouring a human.

"I caught this perfectly, didn’t I?"

The youth’s smile grew even brighter. He raised his hand and patted Ji Linmo’s cheek.

"Who would have thought that the man known as the ‘First Miracle Survivor,’ the one who always clears horror games so effortlessly, does so because he’s no longer human?"

Ji Linmo released his grip, standing with a cold, predatory gaze.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Of course not." The youth leaned in, his fingers tracing Ji Linmo’s Adam’s apple before suddenly tightening his hold around Ji Linmo’s neck.

"Now, this is a threat. From today onward, you’ll call me Master."

Two weeks earlier, at Yuren High School

[Stay alive! Stay alive! Stay alive!]

[Today’s number of deaths among participants: 32.]

In the early morning at Yuren High School, countless students stood beneath blood-red warning banners, reciting iron rules left by predecessors in the horror world.

Eight years ago, a sophomore disappeared in his classroom, marking the dawn of the Horror Era for Earth.

Since then, every adult between eighteen and forty-five could be chosen by the horror world to participate in a four-year survival game.

Many people hoped their friends and family would survive and return, but in eight years, only that very first vanished student had made it back alive.

As the sole survivor among eight hundred thousand players, he earned the title "First Miracle Survivor."

"Question: Based on the experience of the First Miracle Survivor, what mindset should newcomers maintain in the horror world?"

"Vigilance, agility, composure, indifference, detachment."

As students recited aloud, a tall, broad-shouldered man strode briskly across campus.

Clad in a black trench coat, his brows sharp and his eyes dark, he moved through the morning mist like a drop of ink on parchment—noticeable yet distant, drawing the attention of the early-reading students.

But the man never glanced aside, heading straight for the principal’s office.

Upon entering, his cold, handsome face shifted.

"Principal, I’m here."

Ji Linmo’s lips curled faintly, but his eyes quickly darkened.

—There was no principal inside, only a crowd of unexpected visitors waiting.

"First Miracle Survivor, once again we implore you, for the sake of the nation and all humanity, please bring this youth back to the real world."

One by one, the guests knelt at his feet.

The elderly Director Li, leading the group, looked at Ji Linmo with pleading eyes and handed him a photo—a youth in a school uniform, smiling radiantly.

"Director Li, I’ll accept, but you must tell me—who is this boy?"

Ji Linmo held the photo, frowning at Director Li.

"He..."

Unexpectedly, Director Li’s gaze flickered with fear as he looked at the photo.

He glanced around, hesitated, and began to speak in a hoarse whisper.

"He... he is actually—"

Bang!

Director Li’s head exploded, like a tomato can crushed beneath a car, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

At the same moment, Ji Linmo vanished into thin air.

[Alert! Horror Game officially begins!]

[This year’s Yuren City scenario—Ruolan Community (Night of the Ghost Bride)!]

With the blaring siren overhead, a new year of horror games began.

Countless citizens of Yuren City wore anxious faces.

Their city was assigned the most difficult S-class scenario!

[S-class scenario: Ruolan Community (Night of the Ghost Bride)]

[Background: Recently, Ruolan Community is celebrating—Room 403’s resident, who never leaves, is getting married. Everyone wonders what the bride will look like…]

[Game objective: Survive for fourteen days to clear the scenario.]

[Number of players this scenario: 543]

Ji Linmo opened his eyes.

He found himself standing in a cramped, shadowy room. In the pale light, a three-legged wooden table held a black-and-white photo and a pair of scissors.

In the photo, a woman adorned with phoenix crown and veil wore an expressionless face.

"I didn’t even get to hear the director finish..."

Ji Linmo sighed, then frowned as he surveyed his surroundings.

A small, inconspicuous note on the wall caught his attention.

[Kind Reminder]

[① Today is your wedding day. Your beloved adores festive red and despises neglect.]

[② She is the bride, you are the groom, he is the groom, you are the bride.]

[③ Don’t forget to drink the ceremonial wine. It’s your beloved’s favorite.]

[④ Remember, nothing pleases your beloved more than a kiss.]

Ji Linmo let go of the note. The incandescent lamp overhead began flickering ominously.

Knock, knock, knock!

"The bride is here!"

Outside the door, a shrill voice rang out, accompanied by rustling sounds.

"So soon? As expected of an S-class scenario."

Ji Linmo hurried to the door, peering through the peephole.

—A "woman" in a blood-red wedding dress, her head covered by a red veil, was escorted by a pair of children.

Under the stark white light, the "woman" was pale as paper, wearing a phoenix crown and embroidered robes. Her red embroidered shoes were peculiarly large—like boats, bigger than men’s sizes.

Beside the "bride," the boy and girl swayed unnaturally, creaking softly—they were paper figures.

A ghost bride.

Ji Linmo held his breath, remaining still.

Suddenly, the paper boy and girl lifted their heads, staring straight at the peephole, as if they could see Ji Linmo, and shrieked.

"The bride is here! Open the door!"

Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!

The rusty iron door shook violently, sending thick dust flying from the threshold as if being battered.

Three times—the note said the bride hated neglect. They were getting impatient.

Amid the furious pounding, Ji Linmo cautiously twisted the doorknob.

But in that brief instant, he caught a glimpse of the paper children’s triumphant, scheming smiles.

As expected—this was a trap. Opening the door would be fatal!

Ji Linmo swiftly released the knob.

Instantly, the iron door emitted an even louder screech, trembling on the verge of collapse.

It seemed the paper figures outside were angry enough to break in.

[Alert! Your actions have angered the other party! Act quickly to avoid death!]

This was a dead end...

Staring at the scene, Ji Linmo lowered his gaze, brows furrowed.

Whether he opened the door or not—death awaited.

In such despair, an ordinary player, overwhelmed by terror, would have opened the door and met a gruesome fate.

But Ji Linmo remained utterly calm, methodically searching for clues.

He swept his gaze across the room and suddenly noticed something.

—Too pale. The entire room was as white as a funeral hall.

From start to finish, this place wasn’t meant for a wedding—it was a mortuary.