Chapter 120: A Frightening Game

The Nanshan Museum, established in the millennium year of 2000, is a massive, unique, oval-shaped structure. Mo Shu, a native of Nanshan City, has lived in this city for over twenty years, yet he had never once stepped inside to visit.

"You've got to be kidding me. A local who has never even been to the local museum?" the beautiful Ms. Lin complained as they walked.

The pair, members of the Shadow Squad, had already circled the first-floor lobby once. Not only had they come up empty-handed, but they hadn't even found the elevator leading to the second floor.

"Senior, don't be anxious. Before the other teams get in, let's look around one more time. I believe the production team must have hidden the tokens in some obscure corners," Mo Shu said, trying to comfort the increasingly impatient Ms. Lin.

However, Ms. Lin’s impatience wasn't due to her unfamiliarity with the venue, but because time was ticking away, second by second. They had a ten-minute lead on the other teams, but ten minutes was hardly enough time to properly search this massive museum. The other teams hadn't appeared yet, likely just delayed on the road, and she was sure they would catch up soon. More importantly, no one knew which two teams would become the Dark Legion. If the opponents launched a surprise attack, the Shadow Squad, who hadn't secured a single token yet, would see their promising start turn into a disaster.

As Ms. Lin and Mo Shu walked and scanned their surroundings in a hurry, a pleasant female voice suddenly broadcasted over the museum’s intercom with a "ding-dong."

"The Dark Legion has arrived quietly. Guests, please pay attention to your personal safety!"

What? The Dark Legion already? That meant at least two teams had caught up.

As soon as the broadcast ended, Mo Shu noticed a figure at the end of the corridor they were currently in, darting behind a thick stone pillar.

"Damn it, I think we've been spotted," Mo Shu whispered to Ms. Lin.

"Seriously? Already! Cameraman, please turn off the fill light and hide with us," Ms. Lin, an experienced variety show performer, immediately instructed the accompanying staff not to reveal their position easily.

The cameraman was very cooperative; he nimbly hid behind the pair and followed Mo Shu and Ms. Lin as they tiptoed away from the figure they had just seen.

"Are you sure you saw clearly? Did someone really come over?" Ms. Lin asked in a low voice.

"I'm sure. And I think I saw a fill light flash and then go out," Mo Shu said, walking on his tiptoes, terrified of making even the slightest sound.

"Alright, let's quietly exit this corridor first, then head to the second floor. The first floor is probably no longer safe."

"Understood, Senior. I'm with you."

The short distance of ten meters or so felt like hours to the pair. Once they finally retreated outside the corridor, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, though the light here was even dimmer, so dark that they could barely see one another.

This area appeared to be an exhibition of cultural and historical heritage, filled with archaeological artifacts and burial implements. Likely due to the show's recording, there were no tourists, and only a few dim display lights were turned on around each artifact. The dim lighting, combined with the ancient coffins displayed in the center of the area, made the atmosphere suddenly oppressive and eerie.

The two members of the Shadow Squad looked at each other, both feeling a chill run down their spines.

"Ugh... the air conditioning in this place is set low," Mo Shu said, rubbing his arms. He hadn't expected playing games for a variety show would be so nerve-wracking. "Cameraman, please turn on the fill light. I think we're safe for the moment."

"Click!" The cameraman reached up and flipped the switch, and the light suddenly brightened.

"Snap!"

Just as Mo Shu and Ms. Lin prepared to continue, another sound made their hearts jump. Why would a small fill light on a camera make two different sounds? Could they have encountered something supernatural? They were surrounded by relics of the ancestors; who knew if they might run into something malevolent!

Just as their thoughts raced, in a flash, a figure darted out again!

"AWOOO!!!"

A rugged, earth-shattering scream pierced the sky—no, it pierced the ceiling...

Mo Shu and Ms. Lin were already terrified out of their wits. They didn't even have time to scream; they just turned and bolted. My god! This TV production team was truly inconsiderate; they didn't even suggest a prayer or a ritual to ward off evil before filming. Artists like Ms. Lin, who worked on films and television, always held a proper opening ceremony!

"Wait... don't run! It's us!"

A southern Chinese accent rang out from behind. As Mo Shu and Ms. Lin were running, they realized the voice sounded incredibly familiar. Was he just being too sensitive? Mo Shu summoned his courage and glanced back.

Well, they say human-to-human scares are the worst. Mo Shu tugged at Ms. Lin, a look of relief washing over his face. "It's King Zhang. It’s not anything scary," Mo Shu said with a helpless smile, mocking himself for being just as timid as a lady.

Upon hearing it was the legendary King Zhang, Ms. Lin instantly composed her panicked expression and turned around, exclaiming, "My goodness! King Zhang, you scared the life out of me! I'm a woman—how am I supposed to handle that world-ending shriek of yours?"

King Zhang walked over, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. "My dear beauty, that howl of mine was also scared out of me by you, wasn't it?"

"Hahaha, make sure that part gets cut!" Ms. Lin pointed at the staff, feigning anger.

"Right! And my scream shouldn't be aired either!" King Zhang instructed his follow-PD as well.

Suddenly, Ms. Lin stopped and asked vigilantly, "King Zhang, why are you alone? Are you part of the Dark Legion? Where is Brother Zheng, Zheng the Lion? Is he lying in ambush nearby?"

King Zhang smiled bitterly and cupped his hands in explanation. "My dear, if I were the Dark Legion, would I have screamed just now? I would have pounced like a hungry tiger! Brother Zheng went to the restroom and left me here to wait for him."

"Is that the truth?" Ms. Lin remained half-skeptical.

"Of course it's true! I'll take an oath right now: I'm forming an alliance with the Shadow Squad immediately. I guarantee I'm not with the Dark Legion!" King Zhang held up three fingers with great solemnity.

"Oh, no need for that, no need! How could I let a star like you take an oath? Our two teams should just form an alliance; an alliance is the best policy!" Ms. Lin replied humbly.

"Agreed! From now on, we are officially allies!"

"Allies!"

Ms. Lin shook hands with King Zhang and added, "King Zhang, my teammate Mo Shu here is truly remarkable. We were just too ignorant before. While we wait for Brother Zheng, let me tell you more about him..."

As she spoke, Ms. Lin turned to call for Mo Shu, only to find the space behind her empty. Mo Shu was gone.

"Huh? Where is he?" Ms. Lin asked the cameraman, puzzled.

The cameraman, holding the heavy equipment, couldn't answer, but simply tilted his chin toward the side.

Ms. Lin and King Zhang looked in that direction and saw Mo Shu standing alone, staring blankly at a glass display case. His expression looked dull, and a yellow light cast his features in a way that looked quite eerie.

"Mo Shu! What’s wrong with you?" Ms. Lin strode forward. She was just about to brag about Mo Shu to King Zhang; why had this disappointing kid wandered off to space out?

"Mo—" Ms. Lin’s second call was cut short, the sound stuck in her throat.

Mo Shu seemed unable to hear her at all, as if he were completely cut off from the outside world. On his finger, the ring was faintly shimmering with a purple glow.