Tap. Tap. Tap...
Gunshots echoed around the bend, followed by urgent footsteps.
Li Chengyi froze for only a moment. Time was nearly up.
I have to gamble.
He gritted his teeth and dashed toward the narrow crevice.
In this endless maze of an underground garage, the sudden appearance of a wall crack might be the only change—perhaps even the only way out.
Bang!
Just as he was about to enter, a spark exploded on the wall beside the crack.
"Stop!" the gunman's voice barked again, sharp as a whip.
"Ha! I knew it! It's real!" the man laughed, chasing after him from around the corner, gun aimed at Li Chengyi.
Clearly, the guy had known about this crack all along.
"You!" he shouted while closing in. "Draw that thing away!"
Only then did Li see it—behind the gunman, the enormous black-and-white face floated closer.
Lifeless, expressionless, silent.
It moved even faster than before.
Meng Dongdong was nowhere to be seen.
Li Chengyi froze, the crack just steps away, the gun aimed at his chest.
Rush in—or use Flower Whisper to fight the monster?
Thud thud thud.
The footsteps drew near. The gunman's face twisted in urgency.
"Distract it! Now!"
His bared teeth and yellowed gums were all Li could see as his own thoughts spiraled in chaos.
Now or never. If I die now, or die later... what's the difference?
With a roar, Li Chengyi lunged forward—toward the monster.
As he passed the gunman, his hand brushed ever so lightly against the man's arm. Then—
Smack.
He slapped the wall beside him.
Flower Whisper: Enchantment of the Damned.
A binding force surged out, linking the man to the cold concrete.
"ARGHH!!"
The gunman was yanked sideways and pinned to the wall like a magnet. His weapon clattered to the ground.
Li didn't look back.
He dove into the crack.
CRUNCH.
Blood sprayed behind him—splattering the white walls in scarlet.
Then came the sound of chewing. Wet. Bone-snapping.
Li kept moving. His mind was eerily calm despite his body's total exhaustion.
As he crept through the passage, he dared a glance back.
That massive black-and-white face… was holding a leg in its mouth.
Blood gushed. Flesh tore.
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound faded into static.
His vision darkened.
Sleep pulled at him like a tide.
Then… wind.
He smelled flowers and grass.
Shhhhhhhhhh.
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing on a dimly-lit running path in a small park.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't breathe.
He was out.
Truly out.
But there was no relief. No joy. No emotion.
Only silence.
Then—
Tap.
A pair of high-top leather boots stopped in front of him.
Silver buckles. Glossy shine. A faint reflection of his haggard, bloodstained face in the toe.
"Looks like you were lucky this time," said a familiar voice.
The man from the café.
He lit a cigarette. The flame glowed red.
"Although... probably just temporarily."
Li Chengyi looked up, his eyes bleeding once again.
"…It's not over, is it?"
"Of course not," the man replied, smoke drifting from his lips. "It may never be."
"I thought you'd die. Honestly. But you're the only one of the candidates who made it."
He smiled, tossed the cigarette, and crushed it underfoot.
"20,000 yuan a month. Room, board, weekends off. 9 to 5. Daily pay."
He extended a hand.
"Be my assistant?"
Li Chengyi stared at the offered hand—worn, yellowed fingers, faint nicotine stains.
He took a slow breath.
"…I still don't know anything."
"You'll know everything soon. First escape gives you two months' rest."
"And you won't find this info online," the man added with a smirk. "Know how I found you?"
Li's eyes narrowed.
Search history. Browsing traces.
"You cleaned up after me?"
"My people did. You're off the radar—for now."
"So you're saying... I have no other choice?"
The man shrugged.
"Five thousand people die in dead zones every year. In just our country. You're not special."
"But you're free to refuse. Go enjoy your two-month reprieve. Or go to the police. Your call."
Li Chengyi stood up, pulled out his phone. 9:15 p.m.
Everything he'd brought—gone. Left behind.
"Fine."
He slapped the man's hand.
"Call me Cheng Yi."
"I'm Syndra," the man smiled. "Good to meet you... Li Chengyi."
"Let's treat your injuries first. Don't want to lose your eyesight."
They walked toward a black SUV at the park's edge.
It gleamed under the moonlight—silver badge: Mist Flag.
Syndra opened the trunk, grabbed a metal first-aid kit, and quickly patched up Li's face.
Then—makeup pens?
"Want to cover it up?"
"…Does that even work?"
"Better than you think. Don't want to scare your family."
Minutes later, Li checked his reflection—no wounds. Just cool, faint tingling where the blood had once been.
"These cosmetics are medical-grade," Syndra said. "Custom. You won't find them anywhere."
Li nodded.
"What about the data? The dead zones?"
"You need rest more than info. And your phone? It's not secure."
"No paper files?"
"Paper? You think I've got room for that?" Syndra laughed. "Encrypted K-drive. Ever heard of it?"
"…Fine. See you tomorrow."
Li turned to leave.
"Don't want my number?"
"You'll find me."
He didn't look back. He just walked.
All he wanted now… was sleep.
And when he woke up—he'd fix the Flower Scale Armor first thing.
[📘 Interactive Ending – Author Voice]Hey readers, what would you do in Chengyi's place?Take the job offer—or run far away?Let me know in the comments below. And don't forget to add this book to your library for more! 💬🔥