Thriller Paradise Chapter 80: Seven Mysteries of the Campus (II) - Novel Cool

Chapter 80: Seven Mysteries of the Campus (II)

Chapter 80: Seven Mysteries of the Campus (II)

Feng Bu Jue and si yu parted ways at the playground—Feng Bu Jue circled past the Main Building toward the depths of the campus, while si yu entered the classroom building directly facing the school gate.

If they could act together, this scenario wouldn’t be too difficult. They could discuss puzzles, divide combat responsibilities, and ease each other’s nerves in terrifying moments. But now, forced to act alone and bound by the ominous call schedule, the danger and difficulty had at least doubled.

Earlier, the nursery rhyme hinted at locations and objects—well, steps, mirror, piano, and more. The well, for instance, was unlikely to be inside a building or near a court. It must be hidden near the perimeter wall.

Guided by this logic, Feng Bu Jue walked past the Main Building under the bright moonlight, its silver glow illuminating the path without need for a flashlight. He moved slowly, checking the scenario time on their phone. At the ten-minute mark, they’d need to make the call.

In the five elements, water corresponds to true north. Feng Bu Jue found the well in the campus’s northern quadrant. Its low rim was built from white stone blocks, uneven and worn, with no cover or rope-and-bucket setup.

Ten meters away, an L-shaped bungalow stood. Peering through the window revealed a long sink and a row of water faucets. Inside, Feng Bu Jue counted the iron buckets, mops, and faucets but found no clues. By 9:27, they called the speed dial.

The screen flashed: [Time not reached. Next dial time: 10:00-10:45].

“It has to be within 45 seconds after the minute…,” Feng Bu Jue murmured. At 10:00, they pressed the button. The phone auto-dialed.

The ringtone barely sounded before si yu answered.

Though allies in-game, this was their first interaction in the scenario. Feng Bu Jue opened with a greeting, but si yu cut straight to business: “The Main Building is bigger than expected, lights won’t turn on. Entry has shoe lockers, then a horizontal corridor with the floor’s blueprint. I’m on the first floor, plan to search layer by layer up to the rooftop. No anomalies yet. How about you?”

Feng Bu Jue, unaccustomed to si yu’s verbosity, quickly replied: “Found the well from the first clue. The second line’s ‘thirteen steps’—watch for it when ascending. If a flight has thirteen steps, you’re entering a haunted zone. Third line hints at restrooms. Listen for dripping water sounds in a stall—”

The line cut. Busy signal. One-minute call time over. The next would be si yu’s turn after fifteen minutes.

Feng Bu Jue glanced at the phone: [Next call time: 40:00-40:45].

“I get it now,” they mused. “This call system isn’t for help—it’s to burden us. Worry for each other will cloud our judgment.”

Indeed. The system, facing two elite players, forced separation but tethered them with obligation. Even if one survived, they’d agonize over injuries, locations, or terror levels they couldn’t influence.

Holding the phone, Feng Bu Jue reluctantly kept it in hand—the satchel couldn’t hold it, and the uniform pockets were too shallow. Clutching a pipe wrench in the other hand, they approached the well.

Air turned icy. At two meters from the well, a voice rasped: “He…lp…me…”

The scene shifted. Night became dusk. A frail boy in a school uniform, glasses askew, was cornered by three delinquents. Their punches echoed until the boy was hoisted over the well.

Feng Bu Jue reached out—their hand passed through the illusion. The ghostly scene played: the boy’s terrified cries, the delinquents’ laughter, the fall. Then silence.

The night returned. Feng Bu Jue’s phone hadn’t counted the time during the vision.

The voice called again: “Help me…”

They leaned closer to the well.

…

Meanwhile, in the Main Building’s staff room, si yu found a newspaper clipping on a desk. Highlighted keywords included “Yejie High School” and details of the well:

In Heisei 6, student Tanaka Soshi was found dead in the well. Police ruled it an accident, but rumors claimed bullying drove him to suicide. A week later, three bullies vanished, later found in the well.

In Heisei 7, another student, Sakagami Yuichi, fell in. His body bore mysterious bite marks from four different sources.

In Heisei 8, two gang members died similarly, fingers bitten off.

The school sealed the well with cement in Heisei 8. It cracked in Heisei 10. By summer of that year, three students vanished. The well reeked of rot. The cracked cement revealed three mangled bodies.

The legend spread: If you hear the well’s ghost cry for help, never look down—or it will drag you under.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

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