Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 1431: Chapter 890: The Source_4

After all, some of the office lights were malfunctioning and needed to be replaced, which would cost extra money to have someone come in and do. Their funds were limited, and they had to be frugal.

When everyone returned to the initial office area after making a full circle, someone noticed a new piece of paper pinned to the foam board behind the door with a thumbtack.

Everyone curiously leaned in to look. The paper had only a few lines, resembling employee regulations.

But the content was very simple, emphasizing office hours, starting at 9:30 AM and ending at 6 PM, with someone required to stay on night duty every night.

The day shift had no extra requirements, just that at least three people should be present in the office simultaneously to handle business matters.

There was no duty roster or names listed, suggesting they could decide freely among themselves.

However, the last line highlighted in red ink was: Work with peace of mind, don’t believe in rumors, don’t go to the 18th floor for no reason—not even to use the toilet, as the restroom there is not open. The boss will not wrong any employee, provided you are sufficiently competent.

The latter part was standard nonsense, and the first part seemed like a warning, but in the eyes of the group, it was actually a hint.

Indeed, the 18th floor had issues.

Without further delay, they began to divide tasks. Since Su Xiaomin had died, they were left with 12 people and three mobile phones, allowing them to form three groups.

Each group consisted of four people, leaving one group to stay in the office for duty. Although the requirement was at least three people, leaving four was a precaution—better to be cautious.

Chen Moting was exhausted from last night and needed rest, so she naturally stayed behind. Yang Yan volunteered to stay and take care of her, and the other two were Zhou Mingxiao and newcomer Zhou Hai.

Yang Xiao and Jiang Qingluan split up, with Yang Xiao, Munan, Liu Yang, and Chen Nang in one group.

Jiang Qingluan, Zhang Jianjun, Shu Shuang, and the now silent Wu Zhuo formed the other group.

After exchanging mobile numbers, the other two teams set off, agreeing that any important intelligence would be shared promptly.

If communication issues arose, they would regroup in the office, no later than 5 PM.

Yang Xiao’s team was the strongest, for a good reason—they bore heavier responsibilities and were determined to take advantage of the daylight to investigate the 18th floor, hoping to find some clues.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qingluan’s team would leave the building to gather information nearby, as the fire years ago was no small matter, and residents nearby would surely know some inside information.

Once communication issues were confirmed absent, the three teams went about their respective duties. Yang Xiao’s team didn’t act rashly, but first went to the security booth to gather some insight.

Unfortunately, the security booth door was open but unoccupied, with extremely rudimentary facilities inside—just a broken wooden table, a thoroughly worn-out leather chair, and a filthy single bed.

The bed had a mosquito net over it, which added to its mysterious air; inside it looked quite chaotic.

"Master?" Liu Yang, naturally amicable, probed as he cautiously approached the bed, uncertain if anyone was inside.

He suspected it was vacant; however, a pair of black cloth shoes with backs stomped flat sat by the bed, scuffed and worn, their tips pointing towards the bed.

"Master, are you there?" Liu Yang asked again, repeatedly without receiving any response.

Finally, summoning his courage, Liu Yang slowly lifted the mosquito net. What he saw next shocked them all.

Lying on the bed was a figure pressed under the covers, only the head exposed.

But the head was bizarre, with a pale face, exaggerated brows and eyes, a coarse nose, and bright red lips... it was a paper mannequin!

More terrifying was that the paper mannequin was wearing a security cap, and upon lifting the covers slightly, a full security uniform identical to the one worn by the security guard they’d seen last night!

Liu Yang’s mind buzzed, involuntarily recalling the strange guard from last night. Could it be... could it be that he too was a ghost, a shape-shifting paper mannequin?!

Liu Yang could not help but retreat until someone steadied him—it was Yang Xiao.

"Don’t be afraid; it’s not a ghost." Yang Xiao nodded upwards, prompting Liu Yang to look up. As he did, he saw a rough Eight Diagrams drawn in chalk on the ceiling of the room.

That’s not all. Around the Eight Diagrams were several yellow papers with scribbled talismans almost akin to Ghost Talisman.

"The security seems to know something, making a Taoist Protective Array here. It’s rough, but this approach is sound." Munan commented as he looked up at the Eight Diagrams and talismans on the ceiling. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"You understand these?" Chen Nang suddenly asked.

"A bit, only the surface. If you like, I can draw a few when we’re out." Munan withdrew his gaze, giving Chen Nang a self-satisfied look.

Chen Nang smiled and nodded, politely saying, "It would be an honor."

"It’s no trouble."

"This security doesn’t seem to reside here at night; does he not work during the day either?" Liu Yang questioned.

"He was here; we just missed him." Yang Xiao picked up a water cup from the table, unscrewing the lid and testing the water temperature with his finger—it was still lukewarm.

To avoid unnecessary problems, the four restored everything in the room before quickly exiting the narrow security booth, leaving the door slightly ajar as they waited outside.

After waiting for a full half hour, they still saw no sign of anyone returning. So, after deliberation, Yang Xiao’s four decided to stop waiting. They took a walk inside the building to feel out the situation, hoping to run into the security guard who should be patrolling inside at this hour.