Global Collapse-Chapter 448 - 423: Alien in the Pigsty_1

"I wonder how the other three are doing now," Fatty muttered to himself.

By nine-thirty in the evening, Gu Mian and the others had already returned to the city center. They were now hiding in a dressing room in a mall that was about to close, avoiding other people. Fatty was so large he was shoved to the very edge, his face pressed against the door and nearly squashed out of shape.

Fatty listened carefully to the footsteps outside, recognizing the sounds of mall employees leaving for the day. Gu Mian and the others hid in the dressing room of an abandoned store, considering the cleaning lady might check the restrooms for anyone left behind before the mall closed.

Not daring to breathe heavily, Fatty squeezed out a whisper, "Brother Chu, why are we hiding here?"

Chu Changge, squeezed into another corner, his feet barely touching the ground, explained, "There's nobody here after the mall closes, which greatly reduces the risk of us getting caught by the police. It makes our task easier. We need the ghost to find us. As everyone knows, secluded and dark places are ideal for ghosts to appear."

"Be found by the ghost?" Fatty's eyes widened in the cramped dressing room. "You mean, after everyone leaves, the six of us will split up to lure it out?"

Squeezed at the edge, Chu Changge remained composed. "The ghost in this instance is somewhat out of control, but it seems to have a particular interest in players' bodies. Mr. Green said it wouldn't miss any chance to kill players, possibly intending to use a player's body to escape this instance."

Xiao Qiao, who had a chainsaw hanging around her neck, nodded in agreement. Gu Mian was wracking his brains trying to get the bag off her neck.

Fatty was still pressed against the dressing room's partition door. "But even if we split up in this mall, the Doctor is still close by, right? If the ghost knows we're back, will it definitely come?"

Chu Changge shook his head, a difficult maneuver in the cramped dressing room. "That's why we can't let the ghost know Gu Mian is here. We need to send out bait to lure it. Besides, this time we have two professional players. While the Doctor can't be touched, there's still the Fortune-teller. The ghost might think possessing a professional player's body could offer some advantage."

The Fortune-teller, in the cramped fitting room, struggled to turn her head toward Chu Changge. "What did you say?"

"I said the Fortune-teller is an excellent lure," Chu Changge repeated, unfazed.

Gu Mian watched them. If Liu Ruyan hadn't been standing between them, the Fortune-teller would likely have her hands around Chu Changge's neck by now.

Chu Changge ignored the Fortune-teller's twitching fingers. He managed to free a hand from the crush of bodies to adjust his glasses. "Let me outline my plan. It's nine-thirty now, and the mall entrance is still busy. If we operate outside and someone spots a ghost, they'll definitely call the police..." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The Fortune-teller interjected, "Would anyone really call the police to report seeing a ghost?"

"Of course," Fatty said with conviction. "I used to be in and out of the station a lot. The police officers there told me they often get bizarre reports, things like, 'An alien landed in the pigsty east of my house and is now walking around,' or 'A female ghost just crawled out from under Old Wang's bed next door'—that sort of thing."

The Fortune-teller looked utterly bewildered. "What in the world?!"

Before the conversation could stray further, Chu Changge interjected, "That's why we need to send out bait to lure the ghost. We can only make our move when there's no one else around."

Fatty sounded skeptical. "Setting aside other issues, the mall doors should be locked by now, right? Plus, it's still pretty crowded outside, even at night. If we just saw through the mall's security door, we'd likely all be eating prison food tonight."

"I checked this mall's fire safety map when I came in," Chu Changge said, adjusting his glasses. "Deliveries go straight to the loading dock, and there's a door there that leads directly into the mall. That entrance is also quite secluded, so we can operate freely."

By now, the noises from outside had completely faded. It seemed everyone had left. Not long after the sounds died down, the light above their heads suddenly went out, plunging the entire dressing room into darkness.

Chu Changge took out a flashlight he had prepared. "Looks like they've all gone. We can go find the loading dock now."

Fatty, who had been squeezed for quite a while, immediately turned the doorknob to the fitting room and burst out of the cramped space. Gu Mian followed him out. Xiao Qiao, chainsaw still hanging around her neck, followed close behind. Gu Mian could finally reach out and take the guitar bag off her neck. Chu Changge and the Fortune-teller emerged last.

Using their flashlights, it didn't take them long to find the first-floor loading dock. As they located it, Chu Changge continued to explain his plan: "We don't know the ghost's exact whereabouts, but it's likely near our lodgings. Hanging around the coffee shop might give us a lead."

The Fortune-teller pointed at herself. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes," Chu Changge nodded.

A miserable expression crossed the Fortune-teller's face. "I have such rotten luck! I never should have entered an instance at a time like this... Being chased by ghosts was one thing, but actively luring one? I've never heard of such a thing, let alone seen it!"

Gu Mian, flashlight in hand, was already inside the loading dock. It was filled with numerous shelves. He swept the beam around. "So, I just hide here and grab the ghost when it shows up?"

"No," Chu Changge shook his head. "This spot is too close to the exit; the ghost could easily get away. If anyone saw a doctor wielding a chainsaw and chasing someone down the street, it would cause a massive commotion."

As he spoke, Chu Changge had already reached the large doors of the loading dock. With Gu Mian's help, they quickly opened the heavy doors. As expected, they opened onto a deserted alley with not a soul in sight.

Standing in the doorway, Chu Changge adjusted his glasses. "It's too risky for the Fortune-teller to go out alone. I'll accompany her, along with Fatty."

Fatty, who had been daydreaming, jolted when his name was called. "Huh? Me?"

"Yes." Chu Changge nodded, then looked at Xiao Qiao. "Give Gu Mian your phone so we can stay in contact."

Xiao Qiao grunted in acknowledgment and pulled a pink phone from her pocket.

Chu Changge stood at the entrance. "We'll do our best to lead the ghost this way, though there's no guarantee of success. If we don't return tonight, it means we perished somewhere along the way..."

"Don't say such terrifying things!" The Fortune-teller rubbed her arm, goosebumps rising on her skin.