Habit

As Luo Di awoke, a series of examinations followed one after another.

First, the attending physician checked his basic physical condition. After confirming Luo Di was in decent shape, they immediately arranged a "psychological assessment."

All residents leaving the city were required to undergo a psychological check upon their return, let alone individuals like Luo Di who had encountered an accident during new practical training.

This psychological assessment was more complex than those conducted at the school.

Luo Di was fitted with a full set of brainwave monitoring equipment and had to answer questions on paper in this state.

There were a total of one hundred questions, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and timed true/false questions.

If the monitoring equipment detected any abnormal fluctuations during the test, the entire assessment would restart. Three consecutive abnormal fluctuations would result in an automatic failure.

After about an hour, Luo Di handed the answer sheet to the psychologist beside him.

"The results are [Good], not much different from your previous test scores. Get some rest."

With the end of the psychological assessment, the door light of Luo Di's hospital room turned from red to green.

A young man wearing glasses, who had been waiting outside for a while, was the first to visit.

He didn't greet Luo Di immediately but instead placed a bouquet of daffodils in the vase on the bedside table.

"Luo Di, I didn't expect you to know people like that."

The visitor was Gao Yuxuan, who appeared to be in good condition; he was the only one not injured during the practical training.

However, Luo Di's first question wasn't about the practical training or his companions. "Class monitor, how much time has passed? Is it still a holiday?"

"Yes, you were unconscious for less than a day."

"What about the class monitor and Anna?"

"The class monitor was just moved out of the intensive care unit. He's still in a coma due to excessive blood loss, but his vital signs are generally stable.

As for Anna, she's in the room next to yours. Her condition should be similar to yours; she'll wake up sooner or later."

"Have they found the source of the accident?"

"Their internal personnel are suspected to have an Imposter, an Imposter capable of bypassing the basic detection mechanisms. They planned everything in advance.

He had been working in the practical training area for a long time and was well aware of the loopholes in the training mechanism.

After we killed the jiangshi, this person cut off the multiple power supplies in the training management area and activated the emergency protection mode, preventing internal awareness of our status and trapping us inside for a period. Rescue personnel also arrived late.

If it weren't for the fact that you knew someone like that, Luo Di, we probably wouldn't have made it back.

This accident is no small matter; personnel from the research institute will be held accountable, and the new practical training will be re-evaluated. Of course, our performance will also be recorded, and I expect we'll receive very high practical training evaluations."

Luo Di's thoughts weren't focused on the research institute's negligence; he was even somewhat grateful for this "accident."

"Very high evaluations?"

"Yes, people from the city bureau have already spoken with me. After all, we encountered two incidents consecutively, especially the Possession incident corresponding to the accident, which was very difficult.

The fact that we managed to break through the situation and even survive with everyone intact will be recorded as a special high-difficulty practical training in our files, which will be very beneficial for our future advancement. They should also provide us with relevant compensation, and it certainly won't be stingy. We might even get some very good things."

Luo Di was quite satisfied with this. His advancement next year would directly impact his family's future, and his parents were both hoping he could join a major company.

"Which hospital am I in now?"

"Do I even need to say? With such excellent medical conditions, it must be City First Hospital. The expenses are covered by the research institute, so just focus on recovering.

By the way, haven't your family come?"

"They're out traveling and won't be back until the holiday is over."

"Well, your body isn't in too bad shape anyway. You'll probably be discharged in a couple more days."

Gao Yuxuan moved his backpack in front of him and took out several books related to Exorcism, including some classic Exorcism novels.

"These are all books I've read. I'm giving them to you. I figured you'd be bored alone in the hospital."

"Thank you."

After neatly stacking the books on the bedside table, Gao Yuxuan stood up, cleared his throat, and after what seemed like a long period of psychological preparation, managed to say, "Haven't we exchanged phone numbers yet?"

"I think so?"

"Quick, save each other's numbers. Call me after you're discharged, and I'll treat you to a meal."

"No need for a meal. The class monitor will treat us anyway. Let's exchange numbers."

Luo Di habitually raised his left arm, only to find nothing there. His wristband had been crushed during the practical training.

"Oh, right, your wristband is gone~ I'll leave my number, and you can add me once you get a new one."

Gao Yuxuan wrote his number on the flyleaf of a book with a ballpoint pen he carried. He then stood up and walked around the room a couple of times.

Both of them were people who didn't talk much, and without a common goal like during the practical training, being alone in the same room was quite awkward.

Gao Yuxuan, who had initially wanted to say more, finally managed to utter only, "I won't disturb your rest," before turning to leave.

Just as he was about to step out of the room, Click!

That incredibly familiar, bone-chilling "clicking tongue sound" echoed in the empty room.

Gao Yuxuan's body immediately tensed up, cold sweat erupting from his pores as if possessed. His back was practically soaked.

Click!

Another sound echoed through the hospital room.

Gao Yuxuan immediately pinpointed the source of the sound: the hospital bed.

However, compared to the clicking tongue sound heard during their time at the old mansion, here, apart from the sound itself, there were no other environmental changes, nor did he feel that scorching heat from Hell.

The clicking tongue sound occurred rhythmically.

Gao Yuxuan retreated to the end of the bed, looking at Luo Di, who was reading a book.

"Luo Di, are... are you okay?"

Gao Yuxuan's question made Luo Di realize he was unconsciously clicking his tongue.

"It's fine. I don't know why, but whenever I concentrate on something, I start clicking my tongue without realizing it. It seems to have become a habit.

I even clicked my tongue a few times during the hospital's psychological tests. It didn't trigger any possession reactions, and all the doctor's examinations were normal.

It's probably just a common habit brought on by the Possession."

"You clicked your tongue during the tests too? Then it should be fine. Phew... that was really scary."

"Really?"

Luo Di, however, didn't seem bothered. He was even a little pleased.

This near-death practical training accident, in his opinion, was more like a special experience that suited his preferences and offered an equal reward.

"Cough~ I'll get going. I'll contact you after I'm discharged."

"Okay."

Hospital Stay

It had to be said that the hospital's services and amenities were top-notch.

Luxurious meals that aided recovery were personally delivered at fixed times.

Any medical staff were available at a moment's notice.

However, the only visitor seemed to be Gao Yuxuan.

Luo Di's running buddy, Mr. Luo Fei, the key figure in resolving the accident, hadn't shown up. It was likely because he had actively intervened in this accident and needed to handle the remaining aftermath with the research institute's higher-ups.

Luo Di would contact him immediately after his discharge.

Not only to express his gratitude, but he also wanted to inquire about the specific details of the Exorcism, and about Hell, especially that mysterious Symbol.

Time unknowingly passed until evening.

When the nurse came to remove the needle, she also brought a bowl of Matsutake Mushroom Chicken Noodle Soup as a late-night snack.

After his body absorbed the ample nutrients, Luo Di, who hadn't moved much all day, got out of bed himself.

He first returned the leftover bowls and chopsticks to the nurse's station. Although the nurse reminded him again to rest, Luo Di still chose to walk back and forth in the quiet hospital corridor.

As he passed Anna's room, the door still displayed a red marker. She seemed to still be unconscious.

Luo Di walked to the end of the corridor and stepped into the stairwell marked Emergency Exit.

Because the First Hospital had a large number of efficient multi-functional elevators, stairwells like this, meant for escape, were practically deserted, especially now that night had fallen.

After a workout climbing the stairs, Luo Di sat down in the stairwell to rest for a bit.

As his body settled down, he instinctively reached his hands forward, wanting to do a few push-ups, but he ultimately stopped himself.

"I'll make up for it when I get home after discharge."

Luo Di hadn't been resting in the stairwell for long when...

Fzzt fzzt fzzt~

The usually bright lights in the stairwell began to flicker abnormally