Verifying Identities

"Scrape..."

The flint struck a spark, and Ji Li bent down slightly to light the candle in the center of the Living Room.

The flickering Eerie Glow illuminated a small circular area.

Centered around the candle flame, four chairs formed a circle, as though some mysterious ritual were underway.

It seemed the chairs trapped the firelight, but in truth, the firelight trapped the chairs.

Ji Li stood beside the candle and silently turned around, his gaze sweeping across the four chairs one by one.

He saw four people seated in the four chairs...

More accurately, four tiny paper effigies had been placed on the chairs.

Though the paper figures were only palm-sized, they had been crafted with remarkable care and detail.

Four black-and-white photographs were affixed to their heads.

The first was Fang Shenyan, missing one eye.

Ji Li's expression changed slightly. He did not know what Fang Shenyan had gone through to lose an eye.

The second was Clyde, likewise missing one eye.

From their earlier conversation, Ji Li knew that Clyde had arrived on the Tenth Floor alongside Fang Shenyan.

It appeared he, too, was involved in this Supernatural Incident.

The third was Li Guanqi, his expression gloomy as he stared straight into the camera.

Another acquaintance.

He did not know when this photograph had been taken, but it could not have been long ago.

It was Ji Li's first time seeing the normally gentle Li Guanqi wear such an expression.

The fourth was Xue Tinghai, expressionless, his eyes seemingly shut.

Xue Tinghai's appearance was unexpected, yet also reasonable.

However, judging from the expressions in the photographs, he and Li Guanqi seemed to have switched places.

"An Exorcism Ritual..."

With his hands behind his back, Ji Li's gaze moved among the four effigies seated on the chairs.

It