The Cost of Growing Up

Hou Guisheng stared coldly at Gu Xingjian as he slowly backed through the iron door.

The Blonde Girl who had appeared so suddenly held Gu Xingjian's coat hem with one hand and used it for leverage, lowering her waist.

Her waterfall of hair brushed the floor, and her embroidered dance dress fluttered in the breeze.

The scene looked beautiful, almost harmonious.

They resembled an intimate couple performing a graceful dance.

In truth, the Sixteenth Floor Ghost's strange and powerful force was dragging a living man's limbs, forcing his muscles and bones to twist.

Gu Xingjian frowned. His bones gave several muffled cracks, and his body tilted backward against his will.

At the same time, he drew the Bamboo Flute from his coat.

Hou Guisheng's expression changed. He clapped his hands over his ears, but it did no good.

The familiar Sheet Music from the Thirteenth Floor sounded once more through the Bamboo Flute in Gu Xingjian's hands.

Buoyed by Supernatural Power, the lilting, piercing notes seeped straight into the heart.

As the flute sounded, the dancing girl suddenly froze.

At the same moment, Hou Guisheng's face began to change beyond the iron door, blurring and sharpening by turns.

It was as though the flute had thrown his very form into disarray.

Amid the confusion, a faint blonde figure gradually approached Hou Guisheng.

The force restraining Gu Xingjian weakened considerably, allowing him to regain most of his mobility.

His blade flashed, neatly severing the coat hem caught in her hand.

Holding the Bamboo Flute in one hand, he smiled and said:

"Manager Hou, now the game is finally fair."

Hou Guisheng could no longer be considered a complete Gamer. Part of the Thirteenth Floor's Faceless Person resided within him.

That was why he was immune to the Sixteenth Floor Ghost's attacks.