After assessing the situation, Jiang Chen grew a little more relaxed.
At least for now, nothing in this suburban area seemed capable of threatening him.
After a moment's thought, he found a suit in a nearby office and put it on, then covered his head with a cardboard box, looking almost exactly like the man had before his death.
Next, he performed a textbook example of Jiang-style Ghost Exorcism.
First, in the most spacious room on the sixth floor, he found the building's owner, the man who had died of claustrophobia. The man was hunched over his computer, working just as he had in life.
Jiang Chen made some noise at the back door. When the man came out to investigate, he summoned the River Earl and hid in the office.
After returning, the man heard a crackle of electricity, and soon the lights went out. Darkness enveloped him like an invisible restraint. His claustrophobia flared up, and he felt as though a large hand were squeezing his neck, leaving him barely able to breathe.
He ran out of the office in a panic.
Something even more terrifying happened. A vicious ghost chased after him, its body drenched and dripping, its face pale and its limbs twisted.
The man's eyes went wide.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen rushed over just then, grabbed him, and ran.
With the cardboard box over his head, he said nothing. The man recognized him immediately as his evil self. He also realized that his evil self had probably come to save him because it feared disappearing if he died.
What followed was a desperate chase.
Again and again, Jiang Chen led him into cramped spaces-the toilet, the Water Valve Room, wardrobes-to hide. With the River Earl cooperating, he practically led the man around by the nose.
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