In fact, although many veteran players had been through numerous Games, they had never experienced being alone with a ghost at such close quarters.
This was also what made this Ghost Story especially terrifying.
In the past, no matter how difficult or bizarre a Ghost Story was, they had faced it together. At the very least, they had one companion beside them. Everyone knew not to be alone in such an environment. With another person nearby, even knowing that ferocious ghosts were about, they still felt some measure of safety in numbers.
But this Ghost Story required everyone to carry out their tasks independently.
The psychological impact was immense. Soup Dumpling had initially failed to understand why March had died without even using a One-Time Item. Now he understood.
Facing a Vengeful Ghost alone was far more terrifying than facing one as a group.
Still... he did not have to worry about when to use a One-Time Item.
He had already used up his three exchange opportunities in previous Games. The Spirit Pupils he accumulated now had only one use-exchanging them for an exclusive Permanent Item.
He had no ace up his sleeve.
That amplified his fear even further.
Some people became slow to act when frightened, their muscles stiffening and their thoughts growing sluggish.
For others, however, fear heightened their perception. Hearing, sight, smell, even their thinking and ability to act... all became sharper than normal.
Fortunately, he was the second kind.
But... at this moment, that was also a misfortune.
The Vengeful Ghost had climbed onto his back. An ordinary person would only have felt cold and fear, but he... with his senses and imagination working beyond their usual limits, had already sketched out a rough shape of the Vengeful Ghost behind him in his mind.
This was