Spreading Fear

"Beep-! Beep--!"

A flute whistled through the sky above the Linhai.

On the misty streets, a vendor pushing a cart stopped and looked up at the sky with some confusion.

In the brightly lit high-rise building, a figure in a bathrobe stood up from behind a desk and walked to the window.

In the pitch-black room, a sleeping figure opened his eyes and lay on the bed, not yet realizing what was happening.

Those who have just woken up, those doing their morning exercise, those who are working, and those who are still sleeping...

More and more people were woken up.

They subconsciously listened to the whistling flute playing in their ears.

Finally, the flute music stopped.

Instead, a clear, distinct, yet tense and urgent voice emerged.

Urgent notice! Urgent notice!

Attention all citizens of Linhai City!

A large Calamity Beast Sharp-Horned Rat has been confirmed to have invaded the city from the coastal area; they are numerous and aggressive.

All citizens are urged to immediately implement the following measures:

All people outdoors, please immediately seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building; shops that have opened, please lock their doors and windows.

Residents who are not currently outside should close all doors and windows, turn off lights, reinforce entrances, and stay away from low-rise windows.

If you encounter a gray rodent that is significantly larger than normal and has a single horn on its head, do not approach it or attempt to scare it away. Please call the Calamity Beast hotline 117 immediately.

All citizens are urged to remain calm and refrain from turning on lights or making loud noises!

Lights and noise can attract Calamity Beast!

The Supervision Bureau has organized relevant departments to handle this incident; all citizens are asked to wait patiently.

Attention: This is not a drill! This is not a drill!

"I'll repeat the notice again!"

"A large horde of Calamity Beast (Sharp-Horned Rat) has been confirmed to be moving from along the..."

A park in Linhai.

A figure stopped and listened to the broadcast.

Calamity Beast... a lot?

Then, they invaded from the coast?

Thinking about his location, Chen Ming shuddered, turned around, and quickly ran towards home.

He had no idea that the announcement still ringing was deceiving him.

No, he now hoped that the announcement was a lie.

Otherwise, given my current location, the Calamity Beast could reach this place in no time once it came ashore from the coast.

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have gone for my morning run!"

Chen Ming cursed as he ran quickly towards the park exit.

Along the way, he could see several other people who were out for their morning exercise, and they all ran towards the park entrance without prior arrangement.

Chen Ming and another person who ran faster reached the park entrance first.

To their relief, they did not see the unicorn-like Calamity Beast described in the report after they went outside.

Without stopping, the two went their separate ways and ran towards their respective homes.

However, before they had run very far, a scream suddenly came from behind them.

Chen Ming shuddered and turned to look behind him.

In the morning mist, a dark figure with a protruding head stood on the ground, its head thrashing and shaking upwards.

A scream came from beneath it, but it only lasted two times before falling completely silent.

Chen Ming's body trembled.

He vaguely saw the dark figure raise its head and glance in his direction.

Just when Chen Ming thought the rat was being targeted, it turned its head and ran into the park.

It was only then that Chen Ming realized his teeth were chattering involuntarily.

He dared not think about what would happen to those who hadn't escaped or were hiding in the park.

He could only grit his teeth and run quickly towards his home.

A street in Linhai.

Zhou Hui, carrying a bag containing a steamed bun and a cup of soy milk, ran wildly through the empty alley while panting heavily.

Suddenly, a shout came from the side.

"Zhou Hui? Zhou Hui!"

Zhou Hui paused briefly, looking around at the surrounding shops with some confusion.

"Here!"

The sound came again.

This time, Zhou Hui was found.

She saw Uncle Zhang, the owner of the familiar hardware store, sticking a hand out of the second-floor window and anxiously beckoning to her.

"The broadcast has been going on for several minutes already, why are you still running around outside?!" Uncle Zhang said, somewhat annoyed.

"I have to go home, Xiao Lian is still sleeping alone at home!" Zhou Hui's voice was filled with anxiety.

"That child is sensible, he'll be fine," Uncle Zhang said reassuringly at first, then added:

"But you, this place is quite a distance from your home, and not far from the beach. Are you trying to get yourself killed by running around outside all by yourself?!"

"Hurry up, come over here and hide!"

"I..."

"What do you mean, 'what...!' Get over here right now!" Uncle Zhang interrupted.

Zhou Hui hesitated for a moment, but still went over.

Uncle Zhang quickly went downstairs and opened the roller shutter.

After Zhou Hui went inside, she immediately pulled the roller shutter door shut.

The shop was dark and cramped, with a faint smell of rust and engine oil in the air.

Led by Uncle Zhang, the two went up to the second floor.

The second floor is a bit low; you have to bend over to get in.

The two walked to a spot near the window, but not quite to the window itself, and then sat down with their backs against the wall.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang!" Zhou Hui said, slightly out of breath.

"The notice has been out for ages, why are you still outside at this hour?" Old Zhang looked at Zhou Hui with annoyance.

Zhou Hui opened her mouth, but ultimately closed it without saying anything.

Seeing this, Uncle Zhang seemed to understand something, and he frowned.

"I'm not trying to be mean, but even though it's to treat Xiao Lian's illness, how can your body handle working three jobs a day?!"

"It's alright, I'll get through this." Zhou Hui forced a smile.

"Sigh!" Uncle Zhang sighed, glancing at the steamed bun and soy milk Zhou Hui was carrying. "Didn't you buy yourself breakfast again?"

It's okay to skip breakfast!

Uncle Zhang didn't say much. He stood up, walked to the spot by the stairs, and got a steamed bun and a glass of water.

"Could you eat some for me? I'm getting old now and can't eat much!"

Zhou Hui hesitated for a moment, then took it and began to eat it in large mouthfuls.

Seeing Zhou Hui eating so quickly, Uncle Zhang sighed.

"God will protect people like you who have such a hard life."

Zhou Hui didn't speak, but just looked down at the water glass in her hand.

The fog blurred her vision, like the lingering gloom that had never dissipated over the years.

Sudden.

"Bang!"

A loud bang came from not far away.

That was the sound of a roller shutter door being violently broken open.

The two of them held their breath instantly, not daring to say another word.

Not long after, a terrified scream suddenly rang out.

"Ah--"

"No, no, help--"

The shouts came quickly and went quickly.

Soon, rustling sounds could be heard on the street.

The sound gradually approached the shop where they were...

On October 27, 2024, fear spread from the coast to the Linhai City...