Suppose…
I mean, just suppose — if you suddenly got a system, what would you do?
Fresh out of college, Shen Jian, a recent graduate, sat in front of his computer, logged into Bihu (a Q&A site), and wrote down a "true story" he had just made up.
He had awakened a system.
In other words — the golden cheat ability every webnovel protagonist dreams of. Normally, that meant standing at the peak of life: punching the team leader, kicking the manager… you get the idea.
But the system he awakened was called: "Companion of Ghosts."
Shen Jian wasn't worried. Because according to webnovel rules, once a system awakened, the world itself would produce mysterious new powers:
Awaken a Celestial Master System → suddenly, Feng Shui works in real life.Awaken a Divine Doctor System → even the God of Death could appear, possibly in grade-school form.Awaken a Stat-Adding System → all kinds of demons and monsters would emerge.
So, by its name alone, his Companion of Ghosts System clearly dealt with the supernatural.
Shen Jian assumed this meant he'd see ghosts on the street, that his neighbors would all be ghosts, and that the world would be crawling with spirits. Mystery revived, the world turned into a living hell.
Reality, however, slapped him across the face.
This world… had no ghosts.
He searched high and low for three whole months — and not a single spirit appeared.
Shen Jian was dumbfounded.
"Companion of Ghosts? With no ghosts, what am I supposed to do?"
Three months without a single "client."
He might be the lamest system-holder ever, a disgrace to protagonists everywhere.
"System, how about you change jobs? Maybe a Stat-Adding System instead? Otherwise, we're going to starve."
Shen Jian sighed. In this day and age, even systems that couldn't adapt would get retired… sometimes with honors.
Suddenly, a black, semi-transparent panel appeared before his eyes.
[You have been chosen by the Horror Game — a 100% real game where if a player dies in-game, they die in reality)]
[Note: The game unfolds in dungeon instances. Each dungeon contains deadly spirits and monsters. Study their patterns, evade their attacks, and you may survive.]
[Note: Rewards are distributed after each dungeon, based on performance. Anything you desire can be obtained here.]
[Note: New players receive reduced difficulty.]
Line after line of text floated across the panel.
Shen Jian's eyes lit up like spring sunshine — just short of sprouting little hearts.
He ignored everything else. He only saw one thing:
There were ghosts!
Finally! The horror game had ghosts!
His breathing grew rapid. Finding ghosts was far rarer than finding a job these days. For three months, his system had been like a bland, lifeless hunk of meat — silent and dull. He had been ready to give up, let corporate brainwashing continue… but a horror game? Perfect.
Shen Jian was hooked immediately.
The panel kept spitting out text:
[Welcome to the Horror Game. Scanning player information…]
[New player detected. Please enter your nickname.]
Shen Jian paused. "King Yama."
[Nickname already in use.]
Shen Jian: …
"True King Yama."
[Nickname established successfully. Player template loading…]
[Loading complete. Attributes as follows]
[Player: True King Yama]
[Identity: King of Hell — the Tenth King of Hell, one of the mythological judges of the underworld)]
[Abilities: Divine Ghostly Pressure, Nether Ghost Qi]
[Note: All spirits and monsters suffer -99% attack and defense against you.]
[Note: While near fierce spirits, your abilities will increase without limit.]
[Strength: 20] (Normal human limit: 10)
[Speed: 20] (Normal human limit: 10)
[Yin Energy: 20]
[Level: 0]
Shen Jian's mouth twitched. He couldn't bear to look.
Cards on the table: he was King Yama, the most famous of the Ten Kings of Hell in Chinese underworld myths.
This system was gifting him the iconic powers of King Yama:
Divine Ghostly Pressure — reduces any spirit's stats by 99%.Nether Ghost Qi — his Yin Energy (spiritual power from proximity to ghosts) rises endlessly near spirits.
Truly, a power-up just by lying down.
Too bad there weren't any ghosts — painfully ironic.
As he pondered, everything shifted.
[Loading…]
[Theme: Rebirth Manor — a haunted mountainside lodge)]
[Participants: 1]
[New player detected, dungeon difficulty reduced.]
[Game begins in five minutes. Enjoy your play.]
The chilling prompt echoed in his ears. Shen Jian trembled. Not from fear — from excitement.
He looked around. He was halfway up a mountain. Ahead loomed a building shrouded in Yin mist, sinister and cold: Rebirth Manor.
[Mission Prompt: You are a guest at Rebirth Manor. Proceed to the front desk, collect your number tag, and survive one thrilling night.]
[Your only goal: Stay alive.]
Shen Jian entered. The manor was dark and quiet, perched on a secluded mountainside. Branches creaked in the wind, casting long shadows. At midnight, dim lights leaked from inside. Nothing much different from reality — maybe a little retro, with slightly thicker Yin energy, enough to spawn spirits. Perfect.
Inside, the Yin energy grew denser. A chill climbed his spine.
At the front desk stood a White-Clothed Ghost — a female receptionist spirit. Her mouth was split like a slit-mouthed woman, grinning horrifically. Hollow eye sockets stared at every player.
Shen Jian frowned.
This look… hmm. Not bad.
He broke into a dazzling smile, strode to the desk, and grabbed her hand before she could react.
A little cold, but soft and delicate. Biteable.
"Wanna go on a date?" he asked brightly.
The receptionist froze. A human wanted to date her? She looked like this, and he still wanted her? For the first time, she felt scared. She tried to pull her hand back.
But Shen Jian's grip was terrifyingly strong.
As he held her hand, a surge of Yin Energy washed through him.
[Yin Energy +1]
The more fierce ghosts nearby, the faster the energy grew. His current physique reflected this passive boost.
Shen Jian's gaze softened: delicate, charming, like a pure maiden. Split-mouth grin? Adorable. Hollow eyes? Mesmerizing. Pale complexion? Hauntingly beautiful. Yin and Yang, in perfect harmony.
The front desk was in the way. He wanted a closer look.
Then:
[Warning: In Newcomer Mode, players are forbidden from sexually harassing the staff of Rebirth Manor. Violation will result in expulsion from the game.]
Shen Jian froze, released her hand, and said calmly:
"I'm a guest at Rebirth Manor. I'd like my room card."
The receptionist's heart shook but she smiled sweetly.
"Here is your room card. Please keep it safe."
Shen Jian brushed her hand once more; his Yin Energy roared. Terrifying.
Room 101.
[Mission Prompt: Stay in Room 101 until noon tomorrow, then check out.]
[Note: You are watching TV. The TV is also watching you.]
Shen Jian passed through the long corridor, arrived at the last door — Room 101, smeared with bloody handprints. Flickering lights danced along the corridor. The ghosts here were lively. Playful. He could hardly wait.
(End of Chapter 1)
Read more on "brightnovels.com"
Enjoying Shen Jian's journey through the underworld? Your feedback — be it a comment, rating, or a few words of encouragement, helps the story grow and keeps the invasion alive. Stay strong… the darkness has only just begun.