Chapter 43: Crawling Out of the Television

Lin Xiao patted the backs of the two, the residual holy light in his palm continuously soothing their wounded spirits.

Will and Eleven gradually calmed down. They had both survived the baptism of monsters in the Inverted World. Although they had been terrified just now, it was because the situation was truly horrifying—more bizarre than the demon hounds or the Dark Lord. Yet, seeing the four black servants destroyed by holy light, their spirits were cleansed in its radiance, and their courage returned.

Especially Eleven, who, despite possessing supernatural powers, had been frightened into sobbing uncontrollably. Now, thinking back, she felt embarrassed.

As for Chief Hope, there was no need to mention him. He was an old detective, once stationed in big cities, accustomed to the most gruesome scenes. The only reason he hadn’t risen to pummel the four black servants earlier was their peculiar powers that rendered him immobile.

“What on earth just happened? Who were those black men?” Chief Hope finally regained his freedom, stood up from his chair, and asked in a mix of shock and suspicion.

Lin Xiao released them, took their hands, glanced at the silver tray on the table, and replied, “They were likely servants of the former owner, killed for reasons unknown. Their souls became vengeful spirits, seeking retribution from the new residents of the house.”

After the American Civil War, slavery was abolished, liberating countless Black people. However, many estates continued to keep large numbers of Black workers, their titles changed from ‘slave’ to ‘servant.’

These servants fared only marginally better than their ancestors. At least they were no longer private property, and their safety was somewhat protected. Yet, in the early twentieth century, many estate owners and tycoons still brutally exploited their Black servants, sometimes even taking their lives, at most compensating with a funeral fee.

This situation persisted until after World War II, when the contributions of Black Americans in the war and their ongoing struggle finally reversed the trend.

Those four black servants were probably vengeful spirits murdered by the house's owner, their hearts filled with resentment, thus attacking the new occupants.

Chief Hope, being white, knew this history well, and his expression grew somber.

The blood debt of history does not dissipate with time; all sins committed will ultimately be borne by the descendants. As God says, all evil cycles endlessly and will eventually receive its due retribution.

With the vengeful spirits eliminated, Joey still had not appeared. They left the dining room, intending to continue their search.

As they stepped out, the hallway lights began to flicker uncertainly. In the main hall, the television screen suddenly turned into a glaring snowstorm.

The television emitted a piercing sound, echoing through the empty living room. The lights flickered, and the sound of dripping water grew closer.

Lin Xiao noticed a surge of water at their feet, soaking their shoes. Thin, black thread-like strands floated in the water; the lighting was too dim to discern what they were.

Having already survived one ordeal, Will and Eleven didn’t scream as they had before. Though pale, they managed to maintain composure, knowing Jonathan would protect them.

“Hmph, what is it this time? Is it Sadako?”

Since vengeful spirits could be destroyed, Lin Xiao was no longer afraid. It was not the horror that troubled him, but the inability to strike back. If they could be killed, then there was nothing to fear.

Yet it was odd—Sadako was a spirit from a distant island country. How did she end up in America? Immigration, perhaps? Did she follow proper procedures?

The snow on the television screen flickered faster and faster, and suddenly shifted to show an ancient well.

The three watched the well with trembling hearts. At that time, “Ring” had not yet premiered, so they did not know Sadako’s infamous name, but everyone recognized the sinister nature of such a well.

Lin Xiao did not act rashly. He had just unleashed Holy Light, consuming forty mana points. At level four, he had two hundred seventy mana points—seemingly plenty, but only enough for six rounds of Holy Light. Not a drop could be wasted.

Staring at the well, they failed to notice the black threads in the water creeping up to wrap around their ankles, suddenly surging upward along their legs.

“Ah!”

Will and Eleven screamed again. Chief Hope struggled desperately but could not break free—the black threads were tougher than the finest steel wire.

But even true gold fears the fire!

A battle axe appeared in Lin Xiao’s hand, magical flames bursting forth and easily burning away the entangling threads, freeing him.

But suddenly, a black hole opened at his feet. He plunged downwards, as if falling into a bottomless abyss.

The three were petrified. The television screen shifted, its camera peering into the ancient well. They saw Lin Xiao, still falling, unable to reach the bottom.

“Are we going to die?” The thought flashed through Eleven’s mind. The terror of death washed over her, as if her heart were being squeezed tightly, almost suffocating.

The black threads had now wrapped around most of their bodies, constricting ever tighter, creaking ominously. If this continued, they would surely be strangled to death.

Will’s eyes bulged as he was squeezed. Chief Hope gasped for air. Lin Xiao continued to fall in the well. Now, their only hope was themselves.

No—I don’t want to die, nor do I want to see them die. Jonathan said these things could be killed, and I too have the power to kill them.

Then, please, go die—perhaps they were already dead.

A powerful psychic wave erupted from Eleven’s brow, like a storm sweeping through the living room. The black threads wrapped around her instantly pulverized to dust.

The threads around Will and Chief Hope were shattered as well, drifting away.

At the same time, this psychic force surged toward the well on the television, seized Lin Xiao as he fell, and yanked him out, returning him to their side.

Boom!

The massive television exploded into countless fragments. A shrill scream echoed, as if something suffered unimaginable damage and was annihilated.

“What just happened?” Lin Xiao, gripping his stellar destroyer axe, stared in bewilderment at the shattered television. He had just burned away the black threads and was about to free the others when a dizzying sensation hit, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, lost between heaven and earth, so nauseous he nearly vomited.

“Jonathan, I can protect you all too,” Eleven said, her face deathly pale, blood trickling from her nose. She swayed unsteadily, and Chief Hope quickly reached out to steady her, preventing her from collapsing.

“So it was Eleven who unleashed her strength and destroyed the lurking Sadako.”

He did not know if the vanquished spirit truly was Sadako, but Lin Xiao still called it that.

This renowned spirit lived up to her reputation—her appearance nearly wiped them all out. Had Eleven not unleashed her power, they would have surely perished as a family, united in death.

The pity was that he had not killed it himself, thus absorbing no source energy. But compared to surviving, that was hardly important.

“Well done, Eleven,” Lin Xiao said, giving her a thumbs-up. This was why he so carefully nurtured her—her abilities surpassed his in many ways, especially when dealing with such strange and powerful entities.