Lin Yu was on the twelfth floor.
After pressing the down button, the elevator on the left, which was on the thirteenth floor, began descending.
About ten seconds later, the elevator slowly stopped.
Although it was supposed to be a âglass capsule elevatorâ for sightseeing, when the doors opened, Lin Yu realized it no longer had any sightseeing function.
The âglassâ was covered in dried, dark red bloodstains, and upon closer inspection, the stains seemed to have handprint-like patterns, as if layers of bloody handprints had piled up, like every person whoâd ridden this elevator had desperately tried to escape, slapping the glass with blood-soaked hands.
Anyone timid would probably be too afraid to get on.
But Lin Yu wasnât scared at all.
If this elevator was a death trap, there would have been some indication.
And even if there was a hidden danger hereâ¦
With the powerful guardian Zhu Jiang, two mid-grade Yin artifacts, and an upper-grade Yin artifact by his side, could he really be taken down so easily?
On the contrary, it felt like a trap designed to discourage him from taking the elevator and steer him to the stairs.
Though dangerous, Lin Yu knew he could handle it, so he had no fear.
Calmly, he entered the elevator and pressed the button for the âthird floor.â
The button lit up with a bright red glow, almost as if it were bleeding.
As the elevator doors closed and it began to move, the back of the door transformed, covered in writhing flesh.
The pulsing flesh revealed two enormous eyes and a giant mouth.
âPlease pay the elevator fare!â
The massive mouth spoke in a low voice, and the light above Lin Yuâs head started flickering.
This elevator was haunted by a terrifying ghost!
Lin Yu watched this disturbing scene and smiled faintly.
âElevator fare? How much?â
Hearing Lin Yuâs response, the grotesque face on the elevator door replied.
âOne person⦠one ride⦠one!â
It spoke, a greedy gleam in its rolling eyes.
âIf you canât pay, you can settle your debt with your flesh or soul!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
It had gone a long time without fresh flesh!
Looking at this weak human with minimal Yin energy, it assumed Lin Yu was easy prey, thinking it could easily claim an arm.
Lin Yu was surprised but amused.
âSo cheap? Thatâs actually quite fair!â
Silently, he thought, âSystem, exchange for 100 one nether coins!â
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack of gray ghost coins printed with a fuzzy image of the King of Hell, each marked with a â1.â
He took one, folded it twice, and tossed the light gray bill toward the elevator door.
The elevator ghost opened its massive mouth and caught the nether coin, a little taken aback.
This weak human actually had nether coins!
However, its greed knew no bounds, and it had no intention of honoring its promise after receiving just one coin.
After swallowing the coin, it sneered wickedly.
âWhat you just gave was cash⦠it doesnât count!
âThis elevator belongs to the Beyond Apartments and only accepts card payments!
âYouâre not a Beyond member, so you can only pay with your room card!â
With that, the pulsating flesh extended a decrepit machine that could read room cards.
As a âstaff ghostâ of the Beyond Apartments, the elevator ghost could indeed refuse nether coins.
And since new playersâ room cards naturally had no funds, the first elevator ride here was almost guaranteed to be a setback.
Most would have to lose some flesh or bribe the ghost with high-value Yin energy items to reach the third floor!
One hidden difficulty of the Beyond Apartments was that, until players earned and stored ghost coins, they faced constant threats like this throughout the complex.
Lin Yu sighed as he looked at the elevator ghost.
He sensed that this ghostâs Yin energy was weak.
Even the weakest guests at the Yellow Springs Inn had been stronger than this ghost, even Zhang Niang, who had been made into a side dish by the cook, could probably crush it.
âA mere vengeful ghost⦠I gave you a chance.â
Though Lin Yu had ample funds and could easily have paid more, he didnât intend to do so.
A low-level vengeful ghost wasnât worth his money.
The elevator ghost continued rambling, trying to frighten Lin Yu with lies.
âUsing ghost coins is a serious violation in the Beyond Apartments!
âIf youâre willing to sacrifice an arm, I might overlook your infraction!â
Hearing this, Lin Yu didnât respond and simply snapped his fingers.
Behind him, a powerful shadow began to materialize â a towering Zhu Jiang with a butcherâs blade in hand appeared at his side.