My Strange Tale Love Strategy Simulator

With each step upwards, the sound of footsteps behind him grew clearer.

A bead of sweat the size of a soybean rolled down Zhang Ying's forehead. He quickened his pace to catch up, not caring whether Teacher Zhou would hear his footsteps.

First floor, second floor, third floor. The footsteps behind him grew louder and more hurried. Zhang Ying felt something walking close behind him, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

He stopped, standing on the middle step of the stairs.

It's not because I'm afraid to walk, nor because I can't walk.

On the staircase leading upwards in front of him, a woman in a trench coat stood stiffly at the doorway at the third-floor landing, motionless with her back to him. At the same time, a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps sounded behind him, followed by a question that brought him to a halt.

"Zhang Ying? What are you doing here?"

Zhang Ying was very familiar with the owner of that voice; it was none other than Teacher Zhou!

If the one behind him is Teacher Zhou, then who is the Teacher Zhou in front of him? Or is the one in front of him the real Teacher Zhou?

It's also possible that neither of them is the real Teacher Zhou, and that he was trapped from the moment he entered the building?

Zhang Ying felt a chill run down his spine and his breathing became rapid. He dared not turn around to check behind him, nor did he dare to move forward.

Behind him, Teacher Zhou asked with a mixture of confusion and fear, "Upstairs! How come there's another Zhang Ying upstairs! You! Are you twins?"

And what does "I am" mean?

Zhang Ying looked at Teacher Zhou, who was standing still in front of him, his brows furrowed.

Could it be that in Teacher Zhou's eyes, the person above me is me?

With this in mind, Zhang Ying naturally assumed that the teacher behind him was the real teacher and was about to respond to his words. But just as he was about to speak, a line of black text floated in front of him!

Don't look back!

The words Zhang Ying was about to say caught in her throat. Looking at the black characters in front of her, her expression immediately became unsettled.

Is Xiao Hei reminding me that Teacher Zhou behind me isn't a good person either?

Zhang Ying gritted his teeth and activated his eerie eyes, causing the world before him to shift. In the hazy, gray world, he clearly saw that there was no one in front of him, and he was surrounded by eerie energy. Out of the corner of his eye, a pale old face leaned against his shoulder, and a voice in Teacher Zhou's tone whispered in his ear, "Zhang Ying, which one is you?"

[The Screaming Ghost]

[Earthbound Spirit-level Monster]

[Corresponding Ghost Story: The Man Who Shouts]

[Unconquerable]

[It can create images that are most likely to attract people, thus luring them into the illusion created by the "Calling Ghost." Once they respond to the Ghost's call within the illusion, they will be trapped inside and become nourishment for the Ghost.]

"Speak up, Zhang Ying! Don't scare the teacher, she's scared!"

The ghostly creature on his shoulder continued to call out Zhang Ying's name relentlessly.

Having seen through everything, Zhang Ying felt a chill run through his body and dared not even think of responding.

When did this monstrous creature climb onto him? Was it when he entered the building, or when he saw Teacher Zhou?

Whatever, I just need to get rid of this weirdo as soon as possible!

He bit his tongue hard, forcing out a drop of blood. The desire to survive overcame the pain, and the metallic taste filled his mouth.

He uttered a difficult-to-understand incantation in a low voice, his hands forming a hand seal at his waist, and a surge of heat spread from his dantian throughout his body!

"The purification spell!"

Zhang Ying suddenly shouted!

The heat flowed onto his shoulder like boiling water, scalding and stinging. The creature clinging to his shoulder let out a muffled groan, its pale face contorted in pain, before dissipating into a wisp of gray mist.

Seeing that the ghost had left, Zhang Ying didn't waste a moment and rushed downstairs. But as soon as he reached the second floor, he bumped into someone. The person who bumped into him sat down on the ground with a "thud," and fell quite hard.

"who!"

Hearing those all-too-familiar words, Zhang Ying immediately reacted, taking several steps back, clenching his fists, and pointing them at the person in front of him: "Again!"

The person he bumped into was none other than Teacher Zhou!

Teacher Zhou, who had been knocked to the ground, was completely bewildered. He stared at Zhang Ying, who was now in a fighting stance. His confusion barely lasted half a second before his expression transformed into that of a fierce, stern abbot, as he roared, "Zhang Ying! Why aren't you home this late? What are you doing here?!"

She stood up, patted her trench coat, and frowned deeply. She was no longer the disheveled girl she had been just moments before; instead, she exuded a frustrated anger towards her students.

"You're about to take the college entrance exam, why are you wandering around all day?"

Hearing these words, Zhang Ying slowly lowered his clenched fist and breathed a sigh of relief. This was the Teacher Zhou he knew; it seemed he had escaped the illusion.

"Teacher Zhou, I've come here to see someone." Zhang Ying's face showed no sign of panic or fear as he calmly said to Teacher Zhou, "The person I've come to see, you should—no, you must know her! You've come here to find her too, haven't you?"

"You..." Teacher Zhou was speechless for a moment, and a clear look of panic appeared on her face, but she quickly suppressed it and threatened, "If you don't go home, I'll call your parents!"

"I'm sorry, Teacher Zhou, calling won't work on me. Even if you call and tell my mom, I still can't go back today!" Zhang Ying's eyes were firm.

Teacher Zhou gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and asked, "What exactly are you going to do?"

"I'm here for an answer," Zhang Ying said sincerely, continuing without any pause, "the real reason why Xu Miaofeng, your predecessor and the school's dance team teacher, was dismissed from the school!"

"Me!" Teacher Zhou's eyes widened, and she stood there stunned, speechless for a long time.

She sighed and slowly lowered her head: "Your cousin told you about this, right? I knew he was such a blabbermouth, he couldn't keep secrets."

"Well, she called me this afternoon and wanted me to meet her."

"Her tone on the phone was full of fear, and I realized that something seemed to have happened to her, which is why I rushed over."

"I don't want to know how you found her. I just want to ask one thing: what is your purpose in asking about the truth behind her being fired back then?"

Zhang Ying shook his head: "Teacher Zhou, this is none of your business. There are some things you'd better know the less about."

Zhang Ying didn't give Teacher Zhou another chance to question him and headed straight to the third floor.

He had originally planned to go straight home, but now that he saw the real Teacher Zhou there, he changed his mind.

Teacher Zhou, an ordinary person, would have virtually no ability to protect himself from those strange creatures; something eerie was going on in this building. He had a feeling that there was more than just the "Calling Man Ghost" in this building.

Seeing Zhang Ying resolutely go upstairs, Teacher Zhou pursed her lips and followed him.

The two arrived at the stairwell on the third floor together. Zhang Ying pushed open the door to the emergency exit, and a stench rushed out from the crack in the door!