Tape 55

The cold, mechanical electronic voice of the system had already issued an order in Bu Suqiu’s mind: head to the nearest town and watch a videotape popular among students.

At the same time, Xu Xinnian nearby received the exact same task. Their eyes met, both capturing a hint of unease and doubt in each other's gaze.

On the other side, when Liu Zhengyu heard that his task was to trim the toenails of Miss Yamamura, the corners of his mouth twitched violently, and his face filled with utter disgust and reluctance.

Upon hearing everyone's tasks, the metal esper looked relaxed, waving his hand with a hint of ostentatious showmanship: "Just newbie tasks, dead simple, practically free points!"

With that, he turned to look at Liu Lang, who had been silent all this time. "Liu Lang, what's your newbie task?" Liu Lang's expression remained calm as he gave a slight shake of his head: "Inconvenient to share."

The metal esper curled his lip and did not press further. The power-enhancement esper and Li Shuishen beside him also maintained a tacit silence, clearly unwilling to expose the contents of their own tasks.

The group walked all the way toward the town in a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere. The town was permeated with an ancient and decaying aura, and the houses along the street were low, dilapidated, and on the verge of collapse.

After making some inquiries, they found the videotape that had been circulating among the student body, exuding a trace of eerie strangeness.

Rumor had it that anyone who watched this videotape would lose their life unless they passed it on to the next person within seven days. After hesitating for a long time, Bu Suqiu and Xu Xinnian ultimately decided to watch it together.

Liu Lang also pulled Liu Zhengyu over to join them.

As the videotape slowly spun inside the creaking, old-fashioned VCR, eerie images flickered across the screen, and the bizarre sound effects seemed to drill straight into the depths of one's soul.

The black-and-white screen showed someone combing their hair in front of a mirror, along with some characters and a well... The images were utterly chaotic, devoid of any discernible meaning.

"What on earth is this crap?" Liu Zhengyu muttered, somewhat speechless.

Fortunately, right after watching it, the system prompt sounded instantly. Bu Suqiu and Xu Xinnian successfully completed their newbie tasks, their figures instantly vanishing as they were teleported out of the Spirit Realm.

The metal esper and the other two stood in place, gazing at the videotape with complex expressions in their eyes, choosing not to touch it.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, Liu Zhengyu quietly pulled Liu Lang aside and lowered his voice: "Let's put our previous conflict aside for now. Those three guys are acting a bit weird; we need to be careful."

Liu Lang's gaze was deep as he gave a slight nod: "I sensed it early on. Don't worry, seven days from now, I'll help you sort out your newbie task."

Liu Zhengyu scratched his head and waved his hand dismissively: "My task is no big deal; I just don't know if 'Yamamura' is a surname or refers to a woman from a mountain village. The crucial thing is to keep a close eye on those three and make sure they don't pull any tricks."

So you've never watched the movie *The Ring*? Even if you haven't watched it, haven't you ever heard of it? What on earth do elite soldiers do in their spare time?

They checked into an inn, and the night passed without incident.

The seven days flashed by in an instant. The night sky enshrouded the earth like ink, and everything was dead silent.

Suddenly, the television set placed in the corner turned on automatically without any warning, its glaring, snowy screen flickering in silence.

"What the heck, that TV wasn't even plugged in!" Liu Zhengyu was utterly shocked, his worldview thoroughly shaken. Although he had accepted the existence of supernatural powers, such eerie occurrences still packed quite a punch.

Liu Lang, however, remained unimpressed. Have you ever seen a woman who can change her head? Not only have I seen it many times, but I've also tangled with it many times.

What worried him more was how Liu Zhengyu was going to complete his task. It was going to be a bit tough—what if Sadako didn't have any toenails?

Just as he was thinking this, Sadako's terrifying figure, with disheveled hair and a ghastly white dress, slowly crawled out from the screen.

Over the past few days, Liu Zhengyu had also learned what kind of creature Sadako was. Although he didn't understand why Liu Lang had willingly watched the videotape to wait for Sadako to show up, a soldier must obey orders on the battlefield.

"Beat the crap out of her!" Just as he was about to hit Sadako with a flying kick, Liu Lang said, "Physical attacks probably won't work on ghosts and monsters. Let me try."

Liu Lang's eyes turned sharp. He drank a vial of potion and rapidly formed hand seals with both hands. "Shadow Mimicry Technique!" The shadow on the ground twisted and extended, ultimately connecting with Sadako's shadow, successfully restraining her.

"Heh, who would've thought this ghost actually has a shadow? It seems old adages aren't always right..." Liu Zhengyu was thick-skinned enough to utter such nonsense.

He turned his head and shouted urgently at Liu Zhengyu: "Quick, trim her toenails!"

Liu Zhengyu's eyes widened in horror as it finally dawned on him that the so-called "Miss Yamamura" was actually this horrifying female ghost right before his eyes.

"Isn't she Sadako? My task is for Miss Yamamura!"

"Sadako's surname is Yamamura," Liu Lang replied flatly.

Liu Zhengyu discarded the nail clippers he had prepared long ago and hurriedly grabbed a large pair of scissors. "Damn your ancestors! Why didn't you say so earlier!"

Overflowing with anger, he brandished the scissors and lunged to clip Sadako's feet. If that strike had landed, he could have snipped Sadako's feet right off.

Yet, he clipped nothingness. "Damn it! She doesn't have feet!"

Liu Lang could sense Sadako's struggling force growing stronger and stronger. He was only able to temporarily use the Shadow Mimicry Technique because of the potion Liu Fei'er had given him. "Run! I can't hold her anymore!"

The power Sadako was unleashing was at least at C-rank!

Seeing Liu Zhengyu burst through the window and escape, Liu Lang was just about to release the ninjutsu when the metal esper and the other two, who lived next door, charged in.

Arriving early meant you could help; arriving late meant you could collect the corpse. They didn't arrive early and they didn't arrive late, but showed up precisely at this moment!

Liu Lang held on for a few more seconds and said with difficulty, "I've restrained her, make your move quickly!"

The metal esper and the other two, however, came to a halt. They walked around Liu Lang with great interest and amusement. "So Captain, your path is the ninja system. You probably aren't a newbie anymore; judging by your appearance, you should be at least a D-rank traveler."

These people really were up to no good.

The three of them actually dropped to one knee before Sadako. "Lord Sadako, we are your most loyal and sharpest minions! Please let us share your burdens."

Liu Lang had seen his fair share of the world, but the scene before him still left him entirely at a loss for logic.

Sadako kills people without rhyme or reason. Acknowledge her as your big sister, and big sister will be the first one to kill you!

An even more horrifying sight unfolded: Sadako actually stopped struggling and gave them a slight nod.

Why do I feel like Sadako's dignity and prestige have plummeted?

The hand seals Liu Lang was forming changed at lightning speed. The Shadow Mimicry Technique released its hold on Sadako and instantly connected to the kneeling metal esper and the other two!

Under their terrified gazes, Liu Lang controlled them to rush forward and slap Sadako right across the face!

Then, he turned around and fled.

Like a mere phantom, Sadako let their arms pass straight through her.

Regaining control of their bodies, the three instantly dropped to their knees and began kowtowing.

"Spare our lives, My Lord!"

"Please discern the truth, My Lord, it was that imperial running dog who controlled us!"

"My Lord, we will kill him for you!"

Offended by her "minions," Sadako hid her face behind her long hair so her expression remained invisible. She slowly retreated, backing into the television set, and vanished.

The power-enhancement esper and Li Shuishen looked at the metal esper. "What did she say?"

"She only said to fulfill our promise to her within seven days," the metal esper replied.

Their main quest: avenge Sadako!