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Realm of Spirits
墨書 Inktalez
001 The Deep Corridor
The elevator flickered with an orange-yellow hazy light, as people came in one after another, and many got off at various floors. The elevator continued its slow and steady ascent to the 16th floor, where Ziya was headed. A vague figure gradually approached the elevator, getting closer and closer...
No! No... don't come in! That long-lost chill made Ziya hurriedly retreat into the elevator, frantically pressing the down button, but the elevator remained motionless as the shadow in the corridor grew clearer...
Ziya's breath quickened, her heart pounding loudly against her chest in the confined space of the elevator, echoing around her as cold sweat trickled down. The shadow slowly drifted into the elevator; whether Ziya wanted to face it or not, she felt that cold, resentful gaze fixed on her, curled up in the corner.
The elevator shook slightly, seemingly moving upward. Crouched in the corner, Ziya gasped for air, too afraid to look at the unusual "person" inside. The walls of the elevator were a deep crimson, resembling human blood; she felt as if she were trapped in blood, surrounded by its foul and sticky warmth.
The elevator slowly reached the 16th floor. She heard a whoosh as the doors opened. Ziya silently prayed that the "person" inside would leave her alone so she could decisively press the button for the first floor...
It seemed very quiet inside the elevator; it appeared that Ziya was the only one still there. She slowly opened her eyes, and suddenly her hair stood on end—there... there... a female ghost... Her pale hand reached out within arm's reach! "No... no... don't..." Ziya tightly hugged her head with both hands, screaming.
No matter how hard Ziya tried to escape this bone-chilling cold and terrifying sensation, with that hand's touch came a kaleidoscope-like whirlwind before her eyes... followed by unfamiliar faces, red bricks, scaffolding, makeshift lifts, cement, women, men, laughter... a high rooftop where foundations were being poured...
A woman without a hard hat flirted with a man... The man looked around to see no one was watching and embraced the woman... Ziya quickly shut her eyes...
One minute, two minutes, three minutes—after a loud crash, the laughter ceased. Then came cries and curses: "...You dare defy me... I'll make you pay..."
Ziya saw a pair of twisted and ferocious faces before a scuffle broke out; it felt as if she were being beaten too. She waved her arms desperately to try to stop them from fighting. But it was like being in a dream; those two half-clothed figures wrestled with each other...
With a jolt accompanied by a piercing screech of friction, Ziya felt herself helplessly pushed toward an upper floor about to be poured with concrete... With a loud splash, dark concrete poured from the mixer; no... no... please... I was wrong... Ah... The concrete drowned out the woman's pleas along with Ziya's scream as they fell into darkness...
“Ziya! Ziya!” Who is calling? Ziya’s sweaty bangs stuck to her forehead, and her whole body felt as if it had fallen apart, making her feel utterly uncomfortable. Her mind was hazy, unable to distinguish north from south.
Before her stood a Doll Face that never seemed to grow up. “Hi! I mean, Miss, are you out of your mind? Sleeping in broad daylight and shouting like that… were you dreaming about someone…” The other’s ambiguous expression and lewd tone made Ziya quite irritated.
“You… I’m speechless. I just had a nightmare; it’s not as filthy as you think.” She got up and looked around; indeed, it was getting late. The instructor had asked her to come by, how could she forget to wake up? Ziya slapped her forehead, still feeling a bit dazed, the memory of that terrifying nightmare lingering in her mind.
She splashed cold water on her face, burying it completely in the basin. Bubbles rose in a small stream, and when she lifted her head, her face was dripping wet. Her eyes stung from the water as she grabbed a towel to dry off. In the mirror, a delicate face appeared, with a straight nose above slightly upturned lips.
Doll Face glanced at Ziya lingering in front of the mirror and mischievously splashed water at her face. “Giggle… serves you right for being vain…”
“Little brat, just wait until I deal with you.”
Ziya tossed aside the towel and grabbed Doll Face, pinning her down on the bed. She tickled her underarms. “Cough cough cough… okay… I admit my mistake… can I beg for mercy now!… cough cough… hahaha… I can’t take it anymore…”
“Hmph! You’re asking for it.” Ziya released Doll Face and turned to pick up a comb, carefully styling her hair. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she suddenly recalled an unforgettable memory from high school…
“Ziya, I need to ask you for a favor.” Doll Face flipped over and put on a pitiful act.
“Speak!”
“Can you help me finish my thesis draft?”
"Ugh, you're studying medicine, and what am I studying? It seems like we're worlds apart!" Ziya said again as she looked into the mirror, brushing her still damp bangs. Glancing at the time, she exclaimed, "Oh no, I have to get to my mentor's place!"
"Hey! You..." Doll Face huffed in frustration.
"I already prepared everything for you; just look for it yourself," Ziya replied before rushing out of the dormitory.
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