Chapter 22: Reversal

Silence, endless silence, with only the faint, rhythmic dripping of blood resonating with startling clarity.

Qian Cangyi opened his mouth, but his throat felt parched, rendering him unable to make a sound. The scene he had just witnessed flashed before his eyes repeatedly.

Up ahead, Wisdom turned to glance at Xiao Tian’s corpse, then slammed his left fist against the black wall.

"Heh, hehehe."

A self-deprecating laugh escaped Wisdom’s lips—a low, hollow sound filled with helplessness and fury.

Qian Cangyi let out a long sigh, leaning his back against the wall in wordless despair.

"I told him not to go!" Ning Jing crouched on the ground, her left hand pressed against her forehead, her eyes vacant and hollow.

Death meant the end, forever.

Compared to the death of Rou Guang, Xiao Tian’s demise was far more harrowing, leaving a deeper, more indelible mark on Qian Cangyi’s memory.

Qian Cangyi remained silent. He thought of himself and the future, feeling as though he were plunging into the depths of hell.

Just then, the wall behind him began to vibrate. It was a subtle tremor, yet because he was pressed against the surface, he felt it instantly. His stomach churned, and goosebumps broke out across his arms.

"They—they’re back!" Qian Cangyi’s gaze swept over the others.

"What?" Ning Jing asked, bewildered.

Wisdom turned around, looking at Qian Cangyi with a slight tilt of his head, his eyes full of questions.

"The headless man from before! They’re back!" Qian Cangyi shouted.

*Thump!*

*Thump, thump!*

The familiar sound echoed once more through the spiraling staircase.

The headless brute that had just claimed a head was descending again, like a reaper keeping a schedule of death.

Qian Cangyi looked toward the source of the noise. Ning Jing stood up, and Wisdom turned to look as well.

*Thump!*

"Run!" Wisdom bolted forward.

A second later, Qian Cangyi saw the headless giant.

This new figure was pristine, without a single drop of blood on it; it was not the same one that had taken Xiao Tian’s head.

Qian Cangyi turned and began to run. But this time was different; previously, it was merely an escape, but now, a suffocating sense of despair pressed down on him, leaving him unable to breathe.

***

"Is there really no other way?" Ning Jing’s voice was choked with emotion.

No one answered.

"Then we’re all going to die here," she whispered, her voice fading.

After a few seconds, Wisdom suddenly spoke up.

"I have an idea, though I’m not certain. We have to try it to know for sure."

Qian Cangyi turned to look at him. "What is it?"

"When he died earlier, blood sprayed upward," Wisdom said, pointing a finger toward the ceiling. "It fell back down, but something was wrong. When the blood descended, there was significantly less of it. That’s not normal."

"I don't understand what you mean," Ning Jing shook her head.

Wisdom took a deep breath, staring ahead, and replied softly:

"The moon has gravity, a portion of that blood didn't fall back down, and this spiral staircase has no end. We are trapped in the same situation as before. Perhaps the reason is that we’ve taken the wrong path. The true exit isn't below; it's..."

He raised his right hand, pointing his index finger toward the ceiling. "Above."

Qian Cangyi looked up. Darkness loomed overhead, and when he shone his flashlight upward, the beam was swallowed by the thick, impenetrable gloom.

"We need someone to go up and verify it," Wisdom said, looking at Ning Jing.

Ning Jing became instantly guarded. "You want me to go? What if it’s dangerous? Your theory might be wrong."

"I don't want to take the risk."

She glanced at Qian Cangyi, her meaning clear.

Hearing her, Qian Cangyi felt reluctant too. The situation above was completely unknown. However, he didn't refuse; he knew it was highly likely to be the true exit.

"What do you think?" Wisdom asked, locking eyes with Qian Cangyi.

Qian Cangyi met Wisdom’s gaze, then glanced back over his shoulder before speaking.

"Actually, I was wondering, if we found a way to dodge the headless brute and run back the other way, might we find something new?" He looked behind them again, then continued, "But that’s probably unlikely. The possibility above is indeed higher. Fine. But how do you plan to get me up there?"

He didn't intend to drag this out. Sometimes, risks were necessary. Since they had been chosen by the Hell Movie, they couldn't avoid danger forever.

"We gain some distance, then two of us act as a platform to toss the third one up," Wisdom replied immediately.

***

"Agreed," Qian Cangyi nodded.

"We’re both too heavy. The best person for this is..." Wisdom sighed and glanced at Ning Jing.

Ning Jing remained silent, offering no response.

Wisdom didn't push the issue, nor did he suggest Qian Cangyi jump.

Seeing this, Qian Cangyi started to speak, but swallowed the words. He realized they had reached a dead end.

Because of their weight, Wisdom wanted Ning Jing to be the one to test the path, but she feared the danger and refused to be the first. Even if Qian Cangyi volunteered, the trade-off in weight and strength might not provide enough lift.

The difficulties didn't end there; the exhaustion from their constant running was already undermining their chances of success.

A stifling, oppressive sense of despair permeated the air.

"I'll go," Ning Jing said.

"Get ready." Wisdom turned to look at Qian Cangyi, then began to accelerate.

Qian Cangyi nodded and sped up.

After gaining a short distance from the headless brute, Wisdom stopped, leaned his back against the wall, bent his knees, and held out his hands—palms open, left hand gripping his right wrist.

Seeing this, Qian Cangyi immediately understood and mirrored the stance.

Their hands locked to form a platform—a perfect springboard for Ning Jing.

As Ning Jing approached, Wisdom lowered his body further. As she planted her right foot into their joined hands, Qian Cangyi and Wisdom exerted all their strength, launching her upward. At the very peak of their effort, Ning Jing pushed off once more, leaping toward the darkness above.

A second later, she shot into the shadows like a sharp arrow.

Qian Cangyi felt a pang of worry. If Wisdom’s theory was wrong, falling from such a height back onto the stone stairs could easily break her neck.

"Run!" Wisdom signaled, grabbing Qian Cangyi’s arm as they sprinted away.

Qian Cangyi kept up, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, but Ning Jing did not fall back down.

"Did she make it?" he asked.

"Maybe... look out!" Wisdom shoved Qian Cangyi against the wall. A massive hand swiped through the air where he had been standing a moment before.

Seeing that gargantuan hand, the memory of Xiao Tian’s death resurfaced. Qian Cangyi felt a jolt of terror, but there was no time for fear.

The headless brute didn't retract its hand; instead, it swiped again, aiming directly for Qian Cangyi’s head.

Qian Cangyi ducked instinctively, feeling the faint brush of the creature's fingers against the tips of his hair.