Demon Apartment - Novelbike

Dong Xie cautiously pulled the door open just a crack.

The hallway outside was as quiet as ever, seemingly without a hint of anything unusual.

Only then did Dong Xie gradually open the door wider and step out slowly. Once outside, he breathed a sigh of relief and motioned for Dong Ning to follow him. Zhao Long and Ge Qi also stepped out together.

“Let’s go.”

Zhao Long took the lead. After all, he was the most “experienced” resident. If he faltered, the group wouldn’t be able to proceed. Dong Xie, Dong Ning, and Ge Qi followed closely behind.

“Dong… Dong Xie,” Ge Qi, now familiar with everyone, spoke more humbly in front of Dong Xie, “I might have been a bit harsh before, maybe made you uncomfortable. I apologize for that. We’re all in the same boat, stuck in this damned apartment. I hope you can forgive me. If… if there’s any danger, I hope you can lend me a hand.”

Ge Qi was genuinely afraid. The thought of Feng Yu’s fate sent shivers down his spine. A companion who was just talking with them moments ago was gone in the blink of an eye! Of course, no one would risk their life to go to the fourth floor to save him. By now, Feng Yu was likely reporting to the King of Hell.

Ge Qi didn’t want to end up like Feng Yu! He didn’t want to die!

“My… my parents are old, living in the countryside. They think I’m working in K City! I… I can’t imagine how devastated they’d be if I died!”

Clearly, he was playing the sympathy card, hoping someone would help him in a critical moment.

“How did you end up in the apartment?” Dong Xie wasn’t naive; he understood Ge Qi’s intentions but empathized with the “same boat” sentiment.

“I was a takeout delivery guy for Eleme¹. I ended up in the wrong place when delivering in the community… I was afraid of being late, and in my hurry…”

“It’s tough for everyone.” Dong Xie patted his shoulder, saying, “Let’s mutually support each other.”

He made it clear-it was “mutual.”

The stairwell door was still wide open. This time, Zhao Long didn’t hesitate and stepped out directly. Feng Yu’s sacrifice had given them a clear hint: the real danger was on the fourth floor. Otherwise, why would Feng Yu have been sent downstairs? From this perspective, “they” probably wouldn’t ambush the residents here.

Dong Xie followed closely behind Zhao Long, but he intentionally slowed his pace slightly. The stairwell would soon pass the fourth floor… If Zhao Long encountered trouble, he would quickly retreat.

The four of them stepped carefully down the stairs, almost as if afraid of crushing ants, trying not to make any noise. Each wore a solemn expression, as the narrow stairwell offered few hiding places. Zhao Long, leading the way, felt the most pressure.

In the end, it took them nearly two minutes to descend such a short flight of stairs!

The iron door leading to the fourth floor was still securely locked. Inside, it was pitch black. As they passed by, they were especially fearful, not daring to glance at the door. They quickly continued downward.

Then… they reached the third floor.

Arriving on the third floor, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They entered the third floor from the stairwell, and Ge Qi quickly closed the stairwell door. Holding a candle, they illuminated the dark corridor ahead.

Would there be clues like the doodles this time?

The four of them began to move forward slowly…

Even though Dong Xie held his younger sister’s hand tightly, he kept glancing back to ensure her safety. The flickering candlelight was the only comforting glow in the darkness.

“Hmm?”

Dong Xie noticed a mailbox next to a door, stuffed with newspapers, most of which were sticking out.

He approached, holding the candle to the exposed newspapers, just enough to see the date.

“Three days ago…”

The residents here were mostly old people, likely not adept with smartphones, still subscribing to newspapers for news. It seemed, as the landlord said, the elderly residents had gone on a group tour.

Dong Xie handed the candle to Zhao Long, unwilling to let go of Ah Ning’s hand. He reached into the mailbox to retrieve the newspapers. Honestly, he wouldn’t have been surprised if a bloody handprint appeared on the newspaper. But… the newspaper looked normal, with nothing strange, just filled with numerous ads.

Ge Qi leaned in to take a look but accidentally kicked a potted plant at the door due to the dim corridor!

“Clang!”

The potted plant toppled over, making a loud noise in the silent corridor!

In that instant, everyone’s face turned pale!

Ge Qi, the culprit, immediately covered his mouth in fear, while the others dared not move. They feared the noise might attract some calamity. Dong Ning’s gaze at Ge Qi was as sharp as a knife.

After a long while, with no movement around them, they gradually relaxed.

Zhao Long glared at Ge Qi, then pointed a finger at him, the meaning clear without words.

“Hmm? Look!”

At that moment, Dong Ning’s low voice broke the silence.

They immediately looked at the overturned potted plant on the ground. Beneath the shattered pot lay a key!

Dong Xie slowly crouched down and picked up the key.

At that moment, it felt like he had found a crucial hidden item in a game. The residents here were elderly, so they might have left a spare key under the potted plant in case they forgot theirs.

He stood up, inserted the key into the lock, and turned it gently… The door opened!

“This is indeed the key!”

He then slowly pushed the door open and took the candle from Zhao Long to illuminate the inside. The entrance led to a simple kitchen, with what seemed to be a living room on the other side.

“Let’s go in and take a look… Maybe there’s a clue inside!”

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