17: Chapter 17 Brother Hero’s Crisis
17 -17 Brother Hero’s Crisis
Watching the message sent by Xiao Wei, Zhang Xiaoman was just about to reply when he saw several other colleagues gathering around for fun.
Xiao Bu: “Brother Wei, why are you teaming up with Zhang Xiaoman to pull a fast one on us now?
Is today April Fool’s day or something?
But seriously, your trick is way too lame, totally ineffective on me.”
Xiao Tang: “Brother Wei, aren’t you the one who claims to be the toughest guy in the company?
How come a bit of dirt scared you like that?
Why don’t you just hand over that title to me, and I’ll call the cleaner for you?”
Xiao Wei: “It’s true!
You have to believe me!”
Xiao Xian: “Hands up for questions, how exactly are we supposed to believe?
Should we stand or lie down, or maybe adopt a face-up to the sky pose to believe?”
Xiao Wei: “I’m not joking with you guys!
Listen to me!
Today, after work, since the elevator was too crowded, I took the stairs alone.
When I was going down to the second floor, suddenly, from behind that security door, came a gurgling sound, followed by a loud bang, the door was shaking violently.”
Xiao Wei: “I can assure you, that thing was definitely not human!
You have no idea how terrifying the sound was!
Luckily, I ran fast, otherwise, I might have been a goner by now!”
Xiao Bu: “Give me a break, would you?
Ghosts bumping into doors?
It would definitely phase through walls to find you!”
Xiao Xian: “Brother Bu makes an excellent point, but I think what Xiao Wei said could make a great topic.
I might use it next time I stream live.”
Zhang Xiaoman watched this group of clowns fooling around, unable to find it funny at all.
He knew, what Xiao Wei said was probably all true, the monster in the office might still be there.
Thinking this, he rapidly typed a few lines in the group chat and hit the send button.
“Guys, Xiao Wei is not joking, both he and I experienced this.
That monster should be wandering around the second or third floor, areas our company doesn’t rent and the security seldom visits.
I don’t want any of us to be the first victim.
We are all colleagues here, and I don’t want any of you in danger.
So, better to stick to the elevator from now on, avoiding the stairs.”
Having sent this message, Zhang Xiaoman did not even check for their reaction and directly closed the group chat.
He knew they definitely wouldn’t believe what he said, and as for advising them to take a leave or quit, that was even less likely.
Since he had said all he could, there nothing more he could do if they didn’t listen.
Just after he turned off his phone, Zhang Xiaoman was about to organize the ingredients needed for selling sushi the next day when his phone suddenly lit up again, it was a message from Brother Hero.
Picking up the phone, his face suddenly went pale.
“I’m trapped in the underground parking lot, there’s a monster outside!
I dare not make a sound!
Call the police for me quickly!!!!”
A short circuit occurred in Zhang Xiaoman’s mind upon reading this, Brother Hero had encountered the monster?
How could his luck be so bad!
He hurriedly threw the teacup on the table, picked up a face mask, and the two water guns he had just bought, and rushed out the door.
But just as he finished changing his shoes, Zhang Xiaoman suddenly froze.
He looked around his home somewhat bewilderedly, then at the corridor outside, his feet hesitating.
Although he had made all sorts of mental preparations, at this moment, he was still hesitant.
This was not watching a movie, nor reading a horror novel, nor playing a game where if you died, you could come back to life.
About to face that unknown terrifying monster personally, it was definitely impossible to say he wasn’t a bit scared.
Zhang Xiaoman clenched his fists, sweat seeping out of his palms.
He suddenly bit down hard, thinking to himself:
“No!
Brother Hero is my brother!
The only brother I have had since childhood!
I can’t watch him die!
At worst...
I’ll call the police on my way!
Anyway, I must make a trip over there!”
“If Brother Hero were to die like this...”
Brief flashes of Mrs.
Hero’s tear-streaked face and two little boys crying for their dad flickered through Zhang Xiaoman’s mind.
Well, Brother Hero’s son had actually just turned one month old and couldn’t even call for his dad yet.
But Zhang Xiaoman’s imagination was somewhat useful, adding a little more resolve to save someone.
By this point, his mind was made up, and Zhang Xiaoman no longer felt that bone-chilling sensation from before.
Instead, as he was about to face the battle, a rush of blood began to slowly burn in his chest.
Upon reaching the community gate, Zhang Xiaoman borrowed some money from Mr.
Ma and called for a fast ride.
While waiting for the car, he suddenly remembered the last time he encountered that monster, immediately opened his phone, and sent a message to Brother Hero.
“Brother Hero!
Hide well, make no sound!
If that monster happens to spot you, play a song with a high pitch!
It’s afraid of high pitches!
Remember this!”
Brother Hero didn’t reply at the other end, and Zhang Xiaoman didn’t know his current situation, he could only pray he was safe.
In the car, Zhang Xiaoman was not idle; he dialed the police, hoping for more backup.
“Hello!
Officer!
There’s a ghost in the Aries Office Building in East Information Industrial Park!
My friend is trapped in the underground parking garage!
He dares not make a sound, I’m calling to ask the police for help!”
“Sir, there are no such things as ghosts in this world, please don’t prank us...”
“Ah!
Right right right!
It’s not a ghost, it’s a monster!
There’s a monster there!
My friend is blocked by a monster!”
“Sir, please do not make malicious calls to the police, we are issuing you a verbal warning now, and if you continue to ignore our warnings, we will pursue your legal responsibilities!”
“...”
Zhang Xiaoman cursed himself silently for being too hasty and speaking without thinking.
He quickly thought of another excuse, trying to get the police to respond first so he could bluff his way through.
But it turns out the other party wasn’t naive, asking several probing questions that made it obvious he was making things up, and issued a stern warning:
“Sir, your call has been recorded, and if you continue to insist, I will still contact your local police station for you.
However, if the circumstances are found to be inconsistent with what you have described after verification, we will take action to detain you for no less than 7 days and no more than 15 days.
This is your last warning; I hope you do not deceive yourself.”
Upon hearing the other party’s words, Zhang Xiaoman’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
He knew that if he kept pressing, they would still send out the police.
But that would inevitably lead them to come and investigate him.
Thinking this, Zhang Xiaoman reluctantly put down his phone, his expression conflicted.
In the past two days, he had even gone to the property management of the building to see if the surveillance had caught him using the hearthstone in the underground parking lot.
If it had, he would find an opportunity to delete it.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t reach the surveillance room of the property management.
The old man in charge had taken leave to go home, and the door was locked.
That’s why he didn’t immediately report the situation he encountered to the police at Sixth Master’s House.
Once they found out something was off in that building, they would definitely check the surveillance.
That could potentially reveal footage of him disappearing into thin air; what would he say then?
For many people, what’s there to explain?
If it’s seen, it’s seen; it’s not a big deal to collaborate with the government.
With a superpower, you couldn’t possibly be treated unfairly.
Reality isn’t as dark as depicted in novels and films, where horrible things like dissection happen frequently.
But for those people, all it costs is a word.
If they’re wrong, then they’re wrong.
For Zhang Xiaoman, however, it was a gamble with his life, his everything.
If he were a bystander, he could easily say such things.
But not now.
Not until he had the strength to protect himself.
Zhang Xiaoman gritted his teeth and, after hesitating for a moment, put down the phone again.
He didn’t know what exposing these things would mean for him, so he couldn’t take the risk.
Touching the water bullet gun and hearthstone in his pocket, a determined look flashed in his eyes.
“This must be my first time actively hunting, I suppose.
Who would have thought that me, a mere worker, would end up on this path?
Life really is like a drama...”
At that moment, the driver sneaked a peek at him through the rearview mirror, his expression quite bizarre.
Coming back to his senses, Zhang Xiaoman, feeling somewhat embarrassed, said:
“Ahem, sir, could you please drive a bit faster?
I have an emergency with a friend...!”
The driver was quite adept, gave an OK sign, then shifted gears and stepped on the gas, showing real skill.
“Big brother, don’t forget to leave a good review later!”
PS: Many friends asked me why the protagonist didn’t tell the special department at Sixth Master’s house about the monster when he first encountered them.
Actually, I had already written that the protagonist was panicked when he used the hearthstone in the garage and didn’t notice if there were any cameras around.
That’s why he didn’t dare to talk about it openly.
Because once he tells others, they would certainly come to check the surveillance.
If they then saw him using the hearthstone to teleport, his secret would be exposed.
That’s also why the protagonist warned his colleagues in the company not to use the underground parking lot.
Partly out of goodwill.
And partly because he feared that if someone died there, and others checked the surveillance, they might witness his extraordinary abilities.
As for why he doesn’t cooperate with the government, I won’t elaborate on that here.
If you have any questions, feel free to discuss them with me in the comments below.
I will answer them at the end of the article.
Wishing everyone a happy reading experience.

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