Chapter 46: The True Identity

Chapter 46: The True Identity

Upon hearing the telltale rustle of approaching footsteps outside the bathroom, Miles instantly hushed River by placing a hand over her mouth before darkening his flashlight. He wanted to clearly convey the urgent need for silence.

Quick to comprehend the gravity of the situation, River followed suit, pressing a hand over her mouth to smother any potential noises. She even held her breath, adding to the eerie quietness.

Once their source of light was turned off, the bathroom plunged into profound darkness, a disquieting tranquility enveloping them.

Yet, the sounds of encroaching footsteps perforated the silence, amplifying their unsettling prominence.

There was no doubt, someone was inching their way into the bathroom. The interloper, neither employing a flashlight nor the glow of a phone screen, navigated the space with an ease that suggested it was not a mundane bathroom visit.

Their unwelcome presence was intensely felt by Miles. Terror widened Rivers eyes, the fear she felt materializing palpably within them.

Has it stopped moving? Miles face slightly twitched as he noticed the lull in the footsteps, implying the intruder had come to a pause.

From the direction of the sounds, he deduced that the figure was likely near the first cubicle.

Whats its intent? Is it merely here to use the restroom? Should I go check? These thoughts began to populate Miles mind.

Nevertheless, after some contemplation, he brushed the idea aside.

Engaging with a ghost would necessitate the summoning of his own protective spirit, depleting an invaluable safeguard. The potential benefit was greatly overshadowed by the risk.

Just as he arrived at this decision

Bang!

A deafening noise echoed throughout the bathroom.

It was reminiscent of a door panel being violently broken down.

It seemed that the door of the first cubicle had been harshly kicked open.

Hphhhh~! River jerked, her body succumbing to the fear surging through her. Had she not already stifled herself, a scream would have undoubtedly erupted.

After the loud clamor subsided, the figure resumed its movement, the footsteps resonating dreadfully throughout the bathroom.

The figure paused after a few paces, now by the second cubicle.

Bang~!

Again, the harsh sound of a door panel shattering resounded. The door of the second cubicle suffered the same fate as the first. The water tank too cracked under the assault, followed by the gushing sound of escaping water.

The tumult once more fell silent.

Yet, the footsteps resumed their ominous rhythm.

The intruder had now moved on to the third cubicle.

Hpphh, hpphhh! River shivered, her eyes tightly shut as fear teetered on the edge of consuming her.

She was sure that the entity outside was not human, but the ghost they dreaded.

Their discovery in this five-cubicle bathroom seemed inevitable, spelling out an impending doom.

Is this entity specifically targeting me? Miles pondered.

Bang~!

Another thunderous noise echoed, marking the forceful entry into the fourth cubicle.

In the very next moment

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The door was assaulted with violent force again, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Its back, Miles alerted, swiftly moving to reinforce the door.

Despite her terror, River was not helpless. She joined Miles in his effort to bolster the precarious wooden barrier.

Nevertheless, the attack on the door intensified, each hit more forceful than the last. The door threatened to give way several times, but each instance, Miles managed to secure it shut.

At this point, he was strongly considering deploying his ghost domain.

But why had the ghost hesitated earlier, only to launch an assault when River shifted?

Dont lean on the door, turn around, Miles directed, guiding River with a gentle hand.

As soon as River obeyed, the chaos outside the door dwindled, eventually ceasing altogether.

Silence resumed its reign.

I see, Miles murmured, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

Hed deciphered what provoked the ghosts lethal aggression.

Sure enough, the quiet persisted.

With the ghost outside staying immobile, Miles found confidence in his deductions.

Since neither River nor I are provoking the ghost to attack, and it hasnt gone on a senseless rampage, the ghosts threat level is only a C, meaning its restrained.

As he pondered, the ghost outside stirred again.

However, this time it didnt gravitate towards Miles but instead began a slow retreat from the bathroom.

Gradually, the footsteps faded, signaling the ghost had left to seek new prey.

Leaving so soon? But I need to discern the ghosts true identity.

Miless eyes gleamed with determination. Swiftly, he pulled out his phone, activated the camera, and captured a photo aimed at the retreating footsteps outside their cubicle.

Snap.

The flash briefly lit up the scene.

What what are you doing? What if it lures the ghost back? River recoiled, her voice barely a whisper as she tightened her grip on Miles.

Simply taking a photo. I need to identify that ghost. You suggested Blush is a ghost, but I met her yesterday, and she seemed very much alive, not at all dead. If she is indeed a ghost, I should be able to capture her image, even if its just a fragment of her face.

Miles replied calmly, This is my responsibility, so dont worry. The ghost held back from rushing in, which suggests we werent its targets. If anything happens, Ill bear the burden. I wont knowingly put you in danger.

However, he was taken aback when he looked at the photo he had just snapped.

How can it be him?

The photo only captured a partial view of the ghost, the rest obscured by the corner of the bathroom wall.

The visible portion, astonishingly, showed a figure dressed in a security uniform identical to his own.