真實性-10

Ace

To my notice, Atlas wasn't that bad. He was quite respectful to me, considering he was two years younger than me. As we stepped in, the weight of negative energy became unbearable. I immediately looked at Phoenix, and he seemed uncomfortable too. It wasn't just one spirit here—each room seemed to have one of them. Only the living room, where we were standing, seemed spirit-free.

Xavier stood with his arms crossed, his serious demeanor unwavering as he glanced around. Atlas, on the other hand, looked a bit uneasy but maintained his confident front. Phoenix moved closer to me, almost instinctively seeking assurance, and I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Stay alert," I whispered, glancing around. "This place is practically infested. We need to figure out what's binding them here."

Xavier raised a brow. "Is it that bad?"

I nodded. "Worse than I thought. If we don't pinpoint the source, we'll be fighting them one by one."

Atlas chimed in, clearly trying to mask his unease. "If it's that dangerous, maybe we should wait for backup."

I shook my head. "Too late. We're already in. Backing out now might just anger them more. We need to find the core."

Phoenix hesitated, clutching his notebook tightly. "I-I can help scan the rooms," he offered, though his voice wavered.

"No," I said firmly. "You stick close to me. This isn't something you handle alone."

Atlas looked between us. "So, what's the plan?"

I exhaled. "We'll split up. Xavier and Atlas, check the west wing. Phoenix and I will take the east. If anything feels off or too overwhelming, fall back to the living room immediately."

Xavier gave a sharp nod while Atlas gave Phoenix a reassuring smile. "Stay safe, kid," Atlas said, though Phoenix didn't look particularly reassured.

As we moved through the corridor, the oppressive energy seemed to thicken, almost like walking through syrup. I could hear faint whispers—disjointed and distorted—floating through the air. Phoenix stayed close, his usual confidence clearly shaken, but he didn't complain. I gave him a nod, silently reminding him to stay strong.

"This place is a death trap," I muttered.

Phoenix glanced at me. "You think they all died here?"

I clenched my jaw. "Possibly. Or something's keeping them bound against their will. Either way, we need to break the hold."