Chapter 58: A Boat of Living Souls
Ji Li's thoughts had stopped. More precisely, the main persona called 'Ji Li' was completely trapped by the ghost's overwhelming power.
His soul could still perceive everything around him, feeling the supernatural force coursing wildly through his body, yet he could do nothing.
The primary executor of the plan was supposed to be the third persona, the uncontrolled soul within Ji Li.
But at a certain moment, a variable arose. The third persona, unbeknownst to Ji Li, was moved by the words of the newly awakened fourth persona.
As an unrestrained soul, the third persona, just as Ji Li suspected, would not be influenced by the ghost's intrusion.
Yet, he also would not necessarily follow Ji Li's instructions.
Previously, the third persona would have done everything to help Ji Li complete the task. But since Ji Li had not yet awakened and under the fourth persona's persuasion, his mindset had subtly shifted. Over time, this shift accelerated.
Ji Li's main persona would be resurrected, and during that period of death, his body was unclaimed. The third persona, having never had the chance to seize control before, now saw a perfect opportunity.
The third persona had his own way of thinking and standards. He desired to become a complete living being—and now, he could.
Ji Li had calculated everything but had not accounted for the change in the third persona's disposition.
Seconds ticked by. Ji Li's neck had twisted into an extreme arc; perhaps half a second more and he would die in the same position again. The third persona remained silent, the fourth persona still hidden.
Even a single drop of rain could disrupt the calm, and no one would have anticipated the third persona's sudden betrayal. If that half second passed, Ji Li might never awaken again.
Yet at this critical moment, a weak, hoarse voice, as if long unused, abruptly sounded in Ji Li's mind:
'The ghost… is in Ji Li's body…'
It was the long-silent second persona speaking, his tone weary, almost lacking strength—but still enough to complete the identification.
A nerve in Ji Li's brain instantly broke free, restoring his perception, action, and thinking. His head was no longer rigid, though turning it emitted a sharp crack of bone.
The intense twisting pain in his neck made him momentarily gasp for air, losing all strength, half-kneeling on the ground. The world quieted; only his labored breathing remained.
After speaking, the second persona fell silent, and the third persona dared not speak either.
After a long while, the rain lessened.
Ji Li lifted his bloodshot eyes and stared into the empty shaft, enunciating each word:
"I want an explanation!"
The third persona knew the question was directed at him but could not answer.
Ji Li's eyes narrowed slightly. He then recalled something, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a phone, turning on the front camera.
The light revealed his pupils, and he quickly shut his eyes again.
The third persona, seeing this through the screen, felt a surge of panic.
"How… how can it be like this?" He had never imagined the situation could escalate so far.
In those eyes was not just light, but a terrifying presence buried deep in the soul.
"See… the gray soul is already merging with me…"
Ji Li's voice was low and lonely, echoing through the shaft.
"The fourth persona… appeared before I fully awakened and conveyed a will to you, making you think I was dead, for your own advantage. But you should have used your mind!"
He spoke slowly at first, but the final words came as a low growl, scolding the third persona with contempt.
"There should be two ghosts near me, yet I only encountered one. Where is the other? Do you still not understand?
Inside me, there's not just you, not just the second and fourth persona, but also the most terrifying—the gray soul.
Each time I die, the gray soul draws closer to revival. Do you think, after it appears, there will still be room for you?
It is almost certain that it devoured the ghost originally in my phone!
I am human, you are my persona, but what is he?"
The third persona dared not respond. If this were merely a struggle for control, Ji Li could not blame him—but now, looking back, he felt fear.
Had he followed the fourth persona's instigation, causing Ji Li to die again, that gray soul might not only revive but destroy everything, sweeping through all personas within him. The gray soul represented a supernatural power beyond ordinary ghosts.
'I was wrong. We are living souls on the same boat. From now on, I will help you survive every task. You cannot die again!'
Ji Li exhaled deeply, glanced at the departing light above, and took out climbing rope from his bag, assessing his current situation.
His seemingly ordinary body hid countless secrets.
Who had placed so many souls inside him? Even the gray soul, capable of devouring ghosts, must have been placed there by someone.
Ji Li couldn't make sense of it, but he had a premonition that everything he knew so far was only the surface. As time progressed, he might uncover increasingly shocking truths.
'Number Three, Ji Li is right.'
'I'm growing weaker. Even communicating is difficult. I'm only one persona, yet I can truly feel my life force being rapidly consumed.'
Ji Li, focused on freeing himself, remained silent as he listened to the second persona.
The third persona also stayed quiet. The state of the second persona already indicated something crucial.
The gray soul's awakening could devour the other personas, which made the third persona deeply regret his earlier decisions.
He had lost the rare trust he had built with Ji Li through multiple crises. It was a devastating blow, but it was too late for regrets.
'Ji Li, the fourth persona has indeed appeared, but I couldn't hear what he said clearly. I'm too weak.'
'In any case, be cautious of the fourth persona. He gives me the sense of having a deep connection with the gray soul.'
'Ji Li, me, and the third persona—we're like grasshoppers struggling on the same rope.'
'And I won't be able to accompany you for much longer…'
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