Daryl stayed completely still, long after the donation alert had disappeared and the chat descended into panic, his phone buzzing with frantic messages he refused to acknowledge.
[HE'S DEAD!?!]
[WHAT HAPPENED??]
[GOOGLE 废楼魇猿 Abandoned-Building Nightmare Ape NOW!]
He didn't move, didn't respond, and didn't even breathe audibly, allowing the silence to stretch while all he did was think.
The creature, the 废楼魇猿 Abandoned-Building Nightmare Ape , lingered vividly in his mind as every detail resurfaced at once, the crushing boulder, the iron impaling his body, the walls slamming into him, and the sound of bones breaking.
He remembered the black blood pooling beneath him, the monster's cold and powerful hands dragging him like a ragdoll across the floor, and the absolute helplessness of it all.
He shivered as the realization settled in fully.
He had died, and now, somehow, he had regressed.
The system was real, undeniable, as the interface still hovered quietly in his vision, dormant but alive, waiting.
He had no points, no EXP, no usable weapons, and nothing that resembled a proper advantage, but he still had something far more important.
He had a chance, a chance to prepare, a chance to survive, and a chance to level up before it was too late.
The chat erupted again, flooding the screen with fear and speculation, but Daryl ignored every message without hesitation.
He didn't care about their panic, not now, not when he knew the truth of what was coming.
When he finally moved, he did so slowly and carefully, every step measured and deliberate as he kept to the shadows.
Every creak of the building, every whisper of air, and every faint draft reminded him of how he had died last time, sending another shiver through his spine.
He opened the system menu, scanning through weapons, utilities, and consumables, only to find every category locked behind the same message stating he lacked sufficient EXP.
Daryl scowled as the reality sank in, because of course he had nothing, no points, no tools, and no margin for error.
That was when he noticed a hidden tab labeled Missions and Activities, promising EXP and points, and curiosity pushed him to open it.
Several options appeared at once, clearing minor ghost nests, investigating haunted objects, rescuing trapped spirits, and capturing ghosts for points.
His eyes lingered on the last option.
Capture ghosts.
The reward promise was clear, EXP and points, exactly what he needed, and his thoughts raced as he imagined farming ghosts to unlock tools and abilities.
His expression darkened as another realization hit him, because he had misplaced all the containment materials he bought earlier, the talismans, salt, iron nails, and vessels, all gone and useless now.
Suddenly, a system message appeared in his vision.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Spirit Domain Identified.
Spirit Domain Name: The Curtain Call
Classification: Audience-Type Spirit Domain
Threat Level: Variable, escalates with observer engagement
Domain Status: ACTIVE
Clear Condition: UNKNOWN
The overview flooded his vision, explaining that The Curtain Call was a performance-based spirit domain formed around observation, approval, and escalation.
It did not prioritize immediate termination but instead staged the target as entertainment, responding directly to attention, intent, and audience feedback.
The more observers engaged, the stronger the domain became.
Core mechanics followed, detailing observer amplification, audience authority, performance enforcement, and staging logic, each rule reinforcing the same terrifying truth.
This domain was not bound by normal physics, but by theatrical logic, where lighting became focus, sound became pressure, applause meant escalation, and silence itself was a threat.
The warning was clear, excessive manipulation could destabilize the domain, and collapse did not guarantee survival.
The final system note confirmed something far worse.
This domain was aware it was being watched.
Performance satisfaction level was listed as unmet.
Then Daryl remembered the Lucky Draw Wheel, the last resource he hadn't exhausted, and without hesitation he activated it again, praying it would give him something usable.
The wheel spun as lights flashed and symbols blurred together, slowing gradually before stopping.
[Ghost Vacuum Cleaner]
Daryl's eyes widened as recognition hit him instantly, because it was perfect, a device designed specifically to absorb and contain ghosts.
The system displayed its location, stored behind an old wall panel in the hallway, and Daryl moved immediately without saying a word to the chat.
The panel slid aside easily, revealing the vacuum cleaner, heavy and industrial but compact enough to carry, and Daryl grabbed it, slinging it over his shoulder.
When he tested it, a faint hum vibrated through his hands, and the system confirmed it was ready for ghost capture.
He didn't hesitate as he moved forward, deeper into the domain.
The first ghost appeared near the cracked walls, a small pale figure floating aimlessly, and Daryl aimed the vacuum as a soft beam of light extended from its nozzle.
He activated it.
The ghost screeched before being absorbed instantly, like water poured into a bucket.
[Ghost Captured - EXP +10, Points +50]
The chat exploded in disbelief.
[WHAT IS THAT]
[IS HE VACUUMING GHOSTS??]
[THIS IS AMAZING]
[HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE??]
Daryl ignored them all, because every ghost captured was another step toward survival, another investment in staying alive.
A larger ghost emerged next, its eyes glowing red as it reached for him, and Daryl tightened his grip before activating the vacuum again.
It resisted violently as the hum intensified, and the system prompted him that continuous focus would double EXP gain.
He gritted his teeth and held on until the ghost was finally contained.
[EXP +25, Points +125]
That was when everything clicked.
The more ghosts he captured, the more points he gained, and the more points he gained, the more tools he could unlock, creating a cycle that directly increased his odds against the 废楼魇猿 Abandoned-Building Nightmare Ape .
It was strategy.
Ghosts continued to appear throughout the domain, some fleeing, some attacking, and some simply lingering, but Daryl treated them all the same.
He didn't care about the chat's confusion or disbelief.
He only cared about points and EXP.
The chat continued typing in awe.
[HE'S ACTUALLY USING A VACUUM CLEANER]
[IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?]
[THIS IS LITERALLY INSANE]
[I CAN'T LOOK AWAY]
They couldn't understand, they weren't meant to.
This wasn't a gimmick rather more real than that this was actual survival.
Daryl moved carefully through corridors and shadows, using the vacuum to capture every spirit he could find while the system tracked each gain meticulously.
Every ghost added points.
Every point unlocked potential for him to finally have better use of the system.
He paused briefly as a thought crossed his mind, that if he farmed enough ghosts, he could unlock real tools, maybe weapons, maybe traps.
The memory of the creature's footsteps returned, and his jaw clenched.
He would not die again.
Not like last time.
Another ghost appeared, and Daryl lunged forward, the vacuum whining sharply as it absorbed the spirit.
[EXP +20, Points +100]
The chat spiraled into frantic speculation, but Daryl offered no explanation as he kept moving.
With every capture, his preparation accelerated, and with every upgrade, he edged closer to facing the 废楼魇猿 Abandoned-Building Nightmare Ape on his own terms.
He could survive this domain.