She was already on the move, grabbing what she needed as she headed toward the door. ’If I don’t intervene... they’re all dead,’ she thought.

She typed quickly. "Stop, Emily. Slap her, and she will snap out of her daze."

But her message was instantly buried under the flood of comments.

Some viewers admired the ghost’s beauty. Others marveled at how clearly he appeared on camera.

Lana’s eyes narrowed in frustration as she typed again.

"Only high-level ghosts can appear on camera."

This time, Aiden saw it.

Hope flickered in his eyes. "What should we do?" he asked urgently.

Lana reposted immediately.

"Slap her. Hard."

Aiden didn’t hesitate.

He turned to Tyler and shouted, "Slap her harder!"

Tyler didn’t question it. In a situation like this, hesitation meant death.

His hand struck, and a sharp, echoing sound cut through the air.

Emily gasped, her eyes snapping back into focus. She glared at Tyler, anger flashing. "Why did you hit me?!"

Tyler pointed toward the ghost, his voice tense. "You were just defending that thing!"

Emily’s expression drained of color. Fear flooded her eyes as she stepped back and hid behind Tyler.

But then... a soft tap landed on her shoulder. She froze.

Slowly, she clutched Tyler’s waist, her voice trembling. "S-someone... is behind me..."

Tyler’s eyes widened. The priest’s face went pale.

They turned and saw her. A young woman stood there, grinning from ear to ear.

But...she had no eyes. Only empty, hollow darkness where they should have been.

A scream tore from their throats.

They tried to run. But it was too late.

More figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding them from every direction.

York, who had just regained consciousness, blinked weakly at the horrifying scene before him.

His face twisted in terror.

"I... I think I’d rather pass out again..." he muttered faintly, his vision swimming as darkness threatened to take him once more.

Aiden’s entire body trembled as he stood there, surrounded by the suffocating presence of the spirits. Even so, something strange happened.

The ghosts...they were keeping their distance from him.

It was subtle, but undeniable. As if an invisible barrier surrounded Aiden and York.

’Is it... the talisman?’ Aiden wondered, his fingers tightening unconsciously around it.

Tyler and Emily, on the other hand, were on the verge of breaking down. Their voices cracked as they shouted toward the priest, "Do something! Please, do something!"

The priest’s face had lost all color, his lips trembling as he snapped back, "Even I don’t know what to do anymore!"

Still, he refused to stop.

He took out the holy water and began chanting under his breath, as he repeatedly sprinkled it into the air.

The faint sizzling sound echoed weakly now, far less effective than before.

Each second stretched painfully long. Only five minutes had passed since they had called for help... Yet it felt like hours.

And the ghosts were already upon them.

Emily let out a choked sob and clung tightly to Tyler, her nails digging into his clothes. "If I’m going to die, I’m taking someone with me!" she cried, her voice hysterical.

Tyler stared at her in disbelief. "I’ve seen ruthless people before," he snapped, trying to pry her off, "but never someone like you!"

In their struggle, they stumbled away from the priest, their footing uneven on the damp ground.

The moment that distance formed... the ghosts surged forward.

Like predators sensing weakness. They rushed in, surrounding the two of them.

"Wait!" the priest shouted, rushing forward, flinging holy water desperately.

But it barely worked now. Only faint sizzling sounds remained, like dying embers.

The ghosts ignored him. They were closing in. Aiden’s heart pounded violently in his chest. Fear clawed at his throat.

Then, the priest turned sharply toward him and shouted, "Go help them! Use your talisman and save them!"

Before Aiden could react, York grabbed his hand tightly, his grip weak but desperate. "Don’t leave me..." he pleaded, his voice trembling.

Aiden froze for a split second.

’If I go... I might die... If I don’t... I’m finished anyway...’

Grinding his teeth, he tightened his grip on York’s hand before dragging him along. "Walk beside me," he said, forcing steadiness into his voice.

Then he stepped forward. Toward the encirclement.

Strangely, as he approached, the ghosts shifted.

They made way for him. As if unwilling to touch him.

When he reached Tyler and Emily, their condition was miserable. Their protective amulets had cracks running through them, faint fractures spreading like spiderwebs.

Their faces were pale, drenched in fear.

"They’re going to break..." Emily whispered, her voice shaking.

The priest, watching from behind, felt his heart sink. His gaze swept across the spirits, and realization struck him.

’These aren’t ordinary ghosts... each one is at least decades old...’

Even if none of them individually matched a hundred-year spirit... together they were overwhelming.

Wave after wave, they could shatter any defense.

The priest clenched his fists and muttered a silent prayer before speaking loudly, "I’ll hold them back! All of you, run!"

Tyler and Emily didn’t hesitate. They nodded immediately and prepared to move.

But Aiden hesitated. His eyes flickered toward the talisman.

’If this really works... then I might be able to get all of us out...’

A reckless thought formed.

"Everyone," he said suddenly, "hold onto me. I’ll try to get us out together."

For a moment...silence. Tyler and Emily stared at him, their eyes glistening with emotion.

They had treated him poorly.

And yet... he was still trying to save them.

But Aiden’s thoughts were far less noble.

’If they die, I’m done for... their families will destroy me... I have no choice...’

Even the priest hesitated. Then, gritting his teeth, he moved ahead toward the entrance, trying to hold the path open.

The ghosts grew furious; their movements became sharper, more aggressive.

Still, they parted slowly. The group rushed forward. The exit was within reach.

Then, the talisman in Aiden’s hand flared. Heat surged through it violently.

Before they could take another step... a figure appeared.