VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 946: Cat Shift in the Shadow Chamber

In pitch darkness, Ye Shisan snapped awake.

A sickening churn and his ragged breaths echoed in his ears.

Groping about, he found his gear bag gone, hat and flashlight also vanished. Steadying himself, he sensed a wide, sealed chamber.

Humans gauge enclosed spaces by wind and echo. By these, Ye Shisan was absolutely certain he was in a sealed chamber.

Minutes later, his eyes adjusted, spotting a faint glow ahead.

Swaying to his feet, arms out for balance, he shuffled toward it.

Each step was a blind man’s gamble, heart-pounding. Luckily, the floor was flat, and he reached the glow.

Oddly, it wasn’t a light source or self-luminous—just a hazy orb hovering half a foot off the ground.

How bizarre—how did I end up in this eerie place?

Ye Shisan racked his brain, stumped.

Staring at the dim orb, he reached out, almost instinctively.

Strange—it had substance: soft, smooth, warm, elastic… like… something sensitive.

Could it be?

Feeling further to the right—sure enough! Same thing!

This was a woman! The glow was her Heart Demon!

Heart Demon manifest at the chest or back, so he’d touched… yeah.

Before he could pull back, the glow vanished. A familiar scream cut through: “Ghost!”

A sharp elbow slammed into his gut. He crumpled, gasping: “You Long’er! Stop! It’s me… Ye Shisan!”

You Long’er grabbed his hand, leaping onto him like an octopus and clinging tight: “Darling! I thought a ghost was groping me! Thank the stars it was you…”

Ye Shisan squirmed: “I didn’t mean to… it’s pitch black, I couldn’t see…”

You Long’er leaned on Ye Shisan's shoulder and bit him fiercely: “Pfft! You perv! Blind and you hit the mark? Always dreaming of me, huh?”

Ye Shisan, cornered, swiftly switched topics: “What’s the last thing you recall before here?”

You Long’er cooled off: “I saw the Clay Buddha’s head on yours. What about you?”

“I originally wanted to check outside the Land Temple, but you rushed in. I followed and stepped through the door, and blacked out… only to wake up here.”

“Where is here? Damn, we should’ve heeded your grandpa! Yi Qing’s plan screwed us!”

“Not quite. Yi Qing’s our only state-backed shot. If she’d gone in with me and got trapped, we’d be doomed.”

You Long’er thought for a moment and then let out a soft giggle: “True, darling. If Yi Qing was here, she’d eat you alive. Better me—I’ve got you all to myself!”

Then, she reached for his pants.

Ye Shisan grabbed his belt: “Hey! What’re you doing?”

“Darling, I’m not dying a virgin! Going out with you’s exactly my wish!”

“Stop! I’m not dying here! Look, I’ll go left, you go right. Feel the walls and walk clockwise to find an exit.”

“No! It’s too creepy! I’m with you!”

“We’d cover more ground apart!”

“Nope! No way!”

Ye Shisan, out of options, reluctantly led You Long’er through the darkness.

"Fortunately, the chamber wasn't very large. After dozens of steps, they hit a cold stone wall. Ye Shisan kicked off his shoes immediately.

“Darling, why barefoot?”

He sighed: “You Long’er, think about it. If this is sealed, and we’ve circled back in the pitch-dark—how do you know you’re at the start?”

“Oh! I see! … I’m falling for you more, darling! Since no one’s here, so how about…”

“We’re in danger, and you’re still on that?”

“I don’t wanna die a virgin ghost!”

Alone together with no one else around, You Long’er’s bold affection stirred Ye Shisan, masking the chamber’s icy chill.

“Enough! Find the exit!”

“Fine, but you have to promise me—if we’re stuck, you’re mine…”

“You Long’er, you’re acting strange.”

“Strange? No way—feel this!”

She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her chest, where her pounding heart sent a chill through him, prompting him to yank it back.

“No games! Stay close, or you’ll get lost!”

Muttering complaints, You Long’er followed. Around ten minutes later, Ye Shisan kicked his shoes, confirming a sealed chamber with no exit.

Deflated, he slumped against the wall and slipped his shoes back on.

You Long’er snuggled close, her fragrant forehead gently brushing his chin: “Darling, we’re gonna die here, so…”

“No, there must be a way. If we got in, we can get out!”

“Hmph! You really don’t want me, huh?”

She shoved him down and straddled him with her long legs.

“Ye Shisan, if you don’t give in, we might not make it. I’m not leaving regrets!”

Heat surged through him as her soft, warm skin pressed through his jacket, followed by rustling sounds as she began undressing.

His instincts flared: “You Long’er! Wait… wait…”

“Wait for what? I’ve never thrown myself at anyone!”

“I heard something!”

“Nothing’s there, just your head! Come on, I’ll help you…”

“No! Wait!”

He’d held back, fearing he’d hurt her, but this push carried slight force by mistake. She tumbled off with a thud, followed closely by he witnessing an extraordinary scene.

About twenty meters away, a strange orb hovered midair, resembling a proud cat with its tail raised and slender legs slowly swaying as it approached him.

It wasn’t a cat. It was another Heart Demon!

Someone else was trapped here.

Ye Shisan bellowed: “Who’s there?”

The cat froze, staring warily. A girl’s voice came from its direction.

In that moment, fear gripped Ye Shisan like never before.

An achingly familiar voice hit his ears:

“Darling, is that you?”