Xu Tian shifted, trying to get comfortable. Just as he was about to fall asleep—
He felt it. The air changed. The room felt… smaller. Like the walls were closing in.
His eyes snapped open. The wooden ceiling above him seemed lower than before.
His heart pounded. Then—
Something cold wrapped around his neck. A hand. A hand that wasn't his.
Xu Tian gasped, trying to sit up, but the grip tightened. His breath hitched, and his chest burned.
He struggled, kicking his legs, but he couldn't see who was choking him.
Then, in the corner of the room—
A shadow moved. It wasn't just a shadow. It had a face. A wide, twisted smile. Dark, hollow eyes. It was watching him. Enjoying his struggle.
Xu Tian's fingers clawed at his own neck, but there was nothing there. No real hands. No real body.
Just pressure. Like invisible fingers squeezing the life out of him.
His vision blurred. His heartbeat slowed.
Just when he thought he would pass out—
The pressure vanished.
