Chapter 1

While driving on the highway, Zhou Fangdong collided with a truck traveling in the wrong direction and died instantly.

Fortunately, he was resurrected by a real estate management game system. He was brought back to life in a parallel world, where he inherited two buildings from a deceased distant relative.

Unfortunately, this parallel world was a supernatural realm overrun by ghosts and monsters, and the inheritance he received consisted of two haunted buildings teeming with spirits.

Furthermore, because the system’s energy was insufficient, his resurrection was incomplete. The moment he left these two buildings, his body would revert to its post-accident state and he would die again.

To truly come back to life, Zhou Fangdong had to follow the game system’s instructions and rent out every single room in these two haunted buildings.

Even more unfortunately, the system he was bound to seemed to be an artificial idiot, completely incapable of communication.

It had only been half an hour since his resurrection, and Zhou Fangdong was already being driven to the brink of madness.

“System, open the door. I want to go out.”

【Ding—Detected a fierce ghost lingering outside the door. The host’s life will be in danger if he exits. Mortality rate: 90%. Novice protection measures forcibly activated. Door locked. Exit prohibited.】

“Fine, then I won’t go out.”

【Ding—Host, please proceed with Novice Tutorial Task ①: Leave the starting point [Landlord’s Room], inspect the first floor, and find a room available for rent.】

“Then open the damn door for me!!”

【Ding—Detected a fierce ghost lingering outside the door. The host’s life will be in danger if he exits. Mortality rate: 90%. Novice protection measures forcibly activated. Door locked. Exit prohibited.】

…

This circular conversation repeated dozens of times until Zhou Fangdong was on the verge of a breakdown.

In truth, he didn’t absolutely have to go out, but if he remained still for more than three minutes, the damn system would start “ding-ding-dinging” frantically in his head, urging him to complete the novice tutorial task.

It wouldn’t open the door when asked, but it wouldn’t let him skip the novice task either.

If this game system had a physical form, Zhou Fangdong really wanted to give it a few solid punches to help clear out the garbage code and bugs clogging its programming.

Zhou Fangdong gave up on the pointless dialogue with this moronic system. He opened the main system interface and began carefully checking for anything else he could use.

The system existed within Zhou Fangdong’s brain, and their communication was conducted through thought.

The system appeared as a blue floating screen. Currently, most of the interface was grayed out; the only sections lit up were the Novice Tutorial Tasks and the System Mall.

In Zhou Fangdong’s experience, items in a mall always cost money, so he hadn’t bothered clicking it earlier.

Now, unable to find a report button and unable to complete the novice task, the System Mall was the only tool left at his disposal.

Since he was bound to a real estate game system for managing haunted houses, the mall surely contained items to suppress ghosts, right?

He hoped there was some kind of free ghost-repelling item, like a novice gift pack.

With a “dead horse as a living horse doctor” mentality, Zhou Fangdong opened the mall.

The mall was currently Level 1, and most items were locked.

Although he didn’t find a novice gift pack, among the handful of unlocked items, Zhou Fangdong found two things that could solve his current predicament: the [Low-level Ghost Repelling Talisman] and the [Low-level Purification Talisman].

[Low-level Ghost Repelling Talisman] Price: 30 Ghost Coins.

Can repel C-rank and below ghosts. Repelled ghosts will not attack the talisman user again for 24 hours.

[Low-level Purification Talisman] Price: 300 Ghost Coins.

Purification range: 50 square meters. Validity: 30 days. Guarantees no ghost activity within the area during the validity period. (Note: This talisman is ineffective against B-rank and above ghosts.)

“System, what rank is the ghost outside the door?”

【C-rank】

If it was a C-rank Fierce Ghost, a single Low-level Ghost Repelling Talisman would solve the problem.

Zhou Fangdong tried to make a purchase, only to be informed by the system that his Ghost Coin balance was zero, making the purchase impossible.

“System, how do I obtain Ghost Coins?”

【Completing system tasks, unlocking the Tenant Illustrated Handbook, and clearing ghosts will all yield Ghost Coin rewards. Special tenants and long-term tenants will also drop Ghost Coins periodically.】

【Currently, the fastest way for the host to obtain Ghost Coins is to complete Novice Tutorial Task ①. Completion will reward 30 Ghost Coins.】

Great. A new infinite loop.

To go out, he had to deal with the ghost at the door. To deal with the ghost at the door, he needed 30 Ghost Coins to buy a talisman. To get 30 Ghost Coins, he had to complete the novice task. To complete the novice task, he had to go out.

God damn it, was this idiot system playing with him?

As if hearing his internal complaints, the system prompt rang out again:

【Ding—Host, please proceed with Novice Tutorial Task ①: Leave the starting point [Landlord’s Room], inspect the first floor, and find a room available for rent.】

Zhou Fangdong’s blood pressure spiked again.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. It’s not worth getting angry at a moronic system.

Since this was a game system, he should approach his actions with a gamer’s logic…

Zhou Fangdong turned and walked further into the room.

If there was no novice gift pack, he would search his starting point to see if he could find any useful items. He refused to believe the game system had resurrected him just to trap him here until he died.

Since his resurrection, Zhou Fangdong hadn’t actually looked at the room he was in.

When he first came back to life, he had appeared in the entryway. After the system explained his current situation, it had immediately told him to go out and complete the novice task… and then he had been stuck in front of the door, engaged in a circular argument with the system for half an hour.

Bypassing the shoe cabinet that blocked the view of the entryway, a familiar one-bedroom apartment appeared before Zhou Fangdong.

The room was about forty square meters. To the left of the entryway was the bathroom, to the right was an open kitchen, and further in was the bedroom. The bedroom decor was simple, with only a bed, a wardrobe, and a set of a desk and chair.

This room was identical to the one Zhou Fangdong had rented for two years in his original world. Even the bedding and the placement of the furniture were a perfect one-to-one replica.

Because he was so familiar with the space, he noticed immediately that something new had been added to the room.

On the bedroom desk, alongside the books he usually read, sat an ancient-looking kerosene lamp.

The lamp appeared to have been neglected for a long time. Its metal casing was pitted with rust, the glass chimney was thick with dust, and the murky, yellow-black oil inside was filled with clotted impurities.

Zhou Fangdong walked over quickly. Just as he reached the desk, the system notification chimed again:

【Ding—Detected that the Host has entered the starting location [Landlord’s Room]. Character Level interface unlocked; Landlord Domain system activated.】

【As the Host’s Character Level increases, the Host may designate more rooms within the Ominous Building as Landlord Domain. The starting room may be expanded or renovated within the Landlord Domain.】

【The Landlord Domain belongs exclusively to the Landlord. Humans are forbidden entry; ghosts and monsters are forbidden entry.】

Checking the room had been the right move; new information had indeed appeared.

However, Zhou Fangdong wasn’t in a hurry to check the Character Level interface or the Landlord Domain. He didn’t need to look to know his level was at the starting state, and even if they were unlocked, the status bar and domain were of little use to him right now.

The most important thing was to find a tool that could deal with ghosts so he could head out. Otherwise, the system would likely start chiming in his head again soon.

Zhou Fangdong picked up the kerosene lamp. The moment his hand touched the handle, another prompt popped up.

【Obtained Landlord-exclusive item: Landlord’s Kerosene Lamp (Damaged)】

(This item is bound to the Host. It cannot be sold or purchased.)

Item Effect: Holding the lit kerosene lamp allows for travel within the Ominous Building at night. The lamp’s light can repel all approaching ghosts and monsters regardless of their level.

(Note: The item is currently in a damaged state. Kerosene consumption rate is X4. Current kerosene will burn for 12 hours.)

(Please replenish kerosene in a timely manner. Please find or purchase repair materials to fix this item as soon as possible.)

After reading the item’s effects, Zhou Fangdong’s spirits lifted instantly.

As expected, there was a tool to solve his current predicament! He knew the system wouldn’t be quite that cruel.

Even though the game system’s novice guide was a total mess, it at least had a bit of a conscience and wasn’t forcing him into a dead end.

To prevent another endless loop like the one before, Zhou Fangdong didn’t leave the room immediately after getting the lamp. Instead, he continued his search.

There was nothing else out in the open… Zhou Fangdong shifted his gaze toward the closed wardrobe.

He pulled open the wardrobe doors. The inside was empty; his usual change of clothes and bedding had all vanished, leaving only a single set of black clothing hanging inside.

Since it was placed so conspicuously, this outfit likely served a special purpose as well.

After being resurrected by the system, Zhou Fangdong was still wearing the suit he had on during the car accident. Although his body had been restored, the suit was still covered in blood and brain matter.

Since there was a change of clothes right in front of him, he didn’t hesitate and changed into them.

The clothes were exquisitely made and highly stylized.

The top was a matte black utility jacket. On the middle of the left sleeve, the word “Auspicious” was embroidered in red silk thread. Underneath was a red turtleneck with an ink-wash print. The bottoms were a pair of tapered cargo pants with two large pockets on the sides.

While changing his pants, Zhou Fangdong also found a pair of black-and-white sneakers on the lower shelf of the wardrobe. It was a thoughtful inclusion; compared to the leather shoes he was wearing, sneakers would make it much easier to run if he were chased by ghosts.

Once he was fully dressed, Zhou Fangdong patted the front of the loose clothing, feeling a bit awkward.

To be honest, he didn’t really like this kind of style. He was naturally thin, and wearing this oversized look made him feel like the wind was blowing through his clothes, leaving him with a bit of a chill.

Zhou Fangdong pulled open the other wardrobe door and checked himself in the mirror attached to the inside.

The young man in the mirror had hair long enough to reach his collarbones, tied back in a small ponytail with a red cord. Beneath heavy bangs were a pair of phoenix eyes that slanted upward at the corners. Because his features were delicate, combined with his fair skin and soft facial lines, he looked somewhat androgynous.

It felt as though this resurrected body was several years younger than his original one. Both his face and physique were in peak condition, completely devoid of the haggard, weary look of a miserable office worker.

It was just the hair that didn’t sit right with him.

To look more stable and mature for work, he had always kept a buzz cut. He hadn’t expected the system to give him long hair after his resurrection.

Zhou Fangdong brushed his bangs to the side so they wouldn’t cover his eyes.

If only this game system had a character customization feature. He was already delicate-looking; having long hair only made him look like a pushover, with no masculinity whatsoever.

A real man should have a buzz cut. Once he could leave this Ominous Building, he’d find a barbershop, shave it all off, and dye it green.

After dyeing his hair, he’d get some tight pants, put on some socialite loafers, and hang a few gold chains around his neck. When he walked down the street then, he’d be the flashiest guy in town.

Anyway, he didn’t have to work anymore. A new life should be about freedom—letting loose, exploring every possibility, and doing all the things he never dared to do before.

As if hearing Zhou Fangdong’s thoughts, a weak static sound crackled in his mind, followed by the system’s voice once again:

【Reminder: Favorability is crucial for later development. Please abandon your plans for “self-image transformation” and respect the system’s aesthetic. Otherwise, the initial favorability of special ghosts and special tenants will be permanently reduced.】

Zhou Fangdong’s hand paused as he was messing with his bangs. “Wait, why would my aesthetic lower initial favorability? System, are you targeting me on purpose?”

Translator’s Notes

• Auspicious: The Chinese text uses ‘吉利’ (jílì). In Chinese culture, this word is highly significant, representing good luck, fortune, and protection from evil. Given the setting is a haunted building, wearing clothing embroidered with ‘Auspicious’ is a deliberate irony or a form of spiritual protection.

• socialite loafers: The translation ‘socialite loafers’ refers to ‘豆豆鞋’ (dòudòuxié, often known as driving mocs or Tod’s-style loafers). In Chinese internet subculture, these shoes—combined with tight pants and gold chains—are the stereotypical uniform of the ‘spirit lad’ (精神小伙, jīngshén xiǎohuǒ), a kitschy, low-class ‘tough guy’ aesthetic that the protagonist is jokingly threatening to adopt.

• dead horse as a living horse doctor: This is a literal translation of the Chinese idiom ‘死马当活马医’ (sǐ mǎ dāng huó mǎ yī). It describes a situation where one is so desperate that they are willing to try any solution, no matter how unlikely it is to work, simply because there are no other options left.