Chapter 44: Fear Checklist
Depressed Panda: “…”
“Let’s go in,” Depressed Panda said, awkwardly transitioning.
“Alright,” Wang Ming nodded, seemingly eager for the spectacle.
They entered the enormous beehive-like building.
Wang Ming looked around, seeing countless small rooms.
As Wang Ming craned his neck, a shrill scream erupted from a nearby room.
Wang Ming looked around. Though the building was crowded, no one seemed to notice, as if they were used to such screams.
Wang Ming: “…”
“Didn’t you hear that?” Wang Ming asked Depressed Panda.
“Hear what?” Depressed Panda asked.
Wang Ming: “…”
“That bloodcurdling scream? You didn’t hear it?” Wang Ming added details.
“Oh, that,” Depressed Panda nodded. “Yeah, so what?”
Does he even have the nerve to ask “So what?” Wang Ming thought resentfully. Before he could respond, the door next to them burst open, and a disheveled, distraught person rushed out.
Wang Ming was about to offer help, but the person looked around, seemed to regain composure, and, after a moment’s hesitation, transformed into a slick, successful-looking individual who ignored Wang Ming and strode away.
Wang Ming: “…”
The clown was me? Wang Ming thought, watching the person’s departing back.
“See those beehive rooms?”
Depressed Panda, seeing Wang Ming’s shocked expression, began to explain.
“Yeah,” Wang Ming nodded, anticipating further explanation.
“Those rooms are for building courage,” Depressed Panda said. “In our line of work, you need courage—the ability to face fear. Are you ready?” Depressed Panda acted like a life coach, presenting Wang Ming with a crossroads.
Wang Ming: “…”
“There’s nothing to prepare for,” Wang Ming said.
Depressed Panda: “…”
This newbie still has that youthful innocence. No matter, I’ve brought extra pants, Depressed Panda thought.
“Alright, let’s register first,”
Depressed Panda continued, leading Wang Ming to a reception desk.
Wang Ming saw a stoic, businesslike receptionist behind the counter who didn’t greet them, remaining impassive.
“Get my little brother… a room like a haunted house in an amusement park,” Depressed Panda said to the receptionist.
The receptionist nodded impassively and produced a paper form and a pencil that looked balder than an eighteen-year-old programmer.
“Fill it out,” the receptionist said impassively.
Wang Ming: “…”
Wang Ming looked at Depressed Panda, who gave him an encouraging look, so he picked up the form and pencil.
The form was quite extensive.
“Macrophobia…” Wang Ming read.
“Social anxiety…” Wang Ming continued.
“Thalassophobia…” Wang Ming persevered.
Wang Ming: “…”
Wang Ming stopped; he barely recognized the word “phobia” anymore.
“Are there really so many phobias?” Wang Ming asked Depressed Panda.
“Yes,” Depressed Panda nodded.
“Look,” Depressed Panda said, seeing Wang Ming’s stunned face. “You’re about to enter a room to build courage. Before that, you need to list your fears so the counter can avoid those elements when assigning you a challenge, preventing problems later.”
Wang Ming: “…”
“Like that guy just now?” Wang Ming asked, imitating the disheveled person.
“He likely listed his fears, but probably underwent a more intense trial, his mental stress reaching its limit. Don’t worry, it’s your first time, so it’ll be like an amusement park haunted house, nothing too scary.”
Depressed Panda patted his chest, assuring Wang Ming.
“Okay,” Wang Ming nodded. Since Depressed Panda explained so enthusiastically, he decided to look over the form.
“Look carefully, don’t miss anything you fear; it’ll be a problem if they assign it to you,” Depressed Panda added.
Wang Ming nodded and examined the form.
After reviewing over 250 phobias, Wang Ming shook his head.
“What’s wrong?” Depressed Panda asked.
“I don’t seem to have any fears,” Wang Ming said.
Depressed Panda: “…”
While talking to Depressed Panda, Wang Ming’s eyes scanned the form, reaching the bottom, where there was a notes section.
“What do I write here?” Wang Ming asked.
“If you have fears not listed, write them here,” Depressed Panda explained.
Wang Ming nodded, thought for a moment, and wrote:
“Lack of money phobia.”
_______________
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