I Collect Debts in Eerie Dungeons and Become a God

[Alternate Universe Horror Infinite-Flow, No CP]

[Content Warnings]:

(Content warnings for this story: The male lead is flawed and has character defects. He has a golden finger, and the pacing is slow. Early on, he is something of a lone wolf. There is no harem, though he joins a team later. The instances focus on narrative rather than intense emotions. The male lead is no overpowered hero, and this is not a conventional wish-fulfillment story. A female character appears from the start, but she is not the heroine and does not revolve around the male lead.)

(Other content warnings: Characterization is rather flat early on, and there are stereotypes.)

He Xian, Jiang Hui's childhood friend, had been missing for four years without a trace. One night, He Xian appeared in Jiang Hui's dream and begged for help. Only then did Jiang Hui realize the disappearance had never been an accident.

He Xian: If you don't come soon, I'm gonna die!

Jiang Hui: We never promised to die on the same day. I'll burn some paper money for you.

The next day, Jiang Hui woke to find that a burned IOU had turned into a blood-red ticket, dragging him aboard a bus bound for a remote mountain village. On board were other players chosen just like him.

Every instance is a matter of life and death. Only after completing one do the players learn that they've arrived in the World Beyond.

What is the World Beyond, and can Jiang Hui find his missing childhood friend and escape this place?