The Nonhuman Puppet Master

[Blurb]

"If one day you woke from a dream to find yourself bound by countless hands that had appeared out of nowhere and red threads spread like a spiderweb, what would you do?"

"Me?"

"Probably chop off those hands and tie them up with the red threads to make toys."

-

A horror game called 'Meet the Gods' has spread quietly like a virus, randomly pulling people into the game. Rumor has it that only those who survive to the end can meet the real god, who will grant their wish.

A secondhand doll shop tucked away in a hidden corner, usually ignored by everyone, has received a rare visitor. The shopkeeper, Tan Xi, agrees to the request.

Just as she's wondering how to enter the game on her own, the game pulls her in the very next moment.

In the novice instance, the boss drives the players to kill one another. A red thread appears from nowhere and binds the boss tightly. Tan Xi strolls out of a corner and clicks her tongue.

Then, in full view of everyone, the red thread swiftly strangles the boss, and the instance collapses in an instant.

In an A-rank instance, a murderer chases the players all the way into a residential complex, growing ever more frenzied.

Tan Xi takes her time. Instead of binding the murderer, she binds a crowd of vengeful spirits and tosses them in front of him. "Go on, chop them up. There are more if you need them."

Murderer and players: ...?

Before long, a rumor spreads across the players' forum: [Something scarier than dying at the hands of a boss: If you ever see a woman who can use strange red threads, absolutely, absolutely do not offend her. Otherwise... you definitely don't want to know what happens...]

At first, they think they've simply pulled in another human who's good at causing trouble, but is still an idiot at heart.

Only later do they regret it bitterly. How is she merely good at causing trouble? This damn woman is a living ancestor! Not only did she blow up the instances they'd carefully prepared, she even caught a glimpse of their plans!

As they rack their brains trying to deal with her, Tan Xi looks at the opened cocoon and smiles faintly:

"Found you."

-

-I hate dealing with the living. Their desires are intertwined with the most nauseating stench in this world.

-But desire is only human nature. Unless you're dead.

-How do you know the dead have no desires?

Revive the dead, shape white bones

Life and death, coming and going, separated by a single thread

*Nonhuman characters have their own moral standards. The heroine is not a "good person."

*Nonhuman characters understand sensuality. The male lead is not just a background character.

*An unconventional horror story. Some material comes from real life, and some is made up. Please don't overthink it.

Theme: Don't follow the crowd blindly.