Ian Smith regretted sending that message almost immediately!

  He had described Death Shack as the scariest haunted house in the world.

  While he believed it to be true, he knew others would disagree.

  It was a simple matter of opinion.

  Everyone had their own favorite when it came to the "best" haunted house, leading to endless debates.

  Anyone claiming a particular haunted house was the ultimate experience was bound to face backlash.

  Sure enough, Ian Smith saw the group chat explode with activity.

  The group was in an uproar!

  "Green Vine Hospital is the best! Green Vine Hospital is the best! Green Vine Hospital is the best! Repetition for emphasis!"

  "I've heard of many great haunted houses, but sorry, I've never even heard of Death Shack!"

  "Ian Smith, get your butt over here! If Death Shack is the best and scariest haunted house in the world, then what about Vampire Castle? You better explain yourself, or this isn't over! @Ian Smith"

  Ian Smith gave a wry smile, shaking his head in resignation.

  He had stirred up a hornet's nest!

  "Sorry, sorry!"

  "If I've offended any of you big shots, I, Ian Smith, apologize right here and now!"

  "But Death Shack is really great. At least, among the haunted houses I've experienced, it definitely ranks number one!"

  Though eager to apologize, Ian Smith didn't back down from his stance. He still believed Death Shack was the scariest haunted house in the world!

  Only those who had personally experienced it could understand the soul-crushing horror of Death Shack's illusions.

  No matter how strong someone appeared, each illusion would strip away their defenses, plunging them into an abyss of despair.

  Seeing that Ian Smith hadn't changed his mind, the group exploded once more.

  This time, it wasn't just those who felt offended speaking up; bystanders couldn't resist jumping in either!

  Ian Smith wasn't a lurker in the group; he often participated in discussions.

  Therefore, everyone knew he was usually witty and never as stubborn as he was being today!

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "@Ian Smith, are you getting paid for this promotion? Is Death Shack really that good and scary?"

  "Yeah, you're making me want to try it out!"

  "Everyone, stop arguing. Why not just try it and see for yourselves?"

  Ian Smith was struggling to find a way to convince others when he saw those messages. His eyes lit up, and he seized the opportunity, typing out a message!

  "Everyone, you can come with me to Death Shack. After the experience, if you still have objections, I'll apologize in person!"

  Soon after that message, the group admin chimed in.

  "Alright everyone, calm down!"

  "We're all here because we share the same interests. No need to argue!"

  "Just do as Ian Smith suggested. Those who have objections, go to Death Shack together!"

  "It's been a while since we had an offline meetup. Anyone interested can come along tomorrow. All expenses will be on me!"

  The admin, an experienced veteran in the haunted house scene, had spoken, and the anger subsided. They agreed to discuss the details tomorrow!

  ...

  The next day.

  Before dawn, Jake Johnson yawned and climbed out of bed.

  He had stayed up late the night before, grinning like an idiot at the amusement park's revenue reports. It took a while to calm his excitement and force himself to sleep.

  He managed to get only three or four hours of sleep.

  Though he was yawning and groggy when he woke up, the thought of more people visiting Starlight Amusement Park today instantly energized him. He straightened his back and beamed with enthusiasm!

  After a day of buzz, the Death Shack promotional video had reached more people, and more tourists were eager to play or try for the million-dollar award.

  As soon as Jake Johnson unlocked the park gates, six people immediately bought tickets and rushed into Death Shack, eager to try it out.

  Although the group was one person larger than yesterday's first group, the quality was definitely lower.

  As soon as they entered Death Shack, four of the six people were so terrified by the bone-covered path and the desiccated corpses hanging from the trees that they demanded to be let out!

  The remaining two mustered the courage to walk past the bone path and into Death Shack, but they didn't last ten minutes before Jake Johnson had to carry them out.

  Seeing the visitors' pathetic performance, Jake Johnson chuckled without a shred of conscience.

  That's just the way it is in the haunted house business. The owner's happiness comes at the expense of the visitors' suffering.

  Just as Jake Johnson finished hauling another batch of passed-out visitors out of Death Shack and hadn't even had a chance to rest, he saw a large group of people walking towards him.

  "I was kind of excited, but when I got here, it's just this run-down amusement park. I feel like I've been tricked!"

  "Agreed, I'm starting to think Ian Smith is really just promoting this place for the owner!"

  "Yeah, I'm a little disappointed."

  The group numbered about twenty or so, and Ian Smith, who had been there the day before, led the way.

  "Boss, the guests I promised are here!" Ian Smith said, greeting Jake Johnson enthusiastically.

  "That's a lot of people." Jake Johnson was startled. He had thought Ian Smith might only bring one or two haunted house pros to try out Death Shack.

  What Jake Johnson found strange was how cold and distant everyone looked, as if he owed them money.

  "You guys are here to try to win the challenge money, too?"

  A young man who had just woken up from his stupor and was still pale in the face suddenly spoke.

  Ian Smith nodded. "Something like that. We're all here to experience Death Shack!"

  The young man, devoid of color, forced a pale smile onto his terrified face. "I advise you not to go in. It's too damn scary and terrifying!"

  As if on cue, a group of people who had just emerged from Death Shack nodded in agreement.

  But their well-meaning advice clearly had no effect.

  The twenty-odd haunted house enthusiasts didn't pay any attention.

  They were all seasoned veterans. Could they be anything like ordinary people?