Cry

Smile

Laugh

The successive display of facial expressions seemed relatively innocuous, yet enigmatic sounds reverberated throughout the obscure, still passageway.

The mysterious figure appeared to direct its gaze towards the outline of a female form, whose countenance beamed with an expression of joy, subsequently casting a luminous glow upon the corridor.

The equivocal figure fell into a hush, gradually dissipating into the void of non-existence.

As Yue Ku awakened, the enigmatic and distinctive passageway dissipated into obscurity.

Puzzled and disoriented, Yue Ku roused from his slumber and endeavoured to sit upright, grappling with the perplexing event that had unfolded before him. The enigmatic "figure" presented three countenances, albeit only two of them bore resemblance to each other. The transition from a smile to laughter appeared unremarkable, yet the manifestation of tears seemed incongruous.

Deep in thought, Yue Ku opened his eyes, mindful that the more he ruminated, the more he might forget. After briefly pondering the inexplicable occurrence, he dismissed it from his mind upon rising from his bed. Subsequently, as he proceeded to cleanse his face, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror.

Upon observing his visage, Yue noticed his counterpart's state of drowsiness. The left side of his face was adorned with a crimson gash that spanned from his eye to his cheek, with a profusion of blood emanating from his nasal and facial regions. This hemorrhage had unearthed his underlying bone, visible beneath the oozing blood and vascular tissue.

Incredulous and exasperated, Yue exclaimed, What the f*ck! while the blood continued to drip and splatter onto the sink. In an almost instantaneous reaction, the blood seemed to evaporate as if the sink were a searing-hot pan.

As Yue gazed upon his reflection, his dark brown pupils gave way to a small crescent moon, which rapidly grew and completed a full 30-day cycle in mere seconds. This phenomenon repeated itself until the moon suddenly halted, splitting into two halves and eliminating its previous recession.

Is this Melanoma?!

Must I undergo a lensectomy!?

The onset of excruciating pain akin to that of a forceful impact by a truck incapacitated Yue, leaving him with diminished sensory function and causing him to lose his balance. In a state of incapacitation, Yue's body buckled beneath him, and as he descended, his vision obscured, the stark white porcelain sink loomed into view.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Crack!

With a resounding crack, the sink fractured upon impact, and Yue's forehead was lacerated. Yue immediately succumbed to unconsciousness as his bloodied countenance and lifeless body plummeted onto the frigid marble floor.

Upon awakening, Yue Ku found himself in an otherworldly antechamber, exuding an ethereal aura that filled him with wonder. The antechamber's grandiosity hinted at something momentous, and beyond it lay an enormous theatre stadium, beckoning Yue towards it with its sheer scale and magnificence.

This… Yue Ku felt unexplainable fear as he imagined the worst.

Am I dead?

Did I die from blood deprivation?

Could I have died from the embarrassing bang on the sink?

No, this must not be the case!

If police officers enter my apartment and figure how my body is in such a state, I’ll be a laughingstock!

Yue Ku gradually ascended from his prone stance, surveying the vast expanse of the chamber. His gaze was met with a multitude of spiraling square chambers, adorned with crystalline glass and wooden frameworks, each one showcasing remarkable optical illusions. The ceiling above him resembled that of a icosahedron, with the apex composed of the "twisting" square chambers.

Hehe, quite extravagant for the gates of Heaven and Hell.

The resplendent floor exuded grandeur, crafted meticulously from exquisite white marble. Adorned with a brass scale emblem at the center of each tile, Yue swiftly comprehended the significance of this symbol within the current context.

Balance!

My entire life will be judged. In addition, it will follow the rule of balance – just like the scales!

Apprehensive of the consequences that awaited him, including the possibility of being condemned to the 'infernal realm', Yue hastily sprinted towards the adjoining entrance of the theater stadium.

"Huff," gasped Yue, desperately attempting to catch his breath.

"Huff," he repeated, coming to a halt in order to replenish his stamina. Suddenly, the colossal icosahedron-shaped antechamber tilted towards the opposite side of the theater stadium, causing Yue to be forcibly propelled towards the center of the room. After the unexpected motion came to an abrupt halt, an indescribable expression of dread overtook Yue's countenance.

I was wrong! exclaimed Yue, acknowledging his error.

Not only is this about the balance of good and evil, he continued, realizing the broader implications of the situation.

The entire chamber is an enormous scale, endeavouring to maintain equilibrium, Yue added, comprehending the grand design of the space.

Resigned to his fate, Yue lowered his head and prepared for the arrival of a Saint. However, to his surprise, that was not what occurred. From the various spiralling square chambers, an abundance of illusory threads emerged, coalescing in the center to form a cluster that gradually solidified.

Plop, sounded the noise as the object materialized.

Instinctively, Yue lifted his head and extended his palms, ready to receive the enigmatic item that had been crafted from illusions. With a gentle force, the object descended into his hands, revealing itself.

It was a twenty-sided dice.