The Most Dangerous Games: The “Is Anyone There?” Ritual, Or, How To Meet A Ghost

Previously: The Knitting Ritual.

This ritual game is sometimes positioned as a method on how to see ghosts; I’d argue, though, that it’s more a method on how to meet a ghost, as it’s possible you may not see anything at the conclusion of it. Regardless, if you’re in the mood to invite over a supernatural guest, then the Is Anyone There? ritual game is a quick and easy way to scratch that itch…

…Although, as always, it’s not without its risks.

The version of the rules to Is Anyone There? that I’ve put together here is based on a Naver webtoon by Korean writer and artist Seungchan Lee. Titled “귀신을 보는 방법,” or “How To See Ghosts,” it was originally published in 2011 as part of the Mystery Shorts collection — the volume of Naver’s summer horror webtoon special that also included the original versions of the Horang webtoons “Oksu Station Ghost” and “Bongcheon-Dong Ghost.” “How To See Ghosts” later received an English translation, as well, which was published in 2015 in the Vault Of Horror webtoon collection.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

According to the title panel, the webtoon was “based on a story that circulated online” — not unlike Horang’s “Knock Knock,” which we took a look at in a previous edition of The Most Dangerous Games. I’ve been unable to locate the original text of the Is Anyone There? ritual; the rules are easy enough to follow in the webtoon itself, though, so that’s the primary reference here.

The webtoon also does what a simple list of rules won’t, though — that is, it shows you one possible outcome of the ritual…

…if you become too impatient to follow it fully, that is.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A container of salt.
• A knife or other sharp object.
• A blindfold made of black cloth.
• A timekeeping device.
• An empty room with a door that closes completely, and which, ideally, may be locked from the outside.
• A second room in which to sit and wait.

Instructions:

The Preparations:

1. Gather your supplies.
2. Refer to your timekeeping device. When it is shortly before 2am, position yourself before the doorway to the empty room. The door should be open, and the lights within the empty room off.
3. Position the blindfold, the salt, and the knife or sharp object within easy reach nearby.
4. Keep an eye on your timekeeping device.
5. At 2am precisely, turn off the rest of the lights in the location in which you are playing. Then return to your position in front of the doorway to the empty room.
6. Close the door to the empty room.
7. Tie the blindfold around your eyes. Make certain your vision is blocked completely. Do not peek.
8. Now you are ready to begin.

The Invitation:

1. Reach out and pick up the container of salt. Dispense a small amount of salt into your left hand. Do not remove your blindfold; keep it on as you perform this action.
2. Place the container down. Keep a hold of the salt in your left hand. Do not allow any to spill.
3. Reach out and pick up the knife or sharp object. Hold it in your right hand. Do not remove your blindfold; keep it on as you perform this action.
4. Take a breath.
5. Are you breathing?
6. Good.
7. Reach out with your left hand and knock on the closed door three times. Do not remove the blindfold or peek out from beneath it. Do not open your left hand; do not spill the salt.
8. Speak aloud the following words: “Is anyone there?”
9. Reach out with your left hand again and knock on the closed door three more times. Do not remove the blindfold or peek out from beneath it. Do not open your left hand; do not spill the salt.
10. Speak aloud the following words: “Is anyone there?”
11. Reach out with your left hand again and knock on the closed door three more times. Do not remove the blindfold or peek out from beneath it. Do not open your left hand; do not spill the salt.
12. Speak aloud the following words: “Is anyone there?”
13. Now: Wait.
    • If you hear nothing: Speak aloud the following words: “If now is not a good time, I will wait until you are ready.” Then, go to your second room, kneel or sit cross-legged on the floor, and wait. Do not open your left hand. Do not open your right hand. Do not remove the blindfold. Maintain your hold on both the salt and the knife, and do not peek out from beneath the blindfold.
      • If you continue to hear nothing: The ritual has failed; do not proceed. Put down the knife, remove your blindfold, and wash the salt from your hands. Turn on the lights, but keep the door to the empty room closed. It is recommended that you lock it, if possible. When the sun has risen, you may open the door. You may try again another time, if you wish.
      • If you hear the door open: Proceed to The Greeting.
    • If you hear the door open: Proceed directly to The Greeting.

The Greeting:

1. When the door opens: Remove your blindfold.
2. Say hello — even if you see nothing.
3. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there.
4. It’s only polite to greet your guests, after all.

Additional Notes:

You may perform this ritual in any indoor location that fits the requirements. Most players choose to do so in their own homes. However, know that, should you choose to play in your home, you may find yourself dealing with some… unintended consequences following the conclusion of the game. (See: Regarding Unintended Consequences.)

Regarding Unintended Consequences:

There is no specified way to end your visit, inform your guest it is time to leave, or otherwise clear them from your home.

You may, of course, try simply asking them to leave; success, however, is not guaranteed.

If in you invite a visitor of this nature into your home…

…Prepare for the possibility that you may end up not with a guest, but with a new roommate.

***

Follow The Ghost In My Machine on Bluesky @GhostMachine13.bsky.social, Twitter @GhostMachine13, and Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine. And for more games, don’t forget to check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available now from Chronicle Books!

[Photo via qimono, jasongillman/Pixabay]