One key element is the setting. The signalman's post is a desolate and lonely place, which immediately sets a creepy mood. Another is the appearance of the apparitions. Their sudden and unexplained presence is terrifying. Also, the signalman's increasing paranoia as he tries to figure out what the apparitions mean adds to the horror.
The uncertainty in 'The Signalman' is a major horror element. We don't know exactly what the ghostly figure represents or why it's haunting the signalman. The isolation of the signalman also plays a big role. He has no one to really turn to for help or understanding. And the way Dickens describes the strange events, like the phantom's actions and the signalman's reactions, makes it all very spooky.
Chapter 333, "Silver Mine from the Heavens, Yu Yao and Yu Sheng, No Need for an Ox Knife to Kill a Chicken [10,000-Word Mega Chapter Continued]", is the clearest early answer because the violence around Twin Dragon Mountain becomes final instead of hypothetical. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from This valley is located inside the mountain of Twin Dragon Mountain,... to Chen Ying saw his face full of excitement and, recalling how Xia Hong....
Chapter 211, "Elite System, Mining, and Cheng Ping's Grudge (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Cheng Ping's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, For a moment, Xia Hong could mostly guess Luo Ming's situation at the.... By the end, None?" The person was taken aback upon hearing, then looked up....
Chapter 331, "Zhu Shun, Huang Tianxi, the Third Cold Yuan Banquet of Great Xia, and Xia Yuzong", is the clearest early answer because it turns Zhu Shun's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Inner City's main street, Zhu Shun led his wife Huang Yuniang and... and closes on But later, as the Camp Supply Department sent over the ceremonial....
Chapter 289, "Crushing, Stalling for Time, Ning Yuan Hill's Decisive Victory", is the clearest early answer because it turns Hou Hu's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Smart, but unfortunately a bit late." It's over! and follows through with In front, the four of Hou Hu's faces suddenly turned deathly pale;.... By the close, It can't continue like this;
Chapter 312, "Regaining Focus, Killing, Shock, and Submission (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because the violence around Regaining Focus becomes final instead of hypothetical. It opens with Those seem to be the families of Meng Ying, Jiang Ping, and several... and closes on With a slight wave of Xia Chuan's hand, Yue Feng and the others....
Chapter 301, "Long Mountain Marches In, Defying the Enemy to the Death", is the clearest early answer because the violence around Xia Army becomes final instead of hypothetical. The setup is Seeing the actions of the Xia Army, Li Xuanling was not only..., but the pressure keeps building through Of course, none of this affected her swordplay..
Chapter 250, "Rescue, Intimidation, and Surprise (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Li Hu's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Those people in light gold armor have been using solidified fire oil... to That thing can actually eliminate dew, it's amazing!" Among the three....
Chapter 315, "New Policies for Long Mountain, Cold Apple Tree and the Silver Mine", is the clearest early answer because it turns Shi Ping's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Regarding the issue of the nobility system, there is still a long..., but the pressure keeps building through Now let's talk about the eight new deployment points in Longyou?" Xia....
Chapter 308, "Shocking Turn, Grave Injuries, and Restless Hearts", is the clearest early answer because it turns White Dew Gu's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from How is your strength possible..." The moment Wu Lin collided with Xia... to Under such circumstances, Xia Hong was still willing to put effort....
Chapter 340, "Seclusion, Growing Yu Generation, Family Banquet, Rapid Development", is the clearest early answer because it turns Lu Yang's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, As the night of the tenth day of September descended, Lu Yang set out.... By the end, Though Xu Ning and Lu Yang are not extraordinarily strong, they have....