Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 558: Limbo [4]

No words came to mind that could capture my present predicament.

"..."

As I gazed at the compass in my grasp spinning chaotically every which way, I shut my eyes and stowed it.

'I ought to have anticipated this. After all, this is Hell.'

I was still finding it hard to accept where I was right now.

The atmosphere here stood out sharply. It wasn't merely the air; the whole vibe felt alien. A wave of repulsion emanated from the environment, with the slender, elongated tree limbs cutting through the dense mist.

"This complicates matters."

Without a functioning compass, I had no clue on how to move ahead.

'Assuming the Conductor is correct and the team members have dropped into the first layer of Hell just like me, my aim ought to be finding them. Assuming they're still kicking...'

This spot...

I sensed it wasn't a location where just anybody could endure.

'Damn.'

I shot another glare at the Conductor.

The deeper I pondered my circumstances, the stronger the urge to swear became.

"Don't get so mad. This presents a fine chance for you."

The Conductor let out a chuckle.

"Here, no one will observe you. No one can witness your powers. You're free to unleash everything without worry. Isn't it high time you learned to handle your abilities right?"

"What?"

Stepping closer, the Conductor jabbed its elongated finger into my chest.

"Haven't we discussed this already? You can't depend too heavily on the knife. Sure, the strength it grants will be tremendous, but the strain on your psyche will be heavy. Plus, you can't count on shattering your node once more—there's zero shot you'd emerge alive and sound of mind like before. Shouldn't you turn your attention to the talents you possess?"

The Conductor withdrew its finger from my chest, clasping its hands behind its back while bending in to murmur beside my ear.

"...Naturally, if that doesn't appeal, you could always hone your piano skills and start a band with me. Along with the others, we could—"

"Okay, I believe that's sufficient."

I interrupted the Conductor right before it dove back into its typical ramblings on forming a band. I had endured that spiel countless times already.

"Such a shame."

'Yet the Conductor has a point in its words. I mustn't abandon the knife entirely, but overdependence isn't wise. Recreating my actions from Malovia is impossible. I... suppose it's time to nurture the abilities I've got. But which to prioritize? Which...!'

Swoooosh!

A abrupt blast of icy wind disrupted my reflections, sweeping over me and sending shivers racing along my spine.

The Conductor's expression shifted slightly as it scanned the area.

However...

'I can't spot or sense a thing.'

It had become obvious that the knife held no all-seeing power. It failed to pick up every threat as I'd hoped. Still, aware of this, I reached for it anyway.

And right then, it appeared.

Countless red specks encircled me from all sides. Actually, even more... As I scanned further, additional red dots flooded my sight. Their sheer quantity made me ditch any notion of activating my latest node immediately.

My heart plummeted as the Conductor erupted in laughter.

"Quite the spectacular welcome, wouldn't you say?"

I had no energy to reply to the Conductor, for an unseen force seized me from behind, yanking me further into the haze. On instinct, I triggered [Trait Transfer] to envelop my form in shadows.

Or so I attempted.

"Hm—!?"

As the shadows started to cover me, my footing gave way when a grip from below latched on, scratching at my ankle while attempting to haul me under.

"Too slow."

The Conductor's voice rang out from afar as it watched me idly, lifting not a finger.

Nor was that the extent.

Perched atop a limb, Mirelle peered down at me, popping gum in her mouth.

She seemed to relish my dire straits.

"——!"

Oh, this...

I abruptly regretted choosing them as my anomalies.

"Kh—!"

Regrettably, no moment existed for such reflections, as additional limbs burst from below, raking my ankles and dragging me downward. The mist grew denser, making each breath a battle.

Simultaneously, my pulse quickened while terror crept over my frame.

'No, I mustn't be pulled under. Stay composed. I have to stay composed.'

I dimly grasped the fate awaiting if I got hauled down, fueling my rising panic.

Fighting fiercely, I resorted to the knife, slashing at the gripping appendages.

Swooosh!

It worked, freeing me from the downward force. Yet the ordeal persisted; my legs remained sunk almost to the knees in the earth. Compounding the issue, more presences seemed to multiply nearby.

'Crap! Crap! Crap—!'

My plight deteriorated rapidly.

Glancing about desperately, I hunted for an escape, my blade carving through any clinging foes. Strength surged with every strike, yet mental strain mounted too, with soft murmurs infiltrating my thoughts.

More.

Deeper.

Stay.

"That's it—!"

I wrenched away from multiple unseen grasps and surged upward. In a fleeting instant, I escaped their clutch—

—though the danger lingered.

My legs stayed embedded.

Even worse, I sensed it.

More figures amassed around me.

The most aggravating aspect remained my ignorance of the foe. I felt the holds, but sight evaded them.

Knife gripped tight, I could scarcely pinpoint assault origins. Assaults came from all angles simultaneously, like the mist sprouting limbs to encroach upon me.

Hold on...!

'The fog!'

Realization struck as I eyed my right shoulder, tugged relentlessly to pull me low. A further clasp squeezed my midsection, heightening the burden, yet now I yielded.

'If it's not various beings, but a single one, then...'

I permitted the downward force to act.

The soil cracked open below as I descended deeper and deeper, chest tightening.

This went on till half my form lay buried in the dirt.

Then came the activation.

I invoked my Fourth Node.

[Herding]

"Stop."

Instantly, excruciating agony ripped across my brain, keen enough to rob my breath. I grimaced, nearly tumbling again, clinging desperately to the earth to avoid sinking further.

Yet—

All movement halted abruptly.

In a short span, silence enveloped everything. A hush so profound it unnerved.

Soon after, I shattered that quiet.

"Haa... It's... haa... gone."

I perceived it clearly. The appendages, or those hidden forces dragging me, ceased.

For the following moments, I lingered, allowing the mental agony to subside before extending my hand and whispering, "Come."

Swooosh!

The surrounding mist quivered.

Briefly, though, as it obeyed soon enough, parting to reveal the area.

From afar, I detected the Conductor's grin forming.

"Not bad."

It applauded, appearing pleased.

"...But this marks only the beginning. Events will turn far more thrilling. I'm eager."