Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 561: Swaying Bodies [2]

Thump!

Drake's facial expression turned into something truly remarkable to behold.

His wide eyes stared right back at me, shaking noticeably. Meanwhile, my gaze shifted to the firearm clutched in my grip.

The Conductor's remarks prompted deeper reflection on my powers. Specifically, the initial skill of the Realmwalker, [Body Morphosis]. This technique imposed no true boundaries. It allowed the Realmwalker to reshape its form however desired.

A blade.

A... barrier.

It had the potential to transform into any object.

Given that reality, what prevented it from becoming a pistol?

'I figured firearms held little sway in this realm, and indeed they lack impact, yet I recall the young woman from Obsidian Bastion excels with them.'

Thanks to thorough research spurred by their unexpected backing and their status as one of the mightiest Guilds, a flash of ingenuity struck me.

That's precisely when [Trait Transfer] activated, prompting my experiment.

'...It's decent enough for now, though nowhere near my ideal.'

The strength fell short still.

"It's not dea—"

BANG!

A boot slammed onto the irregularity, crushing its structure into mush while Drake's face grew grim. He appeared ready to unleash a torrent of words my way, yet after parting his lips, he chose silence instead.

Esteban, the team's Squad Leader, approached the remains.

"This irregularity isn't one I'm well-acquainted with."

"...No shock there, given how it's mangled now."

I gestured toward the mess smeared across the floor.

Esteban grinned faintly.

"I caught a clear glimpse before Drake crushed it. I'm positive it's not a type we're used to encountering."

Beyond that, he offered no further comments.

In truth, the glances from him and his companions carried heightened wariness toward me.

I couldn't fault them for it.

After all, inexplicably, I'd spotted the irregularity that even the squad's [Hunter] had missed. And I was merely a Second Order.

"Squad Leader, what's your take on our next move?"

Drake eyed Esteban, who appeared deep in contemplation. Moments later, he glanced toward their fallen comrade's location and drew in a steadying breath.

"Lingering here serves no purpose—we're just burning time. For the moment, our whereabouts remain unknown, so pushing forward makes sense. Encountering him suggests others might be present too."

With 'him' referring to myself.

Naturally, Drake tacked on his sarcastic remark following Esteban's statement.

"Assuming that's truly him," he muttered, eyes locked forward. "Or that he hasn't caused all this chaos."

I ignored him completely, focusing instead on the deceased irregularity.

As I tapped my shoe against the earth, I observed the group extracting a few possessions from their lost member's corpse, offering a brief nod of respect before departing. I trailed in the center, flanked by Esteban and Drake.

'They clearly harbor deep distrust toward me, don't they?'

In all honesty, I could've easily slipped away solo if I'd chosen to.

Yet honestly, multiple factors urged me to remain. Primarily, I believed sticking with others would clarify the unfolding events better. Additionally, I had no desire to endure more of the Conductor's drivel.

"...Sam, alert me if you detect anything."

Addressing the group's [Hunter], Esteban instructed as we pressed onward. The mist stayed dense, maintained by my efforts, with the elongated, slender tree limbs piercing through it while I strained to pick up any signs of life.

Whether anomalies or fellow humans, nothing else lurked nearby.

This pattern persisted for hours on end, until—

Creaaaak!

A faint groaning noise resounded from afar, halting us all as Elbert glanced over his shoulder to confirm our group intact. Satisfied that no one strayed, he advanced toward the origin of the noise.

Creaak! Creaaaak—

At that point, it grew evident the groaning originated from not just one spot.

But many.

As we navigated beyond the foliage, numerous shadowy forms swung gently amid the haze.

The atmosphere grew oppressively heavy as Esteban strode ahead, his features shifting upon halting in front of the shapes, extending his arm to steady one of the suspended figures from its pendulum motion.

Eventually, his eyes settled on me.

"...Suicide."

By this juncture, any lingering skepticism about my earlier claims had evaporated. I'd stayed glued to the team throughout, under constant watch from Drake and Esteban. Had I orchestrated this, those two would've caught on.

I broke the silence.

"These victims were probably influenced by the environment. As I explained earlier, this domain preys on your shadowed emotions. Prolonged exposure amplifies them, burrowing further into your psyche until suicide claims you."

Tension spiked with my explanation.

Still, that hardly topped my current concerns.

'Though that's my account, I sense deeper layers at work. Something far more malevolent stirs, though I can't pinpoint it.'

Gazing at my palm, I noticed every strand of hair bristling, so I smoothed it while suppressing the chills. But just as I prepared to voice more, the fog churned.

'—!?'

Actually, churning barely described it.

Something assaulted it!

My head snapped toward the assault's source, and without hesitation, I directed attention there.

"I sense several entities approaching from that way."

Esteban regarded me, his forehead creasing deeply. I aimed to elaborate, but my face twisted as I balled my fist and swiftly withdrew the mist. To my utter dismay, the silhouette plunged into the vapors, bypassing any strike on it to charge straight at our position.

'Damn!'

My pulse raced wildly as my fourth node quivered.

In an instant, I ceased channeling the fourth node, freeing the fog from my command.

The atmosphere thickened instantly upon release, yet as the mist dispersed, a piercing glare erupted from the front, aimed squarely at me.

I lacked the speed to respond before my sight vanished in the flash.

No reaction. No chance to even flinch.

When awareness returned, a sharp edge hovered inches from my neck as a known silhouette positioned itself before me.

"...Oh?"

His golden locks swayed gently as he faced me. After a short pause, his mouth formed a tranquil, peaceful grin.

"It's you. Never thought I'd find you in this place."

His blade lingered perilously near my neck.

No...

To be precise, it edged even nearer. Nearly grazing the skin.

"...Did you create this fog?"