Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 568: Comfort [2]

Step. Step—

The empty but resounding echoes of my footsteps filled the air the instant I entered the castle.

Upon entering the castle, I halted briefly, surveying the area around me.

The space was vast.

A lengthy crimson carpet stretched along the ground, while lofty chandeliers illuminated the chamber, their sparkling crystals gleaming on the shiny marble floor below. Countless artworks decorated the walls, with their elaborate frames enhancing the hall's magnificence.

Unlike the exterior, however, the interior held no souls.

The location stood utterly abandoned.

In this majestic setting, I alone remained upright.

I felt... insignificant.

'Now, which direction leads to the third floor?'

I scanned the vicinity before proceeding along the red carpet.

As I advanced, the carpet softened the noise of my feet, and I glanced about in all directions, observing the artworks that covered the walls. Even though art wasn't my passion, I couldn't deny that the pieces displayed everywhere were truly captivating.

They portrayed various subjects, ranging from landscape views to portraits of people and elaborate banquets.

The display nearly tempted me to stop and admire them.

But—

'No, stay focused.'

I squeezed my palm, a chill creeping into my core.

Though I lacked understanding of the situation, for a fleeting second, my objective nearly slipped my mind. Briefly... I considered lingering to appreciate artworks I'd ignored my whole life.

'Indeed, better to finish this fast. The longer I remain, the more peril seems to grow.'

My pace quickened.

Uncertain of my path, I simply pressed onward.

The hallway appeared boundless.

Artworks kept appearing along the way, each more impressive and regal than the last, as the subdued thuds of my feet echoed around. I attempted to disregard everything, keeping my focus inward while dropping my gaze to evade the sights.

'Locate the chamber. Locate the chamber. Locate the chamber. Locate the chamber. Locate the chamber.'

With constant self-prompts, I held onto my purpose. After several additional minutes of walking, I finally spotted them.

The staircase.

'Yes, this direction.'

Gripping the railing, I rushed up the steps.

The carpet ended eventually, and now my footsteps resounded against the high walls as I clung to the marble banister and ascended.

'Third floor. Third floor. Third floor.'

I strove to dispel stray ideas, concentrating solely on my aim as my strides grew swifter. Clutching the keys firmly in my other hand, I at last arrived at the third floor.

Step—

My footsteps rang out more intensely than before.

The instant I entered, every noise seemed to intensify.

A wide hallway extended in both ways before my eyes, its immense scale diminishing my presence. Yet most notably, consistent with the rest of the castle, the area was totally empty.

I sensed my smallness while examining both ends of the corridor, inspecting the keys I held.

'Room 77. I must head to Room 77.'

I chose to go right.

Step—

Again, the sound of my footfall rebounded everywhere as I moved forward.

Artworks flanked the walls on either side, yet this time, the images carried a distinct vibe. They no longer showed scenes from below, but rather portraits of various individuals.

'...Why do they seem to watch me?'

I paused to examine the artworks.

Quietness enveloped the expansive hallway the second I halted. But I soon wished I hadn't. Not due to the images, but on account of the quiet.

It pressed oppressively.

In this vast hallway, the hush bit sharply as I instinctively advanced a step, drawing nearer to the artworks.

But—

'No, the artworks aren't my purpose here.'

Gritting my teeth, I swiftly averted my focus, directing it to the numerals on the wooden doors lining the hallway.

[56]

I was close to my target room.

Step. Step—

Yet again, the reverberations of my footsteps spread in all directions. But this time, unlike earlier, the noise brought a strange comfort as I observed both sides of the hallway, silently noting each room's number.

'The absence of others truly renders this spot eerie.'

It felt profoundly vacant.

Fortunately, I discovered the room shortly thereafter, coming to a stop in front of [77]. The oppressive quiet from moments ago resurfaced.

With keys in grasp, I inserted one into the lock and twisted.

Click!

No resistance occurred.

After sliding in the key, I rotated it once, and the door released.

Creaak.

The door groaned open as I crossed the threshold.

A gentle gust brushed against me upon entering, causing the distant curtains to swell outward. Almost as though they breathed.

I passed through the draft and examined the space.

To be frank, the chamber was rather appealing. It appeared luxurious, equipped with essentials. A spacious bed, desk, closet, and an elegant chandelier. And as my gaze settled on the prominent bed in the room's midst, a sudden heaviness weighed on my eyelids.

'...Ah, damn.'

I advanced a step, my eyes locked on the bed.

Rubbing my eyes, I fought to keep them alert, but the bed's presence made resistance futile as drowsiness surged over me.

Should I...?

I'd gone without rest for ages, drained in body and spirit. I recognized this as likely a snare, yet the allure persisted within me. I yearned to collapse onto the bed for proper slumber.

「Shit. Shit.」

Shielding my face, I snapped my fingers.

A shadowy form materialized beside me.

「Slap m—」

Slap!

Without delay.

A sharp burn struck my cheek, widening my eyes.

Then, glancing upward, I watched a shadowy palm swing toward my face again.

Swoosh!

I bent low, evading the strike while eyeing the Realmwalker that advanced.

「You... I commanded once.」

The Realmwalker tilted its head.

This fiend...

'No, not now!'

I ground my teeth, struggling to compose myself. Though irritation boiled, it proved effective, as sleepiness faded while I shifted my view from the bed to other areas.

But...

「Where might his belongings be?」

The area gleamed with cleanliness. No disorder existed, and no possessions linked to the group leader seemed present. This oddity struck me as I approached the adjacent desk and inspected its compartments.

「Nothing?」

Even that held emptiness.

「...Odd. Did he deceive us?」

This seemed plausible.

Yet simultaneously, my gaze darted to the doorway.

「...」

Nothing occupied it.

Merely the deserted hallway beyond, with the door ajar.

I pressed my lips together, narrowing my eyes as I turned toward the closet. That's when awareness dawned. The gradual... dragging noise of something sliding. A sound that rang faintly familiar.

My pulse hammered against my ribs.

With focus on the entrance, I crept slowly toward it.

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

I now stood before it.

The noise intensified.

Then—

Clank!

I flung it open.

——!

A shadow oscillated, its form swinging side to side as I lifted my sight to confront the known visage before me.

Beyond the grin on its features, it was deathly ashen, devoid of vitality as the swaying persisted.

I realized it then.

Gazing at the pendulous form, comprehension flooded in.

「Ah, shit.」