Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 570: Death [1]
Previously on Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!...
"What...?"
Gazing at Leon while he withdrew his head, the scowl on my face grew deeper.
"What do you mean?"
Yet despite my repeated question, he refused to respond.
Rather, his hand stayed outstretched.
"Won't you hand it over?"
"Clarify things first. Are you trying to intimidate me?"
At the beginning, I'd held certain hopes. I figured he possessed some honor and could be somewhat dependable. But evidently, my judgment was off.
’Actually, no. I realized right away he'd act this way.’
Abruptly, the initial greeter's comments about him came back to me.
’Certain individuals among you pursue it simply because they excel at it. You derive little joy from the job itself, yet you relish the spotlight. You savor displaying your skills and soaking up the acclaim from press and admirers.’
I couldn't fathom why those exact words resurfaced now.
Truthfully, I puzzled over how they'd escaped my notice earlier, only hitting me at this moment.
’Actually, upon reflection... that fellow appeared to understand us all too well.’
How?
How had it slipped past me?
"Am I intimidating you?"
Out of nowhere, Leon erupted into laughter.
The sound reverberated around us as he regarded me like a fool.
"Did you catch my earlier words? Why on earth would I intimidate you?"
"What?"
Confusion gripped me even tighter.
No...
Beyond bewilderment, I fought to suppress any emerging suspicions.
I tightened and loosened my fists.
’Right, that's impossible.’
"It appears you're still in the dark."
Leon's grin faded, a flicker in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on me.
"Glance around. Especially in that direction."
He gestured toward Drake, Esteban, and the rest, including folks from his own crew. They all chuckled and conversed animatedly, as if sharing a hilarious tale.
"...They remain oblivious, yet influence has already taken hold. Their wills are fragile, yielding to the soothing allure surrounding them."
Leon's whisper drifted softly beside me.
"It's truly lamentable. Many are Paragons bearing the aspirations of countless Guilds and folks. They're among the elite in our realm. Nevertheless... they've yielded to this location's enticements."
"But how does that—"
"You're hardly any better off."
Leon pressed on, his tone softening further. It carried a hint of dark amusement.
"You've succumbed to the lure."
"No, I haven't. I—"
"But you have. I've witnessed your downfall into temptation. I observed it all and chose not to intervene, even though I could have."
"....!"
My chest tightened abruptly, my features shifting as I turned gradually to lock eyes with Leon, whose grin stretched into something perverse.
"Right from the outset, trust in you eluded me. I permitted your ascent not to uncover intel. I allowed it because I anticipated an incident. Ever since the forest, it was evident to me."
He tapped his finger against my brow.
"...The breach in your psyche."
"That's... no. That's..."
"I was stunned when you outranked me in the First Trial. To be frank, maintaining composure was a struggle. Without the awareness of surveillance, I wouldn't have feigned friendliness so diligently."
Rubbing his cheek, a flash of revulsion crossed Leon's features.
"Still nauseous over it. However..."
He refocused on me, his smirk broadening.
"Witnessing your present condition evens the score. My rival is eliminated, letting me seize all the glory. Undoubtedly, I'll secure the top spot now."
Once again, his hand extended toward me.
This time, no request came.
Instead, it clamped onto my shoulder. Resistance surged in me, yet weakness overtook my efforts.
’Realmwalker!"
’Conductor!’
’Mirelle!’
’Mr. Jingles!’
My nodes failed to activate.
Links to the anomalies had vanished too.
’No, no...’
"So this is the data transmitter?"
In an instant, Leon clutched the data transmitter. He'd snatched it from me unnoticed.
No, its loss meant nothing now.
Nothing held significance as I shoved past Leon, rushing back inside the castle.
’No, impossible. It defies logic. He's merely toying with me. I sense vitality. Death can't have claimed me. It simply can't...’
Ascending the stairs, my footfalls no longer rang out.
In truth, silence enveloped them entirely.
"Haa... Haaa..."
Such details faded into irrelevance for me.
Reaching the prior level, I backtracked through the halls, revisiting the chambers I'd explored.
"....."
Eventually, I halted.
My eyes fixed on the chamber, its door ajar like a beckoning call. Unbidden, my legs propelled me forward, drawn to the threshold.
Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!
It seemed I could almost detect my heartbeat's rhythm.
No, certainty washed over me.
It pounded fiercely. Intensely so.
But—
"....."
Like a mere mirage, the sensation ceased abruptly.
Creaaaaak—
With the groan of hinges, my gaze locked onto the corpse dangling overhead.
My mouth quivered.
"Ah..."
I staggered backward.
Thump!
***
"Hahaha. More drinks, everyone!"
"...This wine tastes amazing! Nothing like it before!"
"Absolutely? I hate to leave so soon."
"Oh, Leon! Glad you joined us."
"Mhm."
With a smile, Leon surveyed the gathering before him. He focused especially on his surviving teammates, draping an arm around their shoulders.
"Could I borrow my team for a quick chat? It shouldn't last long."
"Haha, sure thing!"
Drake bellowed, gulping down his wine.
"Take your time—I'll savor this meanwhile! Delicious stuff!"
"Hahaha."
Laughter filled the air, Leon chiming in as he drew his teammates away amid their objections.
"What's up, Squad Leader? I was midway through enjoying the wine."
"Yeah, it's fantastic. Give it a taste?"
"If—"
"We're departing immediately."
"——!"
"....!!"
Their expressions shifted in a flash. Yet before protests could form, Leon brandished the data transmitter.
"I secured our objective. Time to leave."
"But—"
"Obey."
His command doused their haze like ice water.
Suddenly, the mental fog lifted, restoring clarity as they trailed after him. Leon casually flipped the data transmitter in his hand.
He spoke truth...
Saving Seth had been within his grasp, if desired.
He'd shadowed him, observing the entire sequence. Intervening would have demanded little.
Yet...
For what reason?
Why extend aid?
’It's a contest, after all.’
"Truly, such a shame."