Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 571: Death [2]

Previously on Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!...

Leon confronts Seth, revealing he exploited a gap in Seth's mind and allowed him to fall prey to the castle's illusions, confirming Seth's death. As Seth stumbles upon his own hanging body in the room, his powers fail and connections to his anomalies sever. Meanwhile, Leon seizes the data transmitter and snaps his team out of their entranced state amid the group's wine-fueled merriment, declaring it's time to leave with the prize, viewing Seth's demise as a competitive advantage.

Creaak! Creaaaak—!

The corpse kept swinging right in front of my gaze.

From the shadowy locks to the deep shadows under the eyes... No mistaking it. That was clearly my own remains.

"No, but... I..."

Clutching my mouth, I fought to steady my racing feelings.

'It's just my imagination messing with me. That's all it can be.'

Right, impossible otherwise.

I still... sensed life within.

I breathed, shifted my limbs, pondered, and experienced sensations. No chance I was truly gone.

"A illusion. Yes... definitely an illusion."

Similar to how I couldn't detect the Realmwalker or the rest, this had to be another deception too.

'All this aims to shatter my resolve and force surrender. But I refuse to yield.'

Right, no possibility.

"I won't perish. I refuse to perish."

I endured endless trials precisely to avoid death. How could I end it myself now?

"Absolutely not!!"

My palm struck the ground as I hauled myself upright. My torso heaved with rapid, ragged breaths while I glanced back at the doorframe. Nothing there. Still, I fixed my stare in that direction.

"..."

The quiet around me eased slightly as I stared at the entrance, the hallway beyond appearing even vaster now.

Then—

Step!

I chose to leave the chamber, proceeding directly to the floor below as I had earlier.

My thoughts sharpened.

I hadn't passed on. Deceit surrounded me.

Indeed, that explained everything.

Step. Step—!

Arriving at the staircase, I returned to the central space filled with echoing merriment. A gentle melody drifted in the air while guests savored the celebration, sipping beverages and sharing food and stories.

For a fleeting instant, temptation tugged at me.

I... yearned to blend in with them.

'No!'

Swiftly, I banished those notions and scanned the area further.

At last, my eyes landed on a pair of recognizable shapes.

'...They've been overlooked.'

Drake and Esteban.

The duo from the Melson Sanders Guild conversed with those close by, leisurely sipping drinks and munching treats. Witnessing their ease, a wave of letdown washed over me. One ought to be a mighty Paragon, the other clever enough to command such a figure.

To succumb so readily...

'No, I'm the worst one to judge like this.'

Clearing my head with a shake, I kept searching until I spotted 'him'.

Yes, 'him'.

Even at this point, his name and background eluded me.

He'd never revealed them.

In truth...

I lacked even a clear image of his appearance. He struck me as fairly attractive, yet efforts to fix his traits in memory always slipped away. It felt like my mind actively blocked them.

Who exactly was this person?

"Honestly, Seline, I'm really glad that you were able to push your hatred aside and enjoy yourself. It brings me great joy to see that you're starting to heal."

"All of this was thanks to you and the people around you. This place... It's like heaven."

"Heaven?"

His chuckle carried warmth.

"I'm glad you think that's the case."

Yet to me, it rang utterly chilling.

Halting just behind him, I watched as he pivoted to face me, like he'd anticipated my approach, his mouth forming a subtle grin.

"Seth."

He addressed me like a longtime companion.

"It seems like you were left behind by Leon and his team. They've already left this place. It's honestly quite unfortunate that they've left you behind."

"....."

"There's no need to look that way. I understand your concerns, and I am here to ease them for you."

Advancing a pace toward me, he offered a kind smile.

That's the sole detail I grasped. The friendly curve on his lips.

But attempting to scrutinize his visage, I found nothing lodged in my recall.

"You've indeed died."

His gentle tone murmured into my thoughts.

My pulse faltered.

"You're trying to deny the idea that you've succumbed to your inner demons, but is there really a need to be so hung up about your own death? Have a look around you."

He surveyed the area.

I followed suit, my neck turning to take in the scene almost involuntarily.

I observed the crowd nearby. Their delight. Their chuckles.

Every bit.

"You've endured a lot. More than you can imagine. Your childhood has been a lie. From the moment you were born, you were nothing but a test subject for some weird cult. You were just a lab rat meant to be used as a vessel for... Dantalion."

'Dantalion. Dantalion. Dantalion. Dantalion. Dantalion.'

The simple utterance of "Dantalion" triggered chills racing along my back. His name reverberated in my consciousness repeatedly, murmuring through my mind until it overwhelmed all else.

"You've fought. You've struggled. In the end.. You sacrificed a lot and ended up sealing Dantalion away. Honestly, that's a feat that's worthy of applause."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Suddenly, rounds of clapping echoed across the yard. I lifted my gaze and scanned about, sensing the many eyes of those there fixed on me as they applauded with broad grins.

"Congratulations!"

"That's an amazing achievement! Wow...!"

"We've got someone with great accomplishments! What an honor."

"Come, have a toast with me later!"

All present offered their praises. Drake and Esteban joined in. They beamed, shouted encouragement, and lifted their cups high.

Clap! Clap!

The applause persisted.

It... simply went on.

"Do you see this?"

The murmur persisted beside me.

"You're appreciated here. Everyone here knows about your struggles and acknowledges you for it. Aren't you tired?"

The murmur softened.

"What do you even struggle so much for? Isn't it because you want to live a good life without the disease that has been plaguing you? In that case, you're free at the moment. The disease will no longer restrict you."

"....."

"You can eat, drink, laugh, and socialize as much as you want. Nobody will stop you. Isn't this what you've always wanted? Why be so upset over an unexpected blessing?"

A shift stirred inside me.

I recognized the seduction. I knew manipulation was at play.

Yet...

Yet...!

'He's right.'

The sole drive for my endless fights was the desire to survive. To escape the illness tormenting me and embrace a regular existence. That's the core of my wishes.

So...?

'Doesn't the existence I've craved lie right here before me?'

Eat. Drink. Sleep.

Laugh.

Party.

Enjoy...

My mouth slowly opened as the weight in my chest lightened.

"You're starting to open your eyes, Seth. I'm really happy that you're seeing the truth."

The kindly chuckle resurfaced.

Simultaneously, I peered downward and noticed an arm outstretched toward me, clutching a goblet of wine securely.

"Take it."

The murmur urged, my core stirring anew.

"...Let yourself go. There's no need to struggle any longer."

My breaths deepened.

"Have fun."

And—

"...Okay."

I grasped the goblet soon after, gazing at the image reflecting back. Especially those lifeless orbs that appeared to haunt someone sleepless for ages.

I'm weary.

"I know."

I crave repose.

"You can do that."

"Can I?"

"Yes, you can."

Truly?

"Drink."

Alright.

Raising the goblet to my mouth, I savored my initial swallow.

"Wooooh!"

"Hahahahahah!"