Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 588: Return to upper world [1]

The alert arrived right on schedule.

To be honest, I was already weary of this location. More importantly, I required additional time to analyze the mysterious anomaly I had secured. Because Seraphine surfaced so abruptly, I had been denied the chance to investigate it properly.

I was convinced that this anomaly harbored many hidden secrets.

’Ah, but finding the others takes precedence.’

Exiting the house, I observed a crowd of individuals lingering about in a daze.

Adjusting the mirror and tucking it more securely under my arm, I gave them a wave.

"Right here."

I spotted Drake and Esteban. Both men stared at me, blinking in disbelief, before producing their devices to display them. I offered a curt nod.

"I am aware. Time is nearly up."

Technically, we still had several hours remaining.

However, the instruction for everyone to gather had been issued well in advance.

"What is that item...?"

As I strolled past the group, I noticed their eyes locked onto what I carried.

"Oh, this?"

I held the mirror up for inspection.

"Just a souvenir."

Well, technically accurate. The anomaly was no longer contained within, yet I understood the object held far more significance than just that.

My curiosity was gnawing at me.

"Leader..."

"Squad Leader, are you feeling alright?"

Glancing back, I watched Seraphine’s comrades move toward her as she kept her hawk-like gaze fixed firmly on me. Her eyes then flitted to the mirror in my grasp. I offered only a smile and pulled my gaze away.

Too bad for her.

She would just have to remain curious.

"Let’s move out."

Ignoring the others, I retrieved my compass and began plotting a path to the extraction point. Situated in the heart of Point Z, it wasn't difficult to locate. Our journey proceeded without incident.

The fog hung heavy and the air remained thick with tension, yet with the mirror finally secured, nothing else dared to obstruct us.

"This should be the spot."

I halted before an expansive plaza while my companions trailed behind.

"Are we the first ones here?"

I scanned the area in surprise. I had anticipated other teams, but the location was completely deserted.

Regardless, I set the mirror down and wandered toward one of the decaying benches scattered across the square. The wood groaned under my weight as I sat, kicking up a light cloud of ancient dust.

Leaning back, I scanned the horizon. Dilapidated buildings loomed in every direction, their windows hollow and dark like eyeless skulls. Some structures slanted at gravity-defying angles, appearing ready to crumble at any moment.

The entire district seemed utterly abandoned.

Looking around, my mind wandered.

Were they intending to deploy someone to collect us?

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than I felt several presences approaching from my right. Recognizing us, the group waved, attempting to appear friendly.

Then, suddenly, they froze.

"Ah."

My lips parted, yet no words escaped.

Eventually, I offered a wave and a smile.

"It has been a while, hasn’t it?"

Leon’s artificial smile faltered as he lost his composure for a split second. Recovering quickly, he resumed his stride toward me. Meanwhile, his teammates murmured amongst themselves behind him.

Though their hushed voices were unintelligible, I could piece together their sentiments.

’How on earth is he still breathing?’

’...Is that a decoy?’

Just the usual drivel. When I finally looked up, Leon had arrived beside me.

"You made it."

He pressed a hand to his chest, feigning relief.

"I am grateful that you are unharmed. In truth, I was quite concerned for you."

Good heavens, I felt nausea rising in my throat.

Had anyone ever been more transparently insincere?

He seated himself next to me, turning his attention to Drake and Esteban.

"Are you two holding up well? I am truly glad. When we were taken to that place, I honestly had no grasp of the situation. I had no desire to abandon you, but as a Squad Leader, I had to prioritize my team. You understand, do you not?"

Would it be worth it to just vomit on him?

I held my stomach, considering the comedic potential.

Perhaps then he would shed his facade and finally attack me.

It remained merely a fleeting thought. A sudden rustling brought me back to reality; Esteban had grabbed Drake by the shoulder, barely restraining him as he nearly lunged at Leon.

"Whoa!"

Leon threw both hands into the air.

"I recognize your frustrations, but please try to see things from my perspective. I did not leave you behind out of malice. I was simply protecting my own team, that is all."

He then fixed his gaze upon me.

"You grasp the logic of this, don’t you?"

"Do not fret. I understand perfectly."

I gave his shoulder a light pat and reclined against the bench. Frankly, he was the least of my concerns. Engaging with him now provided no tactical advantage. Naturally, remaining idle now did not mean I would tolerate his transgressions forever. Not after everything he had subjected me to.

Recalling the hissed threats he whispered in my ear that day, I felt a sinister smile tugging at my lips.

More people began to arrive as I sat back and crossed my legs, eyes shut as I attempted to sense my link with Arile.

Then, at last—

"They have arrived."

Opening my eyes, I shifted my focus toward the distance as a massive crowd came into view. Their appearance didn't just grab my attention; every other team gathered in the plaza turned their heads to watch as the group drew closer.

I was about to offer a wave when I froze.

Leading the pack, I spotted Ariel perched atop the shoulders of a massive, muscle-bound man, her arms crossed with an air of cold authority.

Trailing her were Joanna, Min, and Nora, moving with the precision of a professional security detail. Each of them donned sunglasses, concealing their expressions as they kept pace beside her.

Followed by various neutral parties, a group I recognized tagged along behind, ensuring the formation remained tight.

"...Is that your team?"

Hearing Seraphine’s voice, I tilted my head, meeting her incredulous expression.

I coughed.

"Why on earth are they wearing sunglasses?"

I coughed once more.

"It is incredibly cringe."

I coughed twice more for good measure.

Then—

"Squad Leader!"

"Squad Leader...! We found you!"

Voices erupted as Joanna and the rest removed their sunglasses and rushed toward me.

"Where in the hell did you vanish to? We searched every inch of this place for you."

"Yeah, tell us!"

"It was an absolute nightmare without you. We missed you deeply. We even adopted the sunglasses as a tribute... because we missed you that much."

Seraphine’s stare became even more piercing.

Not just hers—nearly everyone in the plaza was gawking at us.

I simply smiled and settled back into the bench.

’Mysterious. Simply mysterious.’