Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 590: Who are you? [1]

The low rumble of the engines vibrated in the air as our convoy pushed forward, slicing through the dense, clinging fog. Outside the glass, the landscape shifted continuously, with vague shapes emerging and dissolving into the gloom as I sat in quiet contemplation.

Inside our vehicle, a heavy silence reigned. The others stared aimlessly out of the windows, their gazes unfocused and distant. Even without looking at them directly, I could perceive the bone-deep weariness etched into their expressions.

I felt exactly the same.

Given the chaotic turn of events, it was nearly impossible not to be utterly drained.

I desperately wanted to close my eyes and drift into rest.

Yet—

My thoughts remained anchored to Kyle.

On one hand, I felt relieved that he survived. However, on the other...

My mind raced, scrambling for a way to manage this sudden crisis. Regardless of how I analyzed the situation, it was likely he had figured something out. Had he encountered the Conductor and the rest of them?

Ah, damn it.

I ran my fingers through my hair, fighting to keep my composure steady.

Maintaining calm, however, was far easier said than done.

I trusted Kyle.

In fact, he was the singular person in this entire world I deemed worthy of my trust.

But at this very moment...

The current situation was heavy to process, especially given that he was no longer truly human.

Would he hold me responsible for that transformation?

Shifting uncomfortably, I looked up to find everyone staring at me. Despite my attempts to project a calm demeanor, they had clearly sensed something shift in my behavior. They averted their gazes after a fleeting moment.

They likely assumed I was just worried about Kyle. I was worried, certainly, but my concerns were rooted in something far more complicated...

"Hm?"

Caught in the middle of my mental turmoil, I lifted my head to peer out of the window.

For a brief second, I blinked in disbelief.

The scenery had completely shifted.

Gone were the pervasive mist and the distorted landscape. In their place sat a long, steady road, perfectly smooth and uninterrupted. Buildings began to flank our sides, rising up one by one as though we had quietly slipped into a different world without realizing it.

Most noticeably, I could see the bright, clear blue sky above, and the vehicle filled with murmurs.

"What on earth...?"

"Are we already here? How is that even possible?"

"Wait, say what? We only just left."

I was just as bewildered as the rest of them while I turned to the driver. Wearing dark sunglasses, he observed us through the rearview mirror.

"Do not be entirely shocked. This is merely the surface of what is possible. The BUA commands capabilities far more impressive than this." He chuckled as the car accelerated, and as I glanced through the windshield, a familiar arena emerged in the distance.

The roads remained deserted as we pressed onward, the tires humming rhythmically against the asphalt. Before long, we were navigating a route that was all too familiar—the very same path we had traveled at the commencement of the Congress.

Little by little, the structure of the stadium materialized ahead, guiding us back to where we started.

The car rolled to a halt and the doors clicked open, allowing us to disembark.

Stepping out of the vehicle, we all paused, struck by the low, muffled roars echoing from afar. There was a heaviness to the sound, a vibration that seemed to ripple through the atmosphere and permeate the ground beneath our feet.

For a fleeting moment, the entire area felt as if it were trembling.

The others exchanged cautious looks as their tension became visible, while the remaining cars rolled past us toward the depths of the parking lot.

"T-that’s..." Mia stammered, staring into the distance.

Nora stood by her side, nudging her sunglasses further up her face.

"Squad Leader."

She whispered...

"I think I understand now."

"...?"

"I finally get why you wear those sunglasses."

Oh.

Well, not quite.

But whatever.

"Just visualize it... strolling in front of such a crowd with shades on. I would look incredibly cool."

"....."

"My aura would be absolutely unmatched."

What kind of nonsense was she on?

From that moment on, I simply chose to ignore her.

No, there was something more pressing—

"I need to use the restroom. You all head inside first."

I headed toward the washrooms without waiting for a rebuttal. That was my initial intention, but as I navigated the stadium's maze-like corridors, I quickly found myself entirely lost.

"Errr..."

Glancing left and right, only to be met with an endless stretch of hallway in every direction, I scratched the back of my head.

"Well, shit."

There didn't appear to be a single soul around to ask for directions.

'Should I pull out the compass?'

The thought occurred to me, but I eventually shook my head and decided to simply step toward the nearest door.

Clank—!

After closing the door, I tapped my heel on the floor to disrupt any concealed cameras or electronic devices before flicking on the lights, finally getting a look at my surroundings.

'A storage room?'

The space was lined with metal shelving, each unit packed with aged, crinkled boxes and abandoned equipment. Faded posters hung on the walls, their edges curling away from the concrete. A lone wooden table sat near the center of the room with a single chair pushed slightly to one side.

The overhead light flickered weakly, casting shaky shadows that left the darker corners obscured.

I examined the room slowly, scanning every angle. Only after confirming that I was truly isolated did I allow myself the luxury of letting my guard down.

It was a short-lived relaxation, however, as I slumped into the chair with a heavy sigh.

Massaging my temples, I whispered, "This is going to be a nightmare."

No sooner had I said that than a specific figure materialized before my eyes.

"....."

Silence flooded the room the second he appeared. My gaze stayed fixed on the floor while he stood there, completely motionless.

The quiet persisted for several seconds until I finally forced myself to break it.

"Are you not going to say anything?"

I raised my head to meet Kyle’s eyes. He remained deathly silent, staring at me with a vacant, shattered expression. My heart tightened painfully at the sight, and his lips parted as if to speak, only to freeze before he retreated a step.

"Y-you..."

My heart plummeted.

Kyle’s lips quivered again as his hands shook. He shook his head frantically, stepping backward once more before clamping his mouth shut.

"Y-you... what..."

The pure shock written across his features was undeniable.

He cycled through a range of expressions before, at last, managing to stabilize his breathing. However, despite the newfound calm, the way he looked at me felt entirely changed.

No, that wasn't honest enough...

Something fundamental had shifted, and he finally managed to find his voice.

"W-who are you?"

His voice was a soft, trembling weight against my ears.

"...What have... you done to S-Seth? And... what have you turned me into?"