Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 599: New Anomaly [1]

Flick!

The room plunged into total darkness.

Even though the office felt so familiar, everything shifted in an instant—the air grew frigid, and I sensed an extra presence nearby.

I refused to panic.

There simply wasn't any time to lose my cool while I fixed my gaze on the mirror.

My reflection had vanished from view, yet a presence haunted the room. It hovered in some spot as I shut my eyes and located it using my node.

Different from earlier, now that the anomaly linked to me via my node, its presence stayed detectable constantly. When I reopened my eyes, I realized it lurked right inside the mirror.

I drew in a deep breath, the chill in the air intensifying further.

My mind froze instantly as something shoved against my back. I had no chance to respond before getting shoved straight at the mirror, twisting my head just in time to spot the Realmwalker amid the shadows.

Déjà vu hit me like a thunderbolt.

This...

Didn't this feel familiar?

This motherfuc—

BANG!

I crashed into something solid and staggered ahead, clutching my head.

"Ukh...! Fuck—!"

A string of curses escaped my lips—some from the sharp pain, but mostly from the shocking betrayal.

"Fuck getting a new meatshield! I’ll make sure you become my meatshield for life! That’s a promise!!"

After more furious curses, I finally lifted my hand from my forehead. That's when my words caught in my throat, stunned by the surroundings.

This...

I knew this location.

This specific room.

Unlike its previous dilapidated state, soft warm light poured from overhead while curtains swayed lightly, letting fresh breezes flow inside. A recognizable wardrobe sat nearby, and a spotless mirror stood right beside me.

No question about it.

This was Point Z.

More accurately, Point Z prior to the mist's arrival.

"What’s going on?"

I pushed myself up and headed to the window, peering out. The view that met my eyes left me speechless. Trees swayed under a gentle wind that also ruffled my hair. Joyful laughter rose from below where a group of people gathered.

This spot appeared truly idyllic.

But how did I end up here? Had I traveled back in time?

No, that didn't seem plausible.

Was this the mirror world's reality? Yet another paradise scenario?

Truthfully, I had no idea, but as I kept staring at the outdoor vista, the door behind swung open suddenly, admitting a figure.

Clank!

My pulse raced as I whipped around.

A figure entered, her flowing white dress whispering behind her as she approached the mirror. Brush in hand, she started combing her hair with deliberate, unhurried motions.

She entered without detecting me at all.

Actually, it seemed she couldn't perceive me whatsoever. Yet that wasn't the most shocking part. As I observed her, I gulped silently, noting her featureless visage—no nose, no eyes, no mouth, merely a blank expanse where a face belonged, while she brushed before the mirror.

I tensed up immediately.

Did another scenario demand clearing?

'But where's the quest?'

Normally, a quest prompt appeared right upon entering a scenario.

So...?

A piercing ringtone suddenly filled the room.

My heart lurched.

That ringing...

"Mom! Mom...! Pick up the phone, mom!"

The faceless girl shouted from downstairs, receiving no reply. She dropped her hand and muttered, "Why the hell is no one responding?"

Then she headed out of the room.

I trailed after her without hesitation. Clearly, my presence escaped her notice entirely, despite the shrill landline ringing echoing everywhere.

At last, she answered the call.

"Hello?"

Irritation laced her voice.

But the frustration vanished quickly as her demeanor shifted.

"What?"

Flustered notes crept into her reply.

I strained to overhear, but the words stayed indistinct. Ultimately, it proved unnecessary.

"Wait, wait... What are you talking about? Go upstairs? Why do I need to go upstairs?"

A scream blasted from the phone, causing her to release the receiver. Simultaneously, her head jerked toward the door. I spun too, unease twisting in my gut with rising dread.

The floor trembled beneath me, windows cracking like fragile ice.

"H-Huh...!?"

She yelped in shock, eyes on the window. The house shuddered violently soon after, and nearing the glass, I witnessed it.

A thick, ominous mist surged from afar, rampaging through all in its way, engulfing buildings and lives as if hungry to consume the entire world. The structure quaked relentlessly, yet sound drained away into a chilling, empty quiet.

I kept watching the advancing mist, dread tightening in my belly as it neared. Next to me, the girl retreated a step, shaking. Though faceless, her hesitant gestures suggested unspoken words.

Stillness reigned.

It enveloped everything, accelerating as it devoured the landscape.

The girl bolted.

She raced upstairs at full speed.

I followed a beat behind, eyes glued to the distant mist. Soon, I caught up and slipped inside just as she barred the door.

Leaning against it, she heaved for breath.

Tears flowed over her blank face as she faced the window. Amid the hush, the mist pressed on, devouring relentlessly, a faint whipping noise slicing the quiet.

I stood motionless, gazing at the mist.

I simply observed its steady approach.

In a sense, it seemed unavoidable.

Before long, the mist loomed close, hurtling with horrifying velocity while consuming all ahead. Time crawled for me, but the mist closed in abruptly. Incredibly swift, impossibly so—and turning, the final sight was the girl against the familiar mirror, hands clamped over where her mouth ought to be.

Then...

Swooosh—

The mist engulfed us completely.