Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 600: New Anomaly [2]

My vision plunged into utter darkness as the mist engulfed me from every side. A fierce gale seemed to rip past, flailing my clothes and hair wildly while swallowing me whole.

The quiet that ensued was profoundly eerie, and as I turned my head, my heart iced over at the girl's appearance.

Positioned next to the mirror, nearly half her body had merged into it.

Her head thrust outward, clawing for something nonexistent while the mirror pulled her deeper.

I could nearly hear her frantic shrieks as she fought to escape the mirror, with no savior in sight. I paused briefly. Then, advancing a step, I neared the girl and grasped for her hand.

But...

My hand slipped straight through hers.

Finally, her hands gripping the mirror's edge, she vanished inside as it shuddered for moments before stilling.

My stare fixed on the mirror for seconds more before I tore away, returning to the window to scan the outside. The landscape now felt familiar.

Though the house remained intact, the hush matched Point Z precisely. Yet, unlike Point Z, life signs flickered outdoors.

Shadows of frantic figures scurried visibly in the distance.

I narrowed my eyes.

'As I recall, everyone vanished in Point Z. I blamed the mirror then, and I still do. So...?'

I instinctively glanced back at the mirror.

Then came the noise of someone entering downstairs.

Followed by a sound I recognized.

Trrr! Trrr—!

Events progressed exactly as expected. Somehow, those below were driven to the second floor, and upon entering this room, the mirror would claim them.

Suddenly recalling the flare-tied vanishings in Point Z, enlightenment dawned on me.

'What if the mirror hides them by luring into the house rather than dragging to hell? That explains why we never found them. But the 'impostors'? Could the mirror craft them too, to bait people inside?'

Numerous theories raced through my head.

These notions simmered in my thoughts briefly before I refocused on the mirror, where my reflection met my gaze.

'Hm?'

My heart clenched momentarily.

Yet I quickly discerned the truth.

"Have you shown me what you wanted to show me?"

The reflection stayed still as I moved.

Its lips stayed sealed despite my words.

I realized the entity facing me wasn't my true reflection.

Eventually—

"Protect... I protect..."

Insight hit at once.

The vanishings began to add up.

But what truly befell them? She spoke of protection, yet did she safeguard them? I harbored doubts.

Sure enough...

Gazing at the mirror once more, numerous figures stared back. Some familiar—those who'd attended the Congress with me. But their faces gleamed pale, devoid of spirit.

They resembled phantoms in a sense.

Were they phantoms?

Observing closer sparked a revelation.

"...I see."

Eyes closing in comprehension, I turned right, where a silhouette materialized.

"Are you going to start explaining to me?"

"You caught quite the peculiar anomaly."

Propped against the wall, the Conductor let out a chuckle.

"I don’t mind explaining, though. We already had a good talk with the anomaly."

"...I know."

The Realmw... meatshield’s actions clicked for me. It shoved me because they knew the mirror meant to reveal this.

I wouldn't forgive that meatshield anytime soon.

Actually, I intended to torment it far more ahead. No, a stern discussion with the whole group—not only the meatshield.

This had to stop.

'Traitors. They’re all traitors.'

"I think you understood what it was trying to show you, how it came to be, and what drives its behavior."

With the Conductor’s voice echoing softly, I lifted my head and nodded.

"Yes."

This much I grasped.

"The mirror’s ability doesn’t just lie in the fact that it can create illusions. From the moment it absorbs a person, it can copy their memories and way of speaking. It can essentially become them. That’s how it blends seamlessly into groups without anyone noticing."

My eyes widened a touch.

This ability...

A bit overpowered, wasn't it?

The Conductor chuckled.

"But that’s not all. It can also blend seamlessly into a group and make them forget its existence. As you’ve probably guessed, the mirror is of the [Illusionist] Decree."

"Mhm."

My gaze shifted to the mirror.

Staring longer intensified my temptation.

Gaining those powers would unlock boundless opportunities.

Yet a few questions nagged me.

"How is it able to bring people to hell? Does it have a connection with hell?"

"Ah, that..."

Suddenly, the Conductor’s lips contorted.

The contortion prickled the hairs on my nape as it chuckled.

"That’s the funny thing."

The Conductor’s gentle voice wafted through the room.

"That wasn’t the mirror’s doing."

My breath hitched.

"In fact, it wasn’t even there at the start, following you guys. That was something else entirely. Something that..."

The Conductor halted, stretching its slim hand to point at me.

"...Is closely tied to you."

Suddenly, a forgotten detail resurfaced.

Something I'd neglected lately.

[You have been haunted]

Could it be...?