Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 601: New Anomaly [3]

Hold on, perhaps I'm assuming too quickly.

Yet, while gazing upon the Conductor and spotting the warped grin twisting its features, dread settled heavily in my chest.

Was it possible that...?

"You really have a knack for drawing trouble."

That was the confirmation I needed.

"How can you tell it's that particular anomaly?"

"I sensed it the moment you were in there with it, right alongside your friends at the research institute. It was zeroing in on you alone."

I inhaled deeply.

All of a sudden, those memories flooded back.

I remembered the strange extra aura lingering in that chamber before.

"So that thing is what pulled me into hell?"

"...Truth be told, I'm not completely certain."

"Hm?"

"I checked with the mirror as well, but even they don't seem to know. Maybe those two were collaborating, or perhaps another factor was at play. Regardless, that anomaly's still out there, growing more powerful by the day. Eliminate it soon, before it spirals out of control."

"I know."

No reminder was necessary.

I was fully aware of this. I'd attempted it previously, yet it steered me elsewhere.

Kyle's image crossed my mind, triggering a pounding headache.

I desperately needed a method to make him heed my words.

I did... care about him.

Yes, I truly did.

After drawing in a steadying breath, my gaze returned to the Conductor, then shifted to the mirror.

"You've revealed all this to me, so I assume you're on board to collaborate. In return for your aid, what do you need from me?"

Aside from Mirelle and the Realmwalker, every anomaly linked to me pursued some objective by sticking around. The Conductor craved spectacles of disorder. Mr. Jingles remained tethered to the orphanage and its young ones. What desire drove the mirror?

Cautious now, I fixed my eyes on the image gazing right back.

Then—

"Mist..."

A faint, fractured whisper drifted into my ears.

"...Rid."

Comprehension dawned on me.

"You wish for me to eliminate the mist?"

The image gave a slow nod, prompting a smile from me.

"I can give it a shot."

No firm vows were given. Still, instinct told me the mist would demand my attention soon enough. Agreeing here carried no risk, particularly knowing its deep connection to hell.

Recalling Paimon's statement, I sensed an imminent clash with the mist to unravel its claim: 'You’re not human.'

What on earth did that signify?

Curiosity gnawed at me relentlessly, and briefly, I nearly yielded to using Paimon's offering for clarity. But I swiftly suppressed the urge, turning back to the Conductor.

A graver issue demanded focus now.

"Could you have her share more details on the mist? Like its true nature, origins, causes—anything at all."

This intel was crucial for me.

It was essential to fulfilling the quest.

"Hmm."

The Conductor cocked its head, seemingly in silent exchange with the mirror. Moments later, it faced me again.

"She isn't entirely certain."

My spirits plummeted.

"But she possesses items that could prove useful."

"Hm?"

In an instant, the Conductor plunged a hand into the mirror, extracting various objects: documents, photographs, and familiar relics from the research facility. My eyes widened a bit as I watched.

The Conductor let out a chuckle.

"She's devoured countless individuals. Of course, she's kept all their belongings."

"...Ah."

Realization struck sharply as I grabbed the documents and flipped through them rapidly. Most proved irrelevant, yet eventually, I halted, transfixed.

There, in my grasp, lay an item strikingly akin to the fragment displayed at the Congress—a ring piece, much like Joanna's discovery.

"She mentioned having one more fragment, lost during a dire turn of events."

"...I see."

I toyed with the ring shard before slipping it into my pocket.

Its purpose eluded me, but intuition screamed its vital significance.

Rummaging further through the rest, much was trivial. None of the provided objects held true value.

Until—

"Hm?"

At last, I unearthed something noteworthy.

A hefty tome, though heavily weathered.

Initially, it appeared unremarkable. Numerous pages had faded, barely legible. Yet, leafing past the opening sheets, I froze at one segment.

Wait.

Upon glimpsing that text, a jolt coursed through my thoughts. My eyelid flickered, breath quickening as the script leaped vividly from the paper.

Whispers echoed abruptly, and clutching my skull, my gaze involuntarily locked onto the opening numerals.

9:2.

Religion held no sway over me, but... I recognized it.

I grasped the meaning of those digits.

They marked a biblical reference—chapter and verse.

"O-oh."

Hand over mouth, clarity sharpened before me.

Clasping the volume, its identity crystallized.

This was a bible.

That's when the sound rang out.

Ding—!

[Quest Completed]

[Host successfully managed to find information regarding the mist.]

[Reward 1: 10 Essence Shards [Attribute of choice]]

[Reward 2: 300,000 SP]

Gazing at the distributed rewards, I remained unresponsive. Thoughts wandered hazily as I examined the bible clutched in my hands, straining to interpret further amid the tattered, obscure pages.

Eventually, I stowed the book.

It wouldn't prove challenging. The bible ranked among the world's most perused texts, from what I recalled. Securing another copy would be simple.

With that resolved, I breathed deeply, eyes shifting to the Conductor and its reflection.

"Well, then."

I stretched my hand toward the mirror.

"...Looks like you and I will get along splendidly."