Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 620: Big Fan [2]

A deafening hush descended, relentless thuds reverberating deep within my thoughts.

Yet, I kept my composure intact.

I simply had no other option.

Particularly with Rowan and Zoey’s sharp stares boring into me.

"What? What is he talking about? Seth...?"

"....."

I ignored both of them, turning my focus to the irregularity in front. Curiosity gripped me. Was he manipulating the anomaly? If so, did that mean he possessed the Shephard Decree too?

His motions appeared oddly fragmented.

Moreover, I myself couldn’t seize command over my anomalies’ forms. Still, individuals sharing a Decree don’t always wield identical powers. Every Decree follows unique routes, and perhaps he had chosen a divergent one within the Shephard Decree.

"From the stage... set up to the climax. Everything... was perfect! That was the moment I... became a true fan of you. I... really wanted to meet you, Mr. Jester."

That voice stayed fractured, nearly fragile.

The more it echoed like that, the surer I grew that full mastery over the anomaly eluded him. Only partial influence.

Even so, it sufficed to put me on high alert.

"But... I’ve been curious. Why...? Why hasn’t the Jester shown up again? Have you decided to retire?"

"I killed the Jester."

The response slipped from my lips effortlessly.

"To begin with, I was the one who killed the Jester during the Malovia incident. From the start, it’s impossible for me to be the Jester when I’m the one who killed it."

"Ha... haha."

A fragile, maniacal chuckle echoed across the void while the anomaly’s mouth stretched gradually broader. The pull was unnatural, skin straining in resistance but yielding anyway, that shattered mirth hanging over the whole expanse.

Its exact shape remained blurry to me, but the entity ahead resembled a massive, shadowy, corroded blob, like a quivering slime struggling to maintain cohesion.

It didn’t evoke horror, yet its aura pressed down oppressively.

"So... that’s what you’re going with?"

"That’s how things went."

"Haha."

The chuckles persisted, the silhouette deriving warped delight from my statement.

In truth, maintaining poise was a battle for me. How did it behave as though it grasped my every secret action? Logically, that defied possibility. Nevertheless, its speech implied total awareness.

"Well... it doesn’t really matter that you’re denying it."

Once the laughs ceased, the atmosphere altered.

A sudden chill gripped the air.

"I know."

The tone grew weighty, matching the thickening air.

"That’s all that matters. I know, and they’ll soon know."

A deep, gurgling noise diffused into the atmosphere while the anomaly’s shape warped. Its mass expanded and deflated simultaneously, the exterior undulating before gradually dissolving.

Viscous, shadowy substance peeled away as it liquefied into the floor, submerging like the ground devoured it completely.

Gazing toward it, tension seized my body, nerves frayed while thoughts raced. I readied myself for whatever might strike—an assault, a surprise attack, anything at all.

Yet, no assault materialized.

The gurgling faded, and soon the anomaly vanished completely, vacating only the spot it once occupied.

With quietude returning, a murmur brushed near my ear, faint as a sigh.

"...And it won’t just be me who knows. Soon, everyone will know. Good luck leaving this place."

"——!"

I clutched my right ear and whirled around sharply, confronting only the vacant hospital interior. My gaze swept left and right, probing each nook, each darkness, hunting for motion. Nothing stirred—just faint, stuttering illumination and oppressive quietude closing in.

A thick, fraught hush enveloped everything, fostering the sense of an unseen presence lurking nearby.

Observing.

"Haa... Haaa..."

Without realizing, my breaths grew labored.

Gripping the knife, I strained to detect any aura, but despite my efforts, nothing registered. I scoured the area repeatedly, inspecting every angle, but the deeper I delved, the more evident the emptiness became.

Desire to continue the hunt surged, but as I started forward, fingers seized my arm, halting me.

"What?"

Turning, I met two intense stares locked on me.

My heart plummeted, grasping the predicament at once.

Zoey spoke first, her face faintly blurred as she eyed me. Surprise evaded her features; instead, suspicion clouded them.

"What was that about? Were the words that he said—"

"No, it’s just nonsense."

I interrupted Zoey mid-sentence.

"He's just spewing rubbish to sow seeds of doubt among us. I'm pretty famous right now, so naturally, he knows things about me."

"That sounds right."

Rowan appeared to side with me, yet Zoey's eyes narrowed sharply. She clenched my arm even harder.

"...However, this isn't the first occasion you've faced such accusations. Wasn't it the same with Myles?"

"Myles...?"

That scum?

The Myles incident felt distant now, nearly erased from my memory, yet recalling it, he had pointed the finger at me just like this.

Damn...

Gone or not, that guy kept stirring up problems for me.

I managed to hold onto my composure.

"So what about Myles? The maniac wanted me booted from the Guild since I outperformed him. You can't seriously trust a deranged traitor's ravings over me."

"....."

Zoey's gaze sharpened more, quiet tension hanging between us as she fixed her stare on me. My explanation rang true, but doubt flickered in her eyes. She clearly wasn't buying it, and that look began to grate on my nerves.

Why...?

Why wouldn't she trust me?

"Hey, hey."

Spotting the strain crackling between us, Rowan intervened, pulling us apart while scanning the surroundings.

"I have no clue what's brewing between you guys, but fighting now is the worst idea. Whatever's unfolding, it's bad news. Everyone, keep cool..."

His words faded as realization dawned on him. His face changed abruptly, head jerking upward the next moment. He spun around wordlessly and dashed into a close room.

From his ashen complexion and the path he took, he rushed to check on his sister, though it was futile.

She was likely already missing.

"You know..."

Zoey spoke again, drawing my attention as I faced her; she retreated a step away.

"Logic screams you couldn't be. It defies possibility. Still... some instinct tells me they're right. Weird as it is, it ties up loose ends. Am I losing it?"

"Yeah, you are."

"Haha."

Zoey chuckled softly, fingers brushing her mouth. I watched her a bit longer before shifting my eyes to the new alert popping up.

[Scenario Spotted!]

[Operation: Hospital Escape!]

Class : ■■■

Escape the hospital. Good luck~

[Scenario candidates will be joining shortly. Do you wish to use any item?]

[You have ten seconds]

Scanning the message, my eyes bulged wide. Right then, Rowan exploded from the room, panic twisting his features.

"My sister..."

His stare pinned straight on me.

"S-she's gone... She's gone!"