Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 645: Crawling Unease [1]

Cedrick's expression shifted multiple times as his gaze was fixed on the figure before him, his mouth opening and closing in disbelief at the familiar face that now stood in his path.

"H-how is this possible...?"

"I had anticipated having a bit more time, but this is acceptable. I did orchestrate this entire scenario for him, so I suppose it's fine if I accelerate the process slightly. It won't significantly alter the outcome for me."

A whispered voice filled the room, entirely disregarding Cedrick as the figure muttered to himself.

Cedrick let out a soft groan, attempting to move, but to his horror, he discovered his entire body was bound by chains in every direction, rendering him immobile. He thrashed with all his strength, yet the chains held him fast.

"Ugh...! Ukh!"

RATTLE!

"What are you doing!? Let me go! Why...!? Why are you doing this, Team Leader!"

Cedrick's desperate shouts echoed throughout the confined space, causing the figure to pause. Silence descended upon the surroundings as the figure slowly turned back, revealing a visage Cedrick knew all too well. His throat constricted, the words catching in his throat.

His lips parted, but no sound emerged as the Team Leader tilted his head. A slight twist contorted his features as he murmured, "He actually called me a low-tiered cultist, can you believe that, Cedrick?"

A hint of anger tinged his voice as he regarded Cedrick.

"Him, of all people... Haha."

He even let out a laugh, but the sound sent shivers down Cedrick's spine as the Team Leader's voice carried eerily throughout the room.

"...This was always the intended outcome, but my plan was to grant you at least a few more days. Just a couple of days for you to savor the meager life you had left."

As his lips stretched into a smile, the Team Leader advanced under the dim illumination, his pale face becoming clearer as he lowered himself to stand directly before Cedrick. Cedrick, still struggling to articulate, was consumed by sheer shock.

"You see, there is an individual I need to eliminate. I was once a fervent admirer, but they have left me quite disappointed. I've become a rather disgruntled fan, which led me to undertake certain actions to engineer a situation that would draw him to me."

The Team Leader suddenly chuckled, observing Cedrick's bewildered expression.

"...One of the fundamental principles learned in game development is the desire to have the 'character' act according to your design, rather than having the game pieces react to the character's actions. Only by relinquishing their control can you truly imbue a game with tension and dread."

The Team Leader stepped back from Cedrick, his gaze sweeping around the room. He then glanced at his watch, checking the time.

"Naturally, that is a factor, but there is also the more intricate task of constructing the 'stage' for the character's entrance. In my case, that is precisely what I am doing. I am meticulously crafting the perfect stage for his downfall. That, however, is no simple feat and necessitates sacrifices."

Abruptly, the Team Leader's attention snapped back to Cedrick. The corners of his lips turned upwards even further.

"Do you possess any understanding of how anomalies come into being?"

The Team Leader moved closer to Cedrick, whose breathing grew increasingly heavy with each passing second. His eyes darted nervously, yet no words escaped his lips, as if an unseen force or entity had utterly stolen his voice. The Team Leader then pressed a finger against Cedrick's temple.

"There are numerous methods by which they are created, but I can assure you of one certainty..." The Team Leader suddenly let out a low chuckle, "...Humans bear partial responsibility for the genesis of a significant number of them. For my part, I possess the ability to generate anomalies without requiring sacrifices, though it comes at a considerable cost. It is far more economical for me to proceed in this manner. After all, a mere handful of sacrifices suffice for my purposes."

Rattle! Rattle!

Cedrick's entire body quivered as he desperately fought against the confines of his predicament, but his futile struggles only prompted the Team Leader to shake his head.

"There is no point in resisting. In mere moments, you will transform just as the others I have taken have. If you⎯"

Suddenly, the Team Leader's words were cut short as his brow furrowed deeply, and he turned his attention towards the door. Though faint, he detected a sound. 'Thump.' He heard it again. His expression subtly shifted as he moved towards the door, his ears straining to catch any further sound.

And then, before long⎯

Thump!

The sound drew nearer.

Upon hearing the distinct noise, the Team Leader's expression grew even more grave. At this juncture, he was uncertain of the cause. However, it bore the distinct characteristic of a footstep. A heavy one at that. Had there been a malfunction with one of the anomalies? As his thoughts veered in this direction, his demeanor abruptly changed when he registered a loud rattling emanating from behind him.

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle!

The Team Leader’s face snapped back, his eyes widening as he fixed his gaze on Cedrick. Cedrick’s complexion had turned ashen white, his hands instinctively clawing at his throat as his entire body began to convulse violently.

"What in the world is happening?"

Having navigated through countless bizarre scenarios, the Team Leader maintained a semblance of composure. Nevertheless, a subtle thread of apprehension laced his brow as he observed Cedrick’s desperate struggle.

Rattle! Rattle!

Cedrick's body contorted unnaturally, his face growing progressively paler. The veins at his neck began to distend alarmingly, and a trickle of blood seeped from his nostrils, his bloodshot eyes locked onto the Team Leader.

"H-help! H-help...!"

His choked, near-helpless pleas echoed around them as he weakly reached out towards the Team Leader. However, the Team Leader remained rooted, his gaze fixed upon the symbol inscribed on the floor, desperately trying to pinpoint his error.

’Did I miscalculate? Is this the consequence? I have to stop him.’

Cedrick held significant importance. Despite extensive preparations, numerous crucial steps remained to ensure the seamless execution of his grand design. His initial objective was to transform Cedrick into a unique anomaly, perfectly suited for his intended Gate.

His magnum opus.

He aspired to forge a Gate distinct from the one that had previously ravaged the Western District. His ambition was to surpass his own prior achievements, and Cedrick was pivotal to this aspiration.

But...

"Ukh! Ukh...!"

Cedrick’s guttural groans intensified, his pallor deepening as his face flushed a disturbing shade of red. The veins became even more prominent, his expression contorting dramatically.

The Team Leader swiftly grasped that the situation had deteriorated beyond his control. He opened his mouth, preparing to act, and then it happened.

BANG!

Cedrick’s head detonated, spraying blood in every direction.

"!!"

The horrific spectacle froze the Team Leader in place, his mind utterly blank as he struggled to comprehend the gruesome scene.

"....."

A profound silence stretched for what felt like an eternity before the faint, muffled 'thump-thump' sound resumed. He stared intently at Cedrick’s headless corpse before him.

His brow furrowed deeply as he examined the remains.

And it was precisely at this moment that he felt it.

The creeping dread, taking hold.