Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 653: The one they call the Butcher [3]

Curiosity, a perilous feline trait, is a well-worn adage.

Osvald, usually dismissive of such sayings, found himself contemplating its truth for the first time.

Before him, a pair of blood-red, malevolent eyes fixed their stare. A palpable, suffocating pressure radiated from the pig-like creature, its grip tightening on a gleaming knife. Faced with this grotesque entity, Osvald felt a strange tingling sensation crawl across his skin, a testament to its formidable power.

'...Remarkable.'

What’s more, the pig's sheer might seemed capable of overpowering even the unseen eye menacing him from behind.

And then⎯

Step!

The creature took its first deliberate step forward, the sound echoing in the oppressive silence as the aura surrounding it intensified. Following this single movement, the pig halted, and a series of faint, yet distinct, cracking sounds emanated from its core. Its bones were visibly twisting and reforming.

The agony it must have endured was unimaginable, yet the pig remained motionless, emitting no sound. Instead, the raw bloodlust pulsing from its form only grew fiercer.

"This is absurd,"

Osvald whispered, his gaze locked onto the terrifying beast.

A sudden recollection of the Malovian incident flashed through Osvald's mind, the events still sharp and clear in his memory. He knew, with absolute certainty, everything that had transpired. A peculiar thought began to form:

Could he possibly possess a doppleganger?

His brow furrowed in deep concentration.

Regrettably, the luxury of pondering such mysteries was fleeting. Regardless of the explanation, one certainty remained:

He was facing an utter lunatic.

Step!

The second step echoed, drawing Osvald's attention back to the pig. Its movements had become noticeably quicker, eerily fluid. The colossal eye behind it deepened to an even more intense shade of crimson. Yet, even this amplified darkness couldn't contain it. Osvald took a deep, steadying breath.

While admittedly troublesome, the situation wasn't dire enough to cause genuine alarm. Several solutions to counter this threat readily came to mind.

Step. Step⎯

Responding to the approaching footsteps, Osvald deactivated his nodes. The eyes fixated on the pig vanished instantly. As one node deactivated, another activated, and just as the pig’s eye faded, a deafening roar erupted. The pig’s back arched, and it hurled the knife with blinding speed.

"⎯⎯!"

Like a projectile, the knife sliced through the air with astonishing velocity. Without a moment's hesitation, Osvald activated one of his nodes, manifesting a colossal eye directly before him, poised to intercept any incoming assault.

However⎯

"Hueek!"

The attack never found its intended target.

Instead, it veered erratically, and a pained cry reached Osvald's ears. Without needing to confirm, he understood the outcome.

His thoughts immediately fixated on the errant knife.

...The very source of this chaos.

"The knife! Grab the kni⎯"

An eye materialized behind him as he attempted to ascertain the unfolding events, but it flickered out almost instantaneously, accompanied by a soft, sinister giggle. His nodes abruptly ceased their function.

"Hihihi~"

".....?!"

His nodes wavered for a mere fraction of a second. Yet, that briefest of pauses was sufficient for him to lose sight of the pig. Its form seemed to liquefy, melting into the ground before instantly reappearing beside the Team Leader, who had been struck by the thrown weapon.

"Haaak⎯!"

A piercing shriek followed,

laced with what sounded like extreme torment.

This agonizing cry was soon joined by others, a cascade of suffering echoing through the confined space.

"Haaa! Haaaaa!"

The screams intensified, growing more agonizing, more despairing as they permeated the entire area.

Their sheer volume was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

"Haaaa!"

However, with his back turned, Osvald remained oblivious to the unfolding horror. He was ensnared by a new distraction: a tall, unnaturally thin figure, clutching a violin, produced a haunting melody that wafted through the air.

The tune was subtle, not overpowering, drifting gently, weaving its way into Osvald's consciousness, forcing his mind into another unwelcome pause.

Though this entire sequence transpired in mere seconds, considering the pig's current power, such an interval was significant. Osvald raised his hand, pressing his earring, and as his mind cleared, he redirected his attention toward the pig.

The situation had deteriorated further than he'd anticipated. Blood visibly seeped from the Team Leader’s arm, now held captive by the pig, which had reclaimed its knife.

'He’s grown stronger again, it seems.'

As if acknowledging Osvald's scrutiny, the pig's head swiveled. A profound heaviness settled in Osvald's chest as he met its gaze. The sheer intensity of the blood-red stare bore down on him, yet it wasn't enough to completely unnerve him. His nodes began to churn once more.

'It’s almost certain now. His anomalies operate independently. Judging by his current expression, he's completely lost his sanity. This might actually work to my advantage. He's powerful, but his mind is utterly fractured.'

Amidst these racing thoughts, Osvald retrieved several items from his pocket, his gaze flicking toward the Team Leader. Despite his grievous injury, the man was still breathing.

He had contemplated using the pig's presence to eliminate the entity, but the notion had barely taken root before the pig stirred once more. Its form dissolved into the floor, only to materialize directly before him. Though its movements were astonishingly swift, Osvald simply offered a smile, his numerous nodes whirring intensely.

"I've been anticipating your arrival."

Having witnessed the preceding events involving the Team Leader, Osvald was thoroughly prepared. The instant the pig manifested, countless eyes sprang into existence from every conceivable angle, each a distinct hue, which served to decelerate the pig's rapid advance.

Upon observing this, Osvald's brow furrowed.

'It has only been slowed?'

This observation spoke volumes about the entity's formidable power. Nevertheless, his primary objective had been achieved. He turned his gaze toward the Team Leader's position.

"I can handle him. You--" His attention darted towards the source of the swelling background music, "--deal with them. Or, if possible, gain control over them."

Given their anomalous nature, Osvald felt assured in his capacity to assert dominance.

"If you comply with my directive, I will contemplate allowing your departure."

The Team Leader remained silent, his eyes fixed first on Osvald, then on the pig. For a brief instant, his gaze shifted towards the room's egress. This subtle movement did not escape Osvald's notice, yet he offered only a knowing smile.

Perhaps his apprehension of Osvald surpassed his fear of the pig, for the Team Leader made his decision swiftly and bolted towards the source of the music.

"An astute decision."

Osvald's smile broadened as he redirected his focus to the pig, which was actively resisting his control. However, Osvald's confidence in his own capabilities was absolute, with all six of his nodes operating at full capacity.

'It exerts a moderate strain on my nodes, but it remains within manageable limits. Now...'

His eyes narrowed, meeting the pig's blood-red stare, which, for a fleeting moment, seemed to hold steady.

The two faced each other, an silent appraisal passing between them.

For an isolated instant, the surrounding world seemed to fall into a hushed stillness as neither combatant made a move. But the quiet was abruptly broken by Osvald's voice as he mused aloud,

"...How shall I proceed with you?"