Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 656: Desperate Struggle [2]

Wait until the Gate shatters...

Though the plan lacked absolute certainty, Osvald recognized it as his sole viable recourse.

Sensing the mounting power from the Butcher confronting him, his eyes involuntarily contracted, shifting from the spreading fine cracks to his immediate predicament.

As his thoughts raced, his gaze landed on the Team Leader, who appeared to have regained control of the situation. However, this was only a superficial impression.

While his own immediate vicinity had stabilized, the overall circumstances remained precarious.

His mind worked with rapid calculation. After processing every conceivable variable, Osvald reached into his pocket and produced a small object.

A pang of regret shot through him as he drew it out, but necessity dictated his action; he flung it towards the Butcher.

Concurrently, Osvald pivoted towards the Team Leader, lobbing a couple of items in his direction.

"Equip them," he commanded.

The Team Leader halted mid-motion as the items reached him.

A flicker of surprise and bewilderment crossed his features as he examined them, but after a second look, he donned them. Meanwhile, Osvald refocused his attention on the Butcher.

As anticipated, the instant the object left his hand, the Butcher's attention was momentarily snagged, diverting its gaze for a split second before it lunged. Its movements were incredibly swift, displaying a speed and sharpness exceeding its previous attacks, intensifying the bloodlust that permeated the air.

BANG!

The box disintegrated almost instantaneously, and a gentle melody began to resonate throughout the chamber.

Osvald acted without delay. The moment the tune permeated the space, he inserted the eartips. The Team Leader, intuitively grasping his intention, followed suit with his own earbuds, effectively muffling all external sound.

A distinct shift followed.

Maintaining his unwavering focus on the Butcher, Osvald’s entire body tensed as he began to cautiously retreat, inching closer to the Team Leader.

Despite the earplugs, he perceived no auditory cues, yet he didn’t need them; he observed the Butcher diverting its attention, its gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

This was precisely the outcome Osvald had gambled on when he threw the item.

He had been confident in its efficacy from the outset, owing to the item's unique properties and the significant investment of SP he had made in it. It was an item he had reserved specifically for dire emergencies.

"....."

Keeping the Butcher in his sights, Osvald continued his tactical withdrawal until he reached the Team Leader, who stood alongside a few peculiar entities: a young girl and a shadowy figure.

Both appeared to have been subdued by the Team Leader, standing inertly.

Yet, despite this, Osvald felt no surge of relief. His head turned slowly.

In the distance, a figure observed them, a wry smile playing on its lips, loose threads dangling around its mouth as it seemed to relish the unfolding scene.

"Finding it difficult to maintain control?"

"...Yes."

The Team Leader responded faintly, his complexion ashen. He clutched his injured arm, his gaze flicking between the Butcher and the distant Conductor. Observing him, Osvald’s eyes narrowed; the paleness of his face spoke of significant blood loss.

Enduring the throbbing pain, the Team Leader gestured with his head towards the Conductor.

"It's... not the other anomalies that are problematic. That one is proving troublesome. Our priority must be to subdue it. I fear we won't escape this encounter if we fail to manage it."

"...."

Osvald offered no verbal reply, his gaze intensifying as he fixed it upon the Conductor.

Even with the earplugs in place, their conversation flowed unimpeded. The plugs served only to isolate auditory input not directly transmitted through speech, a clever device Osvald had anticipated and prepared for precisely such junctures.

With the Butcher's attention diverted, they had a brief window for strategizing. The temptation to flee was present, but Osvald understood too well that any sudden movement on their part would immediately reignite the Butcher's focus.

And at that point...

Osvald inhaled deeply, his stare locked onto the Conductor.

The anomaly returned their gaze, its lips twisted into an even more malevolent smile. Having confronted numerous anomalies throughout his existence, Osvald had believed himself impervious to true unease, but meeting the Conductor's eyes and witnessing that smile sent a sharp pressure through his chest.

For reasons he couldn't articulate, this particular anomaly unnerved him more profoundly than the Butcher.

"Cough! Cough!"

The Team Leader's coughing fit drew Osvald's attention. He brought a hand to his lips, his raspy voice emitting a whispered confession shortly thereafter.

"My... our top priority should not be the Butcher. Instead, it ought to be that anomaly. Should you assist me in getting close enough to it and making contact, I believe I can gain control. As you've already observed, the commands from the Sonorous Decree appear to have a certain influence on the Butcher. If I can secure control, we ought to be able to buy ourselves sufficient time to make our escape. At the very least, it will sow confusion among the Bu—Cough! Cough! Cough!"

The Team Leader bent over, his coughing intensifying, as he struggled valiantly to remain upright.

Osvald drew a short breath, his gaze coolly assessing the Team Leader's physical condition. The man was in dire straits, and as the situation stood, he was nothing but a burden. Nevertheless, upon contemplating their options, Osvald recognized that this was likely the most viable path available to them.

And...

'Even if he attempts some last-minute treachery, the instant the Gate shatters, I am certain [Character Name] will act. Furthermore, I doubt he would make a move against me while navigating a Gate. Given his current physical state, I suspect his primary concern will be survival, not anything else. Yet, I remain uncertain... I am considering keeping him nearer to me. His peculiar abilities are quite captivating.'

"Very well. I will assist you."

Osvald reached his decision with remarkable swiftness.

"....."

The Team Leader remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the Conductor, who had undertaken no action throughout the entire exchange, merely observing them with an unvarying smile.

No, it was not the same...

The smile had deepened, as though privy to their entire conversation and finding it all immensely humorous.

A jolt went through Osvald's heart at the sight, but he forcefully suppressed it, murmuring to himself, 'It is not even operating at its full potential. Its true capabilities are constrained by the limitations of Seth's nodes. There is no need for apprehension.'

Taking another breath, his gaze shifted between the Conductor and the Butcher as his nodes began to whirl.

"I should be able to briefly immobilize the Conductor. The moment I succeed, make a dash for it and initiate contact. If you can establish control over the Conductor, we should be able to delay them."

"...A-alright."

The Team Leader's weakened voice offered little reassurance, yet Osvald had no alternative but to place his trust in it as countless eyes began to materialize throughout the chamber.

The instant they appeared, the Butcher ceased its scanning of the surroundings and focused its attention squarely upon them, its grip tightening on the knife as the glow intensified. Sensing the oppressive weight of its gaze, Osvald's expression grew exceedingly grim.

These next few minutes...

They would likely constitute some of the most arduous moments of his existence.