Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 661: Soran [1]

The world seemed to freeze entirely. Observing the crimson liquid spreading beneath her boot and the gaping wound beside it, Zoey experienced a peculiar lack of reaction as a pair of blood-red eyes surveyed the vicinity.

A persistent ringing filled her mind, accompanied by indistinct whispers from all sides. Many voices clamored, seemingly trying to convey something, but Zoey’s focus remained fixed on the creature before her.

It simply remained there.

Motionless.

Yet, its presence permeated the entire space, rendering Zoey breathless.

Its very aura appeared to draw the air out of the surroundings, its imposing presence intensifying with every passing second.

’It’s growing stronger. It’s… still growing.’

Zoey recoiled, her chest tightening as her mind frantically sought an escape from their perilous predicament. She was not alone; the Section Chiefs and all the high-ranking individuals present shared her urgent thoughts.

And yet⎯

"This is… similar to the one in Malovia."

A Section Chief murmured, his gaze fixed upon the Butcher.

"We are facing a high-level anomaly. One that could potentially surpass the Malovian incident."

"No."

The Section Chief of the Severed Stars Guild refuted this notion. His eyes remained locked on the distant Butcher as he drew a sharp breath, rubbing the area beneath his eyes.

"While it is undoubtedly a high-level anomaly, it hasn’t reached the same caliber as the Malovian entity. I know firsthand. However…" The Section Chief’s voice faltered as he continued to observe the Butcher, which had now ceased all movement, seemingly scanning its environment for something.

Taking another deep inhalation, he resumed, "Its power appears to be escalating for an unknown reason. Should we delay further, there is a significant risk it could attain, or even exceed, that terrifying level."

His words cast a heavy pall of tension over the area, causing all the Section Chiefs to exchange uneasy glances. The palpable tension seemed to intensify as all attention converged on the Butcher, and precisely at that moment, it resumed its terrifying advance.

As before, it raised its hand aloft, the glint of its knife catching the dim light.

"Be cautious! I require several of you to engage from the front while others flank and attack from the rear. Special attention to those of the [Sentinel] Decree!"

Velrik’s voice boomed across the area the instant the Butcher began to move. In that precise moment, several figures vanished from their positions. Despite their limited encounter with the Butcher, they had all discerned the same crucial detail.

"Its attack pattern is surprisingly straightforward! We cannot evade its strike, but during the brief interval it attacks, we can exploit its relatively sluggish movements to reach its back and strike!"

This strategic approach was precisely what they executed.

Just as the Butcher’s blade began its deadly descent, several figures materialized directly behind it, launching their assault. They were the Section Chiefs representing various high-ranking Guilds, striking at the Butcher’s exposed back.

Their coordinated movements were executed with astonishing speed.

The moment they initiated their attack, they afforded the Butcher no opportunity to react, unleashing their full force upon its vulnerable rear. Some channeled their internal Qi, while others unleashed potent abilities through their cultivated Meridians.

Their combined assault was intended to halt the Butcher’s deadly strike, but…

"⎯⎯!"

"What!?"

Even as their weapons pierced and tore at the Butcher’s exposed back, its relentless advance did not cease. Blood gushed from its form as multiple attacks penetrated deeply, exiting the other side. Some strikes even aimed for its head, yet despite the profuse bleeding, the Butcher’s movements remained unbroken.

It continued its downward slash.

Velrik’s pupils contracted sharply as he yelled.

"Watch out!"

However, his warning came a fraction too late.

By the time his voice echoed, the Butcher’s arm was already in motion, cleaving downward, and those attacking it froze instantly.

"....."

"....."

"....."

For a fleeting moment, the world seemed suspended in absolute silence.

Not a single sound disturbed the profound stillness.

Until…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Multiple bodies plummeted to the ground, their blood creating crimson pools in all directions as the Butcher remained rooted to its spot. Its blood-red eyes deepened to an almost black hue, while Velrik and the remaining Section Chiefs stood in utter disbelief, their gazes fixed on the fallen figures.

"A-ah."

Some covered their mouths, unable to comprehend the horrifying reality.

Velrik, in particular, stared at the defensive items he had prepared and placed before him, ready to absorb the brunt of the Butcher’s anticipated attack.

And yet⎯

’It seemed to strike in our direction, yet it killed those behind it. Does that imply its attack is independent of the direction it faces?’

Velrik's eyes widened in disbelief, his face contorted as he grappled with the unbelievable sight before him. Yet, the sharp, metallic tang of blood in the air left no room for denial, and his trembling lips confirmed his reluctant acceptance of the grim reality.

His thoughts, however, were abruptly halted as the Butcher once again lifted its imposing hand.

"Dammit! Be cautious! It's preparing to attack again! Do not engage it! Stall it! Just stall it...! Help is on the way!"

His desperate warning was drowned out by the earth-shattering tremors that engulfed the area. The sheer power emanating from the Butcher intensified, overwhelming the Section Chiefs and recruits alike, stealing their breath and fixing their horrified gazes upon the monstrous figure at the island's heart.

"The island..."

A voice trembled, barely audible.

"It's shaking."

"Shit!"

Velrik swore under his breath, the gravity of the situation far exceeding his initial fears. While many of the Section Chiefs possessed exceptional combat prowess, a swarm of recruits and innocent civilians remained positioned behind them, vulnerable.

Their ability to maneuver freely was compromised. Any aggressive action on their part would instantly seal the fate of those they sought to protect.

Yet, inaction meant certain doom for everyone!

As the ground violently lurched once more, a soft exhalation cut through the chaotic air. It was a sigh tinged with weary acceptance as a lone figure stepped forward. Zoey's expression drastically shifted upon seeing her, but before she could utter a word, Soran moved, appearing directly before the Section Chief. Her typically relaxed demeanor was replaced by a rare, uncharacteristic seriousness in her gaze.

"You..."

"We're all going to perish if this continues. And... I believe I've recovered enough to act. Perhaps this won't end too poorly." Soran replied, absently scratching the back of her head. She then tilted her face to observe the Butcher, whose massive hand was already descending.

The world convulsed again, causing several individuals to lose their balance and struggle to remain standing. Undeterred, Soran maintained her upright posture, a finger tapping against her temple.

No further words were spoken; she simply met the Section Chief's gaze.

He stared back, his mouth opening as if to speak, but the words caught in his throat, unspoken.

For her to choose this moment, of all moments, to make a move...

Gritting his teeth, he closed his mouth, a silent, grudging assent to her impending actions. A faint smirk touched Soran's lips.

Turning her attention to the Butcher, she felt the long-dormant nodes within her mind begin to stir and awaken.

In that precise instant, the Butcher's relentless advance halted.

No, it wasn't merely the Butcher.

It was the entirety of the island itself.