Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Orientation Day [4]

Don't be passive?

The further we walked from the conference hall, trailing the Section Chief to the -4th floor, the deeper his words sank into my thoughts.

'He does have a point. Dragging things further will only make the situation more troublesome for me. I should tell Kyle about my current situation. This is so that I can handle it before it gets too strong."

I tried to move a little faster and get to Kyle.

But right as I did, a voice stopped me.

"Hey."

I turned my head and saw Myles, his dimples deepening with his smile.

"Oh, hey."

He looked towards the Section Chief ahead of us.

"So... what did you think about that?"

"About the presentation or the Section Chief?"

"....Both."

I paused, and so did he.

Then, we both burst out into a quiet laugh as if understanding exactly what we were thinking.

"I wouldn't say he's the type of person I'd imagine to run a place like this."

"Tell me about it."

Myles covered his mouth and looked around.

"This place looks a lot plainer than I thought."

"Oh, yeah."

I looked around me. We were currently walking along a long white corridor with white lights flashing above. People in white suits walked past us, not sparing us a glance as they held onto notepads and scribbled some stuff.

"From what I've heard, the fourth floor down is designed to hold the Gates?"

"Not quite."

Myles shook his head.

"The Fourth Floor is the containment Section. It is where most of the Anomalous objects and entities are stored."

"Oh."

That made some sense.

It could also explain why there were so many people in white clothes. They were probably researchers.

That also made me think.

"In that case, you won't be entering a Gate?"

"No, we're not ready for that. We're still new recruits."

"Oh, I see."

That also made sense.

"Chances are, we'll be tested with one of the Contained objects—or thrown into some kind of simulation without any information. I don't think it'll be anything dangerous, considering that it's our first day."

I thought for a moment before looking at the distant Section Chief.

I wasn't so sure about that...

"We're here."

The Section Chief came to a stop in front of a large metallic door. He scanned his ID badge, and with a soft hiss, the door slid open, revealing a small white room filled with various devices and a large monitor wired into the wall. At the far end stood another metallic door, identical to the first.

"Everyone, get yourself ready. We'll be starting shortly. Take a piss. Take a shit. Preparing your kicking motions. I don't care. Just get ready."

With a yawn, he slumped over the chair by the monitors, sliding a few meters before hooking his heels on the ground and forcing his way back.

Staring at him, I felt a small pat on the shoulder.

It was Myles.

"I guess... I'll get ready."

His smile seemed forced as he held onto his own ID badge.

"By the way, about you... being here to observe. Does that mean you're not going to participate in the test?"

"...No."

"Oh."

His smile grew even more forced.

"Good on you." He said.

Looking at him, he felt a little pitiful.

I could only give him a half-hearted good luck before finding a corner and sliding down on the ground.

I took the chance to retrieve my laptop from my bag.

As the app started to load, a shadow cast over me.

"Are you going to sit here and observe everyone take the test?"

"Hm?"

I looked up to see Kyle staring at me from above, his ID badge dangling over his neck and bouncing off my forehead.

"Seriously...?"

"Sorry."

He pulled his ID back and looked behind.

"The Section Chief said you can take the test if you're up for it. It's a relatively easy one. You won't die—but I can't promise it'll be painless."

"You need to work on your pitch better. Can't promise it'll be painless...? I'm even less interested in doing it now."

"I said it because I knew you wouldn't take it."

"Good that you know."

I looked down at my laptop, eyes fixed on the app that was nearly done loading. As I watched the progress bar creep forward, my earlier thoughts came rushing back to me.

"Oh, right. There's something I need to tell you."

I called out to him, my expression turning serious.

Noticing the shift in my expression, Kyle tilted his head curiously.

"What is it?"

"It's—"

Ding!

[You mustn't reveal anything related to or involving the system. Directly or indirectly.]

[You will die]