Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Jester [2]

—Ugh, I know... I'm looking at the report right now. There's no mention of a jester.

A deep, female voice crackled from the walkie-talkie.

Her words started a frenzy over the coms shortly after.

—Those incompetent fools... Don't tell me they missed something like this?

—Calm down. That might not be the case. The Jester might be a variable. It's not uncommon for such things to happen.

—But!

—Quiet down.

As the female voice echoed again, all noise ceased.

—The scenario is about to start. We will ignore the Jester for now, however, one of you keep an eye on it. We'll act accordingly.

—Understood.

What was this conversation?

Why did it sound like they were familiar with the scenario already? Who were they? Why were they here? And more importantly, why was I here?

My mind raced with questions, but before I could process anything further, the atmosphere in the theater shifted.

A sudden, overwhelming change!

"....!?"

The applause died abruptly, and all noise ceased. As if in perfect sync, every head turned toward the center stage just as a change occurred.

The walkie-talkie buzzed with another faint whisper.

—The scenario is starting. Get ready!

Swoosh!

Finally, the curtains drew open, revealing the stage.

At the center stood a grand piano, its polished surface gleaming under the harsh spotlights. Twelve empty chairs lined the stage, each positioned in neat rows to the right.

The silence felt suffocating—unnatural, almost as if the very air was holding its breath.

Creak...

A sharp, jarring noise split the stillness as a figure emerged from behind the stage. Its movements were stiff, unnaturally so.

".....!"

A knot formed in my throat the instant it stepped into view.

At the same time, the walkie-talkie vibrated again.

—It's coming. Just like in the reports. Be careful.

The figure was dressed in a formal black suit, the sharp edges of its bow tie barely visible beneath its thin, almost skeletal frame. It gripped a finely crafted violin, the strings tight and trembling under its hands.

The figure's face... if you could call it that, was straight out of a nightmare. Desiccated skin clung to a skull-like structure, with thin, glistening needles stitching its mouth and hollow eye sockets shut.

It moved toward one of the chairs and sat down, its hollow gaze fixed on us.

—Here comes the next one.

Another figure followed, this one a woman in a long, flowing black dress. Her steps were stiff, yet carried a strange grace as she carried a cello, the polished wood gleaming under the spotlight.

—The bass.

Each figure that followed had the same unsettling presence. Their movements were smooth, but there was something off about them, as if they were puppets controlled by some sort of string.

The air grew heavier with each figure that took its seat. Twelve chairs. Twelve figures.

The room became unnervingly still.

And then, the walkie-talkie buzzed once more.

—The Orchestra has been filled.

The temperature in the room dropped, and I shivered involuntarily. My hand clenched around the walkie-talkie, sweat beading on my forehead.

Something else was coming.

Something worse.

I could feel it.

Bzz!

—Prepare yourselves. The conductor is about to arrive. Remember what the scouts have reported back. The moment the conductor arrives, the scenario really begins.

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry.

Just who were these people? How did they know so much about this scenario, and who were the scouts?

Were they also people who received the strange system?

If so—

—Keep attention on the overture, the first symphony. It'll last approximately ten minutes. In that time, your emotions may be swayed by the music. You must resist at all costs!

Overtune? First symphony? Just what—

—It's starting! the conductor has arrived!

Creak—!

The wood cracked once again, this time sharper than before!

My heart pounded out of my chest.

The conductor arrived, his figure even more grotesque than the others. Its body was twisted, its limbs unnaturally long, its skin stretched tight over jagged bones.

Yet, despite its grotesque appearance, it moved with unsettling calm, as if it belonged here.

It reached the podium at the front of the stage, pausing as if to survey the room.

Then, it turned its head. Slowly. Horribly.

Despite the crude stitches sealing its eye sockets shut, it looked directly at us.

"..."

I swallowed silently, my hands trembling.

"..."

It looked at us in silence.

"..."

It raised its hands.

"...."

Then—

Wam!

The music began.

—Everyone, get ready! From this moment forward, the Overtune is about to begin! You need to resist at all costs!

'This isn't bad,' I thought.

'Oh, god.'

'Oh god.'

'No... I have to stay focused. Stay awake.'

Bang!