Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Painting [1]

Did someone enter my room...?

That was my first thought the moment I saw the strange black cloth draped over what looked like a square-shaped object.

My body tensed as I scanned the room, eyes darting for any sign.

For anything out of place.

'Could the fact that I found my USB in front of my office not be a coincidence?'

At first, it struck me as odd, but considering how exhausted I'd been earlier that morning after finishing my work, accidentally dropping my USB didn't seem all that far-fetched.

But now...?

I swallowed hard, staring at the draped object.

A thought seeped into my mind.

'...Could it be something by the conductor?'

I raised my head to stare at the large V on the wall and felt that it was more than just likely. I drew a cold breath and stared at my arm.

Then, walking over to the switch—

Click!

The lights turned off, and the darkness swallowed me.

All the sounds around me seemed to sharpen in that moment as I tried to stay composed, instinctively rubbing my forearm.

"Come out."

A presence stirred in front of me. Though I couldn't see it, I felt it all too well.

As I was about to open my mouth to speak, my mouth stopped, and I stepped back. Something about the Nightwalker's gaze... It didn't feel right.

It felt... almost similar to the time in the trial.

'...Oh, shit.'

This wasn't the first time I had seen that gaze from it. It first happened right after the conductor killed it, and ever since that incident, its behavior had changed.

It no longer felt... obedient.

'Could it be that it lost some affinity with me as a result of its death to the conductor?'

The thought clicked into place.

Indeed, something like this could explain the Nightwalker's sudden change in attitude. It was just a pity that I couldn't confirm my thoughts since there was no window for me to reference.

"Unfurl the black cloth."

I still decided to have the Nightwalker unfurl the black cloth by the end of the room. As of now, although it was defiant, it still listened to me.

On the off chance that it did die again, I could just not summon it again.

"....."

The Nightwalker stared at me silently. Its eyes pressed down on me.

Then, wordlessly, it turned towards the covered object.

Step. Step.

Each step echoed through the room like a drumbeat, eventually coming to a stop before the object.

The room felt silent.

It felt dragging, and then...

Swoosh!

It pulled the cloth away.

Immediately, I recalled it into my arm and flicked the lights on, hand braced against the door, ready to run.

Click!

However...

"Uh?"

What stood in the middle of the room wasn't what I expected.

I blinked, once... twice.

And my expression changed.

"A painting?"

Hidden behind the cloth was none other than a painting.

I stepped closer to get a better look, still in disbelief.

"...This doesn't seem like something the conductor would have."

Then.. who placed it here?

I frowned, studying the painting. Its simplicity was deceiving—beautiful, yet unsettling in its minute detail. A woman in white, walking along a narrow path flanked by lush greenery, heading toward the edge of a vast forest. The sky was clear, a brilliant blue, with sunlight pouring down from above. Her face was concealed beneath the shade of a large white umbrella, making it hard to see her features.

"There doesn't seem to be anything strange with this..."

I turned the painting over, expecting the same: a simple wooden frame. And for a moment, that's exactly what I saw. But then, a small marking in the corner caught my eye.

"What's this?"

I leaned my head took a closer look at the mark. It was there that I managed to spot several words. I carefully read them.

[No. 12 Ivory Hollow District - Velora Art Museum]

"An address?"

To a museum, none other?

Ding!

[Optional Quest Activated!]

• Difficulty: Second Order• Reward: 5,000 SP• Objective: Investigate the painting's origins.• Location: Velora Art Museum

Description:Clues hide within the museum's halls. Travel to the Velora Art Museum and uncover the story behind the mysterious painting.

Time Limit: 2 days

'Right, I did say I was going to ask Kyle about it. I should do that now.'

[Do not cover the painting]

'No, no, no...!'