Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Jester [3]

[09 : 59s]

I hate horror.

This much was clear to me.

The mere exposure to it made me want to puke.

Many times, I found myself puking.

But just because I hated horror, it didn't mean that I couldn't keep myself from losing my sense of reasoning.

Having tested dozens of horror games in the past, I had learned to suppress my fear—enough, at least, to keep a clear head while navigating them.

My stomach hurt.

I couldn't open my mouth, afraid that I would puke at any second.

But,

I could still rationalize.

And that's what I started doing.

Sealing all the music away, allowing for the silence to return, I regained control of my mind.

'The music is affecting the state of mind of those who hear it. If one immerses too much into it, they might lose their mind and...'

I looked in the direction of the wall, my stomach twisting as a result.

'...I don't know who these people are, but considering how they're affected by the music and the information that I learned through the walkie-talkie, this isn't their first time experiencing something like this. They also seem to be aware of the fine details of this scenario.'

How did they know?

Did they also receive the system? ...Or was there a different reason?

My gaze eventually fell on the items that I had received.

'A walkie-talkie, a paper that can print my thoughts once, earplugs, and the mask that I'm wearing.'

Having worked in a lot of games before, there was one thing that I fundamentally understood as a game designer.

No item was random or useless.

Each item had a reason for its usage within the 'scenario', and seeing as to how I had used three items so far, the key was the paper in my hand, alongside the walkie-talkie.

'The walkie-talkie...'

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

'If I can hear through it, then I most likely can also communicate with them. Does the scenario require their help, or can I clear it without them?'

I silently swallowed while checking the time remaining.

[08 : 41s]

My pulse pounded in my ears as I forced myself to remain calm.

But could I really remain calm?

"Ahhhh—!"

Another scream shattered the tension.

Though the music was gone, I still heard that—a high-pitched wail of pure, mindless agony.

And then, the horror unfolded again.

It was the same as the first death. Disfiguring themselves with their own nails, they started screaming at the top of their lungs.

Bang!

Then came the hollow, sickening crack as they slammed their heads into the walls—once, twice, again, and again—each blow more brutal than the last.

Bang! Bang!

Blood splattered, seeping into the walls like ink on parchment.

My stomach lurched. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to swallow the surge of nausea.

—No... matter what you do... resist...

The voice from the walkie-talkie was strained, desperate.

—C-captain, I can't hold on for much longer... The music... I can't drown it out.

—Resist! You must resist until the second symphony! Things will get better then!

—Will they...?

I scanned the faces of those around me.

Pale. Drenched in sweat. Trembling.

Taking into account the expressions of all those present, I doubted most of them would be able to make it to the second symphony.

And even if they did, what if it got worse?

But more important than that—

'I don't want to see any more blood.'

The sight was too eerie and chilling.

Closing my eyes was tempting, but I knew better. I had to observe. Had to find a way out.

Ah, how annoying...

Holding my tongue, I shifted my attention back towards the description of the scenario and read it once again.

'Self-conducting orchestra... Renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfection... One must ...be careful not to become too entranced by the music, lest they lose their very sense of self...'

There was a way to clear this.

I had all the tools in order to clear the scenario. All I needed to figure out now was the 'key' to turning the situation around.

[04 : 37s]

Time continued to slip.

Only four minutes remained until the earplugs lost their effect.

My mind raced.

Spurt!

'Focus, focus...'

'Self-conducting orchestra... Renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfection... One must ...be careful not to become too entranced by the music, lest they lose their very sense of self...'

Ba.. Thump! Ba... Thump!

'Self-conducting orchestra... Renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfect—'

"....!?"

Perfect.

'Wait, perfect...?'

An idea formed, but it was an improbable one.