Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The perfect piece [1]

"...."

The host’s smile spread so wide that it reached the end of his cheeks. _{freёwebnoѵel.com}

It was creepy.

....So creepy that for a moment, my mind blanked.

But that only persisted for a couple of seconds until the host’s voice echoed again.

".....!"

This time, his face was a lot closer to mine.

I could almost feel its breath run down my face.

[So? What do you say? How would you rate your performance? You have yet to answer my question. I’ll make my decision in accordance with your answer.]

I wanted to open my mouth, but I stopped myself.

I couldn’t carelessly answer the question.

No, it was more like I had to think fast and find a way to convince the host not to kill me.

I could see it in his eyes.

It was the same look he gave to the people he killed just moments prior.

I was now on his radar.

One wrong move and my head was going to explode.

The only difference was that he was granting me a chance to say some final words. Was it because of my first performance that he granted this opportunity?

I wasn’t sure, but I had to think quickly.

Think, think!

[If you don’t answer me in the next few seconds, I’ll take that as a sign you’re unsatisfied with your performance. In that case, there’s no reason for you to be here any longer.]

The host moved away, raising his hand at the same time.

I knew the movement.

It was the same movement he did before suddenly exploding the head of one of the people present.

’Oh, no...’

My heart pressed at my throat as my thoughts started to spiral.

I had to think quickly.

[It was nice—]

"My performance was adequate."

Eventually, the words slipped from my mouth.

The surroundings turned silent as all eyes fell on me.

The host cocked his head

[Adequate? You think your performance was adequate...?]

His voice sent chills down my spine as his eyes focused intently on me.

I clenched my teeth while slowly nodding my head.

"Yes."

[Is that so...?]

The host’s smile turned even creepier, pulling all the way towards the edges of his brows.

My stomach churned at the sight.

This was creepy.

Beyond creepy.

However, that didn’t matter right now. I was a few seconds away from dying.

I needed to remain focused.

I had to forget all about the fear and creepiness of the situation.

[You thought it was adequate, but I think differently.]

In one moment, the host was in front of me, and in the next moment, he was right behind me as his voice gently whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling my right ear.

"....!"

When did he...!?

[You were clearly playing along with the music, and yet, I also saw you stumble a couple of times. You were the only one to do this, and that was what I felt ruined the entire dance for me. You added a blemish to a piece with hardly any stain. Such an ugly thing... Do you think I wouldn’t notice?]

The host began to grip my shoulder, his voice lowering as he continued to whisper in my ear.

[I asked you about what you thought about your performance to see if you’d be honest with me. You see... I highly value honesty. But alas...]

The host shook his head.

[...You’ve disappointed me.]

The host brought his hand away from my shoulder and pulled away. He stopped right where he had been moments prior, right before the moment he appeared behind me.

Looking at everyone present, he opened his mouth again.

I could tell he was about to announce my death.

But he had miscaculated.

[It’s such—]

"I played adequately."

I was not done.

[Eh?]

The host turned his attention towards me again. This time, I could see his slowly twisting face as it seemed to be anything but pleased by my repeated cut-offs.

The surroundings started to rattle, and my heart sank.

However, I kept my thoughts firm as I spoke.

"I played adequately when taking into consideration the piece that was being played."

[What....?]

The entire room froze, especially the golden masked man. The one who originally played the piece. I could see his face twisting under the mask.

"What are you talking ab—"

He then began to speak, but stopped the moment the host’s gaze fell on him.

"It’s like I said. I played accordingly to the level of the piece that was playing. If you deem my performance to be subpar, then it’s mainly due to the piece being subpar."

[So you’re saying that he was the problem? That he was trash?]

[Oh, oh!]

[Now that you mention it, you make a very good point! That indeed felt a lot like the case, didn’t it?]

[I did feel like there was something missing. I thought it was you who ruined it, but it was in fact a fault with the piece itself!]

[I finally am starting to understand... Wonderful! How wonderful!]

[Thank you for your help, but...]

He sighed.

[...That still doesn’t take away from your mistakes.]