Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Crying [1]

"....."

The ballroom was silent.

All eyes were on the Jester as he slowly bowed to them.

Behind him stood a tall, slender figure dressed in formal black, nearly half a body taller than him. Its elongated arms hung low, thin fingers grazing the polished floor. Its eyes and mouth were sewn tightly shut.

The sight of the two felt extremely contrasting.

One large, and one small.

And yet...

Surrounded by everyone, it created a picturesque scene.

...It was chilling, and nobody dared to move as they took in the sight before them.

No, it was more like they couldn’t move.

A strange pressure emanated from the figure standing behind the Jester. It weighed heavily over the entire room, and it made it impossible for anyone to move.

’W-what is that...?’

’That’s... That’s...’

The eyes of many shook under the presence of the strange creature.

Experienced as they were, they all understood the moment its presence was felt that this was no regular creature.

...It was an extremely powerful anomalous entity.

Just its presence alone made it impossible for them to move.

They felt suffocated.

And yet, the only one that seemed completely unaffected by the strange creature was none other than the Jester.

Raising his head back up, the Jester looked around the room.

He took in their gazes.

Basked in them.

And then, he slowly turned his attention towards the host.

Tok!

His step shattered the silence. Under the watchful eyes of all those present, he moved towards the host, stopping right before him.

"So...?"

His voice, deep and slightly hoarse, cut through the silence.

"My performance? Was it satisfactory...?"

The host just stood there, his mind and expression blank.

For the briefest of moments, he almost seemed overwhelmed as he took a step back.

But that didn’t persist for long as he soon recollected himself.

[Satisfactory?]

The host looked around before suddenly bursting out in a wave of applause.

[That was more than satisfactory!]

Waaaaaaah!

The other members began clapping alongside the host.

The Jester basked in the claps as they persisted for several minutes.

[...There are no words that I can use to describe what I have just witnessed. It was as you said, it was the piece that mattered. I apologize for doubting you.]

The claps once again returned.

This time, they were louder than before, with those from the Guild being forced to join.

One could notice the faint hits of respect the host had for the Jester as it spoke.

It took several Guild Members by surprise, but only for a brief moment, as they soon saw the host take a step to the side.

Clank!

The large doors of the ballroom opened.

[That was a fantastic piece, and you have truly impressed me. For playing such an amazing piece, I gift you this.]

Extending his hand, the host passed on a small gray crystal towards the Jester, who took it.

"Thank you."

[It’s nothing compared to what you’ve given me. Thank you for coming to the party.]

Eh..?

What?

All eyes fell on the crystal in the Jester’s hands.

They were confused at first, but the situation soon dawned on them.

The trial...

It was cleared!

What he had currently handed to the Jester was none other than the scenario fragment! The thing they had all been working to gain.

Similarly, understanding the situation, the Jester nodded faintly.

"It was my pleasure."

And with those words, he slowly made his way out of the room.

Tok, Tok!

The gentle echo of his steps echoed throughout as his back slowly faded into the darkness that lay on the other side of the door.

Zoey stared at his retreating back with a frown.

But then, she realized something...

’That monster? Where did he go?’

[Why aren’t you leaving? Do you wish to stay longer?]

Clank!

’I feel like I’ve lost half of my lifespan.’

’Where is the conductor?’