Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!
Chapter Summary
" It made me happy to hear, but at the same time, it kind of showed just how wide the gap between the two of us was. I even went as far as putting the painting in the ’image finder’ in order to see if I could get an exact location, but all I received was a plain, [Your search did not match any registered locations] on the page. Seeing as the Conductor was about to say another word, I extended my hand and was just about to say my piece, when— Ding!
Chapter 320: Department Trials [4] "So Kyle is reaching the Fifth Order...
" It made me happy to hear, but at the same time, it kind of showed just how wide the gap between the two of us was.
It would take quite a while for me to reach the Fifth Order.
’Not that it matters too much.
I’ve got my own path, and he has his.
For now, I should focus on more important matters.
’ Grabbing my laptop, I opened it up and searched, [The Lady of the White Umbrella].
I looked up at the painting opposite me.
This was the original name of the painting.
It was clear now that the location of Mirelle’s old house was a place of great importance to the cult.
So long as I found it...
"Let’s see...
from what I’ve gathered, the painting was supposedly commissioned by Mirelle’s parents as some grand tribute to her beauty.
That’s the story they wanted everyone to believe.
But I know better.
Parents who truly cherished their daughter wouldn’t have done what they did to her.
She was probably their next big thing.
’ I continued to search around.
I even went as far as putting the painting in the ’image finder’ in order to see if I could get an exact location, but all I received was a plain, [Your search did not match any registered locations] on the page.
It was almost as if the place had been completely erased from the world.
I tried different places and other means, but all provided me with the same answer.
The place...
It didn’t exist.
"There’s no way this is true.
" I had seen it before.
Both in the gate and in the vision from my node.
The house existed.
Given how advanced the technology was, I also didn’t believe the website was incapable of locating the painting.
It was clear to me.
The ones behind all of this were wealthy beyond imagination, capable of obscuring details like that.
The thought alone made my heart sink, yet I knew I couldn’t give up.
This was far too important to me.
Thankfully, I wasn’t completely helpless.
There was a way.
A possible way...
I fixed my eyes on the painting in front of me, identical to the one flickering across my computer screen.
After a moment of thought, I reached for my drawer and took out a pack of chips.
*Shake* *Shake* I shook them.
The sound echoed loudly within the room.
*Shake* Once, twice, and three times.
It rattled loudly within the room.
And soon, a head soon emerged from the painting.
With bulging, fishlike eyes, she scanned the room before fixing her gaze on the pack of chips in my hands.
A moment later, an audible gulp echoed within the room as Mirelle wiped her mouth and pretended to look elsewhere.
"Do you want it...?
" *Shake* *Shake* I shook the chips again, enticing the little girl once more.
At last, the little girl let out a heavy sigh and gripped the bottom edge of the painting.
She pulled herself through and dropped onto the floor, wincing as she clutched her back before taking a few steps toward me and coming to a halt.
".....
" After a moment of silence, she stared at me.
I stared back.
And then— "Give it to me.
" I stopped shaking the chips and looked at Mirelle.
"Where’s my plea—" "Stop the nonsense.
" "....?
" "Give them to me.
" "Wha...
" "Vile thief.
Give them.
" Mirelle extended her hands as her expression seemed to say, ’Hurry.
Hurry.
’ What sort of...
I found myself at a loss, mixed between amusement and annoyance.
In the end, I lowered the pack of chips and shook my head.
"No, not yet.
" "You—" "Don’t worry!
" I stopped Mirelle before she could throw a tantrum, "I’ll give it to you.
I just need to ask you a couple of questions.
If you answer those questions, I’ll give you the chips.
Sounds fair, right?
" Mirelle’s eyes narrowed following my words.
In the end, however, she nodded.
"Okay.
" "Good.
" I smiled, reading to speak.
"Hurry.
" Mirelle sounded impatient, her eyes firmly fixed on the chips in my hand.
Each passing second seemed to torment her, and she looked ready to spring at me at any moment.
That was when I chose to quit dragging things and cut straight to the point.
"Do you remember the house that I found you in...?
Do you have any memories of it?
Any clues?
" I took out a piece of paper and showed her the eye symbol that I had seen before.
"Do you recognize this symbol?
" Mirelle’s brows knitted the instant I brought up the house.
I could see why.
Those memories were likely far from happy for her.
Nonetheless, I still had to ask.
It was vital for me to know.
I didn’t hold out much hope, but I still wanted to see if I could catch even the slightest clue.
I just needed something, anything.
And soon, I received my answer.
"....
Hmm.
Remember...?
Yes.
A little.
" "Hm?!
" My eyes shot open.
Though I asked, I didn’t expect much.
This wasn’t the first time I’d questioned her.
Before, she’d always said she didn’t remember much.
I was only asking again to be sure, but...
"I remember.
" "Huh...?
Wha...
Really?!
" "Mhm.
" Mirelle nodded, sneaking a glance at the chips in my hands.
I got the hint rather quickly and handed them to her.
"....
" She merely gave them a look before looking back at me.
My lower lip twitched, but I complied, opening the bag and handing it back to her as she nodded, bringing her little hand into it and grabbing a handful before shoving them down her throat.
Munch.
Munch.
Her cheeks instantly inflated like balloons as she started speaking.
"House...
I remember...
not very far from here...
I can...
bring...
" My eyes lit up again.
"Really?
" "...
Yes.
" Mirelle shoved another handful of chips in her mouth.
Staring at her, I wanted to hug her in excitement, but held myself back as a thought suddenly occurred to me.
"How do you remember all of this?
You didn’t remember before.
" "Oh...
" Mirelle blinked her eyes, also looking confused.
In the end, shoving down more chips, she just said, "I just remember now.
I don’t know.
It’s not very far.
" "You don’t...
know?
" "I don’t.
" "Really?
" "Yes.
" A heavy feeling settled in my chest.
I didn’t know how to feel about her sudden epiphany.
Suddenly going from not knowing to suddenly knowing.
It didn’t really make sense.
No, wait...
That was until a thought occurred to me.
’Could it be because of my sudden increase in Order?
’ Mirelle’s strength was directly proportional to mine.
In that sense, maybe she could remember more now because I had grown stronger.
’Yes, that would make sense.
’ It seemed like a solid explanation, and as I watched the little girl savor her chips, I stood up.
"Okay, I guess I now know what I need to do in a bit.
But before that, let me put more focus on the Trials.
" I had time to figure this out.
I didn’t want to rush in when I had time.
There were more important matters at hand.
Only two days remained until the Trials, and I could practically feel the heat within the department.
The air in the Guild had grown tense, and even a few reporters had shown up at the entrance.
Since the winners would be chosen to participate in the upcoming World Congress, the Trials, which were broadcast across the island, drew an enormous amount of attention.
So much so that I started to tense up whenever I thought about it.
"Are you sure...?
" Just then, a voice caught my attention.
I turned and saw a tall figure coming out from the door by the side of the office.
With its stitched mouth and eyes, the Conductor leaned its tall and lankly body in my direction.
Bzz!
Bzzz—!
"If we take advantage of this opportunity, we may be able to perform in front—" "Stop.
" I cut the Conductor off, feeling a headache starting to build up.
The Conductor had been practically begging me to start a band since the moment it caught sight of Mirelle and the others, always trying to get them to play an instrument or sing.
It had gotten to the point where they all now just clung to me.
Bzz!
Bzzz—!
The sound came from my phone.
It was the clown shaking.
Seeing as the Conductor was about to say another word, I extended my hand and was just about to say my piece, when— Ding!
A sudden notification appeared in my vision.
[You have been haunted] One that completely took my breath away.