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

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 didnʼt mean that I couldnʼt 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 couldnʼt open my mouth, afraid that I would puke at any second.

But,

I could still rationalize.

And thatʼs what I started doing.

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

ʼThe 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...ʼ

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

ʼ...I donʼt know who these people are, but considering how theyʼre affected by the music and the information that I learned through the walkie-talkie, this isnʼt their first time experiencing something like this. They also seem to be aware of the fine details of this scenario.ʼ

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.

ʼA walkie-talkie, a paper that can print my thoughts once, earplugs, and the mask that Iʼm wearing.ʼ

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 ʼscenarioʼ, and seeing as to how I had used three items so far, the key was the paper in my hand, alongside the walkie-talkie.

ʼThe walkie-talkie...ʼ

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

ʼIf 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?ʼ

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 canʼt hold on for much longer... The music... I canʼt 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—

ʼI donʼt want to see any more blood.ʼ

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.

ʼSelf-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...ʼ

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 ʼkeyʼ to turning the situation around.

[04 : 37s]

Time continued to slip.

Only four minutes remained until the earplugs lost their effect.

My mind raced.

I had to think fast!

Spurt!

”.....!?”

In the midst of my thoughts, something wet splattered against me. My muscles tensed and I lost hold of my breath for a few seconds. It trickled down my mask as I held my tongue and forced my thoughts to stray away.

ʼFocus, focus...ʼ

I once again read the scenario description.

ʼSelf-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...ʼ

I needed some sort of clue.

Something.

Anything.

[03 : 43s]

Time ticked.

It waited for no one, constantly draining, just like my mind, as the beat of my heart drummed loudly in my mind.

Ba.. Thump! Ba... Thump!

Anxiety started to gnaw at me.

The closer I was to running out of time, the more my anxiety grew.

It started to eat my mind.

Chewing it slowly.

ʼSelf-conducting orchestra... Renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfect—ʼ

”....!?”

My head snapped up. A thought slammed into me like a freight train.

Eyes locked onto the conductor at the center of the stage.

His hands moved in elegant sways, each flick of the conducting stick precise. Deliberate.

Perfect.

ʼWait, perfect...?ʼ

An idea formed, but it was an improbable one.

Time ticked as I did so.

[01 : 22s]

My breathing turned shallow.

I was slowly running out of time.

There was only one minute left. That was how much time I had left before the earplugs stopped working, before the music would once again enter my ears.

By then, it would be too late for me.

No, perhaps, it was already too late.

No. No, I refused to let that happen.

My lips soon parted open, and in the midst of the orchestra, my voice quietly whispered in the air.

”This fucking sucks.”

My voice was drowned out amidst the music and screams.

And yet, as if capable of hearing my voice, the conductorʼs movements stiffened.

It was brief, but it didnʼt escape my eyes.

ʼIt worked...!?ʼ

A glimmer of hope ignited within me then.

Thatʼs when I opened my mouth again.

”...Iʼm about to fall asleep.”

With my arms crossed, I pretended to close my eyes while my head drooped off. At the same time, I stealthily looked in the direction of the conductor.

As expected, his movements stiffened again.

But only for a brief moment.

My heart sank.

ʼItʼs not enough?ʼ

There was a reaction, but it was far from enough.

[01 : 15s]

Time was ticking.

I was running dangerously close to it.

Not enough. Not enough. Not enough.

I desperately looked through the items provided to me before. So far, I only had two left with me. Having already used the mask and the earplugs, I realized the answer would be in the two items in my hand.

But how? How could I make them work?

My chest suddenly tensed as time continued to tick.

I felt anxious, and my stomach rumbled.

[0: 59s]

My hand shook as my eyes darted between the two items in my hands.

And then, something suddenly struck me.

I didnʼt hesitate to reach out for the walkie-talkie.

Click!

Gradually, my lips parted as I spoke;

”If you want to live, do as I say.”