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

Chapter 568: Comfort [2]

Step. Step—

The hollow yet loud echo of my steps reverberated through the surroundings the moment I stepped into the castle.

Coming into the castle, I paused for a moment, taking in my surroundings.

The place was enormous.

A long red carpet spread across the floor, and tall chandeliers lit the room, their crystal-clear lamps reflecting off the polished marble beneath. Numerous paintings adorned the walls, their ornate frames adding to the hall’s grandeur.

But contrary to the outside, there was no one inside.

The place was completely deserted.

In such a grand place, I was the only one standing.

I felt… minuscule.

’Now, where am I supposed to go to reach the third floor?’

I looked around before eventually following the red carpet.

The carpet muffled my steps as I walked forward, glancing around in every direction as I took in the paintings lining the walls. Although I wasn’t someone who appreciated art, I had to admit that the paintings that were all over the walls were extremely nice to look at.

They depicted all sorts of things. From pictures of sceneries, to individuals and large dinners.

It was a sight that almost made me want to pause for a moment to take a look.

But—

’No, don’t get distracted.’

I pinched my hand, feeling a shiver run down my heart.

Although I didn’t know what was going on, for just the briefest of moments, I had almost forgotten about my mission. For a moment… I thought about spending my time admiring paintings that I had never cared for in my life.

’Yes, it’s best that I get this done quickly. The more I stay here, the more dangerous it feels.’

My steps hurried.

Without even knowing where I was going, I just continued to walk ahead.

The path felt endless.

Paintings continued to dot the surroundings, each looking more grand and majestic as the sound of my muffled steps reverberated throughout. I tried to ignore all of it, keeping my thoughts to myself as I lowered my head to avoid looking at anything.

’Find the room. Find the room. Find the room. Find the room. Find the room.’

Through repeated reminders, I managed to keep my goal in mind. And after walking for several more minutes, I eventually found them.

The stairs.

’Yes, this way.’

Reaching for the handrail, I hurried up the stairs.

The carpet stopped at some point, and my steps now echoed off the tall walls as I held tightly onto the marble handrail and continued upward.

’Third floor. Third floor. Third floor.’

I tried to shake away any excess thought, only reminding myself of my goal as my steps hurried further. Holding the keys in tightly with the other hand, I eventually reached the third floor.

Step—

My steps echoed louder than ever.

The moment I stepped in, it felt as though all sound had amplified.

A large corridor that stretched in both directions greeted my sight, the sheer size of the place enough to make me small. But above all, like every other part of the castle, the place was completely deserted.

I felt minuscule as I looked at both sides of the hall, checking the keys in my hand.

’Room 77. I need to go to Room 77.’

I decided to turn right.

Step—

Once more, my step bounced off in all directions as I continued ahead.

Paintings lined the walls on each side, but this time, something about the paintings felt different. They no longer displayed scenes like in the lowerfloor, but instead, they displayed portraits of different people.

’…Why does it feel like they’re looking at me?’

I took a moment to look at the paintings.

Silence fell across the large corridor the moment I stopped. But I quickly regretted my decision. Not because of the paintings, but because of the silence.

It felt suffocating.

In such a large corridor, the silence stung as I subconsciously took a step forward, moving towards the paintings.

But—

’No, I’m not here for the paintings.’

Clenching my teeth, I quickly turned my attention away, shifting it towards the numbers on the wooden door by the side of the corridor.

[56]

I wasn’t far away from the room I was supposed to go to.

Step. Step—

Once more, the echo of my steps bounced off in every direction. But unlike before, I felt a certain solace in the sound as I looked on both sides of the corridor, checking the number of each room quietly.

’The lack of people really makes this place feel weird.’

It just felt so empty.

Thankfully, I found the room not long after, as I stopped before room [77]. The silence that I felt suffocating a moment prior returned.

Keys in hand, I placed them in the keyhole and turned the key.

Click!

There was no struggle.

Inserting the keys, I turned once, and the door unlocked.

Creaak.

The door creaked open as I stepped in.

A faint breeze hit me the moment I entered the room as the curtains at the far end of the room ballooned. Almost as if they were alive.

I walked past the breeze and looked around the room.

In all honesty, the room was quite nice. It looked fancy, containing all one might need. A large bed, table, wardrobe, and a nice chandelier. And as I stared at the large bed at the center of the room, my eyes suddenly felt heavier.

’…Ah, shit.’

I took a step forward, my gaze fixed on the bed.

Massaging my eyes, I tried to keep them open, but the mere sight of the bed made it impossible for me to do so as I felt a wave of sleepiness wash over me.

Should I…?

I hadn’t slept in so long, and I was both mentally and physically exhausted. I knew that this was all probably a trap, but the sense of temptation remained in my heart. I really wanted to lie down on the bed and get some good sleep.

“Shit. Shit.”

Covering my face, I snapped my fingers.

A dark figure appeared next to me.

“Slap m—”

Slap!

No hesitation.

I felt a powerful sting next to my face as my eyes widened.

Then, looking up, I saw a dark hand move towards my face once more.

Swoosh!

I ducked, dodging the hand while looking at the Realmwalker who stepped.

“You… I said once.”

The Realmwalker turned its head.

This bastard…

’No, this isn’t the time!’

I clenched my teeth, trying my best to keep it together. Although I was angry, it did help as I no longer felt as sleepy as I took my eyes away from the bed and looked elsewhere.

But…

“Where could his stuff be?”

The place was extremely clean. There was nothing out of order, and there didn’t appear to be any item that belonged to the group leader. In a way, this felt strange as I moved towards the nearby desk and checked the drawers.

“Nothing?”

But even that contained nothing.

“…Strange. Was he lying?”

I felt that this was possible.

But at the same time, my head flicked towards the door entrance.

“…”

Nothing stood there.

Just the empty corridor behind it as the door remained open.

I bit my lips, my eyes narrowing as I moved my attention towards the wardrobe. That was when I finally took notice of it. The slow… creeping sound of something being pulled. One that I felt was vaguely familiar.

My heart pressed tightly against my chest.

With my attention on the door, I slowly moved towards it.

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

I was now in front of it.

The sound was louder now.

Then—

Clank!

I opened it.

——!

A silhouette swayed, its body moving back and forth as I raised my head to stare at the familiar face greeting me.

Aside from the smile on its face, it was extremely pale, lacking any semblance of life as it continued to sway.

I knew then.

Staring at the swaying body, I understood everything.

“Ah, shit.”