[Welco, new developer!]
"....Uh?!"
The mont my eyes snapped open, a translucent notification appeared before .
Beyond it, I found myself seated in the center of a grand opera-style theater.
The lights were off. The heavy curtains were drawn. Rows of empty seats stretched into darkness, the balconies above just as lifeless.
Most unsettling of all?
I was soaked in sweat.
"....."
Have I overworked myself?
I tried to pinch my cheek, but the pain was there.
Then...?
[This is not an illusion, nor a dream! This is a real scenario from the Horror Developer System!]
A new notification flashed, and my stomach sank.
[You are the lucky fellow selected by the Horror Developer System!]
[In short, we'll help you make good horror gas!]
"No, I don't want it. Let out."
Whatever this was, I wanted no part of it.
I could already feel my stomach churning.
'Ah... I feel like puking already.'
[Please don't worry! If you are unsatisfied with our service, you can always quit!]
[We always strive to provide the best service]
Oh, good.
Let quit now.
For just a brief mont, my stomach started to settle down.
But it was only for a brief mont.
[But before you decide, we will have you run a scenario]
"Ah."
The rumblings returned. More powerful than before.
I could feel a wave of unease wash over .
[But please don't worry!]
[As a welco gift, we will provide you with a beginner starter pack]
[Not only that, but we'll also provide you with exclusive information regarding the scenario!]
[This is all to make you a better ga developer!]
Poof!
Several items magically appeared out of thin air.
I quickly caught on to them.
"What is this...?"
Looking down, I noticed four items: a white mask, a blank sheet of paper, a walkie-talkie, and a pair of earplugs.
A small window appeared on top of each item.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that each item had a na and a small description written on it.
─────
[Blank Mask]
A simple mask used to hide your identity. There are many different styles you can try.
: Non-consumable.
[Mind Printer]
Draws whatever your mind is thinking.
: [1] Consumable
[Earplugs]
Blocks all music for ten minutes.
: [1] Consumable
[Walkie-Talkie]
Just a regular walkie-talkie.
: Non-consumable.
─────
...One usage?
Earplugs? Mask? Mind Printer? Walkie-Talkie? This was the starter pack?
Was this so sort of joke?
How was I even going to use these items? In what way could these four items help ? To add insult to injury, I read the description of the Walkie-Talkie.
Was it mocking ?
Click!
Pressing on the walkie-talkie, all I got back was a faint static noise.
"What bullshit..."
If that wasn't pointless enough, my gaze landed on the blank mask before . Plain white, featureless, with nothing but two empty eye holes. That was it—no markings, no details, just a blank mask.
"Why would I even need to hide my identity? Wait..."
A thought suddenly occurred to , and my heart sank.
"Don't tell ....? The things will rember ?"
Ah, shit.
I really felt like throwing up.
[The scenario will begin shortly. Please get ready~]
I instinctively tried to stand, but my body refused to move. It was as if I were glued to the chair.
...This was bad.
My stomach churned.
I needed to get out of here.
But—
"No, I need to calm down."
I had played my fair share of horror gas. This was no different.
The system did say I could quit. I just had to survive long enough to finish the scenario.
Yeah. That's all.
"Wait, one second."
I suddenly looked up at the floating notification in front of .
"What's going to happen to if I fail the scenario? Will I just be sent back ho?"
If it was like that, then...
[No]
A suffocating silence followed.
Then, another notification followed.
This ti...
[You will die if you fail]
It was completely red.
".....!"
Every muscle in my body went rigid as my eyes shot wide open.
"What sort of—!?"
[The scenario is now starting...]
[Operation: Silent Requiem]
Class : ■■■
: A self-conducting orchestra, capable of producing the most beautiful yet haunting lodies. The Orchestrator, renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfection, has never failed to bewitch a single spectator. One must be careful not to beco too entranced by the music, lest they lose their very sense of self.
The words on the floating window sent an eerie shiver down my spine.
[Scenario candidates will be joining shortly. Do you wish to use any item?]
[You have ten seconds]
"Scenario candidates?"
My stomach clenched.
"Wait, other people are in this, too?"
No response.
Just an ominous silence.
Gritting my teeth, I glanced down at the items in my hand. Instinct took over. I reached for the mask and brought it to my face.
Imdiately, a strange interface appeared in front of .
It displayed all sorts of designs for the mask.
▶ [Jester]
▷ [Clown]
▷ [Skull]
.
.
.
'Why are they all creepy masks?'
There were all sorts of nice designs, but there was only one problem.
They were all creepy.
[5 Seconds]
"Ugh."
I scrolled down the list faster.
[2 Seconds]
"Screw it."
▶ [Jester]
[You have selected Jester. The mask will now morph.]
The mask shrank and fused to my face.
"—!!"
I tried to rip it off, but the mont I raised my hands, a series of bells materialized in my vision—each attached to a strand of red fabric.
A soft jingling filled the air as the bells chid together.
Then—
Boom!
The theater flared to life.
The once-empty seats were suddenly filled on all sides.
Applause erupted from all sides, startling . What's going on...!? My breath hitched as I turned my head—
"...!?"
A cold wave of nausea crashed over .
The person beside had no features. No eyes, no mouth—just a smooth, empty canvas where a face should have been.
Swoosh, swoosh—!
Just when I thought the surprises had ended, more figures erged from out of thin air, scattered across the theater.
Unlike the faceless spectators, these individuals had faces. Each was clad in a sleek black uniform, a golden insignia gleaming on their chests—an emblem that felt sowhat familiar.
'But where exactly have I seen it before?'
They each took a seat shortly after.
To make matters even stranger, I noticed them exchanging glances, and it beca obvious to shortly after.
They knew each other.
From the fluid and familiar way they moved and exchanged glances... it was as if they were well-accustod to this routine. But the mont their eyes landed on , everything stopped.
For a brief, unsettling mont, they froze, their stares directed my way. They were looking at as if I were so sort of variable that they hadn't expected.
Then, almost as if on cue, they quickly averted their gazes and took their seats.
I clenched my fist.
They knew sothing I didn't.
I was just about to speak when—
Beep!
A subtle, yet audible sound crackled in my hand.
A soft husky voice ca through shortly after.
—Captain, who in the world is that?! I don't rember the previous clearance squad ntioning sothing about a Jester being present?
I lowered my head and stared at my hand.
Or more precisely, the walkie-talkie I held.
—Should we get rid of the variable?
What in the world...?
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