*Step*
The single step drew the attention of everyone present.
It resounded quietly throughout the theatre, and yet, it was almost as if it rumbled inside their minds.
*Step*
The step was soon followed by another.
*Step*
And then another.
Before anyone realized it, everyone’s breath started to sync with the rhythm of the steps.
The tension rose.
It almost felt unbearable now.
And then—
Creeeeeaaak.
A loud creaking sound echoed.
A foot stepped on the edge of the opera stage. The mont it appeared, the tension rose even further.
In that mont, everyone shared the sa feeling.
One of utter dread.
Creeaaaak—
The stage creaked again. This ti, sharper than before.
And soon—
It arrived.
Crooked and towering, its limbs stretched far past what nature allowed, skin pulled thin as parchnt over protruding, uneven bones. Where eyes and mouth should have been, rough black stitches sealed its lips and eyelids.
Yet it advanced without hesitation, each step calm and steady. As though it had always belonged beneath the theater lights, as though it was proclaiming this place to be its domain.
No.
This was its domain.
Everyone felt it.
Stopping right at the center of the theatre, the conductor slowly turned to face the audience. In that mont, the theater turned completely silent.
An invisible pressure spread, so heavy it could even be felt through the cara’s recording of the entire interaction.
Be it those from the main island or those from Malovia Island, everyone felt the weight. So more than others, as they paled considerably, struggling to remain conscious.
But of everyone present, a single individual was struggling the most.
Her eyes shook, and her body trembled. Staring at the figure that had been haunting her for a very long ti, she felt her entire mind growing blank.
I-mpossible... no, why... why...
The conductor remained standing in the middle, before all, as its gaze swept the surroundings.
And then—
Its lips parted. The sound of skin ripping echoed throughout as the conductor forced its mouth open against the stitches.
Soon, its voice echoed.
"Welco, everyone."
Like a whisper, the voice quietly bled into the surroundings, slipping through every corner of the theater.
"...I’m extrely glad that all of you accepted my invitation. Today, I will be performing before everyone present. The performance will be divided into two parts. The ensemble, which will be comprised of three sections, and the solo performance. I’d like for all of you to try your best to listen to the entire performance. But of course, I won’t be the only one performing. There will be a special guest today."
The conductor stopped there, but soon its lips pulled up tightly, ripped flesh dangling in its mouth, the sight sending a cold shiver down the spines of many.
"...Without further ado, I will now begin to introduce the ensemble."
Turning his attention toward the side of the stage, the conductor extended his hand. The steps groaned once more as a figure stepped onto the stage, hands holding a small violin.
But the creepiest aspect of all...?
The figure had no face as it calmly walked onto the stage.
"Let first present the violinist of my ensemble."
***
[The scenario is now starting...]
[Operation: The Conductor’s Trial]
Class : ■■■
: The stage is set. The Conductor awaits. Survive his trial and claim his soul.
The trial will unfold in two movents:
Play in perfect harmony with the Conductor and his orchestra. A single mistake, a single discordant note, and death will claim you.
Should you endure the first movent, the Conductor will grant you a stage of your own. Perform your solo and captivate both him and the faceless audience. Fail to move them, and the Conductor himself will end you.
[Scenario candidates will be joining shortly. Do you wish to purchase any item?]
[From the mont the scenario begins, you won’t be able to purchase items]
[You have sixty seconds]
"...."
It all happened incredibly fast. In one mont, I was in my office, and in the next, I found myself in this dark space that felt a little cramped.
I felt disoriented at first, but the mont I ca to, my expression changed drastically as I found myself standing in front of a group of figures.
’Fucking shit...!’
I nearly had a heart attack as I stumbled back a couple of steps, simultaneously raising my head to stare at the figures.
They each held an instrunt in their hand, and after my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I finally understood.
They were the mbers of the Conductor’s ensemble.
And sure enough...
"Let first present the violinist of my ensemble."
With the Conductor’s voice echoing, one of the faceless figures stepped up.
Creaaak—!
The wooden floor groaned under its step.
I understood imdiately then where I was. I was backstage. Waiting for the Conductor to call my na.
"Next up, let’s bring the cello!"
Another figure stepped forward. Ti seed to move incredibly fast in that mont as I hastily looked at the scenario once more.
It was also then that I finally took notice of the description.
’Two phases!?’
Wha...
I took a mont to look at the description again to make sure I wasn’t seeing things, but I really wasn’t!
’What sort of situation is this!?’
I had previously assud that I’d only have to perform one piece before the bet was over. There had never been any talk about other things.
’No, no, no, no...’
The nerves were starting to get to . This sudden situation threw off, but only for a short while as I hurriedly cald myself down.
’There’s no use panicking. This situation is unexpected, but it’s not impossible. Just take it as a warm-up for the final performance.’
I took several deep breaths before nodding.
’Yeah, this is just a warm-up. Warm-up.’
"Let introduce the trumpet."
My heart raced.
Another one of the faceless musicians stepped forward. I looked up to see that only three mbers remained.
My breath paused for a mont as my mind stirred, and I hurriedly looked at the shop to see if there was anything I needed. But after just a few seconds, I realized sothing.
Even if there was an item I wanted, I was too poor to afford it.
The realization made laugh bitterly.
Right...
I was very poor at the mont. I closed my eyes in resignation and got my mind ready for the upcoming situation. At the sa ti, I took out my phone and looked at it. On the screen, a certain clown appeared.
"Next up, the drums."
The last mber entered.
The backstage was extrely quiet. It was just and my own thoughts as I stared at the last mber entering the lights of the stage.
I could see the Conductor from where I stood. He stood at the center of the stage, bathed in the bright lights from above. It was almost as if he were the main star of the show.
And soon...
His gaze turned to face my direction.
The world seed to pause in that mont.
He smiled.
And—
"Lastly, let’s welco the Jester. The pianist and the special guest of this performance."
It was as if sothing took over my mind in that mont as I took a step forward, my hand pressing against the mask on my face as bells gently began to fall before my eyes, and I walked past the darkness and into the light.
[The ti limit is up]
[The shop is now closed]
[Best of luck!]
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