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

Chapter 640: Investigation [1]

Clink! Clink!

The quiet dinner was broken by the sharp clink of glass, drawing everyone’s attention to Velrick as he rose from his seat. When all eyes turned in his direction, he cleared his throat as he finally began speaking.

"I know that everyone is tired after coming here, and I do appreciate all of you for coming, but there are more pressing matters than we need to tend to."

His voice turned more serious as he looked around.

"As we speak, people are disappearing on this island." He cleared his throat, "Everyone has already been filled in on the situation, so I don’t have to say much more, but the news has already started to reach the major broadcasting stations. It won’t be long until this entire event will be broadcast throughout the world. If something like that were to occur, it would create needless panic. For that reason, we are limited on time."

Velrick placed the glass back down on the table.

"Of course, the BUA can limit or even stop official broadcasts, but they won’t be able to prevent influencers and individuals from spreading the news. In fact, trying to stop them might only make things worse."

His expression turned even more somber.

"With all of you having just finished dinner, you can all go back to your rooms and rest for a few hours before going out to investigate the situation. Preferably, I’d like it if you all could start immediately, but I know that you can’t force something like that. Time is of the essence. Please ensure the safety of the people of this island."

That was all Velrick said before sitting back down.

Nobody clapped or said anything, a strange silence filling the place. But eventually, several stood up at once before leaving. They were soon followed by others.

I could still feel numerous gazes directed at me, but by now I was already used to them.

To be honest, there were probably some bigshot people present, but I didn’t pay much attention to those from the other Guilds.

My interest lay elsewhere as I shifted my attention towards a certain figure in the distance. He appeared busy talking to someone, and before I knew it, I found myself standing up and approaching the two.

"...Your group leader has mentioned to me that you will be meeting in thirty minutes at the main lobby. If you need some time to rest, you should do so. I’m afraid that this is going to be quite the long night for you."

"It’s alright. I’m used to such long nights."

"That’s the problem. You haven’t been getting much rest lately. If you—"

Suddenly, as if finally spotting me, the man’s eyes widened as he looked at me. I extended my hand and introduced myself.

"Please to meet you, I’m Seth."

"Seth..? Ah, of course! Of course, I know you! I’m Eugene Kinmen, a Team Leader of the Cloud Reverence Guild."

Recovering from his initial shock, the man glanced at my hand before reaching out to take it.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m quite aware that you are. Your performance... honestly, it was enough to give me chills."

"Thank you."

I smiled at the compliment while looking at Cedrick.

Taking note of my gaze, the Team Leader’s head tilted curiously.

"Do you need something from Cedrick? Are you two acquainted?"

"Not quite, but I just recently met him. I think the two of us click quite well, and since I need someone who knows the area well, I thought to ask about collaborating with you. Of course, if that is alright with you."

"Alright...?" The Team Leader blinked several times before suddenly bursting into a wide smile.

"Of course it’s fine! It’s more than fine!"

He brushed his hand against his clothes while repeatedly saying, "Please don’t worry. The Team that is going with Cedrick is rather capable. They know the area extremely well, and if our teams work together, we might be able to find something."

"That’s great!"

I extended my hand to the Team Leader once more, noticing the subtle shift in his expression as his gaze fell on it. He seemed momentarily confused by the gesture.

I just smiled.

"Happy cooperation."

He looked at me, and then at my hand.

After which, he smiled and reached for it as well.

"Happy cooperation."

*

During the day, the Western District looked bleak, barely fit for anyone to live in. I thought it couldn’t get much worse, but the moment we left, I noticed a clear shift in the surroundings.

The air felt colder, and the moment we stepped beyond the compound, I could feel it.

Eyes.

Hidden within the darkness, watching from every direction.

It was a sensation I had felt before, but never this clearly. This time, I could tell exactly where the gazes were coming from. With the knife in hand, I picked up on every presence around us, people watching from windows, rooftops, and the shadowed corners of buildings.

’They don’t seem to be very friendly either.’

I had the sudden urge to wave at everyone who was looking at us, but I held myself back.

Thinking about it, I really needed to curb my impulses. I was really struggling to do that lately.

"...We’re almost here."

A voice pulled me from my thoughts, and my gaze shifted to the group ahead. They watched me with clear wariness, Cedrick standing off to the side without saying a word. At the front stood the squad leader, a brown-haired man with deep brown eyes and sharp, well-defined features.

"We’re planning to question one of the victims’ families to get a better understanding of the situation and hopefully find some leads." As he spoke, his eyes flicked around the area before he hesitated slightly. "...But are you alright on your own? Why did you decide not to go with your group?"

"Oh, that."

I scratched the back of my head.

"Let’s just say that I’m enough. They’re off to another area."

Indeed, it was just me at the moment.

Me and a completely unknown group and I. Originally, I was supposed to be assigned with Clara and the others, but I found a way to go alone without them. It wasn’t that I didn’t need them, but I just didn’t want them to be here.

"Is that so...?"

The Squad Leader did his best to hide his frown, forcing a polite smile as he led me toward a tall building. Like the others, it was covered in layers of graffiti, with several windows shattered and pieces of glass on the floor.

The moment we stepped inside, a long, narrow corridor stretched out before us. Our footsteps echoed along the walls as we moved forward. We continued in silence, nobody saying a single word, before we eventually stopped in front of a certain room.

The Squad Leader turned to me, and I smiled, stepping forward.

After which, I raised my hand and knocked.

To Tok—!

A tense silence followed the knock, the sound echoing along the narrow corridor as I kept my eyes on the wooden door. After a moment, footsteps approached from the other side, and the door slowly opened, revealing an elderly man standing there.

His eyes seemed unfocused as he opened the door, his gaze shifting between us before settling over to me.

As it did, I introduced myself.

"Hello. I am—"

"Get... out."

My words were abruptly cut off by his hoarse voice. I stopped, looking at him.

But right then, his voice rose.

"Get OUT!"

The sound echoed harshly through the corridor, amplified by the narrow walls. The elderly man’s face twisted as he glared at us, his voice rising into a shout.

"I SAID GET OUT! GET OUT! YOU MUST GET OUT!"

His shouts didn’t stop, only growing louder as his entire body shook.

The people behind me grew a little restless, with some even prepared to leave, but I stopped them as I smiled at the old man and pressed my hand against his shoulder.

As I did, the old man flinched.

I took that moment to speak.

"Respectfully..."

I patted his shoulder.

"...You’re too loud. Other people are sleeping. Have some respect."

I then pushed my way into the room, ignoring the baffled looks that I was receiving from the old man and the others, while I started to scan the place. An old man screaming at me? Been there, done that.

Eventually, I found the sofa and sat down, looking back at the group.

"Come in."

Patting the sofa next to me, I beckoned them in.

"Make yourselves at home."