[Welcome, new developer!]
"....Uh?!"
The moment my eyes snapped open, a translucent notification appeared before me.
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 games!]
"No, I don't want it. Let me 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 me quit now.
For just a brief moment, my stomach started to settle down.
But it was only for a brief moment.
[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 me.
[But please don't worry!]
[As a welcome 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 game 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 name 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 some sort of joke?
How was I even going to use these items? In what way could these four items help me? To add insult to injury, I read the description of the Walkie-Talkie.
Was it mocking me?
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 me. 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 me, and my heart sank.
"Don't tell me....? The things will remember me?"
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 games. 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 me.
"What's going to happen to me if I fail the scenario? Will I just be sent back home?"
If it was like that, then...
[No]
A suffocating silence followed.
Then, another notification followed.
This time...
[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 melodies. The Orchestrator, renowned for his relentless pursuit of perfection, has never failed to bewitch a single spectator. One must be careful not to become 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.
Immediately, a strange interface appeared in front of me.
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 moment 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 chimed together.
Then—
Boom!
The theater flared to life.
The once-empty seats were suddenly filled on all sides.
Applause erupted from all sides, startling me. What's going on...!? My breath hitched as I turned my head—
"...!?"
A cold wave of nausea crashed over me.
The person beside me 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 emerged 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 somewhat 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 became obvious to me shortly after.
They knew each other.
From the fluid and familiar way they moved and exchanged glances... it was as if they were well-accustomed to this routine. But the moment their eyes landed on me, everything stopped.
For a brief, unsettling moment, they froze, their stares directed my way. They were looking at me as if I were some 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 something I didn't.
I was just about to speak when—
Beep!
A subtle, yet audible sound crackled in my hand.
A soft husky voice came through shortly after.
—Captain, who in the world is that?! I don't remember the previous clearance squad mentioning something 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...?