Nico sighed, his voice echoing in the empty chamber. "No one even bothered to show up or log in. I suppose I'll just admire the fruits of our labor alone," he muttered, his footsteps heavy as he approached the elevator that led to the dungeon floors.
The infiltrators needed to navigate the caverns, where members had discreetly installed elevators to access each level. Nico stood before the control panel, staring at an array of buttons, each labeled with a game from the Resident Evil franchise.
"Which floor should I check before the shutdown?" he pondered, finger hovering over the options. His gaze landed on one in particular. "Ah! There it is! Resident Evil Village, the project I worked on with so many others," he said, a pang of sadness creeping into his voice at the thought of his absent colleagues.
He pressed the button and stepped inside. The elevator descended in silence, the hum of machinery the only sound accompanying him. When the doors slid open, he was greeted by the vast expanse of the Village floor. The area was extensive but not nearly large enough to replicate the entire game map. The team had planned to transform the spaces into immersive game environments, but the dungeon's limitations had thwarted that ambition.
"I wish we had been given a chance to develop the areas fully," Nico lamented, his voice tinged with regret as he surveyed the incomplete landscape. "But we've already broken too many rules. The players would think the developers were being unfair."
Instead of recreating the iconic locations from the games, they had been forced to design their environments—forests, swamps, and hidden entrances sheltering the creatures and NPCs now guarding them.
"Oh, how surprised the players were when zombies and strange mutations suddenly appeared!" Nico reminisced, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. But his amusement quickly faded. "I didn't even have the time to explore the capabilities of my creation. The infiltrators only managed to reach the sixth floor before perishing... and now, I may never witness it at all," he said, voice trembling with emotion.
He walked through the forest, footsteps crunching on the dry leaves. Stopping at a nearby rock, he pressed a hidden switch. A concealed entrance opened, revealing a staircase that led to an underground laboratory. Nico descended, his eyes falling on the dormant Lycans he had created. They stood still, awaiting a target.
"Beautiful creations," he murmured, stepping closer to examine one of the Lycans. He circled it, admiring the intricate details of his work: the creature's fur, its snarling jaw, the sharp claws—it was all perfect. But it was also lifeless, waiting for a command that would never come.
Nico continued through the lab, passing various creatures his colleagues had designed. Each one was a masterpiece, a testament to their collective creativity. Finally, he reached the airlock doors at the far end of the lab. He swiped his keycard—a device reserved for members only—and the doors hissed open.
"My precious!" he exclaimed, filled with pride as the doors revealed his latest additions to the character lineup: Lady Alcina Dimitrescu and her three daughters, Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela. Behind them stood the other Lords: Donna Benevento and Angie, Salvatore Moreau, Karl Heisenberg, and Mother Miranda.
Nico approached each one, marveling at the craftsmanship. The way their expressions seemed almost alive, the precision of their bodies—it was breathtaking. He stopped in front of Dimitrescu, tilting his head back to take in her towering stature.
"The height will always be a source of wonder," Nico laughed, feeling dwarfed by her presence. "If she moved like a real person in this game, I wouldn't even dare to approach her out of fear," he joked, shivering slightly at the thought.
He opened the description of Alcina Dimitrescu, reading aloud: "Regal and condescending towards those she considers beneath her." His eyes scanned further down, landing on the final line: "Though powerful, they will never betray those who created them. They will follow their orders with the utmost respect and loyalty."
Nico chuckled. That line had been added to every NPC's description as a reassurance to the creators. The idea that these inhuman characters might harbor resentment toward their makers had unsettled the team, so the line was included to ease their fears.
"I suppose it's almost time... I'll remain here and admire my creation until the very end," he said, sitting down on the cold floor. He watched the timer on his device, counting down the final seconds.
23:59:55
23:59:56
23:59:57
23:59:58
23:59:59
…
00:00:00
00:00:01
00:00:02
00:00:03
00:00:04
"What?" Nico exclaimed, eyes widening as he stared at the timer. "Was this all just a prank by the developers?" He glanced around, confusion growing thicker.
"A creator is present. Everyone kneel!" a voice declared, followed by the sound of metal clashing.
Nico's heart skipped a beat as he saw the NPCs kneeling before him. Genuine fear washed over him. They moved without his command, and the three Dimitrescu sisters quickly positioned themselves protectively in front of him.
"Is something wrong, Creator?" Bela asked, her voice calm yet inquisitive. As the eldest, she felt it her duty to address him.
"N-Nothing is wrong! A-All of you stay here until further notice," Nico stammered, recalling the line of code he hoped had been integrated into their personalities.
"It shall be done, Creator," Bela replied, bowing. Her sisters followed suit, and then the Lords—Moreau, Benevento, Dimitrescu, Heisenberg, and Miranda—all bowed in unison.
Nico nodded, hands trembling as he swiped his keycard to open the doors. He hurried out, heart racing as he glanced back at the Lords. Their concerned expressions only deepened his unease.
"What on earth just happened?" Nico muttered, breathing heavily as he stared at the now-closed door. Suddenly, he turned around, only to come face-to-face with a Lycan. The color drained from his face as he stumbled backward.
"This is a nightmare!" Nico shouted, sprinting down the hallway, the creatures he had crafted now hot on his heels.
He darted left, spotting a clear path. Exhausted, he sat down to catch his breath, but the door behind him burst open, knocking him off balance. Heaven help him—he scrambled to his feet but was quick to confront the enormous Baby from House Benevento.
"Holy cow!" Nico screamed, sprinting for his life as joyful laughter echoed behind him. He spotted the stairs and bolted up, slamming the door shut only to collapse beneath a nearby tree, holding his head in his hands.
"This is an absolute nightmare! Why is this happening to me?!" he shouted, voice breaking. His dream had been simple: to recreate a game he loved. Now, he was trapped with creatures that seemed intent on killing him.
"I need to contact the developers. There must have been an internal issue! I don't want to be stuck here!" Nico exclaimed, frantically trying to open the menu to reach the developers. But nothing appeared. He tried again and again but to no avail. His next attempt was to contact another player, but that too failed. He was completely cut off.
"Huh!? I'm not stuck here, am I?" he asked himself, mind racing. "Wait, they referred to me as the Creator? Does that mean the code worked?" A glimmer of hope flickered in his chest.
He stood up and paced, weighing his options. He could go outside and seek help, but he had no idea what awaited him. Alternatively, he could return to the lab and attempt to command the creatures, but one wrong move could cost him dearly. He also noticed something strange: he could smell the environment, and feel the textures around him, and his movements were more fluid than they had been in the game.
"Alright! Pull yourself together, Nico Schmidt! I created those things, and I can control them!" Nico said his voice firm with determination. In a burst of courage, he stomped back toward the hidden entrance and opened it.
He was immediately pulled inside by the Baby, which still awaited him. All his bravado wavered as it grasped him. Yet, instead of devouring him whole, it drew him closer and began to hug him.
"Daddy!" it said joyfully. Nico blinked in surprise, relief washing over him as he realized he wasn't about to be eaten.
"Alright, cuddle time is over. Please put me down now," Nico requested. The Baby complied, setting him down gently.
Feeling reinvigorated, Nico strode through the hallways filled with Lycans, Moraica, soldiers, and other creatures. He walked with purpose as if passing by a dog—unafraid. He stood before the door to the Lord's chamber. With trembling hands, he swiped his keycard, the doors opening to the sound of an argument.
"I'm the child is here? Your daughter approached the Creator and acted without permission! That was extremely disrespectful! Your daughters should know better!" Karl Heisenberg shouted, raising his hammer.
They fear me more than I fear them, Nico thought, a small measure of comfort settling in.
"Oh, please! That was the perfect thing to do! You didn't even acknowledge his presence or the terrified look on his face!" Alcina Dimitrescu retorted, patting Bela on the head.
Nico heard Donna—or rather, Angie—shouting in joy, reveling in the spectacle.
Mother Miranda caught sight of him, her eyes widening. "Silence! Creator Nico has returned!" she commanded.
The Lords all turned their attention to him, quickly adjusting themselves to appear presentable. Nico walked down the center, and once again, they bowed in respect.
"Please stop bowing; it's uncomfortable," Nico said. They all stood up, glancing at one another uncertainly.
Mother Miranda stepped forward. "What will your next order be, Creator?" she asked, her voice low and respectful.
"Donna Benevento, send Angie outside with the other dolls to scout the area," Nico ordered, watching closely to see if she would comply.
"As you wish, Creator," Donna said before leaving the room. Moments later, Nico heard the dolls giggling as they floated out of the secret entrance and began their ascent up the floors.
"Everyone, head to the treasury. I need to gather you all," Nico commanded. They nodded and began to leave. "Oh! And Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela, please fetch Donna Benevento and Angie after they finish scouting," he added.
"Consider it done, Creator," they replied, bowing slightly. Nico sighed, choosing to overlook the gesture.
He walked outside and entered the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, he let out a scream, banging his hands against the metal walls. "That was nerve-wracking!" he shouted, trying to calm himself. He pressed the button for the top floor, preparing for the meeting ahead.
When the elevator doors opened, Nico stepped into the control room. The panel before him governed every aspect of the dungeon—doors, traps, and creature releases. Though Nico couldn't perform magic, he had secretly transformed himself into a Virus, allowing him to harness mutating abilities to create additional minions. He embodied all the Resident Evil viruses in a single form. While barely human anymore, he was grateful to have retained his emotions and sanity.
"Ah! There's the P.A. system," he said, pointing at the microphone used to summon members operating on each floor for meetings or special occasions. Now, it would serve to call upon the NPCs.
Nico walked closer to the device and turned it on. "Would all subjects please head to the treasury room? We are having a meeting of some sort, as well as a headcount," he announced, heart racing. After turning off the microphone, he sat in an office chair, physically sweating from the stress.
"Wait, why should I be scared? I'm a virus too, and I'm stronger than all the subjects. I'm all of them combined," Nico said, morphing his hands into blades reminiscent of Alcina Dimitrescu.
"But still, I wish I could suppress my emotions as the undead characters do," Nico lamented, unaware that another guild was thriving and operating alongside him in this new world.
Without warning, the three Dimitrescu sisters suddenly appeared before Nico, causing him to shriek in alarm. They stared at him oddly, prompting him to stand up straight and pretend that nothing had happened.
"What is it? Please give me a warning before appearing in front of me like that," Nico requested, heart still racing.
"We found a human lurking outside!" the sisters exclaimed in unison. Donna Benevento and Angie entered, accompanied by demonic dolls, carrying a man dressed in ordinary clothing. Nico knelt.
"Are you a player? Like... a newbie or something?" Nico whispered. The man looked at him incredulously. "I guess not," Nico muttered, standing back up.
"I apologize for the aggression displayed by my subjects. I'm Nico Schmidt," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. "Take him down to the lowest floor, and I'll meet you there," Nico instructed. They all bowed and departed.
"I'm James Woods," the man introduced himself, shaking Nico's hand before letting go. "What is this place? I'm a traveler, and none of the places I've seen compare to this." He pulled out a notebook and pencil. "You don't mind if I document this, do you?" James asked, already scribbling notes.
"I don't mind," Nico said, a mischievous glint in his eye as he watched James document the creatures. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed two glasses.
Pouring apple juice into the glasses, he glanced back at James, who was still recording everything in the control room.
"Now, let's test whether we are still in the game or if we've been transported to an entirely new world," Nico said, a plan forming in his mind. He created a small Cadou in his palm and placed it in one of the glasses.
Nico walked back into the room, donning a false smile despite his disdain for the man. He handed James the glass and sat down, watching as the man gulped down the juice in one swift motion.
"That is delicious, although there was something solid in there," James said, a hint of concern on his face.
"Don't worry, that was just the ice I put in," Nico replied, his smile widening.
Satisfied, James stood up and extended his hand. "Well, I've seen all I can here. I suppose I have to go," he said, shaking Nico's hand. He walked out, and Nico didn't even turn to look at him.
Just before James could pass through the door, he collapsed, clutching his stomach in agony. Something was writhing within him.
"I suppose we are no longer in the game. My virus will only affect my minions and enemies, but not the players," Nico concluded, a devilish smile spreading across his face.
He watched as James transformed. His physique became muscular, ripping through his clothes. Hair sprouted on his forearms and chest, his skin turned pale white, his eyes took on a wolf-like appearance, and his teeth morphed into jagged spikes. At last, the transformation was complete.
"It seems I've created my own Lycan from this human. I am more powerful than I realized," Nico said, gazing at the new addition to his family.
"Go to your designated floor and join your comrades," Nico commanded. The newly mutated Lycan glanced at him nervously before sprinting away.
"Alright, all my subjects should be on the top floor," Nico said as he stepped back into the elevator and pressed the button for the treasury floor.
He waited once more. When the elevator reached the top floor, he heard murmurs outside. As the doors opened, Nico was greeted by all his subjects. The room was noisy, so he knew he had to take control.
"Silence! Conducting a headcount, so everyone groups together according to the floor you're from!" Nico shouted. Everyone turned to him and began to organize themselves.
"Alright, please come to the front if I call upon your floor," Nico instructed. No one bowed, indicating that Mother Miranda had already conveyed his wishes.
"Second floor," Nico called. Everyone stepped back, and William Birkin walked forward, still wearing a lab coat similar to Nico's.
Poor William, Nico thought, we didn't manage to create his wife since she didn't transform. Perhaps in the future, when I have mastered my abilities, I can mold her or use another virus., he mused, feeling pity for the man alone on the second floor.
"Fourth floor," Nico called. William stepped back, and Alexander and Alexia Ashford, along with Steve Burnside, walked ahead.
"Fifth floor," Nico said. The three stepped back, allowing Queen Leech to walk forward.
Ah, this is the one we debated adding or not. Queen Leech is a virus that consumed James Marcus's hippocampus and believes itself to be his reincarnation, he reflected. The majority agreed to include it, knowing it still bore a human appearance despite being a leech virus.
"Sixth floor," Nico called. Bitores Mendez, Ramon Salazar, and his two Verdugo guards, Jack Krauser and Osmund Saddler, stepped forward.
Ah yes, the infamous sixth floor. The creators of these NPCs always boast about being the protectors. However, the truth is that the infiltrators are simply exhausted by the other enemies they must face, Nico thought. He chuckled, aware of how the creators constantly scrambled to demonstrate that their creations were more powerful.
"Seventh floor," Nico called. Ricardo Irving, Excella Gionne, and Albert Wesker walked forward.
Good Lord, Karl Heisenberg and Albert Wesker are meeting. That's going to be one hell of a blast, Nico imagined, envisioning the impending clash between two individuals with malevolent intentions but differing methods.
"I really shouldn't have brought them all together..." he mumbled, shaking his head at the brewing conflict among the group of monsters. He sensed that once he stepped inside the elevator, all hell would break loose.