I stopped at the entrance and lifted my head to look at the neon sign above.
“Are we really the only ones here?”
“Seems like it.”
So far, as we’d walked here, the only living things were the three of us.
“Do you think we can actually escape this way…”
Jamie’s nervous voice rang as she glanced around, fear clear in her tone. I understood her anxiety, but honestly… she was a bit tiring.
“We’ve come this far, so we have to try something. Let’s just keep moving.”
I quickened my pace before Jamie could get lost in another unnecessary worry. Thankfully, she followed behind without another word.
Finally, we reached our destination. I read aloud the words on the weathered sign before me.
“Enter the dollhouse and beware lest your soul be eaten.”
A line straight out of a horror movie or game.
“S-souls? What does that even mean?”
“Probably nonsense.”
I was already tired of Jamie’s fretting.
“Sis, look at this.”
I followed Nini’s voice and saw a changing room, conveniently divided into three sections—one for each of us.
“Looks like we can change into doll costumes here, Sis.”
“So?”
“Let’s change.”
“Why bother?”
I wasn’t being difficult; I was genuinely asking, Why bother?
“It’s a dollhouse, right? There’ll be tons of dolls. If we wear doll costumes too, wouldn’t it help us blend in?”
“You actually believe that nonsense?” I scoffed at Nini.
“What we’re experiencing right now is nonsense enough on its own.”
“That’s true, but…”
Nini’s serious expression made me pause. His eyes and stern tone were unusually persuasive.
“But do you really think wearing doll clothes will make us look like dolls?”
“You said we should try anything, didn’t you?”
He was stubborn about the most ridiculous things.
I sighed and looked between the changing room and the entrance to the dollhouse. Arguing further would be a waste of time.
“Fine. Let’s just pick something and meet back here.”
The changing room picked by Nini was surprisingly spacious. Clothes of all kinds hung densely, with wigs and props neatly arranged on one side.
Someone clearly took cosplay seriously.
“Why do all of these look like… this?”
Princess outfit. Made from high-quality fabric, but uncomfortable
Bunny girl outfit. Arouses men’s fantasies
Sultry witch outfit. Subtle exposure that gives a strange charm
Mermaid princess outfit. Might appeal to someone’s taste
I clenched my teeth and sifted through them, but every design was far from normal. I considered giving up…but I dreaded Nini’s impending scolding.
“This one’s probably the least bad.”
I reluctantly picked a calmer maid outfit and changed. Stepping out of the changing room, I froze.
“What’s going on, you two?”
Why are they wearing something normal?
It seemed like only my changing room had weird clothes.
“Wait. Let’s switch rooms. I’ll change and come out.”
“There’s no time for that.”
Nini grabbed my collar.
“That maid outfit suits you, Sis.”
It’s unfair! Why am I the only one wearing something like this?
Nini smirked, holding back his laughter.
“Can you do me a favor? Call me ‘Master’.”
“You’re insane!”
I shouted, exasperated. Where did he get the nerve to ask me that?
“Move. I’ll change and come back.”
“There’s no time for that.”
I scowled at Nini, but he didn’t flinch.
I’m a fool for falling for it.
“Wait until we’re out of here.”
“Sure, anytime.”
After a sharp glance at his stupid smiling face, I nudged Jamie and asked,
“You ready?”
“No!”
“We’re going anyway.”
“W-why even ask, then??”
“To loosen up a bit.”
“You’re mean, Kate.”
I led the mumbling, nervous Jamie to the dollhouse entrance.
“Everyone, stay sharp. Let’s find the doll and get out immediately. Got it?”
“Yes.”
I could feel Jamie’s tension radiating to me.
“Alright then.”
I pulled aside the thick curtain blocking the entrance. Cold air wafted against my bare legs.
I swallowed hard and stepped in—only for the dangerous BGM to kick in immediately.
Just like that? Right when we enter?
I looked around, but nothing was visible yet.
The breath of the dolls seizes your mind.
Beware, lose consciousness, and everyone will be lost
Couldn’t the game at least tell me how to stay conscious?!
“Cough… K-Kate…”
A mist, like dry ice, began to roll in.
“Jamie, Nini… hold…”
I tried to tell them to cover their mouths and follow, but I failed spectacularly—
I was the first to pass out.
╭══ ≪ •❈• ≫ ══╮
“Uugh.”
How long had I been out? I opened heavy eyelids to a cold floor beneath me. Slowly, my blurry vision focused, revealing a high ceiling.
I rolled to the side, braced my hands on the ground, and pushed myself up.
“Nini? Jamie?”
I called their names, but there was no reply. As the system window had warned, losing consciousness meant losing everyone.
Thankfully, I had the lantern. Turning it on, I froze.
“Holy sh…”
Hundreds of dolls surrounded me, stacked like a wall.
There were cute plush animals and stuffed dolls, but also lifelike bisque dolls that could fool someone into thinking they were real.
“They’re all… dolls, right?”
The moment I reached out and brushed my hand against one doll, a shiver ran through me. Despite having no warmth, its appearance was so lifelike that it wouldn’t have been strange if it suddenly moved, and a primal fear surged within me.
“Ha… can I even find the right one like this? I don’t have a third eye!”
They were all clustered together in one spot, and I was starting to get confused about which doll was the one I already knew. I just hoped that even if it wasn’t me, Jamie or Nini would make some progress.
I gripped the lantern tighter and stepped forward cautiously.
Every sense in my body felt acutely heightened.
Examining the dolls’ faces, I paused.
Something had moved.
Just for an instant.
I was having issues with my Naver account, which is why I didn’t update earlier, but now it’s fixed, so I’ll be updating 3 times a week! Happy reading~
