3. The Unlocked Room in the Horror Game
Chapter 15 (Illustration)
This was the safe zone.
Compared to the chaotic whirlwind of the early stages, the monsters had gone quiet.
The beginning chaos was due to Holloway’s whims, and maybe completing the third-floor story game had earned us this breather.
I slipped on nearby slippers and scanned for anything different.
“This place is nicer than the other cabins. Must’ve been one of the pricier ones.”
Moran looked around the room with a touch of wonder.
Given the hotel’s setup, room size and luxury varied by price.
There was a large bed, a big sofa and table. A desk, and a bathroom off to the side.
Just a safe space like the window said?
Finding nothing special, I felt a pang of disappointment.
As I rummaged around, Holloway asked.
“Sis, looking for something?”
“Nope.”
Even if there was, no way I’d tell you—I’m not crazy.
Confirming zilch, exhaustion hit me like a wave.
As someone who didn’t trust Moran or Werner, sleeping weaponless in front of them was out of the question.
Especially Moran—she was the least reliable. Her stunt with Holloway, those subtly infuriating words.
One blink asleep, and she’d probably snag my gun and sword and sneak off.
Better rest without full-on sleeping for now.
I headed to the sofa and sat; Holloway scampered over and plopped beside me.
“Sis, aren’t you hungry?”
“Yeah…”
Drained, my body started slumping toward Holloway, but Werner blocked it.
Then he gently guided my face to rest on his shoulder.
“What the hell are you doing.”
“Better to lean on an adult than a kid, right?”
“Ha.”
A chilly breath slipped from Holloway’s lips.
“Kid.”
Muttering that, he kept scrunching his face, clearly displeased.
Pissing off the final boss was a bad move.
I shoved Werner’s touch away, pulled Holloway onto my lap, and hugged him.
Burying my face in his shoulder, I mumbled.
“This is way better.”
“Right? You like my arms more, Sis?”
As if his mood had flipped, Holloway’s voice bubbled with excitement as he stroked my hair.
His touch had me drifting off without realizing.
Ah, no. Snap out of it.
I didn’t, and conked out cold.
❖ ❖ ❖
In that brief span, Evelyn seemed to have dozed off, her breathing steady and even.
Without anyone prompting, everyone there fell silent.
Holloway relaxed into Evelyn’s tight embrace as she slept. Werner reached out to him.
“I was going to move Miss Evelyn to the bed—can you slip out?”
Instead of answering, Holloway just stared up at him.
This guy rubbed him the wrong way.
Always hovering by Evelyn despite her clear dislike. She rejected him nonstop, but he didn’t care.
Holloway pointedly gestured at Evelyn’s arms around his waist and flashed a beaming smile.
A smile so pretty it seemed laced with mistflower scent.
Eyes folding softly, lush white lashes, red lips curving in an arc.
Not one bit let you look away.
“Sis won’t let go!”
Werner’s gaze sharpened.
“Then we’ll move you both.”
He reached to lift the uncomfortable-looking Evelyn.
A faint touch jolted her awake.
“What? Why touch me? After my weapons?”
“Just trying to move you to the bed since you looked uncomfortable.”
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
Her brazen lie came with a face full of drowsiness.
Holloway knew she wouldn’t sleep with Werner and Moran around.
She couldn’t in front of them, but relaxed with him.
That fact alone curved a satisfied smile on Holloway’s lips.
Holloway’s Favorability increased by 3%!
This unlocks ‘Attachment’ and ‘Possessiveness.’
Attachment and Possessiveness reflect choices made so far.
Favorability: 5.5% Attachment: 1% Possessiveness: 8%
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed at the stats.
…Hold up, possessiveness? Why’s that so high?
Sleep fled her completely.
And just over 5% favorability had unlocked two at once.
Rather than pure joy, an uneasy dread rose in her gut; she licked her dry lips.
This feels… dangerous.
As Evelyn stared blankly at the numbers, Holloway’s small hands cupped her cheeks.
“Sis, you’re not sleeping, right?”
Leaning in close, he whispered just for her.
“You can’t sleep in front of anyone but me. Right?”
The voice tinged with obsession left Evelyn speechless.
Ding.
Possessiveness increased by 2%.
Attachment increased by 1%.
Favorability: 5.5% Attachment: 2% Possessiveness: 10%
Possessiveness is 10% higher than Attachment!
When Possessiveness exceeds Attachment by 10% or more, you’re closer to the Imprisonment Ending.
If Possessiveness stays 10%+ higher than Attachment for 24 full hours, ‘Unhappy Imprisoned Life’ begins.
…What, what life?
Special exception: A unique quest has triggered.
Accept quest to raise Attachment?
[Yes] / [No]
Evelyn hammered ‘Yes’ without a hitch.
In her current ignorance of how to raise attachment, she had no choice but to take this quest.
Imprisonment ending.
And unhappy at that!
She’d forgotten.
Before horror game, it was a dating sim with romance baked in.
With the final boss as the love interest!
Evelyn, who’d planned to just boost favorability for an easy escape, wanted to cry at her naive scheme.
Special Quest Accepted.
Raise Attachment Quest Goal: Satisfy Holloway’s hunger. Cook and serve him delicious food. Warm food might thaw his frozen heart a bit! Time Limit: 5 hours Clear Reward: Holloway’s Attachment +10%. Failure: Closer to Imprisonment Ending.
Nearest ‘Dining Room: Lounge Bar’ from here is on the 1st floor lobby, to the right.
❖ ❖ ❖
I’m the hungry one, but perfect timing. To wake up fully, I decided to cook in the dining room.
All I know is soup, though…
Hoping to shift the weird vibe, I turned to Holloway.
“Let’s hunt down the dining room and see if there’s anything edible.”
“Yeah, Sis!”
Thankfully, the odd atmosphere flipped quick.
Werner and Moran stood too.
“But do you know where the dining room is?”
“Usually in the first-floor lobby, right? We’ll find it if not.”
Wouldn’t mind if they didn’t tag along.
But whether they were hungry too or just shadowing to stop me and Holloway from bolting, they trailed silently.
“Do you know how to cook?”
A question knowing full well a lifelong noble like me wouldn’t.
“Nope. But I can make soup… Holloway, soup okay? If there are ingredients, I’ll whip up more if I can.”
“You’re cooking for me?”
“Yeah.”
Gotta raise that attachment.
Hate the unhappy imprisoned life.
If anything, I’d prefer a happy one.
Definitely not trapped in this hellhole hotel.
“Then just for me?”
“Huh? No… Sir and Moran are here too, so we’ll all eat together.”
“Ah, got it!”
You sure?
His chilly smile sparked unease.
And it hit the mark.
Reaching the first floor, turning the corner to the dining room—we smacked right into a monster.
A huge pumpkin mask, massive axes in both hands.
Sticky blood dripping thick from the blades.
Spotting us, the monster started jumping in place.
Building momentum? It leaped high, then rocketed forward the second its feet hit.
Moran screamed in shock.
“Aaaah!”
Her shriek startled me more—I flinched.
“Run, just bolt!”
I spun to flee, but Moran lost her legs and collapsed.
Before I could act, Werner scooped her up fast and ran.
He dashed toward the second-floor safe zone. Werner tried to follow me late, but sharp spears suddenly rained from above.
So keen and hard, they embedded on impact.
The spears between Werner and me split us—me and Holloway from him and Moran.
Seizing the gap, the monster closed fast, leaped with its huge axe, and slammed it down.
The rebound shattered the floor, shockwave hitting us.
The violent quake floated me and Holloway, tumbling us hard.
Werner yelled at the sight.
“Miss Evelyn!”
“Forget me—run!”
I have a gun!
“But…”
As Werner hesitated, the massive monster suddenly split in two.
We froze in horror, staring at the spectacle.
The identical duo backed each other.
One eyed us as prey, the other Werner—and charged.
Realizing the bind, Werner bolted.
“Damn!”
Hate to use it now, but no choice. As I drew the gun.
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind, lifting and shoving me to the wall.
Not Holloway.
Thick arms around my waist, hoisting with adult male strength.
Before I could speak, a low voice came.
“Keep your face buried in the wall.”
Harsh words, but the voice dripped kindness.
Couldn’t see what happened, but thuds echoed briefly, then silence fell.
“Th-Thanks…”
No reply from behind, despite the thanks.
Still hugging me from back, apparently.
Face still wall-planted, I asked slyly again.
“Gone?”
As I turned cautiously, a man’s forehead touched the back of my head.
“I said don’t turn.”
His arms tightened around my waist. Laughter-mixed breath brushed my neck.
The sticky, odd vibe made me stammer without thinking.
“Wh-Why? Can’t look?”
“No, you can’t. Because…”
His hand toyed with my fingers.
In a dangerously alluring voice, he whispered low.
“There’s a very naughty little brat behind you.”
Ding!
Possessiveness increased by 2%.
Attachment increased by 1%.
Favorability: 5.5% Attachment: 2% Possessiveness: 12%
Possessiveness is 10% higher than Attachment!
‘Unhappy Imprisoned Life’ countdown: 23:59:59 remaining.
Hurry and raise Attachment!
