“First things first, we need to keep our strength up if we’re going to get through this.”
I pulled out some stale cookies and dried jerky from my bag and handed them to the others.
“Are you sure this hasn’t expired? It’d be a disaster if we got food poisoning right now.”
Jamie adjusted her glasses as she voiced her unwelcome concern. I chose to ignore her.
“I don’t get why we have to eat this.”
Nini, chewing on the dry jerky with visible displeasure, added his complaint.
Are they seriously whining right now?
I furrowed my brow and held out my hand.
“If you don’t want it, give it back.”
“Do you actually like this stuff, Sis?”
“I’m not eating it because I like it. I’m eating it because I need energy.”
“In that case, I don’t need it.”
“Oh? Must be nice to be that strong.”
Without hesitation, I snatched the jerky from Nini’s hand and popped it into my mouth.
Nini’s eyes went wide in mild surprise.
“That’s what I was eating.”
“I know… You don’t have some contagious disease or anything, right?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then we’re good.”
It wasn’t the time to nitpick over every little thing, so I swallowed the jerky I’d been chewing to bits.
“So this is what they call an indirect kiss…”
I was so taken aback by his comment that I curled my fist and gave their head a light thump.
“You think you can say whatever you want, little one?”
“What part of me is little?”
“This is not the time for wordplay.”
Having regained some energy, I took a light, steadying breath.
“As you’ve all probably noticed, this doesn’t seem like an ordinary mansion.”
“Actually, I…”
Jamie brushed the cookie crumbs from her hands and spoke.
“In the room I was in, I found something strange. It looked like… a diary.”
“Oh? Really?”
It was rare for Jamie to bring up something that sounded genuinely interesting. Thinking it might be a potential clue, I leaned in and listened. But instead of explaining, Jamie pulled the diary out from inside her clothes and held it out.
It was an ordinary diary, though its worn leather cover carried the weight of years.
“I think it’d be better if you read it yourself,” Jamie said, eyes darting nervously, as if the pages hid something ominous.
I untied the cord wrapped around it and opened it. On the very first page was written the name Trisha. The second of the three sisters.
[ 19XX, November 8th ]
Today, it rained all day. In our village, when it rains, the fog thickens, and many people lose their way. Today, too…
[19XX, November 16th ]
A few days ago, I picked up a bird that had fallen from a tree. I cared for it diligently, and it quickly recovered enough to fly again. I wanted to keep it, but my parents were against it, so…
“What? Isn’t this just an ordinary diary?”
“Flip further toward the back.”
I skimmed through the entry with a disinterested look, but Jamie tapped the page with her finger. Following her lead, I rapidly flipped through the pages toward the end.
And soon, I understood exactly what she meant.
The once-normal diary began filling with strange words. Some pages were covered only with incomprehensible symbols or drawings.
This is unsettling.
Flipping a bit further, I found a page with a chilling scrawl saying “Found it” in a jagged, erratic handwriting. alongside a drawing of a doll. That was the final entry in the diary.
“What do you think? Intriguing, right?”
Jamie, who had been reading alongside me, asked.
“Yeah, it really is.”
There was no way this diary was meaningless. I was certain that the doll in the last entry was Trisha’s treasure.
“I think we need to find that doll.”
“Why?”
Nini asked, looking unconvinced.
“Just look at it. Doesn’t it seem suspicious?”
“But shouldn’t getting out of here be our priority?”
Right. How do I explain that to escape, we have to complete all the quests, and we’re in the middle of one? Why is it that when I actually need a choice, there isn’t one??
Respond to Nini’s question:
- 1. I’m thinking of different ways to get us out. (100G)
- 2. Do you have a better idea? (100G)
- 3. (Push him against the wall) Just do as I say.
- The last option is a special option that significantly affects affinity.
As if the system had been listening to my thoughts, a window system suddenly appeared.
A small, incredulous laugh escaped me. Not only was the reward for the special choice a useless increase in affection, but the cost was absurdly high! Were they mocking me, knowing I only had 60 gold?
Damn system. As if I’m not struggling enough already.
Grinding my teeth, I had no choice but to select the last option.
Thwack—
Textbook wall slam.
“Sis?”
Trapped between my arms, Nini blinked down at me, looking baffled.
“Just do as I say.”
And since I had already gone this far with the cringe-worthy line, I added my honest feelings.
“You’ve been talking too much.”
“…”
Silence. A cold, awkward silence.
As I cleared my throat and tried to step back, Nini’s fingers wrapped around my wrist.
His translucent amethyst-like eyes sparkled with intrigue. His gaze softened into a delicate downward curve, while the corners of his mouth traced a mischievous upward arc.
“Alright. I’ll do whatever you say, sis. But you have to take responsibility until the end.”
“What? Responsibility?”
Why would I—
“Whoa.”
Clap, clap, clap. From the sidelines, Jamie suddenly clapped.
Jamie has fallen for your commanding presence
Affection: +8%
…Why is your affection going up?
Nini has developed a slight curiosity toward you
Suspicion Level: 5%
Affection: 0%
I give up. I don’t even know what the point of an affection system in a horror game is!
Still, it was probably better to gain favor than to arouse suspicion.
“Anyway, so the room Jamie came out of is Trisha’s, right? Did you see a doll like this in there?”
“No, it was just an empty, plain room.”
“Then we’ll have to search elsewhere.”
This mansion had way too many rooms. Just deciding where to start was a challenge.
That’s when I hear it.
A low, ominous BGM began to creep into my ears.
The meaning was clear.
Log into the next quest — Chapter 9
- ▸ Yes
- ▸ No
