Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!

Chapter 13: Orientation Day [3]

Zoey Terlin.

She was a named character that appeared in [Forest Nights], a game I helped design by my previous company, Nightmare Forge Studios.

The storyʼs premise centered around Zoey and her rich family setting off for a fun trip to a remote island. But disaster struck when their helicopter crashed en route. Stranded on an unfamiliar island filled with terrifying monsters, Zoey was left alone, her parents missing, forcing her to confront the islandʼs horrors in a desperate bid to find and rescue them.

In the end, the game ends on a happy note with her managing to rescue them.

There was no bad ending to the game, and that was what probably caused it not to do so well.

ʼThis must be some sort of joke, right? A shitty coincidence...?ʼ

”Most of you probably know her story. After accidentally crash-landing on Sentriest Island and single-handedly taking down multiple Titans before making it out alive, sheʼs gone on to clear several ranked Gates since then. What can I say? Sheʼs a star.”

Yes, so it wasnʼt a coincidence.

It really was her.

The fact that they even mentioned the Titans—monsters specifically designed to exist only within the island—only confirmed it further.

ʼ...So, not only has the world changed, but have the characters of games I had previously worked in appeared in this world as well?ʼ

I paused for a moment and thought about all the previous games I had worked on.

There were quite a few. A total of thirty one to be precise. From low-end graphics to high-end graphics.

So... youʼre telling me thereʼs a chance a character from each game could be in this world?

Motherfuc—

”Now that Iʼve introduced our two superstars, Iʼll get straight to the main topic.”

The Section Chief pressed a small remote in his hand, and the projector came to life.

A blank presentation slide appeared with just four words.

[Containment Sector Orientation Day]

It looked kind of plain.

”I know what youʼre thinking. It looks boring, plain...”

At least you know.

”But itʼs not about how pretty it looks—itʼs about how clearly it presents the information. Thereʼs no point spending hours making it look nice when youʼre only going to see it for ten minutes.”

In other words, you were too lazy to do it properly.

The slide changed.

[What do we do?]

Wow, he really went hard with the presentation.

”As the name of our sector implies, weʼre responsible for containing and studying anomalous entities and items. But where do these entities and items come from?”

The slide changed again, now displaying a black vortex hovering in the air.

”Thatʼs right, Gates!”

Bang, Bang—!

”....!?”

Two loud bangs echoed in the air, startling me and the few others next to me as colorful confetti fell down from above.

By the time I processed what had just happened, I noticed Kyle and Zoey standing behind the Section Chief, their faces flushed red and heads lowered, clearly trying to hide their embarrassment as they held onto two confetti poppers.

Oh god...

What sort of place was this?

”The Gates are each categorized into different types, and we at the Containment Sector handle Anomalous Type Gates. Now, what are Anomalous Type Gates?”

The slide changed.

[Anomalous Gates]

”Anomalous-Type Gates are Gates that go beyond the simple clearing Gates. Instead, they involve puzzles and strange challenges, like mind-bending problems and changing rules. They arenʼt Gates one can just brute force their way into clearing. If it were that simple, we wouldnʼt have the highest m—Keum.”

He was about to say the highest mortality rate, wasnʼt he?

”...Itʼs kind of dry in here, isnʼt it?”

No, it wasnʼt.

I felt lucky knowing that I was merely here as an observer. Just the thought of working here made me want to puke.

At the same time, I made sure to memorize all the information given in the presentation.

It was, as Kyle said, this was important information I couldnʼt afford to miss.

”If an Anomalous-Type Gate isnʼt cleared or found in time, thereʼs a high chance that the Anomalous Entity residing within the Gate slips into the real world. And thatʼs when it becomes a real problem.”

My ears perked up then.

I suddenly recalled the conductor from the ʼscenarioʼ I had previously experienced, and felt this next piece of information was closely related to me.

”...If an Anomalous Entity ever manages to enter our world, weʼll have a short window to find and contain it. At first, itʼll be weak, but as time passes and it gets used to our world, it will grow stronger.”

They will get stronger...?

My heart squeezed, and I felt my muscles tense.

ʼDoes that mean that the conductor will become stronger?ʼ

I felt my breath leave my body.

”Thatʼs why we need to stay on high alert at all times. If you notice anything unusual, donʼt hesitate to report it, even if it seems insignificant. That ʼinsignificantʼ detail might be the one thing that saves your life—and many others.”

I pressed my lips together and looked at Kyle.

ʼShould I come clean to him?ʼ

The thought had crossed my mind yesterday when I met him, but I wasnʼt yet sure of his position within the Guild or their stance on such matters. I didnʼt want to drag him into something so dangerous.

I also couldnʼt shake the worry of them wanting to dissect me, or something equally unsettling.

ʼBut listening to them now and seeing how much Kyle had understated his position, then perhaps...?ʼ

”And last but not least!”

The slide changed again, and the expressions of several people changed.

[Donʼt be a pussy!]

”Yes, itʼs as youʼve read.”

The Section Chief tapped onto the projector screen.

”Donʼt be a pussy when handling Anomalous entities. Even if they are scary, you mustnʼt be a pussy. Itʼs okay to be scared and brave, but its not okay to be scared and a pussy.”

Why did it feel like I was being targeted?

”Of course, rationality is key, but if youʼre being chased by something like the ghost of a little boy, chances are it canʼt really hurt you. The more fear you show, the stronger some entities can get. In situations like that... just kick the little ghost boy.”

The Section Chief did a kicking motion.

”Itʼs satisfying, trust me.”

”.....”

What sort of...?

I turned my attention towards Kyle, who turned his head away in shame.

”Oh well, it looks like the ten minutes are almost up.”

Checking his watch, the Section Chief pressed the remote.

[End]

”For a finishing statement, Iʼll say this. There are many different ranks for Anomalous Gates. I can understand that some are scary, and that the survival rate isnʼt quite high for people in our industry, but our job is crucial for maintaining order and peace in the world.”

He looked serious as he spoke.

”Itʼs okay to be scared. Itʼs a natural part of being human. Fear is something we all feel when faced with the unknown.”

Putting the remote in his pocket, he eyed all the recruits present in the room.

”Whatʼs important is that you donʼt stay passive. You need to actively engage in solving situations and handling cases. If youʼre passive in this industry, the only thing youʼll get is a gruesome death.”

The projector turned off, and silence filled the surroundings.

Then, just as everyone was busy processing his last words, he clapped his hands.

”Alright, enough with the presentation. Now that weʼve covered the basics, letʼs move on with the practical stuff.”

He turned his back on us and walked past Kyle and Zoey.

”...Shall we get to work and see how good you all are?”