Horror Game Designer

Chapter 29: The Temptation of Home

In the world of psychological fear, there are four distinct levels, each offering a progressively stranger and more frightening experience.

Gao Ming, who had previously been stuck in the initial stage, had witnessed scenes that were so realistic they were nearly indistinguishable from actual events. But as one ventures deeper into these layers of fear, the situations they encounter become increasingly bizarre and horrifying.

Driven by a fierce determination to save his colleagues, Gao Ming bravely dove into the depths of this fear, immersing himself in the same nightmarish visions that his team members had experienced.

In one of these visions, he was confronted by a horrific entity, a nightmarish combination of distorted figures resembling parents. He was uncertain whether this was a manifestation of a child’s terror from room 405 or a creation from the collective psyche of the investigators.

As the architect behind this game of terror, Gao Ming understood that no real ghosts existed within this ominous creation. The monstrous figure before him was likely a tangible representation of fear itself.

In “Phobia,” the game they found themselves trapped in, there was a rule: when a group is overwhelmed by a shared fear, that fear has the power to take on a physical form.

To face such a creature, a product of their collective terror, one needed immense rationality and bravery. Any trace of fear would only empower the creature, giving it formidable abilities derived from the players’ own imaginations.

In this battle against fear, the players were essentially fighting against themselves. This understanding propelled Gao Ming to confront the beast head-on, mentally steeling himself for the confrontation.

“Don’t be afraid!” Gao Ming yelled, hoping to disrupt the cycle of fear among his fellow investigators and prevent them from further empowering the creature. Recognizing that mere words weren’t enough, he decided to take direct action.

He grappled with the monstrous figure, a twisted representation of a child’s perception of aggressive and harmful parents. He disregarded the sharp blade in the woman’s hand and the man’s desperate attacks, standing unyielding and firm like a rock in a turbulent sea.

“Fear is a psychological counselor’s most familiar emotion and the most vital to master,” Gao Ming reflected. “Only by conquering fear can one truly explore the deepest, darkest corners of the human psyche.”

Gao Ming relentlessly attacked the monster, who was also desperately trying to rid itself of the restraint that had been born from Zhao Xi’s memories and desires.

“You are selfish and violent, blaming the world for your problems, filled with resentment, and even directing your rage towards your child. You don’t deserve to be called parents,” Gao Ming proclaimed, his arms straining with effort as he spoke. “Once your true nature is revealed, no one will fear you.”

His words seemed to target not just the monstrous figure, but also Zhu Miao Miao, addressing deeper issues at play.

As the fear within the building rapidly dissipated, the new investigators made their escape, causing the monstrous figure to shrink considerably. Zhu Miao Miao felt a surge of strength returning to her.

Clutching her firefighter’s axe, a tool she became familiar with during numerous fire rescue operations, Zhu Miao Miao overcame her longstanding fear of ghosts and spirits.

Regaining her clarity, she noticed something alarming: a thick, spiked vein extending from the bloated body of the monster to her own head. She tried to cut it with her axe, but her physical attack seemed ineffective.

Undeterred, Zhu Miao Miao charged at the monster, axe in hand. As she faced and conquered her fear, the vein connecting them withered away, eventually falling lifelessly to the ground.

With its last source of fear extinguished, the monstrous, deformed figure that resembled a parent, let out a piercing scream. It was then cleaved in two by the chains wielded by Gao Ming, disintegrating into countless red beads that were absorbed by the chains.

“Thank you for coming to save me,” Zhu Miao Miao expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Gao Ming, knowing she would always remember the image of this brave young man.

“What about the others?” Gao Ming inquired, surveying the area. He had ventured into the deepest layer of Phobia, a realm far removed from reality. Apart from Zhu Miao Miao, he couldn’t see anyone else.

“They seem to have escaped the building,” she responded.

“Did they leave this place?” Sensing something unusual, Gao Ming quickly moved downstairs, urging, “Follow me closely.”

“Team Leader Bai Qiao was with them; they should be safe,” Zhu Miao Miao reassured, placing her trust in Gao Ming as she followed him.

After they had vanquished the fear-formed parents, the ominous shadow that had been enveloping the building started to recede. Unlike typical games, “Phobia” appeared to be actively pushing Gao Ming and Zhu Miao Miao out, an anomaly that caught Gao Ming’s attention. He hurried down the stairs without stopping.

Upon reaching the ground floor, Gao Ming forcefully kicked open the door, only to be greeted by streets enveloped in shadows and fog, revealing a world that was bizarrely distorted.

The game seemed to be expanding its influence, with the shadows stretching further and further.

“Stay here,” Gao Ming instructed Zhu Miao Miao as he ventured into the mysterious streets, contemplating whether this shadowy realm was a direct reflection of reality. Was this a distorted version of the real world or something entirely different?

He thought about theories of parallel universes, but the complexity of their situation seemed to defy such a straightforward explanation. The mysteries were accumulating, demanding not only survival but a determined quest for the truth.

As Gao Ming walked down the street, he discovered a tattered investigator uniform. Nearby, a pale-faced child peeked around a corner, fearfully gesturing for him to stay away.

“Is this child the source of ‘Phobia’?” Gao Ming pondered, questioning whether he could even catch the child in this mysterious, shadow-filled world.

“I understand that you’ve been living in a very oppressive and tense environment,” Gao Ming called out in a gentle, reassuring tone, carefully concealing the chains up his sleeve. He extended a tattered doll towards the child, offering a promise, “If you’re longing for a new family, one that’s warm and harmonious, come find me. I’m surrounded by many parents, all of whom are incredibly kind-hearted.” He added with sincerity, “I live in Li Jing Apartment, Building 4, Floor 4. Remember, you’re always welcome there.”

Before Gao Ming could complete his offer, the child disappeared, and with its departure, the engulfing shadows began to retreat rapidly.

It became evident to Gao Ming that the game had seemingly chosen to expel him instead of him conquering the game.

“This high-level, ominous game has undergone a transformation because of that young boy,” Gao Ming contemplated, his expression shifting from warmth to a more serious demeanor. “It’s possible that the boy from room 405 isn’t actually a ghost but rather a player who decided to remain within the game, existing in this shadow-filled reality.”

At the street’s end, a faint glimmer of light emerged. Zhu Miao Miao approached Gao Ming amidst the rain, expressing her relief and surprise, “It looks like we’ve made it through this bizarre ordeal! But I didn’t catch sight of anyone else!”

Gao Ming, allowing the rain to drench him, reflected on the protocol for such situations, “The guidelines for managing these events advise against leaving the area hastily, as it can result in getting lost.” He speculated that the other investigators were probably still ensnared in the shadow world, fighting for their survival.

Staring at the towering, foreboding buildings, Gao Ming pondered, “Lishan, being the most densely populated and chaotic part of the old city, experiences the highest frequency of these abnormal events. If I can transform the buildings in this shadowy neighborhood into a sanctuary for those still alive, it could potentially save many lives in future calamities.”

With a look of determination, he contemplated the necessary sacrifices, “To make this happen, a significant sacrifice will be needed. But pursuing the right cause is worth it. Ah, Qin Tian was right about me; my selflessness knows no bounds.”