I Think I’m a Horror Game Villain - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

[Tommy
Favorability [1]
Suspicion [0]
‘Why do I care so much about Heina?’]

[Zion Delius
Favorability [3]
Suspicion [1]
‘Heyna is the only person here on my level. The more I get to know her, the more intriguing she becomes.’

Thanks to the increase in affection, Zion’s suspicion, originally at 2, had dropped to 1.]

‘What was that? ‘On my level’?’ I scoffed, having checked Zion’s inner thoughts through his affection level.

‘So much for ‘on his level.’ I can’t stand people who set their own arbitrary standards and judge others. If it weren’t for managing his affection, I would have distanced myself from Zion immediately. Annoyed as I was, I decided to focus on managing his affection for now. This chapter was progressing peacefully without any major dangers, so if not now, when would I raise his affection level? Should I raise Tommy’s affection a bit too while I’m at it? I haven’t had any trouble with Tommy so far, but it couldn’t hurt…

‘No, I’ll pass. Tommy’s supposed to end up with someone later, so I shouldn’t interfere…’

As I naturally pictured someone beside Tommy, my thoughts screeched to a halt. Now that the player is dead, the only people left in this mansion are me, Zion, and Tommy. Everyone else is a ghost. So, for Tommy to end up with someone, a lover… such a person couldn’t possibly exist!

‘Something’s wrong.’ Ever since I arrived here, I’d had the nagging feeling that I was forgetting something crucial. Words would slip out unconsciously, and hazy fragments of something would surface and then vanish.

‘What is it?’
Was there an error in my memory? If so, what was I forgetting? Trying to piece together my fragmented memories, like a section of film had been cut out, gave me a pounding headache. Unable to bear the worsening pain, I stumbled and sat down on the bed.

This wouldn’t do. I needed to call the butler for some painkillers. Just as I was about to call for the butler to relieve the throbbing in my temples—

Riiiing—

The jarring ring of the telephone made me jump.

‘What’s with that loud ringtone?’ The shock of the ringing seemed to momentarily ease the headache. I instinctively started to answer the phone, but then froze. Wasn’t that phone supposed to be just for decoration…?

I quickly checked the guidebook.

7. The telephones in each room are for decorative purposes only. Do not answer the phone under any circumstances; ignore it.

Just as I thought.

Riiiing—

Cautiously, I approached the phone and examined it. As if to prove the guidebook right, there was no wire connected to the phone at all. Since the phone line wasn’t connected, there was no way anyone could be calling.

Riiiing—

The loud ringing, clear as a bell, was definitely not a hallucination.

Riiiing—

Four rings. The phone, which had been ringing insistently, finally fell silent.

“Did it… stop?”

Riiiing—

As if understanding my words, the phone started ringing again. The ringing was so loud that I could feel a slight vibration from the table beneath it.

‘No, the guidebook specifically said not to answer the phone.’

I dove into bed and pulled the covers over my head, plugging my ears with my hands.

Riiiing—
Riiiing—
Riiiing—

Again, after four rings, it went quiet.

‘Surely it won’t ring again.’

Riiiing—

Damn it! I knew it.

Riiiing—

Maybe this incessant ringing would only stop if I answered the phone. The thought suddenly struck me, and I bolted upright to check the time.

9:10 PM. It was still within the permitted time for hallway access.

‘Okay, then…’

I quickly opened the door and fled.

***

“Heyna? What’s wrong? And dressed like that…” Zion looked quite flustered when he saw me. It was understandable. I hadn’t had time to change, so I was wearing only a thin, white nightgown that was practically see-through, with just a shawl draped over it.

“Can I come in for a moment?”

“Y-yes…?” Zion’s face became even more flustered, a strange blush creeping up his cheeks. He must have been thinking something… inappropriate.

“…Come in.”

Hesitantly, Zion ushered me inside. The faint blush on his cheeks had now spread to his ears.

“Please have a seat. I’ll find you something more suitable to wear.”

“No, it’s okay. The shawl is enough…”

“I’m not okay with it.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, no. I, I mean…” Unlike his usual composed self, Zion was stammering and flustered. He usually looked me straight in the eye when we spoke, but now he was staring at the floor. His awkwardness was making me feel strangely uncomfortable.