Chapter 08
It sounded like furniture being knocked over.
The noise came from beyond the bathroom door that connected to my room. But there shouldn’t have been anyone in my room…
Before I could fully process it, a strong force grabbed my ankle.
“Ugh!”
I was pulled under the water before I could react. The bathwater mixed with bath salts instantly flooded my eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
I desperately groped around the bathtub, but the smooth surface kept slipping from my hands.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A noise like someone trying to break down a door rang dully in my ears.
As I struggled near the surface, I finally saw what was gripping my ankle.
“It’s that hand from earlier!”
I thought it couldn’t move. When did it recover?
I didn’t know how, but at least I knew the cause now.
“Gasp!”
I barely lifted my head out of the water, took a deep breath, and dove back down.
Curling my body, I grabbed one of the fingers of the hand that was clamped around my ankle like a shackle—
Snap.
I bent it backward.
The hand twisted and released me. The leg that had felt heavy as if tied to a weight suddenly became light.
I immediately climbed out of the bathtub.
“Ugh… I feel sick.”
As I spat out water and panted, I heard splashing from the tub.
The hand, now with a broken middle finger, was struggling to climb out just like I had.
I grabbed a bath brush and pushed the escaping hand back into the tub.
“Didn’t you want a bath? Enjoy it.”
After repeating this a few times, the hand finally disappeared beneath the surface.
It doesn’t even give me a moment to relax.
I stepped out of the bathroom and sighed while drying my wet hair.
Thud.
The noise that had stopped earlier suddenly echoed through the room again.
Was it not a ghostly phenomenon? Was someone actually there?
I quickly changed into pajamas and carefully opened the door.
“Who’s there?”
Only the scattered gas lamps in the hallway flickered. There was no sign of anyone.
“No one?”
I opened the door wider and stepped outside.
Crunch.
“Huh?”
Looking down, I realized I had stepped on a ceramic ornament and shattered it.
“Who left this here?!”
Shocked, I examined the broken object.
It was a delicate sculpture of a trumpet-blowing angel. Its neck had completely shattered.
This is bad.
According to the game setting, I’m supposed to be someone who came here to help. And on the very first day, I’ve already caused multiple disasters.
It doesn’t look cheap. What if they make me pay for it?
I clearly look like someone with no money.
Suddenly, my body began to tremble.
Only then did I notice how cold the hallway air had become.
Horror game, what kind of horror are you even trying to create? If you’re going to do it, at least give me something classic. A demon death match, a ghost parade, a chase with a serial killer—something like that.
Holding back tears, I gathered the broken pieces into a handkerchief and hid them deep inside my vanity drawer.
“I’ll deal with this later.”
I’ve already caused enough trouble for one day.
When things calm down, I’ll confess.
It’s not like I broke it on purpose. It was whoever left it by the door that’s at fault!
Ignoring the pang of guilt, I lay down on the bed.
Maybe because of that guilty feeling, the strange coldness never left me that night.
****
Knock knock.
When I opened my eyes at the sound, the room was bright.
It was already morning.
I buried my face into the pillow to block the sunlight.
I barely slept because I kept thinking about the broken angel.
“Dora, just a little longer…”
“It’s me. Are you ready?”
The moment I heard Killian’s low voice, all sleepiness vanished. I sat up quickly.
“Ready for what?”
“Surely you didn’t just wake up?”
“I did.”
There was a brief silence.
Was that the sound of wind? Or was he sighing?
“Get ready quickly and come down to the first floor.”
His tone was polite but firm.
I said okay and went to look for clothes to change into.
But the wardrobe was empty.
I immediately stepped outside and called out to Killian, who was already walking away.
“Mr. Killian!”
“What is it… ah.”
He turned at my call but immediately tilted his head away diagonally.
Why is he reacting like that? Like he saw something he shouldn’t have.
“Well, I have a request.”
As I took a step closer, Killian raised a hand as if to stop me.
“Go back inside first. What on earth are you wearing… ah…”
With an exasperated expression, he pushed me back into the room.
What’s wrong with my clothes? My one-piece pajamas had no exposure except that they were sleeveless.
…Well, the strap had slipped down a little.
Maybe that was why.
What seemed minor to me might be too much for a gentleman in a game set in an older era.
I quickly adjusted the strap.
“So, what’s your request?”
“As you can see, I look like this. I’m sorry, but could you tell Dora to bring me some clothes?”
“There should be a button next to your bed. Press it and a maid will come.”
Following his words, I saw something like a bell button on the bedpost.
This really is a system for summoning people like servants.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I pressed it.
“I didn’t know that was there. I’ll get ready quickly.”
“Very well. See you later.”
After Killian left, Dora came shortly with clothes.
I quickly finished getting ready and went down to the first floor.
After passing three similar-looking sitting rooms, I heard Killian’s voice at the end of the corridor.
“Over here.”
In a bright room surrounded by beautiful windows, Killian sat at a table with coffee, reading a newspaper.
“I heard running in the hallway. What’s the rush?”
He asked casually, like it was a lazy weekend afternoon.
My empty hand clenched into a fist.
You’re the one who told me to hurry.
He acts calm after pressuring me?
I was irritated, but I exercised social patience and replied indirectly.
“I thought it was something urgent. Since you came to get me so early.”
“It’s fine. Father has already finished breakfast and gone to rest.”
So he came early because he wanted to have breakfast together.
And maybe he was annoyed that it didn’t happen. He really does take good care of his father.
Remembering my role as companion, I explained,
“I didn’t know. I usually don’t eat breakfast.”
“Starting tomorrow, let’s have breakfast together every day at 8 a.m. Father feels disappointed when you’re not there.”
Killian smiled gently as if making a request.
Seeing that face first thing in the morning was too overwhelming. I lowered my gaze.
“I’ll do that.”
“Good.”
He left the rest of his coffee untouched and stood up.
He was wearing a refined dark gray suit that fit him perfectly.
“Where are you going?”
“I have something to do. I’ll return by dinner. Please take good care of Father in the meantime.”
He walked past me and took his hat and trench coat from the rack.
“Excuse me.”
Without checking the mirror, Killian put on his hat and left the room with long strides.
[〈Act!〉
– Stay in the room
– Follow ??????? Killian]
A choice here?
I looked around.
No matter how I saw it, this was an ordinary room. Nothing seemed likely to happen if I stayed.
What bothered me more was the second option.
Seven question marks. Was that a bug?
It felt suspicious, but I decided quickly.
“Better two than one.”
At least Killian is human.
I followed closely behind him.
Walking briskly down the corridor, Killian glanced at me.
“Do you need something from me?”
“No. I’m just seeing you off.”
I answered casually.
He let out a short laugh and smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry about me. Focus on your own duties.”
“Yes, I will. After I see you off.”
He didn’t try to stop me further.
Outside the mansion, a shiny black car was waiting.
A servant opened the back door, and Killian smoothly got in.
“Have a safe trip.”
I waved as the car drove away.
It had been a long time since I had seen someone off like this, and I felt strangely sentimental.
Then glowing text appeared before me.
[〈Act!〉
– Follow Killian]
Why is the choice I already picked still here?
The moment I felt suspicious, my legs bent slightly at the knees, preparing to run.
A terrible feeling washed over me.
Don’t tell me the action from that choice isn’t finished yet…?
No. That’s impossible. He already left in a car. How am I supposed to follow him? Stop joking!
I desperately denied reality.
But my merciless legs ignored me and suddenly sprinted at full speed after the disappearing car.
