End of Semester and the Thrill of Horror
Aigoo, it's finally the end of the semester. Time had flown by since returning from the Imperial Palace. Days spent enduring lectures with Yaruru, nights playing mini-games with Adel in my mental space.
"...Now that I think about it, it was pretty fulfilling."
And now. Right before the bell for the last class of the second-year first semester. I was still staring at the lectern with half-lidded eyes.
...Or pretending to, at least.
If I'd had enough attendance days, I'd be sprawled out in the dorm right now.
But the world was never on my side, and my past self had dumped this burden on me. Just one more day—no, half a day per subject—absent, and I'd have gone down in legend as the all-F guy...
"Then, that concludes this semester's lectures."
As if reading our minds, the professor swept his gaze over the classroom, dropped that cool line, and left.
"Chase."
As I pondered what to do over break, a familiar voice whispered in my ear.
"What? Why are your eyes so wide open?"
I turned to see Yaruru puffing out her cheeks, glaring at me with fierce eyes. Not her usual 'I'm mad, so cheer me up' mode, but the look of someone genuinely pissed.
"I have something to say, you know."
"What's up?"
"You really have no idea, Chase?"
"..."
Am I in deep shit? Sounds familiar...
Yaruru tossed her bag onto the seat next to me and leaned in close.
"I've been waiting the whole time, you know!"
"For what?"
"For the new game, that's what!"
My shoulders twitched at her words.
...Ah.
She was right. I'd made a few mini-games for Adel, who was lonely in my status window... but I hadn't planned on releasing them.
"It hasn't been that long."
"It's been forever, you know!"
"Forever's a bit much."
Not that I had room to talk, with my status window cheat key—but cranking out two games in less than a semester?
"Anyway, waiting until the end of term makes it forever, you know!"
"..."
My mouth snapped shut before I could argue. Yaruru crossed her arms, staring me down with momentum.
"I held back from asking what came after Northern Defense, you know."
"..."
"After you got back from the palace, I became your assistant and was super excited, but held back again, you know."
Ah—
"But you kept saying nothing, and now term's over, you know!"
Yaruru tapped the desk.
"At this point, I have the right to grill you as your assistant, you know!"
"Yeah..."
This was my mistake. Even setting aside Adel's special case, ignoring Yaruru after acknowledging her as my assistant was inexcusable.
A new title. Yeah, I needed to make a proper new game, not just mini-games. And lift the status window production limits. I'd been thinking someday anyway.
"Got it. After the ceremony, I'll think about it."
"Thinking's not enough, you know!"
"Then?"
"You'll definitely go back to your family over break, and then I can't help as your assistant, you know!"
"..."
"So we need to decide now, you know."
Yaruru folded her fingers seriously.
"Genre, playstyle, vibe."
Genre, mechanics, concept, huh.
"Learned that from my games?"
"This is assistant basics, you know."
Shrugging, Yaruru looked way more reliable than usual. She steps up when it counts.
Then the academy intercom announced the end-of-term ceremony.
[All students, proceed to the auditorium...]
"Anyway, this time we really need a new game, you know."
I stood without answering and headed to the auditorium.
...So what game should I make?
The end-of-term ceremony wasn't much different from last year's. Professors droned on about our hard work over the half-year and urged self-cultivation during break. Students half-listened, chatting about meetups and hangouts. Some heading home, some staying in Academy City, a few maniacs talking internships and prep work.
So peaceful.
I zoned out in the middle, staring into space.
New game... What to make? Ideas flooded in. Things I wanted to try. But too many choices meant decision paralysis.
Nothing's clicking with a 'this is it!'
"No, seriously!"
"You must've seen wrong. How could stuff move on its own without a mage nearby?"
"I saw it clear as day!"
A student thumping his chest in frustration at disbelieving friends.
...Huh?
"Heading south for summer vacation again?"
"Hehe, of course! That's why I dieted."
"Eek! Can't wait! Bet there'll be tons of hot guys!"
Girls dreaming of beach hunks.
"Summer, huh..."
I mumbled unconsciously, and Yaruru perked up.
"Not game talk—why bring up seasons all of a sudden, you know?"
"Just."
Just—something on the tip of my tongue. Summer meant festivals? Breaks? Heat? Nights? And...
"...Horror?"
Sweltering summer night! Something terrifying to cool your sweat!
Summer and horror went hand in hand.
"..."
This world had no real scary stories beyond folktales like "monsters drag off disobedient kids to the back mountain."
At least none I've heard.
Peaceful even here...
Fine by me.
What reactions from zero-tolerance folks? What chaos in the community? Could I twist those carefree faces into terror?
Delicious.
Horror in this peaceful isekai—fresh for sure. But...
Tons of references... What's the best motif?
Abandoned hospital, old mansion—zombies, yokai. Nothing clicked.
Copying references? Meh.
I'd find it boring to make.
Earth knowledge might thrill them... but not for the creator.
Break gives time—like Northern Defense, prototype a bunch?
Inspiration from this world could amp the unease for players.
"That's it!"
"Chase, your eyes just lit up, you know."
"So they were dead before...? Never mind, Yaruru!"
"Huh? What's up, you know?"
"Horror."
"Huh?"
"Our next game's genre is horror."
Yaruru tilted her head.
"How's scary stuff a game, you know?"
I grinned at her doubt.
"Back when the academy's Abandoned Research Building still had life..."
Gulp.
......
"Then—BAM!"
"Eek—!"
"Gah!!!"
"Ugh—ack—"
"...What? Everyone okay?"
Yaruru's utter disbelief made me lower my voice, weaving a spooky tale from past-life ghost stories on the spot. Climax jumpscare with sound effects—but the biggest reactions came from nearby students who'd gathered to listen.
"Haha... Your story was too good, got carried away."
First apology from the guy who'd been ranting about moving objects.
"Chase Roman, right? The one who got the plaque from Valkar."
The mild-mannered guy with slipping glasses adjusted them.
"I'm Luchel Mason. Call me Luchel."
"Nice to meet ya, Luchel."
"Overheard your story by chance... You into creepy tales like that?"
I shrugged at his friendly approach.
"Pretty much. Was just showing my friend the appeal."
How many horror games had I played in my past life? Community scraps could fill a dozen books.
Luchel's glasses gleamed at my confidence.
Does that even work in real life?
"Then, you know those rumors about the Abandoned Research Building being super haunted?"
Luchel leaned in mysteriously.
Sealed 20 years ago. But occasional unexplained explosions... Third floor: frantic footsteps that suddenly cut off.
"Worst part: explosion trapped students who couldn't evacuate..."
"S-so scary, you know..."
Yaruru clung to her chair at Luchel's vivid tale.
"Oho... Intriguing. Yaruru."
"Uh, y-yeah?"
"As my assistant, you gotta check it out with me, right?"
"..."
Yaruru rolled her eyes beside me, sparking my mischief.
"You wanna test it ASAP, yeah?"
"...!"
Couldn't say it outright with Luchel there, but she got my drift instantly.
"F-fine, you know..."
Still reluctant, but she chose assistant duty.
Luchel, amused, offered his mana panel.
"Perfect timing—heading to a super haunted spot over break with a friend. Hit me up if you're in."
"Sweet! Count me—"
Smooth contact swap with Luchel.
Hit the Abandoned Research Building first, then link with him. Perfect.
Reference spot secured. Just wait out the ceremony.
Post-ceremony, students fled like the wind, emptying the place fast. Old me would've shoved through the crowd, but not today.
"You're not going right away, are you, you know?"
"Huh?"
"I need time to mentally prepare, you know..."
Yaruru vibrated like her mana panel on buzz mode. I shook my head.
"Nah. We'll chill in Academy City a few days first."
Students could bolt, but staff couldn't. They'd stick around 2-3 days.
"...Phew, good, you know."
We grabbed a few changes of clothes and headed to the city.
Academy City's night buzzed more than expected. Rivaling Nista's offline event vibe.
"Break's first day hype?"
"Chase! Look over there, you know! The city wall murals glow with phosphorescence!"
"...No kidding."
Even for day one? Pubs and eateries packed solid, flushed-faced students darting everywhere.
Strolling through with Yaruru, I casually scanned around.
Bright.
Too bright. In a game, how to flip this to icy chill?
"Chase, you didn't drink but you're drunk, you know?"
"Nope."
Bellies full, moods high, we returned to our pre-booked inn. No money woes, so deluxe rooms for both.
Cozy beds worth the coin. Lying back, I stared at the ceiling blankly.
"Horror..."
Horror. Not just my memories, but accessible to isekai folk.
"How to pull it off..."
Old magic tools? Abandoned facilities?
"Ah—whatever!"
Blissful fullness and freedom enveloped me. I surrendered to sleep.
I'll get the vibe once I check it out myself.
With that carefree thought, I drifted off.