Horror Game Designer

Chapter 69: The Talented Team at Nightlight Studio

Gao Ming was resolute in his quest to gain mastery over the source of Fear Phobia because he understood the early stages of this highly contagious disease and was adamant about keeping its control within his grasp.

His plan was clear: once he harnessed the power of this Fear Phobia, even the strategy of overwhelming him with sheer numbers of people would be futile. In crowded environments, the likelihood of panic and the spread of frightening urban myths would only increase, playing right into his hands.

Meanwhile, a young boy in his presence remained oblivious to Gao Ming’s machinations. The child, preoccupied with his own thoughts, absently licked his lips, seemingly reminiscing about the taste of a sweet cake he had seen on TV before.

Observing the boy’s innocent gesture, Gao Ming pulled out his smartphone and a striking black-and-white photograph. He proceeded to dial his home number.

Zhao Xi, witnessing this, was puzzled and slightly disturbed. “Why would you look at an obituary photo while ordering takeout?” he asked, hastily covering the young boy’s eyes to shield him from the unsettling image. “That photo gives off a rather eerie vibe.”

Before Zhao Xi could finish his thought, a knock on the living room door interrupted him. To the man’s surprise, Ghost Dad and Ghost Mom appeared, carrying a cake with them.

As Gao Ming switched on the lights, the room brightened, casting away some of the lurking shadows. He began tidying up the space, setting up the table and straightening the sofa. “Brother Zhao Xi, lend a hand, will you? We might find ourselves using this place more frequently.”

Initially, Zhao Xi was taken aback by the supernatural appearance of the so-called Flesh Immortal. He had anticipated that their mission to save the world would involve epic battles and bloodshed, but it turned out to be more about mundane tasks like cleaning.

Despite their ethereal nature, Ghost Dad and Ghost Mom were warm and welcoming. To anyone observing, they would appear just as ordinary as any other human beings.

In their presence, the atmosphere was filled with kindness and generosity, typical of how parents behave around others.

The sofa was adorned with snacks and toys, and music emanated from a mobile phone. Outside, the rain poured heavily, but inside, the ambiance was cozy and inviting.

The room was decorated, and a group of strangers from this shadowy realm came together to celebrate the little boy’s birthday.

While unaware of the true nature of Ghost Dad and Ghost Mom, Zhao Xi engaged in a somewhat awkward conversation with them. Meanwhile, the little boy served dishes that Gao Ming had prepared in the kitchen, moving about with a mix of fatigue and joy.

After completing the meal preparations, Gao Ming gazed thoughtfully into the night. “The Lishan district in the shadow world, with its labyrinthine streets and dense population, is rife with urban legends. It’s an ideal stronghold for someone like me,” he mused.

In his eyes, the old city’s complex layout and populous nature made it the prime location for his needs. Gao Ming contemplated a future where, if his actions put him at odds with the Investigation Bureau and left him with no refuge in the real world, the Lishan area in the shadow realm would serve as the perfect hideout. The obituary photo was his key, and he himself the gateway. In this hidden world, he was untouchable.

With a habitual gesture, Gao Ming reached for a cigarette but then paused, recalling the many images of himself that adorned the tunnel walls. After a moment’s hesitation, he nonchalantly discarded the cigarette and lighter into a trash can.

Leaving the kitchen, the little boy finally allowed a smile to grace his face. He seemed well-behaved, almost as if he was worried that the gathering would soon disperse.

The eerie presence of Fear Phobia had finally dissipated, only to be replaced by a more comforting, yet still otherworldly, atmosphere created by the arrival of Ghost Mom and Ghost Dad. The room seemed to be enveloped in a new, gentler kind of shadow.

Zhao Xi, who had never married and longed for a child, lamented, “Such a sensible child, yet his parents don’t cherish him. It’s really a pity.”

Reflecting on the boy’s premature maturity, Gao Ming added, “No child actually wishes to be so sensible. Not being able to be naughty or whimsical in front of your parents is, in its own way, quite a painful experience.” Noticing the fear fading from the boy’s eyes, he clapped his hands enthusiastically, “Let’s eat cake.”

As they opened the cake box, Ghost Dad and Ghost Mom gently placed a candle on top of it.

Turning to the young boy, Gao Ming promised, “I will make up for all the birthdays you’ve missed.”

The boy, not fully grasping Gao Ming’s intentions, nonetheless seemed excited about the candle being lit.

With the room lights dimmed, Gao Ming playfully covered the boy’s eyes and together they made a wish.

“Let’s start eating,” Gao Ming announced.

The cake wasn’t large, and the boy, ever considerate, hesitated to eat much, offering the largest pieces to Ghost Dad and Ghost Mom.

“It’s okay, eat as much as you like. It’s not often we have such a lively day.” As Gao Ming continued to call, the figures in the ominous black-and-white photo began to diminish. Meanwhile, echoing footsteps and repeated knocking at the door could be heard.

Brother Zhao Xi, witnessing the room filled with ‘parents’, dropped his cake fork in surprise, while the little boy clung tightly to his shabby stuffed toy, too frightened to utter a word.

Clearing his throat, Gao Ming declared, “From today onwards, we are a family. I may not fully understand what being a parent means right now, but I will do my best to make each one of you happy.”

Through experimentation, Gao Ming discovered something intriguing: as long as he stayed close to the ghost parents, they behaved normally. However, if he tried to distance himself and they couldn’t close the gap, they would dissolve into shadows and return to the black-and-white photo.

This knowledge allowed Gao Ming to navigate many challenges.

After ensuring the little boy had a memorable birthday, Gao Ming grew closer to him and finally learned his name. His parents had called him An An, a name previously given to a pet dog they had. They were short-tempered and neglectful, resulting in a childhood filled with unease and fear for An An.

An An, sensitive and delicate, often used drawings as an escape from his fears and pains. In his artworks, he portrayed himself as a fearless warrior.

Eventually, he transferred these emotions to a handmade ragdoll. The chaotic paint on the doll represented multiple small figures merged together.

Ironically, this symbol of bravery and hope became the genesis of Fear Phobia, an outcome Gao Ming hadn’t foreseen.

“It turns out that An An wasn’t just a player in the game; he was an integral part of it all along.”

After they left the shadow world, the doll in An An’s hands transformed into a black-and-white obituary photo. Only then did Gao Ming finally see the hidden text behind the photo.

A haunting message in the old photo lingered: “When you feel scared, first clarify whether you are afraid of me, or yourself.”

Having acquired the obituary photo, Gao Ming felt a sense of responsibility towards An An. To provide the boy some comfort and stability, he requested Zhao Xi to stay and keep An An company.

Both Zhao Xi and An An carried deep emotional scars: Zhao Xi, devoid of a true sense of belonging, had no real family and had never been truly acknowledged; An An, living in a state of constant fear and unease, had been forsaken by his biological parents and longed for a secure and loving home. They were poised to heal each other, each serving as a balm for the other’s troubled past.

With the source of Fear Phobia now in his possession, Gao Ming could finally exhale in relief. His next steps took him on a different path from Zhao Xi as he hailed a taxi to Nightlight Studio alone.

The game design plans were all stored at the company, which was crucial to their situation. If someone like Situ An were to access them, the repercussions could be catastrophic. Anyone who had even glimpsed these game designs might find themselves entangled in the ensuing chaos.

The storm persisted outside, with dark clouds ominously lingering over the city. Gao Ming arrived at the company before the break of dawn, finding the surroundings eerily quiet.

It was still early, but as Gao Ming ascended the stairs to the studio, he sensed something was terribly wrong. The office door was ajar, and disturbingly, there were bloodstains on the floor.

“It seems a murderer is lurking inside Nightlight Studio,” Gao Ming thought, his steps becoming more cautious.

He paused at the doorway, peering inside the studio. The file cabinet, which held the game design plans, was open, its contents strewn about. In the dim, flickering light, Wei Dayou was frantically sifting through the game designs created by Gao Ming.

“It’s identical! The escape game has turned into reality!” Wei Dayou exclaimed, his voice edged with panic and disbelief.

Gao Ming adjusted his position to get a better view of the injured Wei Dayou, who stood among the scattered documents, his face etched with confusion and the brink of a mental breakdown.

“How can this be real?” Wei Dayou murmured, still in disbelief. He pulled out his phone, “I still can’t reach Gao Ming. Why did he know beforehand about the murderer and their methods? Is this a pre-planned murder? Could the masked executioner be him?”

He was in turmoil, torn between suspicion and trust. “No! I have to find out the truth! He’s my best friend! I know him – he’s not capable of such things!” Wei Dayou repeated to himself, his conviction wavering.

After repeating this mantra, Wei Dayou tried redialing Gao Ming’s number.

At that moment, a cat’s meow echoed at the door. Richy, the chubby cat, having caught the scent of Gao Ming, approached and affectionately rubbed against his leg.

Alerted by the sound, Wei Dayou, phone still in hand, turned his gaze towards the door, locking eyes with Gao Ming.