’What must I realistically have to do in order to scare Kyle with a game? Do I have to get more software or do I just have to improve the game even further?’
The second game was certainly better than the first one. The storyline was clearer, and with each subsequent room that one entered, the tension rose.
Obviously, the game was far from perfect. The storyline and the path were still linear. There was no real challenge in figuring out what to do next. Just enter the room, then find the clue.
I understood this perfectly, and although I wanted to create non-linear games, it was impossible for the current me. Just developing this game took me so much time.
A non-linear game would require a team or a lot of time. I had neither.
’Maybe if the second game is a hit, and I manage to get enough funds… but I’d still need to develop the game using the game developer system. In that case, how can I develop better games?’
The thought stopped me cold. I felt like I’d reached my limit. Even if I added more software, it would only improve the game by small margins.
It wouldn’t provide that qualitative jump that I needed in order to scare Kyle.
Then what…?
What could I do?
“No. It’s too late for that. The bet is off the table…”
A sudden voice snapped me out of my thoughts. When I looked up, I was surprised to see a group gathered around Kyle. Rowan, Zoey, Myles… Several familiar faces appeared before me. They all seemed focused on a particular group who were staring intently at Rowan.
’Some sort of conflict?’
I could see that the mood wasn’t quite right.
’Now that I look closely, the group looks to be those from the exchange program?’
I couldn’t quite remember their faces since I’d barely spent any time with them. Still, I wasn’t completely clueless. I was still there when they introduced themselves and, as such, was able to recognize one of them. With his black hair, pristine white uniform, and half-slanted eyes, he was hard to miss.
’Kaelen, I think…’
Thinking back to Kyle’s words, everything started to make sense to me.
“Why is it suddenly off the table? It wasn’t too long ago when you were saying you’d bet five fragments if I got scared by the game.”
“Like I said the bet is no longer in play.”
“What?” Kaelen said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Suddenly not so confident in the game?”
“That’s not it…”
Rowan tried to respond, but Kaelen cut him off, turning his attention back to the game.
“What do you mean it’s not? That’s clearly the case.” Kaelen chuckled, “You thought it would scare someone because it scared you, but now that Kyle here wasn’t scared, you’re having second thoughts. Am I right?”
“What about you?”
Zoey frowned, suddenly chiming in on the conversation.
“Aren’t you only interested in taking the game because Kyle didn’t get scared? If it wasn’t for Kyle, you’d still be running away from the game.”
“Hahaha.”
Kaelen suddenly laughed, looking at Zoey as though she was an idiot.
“The only reason I hadn’t played the game was that I wasn’t interested. But after watching Kyle, I realized five fragments are still five fragments. Who wouldn’t accept such a generous gift?”
“That’s bullshit.”
Zoey suddenly chimed, her brows furrowing tightly as she didn’t bother hiding her annoyance.
“If you had thought this way you would’ve accepted the deal before. The same goes for the others.”
Zoey turned her head towards the other members, who were all staring at the scene with different expressions. Some looked bored, while others looked amused.
“Oh? We could participate?”
Suddenly, a girl with long white hair spoke. Hugging her spear, she tilted her head slightly, exposing her crystal blue eyes as she looked at Rowan with a certain glint.
“I would’ve taken the deal if we were allowed.”
“Can’t say I disagree.”
Another woman chimed in, her hand by her cheek as she looked at Rowan in disappointment.
“I didn’t know we weren’t allowed. What a pity.”
As others joined, the situation began to escalate. Watching the scene, my brow furrowed tightly.
It wasn’t so much because of the conflict. Rather, the more I stared at the exchange members, and then Rowan, the more a certain possibility dawned on me, and my heart couldn’t help but suddenly race with a surge of excitement.
’Yes, that’s possible. It can be done…’
“If the opportunity presents itself again, I’d take it. Like he said, it’s free fragments. Why would I give up free fragments?”
“Same here.”
The mood plummeted further, and the tensions seemed to rise to an all-time high.
Kyle, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly lifted his head to address the others and try to calm things down, but before he could speak, I stepped forward.
“Wait.”
“Hm?”
The moment I spoke, several heads turned toward me. Some faces frowned, others showed flickers of disgust. I couldn’t blame them; I didn’t exactly look my best right now.
“Who is this?” One of the exchange members asked, looking back while trying their best to keep their expressions even.
“…Ah, wait. Isn’t he the guy from before?”
“Oh, right. Why does he look homeless?”
That…
Although it was true, it still kind of hurt.
“Keum.”
Coughing, I tried my best to remain calm as I looked at the game and then at Rowan.
“Actually, it’s not impossible for you to play the game and still go on with the bet.”
“Oh?”
“Hm?”
Finally, I seemed to have gathered their interest as Kaelen and the other two girls both looked at me.
“You’re saying that the bet can still be taken?”
“Wait, Seth, what are—”
I stopped Kyle and nodded.
“In fact, I can set it up so all of you can play at the same time. The bet stays the same. Everyone puts in five fragments. If anyone screams, or so much as reacts, they’re out. When only two remain, the remaining fragments will be split between the winners. How does that sound?”
As I spoke, I looked at Kaelon. He looked to be the most interested in the bet.
I didn’t wait long for him to speak.
“So you’re saying that all of us have to contribute five fragments? And what happens if none of us scream or make a single sound?”
“You’ll still get two fragments.
As I spoke, I saw Kyle’s eyes and the others’ widen. Their expressions clearly said, “Wait, why are you betting with fragments? You don’t have any. What do you even need them for?”
I ignored such stares and just looked at Rowan and Kyle.
Of course, either one of them was going to chip in for me. I was poor. I didn’t have any fragments at my disposal.
“That’s…”
“Hm.”
The faces of the exchange members changed subtly as they looked at each other. I could see that they were tempted. They even started to whisper amongst each other.
Eventually, they turned to me again.
The girl with silver hair spoke.
“You said we can play together. How many people at once?”
“Hmm. Three.”
Thinking about it, this was probably the best I could do.
“Three?”
The exchange members looked at each other before eventually a smile formed on Kaelen’s face and he stepped forward, bringing his hand towards me.
“We’ve got a deal.”
“I’m in too.”
“Same.”
Two others joined in, with both of them bringing their hands forward, only to pull them back after getting near me. Even Kaelen’s face twitched once he got close enough to me, but before he could pull away, I reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Perfect.”
As I shook the hand, I tried to hide the smile that was threatening to form on my face. On the other hand, Kaelen was trying his best not to wince.
Win or lose, I didn’t care.
I had now found a use for the software I had just received.
Multiplayer!
And what better testing dummies than them?