The Nightmare Game Chapter 2

Nick spun around. "Run!"

The chef's eyes glowed crimson as he charged at us.

I forced myself to stay calm. This NPC looked terrifying, but moved slowly—clumsy and predictable.

I spotted an oil painting on the wall nearby. In one swift motion, I yanked it down.

I leaped up and slammed the heavy frame down on the chef's head with a satisfying crack.

The painting shattered. The wooden frame lodged around the chef's corpulent body, immobilizing him.

I followed up with a solid right hook to his face.

The chef flew backward, his cleaver clattering to the floor.

The chipper AI voice announced: "B-rank entity defeated. Congratulations! Earned 50 Dread Points. Current total: 140."

Defeating monsters gave rewards? Excellent.

I picked up the cleaver.

"Congratulations! B-rank weapon acquired: Reinforced Steel Cleaver."

I stored the weapon in my system inventory—a sort of pocket dimension that came with the game interface.

I was about to search for Nick when he and several other players came running toward me, terror written across their faces.

Behind them: a tsunami of zombies.

I called out: "Don't just run! Fighting them gives you Dread Points!"

Nick mustered his courage and kicked a zombie down. His eyes widened with delight. "It's true! Got 20 points!"

The other players immediately began fighting back.

But the zombie horde kept growing—we couldn't kill them fast enough.

The corridor was lined with doors. I tried one handle. It opened easily.

"In here! Everyone inside!"

We piled into the room. I kicked back several zombies trying to follow, then slammed and locked the door.

Together we shoved a wardrobe against the door to barricade it.

Outside, zombies clawed at the door. The flimsy wood wouldn't hold long.

Two female players huddled together, sobbing.

The PA system: "Current survivors: 23."

Nearly a third of the players eliminated already, and the game had barely begun.

Six of us in this room: four men, two women.

I pointed at the window, thinking strategically. "We can't stay here. I'm going to scout ahead. Anyone coming with me?"

Nick hesitated, then nodded grimly. A young woman named Lily volunteered as well.

The other three players wanted to wait for the zombies outside to disperse.

Nick, Lily, and I climbed out the window.

We entered a dimly lit section of the ship. The silence was oppressive.

I took point, with Lily in the middle and Nick bringing up the rear.

Ahead, a faint light appeared. As we drew closer, I heard singing—ethereal and haunting, filled with sorrow that made my skin crawl.

Lily whispered: "Maybe we shouldn't go that way..."

But something about that voice seemed... familiar.

"You two stay here. I'll check it out."

I pressed myself against the wall, moving carefully. At the corner, I peered around the edge.

Before me stretched a massive aquarium built into the wall—floor to ceiling.

Colorful fish drifted through the water. And there, floating among them... a person. No—not a person. A mermaid.

I stared in astonishment at the girl suspended in the water.

Her tail scales glittered like stars. Long silver hair floated around her. Her eyes were closed as she sang softly.

Her tail, neck, and wrists were bound with thick iron chains.

It was Sophia—the mermaid princess I'd romanced in the game!

My legs moved of their own accord, carrying me toward the glass.

Sophia's eyes snapped open. Her purple-blue irises locked onto me, wide with shock.

I raised my hand and pressed it against the glass in front of her.

She tried to swim closer, but the chain around her neck jerked her back. She whimpered, releasing bubbles from her mouth.