The Nightmare Game Chapter 3

I had to save her.

I remembered the item I'd just acquired—the heavy cleaver.

I gestured for Sophia to move back. She flicked her tail and retreated.

I pulled out the cleaver and swung with all my strength at the aquarium glass.

Crack!

A small fissure appeared. The impact sent painful vibrations up my arm.

I struck again and again at the fracture point.

With a tremendous shattering sound, the glass broke open. Under the water pressure, the breach rapidly expanded.

Water gushed out. That's when I noticed the fish were 3D projections—they kept "swimming" even in the air.

I squeezed through into the aquarium. Sophia sat obediently on the floor.

I hacked through all the chains binding her.

The AI announced: "Congratulations! Side quest unlocked: Save the Mermaid Princess. Earned 2,000 Dread Points."

A hidden quest—pure luck!

After the water drained completely, Sophia's tail transformed into two pale, slender legs.

I quickly removed my jacket and draped it over her. On her small frame, my jacket fell to mid-thigh.

Sophia spoke softly: "Thank you for saving me..."

"I'm just glad you're safe. I'm Ethan Hayes. Come on, let's get you out of here."

I scooped her up, carefully avoiding the broken glass, and carried her out of the aquarium.

Nick and Lily gaped at the gorgeous woman in my arms.

Nick's voice dripped with envy: "Dude. You go off for five minutes and come back with a supermodel."

I kept Sophia's mermaid nature secret. "She was imprisoned. I freed her."

Lily eyed Sophia suspiciously. "Who is she? She's not one of those things, is she?"

Sophia whispered: "My name is Sophia..."

Lily's frightened demeanor vanished, replaced by aggression. "I don't care what your name is! You better not be here to hurt us!"

"Sophia won't hurt anyone," I said firmly. "If there's a problem, I'll take full responsibility."

Lily still looked unconvinced.

I took Sophia's hand. "I'm going to find her some proper clothes. You two can wait here if you don't trust her."

Nick followed anyway. Lily didn't want to be left alone, so she came too.

We hadn't gone far when the PA system crackled: "Current survivors: 20."

Just moments ago it had been 23. Three more dead.

Nick, Lily, and I exchanged glances. Lily voiced what we were all thinking: "The three people we left in that room... do you think they—?"

No way to know for certain.

"Let's focus on the task at hand," I said.

As if by providence, we soon found what appeared to be a costume storage area.

Sophia changed into a flowing sea-blue dress, and we emerged onto the deck.

The ship had returned to normal. The zombies had reverted to staff members, cleaning up the carnage from last night's massacre.

Some surviving players cautiously ventured out.

We were discussing our next move when three players approached us.

The same two men and one woman who'd hidden in the room with us last night!

I'd assumed they were dead.

Lily ran to embrace the curly-haired woman. "Oh my God! I thought you were gone!"

They clung to each other, sobbing.

So who had died?

While I pondered this, an NPC dressed as a steward approached: "Would any of you like to rest in the guest cabins?"

After last night's battle, we were exhausted. Everyone agreed immediately.

The steward announced: "Cabins are double occupancy. How would you like to arrange yourselves?"

Double rooms... I glanced at Sophia. I couldn't let her stay alone.

"Lily, could you room with Sophia?"

Lily wrapped her arms around the curly-haired woman. "Sorry, I already have a roommate."

I scratched my head awkwardly. Sophia clutched my sleeve, her purple eyes looking up at me helplessly.

"It's okay," I reassured her. "I won't abandon you."

We worked it out: I'd share a room with Sophia, Nick would take a single, and the others would pair up.

I stared at the modest double cabin and felt my stress levels rising.

A man and woman alone together—this was bound to be awkward.

I turned to check on Sophia when the ship suddenly lurched. She lost her balance and fell into my arms.

I caught her instinctively, but lost my own footing. We both tumbled onto the bed.

Her soft, warm body pressed against mine. My heart immediately started racing.

As a healthy young man with functioning hormones, certain... physiological responses were inevitable.

Sophia climbed off me, looking confused. Her hand brushed against something.

"What's this...?"

Oh God. This was mortifying.

"Why is it so hard...?"

Sophia squeezed experimentally, her face innocent and bewildered. I screamed internally for help.

I pushed her away and rolled off the bed. "I—I need to take a shower. Make yourself comfortable..."

I fled into the bathroom like my life depended on it.

After my shower, I was so exhausted I passed out immediately.

My sleep was plagued with chaotic nightmares. When I woke, my head throbbed.

I sat up, rubbing my temples. Sophia lay beside the bed, hands supporting her chin, watching me.

"Did you sleep at all?" I asked.

She shook her head.

Outside the window, the sky blazed with sunset colors. It was already 6 PM.

Time to prepare for another night of horror.

I pulled on my jacket. "Let's find Nick. After dark, this place won't be safe..."

A woman's scream cut through the air from the neighboring cabin. "Help! Someone help me!"

[PAYMENT GATE #1 - Strong cliffhanger with immediate danger]