The Nightmare Game Chapter 5

"Sophia, take care of them!" I commanded without mercy.

Sophia gestured. Water jets shot out like bullets toward Nick and his cronies.

They were beaten into submission, unconscious before they hit the deck.

I leaped back onto the ship, walked over to Nick, grabbed him by the hair, and lifted his head.

Nick whimpered pathetically: "Ethan... I was wrong... please, have mercy..."

I delivered several devastating punches, breaking his nose.

The AI: "Physical conflict between players prohibited. 50 Dread Points deducted."

Nick's face was a bloody mess. "You hit me... you'll be... penalized..."

I shook out my fist arrogantly. "No problem. I've got points to spare."

Nick passed out from the pain.

After nightfall, I casually killed a few zombies and earned back my lost points.

The ocean calmed. The ship docked at the shore.

The first scenario was finally complete.

The 16 surviving players disembarked. Sophia, back in human form, walked beside me.

A woman in business attire—tall, wearing glasses, holding a tablet—waited on the dock.

"Congratulations to all surviving players."

She called out Nick's name and those of his three accomplices.

"These four players violated game protocols by kidnapping and assaulting another player. Penalty: Return to scenario starting point and restart."

Nick tried to argue that I'd hurt him too.

The secretary ignored him completely. She snapped her fingers. Several burly NPC security guards appeared, dragged Nick and his crew away, and threw them back onto the ship.

The secretary turned to me: "Congratulations, Player Ethan Hayes. Highest score for scenario completion. Please select your rewards."

I was pulled into the reward system interface.

A massive screen appeared, displaying various items with their Dread Point costs.

One item caught my eye—a bell called "Absolute Obedience."

Cost: 1,000 points. It could summon defeated entities to fight alongside me.

Extremely useful. I purchased it immediately.

There were also wooden swords, blessed coins, talismans—all items designed to combat the undead. Clearly hints about the next scenario.

I bought a whole arsenal, leaving myself with 200 Dread Points.

Time to move on. Sophia clung to me reluctantly.

"I can't leave this ocean. Take care of yourself..."

I held her close and kissed her forehead. "Wait for me..."

I wondered if the Absolute Obedience bell could summon Sophia.

After saying goodbye, I entered the next scenario.

The PA system: "Welcome to BURIAL GROUND scenario. Current survivors: 12. Main objective: Survive 3 days in Hollow Creek. Players whose Dread Points fall below zero will be eliminated. Side quests: To be unlocked."

Twelve survivors? Nick and his group were already dead?

Well, they got what they deserved. I felt no sympathy.

The red mist cleared. I found myself in a marketplace.

The place was bustling—NPCs calling out their wares along the streets.

No other players visible. This must be a solo storyline.

I looked down at myself—I was wearing a gray suit from the 1920s.

American period horror?

As I pondered this, I heard the sound of ceremonial music in the distance.

A wedding procession slowly approached.

Pedestrians moved aside to let it pass.

I stepped back. Behind me, two NPC women gossiped:

"Mr. Harrington's getting married again. That's his eighth wife, isn't it?"

"One every year. How many poor girls has that old lecher ruined? Whose daughter this time?"

"The Sullivan girl from the edge of town."

"Oh dear. That girl's beautiful as an angel. Such a tragedy."

"She probably won't survive the night either."

Beautiful as an angel? I had to see this.

I watched the wedding sedan chair approach.

A strange, cold wind blew past, lifting the curtain of the sedan for just a moment.

I caught a glimpse of the bride's face beneath her veil.

It was Grace—one of the women I'd romanced in the game! Grace Sullivan!

Grace's appearance had been my favorite among all the characters—absolutely stunning.

And she was being forced to marry a decrepit old man? And wouldn't survive the night?

My feet carried me forward before my brain could catch up. I followed the procession.

Mr. Harrington's mansion was decked out in red decorations and lanterns.

I studied the layout, then snuck into the bridal chamber.

What I saw froze my blood.

Grace, dressed in her red wedding gown, hung from a ceiling beam, a white silk noose around her neck. An embroidered stool lay kicked over beneath her feet.

Why would she kill herself?

I quickly grabbed a chair, climbed up, and cut her down.

I laid her gently on the bed and checked for breathing.

Nothing. No pulse.

I'd learned CPR in school.

Rolling up my sleeves, I began chest compressions and rescue breathing.

After several long minutes, Grace gasped and opened her eyes.

When she saw me, she scrambled backward in fear.

"Miss Sullivan, don't be afraid. I'm here to save you."

"You..." Grace studied my face. "Have I... met you before?"

I put on my most heroic voice: "We're strangers meeting for the first time. My name is Ethan Hayes. Miss Sullivan, I sympathize with your situation. Please don't give up. Let me help you escape!"

"Escape? Can I really..." Tears welled in her eyes.

"Yes, you can. Come with me—"

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Grace panicked. "Someone's coming! What do we do?"

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to save you!"

I quickly hid behind a folding screen.

A fat old man in traditional clothing entered, followed by several maids and servants.

The old man barked: "Tie her up! Take her to the family shrine!"

The servants swarmed Grace. She struggled desperately. "Get away from me!"

I grabbed a throwing star and hurled it at the window.

Thunk! It punctured the paper window.

"Who's there!" Mr. Harrington roared.

The distraction worked—everyone's attention shifted to the window.

I kicked over the folding screen.

CRASH! Mr. Harrington and the servants were pinned beneath it.

I charged out, knocked aside two maids, grabbed Grace's hand, and ran.

Mr. Harrington struggled to his feet, bellowing: "Stop them! Don't let them escape!"

Guards poured in from all directions. I pulled out my chainsaw.

Several NPCs who got too close were instantly shredded, their blood spraying. The rest backed away in terror, giving us time to escape.

Grace and I fled to an abandoned church on the outskirts of town.