“…This is creepy.”
Karina shuddered as if she was covered in goosebumps. Renny, without saying a word, frowned, clearly not liking the vibe of the 3rd Floor either.
To be honest, I felt the same way.
While the 2nd Floor was just a graveyard, the 3rd Floor was a sinister-looking temple. We stared at the blood-soaked altar in the middle of the room, reminiscent of a cultist’s temple you see in games. The gray altar gave off a chilling atmosphere as if beckoning for a sacrifice.
“Whoever designed this dungeon is out of their mind.”
“I want to give the owner of this dungeon a dose of purification…”
Probably because she was a cultist, Karina seemed oddly excited, which was uncharacteristic of her. Renny stood nearby, resting her hand on her sword and surveying the surroundings. I figured I didn’t need to worry about Karina. I strode confidently toward the altar.
On the altar were five bowls placed as if to offer something.
Are we sacrificing again?
“Millia, do you remember anything?”
…Millia?
With no response, I looked down at Millia, who was staring at the altar with a pale face. Considering what happened on the 2nd Floor, the 3rd Floor…
“Millia, are you okay?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine…”
Millia’s voice was shaking uncontrollably. It was a painful voice that sounded mixed with fear and agony. I placed my hand on her head to reassure her. I could feel her trembling through my palm. I turned my gaze to Karina, who approached me quietly and hugged Millia.
“Shh, calm down, Millia…”
Karina held Millia gently with a compassionate smile.
“Johann, where should we search first?”
“You go left. I’ll take the right.”
“Okay.”
We quickly split into two, entering the corridors on either side. Long corridors branching from the temple. Doors lined the hallways. I opened the nearest door.
Creeeak—
A chilling sound echoed in the silent temple. I grimaced at the noise scratching my eardrums. So annoying.
“…Is this a storage room?”
A room stained in markings here and there. And a doll with its stuffing protruding, torn to shreds. I picked up the doll lying in the middle of the room and inspected it.
The doll’s head was red, resembling blood, and if it were a person, its skin would have been ripped off, with its insides spilling out. Is this Millia? I turned my gaze around the room. An old bed. A desk cracked and broken in several places. A quill pen missing most of its feathers rolling around on the floor. A notebook that looked like it would crumble at the slightest touch.
I walked over to the desk and cautiously brushed the dust off the notebook. A small notebook that seemed ordinary. What kind of contents could be in this tiny notebook? My heart raced, feeling like I was about to uncover hidden story clues from a horror game. I carefully opened the notebook, trying not to break it. What welcomed me was a diary.
Scratchy, uneven handwriting. Probably written by a child.
[x month xx day
My dad always called me a dirty girl.
But I’ve washed myself clean every day, so why am I dirty?]
[x month xx day
My sister showed me her doll and bragged about it. I envy her.
I want one too.]
[x month xx day…]
A diary full of sad grumbles. The content itself wasn’t special, but I understood how Millia must have been treated. I quietly closed the diary and left the room. I slowly scanned the corridor. There were still four doors left. I headed straight for the next door. With a bothersome creak, the door opened without resistance.
“…What kind of family has a room like this?”
What kind of household would have such a murderous room? I gazed at the doll behind the iron bars. It looked just like the doll from the first room.
From the first room, it must be a doll symbolizing Millia. This time, it seemed I couldn’t take it out. The door to the cell had a keyhole, and I didn’t have a key. Does that mean I need to find a key somewhere to solve this puzzle? I looked away from the bars and down at the small table. A wooden chair stained with brown marks.
It was probably dried blood.
I picked up the whip lying on the table. This truly is a messed-up household. Examining the whip revealed brown stains smeared on it as well. Looks like it was used to hit someone. I tossed the whip back onto the table and exited the room. There wasn’t really much information to gain there. I’d return after finding the key. But should I give it a try before leaving?
I grabbed the bars with my hands. The cold, rough feel of the iron was palpable. In a low voice, I activated my skill.
“Crafting.”
…As expected, there was no response.
Was I able to anticipate this? It seemed quite flimsy, making me wonder if a workaround would work better. I brushed aside my disappointment and left the room. Now onto the third room. What horrific scene awaited me in the third room?
With a calm demeanor, I turned the knob of the third door.
With a sound of hinges creaking, bright light enveloped me.
“…What is this?”
Wondering if my eyes were tricking me, I glanced down the corridor and then back into the room. This room was excessively bright compared to the previous ones. Yellow wallpaper, warm sunlight streaming through the windows, and a lavishly decorated room fit for a noble lady. A plush-looking bed and a table in one corner, with three dolls sitting on three chairs.
This time, the dolls appeared older, probably resembling middle schoolers. I immediately surveyed the table. Three teacups, each containing yellow, auburn, and crimson liquids. I carefully lifted a cup, trying not to spill its contents.
“Nothing particularly special. Should I make use of the contents?”
I couldn’t recklessly consume it. If those liquids were somehow crucial for solving a puzzle, it would result in an instant game over. So I decided to hold off for now. I cautiously placed the teacup down and approached the bed. I pressed down a few times on the plush-looking bed and lifted the blanket. Naturally, there was nothing underneath.
“If I were to hide something in the bed, where would I put it…?”
I lifted the pillow. Unfortunately, nothing was beneath it. I thought it would be the most likely hiding spot. But perhaps that very expectation is why it was empty? Next, I checked under the bed. Setting down the lamp, I pressed my face against the floor to see under the bed. Dim light illuminated the bottom. However, all I could see was the opposing floor and wall.
After that, I searched the entire room diligently. Under the table, beneath the chairs, and the dresser in the corner, I rummaged through every nook and cranny but found nothing.
So what’s the deal with those teacups on the table? I moved back to the table to inspect the cups.
Three cups with different colored contents. And three dolls. I looked at the dolls: red, yellow, orange… Was I overthinking this? I placed the cups in positions matching their hair colors.
Surprisingly simple… but why was there no reaction?
What should I do now?
Is there something more I need to do? Or maybe…
At that moment.
I clearly heard something fall near my ear. I immediately looked down. A notebook had dropped under the table.
Where did that come from? There didn’t seem to be a space under the table for a notebook. With a puzzled tilt of my head, I picked up the notebook. A familiar cover. Is this another diary?
I quickly opened the diary and began reading the first entry.
[x month xx day
I’m happy. This is what happiness is.
I want to live like this forever.]
…What on earth happened between that miserable childhood and this point in time?
[x month xx day
My father apologized to me for everything and gave me a new room. I’m so happy!]
The more I read, the more questions arose. I continued reading the diary. There were only five pages.
The conclusion I came to after finishing was simple.
“…For some unknown reason, she’s been treated better.”
What could that ‘reason’ be? I recalled the altar. And the five bowls stained with blood atop the altar. Even I, who wasn’t particularly smart, could make some rough deductions. Perhaps it was…
“It’s too early to be certain; I need to find more evidence.”
Rushing to conclusions leads to mistakes.
I surveyed the room again. It was a little messy since I had ransacked it, but still, the room bore a peaceful aura that girls would likely enjoy. Inside, it looked dilapidated and worn, yet peaceful.
“…Should I check it just once?”
First, I took a whiff of the yellow liquid. It smelled fragrant. It could be a rather luxurious tea, though I couldn’t tell what kind. The auburn liquid emitted a scent similar to black tea. And the last cup…
“…Blood?”
I thought it resembled blood due to its red color, but there was faint metallic scent. Whose blood could it be? It couldn’t be Millia’s. I set the cup down and touched the doll I had avoided due to my discomfort. Unlike the other dolls, which were small stuffed toys, this one was a large doll, about 1 meter tall. As I examined its face closely, I noticed its mouth was slightly ajar.
It looked as if it was asking to be fed something.
As a trial, I poured the contents of the teacup into the doll’s mouth.
Before the contents could fully enter the doll, blood trickled down its lips, appearing as if it were bleeding. Once the doll consumed all the liquid, it began to tremble as if it were having a seizure.
I quickly stepped back and gripped the shovel tightly.
I was ready to smash it if needed. However, the doll trembled, then spat something out and collapsed weakly.
Whoever did this seemed determined to create a horror spot. I picked up the gooey object that had fallen out. It was a key.
“Is this for the cell?”
I wiped the key on the blanket and threw it into my pouch, gearing up to exit the room. And then…
“Wait, what?”
Why won’t it open?
Creeeak.
A chilling sensation crawled over my skin. A feeling both familiar yet dreadful.
Right, in a theme like this, something like this was bound to happen. I doubled my grip on the shovel, swinging it towards whatever was coming at me.
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