NCSHG CH 15

Chapter 15

The Unlocked Room in the Horror Game

This was a safe zone.

Compared to the chaos earlier, the monsters had gone quiet.

Maybe it had been Halloway’s whim that caused all that uproar before, or maybe finishing the third-floor story stage had triggered a rest period.

I slipped into the slippers nearby and looked around for anything unusual.

“This room’s nicer than the others. Must’ve been one of the expensive ones.”

Moran looked around with mild curiosity.

In a hotel like this, the room’s size and luxury always matched the price tag.

There was a large bed, a huge sofa, a table, a desk, and even a private bathroom.

“So it’s really just a safe zone, like the window said?”

Finding nothing special, I felt a little disappointed.

Watching me rummage around, Halloway asked,

“Noona, are you looking for something?”

“No.”

Even if I were, I wouldn’t be crazy enough to tell you.

Once I confirmed there was nothing, exhaustion hit me all at once.

I couldn’t afford to sleep with my weapons down — not with people like Moran and Werner around.

Especially not Moran. Her behavior toward Halloway and those irritating little comments made her the least trustworthy.

If I so much as blinked, she’d probably grab my gun and sword and bolt.

Better not sleep. Maybe just rest a bit.

As I sat down on the sofa, Halloway quickly sat right beside me.

“Noona, aren’t you hungry?”

“…I am.”

My body, drained of strength, leaned unconsciously toward him—only for Werner to stop me, gently guiding my head onto his shoulder instead.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Better to lean on an adult than a child, don’t you think?”

“Ha.”

Halloway’s breath came out cold between his lips.

“A child, huh.”

He muttered, frowning deeply as if something had gotten under his skin.

Annoying the final boss was never a good idea.

I pushed Werner’s hand away and pulled Halloway onto my lap, hugging him close.

Burying my face in his shoulder, I murmured,

“This feels much better.”

“Right? My arms are more comfortable, aren’t they?”

Speaking as if nothing had happened, Halloway cheerfully stroked my hair.

His gentle touch made my eyelids grow heavy.

No, no, don’t fall asleep… stay awake…

Before I knew it, I was out cold.

While Evelyn slept, her steady breathing filled the room.

Everyone fell silent without realizing it.

Halloway, with Evelyn’s arms wrapped tightly around him, let himself relax.

Werner reached out to him.

“I’d like to move Miss Evelyn to the bed. Can you slip out from under her?”

Instead of answering, Halloway just stared up at him.

There was something about this man that got under his skin.

Despite Evelyn’s clear dislike, Werner kept hovering near her — ignoring her boundaries entirely.

With a bright smile, Halloway pointed at the arms wrapped snugly around his waist.

It was a smile so lovely it seemed to carry the scent of flowers — eyes curved softly, thick white lashes, and lips like a red petal’s edge.

“She won’t let go.”

Werner’s eyes sharpened.

“Then we’ll have to move her together.”

Just as he reached to lift Evelyn, she jolted awake at the slightest touch.

“What are you doing? Trying to steal my weapon?”

“You looked uncomfortable. I was just trying to move you to the bed.”

“I wasn’t asleep.”

The blatant lie was betrayed by the sleepiness clouding her face.

Halloway, watching her, realized something — she’d never sleep around Werner or Moran.

But with him, she could.

Just that thought alone brought a satisfied smile to his lips.

[Halloway’s Affection +3%]
[‘Attachment’ and ‘Possessiveness’ stats unlocked.]

Affection: 5.5%
Attachment: 1%
Possessiveness: 8%

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the floating numbers.

“…Wait. Possessiveness? Why is that one so high?”

Any trace of drowsiness vanished.

Affection barely over five percent, and already two new stats had opened.

Instead of joy, an uneasy chill ran through her.

This feels… dangerous.

As she stared at the screen, Halloway’s small hands cupped her cheeks.

“Noona, you’re not going to sleep, right?”

He leaned in close, whispering just for her to hear.

“You can’t sleep when anyone else is around… except me. Isn’t that right?”

His voice carried a hint of obsession that left her speechless.

Ding.

[Possessiveness has reached 10%.]

Affection: 5.5%
Attachment: 1%
Possessiveness: 10%

[When Possessiveness exceeds Attachment by 10% or more, the “Confinement Ending” approaches.]
[If maintained for 24 consecutive hours, the “Unhappy Confinement Life” will begin.]

…What? What kind of life?

[Special Quest Activated.]
[Would you like to accept the quest to increase Attachment?]
[YES] / [NO]

Evelyn clicked YES repeatedly without hesitation.

She had no idea how to raise attachment, but refusing wasn’t an option.

A confinement ending—an unhappy one at that!

She’d forgotten that beneath the horror-game shell, this was still a romance simulation.

And her romance target just had to be the final boss.

All she’d wanted was to boost affection a little and escape easily.

Now she wanted to cry.

[Special Quest Accepted.]

Quest: “Raise Attachment”

Goal: Soothe Halloway’s hunger.
Make him a delicious meal to warm his cold heart.

Time Limit: 5 hours
Reward: Halloway’s Attachment +10%
Failure: Approaches “Confinement Ending.”

Hint: The nearest dining area, “Lounge Bar,” is located on the 1st floor lobby, right side.

I was the one hungry, but fine — perfect excuse to wake up and move around.

All I knew how to make was soup… but that would have to do.

Trying to lighten the mood, I said,

“Let’s find the dining room. Maybe there’s something to cook.”

“Yes, Noona!”

Thankfully, the strange tension dissolved.

Werner and Moran also got up.

“Do you know where the dining room is?”

“Usually it’s on the first floor. If not, we’ll look around.”

Not that I cared if they followed — but they did anyway.

Whether they were hungry too or just didn’t trust us to be alone, they trailed right behind.

“Do you know how to cook?”

He knew perfectly well that a noble like me probably didn’t.

“Not really. Just soup. Halloway, is soup okay? If there’s more ingredients, I’ll make something else.”

“You’re going to cook for me?”

“Mm-hm.”

I need that attachment boost. I refuse to live an unhappy confined life.

If anything, I’d prefer a happy confined life.

Or better yet — no confinement at all in this hellish hotel.

“Then… is it just for me?”

“Huh? No… Werner and Moran are here too. Everyone’ll eat.”

“Ah, I see!”

Does he really, though?

Halloway’s smile looked sweet, but something in it made me uneasy.

And I was right to be uneasy.

When we turned the corner toward the dining room on the first floor —

A monster stood there.

A hulking creature wearing a massive pumpkin mask, holding two bloody axes dripping thick, dark blood.

The instant it saw us, it crouched—then sprang up to gain momentum, slamming its feet down and darting forward at terrifying speed.

Moran screamed.

“Kyaaaaah!”

Her shriek startled me more than the monster did.

“Run! Just run!”

I spun to flee, but Moran’s legs gave out — she collapsed.

Before I could react, Werner scooped her up and ran.

They bolted toward the second-floor safe zone.

He tried to come back for me, but suddenly sharp spears rained down from above.

Each one hit the ground hard enough to embed itself deep into the floor, cutting me and Halloway off from the others.

The monster seized the moment, charging straight at us.

With a roar, it swung one of its axes down, the impact cracking the floor and sending shockwaves through the hall.

The vibration knocked Halloway and me off our feet.

Werner shouted,

“Miss Evelyn!”

“Forget me! Just run!”

I’ve got a gun!

“But—”

Before he could finish, the monster split into two identical copies.

Both turned their heads toward us, then to Werner’s side.

One for each group.

Werner realized the situation instantly and took off running.

“Damn it!”

I didn’t want to waste ammo, but I had no choice — I raised my gun.

Before I could fire, someone grabbed me from behind, lifting me off the ground and pinning me against the wall.

It wasn’t Halloway.

The grip was strong — an adult man’s arms easily encircling my waist.

Before I could speak, a low voice murmured near my ear.

“Keep your face to the wall.”

Despite the harsh words, the tone was strangely gentle.

I couldn’t see what was happening behind me, but I heard heavy thuds — then silence.

“Um… thank you…”

No reply.

He was still holding me.

Still pressing me against the wall.

“Is… is it gone?”

When I cautiously tried to turn my head, I felt his forehead touch the back of mine.

“I told you not to turn around.”

His arms tightened around my waist, his breath brushing the nape of my neck, half-laughing.

The atmosphere grew thick and intimate — too much so.

“W-why not? Can’t I look?”

“No. Because…”

He toyed with my fingers, tracing them lightly.

Then whispered in a dangerously soft voice,

“There’s a very bad little brat right behind you.”

Ding!

[Possessiveness +2%]
[Attachment +1%]

Affection: 5.5%
Attachment: 2%
Possessiveness: 12%

[Possessiveness exceeds Attachment by 10%.]
[‘Unhappy Confinement Life’ begins in 23:59:59.]
[Hurry and raise Attachment!]