Horror Game Designer Chapter 15: Levels

Upon closer inspection, this death portrait of Zhao Xi was different from the others. The picture was covered in wrinkles and tears. All the traces converged at the chain that bonded Zhao Xi and Gao Ming.

“The black chains appear to be moving…”

Zhao Xi was blurry in the picture. He appeared to be sending something to Gao Ming through the chains.

“The words behind the portraits appear to be hints. To gain Zhao Xi’s power, I need to let more people know about his past to help him put down his resentment.

“But what is Zhao Xi’s power? Immune from fall damage?
“There are big differences between death portraits. It looks like I still have many things to learn.”

Gao Ming put away the two portraits. He planned to bring all the pictures with him when he entered the game next. It would also be the perfect chance for the family to know each other.

“I wonder if Qi Yan is still alive or not. I should warn Zhao Xi and Teacher Yao that a dangerous Rainy Night Killer is hiding in the apartment.”

The corridor lit up. Gao Ming returned to the fifth floor. As he pushed the door open, he saw Xuan Wen throw the investigator over her shoulder.

“Don’t your center teach combat?”

The investigator thought Gao Ming would come to help him, but Gao Ming’s words choked him. “We… We… will never harm normal people.”

“So principled!” Gao Ming entered the room and locked the door. “Now, no one can hear us. We should be more open with each other.”

Xuan Wen glanced at Gao Ming. She became angry. She pinned the investigator’s arm and scolded, “Why are you at my home?”

“It’s going to break! Let me go, and I’ll explain it to you!” The investigator stumbled many times before he got up. “The two of you can be considered to be witnesses, so it’s pointless to hide this from you.” He rubbed his wrist and shared everything he knew with them.

“I’m curious. You said these strange things happened at Xin Lu half a year ago. Why hasn’t anyone found anything?” Xuan Wen’s voice was mellifluous. If he weren’t just assaulted, the investigator would think she was a gentle girl.

“Even the most experienced investigators only have a 30 percent of surviving an anomaly. The survival rate for normal humans in less than 10 percent. Even so, the survivors will face severe trauma. They would be sent to the centre for free treatment.” The investigator turned to Gao Ming. “It’s why I think he’s so impressive and wants him to join the centre.”

“If I don’t agree, will I be taken away for treatment?” Gao Ming looked at the man with ‘interest’.

“No.” The man said seriously. “This will eventually be known. What we can do now is to delay the inevitable so that people have time to prepare.”

“Anyone can join your group?” Xuan Wen appeared to have a plan.

“Your friend is very clever and the cleverest man I’ve ever met. If he joined the centre, more people would be saved. However, it will place him in a lot of danger.” The investigator touched his scary face. “This happened to me because of an anomaly. And I was lucky. Of the people who joined that investigation, only I survived.”

“I will consider it.” Gao Ming did not know when the tragedy would explode. Joining the centre appeared to be a good choice.

“It’s dangerous to be at the front line, but when danger is here, we’ll have a lot of access and power.” The investigator said before changing the subject, “In the future, you might run into other anomalies. This is our incomplete survival manual. It’s my present to you.” The investigator had Gao Ming take out his phone. He exchanged numbers with Gao Ming and sent him a file.

“The anomalies are ranked into seven levels based on their severity, danger rating and destructiveness.” The investigator explained the file seriously.

“Level 0: Anomaly has occurred, but its danger rating is non-existent.

“Level 1: Anomaly has occurred, but it doesn’t affect people in real life. It will not affect people’s daily routines.

“Level 2: Anomaly has a clear influence on humans. The humans at the scene act strangely. This includes but is not limited to hallucinations, illusions and so on. The anomaly is limited to the scene. Those affected by the anomaly can still be snapped out of it by family and friends.

“Level 3: Actual ghosts have appeared in the anomaly. The humans involved have lost full control. They will attack themselves or others. Their minds have been corrupted. Even family and friends can’t snap them out of it.

“Level 4: The anomaly has shown signs of spread. As fear spreads, the ghost that acts at the core of the anomaly will grow rapidly. It will feed on negative emotions, murders and gore.

“Level 5: The anomaly has a large, wide-spread influence. The ghosts have matured. They are extremely hard to kill as they have taken root in people’s hearts.

“Level 6: The anomaly has spiralled out of control. If these cases were not solved, they would turn into fear incarnate. Every investigator will sacrifice everything to prevent level 6 incident from happening!

“We’ve just experienced a level 3 case because there was an actual ghost. Honestly, if you weren’t there, I would have died.” The investigator suddenly remembered something, “By the way, where is the elder who was with us?”

“He disappeared after he reached the first floor.” Gao Ming did not tell him about the death portraits.

“This is bad!” The investigator said nervously as he ran out. “The elder is trapped inside the anomaly!”

Gao Ming followed the investigator to Room 2707. Teacher Yao’s breathing had stopped. His daughter had called the ambulance, but it was too late. Teacher Yao’s wizened body was a sharp contrast to the many medals he had on the wall. The picture from his youth still sat at his bedside table.

“The elder might have made his own choice.” The elder was not there, but the room did not feel cold. It was like he had finally found release. After the ambulance carried Teacher Yao away, Gao Ming and Xuan Wen returned to Room 2507. It was finally their private time.

“Have you cleared my horror game with that uncle?” Xuan Wen studied Gao Ming with a gentle smile.

“Don’t say it like that. I wanted to bring you with me, but you didn’t appear.” Gao Ming took out Zhao Xi’s portrait. “The blank death portrait you gave me is gone. It looks like the ticket can only be used once.”

“Strange. So I was held outside.” Xuan Wen slowly approached. “The games are very dangerous. How did you solve it?”

“Like what the investigator said, the incident was only at Level three. However, the ghost from the game itself should have the potential to grow.” Gao Ming did not plan to give Zhao Xi’s picture to Xuan Wen, but he couldn’t give her nothing either. “Take a look at this picture. I’ve found another method to make you stronger and more real.”

“The chains in the picture are moving. What is that?” Xuan Wen noticed the special thing about the picture.

“You can understand it as a bond between family. I can gain his power, but I need to get more people to know about his pain…” Gao Ming turned the picture around. “I’m thinking of a possibility. Is it possible that as more people know about Zhao Xi’s story, the dead Zhao Xi would gain something from it? It’s not necessary to bring living humans to a dangerous place where the two worlds overlap. Perhaps we can turn Zhao Xi’s story into a game. This game is Zhao Xi’s tomb. When the players experience it, their emotions might affect Zhao Xi.”

“You have a point, but I have to remind you something. Your games became real because you’ve experienced something in the tunnel and not because you were born with some kind of power. If you want to turn your future games into reality, I’m afraid you will have to return to the tunnel and figure out more things.”

“I don’t intend to make more games. I just wish to use this idea to let more people know about Zhao Xi’s story.” Gao Ming naturally put away Zhao Xi’s portrait. “If Zhao Xi did change from this, your life would have a safer route too.”

“Why? Do you plan to eat me?” Xuan Wen put her hands behind her back like she was tied.

“Stop saying things like that.” Gao Ming carried his bag and hurried out, “Do I look like that kind of person?”