How to Survive as the Horror Game Villain’s Fake Fiancée - Chapter 130

※ This book contains depictions of coercive/dubcon/noncon acts, violence, and gore. Reader discretion is advised.

When Cynthia opened the door to the master bedroom, it was spotless, as if the servants had just finished cleaning. There wasn’t a trace of anything left behind.

Though Cynthia had come here often, she couldn’t find any clue as to what kind of hint might be hidden in this room. Still, since the teddy bear had hinted at something, she began searching every corner of the bedroom, determined to find even the smallest hint.

There was less than ten minutes left until the time limit, which was essentially set by Segleninde himself.

Feeling anxious despite there being no timer, she checked under the bed, searched the shelves, and tried everything she could think of to find a clue. Yet, even after more than five minutes of searching, she found nothing.

Just as she was about to give up, something caught her eye.

“Could it be… here?”

There was a very fine crack in the wall behind the headboard.

Cynthia leaned in and checked the crack. Peering inside, she could just barely make out a tiny scrap of paper stuck in there. She managed to pull it out with her fingernail, and a twice-folded note came into view.

It looked as though it had been there for a very long time. Crumpled and worn, in quite a sorry state.

As soon as Cynthia unfolded the note, she was struck by a small shock.

If you’re reading this, go straight to the basement.

I’ve changed the password for the basement door at random, but if Segleninde hasn’t had any reason to go back to the basement, it shouldn’t have changed.

The password is your birthday, four digits.

Until you reach the basement, make sure absolutely no one sees you.

If you go through the door on the left side of the study, there’s a small side door. I’ve put a spell on it, so if you go that way, your presence will be erased and you won’t be detected. Still, be careful.

Please, make it back safely to your reality.

Perhaps worried that even this note might be discovered by Segleninde, the message was written in a language that no one but Cynthia could understand.

In this world, only Cynthia would be able to read it. Korean.

The handwriting was familiar as well. The little habits in the way the letters were formed were unmistakable, so there was no way she couldn’t know who had written it. Cynthia, desperately hoping her intuition was wrong, hurriedly moved out.

The time she’d promised to return had already passed.

She hurried down the corridor, checking to see if any of Segleninde’s clones or other servants were following her. Strangely, all the creatures that had been staring at her just a moment ago were now nowhere to be seen, which made her even more uneasy.

Following the note’s instructions, Cynthia entered the study.

She opened the door on the left and went through a small side door hidden within. A narrow passage stretched out, leading somewhere deeper inside.

Just before closing the side door, a message that had been about to appear in front of her eyes was suddenly wiped away.

‘…So this is what they meant by putting a spell on it. Maybe Segleninde’s awareness is completely blocked off from this place?’

Despite her doubts, Cynthia quickly hurried through the cramped passageway. There wasn’t even time to think any deeper. Segleninde might already be trying to read her thoughts, so she focused on moving as quickly as possible to the end of the corridor and opening the door.

A long, winding staircase led downward into darkness.

Clinging to the railing, Cynthia descended the stairs, crossing a vast open space. Her heart was pounding. Torn between foreboding and hesitation, she soon found herself stepping onto the very last stair.

She stood before the basement door.

Please enter the password.

“……”

Without hesitation, Cynthia entered her birthday.

1 0 1 4

Door is opening.

Creeeeeak—

With a heavy, grating sound, the iron door opened, and beyond it, Cynthia was at last faced with the final truth.

* * *

“That should have been quite impressive, right?”

Segleninde was waiting leisurely for Cynthia in the dining room.

Even though the time given by the quest had long since passed, he wasn’t bothered.

He’d thought about asking where she was going when it seemed like she was wandering off, but decided that if he pushed her too hard she would dislike it, so he chose to give her some free time for now. He harbored no suspicion at the moment.

As long as she returned before too long, he planned to just tease her a little, then seat her on his lap, comfort her, and let her eat delicious food to her heart’s content.

The Butcher Cook brothers were also cheerfully preparing the midday meal.

In the past, they had only focused on butchering humans, but ever since Cynthia arrived at the mansion, they’d come to enjoy making a wider variety of dishes.

Since Segleninde didn’t actually eat, most meals were only prepared for the servants. Even they preferred eating things raw rather than properly cooked, so there had been little opportunity for the chefs to showcase their skills.

However, since Cynthia delighted in everything they made, each day felt more rewarding for them. They set aside their human recipes and now enjoyed cooking beef, lamb, and pork.

Not only the chefs, but all the creature servants seemed to be enjoying livelier days than ever before.

They worked hard to tend the gardens, clean and polish the mansion until it sparkled, and decorate room after room, all to please the energetic future mistress. Melissa, more than anyone, seemed truly happy.