How to Survive as the Horror Game Villain’s Fake Fiancée - Chapter 83

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

‘…No, I can trust Segleninde. After all the time we’ve spent together, look how well he’s treated me. He really did protect me and keep me from dying. He… seemed to like me too. And I like Segleninde…’

But the problem still remained.

If all the third-floor creatures were killed by Segleninde’s hand, then getting to the Fourth Floor would be easy, and once she activated the magic tool there and opened the mansion’s door, the game would be over.

Once she reached the ending, she would return to reality. She had to go back. After all, she was just a liar deceiving him.

‘…No. I don’t want to go back. It’s nice here. Segleninde is protecting me. No matter what lies I’ve told, it shouldn’t matter. Sellie already likes me. So I’ll just stay here…’

No, she had to return.

Cynthia shook off her rising thoughts and sat up in bed. Maybe she’d let her guard down because she’d felt safe with Segleninde for a while, but her mind was wandering. This was just a game. She had a reality she had to return to.

From the direction of the bathroom, she could hear the sound of water. Segleninde was clearly in the middle of a shower. Cynthia glanced that way, then moved to sit at the edge of the bed and opened her inventory. It was clear that with her body at ease and her mind relaxed, she kept having unnecessary thoughts.

Now was the time to do what she could. Cynthia took out the teddy bear and the red, heart-shaped jewel from her inventory.

Maybe these would become a new hint for her escape. There had to be a reason these items were given as quest rewards, so she decided to pin her hopes on them.

“Alright.”

Cynthia fitted the heart jewel into the empty chest of the teddy bear.

Immediately, a bright red light shone from the jewel. It looked as if life had returned to the bear’s black eyes.

Ding—

With a cheerful sound effect, a new message window appeared.

[Hello! You’re Cynthia, right?]

The teddy bear made an almost lively expression, waving its little stuffed paws back and forth.

It couldn’t speak aloud, but conveyed its thoughts through messages, and it was moving as if truly alive. Cynthia responded, still a bit dazed.

“Uh, hi…?”

[It’s nice to meet you, Cynthia!]
[Think of me as an item that exists to help you!]
[I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted to meet you. I’m really happy we finally did!]
[I have a lot of questions I want to ask. But first, could you not think about anything for a moment?]

It was a strange request.

Cynthia decided to comply for now and cleared her mind as much as possible. She wondered if it was a special rule for handling this teddy bear.

[Yes, just like that. Whenever you talk to me, you must not think of anything at all. If you do, he’ll notice. Segleninde.]

Reading the message, Cynthia looked puzzled. Instead of voicing her questions in her head, she simply widened her eyes, and the teddy bear brought up another message.

[Can you tell me everything that’s happened so far? And where we are now.]

The sound of water running from the bathroom was still loud.

Maybe because of the teddy bear’s cautious attitude, Cynthia had the strong feeling that she absolutely must not let Segleninde find out about this being.

She lowered her voice as much as possible and calmly explained everything that had happened so far, and the teddy bear said something she didn’t expect.

[You’re being deceived by Segleninde. He’s lying to you.]

“What? Lying…?”

[Do you know why I told you not to think of anything? He can read human thoughts and interfere with them.]

Cynthia’s heart dropped into her stomach.

[You probably don’t believe me. It’s suspicious for someone who just showed up to tell you not to trust the one you’ve been traveling with. But please believe me anyway, Cynthia. I really am on your side.]
[If you still can’t believe it, open your inventory and check my item description.]