I Became A Ghost In A Horror Game

"Nice to meet you, Pinocchio. I didn't expect to see you here."

This is my third time encountering a devil from a tale.

I greeted him.

Pinocchio looked at me with his lifeless artificial eyes and then opened his mouth.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Are you really saying that after burning the doll? But since it was my wooden doll that did wrong, I'll let it go."

This was an act of self-defense, and if we were to be serious, it was an issue for which Pinocchio should apologize, but I didn't want to get into trouble for no reason.

He came down from the top of the pile of machines and stood in front of me.

"I have many questions, Pinocchio. First, how do you know my name?"

Pinocchio answered willingly.

"Well, if I don't tell you, it would seem like I was intentionally digging into your background. Getting information from the Institution is difficult... But you're quite famous, so there were rumors going around. That's how I learned your name. I didn't expect it to be a horror game, though..."

This guy is like that too.

As expected, being in a horror game seems to have an effect on first impressions.

It was unfair, but there was no way to deny it, so there was nothing I could do other than scratch my cheek.

"I see... Hmm... Ariel asked me to join the Fairy-tale Tea Party. Are you interested?"

I wanted to talk about the most important details later, so I asked about the little things first.

Ariel wants to gather the tale devils.

Because she wants to find Mephisto Pheles.

Pinocchio must also want to find the person who turned him into a wooden doll.

There's no reason to refuse, right?

"No. It's not wise to trust a woman you don't know. And I have no intention of belonging anywhere."

But he doesn't seem to be particularly interested.

And it seems like he's already met Ariel and heard her proposal... I nodded.

"This time I'll ask. What you have. Can I take a look?"

"Huh?"

P-122. Heart-shaped mechanism.

This is an anomalous item that I received from James (Carol must have told him to give it to me).

I handed it over to Pinocchio.

"Hmm... I thought it was a mechanical device, but it only looks mechanical and is completely different. The anomalous ability is... Cognitive interference based on the distance of the relationship. It also has the ability to roughly grasp the emotions and location of people it's connected to by bonds. This... Isn't very useful."

Pinocchio shook his head as if disappointed.

It seems it wasn't what he wanted.

He returned P-122 without bothering to activate it.

"Pinocchio, what were you doing here?"

"Living machines. I've seen them sometimes in the past, but this time there were so many that it was suspicious. It would be difficult if there were too many of them, so I am using my dolls to handle them. I also took the useful parts."

Good. It seems that there is an antagonistic relationship with the Ruler.

It might be easy to get cooperation.

"You seem to know about the living machines. If so, have you ever met a self-proclaimed Machine God before?"

"...The one who calls himself a Machine God... I think I know who you mean. Have you ever met him?"

"Yes, we met. And I got caught by him. I destroyed his stage and blew up his factory."

When Pinocchio heard that the stage had been destroyed, it's as if the sound of gears turning furiously could be heard in his head.

He clicked his teeth and spoke to me.

"Hoo... Destroy the stage. That would be really difficult... You have a favor to ask from me, don't you?"

"That's right, Pinocchio. There is something I would like to ask of you."

"I don't grant favors for nothing. But if the favor itself benefits me, that's a different story."

He seemed to already know what I wanted to ask, so why was he being so roundabout?

"I want to defeat the Machine God. Can you lend me your strength?"

Pinocchio nodded his head.

There's a creaking sound coming from his neck. I think it would be better to oil it up.

"Alright. I like it. That guy has been a major obstacle in my plans. The mass production of wooden dolls was partly his fault. In return, I'll take his parts."

"You don't need anything else?"

"The cooperation of another devil from a tale is quite a good deal. Especially if it's strong enough to have given him a blow."

"That's a relief. Honestly, I was worried, but it turns out all tale devils are pretty reasonable and decent. You can have the parts."

"..."

What is that silence? It makes me feel like I said something weird.

"Consider yourself lucky. I've just completed a tool to defeat the annoying Machine God. If you want..."

"Wow! There is a real living machine!"

A boy's voice interrupts Pinocchio. This voice is Suho.

"Ah."

As we were talking, it was time for the kids to arrive.

The fact that it arrived sooner than expected also played a part.

Pinocchio turned his head towards them.

"Are they young children? I don't like children. They're the epitome of weakness. Hmm... Alice, what about you? I don't mind, but if you don't like them, I'll kill them. Consider it a simple favor."

"What?!"

I couldn't believe my ears. What kind of thought process leads to such a conclusion?

"It looks like you don't like it."

Pinocchio turned his body and took a step closer to the children.

At this moment, Suho must have sensed something ominous and tried to protect the kids by picking up a metal plate next to him.

"Are you trying to resist with a metal plate? That's amusing. Well, I could give you a better shield. After all, I am a blacksmith. I'll spare you for your spirit. Instead, I'll cut off one of your arms and make it into an integrated shield, so be grateful."

"...!"

Then, Slenderman appeared behind the kids.

They didn't notice Slenderman, but Pinocchio did.

Pinocchio, realizing that Slenderman's presence wasn't friendly, asked me.

"...Is this guy your monster too? Why is he in the way?"

"Are you really sane?"

"...? I don't see the problem. If you don't want it, I'll stop. It's a reasonable issue."

Pinocchio turned back towards me.

Feeling uneasy, I warned him.

"...Those kids are my friends. If you touch them, I won't let you go."

"Relax. Tale devils don't know what powers each other is hiding, so it's not wise to fight. Suffering a loss due to lack of information is a disgrace for a merchant."

That sounded like he was saying he would have attacked them if he knew everything about me.

When I frowned, Pinocchio said goodbye and walked away in the opposite direction of the entrance.

"Alice, as long as humans use machines, the fragmented mental entities of the Machine God will keep appearing. Living machines will multiply in large numbers using humans as hosts. There will be limitations with just my wooden dolls. If that happens, he will appear. In the middle of the city."

"..."

"Right. It's going to be a mess, so you'll have to make your own arrangements. I will prepare in my own way."

"Okay."

I didn't like what he tried to do to the kids, but I agreed because cooperation was necessary.

Cancel what I said about him being decent, he's crazy.

"Lastly, you should keep your friends far away."

"What?"

"I doubt you're planning to use the kids in your fight. Can they wound the Machine God? Can they dodge its attacks? Can they resist its abilities? If they can't do any of these, even the giant's pinky finger will crush them. Even if they can use firearms, they'll be a hindrance. This fight is too big for children. They'll die easily around you, even if you're fine. It's best for both you and them."

"You...!"

I felt a surge of anger.

Why?

Because I couldn't refute those words.

"Well. See you next time."

Pinocchio disappeared into the darkness.

Cold as a machine.

He didn't seem to have a human mind.

What happened to him in the game?

That would be another story.

"Alice...? What is all this?"

"..."

There is still one task left.

How should I explain Pinocchio to these kids?

I glanced at them.

'Should I erase it? No. Not yet.'

"Alice? Your eyes look scary. Are you okay?"

I didn't erase their memories last time.

So this should be fine.

Just make an excuse.

"Actually. That human who looks like a wooden doll is my friend."

"What! Really?"

"...Then!"

"What are you doing?"

"So... He's a person who prepares unusual performances. Actually, there was no such thing as a ghost. He didn't have a better place at night, so he just practiced here. That's how the rumor spread."

I lied effortlessly without even batting an eye.

Maybe it's me, not Pinocchio, who needs a longer nose.

"Something doesn't seem right... "

Eun-jeong is only sharp at times like this.

So annoying.

I hugged Eun-jeong and silenced her.

This method always works.

Even if you call me a serial hugger, I can no longer refute it.

In the first place, it was because this kid kept snuggling into my arms even during my Ella days that my sense of resistance disappeared.

"Ahaha, really? Anyway, he doesn't like showing his practice to others. So, I tried to explain in advance, but... He got mad and left because I failed."

"Alice knew everything. Anyway, it's a pity. I never thought there would be such a meaningless story behind it. But the makeup just looked so realistic. Do you know where the performance is taking place?"

"Uh... Um. The center of this city?"

"Maybe Alice will appear in the play too? She'll pop out from behind the curtain like, ta-da!"

"Ahaha... I wish."

I'm glad the kids are innocent.

And honestly, what can I do if they don't believe it?

Even a passing dog would know which story was more credible.

The children returned to their respective homes.

The night gets dark.

I was still concerned about what Pinocchio said at the end.

-They'll die easily around you, even if you're fine. It's best for both you and them.

"..."

Time passed and it was two days after we parted ways with Pinocchio.

The Cathedral contacted me.

"Hello. Miss Alice. We want to talk about the disaster that will happen soon."

I suddenly became alert, like a criminal who saw a police car.