I Became A Ghost In A Horror Game

I slowly opened my eyes in the morning sunlight.

And I noticed that the atmosphere today was different from usual.

I feel like something big is going to happen.

Something ominous and terrifying.

I don't want to ignore this feeling, so I decided to find something to replace my lucky charm.

I searched through the drawers.

"This would be good."

What I was holding in my hand was a flower necklace made using thread and other materials.

Five red flower necklaces.

These necklaces, which made me feel an unidentifiable sense of longing, had clearly been sewn by myself, but it was strange that I had no recollection of them at all.

I guessed that it was probably a necklace to give to my friends Suho, Eun-jeong and Kyeong-min.

As a symbol of belonging to the same club.

"Now that I look closely, the styles of these necklaces are slightly different."

Only two of them had the same style. Did I make them together with the others?

I'm not sure.

"...Why five?"

There is one more strange thing.

The number of necklaces needed is 4, including myself.

Why was there one more?

There would be no reason to make another necklace that requires a lot of work.

...I thought of Alice.

Although we only met for a short time, she was already an irreplaceable friend.

Let's give the remaining one to Alice.

Thinking about it like that, my joy grew bigger than my doubts.

I put the five necklaces in my skirt pocket.

Will Alice be happy?

I couldn't wait to see her.

Because she is special, pretty and cool!

...

POV Switch - Alice

I was wary of the priest from the Cathedral.

It's natural.

Because I was a devil and he was a priest who used divine power.

Even before I was born, devils and priests have been enemies.

I was worried that he would suddenly try to beat me with the cross around his neck.

"Seeing as you came here like this, it looks like you know about me."

"Of course."

The middle-aged man with gray hair and squinted eyes answered with a benevolent expression.

He was dressed in a black priest's attire and looked impeccable.

"And yet you're asking to talk?"

The priest seemed to have anticipated my question and answered without hesitation.

"Yes. You are indeed a devil. But we know that you're quite different from the devils that fight us. We need your strength. The self-proclaimed Machine God is an annoying enemy even to the Cathedral."

Is the Cathedral also in a hostile relationship with the Ruler?

That made sense.

As long as you're human, you probably don't like chaos.

Because they also have their own order and their goal is to save humanity from the devils.

A priest and a devil working together... It's an interesting composition.

"I'm glad you know. Good. Why did you think I would be helpful?"

"Because you were the first to destroy the Machine God's play."

"Ah."

Destroying the play. To be honest, it was something I did almost unconsciously.

It was a fundamental, instinctive power that I hadn't fully grasped myself.

There are times when it's difficult because of that...

"The Ruler is an entity that overwhelms most anomalous beings. You managed to do that, so we have no reason not to seek your help."

"Surely..."

As I nodded, he led me to a nearby park.

He casually sat down on a dirty bench, and I joined him.

His relaxed demeanor didn't quite match his somewhat flashy attire.

"The introduction is late. My name is Gray Fox. I am one of the humble priests serving God."

"The priest with the bow... He didn't come?"

"You remember him."

"He was quite intimidating. So... What do you want to tell me? First of all, I belong to the Institution. If the Machine God appears, I plan to stop him, whether by choice or necessity, even if you don't specifically ask me for it."

It is true.

I intend to fight the Machine God, whether they stop me or encourage me.

It is inefficient for them to ask me for cooperation.

If so, then there is another purpose.

As I narrowed my eyes, the priest raised the corners of his mouth.

"We know. Firstly, we wanted to let you know that you shouldn't be wary if we get involved in the fight. Secondly, we have an offer."

"I'm getting a lot of offers these days."

"Do you have any desire to join a trustworthy organization?"

"..."

Is it that again?

Last time, I received an offer for a tea party.

I nodded my head to ask him to explain further.

"As you know, this world is filled with chaos, which has long surpassed the capacity of the Institution's power. In this world overflowing with devils and anomalies, who do you think is most suitable to save your loved ones?"

I frowned slightly.

This is because it is a proposal that is too blatantly targeted.

It feels like it's a boy telling a girl with a boyfriend that he can be better.

...The fact that I felt weird imagining myself in that scenario was another issue.

"I think it would be better to borrow the power of the largest organization... Isn't it?"

"Hmm. Let's think about it this way. Which group will pursue efficiency more, a large group or a small group?"

"...?"

"The more people there are, the more the group pursues profit. There are so many people that individual circumstances are of no concern. Their minds will naturally pursue efficiency. Who do you think is at risk when you really try to leave them?"

My face wrinkled a little more. I feel like my anger is coming out a little.

"...That sounds like you're trying to sow discord."

"You might think so, but you can't deny their pursuit of efficiency."

"..."

Honestly, that's true.

The Institution will go to any lengths to protect humanity, and as the situation becomes more serious, it will pursue efficiency.

I don't know about now, but they may force me to do things I don't like.

"How far can Director Carol go to stop orders from the higher-ups? Carol may be suspiciously generous towards you, but would the head of the Institution be the same? We can stop the devils and control the anomalies with divine power. That is why it exists as an equal partnership. Rather than being locked up like a prisoner and only listening to orders, find a reliable business partner, even if it is on a smaller scale. As religious people, we are not blindly pursuing efficiency, so we are more trustworthy. So, what do you think, Alice? Will you join us?"

"Uh, um?"

Gray Fox speaks so passionately.

He opened his squinted eyes.

Then I felt something strange.

A tickling and dazing feeling... When I got annoyed and reacted strangely, he closed only one eye and spoke a little hastily.

"Ha-rim. Eun-jeong. Suho. Kyeong-min. Is that correct?"

"How do you know?"

When I reacted, the priest laughed. When I thought about it, it was natural.

"How do I know? I saw you hanging out with them."

"..."

If he knew I attended this school, it was only natural he knew about my friends.

I fell silent.

"Divine power suppresses anomalies. This is different from the Institution that can only provide solutions after a problem has occurred. Let's imagine that there is a devil, or rather an anomaly, that suddenly turns people into wolves. Can the Institution stop that? Or is it reversible? No. They'll just trap the wolves. We can. Healing wounds and blocking attacks are possible depending on the type of divine power used."

"...Uh... Huh..."

That's strange.

Though it didn't feel as bad as before, my mind still felt foggy.

A beautiful bell rings from his watch.

It stirred my senses.

The priest fiddled with his watch, stopping it as if it was an accident.

"Now Alice. Your power is too great, and the enemies are too strong for them to stay with you. They have the right to live safely within God's protection."

The priest suddenly lit a fire with a lighter.

I stare at it blankly.

"Is that so...?"

"You must protect the children. It is your duty. The children must not be harmed. Keep them safe... Keep them safe... One moment of danger or complacency could take them away."

"...Yes."

I nodded.

"Of course, this does not mean that you should immediately break away from the Institution's control. All we ask is that you trust us to protect your loved ones. Please give us a chance to join Alice, the kindest of devils."

Clap! When he clapped his hands, I felt my mind become clearer.

I looked at him with a questioning expression, but he just smiled with his eyes closed.

"Huh? Haa... It's an offer so passionate that it's burdensome. For me, the more options, the better. But keep in mind, the reason I made this choice was not because of complete trust, but because your nun left a good impression on me."

"I'm proud to hear that."

As I extended my hand, the priest shook it.

And then I stood up.

Because I can't be too late for school.

I dusted off my dirty skirt and headed to school.

POV Switch - 3rd Person

Gray Fox quietly watched Alice walk away.

And a moment later, a man with scars visible on his neck walked up.

It was Archpriest Ginus.

He bowed to Gray Fox.

"...How did it go, Gray? Did the brainwashing work on her?"

Gray Fox shook his head.

"No. As expected of a devil in the ranks of transcendents, she quickly noticed. However, subtle suggestions worked."

"I see. So, it was a success."

"A small suggestion can crack the mind slightly, making it susceptible to a larger shock later. It's a simple strategy, but if it fails, it's problematic."

When hunting a powerful devil, one must exploit vulnerabilities.

It is good to create wounds that add more wounds later.

The rule that devils are born when the story and context are met is annoying, but sometimes it can be a fatal weakness.

Gray ordered Archpriest Ginus with a stern expression.

"While she remains a devil of Alice, before she dares to become the very sky... Prepare to use the Holy Red Spear as planned."

"Yes, understood. But about protecting the children..."

"Haha. They are the key to this process, so don't touch them. Well, not that there will be time."

Gray Fox muttered while looking at the gathering storm clouds.

"Big events will unfold one after another. And very quickly. Proceed with the plan as is. Everyone, perform your duties at your respective positions."

Gray Fox decided to hurry.

...

POV Switch - Ha-rim

"Alice isn't coming?"

I tapped my desk with my finger.

I prepared a gift after a long time, but I didn't want to share them without Alice.

It was a day when I especially wanted to go out with Alice, so instead of the shorts I always wore, I tried on a new skirt like Eun-jeong... She's not going to be absent, is she?

"The sky looks gloomy. I contacted Alice, and she said she overslept a bit."

When Kyeong-min said that, I felt a little relieved.

"What? I saw Alice going somewhere with a man. He looked like her parent."

"Really? Why would Alice lie?"

"Maybe it's a family matter. Sometimes it's better if we pretend not to know."

When I said that, everyone nodded.

We decided to wait for Alice, thinking she wasn't absent.

"Guys! Guys! Look at the sky!"

Suddenly, one of our classmates started screaming.

"...? What's going on?"

"There... There's a giant descending from the sky wrapped in ropes!!"

"...!"

I hurriedly checked outside the window. It's true.

A giant hanging in the gloomy sky was looking indifferently to one side.

It was an unrealistic presence that made us tremble even though it was not looking at us.

"What! Strange cars are in front of the school."

"Are they putting up a barricade..?"

When I looked down, I saw numerous people wearing the same clothes get out of black vehicles and set up barricades, and some people were running towards the school.

Suddenly, grotesque monsters, a fusion of machinery and humans, clung to the barricades.

"What are those monsters?!"

Children scream.

I felt the stark difference between the seconds before and after this moment.

[This is not a drill. Residents, please follow the soldiers' guidance to the shelters. If you follow the instructions, you will be safe. I repeat, this is not a drill. Residents, please follow the soldiers—]