“……Huh?”
Extenron stared blankly at the spot where Evelyn had disappeared without warning.
W-Where……?
He looked around.
She was nowhere.
How could someone disappear in the time it took to blink?
Holloway had been right.
Evelyn was the strangest human in the entire hotel.
The basement was dangerous.
A horrifying place.
That was why Extenron had tried to stop her from entering……
The image of Evelyn smiling brightly even at someone who had once tried to kill her floated through his mind.
Sweat soaked his palms.
‘She was a human who treated me kindly……’
He repeatedly clenched and opened his fists, showing obvious anxiety.
Then an eerie energy brushed down his spine.
Extenron bit the inside of his mouth and looked toward the basement door.
‘……My item.’
The item he lost.
The item they never found.
He sensed it.
Underground.
‘This is…… Evelyn?’
It was unmistakably Evelyn’s energy.
She had his item.
‘Why?’
He was confused.
Still, Extenron swallowed.
When he grabbed the cold iron handle, the chill seeped into his palm.
Goosebumps spread across his entire body.
The nauseating sensation he could never become accustomed to consumed him.
He wanted to run.
But he couldn’t.
Extenron steadied his breathing.
Then turned the handle and opened the door.
The darkness seemed to beckon him inside.
He hesitated.
Then Evelyn’s energy appeared once again.
He squeezed his eyes shut—
and stepped inside.
‘I need to retrieve it.’
The object Evelyn carried.
As Extenron disappeared endlessly downward into the darkness—
someone caught the closing basement door.
***
[Remaining Footprint (2)
Feature: Someone’s precious necklace. The owner of the lost necklace can roughly sense the location of the person who picked it up. Return it to its owner and they will be extremely grateful.]
I opened the pendant.
A black-and-white portrait was inside.
A girl and several boys—
all looking as though they hadn’t yet become adults—
were gathered together and smiling brightly.
Usually people put family portraits in lockets like this……
“But don’t these kids look like someone?”
As I inspected them, one familiar face stood out.
Holloway.
The younger Holloway I had seen in his past.
“So he knew how to smile like this too.”
The bright expression was completely different from the despairing face I had seen in his past.
Watching him smile so innocently made my own lips curl upward.
[For smooth story progression, you will synchronize with the relevant person.]
[3 seconds until synchronization.]
[2 seconds.]
[1 second.]
[Beginning story.]
***
《XXX’s Personal Information》
【Boy’s characteristics: Large build. However, timid despite his size.
Gloomy appearance.
Of his parents, his father particularly despises that side of him.
Possesses considerable magical power.
Suitable for this experiment √】
《XXX’s Observation Log》
【Subject arrived at the hotel with his parents.
Despite being severely berated by his father, he does not cry.
May possess some inner strength.
Summary: Extremely timid. Still seems to have some backbone.
Note: Probably capable of enduring the experiment.】
▶Conversation Log (Participants: Boy, Boy’s Parents)
‘A grown man……. You’ll be an adult soon, yet you’re still this cowardly. Can’t you even speak properly?!’
‘…….’
‘Young lords your age socialize perfectly well. Why is that so difficult for you?!’
‘Enough, dear. He’ll do better this time. I heard Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Prince will also be visiting. Why don’t you take this opportunity to become acquainted with the Prince?’
‘I-If Mother says so…….’
‘What use is becoming friendly with a Prince His Majesty doesn’t even favor……’
‘Dear!’
▶End Recording
《XXX’s Observation Log》
【Father currently dislikes the Prince staying at the hotel.
Apparently unaware that despite the Emperor’s lack of favor, a significant number of nobles support making the current Prince Crown Prince.
(Will delete this unnecessary note later.)
The boy seems fond of the kind Prince.
Maybe he has a crush?
Then again, even I was shocked by the Prince’s appearance the first time I saw him.
(I should delete this unnecessary note too.)】
▶Conversation Log (Participants: Boy, Prince)
‘Nice to meet you.’
‘N-Nice to meet you.’
‘There are some people I’d like to introduce you to. Want to come with me?’
‘I-Is that all right?’
‘Of course.’
‘Thank you…….’
‘Your father is difficult, isn’t he?’
‘Ah, I, th-that……’
‘Mine is too.’
▶End Recording
《XXX’s Observation Log》
【The boy stutters even during simple greetings.
Each time, his father’s expression becomes vicious.
The Prince seems to notice and takes the boy away.
The boy is extremely grateful to him.
Summary: Maintaining a close relationship with the Prince.
(Currently recording everything possible.)】
《XXX’s Observation Log》
【The boy has become brighter than on the first day.
Probably because he gained friends.
The new friends do not tell him what he hears every day: ‘Why are you so timid when you’re so big?’
His friends are becoming important to him.
As his mind becomes healthier and happier, his magic becomes even more active.
Time to begin the experiment.
Kidnapped one of the boy’s friends.
As expected, he followed underground to rescue them.
We used the opportunity to knock him unconscious.
No abnormalities in body.
Experiment begins.】
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【The boy woke up.
He is confused by the screams coming from all around and is trying to understand the situation.
Before he can fully grasp it, he sees his friend suffering beside him.
He becomes extremely shaken.
No.
Perhaps sad?】
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【The boy appears helpless.
Confidence has dropped.
Magic remains active.
During extraction, the boy constantly blames himself.
He repeats that his father was right.
Cries that his large body is useless.
Calls himself an idiot who cannot save anyone.
Boy begins shouting.
Summary: Showing signs of mental instability. Magic remains highly active.
Note: Apparently his friend’s pain matters more than his own.】
▶Conversation Log (Boy)
‘Let go of me! Don’t touch my friends!’
‘Stop! Stop!’
‘Is anyone there?! Mother! Father!’
‘Help us!’
‘Please! Anyone……!’
▶End Recording
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【The boy’s voice is incredibly loud!
Almost enough to rupture an eardrum.
What if someone upstairs actually hears him?
We decided to silence his mouth first.
Summary: Extremely loud voice. Risk of eardrum damage.
Note: Need to prevent vocalization or remove his voice entirely.】
▶Conversation Log (Researcher)
‘If even the slightest sound comes out of your mouth, you’ll never see your friends again!’
▶End Recording
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【Reference: Threatening his friends works extremely well.】
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【Even when angry and wronged, the boy does not make so much as a groan during severe torture if we threaten his friends.
A little surprising.
But he cannot protect anything.
Not even himself.
They’ll all die anyway.
Summary: Extremely stubborn bastard.】
《XXX’s Experiment Log》
【…….
There was an earthquake on the island.
I sensed my death.
……Ah.
I was mistaken.
I’m the one dying.
You’re the one surviving.】
[Diary completed normally!]
[You will now hear the boy’s final feelings.]
Among the shadows beside Holloway after his rampage—
one slowly became lighter.
Extenron appeared.
Black hair.
Gentle face.
[He met the friends he believed he would never see again.]
[The boy became afraid.]
He was terrified of losing these children again.
He was happy to see them.
But couldn’t say he was happy.
Extenron hesitantly touched his throat.
He tried producing a voice.
Then froze with fear.
‘I’m afraid to speak.’
His moving lips closed tightly.
***
Now I understood why Extenron wore a muzzle.
Whenever he failed to stay quiet—
his friends were hurt.
Taken away.
Remembering Extenron enduring brutal torture without releasing even a single scream made my chest ache.
How scared must he have been?
Even after spending a thousand years with his friends—
even after becoming capable of speaking at least a little—
memories of that day probably still closed his throat.
And he could never bring himself to remove the muzzle……
The trauma remained so severe that he wore it himself because he feared his voice might hurt his friends.
[LOADING=͟͞(๑•̀д•́๑)…….]
[Completing ‘Extenron’s Past’=͟͞(๑•̀д•́๑)…….]
[‘Extenron’s Past’ story complete! (•̀ᴗ•́)و]
[Synchronization released.]
My eyes snapped open.
“Hhng……”
Extenron was curled up tightly, trembling.
He was unconsciously trying to suppress sound.
Yet occasional sobs escaped anyway.
Why—
why is he crying?
[Extenron is suffering because of memories from that day.]
Because it happened underground?
But how did he get here?
A choice window appeared in front of me.
[Would you like to share ‘Extenron’s Past’ with the others?]
[Yes] / [No]
I quickly pressed ‘No.’
Then nearly stumbled rushing toward Extenron.
[Laboratory 10. A room containing Extenron’s past.]
I gently stroked his back.
His enormous body was hunched into itself as he trembled violently.
Extenron lifted his face from his arms and looked at me.
The fear in his expression—
the shaking pupils—
made my heart ache.
I took his hand.
Extenron suddenly pulled me into a crushing hug.
The force almost knocked me over.
A small scream came out automatically.
“Ah!”
“…….”
He clung desperately to me.
His body shook pitifully.
I couldn’t bring myself to push him away.
Instead, I patted his back.
Honestly, I thought I might die from being squeezed to death.
Normally I’d stay quiet.
But breathing was becoming difficult.
“L-Less strength……”
“Ugh……”
Sorry.
Keep hugging me.
I continued patting Extenron until his trembling subsided.
Then—
someone grabbed the back of my neck and violently pulled me away.
I nearly fell backward from the force.
“Good grief!”
“Kgh.”
The instant I vanished from Extenron’s arms, he curled up again and trembled.
What do I do?
He still looks really sad and hurt.
No.
More importantly—
I shouted irritably at whoever was dragging me by the back of my neck.
“Stop pulling me!”
Then I saw the face.
My mouth snapped shut.
Holloway stood in his adult form.
He looked down at me with cold eyes.
“Huh? When did you get here?”
“Don’t hug him.”
My question was completely ignored.
“Why?”
“Don’t hug him. I don’t like it.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t.”
“Why?”
I gave him exactly the same treatment.
Holloway smiled dangerously.
Ah.
That’s enough.
I quickly suppressed the corner of my mouth that wanted to twitch.
Once I became quiet, Holloway slid a hand under my arm and easily pulled me upright.
“Anyway, choose one. Either speak formally or casually.”
“Hey.”
Holloway’s expression hardened.
I obediently said his name.
“Holloway.”
“…….”
“Hhng……”
Extenron sobbed loudly.
What do I do……
“He’s really sad.”
I struggled free from Holloway and crouched in front of Extenron.
Hoping my comfort would reach him, I carefully stroked his hair.
[Extenron finds you—the ‘crazy comedian’ Dilaf described—so funny he’s dying.]
Die.
***
[Story Collection (3/7)]
[You will receive a hint about escape.]
[Hint: You must complete Main Quest <Don’t Be Sad> no matter what. Otherwise, you will never find the escape gate.]
In other words—
even if I found the gate before finishing the quest, I wouldn’t be able to escape.
That isn’t a hint.
That’s a threat.
The system was determined to make me learn every secret on this island.
Since the quests guided me automatically, I should clear them as quickly as possible.
After Extenron—
Dilaf……
No.
Suriel……
……Fuck.
I hate both of them.
They’re both difficult.
Maybe I can just make them laugh.
Those bastards are obsessed with anything funny.
Their favorability might increase.
And those records and diaries that appeared beginning with Holloway’s past……
Are they simply horror-game storytelling devices?
Something designed to make the player more afraid?
It bothered me slightly.
But if I needed to uncover something about that too—
the system would probably inform me eventually.
So I’d put that off until later and focus on collecting the stories first.
I had more urgent matters than deducing the meaning behind the diaries.
“What are you thinking about so seriously now?”
Holloway pressed one finger firmly into my cheek.
Bite him?
“Nothing.”
“You saw it……?”
Extenron straightened his crumpled body and asked.
I didn’t bother hiding it.
“Yes. I saw.”
“H-How?”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”
My thoroughly twisted answer left Extenron speechless.
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