THGA 19

Chapter 19

In the meantime, the guy spoke again, his voice a little slow, as if he were drunk.

―Hello?

Afraid he might hang up, and because the moment felt almost dreamlike, I quickly answered.

“Ganghyun! It’s me!”

But I couldn’t bring myself to say my name—I just couldn’t. Still, wouldn’t he recognize my voice alone? How did the call even connect? But hoping for such a miracle is only something that happens in movies. Hearing my anxious voice, that bastard Park Ganghyun only responded rudely:

―Who are you? Hoo, hey. I told you not to do this, didn’t I?

“No, it’s Nara!”

―Yeah, I know it’s you. You crazy psycho girl.

What the hell is he saying now?

I was stunned, speechless. At that moment, Park Ganghyun continued:

―I appreciate that you love me, but I don’t love you. So stop this stalking nonsense. Don’t your family worry about you?

“I’m your older sister!”

―Hoo, now you’re pretending to be my sister too. Fine. I’m the crazy one for dealing with you. I’m hanging up. Don’t call me again.

Click, click, click—

That’s Park Ganghyun, giving such a rude response and then just hanging up. I grabbed the back of my neck and redialed, but the call wouldn’t connect.

“Ah! What the hell? It worked just now!”

Ugh, this is frustrating. Why won’t the call connect? It worked just moments ago… No, was I hallucinating?

I tried again several times, but the result was the same. Eventually, I had no choice but to irritably put the phone down. I had barely caught the chance, and I’d lost it so foolishly.

But hearing his voice again made reality feel startlingly tangible.

Right, this is just a game world. I’m not Rachel Famignon. I’ve only possessed her body.

Only then did the anxious feeling melt away like snow. But at that moment, I heard footsteps approaching.

Right. This is Sren’s office.

But if I’m here, Sren is bound to find it strange. And there’s a phone here. If he thinks I’ve done something reckless with it, all the trust I’d built up could collapse. Sren was a very suspicious guy.

“What do I do?”

I quickly looked for a hiding place. There were three options: under the table, behind the curtain by the window connected to the outside, and a cabinet that seemed to store items, though I wasn’t sure of its exact purpose. My heart raced wildly as the footsteps drew closer.

After a moment of thought, I quickly opened the cabinet. Luckily, it wasn’t filled with large items. There was only one Moonstone I was looking for. I grabbed it quickly and closed the door. Through the sliver of light entering the closing door, I could see the Moonstone’s letter: E.

Now, the total Moonstone letters I’ve collected are three: M, T, E… But still, I couldn’t make a word from them.

It must be a word indicating a location. But where could the key to the entrance be hidden that it’s this hard to even guess?

Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly heard voices. It was Sren and someone else entering the room.

“Lord Sren, I think it would be best for you to attend the royal banquet this time.”

But the other voice was very familiar to me. I cautiously peeked out through the cabinet vent at my eye level. When I confirmed who was speaking to Sren, my eyes widened in shock.

A neatly dressed suit. A golden mask covering half the face. Tall stature and a low, irritating voice.

That’s Phantom!

I felt as if I’d been hit in the head with a blunt object.

Why is Phantom with Sren? Wait, didn’t this mansion have no servants?

But if Phantom is his servant, then the hints he’s been giving me… are they bait set by Sren to catch me? I felt shivers down my spine and instinctively covered my mouth.

No wonder… that’s why he kept giving me strange hints.

I bit my lip tightly. Luckily, they didn’t seem to notice me and continued talking.

“Anyway, it’s just a banquet for entertainment. Annoying. I hate bloody parties like that.”
“Still, it won’t do to antagonize the royal family. After the incident a few years ago, they’re already wary of us, aren’t they?”
“I didn’t do anything wrong, though. Why should I bow my head to them?”
“As Master said, it’s to avoid making trouble. So as the head of a respected family, please show your face once.”

Sren clicked his tongue, displeased. But he didn’t refuse to attend the banquet, so he must have some difficult circumstances I didn’t know about.

I thought Sren would be reckless about anything.

It seemed in this cursed horror game, nothing else mattered to Sren but me. As his intensity eased a little, Phantom spoke again:

“By the way, I heard that Lady Arie will be visiting the mansion soon.”
“……What?”

Mentioning a woman named Arie made Sren’s expression visibly harden. He looked genuinely intimidated. I was surprised—it was the first time I’d seen Sren react like this.

Whoever Arie is, she’s clearly as much of a villain as Sren. Seeing his awkward reaction, I knew I must avoid getting involved with her. If I get tangled up with her, it’ll likely be very exhausting.

I’ll have to be cautious around this Arie lady.

Of course, that only works if Sren cooperates.

“Ugh, how annoying.”

Sren pressed his forehead, as if in pain, and asked again:

“So when is that date? The day Arie is coming.”
“A week from now.”
“Damn it.”
“The banquet is scheduled for two weeks later.”

My ears perked up. If the banquet happens, Sren will be away from the mansion. That could be my and Adenhar’s chance to escape!

My heart raced at the barely grasped opportunity.

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare accordingly for the date.”
“Good. Now leave. I want to be alone for a while.”
“Yes, please rest.”

Phantom bowed deeply in respect and left. For a brief moment, it seemed as if his gaze landed on the cabinet where I was hiding. I held my breath, worried I’d been spotted, but he appeared to leave without noticing.

But at that moment, Sren tilted his head, focusing on one spot. He walked purposefully toward it. I almost screamed in shock.

He went to his desk. Expressionless, he picked up the phone, then put it back down. As Phantom was about to leave, Sren said:

“Wait, Phantom.”
“Yes?”
“Did you come to my room earlier?”

Phantom blinked slowly, as if hearing this for the first time. I felt sweat form in my hands. If I get caught here… will I get a bad ending again? I thought I’d barely caught a chance.

Recalling the brutal scene a few playthroughs ago when Adenhar was massacred in front of me, cold sweat ran down my back. If I die now, it’s over. Phantom asked innocently:

“Why do you ask?”

Sren muttered in a lower tone:

“The phone was misused.”

I swallowed hard. A truly chilling moment. The room was filled with cold silence, and Sren quickly surveyed the surroundings. If I’m discovered now… it would be over in an instant.

Then, Phantom suddenly laughed brightly: “Hahaha!”

What?

Sren looked at him curiously. Phantom scratched the back of his head, awkwardly:

“Sorry. I forgot I’d used the phone in a hurry earlier.”
“What?”
“You’ve been planning a new business recently, right? I wanted to help, so I was checking some contacts. Hahaha.”

Sren narrowed his eyes even more.

“Really?”
“Yes, sorry for telling you late.”
“You used my office phone? I can’t understand that.”

This perceptive guy… my heart pounded with fear. Then Sren, with a dangerous smile, asked:

“Phantom. You’re not lying to me, are you?”
“No. Why would I?”

The air tensed. Sren stepped closer and said:

“Look me in the eye when you answer.”