Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game — Chapter 4: Cleaning tools

Chapter 4: Cleaning tools

Cleaning⁠⁠‍ Supply Closet

‘It⁠ opened.’

The‌ padlock on the‍‌ back door came‌‌⁠ undone by itself. It wasn’t thanks‍ to a key⁠ or a code.

It‌‌ only opened when⁠ a B-flat was‌ played on the‍‍‌ recorder. It was a mechanism where⁠⁠‌ a specific player⁠‌ action triggered an‍‍ unlock event—a very‍‌ typical feature in‍‍ RPG Maker games.⁠‍⁠

A locking system that‌ would be impossible‌⁠ in real life,‍ but now that⁠ the lines between reality and the‍ game were blurred,⁠‌ it was perfectly‍‍ plausible.

‘The⁠⁠‍ guard’s not hiding out there, is he…?’

I peeked my head⁠ out and glanced‌⁠ down the hallway.‌ No one was‍ there. Not a trace of the‍ guard.

I stepped out of⁠⁠⁠ the classroom cautiously,‌‍ one step at‌‌ a time. At‍‌‍ that moment, a flurry of messages‌ appeared.

[Tutorial completed]

[You’ve‍ escaped the classroom‌⁠ within the time‍‍ limit]

[Reward‍ obtained – Status‍⁠⁠ Window]

The⁠‍ appearance of the‌⁠‌ message meant I had reached a turning point. I could finally breathe.‍

‘I’m⁠ alive…’

It‌⁠ had only been⁠‌ about ten minutes,⁠ but it felt‍‍ like ten years.‍ I took a deep breath, exhausted.‌

More‍ than joy, what⁠⁠‍ I felt was‌ pure exhaustion. At‌‍ that moment, I just wanted to⁠‍‍ collapse in the‍‌⁠ middle of the‍‍ hallway.

‘Is⁠‍ it over now?’‍

I leaned against the‌‍ wall, trying to⁠‍ calm both body‍‍ and mind, when⁠⁠‌ suddenly, another message‍‍‌ cascaded down.

[Chapter‍ 1 – School]‍

【Today‍ was an especially exhausting day.
I closed my‌ eyes for a moment, worn out‍ from the fatigue.
And it wasn’t⁠⁠ until midnight that I woke up.⁠⁠
From that point‍⁠ on, strange and disturbing things began⁠‍ to happen.
This school, so‍‌⁠ eerie and grotesque,‍⁠ was no longer‌‍ the one I knew.
How to put‍ it?
A surreality beyond‌ the limits of‌⁠ the real.
A ghost story.⁠‌
A bad feeling⁠⁠ crept over me.‍‌⁠
I felt that‌ if I stayed‍‍‍ here, I’d meet‌ a terrible end.⁠‍
I had to‌ get out of‍⁠ here as soon‍⁠‌ as possible.】

An‍‌ unnecessarily long and⁠‌‍ cringe-worthy narration.

By the way, I didn’t write that.⁠⁠ The game’s system‌ came up with‍ it for me.⁠

Thanks⁠ for the effort,⁠⁠‍ I guess.

Ding!‌

[You’ve⁠ received a mission]‌‌⁠

[Escape‍ the school before‌ dawn]

[Reward:⁠ 1 Urban Legend‍⁠‍ Coin]

[Penalty‌ for failure: death]‍‍

As‍ if that weren’t⁠‍ enough, now I had missions. The‌ penalty made sense,‍ but the reward⁠‍‍ left me puzzled.⁠‌

Urban‍ Legend Coin?

By⁠ the name alone,‍ it sounded like‌‍ a crypto or an NFT.

Maybe⁠ it was some‌ kind of in-game‌ currency. Seems like‌‌‍ upon completing a mission, I’d receive‍ an equivalent reward.⁠⁠

‘Come⁠‌ to think of⁠⁠ it, I also‌ got a reward⁠‍ for escaping the classroom.’

As‍ soon as I stepped out of⁠‍ the classroom, a message had popped‌ up saying I’d‌ received the status‍‌‌ window.

[Status⁠ window has been‍‍ unlocked.]

Having‌‌ it was nice,⁠ but I had‌ no idea how‌‌ to use it.⁠

‘What‍ if it activates‍ just like the‍‌⁠ inventory?’

I murmured quietly.

“…Status‍ window.”

Flash.‍‍

[Status⁠ Window]

Name:‌ Lee Hyun
Age: 17
Title: None
Trait: Calmness
Special Ability: None⁠‌

This⁠‍ really felt like⁠‌ being a video‍‍ game character.

Beyond⁠‍⁠ the personal data,‌‌ the “Title” and‌ “Special Ability” fields⁠‍ were pure game lingo, which made⁠ me feel even⁠⁠⁠ more disconnected from⁠ reality.

Specifically, the “Trait” was‍‍ set to “Calmness”‍‌‍ for some reason.‍

It⁠ must be a passive skill I naturally possessed.

Would⁠‌ it have any⁠‌ actual effect?

Just‌⁠ like with item descriptions, I tapped‍‌ the screen a couple of times⁠‌ until it changed.‌

[Calmness]⁠

【Thanks‌ to your long-standing⁠⁠ interest in horror‌‌ movies and games⁠‍ over the years,‌⁠ you’ve developed a certain immunity to⁠ the genre.
Even when facing‍‍ unreal situations

that‌ couldn’t possibly occur‌ in the real⁠ world, you’re only‌ unsettled momentarily and⁠ quickly manage to⁠ keep your cool.⁠⁠

Thanks⁠‌ to this personality, even in unexpected or dangerous situations,‍⁠ you can regain‍‌ composure and reason⁠‌ your way to‌‍ a suitable solution.‌‍

However,‌⁠ this ability won’t‍ help against terrors‍ that surpass the⁠ limits of the human mind.】

‘And‌⁠ what the hell is that supposed⁠ to mean…?’

I expected something more⁠‌ spectacular, like a web novel skill, but it was⁠⁠ just an exaggerated‌ description of my‍ personality.

Not‌ very different from‍⁠ the results you‍‍‌ get in school‌‍‌ psychological assessments.

I guess it was assigned to me‍‌‍ by default.

Maybe⁠ the actually useful skills—the kind you’d‌ expect in a game or novel—would‌ appear under the‌ “Special Ability” field.⁠ But I couldn’t‍⁠⁠ check now.

[You‍‌‍ have no special‌ abilities.]

Surely,‌‌ there’d be a way to unlock⁠ them in the⁠‍ future.

‘For‍ now, the objective is to escape‌ the school, right?’‌

True⁠‌ to the linear‌ style of RPG‍‌ Maker, the mission‌⁠ was simple.

Escape‌ the school. Although⁠‌ I no longer‌ knew whether I was in reality‍‍ or full-on surreality,‌ for now, I decided to obediently⁠⁠ follow the mission⁠‌ instructions.

I started walking down⁠‍ the hallway.

The‌⁠ dark school corridor⁠ gave off an‍ eerie vibe, like‍‍⁠ something might jump‌ out from the shadows at any‍‌ moment.

‘I⁠ wish I had⁠‍ a flashlight…’

[EXIT]⁠

Armed‌⁠ with nothing but⁠ the emergency exit‍‌‍ sign as a guide, I kept‌ moving forward.

That‍ tiny green light,‍‌ alone in the darkness, felt oddly‌ unsettling. It felt‍ like I was‌ the only living‍ being in this⁠ world.

The air brushing my‌ nose felt heavy.‍

‘Feels‍‍ like I’m doing⁠‌ a courage test.’‌

With‌ this atmosphere, if⁠ something suddenly popped⁠‌ out, I’d definitely‍‍ faint.

‘Come‍ on, bring it.’‌⁠

Out of sheer fear,‌ my fighting spirit‍⁠ surged. I threw‍‍ a few air punches.

Jab,‌ jab, hook, uppercut…‌ rage art.

I unleashed a relentless‍‍⁠ combo straight out⁠ of Tekken.

With⁠‌ that mindset, nothing could scare me‌‌‍ now.

As‍‍‍ I shadow-boxed, I started simulating possible⁠ scenarios in my‌⁠⁠ head.

If the guard suddenly came from the right, I’d dodge‌‍ swiftly and land⁠⁠‌ a combo straight‍‍ to his temples.‌ I even imagined‍ receiving a citizen’s⁠ honor medal, posing‌ for photos with‍ the chief of⁠‌‌ police.

I also mentally reenacted‍ dozens of other⁠ possible scenarios.

That⁠‌⁠ the guard would⁠‌‌ be waiting for‍ me at the‌‌‌ main entrance.

That‍‌ I’d walk out‍ of the classroom‍‍ door and he’d‍ greet me with⁠ a smile.

That⁠ we’d bump into‍⁠ each other while‍‌‌ he ran with⁠ toast in his‌⁠‍ mouth.

I considered every possibility.‍‍‌ And I reached‌‌⁠ a conclusion.

‘If‌‌ I run into⁠ him… I run‌ like my life‍‌⁠ depends on it.’‌⁠‌

With⁠ my level of⁠‍ objectivity, even in‌‌ autopilot mode, I saw no way‍‍⁠ to win.

In⁠‌ almost every simulation,⁠ I ended up in pieces. And‍ yes, I mean‌ me, not the⁠ guard.

That⁠‌‍ guy was no‍‍ longer human. He⁠ was a creature‌⁠ beyond reality.

Not for a second‍ did I feel⁠ I could beat⁠ him in a face-to-face fight. So⁠⁠ if I saw him, running was‌⁠‌ the best option.‌ Even better, not⁠ running into him‌‍ at all.

It⁠ wasn’t fear of‍⁠ conflict out of⁠‍ cowardice. I was‌ just terrified.

‘What⁠‍‌ if he shows‍⁠‍ up right now?’‍

I sharpened my hearing.‍ Luckily, there were‌⁠‍ no footsteps or‌ vibrations. Still, making⁠ too much noise‌‍ could attract him.‌‍

I tiptoed forward, cautiously.‍ Like an insect gliding across the‌ surface of water.⁠

Like⁠ a ballerina sketching⁠ graceful lines across‍ the stage. My⁠⁠‌ feet were fully⁠⁠⁠ tense on their⁠ tips.

I walked with utter lightness, determined not‌‌ to make a single decibel of noise. My destination‌ was the main⁠ entrance.

It‍⁠‍ wasn’t far from‍ classroom 1-3, where‌‍‍ I had been.‌ If I crossed‌⁠ the main entrance‍ and got to‌ the yard, the‍‍‍ school gate would‍ be right there.

And‌‍ at this hour,⁠ there were no‍⁠ teachers on patrol.‌

‘Come⁠⁠ on, quick.’

I quickened my pace,‍ nearly out of‌‍‍ breath. I passed⁠ classrooms 1-4 and‍‌ 1-5 until I arrived in front‌ of the main‌‌ entrance.

That’s‍‌ when I noticed a sign in the middle of‍‍ the hallway.

[Use‍‍ of the main‌ entrance is prohibited]

【Lately,‌‌ students have been‌ caught trying to‍⁠ use it secretly.‍ For reasons of‌ order and cleanliness,‌ use of the‍ main entrance is‌⁠ forbidden for students.‌‍ Unauthorized use will‌‌ result in disciplinary⁠‌ action. Please avoid‍⁠ using it.】

I think that was⁠⁠⁠ from a few‍‍ days ago.

I remember the teacher‍ mentioning it during the morning announcements.⁠‍⁠

In‍‍ any case, the main entrance was‌‌ off-limits for students.⁠‌

The‍⁠‍ norm was to‌‌ use the side doors at the‍‍ ends of the‌⁠‍ hallway, even if‌ it was more⁠ inconvenient.

But‍‌ seriously… who cares?⁠

There’s‍⁠ no reason not⁠‌ to use a facility made to‍ be used.

After‍ all, school is a space for‍‌ students, right? Being‍ forbidden from using‌ an entrance was‌⁠ already absurd. And⁠ yet, we were‌⁠ still made to⁠ clean the main‌‌ entrance every day.‍‍

Even‍ though we couldn’t‍ use it. Same‌⁠ with the teachers’⁠⁠ lounge—we cleaned that‌ too.

What⁠‍‌ blatant injustice.

I couldn’t stand by‌‍ and let this‌ tyranny disguised as⁠‌ a school rule⁠‍ win. I ignored⁠‌ the sign without‍ a second thought.⁠‌‍

I walked confidently toward‍ the main entrance.‍‍ I stomped right‌‌‍ over the dividing‌ line between hallway‍⁠ and entryway.

And‌‌ no teacher came‍‌ to stop me.‌‍⁠

‘What‌‍ are they going‍ to do if⁠ I go in?’‍‌

With‍‌ each firm step,⁠‍⁠ I felt like‍ I was physically‍⁠ rebelling against school‍‍ authority. Then suddenly,‍ a cold gust‌ of wind swept⁠ over me.

An⁠ uneasy feeling washed⁠‍ over me.

I turned around to‍⁠ see what it⁠ was—and my breath⁠ caught.

There,⁠ at the end‌ of the hallway‍ I had just walked down—

A bluish figure was⁠‍‌ running toward me.‌‌⁠

‘No‍‍⁠ way…’

But⁠ yes. It was‍ the guard.

‘Shit!’‌‌⁠

The guard ran at‌‌⁠ me with those‍‌‌ creepy, contorted movements‍⁠⁠ of arms and⁠ legs.

He’d⁠‌ gone from looking⁠ like a bent‍⁠ screw to a full-on cyclone.

If‌‍ this were Dragon‍ Ball, I’d say‍‍ it was like‌‌ Cell’s second form.‍

He‍ almost looked like⁠‌‌ he was dancing.

As⁠⁠ if he had‍‍ rediscovered the joy‍ of life in‍ his old age,‍‍ the guard started‌⁠‌ doing a frenzied⁠ popping dance.

He⁠ was no longer‍ a human being,⁠ but a beast.⁠‌‌ And there was⁠⁠ something odd about⁠‌⁠ his sudden appearance.

‘He‍‌ didn’t even peek‍ earlier, and now‍ he just shows‌ up?’

I looked down. My‌‌ body was completely‍‍ outside the hallway,‍⁠ inside the main‌‌⁠ entrance area.

‘…Could⁠ it be…’

RPG⁠ Maker games have‍ events that trigger‌ under certain conditions.‍

When⁠ the player meets‍‍ specific criteria, a pre-programmed “trigger” activates⁠ and moves the⁠‍‌ story forward.

Like⁠ obtaining a certain⁠ item, or entering‌ a specific area,‌⁠ an event automatically⁠ kicks in.

[Use‌‍ of the main‍‍ entrance is prohibited]

…Just‍ like now.

The‌ moment I stepped⁠⁠ into the main entrance, the guard⁠‍ appeared. With such‌ perfect timing, it‌‍ couldn’t be a coincidence.

This⁠ damn school was⁠ designed so that⁠‌ as soon as‍‍ you enter the‌ main entrance, the‌ guard starts chasing⁠‍ you.

‘Damn⁠ it.’

I’d⁠ already assessed the‌⁠ situation. I began looking for an‌ escape route.

I ran straight toward‍‌ the outer door.‌‌

Just past it was⁠‍ the yard. If⁠ I followed the‍ designated path, escaping‌‌ the school would⁠‌‌ be a breeze.‍‍

Clack.‌‍‍

‘What?’⁠‍

Clack clack.

The⁠‌‌ door didn’t budge‌ at all.

Looking‍⁠ closely, I saw‌ the handle was‍ wrapped in a thick steel chain.‍⁠‌

No⁠‌‌ need to guess⁠‌ who did that.⁠

‘Fucking⁠ guard!’

Clack⁠⁠⁠ clack.

The door wouldn’t give⁠‌ an inch. It‍ wasn’t something brute force could fix.⁠

In‌ the end, I had to retreat,‍⁠ running back inside‌⁠‌ the entrance area.⁠‍ And meanwhile, the‌‌⁠ guard kept advancing,⁠⁠‌ relentless.

It‌‌ was like he⁠ had two hearts;⁠ his stamina was⁠ otherworldly.

At‌ that speed, just‍‌ running would get‍‌ me caught in‍ seconds. I needed‍‍‌ another option to⁠ survive.

Desperately,‍‌‌ I scanned around‍‌⁠ for any chance.⁠

‘What’s‌ that?’

I spotted a cleaning⁠‍‌ closet in one corner. It was‍ covered in dust,‍‍⁠ like it hadn’t⁠‍ been touched in⁠‌ years.

‘I’ll⁠‍ hide in there!’‌

Creeeak.⁠

The‍‌‌ door was so⁠ rusted that just‌ opening it was‍‌ awful.

It shrieked loudly as‌‌ it opened, like‍ it was protesting.⁠‍

A cloud of dust⁠⁠ burst out, hitting⁠‍‌ me right in⁠‍ the face.

Tiny‍ particles floated like⁠ white snowflakes and⁠ shredded my lungs.

“Cough,‍‌ cough!”

It⁠‍⁠ was super effective!‌⁠

The⁠‍ cleaning closet had⁠‍ caught me in⁠ a surprise ambush.‍

I couldn’t breathe, and⁠‍⁠ my vision blurred.⁠

“Fuck…”‌‍

It‍ was so filthy‌‍ and gross it⁠ made me gag‌‍ just thinking about⁠ it. But there⁠⁠ was no time.‍ The guard had‌ already passed classroom 3 and was‍ heading for 4.‌

At‍ that rate, he’d‌ reach the main‍ entrance in seconds.‌‍‍

‘Ugh…‍ whatever happens, happens.’⁠‍

In‍‌ the end, I crammed myself into‌ that dusty hole‌⁠ they called a cleaning closet.