- 21 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00...realizes she actually sent me a horror game.
00:02That evening I stare at a gooey white ghost with red eyes.
00:05Is the one with red eyes the main lead?
00:07Yeah, white hair, red eyes, call him Honey.
00:10The game has voice recognition.
00:11I hesitantly say, Honey?
00:13The gooey ghost suddenly twitches and blushes.
00:15At midnight, I stare at the blood-webbed desktop icon, lost in thought.
00:20Is it installed?
00:20Yeah, but are you sure this is a romance game?
00:23Of course, it's the best romance game in the world.
00:26Kira Lo talks to me like I'm hopeless.
00:28She rattles off all the game's main selling points.
00:30I haven't played many games.
00:32The most I've done is match three, so I trust Kira completely.
00:35I end the call, put on my VR glasses, and lie down.
00:38But when I open Manner of Mists and press start, my vision suddenly turns red.
00:43Is this...
00:44...paint?
00:45I turn my hand over confused.
00:47Then, I remember Kira said the game is a romance sim with decorating elements.
00:51I'm supposed to move in and meet all the male leads?
00:53Not only can I date them, but I can also decorate my house.
00:56As someone who loves decorating, this is a huge temptation.
00:59Then it hits me.
01:00This isn't just an interior design game.
01:02I'll have to renovate the whole house.
01:03It's a challenge.
01:04I like it.
01:05I shake the red paint off my hand and step back a few paces.
01:09When I look up again, an old run-down house stands before me.
01:13Whoa!
01:13That was close!
01:14I sigh in relief.
01:16Original windows are rare.
01:17I'm so focused, I didn't notice a dark shadow twitch near the window, and quietly retreat.
01:21As a gaming newbie, I've no idea what to do now.
01:24After more than 10 seconds, an NPC appears.
01:27Hello!
01:27I'm your client.
01:28May I have your name?
01:29After some thought, I use my usual handle.
01:32Just call me Toe Bean.
01:33Alright, Ms. Bean.
01:34Thanks for taking this job.
01:36I shake his hand politely.
01:40As you can see, this house is a bit strange.
01:43I hope you can stay here a while and help us clear things up.
01:46The rent?
01:47I...
01:48I can't possibly charge you rent.
01:50Payment will be as we agreed.
01:51Then who covers renovation costs?
01:54We'll cover all the expenses for your work.
01:56Rest assured, greatest exorcist of the century.
01:59The greatest exorcist of the century?
02:01Me?
02:01The man hands me a card, claiming it's for in-game purchases.
02:05I'm about to thank him when he looks behind me and shouts before bolting out.
02:09I'm confused, but I don't think much of it.
02:12Judging from his average looks, he's definitely not a male lead.
02:16Kira said there are three male leads.
02:18The white-haired, red-eyed one is the favorite.
02:20He looks magnificent, like a work of art.
02:22He's hot, powerful, and loyal.
02:24Oh my gosh!
02:25Now I'm actually curious to see the male lead, but the game's tutorial isn't finished yet.
02:29The priority now is to settle into the house.
02:31I pocket the card and approach the house.
02:33When I reach the door, it swings open.
02:35An automatic door?
02:36I'm impressed by how smart this place is.
02:37But then, something indescribable appears in front of me.
02:40It's a white, gooey mass of red eyes.
02:42When it sees me, it opens its hollow, blood-red eyes wide, and growls.
02:46You're finally here, Tobin.
02:48Kira?
02:49The male lead you mentioned has white hair and red eyes?
02:52Yeah, you saw him? So, doesn't he look like art?
02:55He does.
02:56Ha ha ha! His voice is nice, too!
02:58I have to admit, his deep voice is great, but I didn't expect Kira's taste to be this intense.
03:03Are you sure he's the most popular character?
03:06How dare you doubt Sean West's popularity! Focus on the game! He's a great character!
03:10You need to really feel his emotions! Got it!
03:13His name is Sean West? He seems upset that I'm ignoring him.
03:16Sean suddenly charges at me.
03:17But he looks pretty mad right now!
03:19What? Where are you in the game? Did you mess up?
03:22I dodge his charge again.
03:23I've trained in martial arts, so my strength and reflexes are better than most.
03:28The game has replicated these skills.
03:30A chill fills the air wherever Sean goes.
03:33But we can't keep fighting like this.
03:35I quickly ask Kira for help.
03:37What should I do? He looks really pissed. What do I do?
03:40Um, call him honey. Is that going to work?
03:43It'll totally work. Trust me, Sean can't handle being called that.
03:46So this is how romance games work.
03:48I feel more confident. I find an opening, rush to his side, and hug him tightly.
03:53Honey!
03:54Sean's ferocious growl instantly turns into a room per.
03:58Now that you've called me that, you're really mine.
04:01The whole house heard it.
04:02Since you're mine, let's do something R-rated tonight.
04:06After entering the house, I put down my things and look around.
04:09The place is in worse shape than I thought.
04:11I hear marbles rolling on the ceiling.
04:13The house must be rotting from mold.
04:15There are even bats in here.
04:16Up close, the place is outdated and lacks window screens.
04:19At least it's spacious.
04:20The only thing I don't like is that the man never told me I'd be sharing the place with unhygienic
04:24people.
04:25Opening the bedroom door, I run straight into a guy with long hair.
04:28His hair is all tangled, covering most of his face.
04:30His clothes look days old.
04:32They're ragged and stained with red.
04:35As I wonder how to greet him, he suddenly sticks out his tongue.
04:38I'm taken aback.
04:39Man, your tongue is so white.
04:41Are you sick?
04:42The guy freezes and says nothing.
04:43It's okay.
04:44I'll get some ingredients later and make you some nutritious soup.
04:47Kira once said, to win over an NPC, you've got to win over their stomach.
04:51The guy seems pleased.
04:52He opens his mouth, revealing sharp white teeth.
04:55Then, he grabs my shoulders as if thanking me.
04:57Turns out he's mute.
04:58I feel a pang of pity and remember Kira's words.
05:01Except for Sean.
05:02The other two are a total pass.
05:04One's a mute named Tyler Birch.
05:05He always plays the victim, not my type.
05:07I study the guy in front of me.
05:09Looks like he's Tyler Birch.
05:11I study the guy in front of me.
05:13Looks like he's Tyler Birch.
05:14I wonder which actions are in the most favor.
05:16I need to keep my options open.
05:17Just then, Sean suddenly returns.
05:20His pale body slowly moves toward me.
05:21He looks up and shoots a glance at Tyler.
05:23The temperature seems to drop.
05:25I sneeze.
05:26Tyler pulls away.
05:27I turn around to see Sean extending two dark claws.
05:29He's holding towels and toiletries.
05:32Are these for me?
05:33He stays silent, but his body turns red, and his eyes dart around.
05:37Sean turns even redder.
05:39He rubs his black claws together, looking anxious.
05:41I glance at the wall clock.
05:43Do you want to have dinner later?
05:44I'm a pretty good cook.
05:46He nods.
05:46And quickly runs off again.
05:47Though I said I'd cook, I don't have any ingredients.
05:50There are about three hours until dinner.
05:52I can head to town.
05:53I pull up the map, check the route, and start the pickup truck in the garage.
05:56The game's controls are incredibly smooth.
05:59It feels like I'm really driving.
06:00I'll carry the route and soon arrive at a shopping town.
06:03What's strange is, everyone here looks emotionless and downcast.
06:06The entire town is shrouded in a thick gloom.
06:09There's zero vitality.
06:10They definitely cut corners on the scenery and the NPCs.
06:13I walk into a shop and take out my card.
06:15Hello.
06:15I'd like to buy a few things.
06:17The shopkeeper gives me a half-hearted look, then limps toward me.
06:20What do you want?
06:21What do you have?
06:22He sits behind a glass counter and shows me an inventory list.
06:26Rooster, dog blood, garlic, salt, peach wood, ginger, rice, and mirror.
06:30It's just a bunch of random stuff.
06:32The prices shock me.
06:34Why is it so expensive?
06:35A rooster costs $1,000?
06:37Take it or leave it.
06:38This town's about to be done for anyway.
06:42Why?
06:43The shopkeeper looks at me strangely as if I'm an idiot.
06:46Are you buying or not?
06:47I quickly pull out my card.
06:48Yes, dog blood doesn't sound very tasty.
06:51I already have scissors and a mirror.
06:53Peach wood can be used for firewood.
06:55I buy the rest of the things and pay the bill.
06:57Please put them in the car.
06:58I carry the odd assortment of items back to my truck.
07:00This is pure extortion.
07:02He charged me $3,000 for stuff that shouldn't even cost $300.
07:05Even though it's not my money, it still hurts my soul.
07:08But I didn't expect the shop to sell live roosters.
07:10It's fine.
07:11I have some survival skills.
07:13I can kill a rooster.
07:14I grab a knife from the toolbox in the truck and skillfully slaughter the rooster.
07:17It takes some time.
07:19By the time I get back to the house, it's already late.
07:21Sean is waiting for me at the door.
07:23He freezes when he sees what I'm holding.
07:25I'm really sorry.
07:26I took a bit longer than expected.
07:28Sean steps aside without a word.
07:30I enter the kitchen and put the bag down.
07:32Suddenly I'm thrown to the floor.
07:34Caught off guard, I skid across the dusty floor.
07:37A cloud of dirt flies up making me cough.
07:39When I can finally breathe, I see Sean approaching me.
07:42His bloodshot eyes are inches from my nose.
07:44What are you doing?
07:46That's what I should be asking you.
07:48Are you trying to kill me too?
07:51Who said I want to kill you?
07:54You lied!
07:55You lied to me!
07:57You lied to me!
07:59As he repeats the words, the eyes on his body dart around.
08:02Countless piercing sounds rush at me from all directions.
08:05The expensive ingredients I bought are now wasted.
08:08I'm not a pushover.
08:09Are you crazy?
08:10I just came back a little late.
08:12I'm still making dinner for you.
08:14Why are you yelling at me?
08:15Looking at the ruined ingredients, I feel heartbroken.
08:18If you're upset, just say so.
08:20Why waste the ingredients?
08:22Sean cools down instantly.
08:23He looks at me, then at the ruined ingredients.
08:26After a long silence, he asks tentatively.
08:28You bought all this to cook for me?
08:30Of course.
08:31Do you know how expensive this was?
08:32Pay me back!
08:33Another long silence.
08:35The house is eerily quiet.
08:36Sean walks over to the mess, extends his claws, and gathers everything up.
08:40Then, it's like something dissolves inside him.
08:43He summons a ball of ice-cold water, washing everything clean.
08:46Once he's finished, he hands them back to me.
08:48I'm sorry.
08:49I take them with a cold expression.
08:51It's a romance game after all.
08:53An unhinged male lead is normal.
08:55Fine, I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again.
08:58Okay.
08:59Sean nuzzles against me.
09:01His body is icy cold like a cool water pillow.
09:04It feels good.
09:04I can't help but pet his head.
09:06Good boy.
09:06An hour later, Sean and I enjoy the salt-baked chicken I made.
09:09For some reason, the taste is a bit off.
09:11But it's just a game.
09:12I can understand.
09:13After dinner, Sean puts the dishes in the sink.
09:16I look at the filthy house, feeling overwhelmed.
09:18I pull a ladder from under a skull model to fix the light bulb.
09:21Tyler happens to come downstairs.
09:22Hey.
09:23Give me a hand.
09:24At my voice, Tyler's head snaps a sharp 90 degrees.
09:27He seems eager to help.
09:28The next moment, he's right in front of me.
09:30Before I can speak, Sean steps in between us, radiating a chilling presence.
09:34His black claws swell up, becoming a massive shadowy fist.
09:37The shadow lunges.
09:38Tyler is thrown against the wall, just like the ingredients.
09:41That's one more thing to fix.
09:43Tyler is stuck in the wall.
09:44He has no idea why he's even being hit.
09:46Get lost.
09:47Tyler scrambles off the wall and crawls away on all fours.
09:50Sean's jealous?
09:51Seriously?
09:52He's so possessive.
09:53I glance stiffly at Sean.
09:55He's already setting up the ladder.
09:56His blood-red eyes blink up at me.
09:58Is this okay?
09:59My heart skips a beat.
10:00Crap.
10:01He's so cute.
10:02That night, I lie in my hastily tidied bed.
10:04Normally, these games have save points, either by the fire or in the bed.
10:07I close my eyes, trying to exit the game.
10:10But no matter what I do, the game doesn't respond.
10:12Is this not a save point?
10:14Full of doubt, I get up and walk to the living room.
10:16It's packed with people.
10:18Everyone is gathered by the fireplace.
10:20Sean is giving a speech seriously.
10:22I arrived late, and I'm far away, so I only catch part of it.
10:25I won't let anyone hurt her.
10:27If anyone has a problem, take it up with me.
10:30Huh?
10:31Who?
10:33All eyes turn to me at once.
10:35That's when I notice everyone here has an artistic vibe.
10:38In a way, the game's aesthetic is unified and pretty unique.
10:41I look around.
10:42I see a pale woman with tear-streaked cheeks, a baby with severed hands, and a pair of twin
10:46girls who look relatively clean.
10:48Now I'm starting to think this agent is breaking every labor law in the book.
10:52Good evening.
10:53Did I disturb you?
10:54Why are you up?
10:55It's a bit cold.
10:56Can I start a fire?
10:58Start a fire with what?
10:59This.
11:00The air turns static.
11:01It's just me and Sean now.
11:02Why did they leave?
11:03It's fine.
11:04They're just shy.
11:05Moonlight pours through the broken window, casting rippling shadows on the table.
11:09The room is so quiet I can hear my breathing.
11:12Maybe it's the quiet of the scene, but it somehow feels romantic.
11:15I awkwardly place wood in the fireplace, then suddenly realize something.
11:19Do you have a lighter?
11:21Sean snaps his fingers.
11:22Something bird-like dives from a beam.
11:24Before I can see what it is, it disappears into the hearth.
11:27The fireplace bursts into flames.
11:29Superpowers are handy.
11:30I walk around the fireplace searching for a safe point.
11:33Sean watches me intently.
11:34What's wrong?
11:35Nothing.
11:35Do I need to sleep by the fire?
11:37I sit on the couch in front of the flames trying to fall asleep.
11:40But this game is just too realistic.
11:42Even the musty smell of the pillow is simulated.
11:44I can't relax enough to sleep.
11:46Sean's body suddenly shifts, transforming into something like jelly.
11:49He's pure white with two red eyes.
11:51I'm shocked.
11:52You can shapeshift?
11:53Yeah.
11:54I'm still amazed by his transformation.
11:55When he wriggles over, sits beside me, and becomes my pillow.
11:59I sleep peacefully.
12:00Maybe it's because Sean's body is so comfortable, but I sleep very soundly.
12:04The bad news is, I still can't figure out how to exit the game.
12:07It's becoming a problem.
12:08Even though I can move around, it's all virtual.
12:10If I don't eat in real life, things could go wrong.
12:12I try calling Kira, but the calls won't connect.
12:15I'm cut off from the outside.
12:16It seems like I have to clear the game.
12:18Until then, I can't stop or exit midway.
12:20I can only pray that my body holds up.
12:22The good news is, in-game time doesn't match real time.
12:25The game moves faster.
12:26In other words, my body should last longer than expected.
12:29After several failed attempts to log out, I give up struggling.
12:32I open my eyes, and the scene before me stops my breath.
12:35The young man's face is flawless.
12:37His head is lowered.
12:38His white hair is so fine.
12:40Frost coats his lashes, thick and soft.
12:42He has a high nose and thin lips.
12:44There's a small mole near his mouth.
12:45From every angle, this face is exactly my type.
12:48A magnificent face.
12:49I suddenly remember Kira's words.
12:51I feel a cruelness on my fingers.
12:52Only then do I realize my hand is wrapped tightly around his waist.
12:56I pull my hand away.
12:57The young man stirs, slowly waking up.
12:59His moist, blood-red eyes slowly open.
13:01Morning.
13:02You're Sean?
13:03Yeah.
13:03A faint smile tugs at his lips.
13:05He's in a good mood.
13:06What's wrong?
13:07Maybe it's because he just woke up.
13:09But he's radiating a lazy softness.
13:11His eyes are still misty with sleep.
13:12I don't understand what caused such a huge change in him overnight.
13:16How did you become like this?
13:18Don't like it?
13:19I do.
13:19As long as you like it.
13:21Just then, a knock sounds at the door.
13:23I pull away from Sean.
13:24Wait here for me.
13:25Sean stays put.
13:26I open the door.
13:27It's the middle-aged NPC from yesterday.
13:29In just one day, his dark circles have worsened.
13:32Hello, Ms. Bean.
13:32He's as polite as ever.
13:34I've gathered some useful information to tell you.
13:36I think it'll help with your job.
13:38Come in.
13:39No, no.
13:39I'll just tell you here.
13:41He pulls out a stack of papers and flips through them.
13:43In terms of efficacy, salt is the weakest and last the shortest.
13:47Burning peach wood offers protection.
13:49Garlic needs to be made into a necklace.
13:51The rooster works best.
13:52But the house owner may intervene.
13:54Investigations show the owner's name is Sean West.
13:57He's a cold demon.
13:58He can command freezing air and read minds through touch to know their preferences.
14:02What's even scarier is...
14:03He rambles on for a while.
14:05But all I catch is Sean.
14:07I quickly jump in.
14:08Sean, right?
14:08I know.
14:09What a cringy setting.
14:10That means his current look is based on my thoughts.
14:13No wonder he's exactly my type.
14:14I finally get why Kira said he was hot now.
14:17How could a face tailored to the player's aesthetic not be attractive?
14:20Lost in thoughts.
14:21I didn't notice the man turning pale.
14:23You've met him already?
14:25Yeah, he's pretty nice.
14:26His face grows even paler.
14:28He hands me the papers, trembling.
14:30But I don't have the patience to read them.
14:32So I cut to the chase and ask,
14:33So, what exactly do I need to do to finish the job?
14:37Well...
14:37He hesitates.
14:38Just clear out everything in the house.
14:40In short, I have to clean.
14:42I'm good at that.
14:43Don't worry.
14:43It'll be done in no time.
14:45The man looks at me with respect.
14:47Good luck.
14:47Once I see him out, I close the door and start thinking.
14:50From the information I have,
14:52There are two conditions to clear the game.
14:54First, gain Sean's favor.
14:56Second, repair the house.
14:57Completing both in a short time seems impossible.
15:00I glance over at Sean.
15:01He's somehow got an apple and is leisurely peeling it for me.
15:04Noticing my gaze, he turns around and smiles.
15:07What's wrong?
15:07His voice is even deeper than yesterday.
15:09I feel a headache coming on.
15:11I'm terrible at romance.
15:13To be honest, I've never been in a relationship.
15:15And I can't even exit to check a guide.
15:17But judging from how Sean treats me,
15:19I guess he doesn't dislike me.
15:20I wonder how high his favorability is.
15:23After a moment, I ask,
15:24Can you kiss me?
15:25What?
15:25Kiss me, please.
15:27Sean drops the apple immediately.
15:29What?
15:29I...
15:30Maybe not.
15:31He mutters.
15:31Then vanishes without a trace.
15:33Looks like his favorability isn't there yet.
15:36I sigh in disappointment.
15:37That afternoon, I officially begin the repair work.
15:39There's a lot to do, so I had my housemates help.
15:42First, I reattach the fallen window frames,
15:44cover the glass with old newspapers,
15:46and nail the boards.
15:46Next, I clean the entire house.
15:48I move all the carpets, pillows, and such outside first.
15:51Then, I wash the entire place with soapy water.
15:53The dirty wooden floors shine after the wash.
15:55But they're a bit faded.
15:56Red paint keeps bleeding out.
15:58I rinse several times until it's clear.
16:00Sean watches me, looking like he has something to say.
16:02I can't take it.
16:03Come help me.
16:04Oh.
16:04He walks over and holds the ladder.
16:06I climb up to clean the last light bulb.
16:08Can you not buy chandeliers next time?
16:10They're such a pain.
16:11Okay.
16:12You can buy them, but hire your own cleaner.
16:14I'm not doing this again.
16:15All right.
16:17I squeeze the rag in my hand, carefully stepping down.
16:20The crying woman has finished washing the carpet.
16:22Ma'am, is this okay?
16:24Yes, good job.
16:25I hang the carpet on the drying rack and thank her.
16:27You're really good at housework.
16:29Thank you so much.
16:30You're too kind.
16:31Her tears suddenly stop.
16:32She stares at me and stands frozen in place.
16:35Seeing her pale face, I sincerely take her hand.
16:38By the way, you look really pale.
16:39It's probably anemia.
16:41You need some iron.
16:42Her eyes well up again.
16:43I turn to dry something else, but when I turn back, she's gone.
16:46Huh?
16:47Where did she go?
16:48As light emerges in the clearing sky, Sean let out a subtle smile.
16:51To the place she belongs.
16:52After all these years, she can finally leave.
16:56The floor is nearly dry.
16:57I straighten the picture frames.
16:59Sean helps me clean the corners with cold water, which speeds things up.
17:02I see an ugly pentagram on the hallway floor.
17:04After some thought, I grab some pink paint to fill it in, then add rhinestones, turning it into a cute
17:09array.
17:09During break time, I see Tyler walk by covered in dirt.
17:12I immediately pull him over.
17:13I ask Sean for a basin of water to wash Tyler's hair.
17:16Then I grab the scissors.
17:17In no time, Tyler's long hair is now a sharp wolf cut, revealing his handsome face.
17:21See?
17:21He looks so good.
17:22Hmm, nothing special.
17:24Tyler starts babbling, but I can't understand a word.
17:26He bows to me and disappears down the hallway.
17:29Later that night, the twin girls run around playing with a ball.
17:32I catch the ball and bounce it a few times.
17:35They walk up to me, hand in hand, and say in unison,
17:38Play with us.
17:39Suddenly the temperature drops.
17:40I feel a chill.
17:42No.
17:43Why?
17:43Because she's my wife.
17:45The twins droop their heads.
17:46I can't help but laugh.
17:48Why are you jealous of kids?
17:49Don't listen to him.
17:50I'll play with you.
17:51I hand the ball back and take them to the second floor.
17:55I have to admit, kids have endless energy.
17:58We play right until midnight.
17:59When the clock strikes twelve, the two girls vanish without a trace.
18:03I turn to Sean.
18:04Where did they go?
18:05Sean doesn't answer right away.
18:07He walks up to me and pulls me into a hug.
18:09I blink, surprised by his embrace.
18:11Sean, what's wrong?
18:12He stays silent.
18:13I feel a sudden chill.
18:14His cold hand presses against my neck, holding me to his shoulder.
18:18A faint, minty scent of blood silently spreads through the air.
18:21Finally I hear his hoarse whisper.
18:24I don't know why he's thanking me, but I slowly hug him back.
18:27The house repairs go smoother than I expected.
18:30In just a few days, the entire place is completely transformed.
18:32Sean deserves some credit.
18:34His powers are perfect for cleaning.
18:35Meanwhile, I notice that more and more of my housemates are disappearing.
18:38The crying baby with severed arms, the heavyset woman, and the loud one-eyed old man are all gone.
18:43By the end, it's just me and Sean left.
18:45The next morning, the town finally clears up.
18:47Sunlight breaks through, warming the refurbished house.
18:50The town's residents all step outside at once, gazing up at the sky.
18:53I excitedly lean out the window.
18:54The sky's clear.
18:55Yeah, it's clear.
18:57Suddenly, Sean steps forward, his foot touching the sunlight.
19:00I turn around and see his body melting like ice.
19:02Flowers are in full bloom and the sun is warm.
19:05Wind surges from behind me as a cold kiss lands on my lips.
19:08I press my lips together.
19:09He steps forward again.
19:11With firm gentleness, he cradles my neck.
19:13I never imagined a kiss could be like this.
19:15I call out his name, Sean.
19:17He doesn't answer.
19:17Under the brilliant sun, he smiles faintly, then vanishes before my eyes.
19:21The house crumbles.
19:23By the time I come to, I'm standing alone outside the door.
19:26Just like when we first met, the NPC runs up to me in a hurry.
19:29Congratulations!
19:30A familiar virtual screen appears before me.
19:32Manor of mists cleared.
19:33Exit the game?
19:34I take off my glasses and realize tears have covered my face.
19:38The cold sensation still lingers on my fingertips.
19:40I sit on the bed, lost in thought.
19:43My phone rings beside me.
19:44I pick it up in a daze.
19:46My goodness!
19:47You finally picked up.
19:49Where have you been?
19:50You didn't answer your calls.
19:51I almost went and kicked down your door.
19:53Kira!
19:57What's going on?
19:58Don't scare me!
19:59I really like Sean.
20:02Manor of mists is such an amazing game.
20:07I get that you like Sean, but what's Manor of Mists?
20:10That's the game you sent me.
20:12The one you called the greatest romance game in the world.
20:15I sent you the wrong one!
20:17Manor of Mists isn't a romance game.
20:19It's a horror game my boyfriend gave me.
20:21How could Sean even be in there?
20:24Then who did I meet?
20:25Over the next few days, I try to log into Manor of Mists again.
20:28Even if I have to restart the game, even if he forgets everything about me, even if he's just a
20:33mindless NPC, I want to see him again.
20:35But it keeps saying launch failure.
20:36It's not a multiplayer game or an online game.
20:39It shouldn't fail.
20:40I can't explain this strange unease and sadness deep inside me.
20:43I just want to see him.
20:44I really do.
20:45Kira suggests I check the official game forum.
20:47If you want news about the game, that's the fastest way.
20:49See what players are discussing.
20:51So I enter the Manor of Mists forum.
20:53To my surprise, it's already blowing up.
20:55Toddless posts and comments are all talking about the same thing.
20:57Something's wrong with the game's boss, Sean West.
21:00Players notice the boss was deviating from the script.
21:03He stopped responding to taunts and attacking players.
21:06Players also noticed he'll sometimes turn into a handsome human figure and sit on the couch at night, as if
21:10reminiscing or watching something.
21:12Soon after, players discover he's showing signs of self-destruction.
21:16Sean always walks into the sunlight, completely disrupting the game's flow.
21:19He was meant to be a cold-hearted final boss.
21:21Active only in dark rooms and focused on killing.
21:23But he has developed his own consciousness.
21:25He dismisses the spirits, does it he pleases, and harms himself.
21:29No one knows what he's thinking.
21:30Or what his goal is.
21:31This game is unplayable!
21:33Fix it now!
21:33As I keep reading, I start piecing together a new Sean.
21:36Because I played outside the box, I missed out on a lot of lore I was supposed to uncover.
21:41The main story should have been about purging spirits with dog blood and burning wood.
21:45And apparently, he fears sunlight and hates chicken.
21:48After that, the game slowly fades into silence.
21:51A game with unpatched bugs is soon forgotten, but I haven't forgotten.
21:54My heart feels heavy, like a block of iron.
21:56I think I'll never see him again.
21:58In the days that follow, I eat, sleep and work.
22:01Life feels the same.
22:02Sometimes I just hold the VR glasses doing nothing.
22:04Kira asks me to try the actual romance game.
22:07I hesitate, then refuse.
22:08My life is peaceful, like a pre-written storyline, following a set track.
22:12On one quiet, moonlit night, I lie in bed and hear the sound of glass breaking.
22:16Half asleep, I see a gooey white mass pouring out of the VR glasses.
22:20It slivers toward me with its gentle red eyes wide open.
22:23Tiny black claws reach out.
22:25Ms. Tobeam, can I hold your hand?
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