I am the Entertainment Tycoon

Chapter 671: Moonlit Thrills



At nightfall, a mysterious energy began to permeate the air around the forest area of the school campus. While other parts of the school festival had a lively and bright mood with lively chatters and laughter of visitors, when someone arrived near the area sectioned by the Love Nature Club shifted into hushed whispers and anxious glances. The moon cast a silvery glow over the campus, adding an ethereal light to the festival decorations that now seemed more ominous than festive.

With hearts beating faster, Theo and his group of friends made their way to the entrance of the Haunted Forest-a highly anticipated attraction of the festival. The path leading into the forest was lined with flickering lanterns and eerie shadows danced on the ground. As they stepped deeper into the darkness, their excitement mingled with a hint of trepidation. Stories of terrifyingly realistic scares and clever surprises had been spreading like wildfire, making this experience all the more thrilling.

The Haunted Forest was designed as a traditional Yamatese "test of courage," where participants would navigate a dark, eerie trail filled with hidden "scare-actors" and spooky effects. Nervous anticipation filled their minds as they wondered what awaited them in the depths of the forest.

The group was a lively mix of personalities, each bringing their own energy to the evening. Some were bravely leading the way, while others clung to whoever was ahead of them for comfort. But one thing was for sure-this would be a night they would never forget.

Theo stood with Ayia, his girlfriend, who was as bright and lively as ever. Despite the creepy atmosphere, Ayia's eyes sparkled with excitement rather than fear. She was the type who thrived in thrilling situations, her enthusiasm infectious.

Next to them, Max and Lauren exchanged playful banter. Lauren, bold and courageous, seemed utterly unfazed by the ominous forest ahead. She had a habit of bossing Max around, and tonight was no different. She teasingly challenged him to lead the group, which he accepted with a mix of bravado and good-natured reluctance.

Shizuka, stood close by, her expression calm but with a hint of curiosity. Shizuka often matched Ayia's liveliness with her own composed energy, making them a dynamic duo. Nearby, Samantha and June chatted excitedly, their nerves evident in their laughter. Sayuri, always the observer, smiled softly, taking in the group's interactions with a calm demeanor. Kumiko and Shoko, always up for an adventure, exchanged mischievous glances, clearly ready for whatever the forest had to offer. Ryoko, Gwen, and Kin brought up the rear, with Gwen trying to suppress a giggle and Kin feigning indifference, though his eyes betrayed his excitement.

"Alright, who's ready to prove their courage?" Theo asked with a grin, his voice full of anticipation.

Ayia was the first to respond, her hand shooting up enthusiastically. "I am! Let's see if this forest can actually scare me."

Max chuckled, throwing an arm around Lauren's shoulders. "I think Lauren's the one we need to worry about scaring the ghosts."

Lauren smirked, playfully swatting his arm. "Just try to keep up, Max. I'm not carrying you out if you get too scared."

With that, after paying for their tickets and waiting in line for a while, the group entered the forest.

The light from the lanterns danced and flickered, casting shadows on the trees that seemed to come alive in the darkness. The path was narrow and winding, disappearing into the shadows ahead. The trees loomed tall and twisted, their branches reaching out like crooked fingers.

The trail ahead was bathed in a soft, flickering light from lanterns hanging from the branches. The shadows danced and shifted, creating an eerie effect. The tall trees loomed over them, their twisted branches reaching out like gnarled fingers.

The path ahead was lit by lanterns, the soft glow casting eerie shadows on the gnarled trees. As they followed the twisting trail, the darkness seemed to press in on the group, making it difficult to see where they were going.

As they walked further into the forest, the sounds of the festival faded away, leaving only the rustling of leaves and

The ambient sounds of the festival faded.

The ambient sounds of the festival faded away as they delved deeper into the forest, replaced by a hushed silence broken only by the rustling of leaves blown by the cold night wind.

The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the ambient sounds of the festival faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant hoot of an owl.

The trail twisted and turned, leading them through narrow passages flanked by tall, gnarled trees. The atmosphere grew heavier with each step, the darkness thickening around them. Theo felt Ayia's hand slip into his, her grip firm yet reassuring. He glanced at her, catching her determined smile in the faint light.

Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the bushes to their right. The group froze, their hearts collectively skipping a beat. Out of the shadows, a figure leaped towards them, its face painted in ghostly white with dark, hollow eyes. A chorus of gasps and startled yelps echoed through the trees as the figure let out a bone-chilling wail.

But instead of panicking, Ayia stepped forward, her laughter ringing out. "Nice try! But you'll have to do better than that to scare me."

The scare actor, momentarily thrown off by her reaction, quickly regained composure and slinked back into the darkness. The group burst into relieved laughter, their nerves slightly eased by Ayia's boldness.

As they pressed on, the forest grew darker and more ominous. Thick tendrils of fog crept in, enveloping the group in a suffocating embrace. Shadows danced eerily between the trees, taking on twisted forms that seemed to follow their every move.

The once carefree laughter and chatter dwindled to a tense silence as they cautiously moved forward. Lauren's steps were steady, but her eyes darted around nervously, searching for any signs of danger. Max trailed behind, his usual cocky demeanor replaced with a wary unease. Shizuka and Samantha clung to each other, trembling with fear as they peered into the mist, afraid of what might emerge next.

Theo felt a sudden chill down his spine as a cold hand brushed against his arm. He turned sharply, only to see a shadowy figure melt back into the darkness. Ayia squeezed his hand, her expression now more serious, though her eyes still held that spark of excitement.

"You're not getting scared, are you?" she teased, though her voice was softer than before.

"Not a chance," Theo replied, though his heart was racing. He wasn't about to let a few ghosts and ghouls get the better of him.

The winding trail led deeper into the heart of the forest, its dark atmosphere thickening with each step. As if sensing their presence, the trees seemed to close in around them, gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. A sudden trapdoor opened up in the ground, revealing a group of ghastly figures clawing at the air. Despite their fear, Shoko and Ryoko couldn't resist investigating, until a deafening crash from above sent them both stumbling back in terror. Their laughter turned to nervous screams as they realized they were not alone in the haunted woods

As they neared the final stretch of the forest, a suffocating darkness encircled them, squeezing tighter and tighter until it was nearly impossible to breathe. The path dwindled into a narrow strip of earth, barely enough space for one terrified person to squeeze through. The group huddled together in fear, their earlier bravado now nothing but a distant memory. In front of them, the trail opened up into a small clearing aglow with an otherworldly blue light. In the center stood a solitary figure, draped in tattered robes that rustled like bone-dry leaves in the chilling wind. The figure held a lantern that burned with an eerie flame, casting grotesque shadows across its hidden face. As the group cautiously approached, the figure began to speak in a low, haunting voice that sent shivers down their spines.

The figure's voice boomed through the forest, a warning that sent chills down the group's spines. "To pass through this cursed forest, you must prove your courage," it spoke, its voice echoing off the trees. The group huddled together, their eyes darting around in fear and anticipation. As the figure lifted the lantern, a deafening silence fell over them, until suddenly, whispers filled the air. Whispers that seemed to come from deep within their own minds, taunting and mocking them. The temperature dropped drastically, the light from the lantern revealing twisted, shifting shadows all around them. This was not just a test of courage, but a battle against the darkness within themselves.

Max, who had been unusually quiet, took a step forward, his expression resolute. "Let's get through this together," he said, his voice steady despite the eerie surroundings.

The group marched forward with fierce determination, their eyes fixed on the figure with the lantern at the edge of the clearing. As they advanced, the whispers grew louder and more insistent, swirling around them like a malevolent chorus. The shadows on the ground seemed to come alive, twisting and writhing in an otherworldly dance that sent shivers down their

spines.

Despite the haunting whispers that seemed to grow louder with each step, they pushed forward with unwavering determination. The eerie shadows danced around them, threatening to swallow them whole, but they refused to let fear consume them. Their destination was within reach and they were willing to face any obstacle to reach it. Finally, they arrived at the figure with the lantern, its presence providing a glimmer of hope in the darkness. With a stern nod, it lowered the lantern and the whispers abruptly ceased. In their place, the sound of rustling leaves and distant echoes of a forgotten festival filled the air. Each member felt their heart pounding with adrenaline as they stood at the threshold of what lay ahead, steeling themselves for whatever darkness awaited them. Emerging from the forest, their hearts still racing but now also filled with a sense of triumph. They had conquered the Haunted Forest and emerged on the other side, their courage tested and proven. Ayia's earlier bravado was now mixed with genuine pride as she shared a victorious grin with Theo, both knowing they had faced their fears and emerged victorious. "See? Told you we could handle it," she said, nudging him playfully.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Theo smiled back, the tension from the forest melting away. "Yeah, but I think I'll leave the haunted attractions to you from now on."

The rest of the group gathered around, their earlier nerves replaced by excitement and relief. They had conquered the Haunted Forest, and now, with the night still young, they were ready to take on whatever else the festival had in store.