Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 94: Creating horror at school – Planting the seed.

Well, this is awkward.

Apparently, I've been getting so comfortable using Peln's body that sometimes I forget that it is not mine. Peln seems to be always present even when I'm inhabiting her body, so technically, the kisses that I did were between three people.

I heard doppelgangers are supposed to be mindless machines that exist only to follow orders, but I don't want to believe that—at least with Peln. For one, I have received requests to take small breaks or eat some snacks from her before. Maybe Peln is a special kind of doppelganger.

Nevertheless, she seemed unfazed earlier when I switched bodies, so I guess it's fine.

For now, the plot comes first... But I've already declared that it is a rest day.

''...''

What do I do now?

As I've been training quite often, I do think I need a proper rest as well. For entertainment, I usually go for novels, but there hasn't been anything good recently.

Silently watching my subordinates in the Backrooms, I inevitably notice the scene of Ariel trying to scare Smiley by making faces. Yet, my husky simply lays there, seemingly judging the pitiful banshee with half-opened eyes.

When Ariel eventually gets embarrassed and flies to my fluffy siblings for some healing, an idea pops up in my mind.

Why don't we try to prank people?

Now that I think about it, it's quite a waste to let such perfect horror entities live without scaring anyone like this. If we pull this off in the academy... I can already imagine how hot of a scoop it will be.

Good.

''Everyone, attention.''

As soon as I give out the order, everybody in the room abandons what they're doing and gathers in front of me. Even Mister Slen, who has gone out since before, is back here.

''Ahem.'' I clear my throat. ''Since we have been moving with the story relentlessly for the past few months, why don't we have some fun this time?''

''You mean?'' Ariel blinks her eyes as she sits on the ground, a fluffy owl trapped in her lap.

''Say... Don't you want to see people terrified?''

''Hah? You want to scare students?''

Sitting across me on the sofa, Chloe raises an eyebrow at my sentence as if she had heard something insane. After discussing it with my horror friends yesterday, we've come up with several plans.

It's pretty exciting, to be honest.

Still, I thought I would need to inform Chloe beforehand lest she become a victim, so here I am.

''Hah...'' Chloe sighs. ''So? What do you want me to do? You still haven't explained to me that with Nydia, have you?''

''It was an accident.''

''It wasn't an accident.''

''It was.''

''...You enjoyed it, didn't you?''

''I did.''

crack—!

Seeing the teacup crack inside her hand, I can't help but reevaluate my life choices for a brief moment. But I have to be transparent. It's not like I'm cheating on Chloe or anything.

''For now, I'm just letting you know that we'll be doing it tonight.'' I continue. ''A day of rest is fine, no?''

''...Okay.''

Chloe nods while biting her lips in frustration. I'm sure she doesn't care about this prank of mine, but the kisses instead. However, the past cannot be changed—I can't undo the kiss with Nydia. Even if I could, I don't think I would.

If so, the solution is rather simple.

''Chloe, do you want to kiss again?''

''!!''

Now that I know I am comfortable with it, there should be no problem. I somewhat desire it, even.

Like a long-reunited puppy, Chloe jumps across the table and right toward me, landing on my lap perfectly.

''I won't be satisfied with just one.'' She declares.

''Then do more.'' I reply.

Suddenly, the room gets a lot hotter.

The first step to scaring the audience is to build tension.

The method of building tension, then releasing it before suddenly slapping a loud jumpscare into the viewer's face, is done regularly by mainstream horror movies, yet I don't find it interesting.

As it is, I prefer analog horror, which is a type of low-budget horror that relies on creatively made tapes, usually with low-resolution and cryptic messages. With virtually no jumpscares present, these tapes rather aim to cause unsettling and disturbing feelings within the viewers, therefore haunting them for days on end.

I also believe that due to it being low-budget, it can really bring out the creativity within talented individuals. I especially love the Mandela Catalogue and LOCAL58TV. 

Now, I have no way to have people watch those kinds of tapes here, so I'll just have to take some inspiration and do it my own way.

What I mean is—I don't want to scare them straight up with loud noise and gruesome scenes, but instead by causing them a dreadful feeling even more terrifying than that.

This time, inspired by the presence of a doppelganger in my roster, I am planning to create a situation somewhat similar to the events in the Mandela Catalogue—of course, on a much smaller scale.

This time, the targets are going to be the game's hero party, which includes Claire, several people, and Claudia Heisenberg. The latter is included partly because she won't stop bugging me about joining the academy, and I want to see a strong person's reaction to horror.

The main entity in this case is going to be me acting in Peln's body. I can have Mister Slen mimicking people's appearances as well, of course, but the problem of the status screen exists. Just a simple [Inspect], and everything will be for naught.

So, as someone who can fabricate her status screen, I will do it together with Peln. I've never ordered her to do it, but Peln is a doppelganger, so she can change her appearance. 

Of course, I intend to include the whole crew in this fun, so there will be even more horror going on as well.

''Heheheheheh...''

It's been a long time since I've laughed like a crazy girl.

With the plan firmly embedded in my mind, I determinedly quit my job as a maid—temporarily, for a day—and walk toward class 1-C. Upon entering the room, everybody goes quiet, but that is not my concern.

''Claire, go with me.''

''Eh?''

Pulling her out of the class, I bring her and her lunch box to a bench nearby.

''How is your health?'' I ask.

''Why suddenly...?''

''I was worried. You didn't show up yesterday.''

This much is true. As a friend, I can't help but be concerned.

''Ah, that was just a lack of sleep.'' Claire replies cheerfully. ''Look, I'm the strongest I've ever been!''

''Mhm, I see.''

''Now that we're here anyway, let's eat together!''

Of course, lively girl. Let's eat together, and then I shall whisper into your ear... The most terrifying horror there is.

Instinctively, a smile blooms on my face.

From now on, it is my mission to plant the seed of horror into her mind.