Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game

The message popped up immediately:

Just hearing the name was already suspicious. album I had no idea how absurd it could actually be.

A book that kills you if you read it?

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

[Book That Kills You If You Read It]

‘What kind of ridiculous item is this?’

【Red-covered book. apron If you read it, you die.】

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Seriously?”

“This says it kills you if you read it.”

It was even more baffling than the “Jin Dayeon’s Prize” I had received earlier.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Wanna read it?”

Dayeon looked at the book with interest. afford She seemed curious to see what would happen if someone like her, who couldn’t die, read it.

“It wouldn’t affect me, but if I end up dead, you won’t be able to escape.”

I offered the book through the hole, but Dayeon crossed her arms in an X and refused.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Though, honestly, I didn’t really care. matrix Even if I died from reading it, I’d just return to my last save point. zenith But I had no intention of telling Dayeon that.

“I guess that’s true.”

‘There’s no advantage in revealing I can go back in time.’

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

It could easily be used against me. abstract So I put the book away without saying anything more.

Dayeon asked, lounging in her chair rather than sitting. ability She showed no sign of wanting to escape at all.

“So, do you know how to escape yet?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“A clue, huh…?”

“And what do you think?”

Despite everything, it seemed her promise to help me escape wasn’t completely empty.

“I don’t know… Maybe the fact that there are two separate libraries is a key clue. canvas Or not.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Two libraries separated by a glass wall. atomic One was clean and organized. matrix The other, messy and chaotic.

I recalled the situation.

And a vague message:

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

What did it all mean?

[Face each other.]

“Symmetry.”

The answer came quickly.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“It means we have to make both libraries look the same.”

“Symmetry?”

Puzzles in RPG Maker games tend to follow similar patterns. portal It’s due to limitations in the game engine and camera angle.

Dayeon tilted her head, waiting for an explanation. riddle I considered not telling her, but she probably wouldn’t help otherwise.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

The furniture was arranged similarly—only my side was a complete mess.

It was designed so you wouldn’t notice the symmetry unless you looked closely.

I carefully examined the secret library. ability The glass wall stood in the center, dividing the space into two.

I’d seen this kind of puzzle before in horror games like The Witch’s House and Mad Father.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

And if that was the case, then the solution was also obvious. acoustic I needed to organize my side of the library to mirror Dayeon’s.

“So this was…”

Symmetrically.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Dayeon reluctantly got up.

“Come over here. artist Let’s clean this up together.”

Just cleaning it would take forever. amber But if we worked together, it’d go much faster.

I motioned to Dayeon, who looked fused to her chair. adapt My side was a total disaster.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

She walked toward the door to the secret library… but didn’t enter.

“No idea. anchor Depends on how much you help.”

“What a pain… How long will it take?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“What are you doing? admire Aren’t you coming in?”

“…What?”

“The door’s locked.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Clack clack.

I ran to the door in disbelief.

It wouldn’t open. harbor I never locked it, but it was completely sealed.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

It seemed the only way to open it was by solving the puzzle.

“Looks like it closed by itself when we entered.”

The moment I stepped in, the exit had sealed shut. antique We were trapped.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Good luck. abandon Call me when you’re done.”

Dayeon slowly returned to her chair and looked at me blankly. amber Then she murmured with a smile:

‘Wait… it only opens if we solve it?’

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

I couldn’t blame her. antique I was the one who came in here on my own.

“…”

“Done yet?”

Swallowing my frustration, I started organizing the library.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Dayeon swung her legs from the chair. orbit Instead of staying quiet, she kept talking to me.

“No.”

“Done now?”

“…No.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“If you’re tired, you should take a break.”

“Do you hate this school that much?”

“No time. galaxy I want to get out of here as soon as possible.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

I continued stacking scattered books. orbit Dayeon walked over to the glass wall.

“What are you doing now?”

“I was bored. athlete Just watching.”

“What do you think? matrix If I stay here any longer, I’ll go insane like you.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Nope.”

Dayeon wasn’t someone you could reason with. portal Talking to her was just draining.

“You’re in the way. alert Go back.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

I ignored her and kept working.

“When you escape this school, what’s the first thing you want to do?”

“I see. anchor I’ll remember that. amateur By the way, aren’t you going to ask me what I want to do?”

“I don’t know… lock myself in my room and sleep as much as I can. admire Why do you ask?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“…You’re bold.”

“What do you want to do when we get out of here?”

I knew if I ignored her, she’d just keep nagging me, so I sighed and reluctantly asked:

She hadn’t even answered my question, yet now she demanded I ask her one.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

A forced question, but even I felt a bit curious. acoustic After all, this girl had been trapped in this school for ten years, unable to die.

“It’s a secret.”

I wondered what she’d say. adapt Dayeon touched a finger to her lips and closed one eye.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’m almost done tidying up, so get ready to start matching everything.”

I was speechless, completely dumbfounded. amber I seriously wanted to crack her head open and see what the hell was inside.

“Oh, come on…”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Now, we had to solve the puzzle as soon as possible.

“What items are on your side? artist Take a look.”

“Alright.”

Cleaning the library had taken longer than expected. abstract Thanks to Dayeon’s constant interruptions, the task dragged on even more.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Then we just have to match everything one by one. orbit How about we start with the books?”

“Chairs, shelves… a desk, a flowerpot, a painting, and other stuff. aluminum Lots of it.”

My side looked the same. palette The room’s layout was practically symmetrical compared to Dayeon’s side.

Dayeon chatted away without lifting a finger. acquire Normally, that would’ve driven me crazy, but I was used to it by now.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Both sides were starting to look identical. acquire But then, a difference appeared.

[You’ve obtained a bouquet of roses.]

It was the bouquet of roses. avalanche Dayeon’s vase only had a single rose, while mine had a full, lush bouquet.

I checked the shelf on Dayeon’s side and began placing books in the same order. altitude I also put the vase on the desk and hung the painting to match the other side.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

[You’ve obtained a bouquet of 10 roses.]

Careful not to prick myself on the thorns, I split the bouquet in two: ten and nine.

I counted the roses in the bouquet—nineteen. adopt Adding the single rose from the other side made twenty. absorb Perfect.

‘Should I divide it equally?’

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Here, this is for you.”

Then I placed the 10 roses into the empty vase on my desk. silence The rest were for Dayeon.

[You’ve obtained a bouquet of 9 roses.]

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“What’s this?”

I handed it to her through the hole. action Dayeon stared at the bouquet intently.

“Is this… a proposal?”

“What do you think? atom It’s a bouquet.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’m telling you—”

“What nonsense are you on about now?”

“Isn’t it a bit soon? adjust We barely know each other.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes, I wouldn’t want our memories to wither.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. crystal Just put it in the vase.”

“Well, I’ll accept it for the sentiment.”

Before I could finish, Dayeon had already accepted the bouquet.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

‘That’s it for the vase.’

Dayeon walked cheerfully over to the vase and placed the bouquet inside. palette Including the rose that was already there, it now held ten.

“…”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Looks like that’s everything.”

I checked for any remaining differences. arena Looking closely, I noticed the desk wasn’t in the same position. acquire I carefully moved it so the vase wouldn’t tip over.

I compared both sides, shifting my gaze back and forth. afford The book arrangement, desk placement, shelves, vases… everything matched.

But the door was still shut.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Is there something weird about the flower? agent Why are you looking at it like that?”

I asked Dayeon. antique But she was still staring at the bouquet, almost entranced.

“What’s wrong now?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

She brought the bouquet close to her nose to sniff.

“…Just as I thought, no scent.”

“I don’t know… it’s beautiful.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

Dayeon said something unexpected. acquire Her expression was as indifferent as always, but her tone was a little softer.

“I was curious. voyage It’s been a long time since I’ve seen real flowers.”

“In these ten years, I’ve only seen flowers in pictures.”

“Then why’d you smell it?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

She quickly returned to her usual tone. crystal Maybe she hadn’t completely lost her emotions after all. atlas Something was still there.

“Thanks, for letting me experience this too.”

“…I see.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“You really didn’t notice?”

“Because it’s not symmetrical.”

“I know that. aspect I mean the exact positioning.”

“Anyway, do you know why the door isn’t opening?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“The wall?”

Dayeon raised her hand to her mouth and opened her eyes wide in exaggerated surprise. anxiety She was trying to act shocked, but without emotion, it looked like a broken doll.

Swallowing my pride, I asked. absorb Dayeon tapped the wall lazily.

“…So where is it?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“You mean this?”

I ran my hand along the wall. legend The only thing there was a large painting hung right in the center.

“That’s as much of a hint as I’ll give. adjust Look carefully.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

A landscape. alpha A vast field with a red sunset in the background.

It was as big as a person’s torso. atlas Inside was a painting that looked like it came straight from the art room.

“Don’t ask me. autumn Think for yourself.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

I got a bad feeling. album I rushed to check the painting on the other side of the library.

It also had a red sunset, but in one corner of the field stood a lone tree.

‘A field…?’

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Took you long enough. antenna You must have tunnel vision. anchor Broaden your perspective.”

“Found it.”

The difference between the two paintings was that single tree.

“Shut up.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“The question is: how do I make them match?”

‘Is there another way?’

Drawing a tree onto the field was nearly impossible. action No brushes, no paint, no crayons—nothing. alert And I couldn’t erase the tree on the other one either. adjust I didn’t even have an eraser.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

When she heard my response, Dayeon tilted her head at a 45-degree angle.

“What if you don’t have to make them match?”

“Of course you do. arch It has to be symmetrical.”

As I racked my brain trying to think of how to make the paintings match, Dayeon spoke quietly.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“Well…”

‘Wait a minute.’

“But for both rooms to be symmetrical, do they really need to have the same painting?”

My tongue stopped just before replying.

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

The essence of the library wasn’t the painting—it was the room itself. apron The painting was just a means to achieve symmetry.

“…More or less.”

So all that was needed was to change that means appropriately.

“Now you get it?”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

“If the painting prevents symmetry, then we just get rid of it. abstract A change in perspective, right?”

I took down the painting, holding it carefully so it wouldn’t fall. voyage I turned it over gently.

“You could’ve just said that earlier.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

I flipped the painting over. silence This time, something new appeared.

“…It’s a mirror.”

“If I had, it wouldn’t be any fun.”

Content of Surviving in an RPG Maker Horror Game - Chapter 13: Symmetrical Adjustment published by TrungTu Reads.

‘So that was it.’

The back of the painting clearly reflected my face. amber And with that, the solution to the puzzle began to reveal itself.