''Hm...''

So I've been sitting atop the Tower of Horrors for a good while, pondering my next summon.

Ideally, I want something strong, of course, but at the same time, I want something I'd actually like, too. See, there are things that normies like Chloe misunderstand about me. I certainly like horror, but not all of them.

I hate boring ones, smelly ones, annoying ones, ugly ones, and many more.

But that doesn't mean I value strength or... I guess you can say beauty over other things. If anything, I think I value the intriguing nature of horror entities the most.

Wouldn't it be cool if I get xxx to scare people?

Something like that.

''...''

Good.

I've decided.

I'm going for something interesting this time. Like, really interesting.

A few candidates immediately come to mind, but I would like to go around and see what people think first. Unfortunately, it is midnight right now, so the humans are all asleep.

Let's go and interview my crew.

Interviewee number one: Skely.

''The most relevant horror, you say?''

''Mhm.''

''...Well, how about something unexpected? For example, the newly erected tower of ours. No one would think about it being able to move and attack, wouldn't they? I think something like that is good.''

Interviewee number two: Ariel.

''Eh... horror again? I'm scared of those...''

''You're a ghost yourself, Ariel.''

''...''

''...''

''Muh... fine, fine. I don't like hideous things—not in a traditional way, but maybe in a sense that they embody the sides of reality that people don't want to see or think about. That might be it.''

Interviewee number three: Nova.

Something unknown, like you. Humans always fear the unknown... or so I heard.

''I'm unknown?''

You don't realize that?

''...''

Interviewee number four: 049.

''For me, unsettlingness tops all others. In terms of human psychology, I believe men and women like us are afraid of something they simply cannot make up their minds about. In other words, it keeps them wondering and wandering forever.''

''Hm...''

Interviewee number five: Kyomu.

''Perhaps memorableness. If something could leave a lasting impression—I believe we call that traumatizing—I would consider it effective as a psychological tactic.''

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''Is that so...''

''Of course, only if you decide to spare the enemies.''

''...''

In the end, it seems everybody has different ideas as to what they want a horror entity to be. I couldn't ask Sikare since she's dead asleep right now after brewing potions all day, but I think this is enough for now.

Oh, wait. There's one more.

''What do you think, Smiley?''

AUF—!

''Mhm... I see.''

I don't understand, but he got the spirit, I suppose.

Now, after all that, I think I have more or less cemented my pick. As much as I want a big, powerful kaiju to obliterate my enemies for me, I can feel it's still not going to work. At this stage, Godzilla or the Cloverfield monster is still too powerful.

''Hah...''

This one is going to be a gamble, but I'll have to follow my heart here.

*****

''Barrier inspection?''

''Yeah. We need to make sure it is still functional, at least.''

Receiving a tacit wink from Alice—the principal—Professor Claudia Heisenberg and Professor Hailey Florence immediately understand their assignment and nod. Soon enough, the three exit the HQ building and walk toward the dense forest.

''Hah... this is torture.'' Hailey lets out a long sigh, hanging her arms helplessly.

''Yeah...'' Followed by an agreement from Alice, who looks no less stressed.

After the incident that happened a while ago, all staff of the academy have been working days and nights to get things back to where they had been before. The hall in which the demons descended is more or less functional again, but the real damage comes from the reputation hit the academy has received.

The number of students who have dropped out is expected to reach three digits by the end of the year if things keep happening at this pace.

No one can blame them for their decisions, but a hit is a hit nonetheless. The institution's financial situation isn't looking great either. Unlike here, where everything remains relatively intact thanks to Silaerob, the palace is nearly in ruins after the incident.

The imperial palace is a symbol of the country; hence, it needs to be restored as soon as possible, which costs a tremendous amount, especially after accounting for the special materials used to construct it.

All of that ultimately means... a cut in the budget for other departments, including education.

''Hah...''

''You shouldn't sigh too much, Hailey. It'll make you age faster.''

''Where the hell did you hear that, Claudia?''

In the name of barrier inspection, the three have escaped work to go on what is essentially a walk. The barrier is more or less useless at this point since demons can still bypass it regardless, but everybody likes to see it there just as a reassurance of sorts.

Besides, it helps isolate the academy from the Zircon Forest, which houses thousands of hostile monsters that won't hesitate to invade...

Used to.

For half a year, not a single hostile mob has passed the border.

''At this point, does the forest even have anything living in it?''

Alice's grumble goes unanswered, mostly because the other two know the principal likes to complain about things. Still, their eyes are glued to the ashen forest that seemingly hosts the very void itself.

It is an ordinary sunset.

All is quiet, leaving the sound of the wind gently grazes their ears, and...

GYAHHH—!!!

'''' ...?! ''''

All of a sudden, a screeching scream is shot from the direction of the woods. Being combatants, the three immediately pull out their weapons and assume fighting stances.

More than ever, the tension is high.

''...Do we call for reinforcement?'' Claudia whispers.

''Stay still for the moment. Everybody must have heard that, too. Besides, it comes from the forest.'' Alice calmly replies. ''It might be Silaerob's doing.''

''I-I don't have a good feeling about this... hyah?!''

Hailey's sudden exclamation after her ominous line only escalates the situation.

''What's wrong?!''

''I-I just felt like someone breathed on the back of my neck!''

''Tch, calm down. Just stay on alert...!''

And stay on alert they certainly do. For the next five minutes, only uncomfortable silence is shared between the three, and although extremely faint, they can feel an eye on them.

Something is watching them.

''...Hey, can someone feel it, too?''

''Yeah.''

''Ugh... just what in the world is going on?''

The uncomfortableness just keeps growing. When anticipating ambushes doesn't yield results, they opt to search for the danger instead. All three competent fighters, their eyes sharp as hawks, begin to scan the buildings, the roads, and... the forest—meticulously, painstakingly, and persistently.

Startlingly, nothing can be found.

Usually, even in deserted areas such as this one, some people would be present, yet the current scene shows precisely zero living organisms.

''Huh...?''

Except for one.

Standing behind the faint barrier, a large animal can be seen protruding between two trees, staring straight at the trio. With light brown fur, long four legs, and a pair of antlers, it is undoubtedly...

A deer.

''It's... a deer?''

For a while, they keep staring at it.

Initially, it is strange. Why would a deer be standing just right there and watching them? Why is there a deer in Zircon in the first place? Why isn't it scared of humans?

But the more they stare, the more an unsettling sensation brews inside their minds.

An extreme unsettlingness.

Is it the weirdly forward-facing eyes? Maybe the swollen torso? The slightly off-putting 'expression'?

''That's... not a deer, isn't it?'' Someone mutters

Somehow, the deer doesn't seem like a deer.

*****