The Player's System

Chapter 258 - Haunted

Haunted

They were thinking to point out some of the different portraits then decide which one can be the haunted object however this suggestion caught attention.

Team members looked at him. Jake always brought different sense in the suggestions. Which he usually explained well so that others could understand.

"What does it means?" Junan asked. He gestured others to keep searching portrait.

"I think the specific portrait might not look like vulgar, dark, or horrible. It would not eye-catching either. The portrait should be something normally drawn image however it should capture the attention then it would make the onlooker lost the difference of time and space. The usual haunted things should be simple yet strange at the same time." Jake tried to explain what he read through the notification.

Junan heard patiently then his memory reminded about the portrait. "If you theory has some percentage of reality then I saw that particular portrait. It was as simple as you said however something kept me focused on it until Clark came and told about the second team." Junan spoke in low tone.

Now that Jake explained clearly Junan was more than sure about that particular. "Then we should check that portrait and confirm our theory." Jake got surprised that the team head already faced particular situation as pointed by the task panel.

Junan gestured team members to gather around so that they should check the section in order to get the portrait. "Where did you last seen it?' Albert came to know that they found raw theory for follow up. None of them wanted to listen it again instead follow what Junan would order.

"It was in the back section of the first section. The eighth or ninth row if I correctly remember." Junan looked in the surrounding section and tried to calculate in his head.

...

The first team was standing at that particular section looking at the same portrait. They were searching mindlessly and following each other. Once a player stood in front of the portrait, he kept looking at it. Later the second and third player came to see why the player was standing and looking at the portrait.

They were also dazed by the unknown reason. The lingering aura captured their complete attention. Slowly rest of the team members joined. They were clueless why they were dazed at the portrait.

"What is there in the picture? You see the shadow it was the flower perhaps." One of the team member pointer in complete daze.

The other team member shook his head, "No it turned in to butterfly with seven colors and nine tails." He spoke as he was sure.

The team head denied as well, "You both are blind. It is the jackal devouring a deer." Each one of them was having the illusion of their own thoughts. The lingering aura showed what they want to see. It was the basic reason that captured the attention of onlookers. However everything they see was just an illusion.

This lingering aura and the oddity of the portrait ruined the Art Gallery. The visitors faced intense situations when they watched this portrait.

The word spread and the visitors abandoned the Art Gallery. Once they happen to see the portrait they were unable to think anything or leave the gallery. It ruined they mental peace too. Now the teams were sent to clear the haunted portrait so that gallery could resume its good old days.

"You all are no more sane. I can see clearly the fish jumped out of water and now it is near to die." Another player added. The presented illusion was not just single illusion but the series of illusion. This was so to keep the onlookers bound.

...

"Holy crap, there is first team standing near the portrait." Junan secretly walked toward the said place in order to make sure none of enemy follow them.

"They seemed dazed. Perhaps the portrait is showing its power over them." He came back and told the team members.

"If the second team is not around then we can handle the first team. I am sure they are not there to take it." Albert spoke.

At the mention of the haunted portrait the team members were ready to see the first team. It was necessary to take portrait before others could get any idea. A team could handle another team.

"Sure, let's go then but remember our action should not speak that we are there for the portrait. If the first team came to know truth then they would not back down. In case we battled and destroyed things in the gallery then the punishment is already announced." Team head led them silently.

This was true. Team head called this rule as punishment which was not wrong. Intentionally destroying the sections of the museum could bring punishment as reward.

They walked and reached near the ninth row. The first team was standing in a daze. "Wait I will make intentional movement near them and see what reaction they give." Albert walked so that they could see him however their center of attention was the portrait.

It was annoying. "They are seriously invested in it." Albert spoke disappointed. "We will straight walk on their heads then." Team head spoke grimly.

They nodded and surrounded first team. The bulky Clark stood in front of them so that their dazed eyes see him. Finally they were able to get rid lingering aura. "How long we have been here?" The team head worriedly asked. Then he saw the third team with the three badge shining on their gaming gowns.

It was symbol that they cleared three levels respectively. "We were passing by." Clark stressed each word and gnashed his teeth. The team head of the first team looked at the angry players of the third team, their weapons were active which his players were standing like stupids.

"I was also passing by." The team head retreated and gestured others to leave as well.. Even if he tried to clash the third team would appear stronger in the active condition.