The three children can be seen as innocent victims, and their story of possible harm or suffering in the game makes the horror more visceral. It makes the player feel sympathy and also fear for their fates.
The Three Children Story adds a sense of mystery which is a key part of horror. Just not knowing what happened to them creates unease.
In Layers of Fear, the Three Children Story contributes to the horror in multiple ways. First, their presence, whether it's through apparitions or just the hints of their existence, creates an atmosphere of mystery. We don't know exactly what happened to them, and our minds start to imagine all sorts of terrible things. Second, if they are victims, it taps into our natural aversion to harm coming to the innocent. Their story might also be linked to the overall backstory of the haunted location, and as we uncover bits and pieces of it, it adds to the sense of dread. For example, if they were killed in a particularly gruesome way in the house, every time we explore a new room, we wonder if we'll find some evidence of their tragic end.
Chapter 728, "Number One in the Joint Exam!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Cheng's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, They were the first set of final exams for all graduating high school....
Chapter 899, "It's actually a seal script?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Cheng's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Jiang Cheng, with his head dizzy, was pulled into the courtyard by...
Chapter 716, "Cook a Special Meal", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Shixu's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from The following week was much quieter, and Jiang Li finally had some...
Chapter 734, "Are These Primary School Students Arguing?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Zhao Yuan's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 669, "My First Love Sister Who Died Young", is the clearest early answer because it turns Seeing Jiang Shixu's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Bang," the door closed, but Chen Qijun's words lingered in Tai Fan's...
Chapter 671, "Who Understands Family!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Cheng's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Director Meng drove the shuttle bus around Jingcheng Airport.
Chapter 831, "Brother, who do you like the most?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Sister's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Just as Jiang Shixu finished washing up and was getting ready to...
A practical answer is Chapter 13, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with Sensing that something was off with Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan dismissed the..., adds pressure through He probably had a good guess who it was., and ends on How could this happen..." Lin Manru.
Chapter 646, "This person deserves a slap in the face!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Cheng's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, Jiang Yan: "....." Bloody green tea, get lost!. By the end, You won't be at a disadvantage." Zhao Lang's lips curled up a bit,....
Chapter 487, "Found a Kindred Spirit?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Dragon Head Ruler's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Shang Shaojing noticed everyone's weary expressions and, after a...