Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!

Chapter 494: Guild Dinner [3]

"Did they say where we’re going?"

"...No, but it’s not very far. The GPS also doesn’t seem to have much information on the place. It must be some sort of restaurant exclusive to the Guild."

The Section Chief replied calmly while following the GPS. From time to time, he would stop and tilt his phone to the side, as if that would actually help him get to the location faster.

Kyle and the rest could only follow him in silence.

They were already used to the Section Chief’s bizarre antics. Thankfully, while he struggled to use the GPS, they soon found the place.

But...

"....."

Soon, the Section Chief came to a stop.

He stared blankly at the shop in front of him.

"Section Chief?"

Taking note of his actions, everyone else stopped. They all soon turned to look in the direction of the shop.

"A kebab shop?"

"Why are we in front of a kebab shop?"

"Section Chief?"

Hearing the numerous questions coming from behind him, the Section Chief didn’t answer. Instead, he continued to stare at the shop while alternating his gaze between the sign and his phone. The more he alternated between the two, the more his expression contorted.

"Wait, don’t tell me this is the place."

As if finally realizing something, the faces of a few turned strange.

"There’s no way, right?"

However, looking at the Section Chief’s face, the hearts of many sank.

"To be honest, I think it’s probably a disguise. Given the nature of the dinner, there’s a good chance that this is just a front for the Guild dinner. It’s most likely different inside."

Noticing the mood, Kyle tried his best to offer an excuse for the situation. However, his words only made the Section Chief’s face crumble more. Kyle’s heart sank. Especially when he heard the Section Chief’s mumbled, ’What front? These bastards and their usual tricks...’

Kyle scratched the side of his face, turning to look at Zoey, who was staring intently at the sign on top.

Eventually, the group entered the shop.

Kyle hoped.

...He hoped his earlier guess would prove correct, but that hope was quickly crushed. The moment the group entered the shop, the atmosphere fell silent as they found nothing more than an average-sized kebab shop. One that didn’t even have enough seats to accommodate all of them.

The Section Chief’s already crumbling expression fell even further. Moments later, a figure approached them, lips pulled into a thin smile as he adjusted his gold-framed glasses.

"Hahaha, if it isn’t the famous Section Chief of the Containment Department."

It was a friendly greeting.

"I hope you don’t mind the location of the dinner. We were previously thinking of going to a better place, but given how the entire world is currently sensitive to us, I thought this would be the best place for our groups to finally meet each other."

He looked extremely amiable. Even apologetic, but the Section Chief’s face remained cold as he stared at the figure standing in front of him.

’He must be really angry.’

This was one of the few times Kyle had ever seen the Section Chief wear such an expression. It stood in stark contrast to his usual lethargic, dead look.

But it wasn’t as if he couldn’t understand.

There had always been some level of tension between the Main Guild and the Branch Guild. Despite being only a Branch Guild, they consistently saw themselves as superior to the Main Guild, a mindset that had led to several past conflicts.

Holding a Guild Dinner in a kebab shop was no coincidence.

"...It’s been a while."

Thankfully, the Section Chief was able to keep his cool as he shook the man’s hand.

"I didn’t expect the dinner to be in such a place. You guys really outdid yourselves."

"Haha, like I said. Circumstances. Circumstances."

"Hey."

Just then, Kyle felt a small tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Rowan’s hand pointing in a certain direction.

"Look."

Turning his attention towards where she pointed, Kyle’s attention fell on a certain table.

His expression turned quickly strange.

He wasn’t the only one. He could see many expressions turn strange as two figures sat at the table, one trying to eat his food while the other tried to chat with him and steal it.

"...Relax, I’m just getting a taste."

"No."

"There’s so much sauce."

"I like it this way."

"Your tastes are weird."

"I know."

"About the novel..."

"....."

"....."

Their conversation was also strange. Novel? What novel?

Wait...

But as if finally recognizing the girl sitting opposite Seth, Kyle’s expression turned even stranger as he turned to look in Zoey’s direction. She, too, was staring at the two, but her expression was stiff as a rock.

As if she couldn’t believe the scene in front of her.

"You’ve got some sauce on your face. Let me wipe it."

"No."

If not for the visible annoyance on Seth’s face, one might think the two were dating. In fact, they weren’t the only ones shocked. Pretty much everyone within the room, besides a few, looked shocked as the noise died down a little.

Thankfully, as if finally noticing Zoey, Catherine stopped, her eyes lighting up.

"Sister!"

She called out in a bubbly voice, jumping out of her seat and rushing towards Zoey. With her arms spread open, she hugged her tightly.

"I missed you!"

Zoey’s expression twitched.

"We just saw each other."

"So? I still missed you!"

Zoey opened her mouth, but soon closed it.

She seemed to give in as she let her sister hug her. At the same time, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Seth, who was wiping his forehead with an unmistakable look of relief.

A smile subconsciously formed on her lips as she saw this.

Seeing this, Kyle’s expression grew strange. Then, as a thought occurred to him, it shifted even further, and he slowly opened his mouth.

But—

"I don’t."

"...I didn’t even say anything."

"Your expression said a lot. I don’t."

"But..."

"I’ll gouge your eyes out."

"....."

And so, Kyle stopped speaking. Thinking about it, he knew it was nonsense.

"Now that we’re here, might as well enjoy the dinner. The Guild Master said that he won’t be attending, so there’s no need to be stiff, and if I have to say so myself, the kebab here is absolutely amazing. Plus, there will be drinks."

As the Hoarding Section Chief of the Branch Guild spoke, the eyes of a few lit up. In particular, Team Leader Soran’s face as she audibly gulped.

"Drinks?"

The faces of several grew stiff, but before anyone could voice out anything, the Section Chief extended his hand to his right and nodded.

"Let’s do that."

"....?!"

".....???"

Question marks appeared on the heads of many, some alternating their gazes between the Section Chief and the Team Leader.

In the end, the Branch Leader Section Chief laughed.

"That’s excellent. I assure you, the kebab here is quite good. Please, let’s continue further down. There are other Section Chiefs who are eager to meet you. We’ve heard quite a bit about you."

Patting the Section Chief on the back, he paused, turning his attention towards the others.

"I hope you all enjoy yourselves as well. As I mentioned, the kebab here is quite good. Please feel free to sit wherever you prefer; there is seating available throughout."

Although he said this, it was not actually the case. From the looks of things, not everyone would be able to find a seat. Aware of this, the others exchanged glances, but before anyone could voice a concern, the Section Chief of the Branch Guild led the Section Chief away.

This left everyone else in an awkward position.

"...They’re doing it on purpose, aren’t they?" As Rowan mumbled, Kyle could only force a smile as he turned his attention towards Team Leader Soran. He wasn’t worried about the situation.

He was more worried about her.

She...

"Will this really be okay?"

"I wonder."

Kyle replied, pursing his lips together as he looked at the excited Team Leader.

"...I wonder."