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

Chapter 533  Guild Ranking [2]

"That marks the end of the First Trial. Honestly, the results were more or less in line with our initial predictions, but there's been one variable. In fact, I'd say that variable has been more than significant."

The broadcast was in full swing. Adam Porier, one of the two commentators, cleared his throat while looking to his partner.

"What do you think, Merylin?" "What do I think?" Merilyn paused, her expression turning complicated as she looked at the camera. "In all honesty, I don't know what to think. I think the same should go for practically everyone who is watching, right? This result is way beyond anything that any of us expected. We all knew that he was special, but we didn't know he was that special. How did he even do it?" The broadcast feed changed. Appearing next to Merylin was a small window in which a replay appeared, displaying a certain figure calmly observing his surroundings before suddenly standing up and arriving before a boy.

He then took out a knife and ended the trial cleanly. "It didn't take him more than a couple of minutes. Not even Leon, one of the most powerful and well-known figures within the Congress, was able to clear it so fast. How was Seth able to clear it so quickly?" "That's what I'm asking myself." Adam chimed in, his arms folding as he leaned back against his chair. "The more I look at the replay, the more shocked I am. I've never witnessed something like this in the past. Do you think it might have something to do with his Decree?" Adam asked Merylin who was the more analytical one between the two. Merylin looked back at Adam before sighing. "Honestly, it's possible. These trials do favor those with the 'Hunter' Decree, but at the same time, nobody actually knows what Seth's Decree is. I've tried looking at any relevant information, but I wasn't able to find anything. It seems like the Severed Stars Guild is trying to keep it a secret." "Well, that's understandable. He's their current secret weapon. With his achievement, he was able to break past the unbreakable wall of the five bigs and Oak Circle. I'm sure everyone is reeling at the sight of a new emerging superpower." "...That's for certain." Merylin added, touching her ear as she continued, "From what I've managed to gather, a lot of those Guilds have started to ask more information regarding Seth. A lot of them are trying to understand how something like this is even possible. Thinking about the rumors about him never failing, and I'm starting to get shivers."

"Same. I thought it was just a marketing ploy, but... he has not only not failed, but somehow succeeded spectacularly." "Wait, hold on a second." Merylin paused for a brief second. Then, as a smile formed on her face, she looked at the camera. "We just received news that we have an interview ready. A respectable figure. Please welcome Guild Master Sanders from the Melson Sanders Guild." The screens at the side of the studio lit up, revealing a round figure with thinning hair. Despite his appearance, he exuded a sharp sense of authority as he faced the camera with a composed smile. "Guild Master Sanders. Can you hear us?" —Haha, yes, I can hear you, Merilyn. I can hear you. How have the two of you been doing? "Good. We've been doing rather well." The three exchanged a few pleasantries before Adam eventually took over. "First, congratulations on ranking sixth. This is a rather big achievement. Never before has the Sanders Guild ranked so high in the past. Do you think that you can keep this rank until the very end? Or... do you think that you can crack the top five?" —Let's not go too far, Adam. The Guild Master laughed, keeping his expression at ease. —I am just happy that we've managed to rank so high. The Congress is far from over, and there's still so much that we need to do. Can we crack the top five? Honestly, I don't know, but we'll take it one step at a time. "Very humble of you, Guild Master." Adam praised, although internally he wasn't all too pleased. He would've much rather the Guild Master had said yes to start some sort of war. It would've been good for the ratings. "On another note, do you have any thoughts about the results of the First Trial? In particular, the recent dark horse." —Him? The Guild Master blinked, but then smiled. —If you're asking me about his abilities, then we've both seen it. Be it in Malovia, and here. You can say he was lucky once, but twice? He's skilled. There's no doubt. Severed Stars Guild has found a gem. But... The Guild Master paused and then closed his mouth. He then shook his head, seemingly not wanting to say anymore. This didn't go unnoticed by Adam, who immediately started pushing. He could smell something. "But what Guild Master? There's no need to be hesitant. Just let your thoughts roam. This is a safe space." —Hahahaha. The Guild Master burst out laughing as he took out his earpiece. —Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. "No, come on!" Handing it back to one of the staff, the Guild Master paused as he thought about it for a moment before shrugging. —Well, I would say that I'd normally be worried about him, but after seeing his team's performance with my team, we've concluded that he won't be a threat for the upcoming trials. I believe that the other Guilds have come to the same conclusion. The Guild Master didn't elaborate any further. Following his words, he left directly. But he didn't need to say anymore. Everyone watching got the message. Seth was good. But his team wasn't. Thus—

He wasn't a threat. Click! The program cut off, and silence fell over the room. A series of eyes remained fixed on the darkened screen, the quiet feeling far louder than it should have been.

"...." The silence persisted for an unknown period of time. It continued until, eventually, one of the people in the room stood up and left. Clank—! Nora's disappearance was followed by another. Clank! And then another. Clank! Clank! One by one, everyone began to leave the room until eventually, there were only two people left. Joanna smiled bitterly as her head slowly lowered to look at the floor, where she saw a pair of shoes waiting opposite her. Her lips parted. "You know what he said?" "....." Her words were met with silence. But the silence spoke volumes. "He said he'll carry us. That we can make as many mistakes as possible since he'll carry us." "....." "But I don't want to be carried." Joanna's hands clenched tightly. "I don't want to be the useless teammate that he has to carry because we were just not good enough. What's the point then? What's the use of us?" Joanna's shoulders trembled, and as she eventually looked up, locking eyes with Mia, Joann's expression crumbled. "...S-o what am I supposed to do? What are we supposed to do?" *** ↪ He's gotten arrogant lol. I think he thinks that he can win even if his team is shit. Success probably got into his head. ↪ Yeah, lol. What an arrogant prick. ↪ But maybe there's a reason he chose his team? It's way too early to tell. ↪ Early my ass. Just look at their performances. They're all fucking ass. Just give up. He's going to fail.

↪ Why didn't he listen to his Guild and just pick a good team? Fucking hell. "So much nonsense." I looked at my phone and tossed it aside. Honestly, the amount of nonsense that was being said online at the moment was ridiculous. It all started with one single interview. It came from a rather important Guild Master, and the moment the interview was aired, things spiraled out of control. The amount of hate that everyone in my team was receiving was ridiculous. For just a moment, I hesitated. I thought about going to them to calm them down, but after a while, I stopped myself. There was no need for me to do anything. 'I'll take this as some good motivation for them. And if they crumble under the pressure, then...' I paused, leaning back on the bed while looking at the window in front of me. "I'll be disappointed." I mumbled, my eyes closing. "...I'll be disappointed."