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

Chapter 563: Sacrifice [1]

The question made everyone turn silent.

Staring in Leon’s direction, I didn’t know how to respond or react. Was what he was saying true?

’I did see it with my own eyes, but I still have my connection with the Conductor and the others. I doubt that I’m actually dead.’

Looking around, my heart sank when I saw the others show similar expressions to mine.

They were probably thinking the same thing.

"...That’s two from my group."

Hovering over the spot where the severed head of his group member was, Leon shook his head in disappointment.

"His name was Michael. He was quite talented. It’s a pity to see him go like this, but at the end of the day, since he’s dead, it only means that he wasn’t good enough to be in my group."

Those from Leon’s group stiffened, but said nothing while Leon put his sword away and looked around, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Eventually, he moved towards one of the trees and sat down, leaning back against the dark bark.

Staring at him, I didn’t know what he was planning on doing.

But right then, his lips parted.

"That’s annoying."

His gaze was fixed on the fog around us.

"It’s been bothering me for quite a bit. Hey, you."

Leon looked in Drake’s direction as he nudged his head.

"Get rid of it."

"What...?"

Drake’s face stiffened at the sudden command.

Leon cocked his head.

"Did you not hear me?"

The corner of Leon’s eyes curled, almost as if they were smiling.

"...I said get rid of it. I know you. You’re more than capable of doing so."

Drake’s face darkened at the command, but before he could say anything, a hand reached for his shoulder as his Squad Leader shook his head.

Drake’s face twisted further, his jaw tightening before he eventually agreed.

"Fine."

Turning his attention toward the surrounding fog, I felt something shift in the air as a soft popping sound reverberated through the area. At the same time, I could feel Drake’s nodes beginning to churn as his fist clenched tightly.

I stood by the side, observing in silence.

’I wonder what his Decree is. I did study the Decrees of all the top people, but he wasn’t one of the ones that I’d studied.’

Then—

BANG!

He punched the fog with one swift motion.

The pressure behind that single punch was enough to send my hair and clothes fluttering wildly as the fog writhed intensely before compressing into the spot where he punched, fading completely.

By the time he was done, Drake was breathing heavily as he looked in Leon’s direction.

The only thing Leon offered was a smile.

"Good. I’m glad I could count on you."

From the way he acted, it seemed like he had known all along that he would have been capable of doing that. On the other hand, I was struggling to come to terms with what I had seen, my lips pursing together as I tried to hide the shock from my face.

’He was that strong...?’

No, this shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

There was no way someone ranked in the top 100 would not be this strong.

’I guess his arrogance makes sense. Nevertheless, it’s also clear that he’s in the top rankings because of his strength and not his other qualities. I’m also surprised he didn’t do this earlier, but considering how heavily he’s breathing, I guess that might be it.’

He had the power, but not the brains.

Feeling Drake’s glare as I pulled my gaze away from him, I looked around before settling my attention towards one of the trees. Taking in everything that I had just learned, there was a lot that I needed to process.

I wanted to sit down and process everything.

But—

"Hmm. I think I’ve got it figured out."

Leon suddenly stood up.

My eyes widened slightly as I looked up.

’What? He’s already figured it out?’

This guy...

"This place feeds on your negative emotions. From the moment you enter this place, it’ll enhance every negative emotion that you feel in your body, eventually leading to you killing yourself. That’s the goal of this forest or place."

Yes, this much everyone already knows.

So what did he figure out?

"The way to get out is simple."

Suddenly, Leon raised his finger and stabbed his right eye with it.

Spurt—!

As blood spurted in all directions, everyone’s expression changed. Despite this, Leon remained completely unbothered as blood dripped down his eye, his finger pulling out a short moment later as he wiped his bloodstained finger over his clothes.

"Mhm, looks like I was right."

He suddenly smiled.

"...One has to sacrifice something important to them to see the way. Only through such a way can you show that you can let go and not cling to the thing holding you down. The more you cling to the thing that you can’t let go of, the stronger the dark thoughts become. This will continue until you eventually kill yourself."

Hearing his explanation, my heart skipped a beat.

This...

’When I take into account that this is the Limbo, and what it signifies, his explanation makes sense. But how did he figure out so quickly? Does he know that we’re in hell? Just what sort of monster is this?’

"As expected, the path is clear."

Leon looked towards the distance.

At the same time, one of his team members moved next to him.

"Your eye..."

"It’s nothing important. I’ll have a Mender heal it later."

He then turned.

"Well, you’re all in luck. Considering how I am the one to have sacrificed something, you all won’t need to do that. In that case, just follow me. I’ll bring you all out of this place."

He smiled as he spoke, his expression looking sunny.

But amidst the shine, I could feel something else. Something more perverse and broken.

So this...?

This was how a top Paragon operated?

***

It had been almost two days since the World Congress had begun. The popularity of the event was through the roof, with TV ratings reaching an all-time high.

But not all was good.

"We need to stop this at once! Several teams have already disappeared with no idea of whether they are dead or alive. At this rate, we’ll lose a major force."

There was a meeting between the Guild Masters of several large Guilds and the event organizers.

However, despite the protest, the event organizers remained indifferent.

Vice-Director Vale, the main spokesperson, looked at all the gathered Guild Masters and spoke.

"Every year, the situation is the same. We have already mentioned to all of you the risks of the event. Although we’ve indeed lost connection with several groups, there is nothing that states that they are dead. Please believe in your own members."

"That’s easy for you to say!"

"You’re not the one who is at risk of losing one of their major forces!"

"This is bullshit."

Several Guild Masters began shouting, but the Vice-Director remained indifferent to it all. He just looked around lazily.

Until—

"Let’s set the situation with the disappearances aside."

A certain Guild Master spoke.

With long black hair, clear blue eyes, and an appearance that didn’t match his age, the surroundings fell silent the moment he spoke. He was Ian Rashmold, the Guild Master of the Evening Sun Guild, one of the top guilds in the world.

"I’m here to bring up a different matter."

Tapping onto the desk in front of him, a projection appeared.

The projection displayed a certain group.

One that many of them were somewhat familiar with. But in particular, the Evening Sun Guild Master’s gaze fell on a silver-haired woman.

His finger tapped against the table for a moment before he turned his attention to another person sitting not far from him, a metal plaque reading [Severed Stars Guild] resting before him.

Their gazes met as the Guild Master from the Severed Stars Guild smiled.

"I’m sure all of you are aware of why I’m bringing this up, correct?"

The Evening Sun Guild Master didn’t return the smile.

"This group..."

In fact, his face turned colder.

"...I demand they get eliminated from the competition. This goes beyond the realm of what should be acceptable in this competition. This is downright unacceptable."