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

Chapter 713: Team Expedition [3]

‘I’m actually surprised that she’s still sticking around. Now that she’s no longer under the Guild Master’s control, she’s free to go.’

Naturally, I was referring to Ariel.

Her situation was rather unique. Only a very select few were aware of the true circumstances behind her recruitment, and as such, it did feel odd to me that she was still sticking around. In the first place, she had only been with us because of the Guild Master’s seal.

But now that the seal was gone…?

‘The strange part is that the quest is also gone. Still, I don’t remember ever receiving the rewards.’

This was weird.

My eyes squinted as I checked to see if I had received the rewards.

But it wasn’t easy.

“Seal, go!”

“Stop that.”

“Why is it not working? It used to work in the past.”

“Let’s do something even better. How about I seal your mouth? Here, come to me. I’ll tape it shut alongside your nose.”

“Wait, but won’t I do that way?”

“Pfft⎯! You’re overthinking. If I were to kill you, I’d make sure to make it extremely painful. This is too easy a way for you to go out.”

“Hieek!”

I paid no attention to the chaos behind me, instead turning my attention toward Joanna, who seemed busy looking through several notes. I leaned a little closer to her, whispering so that only she could hear.

“What do you think?”

“Hm? Hmm? Squad Leader?”

At first, she seemed surprised. But then, as if realizing what I was talking about, her brows furrowed as she set the papers on her lap and responded.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem like things seem to be off with her. We all more or less know about her circumstances, and so we’re not quite sure about why she’s still sticking with us. Maybe she got attached to us?”

“You think…?”

“….No.”

Joanna replied after a brief moment of silence.

In the end, she gave me a meaningful look before going back to her papers.

“I think the main reason may be something else.”

“Like?”

“Well, you know… I guess everyone has a thing that they fear.”

Her answer took me aback.

Wait, was she saying that the only reason why Ariel was still with us was that she was still scared?

“I’m sure her seal has lifted. Even if the Guild Master is not dead, I’m sure that she can just leave. It’s not like he’ll be able to find her.”

“Oh, but I’m not talking about the Guild Master.”

“What? If it’s not the Guild Master, who would she even be scared of?”

That girl…

She was fearless, and crazy beyond any means. I knew this extremely well. In fact, I’d argue that I was probably the only person in the world who truly understood just how crazy this girl was.

Joanna flipped through the next paper, her lips pulling upwards as she shook his head.

“Squad Leader, you’re quite perceptive about a lot of things. However, there seem to be some things that you’re quite dense about.”

“What?”

What sort of nonsense was this girl spouting?

“I’m⎯”

“You.”

Joanna cut me off, settling the papers down on her lap again.

“You’re the one who she’s scared of.”

***

Beneath the Top Five stood the Guilds of the Oak Circle.

They were among the most elite Guilds in the entire world. Individually, each possessed influence and power that few organizations could match. Together, their combined strength was enough to rival even the Top Five.

It was because of them that the Top Five had never been able to monopolize the world of Guilds entirely.

And nowhere was that balance more apparent than in Sines.

The capital of Andora was divided into five districts, each serving a different purpose. At its heart rose the Apex District, all glass towers and government spires. Beyond it stretched the Guild District. It was a vast area divided into quadrants, each held beneath the influence of one of the Five.

Royal Chambers made its home in the northern quadrant.

The very same quadrant in which Obsidian Bastion was found.

“Alright, we’re here.”

Clank⎯

Hopping off the minibus, I stared at the massive building that loomed ahead. Despite the Guild purchasing an entire new building, it was still relatively basic compared to the major Guilds in the oak circle.

At least, that was what I thought at first…

A wide building of grey stone, around a dozen stories tall. There were no glass towers or fancy spires like the ones we had passed on the way here. Just thick walls, rows of narrow windows, and a set of stone steps leading up to an entrance framed by heavy pillars, the Guild’s emblem hanging above them.

Honestly, if not for the emblem, I would’ve mistaken the place for a courthouse.

‘So this is Royal Chambers…’

It was plain. Maybe even too plain for a Guild of its standing. But strangely enough, it didn’t feel cheap. The forecourt was spotless, the guards by the gates stood in perfect order, and everyone walking in and out wore a suit.

The more I looked at it, the more pressured I felt.

It felt as though my every step was being judged.

‘It’s like I’m going to a court hearing.’

“This way.”

A voice called out from the front, and I followed. Having already contacted Geneva in advance, the members of Royal Chambers had long been aware of our presence as we were escorted into the building from a secret passage.

Coming into the building, my previous assessment only grew stronger.

‘It really does feel like I’m in a courthouse.’

Looking back, it seemed like I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

Everyone we crossed paths with looked incredibly serious, and the very air around the Guild felt solemn. It wasn’t like the Severed Stars Guild, where things were a lot more lax. Over here, everyone seemed expressionless, all dressed in the same strict attire.

Dark grey suits and shades.

“Aish, I feel like wearing my own sunglasses now.”

The moment I heard the words, I instantly turned around, but by then, it was already too late. Everyone besides the new recruit was already donning the sunglasses. It wasn’t just Mia either. The moment they put them on, almost everyone’s head rose as if they had suddenly gained a spike in confidence.

‘Good lord, these guys are a mess.’

It felt as though I was the only sane person on the team.

No, but that aside, it kind of felt weird if I was the only one who didn’t wear sunglasses, so I took out my own and put them on.

In an instant, the temperature dropped, and the world turned blue.

It was just as I donned the sunglasses that I spotted a familiar figure in the distance. With her long blonde hair flowing down her back and pretty features, she stood out almost immediately.

Like the rest, she was also wearing a dark suit, but last I recalled, she wasn’t the type to wear such things. It almost felt strange seeing her like this.

As if sensing my gaze, her head turned in our direction as her eyes lit up.

“You’re here.”

She approached us quickly as she turned her wrist to check the time.

“Good, you’re right on time.”

Right on time?

For what?

“There’s an anomaly hearing that is about to start. I’ll fill you in on the situation as we go there. Let’s go.”

She was like a storm.

I didn’t even get a chance to greet her properly before she suddenly dragged me away.

And what…?

What did she say?

An anomaly hearing?

There’s such a thing?