Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 278: Defiance [1]

I never questioned the system.

Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was in desperate need of it. I was desperate to get rid of the disease that had been plaguing since childhood. I didn’t want to die, and so, in desperation, I clung to the one thing that could help get rid of the nightmare that had been haunting for so long.

I followed the system requirents and quietly let it dictate my actions.

I understood that there was no free lunch in this world.

The system clearly had so sort of goal.

I did too.

I thought that in the end, as I grew stronger, I’d learn more about the truth.

But—

"....."

Quietly staring at the nurous fragnts in my hands, all of which looked like they were extrely pure, alongside the warning by the doppelganger, I understood that I could no longer ignore the situation.

’It’s in a rush.’

The system was in a rush.

I counted the fragnts in my hands.

Five.

It had given a total of five fragnts.

Holding them in my hand, I remained quiet while staring at them.

’...The system very clearly wants to get stronger. But why?’

I thought about all the quests in the past. Each of the quests was connected in so sort of way. From the cult case to the secrets of the version of that existed in this world. Each ti the system presented with a quest, it did so with a certain intention.

I understood this and didn’t say much.

While I knew that the system was stringing along for so sort of goal it had, since it benefitted directly, I never questioned it, even though I hated the feeling of having my movents secretly controlled by soone.

This ti, again.

The system was stringing along with the fragnts.

It was telling to reach the Third Order.

"I don’t like this at all."

Holding onto the fragnts, I felt a sense of repulsion. I knew that I was doing this for my own selfish motives, but this feeling of quietly being used as a puppet...

It made feel like shit.

Putting the fragnts away, I crossed my arms and tapped my finger against my right arm.

"....."

I sat in silence.

I wanted to muse over the situation. While things were okay for now, I knew that things couldn’t keep going like this. The more I progressed, the deeper I fell into the cycle of reliance. It wouldn’t be long until I beca a complete puppet to the system.

’No, maybe I already am.’

The thought made frown.

In the end, however, what could I do...?

I was in desperate need of the dicine.

I bit my lip.

Ding!

A certain notification pulled out of my thoughts.

Turning my attention towards my phone, I montarily closed my eyes before standing up.

"Looks like things are getting started."

Putting the fragnts away, I headed for the door.

I planned on thinking more about the situation later.

*

There was a gathering on the main floor of the Containnt Departnt.

The mont I entered, the place was packed with people.

’It isn’t different from last ti.’

This was an entire departnt gathering. Naturally, the topic in question was regarding the upcoming gate. There were five days until the day of the gate. As such, the Guild was in a state of high alert.

’...Where should I sit?’

I looked around, and just before I decided on a spot, a hand pressed on my shoulder.

"There you are, superstar~"

A head popped up next to my shoulder.

Turning my head, I flinched.

"Shit!"

"...Wow."

Team Leader Soran brought her head back, looking sowhat offended.

"What’s with that look? It’s almost as if you’re repulsed by the fact that a super sexy, super hot, super beautiful lady is talking to you."

I flinched again.

"...."

The Team Leader’s expression fell.

"That wasn’t necessary..."

"No, that..." I scratched the side of my face. I myself didn’t know why I flinched again. Then again, her words did make want to puke.

"Whatever. It’s fine."

Though she said that, I could tell that the Team Leader’s face had considerably darkened. She was most likely holding a grudge. Her continuous mumbles, which went like, ’Not at all angry. I’m not offended. I probably scared you’, made it all too clear.

I could only stare at her until she finally snapped out of it and looked at again.

"Right, I wanted to talk to you about your recent exploits. I’ve been so busy handling this ss that I haven’t had the ti to properly congratulate you on your achievents."

She placed her hand over my shoulder and patted it a couple of tis.

"Good job."

"...."

Was this really it?

The Team Leader’s eyes narrowed for a mont.

"You’re not happy with this?"

"...Very."

She smiled.

"That’s good."

The Team Leader pulled her hand away before turning towards the Section Chief in the distance.

"The eting is about to start, so I’ll go for now. However, I’d like the two of us to have dinner so day again. There are quite a few things that I’d like to talk with you about. They’re quite important, so you can’t miss it."

"Oh..."

Secretly, I started to sweat.

Having dinner with her?

I’d rather die.

But then... thinking about the black market, I found myself unable to flatly refuse her on the spot.

’Fuck.’

"Keep up the good work. I hope you all remain consistent for the upcoming departnt trials. I expect a lot of things from your group."

The Team Leader left right after that, leaving sowhat at a loss.

Departnt Trials?

That...

What exactly was that?

I was at a loss, but before I could dwell on it, another hand pulled my shoulder.

This again...?

"Yo."

It was Kyle this ti. He was giving a weird look.

"Are you and the Team Leader close?"

"What?"

I looked at Kyle strangely. The two of us close? What about our interaction looked close?

If anything, I wanted to avoid her at all costs.

"Are you?"

"No."

Of course not.

Kyle nodded.

"...Hmm. Well, it’s fine."

"No, it’s not fine."

"Oh, sure."

"No, seriously."

"I believe you."

"Not you too..."

"Here, let’s grab these seats."

Before I knew it, Kyle dragged towards a couple of seats as we sat down. I tried to speak to him, but before I had the chance, the lights of the place flickered off, and the Section Chief began speaking shortly after that.

"Looks like everyone is here. I’ll make things short."

The room instantly fell quiet.

I did too, as I held myself back.

In the end, I turned my attention towards the Section Chief.

"There are five days until the rank gate opens up. So far, everything looks clear. The gate has remained stable. However..."

The Section Chief’s expression turned grim, the air growing tense.

"VILE-2013 has been recently spotted. From what we’ve managed to observe, our previous observations hold true. The anomaly is capable of increasing the rank of the gates that it’s inside of. We believe the sa case will happen for the gate."

The Section Chief’s words caused the room to grow even tenser.

"...But thankfully, from what we managed to observe, the increase will be gradual. What does that an?"

Holding onto a small controller, the Section Chief pressed it as a projection flashed on the wall behind him.

"It ans that we have a limited amount of ti to clear the gate before it’ll be too late."

He paused.

"This gate... It’ll without a doubt rise to rank if we take too long to clear it."