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

Chapter 294: The cycle of perfection [3]

Number of people that had entered: 237

Number of casualties: 102

Number of serious injuries: 115

———●

Almost the entire world tuned in to watch the broadcast.

In that moment, all eyes fell on the Conductor and the Jester. While none of them could sense the ’threat’ that came with the music, they all witnessed how devastating the two of them were.

Shivers ran down the spines of those watching.

In that moment, the image of the two was seared in the minds of the world.

As a result, an official classification was assigned to the two.

Melas: VILE - 2013 [The Jester]

Thrall: VILE - 779 [The Conductor]

The two had officially been listed and ranked in the Guild Database. If either of the two were to be spotted again, the BAU would directly cooperate with the nearby Guilds to talk them down.

Many argued that the rankings weren’t high enough, with some even chiming in for the Jester to be ranked higher, but the bureau remained indifferent to the protests.

The rankings were based on the direct energy emission detected coming from the two anomalies.

While the Jester had reached a higher peak, the conductor had been more consistent.

Both were under close review.

For now, the possibility of either being a Kermite-Class was out of the question.

While the two were dangerous, neither was world-level dangerous.

***

”...Hmm.”

A commotion shook me out of the darkness.

By the time my eyelids opened, a familiar light greeted me from above. I took a couple of seconds to understand where I was as I sat up in my chair and looked at the office.

’I’m back.’

My mind was groggy, and my body ached in all areas.

But...

”I’m healed.”

I looked at my hands and fingers. There was no sign of any wear. I distinctly remembered bleeding a lot back then.

’This is good. At least I won’t have to explain myself to the others if I go out.’

I had already imagined the annoyance that my fingers would cause. Even if I did bandage them all up, they’d stand out even more.

”Umkh.”

Holding onto my head, my head pounded.

For a moment, the pain seemed to take over my entire body. But it didn’t last for very long as I quickly recovered.

”Right...”

I had to take my medicine.

I was just about to reach for the ones I had saved up when I stopped.

”No, I don’t need those anymore.”

I had now reached the Third Order. I could afford the better version of the medicine.

’At least with those, I should be able to be fine for a while.’

Thinking about it, I was about to call forth the shop when I stopped.

I looked in the direction of the door where the commotion from before grew even louder. I rubbed the back of my hair before standing up.

”I suppose everyone is back.”

Walking towards the door, I pulled it open and looked outside.

As expected, the Section Chief and the others had just returned, greeted by a storm of cheers from those who had remained in the Guild. Their arrival was hailed as a hero’s triumph, voices rising in celebration.

And yet, not a single one of the celebrated figures looked the least bit happy. Their faces were grim, eyes heavy with gloom that no amount of praise could wash away.

Kyle was no different.

’I guess this makes sense. Even though most are told not to care about others in this industry, some still involuntarily form attachments.’

It would be a lie to say that I hadn’t formed some of my own.

However, I still maintained a fair distance from everyone besides Kyle.

This was a form of protection for myself.

Reading the atmosphere, I turned back and entered my room again. As I did, I felt a certain gaze on my back, but the moment I turned around, I saw that nobody was looking at me. I frowned for a moment before ignoring it.

Clank—

Closing the door behind me, I leaned back on the frame.

I stood in silence for a brief moment until a notification rang before my very eyes.

Ding!

[The Conductor Trial]

[Quest Completed]

”Looks like the rewards are finally starting to arrive.”

And here I was, wondering if I was going to receive them. Looked like my wait was finally over.

[Calculating rewards...]

[Rewards calculated]

Ding—!

: [Basic Node: Containment Vessel Activated!]

Ranked Spirit: The Conductor.

Something warm pierced my first node.

My body shuddered for a moment. Only a brief moment, but the moment it stopped, I felt a certain connection that hadn’t been there before.

I smiled then as a figure slowly began to form before my very eyes.

Eventually, I smiled as I looked up.

”Welcome to the team.”

My music slave.

***

”Take a rest. I know many of you have things you want to say and do, but I suggest you clear your minds first. Right now, none of you is in the proper state to think clearly. Speak to me once you’ve gathered yourselves.”

The Section Chief parted after saying a few words. He headed straight to his office, closing the door behind him.

Clank!

A heavy silence settled as he moved towards his chair and sat down.

His mind was heavy.

Having visited several houses in order to apologize, he also felt exhausted.

It was just a pity that those in his position never rested.

One look at his phone, and he could see the numerous messages and calls on it. He didn’t even bother opening them as he directly turned off his phone and retrieved the fragments and essence from his pocket.

He placed them on the table and looked at them curiously.

’I’ve asked the others, and they all appear to have gotten these strange, transparent fragments. Is the transparency due to the purity, or is there something that I’m missing...?’

The Section Chief turned the fragments over in his hands, studying them for several long seconds before reaching for his drawer. From within, he retrieved a narrow tube, just large enough to hold a single shard. Without hesitation, he slid one inside.

Click!

With the press of a single button, the tube churned.

The panel at the front changed a couple of times before eventually coming to a stop. The Section Chief immediately looked at the result.

”Huh?”

His face changed the moment he did.

[N/A]

”What...?”

Covering his face with his hand, he pressed the button again.

The tube churned.

And a result soon appeared.

But...

[N/A]

It was the same.

”That... How does this make any sense?”

No, it didn’t make sense at all. All fragments contained attributes, regardless of how pure they were. There had never been a case in the past where fragments didn’t contain an attribute.

How was this possible?

”Is it the machine?”

The Section Chief swapped the fragment with another.

The tube churned.

And a result showed up shortly after.

[Hunter]

A heavy silence settled onto the room shortly after as the Section Chief conducted a similar test a couple of more times.

And yet—

[Sonorous]

[Mender]

[Elemental]

He’d receive a different answer each time. It became clear to him rather quickly.

[N/A]

The machine wasn’t broken.

Instead...

”This.”

The fragments in his hands didn’t have an attribute.

This right here...

It was a massive discovery.