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

Chapter 607: Obsidian Bastion [4]

In the end, I still got into the car. Although I was still at a complete loss regarding the situation, I decided to follow along.

Curiosity got the better of me, but more than anything, Liora’s gaze felt especially overwhelming today. Getting into the back of the car, I watched as the doors shut, and she began to drive.

It was quiet in the backseat, and the quietness felt suffocating.

Things felt even more unsettling as I repeatedly caught Liora’s gaze in the rearview mirror. She kept glancing at me, as if she wanted to say something, only to stop herself and shake her head.

What? What?

Just speak!!

The silence was really getting to me.

’Maybe she just wants to talk about what happened at the World Congress. Something along the lines of ’I don’t know how you did it, but I’m still better than you.’’

This was all shit that I made up in my mind, but it certainly felt a lot better than her silent treatment.

At least, I’d know to ignore her.

I was used to dealing with people like that.

Thankfully, this torture didn’t last for very long.

It didn’t take long before a massive building loomed in the distance, its towering rectangular frame catching and reflecting the sunlight in sharp, cold glints. Its obsidian exterior looked imposing and almost unnatural, swallowing the light rather than reflecting it as the car gradually slowed down, the structure growing larger and more suffocating with each passing second.

’So that’s the Guild? Just how much money did they spend on this?’

Honestly, it was night and day compared to the Severed Stars Guild. In fact, the Guild didn’t even own the entire building.

Well...

I knew that wouldn’t be for too long. With the Guild’s recent rise, we were bound to acquire the entire building or build an entirely new Guild. Nevertheless, even if the Guild decided to build one from scratch, I doubted it would be as impressive as the one ahead of me.

The building was simply enormous, surrounded by towering walls that stretched out in every direction, enclosing the entire complex.

Multiple roads led toward it, weaving in from all sides, with cars lining up in steady streams. The pathways overlapped and intersected, forming a layered, almost three-dimensional network that was impossible to follow with the eye.

The car moved along one of those roads, eventually veering toward a private path that led beneath the towering walls.

The walls parted on their own, sliding open with a low hum, revealing a massive underground parking lot. Bright lights from above cast a stark glow over the countless SUVs lined up in every direction, their dark exteriors reflecting the sterile brightness.

As the car came to a stop, Liora jumped out as the door to my left opened, and I followed her example.

Stepping out of the car, the place felt even more overwhelming, the ceiling stretching several meters high above me, making the space feel vast and cavernous. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to take it in, as Liora continued walking ahead without pause.

Just what was with her?

Not wanting to get lost, I picked up my pace as she led me to a different area where several elevators appeared.

As she pressed the button to call for the elevator, unable to hide my curiosity for any longer, I found myself asking, ”Where are you leading me? You’ve been quiet the entire time, so I have no idea what’s going on. I’d appreciate it if you—”

Ding!

The chime of the elevator rang, and the doors slid open. Liora stepped inside without a word, leaning back against the rear wall as she crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the floor display above.

I opened my mouth, but soon closed it.

Honestly, I was starting to get annoyed, but I followed her inside anyway as the elevator began its ascent, carrying us all the way to the top floor.

It was in such silence that Liora finally spoke to me.

”You...”

I turned my head to face her direction.

”You’re not right in the head.”

”....”

My mouth simply remained open.

Looking at her, I wanted to say a lot of things, but in the end, I just smiled.

”And here I thought you’d give me a proper reply.”

”That’s not what I’m talking about.”

Liora suddenly pointed at her temple.

”...You’re sick.”

I paused.

”Very sick.”

Ding—!

[Floor 89]

The doors slid open, and Liora walked out. I trailed after her in a daze, my mind drifting back to her words.

Wait, was she talking about my Cognitive Shard? Did she figure it out?

A polished corridor greeted my sight the moment we stepped out of the elevator, its sleek surfaces reflecting the soft lighting as the space stretched out with an elegant design.

Liora moved without much hesitation, leading me down the hall toward a more secluded section, where a massive wooden door soon came into view, its imposing presence standing out against the refined surroundings.

To Tok—

Coming to a stop right before the door, she knocked on it once and waited.

Soon—

”Come in.”

A soft yet warm voice echoed from the other side of the door as Liora pushed it open, revealing the interior of a spacious office.

The design was familiar. One that I had seen many times in the past.

Wide windows stretched across the far wall, offering a sweeping view of the city below, sunlight pouring in and casting long reflections across the polished floor.

But what truly caught my attention was the man standing in the center of the room. His posture was straight as he held a golf club with both hands, frozen mid-stance as his gaze remained fixed on the small ball beneath him.

Then, as we stepped into the room, he moved, swinging with a single smooth motion. The club struck the ball cleanly, sending it soaring forward toward the window with a sharp, crisp sound that echoed through the office.

Immediately, I raised my brow, thinking that the ball would smash against the window, but unexpectedly, that never happened.

Instead, the ball vanished just before it could reach the window, disappearing without a trace as if it had never been there at all.

I blinked a couple of times, stunned by the sudden disappearance of the ball.

”Ah, a pity. I think I was quite close this time.”

As the familiar voice echoed once more, the man turned around, and I finally caught a clear look at his features. In that instant, I felt a flicker of shock, a sense of recognition stirring as I realized I had seen him before.

’This guy... He’s the Guild Master of Obsidian Bastion, isn’t he? He’s also Liora’s grandfather.’

”Haha, well, it doesn’t matter. I’m quite thrilled to see my new guest.”

Putting the club down, the old man adjusted the collar of his polo shirt beneath his cardigan before making his way over and settling into his seat.

Sitting comfortably, he tapped his finger lightly against the table before lifting his gaze to look at me.

The more he looked at me, the more burdened I felt.

...I couldn’t quite explain what it was, but I just felt uncomfortable.

”Good. Good.”

Good. Good. What?

”I can see how you were able to do so well in the Congress. While a person’s Order does make a difference, in the end, what truly matters is one’s mentality. I can see that yours stands a head above the rest.”

”Thank you...?”

Honestly, I was lost.

I couldn’t quite understand what he was trying to get with the sudden praise.

Was he trying to recruit me?

If so—

”While I appreciate the sudden praise, I...”

”I’m not trying to recruit you.”

The old man suddenly stopped me, his expression still soft.

”There’s no need for you to worry about that. We won’t be recruiting you.”

”Then...?”

”It’s simple, really.”

The old man tapped his finger against the table once more.

”I’m not trying to recruit you. I won’t be doing that at all. Rather, I want to help you with something else.”

”Help? With...?”

”The problem in your head.”

Tapping his finger against his temple, the old man chuckled.

”...You’ve got a broken node, don’t you?”