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

Chapter 709: Undercurrents [1]

There were many things that I learned over the past year. If there was one thing I’d say was the most important, it was this: “If there’s trouble, nip it in the bud so it can never come back to bite you in the ass.”

Having only been a terminally ill Game Developer until recently, I hadn’t been very well aware of this term. I used to think that if a problem was solved, it wouldn’t come back in the future. And even if it did, I’d probably figure it out since I had already gotten rid of it once.

That was my naive way of thinking.

‘I should’ve followed up. I thought that with the existence of the Guild Master, he would’ve never been able to come back.’

But who would’ve expected the Guild Master to suddenly ‘die’ like that?

“This is really making my life so much harder than it needs to be.”

Walking back into the Guild, I managed to avoid the reporters and even the secret recruits from the other Guilds.

‘…Thinking about it, things might not be too bad.’

It was true that the snakes that had hidden themselves well within the Guild were going to come out of their burrows, but it was also true that I was one of the key figures within the Guild. Now that the Guild Master’s leash had disappeared, I held considerable power within the Guild.

If I didn’t like something, I could simply quit.

In fact, I’d even argue that I was a key piece of the higher management in order to ascend to the Guild Master position.

“Benefits.”

I muttered subconsciously, the corner of my lips tugging.

“…How much benefit can I extract from this situation?”

***

Containment, Hoarding, Collection, Adventuring, and Anomalous Department.

These were the five main departments that existed within each Guild. Of all the departments, the richest and most well-funded was the Hoarding Department. Unlike the others, they were responsible for directly dealing with Gates of non-anomalous properties. In that regard, they were also the most elite when it came to combat experience.

Because of all the attention the Containment Department had been getting, they didn’t receive as much attention. But one shouldn’t mistake their silence for weakness, for they were still the strongest and wealthiest department in the Guild.

“It’s unfortunate, really. He was by no means perfect, but he was a very good Guild Master.”

The words echoed quietly through the spacious office on the uppermost floor of the Guild.

Carmen’s bushy brows furrowed slightly upon scanning the files in his grasp. Taking a moment to stroke his dark beard, he set the files down.

“…In fact, things are already a mess because of his absence. Someone needs to take his role quickly before everything falls apart. Isn’t that right, Secretary Kim?”

“That’s correct, Section Chief.”

Secretary Kim answered, adjusting his square-framed glasses as he lowered his head slightly. Not too much, but not too little either.

Just about the right amount.

Section Chief Johansberg smirked.

“I’m sure this file isn’t the only thing that you have prepared. There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“…In due time.”

The secretary replied calmly, his expression showing no change.

He pointed at the files.

“For now, this is what we deem to be the most important for you to succeed. There’s information on all the Section Chiefs in the Guild, including your direct competitor, Clement White from the Branch Guild of the Hoarding Department.”

“Mhm, I saw. The information is quite good. In fact, some of it is so good that it almost feels scary.”

The Section Chief burst out laughing.

The secretary’s expression remained unchanged, and soon the laughter died down as the Section Chief’s thick brows furrowed tightly.

“…You guys sure know how to dig well. I don’t really mind working with you guys, but is that really what you want from me? Cooperation must come from mutual trust, and unless I know what you want, I don’t think I’ll be able to work—”

“Please don’t worry about us. Our ask is not much. We simply wish for you to succeed. We have no intention of swallowing up the Guild or anything of the sort. All we want is one person. So long as you can help us, we’ll grant you our full support.”

‘Bullshit.’

The Section Chief didn’t believe the Secretary’s words for even a second. He could see right through them.

‘They’re probably using it as an excuse to trick me, but I’ve been in this industry long enough to see through such petty schemes.’

He still pretended to show interest.

“Who do you want?”

“…Just one person.”

“Spit it out.”

The Section Chief’s frown deepened.

“Stop going around in circles.”

“Seth Thorne.”

“Seth…?”

The Section Chief blinked a couple of times before his lips pulled into a smile, leaning back against his chair.

“I see, so you’re still holding a grudge for what he did to your star, right? Leon was it?”

The Secretary didn’t reply, but his silence spoke volumes.

The Section Chief’s lips pulled further up.

‘So that’s your scapegoat, huh?’

Severed Stars Guild’s hottest commodity.

He wasn’t something that even he could easily touch.

“That’s quite a big ask. Are you sure you want to pursue this? This seems like a pretty big investment for just one person. Is this really all you want?”

“…Yes.”

Ha.

The Section Chief wanted to laugh, but held himself back as he pretended to think deeply about the matter, muttering to himself, “Well, it’s not impossible… but it’s also not really going to be easy since he’s quite popular. I heard that he’s also pretty stubborn. Hmm.”

He went back and forth like this until he eventually looked back at the Secretary.

“Alright, then.”

He drummed his fingers over the table.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“…You will not regret the decision.”

The Secretary bowed before taking his leave, leaving the Section Chief alone in the room.

Tik Tik⎯

An ember-coloured circle floated in the air as Section Chief Johansberg took a drag from his cigar. Leaning back in his chair, he turned around to stare at the city skyline below, admiring the sight before him.

“A pity, really.”

He dabbed the top of the cigar once.

“…I wouldn’t have minded having him on my side.”

***

“It’s as you predicted. He’s agreed to the request and will most likely do as we planned. Of course, it’s also clear that he doesn’t trust us at all and is simply using us. This is exactly as you envisioned, sir.”

He didn’t make it obvious, but the Secretary could tell. The Section Chief didn’t trust them at all. He was simply looking to leech off them until he could stand on his own.

“He thinks that he’ll be safe the moment he becomes the next Guild Master.”

But…

“…He’ll realize soon enough that the moment he took our hand, it became impossible for him to let go. In time, he’ll become more obedient.”

The Secretary’s expression remained unchanged as he listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. At the same time, the elevator chimed, and its doors slowly slid open.

It was just as he was about to step in that he was greeted by another figure inside the elevator. For just half a second, he paused. A crack appeared in his usually composed expression. But he was quick to compose himself as he stepped into the elevator with them.

Stepping in, he lowered his head.

“Hello.”

He was greeted with a warm smile in return.

“…Hello.”