The moment I heard the words, it was as if a massive burden had been removed from my shoulders. I instantly leaned back against the chair and closed my eyes, allowing for the darkness to take over my vision.
'...I need some sleep.'
In order to make sure everything went well, I slept less than usual.
There was simply too much for me to do.
But that wasn't the main issue. The goal of the game wasn't just to make more money, but it was to reach the three-star grade. In all honesty, I still didn't know the final grading of the game. I had added everything possible before uploading the game.
Opening my eyes to stare at the monitor, I sighed.
[Loading Grading...]
This was the first time I had seen something like this.
Usually, it was rather quick with its grade. But this time, it was acting differently than usual.
Why was that?
'Is there something different about the three-star grading? ...Or is it putting a lot more effort because of the quest?'
The more I thought about it, the more curious I became.
I had a feeling that things weren't so simple. That something big was about to happen.
"Boss."
Hearing my name get called out, I looked at Ryan, who looked a little restless.
He seemed to be curious about something.
"How do you think our game will do? Do you think—"
"Hiaaaaaaaaak!"
A muffled scream tore through the room, startling everyone. All heads turned towards a specific pod.
"Haaaak! Heeeeeeeeeek!!"
The lid of the pod opened, and a figure jumped out.
"Haaaaaaaak!"
The scream grew louder as she rushed out of the pod and stumbled around, her expression pale as she looked back at the pod with trembling lips.
"T-that... T-that..."
Swoooosh!
Before she could get her words out, another pod opened.
A figure walked out after that.
However, unlike Mia, Nora looked fine.
"....Heh."
Staring at Mia's appearance, Nora smirked, almost laughed, as she walked away. She even seemed to mutter something like, 'Pussy' as she stepped over Mia. But after taking a few steps, she stopped, her gaze falling on the trash bin beside Joseph's desk.
"You need that?"
She calmly asked, her composure worthy of admiration.
As expected, she had improved a lot over the time that I wasn't present.
"No, feel free."
Not thinking much of it, Joseph handed the bucket to her.
Nora smiled.
Then—
"Ueeeeeeeerghhhhh!!"
She started puking.
——!!
"Ueeekh!!!"
Of course, Nora made sure to make eye contact with me the entire time. She didn't say anything, but her glare said it all.
'You, sadistic bastard of a squad leader. How could you create something like that?!'
Oh, no.
I covered my mouth and looked away.
Swooosh! Swooosh!
Just then, two other pods opened, and Joanna and Niel walked out. Their faces were relatively pale, but unlike Mia and Nora, they didn't cause much of a scene. Or at least, that was what I initially assumed.
"Hey, hey!"
Joanna suddenly started shouting as Niel reached for one of the wires. I couldn't sit still at the sight. Was he trying to destroy the pods?
"...The game is over! You don't need to hang yourself anymore! Niel!"
Ah.
"At least, wait until I do it first!"
Swoooosh! Swoooooosh! Swoooosh!
The final three pods opened up.
Unlike the others, none of them left their pods even as the lids opened. Instead, I was greeted by the sight of Sarah, Min, and Ariel blankly staring at the ceiling, as if they had lost all ability to think.
Did their brains get fried?
It seemed to be like that.
"That... Boss."
As Noah's head alternated between me and the others, I merely waved a hand, muttering, "It's fine. They'll get over it soon. You should be used to it by now."
Although their reactions were a lot more extreme than usual, it wasn't like this was the first time they had acted like this while playing our game.
Still, I took a good look at everyone.
Mia sat in the corner of the room, clutching her head as she trembled all over. She seemed to be muttering incomprehensible things to herself.
Nora, on the other hand, was still puking.
Joanna and Niel were fighting over the wires, shouting things at each other like, "Me! I'll do it first," "No, let me...! Gentlemen first!" and "That's bullshit! It's ladies first!"
Lastly, Min, Sarah, and Ariel were still in their pods, blankly staring at the ceiling with empty looks.
It was total chaos.
Taking a good look at everything, I felt a sudden tingle rise up in my chest.
I tried to suppress it.
I really tried.
But—
"...Kek."
I inevitably failed.
And that also seemed to start a chain reaction.
Suddenly, as if a bolt of electricity had run through their minds, they all stopped. Mia stopped trembling. Nora stopped puking. Joanna and Niel stopped fighting, and Sarah, Min, and Ariel snapped out of it.
All at once, they turned their attention towards me.
Every hair on my body rose.
"What?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
I stood up.
"Squad Leader..."
Joanna was the first one to speak, her eyes narrowing.
"Was that a laugh?"
"You're imagining things."
I grabbed the coat from the back of my chair and calmly packed my bag. Basically, I just put away my laptop.
"No, I think I heard it."
Nora suddenly interjected, turning to Mia, who nodded quickly.
"Nnn! I also heard it."
"Must be the after-effects of the game."
"You're not fooling anyone."
Ariel suddenly interjected, brushing her silver hair back as her cold eyes fixed on me. For a moment, her gaze shifted as she looked at me in a way that reminded me of how she had been back in the game I'd developed.
It was enough to make me shudder.
Not that crazy bitch...
I had no choice but to keep denying it.
"Must've been your imagination."
"No, it's not."
"It is—"
"Then why are you still smiling?"
"Huh?"
I paused, touching my face, specifically the corner of my lips. That was when I noticed they were raised far higher than they should've been.
Ah, damn.
I looked up. Everyone was much closer to me now.
I could see the deep sense of malice in their gazes. Maybe it was my imagination, but it almost looked like their eyes had turned red. Had they suddenly turned into anomalies?
'That would be problematic.'
Despite this, I still remain cool-headed. I had encountered all sorts of things in the past. Twisted Man. Conductor. Demon. And even butchers.
I was a different man compared to how I was in the past.
Feeling the malice in their gazes, I didn't let that get to me. Instead, I just found it cute.
'With all my experience, I know exactly what I need to do.'
I turned to face the door.
Then—
I ran.
'Well, I am a little exhausted. I didn't get much sleep, and it's not like I can use my powers.'
A tactical retreat.
Yes, this was what it was.
Nothing more, nothing less.
"He's running away!"
"Quick! Get that bastard! Make him pay!"
"Where do you think you're going!!"
"Come back here! I'll see if you can continue laughing!!"
-x-X-x-
Splash—!
Water trickled down the bathtub, petals drifting across the surface. The pleasant scent of roses lingered as a figure sat back against the tub, his long black hair cascading down its side.
He sat and enjoyed the bath with his eyes closed, exposing only his flawless features and upper body, which seemed chiseled to perfection.
Eventually, his eyes opened.
"Have you done your research?"
"...Yes, it's completed."
A dry voice replied next to the man.
"It's as you initially expected. He started not too long ago. Almost a year, in fact. From what we've found, he was originally a game developer for Nightmare Forge Studios, which has since filed for bankruptcy. The reason was the backlash they received after a certain scandal linked to the man in question."
"Go on."
"His rise has been rather meteoric, with noteworthy achievements in several dungeon clearances and, most recently, the Malovia incident, which placed him among the Paragon rankings at 98th place. He's someone the entire world is paying attention to."
"I am aware of that much."
Splash—!
Water splashed once more as the figure slowly stood from the tub, donning a red robe that fit his body neatly. As water and petals fell to the floor, he calmly walked out of the bathroom.
"The thing I'm interested in is his games. Tell me more about his games."
The voice followed as he went.
"His achievements in the game industry may not be as flashy as his others and are often overshadowed, but his most recent game has performed quite well, with an update recently released for review."
"What about the trajectory of his games?"
"He first started with PC games, moving to VR more recently. From what I've gathered, his games have strange properties that can elicit fear in those who play them. However, after investigation, there doesn't seem to be any foul play."
"Of course not."
The man smiled as he entered a grand room filled with modern decorations and large windows that offered a view of the lights below, their glow bright against the darkness of the night.
Sliding one of the windows open and walking onto the balcony, the man's robe and hair fluttered as he stood in silence, admiring the view below.
Eventually, his eyes flickered.
"Get me a copy of his most recent game. After that, have his account suspended on Dock. Make sure the game doesn't gain any more traction or make any more money. It wouldn't be good if it did."
"...I understand."
The voice didn't question his commands.
It just followed his orders.
"Get that done before the day is over."
"As you command."
The voice faded right after that.
Once more, silence fell over the surroundings.
But the silence didn't last for long as the man smiled.
"Seth Thorne."
He chewed over the name, the bright lights of the city beneath reflecting from his gaze.
"You've been standing out a little too much. If not for that, I probably would've had a much harder time finding you."
Shaking his head, he muttered.
"A pity. I'm sure that I won't be the only one to figure it out. That's why it's important not to stand out so much. Now..."
He chuckled.
"The sharks will be coming for you."
Taking out his phone, a notification appeared on the man's phone.
Ding!
[New Quest!]
***
I woke up feeling quite sore.
"Ugh."
Every part of me ached. It almost felt as though I'd been run over by a truck. No, perhaps I had been...
Sitting up straight, I ran my hand through my hair and reached for my phone on the bed.
I tapped here and there before lifting up the bed sheets.
Swooosh!
"Where is it?"
But even then, I couldn't find it.
I frowned and got out of bed. Tossing the sheets aside and still finding nothing, I threw the pillows as well. When even that proved fruitless, I looked down at the bed and then along its sides.
"Where the hell...?"
I tapped onto my bed, going back to the sheets and tossing them in the air.
Perhaps it was stuck there.
But—
"No?"
Seeing that it wasn't there either, I stopped and stared blankly at my surroundings. I didn't know how long I stood there for, but eventually, I decided to head to the bathroom to wash my face.
"Oh."
That's also where I found my phone.
'I'm too addicted for my own good.'
Still, it couldn't be helped. I was really interested in seeing the result of the update. I wanted to see the sales and reviews.
I even wanted to see the reaction online.
I could already imagine all the curses that I was going to receive.
But—
Trrrrr! Trrrrr!
The moment I unlocked my phone, the first thing I noticed was the number of missed calls directed at me.
"Fifty missed calls?"
I instantly answered.
—Boss!!!
A panicked voice filled my ear the moment I answered.
—Boss! You've finally answered... haaa! This is bad! This is really bad...!
My stomach sank the moment I heard the urgency in his voice.
"Calm down for a second. What is going on? Why are you so panick—"
—Our account has been suspended! Our game is off Dock!
"..."
I had to take a moment to process the words.
My voice lowered as I did.
"What did you just say?"
—Our... account has been suspended from Dock. Our game is off the market! The update was also suspended!
I took a deep breath.
I had no choice but to take a deep breath as I felt something boil within my chest.
Thinking about all the effort I'd put in, everything I'd gone through just to get the update running, only for it to be canceled?
Someone was fucking with me again!
—Boss, what should we do? At this rate...
"Don't worry. Let me handle it."
—But...
"Let me handle it. I'll get back to you."
I closed the call and opened the Dock app right after that.
[Your account has been suspended. If you have any problems, please contact...]
Once again, I drew a deep breath. The boiling sensation in my chest grew even more intense as my grip on the phone tightened. I was trying my best to remain calm, but it was clear that it was no longer possible.
It had been a very long time since I had been this angry.
'Why can't... I ever have no problems? Why does a new problem always arise whenever I do something? Why can't I just be left alone in peace to do my thing?'
Before I knew it, my surroundings had turned red.
I was seeing a lot of red.
My right hand subconsciously clenched, almost as if it were trying to grip something.
'I should just find them and get rid of them, right? Yeah, I should do that. This is the best option. I'll take care of it like last time. I won't let things drag on any longer. Or should I use Mr. Jingles? That's also an option.'
All sorts of thoughts flooded my mind as I gripped the sides of the sink. I was starting to spiral, and just as the surroundings took on a deeper shade of red, I heard a notification coming from my laptop in the main room.
Pausing, I walked all the way to my desk and opened my laptop.
A notification followed.
[Quest Completed!]
[Reach three-star rating!]
[Congratulations on receiving a three-star rating! It shows that you've finally grasped the essentials of game development and are ready for the next step.]
DING—!
[Reward—
[Horror Gate Developer System]
The shock merely lasted a few seconds before I was able to calm myself down. No, calm myself down was a bit of an overstatement. The shock still lingered as I stared at the new section that appeared on the app's interface, integrated with it.
[Select Game Engine]
-------------------------
◉ U-Engine
◉ Game Developer Engine
◉ Virtual Game Engine
◉ Horror Gate Developer Engine
-------------------------
"So this entire time the system was trying to get me ready for this?"
It wasn't like I hadn't thought about the possibility.
In fact, it made sense.
Why would I receive a system that would help me create better horror games? There had to be more to it. And in fact, there truly was.
"...Given how a three-star rated game was so hard to create, this only makes sense."
I thought back to my recent smiles and laughed bitterly.
"Yeah, this makes sense."
If reaching a three-star rating was this hard, I couldn't help but wonder how difficult reaching a five-star rating would be. It almost felt impossible.
But now...?
"I think it's possible. But..."
Frowning, I sat down on the chair.
"Why do I have a feeling that I can still create a five-star game?"
Realistically speaking, a game's limit was most likely three stars. After which, one had to move on to Gates and create higher-rated games. But for some reason, I had a feeling that I could still go higher.
I wasn't sure why I was feeling this way.
But I just did.
"How ridiculous."
I ruffled my hair.
However, just as I did, I received a new notification.
Ding—!
[Main Quest Activated]
Difficulty: N/A
Reward: 1,000,000 SP
Objective: Develop your first gate!
Location: N/A
Description: You've finally met the requirements to create your own Gate. With the experience you've gained, you are now capable of completing one on your own! Use everything you have learned to create a Gate. The minimum acceptable result is a 3-star grade. Anything below that will not be accepted.
Time Limit: 3 months!
"Not unexpected."
In fact, it was pretty obvious that this was coming.
I was quite used to the system by now. I pretty much knew that it was coming, hence my lack of surprise.
Looking at the quest reward, I nodded.
"This is quite a lot of SP."
It was a number that I had never seen before, and had not even come close to in the past. Taking into consideration how I needed to use SP to develop my latest games, I knew that things wouldn't be different for the Gates.
In fact, there was a good chance I'd have to spend quite a lot.
"Right, now that I'm in the Fourth Order, I should have unlocked even more things in the shop."
I planned on checking the shop, but before that—
"Let me see the new features."
I pressed on the [Horror Gate Developer Engine] section. The moment I did, my surroundings changed completely, and I was brought into a white world.
"Hm? This isn't much different from the VR interface."
A panel appeared next to me.
—[—[Furniture]—]—
● Oak Bookshelf: 40 SP
● Mahogany Chair: 25 SP
● Walnut Cabinet: 60 SP
● Pine Stool: 15 SP
● Cherry Dresser: 55 SP
● Ebony Side Table: 35 SP
—[—[Furniture]—]—
In this regard, it wasn't much different.
Other than that, there were also: Furniture, Background, Structure, Items, Miscellaneous, Smell, Temperature...
"Oh?"
I paused, finally taking note of two particular sections that weren't present before.
[Type]
[Anomaly]
I immediately clicked on [Type], which expanded into several clickable tabs.
----
◉ Anomalous
◉ Hoarding
◉ Timed
◉ Zoned
.
.
----
"So it's for this..."
Out of curiosity, I pressed on the [Anomalous] section.
A new screen popped up after that.
----
[Set the rules of the Gate]
Rules :
◉
◉
◉
◉
Description: Set the rules of your Gate. You have a maximum of four rules you can set. The rules must align with the selected anomaly's abilities. More rules don't necessarily mean better!
----
"I see."
I instantly understood.
'In essence, before starting the Gate, I need to set four rules that must be followed. That lines up with what I know. But can I increase the number of rules? Since I can set at most four, is it tied to my Order... or am I overthinking this?'
Despite the small description, I was practically going in blind. There were a lot of things that I didn't understand and could only make assumptions.
Next...
I pressed onto the [Anomaly] section. I wanted to see how this one worked.
----
[Anomalies]
◉ Twisted Man: 40,000SP
◉ Blood Butcher: 25,000SP
◉ [Slot Open]
◉ [Slot Open]
Description :
Available anomalies are judged based on those encountered and analyzed. The maximum available slots are four. Encounter more anomalies to unlock additional ones. Captured or contained anomalies will not be included in the list!
----
"Hmm."
I narrowed my eyes while reading the description. In the end, I closed the panel. I more or less understood how it worked now.
In essence, in order for me to unlock more anomalies, I had to encounter them. If I did end up capturing them, however, it wouldn't count.
But why?
Not only that, but it seemed like the contained ones would also not count. This was quite annoying since my original plan was to go to the Guild Containment area and find an anomaly to analyze.
"Well, I guess I can understand the ones I captured."
Those anomalies were synonymous with the Jester. I couldn't allow them to appear in the near future. Their appearance would create too much chaos.
"I think this should be all."
Honestly, it wasn't too different from the Virtual Developer Engine. It didn't feel like it was something that I couldn't do. The only issue was the price of the anomalies, but considering what sort of anomalies they were, I could justify the price in my mind.
I planned on closing the interface, but right as I was about to, something else captured my interest.
[■■■■■■■]
It was a different section that I hadn't seen at first.
The letters were obscured, and the entire engine was grayed out. I tried pressing it, but nothing happened.
Instead, I received a notification.
[Locked]
I wasn't even surprised.
In fact, it almost felt as though it was the most natural thing.
"Yeah, of course."
There were still more features that I needed to unlock.
'I'll leave that for later. For now, I should take care of the Dock situation. Given how much the anomalies cost, I need to make as much money as possible.'
That wasn't all.
I needed to carefully think about which gate I planned on entering next. Since I needed to analyze the anomalies in order to place them in the interface, I had no choice but to enter Gates.
Especially since I couldn't analyze the ones the Guild had already contained.
[Exit]
The white world faded, and I massaged my eyes.
Standing up, I reached for my coat and headed outside my room.
Now that things had reached this point, I needed to get to the bottom of the situation and figure out just who in the world was messing with me. For what reason were they messing with me, and how could I handle this as cleanly and fast as possible?
-x-X-x-
"Haa."
A mist formed as I let out a breath.
Looking at the clear blue sky above and feeling the fresh air, my mind started to feel clear. A lot had been weighing down on my mind, from the new Engine to the case with Dock. I needed to take a moment and breathe some fresh air to clear my mind.
'But it's crazy just how packed the Guild is.'
The entrance of the Guild was not just packed, it was practically overflowing.
From reporters to people that I could only assume were from other Guilds.
'...It's a good thing I'm wearing these glasses.'
I touched the sunglasses that I was wearing. They weren't the sunglasses that I was used to, but a different pair given to me by the Guild. Apparently, they served well to hide my identity.
They also seemed to be a product created by the very same company that wanted to sponsor me.
R.W. Tech.
"..."
I continued to stare at the entrance of the Guild for a few more seconds before eventually turning away and moving to a different place. Scrolling through my phone, I checked a series of different Gates.
As of right now, I couldn't get into Gates.
Given what had happened with 'The Butcher', it was only natural. But I wasn't too worried. With the Guild Master's support, I was certain that he'd allow me into any Gate that I wanted.
I just needed to choose the right one.
'There are quite a few that come to mind, but I need to carefully look at the anomalies that are present. Since I only have two available slots, I need to be extremely careful when choosing.'
That wasn't all.
I also needed to properly think about the Gate's rules and design.
This wasn't easy.
"Where am I?"
Before I knew it, I found myself standing in the middle of a park.
I looked around until settling my gaze on a certain bench. Taking a seat, I tapped the back of my phone. Setting the issue with me needing to analyze more anomalies, there was also the issue with my money. With my account suspended, all the money that I had earned was put on hold. The update also didn't have as much of an impact as it should've had.
This was setting me back quite a bit.
...And to make matters worse, I didn't know who did it.
I also didn't really have a way of finding the culprit. Not even the compass appeared to tell me.
'What am I supposed to do here?'
I fiddled with my phone, mindlessly scrolling through numerous contacts.
Eventually, I settled my gaze on one contact.
One...
That I wasn't so sure would answer.
But in the end, I still called.
I had no choice but to.
And soon—
—It's rare for you to call.
The Guild Master's voice whispered into my ear.
—How can I help you?
***
Severed Stars, Guild Master Office.
Du. Du—
Setting the phone down, the Guild Master smiled. Leaning back against his chair, he waited patiently, staring at the door to his office.
He sat in silence for at least ten minutes before he heard the sound of a knock.
To Tok!
"Come in."
The door opened, and a figure walked in, his dark eyes locking with the Guild Master's.
He proceeded to walk towards the seat opposite the Guild Master and sat down.
"...I need help with figuring something out."
He didn't beat around the bush and proceeded with his request.
He knew better than to waste time with pointless nonsense.
The Guild Master's expression remained serene.
"Yes, you've told me. How can I help you exactly?"
"Two things."
Seth raised two of his fingers.
"I'd like your help with two things."
"Oh?"
The Guild Master's eyes flashed with interest.
"Tell me."
"My account for my recent game got suspended. I can't quite understand the reason for this, nor do I have enough connections to figure it out. Can you help me understand what is going on?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. I can do this much."
This wasn't a hard favor.
The Guild Master was more or less aware of what Dock was.
Seth's face eased.
"...Thank you."
"It's only natural that I take care of our Guild's ace."
The Guild Master laughed, easing the tension within the room.
Seth started to feel more comfortable, his breathing visibly easing as he nodded gratefully at the Guild Master.
"You said that there were two requests. What is the next request?"
"I'd like to enter a Gate."
Seth asked carefully, staring at the Guild Master's expression, trying to detect any changes.
But—
"That can also be arranged. Let me know what Gate you wish to enter, and I'll give you exclusive access to it."
"....."
Seth remained silent.
Honestly, this went a lot easier than he had expected. Much of the weight that had been pressing on his shoulders seemed to ease as he nodded gratefully at the Guild Master once more.
"Thank you. I will let you know after I find a Gate."
Pressing his hands against the armrest of the chair, Seth prepared to stand up.
But halfway through his motions, the Guild Master's voice reached his ears.
"How are your preparations for the World Congress?"
"World Congress?"
Seth paused, looking back at the Guild Master.
Taking note of his smile, he proceeded to slowly sit back down.
"I have been training here and there. Lately, I've been focusing on getting my game update, so I haven't had enough time to train properly. But now that I'm finished, I'm planning on spending the remaining week getting ready for the Congress."
There wasn't much time left until the Congress.
About one to two weeks.
It was also for this reason that Seth was rushed to get the issue with the update sorted. He desperately needed the money to buy items from the system store.
"That's good."
The Guild Master nodded along.
"It's important that you focus on the upcoming World Congress. This is one of the most important competitions of the year, and with our Guild recently reaching the King-Grade, we must achieve a good result."
"...I will try my best."
Seth once again stood up to leave.
But just like before, the Guild Master stopped him.
"Here."
The Guild Master slid a stack of paper over to Seth, causing him to pause. Turning around to look at the papers, Seth reached for them and took a look at them.
As he did, Seth's expression stiffened as he slowly raised his head to look at the smiling Guild Master.
"This is...?"
"The candidates that I think will best fit you for the upcoming Congress."
"Wait, what?"
"They are the most elite members within that I could find available within the Branch and Main Guild. You can choose and pick any of them. With them, your odds of reaching a good rank should be even higher."
"....."
Seth didn't reply. Instead, he stared at the papers in his hand. In there, he could see over several dozen profiles. From their age, their specialty, past record, and even their Decree.
The profiles were incredibly detailed.
But—
"Are you telling me to change my team?"
"Yes."
The Guild Master didn't even hesitate to reply.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
-x-X-x-
I took a deep breath, trying my best to remain calm.
"At present, aside from Ariel, no one on your team is capable of keeping pace with you. While their progress has been acceptable, it falls short of what is required. To achieve a strong result at the upcoming World Congress, you will need to bring in additional team members. Review the list and select your candidates. If you prefer, I can make the selections on your behalf."
It felt as though a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me, washing away every trace of relaxation from my body.
My stomach churned as I looked away from the files and onto the Guild Master.
That smile...
It didn't look so friendly anymore.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.
'Let's try to remain calm.'
His offer made sense to some extent. I was also aware of the fact that my team 'lagged' behind in some aspect, but I knew them well enough to know that they were capable. I had worked with them a lot, and our synergy was quite good. Not only that, but I had also trained them in the VR world.
I was confident in their abilities.
Changing teams wouldn't make sense. And... I didn't want it to happen.
Therefore, I had no choice but to reject this offer.
"Thank you for the offer, and while I understand your concerns, I am confident in my ability to lead the team to a good position. If you—"
My words came to a halt as the Guild Master shook his head.
"You don't really get to choose this time."
It was as if an invisible hand had suddenly gripped my heart, squeezing it tightly in its grasp.
"Zero."
The Guild Master continued, his tone light.
"That's the nickname that the media has given you. Do you know why you were given such a nickname?"
"...Because I've never failed."
I answered after a short pause, trying my best to keep my expression straight. However, the more I looked at the Guild Master, the more it felt as though I had eaten shit. No, I probably did eat shit. This was how I currently felt.
"That's correct."
The Guild Master replied, his expression casual.
"You've never failed before."
"And I'll make sure I'll never fail again."
"...I hope so too."
"So—"
"But we've got to minimize risks, Seth."
The Guild Master calmly cut me off, his finger tapping against the marble desk. After a moment, he stopped and placed his palm flat up.
"Your momentum is high. In the eyes of the citizens, you're the type of rookie that has never been seen before, even going as far as defeating an
"..."
I didn't reply.
I couldn't reply. For I already knew the answer.
Plack!
The Guild Master's palm fell flat against the desk.
"Just once. All it takes is one single failure for everything that you've built up to crumble."
I swallowed, trying my best to think of a way to deny his words.
But the more I tried to deny it, the less I could find the words to argue.
"The upcoming World Congress is one of the most important events in the world. It's a direct show of power to the other Guilds. A clear statement about our capabilities. It's important that we do well, but what's more important is that you, in particular, do well."
"..."
"Like I said before, you can't fail."
"..."
"Kyle can fail. Zoey can fail. Clara can fail. Catherine can fail, but not you. You're the only one who can't fail. Because everything will crumble the moment you do."
Ah.
I really felt it at the moment.
The unbearable sense of suffocation made it hard for me to breathe. Suddenly, I was reminded of who exactly I was sitting in front of.
Leaning back against the chair, the Guild Master pushed a new document before me.
"Here's another list. They're recruits from other Guilds that we can recruit. I'm willing to invest the money to get them into your team. If you don't want to choose, I'll choose for you. Although it has been a while, I've got quite an eye for talent."
The Guild Master gave me a meaningful look.
"..."
Staring at the list, I remained silent.
My chest felt incredibly stuffy.
It was hard to put into words, but it felt like shit. A deep sense of discomfort settled in, making me feel nauseated.
"Let me know your decision. I can wait a couple of days."
The Guild Master's tone remained light.
But to me, each word sounded incredibly heavy.
Nevertheless...
"...What if I were to reject this?"
I looked straight at the Guild Master.
The sense of discomfort only grew as the words left my mouth, his smile slowly fading as the tension within the room grew.
"Are you attached to your team?"
"...I am, but that's not the main reason."
"If not, then what is the reason?"
"It's because I know I will do better with them than anyone else that you select. I've been with them for a long time, and I—"
"So?"
The Guild Master cut me off.
"All the members on the list are the uttermost elites that you can find. They will know how to cooperate with you without any problems. In fact, they should be able to listen to your commands better."
I licked my lips. They felt incredibly dry.
"I understand, but I'd still like to stick with them."
"..."
The Guild Master remained silent, his gaze feeling incredibly pressuring. For a moment, I felt like giving in. I felt like accepting his request. But I couldn't. I couldn't allow myself to accept it as I took a deep breath and stared back.
"...I'll give you a couple of days to think it through. Let me know the answer by then."
I opened my mouth, but soon closed it, nodding faintly.
After that, I turned around and headed for the door.
But just as I was about to leave, I stopped.
"If... I choose to reject the offer. What will happen then?"
I didn't look at the Guild Master as I spoke, my gaze fixed on the door. What sort of expression was he making? I didn't know. Nor did I want to know.
And then—
"I'll be disappointed."
His calm voice reached my ears.
"...I'll be quite disappointed."
***
Step. Step—
The calm and even sound of steps echoed within the otherwise empty corridor, the stale white light shining from above as Kyle calmly followed the nurse ahead.
Despite the slight pallor on his face, he wore a simple smile, his hands grasping a bouquet of white flowers. Looking around, Kyle maintained his expression. He was actually quite nervous. It had been a while since he had visited. In fact, he never had gotten the chance to really visit after the incident a while back.
This was the first time he had gone back to see them.
'...Maybe I should come with Seth next time. He's been rather busy, but they've been asking about him.'
"Please come this way."
The nurse guided him towards a certain door.
[701]
Coming to a stop, she looked back at Kyle.
"This is the room. You have fifteen minutes. That's how much time you have available for the visitation. The patient's condition isn't quite stable yet, so please avoid any sensitive topics that might cause a disturbance. Once you're done, please ring the bell inside and I will escort you out."
"I understand."
Kyle replied calmly, adjusting his tie as he took a deep breath and stared at the door.
Eventually, he reached for the door and opened it.
Bright light spilled in along with a gentle breeze as Kyle's attention focused on the woman seated by the bed, her hair fluttering softly.
Stepping in, Kyle smiled.
"Matriarch."
-x-X-x-
My vision was narrow.
I couldn't see anything around me.
Walking back to my office, it was almost as if nothing existed along the path leading there. All the noise, the stares, and everything else around me seemed to fade into the background. The only thing I could think about was the conversation I'd had with the Guild Master.
'He wants to replace my team? They're not good enough for me? That's ridiculous...'
My steps quickened.
'...It's true that their Degrees are lower than mine, but it's not that much lower. Not just that, but they've been getting good results lately. I also have a fundamental understanding of how their Decrees work and their personalities. He just doesn't know.'
Yes, the Guild Master simply didn't know.
But was that truly the case?
I thought back to the Guild Master and pressed my lips tightly, my vision narrowing further as I turned right and entered the elevator.
'I don't know what it is about him, but he seems to be always right. I don't think there's ever been a moment where his decision has been wrong. The same was true for when he decided to help 'me' during the Malovia incident. While there was the fact that he knew about my identity as the Jester, the fact that he went ahead to support me was also a decision that most people wouldn't make.'
It was as if he were a Seer.
No, perhaps...
"....."
My steps stopped, my hand reaching for the knob of my office door.
I hesitated.
'If he can really...'
No, that's not possible.
I immediately tried to deny the possibility. I had yet to hear about a Decree that could allow one to see the future. It was just not possible.
But then again...
'There's also no Decree that allows one to control anomalies like mine. At least, recorded. Who is to say that other unique Decrees don't exist? Perhaps he really...'
I clenched my teeth, my chest feeling stuffier.
I was jumping to absurd conclusions. There were no real hints that the Guild Master could see the future. If anything, I was just being paranoid. Perhaps... I was afraid of him being right.
Right...
Thinking about the way he spoke to me with such confidence stirred something within me.
Whether he was right or wrong...
It was up to me to decide. Not him.
Turning the handle, I pulled the door open and entered.
This disgusting feeling...
It was just like the system.
I hated it when someone or something tried to control me.
'Yeah, that's probably why it rubs me the wrong way.'
***
"...Hey."
A voice called out.
"Hey."
It called out again, its pitch higher.
"Heeey."
Even higher.
"Heeeeee—"
"God, fuck! Would you just shut the fuck up!? I'm trying to sleep."
"Nnn?!"
Mia let out a startled yelp as Nora removed her eye mask and glared at Mia, raising her fist in a threatening manner while muttering things like, "I'll hit you if you continue."
"Alright, stop it, you two."
With a sigh, Joanna put her pen down.
She then looked at Mia.
"You've been calling for some time. What is it?"
"Oh, that..." Mia fidgeted with her fingers, her lips moving as she muttered, "So, that... ehm."
"Wait, don't tell me you actually had nothing to say."
Nora sat up in her seat, her expression turning fierce.
"Nnn!?"
Mia's entire body straightened as she hastily shook her head.
"No, no. It's not that at all."
"Then spit it out!"
"Yes!"
Mia looked at Joanna and immediately asked, "I just wanted to know about today's schedule. What do we have planned? Are we going to be trying the games again?"
"——!"
"——!!"
".....!"
It was as if a granade had dropped.
All of a sudden, heads that had been resting on the table shot up, all turning to stare at Joanna with widened eyes. Even the usually quiet duo of Sarah and Min had no choice but to show a change in reaction at Mia's words.
Ariel was a little more subtle, tilting her head slightly as she rested it on the table.
"Oh, that."
Joanna smiled, patting Mia's shoulder.
"There's no need to worry about that. I've talked with the Squad Leader, and he said that there's no need to train for today. We can have a rest."
"Thank god."
There was a collective sigh of relief in the room. The tension that had suddenly gripped the surroundings eased as Mia slumped back on her chair, letting out a relieved laugh.
"Is that so? Haha... I'm glad. Er, em. Not that I hate it. Yes, I am just tired, that's all."
Bullshit.
Everyone could smell the bullshit coming from Mia.
None of them liked their sessions in the games. In fact, all of them much preferred real gates over the games. There was something about the games that felt so realistic and affected their minds.
Despite exploring so many Gates, they all still ended up falling for the schemes of the games, and with the most recent game, they've all killed themselves at least several dozen times.
To make matters worse, the sensation of death was incredibly realistic.
Even the pain.
"I've been thinking lately, but do you think the Squad Leader is a sadist?"
Nora suddenly threw the question out.
And the response...?
"Yes."
"Has to be."
"I thought it was obvious."
"His smile is especially creepy whenever he hears us scream. He tries to hide it, but I can see it."
Overwhelming agreement.
In other words, their Squad Leader was a pervert who enjoyed the suffering of others.
There was no discourse on the matter. He was a pervert.
Just as the group was about to resume resting, the door opened, and Niel walked in, his expression grim.
"What's wrong?"
Taking note of his expression, Joanna was the first to ask.
Niel stopped in his tracks, showed a look of hesitation before eventually adjusting his glasses and closing the door behind him.
Clank!
His strange actions caused the entire group to look at him. This was unlike the usual him, and just when Joanna was about to ask again, Niel spoke up.
"...There's a certain rumor passing around the Guild."
"Rumor?"
"Yes."
Niel nodded at Joanna, his expression even grimmer as he sat in his seat.
"Although I can't say for certain if it's true, from what I understand, the Squad Leader is looking for new members, and the Squad will most likely be the one attending the Congress."
".....!"
"——!"
Everyone's expression changed.
"What?!"
Nora stood up, her hand smacking against the table.
"Are you saying that he's going to ditch us for a new team? Why?"
"...Because we're no longer in the same league as him. "
Joanna's reply brought the entire room to silence. Brushing her soft blonde hair to the side, she lowered her eyes.
"The Squad Leader is no longer just a regular person. He's now a Paragon, and not just any Paragon, but one ranked in the top one hundred. Given how the Guild has marketed him as someone who has never failed, if he doesn't achieve a good result at the upcoming Congress, everything will crumble."
"..."
The silence that stretched across the room felt even more intense.
Nobody spoke. Nobody had any words to say.
What could they even say?
"As of right now, if he stays with us, we'll only hold him back. From a business point of view, he's not wrong to do this."
"But will he really just ditch us like this? Without talking with us? We've trained so much, I'm sure that we can—"
"Maybe, but we're nowhere near the best in the Guild. Many are better than we are. There's no denying that."
Joanna cut Nora off, trying her best to smile through her words. But unbeknownst to everyone, her hands were balled into tight fists beneath the table.
From the moment the ranking had been announced, Joanna had been aware of this possibility happening. It only made sense. It was for this reason that she was able to remain calm.
As of right now, the gap between them and the Squad Leader was too wide.
They—
Clank!
Suddenly, the door to the office opened, and Seth walked in. All eyes immediately fell on him as he paused and looked around the room.
And then—
"Oh, good. Everyone is here. I wanted to talk with you all."
Several faces turned pale.
"...Pack your stuff."
-x-X-x-
"Hm?"
The moment I entered the room and spoke, I noticed a strange tension linger. Pausing to look around me, I immediately noticed their stiff faces.
'What's going on? Why are they looking at me like that?'
"Is something going on?"
I tried to address the situation quickly.
In fact, there wasn't much time. I had already made up my mind. I wanted to train as much as possible with the team for the upcoming World Congress. We had about a week and a half, and while I couldn't guarantee results, it wasn't as though I was completely helpless.
'...There's the system. I can use it to help everyone become stronger.'
"That's it? You're just going to tell us to pack up like that?"
A resentful voice shook me out of my thoughts.
Looking in Nora's direction, I paused when I saw the frown on her face.
What sort of...
"Not even a word in advance? You're just going to tell us to pack our shit and leave?"
Ah.
So that's the problem.
I guess she had a point.
"You have a point. However, there's not much time. The World Congress is near the corner, and I want to make the most of the little time available."
"——!"
"...!!"
For some reason, everyone's face stiffened further. No, seriously... What's going on with them?
I was just about to open my mouth when Niel spoke over me.
"So in order to maximize your chances of winning the Congress, you have to send us packing?"
"Well, yeah. Pretty much."
Although I agreed, I paused for a moment.
Wait...
This didn't sound quite right.
"I see."
Niel smiled, adjusting his glasses and reaching for his bag. At the same time he did, he started to pack up his stuff.
Joanna was the next one to start packing up.
"You're all really packing?"
Nora looked around incredulously. As though she found the entire situation to be ridiculous. But after seeing that neither Joanna nor Niel responded, she clenched her teeth and muttered, 'Screw this. Who am I to force myself to stay?'
She soon started to pack up as well.
Still confused, I looked around. I noticed the complicated look that I was receiving from the likes of Sarah and Min. After which, I looked at Ariel. She...
Well, she looked the same.
On the otherhand, Mia looked the saddest, her head hung low. From the way she was acting, it almost felt as though the entire world had given up on her.
Did they really hate the idea of going out that much?
'Maybe they prefer training with my games?'
I thought about it and found that to be a reasonable possibility.
In that case—
"So? Have you already decided who to replace us with?"
"Hm?"
I blinked, turning my attention towards Nora.
Her back was facing my way.
"You must have some candidates in mind since you're telling us to leave so quickly. I hope that they're good. After all, we can't catch up to you anymore."
"...?"
What was she talking about?
I looked around.
Everyone was giving me the side-eye, packing while seemingly waiting for me to explain.
Explain what?
"Wait a moment."
I frowned while looking around me.
"What are you talking about?"
With a smirk, Nora slowly turned around.
"You don't have to pretend. Since you've already told us to pack, there's no point in pretending like you aren't trying to replace us with a new team."
".....?"
I felt even more question marks appear in my mind.
"Given your recent success, it's only natural that you have your team upgraded with more valuable and important pieces. While we've all grown stronger, we're still far from your level. Especially since you've become a Paragon. Although I can't say that I'm not disappointed, I understand. I—"
"Can you all stop for a second?"
I held onto my forehead while looking around me.
I felt a headache coming.
What in the world was running through their minds?
"I think I know what's going on. You all think that now that I've become a Paragon, I'm going to replace you, right?"
The silence that followed gave me enough confirmation.
I really felt like smacking my head this time.
"No, I'm not trying to replace you."
"But you said—"
"Well, yeah. I said to pack up because I wanted to go to a Gate. Since the World Congress is close, I wanted to spend as much time as possible training with you guys."
"..."
The room fell quiet once more.
Everyone paused whatever they were doing.
Then—
".....Eh?"
"Eh?"
"Ehhh?"
"Ehhhhhh?"
*
"You know, I always had faith in you, Squad Leader."
"....."
"I was like, 'No! There's no way he'd abandon us!' and all that, you know?"
"....."
"Hehe. I always knew that you trusted us. It's just rumors spread, and everyone panicked. I was the only one who didn't panic. Just know, I am your number one supporter."
"....."
"And like, I—Nnnnnn!? What was that for!?"
Mia suddenly turned around and glared at Nora, who had just smacked the back of her head.
"Nobody is going to buy your nonsense. Especially since your eyes are still red from crying."
"Nnn?!"
Mia immediately tapped her eyes, muttering, 'No, I didn't cry. What are you talking about? It was just some dust. Squad Leader, believe me!'
I didn't pay attention to her and continued to look ahead.
We had left the Guild and were now headed in the direction of one of the Gates that I had selected to train. However, on the way there, I couldn't help but think about the entire situation.
'It hasn't even been long since my discussion with the Guild Leader, and somehow, there are rumors about me wanting a new team? Is this a coincidence?'
I didn't think so.
No, I was certain it wasn't.
This was very likely the Guild Master's way of pressuring me to accept his offer.
The stuffy feeling inside my chest grew further.
I really didn't like this feeling. The more he acted like this, the more rejection I felt towards the idea of going with a new team. It almost felt as though he was telling me that I was going to fail unless I went with his option.
I clenched my teeth.
I—
"Squad Leader."
My steps came to a sudden pause as I turned my head. Joanna stood not far from me, her eyes looking at the group ahead.
After a moment of hesitation and waiting for the group to move ahead a bit, she muttered.
"...Although nobody is saying it right now, I'd like to say it for everyone. Thanks for believing in us. We'll try our best not to let you down."
Her words brought my mind to a complete halt.
Then, pursing her lips, Joanna moved ahead. She didn't say anything else, but she didn't have to.
I stared at her parting back and then looked at the others. There was no need to think about it more. Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts before pausing at a certain number.
After a moment of hesitation, I dialed the number.
It didn't take more than a couple of rings for the call to be picked up.
"It looks like I'll have to disappoint you."
I spoke softly while looking ahead, feeling a gentle breeze brush past my face.
"...I don't think I can go through with your arrangement."
-x-X-x-
I didn't wait for the Guild Master to answer.
I closed the call and took a deep breath, putting my phone into my pocket and pressing my lips together. The Guild Master was probably not very happy with my decision. After everything that he had done for me, I probably looked extremely ungrateful.
Perhaps he was going to give up on me and stop helping me.
Even worse, there was also a chance that he'd stop investigating the Dock situation for me.
But...
'No, I don't think he's that type of guy.'
He was disappointed, yes.
But I had yet to fail.
I was still useful to him.
Until I failed, I could act like this.
But the moment I failed...
I drew a deep breath, looking ahead.
"Squad Leader! Hurry! We're going to miss the train!"
"...Why are you so back?"
Adjusting the straps of my backpack, I calmly resumed walking.
'This is going to be a very long week.'
*
From the moment I made up my mind, I didn't spare a single moment and went to different Gates. None of the Gates were anything absurd, but they were all relatively difficult.
Thankfully, we were able to keep our identities a secret while exploring the Gates. If not, then the amount of trouble that we'd be subjected to would be enough to make it impossible for us to train.
Thankfully, we encountered no problems the entire time.
In reality, the entire 'train with gates' was just an excuse. The team already had a solid foundation and good teamwork. Even if we explored new Gates, we wouldn't improve so quickly.
The main reason why I decided to enter the Gates was that I needed a place that had no eyes on us.
"Consume this and try to get to the next Order."
I handed each member several fragments of the highest quality.
"Wait, what..."
"...Aren't these?"
"Why are they so pure?"
"Squad Leader?"
I could see the confusion on everyone's faces. I would've been confused too, had I been put in their position. In fact, staring at the numerous fragments that I had given away, I felt a massive pinch in my chest.
This wasn't cheap at all.
The amount of SP that I had to spend was ridiculous. Thankfully, I had some to spare.
After signing the contract with R.W. Tech and receiving their official sponsorship, I was given a sizable sum of money. Combined with the passive earnings from my games, I was able to use it to produce a large number of high-quality fragments for the team.
My games in particular made me a lot of money. Although my account had been suspended, I still made a sizable amount from the wave of trolls and people who wanted to try out my games after I received the Paragon ranking and beat the Malovia Gate.
'...I guess there are benefits to being famous.'
Getting cheap fragments wasn't hard anymore. Given how I was now a Paragon, I had access to sources that could provide me with any fragment that I wanted. I bought as many low-purity fragments as I could and turned them into high-purity ones.
I knew that the best way to get my team to become stronger would be by increasing their Order.
'Either way, Fragments are no longer as useful to me since I reached the Fourth Order. I now need different stuff in order to reach the next order.'
In particular, Essence.
That wasn't easy to get.
"You guys told me that you wanted to become stronger so that you could be more useful to me, right? In that case, don't bother staring at me like that and consume the fragments. Take this in case something goes wrong. It should help you."
I tossed them each a pill.
It was the very same pill that I used to consume to handle my Cognitive Shard.
I gave Sarah a meaningful look.
"It should help you all in case you're struggling."
I didn't let any of them get a word out.
Time was of the essence.
"I also need to reach the next Order. I wish you all the best of luck. Once you're done, we can all go to the next Gate."
I left them to their own devices right after that.
Regarding reaching the Second Order? That was a lie.
There were other things that I needed to take care of. Like earning even more money.
***
A week passed by.
By now, the fervor surrounding the new Paragon Rankings had died down, and in its place, a new wave of excitement had begun to sweep across the main island.
The World Congress.
The biggest event in the world. One that showcased the skills and abilities of its top members. This wasn't just a clash between the very best, but a battle between the Guilds themselves.
Not only was the monetary award for the top contestants incredibly lucrative, but the fame that came with reaching the very end was enough to propel anyone to the top of the world.
Brand deals. Offers.
It was enough to set one for life.
Obsidian Bastion Guild.
The air was tense. Facing several groups, all dressed in dark uniforms, Kaelric Halecrest quietly scanned the groups. Despite his gaze, his gaze felt extremely pressuring. Enough to make one wince under it.
And yet—
None of the members present showed any reaction. If anything, they all met the gaze head-on.
The old man's lips curled into a smile after he looked away.
"Not bad."
He muttered, satisfied with what he was seeing.
"Gathered here today are the uppermost elite of our Guild. You are the best of the best in the entire world, and I expect nothing short of strong results from all of you. Not only will you be up against the other four Guilds, but you'll also face many talented individuals. It is imperative that you show the gap between you and them."
The old man's voice carried a deep sense of authority as all members stood still, listening without moving a single muscle. It was as if they were a well-oiled unit with no single flaw.
Sweeping his gaze over every individual member, Kaelric looked at one individual in particular.
"I expect a lot from you."
Liora remained quiet.
"Among all the people present, you're the most talented and most powerful member. It's important that you support everyone and ensure everything runs smoothly. There are only a handful of individuals who could truly pose a threat to you. Do not engage unless necessary."
"Yes, sir!"
Liora finally acknowledged.
"Good."
Kaelric smiled, looking back at the other members.
"You are all dismissed. Best of luck in the upcoming Congress."
Liora was just about to follow the rest when all of a sudden, she heard a certain voice whisper in her head.
'Liora.'
Liora's steps came to an abrupt halt.
Then, her grandfather's voice echoed in her mind once more.
'I'd like a favor from you. If you meet this person...'
-x-X-x-
Step. Step—
Liora's calm steps echoed through the corridor, her dark robe fluttering with each stride as her brows furrowed deeply.
'...I was a little doubtful at first, but now it seems true. Grandfather really seems to have taken an interest in him.'
But why?
This was something that Liora truly couldn't understand.
She had seen him in person during the Ranking Announcement. Although he seemed a little interesting, that was about it. He didn't give her any overwhelming sensation or anything of the sort.
He just felt... bang average.
'Am I missing something from the picture?'
Liora calmly chewed over her thoughts.
The more she thought about the situation, the more confused she became. Regardless of how much she tried to make sense of her grandfather's interest, the more confused she became.
Was it because of Malovia?
'Sure, that wasn't bad, but it shouldn't be enough to attract Grandfather's attention. At least, not in the way that was explained in the official reports. Then...? Could there be something that I don't know and only he knows? But I don't see any other major Guild showing any interest in him.'
Still, although Liora had her doubts, she didn't dare voice them.
Her grandfather may have been old, but he wasn't someone who would make mistakes. He had built his career on being able to find the best talent in the world.
If he had set his eyes on Seth, then there was a good reason.
Liora's thoughts grew lighter once they reached that point. Either way, all she had to do was help him in case he needed help. That was all her grandfather asked.
Not that hard of a request.
Adjusting her hair, Liora continued to walk ahead.
But just as she had taken a few more steps, she stopped.
Her eyes narrowed the moment she caught sight of the two individuals approaching from the opposite direction, their strides even and their gazes indifferent. They bore an uncanny resemblance to her, especially those dark eyes of theirs.
But unlike her, their eyes bore nothing but coldness and indifference as she stepped to the side and bowed slightly.
"Father. Mother."
Neither of the two stopped, moving past her without even acknowledging her.
Liora closed her eyes and silently clenched her fists.
There was nothing surprising about the situation. They had always been like this, and Liora had gotten used to their indifference.
But... But...!
'It's whatever.'
Without saying anything else, Liora adjusted her expression and mood and walked away.
There was no need to dwell too much on strangers.
***
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!"
A man dressed in a pristine suit spoke, his smile wide.
"The stage is set, the tension is building, and in just one day, the World Congress begins. You can feel the anticipation rising across the globe. The analysts are lining up, the predictions are rolling in, and yes, the bookies have already opened the board."
A table appeared beside the man, displaying all the odds for the upcoming World Congress.
"It'll be an interesting year this one."
Adam Porier said, adjusting his neat gray suit as he placed his hands over the round oval white table and continued to speak.
"And let me tell you, the anticipation for this upcoming Congress is building by the minute! It's not just about which Guild will rack up the most points and claim the spotlight. No, no... All eyes are on the bigger question: Will the so-called "Unmovable Big Five" hold their ground, or are we about to witness a shake-up that no one saw coming?"
The World Congress was more a measure of Guild prowess than individual performance. It was a stage where Guilds sent multiple teams and accumulated points over the course of the event.
By the end of the event, the Guild that reached the most points would end up becoming the winner, with additional rewards being tournament MVP and Breakout Star of the Year.
"Every year, the Big Five have monopolized the top spots. Will this year be any different? Will a Guild finally show signs of breaking the deadlock? What do you think, Merylin?"
Adam turned to his colleague on the right, a woman dressed in a neat suit with her dark hair tied in a bun. Her clean white teeth showed as she smiled, highlighting her soft and pleasant features.
"That's a good question, Adam."
She took it from there as a new panel appeared next to her.
"There are a few candidates to watch besides the larger Guilds. Most notably, I'd say the Arithmus Guild is one to keep an eye on. They've built a solid reputation recently, with several rising stars making it into the Paragon rankings. They now have four Paragons, including the new entrant Hermes, who placed around 700th."
Four profiles appeared besides her as she started to go through each and every one of them.
"Besides the Arithmus Guild, there's the Evening Sun Guild, the Melson Sanders Guild, the Asteroid Guild, the Samsara Guild, the Nirvana Amber Guild, and lastly, the Severed Stars Guild."
"The Severed Stars Guild?"
Adam showed a look of surprise as he looked at his colleague.
"Yes, I have also included them on the list. Despite the bookies showing that they've got the lowest odds amongst the listed Guilds to break the status quo between the big Guilds, I firmly believe that they are a Guild to watch out for."
"Is it because of the newest ranked Paragon, Seth Thorne?"
"There's that, but they also now have four Paragons of their own. Not many Guilds can boast that number."
Indeed, besides the top Guilds, most Guilds only had one or two Paragons maximum, with the Guild focusing all of their resources and attention on them. For a Guild to have four... that was no easy feat.
"But do you seriously think that they have a chance at making it?"
"Honestly, no."
Merylin replied honestly.
"In fact, even now, I doubt the qualifications of some of the members who've reached the rankings. None of them should have qualified, yet here they are, ranked among the top 1,000 in the world. Still, regardless of my doubts about their abilities, the fact remains that they are ranked. But that's not the main reason I don't think they'll perform well."
"Oh?"
Adam raised his brow, curious to hear her thoughts.
Taking a slow breath, Merylin looked at the cameras.
"...The real reason why I doubt Severed Stars Guild will make it is because of their star, Seth Thorne."
Before anyone could say a thing, she continued, "Let's set aside my doubts in his skills and the fact that he's a First Order. My main cause of concern is his team. From what I've heard, he's decided to dismiss any possibility of going with an elite team and instead chose to stick with his old team, who, quite frankly, should not even be able to qualify for the Congress."
"What?!"
Adam's eyes widened.
"Are you serious? This can't be right..."
"Yes, I can confirm this much."
Merylin replied, her voice turning sterner.
"From what it seems, he's overly attached to his own team, despite not being strong enough to keep up with them. In a tournament as important as this, your team is one of your most valuable assets. To stick with a mediocre team when you have the chance to join an elite one is, quite frankly, a very unwise decision. It's for this reason that, while I've listed the Severed Stars Guild as one to watch, it's more for—"
Click!
The TV shut off, and silence fell over the room.
For several seconds, the silence persisted.
But then—
"Was it really a good decision to leak the news about the team situation, Guild Master?"
A voice broke the silence, one of the Guild Master's assistants looking at the Guild Master.
Placing the remote down, the Guild Master smiled.
"If I hadn't been pushed to this extent, I wouldn't have done it."
"But now that you have, there will be a lot of buzz online and from the reporters."
"That's fine."
The Guild Master replied, his expression still calm.
"It's not like we're not used to such buzz, am I right?"
He gave his assistant a meaningful look.
The assistant opened his mouth, but eventually closed it.
"Are you worried that this was the wrong decision?"
The Guild Master suddenly asked, as if reading his assistant's thoughts. The assistant opened his mouth, trying to speak, but in the end, he simply nodded.
"Yes. This just seem—"
"I did it so that he can have some leeway."
The Guild Master calmly cut in, his demenour poise.
"When he does fail, we'll at least have an excuse for it. While his reputation may take a hit, he won't fall to the very bottom. We can attribute his failure to his 'team'."
"...Ah."
"And above all..."
The Guild Master paused, his hands interlocking before him.
"He needs to bear the weight of his decision."
-x-X-x-
Sines.
The Capital City of the main island of Andora.
With an estimated population of 48 million people, the city was the largest known city in the entire world. With multi-layer infrastructure and transit systems that ran both above and below the skyline, Sines functioned like a living machine suspended in the sky.
Elevated maglev lines stitched together distant districts, while subterranean grids handled utilities, cargo, and Gate monitoring without disrupting the surface flow of daily life.
It was truly a city from the future.
"Everyone, please carefully board the bus. We'll be departing shortly for the central urban megabelt."
Yawning, I looked at Section Chief White. The mere sight of him made me want to turn back and not participate in the event, but I knew that I couldn't do it, and so, I could only pretend like he didn't exist and board the bus.
There were already quite a lot of people sitting inside. I even spotted Kyle, Zoey, Clara, and the rest.
I thought about greeting them, but stopped when I noticed just how tense their expressions were.
Most importantly, feeling a certain gaze, I decided to take a seat.
'...How can two sisters be so different?'
I rubbed my cheeks. Even now, it almost felt as though her glare could sting.
'I wonder how long it'll take to reach the urban district.'
Sines was divided into five districts, each vast enough to function like a city of its own.
The Apex District stood at its center, all glass towers and government spires. Beyond it stretched the Guild District, carved into a quadrant claimed by the Five, with the other Guilds located within each quadrant.
We were also there.
The Urban Megabelt spread outward, where most of the population lived. Past that lay the Industrial and Infrastructure Ring, and beyond even that, the Peripheral Satellite Cities.
Low urban cities with cheap housing.
'Given how the Urban Megabelt has the largest population, it's only normal that they host the event there. But as far as I'm aware, there's another reason for hosting it there. I'm not quite sure, though.'
"It looks like everyone is here."
Getting on the bus, Section Chief White held onto a notepad. Adjusting his gold rims, he began to speak.
"The journey won't be long, about half an hour to an hour, depending on traffic. We'll be entering the Sylian Arena, where the other Guilds are gathered. Since the events change every year, I can't say for certain what will happen or what you'll be required to do, but it will by no means be easy. The main objective is to accumulate as many points as possible without getting eliminated. None of you must be eliminated."
He paused. Yes, paused, and looked straight at me.
Not everyone else, but me.
I frowned, but that was also the moment he looked away.
"Getting eliminated will deduct points from us, which would make it harder for our Guild to have a good placing. Naturally, the team with the most points acquired within our Guild will be rewarded. I hope that all of you can strive to achieve such honors."
The Section Chief put the notepad away and swept his gaze over everyone.
"Be ready."
He muttered, his voice carrying a certain tension.
"...From this moment forward, the Congress will begin."
The bus began to move right after that.
*
Sylian Arena was beyond my wildest expectations.
The moment the bus neared the arena, an enormous structure, far beyond anything I had ever seen, came into view. Its massive oval frame, coated in a gleaming metal surface that reflected the sun's glare, almost resembled a bird's nest.
If I hadn't felt it before, the fervor for the upcoming World Congress was now unmistakable. It was evident in the countless cars lining the elevated roads that arched through the air, as well as in the planes and helicopters overhead, each bearing different banners.
'Thank god for the fact that we have our own designated road. Otherwise...'
I watched as the bus passed the other cars. As it did, loud beeping followed.
Beeep! Beeeep! Beeeeeep—!
Each came from the cars around, the people inside waving in our direction as some opened their windows to take pictures of the bus.
I quietly pursed my lips before looking away, closing my eyes, and adjusting my mind.
The scale of this event had far exceeded my wildest expectations, and as I leaned back against my chair, I unconsciously brought my hand to my chest.
That was also the moment I felt it.
Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!
This...
I immediately took notice of the situation and opened my eyes.
'Am I... excited?'
I...
"Everyone, get up! We're here!"
Before I knew it, the bus had come to a stop. Looking around and seeing everyone stand up, I followed along with them and got out of the bus. The tension that lingered across the surroundings was even more pronounced than at the start, and as I got out of the bus, I also noticed several other buses stopping, other individuals stepping out at the same time as us.
The moment they took notice of us, they froze, their expression turning hostile.
I took note of their expressions and adjusted my backpack as I followed the Section Chief, who led us toward a tunnel where a group of men dressed in black stood waiting to greet us.
They took a quick look at our IDs and did a similarly quick scan of us before giving each one of us a pass.
[Participating Member: Seth Thorne]
[Severed Stars]
I placed the pass around my neck and followed the Section Chief through the tunnel.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody could speak.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A loud thumping sound echoed across the tunnel.
It was extremely loud. So loud that everyone could feel it. With each thump, it almost felt like a small earthquake was taking place.
"What is happening?"
"...What's going on?"
There was inevitable confusion, but it didn't last for long as we reached the end of the tunnel.
THUMP! THUMP!
The thumping grew louder, and goosebumps rose along my skin.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP—!
My heartbeat quickened, and my steps slowed as light began to spill from the end of the tunnel.
After which, I heard a loud voice.
—Next up, let's welcome the members of the Severed Stars Guild!
BOOOM!
It was as if the entire world exploded. My vision widened as we stepped out of the tunnel, a sea of people greeting me, thousands shouting at the top of their lungs.
The hair at the back of my hand rose even further as I took in the sight before me.
But above all, I heard it.
"Boooo!"
"Get the hell out of here!"
"Frauds! Boooo—!"
The jeers coming from the crowd were slowly overtaking the cheers. A lot of them were most likely from the supporters of other Guilds, or even individuals. But above all, I could feel that a lot was directed at me.
"You're a fraud! All of you are frauds!"
"Give back your ranking! Fraud!"
For some reason, I found myself covering my mouth the moment I heard the jeers.
"You're a scammer!"
"A lucky bastard...! Fraud!"
Hearing the jeers, I massaged my face. Everyone else looked at me. Some were worried, others were smiling.
Taking it all in, I put more force in my hand.
'Ah, shit. This isn't the place. This really isn't the place...'
I shouldn't be doing this.
But why?
Why can't I stop smiling?
-x-X-x-
Besides the jeers, there were some cheers. There were people who appeared to care about us and me. But to my ears, such voices were drowned out by the jeers and boos I was receiving from those who disliked us.
'...I need to keep it together.'
I couldn't let myself smile. Otherwise...
"This is ridiculous."
Not surprisingly, I wasn't the only one taken aback by the numerous jeers directed our way. Looking around her, Zoey frowned.
"Are we seriously that unlikable?"
"No, not you. Him."
I looked as Kyle pointed at me.
Zoey opened her mouth, most likely trying to disagree with him. For some strange reason, she had been acting strange around me. It seemed like she was trying to help me more and pay more attention to me, but I could also tell it wasn't from a place of affection.
To some extent...
It almost felt as though she was trying to say something to me, but couldn't.
In the end, Zoey sighed and closed her mouth.
Looks like she can't think of anything to disagree with Kyle's assessment.
"You're ruining our reputation."
Kyle said while staring me straight in the eye. His face was straight, and I could tell that he was joking.
Thus, I just nodded.
"I know."
After that, I focused on my surroundings, ignoring the boos and attention directed at us. The arena was massive. Larger than anything I had ever seen. Teams were scattered throughout the space, each gathered beneath banners that represented their Guilds.
Each Guild wore a different uniform, their styles unique to each Guild, and as I looked around, it didn't take long for me to find our banner as I walked towards it.
"For now, it's important that all of you stay together. No one knows what the trials will be like or how they'll unfold. Each Congress is different. The only thing you need to know is that you must be absolutely ready for whatever is coming."
Section Chief White continued to lecture us even after we arrived at our banner. We could only silently listen as the crowd stopped paying attention to us and turned to the newer Guilds that entered.
"Waaaaaah—!"
Cheers. Jeers.
I heard them all.
Taking the time to move towards where my team was, I was just about to talk to them when I was suddenly stopped by a woman with short brown hair and a mole under her chin. She was dressed in neat clothes, and after staring at her, my eyes narrowed.
'For some reason, she seems familiar.'
"Hi~"
Her voice was friendly.
"You must be Seth Thorne, correct? My name is Elizabeth Motip, and I'm here to conduct a small interview with you. It'll be aired later. Is that okay with you?"
"...Oh."
Suddenly, I recalled why I recognized her.
She was one of the main hosts of the event.
I immediately thought about rejecting her, but just as the thought crossed my mind, a hand pressed against my shoulder.
"Yes, he will take it."
"Huh?"
Kyle's head popped up next to my shoulder as he pushed me.
"Just have a small conversation with her. There's nothing to be troubled about. It'll be good for you. Trust me."
He continued to pat my back.
This traitor...
"Great."
The woman's eyes sparkled as she took out her phone and brought it closer to me.
"In that case, I won't waste a single second. I'll ask first. How do you feel about the current atmosphere? Many here say that it's overwhelming. What about you? For someone so new, it must also be incredibly overwhelming."
"...Ah, it is. I'm very overwhelmed."
Well, considering how there was no going back, I decided to take the interview honestly. In all honesty, I was indeed a little overwhelmed. There were people everywhere, and it just felt weird being stared at by so many people.
"Really?"
The woman looked at me with a doubtful look.
Why are you looking at me like that?
"Your face doesn't seem to match my words."
"Is that so?"
No, but I really was overwhelmed.
"Well, fine."
The woman decided to switch topics.
"There are rumors that you're entering the Congress with the same team as before, despite being given the option to join the best elites available. Is it possible you've grown too attached to your team and don't want to leave them? That's usually a rookie mistake. Especially since death is so common in this industry. How many of the words that I said are true? And what is the main reason for sticking with your old team?"
I paused to give the woman a second look. Elizabeth was it? I knew that such a question was coming, but I didn't think she'd go straight to the point like this.
It was almost funny.
"Most of it is true."
I eventually nodded, maintaining my cool.
"Then—"
"The reason is simple."
I answered, my gaze falling on her.
"They're enough."
I watched how her eyes slowly started to widen, her hand trembling at the same time. I wanted to say more, but right as my lips parted, a change began to occur over the surroundings.
The conversations across the arena began to thin out as heads slowly turned toward the entrance. Even the Guilds that had been laughing moments ago straightened unconsciously.
Then—
The distant tunnel lights dimmed gradually. Almost as if the arena itself was drawing in a breath.
Hum!
A low, resonant hum echoed from within the tunnel.
Then the first banner appeared.
It slid out of the darkness of the tunnel, fluttering under the faint breeze in the air.
At first glance, it looked black, but that wasn't entirely accurate. The fabric shifted subtly under the arena lights, revealing undertones of deep violet and indigo, as though a night sky had been woven directly into the cloth. Thin streaks of silver ran across it like distant stars fractured by invisible cracks.
At the center rested a symbol.
A crown.
Broken cleanly down the middle.
A murmur spread through the stands.
"...Eclipse..."
The Eclipse Sovereign Guild had arrived.
They did not stride in with exaggerated confidence, nor did they slow their pace to draw attention to themselves. They walked at a steady, controlled rhythm.
Their uniforms consisted of long, fitted coats trimmed with faintly glowing runic embroidery, the patterns so intricate they seemed almost alive when viewed from afar.
There was no chatter among them.
No glances exchanged.
No visible nerves.
They moved like a single organism.
At their forefront walked a tall woman with black hair cascading down her back. Her expression remained half-lidded and unreadable, as though the silence around her meant nothing.
But soon—
BOOOOOOOOM!
The place erupted.
"They're here!"
"Eclipse! Eclipse!!"
"Seraphine! Seraphine!! She's here!"
Seraphine Dark.
The current spearhead of Eclipse, ranked 11th in the Paragon Rankings and one of the youngest members attending, barely nineteen years old.
The pressure that radiated from her wasn't overwhelming in the conventional sense. It didn't crush or suffocate. Instead, it lingered at the edge of perception. It was both sharp and refined, like a blade resting lightly against skin without yet applying force.
The crowd erupted in applause.
Some out of admiration.
Others out of fear.
Eclipse did not acknowledge either.
They reached their designated section and stopped in perfect formation beneath their banner, not bothering to wave or respond.
Mia swallowed beside me.
"T-that's... we can win this, right?"
Before anyone could properly process their presence, the ground vibrated again.
This time, differently.
Swoooooosh—!
A burst of golden light flooded the tunnel entrance, so bright that several spectators instinctively shielded their eyes. The energy felt warmer and far less restrained.
When the light dimmed enough to see clearly, a second banner stood proudly at the front.
Threaded with gold that shimmered beneath the sun's bright glare, the white flag stood proudly in the air. At its center blazed a radiant sun emblem, its rays extending outward in sharp, symmetrical patterns that seemed to pulse with restrained energy.
The Helios Vanguard Guild.
Unlike Eclipse, they were a lot more flashy.
Laughter spilled from the tunnel before they even fully emerged. Confident voices overlapped as their members stepped forward, clad in reinforced white battle attire accented with golden plating along their shoulders and gauntlets. Their gear was practical, but polished to near-perfection, reflecting the lights in sharp glints.
They weren't trying to look intimidating.
They simply were.
At their front walked a radiant man with pale white skin and short golden hair brushed back nicely. A confident, yet serene grin rested permanently on his face, as though he was the sun itself.
Leon Draven.
Helios' leading combatant.
A name frequently mentioned alongside Seraphine's in ranking discussions.
He lifted his hand casually—
And the arena detonated in cheers.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
The cheers were deafening. Enough to make me feel as though my ears were bleeding.
"Oh dear."
Elizabeth's mutter reached me despite the chaos, the phone in her hand lowering. From the looks of things, she seemed to have lost all interest in interviewing me.
"...And here I thought I had more time."
She muttered to herself. After which, she looked at me, offering me an apologetic smile.
"I apologize, but I must go. The big Guilds have finally arrived."
The woman left right after that, alongside many others, as they all rushed towards the groups that had just arrived. I merely gave them a sparing glance before turning away to face my own team.
"T-that... T-that...!"
The first thing I noticed was Mia trembling, her eyes darting in every direction. Beside her, Nora stayed quiet, her eyes closed as she ignored Mia. But despite her best attempt at hiding it, she was trembling subtly.
The same went for the others. Even if they didn't show it openly, I could tell they were all nervous.
And I couldn't blame them.
The top Guilds...
Just two of them were enough to make me feel overwhelmed.