Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 602: Contract Renewal [1]

"Give this a try. Let me know if this is to your taste."

The Guild Master’s voice resounded through the silent chamber. Arrayed before us sat numerous luxurious dishes, ones I’d never laid eyes on before. Every plate gleamed with elegance, the sole flaw lying in their tiny portions.

With chopsticks in hand, I lifted a piece. It resembled some upscale sushi.

As it touched my tongue, flavors burst forth explosively.

It struck the perfect harmony—not overly tangy or sugary.

"How is it? It’s good, isn’t it?"

"Ah, yes."

Indeed, it tasted excellent.

Regrettably, the bite vanished far too swiftly due to its scant size. Moments later, a server entered, clearing the plate while shutting the wooden door to our private nook.

I set down my chopsticks and glanced around.

A rich wooden aroma mingled with hints of lavender in the air. Soft lighting bathed the tatami mats warmly as I shifted on my cushion.

"I’m glad that you find this to your pleasure."

Gently patting his lips with a napkin, the Guild Master laid aside his chopsticks.

A smile played on his face as he regarded me.

"I can tell that you’re hungry. Don’t worry. There will be more meals coming soon."

True to his word, the doors parted, and servers streamed in bearing additional delicacies.

Relief washed over me then.

Yet, despite the appetizing spread, I hesitated to dig in further.

Not with the Guild Master’s eyes upon me.

Truth be told, I’d been eager to discover his true intentions. Days after the Congress, the buzz hadn’t faded, but he’d summoned me downstairs to a waiting car, whisking me to this peculiar spot.

Did he seek to offer congratulations too?

"I’ve received a lot of offers."

His statement caught me off guard, prompting a pause.

"There’s quite a lot of them. All of them are tempting. At the moment there’s a fierce bidding war between you and the top Guilds."

"...Oh."

Frankly, this came as no shock.

I couldn’t possibly remain oblivious.

Managerless though I was, news reached me easily. Short of hermit life, awareness was inevitable.

"You don’t look surprised."

"...Well, I kind of expected it."

"Haha, of course. You were quite impressive."

The Guild Master radiated cheer today.

For an instant, his easy demeanor tempted me to unwind, to savor the feast before me unguarded.

Yet awareness held me back.

...The Guild Master was anything but ordinary.

"The reason why I called you here is to talk about the offers. Since I’m the Guild Master of the Guild, I’m obliged to tell you about them. They’re all quite good. Have a look."

From beneath the low wooden table, he retrieved stacks of documents and pushed them toward me. Concurrently, he resumed eating with his chopsticks, appearing utterly at ease while I examined the pages.

One glance at the sheets made me inhale sharply.

The staggering rows of zeros dizzied my senses. Was this genuine...? Blinking repeatedly confirmed it wasn’t a hallucination.

I cursed inwardly once more.

For a fleeting second, my pulse raced.

Temptation slithered into my thoughts.

And briefly, I weighed the proposals, scanning for the most advantageous.

Until—

"Find anything interesting?"

His voice yanked me from reverie, like icy water dousing inner flames.

"If you find anything interesting, please let me know."

Nonchalantly, he savored another morsel.

"....."

Then I set the documents aside.

"Are you planning on increasing my pay?"

The Guild Master grinned. After swallowing, he rested his chopsticks and chuckled.

"Of course. Have a look."

He slid fresh contracts across the table.

I scanned them swiftly, then shut my eyes.

"This is an offer from the Guild. We’d like to extend your contract. While the terms might not be as great as that of the other Guilds, they’re still quite generous. I hope that you can take us into consideration."

"I see."

I managed a smile.

All I could muster.

"Here."

A pen glided toward me from the Guild Master.

"You can sign the paper with this."

"....."

Silent, I eyed the pen before grasping it.

Ultimately, I affixed my signature.

No alternative existed. Since confiding my secret, escape from the Guild proved impossible. He understood this, subtly reinforcing it. This meal served precisely that end.

Thus, the Guild Master affirmed his grip on my chain.

It stung deeply.

I felt utterly wretched.

Still, no regrets haunted my past choice. Necessity drove it, and that very act preserved my life.

"Wonderful decision."

Beaming, the Guild Master snatched the papers, glancing over them before nodding approval.

"Don’t worry about the terms, they’re good. None of them are unfair."

I knew as much.

That certainty spurred my swift signing.

Aligning with his interests ensured fair treatment.

Such was the Guild Master’s nature.

"Great."

Stowing the contracts, he met my gaze anew, proffering his hand.

"I wish for our happy cooperation."

"....."

I contemplated his outstretched hand wordlessly before clasping and shaking it.

"Happy cooperation."

***

Brilliant skies bathed the city in golden sunlight. The Guild Master of Severed Stars Guild shrugged into his charcoal coat and exited the eatery, eyes tracking a distant vanishing silhouette.

Soon, a sleek black SUV pulled up, windows descending.

"How did the talks go?"

"...Pretty good."

Answering as he boarded, the Guild Master removed his top hat, meeting reflected eyes in the mirror.

"He’s getting there."

Murmuring so, he grinned out the window.

The engine roared to life, propelling the vehicle forward.

"...He’s slowly getting there."