Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 606: Obsidian Bastion [3]

The response was crystal clear in my mind.

I intended to turn down the invitation.

Truth be told, I puzzled over how the letter had landed on my desk at all. It screamed of a bold poaching effort. Did the Guild Master truly believe I'd say yes that easily?

No matter the reality, heading there held no appeal for me.

Right now, my priority was concentrating on the upcoming task.

Gate.

Creating a Gate was something I had to devise a method for.

Lately, I'd been pondering deeply.

Dock had betrayed me before, and I was growing weary of these antics. Even supposing I resolved this mess, nothing guaranteed it wouldn't repeat.

Thus, with some deliberation, I resolved to try a new approach.

I aimed to check out various possibilities, ranging from building my own platform to funding competing ones.

Numerous choices existed, and thanks to my recent surge in popularity, they were now within my reach.

I rose from my chair with a heavy sigh.

Today's schedule held little in store.

That allowed me to pour plenty of focus into this issue—or so I'd figured initially. Yet mere moments after standing, my phone buzzed. I halted, checked the incoming message, and struggled to keep my features from freezing up.

[Go downstairs. There’s a car waiting for you.]

Glancing at the sender's number made my look even more peculiar.

Since returning from the World Congress, his behavior toward me had shifted. He was odd before, but now it felt downright bizarre.

Perplexed as I was, I obeyed the command.

I glanced up at the team and froze.

"Why the stares?"

"That..."

Mia hesitated briefly until Joanna stepped in.

"Heading out, Squad Leader?"

"Yeah."

I slipped my phone away.

"I'm off for a bit. We've got a week's break, so make the most of it. I'll return soon. Message if issues arise."

Saying goodbye to everyone, I departed.

***

Clank—!

Once Seth exited the office, an eerie quiet descended. It lingered for long seconds before Ariel broke it.

"You've all received offers, I assume."

The hush continued.

No one uttered a word, as Mia bowed her head guiltily.

"Actually..." Finally, she mustered words and lifted her gaze to the group. "...I've got several offers. I meant to discuss them with Squad Leader, but he seemed intimidating."

"Same."

"...Yeah."

"Me too."

Grim smiles spread across the room amid shared sentiments. Post-Congress, major Guilds had showered them with hefty proposals. Though Ariel drove much of it, their skills shone enough to draw Oak Circle Guilds.

Ariel alone caught eyes from the top five, snagging invites from every one.

Curiosity spilling over, Mia eyed Ariel.

"And you? Thinking of taking any?"

"Nope."

Ariel shook her head promptly. The swift no stunned them. But before questions flew, she added.

"I’m pretty satisfied here."

With that, she shut down further talk.

Her straightforward grin suggested sincerity.

All seemed to buy it.

All except Joanna, whose eyes narrowed faintly. Ariel's face struck her as less natural than normal.

Joanna cocked her head, yet relented as Ariel met her gaze. They locked eyes briefly till Ariel's smile grew.

Joanna blinked repeatedly, then let out a sigh.

"Well."

She turned to the rest.

"...Offers can wait. Rest up now. Once Squad Leader's available, we'll raise it with him."

***

Knowing my post-Congress notoriety, I donned unusual sunglasses to mask my face and descend unnoticed.

The Guild lobby brimmed with people.

More than full—it teemed. Suited figures and reporters crowded the doorway, pushing against a row of bodyguards blocking entry.

"Please! Just let us see him!"

"We’d like to ask him several questions!"

"Just a few questions!"

"We would like to know what his next plans are!"

Their ravenous gazes and faces sent shivers through me. Luckily, they overlooked me, letting me sneak away unseen—thanks mostly to the members-only path.

I halted upon spotting a sleek black SUV.

Sensing my presence, it rolled toward me, sun flashing on its glossy black surface until stopping before me. The window descended gradually, showing a known face.

"Get in."

"...."

I blinked at the girl up front. Sunglasses couldn't fully obscure her traits, and tilting her head exposed her dark eyes below as she repeated.

"Are you deaf? Get on."

"...."

I stayed put.

No, seriously.

Why would I budge?

Not with Obsidian Bastion Guild's star, Liora Halecrest, in that car.

"Ehm. I think you’ve got the wrong—"

"No, I don’t."

She interrupted sharply.

My phone buzzed then; a fresh message lit the screen.

[It’s the right car. Have a nice meeting.]

Confusion swirled in my thoughts once more.

"Are you getting on or not?"

I looked up as the door swung open automatically, then checked my phone anew.

[Don’t worry. I won’t be mad.]

Why does this scream trap?