Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 639: Malia [4]

My initial greeting was met with a profound stillness. As I extended my hand toward him and offered my salutations, he simply gazed back, his expression one of utter bewilderment. Observing his darting eyes and vacant stare, I recognized that he was completely taken aback.

I paid his reaction no mind, proceeding to introduce myself once more.

"It’s a pleasure meeting you. My name is Seth. May I know yours?"

This seemed to break through to him. His face, which had been frozen, finally snapped back to the present as he hastily set down his cutlery and grasped my hand.

"I’m… Cedrick. Cedrick Vale."

"Is that so?"

I rested my hand beneath my chin, feigning contemplation as I murmured, "That name… it sounds somewhat familiar. Have we encountered each other previously?"

"Me? You know of me?"

Surprise flickered across his face as he stared at me, pointing a finger at himself as if struggling to comprehend that I had actually heard of him.

I simply offered a smile and a shrug.

"Yes, I believe so, though I could be mistaken. I encounter quite a number of names these days, so perhaps I’ve confused you with someone else."

"…You most likely don’t know me. I’m not particularly well-known. I’m just a standard recruit, unlike yourself."

"Is that so?"

I gestured towards an empty seat.

"Is this spot occupied?"

"Ah, no… Please, have a seat."

He reached for his tray, preparing to rise, but I intervened.

"There’s no need for you to depart. Remain seated."

My gaze then shifted to the other members of my Guild, who were observing from a distance. I gestured towards the available seats near me and called out, "I’ve discovered some excellent spots. Go and get something to eat. I’ll hold these for the moment."

After exchanging glances, they complied and moved off.

As they departed, I turned my attention back to Cedrick. He appeared somewhat uneasy, but his disposition was of little concern to me as I began my inquiries.

"So, Cedrick, are you an inhabitant of this place?"

"…Yes. I am."

"Which Guild do you belong to?"

"Cloud Reverence."

"Oh? That’s a King-Grade Guild. You hail from a rather esteemed organization. Impressive. Very impressive indeed. That suggests you were being rather modest in your self-assessment. You’re quite capable, actually."

"That’s… I’m merely average."

"A display of humility."

Leaning back in my chair, I stretched my back slightly. For reasons unclear, Cedrick’s gaze seemed fixed just beyond my shoulder. As I tilted my head in mild confusion, comprehension dawned swiftly, and a faint smirk played on my lips.

"I’ve managed to spill something."

"…Oh."

He didn’t appear convinced.

"I assure you, it’s the truth. However, it’s of no real consequence." I shrugged lightly. "I am, in fact, curious about something, Cedrick. Given your local ties, you likely possess a clearer understanding of current events. Could you share any insights you’ve gathered regarding the disappearances? I’m already aware of the widely circulated details, such as the age bracket and zodiac signs. Have any new developments emerged?"

"Not… a great deal, to be perfectly honest."

His voice was notably subdued, necessitating my leaning forward to catch his words clearly as he proceeded.

"More individuals have vanished. The pattern remains consistent, yet we’ve yet to discover any substantive clue concerning the perpetrator. We suspect it might be an anomaly, but there’s also the possibility of human involvement. Considering the prevailing circumstances in the Western District, that wouldn’t be entirely implausible."

"But if that were the case, why the specific age range and zodiac sign correlation? What connection could the zodiac sign possibly have to all of this?"

"I’m… not entirely certain."

Cedrick ran a hand through the back of his head. He then lifted his gaze, eventually falling upon his right. Following his line of sight, I observed several familiar figures approaching our vicinity. Zoey was among them, but the instant our eyes met, she averted her gaze and veered towards a different direction.

Shortly thereafter, Clara and a few others took seats beside me. As they settled in, Cedrick rose, quietly murmuring, "Excuse me," before departing without further comment. I made no move to detain him, instead redirecting my attention to the tray Clara had brought over.

She had procured one for me as well. A thoughtful gesture.

Admiring the dish, I reached for the eating utensils.

My hunger was quite pronounced.

And just as I began to cut into the piece of meat before me, Clara’s voice reached my ears.

"Who was that?"

"Oh, him?"

I brought the morsel of meat closer to my mouth, pausing briefly.

After a moment, I smiled.

"A pitiable soul."

I conveyed the fork, laden with meat, to my mouth.

***

"Soran, how is your condition?"

The Section Chief approached the Team Leader and took a seat within the area designated for Guild Team Leaders and Section Chiefs. Her sunglasses still in place, the Team Leader’s fork halted its movement.

After a short interval, she responded, "…Well, I’m managing, for the time being."

"But are you truly?"

"Eh."

The Team Leader absently scratched her cheek before turning to face the Section Chief, her sunglasses sliding down to reveal eyes that seemed dark, though momentarily, they flashed with a stark white light.

"Y-you..."

This sudden revelation clearly surprised the Section Chief, his expression faltering. However, just as quickly, Soran repositioned her sunglasses, concealing her eyes once more.

"It's nothing dire. My eyesight is just… diminishing. No, not even that. I've just become overly sensitive to light, necessitating these. It’s the only option."

"...Is it worsening?"

"Perhaps?"

Soran lifted a fork to her lips, taking a bite. A look of sheer delight spread across her face almost instantly. "Wow, incredible! Have you tried this? It’s genuinely delicious."

Observing her, the Section Chief felt a multitude of unspoken words rise within him, yet he suppressed them, settling for a quiet sigh. He understood, despite Soran's attempt to downplay her condition, that her situation was steadily deteriorating.

‘I’ve meticulously managed her workload, granting ample rest and assigning less demanding duties, hoping for her recovery. Yet, it appears to be futile. Should I suggest early retirement…?’

The mere thought brought a pang to the Section Chief’s heart.

This was especially true considering his awareness that Soran would likely refuse any offer of retirement. But more than that, he lamented the potential loss of someone with her exceptional abilities. Even without the use of her powers, her intellect remained unparalleled.

Even in her current state, she possessed the capacity to clear high-tier Gates without becoming a burden. With a capable team and appropriate gear, she could undoubtedly handle such operations. Had the guild not been hesitant to embrace risk, she would have been deployed on far more missions.

‘…To be frank, it’s a significant shame.’

The Section Chief averted his gaze, his eyes eventually settling on a particular table. More precisely, on the two individuals occupying it.

Clara and Seth.

These two had ascended to become the very best within the guild. Yet, as he shifted his attention between them, the Section Chief's focus insensibly returned to Soran.

Out of the pair…

‘Perhaps only Seth can come close to the level she demonstrated before her injury.’

Clara’s innate talent was remarkable, but it seemed she might have already plateaued. Seth, conversely, was still evolving, and with an unblemished record of success, he was undeniably on track to become one of the most exceptional talents the world had ever witnessed.

However, a solitary concern lingered.

The very path Seth was now treading…

It mirrored the path the Guild Master had once relentlessly pushed Soran onto.

He had been Soran’s predecessor.