Chapter 256: Hourglass [2]

"...."

There was something unsettling about the hourglass, its fine black grains of sand slipping one by one through the narrow gap, as though quietly marking the moments until something inevitable loomed.

’No, that’s exactly what is happening.’

I felt restless.

But at the same time, this was something that I had chosen.

The system never gave useless quests. Given how this was something of the Second Order, it was within my capabilities.

’The only thing I have to do now is figure out more about it.’

...But how was I going to do that?

So far, I only had one clue about the gate. It was the ’Hourglass’. What could this mean?

Was this gate a time-related one?

Or was there more to it?

’For now, I’ll check the Guild Database and see what I can find.’

I typed ’Hourglass’ in the database and was just about to press answer when I paused. Wait, was this a good idea...? There was something that I realized as I typed the words on the Guild Database.

That was...

’The Guild can see I am the one who typed these words. It could just be me being extremely paranoid, but if I want to avoid situations where I can arouse suspicions, I’d better be careful.’

I wouldn’t have cared as much in the past.

However, following the recent exchange with the top recruit in the Guild, it felt as though every one of my movements was being closely monitored.

’Let me be more subtle about it.’

I opened the web browser and began to type nonsense like, ’Nice decorations for my desk. Glass preferably.’

Once the results came, I scrolled through several images before finding an hourglass and pressing on it. I spent the next couple of minutes like that until I just started randomly typing hourglass everywhere.

Even the Guild Database.

The results came right after, and I took a quick screenshot of everything before closing down the page and continuing with my nonsense.

’...This should be good enough.’

Once I felt that I had wasted enough time, I looked through the screenshot.

Immediately, one file stood out to me.

[The Hourglass]

It was straightforward, and the instant my eyes fell on it, every pore in my body seemed to open, as if I’d just found exactly what I’d been searching for.

’This has to be it!’

At the very least, it was the only result that showed up with the word ’Hourglass’ in it.

’It is also possible that I’m thinking in the wrong direction, but I don’t think so.’

I looked at the small description that was left on the file, and my face froze.

’A B-Ranked Gate?’

No, this made no sense...

This was simply too much for me to handle.

Unless...

I suddenly recalled the system’s previous words, and understanding dawned on me.

’The difficulty of the gate will adjust to the user present.’

Everything clicked in my mind, and I felt even more certain that this was the gate that the hourglass was going to lead me to. Looking through more of the description of the gate, the feeling of certainty only grew stronger.

’This gate is one that the first raid team is planning on raiding, and they even have a first clearance for it. However, looking at the time at which the gate is supposed to open, then...’

"I see."

It became even clearer to me.

This gate was indeed the same gate that the first raid squad had been planning to raid. The timing and everything made sense.

’But I still don’t understand something. Why am I supposed to enter this gate? What am I supposed to achieve from it...? And...’

I looked at the Hourglass and then checked the date on which the conductor’s appointment was going to appear.

My heart raced.

That...

At what exact time was the Hourglass going to end?

"H-ha."

My breath shook as I looked at the hourglass. The more I stared at it, the more ominous it became as I matched it with the time of the conductor’s trial. Looking at the rate at which the sand was falling, it definitely looked close. However, there was no exact date.

This...

I bit my lip while feeling a heavy sensation settle on my chest.

Just as I was about to think of something—

BANG!

"...Ngk!"

A loud noise shook me out of my thoughts as I hastily turned my attention forward, and I watched Nora stand up from her seat. Her face was pale, and her body was shaking. For a moment, she stood like that while trying to process what had happened.

Then—

"Fuck this!"

She tossed the keyboard to the side before grabbing her bag and leaving the room.

Clank—!

The door closed with a loud sound, and just as she left, another scream filled the room.

"Hiak!"

Mie rolled back on her chair as her body shook.

Another one had fallen victim to the game.

***

Despite the initial chaos that the <A> rank gate had brought to the island, the situation within the island wasn’t as terrible as the people and Guilds expected it to become. The BAU was quick and efficient in stopping the Guilds from entering the islands.

Given the nature of the gate, there was no need for the Guilds from the main islands to arrive.

At least, not yet.

The BAU kept them on standby in case the situation turned for the worse.

They also didn’t want the island to be congested.

Nonetheless, the Guild still stopped all gate operations for the following two weeks. While this caused massive losses for the Guild, it was done in order to prepare for the gate.

This worked out well for me since it meant that I didn’t have to enter the gates and risk exposing my trait.

But it wasn’t like I didn’t understand the Guild’s decision.

While the <A> ranked gate meant disaster, it also meant opportunity.

A huge opportunity.

None of the Guilds wanted to miss out on the opportunity.

"How is your current progress with the Virtual Reality stuff? Do you think you can create a new game already...?"

Sitting inside the Section Chief’s office, I forced a smile.

"...Not quite. Not quite."

My leg tapped rapidly against the floor. I looked around, trying my best to maintain my calm.

I barely had any progress in that department.

In fact, I pretty much had none at all. The past few weeks had been spent trying to figure out a way to clear the conductor’s trial while also researching more about the ’Hourglass’ gate and so on.

"Not quite? How long do you think you need?"

"I’m not sure. Maybe a little bit after the <A> ranked gate is cleared or taken care of?"

"I see."

The Section Chief looked a little disappointed, but also understanding.

Then, as if recalling something, he looked at me.

"On another note, how are your recruits doing?"

"Them...?"

I thought for a moment before giving him a bitter smile. Both good and bad. Given that they had no gates to dive, most of them were bored. Thankfully, I had my games with me, and I had them train with that.

From time to time, I’d make some adjustments to catch them off guard.

The changes might not have been drastic, but they still raised the difficulty. So, just when they thought they were on the verge of clearing the game, a curveball would come their way.

It was torture.

Just thinking of all the times I had to keep my face straight while they...

’That’s besides the point.’

Their progress was quite staggering. They were now at a point where their teamwork was a lot better than it was in the past.

But it wasn’t like there were no problems.

While the recruits worked well with each other, the same wasn’t true for their personalities. There was this strange, hostile tension between them that made the general atmosphere of the squad tense.

It was rather uncomfortable.

’Still, at least for now, it’s not bad. It hasn’t gotten to the point where it’s interfering with the team.’

So in that regard...

"They’re doing well, I guess."

My leg tapped harder against the floor.

"That’s good to hear."

The Section Chief smiled. Then, checking his watch, he looked at me. I understood the message and stood up from the seat, moving slowly out of his office before closing the door behind me.

Clank—

Done with that, I stood in front of the door for a few seconds before darting towards my office at full speed.

I could even hear people telling me not to run as I sped past the area, but I ignored their words and dashed into my office, closing the door behind me as sweat pooled down from the side of my face.

Then—

Catching my breath, I looked at the Hourglass on the table.

The last few grains were falling.

...The gate was about to open anytime now.

This was faster than I previously anticipated.