Chapter 319: Department Trials [3]

"....."

I stared at the message on my phone.

’Ah, fuck... How do I handle this one?’

The message came from Joanna. It was nicely written, and it sounded concerned about my health, but if I had to summarize it in words, it basically said, ’I don’t think the team is good enough at the moment. Please allow me to take over so that we can prepare for the upcoming trials. I’d like to take charge in the time that you’re gone.’

I pinched the middle of my brows.

"I should’ve seen this coming."

While I didn’t like to mingle with the other members of the Guild, it wasn’t like I was completely oblivious to what was happening.

I was well aware of the rumors and the ostracism that the members of my squad were experiencing. I thought that the rumors would eventually die off, but they only grew louder with each passing day.

It truly opened up my eyes to how petty and competitive a lot of the members of the Guild were.

"...I’m also all healed up. I can leave when I want to."

Sitting up on the bed, I groaned. This message ruined my plans. I had originally planned on going back to the team to have them test the VR system again, but it seemed like I could no longer do that.

’It’s nice that they want to grow, but... I think they’re underestimating themselves quite a lot.’

It was indeed true that ’I’ had carried them in the past.

However, it was also true that they had learned a lot from the doppleganger. The experience wasn’t actually useless. It was just that they weren’t aware of it.

Not only that, but with the fact that they had been continuously playing my games, their individual growth was even more impressive.

This became especially clear when taking into account the fact that the games could be replayed over and over again, unlike the gates. If they failed, they could just try again, and with me tweaking things here and there, the experience was never completely dull.

They were most likely not aware of it yet, but they were all monstrous in their own right.

’They also got a lot of fragments from the dives.’

Perhaps because they had been living in their own bubble, but at the moment, my squad was made up of elites.

Elites that surpassed me...

"Oh, shit."

Thinking about it, I was probably the worst one in the group.

I was also not the doppleganger. I couldn’t solve the gates as programmatically and efficiently as the doppleganger. Coupled with the fact that I couldn’t use any powers and that the Trials were just around the corner, I started to shiver.

Fuck...

My heart sank.

"How the hell do I weasel my way out of this?"

*

In the end, there was no use thinking about it. The more I thought about the situation, the more helpless I felt.

As such, seeing that I also couldn’t go to my other office, I decided to go to my main office.

But—

’...Is that him?’

’Did he really get attacked by an anomaly? How is he still fine?’

’Do you think he provoked it?’

The moment I stepped into the main hall, I could feel the gazes of everyone present on me. It had been like this even before, mainly because of the doppleganger’s results, but never to this extent.

I could see their eyes bearing holes down the side of my face as I walked towards my office.

But just as I was about to reach it, a figure appeared before me.

"Is it true...?"

He seemed a little worried, but as I looked at him, I couldn’t help but notice the changes that he had gone through compared to how he had been in the past. His brown hair, once perpetually unkempt, was now neatly kept, and the dark circles that had shadowed his blue eyes were no longer there.

’He looks like a completely different person.’

Almost like the first time that I had seen him.

"Seth?"

"Hm, ah."

Clearing my throat, I nodded.

"Yes, I was attacked by an anomaly."

"What...!? Are you serious?" Rowan lowered his voice as he asked. I nodded again.

"Yes, it’s all true. Nothing big, though. Just some sort of freak accident."

"Is that so?"

Rowan didn’t look fully convinced, but in the end, he patted me on the shoulder.

"If you say so. I do hope you remain healthy. Even though I no longer need our sessions as much, in case something does happen, I wish you’d be here."

It looked like he truly meant his words.

Seeing him like this, he really did seem like a completely different person compared to the past.

’I guess this is nice to see.’

I was just about to bid Rowan goodbye when his next words stopped me.

"Oh, and did you hear about Kyle and Zoey?"

"Hm?"

I immediately turned my attention towards him. Right, what about them? I hadn’t seen them in a bit, and neither of them responded to my messages. Especially Kyle, as I asked him multiple times, only to be ignored.

I could get Zoey since she usually tended to ignore me, but Kyle...?

’He usually answers pretty fast, but he hasn’t been answering me for a bit. Just what on earth is he up to?’

He only told me that he’d be busy.

Some sort of secret mission? Or...

"I heard that they’ve both got promoted to the Fifth Order."

"....!?"

The news completely threw me off.

"F... Fifth Order?"

I had a hard time processing the situation. It wasn’t like I didn’t expect them to reach the Fifth Order. As far as I was aware, they had both been stuck at the Fourth Order for quite a while and had been trying to get to the Fifth Order, but with no luck.

Who would’ve expected them to reach the Fifth Order so quickly?

’It must be because of the sudden offer by those from the main island. The Guild probably decided to invest heavily in order to keep them.’

This had to be the only explanation.

"Impressive, right?"

"Huh? Oh...!" Snapping out of my thoughts, I nodded. "Yes, quite impressive."

Rowan smiled after seeing my reaction.

"Tell you a secret."

He leaned closer a bit.

"I’m also about to reach the Fourth Order. I’m just getting ready for that."

"...!"

I was even more surprised to hear that Rowan was also about to rank up. This threw me off a little, but as if reading my thoughts, Rowan pulled his head back as he retained his smile.

"This is all thanks to you, actually."

"Me...?"

"Yeah."

Rowan nodded.

"If not for you, I would’ve probably still been stuck with the nightmares, and would’ve most likely have died inside of a gate. You’re pretty much my savior."

"...Oh."

I started to cringe.

Praises just... ukh. Just stop.

"Anyways, I was just passing by to make sure that you were okay. I also hope that you’re ready."

"....?"

Rowan smiled ambiguously while walking back, keeping his front body facing my direction.

"The Trials this year are a little different than usual. I heard that it’s going to be quite big. If you somehow manage to qualify, then you’re in for a treat. Anyways, rest well. I’m leaving."

And with that, Rowan waved his hand and bid me farewell.

I could only stare at his parting back before looking back at my office.

’Going to be quite big?’

I pursed my lips.

Why did I have a bad feeling about this?