Chapter 353: Explosive Game [2]

"...Our group is already full. We don’t need any members. Please don’t even think about adding her to my group. I don’t want her."

I made sure to make my rejection clear.

There was no way I was going to let Ariel anywhere near my group or me. Let alone the fact that I had kicked her in the head and knocked her unconscious, she was batshit crazy. I knew this better than anyone else.

’And isn’t she literally a part of the cult? What the hell is going on here???’

"Okay, Seth... Calm down. Let me explain."

The Section Chief did his best to de-escalate the situation, but I wasn’t having any of it. There were moments when one had to yield, and moments when one had to stand one’s ground. This was one of the latter.

’Not this psychopath. Everyone but this fucking psychopath!’

"Ugh."

My firm rejection immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. The Section Chief ran a hand through his hair, his expression clearly troubled.

"I don’t think I can handle another member. Thank you for the thought, but no. She’s also stronger than me... And wasn’t she part of the cult? Why would I want her? No. Did I say no? Because I want to make sure you heard me say no."

This was probably the first time I had spoken so fast and so eloquently in front of a lot of people. The reaction coming from the people around me also served to highlight this.

They all looked stunned, but...

’This has to be done.’

She was the last person that I wanted to be paired up with.

"Nein."

I even went as far as speaking another language.

"I’ll quit the Guil—"

"Alright, alright."

The Section Chief waved his hand, evidently feeling a massive headache as he stopped me from speaking further.

"I get you don’t want her as your team member. I got your message. You don’t have to repeat it so often."

"....."

My eyes narrowed as I stared at the Section Chief.

Then—

"Good."

I patted my hands in satisfaction. The surroundings grew quiet as I did, several pairs of eyes settling on me, but I paid them no mind. Their opinions didn’t matter. What mattered was keeping her off my team, and I was desperate enough to do anything to make sure of it.

"Now then..."

I turned around and prepared to leave.

But of course, things weren’t going to go so smoothly.

"Hold on."

The Section Chief’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks, a sinking feeling reaching the pits of my stomach.

As if reading my thoughts, the Section Chief raised his hand to stop me.

"Don’t worry. I understand your message. Just come with me for now."

I narrowed my eyes while looking at him, but in the end, I decided to follow along.

’...I really do hope he won’t ask again.’

This was something that I was very firm about.

But just as I began to follow the Section Chief, something flickered across my vision, and my expression shifted instantly.

This...

***

’My head hurts. It hurts a lot.’

Walking into a private room, the Section Chief rubbed his forehead. When Seth stepped in after him, he rubbed it again, the lines on his face deepening as though the sight alone doubled his headache.

’...It really hurts.’

It started to hurt even more when he stared at the silver-haired girl who was about to step into the room.

"Wait out for a moment. I’ll talk with you later."

"...."

The girl stood in silence for a short moment before turning back and leaving the room. She had yet to speak a single word with him, but she had been strangely obedient ever since he had been given responsibility over her.

’I’m sure the Guild Master did something to make her like this.’

He was also the one who had given him the task of assigning her to Seth’s team. Of course, only if Seth agreed.

The Section Chief was unsure of the reason for this command, but he understood that the Guild Master most certainly had some intention with this.

All he needed to do was follow orders.

"So...?"

Pulling his attention towards Seth as he sat with his arms folded, and his eyes narrowed, the Section Chief felt the lines on his forehead double.

I really...

"There are a couple of things that I want to talk about. Mainly, however, I want to know the reason why you don’t want the girl in the group. Her capabilities are quite good, and if you’re worried about her going crazy, then there’s no worry. The Guil—"

"I thought you weren’t going to mention her."

The Section Chief blinked.

"Did I say that?"

Seth’s lips twitched, and he pressed his hands on the table.

"Alright, I guess—"

"Five hundred thousand."

Seth’s movements came to a sudden stop.

His face grew blank, and his head slowly lifted to stare directly at the Section Chief as an audible gulp echoed.

"You said..."

"The Guild will invest another half a million in your game if you agree. Of course, the profits you make will be all yours."

"....."

Seth’s chest rose and fell at a quicker pace. No matter how hard he tried to steady himself, his expression still gave him away.

This was half a million...

But still—

"No."

Seth remained firm with his rejection. That wasn’t enough money for him.

"The offer is tempting, but—"

"One million."

Seth’s breathing grew incredibly rough, his lips twitching alongside his dark eyes. He was desperately trying to keep himself calm, but in the Section Chief’s eyes, he sounded no different than a starved dog.

He knew that all he needed to do was push a little more.

"One million alongside an individual marketing budget of—"

"Tell her to arrive early in the morning tomorrow."

Seth stood up from his seat, his expression firm and calm. As he opened the door to the room, he looked at the woman who stood outside the door and greeted her with a courteous smile.

"I hope you forgive me for what happened before. Let’s hope for a happy cooperation."

Clank—!

The door closed shortly after, leaving the Section Chief alone in the room. As the silence settled, he leaned his head forward and muttered, "I’ve never doubted your commands, Guild Master, but I’m really starting to doubt them this time. Just what in the world are you trying to do?"

***

’Looks like they suspect something.’

The smile quickly wiped from my face the moment I left the room and entered my own office.

I wasn’t stupid.

I could see that this was no coincidence.

’Judging from the Section Chief’s face, he doesn’t seem to be aware just yet, and the only person who can command him is the Guild Master. It looks like, just like Myles, he has figured something out. He’s trying to use Ariel to investigate me further.’

The first thought that came to my mind when I realized this was, ’Should I leave? I have to leave.’

However, after a moment’s thought, I realized that by leaving, I’d confirm all the suspicions.

It wasn’t a wise idea to leave.

With that being said, it also became clear to me that something had happened to Ariel. She was a lot quieter and reserved than I had anticipated. At first, I had assumed it was because she was in enemy territory, but it became clear rather quickly that it wasn’t the case.

[New Quest Activated!]

• Difficulty:

N/A

• Reward:

10 Fragments [Purity 50%+]

• Objective:

Help break the seal in Ariel’s body.

•

Location:

N/A

•

Failure:

The user will have their identity exposed.

Description:

A certain seal has been placed on Ariel’s body. She is now extremely obedient and follows every order of the one who placed it on her. She has been ordered to keep a close eye on you.

Time Limit:

N/A

[Will you accept the quest?]

▶ [Yes] ▷ [No]

Indeed, the quest that came the moment after I began to walk to the Section Chief’s room made everything clear to me.

It was also the main reason why I chose to accept the offer. While the money was tempting, it wasn’t as tempting as my own life. The reason why I had chosen to take the offer was something else entirely.

’Maybe, just maybe... I have found a way to get out of this predicament.’

But—

I slowly lowered my head to stare at my arms, noticing the hair that was bristling upwards as I forced a smile.

I could very well be falling into the depths of hell in doing so.