Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! - Chapter 280: Third Order [1]

Chapter 280: Third Order [1]

D — 4

The entire Guild was in a state of tension. People scrambled about as they prepared for the upcoming gate.

I watched all of this from my office, leaning against the doorframe while frowning.

’…So, it’s not like we’re all going. Only an elite group will go, but the Guild has yet to release the list of people going since they are still not sure how many they can bring. In the end, they’re trying to get everyone ready.’

I didn’t really know how to feel about this, especially since there was a chance that I could get picked.

’This is pretty troublesome.’

Most importantly, there was another thing bothering me.

Kyle’s senior.

Listening to what Kyle had said, and doing some research on him, he was apparently one of the original stars of the Guild.

He was also well respected, and recalling the expression on Kyle’s face, I knew that Kyle looked up to him a lot.

In the end, however, he went to a Guild on the main island, leaving everyone behind.

Seeing the hateful looks on the faces of some people, I could tell that many resented his decision.

’…But I don’t think he did the wrong thing.’

He was merely looking out for his own interests. There was nothing really wrong with that. Not only was the main island filled with opportunities, but the money was also much better there.

I’d probably switch too if given the chance.

’Well, maybe not. Let’s see in the future.’

I kind of liked it at the Guild. I didn’t plan on jumping ship unless I had to.

At the end of the day, my interests came first. I couldn’t afford to care about things like loyalty when my life was on the line.

Which also brought me back to my previous thoughts about the system.

’I should try not to be too reliant on it. In this case, I should try to be more proactive. Integrate myself more with the world and increase my strength naturally. I should also be more careful when selecting quests.’

All of them were there to help me increase my strength. But in the end, what was the goal of the system? What did it achieve by making me stronger?

The more I thought about my current situation, the sicker I felt.

’Still, for now, I don’t really have much of a choice.’

Turning back and closing the door behind me, I went to my desk, opened the drawer, and took out all the fragments I had managed to collect.

There were a total of twenty-three fragments, of which only seven were of good purity:

[92%, 67%, 78%, 83%, 72%, 93%, 88%]

Two were of an okay percentage:

[51%, 53%]

The rest were just bad. Below 50%.

I looked at my current account balance.

[6,087 SP]

“…..”

I was nearly broke. Looking at the fax machine and recalling how each attempt cost about 500 SP, I knew it wouldn’t be enough.

In the end, I had no choice but to check my bank account.

[Current Balance: 763,338$]

I nearly whistled at the sight. It was… a very pretty sight.

Following the money I had made from the game, coupled with what I had remaining inside, this was the total. A pretty good sum.

And… one that depleted rather quickly.

No, it was more like an instant.

[Current Balance: 63,338$]

I felt a pang in my heart as I stared at my account. The sum was fine, but thinking back to how massive it had been made me feel bitter.

At least my SP had increased.

[Balance: 76,087 SP]

I nearly cried as I walked toward the fax machine and started operating it.

Of the twenty-three fragments, fifteen I had already removed the attribute from. They were the ones I had gotten from the bet.

It was also there that I learned of Mirelle’s Decree.

She was of the ’Warden’ Decree. In essence, she had the ability to ’null’ anything with her voice. It was an incredibly powerful Decree. Of course, the strength of her powers was proportional to mine.

“In any case…”

I looked at the fax machine.

[13%]

Just staring at the purity of the fragment made me want to spit on the floor.

’They really didn’t play nice.’

I thought about sending my next game to them while making sure to make it harder for them.

’Now that I think about it, I haven’t checked the situation with my game. I should do that later.’

I was kind of curious. But for now, this was more important.

I looked back at the fax machine and pressed the red button on top.

[Purity Enhancer: 500 SP has been deducted from your account.]

I tried to ignore the message while the fax machine roared to life.

Secretly cursing under my breath, I waited for the machine to display a result.

It didn’t take long.

Ding!

A chime rang, and a new percentage appeared:

[7%]

I smiled.

This was going to be a long day, wasn’t it?

*

[Current Balance: 3,081 SP]

“….”

I stared at the empty ceiling above me.

’What is life…?’

Was it simply the biological distinction in actions, or the ability to think?

Life… what a complicated question.

Blinking slowly, I pulled myself out of my state and stared at the numerous fragments in front of me.

[92%, 67%, 78%, 83%, 72%, 93%, 88%, 74%, 70%, 76%, 71%, 73%, 69%, 75%, 77%, 72%, 70%, 74%, 71%]

Somehow, I had managed to get all fragments at an overall average of 75.84%.

This was a relatively high percentage, much higher than my previous node.

The bad news was that, in the entire process, three shards had shattered, and I had consumed about 73,000 SP just to get all of these to an appropriate percentage.

I only had one shard left…

I also barely had any SP.

If I ran out of SP or the shard shattered, I’d be in serious trouble.

’I might be able to get another shard, but what about the money? It’s about 5,000$ per attempt. And it’s not like each attempt works.’

Some shards went high on the first try, while others took more than five. I even went fifteen times empty before I got something.

This was ridiculous.

“Alright.”

I took a deep breath, my hand trembling slightly as I placed the last fragment on the fax.

[21%]

I had stopped cursing by now. I had already sworn in my heart to make the worst game possible and force them to play it.

Well, so long as I was still alive…

Given my current percentages, I could use the fragment, but I didn’t want to lower the average. It would still be above 70%, but…

’Even though I’m in a rush, I need to make sure my node is the best possible. I don’t think I can handle any more fractures.’

Staring at the fax machine, I took several deep breaths before finally pressing the red button.

Then—

The fax machine roared into action as I stared at the number panel.

[Purity Enhancer: 500 SP has been deducted from your account.]

I had about six more tries. Realistically, fewer, since I needed SP to buy medicine.

’I can still add more, but I’m not sure I want to do that.’

Biting my lips, I stared at the fax machine. It was taking longer than usual, and my anxiety grew with each second.

My leg tapped against the floor, and my breathing quickened.

I waited for what felt like forever until—

Ding!

The chime finally rang, and a percentage appeared:

[64%]

I clenched my hand into a fist.

“Good enough!”

I could now try for the third order.

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