[Do you wish to convert into SP?]
[You will receive 9,000 SP]
▶ [Yes] ▷ [No]
My hand trembled as I stared at the computer screen, and then at my phone. This was a lot of money. It was practically all of the money that I had made in the game.
The beautiful house. The nice vacation in the beautiful resort. The…
[9,000 SP has been added to your account!]
“Ukh!”
I held onto my chest, trying my best not to pass out from the pain.
‘This is a necessary long-term investment. 90,000 will be nothing in the future when I make millions. Yes, I’ll make millions.’
Though I said this, I was still feeling the pain from converting this much money.
I had always been poor, and so, this money meant a lot to me.
Seeing it gone like that really left me feeling empty. But not for long. I understood that this was all an investment for my new and upcoming game, and after looking at the shop list available for the developer mode, I was a little downhearted to see that I could barely afford a few software for my upcoming game.
All the good ones were too expensive for the current me to purchase.
But I had been aware of this since the start.
I already had my eyes set on a certain software.
─────
[Whispering Fog]
Type/Software
Description: A visual effect — fog that appears in certain areas and carries whispering voices that mention the player’s previous actions or thoughts.
Effect: Implies the game is observing the player. The whispers could escalate over time, repeating things the player shouldn’t have said out loud.
Rating :★⯪ [1.5]
Price : 19,000 SP
─────
Of all the software that was available to me, this one appeared to be the best one that I could get with the SP that I had available.
I also had several ideas on how to use this software effectively when creating the game.
“It’ll help create tension by making the player stop speaking, adding to the silence that could take over during the most tense moments. If I also add this to the recording, then I can probably elevate the game to a completely different level from my previous one.”
I could already feel my own heartbeat racing rapidly at the thought.
But there was one thing that bothered me.
“The rating of the software is only 1.5… Will that be enough to create a two-star game? Surely if I add the recording, I might be able to do it, but…”
I pressed my lips together.
I really didn’t know. This was a big investment.
If I spent this much SP and still didn’t achieve two stars, then it could be considered a failure. The thought made me hesitant, but I quickly dispelled those thoughts.
“I don’t have much time. The deadline for my other quests is coming up, and I’m in desperate need of money. I need to get this game started as quickly as possible.”
Time was of the essence, and I couldn’t afford to waste any of it.
As such, dispelling all hesitation, I purchased the software pack and immediately got to work.
“This better be fucking worth it…”
***
The days began to pass.
Completely immersed in the creation of his new game, Seth rarely left his office besides the few times when he went back to the dorms to sleep or the times when he went to the kitchen in order to make himself some coffee.
At first, he only did small amounts of it.
Small… as opposed to the others in the Guild. But it didn’t take long for him to just dump half of the jars of powdered coffee into his cup before adding some water and drinking them.
He had become an addict.
Such a sight became a frequent one within the Containment Department, as people started to refer to him as the ‘wandering ghost’ of the department.
With his glaring black circles, pale expression, and hunched back, he looked no different than a ghost.
Thankfully, everyone was already used to seeing such sights, and thus, nobody thought too much of it.
There was also the fact that more pressing matters were taking their attention.
Such as the sudden visit by the Bureau.
That event was particularly large, making everyone within the Containment Department on edge. Thankfully, nothing much came out of it as they were only here for the Twisted Man. After a few hours, they left directly.
The final verdict was that the Twisted Man was a Melas class anomaly.
Not quite Thrall, but almost.
As a result, the Guild was awarded quite a few points, and they were now one step closer to reaching the King Grade.
On the top floor, the Guild Master’s office.
“You all must be aware as to why I’ve gathered all of you here, correct?”
The Guild Master’s voice gently traveled throughout the room as several figures stood before him. There were five in total, and they were all the Section Chiefs of each department within the Guild.
Seeing how his words were met with silence, the Guild Master figured everyone understood, and he turned his attention towards a haggard-looking figure.
“Following the recent success of the Containment Department, I’ve decided to increase their yearly budget by ten percent. I gathered all of you here to let you know that.”
The faces of a few Section Chiefs stiffened upon hearing the Guild Master’s words. While ten percent didn’t sound like much, it was actually quite a lot.
It was enough to considerably boost the department’s equipment and power.
The decision was therefore met with some opposition.
“Guild Master, don’t you think this is a bit too much? Ten percent is quite a lot, and…” The man speaking, the Section Chief of the Hording Department, a bulky man with bushy brows, short black hair, and beard, glanced at the Section Chief of the Containment Sector before shaking his head.
“If we’re talking about contributions, the Containment Department has made the least over the years. I understand that their recent achievement is great, but we’re the ones who provide the most profits and points for the Guild. This is unfair.”
The Section Chief’s words were met with silence, with none of the other Section Chiefs saying a single thing.
However, their silence spoke volumes.
One could see with a glance that they all agreed with the Hording Department Chief.
The Containment Sector was indeed the least profitable department, with its results barely being adequate.
“In terms of sponsorships and brand deals, the talents that provide most of the money come from our departments, while they only have a couple of profitable members. They are also less exposed to danger since all they have to do is solve puzzles and stuff. We need equipment unlike them. Isn’t it unfair for us?”
“Unfair?”
The Guild Master looked at the Section Chiefs before shaking his head.
“You guys must already be aware of the disparity in budget between the five departments, correct?”
“That’s—”
“You must be aware that even if we add ten percent to the Containment Department, their budget is still far inferior to all of yours, correct?”
The Hoarding Section Chief wanted to argue, but the moment he opened his mouth, he found himself closing it back as he saw the sharpness in the Guild Master’s gaze. He knew then that there was no point in arguing.
Whenever the Guild Master made such a face, arguing was pointless.
He could only suck it up for now.
Seeing the Hoarding Section Chief quiet down, the Guild Master smiled faintly before turning his attention towards the other Section Chiefs.
He could tell with a glance that they were all dissatisfied with the decision.
There was a certain stigma between the other four departments and the containment department. It made them look down on them and think they were useless, but that was the furthest thing from the truth.
The Containment Department may not have the greatest of achievements compared to the other departments, but it was extremely important, if not the most important department within the Guild.
That was why he had gathered all the Section Chiefs in his office.
He wanted to break the stigma between the five departments.
“If you guys don’t believe that the containment department deserves the raise, how about this…”
The Guild Master paused, carefully chewing on his words before suddenly smiling.
“…How about each department sends a few of their most promising talents to the containment department for a week or so in order to experience the place. Have them do some of the tasks, and see if it’s as easy as you think it is.”
Pressing his hand against the table, he looked directly at each one of them.
“How about it? Will you accept?”