The reason why I asked the Section Chief to send me to the gates was simple. I wanted to build up experience.
Be it through watching tapes of other teams or entering the gates, I wanted to build more experience.
I had become painfully aware of how my naivety and lack of knowledge in this industry had nearly cost me my life. Working on bettering my sleep and diet was just one part of the main problem.
In order for me to survive, I needed to build up experience.
’Especially if I want to tackle high-level order missions.’
Let alone the Conductor quest. I only had six months in order to clear a Fourth Order quest. How in the world was I going to be able to handle that?
…I was really screwed.
The only way I could see myself beating that was by somehow clearing the Conductor Quest.
But that was easier said than done.
’I really shot myself in the foot back then.’
Not that I had much of a choice.
“Are you serious about wanting to build up more experience?”
Hearing the Section Chief’s voice, I felt a wave of mixed emotions wash over me. Especially when I saw that unsettling, almost creepy smile still lingering on his face.
’…I really am starting to get second thoughts.’
Nonetheless, regardless of how I felt, I still ended up nodding my head.
“Yes, I’m pretty serious.”
I sighed.
“I feel like, after the most recent incident, if not for Kyle and Zoey helping me out, I wouldn’t be walking here. I also know that regardless of what I do, I’ll end up facing a scenario like this again. In that case, I might as well just try my best to build up experience so that situations like that don’t repeat again.”
The Section Chief’s smile turned a little softer.
“That’s a good mentality to have, although the one that actually saved you was Myles. You should be grateful to him, too.”
“Oh, right…”
No, fuck him.
“Hmm.”
The Section Chief crossed his arms and tucked his hand under his chin, seemingly falling into deep thought before looking back at me.
“Well, if you’re truly serious about this, then I suggest joining the next batch of recruits coming in next week. You’ll be the eleventh member. How does that sound? It’ll give you the chance to be right alongside them and learn the ins and outs of the industry firsthand.”
“That… makes sense.”
“Great!”
The Section Chief smacked me on the back, his smile larger than ever.
“Uekh!”
This time, I couldn’t hold my groan.
Bastard!
“I’ll leave you to it then. I’ve got quite a bit of work to catch up on. I wish you the best of luck with your project. I can’t wait to see the results of your work!”
The Section Chief was like a storm.
He was unpredictable, and he came and left as he wished.
Seeing his departing back, I scratched my back several times before shaking my head and going back to my dorms.
“…Fucking hurts.”
’I better get some sleep. There’s quite a lot that I need to get done tomorrow.’
At the same time, just thinking about the fact that I’d have to hit the gym again tomorrow sent a sudden wave of nausea through me.
…I really didn’t want to go.
*
The next day came faster than I wanted it to.
Despite sleeping more than I usually did, I didn’t feel like getting out the bed at all. This was a first for me.
“It.. hurts!”
But the moment I turned, it was like my chest erupted in flames.
Just the tiniest of movements hurt like hell.
The pain was quite a lot. And yet, I knew that I had to get up. Thus, with a groan, I got out of bed and got changed for the gym. By the time I got there, I received the same stares I had gotten on the first day.
I ignored all of those and did my exercises before going back to my dorm, where I took a shower and headed back to my office.
As I did, the first thing I did was check my mail.
“…That’s less than I expected.”
I had originally expected more replies, but I only received two more.
I spent the next hour looking through my emails and looking at other websites for freelancers.
By the time I was done, I found myself on a private chat with three individuals. A couple ended up bailing out on me, and these were the only ones who were willing to accept the job offer.
I frowned.
’This doesn’t make sense at all.’
It wasn’t like the job was bad or it paid low.
Why was everyone so hesitant?
“Well, whatever.”
The first thing I did once the group was created was insert several contracts.
This was, of course, necessary.
I couldn’t have them leak anything.
’Not that I care too much. Even if they do end up leaking, they won’t be able to replicate the effects of my games.’
It was still necessary for me to create the contracts and send them over.
Poke~
“….Stop it.”
Feeling something poke my cheek, I quickly swatted it away while looking at the chat in front of me.
Poke~ Poke~
“…..”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Hold it in. Hold it in.
Poke~ Poke~ Poke~
I clenched my teeth and turned my head, only to see a tall, shadowy figure standing beside me. Its long finger was extended, slowly pressing against my cheek.
Pooooke~
“I don’t want to wrestle you. At least not now.”
I pointed at my work.
“…I’ve got work. Maybe later.”
Ever since ’that’ incident in the past, the Dreamwalker had developed a sort of addiction.
It really liked to wrestle with me for some reason.
To make matters worse…
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Popping out of the painting, Mirelle raised her hand and pumped it in the air.
“Fight! Fight! Beat him!”
“Not now. Later. Also, whose side are you on?”
“Booo! Fight! Beat him blacky!”
I clenched my teeth and tried my best to ignore the chaos around me.
But as if those two weren’t bad enough—
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!
A sudden squeaking sound echoed out loud, and when I turned my head, I saw Mr. Jingles hand a horn to Mirelle as she suddenly started pressing it loudly.
Squeak! Squeak!
“Fight! Fight!”
I looked at the sight in shock.
Since when did the clown get along well with the others?
No…
I squinted my eyes.
Looking at the way the clown was looking at Mirelle as it handed her even more stuff, I suddenly shuddered.
This clown…
It was a massive pervert!
“Leave her alone! She’s not the same little girl that you’re supposed to make happy!”
“….”
The clown looked at me before ignoring me and handing Mirelle a small red ball.
“Waah! What’s this?”
Mirelle grabbed onto the ball and squeezed it a couple of times.
She quickly lost interest before tossing the ball away. At the same time she did, I watched how the clown’s shoulders hunched as its bright red colors almost seemed to turn gray.
It looked sad.
“Pftt.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
But I probably shouldn’t have, as the clown looked back at me.
I shuddered then and raised both hands.
“That, I’m—”
“Mr. Clown.”
At that moment, Mirelle clung to the clown, her crystal eyes locked onto its face, and just like that, color began to return to its body.
’Shit, it’s really a pervert!’
Poke~
“….!?”
Feeling another poke, I suddenly glared at the Dreamwalker.
“I’m working. Let me—”
“I want chips. Can you get me some chips?”
Squeak!
The clown pressed its horn as if signaling to her that it would.
That was when I paused and looked in their direction again.
“No, you already had three of them today. Stop it before—”
Poke~
“….”
Poke~
“….”
Poke~
“You wanted to fight, right?”
I closed my laptop before looking at the Dreamwalker and rolling up my sleeves.
“…Forget fighting, this is a life and death battle.”
I picked up my chair and swung it at the Dreamwalker.
“Die!”
BANG!
This wasn’t bonding.
This was me setting things straight.