The idea of using my own anomalies for my works had always crossed my mind.
For example, I had always thought of making use of the conductor in order to create music that would fit each one of my games.
Granted, the conductor would become my anomaly.
As things stood, I was more likely to become a part of its audience than anything else.
“…While it is true that Mr. Jingles is only granting me two chances to hypnotize people, that shouldn’t include games, right? Or do the anchors need to be real-life items?”
I drummed my fingers over the table before summoning the clown.
The room turned cold as its figure appeared right before me, and my expression tensed slightly.
However, trying my best to remain calm, I asked about what I was thinking.
“Do you think it’s possible?”
“…..”
Mr. Jingles remained quiet.
The silence felt pressuring.
But then—
Nod.
The clown nodded, and my eyes lit up.
“Really? In that case—”
“Degree… hypnosis… low.”
“Hm?”
I paused for a moment and looked at the clown.
Why was its voice so… robotic?
It was almost as if it was struggling to speak.
’Is it because of the strength difference between the two of us? Most of its strength is reduced because of me?’
That made sense.
Mirelle was also struggling to use her full strength.
In that case…
“You say the degree is low, but is it possible?”
The clown nodded again.
“….”
I sat in silence while my mind churned.
I was trying my best to keep myself from becoming excited.
If it were truly possible, and I could implement Mr. Jingles into the game, then it would really catapult it to the next level.
But there were still a couple of things that I needed to take into consideration.
1. Synergy with the game.
The hypnosis needed to synergize with the game.
Be it the storyline and the hypnosis.
I couldn’t just add it for the sake of adding it.
2. Mr. Jingles’ involvement couldn’t be big.
With the Section Chief present, I couldn’t risk making it a big part of the game. There’d be a high chance he’d find something strange about it if that were the case.
I had to make its involvement subtle.
Even if the game protected Mr. Jingles from being discovered.
It was just so that I could play it on the safe side.
There was still one thing that bothered me.
’Unlike the recording that doesn’t require the conductor, this might require Mr. Jingle’s attention. This might not be sustainable if the game is played by tens of thousands of people.’
The thought made me frown deeply.
For now, I wasn’t too bothered by this aspect.
My main focus was the upcoming demonstration, but this was something I’d need to consider once the multiplayer update rolled out.
“…Alright.”
Massaging my face and looking at the clown, I sighed to myself.
“Help me out this time. The people that I’m trying to impress are the ones who have the best chance of helping me get into the BAU. We can’t mess this up.”
“….”
The clown simply stood in silence.
But that silence spoke volumes as I quickly started to get to work.
I didn’t have much time.
There was only one day left until the deadline, but this was enough.
What I was going to add was nothing too big.
…And as the hours passed, and the next day came, a notification appeared before my vision.
“No, this isn’t enough.”
Pursing my lips, I stared at my laptop before eventually opening the software shop. After a while, I clenched my teeth and purchased a new software.
Fuck it.
I then proceeded to install it into the game.
“This is good. I—Hm?”
Ding—!
A notification flashed, causing me to freeze.
[A Twisted Game] (2.0) –> (2.5)
By the time I snapped out of it, my breath couldn’t help but pause.
“I did it…”
The game…
It had finally reached the next level.
***
New recruits rolled in every couple of months into the Guild.
This was mainly due to the high turnover rate and high mortality rate. Incidents occurred, and the job wasn’t one where safety was guaranteed.
This was one of the main reasons why the Containment Department was lagging behind most of the other departments.
The mortality rate of the Containment Department was the highest by far.
This wasn’t surprising.
Unlike the Containment Department, the other departments dealt with more linear and predictable situations, resulting in significantly lower risks. Additionally, their larger budgets allowed them to afford superior safety equipment.
Anomalies were anything but predictable.
Most of them couldn’t even be brute forced into clearing like the other departments.
It was for this exact reason that the mortality rate was so high.
“Is everything set up? The new recruits should be coming soon. They’re an extremely talented batch. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get them.”
A man stood with both hands clasped behind his back, his expression relaxed. A top hat sat neatly atop his head, matching the black coat draped over his shoulders as he strolled into the Containment Department.
Standing next to him was the Section Chief.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. As far as I’m aware, the preparations should be done soon.”
“I see.”
The man didn’t say anything and just looked around.
As he walked into the department, nobody took notice of his presence. It was as if he were completely invisible to the eyes of everyone present.
“…I’m rather curious about this new system. I’ve checked the game myself, but it doesn’t look particularly scary. However, I’ll trust your judgement and see if it’s truly worth investing in.”
“Yes.”
The Section Chief nodded.
Truthfully, he wasn’t confident. He had wanted to get someone to try the game before him so that he could confirm whether it worked or not.
However, he had simply been too busy to do so.
In the end, the day that the new recruits arrived was here, and there was no longer time for him to do any checking.
Especially when…
“Guild Master, this way.”
The Section Chief suddenly pointed towards a room where the two of them entered.
Clank!
Upon entering the room, they were met with the sight of numerous desks, each enclosed by tall temporary partitions that prevented any direct line of sight between occupants. Every desk was equipped with multiple monitors, each hooked up to a headset.
Standing not far from the desks was a certain figure.
He merely glanced at them before nodding.
“Hello.”
That was all he said before going back to work.
The Section Chief’s face twitched for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, a hand stopped up.
“….?”
When he looked to his right, he saw the Guild Master shake his head as his gaze was firmly focused on Seth, who looked extremely concentrated on whatever he was doing.
“Leave him be. I’m growing more and more curious about this entire thing.”
“….I understand.”
Unaware of what he had just done, Seth’s gaze remained fixed on his laptop.
He was busy playing solitaire.
Everything had already been set up at the moment. There was not much else that he needed to do. However, taking into account just how important this entire thing was, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.
This was why he chose to play solitaire.
It was to calm his nerves down.
’No, this doesn’t work. This also doesn’t—’
It was right as things were starting to get complicated that the door to the room opened again.
Slowly turning his head, Seth’s expression paused.
Then…
Closing down his laptop, he looked at the Section Chief and the man standing next to him.
“It looks like we can begin.”
The new recruits were here.