“Let me quickly schedule a press conference.”
Given his position within the Guild, it wasn’t difficult for the Section Chief to arrange a press conference. Especially after the recent bombshell interview, public interest was high, and everyone was waiting to hear how the Guild would respond.
As such, the moment the Section Chief announced the press conference, news quickly spread throughout the entire island.
“…This is becoming much bigger than I thought.”
Putting the phone down and letting out a long sigh, the Section Chief covered his face.
He was starting to feel exhausted.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have arranged this.”
In hindsight, he knew that there was really no need to hold a press conference and explain the situation to the world. However, he understood that a lot of the investors had been calling for the Guild to explain itself.
He couldn’t allow the Guild Master to bear the full brunt of their complaints.
And…
’This can turn out to be a good opportunity for our department.’
The Section Chief was now fully aware of the fact that the game worked. At least, against people with low experience and order.
“I’m certain that the other Guilds and people will be interested in the game once we make the announcement, and they’ll try it for themselves. Once they realize that our actions weren’t baseless and that we have a more exclusive copy, our popularity might actually increase.”
This could provide their Guild with the necessary edge that could push their Guild into reaching the King Grade.
Turning around, the Section Chief walked towards the wardrobe that sat in the corner of the room. He walked towards it and opened it.
Staring at the suit that was neatly arranged inside, he smiled.
“How long has it been since I’ve last worn you?”
***
The news of the press conference had pretty much spread throughout the entire Guild.
By the time I returned to my office and began sorting things out, I eventually had to stop; there was no way to ignore the noise coming from just outside the door.
“…Looks like everyone is starting to panic.”
Coming out of the office, I saw that the area was filled with people.
There were a lot of people that I didn’t recognize, and I couldn’t help but raise my brow at the sight.
’What’s going on? Did everyone come back just for the press conference?’
This was a bit surprising.
“Excuse me. Coming through.”
Pushing a few people to the side, I eventually moved ahead until I spotted Kyle and the others. They were all together, discussing some things.
“What’s going on?”
The moment I approached them, they all paused, and Kyle turned to look at me.
“You haven’t heard? It’s—”
“I know it’s about the press conference, but how come there are so many people here? This is the first time I’ve seen so many people at the same time.”
“Oh.”
Kyle had a sudden look of understanding as he turned his attention towards the monitor in front of him.
“…This is the first time that the Section Chief has made a public appearance in quite a while. Most people here are here to see how he handles the situation.”
“That’s it?”
“Yup.”
Kyle nodded before pausing.
“Well, let’s just say that everyone is worried. You know…” Kyle pointed at his temple before twirling his finger around. “The Section Chief isn’t exactly the most sane of people. He tends to go overboard. We’re all just here to watch the show.”
“…..”
What…?
Seriously?
They weren’t here because they were worried, but because they were waiting for him to blow up?
’And you call him crazy?’
“Make some space. I want to see too.”
I pushed the others to the side and stared at the monitor.
Zoey turned her head and pressed her finger against her lip.
“Shhh. It’s starting.”
All noise ceased in that moment.
The monitor flickered, revealing a long table set against a plain cardboard backdrop. One that contained the logo of the Guild, alongside several sponsors. Camera flashes burst in rapid succession as several figures took their seats behind the desk.
“Look!”
“…Oh, my god.”
The faces of many changed upon spotting a certain figure.
I couldn’t help but feel a jolt of surprise as I looked at the Section Chief. Dressed in a sharp dark suit, his hair neatly combed and his beard freshly trimmed, he looked strikingly put-together, a far cry from his usual disheveled appearance.
“Someone pinch me. I’m not seeing things, righ—hey!”
Feeling a certain glare, I cocked my head.
“What? You said—”
“That was a figurative speech!”
Zoey replied, spitting each word at me.
I opened my mouth but soon nodded.
“Okay.”
“You… never mind.”
She glared at me once more, but stopped as the interview started.
The Section Chief was the first to speak.
—Good afternoon, everyone. As many of you already know, I am the Section Chief of the Containment Department. I’m here today to address the recent interview that took place at Crownfall and to provide an adequate response.
Even the way he spoke was so different than usual.
I was starting to doubt whether the Section Chief had been possessed or not.
But immediately after the Section Chief spoke, the place erupted into chaos as multiple reporters spoke over each other.
—I have a question!
—Please answer regarding the allegation. Is it true that you’re using games to train trainees? Not VR ones, but actual games?
—Is it also true that you suggested your trainees kick little ghosts?
Hearing some of the questions, I saw several people cover their faces in shame.
Groans filled the place.
’He really needs to stop with that.’
’He says it so much that now people will think we are weird…’
No, you are weird.
The press conference was a mess, but thankfully, the Guild was trained for this stuff, and a lot of the mess was quelled as eventually only one reporter remained standing.
—Hello. I’m Adam from the NCPJ Times. I’m a big fan of your work, but I’d like to ask about the question that most of us have been wondering. Is there any truth to trainee Milshine’s words? Did you truly use video games to train your recruits?
The place turned silent following the question.
All eyes fell on the Section Chief.
…But not all. Some fell on me.
And then—
—Yes, it’s true.
The Section Chief nodded.
—We’ve started to use games to train the trainees.
Immediately, murmurs and whispers echoed across the entire press conference. Many looked at the Section Chief in doubt.
Although none of them said a thing, I could see that they were all thinking that he had lost it.
I opened up my phone and looked at the live comments on the conference.
[Severed Star Guild has really fallen too low. They’ve obviously been growing far too fast for their own good. They didn’t grow like the other Guilds, and it’s clear that its foundation is shaky. They’ve grown too greedy.
[I was thinking of joining the Guild, but it looks like I’ll think of something else.]
[Games? Seriously? Is this a joke? He has to be joking.]
The situation was not good.
A lot of the comments looked to be making fun of the Guild.
It didn’t take long for the Guild to start trending.
#DownfallofSeveredStars
I pressed my lips together at the sight.
And then…
Just as the situation was starting to escalate even further, the Section Chief’s voice echoed once more.
—…I can see that a lot of you think I’m crazy. That the Guild is falling apart because of this decision.
He smiled, and then looked at the camera.
Then…
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he raised his middle finger.
—Fuck you.
The chat went quiet in that moment.
But not for long.
Following a brief pause, the chat exploded.
This was the moment that I understood Kyle’s previous words and turned off my phone.
’…Maybe I shouldn’t have suggested the press conference.’