Chapter 79: Shepherd [1]
"The twisted man?"
That name... It didn’t really seem fitting when I thought back to the video that Kyle showed me just moments prior.
Kyle shrugged.
"I know what you’re thinking, and I think the same. I don’t make the names, though. Mummified man also didn’t sound good. I think they just went with twisted man because the insides of all the victims are twisted."
"...Oh."
That felt kind of lazy.
"Well, either way, you should be careful. Things within the island might get quite hectic soon. If things get really bad, then the other departments might also get involved, but I think it’s fine for now. An S-Ranked Gate recently opened up on the main island. That’s part of the reason the Guild is rather peaceful these days."
"An <S> ranked gate...?"
That sounded pretty serious. As far as I knew, <S> ranked gates were the most dangerous Gates.
They were considered to be almost unclearable gates.
"You don’t have to worry too much about the Gate. It’s a Horde-Type Gate, meaning that it has nothing to do with us. Our job is to handle this situation currently."
Our?
Yeah, no.
’It’s just you. There’s no ours.’
"I see."
I still pretended to nod.
I was still somewhat unfamiliar with how the Guild operated and what the other departments did.
However, from the looks of things, each department had its own hands full.
I once again rejoiced at the fact that I didn’t join the Guild.
No, wait... I actually did join.
But it was a fake position and stuff.
’Surely that doesn’t count, right?’
I shook my head. Whatever the case was, I had to quickly get back to the office and give the chips to Mirelle.
"Well, whatever the situation is... It sounds rough. I hope you manage to figure something out soon."
"Yeah. At the rate things are going, I don’t think I’ll get much sleep."
Kyle turned around and grabbed another jar filled with instant coffee. I thought about stopping him, but then decided to leave him be.
I could relate.
Continuing to hide the chips behind my back, I glanced at my office in the distance and spoke, "Either way, I need to get back to my office. There are a few things that I need to take care of regarding my game."
"Oh, right... Yeah, your game."
Kyle shook his finger in the air.
"How is that going?"
"...I’d say pretty good."
More than good if someone took into account how long it took to develop.
"Oh, is that so? I’m glad to hear that. I’m glad people are enjoying your game."
"Thanks."
I had yet to check my current analytics, but I was sure they were even better than before.
’Maybe just maybe I cracked the six-digit mark.’
The thought made me excited as I turned around while keeping the chips behind me and slowly moved away from Kyle.
"Well, I’ll see you later. I hope you get some rest soon."
"...I wish."
Kyle lowered his head in defeat while dumping the coffee powder into his cup and adding hot water shortly after. I took the chance to turn around and leave, dashing for my office and closing the door right after.
"Huuuungry."
An all too familiar voice reached my ears shortly after as Mirelle appeared by the painting, half of her body hanging out while she looked at me.
"Hu—"
"I got it."
I took out the chips and showed them to Mirelle.
"Eh?"
Her large eyes blinked as she looked at the chips, her head tilting a little.
"What is that?"
"They’re chips."
I moved closer to her while opening the package and giving it to her.
"Give it a try. They’re good."
"....."
Mirelle peeked further out from the painting as she started to sniff the chips.
Then...
Slowly reaching out with her little hand, she grabbed one chip before shoving it into her mouth.
Crunch!
A crunching sound echoed as she took a bite of the chip.
There wasn’t much of a reaction at first.
However, that quickly changed a few seconds after as her eyes widened.
".....!"
Her pupils dilated shortly after as she looked at the chips, and her hands moved right into the bag, grabbing as many chips as she could before shoving them down her face.
Crunch! Crunch!
"Hold on, slow down! Slow down...! I’m not going to steal the chips. What are you doing?"
With how aggressively she was shoving the chips in her mouth, she almost started to resemble a squirrel, and I had a hard time stopping her.
"Stop. Calm down..."
Only when I pulled the chips away did she finally stop as she looked at me, her eyes staring at me with a look that seemed to say, ’Why?’
"Stop for a second. I’m not going to take the chips away from you. Eat them slowly. If you eat them too much, you won’t be able to properly enjoy them."
"....."
Mirelle’s eyes narrowed, but after staring at the chips, she reluctantly nodded her head.
’Okay.’
Her mouth was still full, so she couldn’t speak.
I ended up giving her the chips back shortly after that as she slowed down, taking one chip at a time.
Pleased by the sight, I turned my attention away from her for just a second when...
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Mirelle started shoving the chips down her throat.
"....."
I didn’t even know how to react.
However, right before I could even turn around, another notification appeared.
[Update Complete!]
[Changes have been made. Please load the app to see!]
My lips twitched as I saw the message, as Mirelle continued to shove her mouth with the chips. However, I soon let go of it and moved towards the laptop.
’Just this time...’
She was also a ghost.
Mirelle was already dead, so it wouldn’t affect her too much.
"Let’s see."
I tapped on the app and loaded its interface.
─────
Game Developer : Seth Thorne
Status : First Order ▶ [See More]
▪ Basic Node : Containment Vessel ▶ [See More]
Items :
▪ Blank Mask.
▪ Spectral Glasses.
▪ Mr. Huggs.
▪ Quickstitch Outfit
Shop : Open
Quests : Unlocked (Available : 1)
▪ Expose the cult and its plans!
- Reward: 40,000 SP
- Time Limit : 2 months.
Developed Games :
[Gentle Whispers] Rating : ⯪☆☆☆☆(0.5)
[A regular day in the office] Rating : ★☆☆☆☆(1.0)
Balance : 4,822 SP
─────
The changes were quite noticeable.
Not only did the interface now have my balance, but I could also see several areas I could expand.
I didn’t waste a second and clicked on the [Containment Vessel] area.
There was something that I was really curious about.
Click.
The moment I left-clicked with my mouse, a new interface appeared.
─────
<F> Ranked Anomalous Entity - Nightwalker
[Description]
: A shadowy entity that thrives in complete darkness and recoils from anything bright. Exposure to light gradually weakens it, and prolonged contact can destroy it entirely. In the dark, however, it possesses strength comparable to that of a grown man.
Loyalty : 40 --> 25 [-15] (Your dare use me as a meatshield?)
<D> Ranked Anomalous Entity - Mirelle
[Description]
: The lingering spirit of a young girl who suffered years of abuse at the hands of her family, bound by the cruel traditions they followed. Her soul now haunts the very painting her parents commissioned to celebrate her upcoming birthday, the same day they had chosen to sacrifice her.
Loyalty : 50 --> 55 [+5] (Is very happy with the snack you gave her)
─────
"....."
My lips twitched the moment I read the Nightwalker’s loyalty area.
25...
That seemed rather low.
"Err..."
I really needed to think of a way to appease it. Thankfully, with this new interface, I could not see what they were thinking.
’In that case, I might be able to increase its loyalty again...’
But more than anything, I was curious about something else.
"Is it possible for me to upgrade them? To make them stronger...?"
It was a really intriguing thought. If it were possible to make them stronger, then I wanted to know how.
...Of course, before getting them stronger, I also planned on improving their loyalty.
I wouldn’t want to make them stronger so they could kill me faster.
I scanned the page, skipping over the description for now. I planned on checking it later.
For now, I wanted to see all of the new features.
I then expanded the first-order area.
─────
Status : First Order
Decree : Shepherd
Requirements for upgrade :
[10x] Attributeless Fragments
Purity : [0%]————————100%]
─────
"Huh?"
My eyes paused on the Decree area.
Shepherd?
What the hell was that?