Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!

Chapter 521: Preparations for the World Congress [1] "Hm?

" The moment I entered the room and spoke, I noticed a strange tension linger.

Pausing to look around me, I immediately noticed their stiff faces.

’What’s going on?

Why are they looking at me like that?

’ "Is something going on?

" I tried to address the situation quickly.

In fact, there wasn’t much time.

I had already made up my mind.

I wanted to train as much as possible with the team for the upcoming World Congress.

We had about a week and a half, and while I couldn’t guarantee results, it wasn’t as though I was completely helpless.

’...

There’s the system.

I can use it to help everyone become stronger.

’ "That’s it?

You’re just going to tell us to pack up like that?

" A resentful voice shook me out of my thoughts.

Looking in Nora’s direction, I paused when I saw the frown on her face.

What sort of...

"Not even a word in advance?

You’re just going to tell us to pack our shit and leave?

" Ah.

So that’s the problem.

I guess she had a point.

"You have a point.

However, there’s not much time.

The World Congress is near the corner, and I want to make the most of the little time available.

" "——!

" "...!!

" For some reason, everyone’s face stiffened further.

No, seriously...

What’s going on with them?

I was just about to open my mouth when Niel spoke over me.

"So in order to maximize your chances of winning the Congress, you have to send us packing?

" "Well, yeah.

Pretty much.

" Although I agreed, I paused for a moment.

Wait...

This didn’t sound quite right.

"I see.

" Niel smiled, adjusting his glasses and reaching for his bag.

At the same time he did, he started to pack up his stuff.

Joanna was the next one to start packing up.

"You’re all really packing?

" Nora looked around incredulously.

As though she found the entire situation to be ridiculous.

But after seeing that neither Joanna nor Niel responded, she clenched her teeth and muttered, ’Screw this.

Who am I to force myself to stay?

’ She soon started to pack up as well.

Still confused, I looked around.

I noticed the complicated look that I was receiving from the likes of Sarah and Min.

After which, I looked at Ariel.

She...

Well, she looked the same.

On the otherhand, Mia looked the saddest, her head hung low.

From the way she was acting, it almost felt as though the entire world had given up on her.

Did they really hate the idea of going out that much?

’Maybe they prefer training with my games?

’ I thought about it and found that to be a reasonable possibility.

In that case— "So?

Have you already decided who to replace us with?

" "Hm?

" I blinked, turning my attention towards Nora.

Her back was facing my way.

"You must have some candidates in mind since you’re telling us to leave so quickly.

I hope that they’re good.

After all, we can’t catch up to you anymore.

" "...?

" What was she talking about?

I looked around.

Everyone was giving me the side-eye, packing while seemingly waiting for me to explain.

Explain what?

"Wait a moment.

" I frowned while looking around me.

"What are you talking about?

" With a smirk, Nora slowly turned around.

"You don’t have to pretend.

Since you’ve already told us to pack, there’s no point in pretending like you aren’t trying to replace us with a new team.

" ".....?

" I felt even more question marks appear in my mind.

"Given your recent success, it’s only natural that you have your team upgraded with more valuable and important pieces.

While we’ve all grown stronger, we’re still far from your level.

Especially since you’ve become a Paragon.

Although I can’t say that I’m not disappointed, I understand.

I—" "Can you all stop for a second?

" I held onto my forehead while looking around me.

I felt a headache coming.

What in the world was running through their minds?

"I think I know what’s going on.

You all think that now that I’ve become a Paragon, I’m going to replace you, right?

" The silence that followed gave me enough confirmation.

I really felt like smacking my head this time.

"No, I’m not trying to replace you.

" "But you said—" "Well, yeah.

I said to pack up because I wanted to go to a Gate.

Since the World Congress is close, I wanted to spend as much time as possible training with you guys.

" "...

" The room fell quiet once more.

Everyone paused whatever they were doing.

Then— ".....

Eh?

" "Eh?

" "Ehhh?

" "Ehhhhhh?

" * "You know, I always had faith in you, Squad Leader.

" ".....

" "I was like, ’No!

There’s no way he’d abandon us!

’ and all that, you know?

" ".....

" "Hehe.

I always knew that you trusted us.

It’s just rumors spread, and everyone panicked.

I was the only one who didn’t panic.

Just know, I am your number one supporter.

" ".....

" "And like, I—Nnnnnn!?

What was that for!?

" Mia suddenly turned around and glared at Nora, who had just smacked the back of her head.

"Nobody is going to buy your nonsense.

Especially since your eyes are still red from crying.

" "Nnn?!

" Mia immediately tapped her eyes, muttering, ’No, I didn’t cry.

What are you talking about?

It was just some dust.

Squad Leader, believe me!

’ I didn’t pay attention to her and continued to look ahead.

We had left the Guild and were now headed in the direction of one of the Gates that I had selected to train.

However, on the way there, I couldn’t help but think about the entire situation.

’It hasn’t even been long since my discussion with the Guild Leader, and somehow, there are rumors about me wanting a new team?

Is this a coincidence?

’ I didn’t think so.

No, I was certain it wasn’t.

This was very likely the Guild Master’s way of pressuring me to accept his offer.

The stuffy feeling inside my chest grew further.

I really didn’t like this feeling.

The more he acted like this, the more rejection I felt towards the idea of going with a new team.

It almost felt as though he was telling me that I was going to fail unless I went with his option.

I clenched my teeth.

I— "Squad Leader.

" My steps came to a sudden pause as I turned my head.

Joanna stood not far from me, her eyes looking at the group ahead.

After a moment of hesitation and waiting for the group to move ahead a bit, she muttered.

"...

Although nobody is saying it right now, I’d like to say it for everyone.

Thanks for believing in us.

We’ll try our best not to let you down.

" Her words brought my mind to a complete halt.

Then, pursing her lips, Joanna moved ahead.

She didn’t say anything else, but she didn’t have to.

I stared at her parting back and then looked at the others.

There was no need to think about it more.

Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts before pausing at a certain number.

After a moment of hesitation, I dialed the number.

It didn’t take more than a couple of rings for the call to be picked up.

"It looks like I’ll have to disappoint you.

" I spoke softly while looking ahead, feeling a gentle breeze brush past my face.

"...

I don’t think I can go through with your arrangement.

"