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

Chapter 307: I’m not a therapist [4]

”...Take some time to rest. Get some good sleep and don’t come to the Guild for the next couple of days. It’s very important that you get some rest.”

”Y... yes.”

I watched as Clara left her own office with a dazed expression. I pursed my lips and leaned back on her chair. It was a lot more comfortable than mine. That wasn’t all. The office in general was a lot bigger than mine, with a massive window that allowed one to overlook the street from below.

”.....”

I paused.

I soon realized that it was fake.

’Right, we’re underground. There’s no way this is possible.’

I forced a smile before turning my attention towards the lanky figure standing opposite me. With a quiet sigh, I asked, ”Are you sure that she didn’t notice anything?”

”Yes.”

The Conductor replied a moment later, its lips pulling upwards.

”That human... Her mind is not stable. There is no perfect moment to infiltrate her mind than now. She won’t suspect a thing.”

”I hope so.”

I was obviously no therapist. If I had actually carried out a therapy, I’d just be rambling some nonsense without any effect. To some extent, this was exactly what I had done. However, by utilizing the Conductor’s music, alongside Mr. Jingles, I was able to influence her to some extent.

Since I had only used one ball, the degree of hypnosis was very low. Thankfully, her mind wasn’t in the right place.

This was what allowed me to carry on with the therapy session without any problems.

Normally, what I had done would’ve never worked on her, but with her current state of mind and approval from the Conductor, I went ahead and did it.

It all worked out in the end.

At least, I hoped it did.

’Then again, I could’ve rejected her at the start and none of this would’ve happened.’

But this wasn’t what I wanted.

Recalling the moment we first met, I realized just how perceptive she was. With a single glance, it was as if she could almost see straight through me. She was simply too dangerous to roam free like that.

This was why I planned on using this chance to completely hypnotize her using Mr. Jingles and make her completely forget everything that she knew about the Jester, or something to that extent.

I wasn’t too sure yet.

I needed to tread this carefully.

This was a dangerous path that I was walking.

”But it has to be done.”

I stood up from the seat and finally walked towards the door, holding onto the handle.

’She’s far too dangerous to be left alone like this. Might as well nip the problem in the bud.’

Clank!

*

”What was I supposed to do?”

Coming into my office, I stared blankly at my desk. I completely forgot what I was supposed to do. Was I even supposed to do anything?

”Err...”

I pinched the middle of my brows, trying to recall the best I could.

In the end, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember anything. After spending so much time holding onto the therapy session, I ended up forgetting everything.

”Great.”

I sat down in my seat while secretly cursing the Section Chief.

’I really need to send him a message later and tell him to stop sending people to me. I’m not a therapist.’

The sessions were also hard on me.

”Hm?”

Taking out my phone and scrolling through some news, I suddenly paused. Several messages appeared no longer after, and my lips pulled into a smile.

”Good.”

I stood up from my seat and slapped the table.

I had now just received the signed contracts from my three new developers. Without wasting a single second, I sent the papers to the Guild lawyer before heading towards the ’studio’. Since I now had my developers, it was time for me to develop the studio.

Click!

Unlocking the door and entering the classroom, the first thing that I did was stare at the equipment at the end of the room. The good thing about this place was the fact that both the internet and electricity worked. With the devices connected to the adapters, they all worked without any problems.

The issue was that they were all attached to the walls.

There was just empty space at the center of the classroom.

Taking several steps back, I looked at the empty area in the middle.

”I feel like I should use this area for game testing. Should I order several more capsules and have them in the middle over here?”

The price was a single high-end capsule was around 250,000$.

They weren’t cheap, and I already had one in my possession.

However, given how multiplayer games tended to have greater sales, it was best for me to buy a couple more.

”Let’s say I buy four. That’ll be one million dollars of the budget. What next?”

I scanned the room. An anomaly came into vision.

”Alright.”

I nodded.

”...I’ll get you your equipment.”

”Make sure they’re of the best quality. The better the quality, the better the effect.”

”I know, I know.”

That was around 50,000$ down.

”Next...?”

I began walking around the room. With the same notepad that I used while holding the therapy session with Clara, I started to write everything that I needed down. From a recreation room, to new equipment like monitors, computers, and so on...

I started to list all of the things that I needed in order to make this place perfect for work, and before I knew it, I spent the next few hours like this.

By the time I was done, I had almost completely used up the three million that I had at my disposal.

I drew a cold breath upon realizing this.

But...

”This should be it. I don’t think I’m missing anything else.”

I checked through the long list one more time before nodding, closing my eyes at the same time as I held onto my chest, feeling the rapid beat of my own heartbeat.

”...With this, I can now officially start working on my next game.”

I drew another breath.

”One that will break into the world stage.”

***

”.....”

Clara blankly stared at the white ceiling above her.

Blinking her eyes, she looked around. It looked like she was in her own room. She couldn’t even recall how she had managed to get into her room. Her memories were hazy.

All she could recall was a certain voice.

’Your worth isn’t measured by your achievements.’

His voice was soft.

’Your worth isn’t measured by how others perceive you. The only person who can determine your worth is yourself.’

Comforting.

’Just like how the only person who can criticize you is yourself.’

...And soothing to her ears.

Her eyelids grew heavier with every word.

Even as her vision blurred and the world faded, the voice lingered, threading through her mind. She couldn’t remember everything, but as sleep crept closer, Clara did something she hadn’t done in what felt like forever.

She let herself go.

She slept.

For the first time since leaving the recent gate, Clara surrendered to sleep.

The moment you stop letting others define your worth... that’s the moment you’ll forget all of this.

In the company of the strange voice.