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

Chapter 301: System Update [1]

I took a couple of days of rest.

There were a lot of things that I needed to do, but I decided to just forget about everything and relax for once. I desperately needed the rest.

I had been working myself to the bone from the moment I had arrived in this strange world.

Taking into consideration what I had previously told myself, I decided to rest.

“It’s okay to work a lot, but I also need to relax sometimes.”

I walked out of the dorms.

The sun shone brightly outside, causing me to squint lightly as I looked at the road ahead. The number of cars present on the street had decreased drastically as opposed to how the roads were a couple of days prior.

’…It looks like the Guilds have finally started to leave the island.’

I had expected them to leave earlier, but they had stayed more than I had expected. This was most likely due to the chaos that followed the gate. A lot of the Guilds stayed behind in order to understand more about the Jester and the Conductor.

It seemed like there was another commotion that had risen from the gate.

However, it wasn’t something that I knew all too well.

’If I have to take a guess, it’s most likely due to the fact that the gate reached the next rank, but I’m not sure. Whatever the case is, I should get some coffee.’

Not far from the dorms, there was a cafe that most of the people from the Guild frequented when they had time.

Otherwise, they’d usually go for the quick powdered stuff.

I wasn’t that much different.

“I at least want to try this place once.”

I was still on leave, so I just thought of trying things that I normally didn’t. It was also nice to step out of the Guild for once.

’…And it’s not like I’m far from the Guild. I’m still very close, so it’s still relatively safe.’

When I arrived at the café, a small line of people was waiting outside. From the street, the place looked inviting; broad, clear windows rising to the top and wrapping around the shop, offering a glimpse of the warm interior within.

The floor was made of dark wood, with the table matching the floor, alongside the counter that displayed all sorts of goods.

They looked appetizing.

But..

“I don’t know.”

I scratched the back of my head while staring at the line. This felt like too much of a hassle for some coffee.

“Maybe I shoul—”

“Seth…?”

A familiar voice echoed behind me, making me pause. I turned, and there it was, a lock of golden hair and a pair of green eyes fixed directly on me.

Wearing some baggy white pants, alongside a green shirt that stopped at her waist, Zoey looked at me with a confused look.

“You… go to places like this?”

She looked really confused.

My lips twitched when I stared at her. She looked to be dressed in casual clothes, but I could tell from a glance that they were all probably some designer brands that I didn’t know about. Just her black purse looked to be more expensive than anything I owned.

But that didn’t really bother me.

What bothered me was the numerous stares directed our way.

“Well.”

I forced a smile.

Maybe I didn’t do a very good job at it as Zoey’s brow rose, at the same time mumbling, ’What? Are you trying to fight me?’

I coughed and looked back at the store.

“I’m on vacation. So… I thought about trying something new.”

“Vacation…?”

Zoey looked at me as if I were some sort of alien.

“What?”

“Serious…?”

“What’s wrong with me taking a vacation?”

“No, it’s more like, I didn’t know you took breaks.”

“….”

She got me there. I didn’t know how to reply. I also didn’t know that I took breaks.

“I was just tired. I needed some time for myself.”

“Well, sure.”

Zoey stopped asking from there. She pointed at the shop.

“Are you going?”

“Might as well.”

I moved towards the back of the line. However, just as I had taken a step towards the back, a hand grasped my arm, pulling me back.

“Huh? Wha—”

“What are you doing?”

Zoey looked at me as if I were an idiot.

The hell…

“I’m waiting in line, like normal people do.”

“You…”

Zoey covered her forehead with her hand. With a sigh that she didn’t even try to hide, she pointed at the shop.

“If you’re from the Guild, you can directly skip the line, you know? This place is owned by the Guild, and so we naturally have priority over everyone. Come.”

Letting go of my arm, Zoey led me into the shop.

I was still not used to the stares, but I tried my best to ignore them as Zoey pointed towards the large blackboard behind the counter.

“Choose something from there and order it.”

“….”

“What is it now?”

I pursed my lips before looking at her.

“What does that mean?”

I pointed towards a certain item, and Zoey’s face froze.

“…..”

Her face grew several different shades before her head lowered.

“Let’s not talk about that.”

“No, but I’m curious.”

“It’s—”

“Hello? Can I take your order?”

“Ah, yes.”

Zoey stepped up with a smile.

She then started ordering.

“Hi, I’d like a large half-caf, triple-shot, ristretto, oat milk latte with exactly two pumps of toasted white mocha, one pump of sugar-free cinnamon dolce, and half a pump of classic syrup.”

Huh?

What sort of—

“Can you make it extra hot but not scalding, swirl it counterclockwise three times, and top it with a light dusting of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a pinch of cocoa powder?”

“….?”

“Oh, and can you also add whipped cream only to the left half of the cup, lightly caramel drizzle in a zigzag pattern over it, and then stir the drink exactly seven times with a reusable bamboo straw?”

Finished with her order, Zoey smiled.

“That’s all.”

“….”

I took several steps back.

What sort of order is this?

I looked at the staff, but contrary to my expectations, they looked completely fine as they noted everything down with a smile. Eventually, they turned in my direction.

“How about you? What would you like?”

“That’s…”

I looked at Zoey and then at the staff. In the end, I pointed at the board.

“I’d like a Kyle special, please.”

“…Kyle special?”

The staff smiled.

“Fifteen shots of espresso. Noted.”

“Eh?”

“Anything else?”

“No, wait. What did you just say?”

“That’s all. I’ll pay for both of us.”

Zoey cut in, handing over her card.

“No, that’s—”

“That would be twelve in total.”

Twelve!?

I nearly fainted. What sort of robbery was this!?

“Thank you for your purchase.”

I seemed to black out from that moment. By the time I came to, I found myself standing outside the cafe, alongside Zoey as she stirred her drink.

She just took a sip of her drink when I looked at her.

“I think I get it.”

“…?”

Zoey looked at me.

I looked back at her seriously.

“This… place. It’s a gate, isn’t it?”

“S-stop.”

Zoey’s voice trembled for some reason.

“I’m not wrong, right? Twelve for coffee? Only an anomaly would be this heartless.”

“Kuekh…!”

A weird sound came out of Zoey’s mouth.

As expected, her drink was bad.

“I’m sure the rank must be high. At least <B> rank. Never seen such dangerous and heartless ano—”

“Pftttt!!!”

Something wet flew onto my face. It landed right onto my eyes and slid down. I froze on the spot.

But as if that wasn’t enough…

“Hahahaha.”

The spit was followed by a loud laugh.

One that seemed to attract the attention of everyone present.

Trying her best to hold herself, Zoey held onto her stomach while furiously biting her lips.

“Kuhke…! Ekh!”

Standing with my drink in my hand, I didn’t have it in me to stop her, as this was the first time I had ever seen her smile or laugh.

In the end, I let her be.

Bringing my own drink to my mouth, I took a sip.

’Well, I guess I still do owe her an apology for what I did back then. She can take this as—’

“Uakkh—!”

I suddenly spat onto the floor, holding onto my neck while staring at the drink in my hand.

What the hell is this?!

“Hue…! Haha! I can’t breathe…!”

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