Chereads / Elite Dungeon Manager / Chapter 46 - Clash of Swords (2)

Chapter 46 - Clash of Swords (2)

Winsdol-Enterprises, CEO Malik Windsol rigidly stood on his spot as he listened to the voice on the phone. Beside him, Producer Maddison peered, trying to listen in on his conversation. 

Thankfully, the voice was just loud enough for him to hear. 

—CEO, I'm not trying to pull your leg here. I know you've asked our Guild to provide you with a star for a new show, and here I am, presenting you with one. 

"That's true, but..." 

The CEO frowned. 

"What I asked for was an already established Tier 1 star. And yet, what you're trying to offer me is an unknown one, let alone one that belonged to an already established group. Tell me if that's not pulling my leg." 

—Now. Now. Let's not go that far. All I'm asking you is to give them a chance. 

"...and why exactly would I need to do that when your Guild can just select her? Our investors will have no qualms accepting someone that a Guild of your reputation has selected for the project." 

—Well...

"Don't tell me..." 

Realization finally dawned on the CEO who almost snapped on the spot as his voice boomed within the confines of his small office. 

"You want us to send a request for her?!" 

—Haha, I'm glad you've managed to pick up on it. 

"No." 

A direct refusal. CEO Windsol didn't even need to consider it. 

"The discussion would have been different if the Guild directly handed them the position through the allocated spot, but directly asking for one?" 

—Shouldn't you be able to select a couple of Star Chasers without any restriction from the board? 

"Do you take me as a joke? Of course, I can, but do you think I'd want to want to waste my slot on some unknown Star Chaser who belongs to some unknown group within your Guild." 

—They're not exactly unknown... In fact, they've built up quite a reputation recently. 

CEO Windsol finally managed to calm himself down as his right brow arched. 

"Oh?" 

—Have you heard of Blue Daisy? 

"Blue Daisy? Seems familiar..." 

The CEO turned his head to meet the Producer's gaze. As their gazes met, the Producer's gaze flicked down as he quickly searched for something on his phone before showing him. 

"Blue Daisy... Uh?" 

The CEO's expression crumbled as his voice darkened. He finally remembered. 

"I know." 

—Then... 

"More reason to refuse." 

—But... 

"There's only one sword user in the group isn't there? Just one quick search about her, and I can see she's been in a controversy. I remember reading about that..." 

—We've already addressed this controversy. 

"You have, but do you think the public cares? Her image is quite frankly horrible. Tell me... why should I go out of my way to risk my position and risk everything to get someone like her?" 

—Haaa...

Finally, it appeared that the person on the other end of the phone ran out of words to argue, releasing a long and weary breath.

The CEO did so as well, and his voice softened. 

"I'll take that as you giving up...?" 

—An audition. 

"What?" 

—Before you dismiss her. Just see her in person. Once. That's all I'm asking. Can you do that? 

"That..." 

The CEO frowned, turning his head to meet the Producer who shrugged his shoulders and mouthed, 'I don't mind. Up to you...'

Thinking for a moment, the CEO eventually sighed and relented. 

"Alright. Fine. I don't lose anything checking her. Might as well see her in person." 

—Really? Great! 

The voice sounded delighted and the CEO shook his head with a bitter smile. 

"Give me her manager's number. I'll contact them shortly. 

—Alright, I'll send it to you quickly! I'm telling you! You've made the right decision. One day you'll thank me for it. 

"Yes... yes... " 

The CEO dismissively waved his hand, not taking her words seriously at all. 

"I'll be the judge of that. " 

***

"Are you ready?" 

—Yes. 

"Okay, go in. I've already set your parameters. Remember. Whatever happens, endure it." 

—...Understood.

Click. 

[Capsule initiating...]

[Simulation starting...] 

[Pain parameter set to 100%]

[Difficulty : Hard] 

The screen before me transformed, and a landscape began to take shape. Tall mountains arose from all sides, a vast river winding its way up from beneath the white ground, while trees and bushes dotted the surroundings.

"Are you ready?" 

—I'm ready.

"Good." 

Click. 

[Initiating the simulation...]

[Enemy : Shadow Serpent] 

"Good luck, Sarah." 

The simulation began. 

Closing my eyes, I took my attention away from the screen and leaned back on my chair. 

It was finally starting. Sarah's hell. It was finally going to start.

But... 

It was necessary. If she wanted to reach the point where she stood at the top of the world, this was a necessary step. Given her lack of foundation, and the fact that she had never been to the Academy, the only way for her to stand out from the rest was to literally put herself through hell. 

A hell no other person would be willing to go through. 

Tr Trring—! 

Feeling the vibration of my pocket, I reached out to take my phone and answered. 

"Dean?" 

—How's it going there? Any problems with the capsules? 

I glanced at the monitor briefly. There, I caught a glimpse of Sarah fighting against multiple opponents that flicked in and out of existence. She was already filled with cuts and bruises. 

For now. She was still holding her own. 

"Everything's good." 

—Oh, I'm glad to hear that.

"Is that the reason you called me?" 

—No, I've got several things actually. 

"Shoot." 

—First. We've got an interview in a couple of day's time. It's with a moderately sized publisher. I'm not sure if you've heard of them... Vanity Daily? 

I paused, unable to hide the sudden movement of my brow. 

"Vanity Daily?" 

—Oh, you seem to be aware? 

Of course, I am! 

How would I not know them? I could still distinctly remember my first vision in which I was interviewed by one of their members. 

I took a deep breath to try and calm down my raging nerves. 

"So... They want to interview us? 

—Yes. I already set an appointment with them for next week on Monday so mark that on your schedule. 

"Got that." 

I did as he asked and marked the date on my phone. Once I was done, I asked, 

"...Is there something else?" 

—Yes. Did you select the project yet? 

"Ah." 

Shit. 

Then it finally dawned on me. 

Today was the deadline for the group selection project. Over the past couple of days, I had spent countless hours trying to think of ways to get myself out of the mess that I was in with regard to the project, but regardless of what I came up with, I couldn't find a way out. 

And with Sarah taking a large portion of my attention away, I was still left with nothing. 

—You've got nothing, haven't you? 

"I'm sorry." 

The only thing I could do was apologize. 

—Haa... Sometimes, with the way you act, I totally forget that you're still a new recruit. 

"Me too." 

It had only been about two weeks since I had joined the Guild, and yet, it felt like an entire year had passed. 

Should I just quit? 

—Well, I'll see what I can do. To be honest, I'm not supposed to be helping you so much since I'm only supposed to be the girls's standby manager. I am the Vice-Director after all. I was planning on leaving and giving you the reigns over the next week, but I feel like if I do that, you'll die... 

"Yes." 

I shuddered at the thought of what I'd do without Dean.

It was true that he was merely supposed to be helping me until I managed to settle myself with the girls, but given how busy it had been lately, I didn't think I could handle everything by myself. 

—Anyway, I'll talk to the Director. I'll let you know then. Hopefully, we will have a solution soon. 

"Alright, thanks... Uh?" 

I paused and looked down at my phone. 

—What is it?" 

"No, I think someone is calling me. It's an unknown number." 

—Just take it. I've already said what I needed to say.

"Sure..." 

And so, with Dean hanging up, I picked up the new call.

—Hello? Is this the manager of Sarah Andler? 

"This is...?" 

My ears perked up and my back straightened. 

—I'm a representative from Winsdol-Enterprises. We would just like to inform you that our Guild is interested in seeing Sarah in person. If that's okay with you, can we set up an appointment? 

"Of course." 

I almost lost control of my voice as I took out my phone and checked my schedule. 

"We should be free anytime next week. Hm, we should also be free on Monday afternoon if that works?" 

The interview was in the morning, so the afternoon after the interview could work. 

—Yes, that also works with us. I'll set up the appointment for Monday at 17:00. We'll be hosting auditions then... Is that okay?

"Yes, that's fine." 

—Alright, everything is set. Thank you very much.

And with a, 'Du. Du.' the call ended. Staring at my phone screen, I could barely hold my excitement in check. 

Sarah's opportunity. 

It was finally here. 

Di! Di! Di! 

"Hm?" 

[The Challenger has died.]

The entire room was bathed in red as a notification flashed on the monitor. Subsequently, the capsule in the distance opened with a subtle 'swoosh,' and vapor began to rise slowly.

Thump! 

Sarah emerged from the capsule, pushing her way out and stumbling onto the floor, just barely keeping her face away from the ground with her two hands. Gasping for breath, her entire body convulsed on the spot.

"Huap...! Huaaap!" 

Tears welled in her eyes as she forced out a strained scream, her fists clenching tightly.

"Akhhh... Huaap... Huaap." 

Her face was as white as it could be, and it seemed to take every ounce of strength for her to refrain from stumbling onto the floor. 

I wordlessly walked up to her before bending my knees to match her gaze. 

"Do you want to give up?" 

For a slight moment, her body froze. Then, as she processed my words, she raised her head and stared at me with clenched teeth. 

"...No." 

Her eyes were bloodshot, but they never wavered away from me. 

"I... Huaap... I can do more." 

"Just one more?" 

"No..." 

Sarah forced her hand over the pod, pushing herself up. 

"More... I can do more..." 

She muttered through her clenched teeth as she looked possessed by something. 

"More... I can..." 

Her leg faltered. 

"Do... more..." 

"..." 

I didn't say anything and stared at her back. Watching as she forced herself back into the capsule, our gazes met once again. She forced herself to speak. 

"What... Are you waiting for? Start it." 

I didn't say anything and just stared at her. 

She was probably in a lot of pain at the moment. Having checked the stream, I knew how she had died. Her entire body had been chopped into multiple pieces. 

The pain must've been agonizing. Yet, here she was, staring at me with bloodshot eyes, trying to get me to start the simulation again. 

"Do it! We... don't have much time." 

Her lips bled as her teeth dug into them. 

"...Okay." 

And I finally went back to the simulation chamber. 

Taking one last look in Sarah's direction, I pressed onto the simulation once more. 

Click. 

[Capsule initiating...]

[Simulation starting...] 

[Pain parameter set to 100%]

[Difficulty : Hard] 

A familiar string of text appeared before the monitor. 

And so was the environment. 

As my eyes focused on the central figure within the monitor, unknowingly my fists clenched.

That's it... That look and attitude... 

[Initiating the simulation...]

[Enemy : Shadow Serpent] 

I wanted more of it.