Chapter 535: An Orchestra For You, Part 15

Author's Preface

I clicked on the void and went to sleep, and got sent flying to May 1, Heisei 31 (2019), so it took me a while to get back. Sorry.

There has never been a case where time could be bought with money... (Wise words)

---

Since taking the real thing was apparently out of the question, I photographed the map using the screenshot item Pencilgon had half-forced onto me.

With that done, I scrutinized the map once more. Naturally, there weren't any map symbols or recommended sightseeing routes written on it, but even so, I could still estimate the rough environmental layout of this world and this continent.

"So it's practically all a sea of trees from the east to the south, huh..."

The right side of the central continent is a desert. That must be where the Bugmen live.

A little below that is gray... Ah, a marshland? That's definitely where Akitsu Akane ran into Noirlind.

And further below that is desert... Ah, no, wait. Is it just a coastline that's insanely huge in scale?

"This is crazy... I could kill time just staring at this."

"I see... By the way, Sunraku of the Areadbhair."

"Huh?"

"Are you... in a position to meet with the Traveling Rabbit Vysache?"

"Hmm... Well, yeah."

If I want to intentionally trigger an encounter, I'd need to raise my Vorpal Soul, which means taking the Scorpion or Centipede Spider course, but yeah, it's not like I can't meet him.

"I see........."

Dirnadia choked on her words as if hesitating for some reason, but then opened her mouth as if making a decision.

"I have heard that this is not something Dordona himself desired."

".........?"

"Just before Dordona departed for his final battle, there were words he left behind for the villagers. He apparently told them to forget them immediately, but... those words have been passed down even to this day."

Words left behind... In other words, his last will and testament.

"I am aware that this goes against Dordona's wishes. But even so... I believed it must be conveyed."

".........What happens now is for the people living now to decide. If that's what you want to do... then go for it, right?"

"Then... I wish for you to deliver these words to Lord Vysache."

───Even in death, even if parted.

"............"

"I leave it to you."

Only a few simple words, but how much emotion is packed into them? Could it possibly be some sort of code? But, yeah, I get the feeling my meaninginterpretation of it isn't wrong.

"I'll definitely pass it on."

Now then, time to head back to Rabituza. I've been entrusted with a pretty massive delivery, and since I'm a bit anxious about my Vorpal Soul, maybe I should stop somewhere on the way back to grind some.........

"No, no, no, no."

"Toushono Mokuteeki" (Initial Objective)!! (1204–1254)

That was close. Because I suddenly shifted my route towards the Vorpal Epic, I almost completely forgot my original objective.

"Dirnadia, does the Giant race have any traditional martial arts... like, some kind of combat style or school?"

"A combat style?"

......

............

No, I already knew, okay?! I mean, they're a race that slaps weapon types and names in front of their own names, right? Of course their combat styles would assume weapon usage! And they apparently demand absurd amounts of MP, so it's impossible for me either way! Man, talk about useless!!

"I feel like I just found a masterpiece of a trash game in a bargain bin, but completely failed to find the actual trash game I was looking for."

It felt just like this when I found Hijack Bullet Sky. What with the immortal medics and whatnot, the game balance was utter garbage, but playing it with a friend was insanely fun... even though the game balance was garbage.

That one was a hit-and-run cash grab with garbage post-launch support from the devs, which was the real problem. In this day and age, ending support after a single update is unbelievable... Didn't I read later that the CEO changed and they forcibly pulled out of the gaming division? Trying to compete with Utopia Computer Entertainment in a VR system development race—which was basically a game of chicken—only to drive straight off the cliff. What a joke.

"This is bad... My core focus is wavering."

There's... there's just way too much to do...! And their priorities are practically tied... No, the scales are already starting to tip.

On one hand, a Unique Scenario EX whose full scope is still entirely unknown. On the other, a Unique Scenario EX that has been confirmed to be replayable............ Nngh.

"Nn, guh, mmmmmmm............ Screw it!!"

Do everything humanly possible and leave the rest to heaven! Or rather, Heaven commands it, so it's written as 'no responsibility falls on me' and read as 'Heaven's Will'!! Whether I've actually done everything humanly possible is beside the point, I'll use a traditional arbitration method!!

"Come forth, Areadbhair!"

And then I chucked it into the air. If it sticks into the ground, Vorpal Epic! If it rolls, A Melody Dedicated to You!

The obsidian blade spun in circles through the air, fell to the ground, and.........

"Alright, Emul, our course of action is decided."

"M-My ears are still ringing, desu wa..."

"Before we return to Rabituza... guess I need some Vorpal Soul. It's been a while, but we're heading to the Crystal Nest Cliff!!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

I shook the dirt off the drawn Areadbhair, tossed it back into Inventoria, and started walking. I could head straight back to Rabituza like this, but given the nature of Orchestra, reviewing everything related to the Crystal Scorpions wasn't a bad idea either.

"The journey to tour martial arts styles is on hold for now. I'll show them my magnificent ball-playing skills..."

Having overcome numerous hardships, I can now bounce around with movements so unpredictable even they can't track them. Yes, in other words...

Today, we're playing American football.

---

◇

"Hey, Mirei. You're earlier than I thought."

"If anything, I'm more surprised about why Professor and the others arrived here first."

"It just goes to show that the Leviathan's creations are quite wonderful. A sudden burst of civilizational development inspires equal parts joy and terror. Yes, it's a rare experience."

"I wonder if it's okay, considering we don't have licenses."

"As long as you don't get arrogant and assume you can pilot one in real life, being able to joyride a fighter jet is the whole point of the VR category, isn't it?"

"Professor, it seems they really did get here before us."

"Hmm... I am aware that highly optimized players can exhibit superhuman physical abilities... but to actually traverse the Sea of Trees."

"Well, actually, before coming here, I went and took a look at the guy from the rumors... He's incredible. He had some kind of ability that shortens recasts, right? If he combined that with other things, he could probably fly through the air and cross the continent."

"Naturally, you recorded it, right?"

"I even have footage of him getting super into it, Professor."

"Now then... if your hypothesis is correct, Mirei, Orchestra is the type of Unique Scenario that allows for retries, just like Wethermon. Given that you are currently the only one in 'Library' who meets the conditions..."

"I'm well aware, Head of the LibraryClan Leader. In 'Library', that's my main job anyway."

"Umu, sorry for the trouble... Well then, everyone! Let us begin the verification and analysis of the 'Orchestra of the Reverberating Nether'!"

---

Author's Afterword

Basically, demi-human combat styles rely heavily on the specific traits of their race.

The Giant race, which has high mana absorption and consumes mana in the form of physical growth, has a style that defines weapons as an extension of the body and applies skills to interfere with the weapon. The Merman race has a style that interferes with water currents to reduce the resistance on their weapons and bodies.

In other words, what I'm trying to say is... demi-human combat styles fundamentally require "Demi-Conversion" as a prerequisite.

・Hijack Bullet Sky

The "You Are The Zombie" FPS featuring immortal medics finally has its full picture revealed (or rather, the lore is finally solidified).

"The Day of Death," when a mysterious bio-terror attack massacred not only the US leadership but the entire citizenry... Having lost human control, the massive flying aircraft carrier "Erwin" continues to wander aimlessly across the globe via AI operation, ignoring all international borders.

However, it comes to light that the blueprints for the very bio-weapon that destroyed the United States are located in the deepest depths of the wandering carrier. The nations of the world mobilize, aiming to CaptureHijack the carrier Erwin...!!

In reality, however, the game sank like a stone due to the developers making terrible steering decisions. Thanks to volunteers, the servers barely stayed online, but because the bugs were never patched, a combination of two specific elements—"no dismemberment/damage models" and "a blank period of actionable time between HP hitting zero and the avatar actually vanishing"—led to a situation where you could be entirely engulfed in flames, take a deep breath in a room filled with bio-weapons, or take a point-blank grenade hit, and still act. This effectively birthed an infinite Gu ritual where practically immortal medics engage in endless, deathless mud-wrestling matches.

By the way, the only way to actually kill a medic is to knock them off the airborne carrier (because falling guarantees a forced respawn).