Chapter 32 - Chapter 30: Emergency Maintenance
"Evenin'."
"Good evening~. You're earlier than usual, but your homework is done, right~?"
"It's done, I tell ya."
Before 8 PM. Bell-buchou said 'tonight again,' so when I logged into the Club Room early, only Yata-sensei was there.
"Sensei got contacted too?"
"Yes~. I received it~, and I just watched the video too~."
I see. So, I guess everyone knows already.
"Good evening."
"Evenin'."
"Yes~, good evening~."
Bell-buchou logged in and sat down, letting out a big sigh, "Haaah."
"What's wrong?"
"Things are not looking good. Oh, it's not Shou-kun's or Mion-san's fault, though."
Is it that Uninhabited Island Start players are increasing rapidly? If people figured out how to do it after watching that, there'd probably be quite a few deleting their current characters to try it.
"Someone was bound to reveal it eventually~, I thought it was only a matter of time~, but it happened surprisingly quickly~. I suppose that's [Game Dolls] for you~."
"That's true, but it seems the [Game Dolls] didn't realize that only one player can start per uninhabited island. That [Imagaya Saaya] girl even announced 'Recruiting joint pioneers!'"
"Eugh…"
No, that's like, impossible, or rather, not allowed…
"On Saezutter~?"
"Yes. And people who tried to go couldn't get in… it's in full-blown meltdown right now. I hope Mion-san doesn't get caught in the crossfire…"
Uwaah…
"Good evening."
Just then, Mion appeared.
Mion happily waved at me. Then, she slowly sat down and said,
"Bell-buchou. I won't be able to do a livestream today."
"Huh?"
Bell-buchou's refined features instantly became… ahem, stunned.
"What do you mean~?"
"They're apparently entering emergency maintenance from 9 PM. The end time is undetermined."
"""Ah…"""
I, Bell-buchou, and Yata-sensei involuntarily nodded in understanding.
Come to think of it, that Imagawa girl also said she'd continue her livestream tonight. So they want to avoid any further escalation from that?
"This is an official announcement that just came out."
Mion opened the official website and enlarged it for us to see. Let's see…
----
[Emergency Maintenance Notice]
Emergency maintenance will be conducted today from 9:00 PM. The end time is undetermined.
This maintenance will address the following issues:
- Temporary suspension of the function to select an uninhabited island as the initial game start location.
- Support for players who 'mistakenly' deleted their characters between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM today (please contact us here for inquiries).
The resumption of the 'function to select an uninhabited island as the initial game start location' will be announced separately.
----
"Oh my~, it seems there was quite a rush of inquiries~."
"So people who impulsively deleted their characters due to that inducement can choose whether to restore their deleted character or create a new one."
Bell-buchou opened the inquiry link and confirmed the details.
"So they can revive deleted characters?"
"Apparently, MMOs like this always keep backups. Well, those backups might be a bit old though…"
It's Sunday today, so the operations team must be having a tough time.
"As for me, I have to announce the cancellation of today's livestream…"
Hmm, in that case, should Mion also refrain from uploading videos for a while?
"What should we do about the video scheduled for Tuesday?"
"Should we wait until things calm down?"
Bell-buchou and Yata-sensei pondered the question.
"Hmm, we should wait and see until Tuesday~. The announcement from the operations team emphasizes 'mistakenly'~, which is like saying 'misled by incorrect information'~, and Shou-kun and the others aren't at fault~."
"Even if the two of you aren't at fault, now that Shou-kun is the only one with an Uninhabited Island Start, some people might still come up with strange accusations, you know?"
That's true. There are always people in the world who find fault with everything.
"So we'll wait and see~. Besides, I don't think Shou-kun is the only one who started on an uninhabited island~?"
"Eh?"
"That Imagawa-san from [Game Dolls] created her character before 3 PM~."
"Ah…"
Come to think of it, I made Hotcakes for a snack after watching that livestream.
"So, her character will continue with the Uninhabited Island Start as is?"
"Assuming she doesn't abandon play or delete her character herself~."
"Well, in that case… the operations team is pretty spiteful, aren't they?"
So, they're letting the person herself—or rather, [Game Dolls]—choose what to do? They can continue and livestream, recreate their character, or quit.
Even so, if she recreates her character and plays normally, she'll face harsh scrutiny. After all, she caused this maintenance…
"And~, I think there are also people who started on different uninhabited islands between 3 PM and 9 PM today~. It seems they can continue playing the game as is~."
"I see. So, there might be other people who want to enjoy being a 'solo loner' like Shou-kun?"
Please stop using the term 'solo loner'… it's severely damaging.
But still, I'd like to get in touch with people who share that ambition. In-game, if possible. Put a letter in a bottle and cast it into the sea? No, taming a bird to deliver it would be better, wouldn't it?
"It seems no one has come to yell at Mion-san's channel yet~."
Yata-sensei was already checking the channel's community tab.
"I wonder if it was good that we put out the notice 'Don't be deceived by incorrect information' beforehand."
"Hmm, I have a feeling it might be taken super sarcastically. Like, 'It's your fault for not telling us how to do it.'"
"If there are people like that, we'll block them without question~."
I thought 'that easily?', but apparently Bell-buchou also thoroughly blocks 'strange people'.
She says trying to understand them is a waste of time. I get that, but still.
"Since the emergency maintenance has no scheduled end time, we can't play IRO anymore today, right?"
"Ah, that's right. I went to all that trouble to get clay, but my pottery fun is on hold until tomorrow, huh…"
"…Pottery?"
Ah, this is another one I have to explain…