Chapter 594 - IRO Management (10): Where Real and Virtual Intersect
"Good work, everyone~"
"Good work~~~"
GM Choco arrived to report the daily news just before midnight.
Misha P's expression was grim with the mountain of tasks piled up.
"Another problem?"
"Hmm, a little, yeah. Look at this."
Misha P, as usual, had her coffee placed before her and showed GM Choco the case that was troubling her.
"Woah, this is… you're going to refuse, right?"
"We have no choice but to refuse."
While IRO's popularity was welcome, it also led to an increase in license product proposals from other manufacturers.
This particular proposal was for a figure of the Jade Goddess Statue, which would require Mion's permission, but it was highly unlikely she would agree.
"I'm thinking of proposing other candidates and seeing if those are acceptable."
"Who are you proposing as candidates?"
"Sweee-chan and the White Dragon Princess, I guess~"
GM Choco nodded, agreeing to those two.
They were NPCs who rivaled the Jade Goddess in popularity, and many fans from both fanbases were sending in requests for figures.
"If it's Sweee-chan, a life-sized figure would be possible."
"I want a well-made, life-sized one, you know. Chieri-chan would probably want one too."
Originally, they had planned to hold off on these kinds of licensing deals for a bit longer, but ever since Mion's album was decided, the number of cases had suddenly increased.
And, in a sense, what everyone was most eagerly anticipating was,
"Have you found a place that can make Lupi-chan plushies?"
"We decided to hold a competition~"
They had approached several companies, provided the planned production costs, and decided to choose based on a competition within that budget.
However, they also conveyed the possibility of reviewing the budget and redoing the work depending on the quality of the finished product.
"Whether it's figures or plushies, if the quality is mediocre, the disappointment when you buy it is immense, isn't it?"
"It's like, 'I paid money for this?' right? So, what's today's report?"
"Mion-san is going to announce that she'll be on the island, and she asked if it should be timed with the album release date."
"Eh, really!? I need to check the release schedule!"
They had planned various media advertisements before the release, but having "Mion and Shou's Relaxed Showtime" promote it would certainly prevent losing out on the fanbase that would definitely buy it.
Watching Misha P immediately make contact, GM Choco prepared for the next report.
"If that's okay, I'll move on to the next topic?"
"Okay, okay."
"Regarding the ongoing World Quest 'When the Devils Come,' the achievement rate is slightly delayed compared to projections. It seems that many players who started with the Demon Kingdom update are new to MMOs, after all."
Most players who started from the closed beta or limited open were veteran gamers with previous MMO or MO experience.
In contrast, many players who started with the Demon Kingdom update were casual players who were "recommended it by friends because it seemed interesting."
"Are many people getting caught?"
"It's a bit less than expected, but there's a big disparity, with some people getting caught repeatedly to the point where it's worrying in real life."
"Well, in real life, you rarely see doppelgangers of acquaintances, so it should be fine, right?"
The "Oreore Sagi" (It's me, it's me fraud), which was once a typical phone scam, became obsolete when voice synthesis became too advanced, necessitating personal authentication during calls.
Players, too accustomed to a modern society where deceiving people has become difficult, seem to easily trust others in the game.
"Surprisingly, younger people don't get caught as often. Proportionally, more adults get caught."
"Younger kids play with friends from school and are much more sensitive than cynical adults in society, aren't they?"
"There you go again, stating the obvious…"
Younger players, who primarily engage in party play with close friends, notice even slight inconsistencies when demons mimic others.
They maintain a strong sense of caution towards NPCs, thinking, Don't make careless promises to strangers.
However, adults who have entered society and had more opportunities to interact with many other people seem to have lost that caution…
"The demons are moving across a wide area according to their 'objective.' This is as scheduled. Starting next week, in September, they seem likely to begin activities in the Necropolis and the Marsis Republic."
"Are there any players who have figured out their 'objective'?"
"They may not be consciously aware of it, but Anshia seems to be acting with the same objective."
"Eh, is that so? …Ah, I see."
Misha P had a look of understanding, and GM Choco continued.
"And, about Emeraldia…"
"…She's not on Shou-kun's island already, is she?"
GM Choco gave a wry smile at the question.
However, information about Emeraldia had already reached Shou via Azure.
If the White Dragon Princess were to summon Emeraldia, she would almost certainly settle on Shou's island.
"I wished she would have behaved a bit more until the Dragon Capital update."
Originally, the dragons that had appeared in previous World Quests were supposed to remain rare until the Dragon Capital update.
However, the White Dragon Princess was already staying on Shou's island for recuperation. Azure was already deepening her interactions with players as the Dragonkin representative of the Necropolis.
Vermilion was completely smitten with the island's alcohol, and Argenta even seemed to treat Shou as a spokesperson for the players.
"Well, he's monopolizing the Goddess-sama, so it's probably too late to say anything, isn't it?"
[Update History]
8/17 Episode 524 When the Devils Come ~ Up to this episode
Volume 4 of the book is released today, 8/17. Thank you for your support!
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Volume 1 of the comic is also on sale. Thank you for your support!
https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/contents/1000255/comics/4095/