kscans

Chapter 142 - Mamoru the Hobgoblin Holds Another New Event

A few days had passed since that Forest Meat Festival, where the smoke from the meat rose and laughter echoed. Mamoru sat on a log, looked up at the sky, and took a breath.

"...Alright, we're off to a good start."

A small number of returning users were coming back. The meat festival event was just the first step in Mamoru's world reform.

But at this rate, it wasn't enough. The player base was broad. There were those who wouldn't come just for meat.

"Next up... is healing and the desire to collect. A material-gathering type of event... and a nature experience content, maybe."

Several keywords sparked in Mamoru's mind. And what came to his head was a certain one of his companions.

"Amy. Can I have a word?"

"...You called?"

Appearing from the shade of a tree was Amy, a girl from the Lizardman Tribe. A small net and an insect cage peeked out from the leather cord wrapped around her waist. She was as quiet as ever, but she had truly opened her heart to Mamoru.

As Mamoru approached, Amy flicked her tongue out to the underside of a leaf, curled it, and slurped.

"...Found it."

"You're as skillful as ever. With that tongue."

A shiny green caterpillar was wrapped around her tongue. She happily curled it up and popped it into her mouth.

"...Delicious. It has the scent of morning dew."

Mamoru couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"...You're cute."

"Eh?"

"No, it's nothing. Amy, there's an event I want to do with you. Fishing and free diving for big fish."

Amy's eyes sparkled.

"Waterside... good. Many insects, and fish..."

"Right? It's your time to shine."

Mamoru and Amy headed for the Coral Beach, which had once existed on the outskirts of the seaside area. The sound of the tide, the cries of seagulls. Restarting an unused map was a piece of cake for Mamoru.

"The event name is Seafood! Free Diving Fishing Operation."

Catch and cook fish to turn them into healing items! Catch rare fish by free diving to get equipment enhancement materials! If you're lucky, you can get Mermaid Scales or Deep Sea Pearls!

Furthermore, he set Amy as the event navigator NPC and even prepared special voice lines for her.

"Welcome, to the Coral Beach... There are few insects, but many fish. ...I'm happy."

A slight touch of shyness in her tone was very much like Amy.

On the first day of the event, wooden fishing rods were prepared, and users logged in sporadically along the shoreline.

"...Huh, fishing with a Hobgoblin? And a beautiful Lizardman girl to boot?"

"This event is so relaxing..."

"The way she slurps the caterpillar is cute. She's my new favorite character for sure."

Mamoru watched from behind.

"Alright, the customer base is expanding. After appetite, comes healing and the desire to collect... Fufu, I'm doing well, if I do say so myself."

Amy approached him.

"Mamoru. ...I found a new insect."

"You're not telling me it was in the ocean?"

"Yeah. Under a starfish, a blue amphipod. I caught it with my long tongue... want to see?"

Mamoru held out his hand with a wry smile.

"...Yeah. Show me. Since we're at it, maybe I'll add an insect encyclopedia feature."

Mamoru's reforms were certainly changing the world little by little. Killing each other wasn't the only value. Eating, fishing, playing, and healing, a world of living experiences provided by the NPCs.

But beyond the sky, the automated management AI, MIRA, had begun a disquieting calculation.