kscans

Chapter 121 - Information Exchange

Hayato and Diite continued to exchange information.

The main topic of speculation was what terrible things would happen if Ash and his group collected the treasure.

Had conveyed his speculation to Diite based on the movie Veru had shown him.

Diite was convinced that it was a high possibility.

Erasing memories of the real world was for the purpose of forgetting a desperate reality and living happily in this world. However, the desperate circumstances were different for each person.

Esha had no purpose in life, and while it wasn't despair, she couldn't find hope. That's why she lost her memories of the real world and tried to live in virtual reality. Even if it was a fictional space, if there was a future, she thought there would be hope.

However, unlike Esha, there were people who wanted to erase their memories and start over in virtual reality for the sake of a past they wanted to forget. If they remembered that, it was unknown how they would act.

There was a possibility they would become self-destructive, or they might become withdrawn. They might feel an impulse to destroy everything. It would be different for each person.

If you were to tell Veru that Ash and Ren might become self-destructive if they regained their memories, Veru would undoubtedly be furious. Although he maintained a brusque attitude, Veru cared deeply for Ash and Ren. He would surely try to collect the pieces of the treasure with all his might.

Diite said that the backup data that was trying to take over as administrator was capable of doing such a thing. She also said that her past self wouldn't have thought twice about it.

Diite also explained that there were circumstances that suggested this might happen.

According to Diite, there was a function that had recently been updated.

It was a system where stats fluctuated according to emotions. It was a system that only existed for NPCs, but intense negative emotions could significantly improve their stats.

The headgear required to play the game. It was equipped with a function to check the physical condition of the main body. This was because there was a mechanism to forcibly log out if the vital signs were too weak.

The forced logout mechanism did not exist in the pods on the spaceship Aphrodite. There was a function to check the main body, but the body was completely managed within the pod, so there was no such thing as becoming weak.

However, it also checked brainwaves, not just the body.

An emotion system that utilized this brainwave check system had been introduced at some point.

If you gave Veru Stampede-level stats and then added an emotion-based ability improvement on top of that, it was impossible to know how strong he would become. If that was directed at Diite alone, she would undoubtedly not survive.

"In other words, the goal of preventing the hardline faction from collecting the pieces of the treasure remains the same as before."

"Yeah, I guess so, but if we're the ones collecting the pieces, won't Ash and the others regain their memories? I think that would be a problem in itself."

Had also wanted to avoid a situation where Ash and Ren became self-destructive or withdrawn. He didn't know how they would regain their memories in the first place, but since Veru believed it, there was a possibility that the backup data had suggested it to Veru.

"That's certainly true. But you know, if Hayato-kun is with Ash-kun and the others, there's a possibility that won't happen."

"What do you mean?"

"Esha-kun didn't become self-destructive or withdrawn even when she regained her memories, right? I suspect it's because she had a good relationship with Hayato-kun. Esha-kun, in her own way, must have trusted Hayato-kun."

"Please don't say that in front of Esha. I'll probably get shot by her Beelzebub."

"Probably. Well, anyway, I think that if Ash-kun and Ren-kun also improve their relationship with Hayato-kun, it won't be a big deal even if they regain their memories."

"That's just wishful thinking, isn't it?"

"Hope is important. And conveniently, you're going to be living with Ash-kun and the others from now on, right? Then please form as strong a bond as possible. On top of that, I want you to prevent Veru-kun from stealing the pieces of the treasure. Of course, I'll do everything I can. For now, it seems that they will regain their memories when they collect the treasure, but I'll investigate how they plan to make them regain them. If we know that, we might be able to take countermeasures."

Had nodded.

(Well, I don't mind getting along with Ash and Ren-chan. I used to think they were NPCs, so I think I was a bit reserved. Since I have the chance, I'll try talking to them about various things. Oh, right.)

"Um, what should I explain about the time I'm in the real world?"

When Hayato was back in the real world, Hayato's character was not in this virtual reality. If they became suspicious of him disappearing while they were living together, it would cause all sorts of trouble. In the first place, he couldn't talk to them because of the AI protection, so it might give them a sense of distrust.

It was a question born of the expectation that Diite would have some good idea.

"You don't have to say anything in particular. Ash-kun and the others, or rather, the NPCs, think that players who are logged out are sleeping."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. They recognize that a player is sleeping from the moment they log out in a bed. A forced logout is a little different, but the system will automatically compensate for that, so it's not a problem. Is there anything else?"

(How convenient. But if that's the case, I don't have to worry about it. Now, was there anything else I should ask? Right, about the update.)

"Maris said that tandem riding is now possible, but you can't fiddle with the program, right, Diite-chan? How are you doing the updates?"

According to Diite, she was just making a request to "Infinity." It was a system where if you asked it to create a system like this, it would create it according to the specifications. It was the same for the room closest to reality that Hayato had seen before. That was still in progress, but the space was gradually expanding.

It seemed that she was also making requests that included requests from other players, and they were being handled in order.

Next, Hayato decided to ask about the Stampedes.

The ones who had dealt the finishing blow in the battles against the Fire Dragon and the Underworld Dragon were NPCs. If the situation was such that you couldn't win without an NPC in the first place, there was a possibility that the number of players participating in future Stampedes would decrease.

Had was concerned that if only NPCs could win, the number of players who participated but didn't take it seriously would increase. In the end, it was Cecil and Lunaria who dealt the finishing blow, but players had to reduce their HP to a certain extent.

Diite denied this concern.

"If anything, the information that you can't win this Stampede without supporting the NPCs is spreading. It's a Stampede that we couldn't win even once for nearly six months, but we were able to win by supporting the NPCs. A rumor is spreading that it might be that kind of event in the first place."

"You mean it's thought of as an event that players can't win on their own? Doesn't that conversely sap their motivation?"

"That's right. It's thought that NPCs are the key to victory. That's not the case at all, but it seems to be thought of that way because of the difficulty. As for motivation, I don't know for now, but there's no talk of not participating in the event in particular. In the first place, there's prize money, so there are more people who are in it for that."

"I see. By the way, what's it like in the Spirit Country? The Illusion Dragon should be causing a Stampede, but are there any powerful NPCs there who can fight?"

"There are many NPCs there like Elves and Dwarves, but there are no powerful NPCs like Cecil-kun or Lunaria-kun."

"Then I guess we have no choice but to find their weakness, support Ash and the others, and somehow win. I'll have to gather information next time."

"That would be best. Now, that's all for our talk—"

Just as the conversation seemed to be ending, the sound of footsteps could be heard from the stairs. The person who appeared was Ren.

"Oh, Diite-san, good morning!"

"Hello, Ren-kun, good morning. I hear you and Ash-kun are living here from today?"

"That's right. Hayato-san is essential to winning the fight against the hardline faction, so from today on, I have to guard him closely! I'll curse any enemies that approach! Uhihihi..."

"That's not wrong. Hayato-kun himself has no combat power, but he supports Ash-kun, Ren-kun, and of course, everyone else, so it would be best to protect him well. Why are you staring at me so intently, Ren-kun?"

From the middle of Diite's speech, Ren had been staring at Diite as if to pierce her. And she had been muttering to herself.

"...A love triangle is also an option for spice... something like, Hayato-san and Diite-san are also suspicious, and a happy and embarrassing development might be waiting...? A triangle of love, hate, and curses unfolding under one roof...!"

Had didn't want to understand, but he vaguely understood. In the first place, her muttering was loud.

"You know, Ren-chan, Diite-chan isn't going to live here, okay? ...Never mind Ren-chan, why are you making a disappointed face too, Diite-chan?"

"Because I was just thinking that that might be an option. Oh well, I can't do my research here, so unfortunately, I'll have to give up."

"I'm disappointed too... but I won't give up on the love triangle!"

"You're still young, Ren-chan, but it's important to know when to give up in life, you know?"

Had said this, but a slight smile played on his lips as he thought that his time at the base was about to become lively.