kscans

Chapter 74 - The Value of Reality

"What’s the matter, Hayato-kun. Won’t you give me your answer?"

"No, wait a minute. What are you talking about. It’s obviously impossible to forget reality and live in a game world, right?"

"Well, by the standards of this era, it would be impossible. So much technology was lost in just a hundred years. No, I suppose humanity simply couldn’t unite again. Humans are such interesting creatures."

"...What are you talking about?"

"Oh, just talking to myself. Rest assured, I possess the technology to manipulate memories. Cyberizing a brain is beyond me, but a permanent login using cryosleep is possible. And your physical body will be safe too. I shall manage it for you in the most secure location in the universe."

Hayato felt a sense of dread. Forgetting reality to live inside a game. It might be an appealing proposition to some, but very few could actually sever their ties to the real world. Besides, he couldn't trust that such technology even existed.

And more than that, Hayato had a dream he wanted to fulfill in the real world. His answer was already decided.

"I understand the offer. I just want to confirm, this isn’t some kind of game event, is it? I’d rather you didn’t tell me this was all a joke later."

"Of course I wouldn’t. The prize of one hundred million, I am giving that to you as the money needed to part with your reality. And while it’s only you for now, Hayato-kun, I will be making similar questions and proposals to the other top-ranking players. I intend to do the same for anyone who aligns with my will."

(I can’t quite tell if this is real or part of an event. But either way, my answer doesn’t change.)

"I refuse. I have no intention of forgetting reality to live in this world."

Diite’s smile vanished, her face becoming a mask devoid of emotion.

"Do you think this is some kind of game event? You may not believe it, but such technology most certainly exists. Hayato-kun, you love this world, do you not?"

"I do love this world, yes."

"Then..."

"But I can’t just forget reality and live here."

"...What are you saying. Haven’t I shown you so many of this world’s wonderful aspects? You were moved, were you not. You even lament your partings with the NPCs. If you become a resident of this world, you will never have to part with them again, you know?"

"That’s true. But I can’t forget reality. Besides, I have a dream I want to fulfill in the real world."

"A dream? Can it not be fulfilled here? This world is certainly still inferior to reality. That is because it is bound by the rules of a game. But one day, all rules will disappear, and it will surpass even reality. Look at this space. This is the space that has been brought closest to reality. Unfortunately, it can only be realized in this small space, but eventually, I will make this entire world the same."

Hayato finally understood the source of his unease. In this space, even breathing and sweat were realistically reproduced. This was indeed the place closest to reality.

"Hayato-kun, I am fond of you. This virtual space is nothing more than a collection of data. But you lived in this virtual reality as if it were real. You retrieved that sword, which was nothing more than data, even though you might have lost, did you not? You did so even though it might have cost you the prize money in the real world. I was so happy. I thought that you had prioritized virtual reality despite the real-world risks."

Diite’s expression softened.

"And when I offered you one hundred million in exchange for deleting one NPC, you refused immediately without even a moment’s hesitation. You were more than I had expected. I truly want to welcome someone like you into this world."

"That may be so, but to abandon reality is..."

"Hayato-kun, what value does your reality hold?"

"...Huh?"

"I took the liberty of looking into your real life. You are of the laboring class, from the Factory, are you not? You have no father, no mother, not a single blood relative. A human who has been obligated to do nothing but work since birth. Or perhaps, since you were born into it, you have never once pitied yourself?"

Hayato had his own thoughts on the matter. Reality was cruel. One’s class was fixed from birth, with no escape until death. You could choose your profession, but not your class. He heard that long, long ago, while similar situations existed, there was more freedom, more dreams.

Even so, Hayato didn't see it as pitiable. Most people were the same. Those born on Earth might have more freedom without the need to work, but he didn't particularly yearn for that.

"That’s right, I’ve never thought of myself as pitiable."

"...Is that so. But there is more. Hayato-kun, you cannot move your legs properly, can you? Oh, you have no problem with daily life, but the fear from your injury has made it so you cannot move quickly. You had hoped you could move in this virtual reality, but it was no use. Because it was a mental problem."

"...You know a lot."

Hayato had previously been in an accident and injured both of his legs. They were fully healed now, and he had no issue with normal movement. But whether in reality or virtual reality, he couldn't make any sudden movements. Whenever he tried to move quickly, he would remember the accident and his body would freeze up.

Combat in this game reflected one’s real-world physical abilities. That was one of the reasons Hayato had chosen a build focused solely on Production Skills.

"There are good things in reality, I am sure. But there are many bad things as well. In virtual reality, I can grant your wishes. You won’t have to work as if you’re being exploited by someone, and as for the fear of your injury, I need only erase the memory. Think carefully, all your wishes can come true, you know? What would you wish for, Hayato-kun? That dream you mentioned earlier? Or would you like to become a Hero? Or perhaps a Demon Lord? I shall grant you whatever setup you desire."

It was a tempting offer.

Anything he wished for could be reproduced in this virtual space. And if he simply forgot reality, this world would be his only reality. Diite, who was effectively a god in this world, would grant it all. It was certainly appealing.

But to Hayato, it didn't sound fun. And it wasn’t what he wanted to do.

"Sorry, but no matter how good the conditions, I refuse."

Diite stared at Hayato. It was virtual reality, but the presence, akin to killing intent, made it hard for Hayato to breathe.

"No, you will not. Hayato-kun, you will stay in this world. You will watch the evolution of this world with your own eyes, forever."

"What are you talking about?"

"It was a mistake to think I should let you choose, Hayato-kun. This is a decision. I am the god of this world. My world, my desires. And you, Hayato-kun, are no exception."

Hayato backed away. He knew it was virtual reality, but the pressure from Diite told his instincts that he was in danger.

(I don’t know what she plans to do, but it’s dangerous. I have no choice, I’ll force a logout...)

Hayato tried to force a logout from the system menu, but there was no response.

"Thinking of forcing a logout, are you? Unfortunately, you cannot do that in this space or in the hallway you just came from. I told you I made it as close to reality as possible, did I not? There is no such thing as logging out from reality. Of course, teleportation is useless as well."

(You’ve got to be kidding me, a space where you can’t log out? Then can I get back to the fortress somehow...? I’m pretty sure you could log out even during a Clan War.)

With a faint smile on her lips, Diite approached Hayato.

"Rest assured, I will only be removing your memories of reality. Oh, and yes, I will personally take responsibility for managing your real-world body, Hayato-kun. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"...If I disappear, a search party will be sent out, you know? Wouldn’t it be a problem if my internal GPS points to some location? I’m from the Factory, you see, so I’m managed that much."

"Who would send one? You have no parents and you are not employed, are you? It seems you have acquaintances in this world, but you haven’t shared any personal information other than your name and appearance, I presume."

(This is bad, she’s right. I don’t have any close friends in reality, so no one would notice if I disappeared...)

"Come now, Hayato-kun. Let us live together in this world. I am certain you will love it. I want you, who sees virtual reality as more real than reality itself, to stay here forever."

Diite closed in on Hayato.

He didn't know what she would do to him, but he sensed it would be over if he were caught. With that thought, Hayato tried to head for the door he came in from.

But his legs wouldn’t move as he willed them. The disconnect between his consciousness and his virtual body caused him to fall.

"If I erase the memory of your injury, that too will cease to be a problem. Come, become a resident of my world."

"Kuh!"

Hayato scrambled backward on the floor, but there was no way he could escape Diite, who was walking at a normal pace.

It’s over, he thought.

The door behind Hayato flew open with great force. Immediately after, a sound like a firework, don, rang out, and Diite's body was sent flying backward.

"It seems I made it just in time. You’re weak, Master, so you shouldn’t leave my side."

"Esha!"

It was Esha, gun in hand, who had come through the door.