Chapter 121: Enjoying the Game 1 |
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Posted in discord.
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(Caution: Spoiler) RoughSummaryOfTheStory.txt
[HanSeAhsStreamWhereTheGoddessAppears.JPG]
[HanSeAhTalkingWithTheGoldenGolem.JPG]
Based on what I watched in the 18th stream, I've fleshed out some details, though some parts are speculative and not confirmed.
[CloseUpOfTheGoddessAndHerCollarbone.JPG]
She says that the Demon King suddenly intruded into the world she created.
The Demon King, hailing from another world, is currently invading the world of the Goddess, and the Tower serves as the forward base for this invasion.
[CloserZoomInOnTheGoddessChest.JPG]
The Goddess, is more like the Goddess of life itself, as she is the only God and creator and even the monsters are her creations.
Monsters, after all, can be healed by divine energy.
Unless it's an undead as was mentioned in a different post.
However, the nature of the Demon King is the opposite of the goddess, I'm not sure what to call it, but like an imposter?
A doppelganger?
Or maybe a parasite that inhabits human bodies?
Or perhaps he's like the aliens in some foreign horror films, which consume humans and then impersonate them, seeming like a living being but not actually.
So the monsters in the Tower imitate the monsters outside, but they have no actual bodies.
The Goddess speculates that the Demon King's intention might be to devour all living beings outside the Tower and replace them with the monsters that spit out mana stones.
[ScreenshotOfASelfDestructingGoldenGolem.JPG]
And then there’s the Golden suicide bomber introduced in the 21st floor.
Although it might feel cliché, a certain pattern emerges.
[ScreenshotOfTheGoldenGolemDeclaringTheLastFortress.JPG]
This Demon King hasn't invaded just the world of "Heroes Chronicle".
He's most likely invading and consuming various other worlds, replicating his forces in the process.
The sudden appearance of a maze within the 21st floor's cave might be the aftermath of the Demon King devouring a world where the Golem served as a guardian.
To summarize in three lines:
1 The Demon King invades various dimensions, consuming them.
2 Those consumed by the Demon King transform into non-living entities, a mana stone being.
3 The Tower likely houses remnants of various worlds, which might appear as in-game events.
┗Multiple worlds would indeed make it easier to create events.
┗So you think there are other worlds just because of the maze?
┗If you think of it in terms of fantasies, it could just be a relic from a different era.
┗If it's the Demon King's second invasion, the divine energy bags would have said something.
┗Are you nuts?
"Different worlds... That's possible."
There's a popular, lengthy post on the Forum.
Although hundreds of comments are quarreling over who's right or wrong, speculating wildly or imaginatively, I feel the poster's hypothesis might be on the mark.
Considering 'Heroes Chronicle' is based on 'Heroines Chronicle', it's possible the game contains elements from the latter.
When you reach the 60th floor, suddenly a ruined city appears.
There could be an event where you recruit a new companion, like a 5★ 'Destroyed World's Android' (female).
'Heroines Chronicle' was that kind of game.
Anyway, it's a game that showcases female characters and introduces all sorts of dimensions and worlds.
"Roland, your meal is ready."
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure. Cooking is much more fun and easier than standing guard."
As I read the extensive post, Irene’s voice, accompanied by a savory aroma, came from behind.
After the golden golem, the Tower reverted to its original state.
Goblins and kobolds were squawking loudly in the cave clearing, with cave spiders and vampire bats blocking the narrow passages with their large bodies.
Every now and then, we'd pour mana into some panels hoping something would happen, but all that emerged were Rock and Steel Golems.
The Golden Golem, the one with enough intelligence to talk with us, never appeared again.
"So, what's the purpose of this magic stone? It's red, and I think it's meant to be used here in the caves. It's key-shaped stone and looks like it should be used to open a door."
-Well, it's a key, so that's obvious, right? LOL.
-They're worth 10 gold each... makes my mercenary gameplay feel pathetic.
-Players now might just be getting their first gold coins.
-So, that's it for today's stream?
"Yeah, that's it for today's stream. Honestly, who'd want to watch me babble on for hours while on night watch?"
So, in a corner of the 25th floor, Han Se-ah ends her stream while sipping on her stew.
Breakfast and lunch are usually light soups with bread, but dinner is a hearty meat-filled stew to replenish their energy.
Irene’s homemade dishes, like a mother's cooking, make me feel warm and comfortable.
Her title might be 'Saint Candidate', but her cooking rivals a 1★ Chef.
Of course, this is limited to the stews and soups she's familiar with.
Perhaps her expertise comes from cooking for children at the temple?
The other party members also seemed happy, munching on chunks of meat from the stew.
"We finished the request faster than I thought we would. I never imagined there would be a colony of cave mushrooms. I'm pretty familiar with forests and the grass plains, but it seems I need to study caves more."
"Such massive caves aren't places you'd stumble upon easily."
"If this tower is imitating things from the outside world, does that mean there are similar caves out there? I'm quite curious about that."
"I've heard there's a large cave somewhere in the southern part of the kingdom. Adventurers have been buzzing about exploring it for minerals and other resources."
"Oh, so it's based on a real place. Just as the Goddess said..."
Grace, pleased with finishing the gathering quest for glowing moss and luminous mushrooms quicker than anticipated, and Irene and Kaiden, curious about the vast caves, chatted away as they dined.
In the midst of everything, Han Se-ah, having ended her stream, discreetly approaches Grace and whispers something to her.
She's scheming again.
After their hushed conversation, Grace gets another bowl of stew from Irene and starts walking towards me.
While she acts nonchalant, the mischievous Han Se-ah, has taken out her camera drone again.
Grace's cheeks turn a shade of red.
She seems more serious about this than I thought.
Why is Han Se-ah so passionate about pairing us?
From the past videos I've seen of her, she didn't seem to have such interests.
Maybe she sees the virtual reality game as a real-life drama unfolding before her eyes.
Even Irene has started to catch on, as evident by her glances in our direction after serving the stew.
Only Kaiden, either uninterested or acting aloof, continues to tend to her sword.
Grace takes a seat beside me.
“Haven't you finished eating already, Roland?”
"I'm finished, but I can still sit with you."
"Oh? Did I get an extra bowl for no reason?"
"If you're full, let's split it. We can share."
We sit side by side on the thick blanket laid over the rugged cave floor and I help myself to some of the stew Grace brought.
To the others, our simple act of sharing a meal together seems to hold a different, deeper meaning.
From behind us, we can hear muffled sounds of amusement and astonishment.
Regardless, Grace starts to eat, sitting close enough that our arms occasionally brush against each other.
We're close enough that I can feel her breath.
Despite the slight discomfort from our closeness every time we moved to eat, Grace seemed content.
"...The Demon King. He's bound to be strong, right?"
"Definitely."
In the comfortable silence, Grace brings up the topic of the Demon King.
Perhaps meeting the Goddess imbued everyone with a sense of purpose.
In Grace's mind, our mission isn’t just exploring the tower but defeating the Demon King to save the world.
She placed her stew bowl on her firm lap, twiddling her fingers.
“It doesn't feel real.”
She began.
“Hmm?”
“Not long ago, I was a hunter from a small Village, hunting goblins on the lower floors of the tower, and arguing with the party leader over silly things.”
“Ah, the female swordsman.”
“And now, I've met the Goddess, been blessed with divine energy, and am preparing to fight the Demon King. If someone how come to the village and prophesied this to me, I would’ve dismissed them as a fraud.”
As she spoke slowly, her restless fingers kept bothering me so I gently took her hand to calm her.
When she's drunk, she throws off her clothes and goes on the attack, but when she's sober, she shows such a girlish side.
I’d like to make a move, but... the hovering camera drone above and the intense stares from the two spectators behind us were a bit annoying.
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