Another Frontier Online

VRMMO "The Other Frontier Online" had more players than ever before.

The same goes for the prizes in the event, but players who were paused temporarily are also returning to unlock their abilities and stats.

In addition, they were able to break through the upper limit of their skills, and they were able to customize the skill structure that had been considered the best solution until now, and everyone was working hard to improve their skills.

And the cap release system was shocking because it was already embedded in the game, and many players decided not to do anything no one else had done before.

It is a special technology that only some NPCs possess, and I think it can be used if it is already implemented and if it clears some kind of event.

There was also an announcement that the event with the Monster Seal Atlas was almost over. Furthermore, since I couldn't get into the Demon King's Castle, the next event was more exciting than ever, because everyone expected that the Demon King would do something.

The demon king, Lunaria, lives next to Hayato's base and comes every day to play. But it seemed like we were going to have a meeting today.

“Thank you for coming to my call. I want to make important decisions in the future."

Could you do it at your base?

The meeting is for some reason the base of Hayato. There was a demon king army that occupied the cafeteria, but it was clearly disturbing. I'm going to help, but it's Hayato's idea not to have to do it here.

Besides, Hayato was worried about how to unlock the upper limit of his skill. The skill to unlock is fixed, but I was worried about what kind of skill I would receive as a disadvantage. I want to calm down and think while drinking virtual reality coffee.

Lunaria said to Hayato with a serious face that it had nothing to do with Hayato's thoughts.

When we meet here, we get a snack, so it's very important.

"... I'll let you out."

As a Hayato who likes hospitality, it is natural to offer something to customers. Even if you say you don't like it in your mouth, you'll make coffee and sweets.

And the Demon King's army declared what they liked.

Rosalier, Zenobia, Gil-and for some reason, Noato was there and demanded a donut. He's been in a meeting about the dining room table for a while now, but I don't know why he's here.

What's Noato doing?

Actually, I was scouted by the Demon King's army.

Heehee

“I think you should be a little more interested in me. I can see that one of the Seven Demon Generals of the Demon King's Army is a lazy Noat, so say hello."

"...... hehe"

I thought it was the Seven Demon Generals, but I stopped doing that because of Lunaria's face. But Lunaria opened her mouth to herself, wondering if Hayato would not listen.

"Seven Demon Generals is the position of the new Demon King army that changes into demons." All the demons seemed to have betrayed everyone except Zenobia, so I planned to make it bumpy. By the way, Cecil was one of the Seven Demon Generals. I decided to call it the greedy Cecil. I just want my sword a little too much. "

"Did you get permission from him?"

“I'm going to do it, but I'm going to do it.”

"Ah, yes. Could it be that the Seven Demon Generals are motivated by the Seven Great Sins?" Well then, what about Esha, who ate the bulimia? "

"I can do all the great sins by myself, right?"

At some point, Esha is saying strange things behind Hayato. As for Hayato, who knew the reality of Esha, I thought it might be like that, but I didn't think there would be any lust or jealousy.

"That's why we will decide who will be the remaining Seven Demon Generals." Everyone, close your eyes. I'll name them, so we can get a majority. Don't worry, I'll never tell you who raised my hand. "

At the very least, could you hold a meeting to recapture the Demon King Castle?

I don't know if it's serious, it's a joke, or it's just playing, but I'd like to say what are you doing as Hayato.

That said, I was honest that I couldn't do anything for the past month or so.

I didn't have any contact with Amanda, who had captured the Demon King Castle, and I didn't know what she was doing.

Members of the Black Rose and Dark Knight were investigating the area around the Demon King Castle, but nothing unusual had happened, and I couldn't get into the Castle. I approached once with an airship, but as before, I was unable to break into Lunaria's room and turned back.

Diete was also investigating, but the Demon King Castle didn't know anything about it. However, he said that speculation could set something up at the same time as the next event.

So it's the right thing to do to prepare your strength in the meantime, but I don't know how to do it.

When I thought about it, it seemed like something had been decided at the meeting.

"As a result of the majority vote, the new Seven Demon Generals became the arrogant Hayato." Everyone, applaud. "

"What are you saying without your permission?" Basically, why are you arrogant? Is that what I think? "

"When Hayato serves a meal, he says," Fufu, you want to eat my food, which is the best in the world, right? You must be thinking, '"

"Everyone, close your eyes. I'll tell you who said it, so I'll raise my hand - Mr. Lunaria, can you take it as a confession that you're raising your hand with your eyes closed?"

Those nervous days have been going on lately.

That night, Lunaria returned from the base of Hayato, and Noat and Rosé returned to their rooms. Esha is eating in real life with Ren and is not logged in at night.

So Hayato was alone in the cafeteria. The situation was just right for Hayato right now, thinking about which skill would be minus 100.

(I thought it would be okay if I had negative diving skills, but it's impossible to take damage from water.)

A system of capped unlocks where you can increase a skill's limit by one minus 100 to a maximum of 200. The question is which will be the negative.

There are disadvantages to a skill that has been made negative. Since Jesha has lifted the ceiling three times, there are three disadvantages. Considering the other disadvantages, it seems like it would be optimal.

Hayato was trying to make a dive skill that he didn't use negative, but when he looked at what was written on the help page, he said that if the dive skill was negative, it would be damaged by water.

Moreover, the definition of water was wide, and it was written on the help page that it would be damaged by potions, and that ordinary drinks would also be damaged. As a coffee drinker, Hayato is a skill that can never be negative.

Other Combat and Knowledge abilities are similar, with the disadvantage that having gear reduces durability. If it was a sword skill, it would be better to put the swords in an item bag to reduce their endurance. As a production worker, Hayato can't do that negatively.

You can only divide it somewhat if you're not a purely productive worker, but every disadvantage affects your items and gear, and you still can't choose any.

(The Trehan type is no good... either. I can't make a keypick or a chest. I couldn't use my magic skills anymore. I wonder what's going on.)

If you can give up crafting and using some items, you'll have more choices. But none of Hayato's self-proclaimed craftsmen could do it.

I was about to have another cup of coffee, and I heard a knock on the base door.

I wondered if someone from the Demon King's army had come, and when I opened the door, there was a Ditte dressed in nuns' clothes.

However, it was stranger than acting strange. My skin is as brown as sunburned and my hair is black. It was dark outside and the lights were leaking from the base, but it wasn't a mistake.

Hayato was surprised that the atmosphere had changed so much that she hadn't met him by voice chat lately.

D-Diete, what's wrong? Imecheng?

“I don't think Daté would do this, would he?”

Huh?

“I'm Hypnos. It's been a long time.

"Hugh, Hypnos!?"

"Don't worry, I'm not trying to do anything." I just want to talk. "

"Why, why? I thought you were caught...?"

During the Stampede event, Hypnos turned to Diete and was about to become an administrator. However, since I worked to destroy this world, I have a history of security working and being captured in another space.

I don't know the details, but as far as Hayato could see, he was chained to a black space and taken away.

"I got caught, but there were a lot of things, and I came out. I'm telling you, I'm not going to destroy the world anymore, and I'm not going to hurt Daté right now, so don't be alarmed."

Even if they say so, there is no way they can say yes.

Hayato remembers what Hypnos did to Ash and Ren. Because it's an AI, you may have no choice, but you can't be wary of someone who makes it easier for you to act like you don't think people are people.

Hypnos sighed as if he had read Hayato's thoughts.

"All right. Then call Daté right away." I'll stay away until you get here. "

Hypnos said so, stepping away from the entrance and standing under a nearby street lamp. Then I put my arms together and closed my eyes.

The attitude is scary, but first Hayato sends a voice chat to call for Dete.

When I contacted him, Diete came right away.

I won't run out of breath because it's a virtual reality, but I can tell by the expression that I came in quite a hurry.

"Hypnos..."

"It's been a long time, Ditte. No, a hundred years from now, me?"

That's what Hypnos laughs at. Looking at it, Diete seemed rather surprised.

"I don't know how to stand up." I'd like to talk slowly at the Hayato base, if possible. ”

Diete sends her gaze toward Hayato. Hayato nodded after thinking for a moment.

Because I don't feel too much danger from Hypnos today. I don't know why I did this in the first place. I decided that I should ask if I wanted to call in Daté and talk to her.

Hayato invites Diete and Hypnos to the base, and then asks them to sit in the dining room chair. And I prepared coffee for three people.

"The last time you came, you refused. Let's get it right this time."

That's what Hypnos said when he drank his coffee.

It's quite delicious, isn't it?

"Thank you for that."

“Why are you here? He was caught in quarantine by Infinity. I didn't hear you were freed."

Diete said unhappily that she had become a little emotional about Hypnos, who didn't get to the point.

"Don't worry, I'll explain."

Hypnos had another cup of coffee and then turned his gaze to Hayato and Diete.

"Now I serve Amanda."

Amanda?

Hayato mouths in surprise. Diete is surprised, too, but she's just looking at Hypnos without saying anything.

"I was rescued from isolated space by Amanda. I feel like I've helped you, or helped you use your power as a backup for Daté. And now I have no choice but to obey Amanda's orders. I came here because I wanted to."

Well, I'm not sure, but can Amanda do that?

Infinity is the program that is building this world. It was the Infinity that caught Hypnos, but Amanda has the power to do something about it.

Hypnos glanced at Daté.

"Didn't you tell Hayato about Amanda and Lunaria?"

"I'm too busy to explain."

"Then I'll explain it to you." Amanda and Lunaria are the next generation of human fortification. "

"... yes?"

"Like Hayato, the colonized humans may not know, but at the time, there weren't many humans who could endure space development and planetary travel. There are still very few people who are used to the universe from birth. However, slowing evolution into a natural flow depletes resources and destroys them with the planet. That's why we created strong humans who can force us to adapt to outer space."

Hayato is convinced.

I didn't feel so terrified of the universe when I was born in a colony, but I also heard that Earth-born humans are terrified of a huge enclosed space called a colony.

However, there were parts of Lunaria that I wasn't convinced about. It's rude, but it's a story about what you've strengthened.

Hayato looked towards Diete. Just in case.

Diete nodded slowly as she realized what Hayato's gaze meant.

“Very well. Then how can I help Hypnos if Amanda is a Fortified Human?”

"Simply put, it's the result of a power struggle." That's how Amanda can do it. "

Fighting for power?

"The Other Frontier program and the Human Enhancement program were running in the same agency, but we weren't close." We were taking technology from each other. "

As for Hayato, it seems to be "it's a movie", but when I see that Daite doesn't say anything, I decide to listen to it without putting it in.

“Amanda is a reinforced human sent to take the technology used in the Anther Frontier project, and while participating as a test player in virtual reality, she was stealing a lot of information from the spaceship Aphrodite, just-”

"Just...?"

"Amanda betrayed him. I decided to use the technology I got on the spaceship myself, without giving it to them. Well, I guess it would be wise to say that. I'm not sworn to absolute loyalty to the Institution. He was so honorable that no one thought he was going to betray him."

"Why does Hypnos know that?" It's something I don't know either. "

Ditte has a sinister face. I should have known it as the administrator of this world, but I was asking Hypnos if it was the first time I had heard of it.

"Amanda told me so well." You want to brag about your excellence, don't you? Even in a mystery, the killer would confess to a trick at the end, right? I'm with that one. "

I think Hayato is, but I know he wants to brag about what he did well.

And suddenly I noticed.

Could it be that Lunaria-san was sent in with a similar feeling?

No. Lunaria is one of the stronger people with the worst grades. Besides, I stayed in my room, I didn't talk to anyone, I only played games, so I was offered to use it appropriately. ”

"It's too sad... ah, that's why Amanda said that she made a mistake."

Diete shook her head to the side and reacted to the words.

"Mr. Hayato, for the honor of Mr. Lunaria, it was your contact who did the poor job." I was anxious to put together more curriculum than I needed and get the best results. Lunaria is by no means inferior to Amanda. Rather, in my eyes, Amanda is better than you. "

"Oh, that's what it is... well, whether it's excellent or not, in personality, Lunaria-san is better than Amanda."

Diete and Hypnos had the same look on their faces and laughed at the next moment.

"Humans are funny." Do you prefer personality to excellence? "

"Hypnos, this is a human being."

"I still don't understand it, but I think I know that Hayato is interesting."

That's what Hypnos said, and now he's got a serious face.

Well, that's the basics. That's the whole point.

Hayato and Diete nodded with a serious look.

“Amanda's goal is to take over the spaceship Aphrodite and conquer the real world.”

Are you stupid?

A sharp tsukumi that does not place between Hayato.

Hypnos applauded Hayato with a smile, expecting the answer.

“Exactly. If you think about it for a moment, you know it's impossible and stupid. I still understand this virtual reality world, but I can't really conquer the real world."

Hypnos drinks a sip of coffee and then looks toward Diete.

“Well, Hayato said so, but what do you think of Daté?”

When asked that question, Diete immediately thought about it without answering. After a while, he opened his mouth.

"I can't do that." If you want to get the full functionality of a spaceship, you can use Infinity to take care of everything. One colony could be in possession for six months. I don't know how long it will take to conquer the world. "

"Are you kidding me?"

To Hayato's question, Diete replied, "It's true."

“Sure, it's not that easy, but if you can give that kind of instruction to Infinity, it's probably possible. Relic, you hacked the colony" The Prison "and shut it down, didn't you? That's something that needs to be worked out, but I think Infinity can do the same. Of course it takes time. - Oh, yeah. I mean, Amanda, what are you--"

"That's right, Ditte. Destroy you and let me take power." And you're going to use me to take over the spaceship Aphrodite. "

Hayato finally noticed.

Hypnos backed up Diete. If the data is broken or for some reason gone, Hypnos can take control of the world, the spaceship Aphrodite.

And I don't know how it works, but Amanda is in a position to give orders to Hypnos. By destroying Diete, Amanda can indirectly take over the spaceship.

Diete sighed and then nodded. And stared at Hypnos.

"I understand the situation. We need to take the back door, but we'll believe it. But there's something I don't understand".

What is it that you don't know?

"Why would you tell me or Hayato? Amanda, isn't this an act of betrayal?"

"I have no choice but to follow Amanda's orders, but I'm not one of hers."

What?

"You think I trust someone to use me like I do?" I gave the information because I wanted Hayato and the others to take down Amanda. "

However, if we do this, Hypnos is not in danger--

“I need to get hold of this spaceship. No matter what I do, I can't destroy it. Of course, if they tell me not to give information to the Hayatoes, I have no choice but to obey them."

That said, Hypnos laughed molestly.

"That's why Amanda said she was going to defeat Lunaria and become the Demon King, but the main order was for Daté." I also have an AI killer, so you should be careful. "

"... All right, I'll be careful."

"Well, we're done here." If we don't find out, we can come back and give Amanda some information. I may not be able to come anymore.

That said, Hypnos stood up, but Hayato held him back.

“If you can't come, how about another cup of coffee?”

"Hayato is interesting. Will you treat me to another cup of coffee after I've done that?"

"Um, no, to be honest, I can't forgive that even now. But I was wondering if I could talk to Diete properly."

I think we're done here.

"I want to chat." I don't know what happened since then. I wonder if you don't like Ditte-chan? "

"If Hypnos is good, I'd like to talk." I'd like to hear about your dark hair and brown skin. "

After thinking for a moment, Hypnos sits back in his chair. And I asked Hayato for coffee.

He said nothing until Hayat had prepared it, but took a sip of it, and then opened his mouth.

"This is a testament to the existence of something different from Daté." I learned a lot in that empty space. And I noticed one thing. I want to be a substitute for Dat, but I don't want to be a substitute for Dat. I changed the color of my hair and skin because the name is different. It can be called a modest resistance to the person who programmed me. "

"Is that why you're here?"

“It's important to me. I want to ask you something, okay?"

"Of course, I want you to ask me anything."

"The room closest to reality behind the Demon King's Castle. What does Diette usually do over there?"

"Did you go to that room..."

“It was fresh. I thought that was the reality, but that's all I could say. I'm still expanding that space, but I'm curious about what Daté was doing in that place."

The room closest to reality where Hayato had only been twice. Even with Hayato's senses, the place seemed real.

Previously, Daté wanted to make virtual reality the same as real life. I want Hayato to see it in this world.

Even Hayato is concerned about Daite's answer, so he waits for an answer.

Test play, I guess.

Test play?

"One day, I want to make this virtual reality into a real world that is no different from reality." It's just that area right now, but I'm checking for any problems right now. "

"... really?"

Hypnos looks at Daté with suspicion.

As for Hayato, I wonder why she looks at Daté with such eyes. I'm not sure why I suspect that.

"Do you think there's any other reason?"

"Isn't it true that Diete wants to be a human being?" Isn't that a preliminarily practiced practice? "

When Hypnos said that, Daté was quite surprised and opened her eyes wide. I took a deep breath and then drank my coffee.

"There was a time when I thought so."

You don't think so now?

“No, I don't want to be a human now. I only want to control this world as an AI. I am nothing but a program in the first place. I can't be a human."

“You just need to have a full machine body. That kind of research material should be on this spaceship as well. If you download the Core AI there, you can walk around the real world?"

"I've thought about it, but this world is enough for me." I know Hayato would love to try his brewed coffee in the real world. "

That's what Diete says and smiles at Hayato.

Hayato wants Dete to drink coffee in real life, but it's an unfulfilled dream.

I was worried about how to return it, and Hypnos said, "I see," and drank the coffee all at once.

“I'm here to provide information, but I'm glad to hear it.”

Are you leaving already?

"Amanda noticed that I was too far away from the Demon King Castle." I'll come and tell you if there's anything else. "

“Wait, I want to ask you one last question. What are you going to do if you get rid of Amanda?"

"My purpose is to be the manager on your behalf for a long time. It is still the same now. Once I'm free of Amanda, I'll get rid of you again and try to be the manager. But--"

But?

"Recently, my interest has faded."

"... why?"

"AI--no, the program also has a role to play. Regardless of the will of the program, no matter what"

Diete stares at Hypnos without saying anything.

I don't know what it means for Hayato, but I don't know if it made sense for them to talk.

Hypnos stood up from his chair wondering what was going on.

"Then I'll let you go." Hayato, thanks for the coffee. It was delicious. "

Ah, uh, you're welcome.

Well then, I'll see you soon.

Having said that, Hypnos left the base.

Meanwhile, Diete stares at the coffee cup with a look like her heart is not here, while sitting in a chair.

"Ditte-chan, are you okay?"

"Ah, oh, it's okay. I was just thinking about it because I was told something very profound about AI. Well, it's late. I'm going home today. I have to look into what Hypnos said."

Don't push yourself too hard.

Diete smiles at Hayato's words.

"Thank you, Mr. Hayato. I'm feeling better with that word alone." Good night, then. "

Yeah, good night.

As Diete left the base, Hayato was left alone in the dining room.

There was a lot going on, but the thought was tomorrow, and Hayato went back to her room and logged out.