Second Story Online: Aiming To Become The World’s Number 1. Ideal Witch

"Ooh...."

Electronic fireworks are fired up in the blue sky and a paper blizzard is blowing.

Beyond that, there was a large white tower... an orbital elevator that could be said to be a symbol of this era.

Welcome to Virtual Expo!

A 3D holographic sign was floating above the venue.

Virtual Expo is an annual exhibition of VR, AR, MR and other technologies.

Of course, many companies involved in VR games participate.

Known as a major event, it is an event that attracts the attention of not only companies but also game players.

Today, I was at the event.

I've never participated in this before, but it seems that NR Company, an operating company of SSO, is participating, so I'm a little curious about it.

The venue is amazing when information on various technologies comes out as soon as possible.

But most of them will not actually have stepped into the land.

You will be visiting from a distant place through an avatar.

Anyway, this is an artificial island floating on the Pacific Ocean. It's a bit difficult to get to geographically.

This is a place like this, but it is also the center of modern technology, and there are various company headquarters on the island.

The NR company and Noah also have a headquarters building here.

Well, because it was a place where VR-related companies gathered, it seems that the venue of the Expo was naturally here.

Geographically difficult to get around, but you can do it right away if you just want to participate.

Because the island has MR technology infrastructure, you can project an avatar and look around the venue through it.

Even native visitors can interact on the spot, of course.

What you can't do is an avatar, so you won't be able to touch anything real on the ground.

Virtual avatars can touch each other.

There are many real avatars that are the same as the real person.

I mean, in places like this that are not different from reality, you can't participate unless it's a real avatar.

"Hey, you were such a little girl."

"That's how big you are....."

"Well, it's a dwarf in the game, so I guess it's an extra one."

I heard two boys who seemed to be in the middle and high school nearby.

I thought you were meeting me at the entrance to the venue.

She had long brown hair and small black hair.

You said you'd never met him off-game before.

"I'm sorry! You're late!

Another girl about the same age ran up to them.

It's longer than the two of us... about 170cm long? Blonde hair, blue eyes, good style.

She was beautiful enough to think she was some model.

"Eh... are you real?

"I don't know, it's a real thing! It's Camilla!

"Hey, I heard there's another one coming, but I've never heard of such a beautiful girl, Hikaru."

"I don't know either!

Seems like it was a surprising pattern to meet offline.

Could it be that the avatars girls use in the game are men?

"Come on, come on, come on! Sava... it wasn't you!

"Don't panic.... or you're about to make a mistake."

"That's not cool. If you come and go this way, you'll make a mistake."

Another pair of three high school students pass by me.

A young man with glasses who is drawn by an active girl, and a big and funny young man.

I feel good when I look at what seems like fun for young children.

Hopefully, I wanted to join my friend, but it wasn't convenient for her.

I also happened to come because I had an appointment, so I'm not meeting someone.

So I'm going to walk around the venue alone.

"Oops."

"Oh, I'm so sorry...."

That's what I thought. When I walked, I bumped into someone.... I can't believe I bumped into someone here.

I tried to apologize, but the next word didn't come out.

A big, muscular man. The hair with white hair is all-back.

She may be 190cm tall.

Besides, a person wearing black sunglasses looks scared if he gets angry with a pretty strong face.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?

"It's okay, thank you for coming."

"Sorry, I got a little lost and didn't look back. Besides, I didn't think I'd bump into anybody...."

... but against his appearance, he seemed like a good person.

And I was surprised because I didn't think it would hit me there either.

It seems true that I am lost and I look around.

Every time he looks around, I feel a little distant.

"What is the navigation function?

"Unfortunately, my terminal is acting strange, and it's not working."

Smile and tap the sunglasses with your fingers as if you were in trouble.

Navigation by geographic information systems is now the norm.

It's easy to get to your destination with one terminal, but it doesn't make sense if the terminal doesn't work.

Contemporary people who rely on the sharp tools of civilization are said to be more likely to get lost without a terminal.

"Shall I show you around?

"Honestly, thank you! I was in trouble because I couldn't make it."

Well then, let's hurry up. Where is it?

Listen to the location, compare it with the map in the venue, and guide them to that location.

"This way. I will guide you, so please follow me."

"Are you used to it?

"It's so normal. Well, I'm used to showing you about my profession."

Even so, it's been a long time since I retired.

We split up the venues where people interact and went to their destination.

The location is the corporate booth, and it looks like the stage has just started.

There were a lot of people before the stage.

Ha! How are you guys? Virtual Idol MM!

"Uh-oh! MM-chan!"

MM?

When I looked at the stage, I saw the virtual idol MM.

The pink hair is the same, but the girl came with cute clothes to keep the exposure down.

"[Element Orb] stage show! What a special guest today! Come and join us! You two are familiar with movies!

Men like Nice Middles appeared with beautiful music.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, it's a refreshing appearance. He was a famous actor as I know him.

But only one person appeared.

"Ah, that?

MM looks at the stage sleeves as well.

If MM is right, one more person will come out, but not all of them.

"--Why don't you come out without hiding, Emperor! You're afraid of being defeated by me!

"Let's crush this bullshit now."

When the man on the stage suddenly said so, a terrifying bass sounded in response.

I've seen this exchange.

Indeed, in the [Element Orb] movie, the protagonist was said in the scene of confronting the Las Boss emperor.

I was surprised.... because the source of the bass dialog was next to me.

Thank you for the directions.

"Ah, you can't be..."

The big guy in the sunglasses walked to the stage with a cheer.

"It's late, Gino."

"I was in a bit of an accident. I'm sorry I'm late."

The stage proceeded in a gentle atmosphere.

Even so, you were surprised. I didn't know that the person guiding the way was a celebrity.

I wanted to see the stage show, but the crowd got worse.

It seems difficult to see it here. Let's look at it later in the delivery archive.

So I decided to hang out at the venue again.

"Hey hey! They're doing the magic show of that fantasy sorcerer over there!

"Eh, seriously!

As I walked through the flow of people, I heard such a conversation.

A magic show... I've never seen much magic before, so why don't we go have a look?

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my magic show today. Let's bring you a miracle moment that weaves between virtual, real and narrow."

A platinum blonde youth stands in the middle of the crowd in formal costumes.

She had a smooth back and a sweet mask and a wink raised her yellow voice.

Next to that, there was a beautiful woman who looked like an assistant.

It's so dazzling when beautiful men and women line up.

"Still, you look a lot alike. Is it today?

"Yes, those two are sisters and brothers. Magicians are younger brothers, assistants are older sisters."

My murmur was answered by a small, silly woman next door.

My beautiful sister's brother's magician... oh, speaking of which, I've been talking about it on TV before.

A rare magician who maintains traditional magic and incorporates modern technology. Was the street name given to you a magician of illusion?

There is no stage and there are no guest seats. It was like a full guerrilla event, and I was showing the magic on the spot.

The magic was still the next generation of magic that incorporates AR and VR technology, and it was stunning.

Let's finish the show. And finally, there's the classic idea of a junior magician being trapped in a box and getting out of there.

He was born and proved to be nothing but an avatar, trapped in a box.

Then the sword is ruthlessly poking in.

This sword was also proven to be authentic, so if it had remained in the box, the young man would have been skewered by now.

"Oops!

The box was opened, but there was no magician.

Looks like he escaped safely, and the audience cheers.

"- One, two, three!

When the sound burst, flowers sprinkled across the sky.

"Would you like one?

A round of flowers has been presented.... a magician who was supposed to have been in the box before.

I heard a shutter sound when I got the flower I was offered.

"You again. What kind of gossip article are you going to write this time?

"I don't like it, husband. I don't always write gossip articles. Besides, I just have a helper today. Well, if something happens to be a story, it's different, isn't it?

It seems that the bluff earlier was from the press. I was showing you a press badge.

The magic show went on and on.

They're going to do these shows all over the venue during this expo.

Now, here comes the NR booth. It's time for the NR CEO to take the stage.

"I can't see..."

It was obvious, but there were a lot of people gathered at the event that attracted attention.

Though they would be broadcast live, people who wanted to taste the presence at the venue were pushing each other around a good place.

There's a nice seat over here. Come on.

"Eh...?

They pull their hands in the crowd and take them away in no time.

Hey!

I don't want you to take me by force.

When I finally got out of the crowd, I knew who pulled my hand and was convinced at the same time.

"Yes, ID. Ah, this kid's with me, right?

"I'm fine with the doctor. Please come through."

The person passes by showing his/her ID where only the person concerned can enter.

The place I came from was the audience seat for the people involved... the so-called VIP seat.

"... I didn't think you were here."

A woman with gray hair wrapped around her back wearing a familiar white coat. He was an old friend of mine.

You gave me the VR device arc connect as a birthday present.

"I'm surprised, too. I can't believe you're coming out here. I thought you were playing games in your own house."

"I'm going out too. Well, I don't deny it's a game... it's been a long time."

"Yes, today's stage was about the SSO you're playing.... it's been a long time since you've changed."

I haven't seen you in years, but I'm glad you're still alive.

You may have gotten a little old looking.

"Is SSO fun?

"Yeah, it's fun."

"That's good. I'm sure you think so. [M] I'm glad I kept them."

She sees the stage and then the crowd. This is a little higher, so you can see the entire venue.

"Absolutely... I wonder what a pity it is. If you're human, you can treat me like a human.

There are tens of thousands of people in the hall. Some of them aren't real people.

But they are people. It is established by law and has human rights.

"People can't change their bodies if they're short-lived... and they can't force their new friends to do it."

"... if I were human, I'd take it for granted."

People handle words and have emotions.

Special moves differ from person to person, and the difference is remarkable.

Even if you have a good memory, you will forget about it.

And sometimes I make mistakes.

It has a lifespan and is fragile enough to die in an instant.

That's what people are. And the new humans must obey it.

Because they're human too.

I have the same will and feelings as people, and even if I make mistakes, I am not human, because I am not old, I have no life expectancy, and if my body breaks, I will fix it as soon as I repair it.

"It seems stupid. In the end, you just measured it with common sense and gauge, and you pushed the values."

"But it would have been difficult to accept it otherwise. It's hard to understand what went too far from common sense."

"I guess... Well, if you think of it as a creepy valley phenomenon, I think it will change later...."

Sometimes things that are too similar or too perfect can become intense discomfort and a source of fear.

Former “friends” were. I was afraid because it was too similar.

Still, some of the humans who tried to embrace it tried to embrace their common sense.

That's why I asked them if you were a human or a machine.

"... neither human nor machine. An entirely new existence would be like an alien. It came out of nowhere, and it's still going to take a while to accept it."

Changing common sense and obviousness is difficult.

Because people from centuries ago never understood where they preached common sense today.

"Whatever brightens their future, I assure you!... because I'm the one who wants to change their ego because they're acting weird right now!

She laughed that she was also such a person.

After all, “friends” have never spoken out against this treatment before.

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since you retired, right?

"Yes, but... what is it?

She suddenly shook the subject to change the conversation.

"Are you willing to host our company?

"It's been a tradition for your company, robots, for ten years. I can't because I'm a person."

"... a rookie from three years ago has no love, no cuteness, no reputation."

Well, that's what robots are for.

Well, that's a common story. It has become more convenient with the introduction of the machine, but it is said that it is no longer familiar.

"... I'll think about it anyway."

"That's good. Let's talk about it at the next meeting."

Having such a conversation with her gave me a big applause and cheer.

Apparently the stage has begun. It was the CEO of NR that took the stage.

A man of great age is wearing a suit.

"Now, are you enjoying our new game, SSO? Another story in a fantasy world far from reality. You all have a fantasy world yearning. I've always held that in my arms, and I've been making a lot of games ever since I wanted to go to that world. But there's another thing I had. --If only the real world itself could be like that... have you ever thought so?

My fingers became stiff. As a sign, green trees begin to grow in the venue, and petals begin to dance in the wind.

They're all made of holograms.

"... are you going to play a game like AR?

"It's not that kind of thing. He's trying to bring the virtual world to reality."

"Somehow, it's a big story on a scale. It's going to happen years ahead."

"But isn't that interesting?

A blue butterfly flew around, and one came before us. The butterfly stops on the flower I just got.

The butterfly that stops with the raw flower is a hologram. I can't grab it.

However, if the existence of this hologram were to become real with mass, it would not be a fake.

... I won't deny her words.

If things like the world of SSO can be done in real life, I think that would be fun.

"He has an ideal to change the world someday.... I want to support you as you share the same ideals."

Her eyes were sparkling.

Now, let me introduce you to the allies that are indispensable to the next project. As CEO of Noah Industries, I was the developer of that support robot. "

"Oh, yeah, it was my turn."

"... why are you here if you have a turn?"

"I can't help it. I found you."

She ran like she was in a hurry when her name was called from the top of the stage.

Luckily, we're not that far from the stage, so we'll be on our way soon.

"Okay, I'm coming, Chloe."

"Yes, welcome."

I saw off her back as she ran toward the stage.

"... Chloe?

Well, looking back at that name, the big guy in the sunglasses... there was that actor.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Somehow, it was the same name I knew."

"No, nothing. But I'm not Chloe."

"What? But just now..."

"My last name is Kuroda. Chloe is like a nickname."

Even so, in reality, he's the only one who can call me by this nickname.

"Hey, um... I was wondering if we've met somewhere before?

"It's a kind of rhetorical dialogue."

"It's not a whisper...."

"Well, to be perfectly clear, I've never met him."

I've seen my face unilaterally in a movie, but this is the first time I've actually met this actor.

"I see...."

It seems like it was unexpected. But without so much disappointment, he regained his hold.

"By the way, can I ask you something?

"What is it?

"--Would you sign for me?

I gave them electronic colored paper and smiled, and I said.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

The war seems to have been tough ~

"Yes, it was very difficult."

When I logged in to SSO today, Miranda just came to the store.

During the war, Miranda, who was not logged in, asked me how she was doing at that time, so I decided to have a cup of tea with her.

"I won the war thanks to the help of my master!

"Eh, Chloe, who is this guy? Looks like a new employee."

"That's what it is."

Speaking of which, Miranda, you had no contact with her.

"Not much of a thing like that! I serve you, my lord, and I am your faithful and most dependable patient!

"Don't say you're capable."

Why Tsubaki-san works in our shop? As a matter of course, he broke into the shop... No, he voluntarily helped me.

Well, I don't deny being competent, and I don't have any trouble working with you, so I'll leave it there.

And the gray-haired kid over there?

She's a pickup.

I mentioned Meetings where I was eating Earl's homemade cake in a counter seat with Nil, so I answered.

Nil, this is delicious.

Nil nodded a lot, yeah, in Meetya's words. And now he sticks the plate with a beak like he eats this cake.

... you look like you're feeding a bird.

But I didn't know that Nil divided the food.

It seemed to teach her the pleasure of eating without knowing what was delicious.

Why is that Meatier here? After the war, she found herself lost in the dusk forest.

Everything seemed to have strayed from Oswald while he was on the run. Incidentally, it appears that Oswald was captured and imprisoned.

If left alone, she would have been imprisoned for being a companion, so I hid her.... well, it's also personal because she's my rear freak.

"Anyway, Chloe and I owe it to Chloe to have tea like this. Thank you for protecting the city."

"No.... say those words to Rush the next time they come. They were doing their best."

I understand ~

We were able to protect the city, and we were able to secure the seal.

My friends have grown a little.

Whatever.

"... fufufu"

After that, I looked at the list of titles many times.

Some titles changed after the war.

"What's wrong, Chloe?

"No... oh?

When I tried to reply to Miranda, I received a notification that an intruder had appeared in the depths of the forest.

"I'm sorry, I just remembered something.... store number, Earl, Tsubaki-san."

Okay ~! Welcome ~

"I understand! I will protect the shop at the cost of my life!

Those two and Earl escorted him to the woods.

--There is a guardian in the dusk forest.

They used to call me a grass witch.

But one of the videos in the history gave me a different name.

"Hey, that's..."

I knew it! Black Witch Lady Black !

The two players who looked at me said so.

So I called out as usual.

"Hello, what have you done in the depths of this forest? If you get lost, I'll show you."

[Black Witch (Lady Black)] - As Chloe.