Astral Online: Cursed by the Demon Lord to Become the Strongest Beautiful Girl, I Rapidly Grow and Dominate with Cheat Skills Despite Being the Weakest Profession - Chapter 227
Chapter 227: The Master’s Work
The next day, possibly due to the aftermath of the Great Calamity, sandstorms began occurring throughout the world.
What’s more, things got off to a bizarre start when monsters appeared right away. And if that wasn’t strange enough, I saw a woman jogging alongside a clay figure early in the morning.
Curious as to why this was being treated as normal, I asked the woman, who explained that according to the morning TV news, El had said the clay figure was harmless.
So… is this like the crab from last time? Another ally unit?
While Kuro found it adorable, like a mascot, I couldn’t help but find it unsettling.
Later that day, around noon, after an uneventful morning of classes, I logged in as soon as I got home.
Inside the castle, I came across an unexpected figure: none other than Shino, the dual-wielding master who had trained both Kuro and me.
“I’ve dealt with all the Dark Believer who had infiltrated the castle, as requested. What’s the next quest?”
“As expected of the Dual-Blade Wargod! Next, we need you to wipe out the base of their forces hiding in the town, as reported by the general.”
“Understood. From the confidential documents I retrieved from the defeated enemies, I have a good idea of their location. I’ve already given the go-ahead to my team, who are waiting outside the base entrance. It should take no more than a few minutes to secure the area entirely.”
Wow… talk about efficiency. It’s almost pitiful for the enemies.
Imagine having your base hit with a simultaneous assault, pure terror from their perspective. Shino must have handled quests in the Sea Kingdom just as effectively.
As Kuro and I observed the exchange between the queen and our master from the shadows, feeling a mix of awe and unease—
“Hm, I sense the presence of Sora and Kuro. Stop hiding and come out already.”
“W-what? Master, have you finally unlocked a perception skill…?”
“Amazing! Just like Sora, you can pinpoint us without even looking!”
“Everyone has a unique aura. With enough training, you can recognize who’s who without needing to see them.”
“Even professional gamers can only gauge someone’s general strength. Being able to distinguish individuals with that level of precision… that’s something only Master can do!”
While Kuro was brimming with admiration, I was once again reminded of just how extraordinary and inhuman our master truly was.
Sure, the explanation made sense, but it was like memorizing someone else’s fingerprints, a superhuman feat.
Standing next to Shino, Queen Kushinada tilted her head with a cheerful smile, clearly having no idea what Shino was talking about.
“So, you’re tracking the Second Princess, Rasetsu, right? How’s that going?”
“Uh, well… We finished Ichi Village yesterday, and today we’re planning to head to Ni Village, maybe even San Village if we have time…”
I felt like a little brother being asked by his older sister whether he’d done his homework.
For the record, this summer I was so focused on my gender transformation and playing Astral Online that I completely forgot about homework. I thought I’d be scolded, but I got exempted thanks to my adventurer privileges. Lucky me (though my homeroom teacher did give me a lecture).
“I see, sounds like the kind where you have to progress step by step. Even if you take the shortest route, it’ll probably take at least a week to finish.”
From my explanation, Master quickly calculated the minimum time required to clear the quest.
Of course, this estimate was based on everything going smoothly. If the scenario took an unexpected turn, the time could easily double, so it was just a rough guideline.
“Meanwhile, Master will probably finish everything in record time.”
“That’s right. I want to free up as much time as possible for some research I’m doing in the real world, so I’m trying to keep my in-game time to a minimum.”
“Research?”
“…To be honest, I didn’t want to involve kids in this, but since you’re not unrelated, I might as well tell you. Ever since Astral Online started affecting reality, I’ve been conducting an investigation at the request of the Sky Fantasy administration.”
“You got a request from the game admins? What are you investigating?”
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t pry into something like this. It seemed like a matter of compliance. But the phrase ‘Astral Online started affecting reality’ stuck with me, and I couldn’t help but ask.
Master lightly checked the surroundings, then looked back at me with a serious expression.
“In this world, there’s no need to worry about being overheard. Besides, when it comes to that person, you’re not uninvolved.”
“That person…?”
“Listen carefully, I’ll only say this once. My mission is to uncover the true identity and purpose of El.”
“What? What does that even mean?”
For a moment, my mind went blank.
Why would a professional gamer like Master be tasked with something akin to detective work?
And the fact that she was telling me about it implied she had accepted the admin’s request.
But why?
Was it because my friends Arisa and Haruto had gotten caught up in all of this and disappeared?
Seeing my confusion, Master delivered another bombshell statement.
“In exchange for accepting the request, I was told something interesting… Eleven years ago, when you were about five years old, VR headgear and the world’s first VRMMO, Sky Fantasy, were announced. The person who provided the technology and the initial game data to a major gaming company was… a white-haired girl.”
“…What!?”
Master’s revelation left me utterly speechless.
Even Kuro was taken aback, repeatedly glancing between me and Master with an expression of complete disbelief.
“Wait a second. Are you saying that the headgear we’re using now and the Sky Fantasy we played back then are all connected to El?”
“If the information I was given is true, then yes.”
If El had been heavily involved in developing the headgear and the world’s first VRMMO, what was her goal?
With her extraordinary abilities, she wouldn’t need to rely on anyone else. She could easily gather a talented team, like the White Knight, and build something herself.
Why would she hand over just the foundational technology to another company and then vanish? It made no sense.
Even if she couldn’t make the game herself, Sky Fantasy has been running successfully for ten years, and it’s undeniably a masterpiece.
If it were me, I would’ve stayed involved until the very end. Handing it over entirely feels like…
Before I could finish forming my thoughts, Shino casually voiced the possibility I had been considering.
“This is just my theory, but I think she used the major company to spread VR headgear and Sky Fantasy worldwide as her ultimate goal.”
To spread them worldwide.
Considering the current circumstances, there was only one conclusion to draw from that.
“…To create Astral Online, right?”
“Good deduction. As expected from my apprentice.”
“But even if Astral Online was her goal, what is she planning to do next?”
“That, I can’t say. But if we assume this situation was orchestrated, then perhaps even your curse is part of her plan.”
“My curse… part of El’s plan…”
“Either way, stay vigilant. If I learn anything else, I’ll share it with you in-game like this.”
With that, Master left to eliminate the Dark Believer infesting the kingdom.
As I stood there for a moment, lost in thought, Kuro reached out and gently held my hand, looking worried.
“Sora, are you okay?”
“…Yeah. I’m curious about El, but there’s no use dwelling on it now. Let’s focus on Rasetsu for the time being.”
Later, we headed to Ni Village by carriage, but we couldn’t make contact with Rasetsu there either. This left us with no choice but to head to San Village next.