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 33
Chapter 33: Event Announcement
Sora sat on the sofa, facing the two white-clad girls across a glass table.
Seeing them calmly now, it’s clear that they are very similar to the girl who appeared in her dream. However, while the dream girl was expressive, the two in front of her are as emotionless as robots.
If an outsider were to see this scene, they might think four beautiful girls are having a casual chat. In reality, the conversation is far from anything resembling casual girl talk.
“First, let me introduce ourselves. I am Aru, a messenger from the Guardian. This quiet one is Iru, also a messenger from the same organization.”
“We already know about you, so no need for introductions. What exactly is this ?Guardian?? I’ve never heard of it before.”
“Until now, it has been kept as the highest level of global secret, so it’s understandable that you haven’t heard of it.”
“Top-secret?”
“Yes. If you’re willing to listen, from now on you are adventurers. Therefore, you have the right to know, so I’ll answer frankly. We, the ?Guardian?, were established after the beta test concluded. Our purpose is to protect the world from collapsing due to the changes brought about by Astral Online.”
“Established after the beta test…?”
“Protecting the world from changes…?”
Another strange story has emerged.
Glancing at Shiori, she saw her shaking her head, indicating she didn’t understand either. Seeing this, Aru nodded and clarified:
“To put it simply, the changes that Astral Online will bring are not ordinary. They pose a significant risk to the stability of the world, and that is why our organization was created—to ensure the world does not collapse due to these changes.”
“So, you’re saying the ?Guardian? deals with the problems caused by Astral Online in the real world?”
“…Do you know why Astral Online has such power?”
“Unfortunately, we don’t know that either.”
“I see. But if you know the cause, why didn’t you use the national power to stop the game’s development? That would have been more straightforward and prevented any issues.”
“Stopping it would have been effective for a normal game, but this game is anything but ordinary. Its production location is unknown, and despite all our efforts, we couldn’t halt its release.”
“Why not?”
“Because the game appeared on store shelves as if everyone was being manipulated.”
“Then couldn’t you have called on the world not to buy the game? Like, if people bought it, the police would arrest them or there would be legal penalties?”
“Do you think an appeal like that could prevent anyone from buying the game, Sora-sama?”
“…Not really. There would definitely be curious people who would buy it.”
“If even one person plays the game, it’s too late. Therefore, the higher-ups decided that having strong players deal with the problems from both inside and outside the game would minimize the damage.”
“Got it, I understand your situation better now.”
That said, I only understand the current stance and don’t trust it at all.
Aru nodded, then took out two cards and placed them in front of me and Shiori. Each card was plain white with our names engraved on them.
“What is this?”
“These are adventurer’s license cards. With these, you can use medical facilities and accommodation managed by the ?Guardian? for free.”
“Medical facilities?”
“Yes, they are for those who experience changes in their condition or body while playing Astral Online. Also, be aware that if you log out with a bad status like a curse, it will affect your real body.”
“Seriously?”
“It appears that Sora-sama is registered as male, but now you are female. This suggests that it might be some sort of curse. Although it may be presumptuous of me, I think it would be best for you to visit a medical facility.”
“Ah, haha… I’m busy right now, but I’ll go eventually.”
As I answered Aru while enduring Shiori’s sharp gaze next to me, which seemed to say “You should go soon,” I couldn’t deny that there might be changes in my condition. Even if I’m okay now, if I end up feeling unwell, there’s no doubt that my sister will get mad at me.
I’ll definitely go next Monday!
With that weak response, I smiled to brush it off, and Aru gradually introduced another topic.
“By the way, Sora-sama, have you seen the ‘Spirit Tree’ that appeared in the city?”
“…Oh, that. I was really surprised when I saw it.”
“It’s not just in this city. ‘Spirit Trees’ have appeared all over the world, and their numbers are still increasing.”
I thought so. But they’re still increasing?
To confirm, I turned on the TV, and the news was broadcasting a major story titled “Mysterious Trees Appearing Worldwide.”
The footage showed scenes similar to our area, with ‘Spirit Trees’ growing on roads and sidewalks in every country. The local residents, who knew nothing about it, appeared more confused than surprised.
I had anticipated this, but it’s clear now that this phenomenon isn’t limited to just our city.
Witnessing this global-scale anomaly, Sora and Shiori couldn’t help but gasp. Aru continued speaking with an unreadable expression.
“If left unchecked, the trees will continue to proliferate, not only threatening people’s lifelines but also potentially leading to the emergence of monsters.”
“Monsters? How do you know this will happen?”
“Because an event is occurring. Do you have a smartphone? Even though the update is still in progress, you should have received an event notice on the homepage.”
“An event…?”
Following the suggestion, I pulled out my smartphone. When I opened the Astral Online site, I found event information listed at the top of the announcements.
An event is scheduled to take place.
However, the update didn’t mention anything about it.
I checked the details and found the following:
—– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —–
?Large-Scale Raid Battle Occurring?
The Sealed Envy Serpent.
Event Duration: July 23rd – July 31st.
?Overview?
With the Great Barrier weakening, the Leviathan of the Seven Deadly Sins of Envy, sealed within the Forest of Spirits, has revived.
The monster, having lost its strength due to being sealed, is now attempting to regain its power by consuming the wind spirits.
?Victory Conditions?
– Defeat the Leviathan.
?Defeat Conditions?
– Over 80% of the wind spirits are dead.
– Death of the Wind Spirit Queen Sylph or Aria.
– Failure to defeat the Leviathan by the deadline.
?Victory Reward?
100 million El (Distributed based on number of participants and contribution)
?Note?
If defeated, world contamination will progress by 10%, resulting in a penalty.
?Recommended Level? 80
—– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —–
“Oh…”
An incredible event has arrived.
Shiori, who had also checked the homepage, was staring wide-eyed and frozen next to me.
It’s not surprising.
The recommended level is 80.
The current highest level is undoubtedly my level 24, which I achieved after defeating the Forest Bear and leveling up by 2.
An event quest with a recommended level more than three times higher.
Moreover, we lose if either Sylph or Aria dies.
We lose if over 80% of the wind spirits are dead.
We lose if we fail to defeat the Leviathan by the deadline.
With so many defeat conditions and only one victory condition, this raid boss battle is extremely disadvantageous and doubles as a guard mission.
Is this a crappy game?
Is this a crappy game scenario?
Facing the stack of difficulties ahead, Sora’s eyes sparkled.
“Why does it look like you’re enjoying this? I think it’s beyond difficult, it’s impossible.”
“Well, yeah. With a recommended level of 80, given the current state three days after release, no matter how many players gather, it seems absolutely impossible. In fact, random players probably won’t gather. It would just end up wasting the ‘Remaining Life,’ so I think everyone will avoid it this time.”
“Yeah, right!”
“But that’s assuming we’re doing things the usual way. We won’t know until we actually see the Leviathan, but there might be a chance to handle it somehow.”
“Eh, do you have some brilliant idea?”
“I said we won’t know until we see the Leviathan. It’s uncertain, so I can’t give an answer right now.”
“Ugh, you always make things sound more dramatic than they need to be.”
“In exchange, I’ll tell you a good story later, so for now, let’s continue listening to what Aru have to say.”
“Okay, got it.”
When I redirected the conversation, even the emotionally reserved girls showed surprised expressions at my words.
Is it really that surprising, even at this uncertain stage where we might still manage to do something?
Aru cleared her throat and resumed explaining.
“Basically, our view is that this forest event has caused the Forest of Spirits to appear in this world. If we fail, the penalty will likely be an invasion by monsters into the real world.”
“Well, whether monsters appear or the forest overtakes the city, it’s clear that something terrible will happen in the real world if we lose.”
“Yes. Therefore, we, the ?Guardian?, are working with the government to request that skilled VR players like Sora-sama and Shiori-sama take on the ‘duty’ of protecting the world from within Astral Online.”
“Duty… Does that mean there’s no option to refuse?”
“There is no option to refuse. Once the update goes live in an hour, it will be announced worldwide that players who receive this card will be ‘legally obligated to play Astral Online’.”
Aru flashed a completely insincere, shallow smile, then stood up and said:
“That concludes the explanation. For the sake of the world and yourselves, I wish you the best of luck in conquering Astral Online.”
With that parting remark, they headed toward the entrance.
As Sora silently watched them leave, she thought to herself, ‘This is even worse than an event battle.’