Chapter 294: Creator God Almighty! (5)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The Heroes gathered in the stadium, and the Heroes watching the broadcast, all fell into shock. They simply could not believe the reality unfolding before their eyes.

The confusion lingered even as, starting with Haebyul, every one of the winning Heroes received their autographs.

Jinwoo looked down at the staff below the stage.

"Ah! Could we get some water over here, please?"

The staff came over carrying water bottles, set them down on the desk, and disappeared. Ella and Helby opened the caps and began to drink. When Helby nodded as if the water tasted fine, the murmuring stadium was swallowed up by cheers.

It was real!

Dimensional travel!

No one knew how it had happened, but Ella and Helby had descended to Earth with physical bodies!

Once Haebyul and the Heroes who had come up on stage returned to their original seats, Jinwoo stood side by side with Ella and Helby.

"Please give a big round of applause for Lady Ella and Lady Helby, who have come all the long way from Arsilan to Earth!"

When Jinwoo called out like that, applause came pouring down.

Ella waved her hand, and Helby nodded, savoring the sound of the applause.

When the two of them went down off the stage, the stadium fell quiet again.

Naturally, questions were bound to arise.

What on earth was going on here?

There were Heroes who had shouted that it was dimensional travel, but that was absurd.

The Heroes felt like they would go mad from curiosity. They stared at Jinwoo with intense eyes that begged him to answer quickly.

"Well then, now that the gift presentation is finished, let's begin in earnest. Ah! It's nothing much, so please don't get your hopes up too high."

Jinwoo said that with a smile, but of course, no one believed him.

If anything, their expectations only climbed higher.

There had to be a reason he had used the gifts as an excuse to show them Ella and Helby.

"Let's imagine together for a moment."

At last, a hologram was laid over the whole of the ordinary stadium. It transformed into the scenery of Arsilan, so deeply familiar to the Heroes.

The stadium was equipped with holographic technology that had never been released to the public, so it was nearly impossible to tell what was real and what was a hologram. It felt almost like being connected to Arsilan Saga.

The surrounding environment gradually expanded, and then a Hero and an Arsilanian appeared in the center of the stadium.

"This Hero shared a long friendship with an Arsilanian he met back in his newbie days. The two of them even experienced Seoul together, where a Soul Gate is installed. But since it was a limited space, it felt stifling in a way that couldn't compare to Arsilan."

And because the places where Soul Gates were installed were public spaces, there were inconveniences in all sorts of ways.

"A wish took shape, that on Earth too we might make memories together just as we did in Arsilan. And not only the Arsilanians. The spirits and summons you've contracted with, and every being in Arsilan, must feel the very same way."

The hologram footage continued.

When the Hero logged out, the Arsilanian, left all alone, wore a lonely expression. Then he noticed unfamiliar flowers growing in the plaza of Alusion.

They were yellow flowers.

Flowers that could not be found anywhere in Arsilan.

They were birdsfoot, a flower of Earth.

The flower language of birdsfoot was 'until the day we meet again'. It was a symbol of reunion and of waiting, carrying within it a prayer to be reunited with someone beloved.

The instant the Arsilanian carefully stepped up to the flower and stretched out his hand, space rippled and his body floated up into the air. The flower shone with golden light, wrapped itself around the Arsilanian, and vanished on the spot.

FWAAASH!

In a heartbeat, the stadium changed into a small town on Earth. The Arsilanian looked around, tilted his head, and then headed for the shop in front of him. A familiar scent, a familiar atmosphere, was drifting out of that place.

The Arsilanian walked up to the front of the shop, took a deep breath, and grasped the door handle.

JINGLE!

The bell hanging on the door rang out with a chime like glass beads knocking together.

The Hero, who had been working in the shop in that small town, froze solid at the sight of the Arsilanian who had opened the door and stepped inside.

THUNK!

The item in his hand dropped to the floor.

As the Arsilanian broke into a wide smile and ran toward the Hero, the Hero spread both arms and gathered the Arsilanian into his embrace. They had become able to share each other's warmth on Earth.

In the eyes with which they gazed at one another, all sorts of fierce emotions surged, and tears even fell.

"A scene like this will become our reality."

When the hologram vanished, the plain, ordinary stage reappeared. Only then did the Heroes think they understood why Jinwoo had walked out without any dramatic staging.

An everyday scene like this on Earth would be mystical enough to be called a spectacle when an Arsilanian looked upon it.

"Allow me to introduce it! Arsilan Saga Episode Side Story 2, Logout!"

The reason Episode 7 hadn't been unveiled was precisely so that Arsilan Saga Episode Side Story 2 could be!

Following the side story revealed last time, this was the second one.

-Side Story 2?

-it's a side story!

-Logout? does that mean the Arsilanians log out?

The further the story went, the deeper the questions grew.

Now it was time to answer them, kindly and clearly.

When Jinwoo stepped aside, mannequins came walking up onto the stage. They were matte white mannequins. They wore uniform-like outfits, which gave them a strongly mechanical impression.

The androids' initial default appearance had been revealed to the Heroes for the very first time.

"These are androids."

Androids!

Haebyul and the Heroes fell into shock.

Haebyul gulped and looked at the chat window.

"A-androids? Like the ones from those sci-fi movies?"

-no way...

-androids?? seriously?

-uh, out of nowhere??

It was a world where most of the human body could be replaced with artificial parts, a world with fusion power plants. It wouldn't have been strange for androids to show up. It was simply far too sudden. And these were vastly superior to the androids that appeared in movies.

When Jinwoo lightly manipulated the info window, the mannequin-like figures changed into people with natural-looking skin. Their body types could be adjusted to a certain degree as well.

They say that a sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic.

It was like watching real magic.

"Just like Lady Ella and Lady Helby, Arsilanians can move about by synchronizing with these android bodies. Exactly as you Heroes connect to Arsilan through Soul Link, the Arsilanians can do the same."

That was why Side Story 2 had been named Logout.

Not just the Heroes, but the world's leading scholars and businesspeople watching through the broadcast froze on the spot. Witnessing technology that transcended common sense, they felt no jealousy at all, only a hollow emptiness.

Lee Jinwoo himself is the singularity.

That phrase was all that came to mind.

To casually unveil something so monumental while calling it a light little event!

Their heads throbbed at the thought of how to even respond.

"The android model capable of synchronizing with an Arsilanian is the premium type. We have no intention of selling those, and they'll be handled as rentals. The plan is for the usage fee to be paid in Arsilan Gold in exchange for synchronizing with an android body."

Jinwoo looked over the shocked Heroes and then continued speaking. The android with an Arsilanian dwelling inside it smiled, waved its hand, and stepped off to the side.

The standard-grade androids came up onto the stage.

"First, allow me to introduce the household android. It's a helper that can handle housework and run all sorts of errands while you Heroes are connected through Soul Link."

Covered in a plastic-feeling material, unlike the premium type, it gave off a strongly robotic impression. The household android was scheduled to be sold exactly as it was.

Of course, there were options as well.

"Through Arsilan Worlds, you can customize the appearance and personality when you place your order. That said, it will cost you a fair bit."

Since this option wasn't mandatory, he intended to charge a hefty sum for it. Things like artificial skin, hair, and artificial organs could be added on as options too.

Jinwoo revealed the price.

The household android itself came to 22 million won in Korean currency, but going full option brought the figure up to about the price of a top-of-the-line supercar.

-that's insane!

-a household android....

-honestly that price is doable?

-the option prices are brutal, but yeah, kinda worth it.

-found it. my partner.

The base model on its own didn't feel all that expensive. It was around the price of a car.

"First, let's take a look at what it's like through a video."

Jinwoo brought up a video showing a household android at work.

The star of the video was FS Games' art team leader.

When the art team leader came home from work, the android came out to greet him. The lights were on in the cold house where he lived alone, and a gentle warmth filled the air.

[Master, thank you for your hard work today.]

The android bowed its head in greeting and then took the art team leader's coat. The inside of the house was so immaculate that it was impossible to believe a man was living there by himself.

There wasn't a single speck of dust.

That was because the android managed the house thoroughly.

When the art team leader, watching YouTube on his smartphone, spotted a dish that looked delicious, he sent it to the android.

[Confirmed. I will update the recipe.]

The android's eyes glinted blue, and the recipe was updated. The art team leader put on his Soul Link and connected to Arsilan Saga.

In the meantime, the android bought the necessary ingredients at the supermarket and came back home. After putting the ingredients away in the refrigerator, it looked at the art team leader sprawled on the sofa enjoying Arsilan Saga.

The android promptly scooped the art team leader up into its arms and laid him down on the bed.

With practiced skill it finished preparing the food and set it out attractively on the table. Alongside the dish the art team leader had requested, it added other dishes to balance out the nutrition.

The moment the android's eyes flashed, a message went out to the art team leader through Soul Link.

[Your meal is ready.]

The art team leader, who had been doing research in his workshop in Alusion, logged out as soon as the message arrived from the android and came outside.

Seeing the lovingly prepared spread, he felt an overwhelming rush of emotion.

The android watched from beside him as the art team leader ate, even waiting on him as he did.

When the meal was finished, the android turned to look at the art team leader.

[I will now offer advice for improving your physical condition. Master, your body currently falls within the bottom ten percent of the average for males in their forties. Should you continue without correcting your lifestyle habits....]

The android nagged the art team leader. It brought up his exercise levels and his daily patterns and recommended improvements.

[Mom....]

When those words slipped out of the art team leader's mouth, the Heroes burst into snickers.

-maman....

-at least an android mom would actually look after me.

-THIS is the future!

The video ended with the android still nagging.

As the cheering rose up again, Jinwoo smiled and nodded.

"The household android will do everything it can for your health and for improving your daily life. And without ever disconnecting from Arsilan Saga, you can share the android's field of view through Soul Link and issue it commands."

The various functions that could be performed with a household android appeared through the info window.

Next, he introduced the industrial android. Unlike the household model, it was large in build and looked exceptionally sturdy.

"The number of Heroes who have come to Arsilan is now on the verge of surpassing two billion. Arsilan's economy has come to form one pillar of Earth's, and as a result, a great many people are now conducting their economic activity within Arsilan."

The problem of a labor shortage was emerging as a social issue.

Since even more people would be connecting to Arsilan Saga going forward, it stood to become a serious problem. Jinwoo announced androids that could take the place of that labor.

The industrial androids came up onto the stage. The models were divided into fine detail, covering everything from delicate work to work requiring explosive strength.

The price was on the expensive side compared to the household models, but businesspeople would be fighting tooth and nail, eyes ablaze, to buy industrial androids.

They were more than five times stronger than a human body, and they didn't break down easily. Even if one did break down, all it took was swapping out parts, which made them economical. Energy charging through fusion power plants was possible, so aside from scheduled inspection time, they could keep working twenty-four hours a day.

"They operate under the control of a superintelligent AI, and thorough safeguards are in place to prevent accidents, so nothing like what you've seen in the movies is going to happen."

The info window displayed the imperial palace of Alusion.

The halt code existed inside Arsilan, and even that was only one of dozens of safeguards.

Anxiety about something like an AI rebellion did exist, but the world had no choice but to trust Jinwoo. The world had already been changed beyond return.

And of course, naturally, nothing like an AI rebellion ever occurred. Because they were kept thoroughly under the control of the Soul Moon and the Magic Tower, unless a divine being surpassing Jinwoo appeared and conquered Arsilan, they would serve the Heroes for all eternity.

A Great Cataclysm!

This was an announcement heralding the Second Great Cataclysm!

"Unbelievable...."

Haebyul couldn't manage to close her gaping mouth.

Nothing but sheer awe came out of her. Back when fusion power plants had appeared in the world, she'd figured there was nothing left that could surprise her, and yet here she was, blown right past surprise and into outright shock.

-he said it was a light event but this thing is heavy as hell. is the gravity 100x in here or what?

-what am i even looking at? still not believing it.

-just say it already! long live the Creator God!

Arsilan Saga Side Story 2, Logout!

The Heroes, having witnessed a historic moment, let out fervent cheers.

"The name of these androids is Soulmate."

Soulmate!

It was the collective name for every one of these androids.

Following Soul Link, Soulmate would drive the world into change.

"So, when do you suppose Soulmate will be released?"

As he always did, Jinwoo lightly tossed the question out to the Heroes.

By now, every last one of them knew the answer.

"Now!"

"Right now!"

"Take all my money!"

When they got it right, Jinwoo raised a thumbs-up toward the Heroes.

"Yes, that's correct! Right now! One hundred thousand household Soulmates are available for purchase on Arsilan Worlds as of this moment. And as soon as we secure more stock, we'll begin taking pre-orders."

"WOOOAAAH!"

"Oh! It's really up!"

A Soulmate purchase page appeared on Arsilan Worlds. Even though the first sale was being run in Korea alone, it sold out the instant it went live.

Jinwoo went on to run the other events he had prepared.

He showered gifts on the Heroes watching through the broadcast as well, and from among all the Heroes he drew a thousand people to receive full-option versions of the household Soulmate as prizes.

Long live the Creator God!

Public sentiment toward Jinwoo, which had already been touching the roof of the sky, punched straight through the universe and soared off somewhere far beyond.

The info window vanished, and only Jinwoo remained standing on the stage.

The Heroes sensed instinctively that the end of the offline event was drawing near.

What an incredibly packed event it had been!

"So, how was the light little event I prepared?"

WOOOOAAAAAH!

The Heroes answered with cheers in place of words. Jinwoo spread both arms wide and drank in that cheering.

"Sadly, only two days remain in the Grand Festival. Which means we can't end things here. Head on outside the stadium and enjoy the Grand Festival! This has been Lee Jinwoo of FS Games! Thank you!"

The event held in the stadium came to a close.

At Jinwoo's words about going outside and enjoying the Grand Festival, Haebyul tilted her head. Then the many empty shops in front of the stadium came back to her mind.

"Let's head out for now."

Haebyul went out of the stadium together with UruBear.

"Whoa...."

"No way...."

At the sight spread out before them beyond the stadium, Haebyul and UruBear lost themselves in awe all over again.

*****

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