Chapter 2: Cosmic World (2)

The emergence of ‘Cosmic World’ sparked a paradigm shift in the gaming industry.
Prior to it, games were solely about users following the path laid out by the developers.
Even works with high degrees of freedom only added a few branching paths; the fundamental form never changed.

This was broken by Cosmic World.
Extreme freedom.

You could create your own world, not only by choosing new paths, but also by laying down hundreds of branching paths, railroads, or even red carpets.
Create your own world.
People were ecstatic about that slogan, and Cosmic World soared to global popularity and became a star overnight.

And so, several years passed.

Despite a certain amount of stagnation, the game’s popularity never waned.
Rather, its stock price skyrocketed even further.
That’s not to say there weren’t people who lost interest.
There were those who became tired of this extreme freedom.

The world called them veterans, or “old-timers.”

They gathered to seek new stimulation.
Nine people came together.
Pooling their knowledge and skills, they combined them into a single world.
It was certainly fun.
That excitement was still maintained even now, a considerable amount of time later.

It was amazing.
Repeatedly creating and destroying, then recreating, they took a break some time ago before gathering together once more.

[SeafoodRamen]: How’s everyone doing?
[FashionNerd]: Doing fine, I guess. You’re all probably playing Cosmic World, anyway.
[SeafoodRamen]: I was, yeah, but I live alone…aren’t there a lot of people here who are working adults?

It was for a new world.
Familiar faces spoke up one by one.

[EveningGlow]: That’s right. I’ve been pretty busy with work.
[Civilian(Jin)]: I guess you are, ajussi. Although you say you’re not…
[EveningGlow]: Ajussi? What kind of language is that? You were in the military not long ago; how does the military operate these days?
[SweetPrincess]: Exactly. You should use polite language with adults.
[Hacker]: Wow, SweetPrincess. Your passive-aggressive skills are superb.
[SweetPrincess]: What are you talking about?
[Moemoekyun]: Let’s not talk about age, okay? Everyone knows you’re old. Anyway, my schedule has been tight too. Since I’m a working adult.

The more time you spend together, even anonymously, the more you learn about each other.
Their approximate ages or jobs.
Mr. EveningGlow, although denying it vehemently, was revealing the generation gap in his speech patterns and username.

[AllAges]: You should live up to your username.
[Moemoekyun]: I am, aren’t I? Even if it’s work, I do it at home. I’m a freelancer.
[SeafoodRamen]: Oh, a freelancer. Lucky you.
[FashionNerd]: Hmph. You believe that? They’re all either unemployed or working part-time. Who can’t do that with words? It’s the internet.
[Civilian(Jin)]: Come to think of it, FashionNerd, you seem to have a bit of a twisted personality. If you just spoke nicely, you wouldn’t be a nerd.
[FashionNerd]: What, what? What are you talking about? I’m not a nerd, okay? It’s all fashion. Concept!
[Hacker]: Haha, yes, I believe you. I believe I am a hacker even though I am not a hacker.

People with various personalities.
Just the conversation alone wouldn’t be boring, but I was focused on something more important.
Click. The mouse moved.
A character with silver hair and red eyes moved back and forth.

After a moment of admiration, I entered the detailed settings screen and added and modified the detailed items.

It had been a task that had been going on for days.
Unlike ‘EveningGlow’ or ‘Moemoekyun,’ I was still a student, and my time was flexible.
Even so, I was putting in more than the average amount of time.

[FashionNerd]: Hey, that person… hmm hmm. Uh, where’s Ruso? Why is it quiet?
[SweetPrincess]: Do I need to ask? He’s probably working hard on making his character again.
[Ruso]: Haha… Yep. That’s right.

I couldn’t stay silent after being mentioned.
As soon as I appeared, reactions like, “I knew it” came up.

[SeafoodRamen]: Again? Please make some noise when we’re all together.
[AllAges]: Isn’t it the case that Ruso and Nerd swapped usernames?
[Civilian(Jin)]: That’s not it. Even though Ruso has a twisted, artistic side, his personality is easygoing.
[FashionNerd]: Why are you bringing me up? What’s wrong with my personality? And I don’t even know what Ruso means!
[Ruso]: I’ll be careful.
[EveningGlow]: So, how long do you think it’ll take this time? The last character took over a month, didn’t it?

I fell into deep thought at Mr. EveningGlow’s words.
Because of being so engrossed, it seemed to be ending soon.

[EveningGlow]: Hmph, that’s a relief.
[SweetPrincess]: Because Ruso spends too much time on their character, they can’t participate in the worldview as much. I’d like to borrow that skill this time.

That was the biggest reason.
A sense of guilt regarding being uncooperative, even in a collaborative project.
I couldn’t keep fiddling with just a single character forever when there was a game where anything could be created.

[AllAges]: I wish you’d also stop Nerd’s weird antics while you’re at it. We’re not enough on our own.
[FashionNerd]: Huh? Me?
[SeafoodRamen]: Well, when it comes to Nerd, whether it’s a god, a monster, or a kingdom, everything transforms terribly. Even though I’m a gore film enthusiast, honestly, hold back a little…
[FashionNerd]: Why are you all doing this? You all loved it.
[Moemoekyun]: To be honest, it’s fun when you make it.
[SeafoodRamen]: But it’s disgusting when you play it. It feels like my ramen is coming back up.
[Ruso]: I’ll try.

I am well aware of Mr. FashionNerd’s bizarre creations.
However, an unexpected dissenting opinion came out.

[EveningGlow]: I get the sentiment, but this time, is it really necessary? Rather, I believe his sense will come into its own.
[Civilian(Jin)]: Why is that?
[EveningGlow]: The last world was all good, but there was one problem we all agreed on. The difficulty. It was respectable, but that was the general standard, and it was too easy for us.

Difficulty. It was an important factor.

[Ruso]: That’s right.
[AllAges]: It feels like we unconsciously compromised the balance. When you’re the one creating, you get this compulsion not to lean too far to one side.
[SweetPrincess]: I agree. I regret that aspect, just as the elder said.
[EveningGlow]: Who’s the elder?! Anyway, I’m glad you agree. So, I have a suggestion.

We had made many worlds together until now, and they were all wonderful.
However, they were not perfect.
We all vaguely knew what the flaws were.
The worn-out old-timers.
The intense stimulation and the perilous thrill that would make our hearts race.
That which no one dared to suggest, as we had to intentionally destroy a world filled with affection.

It came from the mouth of the oldest member for the first time.

[EveningGlow]: Throw away common sense and restraint. Let’s make a crazy game. If possible, with the craziest difficulty.

The heat was felt even in the chat.
The hearts of the nine old-timers, who had each turned Cosmic World upside down once, were pounding fiercely.
The first vote of approval was FashionNerd’s.

[FashionNerd]: I approve! It’s what I wanted. For once, I agree with the old man!

It would be what he had been hoping for.
Looking back, I should have stopped it at this point.

After that, the creation of a world of madness began.
No matter how absurd and grotesque it was, if we felt like putting it in, we didn’t hesitate.
It was like we were going to pour out everything we had been holding back.

Except for the difficulty that had skyrocketed, the framework was similar to the worlds we had made before.
Gods, various races, numerous countries, monsters overflowing, and even existences beyond them.
It was inevitable because the same people had gathered.
I also increased my participation.
I took time to give advice or add minor settings even while creating my character.

Unlike the others, I had no great ambitions.
I had a magnificent character, so that was enough.

[SeafoodRamen]: But why do you like your character so much, Ruso? Of course, who doesn’t like their own character… but you can’t live as that character, right?

When I was occasionally asked such questions, I would unconsciously get heated.

[Ruso]: They’re alive.
[SeafoodRamen]: Huh?
[Ruso]: Even if I can’t live as them, they’re alive in the monitor!

The embarrassment came a few seconds later.
Me, too. What’s this, getting excited for something like this.
The suffocating silence was resolved by one person.

[SweetPrincess]: I’ve been curious about this for a while, what does Ruso’s username mean?
[Ruso]: My username?
[SweetPrincess]: Yes. Everyone knows what it means, but I can’t figure it out for Ruso, you know?
[Hacker]: Come to think of it, I am curious.
[Ruso]: Ah… It’s not that big of a deal.

I wasn’t really hiding it, so I answered honestly.

[SweetPrincess]: A philosopher?
[Ruso]: Yes. I majored in philosophy. It’s my favorite philosopher. A genius who left his name in various fields, not just philosophy, but also made a huge impact on the history of philosophy. A solitary dreamer…
[SeafoodRamen]: I heard you were a college student, but you were in the philosophy department.
[Ruso]: Yes. It was a mistake. I was crazy.
[SeafoodRamen]: Haha… Fighting.
[FashionNerd]: Let’s stop with the small talk and look at this. What do you think? This is what I designed this time.

An unexpected person refreshed the atmosphere that was about to get solemn.
On the screen he showed, a form that was the very personification of grotesque was floating.
A being that would appear if you inflated dough as if made from intestines, sprinkled ominous eyeballs like olives, and meticulously applied disgusting bubbles.

Reactions of shock rose to the gatekeeper of hell.

[AllAges]: What is this again? Please look at my username.
[FashionNerd]: AllAges? It’s rated 17+ here, you know? It’s a mess even for those who are asking for an adult mode.
[Moemoekyun]: So, what is it? This interesting being.
[FashionNerd]: An otherworldy god. The true name hasn’t been decided yet. Planning something cool.
[SweetPrincess]: “Again?”
[EveningGlow]: “Again.”
[Ruso]: “Again.”
[Hacker]: A god. I want to compete with it. One-on-one if possible.

Because he was a person who produced a lot of hideous things, the dramatic reactions were few.
It was still the most uniquely terrible thing among his works.

[Ruso]: I’m scared because it feels like it’s really possible if it’s Hacker. After all, it’s not the physical world of humanity.
[FashionNerd]: Exactly. Why are you killing something that was just born?
[Hacker]: Haha. Nothing comes out even if you praise me. Hahaha.

The worlds being created were missing dozens of screws, but the atmosphere was always cheerful.
My character’s completion was also improving day by day, and I had come to the point where I had to decide on the core settings.
It was the skill tree.
The delicious part was always eaten last.
In Cosmic World, which I could also create, users could, of course, create their own skills and magic.

Of those, I chose the power-type.
‘Power’ was a single, enormous skill tree that was at the very top.
It was a way of unlocking and acquiring the numerous skills contained within one by one.
I gave ‘Tiamat Arianrhod’ five powers.
The types and each and every skill were all made with my consideration.

Weirdness, yokai, ghosts, monsters, and objects.
I completed an epic theme, in line with the concept of ‘Imaginary Realm.’
Though weak at first, the ultimate power was beyond imagination.
If I were to compare it, it was the difference between an ant and a dragon.
In fact, it was more likely to become stronger than any character I had created so far.
The original idea was quite different, but I subtly modified it according to the difficulty that had skyrocketed in the middle.
I don’t want the game to be easy, but my affection for my character is unwavering.

If it were to be destroyed like a candle in the face of a typhoon, I wouldn’t even be able to enjoy it.
My character, the most perfect woman, Tiamat Arianrhod, couldn’t be like that.
That’s why I gave her such an arrogant name.
The goddess of Babylonian mythology, ‘Tiamat,’ and the goddess ‘Arianrhod’ from Welsh legend.
It was based on the true names of two goddesses.

[AllAges]: Isn’t this complete at this point?

One day, as the work was coming to fruition, he said it.
It was a signal to finish up, but those who still weren’t satisfied protested one after another.

[Moemoekyun]: No. Need to add more beautiful NPCs.
[SweetPrincess]: Handsome NPCs are also lacking.
[Hacker]: I have something in production too…
[FashionNerd]: I have to make the existences of the gaps and the monsters of the abyss!
[AllAges]: Alright. I’m sorry.

The first attempt ended with AllAges’s apology.
After that, a sharp confrontation continued between those who were satisfied and those who were not.
Those who had completed it were anxious to experience this wonderful world as soon as possible, and I joined in.

And when no one was left to refuse.

[SeafoodRamen]: It’s Ruso again, right?
[Civilian(Jin)]: I admit it.

All eyes were on me.
In Cosmic World, solo play or multiplayer with people who shared the same intentions were possible, but no one wanted to play with a poorly made, miscellaneous character.
Even if it was something small like a taste test.

[Ruso]: Me? I did it last time too.
[EveningGlow]: That’s because you always complete your character first, isn’t it? You made another great one this time?
[Ruso]: Yes. The name is Tiamat Arianrhod. The biggest external features are the red eyes, silver hair, and a strange pattern carved on the body, and to explain in detail—
[Moemoekyun]: Here it comes again!
[FashionNerd]: Oi, did anyone ask about the settings? We want to know about the impression of this world experienced with your great character.
[Ruso]: Ah. Of course, I know. As always, I have no complaints. Are you guys okay?
[SweetPrincess]: Not at all. The sooner we find the problems, the better. Though it’s unlikely.
[Hacker]: That’s right. I hope you enjoy it, even if it’s short. Be careful not to be defeated by the AI I made.
[Civilian(Jin)]: We have to hear the AI’s opinion on that.

With everyone’s approval, there were no obstacles.
Delighted to taste the ultimate dish first, I pressed the play button that day.

And I fell into hell, where it was unclear whether I could even return.