“Feroya, listen carefully… You’re essentially a brain in a jar.”

 

“What’s a brain in a jar?”

 

“Oh dear, don’t the people from this world know…?”

 

It was a new bad habit for Purple Matapju Yuna. To casually spill the knowledge she gained while hanging out with it to unsuspecting others.

 

But where could you find a metaphor as fitting as a brain in a jar?

 

With just four letters, she could neatly explain all profound ponderings. “Cliché” was such a concise means of conveying information.

 

Now, should she explain the Matrix?

 

Yuna pondered for a moment, considering delving into the dilemmas of created existence, the structure of the soul, the duty of born intelligence, and the value of artificial souls, among countless other problems that could take a year to discuss.

 

For now, she decided to roughly gloss over and move on with religious dogmatism.

 

“I am… a god.”

 

“A god?!”

 

“I’m a friend and colleague of the god who created you. Since I have access and modification permissions, well, you could say I’m a god too.”

 

“Um, in that case, my lord… Why is the world filled with suffering?”

 

“……”

 

Thrown off balance by the counterattack that came like a sword, the Grand Sorcerer staggered. He probably intended to say something like, ‘Suffering is necessary for a happy ending to shine.’ But that’s a phrase that works in stories, not necessarily in the perspective of someone living through it.

 

‘To make future happiness taste sweeter, I’ve decided to give you pain!’

 

If the author, calling himself a god, suddenly said such a thing, Yuna was ready to unleash the maximum output Yuna-Beam on his face.

 

So, she couldn’t help but murmur.

 

Fortunately, Pharaoh had a warm heart that could either be a brain parasite, a delusional parasite thinking it’s a god, or someone who could genuinely empathize with the voice of a god in their head.

 

“It’s a difficult problem, isn’t it…!”

 

“Uh, yeah.”

 

“Let’s figure it out together!”

 

“…Sure.”

 

From Noble mtl dot com

 

————-

 

Roughly, the explanation came to an end. And, in order to break free from the derogatory term ‘parasite,’ they also revealed themselves directly. Pero seemed to have a sense of familiarity with the short stature that could be compared to themselves.

 

They also demonstrated their divine power by producing thirty years’ worth of food with a single gesture, a miracle attributed to the supernatural strength of Obyeong-i.

 

As a result, paradise was filled with provisions. The facilities were excellent, emergency power was abundant, and facilities such as ventilation ducts were functioning perfectly. It was so good that even if couples were to pair up and form a soccer team, it would be well-covered.

 

However, the biggest problem was that Pero was alone.

 

Since humans are social creatures, being alone is lonely. If they do not communicate and interact with others, they become extremely stressed. They might even fall into a state of illness.

 

That’s why Yuna tried a few methods.

 

“…What’s this?”

 

“Well, it’s a throne for Princess 1…? Even though AI didn’t input it, I thought maybe using it as a huggable pillow would make you feel less lonely…”

 

“……..”

 

“I-I’m sorry…”

 

When Pero, with their kind eyes, looked up at the sky while looking at the trash, Yuna quickly erased the model of Princess 1’s throne. It wasn’t an attempt to cause mental harm, but rather an act of pure goodwill.

 

Why, in the place where they lived, wasn’t there even a picture of a woman on the long pillow they could hug?

 

But failure is failure. A gift only has meaning if the recipient is happy.

 

Next time, Yuna tried drawing a picture on a volleyball.

 

“This is Wilson.”

 

“…A ball?”

 

“Wilson, it’s me.”

 

“God… If you’re feeling lonely, I can be someone to talk to.”

 

“…My friend has been busy lately with moving, so I do feel a bit lonely…”

 

Instead, he felt comforted.

 

He had been ecstatic when he received the suggestion from the Second Prince to take up a position as an Academy professor. He stumbled while spinning through the air, overwhelmed with joy. He busied himself preparing the Simulation Room 2, thinking, ‘I’ll just spend all day at the Academy, teaching T.R.P.G.,’ with enthusiasm.

 

Yuna sometimes stuck to him like a cicada on his back, and when he ignored her, she felt a little hurt—similar to what he had experienced, she even attempted an Erellerelle attack in his ear, but… it had no effect.

 

“Um, but… Are you trying not to reveal yourself to anyone else but me?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“There’s Leia too…”

 

“That, well, only the chosen ones can see me… or something like that… Huh.”

 

Since Yuna was directly supplying mana for the simulation, Leia was probably wandering somewhere in the wasteland. In standby mode since the player was offline.

 

She might just be continuing simple computational processes. Survival, success, failure.

 

So, calling Leia held no significance. There was no consciousness emerging from her. He had no interest in something akin to an automated response system. As he organized his thoughts, suddenly something crossed his mind.

 

If the feedback from the First Princess had moved Pharaoh, then what about the Second Prince, who was easily ten times more immersed than the First Princess…?

 

Yuna, belatedly reaching that conclusion, summoned the Prince, the Flower, and the Resistance. As expected, the conscious Centra was strolling through the city…

 

————-

 

Centra believed in a reunion someday.

 

Hence, gathering odds and ends from various parts of the city. Making a statue of the Second Prince Irid (which didn’t resemble Irid at all), decorating banners with “Congratulations on our reunion.” There needed to be events for the reunion.

 

The waiting time wasn’t agonizing. Because they could feel their own heart beating vividly. And because they knew they were definitely connected.

 

So, believing that even a little bit of their heart would be conveyed, they would shout this out at the start of each day.

 

“Alright, Eirid! Let’s stay strong today too!”

 

“……Sniff sniff sniff!”

 

“Who’s there?!”

 

The Archmage, upon seeing this, reached for a handkerchief and dabbed at their tears.

 

Unlike Pero, Senra was aware that they were a created being. So, in the paused time, they could realize that this sudden presence had a position similar to that of a creator, but…

 

“I, I’ll let you meet… Sniff. I’ll protect you from the evil disciple…!”

 

“Well, um… Should we start with blowing your nose? Alright, cheer up. Cheer up.”

 

They tried to console Senra for now.

 

After 10 minutes of murmuring their thoughts about the Senra-Eirid coupling, the Archmage finally stopped crying. Still, they managed to convey the information somehow. That they were on the same side.

 

————-

 

Three people gathered at the Apocalypse Shelter. A young adventurer, a resistance lady, and an Archmage.

 

“Let me introduce, this is Senra. And this is Pero.”

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Senra.”

 

“Oh, hello! I’m Pero!”

 

“…You have blonde hair.”

 

Senra stared intently at Pero’s blonde hair. It reminded them of Eirid. Curious, they asked Una just in case.

 

“Pero isn’t Eirid’s child, right?”

 

“……?!”

 

“Since the time I feel and the time outside might be different. Just in case.”

 

“Nah, Pero is just like you…”

 

“Ah.”

 

Meanwhile, Pero seemed to be reminded of someone when he saw Sentra’s chest armor. “Of all things to be reminded of, why did it have to be that?” Yuna thought to herself as she fed Pero a spoonful of honeyed nightshade. The boy had a subtle lasciviousness about him.

 

“Wait, the blonde… with a hint of lasciviousness…”

 

A bolt of lightning struck Yuna’s mind. Could it be that he was created after Irid…!

 

She had initially thought he was modeled after the male adventurer party, given the tear-shaped mark, but looking back, there were substantial similarities with Irid.

 

Perhaps he was brought over not because Elaine cherished her brother, but because she had sensed it in Irid’s Sync Tank meeting.

 

“So, what’s the reason for inviting us here?”

 

“Oh, well… I want to propose a deal!”

 

Yuna did have the desire to protect these characters that had sprouted, of course. She wanted to help them if possible and even felt a sense of satisfaction if she could bring them into reality.

 

He promised a happy ending, yet failed to reunite with Irid, that brat.

 

However, the violet maztaj was not mistaken about his priorities. It was an attempt to create a situation where they could benefit from each other without causing harm.

 

The simulation world is vulnerable.

 

The world is vast, with many different species, and even more monsters. Especially to be wary of were creatures like mongmas. With the ability to delve into human dreams, it was possible for them to hide in the simulation world.

 

So, the intention was to use the fully conscious NPCs as a kind of vaccine.

 

“Join the Guardian’s Guild.”

 

“Guardian’s Guild?”

 

“Yes. Welcome new members, live joyfully, and if there are any wrongdoers in this world… I hope you’ll punish them. In return, I’ll provide assistance…”

 

“So, you’re… making us into guardians, sir!”

 

Pero’s eyes sparkled. Although the faith had withered along with the decline of the Variants, the religious stories were still being passed down. The gods would choose guardians to carry out their will on the ground.

 

At the boy’s admiring gaze, the maztaj’s shoulders subtly relaxed.

 

Strangely, the wizards of Matap were regarded with fear or adorableness rather than respect. Having never received such pure admiration, they couldn’t help but feel flattered.

 

“Leave it to me, I’ll take care of everything, equipment, food, facilities… Even if there’s no data, I’ll create it somehow, even if I have to shave it off…!”

 

As the Matap master patted his chest in excitement, Perro and Centra’s requests came rushing in.

 

“In that case, how about a holy sword…!”

 

“If we can request equipment, can you make a more comfortable combat suit? The one I’m wearing right now is too tight around the chest.”

 

“Or how about a double-barreled shotgun…!!”

 

“Or maybe a beautiful dress for a reunion with Erid…!”

 

Buzzzzz.

 

The Matap master unleashed his genius and conjured up the items. Though they still revealed the shape of the chest, they were now comfortable full-body tights, swords that emitted a wyvern’s roar when the gem in the middle was pressed, and so on.

 

During the Creator’s grand creation sale, the items that both of them had always wanted piled up like a mountain. Centra, who was admiring a dress with a considerably low back, sneaked up to the Matap master.

 

Centra tilted her head in contemplation and whispered quietly.

 

“…Um, Lonia. The one who came in to see Lonia… Do we need to mention it?”

 

“How did you know I didn’t say anything…?!”

 

“It’s because of the worried expression of a young child afraid they might get caught for breaking a vase…?”

 

Even amidst the extravagant creation show, the Matap master could read a hint of unease in her eyes.

 

They will find out. Eventually, they will find out.

 

But he had his own reasons and evidence for Yuuna. They were characters from “the end of the story.” If he didn’t plan on recycling them, they wouldn’t be used. So, it would be fine to tell them at that time.

 

Furthermore, he knew that Yuuna would eventually find out, but from her perspective, she wanted to postpone that time as much as possible. She was influenced by “that.” It wouldn’t be surprising if she started playing around with Centra and Perro if the symptoms worsened.

 

Once everything was resolved and he was freed from “that,” then he would tell her…

 

Woong. A voice echoed from the

 

-Matapju, what are you doing there?

 

“Squeeeak!”

 

The crisis of being completely exposed had already arrived.