[Akashic Archive] Main Story: Act II

While the specially crafted storyline for the Demon God was progressing, a separate, general version of the story was available to provide players with a slightly different experience.

Act II, Chapter 1

“This is the final trial. Once you pass this test, you’ll officially become an Overseer of the [Akashic Archive].”
“This time, the story will be a bit different from the ones before.”
“The protagonist of this tale, the Demon King, played a pivotal role in shaping the fate of several races in this world. Because of her actions, this world can exist in the [Archive] as it does now. Unfortunately, the Abyss corrupted her will.”
“Your task is to stay by her side and assist her.”
“Remember, as an Overseer of the [Akashic Archive], your mission is to preserve events across the universe exactly as they occurred. No matter how unpalatable the conclusion may be, you must not alter it.”

The final trial for prospective Overseers.

• "Finally, the last trial! Once I clear this, I’ll be an Overseer, right?"
• "Why can’t we change the story? Why preserve it exactly as it is?"
• "I remember players who chose to kill the Saintess in Act I scored 10 points for following the Archive’s rules. Guess it’s the same here."
• "I hate this ‘follow the correct answer’ nonsense. Let me do what I want."

Players received the briefing from the Overseer and entered the story of Demon King Perlerina.

Act II, Chapter 2

[The demon you must assist is still young. The village where she lives has been attacked by demon hunters. In this world, only she can see your soul. Guide the young demon to survive.]

“I love you, Lina.”
“Mom! Mooooom!”
“Haha, what a fine catch we’ve got here.”
“Shut up and scream, you bitch! You’re no fun otherwise!”

• "ㅠㅠ Protect Lina!"
• "I remember reading in history books that humans and demons hated each other, but was it really this bad?"
• "Thank goodness it’s not like this anymore."
• "This is so boring. How long do we have to just watch?"

Through the story, players were exposed to the bitter conflict between humans and demons.

Act II, Chapter 3

“The villagers are all dead. My friends were all murdered. My only family, my mom, is gone. There’s no one left to rely on. Spirit, how am I supposed to live now?”
“Spirit! Look, the water here is so clean!”
“Spirit! Isn’t this little one so cute?”
“Spirit, if I become the Demon King… can I change this cruel world?”

An adventure alongside the story’s protagonist, whom you must guide and protect.

• "Nuoooong!"
• "This is the same Demon King known as the Massacrer in history? She’s so pure!"
• "I can’t handle it. Lina’s body is growing, soft and chubby, turning into something firm and sturdy. Even her pristine body will get covered in fur!"

Following the game’s mission paths, players developed an intense emotional connection with Lina.

• "Why can’t we go in a different direction? I want her to be something other than the Demon King."
• "This game has no freedom. Total trash."

Despite complaints about the linear storyline, which some argued was necessary for narrative buildup, dissatisfaction grew among players.

Act II, Chapter 4

“Come to me! O Ring of the Underworld!”
“Spirit! I did it! I became the Demon King!”

[With your help, the girl succeeded in becoming the Demon King. Now comes the moment of the final decision. Guide her through her last choice.]

The girl, now the Demon King, gathered her scattered kin and became their protector.

As the Demon King of Ten Thousand Demons, she still couldn’t stop the unyielding hatred between humans and demons.

In the end, she resorted to her first and ultimate plan.

• "Stop joking around, seriously."
• "Why do we have to follow history exactly? I hate this massacre!"
• "Demon King, how could you live like this? ㅠㅠ"

As the climax neared, tension rose, and players trembled with anticipation.

Act II, Chapter 5

The curtain lifted on the story’s crescendo.

“I want to see it too—a time when all hatred is gone.”
“I want to visit an era where peace and harmony reign.”
“Spirit! Can’t you take this cup away from me?”

The girl wavered, unable to solidify her resolve, torn by anguish.

Ding.

[Final Choice]

• The Demon King stands on the brink of activating the Ring of the Underworld. Her resolve wavers, threatening the integrity of history. If she doesn’t proceed, the story will shatter. Will you help her finish the story, or betray the [Archive] and doom the world to collapse?

The critical decision that would determine the core of the story was presented to the players.

• "Stop messing around, damn it!"
• "I can’t make her choose sacrifice. Knowing the pain she’s endured, how could I force her to sacrifice herself in the end?"
• "What about the chain of hatred, then?"
• "Are you planning to betray the Archive?"
• "Screw the Archive!"
• "Who cares if the story breaks or some NPCs die? I just want my precious Lina to survive!"

Players were split into two camps.

Those who couldn’t bear to see the girl die or sacrifice herself chose to betray the Archive, regardless of the consequences.

Those who sought peace and to preserve the story pushed her to make the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling her role in history.

As this was the final trial of the [Archive], players believed their choices would drastically impact the continuation of the story.

"What are you doing right now?"

"Are you trying to alter the story?"
"What a pity. I thought you had potential. 9 points."

"That was flawless execution."
"Restoring the story exactly as it was—an ability befitting an Overseer of the Archive."
"With this, you’ve completed the final trial. 10 points."

The Overseer's reactions varied depending on the player's choices.

Naturally, players believed the endings would differ based on their decisions.

Act II: Final Chapter

"The results of the three-part [Archive] Overseer selection trials will now be announced."

Though Act II ended on an unsettling note, it segued into an additional storyline known as the Interlude.

"Combining the scores from Trials 1 through 3…"

The Overseer prepared to announce the players’ pass or fail status, based on their performance across the stories spanning from Act 0 to Act II.

Crack!

"Kahhh!"

Before the Overseer could finish, an unknown entity suddenly appeared and pierced through his chest.

"The… Abyss?! How did it manage to directly infiltrate the [Archive]?!"

A shadowy black figure interrupted the announcement, halting the final results.
Through the bloodied, collapsing Overseer, players realized this figure was an assassin from the Abyss.

As the Abyssal Assassin moved to attack the players next—

"Like hell I’d let you!"

The Overseer threw himself forward, blocking the attack.

Bleeding out in the player’s arms, the Overseer uttered his final words:

"…I’m sorry. It seems I’ll have to entrust the fate of the [Archive] to you."

From his pocket, he produced a small cube and handed it to the player.

Whoooom.

The cube resonated with the player.

As it unfolded, it engulfed both the player and the Abyssal Assassin.

The player was transported out of the non-combat zone to a hidden space, where a boss battle commenced.

• "Overseeeeeer!"
• "Our… Overseer!"
• "Finally, a chance to use all the characters I’ve raised!"
• "It’s time for the heroes to shine!"

There was no time to mourn the Overseer’s death as players faced the Abyssal Assassin.

Utilizing the characters they had nurtured and the abilities of defeated monsters they had collected, players fought against the new boss.

Across the continent, players simultaneously battled the Abyssal Assassin.

The creature, now branded with the bizarre title of Abyssal Assassin, was being thrashed by players using every skill and pattern they could muster.

"Phew, I guess we managed to handle that well enough."

I wasn’t entirely sure what that thing was, but as long as it was set up as a weekly boss, we could gradually figure it out with the help of the continent’s players.

It was a good thing I’d prepared the Interlude ahead of Act III to account for the Demon God’s possible choices.

Thanks to that, I was able to seamlessly incorporate this unexpected boss into the story.

"Sure, the narrative punch might be slightly lacking… but what can you do?"

If that monster hadn’t interfered, I could have wrapped up the story with a much more elegant conclusion.

There was a lingering sense of regret that all the meticulous buildup had been disrupted by that creature.

It was even more frustrating because this boss wasn’t directly tied to [Demon King Perlerina], the third limited character.

"Well, I’ll leave this problem to my future self to sort out."

I picked up a radiant orb, shimmering with light.

"I’d better deliver this to our dear Demon God."

The orb contained the only remaining data from the dream world.