Isekai Online's
Chapter 29 - Promotion Contract
On the outskirts of the forest, a group of residents were putting up a warning board. The warning sign reads a ban on entering the forest for a certain period of time. Anxious and frightened expression appeared on their faces, some residents even hung some creepy child puppets around the forest entrance.
“Village Head, how about another forest entrance?” ask one of the villagers.
“Leave it alone, usually the Player enters that place to Quest looking for a plant. If we close it, we will have a problem with the Guild Master Leader Adventure.”
“Even with Guild Master Adventure, casualties continue to grow in our village. Can't we do something?”
“This is all we can do, some people have been sent to investigate this forest but it only adds to the victims who continue to fall.”
“What by installing this warning board is able to reduce the number of casualties?”
“I don't know, as the Village Chief, I also want this issue resolved.”
“Actually, what is going on inside this forest?”
“I don't know, all I know is..”.
The Village Chief looked at the forest in front of him. A gripping and terrifying aura pierced through their bodies. Their bodies responded with the establishment of a fine book on his neck.
“This forest is slowly turning into horrible.”
They understand this, there is no way they do not realize it. The need for their lives is in the forest, with this change they are increasingly resigned to the situation.
This situation occurred when some villagers went hunting into the village forest. Initially, they discover a new monster inhabiting their forest. That situation was considered a migration of monsters entering their forest territory. It is of course a pleasure in itself for the villagers, with the presence of new monsters, the food source can be increasingly varied. But their estimates are wrong.
It was a new catastrophe that haunted their village.
When the village hunters returned to the forest in search of a new monster's nest, they only found the scattered remains of bones. Beside the bones were huge footprints and claws. The incident made a furore for their discovery. Some citizens who rarely entered the forest began to take action to take the bones, monster bones could indeed be sold, but their prices varied depending on the type of monster, size, and weight.
Coincidentally, this new monster was a species of monster that was valuable enough that the price of its bones was quite high. Due to this rumor, the villagers started to race to hunt the remaining bones. That's when the real disaster happened.
Some residents who entered the village forest reportedly disappeared after three days of not returning home. This incident was reported when one of the victims' wives reported to the Village Chief about the husband and his son who did not return home after entering the forest. The report was not one but several villagers reported the same thing. To that end they gathered some of the remaining hunters to search for their whereabouts.
Surprising things happen. Among the scattered monster bones were the clothes and equipment of the villagers left behind. The incident immediately made some of the victims' wives cry hysterically as if they did not believe what had happened.
The incident was reported to the Adventure Master Guild. Several small investigations were carried out by the Adventure Guild Master party and the remains of human bones were found to form a totem pillar that stood upright. The evacuation process was carried out by knocking down the totem pillar but some monsters guarded the area around it.
Some players who were interested in the Quest also arrived and managed to take some human bones for evacuation.
With this incident, the Village Chief issued an oral rule not to enter the forest until the deadline could not be determined. This incident was still violated by the existence of several victims' wives who desperately entered the forest to find her husband.
Because of that reckless act, the number of casualties was growing and it was troublesome for some residents to put up official rules with warning boards.
On the other hand, this incident invited a hot topic at the Isekai Online Forum. A rumor about the urban legend and easter egg about the ghosts that roam around the forest fringes of the Nestrad Kingdom. Some Players also vie back to the Kingdom of Nestrad to find the ghost in question. This is reinforced by mystical stories that began to develop in the Forum. A classic story about the Player who died while playing the game and his spirit trapped in the game.
A fantasy game that suddenly became a horror game.
“Technically, it is not possible to happen kan” Hans said.
Currently, Hans and Elliot were having a casual conversation while enjoying their breakfast in the classroom. While eating the still-warm bread, Hans read one by one the comments left in the Isekai Online Forum.
“You think these people will just stop?” ask Elliot.
“As long as they do not mislead by committing fraud involving money, it is not a problem. The fool who fools others is quite attractive to me.”
“Well, that's not the case, Hans.”
“Then what's the problem?”
Elliot suddenly pulled out a thin paper containing a contract agreement between Queen Order and Developer Isekai Online. An agreement to use the services of idol groups to promote Isekai Online and share profits.
“Let me guess, you want me to get inside Isekai Online and help you complete some Quest?”
“That's right! I haven't had a chance to play a game for a long time and it's a good time to play games under the pretext of a job as their manager!”
Didn't you just want to run away from reality” Hans replied while enjoying his warm coffee.
“That part is it. So.. it's not wrong dong!” Elliot enjoys the warm coffee Hans brings.
“Where did you get this bread? the portions and taste are very fitting on my tongue.”
“Well, it's just a small shop near my house.”
“Really? But it's delicious. I don't usually eat bread with a unique flavor in it. Spicy chicken sandwich, why would anyone think of such a taste?”
“Oh, that.. actually it was my idea.”
“Taste this is your idea. Your taste is a little unique as well it turns out.”
“That aside, how much do I get paid to participate in this?” Hans pointed to the contract sheet of the agreement.
“How about 10% of total revenue?”
“10%? Er. see your idol group status. That's too much.. how about 4% only?”
“...”
“...”
“You know, usually people will try to find the highest offer for cooperation results. But you're the opposite? Turns out you can be weird too” Elliot said.
“Yeah, you're just as weird as me. We have two Isekai Online world champions here and you chose me?”
“It is precisely because they are world champions that the rates are very expensive.”
“Really? Even yesterday I played with them for free.”
“HUH? You?!” Elliot suddenly stared intently at Hans.
“What case happened?” elliot asked curiously.
“Not a complicated case, just looking for the kidnapped childrenjust” Hans replied.
“Attraction?”
“Yeah, that sort of thing. But, the strange thing about the case is that some indication of the involvement of the Demon race is in it and some Player is involved in the crime.”
“Player? It's the first time I've heard of the Player participating in a crime that happened in a game. Did they commit fraud or anything?”
“No, not that. They were hired by several NPCs to do things that felt quite troublesome for them.”
“What do they do?”
“Oh, it was just a small job of setting up teleportation magic traps planted on some streets in the capital of the Nestrad Kingdom. Well, I have given them information about the location of the traps, it is possible that they clean them or close the access road connected.”
“Are there any casualties from that incident?”
“It looks like there is, but I didn't find it. After all, this kidnapping kind of interest me a little to deepen it even more they seem not just a kidnap victim but a test victim by someone.”
“Trial sacrifice?” Elliot now began to focus on Hans' words.
“Have you ever thought about a little boy who suddenly turned into a teenage girl within a few days of their abduction?”
“A strange incident for me, but why did it happen?”
“Yeah, that's what I still can't figure out cause.”
“Not much, just a house and furniture in it.”
“That's a pretty decent gift. You can use that building as a save point to login your respawn. Usually the Player will respawn in the Temple Altar or Guild Master Adventure, but by buying a building you can respawn in it.”
Well, I haven't seen that building yet.”
“Indeed, where is the building?”
“Dee from its position, it seems that it is located in a village.”
“Do you want to buy some extra furniture? I know a suitable Player for the job.”
“Let me think about it later, my finances at Isekai Online are getting worse with my curiosity gluttony.”
“Indeed, what have you done?”
“It doesn't really matter anyway, just spend 60 Gold Coins to buy medicines.”
Suddenly, Elliot chokes. He took a breath to correct the tightness in his chest.
“THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY!” said Elliot who suddenly shouted at Hans.
“Really??”
“Of course! Where did you get that many Gold Coins? did you snatch it from another Player by doing Player Killing?”
“If I do that, shouldn't I be in the Wanted Player list?”
“Truely too, you should have entered into the Player Wanted list. What kind of medicine did you buy anyway? You didn't even fight using that Class right?”
“Not special drugs anyway, it is just a drug with psychoactive substances in it.”
“Psychoactive?”
“Well, in short it's just a drug to mess up someone's mind so that the information in that person's head can be obtained.”
“Sounds like an honesty serum for me.”
“Yeah, how it works is similar anyway. But it's not an honesty serum. All I was wearing at the time was a pain reliever to give birth at a dose sufficient to get someone to actively talk.”
“Why do you have such equipment anyway?”
“Don't ask me.”
Suddenly, the classroom door opened. A girl who had long black hair entered the classroom.
“Eh, Manager?” said the girl.
“Oh, Okita. Want to come have breakfast with us?” elliot said as he offered Hans the bread.
“No, thanks for the offer.”
“Then, want coffee?”
“Even if he wants to, but we don't have enough glasses” suddenly Hans just entered in their conversation.
“Eng??” okita's gaze met with Hans.
Realizing the look in his eyes, Hans did not turn his face away, but instead restrained his glances from looking directly at Okita. Okita now walks over to Hans and Elliot.
“Manager, what is it?” it turned out that Okita's gaze was fixated on the contract of agreement that lay between the two of them.
“This? just a small contract that our Dark Goddess has just approved. Apparently, he saw the great potential of this cooperation.”
“Cooperation with Isekai Online? My sister played this anyway. But I'm not sure if I can do it. Isn't that a violent game in it?”
Elliot and Hans looked at each other. Seeing Okita's flat, skeptical reaction to Isekai Online casts little doubt on the details. As far as Hans' experience, Isekai Online does have a very rough rating with elements of violence, sexuality, disgusting scenery, and nonsensical events that are difficult to describe in words.
“I-That's true, but we don't do such a thing.”
“Eng? Is that true? I'm a little scared of violence. Can it be avoided?”
“Keep, Hans has been playing Isekai Online without violence.”
“Huh?” suddenly, Hans cut Elliot's sentence with his words. The look in his eyes met Elliot's gaze, judging from his condition, the gaze uttered, “Just follow my groove!”
“So far I have not done violence anyway, Just.” Hans answered Elliot's sentence.
“Free.. I got a Quest that keeps me away from violence.” Hans.
“Etto.. Hans also plays Isekai Online?” ask Okita.
“I've been playing it a little lately” Hans replied.
“Hemm... it is better not to get addicted to such destructive games.”
“Ahahaha. I'm not addicted to sih” Hans stared back at Elliot. Now the look in his eyes said, “What's wrong with him?” and Elliot's gaze replied, “He always quarreled with his sister.”
“Manager, can I refuse this job?”
“Eh? Why did you reject him?”
“I just...” suddenly Okita became speechless and lowered her head. Hans realized the oddity that was happening with this suddenly.
“How about solving the mister that is going on?” said Hans.
“Misteri?” ask Okita who is back to normal.
Hans pulls out his phone and gives it to Okita.
“There is a small mystery that is developing lately in the Isekai Online Forum. Well, it's just the wits of the Player to create a new mystery. But, do you want to hunt ghosts?”
“H-Ghost?” right now, Okita's eyes were a little frightened and curious.
“The rumor is that there is a Player who died while playing the game and the spirit of the Player is still trapped in the game. Just look at the discussion on the Forum” Okita hesitantly read the comments about the rumors that Hans said.
“I-This is interesting.. can send her link to my contact.”.
“Can only, just use my phone.”
Elliot who was a little sensitive to this change also stood up and said goodbye, “Ekhem! I think it'll be a lot of people soon. So I'm going to get back to preparing for the next job. And.. Hans! Hope you can survive the blasphemy of Okita.” fans
Hans who understood the meaning of the words instantly smiled, “Only fans? What's special?”
Elliot and Hans laughed.
“Hans..” Okita returned Hans's phone. In the messaging app there is a recently added Okita contact.
“At least, I have his personal number. They can what?”
“Well, if this is broadcast, I don't know what will happen. Better we avoid it than take the dangerous risk of a fan lunge.”
“Hou.. wise decision” reply Hans.
[...]