The two Rangers of the ‘Red-White’ guild, ‘Ko Seungwoo’ and ‘Disappointing’, kept exclaiming in admiration in the lobby of the Klaus Hotel.
“Wow, amazing. So this is the wealth of the world’s top capsule company.”
“It’s an era where virtual reality technology is connected to various industries. You knew Chris is the only daughter of the CEO of ‘Klaus Capsule Corporation’ and a senior researcher, right?”
“What… Was that why you tried so hard to enter the Red-White guild?”
“Hehe, of course not. Well, we’re just a generation that’s fine with just playing games with advanced technology.”
As the appointed evening time approached, they entered the spacious hall of the hotel Chris had invited them to.
Though the hotel was called by a different name in the past, now it’s owned by ‘Klaus Capsule Corporation’.
Scientific technology including AI has made rapid progress over the past 20 years.
The advancement of scientific technology has allowed people on Earth to enjoy life in new worlds too.
And one of those worlds was the world of sword and magic where many people enjoy adventures, the ‘Astria continent’.
“Oh, what’s all this?”
“Don’t tell me, are we using this entire hall today?”
They couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration even after entering the hall.
High-class hotel buffet food, champagne, wine. The hotel hall tables reminiscent of an upper-class party venue were full of various foods and drinks.
Ko Seungwoo clicked his tongue.
“It’s good to have well-off parents.”
“What are you saying? Chris is clearly a person who rose to senior researcher on her own abilities?”
“Amazing at such a young age. Disappointing-ssi, you seem to be very interested in virtual reality technology too? What does the guild master research?”
“Something about sensory separation in virtual reality… Ah, guild members are coming.”
As the appointed time drew near, guild members started gathering one by one.
The first to catch Disappointing’s eye was a young man with a huge build.
“Wow~ What’s all this?”
“Oh, Mr. Hopkins, right? Nice to meet you.”
“Uhahah! This is Mr. Disappointing, I see. I can tell just by looking? Are your party members coming too?”
“Yes. Our entire party agreed to attend. How about you?”
“All of us are coming too.”
“I thought some would miss due to personal schedules. The Red-White guild has amazing unity.”
“It’s an invitation from that Chris-nim, right? There’s no way to refuse. And…”
Hopkins grinned.
Disappointing couldn’t help but smile back.
‘Drizzle Rain’.
Currently the most talked-about figure in ‘Astria Online’.
Surely, there would be people attending to see her face too.
“It doesn’t matter much to me, but our party’s ‘Red Hot Chicken’ was so insistent.”
“Uhahah! In our party too, ‘Full Moon’ really wanted to see her.”
Though there might be a minority of men attracted to Rain’s cute appearance and small build, fortunately the men of the Red-White guild were normal. Rather, Rain’s delicate body seemed to stimulate women’s protective instincts.
Her strengths aren’t just her appearance, she’s strong too. In this era where virtual reality has gained a weight similar to reality, ability there is also a talent and object of envy.
While Disappointing and Hopkins were chatting, other party members arrived one after another. They all similarly exclaimed in admiration seeing the hall’s view.
“Wow! As expected of Klaus Capsule Corporation! The meeting place is on a different level from the start!”
“I-is this a place with a dress code or something? I’m in casual clothes?”
“Are Chris’s party members not here yet?”
“There’s still some time until the appointed time. They might be preparing to welcome guests first.”
All Red-White guild members except Chris’s party members gathered in the hotel hall.
And not long after, Chris’s party members appeared too.
“Oh, is that Deathly Death!”
“It’s Bae Merong-nim and Cherni-nim, right?”
“Nice to meet you, Red-White guild members! I’m your Mage, Bae Merong!”
Everyone smiled at the sight of Bae Merong entering the hall as if bouncing. A little behind, Deathly Death and Cherni entered together.
Hopkins laughed heartily, and Disappointing shook hands with a grinning expression.
“Aha~! Nice to meet you, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Disappointing!”
“Bae Merong-nim looks similar to her character except for hair color too? I modified my face quite a bit during character creation. Uhahah!”
“Hehe. Beautiful people don’t understand the feelings of us ordinary folks.”
“What are you saying! Everyone looks handsome and pretty!”
The minority who were anxious about dress codes etc. let out sighs of relief seeing the casual attire of Chris’s party members.
Click click.
And with light shoe sounds, the host of this party and master of the Red-White guild, ‘Chris’, appeared in the hall.
The atmosphere of the hall changed at the appearance of the tall beauty with reddish hair color.
“Oho.”
“As expected.”
Hopkins and Disappointing couldn’t help but exclaim.
They were purely amazed at her overwhelming atmosphere and appearance.
She looked exactly the same as her ‘Astria Online’ character, ‘Chris’.
Everyone would be scared if she frowned with her impression that could look a bit sharp. Fortunately, those eyes were forming gentle lines.
“Thank you for gathering here today. Everyone of the ‘Red-White’ guild.”
“What are you saying! We’re grateful for being invited!”
“Thanks to you we get to enjoy a party like this too. Uhahah!”
Chris shook hands with Hopkins and Disappointing.
The Red-White guild members, all gathered except one person, took time to greet each other for a while.
“I see. The entire 2nd floor of this building is virtual reality capsule facilities…! Rather than a hotel, it could be considered Klaus Capsule Corporation’s theme building, right?”
“There are various experience programs too. Like reaction speed test simulations.”
“Oh, I definitely want to try that!”
“Huhu, you can enjoy to your heart’s content. Today the 5th floor hotel rooms and 2nd floor capsule facilities are available only for our guild members. Those who came up from the provinces can stay overnight too.”
Disappointing was listening to Hopkins and Chris’s conversation on the side, then looked towards the window area where Deathly Death was.
He was leaning against the wall looking out the window with sharp eyes, holding a wine glass and swirling it on his palm.
The Ranger from Disappointing’s party and Disappointing’s friend, Ko Seungwoo, approached and whispered softly in Disappointing’s ear.
“That person is the current arena ranking #1, Chris party’s main tank, Deathly Death.”
“Excluding Rain who’s outside common sense, it wouldn’t be wrong to consider him the top expert in Astria Online.”
“Everyone is amazing.”
“Mm, Bae Merong and Cherni-nim are excellent Mage and Elementalist too. They’re among only five in the Red-White guild with elite dungeon first clear experience.”
“I want to go talk to him, but he’s creating such an atmosphere?”
While Disappointing and Ko Seungwoo were whispering, Bae Merong approached Deathly Death with a very angry expression.
“Deathly Death oppa! You’re doing this alone again as soon as you arrive. Talk with the guild members a bit!”
“Don’t you think the lonely Fighter is a cool position? Uh, whoa!”
Bae Merong grabbed Deathly Death’s collar and dragged him to the center of the hall. Deathly Death scratched his head and bowed slightly to Disappointing.
“I’m Deathly Death.”
“Hehe, I’m Disappointing.”
“You can call me Ko Seungwoo.”
Even Deathly Death who was exuding a hard-to-approach atmosphere couldn’t use strength in front of Bae Merong.
Disappointing smiled looking at the two who seemed to get along well.
“By the way, the protagonist isn’t visible.”
Not just Disappointing, but others were waiting for someone too.
In this hall where everyone had gathered, one person was still missing.
Fidget fidget.
The Red-White guild’s ‘Red Hot Chicken’ and ‘Full Moon’, two female users, were fidgeting near the hall entrance.
Full Moon gathered courage and approached Chris.
“Um, Chris-nim?”
“Yes? Oh, Full Moon-nim, right? Nice to meet you.”
“Y-yes! Um, perhaps.”
“Huhu, I’ll introduce her.”
“Ah!”
Full Moon’s face brightened.
Chris approached the hall entrance.
And.
Whirr.
A small machine sound was heard from the hall entrance.
Everyone’s attention focused.
Along with that machine sound, a girl entered the hall.
No, rather than entered, she ‘rode’ something in.
“…!”
Silence.
The audience received an even stronger shock than when Chris appeared.
How many people in the world can captivate the atmosphere just by their appearance?
The appearance of the snow-white girl made everyone gathered in this hall lose their words.
“Wh-what.”
Disappointing’s lips trembled.
The mysterious appearance that no one thought would actually exist, lacking reality.
The appearance that was barely accepted because it was a virtual reality game with customization possible.
That became reality and appeared before their eyes.
Obsidian eyes with a slightly calmer feeling than those in the game.
From within them, even a sense of sharpness like a well-honed sword was felt.
Snow-white hair reflecting silver light, as if about to dye the entire hall in its color.
A breathtakingly beautiful appearance as if molded by God.
Did a God jealous of her perfection take something away from her?
She was.
Sitting in a wheelchair.
In the silence, her mouth opened.
“Hello. I’m Rain.”