Bonus Story:
LIVE! Interviewing Famous Players!
OKAY, LET’S GET this stream started!
“Hey there, everyone! It’s me, Yura! I’ll explain what we’re doing once more people join!”
Today’s plan all comes down to luck, though it’s easy enough to explain.
Hmm. All right, now’s a good time to start.
“Today is a test of luck! I know what the title says, but first I’ve got to find some famous players to talk to.”
I’m going to chat with famous players who have a little free time. I’ve prepared some questions and can pick ones from listener comments too. I just won’t ask them any personal information, of course.
Oh ho! If it isn’t the shining hottie!
“Elder Brother Cecil!”
“Ah, Ms. Yura?”
“He’s so hot!”1
Uh-huh, he’s the same handsome knight as always! That embarrassed smile he gave me when I called him “Elder Brother” made him even hotter!
“How can I help you?”
“I’m trying to interview famous players. Do you have some time?”
“Is this for a livestream? I can talk for a bit.”
“First off, tell us your name!”
“I’m Cecil, the guildmaster of the Knights of Dawn. It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Cecil!”
I must be lucky to bump into Mr. Cecil right off the bat!
“Is there a story behind your guild’s name?”
“I called us ‘knights’ because we carry the same battle skills and morals knights do. I picked the ‘dawn’ part at random.”
“So there’s no meaning to it?”
“Right. But it works, doesn’t it?”
“I can picture it fitting in well in other games too, yes. It’s not weird to say aloud either!”
“That’s the kind of thing I was going for. It’s an important aspect.”
“Yep, totally! Well, that part only matters if you have friends.”
“Oof! You’re killing me over here.”
“That was unexpectedly harsh,” Mr. Cecil remarks.
“Friends? Where can I buy those?”
“I think one friend costs about 800,000 yen these days,” I explain. “I’m talking about AI, though.”
“It’s a lot cheaper if you just buy this game. There’s all kinds of residents in here.”
“A lot of people want to play solo even when they see all different kinds of people in an MMO!”
“True. It’s probably like working in a café or something. Not that I’d know.”
I don’t know either.
“Why did you decide to use dual swords as a main weapon?”
“Because they look cool, don’t they?”
“I understand completely.”
“But aren’t they difficult to use?” I ask.
“That only makes them more appealing. They’re really strong when you know how to handle them, and they just look so cool. There’s no downside to mastering them.”
“I see. Did you consider any other weapons?”
“I like spears and stuff, just not actually using them myself. Oh, I’m talking about the two-handed ones.”
“You mean long-handled weapons? I hear spears are quite easy to use.”
“I mean, yeah, you just stab things with them.”
“Are hammers and axes similar?”
“You have to get the hang of them, just like how it’s hard to hit the target head-on with a blunt weapon. You might be able to figure out an axe once it’s in your hands, but it’s surprisingly hard to balance its weight. They’re at least easier than hammers, since they have a blade.”
“I suppose that would offer quite a difference in damage.”
“With spears, you just have to stab at spots that look soft enough. It’s easy to deal the same amount of damage with each hit, so it’s not a complicated weapon on its own. You also need less dexterity than other weapons, since you only use it to thrust at a spot of your choice.”
“I see!”
“Having a short spear and shield is an extremely safe loadout. People call that the standard spear build. You can always go with a two-handed spear for more firepower too.”
So that’s why they say spears are good for beginners?
“Why did you choose a two-handed axe, Ms. Yura? Axes are pretty niche weapons. Not to mention, it doesn’t really suit an idol.”
“The more boorish the weapon, the better, don’t you think?”
“Ah, I see. I understand completely. You made the right choice.”
“It’s also strong against most enemies. A-at least, so I’ve heard.”
“Plus, it counts for both slashing and blunt attacks, is super effective against wood, and surprisingly easy to guard yourself with, since it’s so big.”
“It’s hard to fight in tight spaces, but that’s true of all large weapons, right?”
“Yeah. You might be able to get by with a spear, but two-handed swords and two-handed hammers are going to be a problem like the two-handed axe.”
“So, should I carry a secondary weapon?”
“Fighting would be easier that way. But it’s up to you.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh. The weapon that’s easiest for you to use should be your priority, whatever it may be. In a full-dive action game like this, your choices are directly linked to your motivation. The most familiar weapon is best.”
“Sometimes you know you’re better with one weapon, but you still wanna kill things with another.”
“Exactly,” Mr. Cecil agrees. “They’re all good once you master them. Princess uses the weapon in her right hand like a shield, and her sister’s got that halberd too.”
“If only everyone’s personality matched the weapon they wanted to use.”
“Yeah. It’s no fun when they don’t align. Although, put in a little practice and you can get used to just about any weapon. By the way, this is becoming more of a chat than an interview. Is that an issue?”
“Anyone have any questions for him?”
No doubt I’ll get some weird ones, but anyway.
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Nope. Next question.”
“I’m Cecil.”
“Really? Next question.”
“You’re ignoring that one?”
“I’m a big fan. Please send me your autograph and stamp it with your blood.”
“You must be an assassin.”
“You think they want proof of your death? I sure hope that’s an assassin. It’s way less creepy than thinking a fan wants your bloody autograph.”
“They’re from the radical branch of fans. Next question.”
“Do you have any other friends in the game aside from your guild and party?”
“Let’s see. I talk to Mr. Ertz, the blacksmith, and Mr. Dentelle, the tailor, pretty often. They repair my equipment and provide me with new items. Who else? I guess I’m friends with my fellow guildmasters.”
“Ah, you mean like Mr. Musasabi?”
“Mr. Lucebarm, Ms. Kotatsu, Ms. Akirina, Tomo-kun, and the like. Princess and her party hunt at different spots.”
“Aaah. They hunt in the caves and ruins, right?”
“Yep. That’s why I don’t talk to them that often.”
I see. They usually team up during events, but Princess’s party hunts separately from his, so they don’t come across each other very often!
“Oh, I’ve gotta get hunting now,” Mr. Cecil says.
“Okay! I’ll go look for someone else next!”
I thank Mr. Cecil and watch him leave.
All right! Now it’s time to find another vict—I mean, another subject!
Oooh, look over there!
“Mr. Mohawk! Do you have a minute!”
“Hyah ha ha! Well, if it isn’t Yura? You better film my good side!”
“The ‘hyah ha’ guy cares about how he looks on camera?”
“It’s up to you to preserve this gallant form for future generations! Gyah ha ha ha!”
Hang on. An apocalyptic hyah ha guy isn’t supposed to care about future generations!
He’s as stylish as ever, I see. Mr. Mohawk has the hairstyle he’s named after, no shirt, a belt, and spiky shoulder pads. He leaves no detail ignored. I’ll do my best to restrain my expressions and my laughter.
“I’d like to interview you if you have a moment.”
“Gyah ha ha ha! Ask me whatever ya want, Sis!”
“Why the ‘hyah ha’ laugh?”
“Hyah ha ha ha! It’s simple! I do it because the normal me would never laugh like that!”
“Thank God for that!”
“You’re a working adult, isn’t that right, Mr. Mohawk? I can’t picture that in the slightest.”
“Yeah, I’m an office worker. So what?”
“Pfft!”
“Hee hee hee! I’d get the sack actin’ like this!”
“Ha ha!”
Hey! You can’t just act like a wild man, suddenly open up to me, and then start licking your dagger like that! How am I supposed to stop myself from laughing?! Even the comments are nothing but “lmao.”
“I know you play solo, but who do you party up with the most?”
“Mostly just Mead, Fairellen, and the mutt. I usually join Clementia and Mitsuki too! Hyah ha ha!”
“Uh-huh, I see! So you’re all DPS.”
“Not many tanks in this game in the first place!”
“Yes, it’s scary to be a tank!”
“It takes guts, that’s for damn sure!”