Chapter 2 It’s Just a Coincidence They’re All Girls. Got That? Wipe That Smirk off Your Face.
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The tutorial is complete. Time to start the journey.
Masato and Mamako left the Transport Palace, crossed the last bridge dangling between the floating islands, and reached the small island that was their destination—and their starting point.
They stood together where the magic circle was drawn on the ground, waiting.
“You sure we’ll be transported from here?”
“Yes, I am. That’s what the guidebook says! Oh, but…it says it might take a while because of safety precautions, so while we wait, we should review the basic information. It even says to do this with your kids! See?”
She held the book under Masato’s nose.
“R-right. But you don’t need to stand so close!”
She’d moved all the way in, her shoulder rubbing against his. Masato pushed her away and then skimmed what the guidebook said.
The two of them had been transported into an online game called MMMMMORPG (working title).
The main servers for the game were housed in the Cabinet Office, and connected to these were independent servers stationed in the local government facilities of each of the forty-seven prefectures of Japan. The plan was to create a massive and varied world.
But the game was currently in beta, gathering data from testers, so the Tokyo server was the only one currently online.
“Man, they’re really counting their chickens before they hatch… The scale of this is a little extreme…”
“Chickens? Chickens…chickens… Where does it say anything about chickens, Ma-kun?”
“No, I’m talking about the number of servers.”
“You are? The servers at…the chicken restaurant? Does this game have those? Oh, are you getting hungry?”
“No, that’s not what I… Never mind, I couldn’t possibly explain everything.”
It was more important to review the key information. Masato kept skimming the guidebook.
The only operational server, in Tokyo, was currently running a mainstream fantasy world. European-styled. Landscapes heavily inspired by the shores of the Mediterranean, where lots of medieval buildings remained.
Also, the in-game time and real-world time were the same; if Masato and his mom had come here this afternoon, then…
“Oh, finally!”
A blinding light erupted from the circle beneath them, enveloping them. When the light faded…
…the white walls of a stone town stood before them, bathed in afternoon sunlight, a pleasant sea breeze brushing past.
The first thing Mamako said was “My goodness! It’s like we’re abroad!”
“‘Abroad’… I mean, Mom, I don’t expect you to be well versed in fantasy landscapes, so I can understand why you’d say that, but… Never mind, let’s just go.”
The starting point for the first world was the kingdom of Catharn.
They left the magic circle at the transport point, passed beneath a sturdy gate, and found themselves in the kingdom capital. It was a town built around the white-walled castle at the center.
Buildings made of pale mud and brick were pleasing to the eye, enhancing the natural landscape. Even the clatter of the horse-drawn carriages was relaxing. If you settled down here, you’d probably never want to leave on any dumb adventures. As they walked through these lovely streets…
“Gasp! There are shops in the next street! We have to go see!”
“Nah, first we should make a circuit of the town, get the lay of the land…and she’s already gone! Is this kind of agility unique to my mom…or any female character?!”
Mamako acquired the skill Soul of a Window Shopper, allowing her to shop at high speeds.
“Hey there, little lady! That’s some unusual garb you’re wearing. Are you a traveler from distant lands? Then have a look round my shop. There’s a discount for beauties like you!”
“Goodness! ‘Little lady’? When I’ve got a son this big?”
“You…don’t need to point that out every time. Seriously… Oh, hello.”
“Huh? That’s your son? …You’re a mother?”
“Oh, but right now I’m just his teammate. I’ve joined my son’s party! Isn’t it lovely?”
“A mother-and-son party? Um…”
“He doesn’t need to know we’re in a party, okay? You’re just confusing the poor shopkeeper. C’mon—let’s go! Forward!”
“Okeydoke!”
As a way of quietly making up for his sins, Masato was carrying their luggage. Mamako kept stopping to chat with every barker, so he started pushing her along.
They looked like two foreign tourists wandering through the marketplace, but it was clear this wasn’t a vacation spot.
“We’re definitely inside a fantasy RPG…”
Just glancing around, he saw a shop selling swords and spears, one selling shields and armor, and warriors decked head to toe in that kind of gear, walking around as if it was totally normal for them to be there. A group of what appeared to be magical girls walked past, the hems of their short robes fluttering.
Seriously fantasy. This is amazing. I’m actually inside a game.
It was a little late for that to be hitting home, but Masato couldn’t help himself.
Mamako was keeping a close eye on what her son was up to.
“Ma-kun! Don’t stare at girls’ backsides with that grin on your face! They’ll think you’re a creep!”
“I wasn’t! That’s not why I’m smiling!”
“Hee-hee, I’m just messing with you. I’m your mother—I know exactly what you’re thinking. Our hearts are one!”
“Oh, yeah? Then let’s hear it.”
“Right now, you’re thinking…about how happy you are to be on a walk with Mommy! Tee-hee!” Mamako delivered this with utter confidence and a broad smile.
Masato just snorted. About what he’d expected. Utter nonsense.
“Nope. That’s, like, the last thing I’d be happy about. You really don’t understand the teenage mind at all, Mom. I give up! You’re a terrible mother.”
“That’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to me in all my life.” Sniffle.
“P-please don’t trot that line out every time! I shouldn’t have put it like that! I’m sorry!”
He got down on his knees reflexively and began apologizing profusely, concerned about her response.
Mamako laughed, amused. A broad grin sprang up on her ridiculously youthful face.
“Hee-hee, that was certainly effective. I suppose those words are now a mother’s little spell.”
“A mind-weakening spell only effective on heroic sons… Diabolical.”
It seemed as if it would be a while before Masato got over the trauma of his earlier mistake. For now, though…
“Hmm… Well, we’re walking around, but…where should we actually go?”
“Hee-hee-hee. Leave that to Mommy! I know exactly where we’re going.”
“What? But I thought you didn’t know anything about games like this?”
“That’s certainly true. But don’t worry! I have this!”
Mamako held up the guidebook proudly. Aha. Well, she can’t go wrong with that.
“We’ve got to prepare for our adventure! So first…”
“Gather a party? Right?”
“You got it! The guidebook says that’s the first thing we should do. Which means… Oh, here we are! Ta-daa!”
Mamako waved at a building looming over the corner of the shopping district.
At a glance, it looked like a café with an outdoor terrace, but the heavily armed, burly clientele suggested this wasn’t a place for a nice cup of tea. Adventurers sitting on the terrace were looking Masato and Mamako over appraisingly, an aggressive welcome that definitely created the right mood.
The sign outside the building read ADVENTURERS GUILD. That explained it.
“Definitely doesn’t look like this place is sugarcoating anything. Heh… Works for me.”
“Oh my. You usually just grunt ‘Fine’ or ‘Nah’ at me, Ma-kun. So odd to hear you talk like this… I’m discovering a whole new side of you!”
“S-stop that! I don’t need your critical evaluation of everything I say! It’s super awkward…”
“Hee-hee! Well, sorry. Now… Ma-kun, can you hand me one of my swords?”
“Mm? Uh, sure, but…?”
He wasn’t sure what she was planning on doing with it, but he pulled Altura—the sea-blue sword—out of the overnight bag and handed it to her.
“Hyah!”
Mamako swung the sword in the direction of the guild, attacking it.
“…Um…?”
A flash of blue light, and a gush of water—
“Wait…!”
—that formed droplets—
“Hey!”
—which launched themselves.
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat! A hail of water bullets pounded the side of the building. The horrible sounds of total destruction were followed by the collapse of the walls and support pillars. Only when the volley finally ended could they hear the sound of adventurers screaming.
Masato stared in utter horror for a long moment.
Finally, he stammered, “M-Mom… Why did you…?”
“The guidebook said not to let others underestimate you, so we should start by showing off.”
“That’s not what showing off means! Oh, God… This is bad…”
Half the guild building was totally gone. Far more concerning, though, was the safety of the adventurers gathered on the terrace. If any of them had been seriously injured by Mamako’s attack…
PK-ing? Attempted PK-ing? Either way, she’s liable to get banned…
PK—player kill. Killing another player’s character. There were usually stiff penalties for it. An apology wasn’t getting them out of this one.
Masato stood frozen to the spot, white as a sheet. Eventually, there were signs of movement from the rubble. Someone clambered over the remains of the door.
It appeared to be a woman. She was dressed in businesslike clothing and had long black hair, a calm expression…
…and a lot of blood streaming down her face.
“Travelers, welcome to the Adventurers Guild. I must inforform you that I am the receptionist, Shirarase. If you are looking for others with whom to share your adventure, come right this way.”
She beckoned to them, ignoring the gaping wound in her head.