When I close my eyes and fall into darkness, I can sense the truth—our prayers and wishes become mana that travels to God.
✦ ✦ ✦
Dragon Demon RPG is an extremely difficult game only for masochists. In its world, hard work is not rewarded. Your destiny is decided from the moment you’re born, and no amount of clever machinations will change your strength or affluence. In the end, the world is fated for destruction. This is true not just for humans, but elves and vampires as well. They’re all but parts in the grand scheme of things. No one can take the lead role; fighting over it is pathetic, since this world’s residents are no more than common weeds comparatively.
The game’s reality was so similar to my own life that I became addicted to it. I poured hours and hours into it... and considered it a win if I managed to spend time playing without being annoyed. I enjoyed the fortunes and misfortunes. It was all just a game, after all. Pure fantasy, to be played with like a toy.
(I see. So that’s your speciale, huh?)
Light yellow text illuminates the corner of my darkened VR monitor.
Speciale? Like, specialty? Who cares, my body’s so heavy and tired; I can’t move. I claw my way across my desk, searching for my keyboard. Oh, found it. Now, where are the J and F keys... There we go.
Summon Legion.
(I see. “I am legion, for we are many.” Yes, I see.)
In a time of dire need, I somehow managed to complete my summoning magic.
(What the hell do you ‘see’?) I type back.
Step one was the lesser summon magic, Accept Blade. Step two was the summon magic Call Einherjar. Step three was the greater summoning magic, Summon Legion. There were a lot of extreme power spikes in the Devil God’s growth instead of a nice curve, I have to admit.
(Stop screwing around.)
But of course I could summon them. How could I fail?
(Do you think this is a game?)
If real lives are on the line, then I have to be serious. I have to try my hardest. I have to succeed at everything. Otherwise... there’s no hope.
(Explain yourself. What the hell is this?) I demand.
(To me, this is revolyutsiya via invasion and exploitation of the parallel world.)
(I don’t understand. What are you talking about?)
(I don’t care what it means to you.)
I’m gonna throw up. Most of what this person’s writing is nonsensical, but the words “parallel world” really stick out to me. Within me, something rises up.
(Did you do something funny to that VR set you sent me?)
(As soon as you connect with it, you’ll be linked with my communication circuit.)
(That’s not what I mean. Did you put some weird tech in it, like electric drugs that can make you hallucinate?)
(“If what you see is unreal, then are you not what is unreal?” Are you stupid?)
Again with the difficult quotes. But damn, it kinda makes sense. I can still feel the weight of the swords in my hands, and smell the stench of the battlefield. I can’t place exactly where I felt it, but I can recall the sensation of fire magic. And, most of all, the final warmth of a woman who was like a mother to me... remains in my heart. The wish she entrusted to me... her prayer... it’s been engraved on my soul.
(You’re the Demon God, aren’t you?)
(Yes. And you are the Devil God.)
Unavoidably, I throw up—quite a lot. All I can do is not to hit my PC and stuff. Instead, it goes all over my legs, chair, and floor.
I’m crying. It hurts. I knew it subconsciously, but the second they put it into words... my stomach flipped.
(I’m glad. I may have lost today, but I learned a lot.)
(What’s there to be glad about when you killed so many people?)
(Many things please me.) Damn you... Damn you! (For example, the “fire” I require has been prepared.)
Fire. The flame that is the source of Kuroi’s power. I’m not talking about superfluous data like faith levels or magic points, either; this is the real thing. Right now, it’s burning in my belly... The wills of those fighting to survive, and those who continue to fight even in death, have gathered here... A collection of souls—the flame of humanity.
(Do you even realize that this is all real?) I ask furiously.
It’s precious. It’s not something anyone should be messing with for fun. Claims of ‘sincerity’ or ‘faithfulness’ only belittle it. That’s not right... PotatoStarch livestreams? Why, I...
(Another is that you have come to understand what is happening in the parallel world.)
(So you knew, but you summoned that demon anyway?)
The parallel world—the place where Kuroi and the others live. It’s not a video game; they can’t save or reload. There are no retries in the real world. A parallel world where humans, elves, and vampires all exist...
(The true battle has finally begun. It will be the final one. Massive gains will be had.)
(You’re crazy. I don’t understand.)
I want to spit out the sourness in my mouth, but I can’t, so I let it flow out along with my saliva. What a terrible smell... but it helps me stay focused, so I inhale.
(No, you are the one that is difficult to understand. It is quite likely you are an idiot.) What is with this person, this... Romanian? Are they trying to bait me? (Your PC is garbage; a low-spec, mass-produced piece of junk.)
Hmph! That doesn’t faze me. I’m already pissed, you see. ...But I’m also scared. It’s like a giant hole’s opened up beneath me. If he knows my PC’s specs, then some kind of illegal entry must have happened. He’s spied on my videos and discovered my address, too.
(Also, Dragon Demon RPG is just a game. However, it does contain a virus,) they add. A virus? Oh, so it was in the game, not the VR set... Wait, what? (I created this game based on the parallel world.)
This Romanian created DDR? So I’m talking to a member of the dev team right now? They certainly have a similar lack of humanity, but... Oh! I think there was something in the chat log...
This! (But the one you have is different. Mode DX. I did not create that.)
DX—the strange version of DDR whose contents were different from the deluxe version’s.
(It is probably a special type of magic. Either that, or a miracle,) they type. I don’t know much about miracles, but I can understand magic. It doesn’t exist in our world, but over there it does; I’ve experienced it. (You thought it was a game, didn’t you? But in the parallel world, you are a god. I imagine the local humans sought you out.)
Humans. The people living in that land are... so tragic. The elves look down upon them like livestock, and even use them to feed their familiars. The vampires see them as food as well, and eat any humans they can get their hands on. Oppressed and tyrannized, they’re a hopelessly sad and wretched species.
...All because they didn’t have a Guardian God. Without the blessing of one, they’re weak compared to the elves and vampires, so they sought a god... and that’s how this happened? Through the magical DDR DX, they took some random streamer named PotatoStarch and turned him into the Devil God? Ugh... I’m not gonna barf. Like hell I’m gonna barf! Just once is enough for something so pathetic.
(I had been carrying out an improper proxy war in this parallel world,) they declare. War. This isn’t a game—it’s real war. (Then you showed up and turned it into a proper war.)
I can’t run away. I mustn’t run away. I can’t just pretend I didn’t see all this; I can’t let it slide. I have to fight.
(It is very fortunate. Our war allows me to fight the parallel world,) they continue.
Well, I’ll do it. I’ve been trying for so long to finish the human salvation route—in other words, an end where Kuroi and all the rest can be happy. The Dragon God aside, the Demon God’s attack is an unchangeable condition.
Summon Legion is my trump card, and the key to activating it... is a VR connection. However, it’s not something I can use flippantly. After trying it once, I now know full well that it’s not normal. It’s not some special perk or bonus, but more like adrenaline in a desperate situation, or a limiter removal. It’s powerful, but the backlash is equally strong. Kuroi’s currently passed out, too.
But, even so...
(It is possible for us to “have a fair fight,”) they dare me.
I’m going to defeat this crazy Romanian. Through the game’s strategy... as the God of war... I’ll fight alongside Kuroi and the others!
(...so get better. I’ll send you more high-quality food.)
Ugh, that steak was his doing, too? Way too much of my personal information has been leaked.
(Thank you for the concern, but please butt out.)
(You’re welcome. Still, you are unequipped to survive despite me providing you with a nourishment stipend.)
Wait... A stipend? It can’t be.
(What do you mean, a stipend?)
(You should have received the proper amount in Japanese yen.)
(You’re wrong, that was from my company.)
(You are affiliated with a public company, and I control the major cryptocurrencies. It was an easy acquisition.)
(You’re lying.)
(It’s the truth. I also control the world wide web.)
(You’re lying!)
(It’s the truth. I am also automatically deleting all information about you. This is to prevent any interference from third parties. After seeing your stream, I have to wonder, are you stupid?) Everything’s cold. I feel dizzy. I’m gonna hurl again. (I have eliminated all potential interference in our war and protected your playing environment.)
This person’s a freak, a monster if I’ve ever seen one. They’re as fearsome in this world as they are in the parallel one, which is saying something considering they’re the Demon God there.
“Ugh... Nngh! Hhrrgh!”
I grit my teeth. Moans escape, but the contents of my stomach don’t. I will not barf! I’m the Devil God! I’m PotatoStarch, but I’m also the God of war. Kuroi and the rest of humanity believe in me... I will not be defeated by this enemy!
(Now, KartofStarch, “let us have a fair battle.”)
With shaking fingers, I press the keys. I send a sentence in reply:
(I’ll defeat you.)
That’s good enough. I need to sleep for a bit, but I’ll get up soon. And then, I’ll win.
I will win!