Chapter 27: Aftermath

[Akashic Archive] Main Story Act 2

While a special story was created for the Demon God, a separate standard version provided players with a slightly different experience.

Act 2 Chapter 1

"Finally, this is the last test. If you pass this test, you can become an official Supervisor of the [Akashic Archive]."

"This story will be a bit different from the previous ones."

"The Demon King who is the protagonist of this story caused a momentous event that determined the fate of various races in this world. It was because of that event that this world could exist like this in the [Archive]. Unfortunately, the Abyss's interference corrupted her will."

"Your task is to help her by staying by her side."

"Remember. We are Supervisors of the [Akashic Archive]. Our mission is to preserve events that occur throughout the universe exactly as they happened. Even if you don't like the conclusion, you must not change it arbitrarily."

The final test received as a Provisional Supervisor.

-Finally the last test! Once this is done, I'll become a Supervisor?

-Why do we have to preserve the story as is? Can't we change it?

-Come to think of it, the players who chose to kill the Saintess at the end of Act 1 got 10 points in the previous test, must be the Archive's rules

-I don't like how they've predetermined the answer by saying we can't change the story.

Players listened to the test instructions from the Supervisor and entered into the story of Demon King Perlereino.

Act 2 Chapter 2

[The demon you must help is still young. The village where the young Demon King lived was attacked by demon hunters. In this world, only she can see your soul. Guide and help the young demon survive.]

"I love you, Reino."

"Mother! Mother!"

"Hehehe. We caught quite a prime specimen here."

"Scream, you bitch! This isn't fun otherwise!"

-;-; Must protect Reino!

-I read in history books that demons and humans really didn't get along, but was it this bad?

-Thankfully it's not like this anymore

-This is boring, how long do we just watch?

Players witnessed the conflict between humans and demons through the story.

Act 2 Chapter 3

"Everyone in the village is dead. All my friends were murdered. My mother, my only family, is no longer in this world. I have no one to rely on. Soul Lord, how should I live on?"

"Soul Lord! The water here is so clean!"

"Soul Lord! Isn't this one so cute?"

"Soul Lord. When I become the Demon King... can I change this cruel world?"

An adventure accompanying the story's protagonist who must be protected and guided.

-Nooooo!

-This pure child becomes that Mass Murderer Demon King from history?

-I can't stand it. Watching Reino's body grow bigger. Her soft body becoming firm. Hair growing on her pure white body.

Following the game's mission paths, players developed a strong internal bond with her.

-Why can we only go in predetermined directions? I want to make her something other than a Demon King

-This game has no freedom, it's trash

Though some expressed dissatisfaction with the fixed storyline, even if it was necessary for buildup.

Act 2 Chapter 4

"Come to me! Lord of the Underworld!"

"Soul Lord! I did it! I became the Demon King!"

-With your help, the girl succeeded in becoming the Demon King. Now comes the moment of final decision. Help guide the girl in her decisive choice at her final moment.

The girl who became Demon King gathered her scattered kin and became their protector.

Even with the power of being Demon King, ruler of all demons, she still could not stop the hatred between humans and demons.

The girl finally brings out her initial plan and last resort.

-No, don't joke around

-Why do we have to follow predetermined history! I refuse mass murder!

-Demon King, how could you live like this ;-;

The final moment approached gradually.

Players trembled in rising tension.

Act 2 Chapter 5

The curtain rose on the climactic scene.

"I want to see it too. An era where all hatred has vanished."

"I want to go there too. To an era of peace and harmony."

"Soul Lord! Can't you take this cup from me?"

The girl wavers in her resolve, struggling with her decision.

Ding-

[Final Choice]

[The Demon King hesitates before embracing the power the Lord of the Underworld. Her wavering threatens to break history. If she does not choose to proceed, the story will be damaged. Make your choice. Will you help her complete the story safely? Or will you betray the [Archive] to save her and destroy the world?]

Soon after, players faced the choice that would determine the story's core.

-No, don't be ridiculous!

-I cannot make her choose sacrifice. Knowing the painful life she's lived, how can I make her sacrifice herself at the end too?

-Then what about the chain of hatred?

-Going to betray the Archive?

-The Archive can go to hell!

-Who cares if the story breaks or other NPCs die? I only care that my precious little Reino is safe

The players were divided into two groups.

Those who couldn't bear to watch the girl's death and those who wanted to prevent the massacre chose to betray the Archive regardless of test results.

Those who wanted to establish peace and preserve the story intact, regardless of whether the girl lived or died or the massacre occurred, chose to have the girl willingly sacrifice herself.

Players thought the following story would differ based on this choice, being the Archive's final test.

"What do you think you're doing? Are you planning to corrupt the story? How disappointing. I thought you were a good candidate. 9 points."

-----

"Perfect handling. To restore history exactly as it happened. Truly worthy of being an Archive Supervisor. With this, you've completed the final test. 10 points."

The Supervisor's reactions differed based on choices.

Players naturally assumed the endings would be different.

Act 2 Final Chapter

"I will now announce the results of the three [Archive] Supervisor selection tests."

The unsatisfying end of Act 2 led into additional story.

Into the following story called the Interlude.

"Adding up the scores from tests one through three..."

The Supervisor was about to announce the players' passing status based on the story from Act 0 through Act 2.

Crash!

"Kuhk!"

Until a suddenly appearing entity pierced through his chest.

"T-the Abyss...! How could they directly invade the [Archive]...!"

A black shadow appeared and interrupted the final test results announcement.

Through the bleeding, fallen Supervisor, players could tell this enemy was an Assassin of the Abyss.

As the Assassin of the Abyss moved to attack the player next

"I won't let you!"

The Supervisor threw himself forward to block the attack.

The Supervisor dies bleeding in the player's arms.

"...I'm sorry. It seems I must entrust the fate of the [Archive] to you."

The Supervisor takes out a small cube from his pocket and hands it to the player.

Woong-

The cube resonates with the player.

The cube unfolds and swallows both the player and the Assassin of the Abyss.

Moving from the non-combat space where players couldn't fully use their powers to a hidden space, the boss battle began.

-Supervisooor!

-S-Supervisor!

-Finally a chance to use the characters I've raised!

-Time for heroes to shine!

No time to mourn the Supervisor's death in this situation facing the Assassin of the Abyss.

Players fight against the Assassin of the Abyss using abilities from characters they've raised and enemy monsters they've obtained.

The Filthy Sludge getting simultaneously beaten by players across the continent.

With its bizarre new title of Assassin of the Abyss, it was having all its powers and patterns exposed simultaneously to everyone on the continent.

"Well, I guess this wraps things up decently enough."

Don't know what that thing is, but I suppose we'll figure it out as continental players help defeat it as the weekly boss.

Good thing I prepared the Interlude before Act 3 in anticipation of the Demon God's choice.

Thanks to that, I could naturally add a sudden weekly boss.

"The story's Emotional Impact might be slightly lacking but... can't be helped I guess."

There's some regret that it could have been a more beautiful story ending if that monster hadn't invaded.

This one creature disrupted the carefully prepared buildup.

Even more so since it wasn't directly related to the third limited character [Demon King Perlereino].

Well, I'll let my future self handle that part.

I picked up a brilliantly glowing orb.

"I should quickly take this to our Lady Demon God."

An orb containing the data of a single dream world.