COI C182

The Perb calls his friends “Hey! I think I won’t be there for the final day of the convention”

“What?! Why are you telling us today? What happen?”

“Old friends come by and says hello”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Have you done your part of the project?”

“Yeah, my assets are already upload since the start of the convention . . . I mean when you called me out”

“Sigh* So, are you going back to that hitlist thing?”

“Not yet, seems like my team went missing. No worries, I have gotten what I wanted and I was planning to use them to get rid the pests”

“That would be hard to convince them. We had that meeting with the Dexter Guild, and man, she was a bitch to us”

“Yeah, yeah, the businessman helped us”

As the call ends, The Perb’s friends and the businessman are in the struggle to get themselves understand their own product “It’s been a few days now, and I don’t get a hand of this merchandise. I thought your friend is a man magnet, but I didn’t read the memo. These assets are more catering to men. Gorgeous women with overly proportionate body parts to realistic charms with no less of a personality in these photos. I can’t see any difference that most photos across the internet”

“It’s because you’re adding your clients’ into our panel”

“Because it works, I managed to sell almost everything they could make. Cheap plastics and other recyclable materials during the scarcest supplies you’ve ever seen. The ceases of productions because of the siege. I got their customers and provide them with the meanest and most confident verbal phrases on that single piece of . . . Well now, laugh* I’ve been inspired. Anyway, the reason I brought my clients’ interest to yours will be your future investors”

The businessman knows his loopholes. Keeping the money circling between only his clients really makes the money go round, literally. The Perb’s friends know about his tricks and get the status quo on time during the harshest months in this city. Respectively, he is able to do it without the government’s help from getting loans. No bright people thought of taken risks without the advantages provided for them. Yet, this guy gets it done with his keen voice and the way of words. Still, they need him. He gets them what they needed after that Dexter Guild meeting and they will get their products in stores.

The first few days were gathering data, they provide only parts and pieces to upgrade people’s personal appliances into utilizing both magic and runes. Thanks to the support for the Dexter Guild, they have the parts needed to upgrade without replacing the whole thing. This time, today. They will show them the full replacement of their own personal electronic appliances. Not a handheld sadly, but can be used to every household imaginable. Safe and secured, as the user has its full right in offline without using it online. It’s because it’s personal, it’s because it’s private, and they know who is their customers are.

Fuku City citizens caught their interest. The businessman had practiced for two days now, and with his suit keeps himself to look at the rich people in front of him. He whispers to himself

“My greatest talent is now to entertain with these people. I have no idea why most salesmen lay their eyes with these people. They’re whales from what I heard, but they can’t maintain the steady line of cash and trust, can they?”

The Perb’s friends are gathering the crowd as he had to introduce to them the new product. He looks at the script they handed to him. This performance is not his own and improvise only his words.

The audience were all young, and expecting much as he looks around as the panel is sheltered and covered from the views of the public. It is obvious for him that this show is adult focus. He is not going to lie about the product he saw, he doesn’t know if it will sale, he tries his best to keep to himself. The mascots behinds him really make a nerve trying to look creepy and the other attractive. Everyone is ready and the lights raying down to him and the others. Live performance needs a show, and this businessman can’t negotiate multiple people. Because some clients have different taste for him to say, and all ends well with the same results. He hopes his clients won’t doubt on this.

“Good morning, people. Hey! You know why you’re here. A good experience soon to come in your hands, a new technology, well it is still new, eheh. A VR headset still young in its age and still less content for your viewing pleasures. You think creating a realm of your own with your mana is quite a lot to spend. Why not? But you will soon realize you want it longer, the time spending inside in a form of a console. No need to spend your mana, why not spend a little of your home appliances? I know what you’re thinking ‘We have endless supplies of mana, why do we care?’”

“Oh, my good men and women, you need to care. The realm you’ll make is need of imagination. Mind tiring thinking to make a scenario that your dreams can’t comprehend after you use it all. Why use the content in the internet for reference? You’re all can make your own scenery. Your events, your make belief, your ideal stories, and your rights to the art that should be better. I can see the gasps to any one of you. Yes, you can edit what the creators make their story. You deserve the content. You bought it with your hard earn money, why not change it?”

The screen panels slide open behind him, as he slides with it to the side. Viewing the best adult arts made by famous artists who are not brought to this world. Animated well and deserving beauties, both men and women, showing the scenes they don’t like and replaced it with their preferred scenes. Removing; rape, ugly sex partners, dumb stories cliche, and favorite characters collaborating one another. Their eyes stick to it as the warning labels ‘show only the works of artist who are not transferred to this world’. The Perb’s friends first project. To get quick money from them, an adult interacting console with the newly release virtual reality headset.

The businessman sees the mascots are coming on stage as he narrates. “Oh, look at here, ugly bastards are coming to your favorite girls and . . . Edit! Now they are gone, old works that you don’t like to see with best arts changed without ruining its finest . . . (This script is getting dumber and dumber with passing words I recite) . . . It’s getting better, you have other special kinks that you can never dreamed with these characters you wanted to see. But wait, I didn’t even talk about the most important thing. Hey, my sweet lady. Care to smack*”

Another character comes out from the screen and said to the businessman “Darling, who is this girl with you?”

“Ow, I was trying to introduce them. Wait!”

The character from the screen gives him the headset and pulled him into the screen. The console took his body in as he is now inside the console. The audience sees something amazing as the businessman is sucked inside the virtual world. The details show to them on the panel as the scene plays. The businessman is inside the room with the stranger who is beautiful and at the same time crazy.

Stripping down in front of him as he screams “You! I mean, you knew people are watching, rights?”

“It’s fine, they don’t have the headset to get themselves in. We are alone, together” The businessman stays calm and distract her as she now in her underwear

“I would love that, but can you keep that lingerie on? Since you offer. I can provide you in return”

The woman nods and follows his words. He reluctantly and sarcastically told her

“Great, now kneel down and let my hands show you the way”

As she is about to do it. The businessman guides her with his hands flowing through her skin and away from the sensitive part. The temptation of the ai character was outstanding. The audience were not ready to see such advance interaction. The businessman reaches to the point where he sees her on her knees patting out like a dog. That strange looks that he never knew how this woman was programmed for.

“Are you ready, my lovely?”

The woman shows crazed eyes and nods ecstatically. Another sarcasm puts into his voice “Then, say I love. Slowly . . . giggle*”

“I love”

Then he quickly says the magic word “To Leave!”

The businessman kicks out from the console, removed the headset and quickly runs out from the stage. The character comes out acting remorseful and sad to see him gone. The crowd shook to see how he done it without even showing the glimpse of the good part. With his mic on hand, to keeps his exotic profession on tact. He said,

“Apologies, where am I right now? Ah yes. The features, you’re going to love to see; AI developed characters, personal long-term progress between you and the characters, easy in and out into the virtual world, no mana consumptions, personal realistic interaction, massive overhauls from past works, unlimited memory . . .”

He keeps going on and on about the features as he soon realized the reason why he had negotiated with really competent manufacturers to do this. This is the same replica as any realms reported on the news. Their personal havens, and this technology they introduce removed all the negative they feared of. He answered it as he reads to the last

“. . . There are no future disorders and improved quality of life. If you still don’t believe it, double buy back refunds and one year warranty”

The businessman said to the audience with such a very high risk takes. They rushed to the counter and began preordering. The sight of those people both, men and women are both taking advantage the refunds or the opportunity to show off in the internet.

The businessman watches his clients goes through one last promotion. “To any of you don’t want to wait for another year to come out. We gladly present you the first console and headset. Just like we promised to double the pay for the refund. Why not auction it?”

The crowd brings out the offers as the businessman watch them roaring the price tags. This crazy stunt made him worried if his clients are crazy or just dumb. But one thing he doesn’t know that these people are rich, and they know how to waste money.

The scammers and the scammed both battle out for the prize. The 50-50 marked who will be using the first console is getting wild. The Perb’s friends have gathered enough data. This convention is riled up so many people wanting the perfect experience. They hear the prices are going up and up to the point of no citizens have that much money to begin with. They called out the prices

“Ok, that’s 100 million Y . . . What?! There’s another one calling for a hundred million more”

There is no stopping until the lucky auction offered to the buyer was more than the businessman thought it was not possible, but his client did it. However, the debts will be worse if the customer is not satisfied. The winner walks up to the stage with the fine look of his face with such absolute victory, either he is a scammer or not. The businessman announced the winner.

“Cheers to the man who paid the first console to ever been done for over 1 billion Y. I can’t believe how this man can afford such a marvelous device. It’s good to see such auction that made it possible to have one year early. So, what’s your name? And we will be cheering you on with your outstanding effort”

“I am Flashes, the best electronic engineer, the Fuku adventurer, you people have ever seen”

The original had spent all the money he had taken from the defector’s hard earn money. So much money that he never thought he could get except Flashes best works providing the stream of money. He takes the console and call his doubles

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I got it, check and see what’s inside and check if there is no suspicious entity on it”

“All that funds I earned to buy some stupid hobby of yours. You’re lucky that we have good earnings for the past few months. I still can’t believe it that you looted your own people”

“Laugh* I can’t wait for the results”

The defector, the other Flashes, received it in the matter of time. He sees the console and the headset is fully made out of runes, but not only runes. There are more other types of mana. This design as he tried to scan had no information to get through to this well-made piece of household console. He brings out the samples of different kinds of corrupted materials. He will take his time and test this thing what possible danger it had. If it all pass, then that large spending of his doubles did is probably worth it. After the siege is over, he’ll bet he can finish this for 6 months. Where his readings show, a strong case in this console and the headset have seals that the first touch of his tools break.

Back in the convention, the businessman sees such a bizarre business practice. An auction so absurd yet, affectively possible. He thought this is not going to work, and the first start of production seems reasonable since a lot of people spend their time indoors. A good console that helps everyone to feel at ease in the safety in their own homes. Just relax, and enjoy what those do-hickeys can do. His clients had hit on the right on the head when they promote to these people. Adult-rated content, that seems to simulate every debauchery they could think of.

His clients bring him to the private room as they discuss of their day’s success “I told you it worked. We even sent you inside”

“That’s the most idiotic . . . I mean, of all the people to have to go inside the screen and professionally acted out with that fine creation of a lady of yours, offering you that kind . . . Ugh, You people wouldn’t stop yourselves, would you?”

The businessman’s last line was snarky. The looks of his clients’ faces were acting guilty not for him, but they really going to do it. One of them spill out more than the businessman thought he knew the basics about the console.

“Yeah, well. We told everyone who is daring enough to invade inside your scene. I’d say, we are proud enough that it is fully secured”

The way he said that, someone can actually invade someone else’s private time. He is not wrong that there are monsters out there could do that, and he is no idiot after knowing this city’s kinks. The way the businessman think was daring, but the content they provide is stated himself the obvious. Surely, they can understand the stupidity trying to mix fun and entertainment. Yet, this businessman will show them the real deal.

His client said to him “That look, please don’t . . .”

“I can’t say you did better to put me on stage. Do you think this businessman is a mascot to you? Well, you don’t mind me sing an oratorio for you. I’ll snap my fingers and show you all the long process I made to get you people the right place on the right time. Impossible, that’s what you’re thinking, and you might think wrong on the matter. Believe me, the things you wanted to sell is questionable and I’ve been through a lot. All the challenges, all the client’s opinions thought it would work. I tried and succeeded”

“Alright, alright. You’ll be getting extra after the release”

The clients hear his amazing acting, from downright prideful to going something daring at them, the ‘challenges’ he had done, and leaving a mark that no people refuse to pay him. Yet their offer didn’t stop him

“Don’t ruin the moment, I’ll remind you the struggle to get my words out from my business partners outside of the city. I almost . . .”

“You’ll get 2% of the profit”

“. . . You sir, made a hard bargain in the middle of my important story. What will my other clients think of me now if I’m getting bribe with such low numbers?”

“Fine! You can allow them to invest us”

“DEAL!”

The businessman finally shuts up and begin on his way. He summons a contract in his files bind together with every detail they both talk about before. Now adding his own clients, the businessman had more gains to get his work up into their project. After this meeting, there are a lot of people from Fuku City is eyeing on him. They give them their business cards and offered a job for advertisement. He never thought there are people who are interested in his performances as he reads the cards. The sense of magic trying to tempt him. A familiar magic by only a touch, these people are not wanting third parties and they are wanting him being consumed by their respected companies.

The black companies had magic on their side, and this businessman has too many tricks in his sleeves. With these business cards on his hands, stack together and place it to his card holders. He is going to leave the panel and left a mark from his performance. Words got out from the audience of how he did was so annoyingly bad inside the screen.

“Those guys should have shown a lot of cheating. That virgin tries to evade sex. He is like one of those weak MCs getting girls and not doing anything”

“Laugh* That is one fucking loser”

“Gosh, this is an adult themed panel. Why didn’t he get the message and get it on with it?”

“That idiot didn’t know the other panels have it live”

As the businessman got out from the panel, other restricted areas are indeed showing them adult content. He had none of that, their amateur words won’t work against the voice of the professional. A man who can sell all and get everyone excited on the smallest of things. He walked out from the realm and received phone calls from his old clients

“Are you sure we are going to invest these people? How much does it hurt our reputation?”

“Don’t you worry, I have it all figured out. You’ll be more than a successful store owner, investor. Chuckle*”

The convention reaches to the night. Cecilla Brightstage and the other performers are preparing for the last concert. They have visited many places they have never seen before and ignore the explicit panels. Everyone in the convention is becoming more confident and ready for anything. The state of the city is improved with this event altogether. They made it into the place they didn’t bother focusing on. They thought the citizens were fully booked the panels, but there is one foreign panel hidden with no rooms to show their posters.

It feels kind of creepy to have only one short hallway in. Then they saw citizens actually come out from it. Feeling relief and actually happy, the strange look of their faces made them put their attention to it. When they got in, they never thought it was something new to see. Actual Agathean themed panel, a tavern to some sort where the exit is over there. There they see drinks that are not allowed to bring at the convention, once it detects any intoxication will never get in until fully sober. As the last day and already at night. This would be a great end to it all.

All around they see no ordinary people. These people are can be part of the defense of the siege. Celebrating to the last day of the convention, they are here who are invited by adventurers. Words spread as the dwarves raise another toast.

“Cheers and readies to all. Gather everyone here who are for the laughs and good drinks”

“Bring on the ring, calling out for the brawl we need to burp*”

“Get drunk get your head on the kegs or big mugs, fit it well and as your helmet. The brawl is here”

Agatheans are getting into a fight. Randoms all around, hiding their emblems from what guilds they are from. The obvious signs from what Cecilla’s friends see, they pulled her in and said,

“Why not enjoy ourselves here? There’s no harm to see adventurers mingle”

“What?! We might be late”

“Oh no! Take a look at this”

They look at her device and seeing other panels bringing in their own ending ceremonies. A post coming from their manager says the bad news.

“Sorry girls, but it turns out the convention had suddenly become a music festival. I don’t think they can see you guys with these new artificial idols coming out”

Cecilla feels unsettling, that everyone is focusing on the new graphic models than the real person. They never thought their concert getting cancelled in a short moment, they almost getting a fit until someone sees them.

“Look at here, we got some idols visiting the last hour tavern”

“Last hour?”

“I guess you don’t know. This place was erected because my people are paying the mana here. It won’t last long with your convention in that large scale size. So, we gathered enough mana and make it here. I’m sure you can have something here for trade of your mana”

It was already filled, and everything the tavern offers have struggle in drinks from the dwarves and only managed to have a feast to some others. The city guild adventurers grin to their cheeks and see something rather reassuring. The sight of no Fuku adventurers were astonishing. They were become arrogant when they saw them in the convention. Rumors spread among them as Cecilla and her friends listened from a far. Really loud, yet no one gives a damn.

“Holy Fuck! Not a one Fuku adventurer getting inside this fine establishment”

“It is strange though, still. When will Silfa come and see us here? She spends her time with her younger sister, and we need her to get this party started”

“It’s better her than those guys ever come inside”

“Still though, what’s make Fuku City citizens acting so shitzopriknic?”

“You mean Schizophrenic!?”

“I know what I said, and don’t try to speak like a smartass either”

“Alright . . . jackass”

“Why you! Hic*”

The adventurers are taken their time enjoying themselves. One of the idols spotted some interesting group of people, and pointed out to them. Cecilla turns around and see Enders here inside the establishment, and more so they wore cosplays of all things. They are having fun with the other guests. She insists to move on.

“There is no need to eavesdrop. We need our fun too, guys”

“But, they look . . .”

“Don’t try hogging our curious, it seems we’re headed to the stage”

The music plays are soothing and not energetic, but so harmonize like they are in a jazz pub or whatever they think. It fits so well and can’t imagine how they able to coordinate. The Agathean introduces to them

“Hello, we have got ourselves some singers. Do any of you guys can able to get the music together with them?”

Cecilla was surprised “Wait a minute, did you guys ask us to be part in the stage?”

“Why not? This music keeps a good vibe for my singing voice. I have my genre of songs, but I miss good old music”

“Listen to her, do you think love is the most popular genre? Hear the musicians play”

The rhythm of the music they played is using this city’s instruments. After months of staying here. The Agatheans have caught on what is available that the city had to offer. Getting to know their culture and building some knowledge that pull through in this final day of the convention. One of the idols pick up the mic and began talking with the musicians, while the others cover for them. The Agatheans read some of her preference song. Together with the use of magic, they get the music and more to their innovation.

Cecilla listens to the improvised song. The idol sings the lyrics right, and the background music made it so subtle and so different. It is a melancholic song, and they give it lively as everything around the tavern felt more has its own story. The fight, the laughs with friends, and moody with the others enjoying while all around is in chaos. It was laughable at first, but it seems to feel quite sad as well. The song and music remind her what happened to parts of Mihayara district. Succumbed to the tragedy, and led itself in ruins. Others sing randomly, but feels like music anyway.

They understood about the song. The humming is making it more emotional, and Cecilla never hear such a live concert innovating that fast. Someone is calling out her name.

“Hey! Little miss, trying to give your friends the spotlight now. Where’s that brightstage you’ve been talking about so much?”

It was Gordon cheering from the distance with the other S ranks. They seem trying to give her the spotlight. No matter how much they cheer for her to do it, sadly, she refused wholeheartedly. She never practiced this kind of music before.

She is may be the center of attention, unfortunately, this is not her stage. The other idols switching turns and until they give their mic to her.

“Wait? I don’t think I could . . .!”

Gordon comes on stage, with a piece of paper. Lyrics provided for her with a big surprise. This song is from a western song. Still improvised, jazz to what she reads it. Gordon offers his hand

“I know I wasn’t the hero you wanted me to be at the summer festival”

“Ugh!” She reacts quickly and everyone laughs. Gordon chuckles

“But, this stage need some bright light. Come on, Cecilla. Give it a try”

She would never think. A girl like her being here with the adventurers. During and after the lockdown all the special events were book because of the new alternatives. She scuffs to herself what kind of girl in the side lines being here in the first place. She was involved out of the drama and lead many herself to the spotlight of stories instead of her songs. She gets herself up with him and the jazz music starts playing. The audience cheers to both of them, and she hears Gordon starts singing. It was a surprise, he sings better than she had thought, and the murmuring on her lips. She begins singing her improvised jazz.

The people inside this Agathean Tavern, taken drinks after drinks. A weird environment with multiple facilities put up together. A fighting ring, a social gathering, a feast nearly being bombarded with bodies as the brawl over, and music of Jazz singing with pizzazz and grooves. The audience listens as everything is a mess. The lyrics are aggressive, but good enough for the brawlers to hear that they are bad talking to each other. This concert feels like they are coming for a comeback. It is just improvised and it is a duet. Live here inside the Agathean Tavern convention.

Gordon: “. . . It’s nothing better to hear a champ lost to a fool,

Getting a beaten out to a thing for a champ to say; it’s cruel,

Your good streaks and winning days, could last a few rounds in a ring

Don’t let the towels throw like confetti, and go back with a swing . . .”

Cecilla “. . . Oh I know, you were there to help me for good.

Getting a deal, no good, and almost made me goblin food. AH! Smack*

Even though I can sing,

but they didn’t remember how I made them swing . . .”

Gordon and Cecilla “. . . Oh we know! We weren’t getting our streaks.

We were the best, and then the next coming out as freaks.

But here we are now, not going to give it up or it won’t mean a thing

So, get your light sticks up, take the comeback and swing!”

The idols were stunned to hear her sings like this. The groove, it makes them feel like they are jealous again with Cecilla having a famous adventurer. Secretly though, they were disappointed that their finale got cancelled. This time, Gordon, who had bad impression with the former adventurers. They forgot that he was no better than the others. Still, though. He sings it like he is trying to get back to them. Siren is in the tavern, who is with her friends, almost forget why she hates the city guild in the first place. It wasn’t him, but the anonymous who decided for them.

The city adventurers play along and summoned their light sticks and dance at front of the stage. Well-choreographed together as Cecilla lost it and smiles to see how they are performing together. The musicians never going to stop now, no one going to give up and keep it strong, and loud enough that life is no joke. The groove won’t be stopping when she made a mistake, they get it her back to the swing. All of them eyeing on her and still can’t stop her grinning all this mess. Everybody needs to swing.

Gordon: “. . . I’m getting back as a fool and getting back with a sting

Coming back with my sticks – Shines my lights for this trip –

Blocking my way – I’ll give you a beaten tip;

Surprise! See me now – I’m taking the swing!

The end of the convention, leaving everyone satisfied to all people. Both Horsin and Citizens, are never let this spirit down. The reasons for them to succeed as the days to come when the siege return, it will happen any day now. Everybody got their stories in this convention, maybe not all, but it is sure does feel something great about it. Meanwhile Spokesman with the other guild members still intact in their beds. He receives a message from the archscientist

“The bomb has fully lost its effects and the Jigeram is approaching”