All of a sudden a white beam of light surrounds me and transports me to a bright, fancy room. In the middle of the room is a round table which I am sitting at, along with seven other strangers who I believe to be my new co-workers.
That's strange... isn't this the moment where I come into one of those fantasy, medieval-like villages and gasp in awe at how amazing it is to move inside a game? *sigh* Stereotypes just can't be trusted nowadays.
"Hey, you're the last GM right? Nice to meet you." said the hideous man in a gruffly voice. I know I sound rude, but there's no other way to describe him without sounding like a douche bag. The 'man' was six times my size, had green-colored skin, and his face looked... grumpy.
"More like, what took you so long?! I kept my default look just so that I would be able to quickly play the game, but who knew I would have to wait an extra two hours just for the meeting to start!?" complained the girl. She had blazing red hair and pointy, long ears.
The glasses-boy next to her scoffed at her in discontent, saying, "You're complaining? I'm the one who came an hour early."
Nobody told you to come early! Everyone says in their mind in a consensus.
As I think that, a red slime...uh... slimes into the room calmly, and begins to speak to us.
"Hello everybody. In real life I'm the director of Anaheim INC. company, Taka Hideki, but in the game, I'm Gooey! Nice to meet you." says the slime. Everyone in the room shows their surprise.
Glasses-boy stands up as our spokesman to speak everyone's thoughts for them, "We weren't expecting to meet a big-shot like you on our very first day... Care to explain to us what this is all about?" Everyone else nodded but me.
Eh? That's what they were surprised about? Was I the only one who was surprised that someone actually bothered to choose a slime character which is usually the weak mob in the beginning of games? Well of course seeing the main creator makes me a bit surprised and excited at the same time, but being an avid-anime watcher, I considered this encounter to be natural.
"I don't think you guys understand just how important being a GM is. But before I answer any questions, why don't we properly introduce ourselves in the order we came in? Both real life, and in-game name, that is."
"That would be me, then... in real life I'm Hiroko Tooru. My game character is called Megane. " said you-know-who. His personality reminds me of Kawamura-kun, the uptight class rep I had in my second year of middle school who was deep down, a really nice person.
How nostalgic... I remember our class trip when we were in the same group. We were hiking up the mountains and whenever I tripped, he would help me up. When I couldn't sleep in the cabins, I saw that Kawamura-kun went outside for a breath of fresh air. When I followed him outside, I saw Kawamura-kun together with Takishita-san. Suddenly, Takishita-san took out a knife and--- oops, I went a bit out of topic, forgive me.
As the GMs finished their introduction, the next person followed up with their own.
*sigh* "My name would be Sherri Nels. My username is Blaze," The red-haired elf scowled and turned her head towards me, "and you! You better not come late next time! The only reason I'm letting you off today is because it's the first day, after all." No, I'm sorry, I really am, but don't look at me like that with daggers in your eyes! It seems this is the second time today I've made a woman hate me.
"My name is Iseya Yasunari. Here, you can call me Satan. Nice to meet you guys," greeted the pretty-boy who looked like a Jpop idol. He was most likely of the Devil race, considering the tiny red horns on his head and the pointy tail emerging from his ass. His kind demeanor didn't seem to match his race and username... I wonder why he chose it?
"Real life? I don't know what you're talking about! I'm the rising warrior of Ereidien, HeavyBlade!" declared the man with spiky blonde hair. Uwah... we have a total chuunibyou on our hands over here. Wait, if we're playing this game, wouldn't that make us all chuunibyou?
"Uhm.... m-my name is Otsuka Maemi... username is... Bookworm..." the shy girl managed to squeeze out. She's sooo cute! Her voice was soft to the point that you had to strain your ears to hear it. Despite this, she seemed to exude a pink, fluffy atmosphere.
"My other world name is Yuki Miyamae. Here, I'm Law." She looked to be about 15-years old and had her long, straight black hair tied up in a single ponytail. In anyone's eyes, she would be a quintessential example of 'gracefulness'.
"Kin Amaya. My in-game name is BigHeart. I look forward to working with everybody here." said the Orc who had introduced himself to me earlier. Wait, what? Did I really hear his name right? Why would someone choose something as warm-hearted a username as BigHeart with such an ugly race?
Before I noticed it, it had already been my turn. Well... let's do this.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Ari Raika, but in the game, call me Arika! My three sizes are 32-25-35. I like science, and I think cat girls are cute! I'm currently single at the ripe age of 17. Oh, but don't think that makes me a desperate woman because my ideal type will always be Killua-chan!"
"........."
An awkward silence followed my introduction that I was quite proud of. Hm, did I do something wrong? Gooey interrupted the silence and continued the meeting.
"We-well then, now that we've finished up on our introductions, lets start, shall we?" Gooey pulled out a few papers from inside of him and handed them out to everyone.
"These are the GM rules. I expect everyone to learn these rules by heart before the actual start of the game. Oh, and before anybody asks me any questions regarding the game, I won't give you any information on any hidden classes or dungeons. You will be treated as fairly as regular players and must find that kind of information yourself, or there will be no meaning to the word 'adventure'."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
GM Rules:
1. GMs will deal with those who use hacks by banning them either temporarily or permanently.
2. GMs will help those in need whether it's giving advice or guiding players on their way.
3. GMs may not use their skills to their own advantage. If we find out that a GM has been using a skill for their own convenience then you will be fired.
"Excuse me... Gooey, but what happens when we don't have the ability to help someone in need? Or if we are not online at the time?" asks Law.
"Good question, Law. As for the first question, you will have to think about it on your own when the time comes. To answer your second question, when you are not online at the time of the report or you do not wish to take it, then you may choose to pass it on to another GM, or the staff at Anaheim company will take care of it. We hope that you GMs may do your very best so that doesn't have to happen, though. Also, please keep in mind that the better you do your job as a GM, the better the rewards."
"And how will you be rewarding us?"
"For the rewards, you may choose to either be paid in-game, or in real life. If you do something noteworthy, then you may also get a special in-game reward." At the sound of that, everyone realizes how important it is to do your best at this job. If the company itself rewards you, then the prize should be nothing to laugh at.
"In rule 3, it says that we may not use our skills to our advantage. What does that mean?" inquired BigHeart.
"Ah yes... for being a GM, everyone will get their own GM skills. Everyone, open up the skill window by saying 'Show GM Skills'.
"Show GM Skills"
GM Skills
These skills are special skills that cannot be obtained in-game.BanBanning a player will prohibit the player from playing the game. You may choose how long you think the player should be banned.Skill LockThis skill prevents other players from using their skills.GM TeleportThis skill allows you to teleport to any town or city on your home continent anytime. If you are outside your home continent, then you may still teleport back to your home continent. This does not include teleporting outside anywhere of your home continent.
Megane, who snapped out of his surprise first asked, "Home continent? What does that mean?"
"First I'll explain more about teleporting. When you accept a report, you will directly be teleported to the person who was reported. On the other hand, when someone asks for GM help, then you will be teleported to the person who asked for it the moment you accept.
Although the skills 'Ban' and 'Skill Lock' should only be used when needed, 'GM Teleport' is an exception that you are allowed to use for your own convenience. Consider it a gift from us at Anaheim company. Now to explain your home continent..." Gooey takes out a few sticks from his tummy and puts them in his hand.
Actually, how does that work? Do slimes even have hands?
"Everyone, come up and pick your lot," We go up to pick a stick from his hand and sat back down in our seats. My lot has the number 8 on it... is that good or bad?
"In Ereidien, there are three continents. There is the Magic Continent, the Warrior Continent, and the Artisan Continent. There will be four GMs assigned to the Warrior Continent, three GMs in the Magic Continent, and one GM in the Artisan Continent. The continent that you are appointed to will be considered your home continent. You will be picking which continent you wish to be allocated to by the number on your stick."
Hey hey hey, is it really okay for something this important to be decided using lots? Upon hearing this, everyone's either nervous or is met with dissatisfaction. It's understandable considering there's a chance that someone will be assigned a continent that they don't want. For example, imagine wanting a fighter job and being appointed to the Magic Continent.
Wait, don't I have lot number 8?!?!! I look at my stick again only to find my unlucky number from now on--8. ...Fuck my life.
After a few minutes of sulking, Satan, who picked lot number 7, chooses his home continent. I go up to Gooey to find out which continent I have been left with. As I walk up to him, everyone sends me looks of pity.
"Arika, since you're the last one you don't get your pick, but it's not as bad as it sounds. Your home continent is the Artisan continent." Gooey tries to console me with a smile. Or at least I think that's what he was trying to do. Hm? Despite getting the leftovers, I got the continent I wanted. Now that I think about it... what was I worrying over in the first place? The majority of people think that compared to fighting monsters and using magic that you would never be able to in real life, being an Artisan is something that you can do anytime. I guess that would make me an irregularity.
It's a good thing that no one is making fun of me for getting the Artisan Continent, but what's with the looks of sympathy? Don't underestimate crafters!
"The Artisan Continent is just what I was hoping for! Thank you, Gooey!" I give him a reassuring grin. He seems relieved after hearing those words.
So in the end, the results were like this:
Warrior Continent: BigHeart, Satan, HeavyBlade, Law
Magic Continent: Blaze, Megane, Bookworm
Artisan Continent: Arika
After seeing my happy face, the others don't seem to pity me anymore. Some of them even look kind of happy for me. Well, whatever.
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