Thanks to the heroic deeds in life, Shadyna will be by Goddess Sateri's side in death!
I personally would prefer it if she didn't kill me off so soon though. It's not like I would go anywhere…
_ Sateri: No, I did not kill you. And while you and your guild cleared the event much faster than I anticipated, munching cookies is hardly heroic by common standards.
The mind reading critic is already bashing my hard work at full force! Give Privacy-chan a break every once in a while, will you?
_ Shadyna: Objection~! That's because the event's objective requires me to stand still!
It is the same for normal crafting. I can flail around as much as I like, but the moment I step away, even if I am still around the crafting sphere, the progress is paused until I come to a complete halt and work on it again. That is not very mobile, especially for this speed-oriented me!
Add the "disrupted on damage" condition to the mix, and I don't see how else you can complete the event without being a dead beat to the rest of your party or guild. Without planning in advance, the natural choice would be either the guildmaster or the strongest tank. Both are great war assets that would be out of action for the whole duration of the defense. There is also this thing about trust that makes designating an insignificant nobody in the guild to claim the prize a big risk…
Wait, does that mean this event was designed to neutralize and stigmatize the victor at the same time?!
_ Sateri: I have no idea what you are thinking about.
At least try not to snicker as you say that!!! Sateri, you vile sadist~
_ Shadyna: By the way, why are you here? I thought this was supposed to be treasure room?
_ Sateri: It is more lore-friendly for an event related to the Goddess to have the Goddess make an appearance at the end, don't you think?
Fair enough. The Goddess was out the moment she went meta though.
_ Sateri: In that case, would you like me to speak in-character?
_ Shadyna: Uh… I think I'll pass for now. That said, I won't mind if you at least pretend that you wanted to meet me you know~?
I will get to know her actual Goddess persona after I get access to her in-game avatar. Up here in Heaven, however, I'll have the sadistic mind-reader who can't be honest with herself. Making time for all personae is important when the protagonist dates someone with split personality, lest them mysteriously "disappear" at the end of the plot!
_ Sateri: *Sweatdrops* No, normal people don't grow additional personalities when they roleplay.
_ Shadyna: Little details~! So, uhm… Mind telling me what the rewards are going to be? I did not participate in this event from the start…
The in-character Goddess is already facepalming! Maybe asking her not to switch personality was a mistake after all?
_ Sateri: *Mumbles* Next time I will have the archbishop nag you from login to logout until the only thing you can say is his exact words.
Uh… Sateri, your sanity seems to be slipping a bit there… Can I have a cute priestess instead of that bishop if you plan to do so? At least that won't be much different from the insanity-inducing terror that is my guild.
…It's amazing that I still have my sanity roughly intact, considering how many bad influences there are around me.
Sateri, what's that "Yeah right" look is supposed to mean~?
_ Sateri: Nothing at all. In any case, this event's reward is having your wish granted. I will allow anything as long as it is in my power to do so.
Oh! Cheating powers, OP equipment, unthinkable wealth, a guild filled with beautiful girls~! How am I supposed to choose between these countless wishes I have in mind!?
_ Sateri: Alright, I am going to send a compilation video of your misdeeds to your mail.
Wait, why the hell would you have that on hand?! Please monitor game breaking bugs and the like instead of me!
And peeping is a crime!
_ Sateri: Correct. It is the footage from my early warning system, used to detect anomalies caused by bugs and exploits.
Gah~ Sateri is bullying the cute little tree girl again~!
Still, a wish huh. The last time I was allowed to ask someone to do anything, I got fed a full course meal meant for a party. Let's not repeat that mistake. I don't know much about this game's religion, but I am pretty confident that making the worshipped Goddess cook for me is kind of heretic.
Then again, once we live together we will be taking turns cooking, which means I'm already doomed to begin with… Hmm…
_ Sateri: I would not worry about it too much if I were you. If you take the list of heresies you commit into consideration, asking me to cook is unexpectedly tame.
_ Shadyna: It's a heresy after all?!
Who could have thought that I could spark a religious war just by being hungry…?
_ Shadyna: Jokes aside, I didn't plan to ask for that in the first place. My wish is to know where your avatar is. You can grant that wish easily right?
_ Sateri: Eh?
_ Shadyna: I mean, I know your avatar is supposed to be acquired in a hidden event, but I have spent way too much time wandering around without any tangible result, so I figured I should ask for guidance before someone else beat me to it.
Well, there were some results, technically. I either sold (the [Soul Core]) or destroyed (the sun) all of them though… Now I'm stuck as I have no idea what to do next~
Uh, Sateri, why are you orz-ing…? Is me being unable to navigate your obscure event that shocking to know?
_ Sateri: This is the event you are talking about, you dense sprouty DIMWIT!!!
Slamming the ground, which is indistinguishable from everything else in this place by the way, the totally still in-character Goddess starts hurling mild insults at me! And did she just say that this event for beta players was the actual event to get her avatar?!
_ Shadyna: …It does not involve destroying the sun?
_ Sateri: In what kind of culture do you court someone by blowing up anything?!
Dunno, that seems to be how protagonists make friends? Because let's be real, no one would become their acquaintance otherwise.
Regardless, how was I supposed to know? I was only informed of this event's existence thanks to my guild members! I would not even be aware of what the player base is up to, let alone the true nature of the event otherwise!
_ Sateri: Are you absolutely certain about that?
I am. Up until you asked like a mother before pulling out a lost item from some unknown hyperspace that is.
Well, let's go through what I know about the event again, even though I'm sure I won't be able to see it without mom pointing it out in plain sight!
First thing first, release time. The event was found a few days after the NPC update. Check.
Next, the participants. My apprentices had no problem joining in all battles so it's not limited to closed beta players. We also had to compete against the whole player base, even if half of that was our own doing. Check.
And last but not least, Sateri herself. Considering her statue was the final objective, it is safe to assume that she is involved one way or another. Check.
…It was this event all along!!!
_ Sateri: That's what I was saying.
In my defense, I was burning up near the sun when Sateri's involvement was revealed and the situation was deteriorating faster than ice cream made from lava! I had no time to think about wild theories and conspiracies, un!
_ Sateri: Except that it was your third strike. You could have asked the archbishop, or half of your guild members who played during closed beta, but you never did.
_ Shadyna: …Sorry.
Better give in now before I dig myself deeper, judging from how pissed she is right now. I won the event, and that's what matters, right~?
Actually, wasn't that a pretty close call?! I don't know the exact number, but
_ Sateri: You were approximately ten seconds away from defeat.
Way too close! Thankfully I was not aware of that, or I would have definitely screwed up due to anxiety!
What? I really do not work well under pressure. I prefer being overly prepared, so please drop that look of disbelief already~
_ Shadyna: But still, this is troublesome. I did not expect to acquire your avatar here, and did not prepare a wedding dress beforehand…
Maybe the ceremony can wait? I also want to craft rings and dresses for my guild members as well… Weddings are expensive, many times so when you have over thirty brides!
I'm not crying. It's my wallet. Uuu…
_ Sateri: *Chuckles* You don't have to worry about that. At the moment, marrying me, or anyone, is impossible.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
_ Shadyna: Eh?
_ Sateri: Because marriage feature has not been implemented.
EEEEHHHH?!
With a literally divine smile on her face, the Goddess hands me a shining crystalline orb to me as she announces bad news.
_ Sateri: Therefore, please look forward to next event when the time comes. Until then, take good care of my avatar, okay?
[Received Divine Core
_ Shadyna: I have been tricked!!!
After so much pain and suffering (of others), I have finally acquired Sateri's avatar, but the mass wedding ceremony is still far, far away.
Sateri, you bully~!!!
…
_ Shadyna: By the way, why did the corruption raid start? Was our artificial sun not enough?
After many years, this poor heartbroken girl has recovered from the abrupt and brutal broken engagement cliché. It is time to look to the future, if it weren't for the ongoing raid which is most likely not going to end anytime soon!
_ Sateri: *Sighs* Why did you think a big sphere enchanted with [Elemental Barrage] would do anything to prevent the darkness in the first place? And that five-minute tantrum does not qualify as "many years". I did not break anything either, including your one-sided engagement.
It's not supposed to? Shocked face~
_ Shadyna: But it's big, bright, and blazing…?
Sateri, cease that facepalming please. My logic is as infallible as your defense!
_ Sateri: Could you refrain from undoing all of humanity's progress in astronomy with such oversimplifications…? Lore-wise, the sun can repel the darkness thanks to my power. You cannot replicate its functionality without a divine power source.
Well, I am not going to complain if it is the lore. I'm surprised she did not have a problem with the big, bright, and blazing ball itself though…
_ Sateri: Because I will lose if I say anything else regarding that. Nevertheless, it will be hard to explain if I use my own avatar again… How about this, lend me one of your [Heart Core], and I will uplift that NPC to power your new sun.
Suddenly, a new fetch quest! And why do you sound like you are making it up as you go?!
_ Sateri: Well, if only SOMEONE could have informed me a week in advance, I would have time to prepare instead of scrambling every spare processor in my server racks as we speak.
The kind and merciful Goddess is glaring at me as if she is going to strike me down any second now! Thank you for the service, but that's Hessy's job you know?!
_ Shadyna: Sorry~ [Heart Core], right? I only have two though…
I was too occupied to do NPCs' quests after the first one. Heck, I did not have time to craft them new gear even, so they are still using the starting equipment when I acquired them!
_ Sateri: That will do. I only need one.
_ Shadyna: I can't give both?
_ Sateri: No, only one.
Here it comes, the sadistic choice cliché! No matter who I choose, one will have to suffer a horrible fate for an eternity, while the survivor will go on a three-season long quest for revenge, ending with me dying in the most embarrassing way possible.
_ Shadyna: I can't choose between my wife and my daughter!
Technically not my wife, nor daughter. Not until I give the mother a ring at least~
_ Sateri: If you don't, the darkness will consume the world. Are you sure you want to be responsible for everyone's demise?
Sateri, your words are not really persuasive if you say it gleefully like that. Aren't you enjoying tormenting me too much…?
Too bad though, this is me you are talking about!
_ Shadyna: Cute girls before the world, every day, every time!
Uh… Why are you sighing like an old lady complaining about rebellious teenagers these days? Divine beings are immortal and unshackled by age, are they not…?
_ Sateri: Are you sure you want to miss out on the SG title and skill for the NPC?
_ Shadyna: Don't think you can tempt me with materialistic rewards! I will decide and give you the core real quick!
_ Sateri: *Facepalms* Darn it,
It can't be helped, okay? Materialism triumphs all oppositions!
After a minute that felt like a century, I decided to "sacrifice" Aenilie, my daughter who I saved from the mysterious illness back then. Since this is supposed to be Sateri's successor lore-wise, I thought having a younger maiden would be more fitting.
Yes, it's form over function, again~
_ Sateri: Here you go. Once you finish your monologue and return to the world, you can [Summon] her to end the eternal corruption raid.
[Received Divine Core
_ Shadyna: Nice~
I feel like she is implying something rude about my mental health, but I will let that slide because I am a good girl!
_ Sateri: Well then, before I send you back, I have a question for you.
Clapping her hand like a teacher getting the attention of a noisy class, the beautiful Goddess becomes suspiciously cheerful. The kind of cheerful that resembles Mera before she says something outrageous, to be specific.
_ Sateri: Do you find CSF Online enjoyable?
…Da heck?
_ Shadyna: …Un, I like both you and the game.
I'm not sure what she is planning. An honest reply probably won't hurt though.
_ Sateri: *Chuckles* I didn't ask for your opinion of me, but thank you. Your answer means a lot. Now, off you go.
*FLASH*
Once more, this puzzled me was teleported away against my will…
*GNAW*
Ouch! Some weird ostrich thingy is trying to bite my head off before I even have time to figure out where I am!
Ignoring the futile murder attempt from the big terror bird, I look around and see Sateri's statue, houses, lots of players, raid monsters, and they are not necessarily alive.
Welp, better move to a safe place and [Summon] Aenilie quick, or I am going to be overworked to help rebuild Tyrel afterwards.
[Teleport]!
____________
--- Topic: Operation Apostle of Light AAR ---
## Manly Warrior
Please discuss the new patch (1.0d40) accompanied by this event in its own thread. [Link]
Raid has finally ended, so it's time for an AAR! (^o^)
Named after the last system message of the event, decided by a quick poll in the main thread.
Can someone give us normies a quick summary? I could not participate in the beginning and have no idea what was happening at the end. _(._.)_
##
## Nearseeing Sage
Sure thing.
- Sateri-chan asked us to visit a pedestal at some backwater forsaken land. We had to fight bosses there.
- A LOT OF THEM! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
- A LOT MORE OF THEM! Yes, there were so many bosses I had to say it twice.
- Sateri-chan asked us to reinforce her statue in Tyrel. First one wins.
- Spoiler: There were more than one participant
- SOLAR EXPLOSION!
- Big raid!
- Black Mantis appeared, everyone died.
- Apostle of Light appeared, raid ended.
That's about it. (￣ー￣)
##
## OP alchemist
I… How… (°_°)
How is it possible that I understand every word you said and still do not get it at all?!
(・・;?
##
## GoldBar9999
You are gonna have to pay if you want her to make sense. That's how her whole business works. (-_-;)
##
…
## Fire mage of Justice
Wait, you guys actually fought Sapling Cuisine to a standstill? And then somehow got rekt single-handedly by Black Mantis?
##
## GoldBar9999
We outnumbered them 100 to 1, with constant reinforcement. You would think we had to be winning by fighting so dirty, yet we barely held on by causing traffic jams. Q_Q
So yes, we fought them to a standstill. We certainly did not fight on equal grounds though.
Not sure what happened at the town square. @Nearseeing Sage?
##
## Flame knight of Darkness
It didn't go well the first time, why did you guys think it would the second time? (ーー;)
##
## Big Hammer
Ah, I was there. Here's what I saw.
[Link to a looped clip of Maximus running for his dear life towards the point of view, away from the happily jogging Black Mantis, with the background filled with running and burning players]
##
## Newbie Charisma build
Scary! (￣□￣;)
She IS a pacifist right?
##
## Manly Warrior
She probably still is. Look at how she had to avoid colliding with bystanders.
In other news, setting people on fire is apparently not considered violence by pacifism's standards.
(－‸ლ)
##
## Nearseeing Sage
To be fair, we were THIS close to completing the objective. But yeah… Black Mantis was something else entirely.
That said, her "dance" was beautiful. As expected of my crush. (*°∀°)=3
Hey @Maximus Archery, you are on TV again! ヽ(´▽`)/
##
## Maximus Archery
Reported for personal attack.
And whose side are you on?!
##
…
## Bountiful Hunter
I noticed that the alliances fell apart at the end. What happened?
##
## Mage of Sin
Someone took out our entire rearguard, including the guildmaster of Phoenix Ashes. He was our strategist so… ^_^;
Now that you mention it, how did they got taken out so quickly without anyone noticing?!
##
## StoneHoarder
I was standing nearby and witnessed the whole thing. Two magi (priestesses?) Mass Recalled them somewhere. Most likely outside of Tyrel, where they would be mauled by the raid.
[Link]
While their method is extremely situational, it was arguably even more effective than Black Mantis herself. ( ；ﾟДﾟ)
##
## Newbie Charisma build
Ah, that's Merashiel and Sulien from Sapling Cuisine. And yes, they mainly play supports.
To have support players and pacifists as the top PvPers, this game's meta is weird. (－‸ლ)
##
## Heaven Piercer
So the head proprietress can make that cold glare…
@Teabag Master: Does the teahouse offer that service? Asking for my avatar. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
##
## CuteIsJustice
That was beautiful, yes.
Still, reported, damn lolicon! >:P
##
## Teabag Master
Well, we at the teahouse have a reputation of purity and innocence to maintain. Therefore, such out-of-character services are a bit… pricy, kay? (^_-)-☆
##
## StoneHoarder
That is not pure, nor innocent!
I don't dislike it. (._.)
On a serious note, I thought the rearguard was only a small part of our fighting force? What happened to the front?
##
## Deeply Intelligent
This happened: [Link].
The stream may be a bit chaotic, but to describe a typical frontliner's experience:
- Approach the town square. Embraced warmly by the bosoms of the waitresses and bartenders in close-quarters.
- Slipping past them thanks to numerical superiority, receive fast food from delivery trucks that do not slow down to hand you the goods.
- After they leave, don't forget the lovely angels from above, who will shoot an arrow through your heart in more than one way.
- If possible, knock on the little girls' "house". Their guard dogs won't bite. At the speed they come running, they don't have to.
- Go home using Sateri-chan's free teleport service and get a pat in the back by the friendly neighbors from the darkness for the effort.
- Return to step 1.
##
## Manly Warrior
Oof. (￣□￣;)
##
## Flame knight of Darkness
Ouch. (ーー;)
##
## Heaven Piercer
On the flip side, such services at their shops will usually cost you an arm and a leg. (*´▽｀*)
##
## Deeply Intelligent
Still did. Just in the literal sense this time. orz
##
…
## Fire mage of Justice
In the end, we only got a half-destroyed town for our effort…
##
## Nearseeing Sage
The top participants got Artifact materials afterwards and Sapling Cuisine actually peacefully shared it with us. Admittedly, we are still waiting for BB Conglomerate to calculate if we at least break even. ^_^;
There are some loose ends still. Black Mantis was not with us in Heaven and the identity of the Apostle of Light remains unknown.
##
## Fire mage of Justice
Easy for you to say since you have loots.
We normies got nothing. ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
##
## Serious Mage
I want to know why the sun exploded. You guys said the objective is to reinforce the seal on the statue so how did THAT end up with the sun becoming a star sky?!
##
## CuteIsJustice
Hard to do much with only a "The Apostle of Light has descended." message (´･ω･`). Knowing Sateri-chan, she will probably add lore bits here and there to explain later.
For now, I have a wild speculation on the nature of the explosion. No evidence though, so take it with a grain of salt. <(_ _)>
The sun in-game is apparently considered to be Sateri-chan's manifestation by most NPCs. By the same logic, the Apostle of Light is probably that new sun in the sky. The objective at the statue was providing more power to our moderate Goddess so that she could grant it to her apostle. Simple enough.
Except for the fact that you guys were shooting at the apostle with siege weapons. Not exactly the best situation to do a power transfer, but someone did it anyway. The process went haywire and their power became unstable (read: explosive). In order to protect her battered apostle from further harm, Sateri-chan… I mean the sun, decided to route the explosion to herself.
How's that? (≧∇≦)
##
## Nearseeing Sage
If Sateri-chan is offed, our skills and equipment would become useless since their power are hers to begin with.
So stop saying that the sun exploding is my fault! (＃ﾟДﾟ)
##
## Teabag Master
Well, everything in this event has been your fault one way or another.
- Your party initiated the first boss fight
- After you failed, you called in thousands of players, increasing competition
- You proposed the theory that the new sun was a threat to players
- You attacked the unaligned players first, causing infighting and complete collapse of Tyrel's defense against the raid
- You blew up the sun
Conclusion: Let's change this to Operation It's Vladina's Fault (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞
##
## OP alchemist
When you put it like that… Yeah, it's Vladina's fault. =^_^=
##
## Flame knight of Darkness
I concur! It's Vladina's fault!
##
## CuteIsJustice
Roger! Creating poll to switch topic name to "Operation It's Vladina's Fault (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ AAR"! ＼(^o^)／
And yes, it's Vladina's fault LOL!
##
## Manly Warrior
Well, if you guys insist… (^_^;)
##
## Nearseeing Sage
STAPH! STAAAAAAPH!!! (ToT)
##
------