Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The Goal is One
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Building 00 Abandoned for a Year, Dramatic Compromise]
"Hmm..."
What even is an algorithm?
The way it recommends articles tailored just for me every time is almost creepy.
'AI is seriously scary.'
It picks out and shows me things related to me without me even searching, so I wonder if it's secretly grabbing my info or voice too.
'Not that country's smartphone, so I should be fine.'
Anyway, like always, I got up this morning and checked the news on my phone first thing.
Then I saw that my occasional mobile game had a new update, so I opened it up.
It's called a mobile game, but these days it's basically a PC game.
I always sit at my computer before bed to quickly knock out the daily quests and log off, but the specs it demands are insane.
After a quick update, I logged into the game.
I was just gonna confirm the update and close it, but a game announcement was dominating the screen, promoting an offline event.
'Offline event?'
The date was coming up soon.
And the venue was less than an hour away by car from home.
'Looks fun, but...'
I've played a ton of games, but this is the only one I've stuck with after dropping everything else.
I've pulled every character released so far, maxed them all out, and even got all the signature weapons and upgraded those too. It's that fun.
'If it were before, I probably wouldn't have sunk this much into it.'
Well, I have plenty of money to blow on games like this.
No matter how hard I whale, it's peanuts compared to the interest I got on my savings last month.
Plus, like these games always go, once you've spent a certain amount, you kinda run out of things to buy anyway.
Suddenly, that rabbit duo meme popped into my head.
'Never thought I'd be the one posting it.'
Anyway, an offline event.
Have I ever been to a game event before?
Of course not. Not once.
Well, actually, exactly once.
'Busan... right?'
A big game event in Busan.
I had a friend who was developing an indie game, and he hooked me up with a ticket, so I went.
It was packed and chaotic, but I got to try a bunch of games, so it was fun.
The problem was waiting 1-2 hours in line just to play one game.
So after trying a few, I ditched them and spent the whole day at my friend's quieter booth playing his game.
'It was pretty good, in its own way.'
It was a roguelite? Roguelike? Right up my alley, but apparently not very mainstream.
'Wonder what he's up to now.'
I'd heard through the grapevine that he was still developing games after that, but I have no idea these days.
'Not like I can just hit him up in this state.'
Anyway, for this game's offline event, it looks like you just need to ticket it to attend.
Tickets are cheap, they've got exclusive merch you can only buy there, and even in-game coupons, so why not go?
Honestly, my real goal is the cute rabbit robot plush the protagonist pilots.
'Couldn't find anything online but fakes.'
A full 60cm plush.
If I snag just that one, the event's a total win.
'Reservation complete...'
I booked it while lying down and got out of bed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Otaku culture?
I don't know much about that stuff.
I didn't even know about that hamster character Jisu liked, so yeah, zero interest in this scene.
So why did I start this otaku-ish game?
The mascot rabbit robot... but also just a fun game with pretty characters.
Maybe that's how everyone labeled "otaku" gets started?
'Eh... these days, no one really looks at it weird anyway.'
As a kid, boys got teased for reading girls' comics.
In middle school, "otaku" had a super bad image.
High school, no time to care about that crap.
Even in college, the few I met still had a rough rep.
It wasn't until my 30s that I felt the world had changed a bit.
'Back then, I was too busy surviving to notice.'
My life was rough, so I guess I didn't feel it.
Maybe that's why, even around the event venue, there were tons of people who didn't match the old otaku image I knew.
Of course, the classic types were there too.
'Parking lot's different, that's for sure.'
I parked and noticed a bunch of cars nearby plastered with character stickers.
Even full-body wraps like I'd seen in Japan.
'...Am I missing something?'
Maybe this isn't just a simple game event.
But I'm here, ticket bought, so let's go in.
My goal: the plush and game coupons.
I saw mentions of other events, but they're not priorities.
I locked in my goal from the car, opened the door, and stepped out.
Suddenly, I felt people glancing at me.
'The car?'
Or maybe the bag.
It's one of the plainer designs from Ers Totepack, so probably no one recognizes it.
I strolled leisurely toward the venue, used to the stares.
Once past the parking lot, more and more people screamed "event venue."
Folks wearing and rocking clothes and hats with game characters—probably from past events.
People with bags stuffed with character plushes on their backs.
Even someone hugging a massive rabbit robot plush from who-knows-where.
'Shoulda asked where they got it.'
They vanished from sight too quick, but anyway.
All these folks signaled this was the entrance.
After walking more, I spotted huge game posters and life-size plushes ahead.
'Whoa, they really went all out.'
Finally felt like I was at the real event.
Almost there, but the venue's huge and still buzzing.
Trailing the solid wall of people ahead got me to a stable entry line.
'This line is insane.'
Staff in character costumes were hustling to control the crowd and prevent indoor chaos.
'Wish they'd sell fast-pass entry.'
I'd pay any amount to skip ahead.
At this rate, I'll miss the limited rabbit plush.
'Haaa...'
Even with a ticket, no quick entry.
Shoulda left earlier if I knew it'd be this packed.
That explains all the rage comments on those brag posts in the community.
'Not the same pissed-off people sockpuppeting—just a ton of different folks.'
No helping it now.
Latecomer penalty.
Still, for an event this popular, they wouldn't stock just a few, right?
Probably.
'...What if it sells out for real?'
No clue.
Cross that bridge when I get there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The line shrank faster than I thought.
Against my estimate of 2 hours, I was inside in about 50 minutes.
No one seemed to be exiting, but once they sorted the crowd to a safe level, they shoved us all in.
Inside, it was crowded but walkable.
Now I started spotting cosplayers here and there.
'Hardly any outside earlier.'
Makes sense—game characters wear skimpy outfits, so standing out in this weather? Nah.
'This is wild.'
First event ever; no idea where to start or what to see.
The pamphlet from entry had a map and event schedule, but I was too frazzled to take it in.
'No, priority first...'
I shook off the confusion.
And found my top spot on the map.
'Gift shop... here.'
The one selling the 60cm rabbit plush.
Smartly tucked in the farthest corner.
'Please still have it...'
I speed-walked, skirting the less crowded edges, and reached the gift shop.
Relief washed over me at arrival.
But despair hit seeing the shop.
'The line... it's way too long...'
Felt even longer than the entry queue.
'...It's still in stock, right?'
If not, I'll find a way to get one.
Somehow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Um, excuse me... Is there really no 60cm plush left?"
A woman pleading desperately with the gift shop staff.
The employee blanked out, more captivated by her stunning looks than anyone he'd seen at the event today.
Seeing him frozen with no answer, another staffer poked his side with a finger, snapping him back.
"I'm truly sorry, Explorer. As the sign says, we're completely sold out for today, so no purchases possible..."
He desperately wanted to help her, but even the display model had just sold.
'Shoulda held one back.'
Forbidden thoughts as he forced an awkward smile.
"Ah..."
The customer bowed her head slightly, eyes filled with disappointment, letting out a sigh.
The staff felt bad for her too. Not that pity conjured up stock.
Can't make new plushes or snatch one from another buyer.
'Gotta be some way.'
He racked his brain, unwilling to send her away empty-handed.
Online sales for offline exclusives were planned, but no set date.
Other plushes? She didn't seem interested.
Maybe scrounge one from somewhere...
"Ah, miss! There's an event around 3 PM today—how about joining that?"
"An event?"
She snapped her head up, staring straight at him.
Blushing faintly at her gaze, he pulled out a pamphlet and showed the schedule.
"We have a daily singing event here. First place gets any one item from our shop."
"Really?"
"Yes, they'll probably prepare sold-out items separately too..."
"Where do I sign up?"
"Head to B-1; the registration desk should be there."
"Thank you!"
The moment he mentioned it, she bolted.
He stared blankly as she dashed off.
"Hey."
Even as someone called, he only had eyes for her path.
Poked in the side again by his coworker, he came to and greeted the next customer.
"Ah, welcome, Explorer~!"