Momona's Potion Shop (4)
I scratched my head while staring at the broadcast screen.
It was more dramatic than I'd expected, but maybe the opening scene was a bit too shocking. I could see Momona's character flailing around in panic, searching for me.
"Hmm, so if you don't give them proper potions early on, that's what happens?"
To be honest, I'd figured players would end up with practical potions just by messing around, so they'd make and stockpile a bunch of those. Yeah, that was my mistake.
I'd forgotten this was for a broadcast. It was all because of that. If it were just VR content, I'd play for the best outcomes, but broadcasts prioritize fun over everything else.
"Yeah, for a stream, you need entertainment, so pushing those weird potion combos was the problem."
I hammered the keyboard, sending a donation as I watched her pacing nervously inside, unable to even go out gathering.
I let the NPCs assure her they were fine and explained the turn reset to ease her mind. I hadn't set them to die right at the start anyway, and they play key roles in the main event—no bug would kill them off.
"Really? For real?!"
She seemed to calm down a bit with the donations, crossing her arms and pondering in her usual composed way. I glanced at the memo I'd jotted down nearby.
"…Make sure to consider the broadcast angle next time. Almost caused a PR disaster. Gotta be careful from now on."
If I hadn't set up NPC protection early on, it really would've ended in tragedy, cementing me as some sadistic dev who crafts depressing content.
"Still, this might lead to… a good ending now."
Having seen the bad stuff once might change her playstyle. She'd probably realized her choices shape the content's ending.
"Guess I should keep donating to guide her a bit."
I'd prepped multiple endings, but since it's a stream, happy ending all the way. Momona seemed to want that too.
I rested my hands on the keyboard, ready to help anytime. Surprisingly, teaching her like this wasn't half bad.
"Ugh! Mokong-i!"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the camera. Normally she'd tough it out solo, but after seeing Aya and Mimu earlier, she couldn't.
Something in her tugged at me—I didn't want her to let them die.
"The dev said they're fine, but they must be hurt. So let's find the right recipes from now on. You'll help, right?"
"Momona's Husband's 10,000 fruits~ Snuggles into arms! Thanks! Alright, let's go gather ingredients!"
She clutched her bag and dashed out for gathering. Probably recovery stuff and combat helpers.
"Huh? Really?! You're not impersonating the dev, are you?!"
She skidded to a halt in the gathering zone, eyes wide at the donation. Hidden elements… what could that mean? If it was really the dev, it had to be important.
"I believe you? Yeah, I do! Better not be lying! I'll ban you!"