Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Beta Tester Lottery Live
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They even created a dedicated map in virtual reality just for the beta tester lottery draw.
The map's backdrop was the site of the crown prince's coronation—my steadfast ally.
The image of the church's cardinal personally blessing the crown, the moment its weight was passed to the crown prince... I'll never forget it.
"Master. Please look here."
"..."
Pulled from the memory, I gazed at the camera in front of Aka-chan.
No.
Aka-chan is the Akashic Records—she can record without a camera.
Staring at it anyway made me feel like I had to introduce my name and age, and a sigh escaped me naturally.
"How did it come to..."
this?
Too late for regrets now.
I'd come too far.
Rehearsals for the live draw had already been done several times.
'I can't reveal the name Aurora.'
In the Akare world, 'Aurora' was enshrined as a great hero from a thousand years ago.
I'd erased all related images and recordings of my actual appearance from crystal orbs.
'But if I'm not careful...'
Using the name Aurora could brand me as a self-insert character.
It's not a self-insert daughter—it's just me, the self-insert itself...!
"Sigh..."
But did I have any other name besides Aurora? Not really.
My real name? Absolutely not.
Using a guy's name for a female character would invite all sorts of misunderstandings.
'I don't want to use another name anyway.'
It was the name given by my mentor-like benefactor, who helped this worthless me adapt to this other world.
"Should I... just go straight through it?"
My Earth legal name had already been changed to Aurora.
Hiding it here would just postpone the problem.
Trying to please everyone—wasn't that greed?
Only an omnipotent god could achieve universal satisfaction.
Lost in such trivial thoughts, time flew by.
Only one minute left until the scheduled live start.
I infused mana into the magic tool resembling a lottery machine, activating it.
Roughly ten million balls floated inside the glass sphere.
'Since I'm doing it...'
I ignored the shame creeping up my body and simply gave it my all.
Ten seconds before live—Aka-chan signaled close-up, and I composed my expression.
- You are our hero. A hero must always stand tall, no matter the moment.
The crown prince's parting words from the send-off ceremony came to mind.
- In a world without heroes, you are the symbol of hope. And hope must always be warm.
I smiled brightly, conveying the warm hope the crown prince had taught me.
Standing tall, warm, positive hope.
That was the hero's duty, mission, and resolve to overcome inner fears.
[00:10] [00:09] [00:08]... The countdown began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 🔔 Broadcast Started [Sweet's broadcast has started. - Talk 32 minutes ago] [Sweet's broadcast title: Let's Watch Akare Live Together] The countdown ended.
The screen switched, revealing a fantastical location.
"Looks similar to that? You know... Ah! Right. The Hall of Heroes."
Sweet recalled Daehyeop Kim's stream he'd seen while traveling.
The starting area where you interact with the maid to choose your class.
Of course, it was similar to the Hall of Heroes, but a different place entirely.
The screen zoomed in.
The faintly visible figure and lottery machine came into sharp focus.
- Hello. I'm Aurora, director of the Akashic Records.
The woman standing beside the machine bowed her head slightly.
"Whoa. She looks exactly like the mage from the trailer?"
💬 Chat — Viewer1 Right? She's insanely pretty Feels familiar somehow She's a girl? The Akashic Records' biggest fame came from the trailer video.
Especially the final highlight: the mage battling the Elder Lich, dubbed 'otherworldly quality,' sparking massive buzz.
- As announced beforehand, we'll proceed with the beta tester lottery today... Is this a pre-recorded broadcast? No. The chat... it's scrolling so fast. Haha... This is awkward.
The director gestured into the air; up close, a translucent window hovered there.
"Must be the live chat."
Even in low-speed mode, the chat flew by.
To the point where reading it seemed impossible.
Chinese, English, Japanese popped up occasionally too.
- First, let me explain the draw method.
🔥 Snap! The director snapped her fingers, and the floating balls inside dropped.
The machine powered up, balls spinning rapidly.
- We'll do 10 draws total. 100 winners each time, and selected ones get emails immediately.
"What, like a lotto draw?"
Sweet voiced doubt, but laughter tinged it.
As if the absurdity was fun.
— Viewer2 Better than lotto at least Only today's draw? Hope for Q&A after Sweet skimmed chat, then refocused on the live.
- Simple, right? Then... first draw, here we go.
Balls bounced wildly in the sphere.
About 10 seconds later, 100 balls ejected.
🔥 Snap! The director snapped, levitating 100 balls.
Close-up on them, flashing applicant numbers one by one.
"Ah, no 11995? Anyone see it?"
— Viewer3 Nope What were you expecting lol No winner in Witt's room? As if you'd win lol Sweet's excited grin drooped.
— Viewer4 Lmao his face Disappointment is hilarious Honest dude "It's fine. Nine more to go, right?"
Two more draws followed, but no Sweet.
— ㅇㅇ님's 10,000 KRW Donation - Witt don't worry, I sent 100 threat emails to Akare begging them to pick Sweet "..."
— Viewer5 Damn Thanks You're the only one Loyal vassal As draws continued, Sweet talked less.
Teasing chats and donos exploded.
- Lots of questions in chat. Seems many want Q&A, so we'll do a quick one after. Focus now, please?
The director's awkward smile caused chat to explode, freezing it momentarily.
— Viewer6 First live voice from director lol She's stupid pretty Director's charm is insane "She seems pretty sharp."
— ㅇㅇ님's 10,000 KRW Donation - Still just VR right? What's the diff from a vtuber? Bet she's ugly IRL... Slash—
Before TTS read it fully, Sweet nuked the troll dono.
— Viewer7 Gasp What What kinda talk is that This that kinda room? Trolls everywhere Floating viewers meant trolls too.
Good thing min dono was 10k—else it'd be troll playground.
"Everyone, no-sickness-gold. Miss it and it's over."
Sweet seized the chaotic chat and refocused.
Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh draws.
Despite hopes, no Sweet.
Checked email just in case—no winner mail.
— SweetFan님's 100,000 KRW Donation - I won lol Posted proof on cafe "What?"
Unbelievable dono—Sweet rushed to his fan cafe.
Top free board post: most recs and dislikes.
"Someone actually won..."
Troll? Ignore. But 100k dono demanded reaction.
— Viewer8 100k is legit So jealous ffs Sweet's face = my face rn Stop shitting bricks Witt Draws sped on.
Eighth, ninth.
Still no Sweet.
"Wasn't expecting it anyway."
— Viewer9 Not expecting (totally am) Face doesn't lie Clinging hope till end? Give up Witt Sweet acted resigned, but inwardly hoped most desperately.
Atheist him inwardly pleading to God and Buddha.
Did that reach the heavens?
"Huh? That one just now... my number?"
Among countless balls, Sweet's numbered one dropped from the machine.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Doing the lottery live wasn't easy.
The draw itself was simple, but...
Filtering readable chats from the flood.
As Akare's top director, model answers required.
'Just wanted to do the draw.'
Akare questions flooded chat throughout.
[Communicating Director] More than anything, Aka-chan's piercing gaze holding that sign behind the camera.
"And with that, the final draw ends. Welcome and congrats to all new beta testers."
Just draws, yet drained utterly.
Wanted to end live, crash in bed, browse galleries.
But Aka-chan's eyes sharpened ghostly each time.
Finally unloading all the grinding she'd endured?
Reconciliatory glances at Aka-chan got nowhere.
"As promised, quick Q&A. Chat, and I'll answer what I see."
Improvised, no prep.
Suddenly, VR space shifted from draw venue to another map.
Typical director comms background: beige room, white table/desk.
Laptop on table with live chat open.
'How serious is Aka-chan...'
Prepped this the moment I mentioned Q&A.
I scanned incoming chats.
Too fast to read all, but...
My body beyond human limits missed none.
— Viewer10 Trailer shot in VR? "Yes. Filmed in virtual reality."
Answered, moved to next—
[Communicating Director] [Human Director] 'When'd she make that second one.'
Two signs now—I reopened.
"I personally played the mage. Tough schedule, but happy with the quality."
'Director picked mage' chats surged—ignored.
All VR questions ignored.
Couldn't explain VR method.
Even if, impossible to replicate.
— Viewer11 Reason for exclusive preview to streamer Daehyeop Kim? My read sparked 'gasp' flood.
"Wanted to show our game. Proud of our hard work. Grateful and sorry to that streamer too. That's why."
Breather, scanning—
One chat jumped out.
— Viewer12 Lots say mage inferior to martial artist. Agree? "No? Actually the opposite..."
Clamped mouth too late.
Ah, damn it.
Really.