Everyday Life Before the Gallery Upgrade
Just like yesterday, today repeated the same routine inside the bunker. Thanks to Hero and Hogul sleeping soundly, I was finally enjoying some long-overdue quiet while checking the Ark Gallery.
"Whoa, lying down like this en masse... that's a first."
After the chicken post, someone declared they'd stay in bed until it happened. The moment that hit concept status, Gallery users started lying down too. Short ones are dwarves, pointy-haired ones elves?
The ad was a success. Congratulations, Rain.
"Uh... thanks, Sora."
Success was great. Great, but... the Gallery was completely overrun by bedridden users, rendering it useless as a community.
"Can't just ban them all..."
Were they people who'd never tasted anything good in their lives, now craving chicken for the first time? No clue how to fix this.
"Hmm... just let it be?"
Even if I stopped them, the craving wouldn't vanish. Couldn't stop the lying down, but maybe redirect it. Time to set the firewood upright instead of letting it burn lying down.
I pinned the upgrade notice and posted a new one. "This should stop the spam, right?"
Used awkward translation style to focus, emphasized purpose. Kept emotions, just redirected. Turns out even Crown Princess was bedridden. The spam was so intense, couldn't tell who.
Posts refreshed fast. Users checked notice, started getting up and posting.
"Yeah. This is the Gallery." I smiled contentedly at the return to normalcy. Peaceful time before shutdown. I eyed my cart, pondering bunker decor again. Sora would descend soon.
Wait, what's Sora's gender? Heard she could make a body, agreed immediately, but never asked details. Not... hairy-legged, muscled uncle, right? Built-up fondness aside, prefer cute. With mana, Yongyong, elves, dwarves, spirits—gotta have a talking cutie.
Thump thump thump thump. Hero and Hogul bounced around—perfect examples. Struck while iron hot, asked Sora.
"Sora, is your body's appearance fixed?"
A fixed body form exists, but it can be modified. Do you have a preferred appearance?
Oh, fixed form! No fetish for custom bodies.
"Big brea... no, nothing like that. Just curious. After body comp decided, never asked about looks or gender..."
I see. I assumed you weren't interested.
Almost let buff adult male desires slip. "Very interested. We're living together. Forgot cuz of these mutts. Sorry if upset."
No need. Please don't worry about it.
Sweet Sora as always. Still my fault, so post-upgrade party time. Midnight party? Perfect, weakens in sunlight. Wanted surprise, but she sees all, so straight-up.
"Party after upgrade? Got the stuff we listed ready."
Notebook fantasies of body use. Soon reality.
A party? The cart items are for that.
Slipped in party supplies subtly, but she noticed. "Haha, saw it all? Setup will impress later."
I see. Looking forward to it.
Embarrassed, added awkwardly—dug my grave. Gotta set up properly. Make her happy with my bunker. Hunt more party stuff pre-upgrade.
* 23:50. Bought more party stuff, stocked four days' worth for two-day shutdown. Time flew to midnight. Cold rain pelted windows—metaphorically. 48-hour shutdown loomed; users posted bread-buying prep.
They trust I'll return? Calmer than last pre-upgrade. Sora tense? Screen trembled—first time. Emotions real, not imagination.
Preparations complete, Rain?
Subtle tension. "Yeah. Hero and Hogul stocked food/snacks, mine piled up... Books and game console for boredom. All from my list?"
Yes. All cart and notebook items purchased without omission.
Sora's confirmation. No worries. Bought drawing tools for CON demos.
"On return, rate Hero/Hogul CONs. I'll draw hard."
Understood. Looking forward.
Casual doodle-style Hero/Hogul CONs for low barrier. Full-effort Crown Princess CON—ask permission after, share revenue? Enable her daily chicken.
Rain, 3 minutes to midnight.
"Thanks, Sora." Alarm per request. Browsed Gallery titles.
Tempted to hit start now. Titles made me wanna tease. But promises matter. Killed time browsing. Clock hit 23:59. Said bye to Sora.
"See you in two days, Sora. Party on arrival—expect it."
Thank you, Rain. Looking forward.
> New features: Item purchase & delivery (Admin only), CONs, Pinned for designated persons, Live recs, Chat (Admin only).
> 'Eye of the Snow Spirit' body reconstruction for Gallery assistance.
> Gallery inaccessible during upgrade.
> Proceed now?
> [ YES / NO ]
Clock struck midnight—I mashed YES. Wait, Sora... you're the Eye of the Snow Spirit?