Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The AI's Recommendation
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The success of Avala Online 2 was on a different level compared to its predecessor.
[NF Soft's Stock Prices Skyrocket in One Year! Is Avala Online the Cause?]
[Virtual Reality is the New Mainstream. What's the Secret to Avala Online 2's Success?]
Articles poured out day after day.
While it shared some of the same world-building as the first game, Avala Online 2, unlike its somewhat unpolished predecessor, was able to implement a perfect virtual reality, drastically changing the user experience.
The price of the capsules, once nearly 100 million won, was successfully brought down to the 10 million won range, securing both technological advancement and mass appeal.
[Current estimated user count: at least 300 million and still growing.]
[Broadcasting world abuzz with the sharp increase in individual streamers… A look into the average income of rankers.]
[The era of ‘Gaming as a Profession’ is upon us!]
With this turn of events, the rankers and streamers from Avala Online 1 naturally migrated to the sequel.
They would have to start over on the same footing as everyone else, but even considering that, the difference in the user pool was so vast that it was more profitable for most of them, who were individual streamers, to make the switch.
The number of users directly translated to the number of viewers, which in turn was directly linked to their income.
Less than a week after the game's release, most of the rankers had moved to Avala Online 2.
And the place where the news of their migration was most hotly discussed was, of course, the online communities.
[Breaking! Rankers are migrating.]
-It's not just the mid to low-tiers moving, the top-tiers are all going too?
-The ones who haven't left yet are probably just testing the waters and will eventually go, right?
-But they'll have to give up their rankings and start all over from scratch?
-That's true, but Avala Online 2 is just too good. In the long run, moving is the right call.
-True. The player base is overwhelming. All the rankers stream, and for them, the number of users is their livelihood.
The general reaction was that it was to be expected.
Thus, the migration to Avala Online 2 was an unstoppable tide.
As the rankers rushed to leave, the remaining players also quickly departed for Avala Online 2.
The result was an explosive increase in the number of new players.
But even among them, there were those who pulled ahead. They were, of course, the rankers from Avala Online 1.
The former rankers, hungry for the top spots, moved swiftly to monopolize various pieces of information and acquire good classes.
[The server's first Legendary-grade class holder has appeared!]
[The server's first Unique-grade…]
A speed on a completely different level from the regular players who were leveling up at a leisurely pace!
It was a rate of progress that shouldn't have been possible through normal means.
-What the hell did these crazy bastards do to get a Legendary class already?
-Do they do anything besides eat and play the game?
-Probably. They must have spent a lot of money too.
-I heard the current number one ranker has spent hundreds of millions?
-Wow… that’s a whole different league. Do they think they can make it all back later?
Indeed.
The rankers judged that, given the game's growth potential, it was best to invest boldly.
‘Now is not the time to hold back.’
‘I have to get ahead, no matter what!’
The rankers from Avala Online 1 knew better than anyone the importance of a head start.
Getting one or two steps ahead in the beginning could create an insurmountable gap later on.
Conversely, falling behind from the start meant it was over for them as rankers.
No matter how much time and money they poured in, the gap created early on would not be easily closed.
In the end, the most crucial part was the early race!
This line of thinking wasn't exclusive to just the rankers.
* * *
[Add vitality to your daily life!]
[We invite you to a world you can only experience in Avala Online 2!]
A famous celebrity, dressed like a game character, spoke in a cheerful tone.
Lee Shin narrowed his eyes at the advertisement playing on the large electronic billboard.
‘Has it been about half a year?’
He was referring to the game's release date.
Avala Online 2 had been released when Lee Shin was four months away from his college entrance exams.
Unable to get sucked into a game before such an important test, Lee Shin had temporarily quit gaming to focus on his studies.
As a result, he was able to get into Yeonhee University's Future Artificial Intelligence department with a near-perfect score, but…
‘…I’m late.’
Thanks to that, he had completely missed the initial window.
In just six months, the rankers had pulled ahead in every area, including classes, titles, achievements, and levels.
It wouldn't have mattered if his goal was just to enjoy the game casually, but that wasn't the case for Lee Shin.
His methods may have been different from others, but he had already set foot in the celestial realm once before.
By his standards, his competitors were always the top-tier rankers.
Of course, he was confident he could catch up even if he started now.
He had the skill.
The problem was the time it would take. Lee Shin knew better than anyone how important a head start was.
He figured he would need at least as much time to close the current six-month gap.
This was why Lee Shin hadn't started the game as soon as his acceptance to Yeonhee University was confirmed.
It didn't necessarily have to be Avala Online.
Any other virtual reality game would do. He had enjoyed the first one, but he wasn't particularly attached to it.
Lost in these thoughts, Lee Shin headed home.
When he arrived, someone was there to greet him.
“You’re back already?”
A face mask on, dressed in casual clothes.
It was Lee Shin's older sister, Lee Si-eun.
“Yeah.”
Checking the time, she asked, looking puzzled.
“Didn't you go to the university? I thought you had orientation and were meeting up with the other freshmen tonight.”
“I was going to, but I didn't.”
“Why, too many people?”
“Yeah.”
Lee Shin nodded with a tired expression and sat on the sofa.
Then, he sprawled out in what looked like the laziest posture in the world and turned on the TV.
“Noona. You're blocking the view.”
“Huh? Oh, uh… sorry.”
Although he had gone out briefly today, he had been in this state for months since his exams ended.
He had avoided the sun so much that his skin had turned pale!
Unable to watch any longer, Lee Si-eun spoke with concern.
“You should go outside more.”
“Heh heh… Huh?”
Lee Shin answered dismissively.
“I just went out.”
“But you came right back…! Go meet some friends, too.”
“Don’t have any.”
“Huh?”
None!?
“But you used to have so many.”
“They were just acquaintances. And I deleted all my contacts after the exam.”
“Ah…”
“…”
“…Ahem, and buy some clothes! You can't wear your uniform anymore, so you need some casual outfits.”
“I’ll buy some online later.”
Nothing she said could move him!
At this, Lee Si-eun glared at him.
‘Ugh, that little rascal.’
It was better when he was at least playing games.
Back then, he'd at least exercised diligently, saying he needed to manage his condition for the virtual reality game…
‘How do I get him out of the house?’
She soon came up with a good idea.
“Oh, right. I have a present for you.”
“Hmm?”
“A present for passing your exams. I got my performance bonus, so here.”
*Flick.*
Lee Si-eun tossed something to him.
He caught it absentmindedly and saw that it was a credit card.
As Lee Shin looked up with a 'what's this?' expression, Lee Si-eun removed her face mask and said.
“How am I supposed to know what you like? Just buy whatever you need.”
“Anything?”
“Yeah.”
“Even if it’s expensive?”
“Hmm…”
‘The most expensive thing he’d buy is probably a laptop, right?’
Lee Si-eun made up her mind magnanimously and replied.
“Buy it!”
“Well then, I guess I’ll go…”
Only then did Lee Shin sluggishly get up.
Seeing this, Si-eun wore a look of disbelief.
She gave him a credit card, and that was his reaction…?
“You’re no fun at all.”
“Ah, thanks.”
“…Whatever. It's like pulling teeth. Just hurry up and go.”
Leaving Si-eun's grumbling behind, Lee Shin left the house.
And on his way to the city center.
“Hmm?”
He saw a new Avala Online advertisement on the electronic billboard.
Looking at the date, it was about a system patch that would be applied the day after tomorrow.
[Higher level means higher drop rates!]
[Lower level means an experience boost!]
[Worried it’s too late? Don’t hesitate any longer!]
“!”
The advertisement caught Lee Shin’s eye.
The direction of this patch pointed to a single goal.
New players!
Once the gap with the top-tier players becomes fixed, the influx of new players inevitably decreases.
Hadn't even Lee Shin, a former ranker, considered playing a different game?
But with a system like this, there was no need for that.
The very reason that made him hesitate to start right away was now gone.
‘…’
Thanks to that, Lee Shin forgot all his other reasons for coming out and went to look at capsules first.
“How much for the full-option model?”
“A little over ten million won.”
‘A bit expensive…’
Still, she did say to pick whatever he wanted!
Without hesitation, Lee Shin handed over Lee Si-eun's credit card.
* * *
The capsule arrived the very next day.
“Installation is complete. If you want to use the options, you can refer to the manual.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The capsule was packed with so many features that the term "full-option" was no exaggeration.
From a temperature control system and a brainwave stabilization device to a sleep function!
The environment was so comfortable and cozy that one could practically live inside the capsule.
“That’s all my money…”
…Though Lee Si-eun muttered behind him like a ghost, Lee Shin was unabashed.
He hadn't done anything wrong in the first place.
She told him to use it, so he did!
It might be unfair, but it was her own fault for not setting a price limit.
“You can't return this. It’s registered to your biometric data.”
“I know, you psycho. Who said anything about a refund? Huh?”
“Just in case you didn't know.”
“If you can’t say something nice…”
Despite her tone, Lee Si-eun didn't look that angry.
She had received a large bonus this time and had planned to use it on presents for the family anyway.
Besides, it was hard to get genuinely angry at her much younger brother.
With a sigh, Lee Si-eun muttered as she watched Lee Shin prepare to log in.
“Use it well…”
“Yeah.”
Lee Shin immediately logged into the game.
A scanner swept over his iris.
[Please set your character name.]
“Lee Shin.”
[Please set your starting point.]
[You can choose one of seven regions.]
He had already researched the basic information about the game.
Based on that information, Lee Shin was about to name the town most recommended for beginners.
But before he could, the artificial intelligence spoke again.
[Avala Online can also recommend a starting point tailored to the user's disposition.]
[Would you like to take the assessment?]
Lee Shin paused.
The AI would give a recommendation tailored to his personal disposition?
[That is correct.]
“What if the assessment is wrong?”
[Our assessment boasts a 99.99% reliability rate.]
“…Hmm.”
The AI's words greatly intrigued Lee Shin.
Since childhood, he had mastered the art of showing others what they wanted to see.
Except for his family, no one had ever noticed that he was a little different from other people.
Could an artificial intelligence distinguish between his act and his true self?
“Do it.”
Lee Shin decided to take the assessment.
He had a region in mind, but his curiosity got the better of him.
He also calculated that since it was a recommendation based on his disposition, things would probably turn out fine even if they went awry.
[Beginning the assessment.]
[Please answer the questions.]
“Bring it on.”
The assessment proceeded much like the psychological counseling sessions he had been subjected to as a child.
Lee Shin answered a series of inconsistent questions, projecting his public persona.
And so, after all the questions were answered.
[Assessment complete.]
[Would you like to begin your adventure?]
The AI, based on the assessment results, found the most suitable starting point for Lee Shin and then asked.
“Begin.”
[There are precautions to be aware of before you start.]
[Please review the precautions.]
“……?”
Lee Shin tilted his head. Was this always a thing?
It seemed like a measure put in place due to the explosive increase in the user base.
[Profanity may be grounds for a warning.]
[Offensive names may be grounds for a warning.]
[Accumulated warnings may be grounds for account suspension…]
The list of precautions scrolled down.
It was longer than he expected.
[Physical contact and remarks that cause discomfort to others may result in…]
[Intentional auction house fraud will result in…]
[Illegal distribution of funds and…]
‘…Why is this so long?’
In fact, some of these precautions were, in no small part, influenced by him.
He had accumulated so many warnings that the developers had likely taken them into consideration!
But there was no way for Lee Shin to know that.
[…and so on, may be grounds for suspension. Do you agree?]
The precautionary guidance finally ended just as Lee Shin was about to yawn.
“I agree.”
[Now creating your character.]
[Creation complete.]
[Transferring to the recommended region.]
Lee Shin's vision went white.
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in front of a square in a dreary city.
As Lee Shin looked around to get his bearings, two lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[You have arrived in the Eteun Kingdom, a kingdom where corrupt nobles hold sway!]
[Check your status window and proceed with the tutorial.]
“……?”
Corrupt… what?
At the description of the region recommended by the AI, a deep frown creased Lee Shin's brow.