Asteria Online 3: The Bullet Hell Trial
[Total Assets]
[30,000,000 won]
Thirty million won. That was the amount showing in my account upon checking.
For a regular seventeen-year-old girl's bank account, it was a hefty sum, but nowhere near enough to live off for life. It was far too burdensome for splurging on a virtual reality capsule costing tens of millions.
I wonder where this money came from...
It seemed like I'd never find out, so I quickly let it go. Wasting time on pointless questions was inefficient. Better to vent one more gripe at the 'system'.
Fuck you, system.
You shove me into this possession bullshit on your whim and give me a measly thirty million? Should've tacked on another zero at least. Scratch what I said earlier about good service. And you make me a minor on top of it.
"...Tch."
Anyway, back to the capsules. There was a way. Obviously, lower-spec models were way cheaper.
For example...
Model: ANDR-900
A huge price gap from the ones I'd seen before. Four point five million won. Manageable if I gritted my teeth.
The issue was that [Standard] label upfront. Like office PCs versus gaming rigs—cheap for basic work, millions for high-end gaming. Same principle here.
But buying that? My pride wouldn't allow it. If I'm buying, might as well get the good stuff.
So I found another way.
Physical Test... right?
Something intriguing from a community post while researching Asteria Online popped into my head.
Physical Test. Exactly what it sounds like—a test measuring a player's physical prowess. Reaction speed, reflexes, dynamic vision, judgment, focus, synchronization rate... all the elements tied to so-called 'control,' tested comprehensively.
The format? Simple. Dodge endless weapons and traps flying from all directions, survive as long as possible! Like a VR bullet hell game. No fixed patterns, so grinding time won't cut it.
'Stages from 1 to 100.'
Time-based progression to the next stage, naturally getting harder—shorter intervals, more projectiles, complex gimmicks.
And the difficulty? Brutal. Normies struggle past stage 30, per community posts.
...Hmm, about that level?
I scrolled through, skimming. Mostly rants about insane difficulty. Even certified records showed 30-40 stages as majority, 50+ rare. Seemed like that put you top 1% easy.
Halfway at 50 out of 100, yet top 1%...?
Haven't tried it myself, hard to react. But folks keep grinding for a reason.
Stage 60 - Luna
Stage 70 - Stella
Stage 80 - Nova
Stage 90 - Cosmos
Clear certain stages in Physical Test, and Moira—makers of Asteria Online—gifts a capsule. A special model not sold anywhere.
People go nuts for 'limited' or 'special' labels. Even without, who wouldn't want a free expensive VR capsule?
Good for me, saves cash.
Dunno why the company does it—promo? Or to ensure talent isn't blocked by money? Given Asteria Online's not your average game, latter seems likely.
...Of course.
All this assumes I clear the Physical Test—PT.
But failure? Didn't even consider 'if.' Obvious why.
Body's wrecked, past my prime, long off the battlefield—but once called Sword Saint. Not some insurmountable hurdle.
No way I'd fail a test others have passed.
Sole curiosity: the difficulty. Ranker benchmark 60, high-rankers' 70. Beyond, only two worldwide at 80? Untouched 90? Final 100...?
Hope it's fun.
Felt challenge itch after ages. Might gauge current players' levels too. Not perfect metric, but...
Close enough.
With that, I stood, headed to the closet.
- Clunk!
Opened the massive doors—stuffed with mystery clothes. Knew who: system, obviously.
...Its taste?
Pulled out a frilly black dress, subtle expression. Goth loli? Rest: flimsy fabrics filling the closet. System, you into this?
"......"
Pondered system's gender and kinks seriously for a sec, then rummaged.
No frills. No lace. No floaty shit. Shoulders exposed? Out. Too childish? Gone. Cute designs? Nope.
95% eliminated.
From the 5%, picked least burdensome, changed.
Then.
Hat... and mask too.
Grabbed those quick. Perfect for hiding striking looks.
Moments later.
- Beep!
Front door opened with a chime. Pressed hat low over hair, stepped out. Mask on, of course.
Out on the street, hid complex feelings, gazed skyward.
Earth's sky after decades.
The sky...
Summer noon. Dazzling sunlight shattering, vast blue dome with fluffy white clouds drifting.
Asteria's skies look the same, yet felt fresh. Weird, uncanny mix of emotions—indescribable.
"......"
Shook head, shed vague thoughts. Light worries fell easy.
Refocused.
Physical Test.
Need PT for capsule. But PT needs capsule. Chicken-egg.
One way to use a capsule now.
- Step.
Teens' and twenties' haunt, school trip staple: PC bang's evolution. New cultural spot born of the times.
Capsule room.