Chapter 24
I made a quick excuse out of a guilty conscience. “<God’s Play> is technically a role-playing game.”
It was a combined genre of simulation and role-playing, but a worldview of this scale is natural!
Actually, I didn’t intend to make it into such a large-scale worldview from the beginning…
The game that the motivated team members did their best without a veteran developer steadily went to the mountains. It was to the point where the genre had to change. As a result of the passing that you can’t do if you replace your youth and life, my team and I repeatedly stayed up all night. It was something I never wanted to do again.
Ozworld nodded. “I see. Let’s move on to the next topic.” He looked as if he was not at all curious about the production story.
“Miss Theresa met three male protagonists today. Who did you like the most?”
There was no such person except because everyone surprised me by the high synchro rate between the original and real situation.
I don’t have a rational affinity for them.
Maybe it was because their appearance was too unrealistic or because I was not interested in dating.
Ozworld tilted when I couldn’t pinpoint one person. “I know you’ve never been in a relationship, but have you ever had a crush?”
“…Yes.”
You acted like you knew everything about me, but you didn’t even know that. Indeed, Ozwolrd seemed omnipotent, but from what I’ve seen so far, it seemed like he couldn’t even read my mind.
He skipped the subject as I couldn’t answer. “Then let’s talk about your ideal type. Who is the closest to your ideal type among the male protagonists?”
“…None.”
Ozworld sighed softly.
It’s a romance broadcast, so was it a complacent answer?
Suddenly, I thought I should come up with a useful answer as it was an interview to entertain the Constellations.
But my ideal type… I’ve never really thought about that.
It didn’t suit the context, but it was okay to say my favorite character in <God’s Play>.
“There is a supporting character who hasn’t appeared yet that suits my ideal type.”
“It will be an interesting point to watch in the future. Who is it?”
“Professor Felix Lockhart. He’s a man with a botanical garden-like lab. He also has an excellent ability to interact with animals.”
It was not a rational sense but just an interest in a mysterious researcher. He was the most intriguing person for now.
I briefly added my impressions of the male protagonists. “Even though the emperor character hasn’t come out yet, seeing the three male protagonists today, they were all amazing.”
It was somewhat weird because a person who had been designed flawlessly and perfectly appeared in front of me, so they had a very inhuman beauty.
“They’re a bit unrealistic, but I like them all. Because they’re the characters created by our team.”
I was serious about this. I even felt affection for Theresa, whom I was deeply sorry to be possessed by.
Theresa was a character that encompassed everything I disliked. Nevertheless, I couldn’t recklessly hate her because I understood her loneliness and the desire to be loved.
Ozworld evaluated my sincerity like this. “That’s a common impression.”
I thought it was a strange thing to say. I wasn’t talking about the appreciation of virtual content. I told the truth about the reality what happened to me.
A common impression? How can this situation that will open the world be so common?
To me, Ozworld was like a god who was particularly ruthless to humans, just like the god Cthulhu Mythos in Lovecraft. This man was far more dangerous than the male protagonists I faced today.
What can you do with me right now? No, he was already doing something.
The moment I felt the chills, I got goosebumps all over my back. His question had a side that reminded me of being insignificant and helpless. Maybe he did it on purpose. Seeing how he called me as Theresa.
I’m sure everything I’m saying will sound trite to Ozworld anyway.
No matter what answer I gave, Ozworld would feel it was ‘common.’ So what if he was the one being asked?
If I interview Ozworld, I won’t have to answer any more questions.
Isn’t that a pretty good idea? Since the number of Constellations who were enthusiastic about him was enormous, most of them would enjoy the interview.
“I also have a question.”
Ozworld squinted his eyes for a moment and smiled leisurely as if he had no choice. “Ask me.”
“You told me this was your first time on a romance broadcast. What do you think when you try it?”
I didn’t expect a good answer while asking like this. I thought he’d definitely say something rude and aggressive that would scratch my stomach.
“There’s nothing romantic about it yet, right? But, well, I honestly thought it would be boring. Still, it’s pretty fresh and fun.”
It was a bit of an unexpected answer.
“You said you didn’t like romance.”
Ozworld laughed briefly at my moderate expression, making a deflating noise.
“I still don’t like it. But it is you who makes it feel fresh and fun.”
Ozworld looked me in the face with his smiling eyes. “To the point where I feel like I’m going to be your fan, Miss Theresa.”
I almost snorted at the ridiculous fan comment.
He even did lip service because the Constellations were watching.
He must be showing affection for the success of the broadcast he manages, but he becomes my fan? Even his empty words made me feel unpleasant.
Let’s think about the next question.
I thought I should ask the real question before this man talked more nonsense.
“I have another question. Shouldn’t I be able to analyze other successful channels for this broadcast to be successful?”
Market research was essential for this kind of thing. However, I didn’t know what other channels were on and what romance was popular.
Ozworld didn’t hide his ridicule at my question. “That’s a very human point of view.”
Human point of view. This was not meant to be humanism. It was a nuance that it was an uncivilized idea that was done by a very uncivilized race.
As I frowned slightly with an expression I didn’t understand, he explained in a tolerant manner. “First of all, you have to consider that your viewer is not human. Also, this is not a personal broadcast. Didn’t I already say it? It’s similar to the PD broadcasting station.”
Ozworld flicked his finger.
Ding!
[Quest: Join the student council.]
▸
Reward: +100,000 coins
▸
Failure: Commuting to school
It was the first quest window that had popped up since the last time I had to greet Madam Shati and the three madams. I gritted my teeth while looking at the failure part. It seemed that if I didn’t do that, I would dare to sweat at Ozworld without knowing it was a waste of my precious life.
It was only an hour ago that I told Clyde that I would encounter him less from now on. But you want me to join the student council?
It was clear that he was determined to screw me up. Damn it.
Ozworld told me to put aside unnecessary worries. “Nothing is more stimulating and fun than seeing BJ struggling in an unfamiliar world. So, if you’re the type who begs for love, the broadcast will become more prosperous.”
“…”
“I told you to try to be loved. Unlike your past life, which has been pathetic so far, aren’t there enough requirements to get it back now?”
My lips trembled. No, my whole body was shaking. I asked, staring at Ozworld with hot bloodshot eyes. “Do you even know what love is…?”
Is love like being a clown and begging for coins and attention?
Ozworld replied. “Of course I know, Miss Theresa. That’s what you want the most, isn’t it? That’s why I gladly prepared the stage for you. Be loved to your heart’s content.”
He treated the affection I longed for from my family and the coins thrown by the Constellations the same way. It was funny. I found it so funny to ask a jerk who’s not even a human being about what love was.
As I shivered silently with anger, Ozworld glanced at the clock, stood up, and buttoned his suit. It was a very elegant move.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to wrap up the interview here.”
Ozworld came up to me and bent down. He was about to kiss my cheek. Before his lips touched, I shook my head. For now, I didn’t want to put up with the kiss that disgusted me.
Ozworld paused for a moment and muttered as if he had realized something. “Aah, weren’t you familiar with this culture?”
I didn’t answer. I just turned my head as if I didn’t want to deal with him.
At that moment.
Kwak!
“Agh…!”
Ozworld’s strong hand grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. His deep blue eyes seemed to glow with madness.
“But, Miss Theresa, don’t you dare to avoid my greetings. Do I have to match your culture one by one?”
“…”
I bit my lips hard enough to leave a mark. Otherwise, tears of anger seemed to flow from my already hot eyes.
As if making fun of me, Ozworld kissed me on the cheek.
“Good luck, Miss Theresa.” With that remark, Ozworld disappeared.