Ep. 59 - New Universe, Strategy

So, Weiss came back with a roughed up Aria. She sighed and nodded, meaning that we would at least bring her with us. Well, that is something already.

I told everyone that we were theoretically ready to depart and that they should say goodbye to anyone they wanted, since we will be away for a while.

Loki, Hephaestus, and Hecate left to inform their Familias and say goodbye to their executives. Freya couldn't give a fuck and snuggled with me while I was sitting on my armchair. She's quite direct, though, when I did check her mind, I found that she isn't a nympho. Nope, she actually only showed illusions to people, so… Yeah.

Aria and Ais were talking and bonding on the side. My dear daughter has had quite the emotional trauma, so some time will be needed for her to open up, even to her own mother. I am simply too good with kids, that's why she opened up immediately.

After two hours, everyone was on the ship.

We had: the original gang, Rose, who was close to Blake and Sun, Ais and Aria, Freya and Loki, who were close to my wives, Hephaestus and Hecate who were just doing their own thing, and finally Amethyst, who was behind us in a maid outfit.. Oh, let's not forget about Ariel, the magical cat, and Diana, the Reshiram knock-off.

"Okay people! We're ready to go! Keep your seatbelts on at all times and your eyes glued on the front, so that you can see space. Well, I better stop my tour guide act and actually fly this thing." I said.

I flew outside the planet and turned around, so that they could see the place.

"This is the planet you have lived on so far. It is quite peculiar, you will probably soon see why. Now then, UJD warmed up, seatbelts on… 3, 2, 1, Go!"

We soon found ourselves in that twisted space filled with portals.

"Remember that we want a vacation." said Weiss.

"Well, I am the God of an entire universe if you want. Or, we can just try another place."

"Another one. Ancient cultivators aren't really my thing and we can just use you as a source of energy." said Jaune.

"Yeah, look at Diana. In a few hours she went from Sky Profound Realm to Tyrant Profound. It took me almost a year to get to that level!" said Amy.

"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, but it seems interesting. Just choose a random universe, can't be too bad." said Loki, giddy to see something new.

"I will have to create some grimoires so that you all know of Aura, Magic, and Cultivation. Before going to our next serious universe, we should also head back to my universe, so that you become able to revive if things go wrong." I said while choosing a random portal.

After passing through the portal, I noticed that this universe has only one sub-dimension. Now, this is strange since a magic universe would have many different pocket-dimensions, similar to DanMachi where there was the Dungeon, Babel, the Denatus.

"This universe is strange. There definitely isn't magic, nor any other energy, for all that matters. Yet, there is a sub-dimension… Dear, use your Arcanum. Actually, you should unseal our Arcana as well." said Freya

"Dear already? Well, I'm not complaining. Here, your Arcanums are unsealed." I said, then used 'World Library' to check out the universe. I could use Omniscience, but this would be a nice time to try out the Arcanum.

A hole opened up in front of me and a book came out. It landed on my hand and passed the knowledge on this universe to me.

"That was pretty cool. The sub-dimension is a product of technology. A game that became the 'reality' of so many people that the universe recognized it as a sub-dimension."

You probably wouldn't understand if I give so few details, right? Well, it starts with and 'S' and ends with 'AO'. Do you know what I'm talking about?

"Let's check it out. I can't not see this 'game' you talk about." said Hecate. "A sub-dimension made without magic… Oh, so good! I already love this trip."

I opened up a tear in space and passed through with the ship.

We arrived in the game's dimension, overlooking some sort of bell-like castle floating in the air.

"I want it." I said and got several nods in response. It's Aincrad, obviously I want it. "Anyway, date and time… December 3rd, 2022… Early in the morning. There are beings without souls on all floors, but the ones with souls are on the first. We are definitely going there."

I opened another tear in space and flew through it. I mean, the castle wouldn't be able to resist a light push from any one of us, but I want it in its entirety. I will obviously modify it, but I first want it in its pristine state.

I flew through the floor and found a city close to the pillar to the next floor. You know how pillars with a dungeon inside connect each floor to the next one, right? Anyway, they do. There was a city/town close to it. It is the place where the strategy meeting will happen.

Since I wanted everyone to be on the same page, I created a grimoire with all the knowledge about this world. My Omniscience finally gives me a good excuse to know stuff I shouldn't. Since I was at it, I also included Aura, Magic, and Cultivation into them

"Here, these will help you all understand the universe we are in and some more energies to become stronger."

After they all touched the grimoire, I said: "We in Tolbana, just on time for the Boss strategy meeting. We don't have to fight like these scrubs to get to new floors, but… Do you want to check it out? Maybe we will find some interesting plaything..."

"Oh, let's do it! Since this is a game, maybe we won't be too OP and one-shot everything again! Well, I doubt it, but maybe…" said Ruby. One-shotting enemies without an entertaining fight has become a problem for everyone. Everyone else had more or less the same idea, so we will soon make our appearance.

Well, it's still early, so I decided to give everyone the best Profound veins with the most profound entrances they could support. That was pretty easy. I also wanted some armor for the four Goddesses. Since it would soon become obsolete, I decided to opt for a bracelet with all the good enchantments. I also gave everyone a modified 'Primordial Seal of Life and Death', which completely negates the concept of 'Death', so there really is no need to use armor.

I also gave them some casual clothes which were actually as good as the gang's armor. Freya got a white dress with gold designs on it, very elegant and quite sexy, though it wasn't skimpy since she's mine now. Loki enjoyed trolling people with her appearance, so I gave her some formal pants and a white shirt. If I wasn't a God, I would seriously have a hard time telling she was a woman. Hecate got an office lady suit since she already had the whole 'sexy librarian onee-san' vibe going on. Lastly, Hephaestus. I seriously didn't know what else would suit her, so I modified her usual clothes and that was it.

When that was done, which means instantly, I brought everyone to the ground. We were already in the amphitheatre, waiting for the little meeting to start. I brought out some refreshments and cuddled with Ais as she was munching on some cookies. The others started cultivating using me as a source of Primordial Energy, since I was basically a typhoon of that shit. My Akashic Engine is basically only producing surplus energy now, so it all went to the group.

At around four in the afternoon, the players started arriving. There were some curious ones that looked at us, but did not initiate contact. They probably wondered if we were some kind of NPC since we didn't have that green thingy floating on our heads and one of us was dressed like a maid. Not exactly stealthy or inconspicuous. Then came the important people: Diabel, who went to the stage, Kirito, who acted antisocial and stayed away from everyone, Tiffa- I mean Agil, who found a random place, and Asuna, who looked around and locked eyes with us.

Since this might be interesting, I smiled and called her over. Ruby saw me calling someone over and looked over to Asuna. She was startled a little. To her we are NPC's, so we shouldn't react only to her arrival. Well, she walked over and sat in the row behind us.

"Amethyst, give her some refreshments. A month in this hellhole must have affected her." I said to my dear assistant. She nodded and gave some tea and pastries to the new arrival. Then came that guy, Kibaou.

"Hey! Why not offer food to us?! Huh?! Fuc-"

"Silence, insect. One more sound from you and I will kill you." said Amy. Never piss off my maid.

"Yo-" he didn't finish. Amy directly stabbed her arm through his body, instantly killing him.

"Stupid insect. Doesn't even understand human language."

That properly scared off any over-confident/self-entitled player. Only we can decide who to give food to. The rest can fuck off.

"Oh, how cute! A few are grabbing their weapons! Pfft! These guys are pretty fun already, a pity they can't respawn!" said Yang.

"Well, we can always resurrect them." I said and brought back to life the stupid Kibaou. Before he could speak again, I said: "Listen here, insect. You have no right to request anything from us. However, you all should try to entertain us. We might just help you with your little quest. Otherwise, I think we'll just watch you struggle and die in vain. It might be fun. Clear?"

The poor Kibaou was scared shitless by now and shouted "Yes sir! Crystal clear!" and fled to the opposite side of the amphitheatre. Since I already had their attention, I used some laws to create a quest for them with unknown rewards. It read:

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Found!

The 'Origin God of Primordial Knowledge' and his group have graced you with their presence! Amuse them or convince them with your Strategy meeting! You might get something good out of it!

Keep in mind: You are in the presence of Gods."

For Asuna, I created another quest:

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Found!

The 'Origin God of Primordial Knowledge' and his group are interested in you! Accompany them for the day and something good will happen.

Hint: They are here for their vacation, guide them around town or tell them something interesting? Keep in mind: They are very sociable, don't worry about social status."

Every single player was excited. I purposefully included my title since it attracts attention and brings their hopes up, so that I can crash their hopes and shatter their hearts. I want to know how they will react.

Diana finally moved from my shoulder. She has been there cultivating for hours. I even almost forgot about her. She looked over to the players and then to Asuna. She seemed to like her, as she flew over and sat on the girl's head.

Since it was kind of fun, I created another quest for Asuna:

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Found!

You have gained the attention of the White Dragon Diana, familiar of the 'Origin God of Primordial Knowledge'! Discover what attracted the legendary beast, maybe you'll get something!"

Asuna was once again stunned since Diana doesn't exactly look like a fearsome dragon. No, maybe it's because she just got two pretty great quests.

At any rate, the strategy meeting started and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Kibaou even behaved! To be honest, Diavel had a decent base for a plan. The idea to create a raid party was good, the objective, demonstrating that the game was beatable, was quite 'noble', and the incentives, which means drop distribution, was fair. The problem was relying on the strategy guide. Any idiot would understand that it was written by a Beta tester and that some things would change between Beta and actual release.

When he ordered to form up parties, Kirito was left alone, so I sent him a quest. These things are just too much fun to troll mortals!

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Found!

The 'Origin God of Primordial Knowledge' has taken note of your plight! You seem to have no friends! Mortal, meet the God. He might help you."

He looked around and found me smiling at him. He rose from his seat and walked towards us. The other players were worried, probably either thinking about their quest completion or the imminent death of another one of them.

When the kid arrived close to us, I patted the spot next to me. He sat down and Amethyst brought some refreshments for him. I need to put my victims at ease before messing with them.

He started drinking the tea when I said: "You look lonely… Kazuto." He spit out his tea, the scene was too comical. "Pfft! You look shocked… Did you think I was an NPC? No. Didn't you read the quest I gave out? I am a God."

'What the hell did the programmers put in this game?' He thought.

"Oh, if you mean Kayaba, then he put some interesting things, though we are not one of them." He looked at me with wide eyes. "What, you still don't understand? We're not from the game, kid. And, reading your mind is as easy as breathing to a real God." I waited for a second before continuing. "Anyway, you probably want to form a party, right. Asuna, little girl, come here." I said, looking towards Asuna, patting the seat on my other side.

She was confused, so I sent another quest. Seems like the best way to communicate.

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Advanced!

Seriously, Asuna? Do I really always have to send a new quest? Come here, sit next to me."

She seemed confused but got up and came to sit next to me. "Well, should I continue giving out quests, or can we talk like normal people?"

"Are you some sort of hacker or GM?" asked Kirito.

"Ooh, nice guess. No, I told you that I am a God, why can't you understand? Am I speaking with an accent? I did just learn Japanese after all."

"No, the Japanese is fine. The 'God' part is difficult to believe."

"Ah, I see. Yes, I didn't really believe in Gods until a few years ago. Just think of me as a very powerful alien. Is that better?"

"Yes and no, that implies there are aliens out there."

"Kid, we literally have a cat-girl, a wolf-girl, and a monkey-guy here. Oh, and a dragon and magical cat. Aliens are the least of your problems."

Then Asuna spoke. "Hey, so what's this? Some scam or a feature?"

"For fuck's sake… Just think of me like a really advanced NPC, will you?"

"Fine!" They both said.

"Goodness me, you kids are difficult to deal with. Look, form a party you two." I said, then sent another quest to the two:

"Damn it, I'm getting tired of this already…

Congratulations! Quest Chain Advanced!

Move it! Form a party you two, or we'll get old! I have billions of years ahead of me, but you don't!"

They looked at me then formed the party.

"Congratulations!

You're not alone anymore! Wow, you actually got a friend Kazuto, I'm so proud of you! NOT! What the hell man, not a single friend? What about Klein? Oh well. Stick with me for the rest of the day."

Anyway, the meeting ended and I sent an update to the players:

"Congratulations! Quest Chain Advanced!

There are some faults in your plans, therefore the 'Origin God of Primordial Knowledge' will accompany you in this Boss fight. You mortals better amuse me or the Boss will be the last of your problems."

I saw their eyes lose light from within them. Heh, the wording makes it seem as if they will have another Boss to fight if I am not 'amused' enough.

I then spoke since it would go well with my NPC act. "Well, I must say that the plan is decent enough. As the God of Knowledge, I will commend your research, but you shouldn't rely on a strategy guide. The world is ever-changing, maybe there will be differences that throw your planning off. Well, you seem interesting enough, so we will accompany you in this trip. Amuse us, and you will receive abundant rewards. Disappoint us…" I made everyone kneel. Weiss slapped my head though, so I stopped.

"Idiot husband. He means that you will not receive rewards. We do not kill indiscriminately, usually." She said.

Well, the meeting ended, so it was time to start our vacation.