Chapter 225 – Manager Pia
Pia-chan.
There was a time when he appeared as a mascot character in a ranking announcement video that was sent as a previous notice.
Yellow short hair and bunny girl outfit. It was a fashion that was so unsuitable for the harsh life on an uninhabited island that it remained strongly in my memory. As a bonus, she speaks in a flirtatious tone.
Pia-chan, who appeared in that video, was now in front of my eyes. She is wearing the same bunny girl costume as seen in the video.
“… “What is this?”
When I looked closely, I saw that he was no ordinary human.
Her body was translucent.
When I reached out to touch her head, her hand just passed through. It was like a ghost that could be seen but did not exist in her eyes.
『Unfortunately, I cannot touch it. It’s ‘Hologram Pia-chan.’』
“Hologram?”
“Yes. In the first place, I am an AI with no substance.』
Is this AI?
These days, I’ve seen news that AI’s progress is amazing, but I never thought it would be this much. Not only can it talk like a human, but it can also imitate a human using a holographic avatar?
It felt as if the uncanny valley had materialized.
Perhaps the reason why I feel so uncomfortable is that the voice of this hologram is the same as the voice that gave the ‘surprise mission’.
No matter how pretty your voice is, if you only listen to shitty stories, your voice will sound like shit.
『Congratulations. Changjae was the first of the survivors to arrive at ‘Island of Truth’.』
“Island of Truth?”
It seems that the name of this strange island floating in the middle of the swamp is the Island of Truth.
I thought there would be some important item or escape port or something. I never would have thought something so absurd could exist.
Holographic AI? What is this?
『I am Pia-chan, the manager of ‘Metapia: Island of Miracles.’ I know everything about this island.』
“So? Will you tell me if I ask?”
“Yes. Ask anything. However, depending on the question, coins may be required.』
Honestly, I can’t follow the story.
When I came to a suspicious-looking place to find an escape device, I found a holographic AI claiming to be the manager of the island. It was so unexpected, so out of the blue, that it was difficult to accept.
But you shouldn’t be stupid.
This could have been a bigger opportunity than an escape port.
So what should I do now?
“… “Tell me how to escape from this island.”
『Answering this question requires 100 coins. Would you like to hear the answer?』
“No. “Wait a minute.”
100 coins is not that expensive. If you could hear key information with that much coin, it was nothing.
But now I only have 400 coins. If each question costs 100 coins, you can only do it 4 times. Questions had to be asked carefully.
“… Okay. “Tell me the answer.”
Of course, there was nothing more important to us than escaping right now, so we decided to listen to the answer.
『To escape from Miracle Island, you can escape by injecting ‘fuel’ into the ‘escape port’.』
“So?”
『That’s it.』
“… So, where is the escape port and fuel?”
『Answering this question requires 100 coins.』
“What the fuck… !”
I got hit!
I can’t believe I fell for such a rudimentary scam. I’ve never been defeated in an online game I played when I was young!
『Would you like to hear the answer?』
“Ugh!”
I was angry, I was so angry, but I couldn’t help it.
If I get angry at AI, I will only lose. It was my fault for asking the wrong question.
“… Are you coming? “Tell me.”
“Sorry. Escape ports and fuel have not been updated yet.』
“What? What do you mean?”
A very strange answer.
Pia-chan continued her story with a calm expression.
『Currently, ‘Metapia: Island of Miracles’ is in closed beta testing service. Escape ports and fuel will be updated after the official launch of the service.』
“Ah? Ah?”
What does this mean?
Escape port not updated?
Closed beta? Official service?
What on earth are you talking about?
“For a moment. Again. “Tell me again.”
“Sorry. Escape ports and fuel have not yet been updated. Currently, ‘Metapia: Island of Miracles’ is in closed beta testing service. Escape ports and fuel will be updated after the official launch of the service.』
“…”
Even after listening to it again, I didn’t understand.
I remember hearing something about closed beta testing before. Was it when you first came to this island? When I heard that, I thought, ‘It somehow feels like a game.’ Since then, things like game systems have appeared here and there.
But how could it be that, in such a crucial part, the game shows itself in such a shitty way?
“Under. Haha…”
I felt dizzy. My legs lost strength in the futility.
I see. It’s a game.
I’ve heard of people releasing games that were made through clever puns such as beta testing and early access.
However, testing people’s lives was something I, who participated willingly, could not accept.
“…”
In the midst of this, Pia-chan was looking at me with a bright smile.
It’s a face I want to punch.
“… Okay. So, when is the update scheduled?”
『There are currently no plans to update.』
“Then what? “You mean we can’t escape?”
『For now, yes.』
“Okay? “You answer things like this even without receiving a coin?”
『It’s not a question within the game.』
“Game…”
My mind was spinning.
The escape port has not been updated. There are no plans for updates.
And games.
“… Hey. What are we?”
『You are a beta test player of Metapia.』
“What is a beta test player?”
『Beta testing is a place for experimentation to improve the completeness of the game before its official release. The activity history of test players will be collected as data to improve completeness upon official release. Please look forward to the official release.』
I was out of breath.
Is what I heard and understood right now?
“… When this is officially released, does that mean we can escape?”
“Sorry. To ensure a completely new experience for players, beta test data will not be handed over upon official release.』
“Then what happens to us?”
『All data of beta test players will be deleted upon death.』
-Boo!
The spear I swung passed through Pia-chan and split the air.
Since it is a hologram and has no substance, it is natural.
Even though I swung the spear at her, Pia-chan didn’t even blink.
He was smiling quietly as if he was just laughing at a foolish person.
“Haha.”
I burst out laughing.
So what have we done so far?
What about my mother who said she would do anything for me? What about Seunghee trying to save Seungpil? Kaylee became a slave to save her son?
And what am I?
Why did you go through all this trouble to come all the way here?
“So we’re going to die then?”
『All humans die someday. The only difference is whether it is early or late.』
“Who wants to answer Zen questions like that? “Will I die if it’s officially released?”
『The official launch will begin in a completely separate new world, and beta testing will continue until all test players die』
“… “It continues until everyone dies?”
『Yes.』
“Then what is the story of dying in real life?”
『Literally, once the player’s death is confirmed in this world, he or she dies in the real world as well.』
“What does confirm death mean?”
『If both players who initially participated as partners die, death is confirmed.』
Seungpil is dead, but the couple, Seunghee, is still alive, so his death is not confirmed.
Because there is a possibility that Seunghee can save Seungpil.
If Seung-hee also dies, the deaths of Seung-pil and Seung-hee are confirmed.
Because there is no one who can save him.
Then, Seungpil and Seunghee in the real world will also die.
“Then are the people whose partners have both died in real life as well?”
『Yes.』
“If you can’t escape, does that mean you have to live here for the rest of your life? Until I die?”
『Yes.』
“Is there any other way to escape?”
『Nothing.』
It’s simple.
Maybe it’s because it’s AI.
“Ha.”
What should I do?
What should I tell my family?
Who are the people who struggle to live day after day with the hope that they will be able to escape someday?
And I.
How should I live from now on?
Not only bad things happened on this island.
I could do dirty things with my mom, I could do dirty things with Seunghee and Kaylee, and I could do dirty things with other women.
The only good things about it are that it’s mostly pornographic, but it’s true that it was still good. It was clear that the time was hundreds of times more valuable than the sweaty military life.
But having to live here for the rest of my life… The story was different.
“… “Can you make a baby here?”
『Answering this question requires 100 coins. The answer──』
“Okay, then.”
No matter how real this space may seem, we must not forget that it is a virtual world.
Even if I become pregnant and give birth, it is not really my child. It’s just a piece of data created virtually. This is a child who does not exist in the real world.
“…”
Maybe I have a bit(?) Rebellious temperament.
If I had been told to get out of this world right away, I might have insisted on staying here a little longer.
But when I heard that I would never be able to leave, all I could think was that I would do whatever it took to get out.
Okay. Let’s go out.
I’m leaving.
I have to go out and make a real baby with a real world mom.
I have to give Seungpil her niece and also give Kaylee a second child.
To do that, I had to get out of here.
But what should I do to get out of here?
“… Hey, Pia-chan.”
AI’s emotionless eyes are turned towards me.
“How much do you have?”
『… I don’t understand the meaning of the question.』
“You say you are the manager of this island? Administrative authority over this island. And update permission. How much can you buy? How do I get your authority?”
A change appeared in the AI’s facial expression for the first time.
