Just as the welcome message had stated, there were five menus which icons Yuuji found at the bottom of the screen; [Mission], [Shop], [Gacha], [Inventory], and [Chat] that he's currently in.
He pressed the icon beside the [Chat] icon and went to the [Mission] menu. He wasn't expecting any mission since there was no notification of it yet, and as he expected, there were no missions at the moment. There was only a text saying "No available mission."
Hm… Is there some way I can find out how this mission works…?
While the missions hadn't been given, he wanted to at least know what these missions entail. Right now, he has no idea what kind of mission he will get, and he wanted to prepare himself for when they would be given one.
He looked around the screen and found a help button in the form of a question mark at the bottom right corner of the screen above the menu tabs.
He pressed it and another screen appeared with explanations about the [Mission] menu.
According to the explanation, missions will be given at random by the Group Chat. The mission will take place in a random world where participants will have to complete a number of tasks.
The number of participants will be randomly decided by the Group Chat. However, members are allowed to decide who amongst themselves will be participating. If one, or more, members of the Group Chat are already in the mission world, they will not be counted towards the number of participants for the mission. They are, however, allowed to participate and will receive all benefits and penalties for joining a mission.
All necessities needed by participants, such as identity, background, residence, and funds equal to 60% of the participant's current wealth will be given by the Group Chat for their use during the mission in that world. Backgrounds do not reflect the participants' actual experiences, but remain as truth to relevant individuals. In addition to that, powers, abilities, and/or items suited for the world will be loaned by the Group Chat to aid them in their missions.
Furthermore, all features aside from chatting, sending, and receiving gifts from non-participants of the mission will be available.
Upon completion of all tasks, all powers, abilities, and/or items loaned by the Group Chat will be given to participants as a reward and be available to them permanently in addition to one 10+1x Draw Gacha ticket and 1000 Group Chat points for each successful task. After the completion of all missions, the world will also be available for all members of the Group Chat to travel to.
Reversely, upon failure by meeting all failure conditions by the end of the mission, all powers, items, and/or abilities loaned by the Group Chat will be removed.
In addition, participants will receive a -1000 Group Chat Points penalty for each failed task regardless of the mission being a success or failure. If the current amount of Group Chat Points owned is less than the amount of penalty, the participant's Group Chat Points will be zero.
During missions, time will stop in the participant's, as well as all members of the Group Chat's, worlds. Time will resume once the mission is successful or failed and participants return or are brought back into their respective worlds.
I see… These missions are most likely dangerous if we would need powers and abilities…
Considering how the Multiverse Group Chat connects him with characters from light novels, manga, and anime, these missions might also take place in anime worlds. Or rather, perhaps it would be more apt to say the worlds that serve as the stage for these missions resemble the worlds from light novels, manga and anime. They were the original, the true reality, while the anime, manga, and light novels Yuuji new were just fictions that resembled those worlds out of pure coincidence.
It would be nice if they were peaceful worlds from slice of life anime. However, it would be highly unlikely, given powers/abilities are considered a "necessity" by the Group Chat.
Moreover, it was also said that they would be "brought back" after the mission fails to their respective worlds. Meaning there was a chance of them dying during the mission.
Although the rewards were attractive, the missions were very dangerous as well. Even though the Group Chat will provide support, it would be up to their own abilities whether or not they could succeed in the mission or not.
Hm… It is said that the powers/abilities given would be suited for the world, so does that mean if we have a mission to Lelouch's world, we would be given a Geass…?
Having such a powerful ability like the Geass would be wonderful, especially for a fan of Code Geass like him. However, the consequences of having such power was also something Yuuji feared. The side-effect of overusing the Geass was fearsome, no matter what kind of power it was.
...Is it possible to remove it? It was impossible to remove the negative side effects of the Geass in the anime, but could it be possible with this Group Chat…?
Yuuji wondered and began browsing the [Shop] menu of the Group Chat.
The screen of the shop menu had a search bar at the very top and several tabs below it that categorized the items sold into five categories based on their rarity; [Common], [Uncommon], [Rare], [Super Rare], and [Special Super Rare].
When he entered the [Shop] menu, the category he entered first was [Common] and he began browsing through it.
The [Common] category consisted of super luxurious products such as these antique, luxurious tea sets, furniture, first-rate coffee beans, rare tea leaves, cakes from famous luxurious brands, and many more. There were even luxurious electronic devices such as a 4k UHD Smart TV screen that he never even heard of before.
T-This is…
Even though their rarities were [Common], these products were by no means common. They were all either extremely expensive, extremely rare and exclusive, or both in this world. It was anything but [Common].
If this is [Common]... Then could the others be...
He began to browse through the [Uncommon], [Rare], [Super Rare], and [Special Super Rare] tabs, and he finally understood why those luxurious products were common.
The [Uncommon] products sold in this [Shop] were all "proficiencies", skills such as "Knife Proficiency", "Business Proficiency", "Writing Proficiency", and any other skill that existed in the world. By obtaining a "proficiency", they could receive absolute mastery over the specified proficiency in an instant.
W-Wow… As expected… It's super ridiculous...
[Rare] items included assets and one-time use magic items.
Assets such as large amounts of stocks of a large company or conglomerate, luxurious hotels, resorts, mansions, etc. were [Rare] ranked products that could be bought in the [Shop] with Group Chat Points. Furthermore, it is stated that all records, legal ownership, and everything that legitimizes their ownership over the asset, were also included. The world will acknowledge their ownership, and there is no need for them to worry and simply enjoy it.
One time use magic items, such as the [Pendant of Holy Sacrifice] that will break upon nullifying a lethal attack towards its user or the [Dust of Invisibility] that could make at most human-sized individuals to become invisible, could also be bought easily through the [Shop] for a price.
[Super Rare] items were spells that could be used multiple times and more powerful magical items compared to [Rare] magic items, such as [Telepathy], [Water of Eternal Life], [Lantern of True Sight], [Spatial Storage],etc.
Lastly, the [Special Super Rare] ranked products…
Yuuji skimmed through it for a moment and just from the few that he had seen, he was completely dumbfounded. Each and every one of these were things beyond any of his expectations. They were all Godly powers that surpassed even powers he knew from fantasy… Most of them didn't even have any drawbacks, and they were all available to buy in the [Shop].
This is… Wait, if these ridiculous things exist in the shop, there must be something I can buy to remove the curse of the Geass.
Yuuji became optimistic and tried to find something to remove the curse of geass in the shop. Even if there wasn't a mission to Lelouch's world or if he wouldn't be participating, he could let everyone, especially Lelouch, know about it to help them.
After trying various keywords, he finally found it.
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[Curse Remover] - [SR]
Removes one instance of any curse, no matter how powerful, without triggering any side effects.
Price: 3500 GCP
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Alright! I don't know how expensive or cheap 3500 GCP is, but at least it exists. Now, we don't need to worry about any curses...
A sigh of relief escaped him. Just the thought of being unable to control a Geass that might cause accidents like Euphemia's case or Mao's case was nothing short of terrifying for him...
He continued to browse the [Shop] for a while before something caught his attention.
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[Potion of Eternal Beauty] - [SR]
Upon consuming the potion, the appearance of the consumer will be at its peak beauty eternally. If the user becomes even more beautiful than initially possible through different means, then their more beautiful appearance will be maintained for eternity.
Price: 3000 GCP
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Oh…? Hm… I should consider buying this for mom… I'm sure she'll love it.
Mira was the most beautiful woman Yuuji had ever seen in his life. However, he knew that beauty was maintained with much effort from her. He had seen how much effort his mother made to keep her beautiful appearance. She had never skipped a night or day in her skincare routine, exercises, and diet, and he would like to help in any way he could.
In the future, for sure…
Yuuji moved on from the [Shop] menu and pressed [Gacha].
From the word, seeing as it was derived from the word Gachapon which is a vending machine that dispenses capsules containing random objects according to a certain theme, he assumed that it would be a luck-based feature.
He entered the menu and a screen with a myriad of items, from foods and sweets, to home appliances, electrical devices, weapons with fantasy-esque appearances that shined brilliantly, to sparkling magic circles, all were displayed in a grandiose manner with two buttons at the bottom with the label [1x Draw] and [10 + 1x Draw] appeared.
Wow… This is… certainly eye-catching.
While the UI of the other menus was very elegant and minimalistic, the UI for this menu was, in a word, grand. Each and every aspect of the screen was very beautiful and accentuated the attractiveness of the items displayed at the center.
He admitted. It has certainly gotten his attention.
I wonder what kind of items could we get...
He tapped the (?) button that is located at the bottom right corner of the screen and a pop-up screen appeared with explanations about the [Gacha] Feature.
Members of the Group Chat can draw the gacha using Gacha Tickets that can be obtained via missions or bought using Gacha points. Each ticket costs 300 Group Chat Points and can be used for 1 Gacha draw.
If members of the Group Chat buy 10 tickets for a total of 3000 GCP, then they can use the [10x+1 Draw] button to receive 1 bonus draw as well as guarantee a random SR ranked item from the Gacha. If members of the group chat don't obtain any SSR ranked item after 100 draws, then the next draw will be a guaranteed SSR. This counter will be reset once they receive an SSR from the gacha or from the guarantee system.
Furthermore, duplicate abilities, proficiencies, and anything else aside from objects or consumables will be converted automatically into Group Chat Points equivalent to their value in the [Shop]. Duplicate objects or consumables, on the other hand, will be stored in the [Inventory].
I see… This is an interesting feature...
Everything available in the shop can be obtained in the [Gacha]. Meaning, they could be obtained for much less. Most [Common] ranked items cost around 500 GCP while [Uncommon] ranked items cost around 1000 GCP on average. However, anything above [Uncommon] was much more expensive. It was a chance for them to obtain much more expensive items for much less.
However, that is if they didn't have anything to aim for specifically. If they wanted a certain item, it would be easier and much more inexpensive to buy it directly instead of using the Gacha.
The chance of attaining a Special Super Rare item was only 1%, while a Super Rare item was 9%, a Rare item was 25%, an Uncommon 30%, and a Common would be 35%. If he was to target a specific SR item, like the [Potion of Eternal Beauty] for instance, then the chance of receiving it would be 9% divided by the staggering amount of SR ranked items in the shop.
It would cost less to save up and buy it from the [Shop] directly instead of relying solely on luck. Especially since the average prices for the items seemed to be quite fair.
The average price for an SR ranked item was around 3500 to 4000 GCP, which would only be slightly more expensive than the number of points he'd need to spend to pull a 10+1 draw on the gacha that would guarantee him a random SR item.
Meanwhile, the average price for an SSR ranked item was 35,000 GCP, which would be 5000 points more expensive than the amount of points he'd need to draw 100 times from the Gacha for a guaranteed random SSR ranked item.
It is a trade-off, but spending an extra 5000 GCP to guarantee I get the SSR ranked item I want would be better than spending 30,000 GCP and not getting what I wanted.
SSR-ranked items were all… beyond comprehension. He had seen a few of the SSR-ranked items in the shop and they were all incredibly powerful, overpowered even. But of course, they were extremely rare and expensive.
So if he could get one, he would rather get one that suits him rather than a random one. Though if he happened to receive it from the gacha, he would gladly take anything.
He doesn't know how generous the rewards of these missions would be, but if he could obtain a guaranteed SSR by spending 30,000 GCP from the Gacha or around 35,000 GCP from the shop from completing a few missions, he would do it in a heartbeat.
A small smile began to appear on his countenance. It had been a while since he felt this sort of excitement.
Since he was adopted, his happiness and excitement came from making and seeing his stepmother, twin sisters, and his step-aunt happy. That was all he cared for.
He wanted to repay his beloved family for welcoming him to their warm home and loving him so dearly by becoming someone that could take care of them and give them a lavish life. That was what he had been working hard for all this time.
Everything had been for his stepmother, Mira, his twin step-sisters, Yuna and Nina, and his step-aunt, Aika. His family. But now, he had found something he could be excited about and look forward to for himself in addition to something that could help him achieve his goal of making his family happy.
There was no way he wouldn't be excited!
Alright. Now, what about the [Inventory]...
Once he tapped on the [Inventory] menu, a screen with a grid of 10 columns and numerous rows that continued endlessly, reminiscent of an RPG inventory system, appeared. At the top, there were several options he could use to sort or filter the items in his inventory, such as sorting it according to its rarity or separating the item between ones he received from the Group Chat and ones from his world that he stored within it.
Hm…? What is this…?
Right after he looked at the sorting and filtering system, he saw an icon in the shape of a sparkling golden gift box with rainbow-colored ribbon wrapping it at the very first box on the grid.
He tapped on it and a small message box appeared above it.
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[Welcoming Gift] - [SSR]
Congratulations on becoming a member of this Multiverse Group Chat! Here is a welcoming gift for you! Have fun!
10+1x Draw Ticket (1 Guaranteed SSR)
3000 Group Chat Points
Would you like to open it?
[Yes] [No]
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His eyes widened in shock. This was… a truly generous gift. A guaranteed SSR…
Yuuji became very excited. He didn't expect to receive a guaranteed SSR right away! Even if it was a random one, it would greatly help him in the first mission if he was to participate. Even if he didn't join the first mission, the SSR might have something that could help him in this world he's living in! Perhaps something that would let him learn faster so he could receive a scholarship or help his mother with her investment work!
I-I didn't expect to get it so quickly… Let's see what I'll get!
Just as he was about to accept them, a notification of the chat appeared on his screen.
Kiryuu Aika: "W-What the hell?! Angels, Fallen angels, and demons are real?! Hell, I've been going to the same school as demons all this time?!"
Lelouch Lamperouge: "... I am having a hard time believing in this. This "Code Geass"… It tells the story of my life eerily perfectly. Everything. I... I have no choice but to believe it."
Shiba Tatsuya: "Yes… I am having a hard time believing it as well. Everything in my life aligned perfectly with the things written in this light novel… Even the future. It knows I will be entering the First National Magic University Affiliated High School in a few days this spring."
Satou Suzuki: "I-Is that true?! Then that means… I'll be transported into Yggdrasil and become Momonga?!?!"
As Yuuji had expected, all of them were in disbelief regardless of the different way they face it.
It couldn't be helped. Anyone would be in disbelief if they found out their lives were fictional stories in another universe. That they're characters...
No, I can't think like that! They're not just fictional stories. If there are many other worlds out there, then there would definitely be one that resembles a fictional story in another. No one is a mere character. We are alive, living people!
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "I understand everyone's concern. However, I do not believe that any one of us are mere characters in a story. As we have established the fact that there are indeed multiple worlds, the probability of a world having an uncanny resemblance to a fictional story in another is extremely high! We are alive. We do not need to follow what is already written. All these stories are just coincidences that match our worlds and past. We can just live our lives with this knowledge about the possible future we gained from a fictional story of what could've been."
If his story was one where his loved ones will be in danger, or even worse, dead, then he will do his best to prevent all of it from happening. He's not just a character. His mother, twin-sisters, aunt, friends, everyone he knew are all living people, not just characters in a fictional story! His life was his own to live, and he won't follow any predetermined path someone else from another world had set for him through mere fiction.
Silence downed on the group chat. No messages appeared on Yuuji's screen as he continued to stare at it, worried.
After a while, the messages began appearing once more.
Lelouch Lamperouge: "...That's true. You're right, they're just coincidences. No one is a character… I should simply take this story as a reference for the future. Thank you for snapping me out of it, Yuuji-san."
Shiba Tatsuya: "...Yes, you are absolutely correct. I was a bit unnerved by this before. Thank you for your enlightening words. I shall make use of the knowledge from this light novel to protect those dear to me as well."
Kiryuu Aika: "Yeah… Well, if you think about it, that's true. I know I'm not just a character in a story. This "Highschool DxD" is just a story from another world that coincides with my world, nothing more."
Kiryuu Aika: "Phew~ Now that I realize it, I feel way lighter~ Thanks, Yuuji~ You sure do have a way with words~"
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "I'm glad my words could help everyone. In truth, I am also uneasy about what kind of story aligns with my world and me. If it is a dangerous story that could put my family and friends in danger…"
Kiryuu Aika: "Hm… Let me try to search about it! My friends like to read light novels and mangas, and I'm quite a fan of it as well! I might be able to find it!"
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Thank you. Then please inform me about it as soon as you do."
Kiryuu Aika: "Sure! I'll DM you the stories I've found."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Ah, please just share it here. Since I've sent everyone's "story" here, I believe it is only fair if mine is here as well."
Kiryuu Aika: "Yuuji… Alright. I'll share it here as soon as I know!"
Lelouch Lamperouge: "I'm glad you feel that way, Yuuji-san…"
Shiba Tatsuya: "Yes. I'm glad you are a man of character, Yuuji-san."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Please just call me Yuuji. We are all of the same age after all. Ah, @SuzukiSatoru, please feel free to call me Yuuji as well."
Lelouch Lamperouge: "Alright. Please feel free to call me Lelouch as well."
Shiba Tatsuya: "Ok, Yuuji. You can call me Tatsuya as well."
A small smile appeared on Yuuji's face as he chatted with them. He knew they were all trustworthy people, and he was more than happy to be able to become their friends.
Hm… Satoru-san hasn't been responding at all…
He knew Satoru had read the conversation that had been going on from the number of "read" on the messages. However, there haven't been messages from Satoru at all.
It must be shocking… Aside from possibly me, he was the only one going to be transported into another world in his story. He must be dealing with a lot right now.
Yuuji thought for a moment before he finally decided to write a message to Satoru.
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Uhm, @SuzukiSatoru, I understand that you may feel uneasy after reading a story that has you as the character within it. Especially since you will be transported into another world according to it. But, I believe there is a way for you to not follow the story from the beginning at all, if you so desire."
Tatsuya and Lelouch went silent as they all waited for Satoru to reply.
After a few minutes, a message from him finally appeared.
Suzuki Satoru: "What could that be…? I am just a regular salaryman in Japan. Even if the "Momonga" in the light novel could manage as the Overlord of Ainz Ooal Gown somehow, I have no confidence I could do it as well.
Suzuki Satoru: "I do not have anything worth in my current world. My parents have passed away. My other family members were no more than strangers now. My precious friends whom I have been spending time with all this time have left to live their own lives. I am alone, and there shouldn't be any problem with me going to that world. However… I am scared."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "...I don't know how reliable I can be. I have no superpowers like Tatsuya or the genius-level intellect Lelouch has. However, I believe that the reason why we are here connected through this Group Chat is for us to have a chance. A chance to better ourselves and meet others we could rely upon so that we could live our lives as we see fit and not be railed on a certain path."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "We are now a part of the Multiverse Group Chat, comrades, allies, friends who have been connected through different universes so that we could help each other in our time of need. That's why I would like to help you, Satoru-san, unreliable as I may be."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "I don't know if this would work, but if you truly don't want to be transported to that world, then perhaps you can not log in into Yggdrasil during its server shut down. If that is indeed the trigger of your transmigration, then you may not be transported. "
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "But, this is just my assumption in the end. It may work, it may not as well. Maybe if you do not login into it, you will still be transmigrated into that world, but just as your human form, which would be even more dangerous… I don't know what will happen. But, I hope this would help you make your decisions."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "We will support you no matter what you decide to do."
Suzuki Satoru: "Yuuji…"
Shiba Tatsuya: "I agree with Yuuji. No matter your decision, we will be here to support you."
Lelouch Lamperouge: "That's right. No matter if you choose to enter Yggdrasil or not, you will still be a member of the Multiverse Chat Group. You'll still be able to join missions and receive powers from the Gacha and Shop."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Yes. We are here with you as fellow members of the Group Chat and as friends. So, please make your decision comfortably."
Suzuki Satoru: "Everyone…"
Suzuki Satoru: "Thank you for your encouragement… Hehe, it feels like I'm back in the guild chatting with my friends…"
Suzuki Satoru: "I feel like the clouds in my eyes have begun to disappear. I will consider it carefully before making my decision."
Lelouch Lamperouge: "That's good. I'm glad."
Shiba Tatsuya: "I'm glad to be of help."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "You're very welcome. I'm glad we could be of help."
Suzuki Satoru: "Ahahaha… It has been a while since I talked with anyone like this. It truly is a pleasing feeling to be talking with friends."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Yes. I'm glad that it is the five of us who became members of the Multiverse Group Chat. If there was an evil person here, I don't know how I would feel..."
Shiba Tatsuya: "It would not only threaten their world but other worlds as well, granted they've been given the ability to cross worlds as well as these amazing powers available to them…"
Suzuki Satoru: "N-Now that I think about it, it would be terrifying… More so if they're the nefarious, intelligent type ones… I think the only one who could contest with such a person would be Lelouch…"
Lelouch Lamperouge: "Thank you for your praise. But, I prefer not to have another enemy. I've already had enough with Britannia."
Shiba Tatsuya: "I feel the same. It is reassuring to have more allies I can trust."
Lelouch Lamperouge: "Speaking of allies, where is Aika? She has been gone for quite a while now."
Kiryuu Aika: "I'VE FOUND IT!!! I'VE FINALLY FOUND IT! AHAHAHAHAAHA!!!"
Shiba Tatsuya: "Speak of the devil."
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "Have you found the story I'm a character in?"
Kiryuu Aika: "Kukukuku~ Of course I do~ But I was super surprised you know~? I didn't expect to find you in my lewd stash~"
Kiryuu Aika: "Ah~ What a lewd boy you are, Yuuji-kun~ I can't believe you lust after your stepmother and twin step sisters like that~"
The moment he read her message, Yuuji's face turned crimson red.
Tsubakihara Yuuji: "W-What are you saying, Aika?!"
H-How did she know?! I never told anyone that! Wait… Then that means...
Kiryuu Aika: "Kukuku~ I feel like I've seen into your deepest desire~"
Kiryuu Aika: "However, I gotta say. You certainly have a splendid "weapon" down there, don't you~ I felt hot and bothered seeing you "make hot steamy love" to your family~"
[Kiryuu Aika sent "Masterpiece The Animation" Hentai Anime Series!]
[Kiryuu Aika sent "3piece" Hentai Manga Series!]
W-W-What the hell?!?!?!