The Daily Life of the Late Bloomer Tamer

Chapter 1: Long prologue

 

“I won!”

 

　I, Yuta Sasaki, couldn't help but scream as I checked my PC screen.
I was looking at an email in my mail folder.

 

Subject: To the winners of Law of Justice Online

 

　The content: Thank you for applying for the first shipment of Law of Justice Online.
You've won.
Congratulations!　

That's what it said in a very stiff sentence.
And then there are the instructions on how to pay the software and warnings not to resell it.

 

Law of Justice Online is also known as LJO.

 

　3 years ago, VR game consoles were finally commercialized.
This title is attracting attention in Japan and all over the world as the first Japanese online RPG.

 

　Initially, the title was called VRMMORPG.
However, it has now been changed to VRWCORPG (Virtual World Connecting Online RPG).

 

　The LJO is using a new interface, the VR game console, which are different from traditional MMOs in so many ways that it cannot be described as an MMO.
It's a new game genre that connects you to a new world, the LJO.

 

　But it seems the real reason is that the name “VRMMO” has already been registered as a trademark in many countries and could not be used.
Well, as long as it's fun, I don't care if it's MMO or WCO.

 

　Several games based on other worlds and magic had been released, but this is the first RPG with a world so well-made and so vast.
When I saw the extremely realistic screenshots, I was honestly impressed to see how good the game graphics is finally become.
Although it sounds cliché, the catchphrase “It's like another world” is probably not an exaggeration.
It's a cliché, though.

 

　The beta test was held for two weeks.
The map was vast and almost as large as a normal VR game world, but it's well known among gamers that it was only 1/100 of the real size.

 

　Even though the game is only released in Japan, the selling price and the monthly fee are more than twice as high as regular game titles.
Still, over 20 million applications were received for the first shipment of 50,000 units.

 

　It is said that the price is set at a high level to compensate for the fact that there are very few in-game charges, so the majority of users have no choice but to accept it.
By the way, it is said that few costs that are there are only related to the appearance and the home interior.
It is impossible to get enhanced items or limited strong equipment by paying.
This means that the amount of money you pay is not directly related to your power.

 

“Good! Good!”

 

I never thought I could win.
The odds of winning were one in 400, so I applied without expecting much.
I even applied for the second shipment just in case.

 

“Then, it was decided.”

 

What's decided?　The marathon gameplay.

 

Today is July 15th.
The game's official launch date is August 1st.
I still have summer vacation.
My company has a slightly long summer vacation, 15 days in total.
If I use my paid leave, I can take 25 days off.

 

“My rotten boss did the same thing last year.
I won't let him complain.”

 

The next day, I started to work vigorously.
Perhaps this is the first time since the entrance exam that I pushed myself so hard for one thing.

 

The first thing I did was to apply for summer vacation and paid vacations at the company.
Yeah, my boss didn't look too happy.
But you're the one who's been pushing me to use my paid leave!　So I'm taking a vacation!

 

All that remains is food, clothing, and shelter.

 

Clothing.
I'm not going outside anyway!　So I stocked up on many underwears, shirts, and shorts from hundred-yen stores that I wouldn't mind throwing in the trash without washing.
I'll never wear the same clothes twice, just like a celebrity.

 

　Next is food.
I bought a lot of frozen foods, instant foods, cup noodles, and chilled foods.
I'll also buy rice.
Ah, I should also purchase some supplements.
The most important thing when playing the game is good health.
If I break down, I won't be able to play as long as I want to.
So, supplements are very important.
What else should I do? I think I'll buy a lot of instant drinks.
Coffee, tea, and green tea will be good.
I've also bought a dishwasher.
I don't want to spend too much time washing dishes.

 

The last one is shelter.
My room is in a mansion building.
It is fully air-conditioned, so the summer heat is not a problem.
I made sure I had enough money in my account to pay the rent and utility bills.
If the electricity is cut off, I'll be in trouble.

 

The bathtub can be pre-set and will start preparing the hot water on its own, so I can take a bath every day.
It's a shiny coating type that doesn't need to be cleaned.

 

　As for cleaning the room……
It can't be helped but I have do it less frequently.
In the meantime, I've decided to install a cleaning robot and an air purifier.
I'll throw out the garbage once a week.
I guess there's no other way.

 

I bought a new bed.
It's a state-of-the-art bed for VR.
In addition to the reclining function, the bed has a vibration and a weak electric current to stimulate the muscles and prevent muscle fatigue.
It even has a massage function to avoid bedsores.

 

　Oops, I mustn't forget to upgrade the internet connection.
I called the internet company, and they said their technician would be here in three days.
I'm glad I could make it in time.
I told my relatives and acquaintances that I would be out of town for a while.
Well, I'm going to another world, so it's not a lie, right? I'll be free from the troublesome human relations.
It's perfect.
Now I can be a shut-in for a month.

 

“My shut-in castle is complete!”

 

I can't wait for the game service to start!

 

Then, time flew so fast.
Tomorrow is finally the first day of the game service.
I was so excited about the game that I made many mistakes at work, but I don't care.
I'll be living in a virtual world from tomorrow anyway.
I would only get scolded 25 days later.
I'm sure my boss's anger will wear off by then.
I hope so…

 

For the past week, I've been trying to gather information.
I've been reading the official website, getting information on the beta test, and reading about the game system.
I don't wish to be at the top rank, but I also don't want to be at the bottom.
Since I'm going to play it, I want to start dash (early & fast start) and make a big difference compared to the second shipment players.

 

However, it would be boring if I knew too much information beforehand.
It would lose its freshness.
It's difficult to find the right balance.

 

That's why I focused on three things: official information, the professions I'm aiming for, and the general worldview.
On the other hand, I don't know much about other jobs or information about the strategy in the game beta version.
But that doesn't mean I don't know everything.

 

One of the most important pieces of information I gathered was that time moves four times faster in the game.
I won't go into the details, as it's a complicated technology that involves electrical signals to the brain, but anyway, time in the game is four times faster than in reality.
If you spend four days on the other side of the world, only one day will pass here.

 

There are also restrictions on the amount of time you can log in continuously and how long your character can sleep.
I'm sure I can manage those because I don't have a real-time limit.

 

And most importantly, PK is not allowed in LJO.
Pickpocketing and other forms of stealing are also not permitted in LJO.

 

Probably because they are aiming to create an environment where women and children can play at ease.
It's all about having a good time in a different world.
The TV commercials highlighting GM's quick response to calls clearly emphasize this point.
There seem to be many controversies, with the netizens calling it “too warm” or “too peaceful”, but I support the concept.

 

I don't get the appeal of PK or anything like that.
As a solo player, I'm glad that I don't have to worry about PK.
I'd like to say that it would be nice if we could all play together and get along.

 

They are also trying to reduce the competition for resources as much as possible to attract casual players.
The items and monster drops will be adjusted to avoid strong players monopolizing the hunting grounds.
I think one of the reasons for this is that there are not many in-game charges, so there is no need to incite players' competitive spirit.

 

There is a rumor that they are considering releasing additional packs for races (species) and items with additional in-game charges.
So maybe that's their way to appeal to hardcore players.

 

“For now, I'll just pre-register.”

 

 

And then the time for the service to start arrived.
I've waited so long!

 

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start!”

 

I quickly logged in as soon as the service started.

 

I had already entered my user information beforehand.
All I had to do was enter my character's name and start creating my character.

 

“Please enter your character name.”

 

With the help of a support navigator who looks like a fairy, I proceed to make my character.

 

“The character's name is 'Yuto'.”

 

I've been using this name for my game characters since I was a kid, so this time I'll use this name too.

 

“The avatar will be created.
Would you like to use automatic support?”

“Yes, please.”

“We will now create the avatar based on Yuto-sama's modeling data.”

 

The avatar that floated in front of me is a rather good-looking male avatar.
It worked.
LJO's avatar creation engine, which some people call a God, did the job.
It's based on me, so the face looks slightly like mine.
The only difference is that it has silver hair and has been 200% beautified.

 

When the support AI told me that it was based on a user's face, I thought, “Oh well, it's fine.
It's too troublesome to modify it”.
Even if people make fun of me for using a beautiful avatar, I can just say, “It's the default.
I didn't modify it”.

 

Yeah.
Everyone wants to play with a nice-looking avatar.
But If I spend a