It's been twelve years since this game came out, and here I am, playing it like my life is on the line.
Well, to be completely honest with you, I am playing it like my life depends on it. Inside the game, I mean. With all due respect, I am completely fine outside and a healthy human being.
It's just that, the character that I am playing is what I'm talking about. You don't get it? Let's rewind a bit twelve years ago.
It was at this time where a game called [Angel Injection], first released. It garnered attention from every kind of people who play video games. And it sure did once it came out.
The graphics? Absolutely beautiful. The characters? Memorable and unique compare to other came. The story? Absolutely astonishing and carefully crafted. But the difficulty? Absolutely disliked.
It wasn't even a day after the game released and people are already complaining about how ridiculously difficult the first stage is. It's like your fighting a level one hundred boss while being a level one with no advantages or perks or even cheats.
It's that difficult. Even the most hardened gamers who put everything, life included, gave up. They also couldn't even get pass the quarter of the first chapter. Give enough time? There's no need, people quit right after dying one hundred times on the first stage right after the tutorial.
It's like it was never meant to be a game. Let's not talk about the 'side' story of this game. The main story already made people go insane on how difficult it was that they didn't even bothered looking at the side story for some quick info or lore.
Oh, what is the game all about? Well, it's a gacha game where you lead girls into battling some invaders who has the same appearance as the robot. Not only that, the enemy also has the most futuristic weapons, facilities, equipments, tools, you name it.
Now what's so hard about this game? The first opponent you face right after the tutorial is a boss. That's right, you read it right. The first enemy is a robot looking thing with a skull on top of its red bar above.
Your character? A random no name you didn't see during any cut scene. It was so trash that it gets one hit.
You get why they quite right at the first stage right? Even I am confuse why the developers make something like this. This is not a game, it's a torture wrap with a game elements. Utterly bullshit and ridiculously stupid.
Why bother making a game when you can't let the players go right after the tutorial? Like, your expecting them to see a cake inside a box when it's just a bomb disguised?
But, me being me, wasted my twelve years of my life just to play that same stupid game. And let me say, it was worth it.
Remember how I reviewed the game before? The characters? The story? The graphics? It's all perfect. That is because I saw it with my own two eyes.
How the characters gradually develop with you, the story that has twist here and there. And the beautiful graphics that people missed.
Though, I say it was not an easy path. I literally have to use every single braincell inside my mind in order to finished this stupid but beautiful game.
Yes, today is the last chapter the developers made. It was ending, and I am here to see it.
"Ahh!...."
I stretched my arms high in the air as I yawn. I wasn't able to sleep nowadays since I want to finish the game quickly. I know it's unhealthy but I gotta see this end quickly, or I won't be able to sleep.
"So, I did get it... How unfortunate..."
I muttered as I watched the finaly cut scene I will get. Well, it might not be pleasant since I got the band ending. Yup, using twelve years of my life, I got the most devastating ending in the gaming history.
Every single girl I met died. No one was left alive except for me. But hey, at least the world is safe now.
I sighed. Despite my best effort, I couldn't save a single person on this damn game... And I hated it. Not because of the game, but because of my own self who didn't do enough.
"If I could do it again, I'll definitely save every single person..."
I sighed again. What am I saying? It's just a game, why did I thought of that?
Though, if I'm being honest, those characters did grow up on me. Since I didn't have friends nor parents, these characters are my comfort.
"Hm?..."
A blue screen flashes on my monitor, it has words that look like a letter inside it. And the fact that it appeared right after the end credits, tells something. So I slowly lean in as I start to read it. As I go on, my eyes widden bit by bit.
The message goes like this
[Do you want to redo everything from the start? Undo the regrets you just happen to stumble upon? Wishes that was unfulfilled by the unexpected fate? Destinies that were twisted according to it's own will?
Then today is your lucky day! Once you accept this message, you will be able to start from the very beginning where everything happened! Please note, just think of this as an update! That is all!]
[Accept] [Decline]
"An update?..."
My hoarse voice can be heard as it wall full of suprise and confuse emotions. This was a first time I ever seen a game redoing instead of creating a new file.
"No, maybe it's just talking about creating a new file and start over again--"
I stopped before slowly start to laugh. First I was giggling, then it turn into a full blown laugh. I was laughing so hard tears began to show.
I wasn't laughing at the message or what it meant. I was laughing at myself how stupid I was.
"I already did that halfway through when my favorite girl died and it didn't work! Now your telling me to redo everything?!"
I shouted as the laughter turn into pure rage. I was so mad that I smash my table, creating a decent crack on it. Though I look average, I still work out a bit at least.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO REDO SOMETHING THAT COULDN'T UNDONE?! HOW AM I, THE GUY WHO SPENT NEARLY TWELVE YEARS OF HIS LIFE DOING NOTHING BUT PLAY THIS STUPID ADDICTIVE GAME, TO REDO EVERY MISTAKE I MADE?! EVERY MOVE I REGRET?! WHEN YOU WON'T EVEN LET ME IN THE FIRST PLACE?! TELL ME?!!!!!!"
I stopped mid sentence before exhaling, silent consume me for a few seconds before I sighed.
"Why did I get worked up by something like this?... Even the final boss didn't made me this mad..."
No, I got worked up not because of the message on the screen. I got worked up because of my uselessness and pathetic life I lived for quite some time now. I was mad at myself for doing something I should've not done in the first place.
And yet I was grateful that I did. Due to this, I was able to escape from this reality. I indulgence my self with this game so much that I haven't done anything in real life.
In short? I wasted those years... Those times I could've done something yet I didn't... And I hate my self for that.
I exhale before ruffling my hair out of frustration.
"Getting mad over something simple... Maybe I should just quit this game entirely..."
I was about to decline when a sharp pain on the chest struck me.
"Arghh!!!"
I grabbed my chest and squeezed it so hard. Well, this is one of those 'times' after all. You see, when I was a kid, I already had a heart disease. I don't know how I got it or how I ended up with it. But up until now, I usually have this kind of attack so it's nothing new for me. I got used to it that it didn't even bother me anymore.
I tried to cure it many times but the doctor always says 'there's no cure for it'. Disappointer, I just kinda ignore it until one of these moments happens. And I can only suppress it for the time being until it goes away.
Though it hurts like hell... Specially today. It feels like I'm about to die.
A blue light flashes me again, and I saw the blue screen on my monitor changed. The message was different this time.
[I can save you from this suffering, Kitoya Zero. As long as you accept this message, you will finally be free from that torment. You will finally be at ease, knowing your troublesome disease will be gone at last. What do you say?]
[Accept] [Decline]
"I-its talking... To me?..."
I said weakly after reading it. It seems like these message was directly talking to me. But how is that possible? It's a game, not some strange thing. But it should be impossible for it to talk to me, and even know what's currently happening.
"Damn it... It doesn't matter anyway... I'm out of medication since I didn't think it would attack again..."
I have no choice. The medication I usually took when these kind of thing happen is gone. And I didn't even buy any since I thought it will be for a while. But I was wrong. So wrong that I have no choice but to accept whatever on the screen in front of me is.
I move my mouse and click [Accept], flashing me yet again with those same blue lights. I tried to block it but it was useless. The blue light passes through my arm like it didn't exists.
...
"Der..."
Huh?... What's... Going on?...
I thought as I heard someone calling me. I couldn't open my eyes well due to the brightness that's been flashing me.
"Mander!..."
Is that... A girl?...
I thought as I saw a astonishing and beautiful girl in front of me. She was wearing some kind of robot armor with white wings stretching from her back. It look familiar to be honest.
"Commander!"
And that was the last time she called me as I fully open my eyes.
"What?..."
"Commander! Your alive! Thank goodness!"
I stared at the beautiful girl in front of me. She was wearing a red and gold stripe off-shoulder dress paired with a black skirt and a partially robotic armor that wrapped her smooth and curve body. Two white wings that's stretch on her back can be seen as well, and it looks like it was moving.
She looks... familiar?...
My memories slowly recounted inside my head as I realized what is happening.
Explosion on the background... Being on top of a ship... Then this familiar girl waking me up... Plus what she just called me now... Then what just happened before waking up here... This all add up now...
I got reincarnated did I?... And if my intuition is right, I'm at the game I played for twelve year... The [Angel Injection], the most difficult and ridiculously unbalanced game you will ever see...
And I got reincarnated into that? That stupid game I played for exact twelve years of my wasted life?!
You gotta be kidding me!!
I sighed as I tried to stand up. Key word, 'tried' because I immediately fall to the ground after trying to stand up.
The girl immediately aided beside me and catched me. She looked at me with pure genuine corncer and care.
"Commander... You've recieved an injury from your left leg so you shouldn't stand up recklessly..."
She muttered right beside me. Her voice were full of corncern, care, and some love mixed into it.
This scene... Right, this is after the tutorial...
You know why people can't get pass right after the tutorial? Because people treated the game as just, a game. They didn't care what their actions can lead into, resulting death over and over again.
I learned that the hard way. At first, I thought this was just your average gacha game where you just have to pull characters and battle but man I was so wrong.
The game allowed you to type anything as your response to the characters inside the game. Yes, you can say anything. Curse words, lewd words, any you can think of.
That's why the people who played the game ignore the overall mechanics that the game has, resulting of their own demise.
Do I have to speak or...
I stopped and realized something.
I'm stupid... Of course I should speak! What the hell am I thinking of typing to response?! This is the reality now!
I nodded at the girl and smiled brightly. I saw her widden her eyes a little before red marks appeared on her cheeks.
I just smiled and she's already blushing?... Is this a bug or something? I know this is the reality but through out my gaming history of this ridiculous game, I never seen her smile like that!! At our first meeting too!!
[Aliya],your first angel right after you arrived on the battlefield.
Angels are the girls who were injected with the invaders blood, creating a superpowered army of girls who can toe to toe with the invaders.
Though, throughout the game, she's the only girl who will always stand by your side no matter what.
If you were commented as evil? She will also become evil for you. If you were sent into the most dangerous expedition of your life? She's standing right beside you, protecting you from every corner of danger. Everyone blaming you? She's the only person who whole heartedly believes on you. Your words are law for her, and your commands are utmost priority. She even stated that her reason for existing is solely to meet you and be of used to you. That is why, for me, she's my favourite angel this game has created.
Though, sadly she will die at the very end. Her life were sacrificed so I, the player, could escape and live on. And I hated myself for that. Why? It's because I suggested it.
I have no choice. Everyone on my team were either dead or missing and I have no back up. At that time, I didn't hesitate. Just like everyone else, I treated the game as just, a game.
I only cared about winning. I only cared about achieving things no one could, that is to see the end of it. And since the character I'm playing shouldn't die since the consequences were severe and I didn't want that. That's why I suggested for her to be my meat shield.
And you know what she said? She smiled, before saying "if it's what the commander wants, I will happily lend my life to help you."
And now, I realized how stupid I am. I shoul've died. I should've handle the consequences rather than letting my one and only hope of surviving the game die. It is also one of the reason why I got the bad ending.
"Commander!"
She called me again. I jolted before looking around. I was confuse for a second before she pulled me back into reality.
Right, I was inside the game now. And this time, I'll take a different path!
I lean on the wall before looking at the girl beside me. Tears streaming from her mesmerising red eyes. For some reason, this made my heart ache.
"Sorry to worry you, aliya. I'm okay... Just a little washed up..."
"Thank goodness your fine commander..."
She sighed in relief as she stared at me, using that familiar gentle smile of her.
Yeah, for some reason, that smile puts my own self at ease.
"Anyway, What's the situation out there?"
She immediately put on her work mode as she stared at me seriously. It seems like work ethics are still needed huh?
"Yes, commander. Currently, the platoon 392 and platoon 396 are holding off the sudden ambush."
Confuse on what she just said? Let me clarify it for you.
The game begins to warship going to the frontlines, trying to deliver some supplies with three platoons, one rookie the other two were veterans. And guess who's the rookie one? Fo course, it's us, the player's platoon. They do this because they want the rookies to have experience right off the bat. But unexpectedly, some invaders ambush the warship and attacked us ruthlessly. Their object is to destroy the containers inside the warship where mostly supplies are from.
They might look like robots, they are still an entirely new species after all. They're just like humans with the appearance of a robot.
And you, the protagonist of the game, were sent right after forming your platoon. The platoon 666. The soon to be strongest and weirdest platoon to ever exist. But for now? You only just have aliya at your side.
How did we get her? Well, according to the lore, when you graduate at the [Prestige Command School] or PCS for short, you will be partnered one angel as your first member of your platoon. The rest? You have to go and recruit the other angels yourself.
"What else?"
"That's all, commander. Unfortunately, it seems like platoon 392 and platoon 396 couldn't hold on much longer at this rate. The enemy team has more troops than the two platoon combine..."
"Understood."
I nodded before trying to stand up again. Since I'm at the safe zone of the warship, I was fine. But that wouldn't last long as the two platoon will be wiped out soon enough.
This is part where gamers struggle. Trying to survive the in coming hordes of invaders, which unfortunately couldn't be overcome without doing what I'm about to do.
"C-commander!... You still need some rest!... Help will arrive soon so--"
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Prioritise scouting the area and see if there's some invaders slip up. Kill it."
She stopped, staring at my limping self, trying to walk over to the place I need to be.
'ah~!! Your so cool as ever!! Ever since we graduated together, I would've never thought I would be partnered up with you and be my commander~!! It's the luckiest day of my life!'
I continue to walk or should I say limp towards a particular room. Due to the chaos outside, the people are scattered around the warship. And I used this opportunity to steal something from one of the commander.
To be more precise, the commander of 396 is a traitor that will cause mayhem later on in the story. How? Due to a mask that was created by one of the invaders. He was manipulated into causing internal conflict amongst the humans and angels, creating one of the tradegy that cost half of the humanity's commanders and angels. This heavy losses cause a huge set back that let the invaders almost win if it weren't us, the player, intervene.
And that's what I'm doing today.
I heard he got that mask at this time around where three platoons where ambushed. One rookie and two veterans. And coincidentally, it is the same situation right now. Meaning he got it at this time from the invaders.
I'm going to his room since he was outside fighting the invaders, and investigate if he already got it. If I didn't find it, there's a possibility he has it with him.
That's the worst case scenario as that's the route I go with. Of course, I was clueless and ignorant at that time.
...
I arrived at his room, searching for the mask he hid. And after few minutes, I got it.
I stared at the mask on my hand as I clenched it.
This stupid little thing cost half of my angels to die. And I hated it for that. But, since I can redo everything, I will not let it happen again. I'll make sure everyone is alive and well, living happily and peacefully. For now, let's act first before spouting nonsense words.
I smiled before putting it on. Aliya, who was outside scanning out surrounding just like I ordered her to, was shock to find me wearing a weird futuristic mask.
"Um... Why did you put on a mask commander?"
She asked, genuinely confused on why I put the mask on. She thought every commander wants fame and be known as the hero. She didn't expect her own commander to put something that hides my identity.
I looked at her before smiling under the mask. Though she can't see it, for some reason she can sense it. Don't how but it doesn't matter.
"Why are you smiling commander?"
I just patted her head, which made her blush and fidget her fingers cutely. She's like in front of her highschool crush, trying to appeal.
"I'll tell you later. For now, let's help the other platoons."
"Mhm!"
She nodded with determination as she lead the way. Since commanders are very fragile and weak, angels usually lead the way to avoid unexpected encounters.
She's very optimistic right now. Well, can't blame her. Inside the PCS, angels were thought as the more stronger one compare to the invaders.
And like any other angels, they were brainwashed to like, or trying to appeal and specially love their chosen commanders.
I looked at her who was beaming with the brightest smile I ever seen.
This time... I wouldn't even dare to let you sacrifice yourself... Even if I have no choice, I'll do everything to make it right... Not just her...
I looked down at my fist and clenched it. Since the game is now a reality, I'll have to thread carefully now.
Everyone... I'll make sure every single one of you live. I will not let any of you die on my watch this time. It doesn't matter what it takes... It doesn't matter what I have to do... As long as it's for their lives, I'll do anything.
...
Chaos. That's what my first thought when I step outside the warship. Explosions everywhere. Flying angels and invaders killing of each others, making blood scattered around. Some fall, some fly. Guns firing, rockets exploding, swords clashing.
Despite the enemy being close to robot in terms of appearance, they act more like humans, angels even.
"Commander, what should I do?"
She said in the most respectful tone I ever heard. Maybe seing what's happening outside brought her back to her work ethic mode.
Some gamers would've sent her to the battlefield and fight, but she can't handle this kind of level yet. Since me and her were freshly graduate, we didn't have enough battle experience to fight alongside those two platoon squad. That is why,
"What we can do right now is help those on the ground. Don't engage at shy yet, we don't have enough experience with that."
"Understood!"
She nodded as she kneel before standing up and start helping those who were injured or need of help.
I watched her from the back as she slaughtered invaders that got closed to her. She might not be able to engage the invaders at the sky, that doesn't mean she's not strong enough to deal those on the warship.
As I watched her, I started to form plans for the future. I can't take a rest knowing danger lurks everywhere I go.
I know how to kill the commander of platoon 396. And with the current situation? I got the most perfect scape goat so they wouldn't suspect me. The problem is his angel.
It might not be comparable to my future platoon squad, aliya is the only angel I got right now. And she's just a beginner, freshly graduate angel. His angels? War veterans who has kills over thousands of invaders.
Suddenly, an idea came up but then realized the possibility of it happening.
If I'm lucky, I will be able to get two bird with one stone. If I activated aliya's second mode, she can easily kill those first mode angels.
That's right, angels have modes. Three modes to be exact. The first mode is their base form. It has everything a normal angel have. Super strength, super speed, super intelligence, they're basically just superhuman in short. But the second form? It's the upgrade version where their powers bloom. This mode can give an angel the abilities that I was talking about.
And lastly, the third mode. It's practically a myth for this world, but not me, a player. I know how to activate the third mode. The third mode is basically the strongest form of an angel. This mode is so strong that concepts, aspects, reality, laws of the existence, and everything between is a mere child's play.
Now you're asking if the third mode is that strong, how did my angels die? It's because I wasn't able to unlock it. I wasn't able to activate it. The second mode is the best I got into. That is because there's one requirement on unlocking the third mode and you wouldn't believe it.
That is to max your affection meters of your angels. Yes, it's that simple. Why I couldn't do it? I was so focus on just upgrading, leveling my angels up and not even considering their affections until it was too late. I learned it before the end of the game. You see now? That's why I was only able to get up to second mode, which apparently is not enough.
Regardless of knowing it or not, I will still gave my angels what they deserve. Be it materials, affections, love, companionship, everything. As long as it makes them happy, that's all that matters.
Since the game became reality, the same game who grew up on me finally bloom. This is the reality now. My reality where one mistake could lead to a regrettable outcome that I can't casually solve by letting my self killed.
Guess I'm unlocking her second mode right off the bat. That's the only way to win against him. To do that...
I scan my surrounding, trying to look for something from the fallen corpse of the invaders. Meanwhile aliya were massacring every invaders on sight.
To be honest, she's the fourth strongest on my squad in the distant future. The other three is just unfair and unbalance even just being at their second mode.
Don't get me wrong, aliya, despite being fourth in terms of overall power and capabilities, can kill high ranking invaders all by her own.
She died due to overwhelming amounth of high ranking, after all, she is still a human through and through. She can still die. Though, third mode would be different.
"Found one."
I muttered as I pull out a core. Yes, a green round ball is what I'm after. It's the core of the invaders which you usually destroy. That only applies on the high ranking ones. The low ranking ones can be easily kill by literally doing everything.
"If I'm correct, I need nine more to forcefully awaken her second mode."
That's right, normally, it takes about a year after becoming an angel before you could safely awaken their second form. You do this at the [Angel Association Headquarters], where any angel related and missions come from.
But aliya is different. She can take a forceful awaken right off the bat, making her one of the most deadly angels early on the game. And that's precisely what you have to do to escape this first stage.
The devs sure are crazy and creative. Who would've suspected you need to forcefully awaken your angel to survive and not keep getting pawn camp?
Did they really expect players to know you need to do this kind of stuff right at the beginning? Normally you do this at like maybe mid game or something.
I sighed as I picked up the last core I need. I called aliya back which she immediately followed. I saw her remove her sword made out of her own energy that came with the blood that was injected to her and act as a mana like for her power from the dead invaders.
Her ears lit up before running towards me. Well, I said run but she flew actually.
"Yes, commander?"
"Absorb this. It will make you strong."
I said gently, pulling out the ten cores I carefully selected and display them in front of her. This gesture made her tilt her head, confuse on what I meant.
To be honest, I'm the only person right now who knows this. Absorbing the core you usually sell will be later discover on the mid part of the game. So her reaction is totally normal.
"Just think of sipping it after you touch it. That's how you absorb it."
"Yes, commander!"
She comply and didn't question any further. It might be new territory for her, she trusts me so much that even her life is not enough to give it to me. And that's one of the reason she's my favourite.
No questions, no doubt, just pure trust and loyalty.
I guess it's one of the compensation the devs come up with to balance the difficulty. They gave us players someone like aliya right from the start.
After watching her absorbing the ten cores, her body slowly glow in blue light that flash half of the battlefield.
The two platoons looked at the bright blue light and was confuse if this was an enemy or a foe.
The invaders were also confuseif this is one of their kindred's trick to win over the foolish humans and angels.
"Now, let the game, truly begins."