Chapter 111: Plans Can't Keep Up with Changes
As soon as Franklin's main consciousness finished speaking, outside the game, Momo said directly to him, "It's impossible in the short term.
After all, the main server of this game isn't in this world. We only sent your and Sister Lala's consciousness into the game. As for tampering with the game itself, we can't do that—unless you can take us to that other world."
Seeing Momo's expression that practically screamed Take us there—it must be so much fun!, Franklin immediately shook his head.
"That's not something I can control. Don't even think about it. If even you two can't interfere, then just forget it.
Anyway, most of the players in this game are Neon people. Whether they live or die doesn't matter much. When this whole thing ends, Lala can stay here a few more days, and we'll all forget it."
Just as Franklin's words fell, the projection screen flickered—darkened—then lit up again. A familiar figure appeared.
"Franklin, little brother, this world you sent me to is really amazing. After exploring a bit, I found that this place isn't entirely made of virtual data.
It actually has the beginnings of a consciousness-based world. Practicing swordsmanship here gives better results than just meditating in the mind—it's faster too.
As for the problem you were discussing—it's easy to fix. Find that Kayaba Akihiko's consciousness, and I can directly take control of it. Once I do, anything you want can be achieved easily."
Watching You Wange's image on the screen, completely composed as if everything was within her grasp, Franklin smiled at the stunned Momo and Nana.
"See? You two wanted to test my fiancée and me, to see what kind of man I am.
Now look—your test has become my opportunity. Whatever you wanted to achieve, you've just handed me a huge gift."
"Wange," Franklin asked with a chuckle, "what are you planning to do now? Coming back, or something else?"
On the screen, You Wange waved her hand. "I'm not coming back yet. I ran into a girl trapped here—she's quite interesting. I want to chat with her for a bit.
I've already placed a Guardian Sword like mine in your in-game inventory. Use it for now. Once I'm done here, I'll come find you."
Her voice faded, the screen flickered again, and the god's-eye view centered on Franklin returned to the game world.
Seeing the two sisters still dazed, Franklin ignored them, sat cross-legged, and sent his consciousness back into the game.
"I've found a way," he said, "but it's troublesome—it'll take a while."
Lala, surprisingly, didn't look disappointed. She simply waved her hand dismissively.
"No need, Lin. I was just affected by the despair in the air earlier. If there's a way to help, that's fine, but if it's complicated, forget it.
Helping them clear the game quickly is already a big help. Come on, let's go see what this world's like."
With that, Lala hooked her arm around Franklin's and pulled him out of the plaza's crowd, running down a narrow alley. Bulma quickly followed behind.
The three of them passed through the despairing crowd and began exploring the city. After circling the area once, Lala stopped with a pout.
"So boring! It's no different from the real world—just older architecture. There's nothing to eat or drink here. I can't stand another second in this place."
Seeing Lala lose interest so quickly, Franklin could only smile helplessly.
"Can't be helped. This is a sword-based game—players are supposed to level up by fighting monsters. Cities are mainly rest points.
Players come here to experience the thrill of battle and danger they can't have in real life. So yeah, for you, Lala, this must be dull.
How about making some friends? If you form a party and work toward clearing the game together, it might be more fun—and motivating."
The moment he said it, Franklin regretted it. If Lala actually made friends and one of them died… she'd probably be heartbroken.
But before he could take it back, Lala's eyes lit up. "You're right, Lin! Let's make friends!
And later, we can invite Haruna and Risa to join too—they'd definitely love a full-dive game like this!"
Bulma, who had stayed quiet most of the time, finally spoke. "Franklin, can you ask Momo or Nana—aren't there supposed to be classes in games like this? Lala and I don't seem to have any—"
Before she could finish, data panels appeared before all three of them—hers, Franklin's, and Lala's. At the same time, memories tied to their in-game professions flooded their minds.
"Archer? Franklin, Lala, what about you two?"
Franklin pulled out the Guardian Sword from his inventory. Bulma then turned curiously toward Lala.
"I'm a swordsman too," Lala said, drawing a slender rapier from her pack.
Bulma nodded in understanding. "So you can hear us, huh? Then what's next? Now that we have classes, what's our quest?
Are we really supposed to clear all hundred floors before we can leave? How long would that even take?"
Outside the game, Momo and Nana looked helpless.
They had originally planned to design tasks to bring Lala and Franklin closer—but with Bulma now in the mix, and Franklin's side having a literal bug-level existence, all their planning seemed meaningless.
Recalling Franklin's earlier words, Momo gave up and casually issued a quest:
[Find like-minded companions and form a small team. Completing this quest grants the Exit Key, allowing you to leave the game at any time.]
Seeing the task window appear, Franklin fell silent. Bulma sighed. Only Lala clapped her hands in delight.
"That's exactly what you just said, Lin! Looks like you and Momo think the same way. You'd totally get along!"
Before Franklin could react, she dashed off excitedly. Exchanging a glance, Franklin and Bulma quickly followed.
Outside, Nana and Momo began bickering again.
"This is all your fault! If you'd stuck to the plan, we could've tested Franklin's nature and strengthened his bond with Sister Lala. Now everything's out of control!"
Momo pinned Nana down by the tail and pressed her to the ground.
"You're so naive. Things never go according to plan in reality.
If that Bulma really is as understanding and clever with men as Franklin says, then Sister Lala will only lose ground. We might as well let them develop naturally."
Just then, Franklin stood up, walked over, and with a hand on each of their collars, lifted them apart.
"As the saying goes, 'Plans can't keep up with changes.' Even I didn't expect things to turn out this way, so how could you?
If you're bored, why not just enter the game too? Scheme all you like in there—do whatever you want."
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