Chapter 146: Showdown in the Digital Arena
"Wow!!"
Without a chance to loosen up, Gunpei, instantly annihilated by the laser from the huge boss, clenched the lever and screamed.
And after the screen briefly turned white, the building in the center collapsed as the boss monster appeared.
The monster, almost the size of a building, resembled the Buddhist deity, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara.
"Whoa!! What's that!?"
Do you happen to recall a game called 'The Chronicles of the Western Ports' from the arcade back in the day? Some arcades even had the English version of the game titled 'China Gate' on rotation.
The Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara that just appeared was inspired by that game.
Though the scale was immense...
As soon as it appeared, it started shooting danmaku in all directions, floating through the air skillfully.
Then it happened. Alongside the boss's appearance, Bombmaster Roy, who had been hidden until then, finally revealed himself.
Unable to use his special skill 'Concealment' against a boss-level monster, Bombmaster Roy skillfully led the play, dismantling his skill and swiftly running to the outskirts of the stage.
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, while chasing after Roy nearby, started setting off all the bombs he had planted, causing significant damage.
The four of us left on the stage began using our ranged bullet patterns to suppress Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara.
At that moment, the game's nature smoothly shifted from a brawl action to a shooting game.
Characters who were just now fiercely battling against each other now unitedly fired shots at the common enemy, echoing among the gathered crowd in the hall.
"Wow... This scale is amazing."
"I've never seen a game like this..."
"Ah~ The demo station's empty, can't I give it a try too?"
I dodged the lasers Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara shot my way and, in dire moments, utilized the counter barrier to redirect the bullets it fired.
"Just a bit more...!!"
Gradually, the murmurs from users around me began to fade, everyone focusing on the screen hanging from the ceiling.
The two Potenkings, despite their slow movement, relentlessly stuck to Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, throwing punches. The monster's body started to crack and shards began falling off.
Kwaaang!! Roy, while fleeing from the boss monster, continued to shower it with bombs.
"Now's the time!!"
I flicked the lever forward twice, initiating a dash towards Hwirin. With a forceful push off the building's edge, I attempted a powerful jump.
Hwirin, teetering on top of Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara's head, began firing wildly at it.
As the gentle Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara's face peeled off, its grotesque form was revealed, and I sensed the boss monster's remaining health was not much.
Swoosh~!! Finally, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara's skull shattered, and items scattered across the stage.
"Recovery!! Where are the recovery items!?"
Drawing a green line, I swiftly moved my character towards the flying jewels.
As Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara crumbled, the game switched back to a one-on-one showdown among the four players. With my health restored to 140%, I readied my sniper rifle towards Roy, attempting to hide again.
Utilizing the power of the ring on my finger to summon weapons freely, Hwirin's ability changed the weapon depending on each command.
Ka-aang!! Just as Roy attempted to cloak himself, he suffered damage from an unexpected long-range shot, falling below the railing where Yuki's Potenking was waiting.
At that moment, I shouted to the girl beside me.
"Now's the time!!"
"Yes!!"
With only 21% of Yuki's health left after surviving the boss, she cast her ultimate move towards the falling Roy.
Alongside the activation of Potenking's cut-in, raising the switch on the gauntlet loaded with bombs, Roy's fate was sealed.
"Whoa... Incredible."
With the toughest opponent gone, only the demonstration player's Potenking remained. However, they weren't an easy opponent either.
Barely surviving until the game's end, Gunpei, who had lost his life at the start of the battle, finally regained his composure, holding the microphone with a bewildered expression.
"Oh, please give a big round of applause to Mr. Junhyuk and Ms. Ishikawa, who showcased the ultimate teamwork."
"Whoa~~"
Clap, clap, clap~ Amidst the shower of applause from the users, I rose from my seat, giving a light bow.
And then it happened.
As Yuki's Potenking approached Hwirin, with a light punch, leaving her with only 3% health, she left two handguns on the ground and vanished.
"Huh!? What's this? Potenking eliminated Hwirin?"
-WINNER IS POTENKING-
**Chapter: An Unexpected Proposal**
A sudden gesture from Yuki shifted everyone's attention to her. With an innocent expression, she looked at the users and spoke.
"Hmm? I'm also part of the demo team, didn't you know?"
"Oh, really? Now that you mention it..."
"Whoa, totally unexpected turn of events, huh?"
Wait a moment, isn't this more of a total surprise rather than a twist of fate?
Looking at her with a bewildered expression due to the unexpected situation, Yuki stuck out her tongue halfway and said to me.
"Could you do something other than the Psychic Force figure?"
For some reason, there was a hint of unease in Yuki's bright smile. I swallowed a dry gulp and moistened my parched lips.
"W-what?"
"Could you propose to me properly here?"
"......"
My ominous premonition was on point.
"Wow~~!"
Yuki's daring request initiated cheers from the crowd gathered at the event.
"Oh, come to think of it, didn't these two meet at the Dragon Emblem event? But now they're announcing their marriage at the Remake event?"
"It's destiny~"
"Wow~ It's touching in a way, isn't it?"
"Come to think of it, isn't that person also the voice actor for Hasegawa Miyuki? Why do I feel like my girlfriend got stolen..."
Then, Gunpei, who had approached me, spoke.
"I always thought a day like this would come, but seeing it in front of my eyes, I'm envious, dude. I'll approve of the wedding reception."
"Me... do I have to propose here?"
"Yeah. I've set the stage; would you embarrass Yuki by refusing her now? To these people here, she's like a goddess. Kind-hearted, loves games, has a solid job. On top of that, she's the voice actor for Hasegawa Miyuki."
The last persuasion point felt slightly off, but...
Seeing the users densely packed in the venue, I knew that declining Yuki's request here would be walking into a lethal trap.
"Fine. If you can't avoid it, enjoy it."
With expectant eyes, I approached her and knelt down, taking a deep breath.
"Ooh~"
"Try to be a bit quieter."
"Shh. Shh..."
The murmurs gradually faded away, the people around became quiet.
These people... have quite the solidarity...
Female Pentagon employees clasped their hands tightly, looking at Yuki with envious eyes.
"I envy Yuki..."
Somewhere, it felt like I heard Miyazaki's voice?
Yuki, who seemed a bit embarrassed in this moment, blushing on both cheeks, raised her hands.
"So abrupt this proposal was. I didn't even prepare a ring..."
"It's okay. Your words mean more to me than formalities. So, go ahead."
She smiled broadly, hands clasped behind her back.
I took a moment to steady my breath and gazed directly into her eyes.
"I hope you'll continue to stay by my side as you have until now. Will you marry me? I love you."
At that moment, Yuki gracefully stepped one foot back, slightly lifted the ends of her skirt with her fingertips, and bowed her waist to me.
"With joy, I accept your proposal."
"Yay~!"
"Congratulations!"
"It felt really touching just now..."
"I'm jealous. Really envious... where can I find a woman like that..."
November 21st, 1991.
The connection that started through Dragon Emblem finally bore fruit with Yuki.
&
**-The Demon Game Director Tormenting Users, Proposes to an Angel!!-**
"Haha, Junhyuk, look at this! Gunpei got our story into Famitsu!"
"This guy..."
"Why? It's an accurate description, right? Even Junhyuk himself admitted during the Laon announcement that he enjoys tormenting users."
While on our way to our date spot, Yuki bought a Famitsu magazine from a bookstore and happily unfolded it. I let out a wry smile and took a sip of the coffee on the table.
The sunlight coming through the window made the diamond on her left fourth finger sparkle radiantly. It flowed from the ring snugly fitted on her delicate finger.
"You like the ring?"
"I do, but it's still too expensive for me..."
"Still, the design was the most sophisticated."
"Even so..."
Yuki looked at the ring on her finger and the one on my hand, smiling softly.
"Are our parents coming to visit us this weekend?"
"Yeah, we should. Since the Psychic Force demo went well (?), and we've already commissioned the board production at the factory. We should be fine for the time being."
Although the development team's manpower was dying out, thanks to their noble sacrifices, Psychic Force would be remembered as a great masterpiece born from their efforts.
Then, Yuki asked me with curiosity.
"Oh, by the way, what about Dragon Emblem II? Wasn't it supposed to be released this winter?"
"Oh, that's... "
I showed Yuki the section on Laon-related news from the Famitsu she brought.
**-Dragon Emblem II's Release Postponed to Next Spring for Better Quality.-**
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