kozvme | Event Story – CRISIS ANSWERER, ch.3

Brad: Are you two ready?

Oscar: Yes!

Jude: Whenever you want.

Oscar: ... By the way, Brad-sama. Do we have to use that "Mavro system" to access the virtual space...?

Brad: Not at the moment, that's not allowed. We'll be utilizing the regular VR technology for this.
I'll be monitoring everything from another room, so I can quickly stop everything if I notice anything out of the ordinary.

Oscar: Understood. I will do my best to live up to your expectations.

Brad: Alright then, let's startー

Voice of the Assessment AI: "Subject: Oscar Bale. We are about to begin the test."

Oscar: ... This place-

Voice of the Assessment AI: "CASE 1: Noon. A substance has been detected in the children's play area. The level of danger and effects are currently unknown."

Oscar: So, I have nothing to work with... Still, for a substance to appear in a place like thisー

Precocious girl A: ーAHAHAH! Okay, I'll be the idol next, and you can be my fan!

Precocious girl B: Fine, your turn now! What color do you want your penlight?

Precocious girl A: Black!

Precocious girl B: Black, wow! But black doesn't light up~~~

Precocious girl A: Ah, you're right! Then I choose white!

Precocious girl B: That's so over the top! White it is!

Oscar: ......

(Kids playing idols, huh... Hm, this VR simulation is so realistic, it’s hard to tell it’s not real.
It seems there are many other playing as well. I don’t want to interrupt their fun, but if I can’t figure out where the substance is, the only option is to get them out of here.)

Boy A: What should we do? Play with the frisbee? Catch?

Boy B: Hmmmm~ Let's play catch!!

Boy A: Gotcha! Thenー

Oscar: This place is dangerous. You two should leave...

Boys: ......

Oscar: ...? What's wrong?

Boy A: A- Awawah...

Boy B: S- So tall... scary...

Oscar: ...!

(I can't believe they managed to recreate something like this too... I’ve got to work harder...
... This isn't the time for second-guessing. I need to find a way to get everyone to safetyー)

Children: ......

Oscar: Well... uhm...

(Right...!)

Can you try... throwing that ball over there with all your might?

Boy A: Huh...?

Oscar: I’m going to move away from here a little bit, but I'll be right on it in no time.

Boy B: C- Can you really do that...?

Oscar: Look, now that I'm not so close, you can relax, right? Go ahead and try throwing it from there.

Boy A: O- Okay... Here I go... Hah!

Oscar: ー!!

Boy B: W- Woah! He got there in an instant...!

Boy A: Do it again!

Oscar: Alright. Ready?

Precocious girl A: What was that! So cool!

Precocious girl B: Mister, can you catch this light stick like that as well??

Oscar: Of course.

Precocious girl A: Then you should totally be the fan with incredible strength!

Oscar: ...? Fan... with incredible strength...? I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but if it’s anything like what I just demonstrated, I'm happy to show you more.
But it's a bit cramped in here, so why don't we all move somewhere more spacious?

Children: Okaaaaaaay!

Voice of the Assessment AI: "CASE 1: Mission Completeー Good Job."

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