I've been wearing a frown for about three minutes, watching a mysterious phone hovering in front of me, inexplicably bathed in shimmering lights coming from nowhere.
This is Miyama Kaito here. I used to live on Earth, but now I've settled in a different world called Trinia. I've lived in this peaceful world where war and discrimination is nonexistent for about eight years and I'm approaching my 30th birthday.
I've had my fair share of bizarre encounters in Trinia, but even I'm at a loss about how to deal with this incredibly suspicious floating phone that seems to be silently daring me to pick it up. Could Shiro-san have had a hand in this?
"...Alice." (Kaito)
"It's clearly not native to Trinia, so it has to have come from an outside world. What's troubling is that it left no traces of spatial fluctuations coming here." (Alice)
A familiar voice spoke beside me as Alice, a blonde-haired girl, materialized. She's a deeply trusted girlfriend of mine who's always by my side, lurking in my shadow, ready to protect me at the first sign of trouble. Her response to my call is as reliable as it is comforting.
"How about you, Shiro-san? Do you know what it is?" (Kaito)
(Indeed. I permitted its arrival in my world. From what I've gathered, its purpose is to approach you and offer entertainment from other worlds.) (Shallow Vernal)
A beautiful voice appeared in my head. Shiro-san, another of my cherished lovers, often communicates with me this way, reading my thoughts and sending her responses directly into my head. But to think that this phone came here to entertain me...this feels similar to a salesperson knocking at my front door trying to sell me something suspicious.
"I see. Let's discuss this at your place then. It's safe for me to touch, right?" (Kaito)
(You have my guarantee that it poses no danger.) (Shallow Vernal)
With her reassurance, I shared the information with Alice. She studied the phone carefully before nodding in agreement. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, grabbed the floating phone, and pocketed it.
In an instant, the world shifted, and I wasn't surprised to find myself standing in Shiro-san's sanctuary, a vibrant garden blooming with exotic, colorful flowers. As always, she'd prepared a table and snacks, anticipating our arrival.
Shiro-san appeared before us, her presence as striking as ever. She was adorned entirely in white, her long, flowing hair cascading down to her legs, a pristine gown with golden embroidery, and feather-like hems gracing the edges of her skirt. Her face remained expressionless except for that glow in her golden eyes seeing me in person.
But she wasn't alone. To my surprise, Kuro and Eden-san were also here.
"Yo, Kaito-kun!" (Kuromueina)
"What a joyous event to see you again, my beloved child." (Eden)
The warmth I felt seeing the cheerful Kuro went cold the second I heard Eden-san's voice tinted with madness.
Kuro, my lively wife, wore her usual black coat and shorts, her short hair adding to her dynamic charm. Meanwhile, Eden-san had the appearance of an angel. Blond, short hair curled in a braid wearing a toga with twenty wings behind her back.
"H-Hey, it's nice to see you two again." (Kaito)
"So we're here to discuss that outside technology, right?" (Kuromueina)
"That's right." (Kaito)
I placed the black phone on the table and sat down. For a moment, all five of us just stared at it.
"Earth God, you know this thing, don't you? It borrows the design of one of your machines." (Shallow Vernal)
"I'm aware of what it is. The reason it took the form of one of my world's creations is to cater to my beloved child's preference with a fitting form." (Eden)
"Will this thing bring any harm to this world?" (Alice)
Eden-san shook her head while Kuro played with the phone in her hands.
"It's divine software that contacts other worlds to connect them with the wider network of multiverses. It once visited me to offer its services, but I refused and threatened it to back off. I was in no need of help on how to govern and build my own world. At the very least, this doesn't have the intention of bringing anyone misfortune." (Eden)
"Wow, so something this amazing came to this world, huh?" (Kaito)
"And it's got a polite attitude. But then that would mean you allowed this thing to come to our world, Shiro?" (Kuromueina)
"Indeed. I allowed it to come with conditions. I've learned that by its own principles it cannot change worlds by itself, but through the users it comes to contact with. Rather than the World Creators, it targets the living beings in worlds." (Shallow Vernal)
"So the target of this world turned out to be Kaito-san, huh..." (Alice)
"To think the Virtual God has become brave enough to pull this off, God of the Apocalypse." (Eden)
"Watch your mouth." (Shallow Vernal)
I was surprised by the sudden pressure of Shiro-san's magical energy rising. There was no great change in her facial expression, but I could easily tell Shiro-san was displeased. Eden-san, for her part, responded with a wry smile, seemingly aware of the offense she'd caused.
"I was already aware of Virtual God's approach from the word of Nebula. If she didn't have a good reason, I would've destroyed her by now." (Shallow Vernal)
It was clear to me the phone trembled a little on the table. However, now that they've mentioned Virtual God, are they referring to her?
"Is this related to Electrone-san?" (Kaito)
"Indeed. That AI turned god should be partly to blame for this. She must be residing in that, watching us." (Eden)
Now that I think about it, it does make sense. When it concerns anything related to cybernetics in the realm of gods, Electrone-san should be on the top of the list of association.
"Since it's already come to this, why don't you make the final decision, Kaito-san?" (Alice)
"If it tries to do anything funny, we'll protect you." (Kuromeuina)
"Be careful, my beloved child. The whole network of multiverses is rife with unknowns. You can always come to your mother's embrace for protection." (Eden)
"Ahaha, thanks. That reassures me a lot." (Kaito)
I smiled at their encouragement, a flicker of excitement sparking within me at the thought of stepping into the unknown. With a steady hand, I picked up the phone. The screen lit up immediately, displaying a series of messages.
[New user detected. Scanning. Processing. Task Completed.]
The black screen came to life with a white light. I can see the interface now with a [create an account] option in the center of the screen. Information then poured into my head on how to interact with it.
[Welcome, new user. I am one of the automatic AI running parallel across the entire system. After evaluating the scope of your existence, we are deeply impressed by your accomplishments. As a result, we have decided to grant you a user account at Rank 4, just one step below the highest level of authority available within our network. Additionally, you have been given unrestricted access to the marketplace. Please proceed to create your account now.]
So what greeted me first wasn't Electrone-san, but a different AI that acts like one of the General Managers of the system?
That said...I was granted a rank just one step below the highest possible level before even creating an account. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the faint, knowing smile on Shiro-san's face.
Forget it, just focus on creating an account for now. I tapped the screen and held my thumb on it, letting it do its thing. A ding sound hit my ear and the screen changed to a message board. I was happy to see something I'm familiar with and saw the first messages popping up.
[
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...I firmly believe these usernames are randomly generated. There is no way someone would deliberately write that as their username for a channel connected to the multi-multiverse. And why does mine sound so grandeur, that I could not understand, so I scratched my head in confusion.
"Shiro-san, do you have any idea why my username is like that?" (Kaito)
"It makes us a perfect fit, doesn't it?" (Shallow Vernal)
"Errr...How? And that doesn't answer my question either..." (Kaito)
Afterword:
Serious-senpai: "It has finally happened...I've escaped the main story and moved on to the world of fanfics!"
???: "Greetings readers~, I'm your mysterious beauty hanging around the afterword section, the biggest fan of Alice-chan ever."
Miyama Kaito
Alice
Shallow Vernal/Shiro
Kuromueina/Kuro
Eden