Capítulo 19: Chapter 19: A Tender Embrace
In truth, if it weren't for Bronie already knowing what kind of person Mobius was, she would probably have started to get annoyed a long time ago.
Fortuntely, Bronie truly understood that Mobius was just like this, words were without too much malice. Consequently, there was no argument with Mobius about anything.
The game was duplicated thirteen times and subsequently distributed by Elysia one by one.
Except for Kalpas's slightly enthusiastic reaction, everyone else accepted it readily.
However, what Vill-V cared about the most was still Bronie.
Possessing special abilities and even claiming to be able to hack into reality and modify it, such abilities would undoubtedly be very powerful in Magical Shows.
If only she could become her magic assistant...
Thus, Vill-V didn't rush to see Bronie. Instead, she decided to wait and observe, to understand her.
She even prepared a breathtaking magic performance to completely captivate Bronie with her magic!
"Sorry, Bronie, everyone in Elysian Realm is relatively enthusiastic, so it took a little longer than expected to send out the game."
Arriving at the lounge, Bronie saw Eden sitting in the lounge, immersed in her own wine.
After seeing Bronie, Eden also generously praised her Undertale, the only regret was the art style.
Pixel art indeed diminished the game a lot, but its core story completely made up for it.
Just as Bronie was about to say that this game wouldn't be in pixel art style this time, Elysia arrived.
"Welcome, Ellie, I just chatted with Bronie for a while, unexpectedly Bronie is so talented, and seeing that the art of this era is still thriving, it really makes me feel extremely gratified."
"Hey there! My good Eden, have you been waiting long? Bronie said this game can actually be played in multiplayer, shall we play together?"
"Of course."
That's right, Spiritfarer can actually be played in multiplayer.
Apart from the protagonist, Stella, the only one who can be controlled is a cat named Daffodil.
What bad intentions could a cat have?
It's just a friend who quietly helps the protagonist complete the duties of a Spiritfarer.
Under Bronie's expectant gaze, Elysia slowly opened the computer and also opened the live broadcast room.
Unfortunately, no one entered the live broadcast room.
Probably because everyone was busy playing the game, but this was also a good thing for Bronie.
After all, playing the game personally is much better than watching someone else's live broadcast, isn't it?
The game began.
The opening content and demo were exactly the same.
Starting from the handover of duties by Charon.
The platinum forest, the blood-red sea, a leafy boat floating on it, very much in line with Eden's imagination of the afterlife world.
Of course, this has been beautified to a certain extent.
"Bronie, you have a talent for music. In making games, this time you put more effort into it. Coupled with this soft picture, calling you an artist is not an exaggeration."
If this game was really completed by Bronie alone.
In the previous era, she would have been quite an impressive existence.
"I set the musical tone, and then spent a lot of money to hire someone to refine it. As for the picture, I used my own projection ability to directly project the images in my mind as materials."
It's like using a perfect AI to draw.
But this thing is indeed very useful, it can help Bronie complete many things that ordinary people cannot.
"Projecting from your mind... but to present such high-quality images in your mind, if you undergo systematic painting learning, maybe you can really become a world-renowned artist."
Eden still affirmed as always.
This made Bronie feel a little uneasy.
If she were placed in the Previous Era, she would probably only end up sleeping on the streets, right?
"This is me!"
Controlling the little girl, after leaving the Everdoor, they arrived on a small island. Here, the system began to prompt how to proceed. Elysia controlled the little girl to move around the island.
"This is me," she remarked. Eden controlled the cat, also confirming their location. Following the system's guidance, they continued to jump and reached the roof, where they encountered the first NPC.
She wore a cloak, with a phantom floating above her head, resembling a deer with large horns.
"Stella! It's really you! Stand still, let me have a good look at you. You look fine, and Daffodil is also here. We need to find a lint roller. Ah, it may not be obvious, but it's me, Gwen."
The first encountered soul had a close relationship with the protagonist. "If I remember correctly, this is actually the afterlife, right? Meeting again with people after death, it's so romantic right?"
Elysia watched Gwen and the protagonist exchanging pleasantries, feeling Gwen's genuine happiness at meeting the protagonist.
"So you're the one replacing Charon. I've been trying to get rid of him but ended up here by accident. I've been stranded on this rotten island for over a week, surviving on sardines and cigarettes... Thinking back, whenever you encountered difficulties, I lent a hand. It's really interesting. I see the Everlight on you, did you see that ship?"
Next to the island, there was a huge wooden ship decked with garbage.
"Since you're the Spiritfarer, I can assure you, that ship will listen to you obediently. Alright, come to the deck and find me."
Gwen appeared as a guide in front of the protagonist, like a guide or a caring elder sister. Elysia and Eden smiled at each other and continued forward. With its unique and warm art style, and the serene background music, such enjoyment was quite novel for Elysia and Eden.
At least in the previous era, they rarely had the opportunity to experience such games. Arriving at the bow of the ship.
"Alright, I hope my leather coat isn't too damaged."
Under the protagonist's gaze, the phantom above the cloak's figure gradually solidified in the light, while the cloak's figure gradually dissipated. Then, a six-eared deer wearing a leather coat and holding a pipe appeared before everyone.
"Fantastic. I've always been a calm person, but this feeling is really great. Much better than expected. So, in my opinion, this ship is already yours. And since you're the Spiritfarer, welcoming souls is your new job. And once they board, they will show their true selves. Well... at least I think it will be like that... Why are you looking at me like that? Come on, give me a hug!"
Perhaps she had been holding back for too long, Gwen's words were a bit much. But Elysia could feel the joy of regaining a body between the lines.
"Hmm, a hug?"
Pressing the interact button, Elysia saw the option to hug.
Then she saw the protagonist gently rushing into Gwen's arms, the furry coat pressing against the protagonist's cheeks. It seemed even more intimate than expected. Gwen was slightly stunned at first, but then gently placed her hand on Stella's shoulder, embracing her tenderly. Although she wasn't the one hugging, the warmth that followed the embrace reached Elysia and Eden's hearts.
This made Elysia and Eden both smile involuntarily. "This design reminds me of the time I spent with Ellie."
Eden couldn't help but marvel at how such a hug not only healed Gwen's heart but also had a healing effect on the players. With a physical form now, Gwen could do much more.
Seeing Stella's first time as a Spiritfarer, Gwen guided her, gradually becoming a formal Spiritfarer.
First, they used the Everlight to drive the ship. Then, if they wanted to refurbish the ship, they had to find someone named Albert.
However, Gwen didn't have a good impression of him, as he was a usurer in his lifetime, and Gwen remained cautious.
Of course, what left the deepest impression on Gwen was Albert's humorless jokes. During the voyage, if they felt bored, they could pass the time by fishing. However, the shipyard where Albert worked wasn't far away.
After catching a few fish, they arrived at the shipyard. Here, the ship could be upgraded, whether in size or with new facility blueprints. In the future, if they wanted to travel to new areas, they would also need to modify the ship at this shipyard. In addition to some materials, Stella also needed a currency called "Lamplight."
Albert was a master of humor, and most of his jokes were puns, but even if the other person didn't laugh, Albert continued to enjoy himself. After the upgrade, Gwen began to guide Stella to build temporary guest rooms and then the kitchen.
"Gwen knows Stella. What exactly is their relationship?" Elysia couldn't help but be curious, but Gwen's words were filled with familiarity with the protagonist. But Stella hardly ever spoke.
"They've known each other since childhood. Gwen's design is everywhere, showing her true soul, or something that accompanied her throughout her life, which will be revealed in the dialogue later." Bronie explained, as some people read through the text quickly and might not grasp the hidden plot behind the dialogue.
"I remember, if it's a deer, don't female deer have smaller antlers?" Eden noticed some deliberate elements in this character's design. It seemed a bit contradictory. Gwen was a girl, but in her true soul appearance, she had antlers like a male deer.
"Yes, those are stag antlers. In the past, she stood out from a global company where ninety percent of the employees were male. It's a symbol of her being a powerful woman and also her belief in creating happiness with her own hands."
"That's amazing!" Elysia couldn't help but exclaim. That was Gwen's past experience, but what exactly had she experienced to come to this afterlife world? Elysia was even more curious, but also a bit worried.
"That's a good design. In your culture, what other symbols do deer have?" Eden's question really hit the nail on the head.
"Wisdom, hope, guide - these are also the most fitting elements for Gwen."
"Then..." Elysia seemed to want to know more. But Bronie stopped Elysia's lips with her finger.
"Saying more wouldn't be fun, right? You need to get along with her well, take care of her well, and when she starts to trust you, everything will be revealed."
Just like Elysia hoped Bronie would do in the Elysian Realm. No, this afterlife world really was a bit like the Elysian Realm.
"Is this the game you made for us?"
"No need to rush, take your time to experience it, and you'll come to enjoy the feeling of being with them." Bronie didn't rush to answer the question but silently watched.
"I know." That hug was simply brilliant for the whole game.
Then, to collect materials to build the kitchen, Gwen guided Stella to a sea area where almost all the light was swallowed up, with countless glowing jellyfish floating overhead, and some specific jellyfish happened to have the materials the protagonist needed.
Gwen was extremely afraid of jellyfish.
Yes, extremely afraid.
Despite the slightly grim surrounding environment, jellyfish had no aggressive behavior whatsoever, yet it instilled fear in Gwen.
Elysia and Eden controlled one person and one cat, respectively, flipping around the ship's guest rooms. Every glowing jellyfish they encountered was punctured, collecting a good amount of materials.
"So why is Gwen afraid of jellyfish?"
Elysia was quite curious. While preparing to build the kitchen, she began to ask Bronie. When immersed in the game world, many questions arose when interacting with Gwen. It seemed to be Gwen's past, a sadness she didn't want to talk about. Understanding her was crucial to sending her off, right?
"As a friend, Gwen has stayed in this area, unable to escape, always feeling lost and miserable. As a friend, we should find a way to help her resolve this, right?"
"That's something you need to explore on your own," Bronie remained relentless.
"In fact, Gwen's speech and behavior before also showed some traces of nobility. Maybe her childhood wasn't simple either," Eden began to analyze from another angle.
"It seems like it," Elysia nodded in agreement with Eden's words. And unconsciously, Stella began her journey again, drifting in this vast ocean. Then Gwen started reminiscing about the past with Stella.
"You've been there for me, and I'm grateful. But I'm not surprised at all because it all makes perfect sense. You've been taking care of me as I depart. You've always been so caring, always protecting those you feel are fragile, even someone as old-fashioned and self-righteous as me. Do you remember the day my father yelled at the cat? We had just graduated from elementary school. You were wearing blue sneakers with shiny labels. You were there, standing your ground, yelling back at my father. He got angry and smashed the purple Drano vase. Those were truly beautiful memories."
On one side was Stella's past, on the other side was Gwen's. "So even in life, was Stella watching Gwen leave?"
Eden and Elysia keenly sensed that behind the healing and warmth, there must have been many storms they experienced in their previous lives, yet Gwen seemed to casually gloss over them.
"Congratulations, you've discovered a bit of the truth," Bronie smiled. Behind that cheerful smile, Eden felt Bronie's ulterior motive.
Behind the warmth, there might be a blade. But behind the blade, there might still be words longing to be said, just like those Undertale.
"You really deserve that title, Miss Bronie, a great artist."
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