March 30, 2022
OFFICIAL WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT
Closed Beta Version 0.1 Update for Myth of the Families Online
[UPDATES]
1. Closed beta testers may invite new players by contributing experience points.
2. Magic and skill systems have been fully implemented.
3. Newspecial faction added: The School District.
4. New Monster Encyclopedia feature added.
5. Forum now includes an "Honor" section: Commemorating players who made significant contributions during the monster siege event, as well as listing NPCs who fell in battle.
[Friendly Reminder: NPCs who die in-game cannot be respawned. Please treat all characters with appropriate respect.]
[Monster Encyclopedia Updates Include: 1. Goblin 2. Minotaur 3. Cerberus...]
Memorable Opponent: "No-Face" Witt Level 5
[OPTIMIZATIONS]
1. Added "Pain Modulation Item" for player customization.
2. Players with permanent testing privileges may log in/out freely without guild leader approval. Permanent account holders must purchase Resurrection Coins from administrators upon death – these are costly, so please value your character's life.
3. Improved game safety mechanics: Players will be automatically logged out if emotional instability is detected.
4. Fixed several minor bugs.
That night, Kobayashi set up a simple official forum while Shaka edited recent events for the website and uploaded data on most of the monsters encountered so far. He intended to use this as a public database.
"Tsk it's really starting to look like a proper game now. This way, even if people notice us, they won't make crazy assumptions."
Shaka then posted a comment below the announcement:
"Hello everyone this is Shaka, leader of the Astraea Familia.
First, I want to thank our 8 closed beta team members for their incredible support. With their help, Myth of the Families Online has successfully completed its first storyline arc, bringing us one step closer to our ultimate goal of challenging the Black Dragon!
I know many of you are curious about the game and our internal invitation system. Rest assured – we've launched a lucky draw event on the forum! Anyone who pre-registerson the official website will have a chance to be selected by the guild leader to join our closed beta team.
Before registering, please complete a simple questionnaire – all questions are straightforward, and those who pass may proceed with pre-registration.
Additionally, contribution points have special mysterious functions, so all test participants are encouraged to work hard to earn them!"
After posting, Shaka uploaded a 100-question survey covering topics like criminal psychology and personality assessment. This would filter out most people with malicious intent, and then Goddess Astraea would personally evaluate remaining candidates. With these two safeguards, the players' character could be trusted.
Once his work was done, Shaka refreshed the page to find several replies already posted:
Sora: The game is incredibly realistic. The siege battle felt a bit scripted at times, but overall it was a great experience – and just the tip of the iceberg. Clues about the Dark Faction, colorful magic stones, Black Dragon subspecies, and even the final boss (the World-Destroying Black Dragon) have already surfaced.
Sora: As the familia grows and conflicts with local forces intensify, player progression will speed up. I predict a "development phase" followed by rapid escalation into familia wars.
Sora: We should start preparing now! I estimate we'll head to Orario with the School District soonthat's when things will really heat up.
Kobayashi: Damn... How are you supposed to follow a plot when the players have already mapped it all out?!
UMR: 666 – you've already walked the planner's path and left them with nowhere to go!
Shaka: You guys have already planned the entire storyline for me?
God: I just want to know – is romance with in-game characters possible?
Kazuma Sato: What?! Did I miss an update?
Evil King's True Eye: Another world?!
Thunder Hammer User: My Master – Dekomori is doing everything possible to obtain the "key" – death!
Evil King's True Eye: Well done, my loyal Servant!
Kamehameha-kun: I didn't expect anyone to have already explored the "artificial fluclights" system. I'm very interested in this research have you looked into time-related applications?
Kayaba Akihiko: Has artificial fluctlights technology already been released?! If possible, I'd like to discuss this in person.
Vodka: We have a multi-billion dollar business opportunity we'd like to discuss with you.
...
Holy crap who did I just see?!
Shaka stared blankly at the list of familiar yet troublesome usernames.
"Are these people targeting me?"
And "Artificial Fluctlights" the concept was first proposed by Kayaba Akihiko, referring to a medium similar to light that exists within brain cells, locked by neuron pathways. Scientifically speaking, it was essentially the human soul. In the future, even the government would replicate artificial fluctlights and place it into accelerated artificial worlds.
"To be honest my magic does involve summoning human fluctlights to another world. That description isn't wrong at all."
As Shaka scanned the forum again, he noticed more familiar IDs.
"Vodka could that be the organization? What do they want with me? Is Karasuma Renya struggling? Are they trying to become digital life forms using artificial fluctlights?"
"And Kamehameha-kun? Dragon Ball is just a manga... That username feels familiar, but I can't place it."
Recognizing this person might be important, Shaka decided to assign the investigation to the capable Kotoko Iwanaga. He opened their chat group only to find messages already waiting for him:
Iwanaga Kotoko: Kanade Tachibana and Yui have both logged off. Kanade's health has improved slightly, and her condition is much more stable. Yui's physical state hasn't changed much and will need more treatment, but her mental health is far better.
Iwanaga Kotoko: Those doctors are really eager to meet you now.
Iwanaga Kotoko: I've prepared the list of next batch volunteers – would you like to review it?
Shaka: You handle that. Also, I have three bottles of "special antibiotics" at home – could you bring them to Yuuki?
Iwanaga Kotoko: Antibiotics?
Shaka: That's what we'll tell outsiders. They're actually high-quality potions from the other world.
Shaka had purchased several bottles of top-tier [Potion] from the School District students and arranged to transfer them to the real world overnight.
Shaka: By the way, could you help with a few things? I need to apply for a leave or long-term absence from school. If possible, could you also handle the editorial department's requests about my manuscript? Also, look into a researcher with the online name "Kamehameha-kun".
Shaka was just settling into directing his team when his phone lit up again:
Iwanaga Kotoko: I can now fulfill my promise to assist you.
Iwanaga Kotoko: Please, Mr. Descendant – write a manga about the Slit-Mouthed Woman. Preferably one that moves beyond her current image as someone who kills without hesitation.
Shaka stared at the message, completely confused.
Another one chasing me for a manuscript? What is it with everyone lately?