Magicians of ES 7

Ngah... This’s kinda bad? I didn’t think we’d need SSG to get outta here too.

Yes, well. Those are the rules; we can’t do anything about that. It’s likely the solution the Administration came up with to prevent their performers from leaving so easily.

They said everything that happens on this SHINSEKAI has the potential to end up on their show...

I imagine the Administration wants to gather as much material as possible in order to fund their show.

So what should we do? The cost to leave is considerable.

It’s not that we can’t afford it, but our own funds are dwindling as it is; it would devastate our savings.

I left everything up to you and just followed along, so we kept losin’ all our battles with the other units and our money went down the drain.

Well, that’s not the only reason we have no money.

...?

But even still, I can’t agree with your assessment that it’s solely my fault.

Uh—no I mean like, it’s just usually your fault, Onii-chan. I shoulda figured right away that this game ain’t made for you and stepped up to the plate.

All the events and battles and stuff on SHINSEKAI are basically like what you’d find on a variety show...

So I prolly coulda done better’n you at all this, Onii-chan.

Since I got a lotta experience with all sortsa work.

Mm. You are much more of an idol than I am.

However. I’ve also gone through a lot of trial and error in this SHINSEKAI, and I’ve come to appreciate the full range of work that idols can perform.

So I’m positive that next time, we’ll be able to see the fruits of our labor and win.

Where’d ya pull that confidence out of...? Sounds like what some gambler who keeps losin’ all his bets and ends up dead in a ditch would say...?

Hmph. If this is a gamble, then the story can only begin with a wager. I feel like we’ll need to increase the amount of SSG we have on hand before it’s exhausted entirely.

Y’got that right. Ya think they got some handy-dandy mission we could knock out?

“Good news, everyone!”

Uwah—this support Tsumugi-chan-senpai just popped outta nowhere?!

Shoo! Go away! It doesn’t matter whether you’re real or fake; I have no recollection of anything good happening when you’re around!

“Huhhh? You don’t have to be so hard on me! I’ve got some great news for you guys, okay?”

“Right near this escape point, there’s a very simple mission you can accept. It’s a big help for people who want to go home but don’t have the money for it.”

“It would be a criminal offense to forcibly prevent a person from leaving SHINSEKAI, so we’ve created a byroad for them.”

“And you’re both low enough on funds to accept the mission, too.”

“That sure is lucky! If you’d had just a little more money, this rescue mission never would have popped up.”

‘S that right? They say not havin’ money’s the same as not havin’ a head, but maybe good things come out of it sometimes?1

“Absolutely! It’s just like meeting the Buddha in hell! Don’t pass up on this opportunity, everyone! Put your faith in me and grab onto happiness with your own hands!”2

When it’s you saying that, it sounds so suspicious it brings me to tears.

Whatcha mean, Onii-chan? It sounds too good to be true, but this is a game, so...?

“Yes! Everything is fine! It’s not suspicious at all! This is definitely not a scam!”

You’re saying to mislead us, aren’t you?

“What I mean to say is! This is actually a compulsory event! The overview is that we’re forcing the people who don’t want to leave SHINSEKAI out!”

Oh yeah, you hear lots about gaming addictions an’ stuff. Some people prolly don’t wanna go back to reality ‘cause there’s all sortsa gross and annoyin’ stuff.

“Exactly! So now you can’t ignore this event, and regardless of how it turns out, you’ll still earn enough money to leave!”

“There’s absolutely no downside for you!”

“Now then! Let’s begin~ ☆”

Gwaaaaaah?!

Ah—! Oshi-saaan?! Ts–Tsumu-chan-senpai, why’d ya go an’ kick Oshi-san into the pond? You’re gonna kill ‘im...!

“I didn’t kill him? I just sent Shu-kun back to reality first! This pond here in this estate’s garden is actually the escape point that lets you travel between worlds!”

“If you knock one partner into the pond to force them out of the game, that’ll give the others a reason to follow! Or at least, that’s the plan~ ♪”

But like, what if y’ain’t got a partner?

“There will be a different event for players who entered SHINSEKAI alone!”

“SHINSEKAI is still in its beta phase, so I can’t say it’s perfect, but we have put a lot of thought into the design!”