Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
I'm sacrificing one of the "Bishop's" dice for decisions.
The roll is a 5, confirming events from c2 to c6.
Move the "Knight" to c4, which triggers an event. The "Knight" earns two additional dice.
Now, it's your turn.
The King gestures for you to proceed, and the round count on the scoreboard jumps from 11 to 12.
It's the twelfth round of the game, the sixth move for both sides.
The 3D chessboard lights up, clearly showing the status of either side.
The "Bishops" haven't moved a step from square one. With the white "Queen" in the lead, the black "Queen" falls a few squares behind.
Following closely are the white "Knight", then the black "Knight" and a white "Pawn", with a black "Pawn" trailing at the end.
The white "Queen", "Knight", and the "Pawn" form a tricky blockade, maintaining a lead while preventing the black pieces from advancing to steal dice from the white side.
The white side has more dice, too, and it's probably safe to say that you're only a few rounds away from defeat if you don't do something now.
Heh, what's taking you so long?
You snap back as your fingers hover aimlessly over the chessboard—something you're doing on purpose to wear down the "King's" patience.
This is a waste of time and you know it. Wanna just give up now?
Just trying to show you an easy way out. Humans love saving face, no?
After replying impassively, you pick the "Queen". With the dice, however, you aren't so lucky this time—with a roll of "4", you know that the "King" would still be leading even after this round.
...
You're going to lose.
Your poker face is quite something.
Your left hand has been shaking. Didn't you notice?
Holding down your left hand hidden under the table, you feel your palm covered in a fine sweat.
Looking up, you see that the "King's" expression remains unchanged, those crimson eyes of hers reflecting your face.
She smiles, seemingly indifferent to the game's outcome and satisfied just to see you suffer and embarrassed.
Calm down.
You're not poking fun or trying to play tough. You do feel calm.
Your body is tormented by tension, but your mind races on.
How difficult can this be when it's a game that two kids came up with?
The chessboard follows the size of international chess, totaling 64 squares.
Not counting the "King" and the specially-functioning "Bishop", each player has four pieces, each with seven dice that, at most, can result in a maximum of 42 moves. The "Queen", on the other hand, has double the mobility, putting its maximum number of moves at 84.
Executing events on the squares grants rewards, and it's also possible to battle and steal the opponent's dice.
Since the number of event squares is fixed, a bit of calculation can reveal the best moves, minimizing the impact of luck.
Unfortunately, with the game already five rounds in, it hits just now that the game works similarly to tic-tac-toe in that the first move can dictate winning or losing.
You know what really matters.
Think about "why" instead of "how."
The "game" itself isn't important. What matters is why it takes this form.
A real "chess player" focuses on things beyond the game itself.
Beyond the game is probably where the key to victory lies.
This slowly made sense to you through the countless games you've made against a certain fellow player.
Ridding your mind of all the noises and quickly calming yourself down, you look at the "King" once again in the eye.
With it, the "King" slowly lowers her hand that has been hovering over a piece.
Well, would you fancy a pleasant, friendly chat?
Interesting. Is this how you sweet-talked that agent?
...
Provided it stems from good intentions, right?
Is that what you're seeking?
What if it actually exists?
If the world had even one bit of goodwill toward her, none of you would be here right now.
You don't understand Luna at all.
Is that so? And do you truly understand your sister, Alpha?
When she was struggling desperately in a lightless void, did you know what she was really thinking?
Do you really know what her wish is?
You... What did you say?!
...
This is some sort of plan, right? You said all of that just to upset me.
The real Ascension-Network wouldn't be as emotionally rich as this.
Do you really think I'm a fake at this point?
No, but I don't find you particularly special either.
You're just a coward, hiding in a toy house you built and wanting only to play house with people.
You're no "King". You're no different from anyone else here.
...Heh.
So, does that mean I should just go ahead and physically eliminate everything here? Would that make you happy?
Who's twisting kindness? Who lacks any compassion for the weak? Is it you who crave "conflict" or me who seeks "peace"?
When did I ever say I was your enemy?
You perceive me as the enemy, but am I really?
Why can't we be allies? Why can't this game just be a friendly frolic among friends?
Then how do you coexist peacefully with Alpha here? Aren't you enemies?
If you stand firmly by what you believe, why didn't you just cut each other down the moment you met?
Your attempts at sowing discord are pretty childish.
...No, on the contrary, I hope you can get along even better.
Isn't it obvious?
I'm filtering the "malice" of this world. I'm trying to rid the world of it completely.
I'm trying to get rid of these meaningless conflicts, which would allow those who understand compromise to coexist peacefully. Wouldn't that be a higher form of civilization?
You're just depriving us of the right to choose.
Choice leads to conflict, conflict leads to chaos, and chaos leads to harm. To end all this, coercive measures are necessary.
This game is a second chance for the transgressors, and I hope they realize how meaningless all these conflicts are.
If there is a better way to go about this, I'm all ears.
Of course, there is.
Tiny arcs of lightning stir Alpha's hair as pale blue energy slowly courses within her left eye.
I don't mind tackling problems head-on.
Are you sure you really want to point that sword at me, Alpha?
You refused to become an agent because you didn't want to be trapped in a dog-eat-dog cage.
Now, I'm showing you new possibilities for filtering, and yet you still stand against this path?
Or is it that you simply don't care about finding answers because you're just too proud to walk with anyone?
Even when that person is your...
The King pauses, before breaking into a smile and falling silent.
It's your turn, [player name].
The round count goes from 13 to 14 as the "King" makes her move.
...
Didn't figure much out, but one thing is clear.
She's not Luna, nor the Ascension-Network.
Me neither.
