Original subtitles

In the 21st century, the companies involved in VRMMO creation

produced one virtual world after another.

From alternate dimensions to subterranean worlds,

every possible setting was explored.

Then, one long-established company created a revolutionary piece of software.

Incorporating an ultra-fast general-purpose AI called R-Evo

that made NPCs no different from actual humans;

boasting an open-ended story system with over 10^52 branches;

and achieving the previously impossible feat of reproducing all 5 senses,

this game, which pursued the ultimate realism,

entered the scene with a great splash.

However,

video games ought to be like video games.

Humans ultimately play games for relaxation.

There was no need for the struggles and strife of the real world in the picture.

Thus, humanity arrived at a conclusion:

Advanced VRMMO games are not fun.

From then on, game makers returned to non-aggravating systems,

and VRMMOs steadily lost the popularity of their golden age.

Hah! Nice try!

And now my gauge is full!

The story that is about to unfold

takes place 10 years after the release of that problematic game.

"Full Dive: This Ultimate Next-Gen Full Dive RPG Is Even Shittier than Real Life!"

"VR⨯Reality"

"Faculty Room"

"Faculty Room"

Sorry. I still haven't decided.

You're almost to your last year.

Can you at least decide between college and working?

I want to have a real conversation with you about something.

The track meet your freshman year.

No need to bring that up now--

You won't be able to move forward if you never address it.

Isn't it the reason you can't decide your post-graduation plans?

It's not a problem, Yuki!

You just need to turn the pain into strength!

The enthusiasm is suffocating.

"Turning Pain Into Strength" "Post-Graduation Plans"

"Turning Pain Into Strength" "Post-Graduation Plans"

He's parroting the title of an intro book...

"Turning Pain Into Strength" "Post-Graduation Plans"

How easily influenced can you be?

How easily influenced can you be?

I know it was hard! I know it must hurt!

If it had been me, I wouldn't be able to leave the house!

But you're tough!

You've kept coming to school anyway!

He's serious?

It was such a pitiful and heartbreaking incident.

I've been a teacher for many years, but that was truly--

Mr. Yasuoka, that's enough--

I want you to accept what happened!

If you can't come to grips with it,

I'll accept it for you!

I have no idea how to fix this,

but I've got you!

Solidly, see?

And so for now, Yuki,

let's turn the strength into pain and move forward!

"Turning Pain Into Strength" "Post-Graduation Plans"

let's turn the strength into pain and move forward!

"Turning Pain Into Strength" "Post-Graduation Plans"

Now you're saying it backwards!

Is he some kind of idiot?

Hiro!

Takafumi.

Well, did the meeting help?

It was completely useless.

I'm gonna go home and play a game.

Video games are fine, but shouldn't you do something physically active?

We could go to the gym together if you want.

No, thanks. It's not like training my body matters anymore.

But using video games to run away--

There's a competition soon, right? Kick butt.

Yeah, it's almost been two years since--

Oh... sorry...

It's fine.

Well, see you tomorrow.

The real world really sucks.

Hey, it's Hiro!

Oh, Tanishiro...

and Mishina.

Man, what a coincidence running into you like this!

Well, how could I say no?

Thanks, dude.

Whoa! We can always count on Hiro!

I'll pay you back for sure.

One day, definitely, eventually, most likely.

If there's someone you don't like at school, say the word.

We'll knock 'em flat for ya.

The only ones I don't like are in front of me...

Yeah, thanks.

It's been a pleasure--I mean, thanks.

See ya around.

Today sucks.

"Finalizing Quest 22 Available Now!"

"Finalizing Quest 22 Available Now!"

Then again, today...

Then again, today...

I pre-ordered FQ.

One moment.

...is the long-awaited release day for the new Finalizing Quest VRMMO.

That'll be 13,000 yen.

Huh? I'm 1,000 yen short.

I made sure I had plenty of extra money...

Did I accidentally hand them a 10,000-yen bill?

I seem to be 1,000 yen short...

I... see.

That won't fly, will it?

No, it will not.

I thought not...

That store had the lowest price I could find on the internet.

It'd be crazy to find a store selling it cheaper.

"Game Shop Kisaragi"

"Game Shop Kisaragi"

No, there's no way.

"Game Shop Kisaragi"

"Brand New VRMMO in stock!"

For real?

Hey, this is the one from 3 years ago.

Yeah, what did I expect in a store like this?

Um, excuse me.

I have a question.

Yes, how may I help you?

Um, well, do you have FQ 22 in stock? It released today.

FQ... 22?

Yes. It's the 22nd Finalizing Quest game.

Wh-Why are you suddenly laughing?

The 22nd? How many are they gonna make?

We're only in the 21st century.

I mean, really, 22?

That's more than the century humanity is in!

Holy crap, change the title already!

Oh...

So then, um, is that FQ in stock?

Yeah, and we're talking about FQ.

You're just buying it out of habit, right?

It's like with manga.

You start buying them because they're good,

but then it slowly gets worse and worse.

But by that point you've already bought 20, so it feels weird to just stop.

So you figure you might as well buy the next one.

I mean, what the hell, man?

I-I see your point.

Compared to the first FQ I played back in elementary school,

my enjoyment is gradually lessening with each entry in the series,

and I don't expect anything to top that--

Hey! Hold on, hold on.

You're the store clerk. Why are you saying this to me?

Because it's true.

Just answer the question.

Do you have FQ in stock or not?

Who really cares about that?

Hey, I care!

If you don't have it, I'm leaving.

Hold on there.

I have the game for you.

Huh? You do?

You bet I do.

How much?

Ten thousand yen.

Ten thousand yen exactly?

Yup.

Whaddaya say?

F-For 10,000 yen? I'll take it!

Money please.

One moment.

It should be over here...

Here it is.

Then here's the money.

Thank you for your purchase.

Finally.

Wait! This isn't FQ!

Hey! Give me my money back!

Play that game. It's way better than FQ.

It's a full-dive RPG that pursues the ultimate in realism.

I don't want to!

Just give me my money back! I want my money!

Listen up. This game is

a super hard-core full-dive RPG for adults.

What? F-For adults?

Look down here.

A double Z rating?!

There's a rating above Z?

I'm 17.

This rating just means recommended for 20 plus. It's not an absolute restriction.

B-But I think I'll stick with FQ--

Is it fun to play such an innocent game?

This is a more stimulating experience.

Why not do it?

Huh? H-Hey, w-wait...

I'm Reona Kisaragi. Call me Reona.

What's your name?

H-Hiroshi... Yuki.

Hiro, I log in to this game frequently.

I'll teach you what you need to know.

Attentively and patiently.

I suddenly got a hot girl's number.

What the hell am I doing?

I let her honeypot me into buying this game.

Huh?

This game is ten years old?!

I cannot come to the phone right now.

Leave a message after the beep.

Screw thi--

This cost 10,000 yen...

I'm home...

What a day...

K-Kaede!

S-Sorry! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!

Close the door already, you pervert!

Today sucks.

The VR NX console is compatible with nearly every VR game.

A 10-year-old game is no problem.

The real problem is...

If it's lame, I'm returning it!

No matter what she tries to pull!

Hero! You must defeat the Demon Lord and save the world of Auberdine!

She said this was a super hard-core full-dive RPG,

but it seems surprisingly standard.

First, leave the city and head for Flora Castle.

Wow.

So it uses a virtual projection based on a scan of the player's body.

Wow, the wind!

And all of this!

Good morning.

Great weather, isn't it?

The intro of a game is always so exciting!

Even the feel of the handle is crazy realistic.

This is pretty incredible!

Hiro, are you home?

So the character name is just my username, then.

Y-Yes. Be right--

Ow!

Wait, that hurt?

The game even reproduces pain?!

Not that pain is something I want in a game...

Hiro?

Ow!

S-Sorry, Hiro!

Are you hurt?

I-I'm fine.

Sorry. It was just taking so long.

The quality of the skin, and the personality...

For such an old game, the graphics are incredible.

I-Is something wrong?

No matter where I look, there's no NPC label.

I guess those video game elements are cut out.

Y-You're going to make me blush.

It really is just like reality.

It's so realistic you could forget it's a game...

"Save your adventure and quit the game?"

"Save your adventure and quit the game?"

Thank goodness. It's definitely a game.

Thank goodness. It's definitely a game.

I wasn't transported to another world.

Hiro, are you okay?

Did you hit your head too hard?

Um, you're...

Huh? It's me, Alicia. We've been friends since childhood.

A childhood friend. So that's the backstory.

You promised you'd help me with the apple harvest today. Remember?

Oh, right. Of course.

What's taking so long, Hiro?

The apples will get over-ripe.

Oh, looks like we have a "nice young man" character.

Sorry, Brother. I accidentally made Hiro hit his head.

His head? That could be bad.

Let your best bud, Martin, handle this.

Here.

It smells like an apple!

It really is realistic.

Why an apple?

It keeps the doctor away.

That's for colds, not injuries.

How do you like the quality this year? Delicious, right?

It is delicious.

Wait--there's taste, too?!

You must be hungry not to cut it first.

There.

It's seriously no different from real life.

This game might have been a really good find!

Oh, right. The first screen told me what to do.

First, leave the city and head for Flora Castle.

Hey, how do I get to Flora Castle?

A-Are you crazy? Some things aren't okay to joke about!

Hiro, that's not funny!

It wasn't a joke...

I just want to go outside the city.

You idiot!

Watch what you say! What if the City Guard hears you?

The City Guard? Why would that matter?

Hiro, stop playing around.

We need to go to our family's farm.

Huh? The mood's gotten all weird.

Sorry, but could I pick the apples later? I'd like to go outside the city first.

Something's wrong.

He's not right in the head.

But it's totally normal to leave the city in an RPG!

Look, I'm going. I'll help with the apples later.

I can't wait to see what adventure is waiti--

Hiro!

Why would you suddenly tackle me? Aren't you supposed to be my best friend?

This really hurts!

It's because we're best friends! How could I let you commit ex-urbance?

E-Ex-urbance?

Hey, do you have amnesia or something?

No, of course not.

I think.

Listen up and listen good!

The town of Ted is surrounded by a giant moat to protect the citizenry.

All residents are prohibited from leaving the city!

Except for special envoys, no one is allowed to enter from outside, either!

The town is sequestered from contact with the outside world!

Oh, isn't that overkill?

Are goblins gonna attack in a super huge group?

Is that it?

Well, this is the first town. Guess you have to start somewhere.

I'll just go defeat them real quick.

Alicia, I think...

Yeah, it might be too late...

I can hear you!

I'm going to have to open your eyes for you!

Oh, I see. It's an event.

If you beat Martin handily, you get to make a big deal of it and leave the city.

It takes the place of a tutorial.

In that case--

I-I'm bleeding! My nose is bleeding!

Do you get it now?

That hurt! You damned idiot! Some best friend!

Screw you! I don't even know you!

What? You've even forgotten about the promise we made that day?

Under the Kenura tree?

Who gives a shit about some weird-named tree?!

Hiro!

That really hurts!

Martin, violence is wrong!

It's a little late for that shit! I've already been beaten up!

I mean, look at you. How could you hold your own against a goblin?

Dammit! I'm sick of all this shit!

In the real world, it's just one shitty thing after another,

and now I have to get beat up in a game?!

Dammit! Dammit!

Screw you!

You're a damned NPC!

I got you! Not so tough now!

M-Martin?

A-Are you okay?

Brother!

H-He's dead!

What? But... That can't... What?

No! He's dead!

S-Stay calm! D-Do we have any healing herbs?

I just said he's dead!

What good will an herb do?!

I-I guess none.

Tell me, Hiro. What are you gonna do about this? Tell me!

I-I didn't mean to! It was an accident!

But my brother is dead, for dead certain.

He's dead with a knife stuck in him!

S-Sorr--

Hiro. Tell me, what the hell are you gonna do?

Hiro, Hiro, Hiro, Hiro!

I'm sorry!

Hiro, you bastard!

Don't you dare run away!

Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit!

What the hell? What the hell is happening?!

Hiro!

What the hell is happening?

Hiro!

S-Somehow I got away.

But I k-killed someone.

Wh-What am I gonna do?

Wait. Hold up.

This is a game, right?

It's fine.

All I have to do is start over and select "New Game"--

Hiro.

I'm sorry!

Wait, Reona?

Sorry I didn't pick up the phone. I was taking a bath.

A-A bath?

Now's not the time.

What's wrong?

Reona, your...

Oh, my avatar?

It's a special store perk. Only shop employees get it.

Aren't perks normally for customers?

And why are you dressed like that?

I'm a fairy! Monsters and NPCs can't see me. And they can't hear me, either.

Basically, I'm support.

I said I'd teach you attentively and patiently.

Oh, I see.

Did you finish picking apples?

Are you on a walk through the city with your cute childhood friend?

Um, well, no... I think I messed up the first quest branch...

Oh? Don't tell me you did something pervy to your childhood friend.

Um, well, you see...

Wait, I'll figure it out.

Oh, I didn't notice I was wearing this.

You noticed how the ultra realism excludes status screens and such?

Well, the way to see game progress is with the title system!

Title system?

On this necklace you're given a title that is appropriate to your game state.

So right now you're...

T-Title: "Best Friend Killer"!

What?

"Best Friend Killer"

It's game over right off the bat!

Episode 2: Living in a Dead Game.