Chương 61: Chapter 58

The chat exploded with questions. Messages flew by so quickly it looked like millions of people were talking at once, even though the viewer count was only in the hundreds of thousands. The official moderators were forced to enable slow mode just to keep the flood of comments under control. Even then, new messages continued pouring in almost faster than anyone could read them.

"Wow!" Desmond chuckled.

"We never could have guessed we'd get a response like this. We're glad you're all so enthusiastic, but please give us a moment to sort through your questions. And don't spam, or you'll be ignored." His warning slowed the chat ever so slightly. It wasn't by much, but it was finally enough for individual comments to become readable.

"Let's do this," Desmond said.

"Since there are so many questions, we'll have our interviewees pick out the ones they'd like to answer directly." He gestured toward Mei, Adam, and Granessa.

"Feel free to answer whichever questions catch your eye." Mei immediately leaned forward, eagerly scanning the chat. SeeCuteGirl-iClick: Can Granessa leave the tutorial? Specifically can she come to Earth? Mei shrugged.

"No idea. That would be cool though." Frogman: What made you pick a Desert Eagle for your pistol design?

"You know, I actually hate Desert Eagles. Well, not hate. More like dislike how mainstream they are. So for that reason, I decided to pick a Desert Eagle-like design so that I don't miss it once it's replaced with a better weapon." OppaOppaOppa: Adam-oppa, do you really not know anything about K-Pop???

"Uhh… I know it's Korean music. Oh, I like that one band, um… Mei, what was their name?"

"Hm? Which one?"

"The one with the soda pop song."

"... Saja Boys?"

"Yeah, that one! My little soda pop~" Adam attempted to sing a line but his singing voice was… rough, to put it nicely. WhenOrangePigsFly: Mei, who is the most annoying champion in League of Legends? Adam, could you make a 2nd Legendary spell?

"The one that kills me while I'm on a streak," Mei answered without hesitation.

"I don't even know how I made the first one," Adam admitted.

"Right now, I'm just hoping I get lucky enough that my randomly made-up chants upgrade my spells. I'll worry about creating my own spells some other day." RandomChatter03: (Message Deleted by Moderator)"Aww, I was gonna answer that one," Mei sighed.

"I missed it. What did it say?" Adam asked.

"They asked for my bra size. It's a 28K, by the way. Natural too." Adam stared at her for a long moment before letting out a weary sigh and looking back toward the chat. He couldn't exactly refute her since she was telling the truth. Not that anyone needed to know that. RandomChatter03: No, wait... I was asking Granessa. Also, I'm a woman. I was just curious since I'm a 44M, but she looks about twice that. SeeCuteGirl-iClick: What's double 44M? 88W? Is that even a thing?? Mei nodded enthusiastically.

"It is! The world record is 102ZZZ. They weighed over eighty-five pounds each!" The chat froze for a moment. SeeCuteGirl-iClick:: StareChamp: Desmond opened his mouth as if to comment, but no words came out. Adam gave him a knowing look. He'd been caught in conversations like this with Mei more times than he could count, and somehow they always involved other women. Most men thought something like a 36DD was enormous because that was the biggest size they'd ever heard of.

They had no idea how much more complicated bra sizing actually was. GodGamerKyle: I'm not enough of a gooner to understand what that means. All I know is that's freaking huge. Eighty-five pounds is actually insane.

"So, the number represents the underbust measurement. Basically how far around you the band stretches. And the letter represents the bust. The letter sizes also change based on US and UK standards. For instance, I use European sizing. So 28K means that there is a fifteen inch difference between my underbust and bust." SweetSarah (Mod): You guys wouldn't understand, but big boobs aren't nearly as fun as they're hyped up to be.

"Yeah, they're fun for you guys. Sometimes for us too," Mei admitted.

"But they can also be a huge pain. Most stores only carry up to G-cups. I've had to order custom bras more times than I can count. This sister, RandomChatter03, has it even worse. M-cups aren't made at all, so all of hers have to be custom ordered." She crossed her arms beneath her chest.

"And don't even get me started on back pain. Seriously, how would you men like carrying several pounds on your chest every hour of every day?" Vytr26: Men: monkey brain. 🧠 Neuron activate when see big boobs.

"Well, that isn't exclusive to men," Mei replied matter-of-factly.

"Women have the same reaction too. The difference is we also know all the complications that come with them. There are legitimate physical and mental health problems associated with having an overly large chest."

"While this has certainly been an... interesting and enlightening discussion," Desmond said with a strained smile, "could we maybe focus on the tutorial?" Mei shrugged as if she'd already forgotten how the conversation had started.

"I don't wear bras," Granessa said.

"So I don't know my size anyway."

"Right..." Desmond rubbed his forehead.

"How about this question for Adam instead?" He pointed toward one of the comments floating across the chat. AdamMadeMeGay: What's Adam's cup size?: peepoflush: Adam slowly turned to stare at Desmond with a perfectly deadpan expression.

"What?" Confused, Desmond glanced back at the scrolling messages.

"Uh... no. The chat moved."

"Uh-huh."

"I was trying to point at this one." He quickly shifted his finger to the comment directly above it. Musclez_R_Life02: @Adam Have you kept up with your workout routine inside the tutorial? If so, how?

"Um, actually, I hadn't until I visited the orcs' city. I started working out again there, although I had to rearrange my routine since I've gotten a lot stronger after becoming a player. Even then, my muscles haven't really increased or decreased in the slightest."

"We briefly discussed that before the interview started," Desmond said, "but I'll explain it again for everyone who wasn't there." He clasped his hands behind his back.

"Your physical strength is reflected by your Strength stat, correct? However, that strength doesn't necessarily come from the size or shape of your muscles. A player's body is fundamentally different from that of an ordinary living being. Rather than changing solely through exercise or age, it gradually shifts toward the owner's ideal image while also being guided by the system's definition of perfection." He gestured toward Mei.

"That ideal is unique to every individual. Take Mei, for example." His finger stopped at the fresh scar just above her belly button where Smiley's harpoon had pierced her.

"Despite Adam healing the wound immediately afterward, she consciously or subconsciously chose to keep that scar for reasons known only to herself."

"Because I thought it looked cool," Mei answered without hesitation.

"Like an anime protagonist. Besides, that was the closest I've ever come to dying, and honestly... it was pretty exciting. So it's also something to remind me of that moment."

"... Right." Desmond nodded.

"Since that scar is now part of what she considers her ideal appearance, the system preserved it instead of restoring her skin perfectly. The same principle applies to muscle mass, height, facial features, and many other aspects of a player's body. They're influenced by your stats, your own self-image, and the system's definition of perfection." He smiled.

"Quite fascinating, isn't it?" Adam blinked.

"So... I don't have to work out anymore?"

"If your goal is simply to maintain your physique, then no."

"Huh..." Adam scratched the back of his head.

"That kind of defeats the purpose of my profession. Though I guess I'm a player now instead of a personal trainer."

"Actually, that's not entirely true." Desmond raised a finger.

"Did you know players can earn experience by training other people? It's one of the ways support-oriented professions, like cooks and blacksmiths, continue progressing outside of combat." Adam's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Really. Although..." Desmond coughed awkwardly.

"That feature isn't available inside the tutorial. You'll have to wait until you return to your own world."

"Oh?" Mei tilted her head.

"Is that why guilds exist on Earth?" Dumas (Staff): Hey! Desmond, you're saying unnecessary things. Focus on the viewer questions! Desmond winced.

"Oops. Looks like my boss is mad, and rightly so. I've completely derailed the interview. My apologies." He cleared his throat.

"Let's get back to the Q&A." GetCreativeWithMagic: Where is Adam getting inspiration for his strongest spells, and has he considered popular fiction? (Unless copyright magic or smth prevents it?)"Mainly Greek mythology, but also some fictional stories," Adam said.

"There isn't really much to pull from when there are no books in the tutorial, though…"

"Copyright magic was banned many years ago. Too violent," Desmond clarified. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

"What was violent about copyright magic?" Adam asked.

"Sorry, can't say." Desmond shook his head and gestured for them to continue the Q&A. HowDidIGetHere: What are Mei's plans after becoming Region Lord and clearing Japan? I assume a Lord has to do Lord stuff? All Hail Queen Mei, First of Her Name!

"I don't know." Mei shrugged helplessly.

"I just know that the title comes with the ability to designate a region of territory, and no mobs can enter that space. So I guess I'll figure out the Lord stuff later. Maybe I'll put on a really tight corset and host balls like a medieval duchess or something. Who knows?" MagicNerd: Has Adam tried to make the biggest explosion he can yet? (Very traditional mage pastime, I assure you.)"Uh, that's more Mei's territory than mine," Adam said.

"Even if I created a spell to mimic a nuclear explosion, it would just get nerfed by the system." SJchlatt: Would you rather have unlimited bacon but no ga— NowYou'reThinkingWithMagic: Mei, aside from dragging Adam into the Impossible Difficulty Tutorial, what's the craziest thing you've surprised him with?

"Oh! One time, for his birthday, when we were on a picnic in the park, I gave him a—" Adam immediately dove off his chair and clamped a hand over her mouth.

"It's one thing to go on about bra sizes for half a day, but do not go spilling our personal lives," he said, his face turning red.

"Not to mention that story would one hundred percent get our accounts banned." ediav42: Would Adam rather be unable to wear pants for the rest of his life or shirts?

"Huh? Would I rather have my dingaling hanging out twenty-four-seven or go shirtless?" ediav42: That's not exactly what I asked… but yeah, I guess?

"For sure shirtless." HottieHunter: Mojoys: Mei, what's your favorite niche game? What's the biggest hat you've ever worn? Apples or oranges?

"Squirrel with a Gun!" She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Biggest hat…? I guess when I dressed up in a sexy Godzilla cosplay, I wore this big styrofoam head. That's kinda like a hat, right?" She shook her head at the final question.

"Neither. I like melons." Campino41: What is your favorite spell?

"Who?" Mei asked. Campino41: Whoever. Mei burst into a fit of laughter just thinking about the goofy spell she was cooking up.

"I haven't tried it yet, but I'm thinking of making a spell that turns people I shoot into random animals." Adam shook his head, though he couldn't help but smile.

"For me, any spell that protects or heals the people I care about is my favorite."

"As long as it kills stuff," Granessa answered. Stonefox777: To Adam: what is the apex of magic that you are searching for, the 'final Adam' that you want to become? To Mei: does learning the fact that you are the main character of your planet, with all that entails, make you think of your life up to the tutorial differently? Adam could only shrug at the first question.

"I have no idea. I'm not even sure I fully understand what magic is. I seem to be gifted in it, probably a little too much, but no. I don't know what the apex of magic is supposed to be." Mei shook her head at the second question.

"No, not really. Even if I wasn't the main character, I still would have been the main character. Y'know?" Randomgold: To both Adam and Mei: How did you two actually meet? And start dating? To Granessa: What's your type? Uh, I should probably clarify that's for dating. Not, you know, weapons or fighting or anything. Unless dating and violence are the same thing in orc culture?

"That's a long story, so let's save that for another time," Adam said. Mei looked a little disappointed. She enjoyed telling that story, though somehow it changed each time she told it while remaining completely true.

"Date… me?" Granessa asked, apparently getting hung up on the terminology.

"Dating in orc culture is the same as for humans. But it isn't for me. A casual thing? Sure. No dating." Trippmeup: To Adam: What's your funniest client story? To Mei: What's your favorite game? To Granessa: Would you like to visit other realms?

"That's the story of how I met Mei, but again, it's too long for this segment. Maybe next time."

"Hearthstone Battlegrounds," Mei answered immediately.

"Despite my love of many other games, BGs is my go-to for winding down and relaxing." Granessa shrugged.

"Sure. I guess?" BlueDye: I've got a question for @Adam. How did you create the spell [Aegis of Protection]? I'm familiar with the Greek pantheon. As far as I'm aware, Zeus doesn't possess a breastplate named Aegis, but Athena does have a shield by that name. Adam rubbed the back of his neck.

"Um... I just imagined some of the myths I heard growing up." BlueDye: Myths??? What myths?

"Greek myths," Adam replied, slightly confused. BlueDye: Your world has myths about the world of Greece?

"No." Adam shook his head.

"We have myths from the country Greece." The chat suddenly slowed. BlueDye: Hold on. Your world has a place called Greece... as well as Japan?

"Yeah," Mei answered. BlueDye: India?

"Yep." BlueDye: China? America?

"All of those too." BlueDye:??? For several seconds, BlueDye didn't respond. Anput: Egypt too?

"Yes," Adam answered.

"You even exist in our Egyptian myths. So does Anubis." Anput: Me? I do?! But I've never been anywhere named Earth. BlueDye finally typed again. BlueDye: Wait... are you from that world?! (Bot): Channel moderators added new words to the ban list. BlueDye: You're from - - - -! BlueDye: Wait... I can't say - - - -? What about - - - -? Or - - - -? Anput:? CatTheBountyHunter: @BlueDye Is it that one? The - - - - world? BlueDye: I believe you've answered your own question. Adam and Mei exchanged puzzled glances.

Neither of them had the slightest idea what everyone was suddenly talking about. SeeCuteGirl-iClick: Eh? Is there something special about Earth or something? BlueDye: Yes and no. Your world was the first - - - -, but now it's - - - -. Don't worry, though. Once it awakens, you all, and your world, will be returned to the universe. Hopefully. The confusion only spread. SeeCuteGirl-iClick:??? GodGamerKyle:??? xYzXyZ (Mod):??? Vytr26:??? SweetSarah (Mod): What does that mean?

BlueDye was silent for a few moments before finally replying. BlueDye: Nothing. Don't worry about it. Just know it's a good thing. A second message appeared. BlueDye: Kinda... SeeCuteGirl-iClick: Wow. That "kinda" was very reassuring. BlueDye:: Shrug: