[TS] Surviving in a Yuri Visual Novel

The game quality overall looked decent.

I haven’t played the game yet, but based on the videos I’ve seen online, the streamer seemed to be playing a well-made game for a sequel.

– “This is fun. The previous work is so famous, but despite that, the world-building and story are quite engaging… Oh, the overall character illustrations are really well done.”

The streamer’s evaluation, of course, and the user ratings were pleasantly decent.

Even though it had been out for a while, a score of 4.6 out of 5 was definitely something to look forward to.

From the general feedback, there were many comments highlighting that it stimulates a lovey-dovey romance feeling, so it was certainly regarded as a great game.

No, if it weren’t a great game, it wouldn’t make sense.

Combining the overall positive reviews with the fact that people were still praising it while expressing their grievances, this must be a great game. Although, there were indeed people criticizing the game itself.

There were quite a few. Their common opinion was this:

“Considering the previous game created a hopeless dystopian RPG world right before the end of the world, how can the sequel be a romance fantasy MMORPG where the main character’s little sister attends an academy and engages in dating, making the original protagonists feel completely irrelevant?”

Such comments criticizing the developers were numerous.

It was a somewhat valid opinion, so I had no room to argue. They were simply expressing frustration because the game didn’t cater to their tastes.

“Still, I don’t think it’s bad.”

As long as I’m having fun, other people’s reactions didn’t matter to me.

I think I’ll be able to enjoy it.

The fact that it’s a great game for killing time while reminiscing about the past captured my heart.

“It ought to be fun.”

Before the download completed, I entered a community to read strategy guides and casually browsed through the comments when I came across a user comment that made me stop scrolling.

– “Our Leticia’s screen time is way too low. Increase Leticia’s screen time, you developers! It should be more than that of a real little sister.”

ㄴ For real, why is the younger sister’s screen time so high? Increase our seductive and stylish professor’s screen time!

ㄴㄴ Where did she go? It’s cold…

ㄴㄴㄴ The younger sister is the main character, so she should have a lot of screen time, you crazy people, haha.

ㄴㄴㄴㄴ? What the heck? If it weren’t for the saint or whatever, one Leticia should suffice for the Northern noble princess.

ㄴㄴㄴㄴㄴ Leticia is the main consort, it’s common knowledge. Anyone unaware should go rewatch the previous game’s ending.

Seeing that comment made me feel strange.

“…Leticia was indeed a popular character.”

Acknowledging the truth, I nodded along.

I still can’t forget the feeling of first meeting Leticia after waking up possessed as a character named Damien Redius in the middle of the Northern frontline, aimlessly wandering and encountering her.

It was still vivid in my mind.

The sorceress standing regally on the snowy plains, with her cold gaze and the warrior spirit within her purple eyes.

The arrogant smile hidden behind her icy expression, as if she were the owner of the snowy plains, was enough to captivate me.

The situation was far from good, however.

– “You, the murderers who roam this area… Are you a servant of the Mazoku?”

– “Huh?”

– “Another dangerous individual has been ensnared by the Mazoku and has become a demon. You possess a sharpness like a finely honed blade, betraying humanity, it seems you have some skills.”

– “…What?”

– “Is communication failing? If so, I will force your mouth open and split your head to extract the information you possess!”

– “What nonsense is that?!”

In our first meeting, there was a misunderstanding that led us to fight desperately. However, as time passed, our relationship improved.

We were still in the era of formalities.

“It’s nostalgic.”

Remembering the past, I hurriedly started the game after receiving the notification that the download was complete. I skipped the promotional video displayed on the computer screen, smiling delightfully.

What character should I try?

With multiple characters having different races and professions, it was hard to choose. Since it’s a dating sim at its core, maybe I should pick a character with a good basic appearance that works well with customization.

“The look is important, but performance needs to be solid too.”

A friend recommended a sorcerer or an elf for having good appearances and skills, but unfortunately, both classes were a bit outside my taste.

In the end, whether it’s a dating sim or an RPG, it’s best to play the character I want, even if the performance isn’t the best.

“Last time I played a knight, so how about a rogue this time?”

Rogues are great. Stealth is nice, and backstabbing for assassin-style kills is truly the best.

Humming a tune, I wore a smile while enjoying the game after a long time when I spotted a female character in my view.

This character was one I hadn’t seen in the strategy guide or in the official character settings.

“…Charlotte Cyclamen?”

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

I had never seen such a character. Wondering if I had simply missed it, I compared her to the characters listed on the official website, but there was no female character by that name.

“She’s definitely pretty.”

A mysterious smile that fit her seductive aura, as cool as the winter snow.

Her hair and eye colors were different, but she seemed to resemble Leticia a bit.

It was strange that there were no strategy guides in the community or on the official website, and not even a single video on YouTube about a character that seemed like she’d be popular among male and female users alike.

“She definitely looks like she was designed in a gloomy manner.”

The basic illustration exuded seductive beauty, coupled with slightly dead eyes and tattoos crossing her cheeks. The gaze that seemed to say, “I feel wronged,” was a bonus.

If she were smoking a cigarette here, there would be a strong noir vibe emanating from her.

“Oh wow.”

She looked like a character that someone like me would absolutely adore. As a result, I felt a surge of curiosity. I gazed intently at the character named Charlotte with an intrigued expression.

Even though it had MMORPG elements, how could they design a female character so beautifully in a dating sim? What were they thinking?

I wasn’t hoping for girls to pair up; perhaps the developers might want that. I chuckled, amused by the thought.

“…I usually prefer male characters, but she does look tempting.”

It had a strange allure.

Thinking it wouldn’t be bad to give it a try at least once, I read the brief story written in the character description window.

[‘The Fated Half-Demon’ Charlotte Cyclamen was born from a human father and a Mazoku mother. Despite being a half-demon, Charlotte was born with tremendous power and could live without facing discrimination even in the savage Mazoku realm. However, after a sudden betrayal from her mother, all her family members, including her father and two siblings, were killed. In her grief and rage, she attacked her mother but could not win. Eventually, Charlotte was forever sealed in a prison called ‘The Abyss’, known as the lowest depth even in the Mazoku realm, bringing her story to an end.

A half-demon who despises her Mazoku kin and harbors mixed feelings towards humans. The saga of this half-demon beginning her quest for the truth unfolds. Please remember that Charlotte Cyclamen is a character with excellent skill synergy and mobility. So, would you like to take a bite, player?]

The last paragraph seemed strange, but I brushed it aside thinking it might be a new character. Wow, but she really did seem powerful, exuding a sense of coolness.

Whether it’s in a dating sim or an RPG, isn’t a character that exudes style the best?

Moreover, she was a shapeshifting character with different appearances as both a human and a Mazoku, meaning I could match outfits for both forms.

The fashion enthusiast in me was stirred. Without hesitation, I selected Charlotte from the character selection screen.

Maybe it was fate. I felt like I had to play this character.

“Although the fact that she’s a half-demon is a bit concerning….”

I frowned.

Given the countless life-and-death battles against the Mazoku on the battlefield, it was an uncomfortable choice. But this is a game. Nothing more, nothing less. It wasn’t reality.

I had no reason to back down.

“I should play something fun since it’s been years.”

I gripped my trembling hand firmly and smiled as I took a deep breath.

[Would you like to select this character?]

– YES/NO

I immediately pressed YES. After which, I completed my nickname and customization, smiling in satisfaction.

“This is it, this is it.”

It was the moment of the birth of a masterpiece.

I left the basic appearance as is since I liked it, just changing her hair color to black and eye color to silver.

With the tattoo under her eye and her silvery dead eyes, she emanated a somewhat eerie vibe, but even that felt enchanting.

The appearance as a Mazoku was even more striking.

With long pink hair down to her waist, a unique look with red eyes visible through it, goat-like horns rising from the top of her head, bat-like wings, and pointed ears, she evoked the image of an ancient demon rather than just a Mazoku.

The default outfit also felt vintage and exuded a noble air, but… I would need to make some in-game purchases.

I thought I could see a black cow that seemed to be mooing, but I shrugged it off as my imagination.

“I absolutely can’t hold back.”

With rising anticipation, I hit the start button. The screen darkened before brightening up again, and the prologue video began playing.

At that moment, my vision flipped. Just like when I first possessed the character, my view flickered.

Huh?

[Starting the game. Welcome, Charlotte Cyclamen.]

…It called out the character’s name, not my nickname.

“This is….”

[And welcome back to our world, Ryu Raon.]

The familiar machine-like voice, devoid of life, echoed, and then my consciousness sank into the deep abyss.

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