Chapter 24

I felt a pang and quickly made an excuse.

“*God’s Play* is, strictly speaking, a role-playing game.”

It’s a genre that combines simulation and role-playing, and a world view of this scale is only natural!

“Actually, I didn’t plan to create such a large-scale world from the beginning, but...”

Without any veteran developers, the team members, full of enthusiasm, did their best, and the game ended up going off the rails.

To the point where we even had to change the genre.

The result of our passion, believing that there’s nothing we can’t do if we put in our youth and energy, led my team and I to pull all-nighters until we were dead on our feet.

It’s something I never want to do again.

Ozwald nodded.

“I see. Let’s move on to the next topic.”

His expression suggested he wasn’t the least bit curious about the behind-the-scenes stories.

“Miss Terese, you met all three male protagonists today. Who did you like the most?”

There wasn’t anyone.

Apart from being surprised by how closely they resembled their character designs, I couldn’t really say.

‘I don’t feel any romantic attraction to them.’

It might be because their appearances are too unrealistic, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest in romance.

Seeing that I couldn’t pick anyone, Ozwald tilted his head.

“I know you haven’t been in a relationship, but have you ever had a crush?”

“...Yeah.”

He acts like he knows everything about me, but he doesn’t know this.

Well, Ozwald may seem all-knowing, but from what I’ve seen, he can’t read my inner thoughts.

He moved on to the next topic as if there was nothing he could do.

“Then let’s talk about your ideal type. Which of the male protagonists is closest to your ideal man?”

“...None of them.”

Ozwald sighed softly.

‘This is a romance show, so was my answer too casual?’

Suddenly, I thought I should give a more useful answer since this interview is to entertain the seats.

‘But my ideal type... I’ve never really thought about it.’

Although it might not fit the purpose, it should be fine to talk about my favorite character in *God’s Play*.

“I do have an ideal type among the supporting characters who haven’t appeared yet.”

“That sounds like an exciting point to look forward to. Who is it?”

“Professor Felix Rockhart. He has a research lab like a botanical garden and is also very skilled at communicating with animals.”

It’s not a romantic interest but merely a fascination with a unique researcher, but he is the one who most piques my curiosity right now.

I briefly added my thoughts on the male protagonists.

“Although the emperor character hasn’t appeared yet, the three male protagonists I met today were all impressive.”

They were so perfectly crafted that they seemed almost inhuman, which made them somewhat alien.

“Even though they’re a bit unrealistic, I still like them. After all, they’re characters created by our team.”

This much was sincere.

Even Terese, who I’m possessed by and find very regrettable, I have some affection for.

Terese is a character who embodies everything I dislike.

Yet, her overwhelming loneliness and the pain of wanting to be loved are so relatable that I can’t simply hate her.

Ozwald evaluated my sincerity like this.

“A common sentiment.”

I found this comment quite peculiar.

I wasn’t talking about my impression of fictional content.

I was talking about my genuine feelings about the reality I’m in.

To say it’s a common sentiment... Could this bizarre situation be so common?

I felt Ozwald was a particularly ruthless god to humans.

Like the gods in H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos.

This man was far more dangerous than the male protagonists I met today.

He could do anything to me. No, he’s already doing something to me.

A chill ran down my spine as I realized this.

His questions had a way of reminding me of my insignificance and powerlessness.

Perhaps he does it on purpose.

The way he insists on calling me Terese suggests that.

‘Anyway, everything I say probably sounds cliché to Ozwald.’

No matter what I say, Ozwald will find it ‘common.’

What if I turn the tables and interview him?

‘If I interview Ozwald, I won’t have to answer his questions anymore.’

Not a bad idea, right?

Given the number of seats that are enthusiastic about Ozwald, most of them would probably enjoy an interview.

“I have a question too.”

Ozwald narrowed his eyes for a moment, then smiled leisurely as if it didn’t matter.

“Go ahead.”

“You said this is your first romance show. How do you find it?”

I didn’t expect a good answer.

I thought he would say something rude and aggressive, scratching my nerves.

“It’s not really a romance yet, is it? But honestly, I thought it would be boring, but it’s quite fresh and interesting.”

It was a somewhat unexpected answer.

“You said you don’t have a taste for romance.”

Ozwald let out a short laugh, as if the air was being let out of a balloon.

“I still don’t like romance. What I find fresh and interesting is you.”

Ozwald looked at me with eyes devoid of amusement.

“To the point where I think I might become your fan, Miss Terese.”

I almost snorted at this ridiculous fan talk.

‘He’s just putting on a show for the seats.’

He’s probably showing affection to boost the popularity of the show he manages, but the idea of him being my fan, even if it’s just for show, is unpleasant.

‘I should think of my next question.’

I need to ask what I really want to know before this man starts spouting more nonsense.

“I have another question. To make this show successful, shouldn’t I be able to analyze other successful channels?”

Market research is essential for this kind of thing.

But I have no idea what other channels exist or what kind of romance is popular.

Ozwald didn’t hide his amusement at my question.

“A very human perspective.”

Human perspective.

This wasn’t a term for humanism.

It had the nuance of a primitive idea from a primitive species.

When I frowned, puzzled, he explained in a condescending tone.

“First, you need to consider that your audience is not human. Also, this is not a personal channel. I told you, didn’t I? I’m like a PD at a TV station.”

Ozwald snapped his fingers.

Ding!

[Quest: Join the Student Council]

▸Reward: +100,000 coins

▸Failure: Commuting

This was the first quest window to appear since I had to greet Mrs. Shati and the three ladies.

I clenched my teeth as I looked at the failure part.

If I didn’t, I might have dared to curse Ozwald, not caring about my life.

‘I just told Clyde an hour ago that I’d stay away from him, and now you want me to join the student council?’

It’s clear he’s trying to mess with me. Damn brat.

Ozwald told me to stop worrying unnecessarily.

“There’s nothing more stimulating and entertaining than a BJ struggling in an unfamiliar world. So, the more you beg for love, the more popular the show will be.”

“...”

“I told you. Effort to be loved. Unlike your past life, where you didn’t get the love you deserved, now you have the conditions to get it back, don’t you?”

My lips trembled. No, my whole body was shaking.

I glared at Ozwald with bloodshot eyes and asked,

“Do you even know what love is...?”

Is love about being a clown to beg for coins and attention?

Ozwald answered.

“Of course I do, Miss Terese. Isn’t it what you want the most? That’s why I’ve willingly set the stage for you. To receive love to your heart’s content.”

He treated the affection I craved from my family and the coins thrown by the seats the same.

It was absurd.

I found it absurd that I even asked him if he knew what love was.

From a being like him.

As I silently trembled with anger, Ozwald glanced at his watch, stood up, and buttoned his jacket.

It was a very elegant gesture.

“Unfortunately, we have to end the interview here.”

Ozwald approached me and bowed.

He was going to kiss my cheek.

Before his lips touched me, I turned my head.

I couldn’t bear to endure the kiss, no matter how disgusting it was.

Ozwald paused for a moment, then muttered as if he had realized something.

“Ah, your culture doesn’t have cheek kisses, does it?”

I didn’t answer.

I turned my head, showing that I didn’t want to engage.

At that moment,

Crack!

“Ugh...!”

Ozwald’s strong hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

His deep blue eyes seemed to gleam with madness.

“But, Miss Terese, don’t you dare avoid my greeting. Should I adjust to your greeting methods?”

“...”

I bit my lip hard, leaving a clear mark.

Otherwise, the tears of anger that had already welled up in my eyes would have spilled over.

Ozwald kissed my cheek with a smacking sound, as if mocking me.

“I wish you luck, Miss Terese.”

With that, Ozwald disappeared.