King of Games C75 The most handsome avatar

After helping Momiji, back at his home, Shinro sank into his comfortable chair, massaging his temples.

Despite his superhuman strength - capable of lifting several cars with one hand - the mental strain of running KiShin was taking its toll.

"Maybe it's time to appoint a president," he mused aloud. The thought had been nagging at him for a while, but it came with complications.

He'd been hesitant to put anyone in a high-ranking position due to the secret of his otherworldly scientists.

The risk of exposure was too great.

Yet, the idea of delegating some of his responsibilities was becoming more appealing by the day.

Shinro pondered the alternative - appointing someone from the "Tiny World" to a key position. But that came with its own set of problems. "Their background would be scrutinized," he realized. 'Rival companies might start digging, and that could lead to uncomfortable questions.'

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the Tokyo skyline. The success of the NG1 had put KiShin in the spotlight, making any major company decisions even more critical.

Deciding to set aside the complex thoughts about company leadership, Shinro retreated to his room and settled in front of his computer. It was time for a well-deserved break.

He pondered his options: check on the progress of his worlds through the {System}, or unwind with some YouTube videos. The latter won out, and he found himself scrolling through his subscriptions.

A smile played on his lips as he thought about the YouTubers who had collaborated with KiShin over the years. Unlike their competitors who poured money into celebrity endorsements, Shinro had recognized the value of these content creators early on. His decision to provide them with NG1 consoles and SAO copies next month was a testament to that relationship.

Clicking on a new video from Markiplier, Shinro's smile widened. The popular YouTuber was excitedly discussing KiShin's promise to provide him with an NG1.

"Guys, you won't believe this," Markiplier's enthusiastic deep voice filled the room. "KiShin just told me I'm getting an NG1 next month. I can't wait to experience this for myself and share it with all of you!"

Shinro leaned back, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. It wasn't just Markiplier; other collaborating YouTubers would receive the same treatment.

"This is going to be interesting," Shinro mused. He could already imagine the buzz these influencers would generate once they got their hands on the NG1 and SAO.

As Shinro continued watching the video, he smiled, remembering the special recorder he had sent along with the NG1 units to these YouTubers. This wasn't just any recording device - it was specifically designed to capture footage from inside the virtual world of Sword Art Online.

Imagining the reaction of millions of viewers when they see their favorite content creators actually moving and interacting within the hyper-realistic virtual environment of SAO.

He knew that once these videos hit the internet, much of the skepticism surrounding KiShin's VR technology would dissipate. Seeing trusted YouTubers navigate Aincrad, engage in battles, and showcase the details of the virtual world would be far more convincing than any corporate demonstration or marketing campaign.

Shinro is looking forward to these upcoming videos with genuine anticipation. As both the creator of this technology and a fan of these YouTubers, he was eager to see how they would experience and showcase the world he had helped bring to life.

"PewDiePie in Aincrad... Markiplier facing off against a floor boss... JackSepticEye exploring the markets of the Town of Beginnings," Shinro chuckled, imagining the scenarios. "That's going to be something to see."

He made a mental note to clear some time in his schedule to watch these videos as they came out. It would be not just a validation of KiShin's work, but also a chance for Shinro to enjoy the fruits of his labor from a different perspective.

***

A month flew by, and in his studio in Sweden, Felix "PewDiePie" Kjellberg found himself staring at a sleek box that had just arrived. The KiShin logo gleamed on its surface, containing the much-talked-about NG1 and a copy of Sword Art Online.

"KiShin is fucking serious about giving me this so-called virtual reality console, huh..." Felix muttered under his breath, a mix of skepticism and curiosity in his voice.

He set up his camera, preparing to film an unboxing video for his millions of subscribers. As soon as the red light blinked on, Felix's on-camera persona took over.

"What's up, bros! Today we've got something pretty crazy - KiShin actually sent me their new NG1 console!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with exaggerated excitement.

As he began to open the box, Felix peppered his commentary with his trademark humor and exaggerated reactions. "Oh my god, guys, it's so shiny! Maybe it'll make me a better gamer just by looking at it!"

Despite his enthusiastic on-camera persona, internally, Felix couldn't shake his doubts. He'd seen plenty of overhyped tech come and go, and the claims about the NG1 and SAO seemed too good to be true.

As he held up the NG1 headset to the camera, making a joke about it making him look like a "Swedish cyborg," Felix couldn't help but wonder what he was really getting into. He liked KiShin, but believing in true virtual reality? That was a stretch.

Felix held up the NG1 headset to the camera, turning it this way and that. "Check it out, bros. Looks pretty fancy, doesn't it?"

He then dramatically placed it on his head, keeping his eyes closed. "Oh my god, guys," he said in an exaggerated tone, waving his hands around. "It's so dark... I think I'm already in the virtual world. It's so realistic. It's as if I'm just closing my eyes and all I can see is darkness—" He broke off, chuckling. "Haha, I'm just joking."

Removing the headset, Felix's attention was drawn to another device in the box. "Hmm... What's this?" He picked it up, examining it closely before noticing a manual.

Reading aloud for the camera, he said, "Special VR Recorder. Attach to NG1 headset to capture in-game footage directly from the virtual world."

Felix raised an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and curiosity in his voice. "Interesting. So I put this in my headset, and then I can record inside?" He shook his head, feeling a bit silly about the whole thing. Despite his disbelief in the VR technology, he played along for the camera.

"Well, bros, looks like we're going to be recording some 'virtual' footage," he said, making air quotes. "Who knows, maybe we'll see some mind-blowing graphics of me staring at a black screen for hours."

Felix positioned the NG1 headset on his head, attaching the recorder with exaggerated caution. "Please don't explode on my head, please. I still want to live," he joked nervously.

He plugged in the NG1 and waited, anticipation building. After a few seconds of nothing happening, Felix couldn't resist commenting.

"Alright, bros. This is groundbreaking stuff right here because I don't feel a thing. It's like... it's like I'm wearing a really expensive hat. Revolutionary!"

As the seconds ticked by, confusion set in. "Did KiShin just send me a broken console? Is this some sort of prank?" He paused, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Should I just close my eyes and wait for the magic to happen?"

Suddenly, realization dawned on him. "Jesus Christ, I'm so dumb," Felix laughed, shaking his head. "I forgot to turn it on. Big brain time, everybody!"

He reached up, fumbling for the power button. Just before switching it on, he remembered the recorder. "Oh, right. Gotta turn on this magical recording device too. Here goes nothing!"

As soon as he activated the NG1, Felix felt his consciousness shift. His witty comments died on his lips as a kaleidoscope of colors engulfed him.

"Holy shi—" he began, but was cut off by a futuristic voice welcoming him to the system.

Felix, still in awe of the technology, found himself at the character creation screen. Despite his amazement, his mischievous nature took over.

"Alright, bros, let's make a handsome avatar," he chuckled. He proceeded to create an obese character with exaggerated, unattractive features.

"Hehe, look. He is so sexy. Look at that handsome face. He will be so famous all over the game," Felix joked, expecting to see a crude 3D model.

However, as the background shifted and the game world materialized around him, Felix's laughter died in his throat. He found himself standing in an incredibly realistic medieval town square, surrounded by detailed buildings and NPCs that looked almost lifelike.

"Am I dreaming?" Felix muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked down at his hands, seeing the chubby fingers of his chosen avatar. The level of detail was astounding - he could see individual pores on the skin, the creases in the palms.

As he stood there, processing the unbelievable reality of his situation, he noticed other players looking in his direction and laughing. His comically designed avatar was drawing attention, but not in the way he had initially imagined.

"Oh god," Felix said, a mix of embarrassment and amazement in his voice. "Guys, I think I messed up. This isn't just some game. This is... this is real. And I'm stuck looking like a potato with legs!"

The realization hit him: he was truly in another world, and his joke avatar was now his appearance in this incredibly realistic virtual reality. Felix couldn't help but laugh at his predicament, a blend of genuine mirth and sheer disbelief at the situation he found himself in.