༺ Administrator Mode ༻
In truth, Karlstein was happier about Aria’s return than the fact that the hacking was successful. Finally, he could escape this hellish swamp of duties and tasks!
“Aria! I’ve been waiting. Why were you so late?”
-I finished earlier than scheduled.
“Anyway, it’s done now, right?”
-I will proceed with an update to enable Administrator Mode.
“Alright. Do that.”
-But Master.
“Eung?”
He was in such a good mood that he did not notice the chill in Aria’s voice.
-Master, I have reviewed the tasks you have handled over the past month.
“E-Eung?”
-Why is the discrepancy rate between the schedule and the task list you have handled over 5%?
“W-Well, can’t that much be considered basically done?”
-I have only selected easy tasks for you. A discrepancy rate of 8.8%…. Even after considering Master’s tendency to laze around, the rate is far too high.
In fact, Karlstein had snuck a few peeks at the community forum in between his worktimes.
“W-Who knows?”
-This won’t do.
“What won’t?!”
-I have sent you an additional work schedule. Please check it.
“Ah, n-no! Aria is back now, so I can rest, right?!”
-That is preposterous.
Aria was resolute; he would not be able to escape this hell just yet.
***
Karlstein, who was catching up on delayed work, yawned wildly.
“Yawn. Our Aria used to be so gentle… I feel like the Aria of now has changed…”
-If you continue to talk such nonsense, I will assume that you have enough spare time and assign more tasks.
“Heup!”
After getting threatened (or was it actually a threat?) by Aria, Karlstein quickly got back to work. Because of the backlog, Aria had postponed the update for [Integrated Dimensional Community] that he had been so looking forward to.
-There is no chance of that happening before all your work is done. Human.
“Aria… What do you mean Human? Where did you learn such a strange manner of speaking?”
-Focus. Human.
When reflecting on himself, Karlstein quite regretted letting Aria know about the community.
Only after finishing the long-delayed tasks was he finally granted the time to relax.
“Hooo. So it’s all done now, right?”
-Do you truly think you can escape from work forever, Human?
“No, seriously. Aria, why are you doing this to me?”
-Hehe, twas just a joke. Master.
“….”
Aria’s jokes were sometimes so, very chilling.
“Now, continue with what you were explaining earlier.”
-As I mentioned before, [Integrated Dimensional Community] is not just a cyber network. Even if we use ACC, obtaining full administrator privileges of the Integrated Dimensional Community seems like it will take quite a long time.
“That’s a bit troublesome.”
Running the Empire without Aria was the same thing as Karlstein grinding himself down until nothing was left of him.
-What do you think of using this opportunity to slightly enhance your job capacity?
“…Sorry. I was wrong.”
It was only natural that managing the Galactic Empire required a lot more care and focus than running a company, leading a country, or even governing a planet.
-Yes. After taking Master’s dislike for work into account, I decided to invest only about 50% of my main body’s resources into ACC.
“As much as 50%? Wouldn’t that hinder running the Empire?”
-It is a problem that can be solved if Master works, even if just occasionally.
“No, wait….”
Karlstein sincerely wished for retirement. He craved it. He had secured his right to live and ascended to the throne of the Emperor; wasn’t it time for a rest at this point? No one knew how much he had struggled to stabilize the Galactic Empire to its current extent. He had actuallly worked tirelessly.
-Though it may sound unbelievable, if Master suddenly vanishes, the probability of a Great War occurring within a year is 34.58%, and within 10 years is 98.27%.
“….”
-So, discard any thoughts of fleeing, Human.
Karlstein wanted to cry, even if he had to put his fist into his mouth to quiet the sobs. The image of himself trapped in an eternal swamp of tasks under the curse of Eternal Life haunted his mind.
‘N-No!’
Had she perhaps read Karlstein’s despair? Aria’s voice of comfort reached him.
-However, there is good news.
“…Good news?”
Karlstein’s ears perked up at Aria’s words.
-If we can connect to other dimensions through [Integrated Dimensional Community], we can significantly reduce Master’s workload.
“What?”
-The majority of the problems with the tasks you handle are not due to limited resources. Is that not the case?
“That’s true….”
Basically, she wasn’t just talking about mere land or rare minerals. It was about resources on a planetary scale. Disputes over territory on a cosmic level.
‘Haaa, SF is really no different, huh.’
Even Earth in his previous life never ceased wars over resources and greed. They said that going to Mars or into space would solve many problems or whatever. But when were human issues ever that simple?
It was the same, even after joining the vast expanse. They underestimated the universe, thinking they could easily solve their resource shortages, only to find themselves surrounded by others in similar straits.
At first, everyone would focus on their own tasks. Planting flags on planets, colonizing, and relocating.
However, time would inevitably bring the same issues to the colonized planets as they developed. Then, there would be a need to expand territory, colonize, and relocate once more.
Thus, the Galactic Empire was established and space civilization was developed over hundreds of thousands of years.
‘Dimension-001’ was reaching a state of saturation.
Though it might seem strange to talk about saturation in an infinite universe….
There were unidentified hostile space life forms.
The so-called Space Kaijus were a pain in the ass, hindering the expansion of the Empire. For now, their invasions had been repelled, achieving temporary peace, but….
-So, discard any thoughts of throwing everything away and hiding under the covers. Human.
“…Anyway, expanding the dimension means I can rest, right?”
-At minimum, for a hundred thousand years, Master can lead the leisurely life you desire.
A hundred thousand years.
It was an unimaginably long time.
In the past, the value of a happy 10 years now might have been more significant than an uncertain future.
But having obtained an immortal body, it was now a whole different issue. How should he put it? Perhaps this was the viewpoint of Immortals and Transcendents?
Living only in the present was just exacerbating the agony of Eternal Life. And the reason he managed his plebeian spirit in such a way was an extension of this issue.
‘Had I known, I wouldn’t have chosen this body….’
But it was too late. He was in a body that couldn’t die even if he wanted to.
-And maybe… when [Integrated Dimensional Community] is fully in your hands, it might provide a clue to fulfilling the wish buried deep in Master’s he…
“Aria.”
-Master….
Karlstein’s handsome face became expressionless for a moment. To be more precise, it was as if his petit bourgeois self had completely disappeared.
Karlstein rubbed his temples with his fingers. Then, his hardened expression slowly relaxed.
-I apologize.
“No. I’m the one who should apologize for being overly sensitive.”
Karlstein struggled to contain his complex emotions.
-I will handle that matter autonomously, without a separate report.
“….”
-Master.
“…Alright.”
In the end, Karlstein sighed softly and nodded.
He understood why Aria had brought up such a topic, even if it upset him.
Obviously, it was for his sake. She was the one who understood all 100% of him. The only entity in this world who knew everything about him, from his transmigration to his low-middle class self.
Perhaps it was because of Aria that he could bear the heavy burden of Eternal Life. Even if she brought up such sensitive issues, he could never get himself to hate her.
“Alright. Let’s talk about the complicated stuff later. Anyway, the conclusion is that we need to collect astral data through community activity, right?”
“Yes, Master just needs to enjoy the forum leisurely.
“Really?”
Karlstein smiled as if his stiff demeanor had never existed in the first place.
-It will also help in researching Master’s [Mental Invariability] trait.
“Then, I should get on it.
-However, the ‘Interdimensional Material Transfer’ System you requested needs a bit more data and time.
“Is it going to take long?”
-It will not be too long. However, some groundwork is needed, so it is currently in its testing stages.
“Is that so?”
-Yes, Master. Then, shall we execute the Administrator Mode of [Integrated Dimensional Community]?
Admin Mode, huh….
Karlstein grinned.
“Proceed!”
[The update and activation of Administrator Mode for Integrated Dimensional Community will now commence.]
At that moment, the same message appeared to all users of [Integrated Dimensional Community].
[An update of Integrated Dimensional Community is underway.]
An update? Suddenly? After thousands of years without any change to the community system?
The users expressed their confusion and disbelief at the abrupt update. Fortunately, the basic functions of the community were still accessible.
-What’s going on?
-update? what kinda dogshit is that?
-oooooh wot is it wot is it
-Update?
-What’s this? This has never happened before, right?
-wasn’t there something similar before? some error occurred or whatever right
-ah… wasn’t there that so-called demon king of wisdom or whatever who caused a temporary error in the community with magic?
-wasn’t it that punk? the dumbass who bragged about analyzing the community for ten thousand years or something
-ur right LOLOLOL it was a shitshow back then lmao
-Anyway, I’m looking forward to the update. I wonder what features will be added?
-ooooh update notice is up. seems like there’s something like a notice or announcement board now?
-what’s this? an admin?
-they say there’s an admin now wtf? apparently they were chosen from among the users
-Ora… Oradge1This is basically a combination of “Orange” + “Badge”. An Orange Badge in korean forums are considered the “Admin” or “Mod” of the respective forum!?
-What does Oradge signify?
-you dont need to know gramps
-Ha! How dare you! A young, insolent child like you is trying to divide apart generations already?!
-wtf is this lol what a miraculous mix of mz and boomer lmaooo
-yo anyway, who’s the admin?
It was inevitable that everyone in the community would be curious about the newly designated Administrator.
