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"Save your progress?" 　▶ Yes 　　No — Save complete. "Quit the game?" 　▶ Yes 　　No — Shutting down. 　　　◇　◇　◇ <<And so the Hero struck down the Demon King, and peace returned to the world once more—>> *Click.* The grand music cut out abruptly. The ominous flames of the Demon King's castle vanished, and the light illuminating the Holy Sword faded away. And then— <<...Yes. That's a wrap.>> The deep, solemn voice that had been narrating the fate of the world just moments ago turned instantly flat and tired. <<Total play count for today: thirteen. Thirteen Demon King subjugations. Good work, everyone.>> "...Is it over?" The Demon King slumped deeply into his throne. "Ugh... I'm beat." There wasn't a trace of the majesty he held seconds ago. The Hero leaned the Holy Sword carelessly against the wall and rolled their shoulders. "How many times today?" "Weren't you listening? Thirteen." <<I literally just said it.>> "I wasn't asking you." <<My apologies.>> "So, thirteen times." The Demon King glared at the Hero. "Stop killing me thirteen times a day." "Don't tell me. Tell the player." <<The player cannot hear us.>> "I know that!" While the game is running, the Hero is the champion who saves the world. The Demon King is the lord of evil seeking to destroy it. And I am the Narrator, conveying their story to the player. We each play our assigned roles, repeating the same fixed story over and over. But—once the power goes off, it's a different story. The Hero puts down the sword, and the Demon King steps off his throne. The defeated monsters get back up, the townspeople close their shops, and even the rescued princess takes off her dress and goes back to her own room. And I, too, finish my job of telling the tale. Tomorrow, when the power comes back on. The Hero and the Demon King will return to being arch-enemies. But tonight— <<Well then, everyone, you're dismissed.>> In a place the player will never know, their time begins—unscripted and free. — "Arch-Nemesis, Offline."