Side Trip ⑥: One Player's “Forced-Loss Event“
A gigantic mobile weapon appeared on the screen of my smartphone.
The thought that this thing must have wandered in from the wrong game had crossed my mind countless times since this chapter began. And besides, it could all be brushed aside with the simple explanation, “That's Chaos for you.” So I've given up trying to make sense of it.
Honestly, that's the least of my concerns.
The real question is whether the showdown against the boss enemy known as Mobile City Mikania—the entire Machine City transformed into one enormous giant robot—is a "FORCED-LOSS EVENT" or not.
A forced-loss event is a battle-related event in a game where the player's defeat is predetermined. For the sake of the story, winning isn't allowed, and the plot only progresses once you lose. Depending on the game, it may technically be possible to win through obsessive leveling and sheer determination… though even then, the story might simply proceed as if you'd lost anyway.
At any rate, I personally hate these forced-loss events. I really hate them. I absolutely despise them.
First of all, I hate losing. That's why, even when something looks like a forced-loss event, I keep fighting until the bitter end… But then the battle just drags on forever, which I hate. I also hate that all the precious items I've used trying to gain an advantage in the fight don't get refunded. Of course, if I look it up on social media or a walkthrough site, I'll immediately find out whether it's a forced-loss event or not… but that feels like cheating, and I hate that, too.
More than anything, I can't stand being forced to accept defeat. It's as if the game is telling me that I'm nothing more than a spectator—that I'm not a player-protagonist capable of overturning fate through my own strength. I hate that feeling. Surely, at least in a game, it's okay to have a world of friendship, effort, and victory.
—A long time ago, there was someone who completely agreed with my way of thinking.
His name was Tanaka.
Yes, that Tanaka. The talented operator who suddenly appeared in the social game industry and is now known as the mysterious game creator, Tanaka.
He's supposedly a mysterious figure with no known history of involvement in game development before WF. But I know him. Tanaka and I were gaming buddies back in elementary school. I'd only just transferred schools and didn't have many friends. He was the one who introduced me to the joys of video games and became my friend.
"What the hell is this?! I can't beat it at all! What is going on, TANA-KA?!"
"Ah, yeah. Those are the absolute worst. Especially the ones where you don't realize you're supposed to lose until the very moment it happens."
"TANA-KA! I refuse to have defeat forced on me!"
"I completely agree. If I ever make a game someday, I can promise you right now that I'll never implement something like that."
"Don't screw with me…! I'll beat this thing, no matter what, TANA-KA!"
"I really don't think that's possible in this game… But, huh. I guess that's one way to enjoy it, too."
"What was that, TANA-KA?!"
"Nothing. Just thinking out loud. Come on, you're going to beat this thing, right?"
"Yeah! Let's go, TANA-KA! I'll never lose to anyone in a game!"
After that, I transferred schools again because of my father's job, and Tanaka and I never saw each other again.
But just as I went on to pursue my own path and become the professional gamer Yamada, Tanaka followed his own path, eventually becoming the operator of WF, an incredible game. I genuinely feel proud of him, and I'm simply happy for him.
That summer from our childhood… In a stuffy room with nothing as fancy as an air conditioner, where the only thing running was an electric fan. We were so absorbed in our games that we didn't even care about the scorching heat radiating from the thick CRT television.
We both grew into adults, carrying those burning memories in our hearts.
Now, I'm spending my days honing my skills as a professional gamer, striving to become a player who never loses to anyone.
And if that's the case, then surely—no, without a doubt—Tanaka must have created the greatest game ever: one where something as unreasonable as a forced-loss event doesn't exist.
That's what I believe. And because I believe it, I can trust that this battle against Mobile City isn't a forced-loss event. No matter how hopeless the fight looks, I'm certain there's some way to turn things around.
Come on. This is the moment when our dreams intersect—
【"Yamada" attacks! The attack was blocked by Mobile City's WRA! 0 damage!】
【"Espera" uses her ultimate technique, 『Absolute Sword: Tamayura』! 0 damage!】
【"Piera" has enhanced "Advanced"!】
【"Advanced" uses its ultimate technique, 『Beyond Chaos, Toward the Adventure Ahead』! 0 damage!】
…………Huh?
【0 damage!】【0 damage!】【0 damage!】【0 damage!】【0 damage!】【0 damage!】
………………………………Huhhh?
【"Mobile City Mikania" uses World-Crushing Cannon!!】
【999,999,999,999 damage to "All Party Members"!!】
【"Yamada" and the others have been wiped out!】
THIS IS A FULL-ON FORCED-LOSS EVENT, TANA-KA!!
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