Ch.530″Kukukuk, it hurts.”

In a way, it was quite predictable.

Perhaps this was because the damage to users had been far too severe.

—————————————–

<Event>

<Phase 1 Combat Complete!>

<Details>

<All Commanders have completed combat with the advance forces!>

<Result>

<As of this moment, all Commanders’ event progress will automatically advance to Phase 2!>

—————————————–

“Oh.”

“That was fast.”

It hadn’t even been a full day since the event started—no, it had been a day, and now it was the second day.

No sooner had that message appeared, saying something like “You all finished Phase 1, good job~”…

—————————————–

<Global Event>

<Rest is Needed After Fierce Battle!>

<Details>

<Originally, Grand Cross’s additional offensive was scheduled to proceed immediately.>

<However, after running internal simulations, Grand Cross’s command AI determined their losses were greater than anticipated.>

<They are postponing their offensive by about a week to secure additional preparation time.>

<Result>

<Time remaining until Phase 2: 23 hours 11 minutes 5 seconds ⇒ 7 days 23 hours 11 minutes 4 seconds (7 days added)>

—————————————–

Seeing the message about additional time appearing so blatantly, I nodded and said:

“The operators are giving everyone time to recover since so many users got wiped out.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Probably? All I can know is what I see from people around me or communities like the gallery.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

And it seemed I wasn’t the only one thinking this way, as reactions to the message erupted throughout the gallery.

—————————————–

Title: The operators must be panicking hard right now

Author: Anonymous

Content: [Image of a toad sparkling with starlight]

They probably thought they had the balance right

But some people cleared it without losing any forces

While others got completely wiped out to the point they can’t participate in the next event

This means the balance is completely screwed up, so they’re hurriedly extending the time

Comments:

-[For real lol]

-[But seriously, too many solo players got wiped out, not just those who stayed at bases or grouped up]

-˪[Were there that many solo players?]

-˪[Just in the central zone alone, there must be over 50,000 pure solo players]

-˪[That’s a lot]

—————————————–

—————————————–

Title: I will now begin praising the operators

Author: Anonymous

Content: [Image of a toad raising its middle finger]

Did you think I would? Siiick

Can’t you balance things properly?

Comments:

-[So what you’re saying is you’re homeless now?]

-˪[Siiisabarabababap](Author)

-[Look at him having a fit after getting called out]

-[How dare you attack with facts]

—————————————–

…Although some were a bit strange, the important thing was that users had gained precious time to recover their fleets and superhumans.

Our playful users were busy preparing for the next event using this unexpected time.

A week later.

“Commander, all fleets are ready for deployment.”

“Hmm.”

“The mercenary corps and faction delegations are ready too!”

“Hmmmm.”

On the morning of Phase 2’s start.

I gave them depleted equipment in large quantities, and replenished carrier aircraft and missiles that had been used up during leveling.

Finally, after checking the condition of the superhumans,

And confirming there were no problems, I nodded with relief and proceeded to enter the event map for Phase 2.

==========

Of course, just because we entered didn’t mean combat would start immediately.

—————————————–

<‘Grand Cross’ Event>

<Phase 2 Battle in Progress>

<Currently waiting: 892/1,000>

<When all slots are filled, the battle will automatically begin in 5 minutes.>

—————————————–

—————————————–

<Grand Cross Phase 2 Event Map Chat Room>

-[Sex]

-[Hot]

-[Anyone?]

-[You crazy bastards]

-[So when does the battle start?]

-[Read the damn info and check for yourself instead of asking]

-[Where are the enemies coming from?]

-[We don’t know either]

-[This is the first time for this event so nobody knows lol]

-[Ah]

—————————————–

“It’s quite bustling.”

“Indeed.”

872 people—no, it just increased to 873 users who brought their main forces.

Originally, event maps didn’t allow “mercenary corps” or “faction delegations,” but now they were permitted.

The scene had far more ships than I had imagined in my head, giving me quite a peculiar feeling.

Of course, perhaps because mercenary corps and faction delegations had replaced “small ship” forces…

—————————————–

<Grand Cross Phase 2 Event Map Chat Room>

-[Some crazy bastard brought only battleships and above]

-[Well, the mercenary corps will handle the small ships anyway lol]

-[Damn it, mercenary corps only have common-grade ships]

-[Where did you dump your small ships?]

-[Gave them to New Era]

-[You left them at the base?]

-[Trust in big brother faction delegation]

—————————————–

Our user friends had that chronic user disease, you might say.

That merciless battleship-obsessed mentality showed itself without hesitation, even in a situation where fleets had been torn apart in Phase 1 battles.

“…How did those lunatics even think to bring only dreadnoughts?”

“Well, since Ancient Empire ships only know fleet battles, maybe they’re thinking of countering that properly.”

Even as I was fiddling with Jessica’s ears while talking, Jessica—who was still somewhat of a novice when it came to fleet battles—made such comments.

What about the other users then?

—————————————–

Title: Why do Phase 2 participants have so many large ships?

Author: Garten

Content: [A different map from Icarus’s location, but here too ‘user fleets’ are swarming with battleship-class ships and above.jpg]

And they’re all cruiser-battleships or battleships and above

If they at least brought lots of carriers, I could understand they’re trying to counter the Ancient Empire fleets that specialize in fleet battles

But bringing dreadnoughts or siege battleships against Ancient Empire fleets that EXCEL at fleet battles? What the hell are they thinking?

I can already see them getting pummeled by Ancient Empire fleets, losing their capital ships

And then crying “Waaah, help me User-aemon” you stupid idiots

Comments:

-[Excuse me, but you seem to be on fire]

-[You were so angry at the end you made typos]

-[Lololol]

-[Well, that’s how they’ll get wiped out]

-[Crushed by the calamity they brought upon themselves~]

-[But aren’t faction delegations at least stronger than regular ships, even if mercenary corps aren’t?]

-˪[Ancient Empire fleet strength scales with total user forces, so faction delegations and mercenary corps alone won’t be enough](Author)

-˪[Hmm, is it that bad?]

—————————————–

“Everyone’s on fire.”

“You sound like an arsonist when you say that.”

Quite a few users were expressing deep concern that Phase 2 might wipe out user forces in a different way.

Of course, most users armed with the battleship-obsessed mentality denied such concerns, saying “My precious battleships won’t be destroyed so easily.”

But when all users had joined, the slots were filled, and Phase 2 combat began,

Those proud battleship enthusiasts ended up shedding tears of blood, or so they say.