Hajime is being guided through a labyrinth of seemingly empty hallways. In reality they are splattered with ads that are autoplaying right in front of his eyes, yet he doesn’t register them.

  Hajime then asks: "Ummm I have a question? Why is one of my eyes really bad and one ear isnt even working?"

  Valiant smoothly says: "You were reincarnated into a hard-mode world. You decided to get some temporary debuffs for better stat growth."

  Hajime, nodding, says: "That’s something I would do!!! Thank you for clarifying."

  Deus then comments to Valiant through their secret channel: "I don’t get it! This prop is so obedient but when I’m involved he doesn’t even register my existence!"

  Valiant then says: "Maybe if you weren’t so forceful—"

  Deus snaps: "Don’t finish that sentence or you’re fired!"

  Valiant replies: "At this moment I’m irreplaceable boss, you know that."

  Deus, remembering, says: "Fine… carry on with the good work."

  Valiant then asks her: "Is the presentation ready for Whalescalibur’s debut?"

  Deus answers: "Yes, you may go to her. Guide the hero to the stage."

  Valiant says to Hajime: "Hero, we are almost there, just take a left at this juncture."

  Hajime then says: "Thanks, disembodied GPS, this is such a cool perk!"

  Valiant says: "I’m way better than a GPS boy!"

  Hajime continues the instructions and arrives at a central chamber. This central chamber is decorated with banners of Whalescalibur polishing ads, all of them 1 hour long, with intrusive pop-ups cocooning the sword in a golden membrane of marketing. In Hajime’s view, he sees a plain room with a sword on the table.

  Hajime comments: "Shouldn’t this sword be… I don’t know… more impressive?"

  Valiant then says: "She is impressive. Her stats are good until mid to late game!"

  Hajime nods and says: "Got it!!!"

  Hajime arrives and touches Whalescalibur. She then says:

  "Ohhh Master, you’re back!!! Look, my luster has been enhanced thanks to the cornucopia of polishing ads. Also the extra upgrade mat adverts have gotten me to sharpness +1!"

  Hajime says: "It’s true, this Holy Sword looks better than expected."

  Whalescalibur shrieks with happiness:

  "You have finally seen the beauty of my form!!! Let’s see a 3-hour ad compendium of my adventures to celebrate!"

  Hajime nods and she immediately starts the ad compendium in front of his vision, pushing away all other low-tier marketers.

  Hajime then asks Valiant: "Soo, now what?"

  Valiant says: "Just go to the right. We are now to honor the traditions of this theocratic nation. They have decided to dedicate to you a Saintess of unparalleled beauty. The only hurdle is that you must evaluate every candidate in a contest of wits, talent, and entertainment."

  Hajime, with shining eyes, says:

  "That sounds sooo dope!!! LETSSS GOOOO!"

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  Valiant then mumbles to herself: "He doesn’t even register Whalescalibur’s existence… such a bad man."

  Deus then says: "The mount is ready! Take him to it!"

  Valiant says: "Hero!!! We’ve got good news!"

  Hajime: "Good news?"

  Valiant: "Your faithful mount has been selected to your unique preference!!"

  Hajime: "To my preference? How would they know that?"

  Valiant: "You told the goddess before you got the expected dream-reincarnation amnesia treatment."

  Hajime: "That makes sense… but I’ve got questions…"

  Just as he says that, a golden cow adorned with majestic advertisement decorations, a platinum cape, cascading cash signs, and floating cherubim ad-TVs arrives in front of Hajime. Such a magnificent creature—one that the denizens of this world could never create—can only be the work of divinity.

  This grandeur is lost in Hajime’s eyes, he just sees a normal cow.

  Hajime: "Is this my mount???"

  Valiant: "Yeap."

  Hajime: "I… love it!!!"

  He goes and hugs the cow: "I’ll name you Zeus!!!"

  Valiant then mumbles: "Something's in his soul will just never change…"

  Whale, with imaginary popcorn:

  "Seeee, 24.99 for premium polish! Let’s buy it after the 40-minute mark!"

  Hajime, nodding: "Yes, I love it!"

  Whalescalibur shrieks with happiness, not suspecting anything at all.

  Hajime continues through the empty hallways riding Zeus with smiles.

  In reality, there are battalions of angels advertising his ride as a royal procession through the entire realm.

  Such a dashing figure who has become the embodiment of the virtue of commercialism.

  Deus then says:

  "Yes, his clout is growing steadily… no major incidents, but I’m worried… if he doesn’t remember the deal... this season is surely doomed!!!"

  Deus tries to look into the future but gets a serious backlash:

  "His destiny is too fluid!!! He must choose Elnora…"

  She starts to bite her lips while seeing pics of her Oshi.

  Hajime arrives at the center and sees a multitude of people who look like NPCs.

  Hajime says: "Why are they standing there and not doing anything…?"

  Valiant, with sadness: "They are the poor victims of the Demon King’s curse…"

  Hajime: "Curse???"

  Valiant: "They are in a state of intermittent buffering… some of them will shut off at unexpected times and then continue their conversations as if nothing happened."

  Hajime: "That’s annoying…"

  Valiant: "Yes, quite. Just play along and be nice to them when they interact with you… they will eventually give you booty."

  Hajime: "Sure… let’s grind affection points then."

  Hajime sees a bunch of NPCs doing nothing, staring at nothing, and he awkwardly just sits on Zeus.

  "Welcome Hero! The most exalted of the advertisers, please partake in the Season 5 recap trailer ads with us!"

  Hajime looks like a golden god to these people.

  His attire, his body, his cow… all magnificent.

  Deus then says:

  "Rejoice, my consumers! Our hero has said he will unveil his premium subscription to the best ads of the lucky roulette winners!!! Please invest for a chance at a new future of clout, riches, and power!"

  All the plebs and visitors put their ads on the ceremonial roulette, all for a chance to partake in the clout of heroism.

  Deus then says:

  "The venue is ready! Now look at the sky!!!"

  A golden orb descends from the sky… such a divine sight.

  The closer it gets, the more impressive it is.

  We see angels in golden chains carry the venue, cosplaying the humble wage-slave…

  The venue descends, revealing a gigantic floating stage adjacent to a platform in the midsection of the citadel.

  Angels maintain the hovering of this structure, their sweat just a drop compared to the tears of the true believers.

  The venue is open, and Hajime is none the wiser to the horrors of the real world.