“In a certain sense, beyond that earlier replay. That guy is no longer a Burst Linker, or more like fighting is no longer a «duel». I... I saw him eating a fallen opponent’s arm.”
“Gee...”
He unconsciously imagined the scene and groaned.
After overwriting the sour after taste with his coffee full of milk and sugar, Haruyuki asked the two Kings.
“B, but... earlier you said «taken over» and «mental corruption»... enhanced armament, that is just an item right? To be able to interfere with the actual Burst Linker’s thoughts, is that possible...?”
“Yes. It’s possible.”
Kuroyukihime instantly said.
“Do you remember? At the time Haruyuki-kun became a Burst Linker, I explained it. That Brain Burst read the owner’s inferiority and obsession, then compressed them to make the Duel Avatar.”
“Y... yes.”
“That means, not only can the Neuro Linker access the sensory part, but it can access the thinking and memory part of the brain as well. For normal applications those are strictly forbidden areas. ...That is, enhanced armament is tainted with negative awareness of the Burst Linker who created it. If another person wears it, that awareness could be thought of flowing the opposite way.”
“That... kind of thing...”
Haruyuki’s back shivered. He had no more room other than carrying his own negative thoughts, so he is sure that he would be instantly crushed if he had to carry someone else's burden.
“I... I don’t want enhanced armament.”
“That’s good.”
Kuroyukihime nodded after a short laugh.
“Well, to be able to corrupt personality, probably only the «Chrome Disaster». The first generation, what kind of person was he...?”
“I don’t know and have no interest!”
Suddenly, with a chair clanking sound, Yuniko stood up and shouted.
“Big troublesome shits, the idiot who made it, and the one who got and hid it to give «Cherry Rook» as well! Cherry was... a nice guy. He did not have any flashy ability, but slowly he worked hard to get to level 6, and the fun was just starting! And then... shit, damn!!”
The Red King who quickly turned her back, Haruyuki saw some wetness in her big eyes.
Glaring at the high-rise buildings outside the balcony, Yuniko squeezed out a shaking sound.
“...That guy, while belonging to the Red legion, attacked other Kings’ legion members left and right. Breaking the no invasion treaty. I... have to purge him.”
The brief heavy silence was - .
Broken by Kuroyukihime’s quiet sound.
“...I see. For Chrome Disaster who is normally hard to defeat... to still belong to a legion. For you who is his legion master, just one blow will forever exile him from the accelerated world. - With the «Judgement Blow».”
“...”
After a few more seconds of silence, Yuniko slowly nodded, however she shook her head left and right next.
“...Ten days ago, I challenged him who just had reached level 7 while being negligent. To purge him. But... do you believe it, Black Lotus. That guy... Chrome Disaster avoided all of my long range attacks.”
“...Say what?”
“«Judgement Blow», no matter for which legion master, is an almost zero range contact ability. For it to hit, you have to score a number of normal attacks and stop the person. But no matter how many times my main cannon and missiles were fired, I was not even able to scratch him... I was hit here and there by his sword and lost HP. In the end... it was time up and I lost.”
“Lost!? Let’s leave «Judgement Blow» alone, a King like you lost!?”
“Such a big show of surprise... you also fought it before so you should have understood. That mobility, other than a monster no one has. Huge distance jumps, changing path in the air... it was almost like flight.”
“Fly... ing...”
With that whisper, Kuroyukihime first looked at Yuniko standing pass the table, then at Haruyuki sitting next to her.
Then, she slowly and deeply nodded.
“I see. Finally, your goal... using a very troublesome way to do reality intrusion on Haruyuki-kun and using yourself to do social engineering, I understand the reason now.”
At that time, Takumu seemed to have reached the same conclusion. Looking dubiously at the three other than himself, Haruyuki moved his body and view around.
“Wh... what is it? The goal... what is that anyway?”
“Isn’t it obvious, onii-chan♪”
Yuniko’s mood suddenly changed sharply and said sweetly with angel mode pure simile.
“I need Haruyuki onii-chan to capture Chrome Disaster.”
After about 5 seconds of relaxed feeling.
‘No way...I am scared. Don’t joke.’
Haruyuki screamed that, falling from his chair and went to hide behind Kuroyukihime.
However Kuroyukihime titled her head as if thinking about something, then ruthlessly held the back of Haruyuki’s uniform and pulled, saying with a saint like smile.
“Haruyuki-kun, you should experience everything. I think there’s no harm in trying.”
“Wh... whattt!?”
“I never said it would be a one on one fight. Also, this is not just the Red legion, it’s all of accelerated world... including our «Nega Nebulas»’s problem. Then here, it’s time for you to stand up like a man as a Burst Linker.”
‘- This person saying that with this face, she is planning something.’
That appeared in Haruyuki’s mind, but he could not determine what that «something» was, so he desperately tried to find excuses.
“B, but... that’s an opponent that the King, that is level 9 Scarlet Rain could not deal with! Level 4 me would be instantly blown away and it would be over! I don’t want my head and arms to be pulled off!!”
“I won’t let that happen to you.”
Another smile that can melt the highest grade gelato[5].
“Use your speed and flight ability to chase Chrome Disaster and just stopping him for a short while is fine. Afterward this little girl and I will rob him of mobility.”
“So... so simply said, but...”
Being a bad loser, Haruyuki put this normal run away skill into full gear, and mumbled his final rebuttal.
“That’s right... that requires a team battle to happen first right? Also, against just Chrome Disaster, at the very least needs senpai, Scarlet Rain and I. He would not accept such a disadvantageous duel!”
For Burst Linkers, while their Neuro Linker is connected to the net, could not refuse a normal one on one duel from other Burst Linkers. But if the battle mode was «Team» or «Battle Royale», that’s another story. In that situation, it would be three against one with Chrome Disaster, with that kind of disadvantage, there’s no way he would accept.
‘- No, wait. Earlier, didn’t he have the same question?’
After nodding lightly to the speechless Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime took a glance at Yuniko and asking in confirmation.
“If Chrome Disaster would have been rampaging with normal battles, I would have heard about it already. However I have not heard a single rumor, so that means...”
“...That’s right.”
The Red King put her hands into her cut-jean pockets and twisted her slender upper body around to nod.
“That guy’s hunting ground is no longer the «Normal Duel Field». Above that... in the «Unlimited Neutral Field».”
‘...What is that?’
Haruyuki raised his head with a question mark, instead a bit to the right front, Takumu shouted sharply.
“Da... dangerous, master!”
He rose up with a clank from the chair and continued.
“With our lineup, diving «above» is way too reckless! For me and Haru maybe, but you are chained with a special rule! If you were suddenly ambushed by other level 9 players, with one loss, at that instant you would lose Brain Burst forever... no, in the worst case...”
>
Takumu took a quick glance at Yuniko to the right and after a bit of hesitation, touched the bridge of his glasses with his right hand finger and said.
“...It’s my duty to say this, so let me say it. - The worst case, all of this act... Haru’s reality intrusion, the talk about Chrome Disaster, all of these could possibly be the Red King’s trap. To lure master into the «Unlimited Field», with a big army in ambush, planning to take your head, is possible.”
Yuniko who again returned to the little devil mode, with her hands in pockets, point her small jaw and glared at Takumu.
“...Well said, Cyan Pile. Everything you said earlier was in a clever way, what are you? Glasses character. Nickname Professor?”
Hit.
His little hurt face soon returned to normal, Takumu said in rebuttal.
“Show some kind of proof, then we can talk, Red King. We are just a three person legion, for us to dive «Above» knowing the danger, you should provide some kind of proof!”
“Here is your proof.”
Yuniko took her right hand from her pocket and manipulated her virtual desktop for a bit, then snapped three fingers. In Haruyuki’s view, another half transparent name tag appeared. But, this time bigger than the one earlier. Not just the real name, below that also showed home address.
Starting from Nerima ward in Tokyo, ending with unfamiliar school and dormitory name, Haruyuki looked on in amazement. With face and name can be said to be plenty of «Reality intrusion», showing home address too, is way past courage into recklessness.
Takumu and Kuroyukihime too were surprised by that, while being looked on by three silent and wide eyed middle school students, Yuniko removed her right hand from her virtual desktop and poked her small chest with her thumb.
“You still do not understand why I personally contacted you? The real world me is an elementary kid with no strength, economic or organizational power. I have no way to defend against «attacks» on me. If I betrayed you, you can come get revenge anytime you like in reality.”
Yuniko who said that, her eyes seem to be burning from the left over winter sunlight coming through the window.
He thought she was reckless, but she had tremendous resolution. To be true, she could not possibly overlook the problem of her legion member breaking the no invasion treaty and attacking other legion members. However, before everything else, Brain Burst is just a «Duel Game». Something that exist for play, enjoy and excitement.
That’s why Haruyuki thought that sacrificing your real self for Brain Burst is a mistake. That deceived Takumu three months ago, and he is still tormented by it now.
“Yuniko... -chan.”
In place of the overwhelmed Takumu, Haruyuki involuntarily called out, trying to find words to continue.
However, that one word seemed to allow the Red King to see through his heart, she lowered her right hand and said with a self delirious smile.
“I understand what you want to say. But... you will eventually come to understand when you get to this height, that this game with «accelerate» technology can make the wall of real side thin. If you knew how much time that girl and I spent in the accelerated world, you would certainly fall right down.”
“Wh... total play time...?”
Haruyuki titled his head and did a little calculation. Right now, he had about 10 «duels» per day. Each fight average around 20 minutes, so total 200 minutes - a bit more than 3 hours. It’s a bit high playtime for a middle school student, but not way too absurd.
If one day is around 3 hours, one month is 100 hours. One year is 1200 hours. Since Yuniko became a Burst Linker for about two and half year -.
“3000... hours or about?”
That’s a big number, but compared to actual VRMMO-RPG addicts, that’s nothing. Those people dive at least 10 hours a day.
However, after hearing Haruyuki’s hard mental calculations, Yuniko laughed aloud and Kuroyukihime too had a slight wry smile.
“Wh, that’s not right? Yuniko-chan, then how much total time...?”
“Not telling you. That answer, you can find out yourself. Also...”
The Red King suddenly put on a scary face and said in a threatening tone.
“Stop calling me Yuniko-chan. I get shivers in my back. ...Niko is fine. Call me Niko, absolutely not allowed to add -chan or -tan.”
Somehow feeling that they are off topic, Haruyuki nodded and looked around.
“Let’s see... So the result is that «Nega Nebulas» will assist Niko-cha... the Red King, is that right?”
“...Umu. There are many risks, but for now we will swallow it whole. Also, there is some merit.”
“M, merit?”
Kuroyukihime looked away from Haruyuki who asked that, towards the Red King.
“That’s right. «Prominence» under the sun coming to request this very big favor, must have prepared some kind of exchange condition. For example... from now on do not touch our small territory, things like that.”
“Chii.”
With that small click of her tongue, the Red King - Niko light waved her right hand.
“I understand. If you are fine with a verbal promise. My guys won’t touch the Suginami area.”
Kuroyukihime nodded slowly, then one finger from her folded right hand came up.
“However, just one thing. Scarlet Rain... how are you supposed to ambush Chrome Disaster in the «Unlimited Field»? In that place, it’s almost impossible to purposely encounter someone, you should have already known that.”
“...I won’t trouble you guys. It’s my responsibility to determine the time and place. Not right now, probably tomorrow evening... is all I can say.”
“Ohh. You can do that?”
To Kuroyukihime’s question, Niko nodded.
“I will leave it to you. Tomorrow after school, we will meet here again and dive into the «Unlimited Neutral Field». Is that okay, Haruyuki-kun and Takumu-kun?”
‘- What is that Unlimited Field anyway?’
Before that question, Haruyuki was surprised with ‘Arg, my home again!?’ that shout in his mind. His mother won’t be home till the day after tomorrow so that is fine, if he returned home tomorrow, and this time Niko played with praise the «other type of Z games» in the living room - if that happened, he would not be able to stand up again.
‘Defend till death. This time he will defend his room till death!’
With that oath, Haruyuki and Takumu both nodded.
“Then, for today from now on is free time. Haruyuki-kun, thank you for the coffee.”
With those words Kuroyukihime stood up, she again looked at the tens of years ago vintage collection of western games scattered in the living room.
“Next time, I will come to play normally. There are many titles I don’t know of.”
“Y... yea, please do.”
‘Something that doesn’t have a lot of blood and guts spilling.’
He added that in his mind, then walked Kuroyukihime and Takumu to the entrance.
“See you Haru at the school tomorrow. Uwaa, it’s already this late.”
First Takumu waved his hand then walked out of the hallway to another part of the apartment, next Kuroyukihime put on her loafers and turned around.
“Ah, that is. I will walk you home, it’s late...”
Haruyuki said that, but she waved her hand lightly and said.
“No need to worry, with student council work it’s even later than now, so this is nothing. Also, this place is pretty close to my home.”
“Is that... so. But, be careful.”
“Un, then, sorry to have disturbed you. See you tomorrow.”
Kuroyukihime smiled, raised her right fist, then was about to step outside the door.
To her back, from behind Haruyuki, Niko’s drawling voice called out.
“See you, black one. Don’t be late tomorrow. Okay then, time to continue.”
To the Red King who then skipped to the living room, this time Kuroyukihime turned around with in
credible speed and shouted.
“Hey wait, wait a minute, red one!”
“What?”
She glared at Niko who stuck her head out and cross-examined.
“You are not thinking of staying here today as well.”
“Of course. It’s troublesome to go back all the time.”
“Don’t mess around, go home! A child should go home, do homework, brush teeth and sleep!!”
That fiery sharp tongue was washed away by a grin from Niko.
“But, my school is a boarding school. After getting a three day pass to go out, even if I return, there won’t be any food. ...Anyway, onii-chan, what should we have for dinner tonight♪”
After saying the later part in angel mode, Niko disappear into the living room.
“Wha... wha...”
While her face quivered as if right before a huge eruption with her fists shaking, Kuroyukihime glared sidewise at Haruyuki who stood there dazed.
“...Cancel the ‘See you tomorrow’. I will stay over here tonight too.”
With that fearsome announcement, that was declaration of war, she forcefully shut the door, took off her shoes and stamped pass the hallway into the living room.
It took more than one minute for Haruyuki’s totally frozen brain to restart.
‘- What is this?’
‘What is this....what is happening...is this reality? Or is everything and everyone a polygon created fake reality?’
Haruyuki sat on the living room sofa, hugging a cushion, and stared off into space.
Maybe everything from the beginning - meeting Kuroyukihime, obtaining Brain Burst, and becoming Burst Linker «Silver Crow» was all a dream. Maybe an escape from reality application was running that allowed him continue to see such long delusion.
Those were Haruyuki’s serious doubts, but the hamburger he ate just 30 minutes ago, its slightly burnt aftertaste, the happiness in his stomach, and also from the bathroom in the hallway, sounds of water and girls’ playful sounds were way too real.
After Kuroyukihime’s sudden announcement, the three of them went shopping in the mall under the apartment, made dinner together, washed dishes - and then Niko and Kuroyukihime went to use the bathroom first together. That’s what happened.
The situation where everything occurring all at once was so unreal that Haruyuki wasted it, being mostly on automatic mode. «While parents are away» «two girls came to stay over» «made dinner and went to bath», those kind of situations could not be adjusted into his consciousness.
Accel World: Crimson Storm Princess Page 8