Sword Art Online - Volume 2 - Aincrad (Side Stories)

by Reki Kawahara

  “…Ah.”

  Now that the conversation has gone this far, there’s no need to hide it anymore. After I calmly admitted it, I sighed numerous times which I couldn’t keep track of, and squeezed out the words.

  “I understand your feelings…I never thought there would actually be such a dream item. «Nicholas’s bag contains a legendary item that can bring the dead back to life.» …but…like most people, I think that was just a lie. Or rather than call it a lie, I mean it might be a left over speech for NPCs for when SAO was just an an ordinary VRMMO…that is, originally, this item would have revived people without the conditions of the «Death Penalty». But, the SAO now has no such thing. There is only one penalty, and that is the player’s life. I don’t want to recall that event, but this was said first day on the clearing by that Kayaba fellow.”

  I recall the incident’s first day tutorial by Akihiko’s fake GM in that clearing and what he said. A player whose HP becomes zero will disappear from this server, never to return to the physical body.

  I don’t feel that speech was a lie, but…even so…

  “There’s nobody that can confirm, that the death in this world is equivalent to the real thing.”

  I said these words as if I meant to argue. Just then, Cline wrinkled his nose and struck down my words:

  “We’re going to die and return to the other side actually alive, and Kayaba will face us and tell us «I lied» ? Stop it, this question was resolved a year ago. If it’s this kind of sick joke, then just pull down all the players’ NERvGear, and this incident will be over with. Since we can’t do that, this death game is serious. When HP becomes zero, the NERvGear will become a microwave oven and fry your brain. If it isn’t that, then the people who were killed by those bastards or monsters, who cried “I don’t want to die” as they disappeared, what did all of it mean?”

  “Shut up!”

  Shouting loud enough to surprise myself, I interrupted Cline’s speech.

  “If you really think that I would not even understand this kind of thing, then I have nothing to say to you… Indeed, Kayaba did say that on the first day, but, a while back, even the leader of the game-clearers on the front lines, the leader of KoB Heath Cliffe said this: as long as there is even a one percent chance of saving the life of a comrade, then we should do our best to pursue that chance, and those who cannot do this don’t deserve to form any party. Even though I don’t like that man, what he says is right. I’m currently pursuing that chance. Suppose that those who die in this world have neither returned to the real world, nor have truly died, and instead were transferred to some sort of reserved area, waiting for the final outcome of this game. Then, we have established a reason for the «Resurrection Item».”

  With a long-windedness rarely seen of me, I put forth this scenario that I only just created to support me. Cline put away his anger, and instead looked at me with pity.

  “Is that so?”

  The sound he emitted just now was completely different from before, very calm.

  “Kirito…you still haven’t forgotten, what happened with your last guild right…it’s already been half a year…”

  I turned my head, and spat out words to defend myself.

  “It should be said, how could I have forgotten after just half a year…everybody died, except for me…”

  “It was called «Black Cats of the Full Moon» right? They weren’t even a game-clearing guild, yet still went to a place close to the front lines, and in the end some thieves caused an alarm trap. That was not your fault, and no one would blame you for that. Instead, you would be praised for being able to survive.”

  “It’s not like that…it was my fault. Whether it’s stopping them from going to the front line, telling them to ignore the treasure, or making sure everyone escaped as soon as the alarm went off; all of this I should have been able to do.”

  —If I didn’t hide my level of skill from my companions. The pain that came from not telling Cline this truth was relentlessly biting my chest. Before the katana-user said any words of comfort uncharacteristic of him, I forced myself to finish the rest of my words:

  “Indeed, there might not even be a one percent chance of it. But whether it’s the probability of my finding the Christmas Boss, of defeating it alone, of the Resurrection item existing, or of the dead’s consciousnesses having been preserved…all of these like finding a grain of sand in a desert. However…however, it is not zero. Since it’s not zero, I have to put in my best effort. Moreover…Cline, there’s no way you would give yourself this headache just for the money, right? So, you will use it as a reason to do this just like me, right?”

  In response to my question, Cline snorted, answering while holding the sheath on the floor:

  “I’m not the same as a dreamer like you. It’s just that…before, I also had a friend who was eliminated. If I don’t do everything that I can for him, then I won’t be able to sleep at night…”

  Facing the Cline who had stood up, I gave a slight smile.

  “So it’s the same.”

  “It’s not the same. Our main objective is still the treasure, with what we just talked about on the side……with only that group of people, it would be bad if a giant ant comes out. I’ll go and check out the situation.”

  “Ah, ah.”

  Slightly nodding my head, I closed my eyes and leaned deeply against the trunk of the tree. The whispered words of the katana-user floated over to me.

  “And, I worry about you. It’s not just to gather intelligence, you moron. If you die by being brave in this kind of place, I certainly won’t use the resurrection item on you!”

  Part 2

  “Thank you for your concern. Then we will respectfully accept it. Please protect us until we reach the exit.”

  This was the first sentence the leader of «Black Cats of the Full Moon» guild, Keita spoke to me.

  Five months had passed since the spring season’s dusk when the death game called SAO began. In order to collect material for weapons, I had ventured into the labyrinth ten levels below the current front line.

  As a Beater, I had rushed headlong since the beginning, utilizing my experience as a beta tester. Adopting a tough solo player approach, had enabled me to earn experience points very efficiently. It reached a point where I could even defeat monsters on the front line solo. As such, hunting at the current level was so easy and relaxing that it became a boring task. By avoiding other players, I was able to obtain the complete set of required amount of materials in two hours. As I was preparing to move toward the direction of the exit, I encountered a party retreating, a huge group of monsters pursuing them.

  As a solo player, I immediately had the opinion that the party was totally unbalanced. Within the five player party, the only player who could assume a forward role is a guy carrying a mace and shield. The others were just a thief equipped with a dagger, a staff user carrying a two handed-staff and two long spear users. However when the mace user’s hit points were reduced drastically, there was no one else who could substitute in. As a result, this type of party could only retreat slowly.

  To determine the status of everyone, I checked their hit points. Apparently, it was more than sufficient for them to retreat safely to the exit. However, that would no longer apply if they encountered another group of monsters in the midst of retreating. After some slight hesitation, I dashed out from the path I was hidden in and spoke to the staff user who seemed to be the leader.

  “Do you want me to assist with forward support?”

  The staff user stared at me with his eyes wide open and nodded his head after a moment of hesitation.

  “Then, sorry for troubling you, but please retreat immediately if there is any danger.”

  I nodded my head in acknowledgement and pulled a sword off of my back before shouting from behind the mace user to switch in. Thus, I rushed into the monsters’ assault.

  The enemies were a group of goblins which I had defeated in numbers just a while back when
hunting alone. This monsters could be quickly defeated if I went all out with my sword skills. Even if I was unable to defend against any of the attacks, I would be able to last for a long time by depending on my «battle healing» skill to recover my hit points. However, I was instantly concerned. Though I do not fear the goblins, I was deeply concerned with the thoughts of those players behind me.

  In general, high-level players causing a big disturbance while training in the lower levels was considered bad manners. If it persisted for a period of time, the player would receive a harsh reprimand when a request was made to a guild in the higher levels to resolve it. The player would end up being reported in the newspaper’s list of players with bad etiquette and were subjected to a number of punishments. Though that should not be an issue as I considered it an emergency situation, it made me concerned. If not handled properly, they would have labelled me as a Beater instead of showing gratitude.

  As such, I intentionally prolonged the time required to defeat the group of goblins by limiting the usage of my sword skills. At that time, I was still unaware that this decision of mine would lead to an irreparable mistake.

  The whole group of goblins was finally defeated after several rounds of rotation with the mace user, who had been constantly replenishing his hit points with medicine. I was startled when this unknown party of five players started to cheer loudly. They were mutually giving each other a high-five rejoicing in the victory.

  Though feeling at a loss, I still put on an unaccustomed smile while shaking everybody’s hands. The only female player in the party, a black haired spear user held my hand last with both her hands while repeatedly saying to me through her tears:

  “Thank you…… Thank you so much. I was really afraid…… when you came to our rescue, I was really happy. I truly appreciate your help.”

  Hearing such words while seeing the flowing tears, there was this indescribable emotion flowing through my chest. I remembered at that moment when I helped them, it felt very good that I was strong enough to be able to do so.

  Although I had been a solo player since the game began, this was not my first time helping other parties on the front line. However in a strategic party, it is a tacit understanding that we were supposed to help each other on the battlefield. Since there would be a day when I would need help in return, I would help others without expecting anything in return. Further, those being helped would only give a brief greetings in return. This was the best way to quickly handle the post-battle silence before the start of the next battle. That simple rational exists as a way to continuously and efficiently strengthen oneself.

  However, they – the «Black Cats of the Full Moon» were different. The whole party was overcome with great joy just from a round of victory in battle, and were complementing each other’s efforts. It seemed like the victorious trumpet sound part at the end of a stand-alone RPG game when I proposed to accompany them to the exit. That was probably influenced by the family-like atmosphere they had among themselves. To describe it further, I felt that it was in fact they who were finishing this mad game called SAO.

  “I am also a little concerned about the remaining amount of recovery medicine I have…… If you don’t mind, let’s head toward the exit together.”

  Keita nodded while expressing a huge laughter toward my lies.

  “Thank you so much for your concern.”

  No, when I finally started to realize that it I was just me who had felt that it was a refreshing experience, it had been six months after the disappearance of «Black Cats of the Full Moon». As someone who had adopted the policy of being a solo player to accumulate strength, protecting someone much weaker than myself gave of a pleasant feeling similar to being depended upon. That is just how it was.

  While in the main passage area after leaving the labyrinth, I had agreed to Keita’s invitation to an ale house, their treat. As such, we were toasting in celebration with red wine they would consider expensive. When my self-introduction ended, Keita hesitantly asked about my current level in a whisper after the mood had calmed down.

  I had more or less predicted this question would be asked. As such, I had thought of an appropriate fake number a while back. The number I told them was in fact about three levels higher than their average level…… but, it was actually twenty levels lower than my true level.

  “Huh! You can solo at this place with your current level?”

  My sour expression when replied Keita surprised him.

  “There is no need to speak in such a manner…… even if being solo, but basically I only select isolated enemies to attack while avoiding detection. However in terms of efficiency, it is not very high.”

  “Oh…… Indeed, then…… Although this is rather sudden……. But I think some guilds will invite you to join them very soon…… If you are willing, would you like to join our guild?”

  “Huh……?”

  Facing me who was unsure how to respond, Keita’s face which was totally red, got more excited as he spoke.

  “Look, based on our current level, we can safely train in the labyrinth we were previous in. As for the skills to move higher…… you would be well aware of our current circumstances. The only person who can assume the position of a forward is Tetsuo. No matter what, his recovery was unable to match the rate of deterioration. As such, the battle conditions will only get worse. If we have another companion to join us, things would have been much easier. Further…… Sachi, come here for a moment.”

  Keita raised his hand and called aloud to the black haired spear user. The petite girl called Sachi came over while holding a glass of red wine and shyly nodded at me. Keita placed his hand on Sachi’s head before continuing and said:

  “This girl’s primary skill as you can see, is using a two-handed long spear. But her skill is relatively low compared our other long spear user. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to convert her to a shield wielder and one-handed sword user. It’s just that we never had the opportunity to practice before this. Furthermore, we are also not familiar with one-handed swords. If you are willing, will you be her coach?”

  “What’s this! Treating me like a little kid!”

  Sachi raised her cheek and stuck out her tongue slightly while smiling and said:

  “This is because I have always been responsible for attacking the enemies from a distance. If you suddenly needed me to move forward and engage the enemy in close quarter combat, I would be afraid.”

  “It will be fine as long as you take cover behind the shield. How many times do I need to repeat myself before you will understand…… seriously. You have been too easily frightened since long ago.”

  I was only aware that the front lines of SAO where there were full of killings. No, in my opinion all players competed for resources in MMORPG. As such, their interactions were both interesting and fascinating. When Keita noticed I was looking at him, he shyly smiled and said:

  “Ah……. Our guild members are actually computer research club members from the same high school in the real world. In fact, she lives very close to me…… Ah, please don’t be concerned since everyone here is very nice. You will definitely be able to get close with the others very quickly.”

  Everyone in that group, Keita included, were decent people. That was something I already knew since I spent the return journey from the labyrinth with them. I felt guilty for deceiving that group of people when I forced a smile and nodded.

  “Then…… Please allow me to join you all. Also, please offer me your guidance.”

  With a second forward, the Black Cats’ Party Balance improved drastically.

  No, if any of them were showing any doubt, they would find that my HP wouldn’t drop for some strange reason. However, these kind friends of all believed me because of what I said, that I made this coat from some rare materials—and this wasn’t a lie—and they never doubted me.

  During a party battle, I was only in charge of defense, and to let the members behind me deal with the enemi
es and gain experience points. Keita and the rest quickly leveled up, and after I joined in for a week, we were training at a main hunting ground that was a level highter.

  We sat around in a safe zone within the dungeon. Keita was eating a bento Sachi made as he excitedly told me his dream,

  “Of course, our allies’ safety is of the most important. But…if, if we only wanted safety, we just needed to lock ourselves in the city right from the beginning. Since we’re training and increasing our levels like this, we hope to at least be on the clearing group. Even though the front lines are far away from us, we can only leave it to elite guilds like the Knights of the Blood or the Sacred Dragon Alliance to conquer them…eh, Kirito, what’s the difference between them and us?”

  “Eh…un, information. Those guys have information on which areas were the most effective in training, how to get the strongest weapons in the game and so on.”

  That’s the reason why I was in the attack squad, but Keita didn’t seem to be happy about this answer.

  “This…is obviously a reason. But I feel that it was willpower. Their desire to protect their friends, all the players was strong. It’s because of this power that they were able to win in dangerous boss battles. We’re the ones being protected, but our feelings won’t lose to them. So…I feel that if we continue to work hard like this, we can catch up.”

  “Really…you’re right.”

  Though I said that, I felt that it wasn’t some amazingly reason like that. The reason why the clearing groups had their motivation was that they always had a top swordsman who stood above thousands of players. The proof was that if they aimed to clear SAO just to protect players, those elite players should have provided all the information and equipment they got to the mid-level players. Then they could have improved every player’s level, and the number of people who joined the clearing groups would increase.

  The reason why they did that was because they hoped to be the strongest. Of course, I was the same as well. At that time, I would sneak out of our rest place and go to the front lines to continue leveling myself up. This act continued to pull my difference in level from the members of the Black Cats. Even though I knew the outcome, I continued to betray them.