All of a sudden, there was a sound like a bell or an alarm, and Klein and I were both startled.
[What…]
"What's going on?"
The two of us shouted at the same time and looked at each other, then widened our eyes.
Klein and I were completely surrounded by a blue light pillar. Looking out through the blue membrane, the scenery of the grassland gradually faded.
I've experienced this phenomenon several times during the closed test. This was the " transfer " after using the field movement tool. But I'm not holding a prop right now, nor am I giving any commands. Even if it was a transfer initiated by the operating company, why wasn't there any announcement?
Thinking of this, the light surrounding my body became even stronger, making it impossible for me to see anything.
As the blue light gradually faded, I could see the surrounding scenery again. But I was no longer in the grassland under the setting sun.
What could be seen now was a vast stone floor, surrounded by trees, and a street with a medieval style. In the distance ahead, there was a huge palace emitting black light.
There was no doubt that this was the central square of the " Town of Beginnings ", the starting point of the game.
Klein and I looked at each other with our mouths agape. Then, the two of us looked back and forth at the crowded crowd.
Looking at these handsome men and women, as well as their various equipment and hair colors, I can confirm that they are players of SAO like me. It looked like there were thousands of them-nearly ten thousand, to be exact. All the players in the game might have been transferred to this square like Klein and me.
In a few seconds, the crowd fell silent because they did not understand the situation. Then, they began to look around in panic.
Not long after, noisy sounds began to spread from various places, and the volume gradually increased. "What's going on?"」[Can I log out like this?] [Hurry up and let me log out!] In this case…
After a while, the noise of the crowd began to have an anxious atmosphere, and one could also hear the words,"Stop joking!"」[GM, come out!] Such an angry roar.
Suddenly…
Someone's voice drowned out the noise.
[Ah…look up!]
Klein and I looked up reflexively. Then, he saw a wonderful scene.
100 meters above, which was the bottom of the second layer, was dyed with a layer of bright red checkerboard pattern.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that the pattern was formed by two English words. As for the two words written in bright red font, they were Warning and System Announcement.
I was quite surprised for a moment. After seeing the single word, I thought to myself," Ah, the announcement from the operating company is finally here." I heaved a sigh of relief. At this moment, the noise in the square also subsided. It felt as if everyone was pricking up their ears to listen to the contents of the announcement.
However, what happened next completely betrayed my expectations.
The red pattern covered the entire sky. Its central part was like a thick drop of blood that slowly dripped down. However, the blood did not drip onto the ground. Instead, it suddenly changed shape in midair.
The one who appeared was a giant that was nearly 20 meters tall and wore a dark red cloak.
No, that was not quite right. Since we were looking up from below, we should be able to see the face in the hat pulled very low. However, there was no face in that part. It was completely empty. We could even clearly see the inside of the hat and the stitches on the edge. There was also only a faint darkness under the long hem of the dress.
I've seen a cloak like this before. It was the uniform that the GMs who were members of ARGUS would wear during the closed test. However, at that time, male GMs were definitely old men with long beards who looked like magicians. If it was a female, it would definitely be a female character wearing glasses under the cloak. Perhaps it was because something had happened that I couldn't create a new character, so I had to at least let the cloak appear first. However, there was nothing under the dark red cloak, which made me feel an indescribable sense of unease.
The countless players around me should have the same feeling as me. Because everywhere you can hear,"Is that the GM?"」"Why don't you have a face?" Such a voice.
At this moment, as if to stop these sounds, the right sleeve of the cloak suddenly moved.
From the expanded sleeves, one could see pure white gloves. However, the sleeves and gloves were clearly separated from each other. There was no physical part at all.
Then, he slowly raised his left sleeve. On the heads of the 10,000 players, the empty white gloves were opened to the left and right. It felt like a faceless man was opening his mouth. Then, a man's deep and clear voice came from afar.
[Players, welcome to my world.」
I couldn't understand what it was saying.
What is Minecraft? If that red cloak was the GM of the operating company, then he was indeed like a god, with the authority to control this world. However, there was no need to mention something that everyone already knew.
Klein and I looked at each other speechlessly. At this time, the red cloak slowly put down its hands, and its words continued to reach our ears.
[My name is Hayaba Akihiko.] He was the only one who could control this world.」
Because I was too shocked, my clone, and perhaps even my real body, choked.
The thatched cottage-Jingyan!
I know this name. How could he not have heard of it?
A few years ago, ARGUS was just one of the many weak game development companies. Today, it was the driving force behind the development of the largest game development company in the industry.
He was not only the developer of the game, but also the basic designer of the NERvGear.
As a gaming fanatic, the thatched cottage was something I looked forward to. As long as it was a magazine that reported on him, I would definitely buy it, and I would repeat the few interviews I had so many times that I could almost recite them. Just hearing the short voice just now, the clever face of Mao Chang, who often wore white clothes, automatically appeared in my mind.
However, up until now, he had only stayed behind the scenes and tried his best to avoid appearing in the media. Of course, he should have never played the role of a GM. Why would he do such a thing?
My entire body was stiff as I tried my best to circulate my thoughts that were about to stop, hoping to grasp the current situation as much as possible. However, the words coming from under the hollow cloak sounded like they were mocking me, who was trying hard to understand the situation.
"I think all players have noticed that the logout button has disappeared from the main menu screen. But this wasn't a problem with the game. I repeat. This was not a problem with the game, but the original version of SwordArtOnline.」
[The…the original version?]
Klein whispered hoarsely. Mao Chang seemed to cut him off and continued to announce in a low and smooth voice,"
[From now on, you will not be able to log out of this game before you reach the top of this castle.」
I couldn't immediately understand what 'this castle' meant. In this starting town, where exactly did the castle exist?
However, Mao Chang's next words instantly swept away my doubts.
"... In addition, there is no way to stop or disable the operation of NERvGear by an outsider. If anyone tries to do that-"
There was a brief silence.
The following words were slowly spoken in the heavy silence of ten thousand people holding their breaths.
"The microwave emitted by the NERvGear signal component will destroy your brain and stop your life activities.」
Klein and I stared at each other with a blank expression for a few seconds.
Although my brain seemed to refuse to understand the meaning of those words. However, Mao Chang's very concise declaration directly penetrated me from head to toe with its brutal hardness and density.
Destroy the brain.
In other words, it meant to kill someone.
If the power supply of the NERvGear was cut off, or if the lock was unlocked to remove it from the head, the user wearing the NERvGear would be killed. This was the declaration of Hayaba.
Sounds of commotion came from all parts of the crowd. However, no one shouted or rioted. I think it's because everyone, including me, has yet to understand or refuse to understand what Mao Chang said.
Klein slowly raised his right hand, as if he was trying to grab the helmet that should exist in the real world. At the same time, he let out a hollow laugh.
" Haha... what is that guy talking about? This was simply impossible. This was simply impossible. NERvGear…was just a game console. How could he…destroy the brain? Don't you think so? Kirito!"
His voice was hoarse by the second half of his sentence. No matter how much he stared at me, I couldn't nod in agreement with what he said.
NERvGear used countless signal components buried inside to emit weak electromagnetic waves to give the brain cells a simulated feeling when doing something.
It could indeed be said to be the most cutting-edge technology of the era. But in fact, household appliances with the same principle had been accepted by all Japanese families as early as 40 years ago. That was the microwave oven.
As long as there was sufficient output power, NERvGear could indeed cause the water in our brain cells to vibrate, and then steam our brains through friction. But…
"…In theory, it's not impossible…But I think it's just to scare people. As long as the power cord of the NERvGear was unplugged, it would not be able to emit such high-power electromagnetic waves. As long as it doesn't have a high-capacity battery inside…"
Klein should have already noticed the reason why I couldn't continue halfway.
The tall and handsome man moaned with an empty expression,"
[Indeed…there is a built-in battery.] It was said that it was a battery that took up 30% of the helmet's weight. But this didn't make sense! What if there was a sudden blackout?」
At this point, Mao Chang seemed to have heard Klein's words, and his voice continued to come from above."
" To be more specific, if the external power supply is cut off for more than ten minutes, the network is disconnected for more than two hours, and the attempt is made to destroy the NERvGear body or remove the fixed lock-only under these conditions will the brain destruction program be executed. These conditions had already been announced to the outside world through the company and the media. "By the way, at this point in time, there are already many players 'family and friends who ignored our warning and tried to forcefully disable NERvGear. The result is…"
When the loud metallic voice reached this point, it took a deep breath.
"Regrettably, 213 players have left the real world and Ain Grand Tree forever.」
The only mournful cry came from somewhere. Other than that, most of the players in the surroundings either couldn't believe it or didn't want to believe it. They only smiled or were in a daze.
My brain still refused to accept what Mao Chang said. However, my body betrayed me first. My feet suddenly began to tremble.
My knees were trembling, so I took a few steps back. It was not easy for me to hold myself up from falling. Klein, on the other hand, had a look of exhaustion on his face as he sat on the ground.
There were already 213 players…
This sentence kept repeating in the depths of my ears.
If what Mao Chang said was true, then at this point in time, more than 200 people had already died?
There must be players who are closed beta players like me. There might even be players whose names I've heard of or whose faces I've seen. NERvGear had already burned their brains-did Mao Chang mean that these people were already dead?
[I don't believe it…I don't believe it.]」
Klein, who was sitting on the stone floor, said hoarsely,"
[It's just to scare people. This was impossible. Stop nagging and get me out of here. I don't have time to play with you here. That's right…all of this was part of the game. It was a performance for the opening of the game, right? That's right."
Klein's words echoed in the depths of my mind.
However, as if to destroy the hopes of all the players, including me, the announcement of work matters in the thatched cottage began again.
"You don't have to worry about your bodies in the real world. Now, all the television, radio, and online media were repeatedly reporting this situation, as well as the appearance of many victims. Therefore, the risk of the NERvGear being forcibly removed from your heads can be said to have been reduced to a relatively low level. From now on, your bodies in the real world should be transported to the hospital or other facilities during the two-hour buffer time when you wear the NERvGear, and then carefully taken care of. I hope that everyone can rest assured…and focus on the game guide.」
[Wha...]
At this point, I finally couldn't hold it in anymore and let out a sharp cry.
"What are you talking about! You want us to focus on the game? How could he play the game without being able to log out?」
Glaring at the huge red cloak floating near the bottom of the upper level, I continued to roar,
[This is no longer a game!」
As a result, it was as if Hayaba Kyokihiko had heard my words again. He continued to use his calm voice to announce,"
" However, I hope everyone will pay special attention. For everyone, SwordArtOnline is no longer just a game, but another real world. From now on…all resurrection functions will be canceled in the game. "Therefore, the moment your HP drops to zero, your characters will be destroyed forever. At the same time…"
I could completely predict what he would say next.
[Your brains will be destroyed by NERvGear.]」
For a moment, I felt an urge to laugh from the depths of my stomach, but I tried my best to suppress it.
Now, in the upper left corner of my line of sight, there was a thin, blue line. Upon closer inspection, the numbers 342/342 were displayed.
HitPoint。The residual value of one's life.
The moment it reaches zero, I will truly die. According to Hayashi, I will die immediately from my brain being cooked by the microwave.
This was indeed a game. It was a game that truly concerned life and death. In other words, the game of death.
I had probably died hundreds of times during the two-month-long SAO closed test. Every time, I would revive in the palace located in the north of the square, the Black Iron Palace, accompanied by unpleasant laughter, and once again join the battlefield.
This was what the so-called RPG was all about. It was a game where players constantly died and gained experience points to improve their skills. Now, he actually said that there was no way to revive? And once he died, he would really lose his life? What was even more ridiculous was that he still couldn't take the initiative to stop this game?
[... How stupid.]
I groaned.
Under such conditions, would anyone want to run to the danger zone? All the players would definitely hide in the safe street area.
However, it was as if the other party could constantly see through my thoughts and the thoughts of all the players. He made a new announcement.
[There is only one condition that can free you from this game. I just mentioned that we should reach the highest level of Ain Grand, which is the 100th level, and then defeat the final demon king waiting there. I guarantee that at that moment, all the surviving players will be able to log out of the game safely.」
The 10,000 players fell silent.
Now, I finally understood why the thatched cottage had said " to reach the top of this castle ".
This castle was the one that swallowed us at the lowest level, with ninety-nine levels above it, the floating castle known as Aingrunt.
[Break all of them…to the hundredth floor?」
Klein suddenly roared, quickly stood up, and raised his right fist toward the sky.
"How, how could it be possible! It was said that it was very difficult to attack during the closed beta!」
Klein was right. The 1,000 people participating in the SAO closed test had only cleared six floors in two months. Now that it was officially launched, there were about 10,000 players in the game. However, how long would it take for these players to clear the 100th floor?
I think all the players gathered here are probably thinking about this unsolvable problem. The silence that enveloped the scene was soon drowned out by the low noise. But there was hardly any sound of terror or despair in the clamor.
I think most of the players are still unable to determine whether the current situation is a " real crisis " or just an " extra performance in the opening event ". This was because Mao Chang's words were too terrifying, so it didn't feel real.
I looked up at the sky and stared at the empty cloak, trying to integrate my thoughts with the current situation.
I can't log out of this game now. There was no way to return to his room in the real world, nor was there any way to return to his original life. Someone has to defeat the demon king at the top of this floating castle before we can return to our daily lives. Before that, if my HP drops to zero, I will die. True death will descend upon me, and I will disappear from this world forever.
But…
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't treat this information as reality. Five or six hours ago, I was still eating the lunch my mother made and talking to my sister before going upstairs.
I can't go back to that place? Was this really a realistic situation?
At this moment, Red Cloak, who was always one step ahead of me and the other players, lightly moved his right hand and announced in an emotionless voice,
" Finally, let's show everyone that this world is the only evidence of reality for you. I have prepared a gift for you in your equipment bar. Please take a look."
Upon hearing this, the two fingers of my right hand almost automatically waved downwards. The surrounding players did the same thing as I did. A series of electronic ringtones sounded in the square.
After tapping the item tab on the main menu that appeared, the item list that appeared on the top of the list had the gift that Mao Chuang had mentioned.
The name of the item was [Hand-held Mirror].
While thinking about why he gave us this kind of thing, he clicked on the name and selected the materialization button from the window that appeared. With a bright sound effect, a small square mirror immediately appeared.
He held it in his hands with trepidation, but nothing happened. What I see in the mirror is just a character with a brave face that I painstakingly created.
I felt strange as I looked at Klein, who was standing beside me. I noticed that the warrior with a resolute appearance was also holding a mirror in his right hand like me, and his face had a dull expression.
At this moment-
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