[Thank you for your concern. Then we'll do as you say. Please protect us to the exit.」
This was the first thing the guild leader of the " Black Cat Guild of Moonlit Night ", Kita, said to me.
Five months after the death game called SAO began, on a certain spring evening, I snuck into the maze area that was ten floors lower than the front line in order to collect weapon materials and props.
I used my knowledge as a cheater, which meant that I was a participant in the closed beta test. I sprinted all the way from the starting point, using a method that allowed me to earn experience points with high efficiency. After reaching a level where I could even defeat the monsters at the frontlines by myself, hunting in that place was so easy that I felt bored. Avoiding other players, he spent about two hours collecting the required items. Just as he was about to go home and walk to the exit, he encountered a team that was being chased by a large group of monsters on the way.
Even as a solo player, I felt that this was a very unbalanced party. In the team of five, the only one who could be called the vanguard was a man with a warhammer and a shield. The others were a Bandit with a short sword, a Staff Envoy with a cudgel, and two Spearmen. Even if the Warhammer Envoy's health points decreased, there was no other member who could switch and act as a meat shield. This kind of team composition meant that they could only retreat bit by bit.
He looked at everyone and confirmed their health points. Although there was still room for them to escape to the exit, it would be difficult to say if other monsters ran out along the way. I hesitated for a moment before dashing out from the small path I was hiding in. I said to the staff messenger who should be the captain,
"Do you need me to help you hold up in front?」
The staff member stared at me with wide eyes. Although he hesitated for a moment, he immediately nodded.
[Sorry to trouble you. If there is any danger, please run away immediately.」
I nodded in response and pulled out my sword from my back. I shouted at the Warhammer Envoy's back to switch and then charged into the front of the monster.
The enemies were the small fairies that I killed when I was alone. If he used his full strength, he could instantly wipe out these monsters. Even if he took the attacks without resistance, he could still last for a long time with the HP replenished by his battle recovery skills.
However, I was instantly afraid. I wasn't afraid of the little fairy, but of the players behind me.
Generally speaking, it was very impolite for high-level players to make a scene in the lower training area. If this went on for a long time, when the higher-ups of the guild received a request to sweep up the guild, they would be severely punished. In the end, they would be recorded in the newspaper as a list of disrespectful players. Although I felt that this was an emergency and there wouldn't be any problems, I was still afraid. They might even mock me for being a cheater if they thanked me.
I limited the sword skills I used to the beginner level and spent a lot of time fighting the fairies. At that time, I did not know that this decision would lead to an irreversible mistake.
After switching a few times with the Warhammer Envoy, who was using potions to recover his health, and finally defeating all the fairies, this five-man team that I didn't know let out a huge cheer that shocked me. They high-fived each other one after another, happy for their victory.
Even though I was at a loss, I put on an unaccustomed smile and shook everyone's outstretched hands. The only female player, the black-haired spearman, held my hand with both hands in the end. She kept repeating to me with tears in her eyes,
" Thank you... Thank you so much. Because I was very afraid... I was very happy when you came to save us. Thank you so much."
When I heard these words and saw the rippling tears, what flowed in my chest was an indescribable feeling. He only remembered that he felt that it was great that he was strong enough to help them.
Even though I had been a solo player since the game started, it wasn't the first time I had helped other teams on the frontline floor. However, there was a tacit understanding between the strategy teams that they should help each other on the battlefield. One day, he would become the one who needed help, so he would not ask for special gifts when he helped others. The person who was helped would only give a brief greeting. He quickly dealt with the aftermath of the battle and silently set off for the next battle. The only thing that existed there was to continuously strengthen one's own rationality with the highest efficiency.
However, Yue Ye's Black Cat Group was different. Everyone was overjoyed because of the victory of one battle, and they praised each other's hard work. I would suggest to walk to the exit with them after I heard the sound of the victory horn in a stand-alone RPG, probably because I was attracted by the atmosphere of their companionship. Furthermore, I feel that they are the ones who are really trying to conquer this crazy game called SAO.
[I'm also a little worried about the number of health potions left... If you don't mind, let's walk to the exit together.]」
Keita smiled and nodded at my lies.
[Thank you for your concern.]
No, it was only after half a year after the disappearance of the Black Cat Group that I realized that I simply felt refreshed. Using the abilities accumulated by a lone player who pursued self-interest, he would protect those who were much weaker than him and enjoy the pleasure of being relied on. That was all.
After leaving the maze area and returning to the main street area, I immediately agreed to Kita's invitation to treat me to a meal at the bar. To them, red wine should be considered expensive. When the self-introduction ended and the scene calmed down, Kai Taiwei asked about my level in a low voice.
I had more or less expected to be asked this question. Therefore, I had prepared a suitable number beforehand. The number I said was about three levels higher than their average level-but twenty levels lower than my actual level.
[Eh--can I solo in that place at this level?]」
I smiled bitterly in response to the surprised Keita.
"You don't have to be so polite with your words. Although I'm alone, I'm basically dodging and only aiming at the enemies who are alone, so my efficiency is really not very good.」
"Oh, yes, then... Kirito, although it's sudden... I think other guilds will invite you soon... If you're willing, would you like to join our guild?」
[Eh...?]
Facing me, who pretended not to understand, the red-faced Keita became more and more excited.
[Look, we can safely train in the maze just now. However, in terms of skill composition…you should already know that the only one who can be the vanguard is Warhead Iron. No matter what, the recovery could not keep up with the consumption, causing the situation to get worse and worse during the battle. If Kirito joined in, things would be much easier. Besides…Hey, Yuki, come over here for a moment.」
The one who raised his hand and shouted was the black-haired spearman. This petite woman, who seemed to be called Sachi, walked over with a glass of red wine in her hand and nodded shyly at me. Keita placed her hand on Yuki's head and continued,"
[As you can see, this guy's main skill is a two-handed spear, but her skill points are lower than the other spear user. So I want to take advantage of this opportunity to transform her into a one-handed swordsman with a shield.] However, he did not have the time to cultivate and did not understand the one-handed sword. If you want, can you be her coach for a while?」
"What is it! You treat me like a little brat!"
Fortunately, he puffed up his cheeks and stuck out his tongue.
"Because I've always been responsible for slowly attacking the enemy from afar. I would be scared if I suddenly had to run to the front and fight close combat.」
"Just hide behind the shield. How many times do I have to say it before I understand? Seriously, you've always been too easily scared.」
To me, who had been on the frontlines of massacres and only knew that SAO-no, all MMORPGs were competing for resources, their interaction was both interesting and dazzling. Noticing my gaze, Kita smiled shyly and said,"
"Ah-our guild members are all members of the Computer Science Research Club in the same high school in the real world. Especially since I live very close to her…Ah, but you don't have to worry, everyone is very nice, and we'll definitely get along well with Kirito very soon.」
I already knew that all of them were good people, including Keita, who said so. While I felt a little guilty for lying to these people, I also smiled and nodded hard.
[Then…please let me join you.] Please advise me."
With a second striker, the Black Cat Team's balance was greatly improved.
No, if any of them were to observe with a suspicious attitude, they would probably notice that my HP bar was strangely not decreasing. However, these gentle companions believed me because of this coat made of rare materials. This was not a lie. There was no doubt about this reason.
In a party battle, I am only responsible for defense, and the members behind me will deal with the enemies and gain additional experience points. The levels of Kita and the others rose rapidly. A week after I joined, the main training area rose by one level.
They sat down in a circle in the safe area of the maze. As Kita ate the bento that Koki made, she excitedly told me about her dream.
"Of course, the safety of our companions is our top priority. But…if he was only pursuing safety, he could just lock himself in the Town of Beginnings. Since we're continuing to train and level up like this, we hope that one day we can join the Strategy Group. Although the frontlines are still very far from us, we can only leave it to the Blood Alliance Knights, Holy Dragon Alliance, and other top guilds to attack…Hey, Kirito, what's the difference between them and us?」
"Eh... Hmm... Information. Those people monopolized the information about which training area was the most efficient, how to get powerful weapons, and so on.」
Although this was the reason why I was able to join the Strategy Group, Keita didn't seem too satisfied with this answer.
"This... is of course part of the reason. But I think it's willpower. This was because they had a strong will to protect their companions and all the players. It was because of this power that they were able to win the dangerous battle of the leaders. Although we are still the protected side, we will not lose to them in terms of emotions. So…I think as long as we continue to work hard like this, we'll be able to catch up to them one day.」
[Is that so…That's true.]
Although I said that, I felt that it wasn't such a great reason. There was only one reason why the Strategy Group was a Strategy Group, and that was their persistence to stand at the top of thousands of players as a top-tier Swordsman. The evidence was that if the purpose of attacking the SAO was to protect the players, then the top players should try their best to provide the information and items they obtained to the intermediate players. This way, the basic level of all players would increase, and the number of people joining the strategy group would also increase greatly.
The reason why he didn't do so was because he wanted to be the strongest at all times. Of course, I am no exception. At that time, I would sneak out of the hotel in the middle of the night and move to the front line alone to level up. This behavior kept widening the level gap between me and the members of the Black Cat Group, even though I knew that in terms of the results, I was constantly betraying them.
However, at that time, I more or less believed that if the Black Cat Group's level really rose rapidly and they could join the frontline battle, then Keita's dream might really change the closed atmosphere of the strategy group.
In fact, the Black Cat Group was also strengthening their combat strength at an abnormal speed. The training area that was used as the battlefield was a place that I had completed a long time ago. Whether it was a dangerous place or a place with high efficiency, I knew it all. He guided them as if nothing had happened and constantly spurred them to the best efficiency, causing the average level of the Black Cat Group to finally completely surpass the mainstream class. When I joined, I was still ten levels away from the frontlines, but in a short period of time, it was reduced to five levels. His savings were also increasing, and it was becoming more and more possible for him to purchase a guild house.
However, there was only one point. Fortunately, the transformation plan of the Shield Swordsman had been stagnant.
But this was no wonder. If one wanted to fight a ferocious monster at a very close distance, what was more important than the numerical level was the courage to endure fear and fight until the last moment. Not long after the SAO began, many players died because of the panic in close combat. If one had to put it bluntly, Sachi was actually a quiet coward. No matter what, she did not think she was suitable to be a striker.
Because I knew that I had a level that exceeded the requirements of being a tank, I didn't think there was a need to rush Sachi to change classes. However, the other members did not think so. It should be said that they seemed to feel sorry for throwing the tiring striker job to me, who joined midway. Although he didn't say it out loud because of the good relationship between the team, the pressure he felt was increasing.
One night, Yuki disappeared from the hotel.
Everyone thought that the reason they couldn't confirm her location from the guild member list was because she was alone in the maze area. This caused all the members under Kai Tai to be in a mess, and they immediately went out to search.
But I was the only one who insisted on looking outside the maze area. On the surface, the reason was that there were a few untraceable locations in the training area, but the real reason was that I had already obtained the advanced skill " Tracking " derived from the enemy search skill. Of course, this wasn't something he could tell his companions.
After the Kaita and the others ran towards the maze area on that floor, I went to Yuki's hotel room and activated my tracking skill. I began to chase after the light green footprints that appeared in my vision.
Contrary to what everyone and I had predicted, the small footprint disappeared into a canal some distance away from the main street. I tilted my neck and walked inside. In the dark corner where only the sound of water droplets could be heard, I saw Kachi squatting on the ground with a cloak that had a concealment function.
[... Lucky.]
As soon as I spoke, her shoulder-length black hair swayed as she raised her head and muttered in surprise,
"Kirito…how did you know I was here?」
I hesitated on how to answer and finally said it.
[Intuition.]
[... I see.]
Yuki smiled and placed her face back on her knees. I thought hard for words and then said something uncreative:
"…Everyone was worried about you and even went to the maze area to look for you. Go back quickly."
This time, there was a long period of silence. After waiting for a minute or two, I was about to say the same thing again when I heard Sachi's weak voice with her head still lowered.
[Hey, Kirito.] Let's escape together."
I reflexively asked,
[Escape from…where?]
"From this town, the members of the Black Cat Group, the monsters... escaped from SAO.」
I don't know enough about girls and humans to answer this question immediately. After another long examination, I asked her nervously,
[Does this mean…they want to commit suicide together?]」
After a short silence, she let out a soft laugh.
"Hehe... yeah, this should be good... no, sorry, I lied to you. If I had the courage to commit suicide, I wouldn't be hiding in the town circle…Don't just stand there, sit down too.」
I didn't know what to do, so I sat down on the stone floor slightly away from Sachi. From the exit of the half-moon-shaped canal, one could see the lights of the town as small as starlight.
"... I'm very afraid of death. Because of fear, she could hardly sleep during this period of time.」
Finally, she muttered.
"Why did this happen? Why can't I leave the game? Why did he really die when it was just a game? What could that person called Maochang get by doing this? What was the point of doing this…?」
Actually, he could answer all five questions. However, even I knew that she wasn't looking for that kind of answer. After thinking hard, I said,
"Probably, there's no point…and no one will benefit from it. When the world had become like this, everyone had already lost the most important thing.」
I told a huge lie to the girl who was holding back her tears. Because at least I got the pleasure of hiding my strength and hiding in the Black Cat Group. In this sense, I had clearly gained some benefits.
At that time, I should have told Sachi everything. If I had any sincerity, I would have told him all about my ugly selfishness. In this way, at least he could relieve some pressure, and he might be able to get some peace of mind.
But all I can say is one sentence that will make the lie even more solid.
[…You won't die.]
"How can you be so sure?」
"…Even if the Black Cat Guild remains as it is, it is still a guild with a certain level of strength. He had also achieved the necessary safety level. As long as you stay in that guild, you can live safely. In addition, there was no need to force himself to become a Swordsman.」
Yuki raised her head and looked at me with a dependent gaze, but I couldn't look straight into those eyes and lowered my head.
"... Really? Can I really live to the end? Can you return to reality alive?"
[Ahhh…You won't die. You'll definitely live until the day the game guide is completed.]」
This was not convincing at all. Even so, Yuki still leaned over to me and cried for a while on my left shoulder.
After a while, I sent a message to Kita and the others and brought Yuki back to the hotel. Sachi went back to her room to rest first, while I waited for Kita and the others to return at the bar on the first floor. I told them a few things-Sachi would take a longer time to transform into a swordsman. If possible, it would be better for her to continue being a spear warrior. Also, I could continue to be the vanguard.
Although Keita and the others were very concerned about what happened between me and Yuki, they still readily agreed to my suggestion. I let out a sigh of relief, but this wouldn't solve the real problem.
From the next night onwards, Sachi came to my room to sleep every night. She said that as long as she was by my side and heard me say that you wouldn't die, she would be able to fall asleep. In this case, I would definitely not be able to sneak out in the middle of the night to earn experience points. That being said, it didn't mean that the guilt I felt for deceiving Yuki and my other companions had disappeared.
For some reason, the memory of that time shrank like a compressed snowball, making it difficult for me to recall the details. There's only one thing that can be confirmed, and that is that I'm not in a relationship with Yuki. We never slept together, snuggled up to each other, talked about love, or even looked at each other.
Our relationship should be closer to that of wild cats licking each other's wounds. Fortunately, because of my words, my fear was slightly forgotten. Because of her dependence, I temporarily forgot the guilt of being a cheater.
That's right--I discovered part of the nature of this SAO incident for the first time because I was distressed by spying on Yuki. Before this, I had never experienced the true horror of this game of death. I mechanically defeated the low-level monsters that I had completely mastered during the closed beta, continuously leveling up, and then maintaining this safe range, continuing to stay in the strategy group. Although I wasn't a Paladin like Heavencliff, in my memories, my HP had never fallen into the danger zone.
With the large amount of resources I easily obtained, when I learned that there were countless players who were afraid of death like this, I finally found a way to get rid of my guilt. Of course, that method was to continue protecting Sachi and the members of the Black Cat Group.
I forcibly forgot the fact that I had hidden my level and joined the guild for pleasure. Instead, I replaced it with the self-serving memory of me protecting them and nurturing them into a first-rate strategy group guild. Every night at the bedside, she would chant to the uneasy Yuki that she had curled up into a ball, saying that she would not die, that she would not die, and that she would definitely live. Every time I said this, Yuki would smile under the blanket and look up at me before falling asleep.
However, in the end, he still died.
Less than a month after that night in the underground canal, she was cut down by a monster in front of me. Her body and soul disappeared.
That day, in order to buy a small single-family house as a guild base, Kita brought the full amount of guild funds that he had finally reached his goal and went to meet the real estate agent players. Yuki, my three companions, and I were originally smiling as we looked at the nearly zero balance of Cole in the guild's common item bar while waiting for Kita to return. But not long after, Warhammer Envoy Warbear said,"
"Before Kita returns, let's go to the maze area to earn some money and prepare all the furniture. Let's give that guy a scare.」
Therefore, the five of us went to the maze area, which was only three levels lower than the frontline. Of course, I had fought in that maze before and knew that it was a place where it was easy to earn money but there were many traps. However, I didn't tell them.
In the maze area, because their levels were within the safe range, the hunt went very smoothly. After spending about an hour to earn the target amount, just as everyone was about to leave to buy things, the Thief member found the treasure chest.
At the time, I strongly advocated leaving it alone. However, when I was asked the reason, I couldn't say,"Starting from this level, the difficulty of the traps has increased by one level.」He could only stutter and emphasize it because it looked very dangerous.
The alarm sounded loudly, and the monsters immediately rushed in from the three entrances of the room like angry waves. I instantly judged that the situation was critical and immediately asked everyone to use the teleportation crystal to escape. However, that room was designated as an area where the crystal was ineffective. At this time, everyone, including me, fell into a panic.
The first to die was the Bandit who triggered the alarm, followed by Warhammer Envoy Warbear, and the male Spear Envoy followed closely behind.
I, who was in complete panic, randomly used the high-level sword skills that I had hidden before and knocked down the monsters that were charging at me one after another. However, there were simply too many of them, so I didn't have the chance to destroy the treasure chests that kept ringing.
The instant when Sachi's HP was completely depleted after being surrounded by the monsters, she extended her right hand to me as if she wanted to say something to me. That pair of wide eyes still had the same heart-wrenching look of trust in me that appeared every night.
I don't remember how I survived. When I came back to my senses, neither the large group of monsters nor my four companions were in that room. But even in that situation, my HP bar was only reduced by about half.
Unable to think at all, I returned to the hotel alone in a daze.
Keita placed the key to the new guild house on the table and waited for us to return. After listening to my words about how the four of them died and how I survived, he looked at me expressionlessly and only said one sentence. A cheater like you has no right to join us.
He ran towards the outskirts of Ain Grann, and in front of me, who caught up to him, he jumped over the fence without hesitation and jumped into the infinite void.
What Keita said was the truth. There was no room for excuses. It was my arrogance that had killed four members of Yue Ye's Black Cat Guild-no, five. If they hadn't met me, they would have stayed in the safe base area and wouldn't have tried to remove the trap.
To survive in SAO, the first thing that was needed was not reflexes or numerical levels, but sufficient information. I brought them to level up with high efficiency, but I neglected to give them information. It was a tragedy that I had caused. I had personally killed Sachi, who I had sworn to protect.
No matter how vicious the curses she wanted to say at the last moment were, I had to endure them. He would wholeheartedly seek out the resurrection item that was only an uncertain rumor just to hear that sentence.
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