Magicus Ensis Art Online
Magic Sword Art Online
HP/SAO x-over
Kirito/Asuna HP/Argo

Chapter 28

"So EA encourage microtransactions…" Asuna said slowly.

Harry nodded "All but endorse it. It's scum. I personally hate it. It takes the fun out of gaming and makes gaming far too competitive or dull and even depressing. In the games I've played when I've unlocked a legendary piece of kit it's a triumph but…"

"Microtransactions allow kids to buy their way to the top." Akio said with disdain on her face.

"Haven't you hidden unique things around the Dresden Files?" Asuna said.

"Yeah that's all to do with Random Number Generating, thus encouraging multiple play throughs." Harry said idly as he looked over a mass of code that represented the combat in the Dresden Files.

"Seriously! I wrote this? Turn based combat, I get where I was coming from but changing that." Harry commented as he pulled up a copy of SAO and AO combat and he began tweaking it. The difference was that instead of the system guiding you or amplifying you it did a little bit of both. It was a concealed dig at a trope about video gamers having poor physical health.

Harry's idea was that those who had a healthier lifestyle relied less on the in-game mechanics for the skills and those who didn't had the in-game mechanics to assist them and hopefully encourage them to take up exercise.

"Have you heard about Niantic?"

Harry sighed "Of course…beautiful idea. Much like everything else the Americans get their hands on it all turns to shit…I retract that about videogames as they're pretty good at those. However, Pokemon Go! Requires a tonne of work…Mainly server stuff."

Akio snorted "And we don't have that problem here?"

Harry snorted "Nope…because we're smart."

(Gun Gale)

Kirito had bumped into a girl who went by the name of Sinon. Her playstyle from what he had learnt from her revolved around her bf-amf, big fucking anti-material rifle or rather a .50 BMG, since Sinon explained that her estranged family due to an incident back when she was young had served in the military she was using one that was chambered in 12.7x99mm. From what Kirito learnt that this was a standard issue ammo for this particular weapon.

The two made small talk as they headed into the mall. Kirito had made some transfers for some in game currency. Just enough to get himself some decent kit. Due to most of the games were running off the Cardinal System that was generated by the SEED, it wasn't hard for Harry to wire a backdoor panel in to GGO to allow Kirito to transfer his stats over to the game.

(Outside)

Harry wasn't going to help Kirito to win, Harry was investing personal reputation and money on the teen. Harry was going to do everything he could to protect his investment. Besides it wasn't THAT much more illegal than the "Credit Card no Jutsu!" Akio had called it. The power of a credit card coupled with the irresponsibility of a parent. He knew his upbringing wasn't the best, and judging by the kids of his age…he knew how not to be when he was a parent.

Teddy was turning out alright. But then again Harry remembered that Teddy had an even influence from his Grandmother. Teddy had finally been persuaded that going to Hogwarts would be best for him but nothing would stop him from learning Japanese and spending his Summer holidays in Japan with Harry and Akio.

Harry grinned Teddy was going to be just fine. He was growing particularly attached to Akio. The woman who was looking more and more each day his step-godmother? He'd look that up in a bit. He finished tweaking the code and then opened up the emails. "Whose that from?"

Harry looked up to see Asuna bringing him a cup of tea "Emails from your father. Auditors are coming and well they're requesting receipts and reasons justifying the large amounts of money paid into such a small department. AND a department of Young Adults who were stuck in a life-or-death video game, led by not only a veteran of that game but also a twin count mass murder turned homicide and managed to walk free and furthermore someone who willingly and knowingly tortured another man to almost insanity in a video game who was about to psychologically and sexually abuse a young woman. One who was also trapped in the same video game as the mass murderer." Harry replied chuckling darkly.

"Surely you have something redeeming you."

Harry shrugged "I get shit done. I saved your fathers job, his company same with your brother. Managed to turn a multi-million near bankruptcy loss to nearly seventy-five percent profit and nearly about to have the company break even on just ONE adventure franchise…Yes I've saved jobs and families but nothing Asuna, nothing washes the blood from the hands."

The house fell silent "You've never said."

Harry nodded "I don't say a lot of things. Akio-chan knows this…I'm recovering. Thank Teddy, Akio, work and video games for that. If anything were to happen to the former."

Akio eyes widened "Then I'll do whatever it takes to remain safe…Harry-kun, what were you saying about Star Wars and EA?"

Harry sighed "Star Wars…such a beautiful franchise. So much potential. Especially Battlefield. The original duo, not the re-hash. Anyway if I need to I'll go against EA hopefully with RECT backing. Hell I'd help with the bidding war."

Asuna stared at Lisbeth and Agil looked at him "You'd BUY Star Wars?"

"The video game licence. Then redo Battlefront…They had it right in 2004 and 2005…I need to go. I'll see everyone later." With that Harry logged out, but as he left he sent message saying 'AO Session?'

(GGO)

Kirito grinned. He was so thankful for the backdoor that Harry had created. Kirito disliked what Harry did but appreciated it all the same. Kirito knew that Harry vehemently disapproved of the Government utilising Kirito as a spy and his friends grudge against them.

Kirito also knew that Harry knew that he and Asuna were dating and Harry worked for Asuna's father. So the hero of SAO could chalk this off as merely Harry stacking the deck in his favour to protect his investment.

Currently Sinon had just shown him the game 'Untouchable'. Simple game, hundred metre dash and dodge the bullets being shot. However, Sinon explained that the time between the tracking lines and the bullets decreased exponentially until literally the difference between the line and firing was non-existent.

Kirito stepped up, attracting attention from players due to the avatar. Paid and stepped onto the track. He waited relaxed and content, the hundreds of people watching, observed with tense breath. The timer hit zero and Kirito moved.

"I'll kill you!" Came the mechanical voice of the sheriff. The tracking lights appeared Kirito smirked and jumped to the side, he had just cleared the first section. Kirito then began to zig-zag and everyone watched impressed.

The droid's eyes widened as it began to reload "You Loser!" It cried as it aimed. Kirito saw the aiming lights lock onto him, he concentrated much like last time and instead of jumping, he ducked under it. He had fought Harry using his ball and chain, this ironically used some of the same skills from SAO only slightly modified.

"That's…" Began Sinon. The newbie had just cleared where most of the experienced players began to lose.

Similar cries of "Nani!" and "She's already made ten metres!"

The droid began to blur as it sped-load the revolver, the lines of sight coming even less frequently. However, Kirito had begun to move and was now almost effortlessly dodging the shots. This was beginning to feel like the time, He and Harry had taken on the Salamanders…before Harry went absolutely psycho.

Kirito repressed the memories. He was almost there. The cries of "Die" and "Go to hell!" From the opponent were the indicators of his progress. The last one was followed by the sight lines directly at head height. Kirito smirked and slid baseball style under.

He rolled to his feet "You're out of ammo!" What happened next caught everyone off guard. The gun began to glow blue, an electric blue. Kirito launched himself up into the air above the robot, flipped and placed his hand on the shoulder.

Kirito grinned as he grabbed the money. Sinon stared and waited for Kirito to re-join her. "What kind of reflexes do you have? You dodged lasers from less than two metres! At that range there's literally no time between the lines and the shots!"

Kirito chuckled slightly "Isn't that the point? To predict the lines? As for my reflexes in the games I play, I'm the second fastest person." That caused squawks from both the game and the people.

(Real World)

Harry collapsed on the bed in RECT, he had apparated straight into the room using the built on apparation point. He had printed out all of the receipts for hardware, software, cables, fuses, hours worked and even the overtime pizza and vast amounts of takeout and coffee that the department ordered.

On the door of the newly made 'Game coders, developers and creationist' department the notice on the doors said "Nerds at work…enter at own risk. Leave money and coffee here!"

True enough every morning at half-past nine in the morning Yuuki Shouzou would post coffee and a note through the door, activating a buzzer. This would then be followed up by a midday coffee by Kouichirou. The CEO and COO of RECT were keeping an extremely close eye on the department.

"Kirito's started. I've done what I can. Now all I can do is wait." Harry said to himself as he apparated out of the office.

(Somewhere)

REXAXA: Are we on?
Spiegel: Yes…Since we've done XeXeed whose next?
JB: Calm down Spiegel. Too many hands spoil the broth. You focus on the details Spiegel. XaXa please keep your brother together. I'll do my bit…I need information on Pale Rider, Garrett, Sinon and Uzujio Tarako.

The teen and two young adults logged off. The game was afoot. One was after his crush and two were out for revenge. Kirito and the Witch King were going to pay!