A/N: One thing you never expect to happen in a VRMMPORG: Aid the enemy and help them break free from the Legion's control. I think Lightning of all people can understand how unbelievable that is.
MAY 30th, 2023. FLOOR 18, CHASM OF DAMNATION.
Floor 18 is pretty ugly. Even worse than floor 11. In fact, it's a lot like floor 11, only much worse and horrible. The ground is dead black and it has rivers and lakes of demon blood. In all honestly, this is the worst floor to ever be on. Once we're all done with it and unlock floor 19, I'm never coming back here again.
This floor is filled with nothing but demons, even all the animals are demonically corrupted.
I am right now level 99. I've been that way for the past week. Filling up the last bar of the floor 20 leveling system. I suppose that's pretty predictable.
I'm just wandering down this empty chasm. I had finished my quests for the day and I'm just looking to kill some time. Right now, I'd rather not make some kills on the field. The last time I tried that, other players were complaining about me 'Stealing' their quest monsters. It's probably best to stay out of their way.
This chasm is pretty empty. I wonder why there are no enemies in it, or even upon the cliffs. Maybe it's for a quest and I haven't progressed it yet.
Six months we have been trapped in this death game, and we're barely even close to being halfway through the entire Aincrad. Kayaba created this game. Created the Nervegear. What is his whole purpose for trapping us in this death game? Why did he disappear weeks before the release?
Nothing seems to make sense. Playing this game is only giving me so little information. No more than the stuff I found in the real world.
Kayaba is out there somewhere, hiding and watching us in the shadows. The only question is where, and how can we reach him? The Ruby Castle on the 50th floor is defiantly one idea. That would take forever at this rate, I wish to find answers very soon. I'm already losing my mind playing this game 24/7.
I hear a faint screaming, which awakes me from my thoughts. The next thing I knew, I'm running down the chasm. I see two players up ahead. One of them is Leafa the other one, I couldn't make out Until I'm about a hundred years away, then I see it's none other than...a Laughing Coffin member.
I'm surprised. They're still player hunting? Even after I took away Johnny Black, the one who made the player traps? Looks like they didn't learn anything from that little assault I gave them. Paralyzing them. Draining their HP's to a red zone. If that's not good enough, then what is to send them a message?
Leafa is fighting that Laughing Coffin Assassin with her sword. Never imagine a Dreamer to be wielding a sword. Leafa is under 40% of her HP while the Laughing Coffin member is over 65%. I can see that Leafa is in trouble and she needs help.
"What's a damsel like you doing out in these parts?" The assassin asks Leafa. "Too bad your prince isn't here to save you from distress!"
I growl under my breath hearing that. With that said, I take out my Gunblade, charge up a Reaver skill then unleash it. Both Leafa and the Assassin were pretty surprised by my sudden burst. Good thing I hit the Laughing Coffin monster and not Leafa.
"Lightning!" Leafa shouts in surprise.
"You!" I turn my attention to the Laughing Coffin assassin. "You're that traitor who killed Johnny Black!"
I hold my Gunblade directly at him. "I was never a traitor! I was never one of your kind from the start!"
The assassin spins his daggers then gets a grip as he readies himself for battle. "I will make you pay for everything you've done!"
I just scoffed a smile. It's stupid how arrogant he is. He is way out of my legend. I would make his defeat swift. The assassin makes the first strike. I dodge and then counterstrike. The assassin fights hard against me. Even so, I suffer no damage at all.
By the time I have the Assassin down to 20%, he starts to surrender. I'm surprised, Laughing Coffin members would probably know I wouldn't kill them like the murder lapdogs they are.
Leafa and I have the Assassin cornered by the cliffs. Our weapons out and pointed at him. Leafa was able to take the free time she had to restore her HP, now the Assassin at 20% is going against two full health players. The Assassin is worried. I never imagine running into a Laughing Coffin member, who's still in control of his own body that is, in fear of his own death.
The Assassin makes a getaway by taking out some smoke bombs and throw them to the ground, unleashing dense smoke. Leafa and I coughed. Once the smoke clears, the Assassin is long gone.
I groan in irritation. "He got away." Leafa and I put away our weapons.
"Well. It's for the best." Leafa looks at me confused. "I'm sorry, did he say 'traitor'?"
I shrug my shoulders. "It's a long story. Hard to explain. I'd rather not say."
"Okay then," Leafa says, then she smiles. "Thank you for saving me. Just what are you doing in an empty chasm like this?"
"I could ask you the same thing. I was done for the day, looking for some time to kill." I say.
Leafa and I walk together across the chasm. I think this is the first time we've been able to walk and talk alone. Spent time together as girls without any orc monsters or evil spirits or wild animals coming to hack our throats off. Actually, I can never remember a time I've done anything like this. Ever since my parents died, I've only been strict and focused on my job in the Guardian Corps. I hardly even had time to spend with my sister Serah. But I still got close with her since Hope became part of the family. In fact, even Hope was able to keep her company when I was too busy.
I try to bring up a conversation. "Don't you really find this a bit odd?" I ask.
"What is?" Leafa asks.
"How Kayaba disappeared several weeks before the game is released?" I ask.
Leafa stops once I asked her that question. "Why wonder about that all of a sudden?"
I explain to Leafa what I did before I enter this death game. How I looked for information about Warlords Wrath Online, I even question the remaining crew of Argus. The only information I got was this whole thing was not their intention and that Kayada and Sugou disappeared before the launching of the game.
"Oh, I do see your point. I honestly don't know what to say. But my brother might be the one who has some answers." Leafa told me.
I'm astonished. A young gamer like him would know something about this situation. Sure he was in the Beta Testing, but all I believe he would know is what he's already played.
"Kirito? ...Do you have another brother by any chance?" I ask.
Leafa just laughs. "I'm serious. Kirito is obsessed with Kayaba, ever since he invented the Nervegear. I guess that's because he managed to achieve a full-drive virtual reality. I guess it's understanding to admire someone who makes that when you're a crazy gamer." I'll never under that kind of feeling, as a Gamer or anything in relation. I've never been obsessed with anything. Is that really so surprising? "Ask him yourself."
I find it awkward, but I guess he might know something.
FLOOR 1, VALLEY OF PEACE.
I send Kirito a message. Telling him that I need to have a word with him. I just hope he doesn't get any stupid ideas of what it's about. I wait for him in a restaurant. The place is nearly empty, due to being its past dinnertime.
Kirito finally shows up. He quickly spots me at the corner of the room. Kirito takes a sit against me. "You wanted to see me?"
"Why else would I have invited you?" I ask him. That was rather hostile for me to say, I regret saying it a little.
"Knowing you, nothing," Kirito says. "So, what is it?"
Our conversation goes on for a while. I explain to Kirito what I've been doing before I entered Warlords Wrath Online. How I've been investigating the game and wondering what I can do to save the players. But I've only found so few answers. The one thing that bothers me the most is Kayaba Akihiko.
Kirito is surprised to hear me bring the man up. I couldn't find anything about Kayaba. All I know is that he disappeared before the game's release.
"I can't say I know anything about Kayaba's disappearance," Kirito says.
"Don't you find that a bit strange? That he vanishes before the game's release?" I ask him.
Kirito puts his fingers on his chin, looking at a distance. He's clearly thinking. "I must admit, it is suspicious. How can Kayaba disappear just like that?"
"What's more is that he reappears in the game...as that ghostly robe figure," I say.
If Kayaba is something within this game, I'm sure to get some answers.
Kirito tells me about Kayaba, how he's an honest man, quiet, hardly seen in public. Kirito only met him once during the Beta Test to turn in his report on the game's plot, bugs, glitches, issues, and so on. Nothing Kirito has told me doesn't match anything to the ruthless devious Kayaba who has created the real death of this game.
This whole incident is one giant puzzle and there are pieces to it missing.
"Just who is Sugou?" I ask Kirito.
"He's Kayaba's assistant," Kirito says.
"Know anything about him?" I ask.
Kirito shook his head. "He's always quiet, hardly ever speaks," Kirito says.
"Sounds like a shady guy to me," I say.
"Can't argue with that. He sometimes gives a look that means trouble." Kirito says.
Means trouble...Now that Kirito mentions it, Sugou also disappears, only days before the game's release instead of weeks like Kayaba. Is it possible he is also involved in this trick?
"Just what is really going on?" I ask.
"Whatever it is, Kayaba might know something," I say. "But where is he? Probably on the 50th floor."
"Most likely, but I believe he's watching us...hiding in the shadows," Kirito says.
That has me suspicious. "You mean...like a normal player?" I ask.
"I'm not sure, but I." Kirito pauses, trying to think carefully of what to say. "...it's just a hypothesis, that he's somewhere in the shadows of this game. I mean...if you were game master and you trapped players in a death game, would you really just sit by on your throne and watch?"
Hypothesis...
What Kirito says is true and makes sense, but we don't really know the kind of person Kayaba is. Kirito might have, but it's probably a lie after what he said and done at the start of the game.
"It is...possible," I say. "Wherever Kayaba is hiding, I'm gonna find him and get some answers."
"Do you need any help?" I give him a surprised look. "I know Kayaba well, I look upon him. But the moment he tells us we're trapped in this game, I felt betrayed. I demand answers. Plus, I know this game very well. I can be some assistance." Kirito tells me.
Kirito is offering to help me out with this case. Normally I wouldn't allow some kid to help me with a Guardian Corp mission, even though I'm no longer with the Guardian Corps I still try my mission like it is. But still, Kirito is experienced within Warlords Wrath Online, as both a gamer and a beta tester. Where I think hiring some kid who would treat this whole thing like some silly game, Kirito's different. As far as I know, he is indeed taking this game seriously enough, otherwise, he would be dead.
"I'll consider it...but don't get carried away," I say. "We'll just keep an eye out for anything suspicious. If anything comes out, we message each other." Kirito smiles with a nod. "One other thing: We must not tell anyone about this. I don't trust any of the other players in this world. This must be kept a secret, no matter what."
Kirito just gives a stern look, says nothing. He's all silent, then speaks. "All right."
After our talk, we departed ways. I don't know where he's going, but I couldn't really care less. Kirito is now my partner on this Warlords Wrath Online investigation. Strangely, I enjoy having a partner, yet at the same time, I feel like this is a mistake. It's too late to turn back now.
FLOOR 11, KARADOR.
I return an Inn for me to rest in. I should consider getting a house as most other players do. But so far, there are no towns on any of the floors I would want to stay in. For now, I'll just stick with the Inns.
As I wander into town, I stop and barely look over my shoulder. I have a feeling someone is following me, watching me...I ignore it and continue ahead. As I move, I hear the footsteps again. I quickly turned. I only saw it for a moment, but I caught a glimpse of a player...
A Crusader maybe.
"Who's there!?" I say, taking out my Gunblade. "I know you're following me! Come out so I can see you!" No one comes out. No voice answers either. Quietly, slowly, I move towards the corner where the unknown player who's hiding. Once I'm on the edge, I jump, my weapon out. To my surprise, there's no one there. It's strange, there was no glow or any sound of teleporting, and I know this area. Nothing that involves hidden passages.
I could only mean one thing, it must have been Kayaba.
I couldn't turn my mind off at night. Kayaba. Sugou. Warlords Wrath Online. Nothing makes any sense.
There's no way to free us from this death game, that is for certain. Our only goal is to clear the 50 floors in this floating castle Aincrad. But still, if there were a way, if I could find Kayaba I might be able to find a way to make him release us all. Is that even possible?
Finding him along would be difficult enough, but can I really overpower him? If there's one thing I know about gaming is that Game Masters have power over players. Like they're the Makers and we are their children or their creation.
It's nothing to worry about. Tomorrow, I must focus on my own survival, keep Hope alive and escape this death trap. That's what I came here to do, and I must complete my mission.
Even if I do, I must still look for answers.
Kayaba, wherever you are, I will find you. If I do, you must answer for your crimes.
