Of Mouse and Man
Phase 2— In a Game
..
Original Title: The World Only God Knows / 神のみぞ知るセカイ & Sword Art Online(ソードアート・オンライン)
Original Concept by: Tamiki Wakiki & Kawahara Reki
written by: wrathie
Author's Notes: A Crossover where Keima was not approached by the Weiss Capturing Squad and the Events of the Goddess Arc is non-existent.
Author's Notes: Thank you, bowpurity and itscomplicatedokay for the beta.
..
To call SAO a game was an understatement, it was exactly what Meizun, as she was known in SAO too had said. A whole new world ripe for exploring and which had more than a few nasty surprises for him.
The first thing that the Capturing God discovered was that the classic situation of an NPC repeating lines was still common in SAO. Compared to what Meizun had said that they were trying their best to create an evolving environment for the side-characters within the game, it was a huge let down.
Still, the Capturing God, or 'Keima' as he had selected his avatar to be named, was impressed with the game engine and mechanics. It was true that they were trying to replicate the ideal within the real after all! Not that he minded, it was long overdue if he had his view. Compared to the other consoles that Keima had tried over the years, like the binocular-glass, the jWatch, and all those fancy techy geeky items, the NerveGear was the holy grail to all of them.
It was just as what they advertised on the package, SAO was a game which truly transported them fully into another world and gave them the opportunity to interact with the game them on all five senses.
The Capturing God was truly impressed, and he was both salivating and nervous about how it would affect the galge industry. There was no doubt that SAO could be so interactive only due to the huge servers that all the players were all connected to. All that processing power was required to run the game, all of it's interfaces as well as to keep the virtual world alive.
So what if the NPC dialogues were still repetitive, the NPCs themselves had their own personality, their own lives and their own jobs.
Just like the waitress who served Keima his drink with a smile that brightened when Keima added a tip to the bill.
'Geez, so there you are, Otoshi-kun!'
It was Meizun and Keima waved lazily back as he chided her for not using his avatar's name instead.
'Oh yeah, it's Keima right? And I'm Meizun~ It's great to see you finally decided to join the rest of the gaming community here, Keima-kun.'
Meizun beamed happily at the Capturing God who shrugged and offered a seat to the Wikia administrator.
'It's like you said, I have to experience it to believe it. So now I'm here.'
'It's great isn't it? The second floor is much better though! When the guys clear the first floor I'll bring you around.'
'Mm... If I get the time to do so. There's so many games outside that is going to be released soon.'
Keima admitted with a small shrug and that made Meizun more certain that the Capturing God was really working by himself. Her respect for him grew more when he nodded to the waitress and she brought over another cup of drink for her.
'Smooth, Keima-kun, smooth.'
Meizun didn't mind though, though she was a little concerned about whether the boy in front of him was a playboy in real life if he could effortlessly use one of the most common ways to earn points with members of the opposite sex.
Then again, it wasn't that hard to do seeing that he knew that she was coming to meet up with him. She had been quite excited when he had informed her that he would be participating in the opening day as well.
Though the two of them were using their in-game avatars to interact with each other, Meizun had picked one that was quite similar to herself. She was a bit taller than her real height, but she had kept the curly auburn hair that was trimmed slightly above her ears. There was just no profit to be made from making an attractive character – that just tends to make people treat her differently or be dismissed as an attention seeker. No, an information dealer and trader should look as normal as possible.
Which could be used to described the Capturing God's avatar perfectly, a generic avatar with glasses along with very dark hair in the default hairstyle were the only things that the Capturing God could be bothered with.
It bothered Meizun when she remembered how smooth and suave the Capturing God was earlier when he gave the tip to the pretty NPC waitress.
The waitress even deviated from her generic NPC line to thank him for his kind act. Barely an hour into the game and he was capturing? The Capturing God indeed!
'Anyway, you're new here right? Let's go out an explore a little! How about I bring you around and show you the ropes?'
Meizun offered a hand to the Capturing God and he hesitated, looking up at all the other NPCs that were speaking to each other in ways that were probably programmed before he agreed to Meizun's offer.
Only time will see whether SAO could evolve like the developer said that he would – if not, then there was the option of ditching this game behind like a hot potato as well.
..
'You're picking the game up quite nicely, Keima-kun~'
Meizun praised as she navigated the equipment list of her display easily and expertly. After bringing Keima around the town, giving him directions on what were the shops available – not to mention starting him on a few beginner quests, the two of them went out to the fields to practise their fighting skills a little.
'It is my first time with the full dive technology. I admit... it is more complicated than I imagined.'
Keima admitted with a frown as he stared at the short sword in his hand, he had just used a sword skill – Reaver to kill one of the boars that the two of them were grinding on.
He was familiar with the terminology and how MMORPGs should be played, but that didn't mean that he had the patience or liked doing so.
'It's not me, Meizun... Playing MMORPGs isn't me.'
Meizun gave a small smile as she shrugged helplessly, a short sword in her hand that she used to slash her next target while replying to him.
'I know it isn't, that's why I'm so happy that you're willing to at least try it out! I won't ask you to play more than you want to.'
Meizun paused as she finished the boar off, and then turned to look at Keima with a big smile.
'I'm really happy that you are in SAO because I asked you. I didn't think you would! So for all that's worth, thank you, Keima-kun.'
Keima paused at that, the website administrator was a little more emotional than he would expect. The two of them weren't exactly close, but they were definitely friends. Keima acknowledged the wikia administrator as an equal and as they shared similar hobbies, they had a lot to talk about. Keima never talked about his personal stuff. She did not either but through their conversations he had built up a profile for the stubborn and proud wikia administrator.
No doubt she had done the same for him, was the sneaky girl trying to get an upper hand on him to get him to keep playing SAO?
'I see no reason why you are persuading me to play SAO, it has nothing to do with what we specialize is, does it?'
Keima asked patiently, sheathing his short sword and watching Meizun go back to attacking another boar without hesitation.
'No, it doesn't.'
Meizun agreed while slashing at the head of the boar, leaping to the side she laughed and said that it didn't really matter.
'But what I learnt from playing SAO was that it can be a little lonely at times.'
'Lonely?'
Keima asked in confusion while Meizun just chuckled softly.
'Yeah, lonely... playing galges has always been a solitary activity right? I mean, some people like playing with friends... but galges is a one-person game. SAO... is an MMORPG game, I've met a lot of people here... and well, I'm happy that I can play with you, Otoshi-kun. Instead of just discussing and competing with you, I think we can make... no, evolve, SAO into an even much better place!'
Keima didn't understand fully what Meizun was speaking about till it clicked.
'Ah, the evolving mechanic... the more one plays the game, the better SAO becomes. It's taking advantage of the thousands of player interactions to fine tune the game. Like cloud computing...'
Keima acknowledged that with a nod while severing the flag that had no doubt appeared on top of Meizun's head. There was just no way that he couldn't pick up the hints, who ever knew that the wikia administrator would feel that way.
Well, it was a distinct possibility, Keima just didn't think it would happen that way, or in this fashion.
'And with the two of us inside that pool, I'm sure we can make the world evolve further. I'm sure you can, you're the Cap- I mean, you're Otoshi-kun! You matched the full might of our Wikia, there's no one else like you! SAO is perfect for us to see how much this engine can develop. The ideal... might really be in reach this time.'
Meizun was enraptured by her own image of the ideal, one that Keima approved off before her smile turned sly.
You were trying to capture the NPC waitress didn't you?'
Meizun laughed as Keima actually looked sheepish before he tried to defend himself.
'You disappoint me, Meizun. Anything is possible as the Capturing God. And speaking of loneliness... You're never alone when you have the heroines supporting and relying on you, Meizun. That is something basic – You are never alone in the ideal. Everything revolves around you and in that vein – there is nothing lonely about it. Even if one might say that one was playing god and playing their feelings... but the fundamental truth was that the heroines needed us, to be the guide for them to achieve the happy end. There is absolutely nothing lonely about that.'
Keima's voice was firm and his face was set as he ruthlessly severed all the counter arguments that Meizun might have. Almost as Meizun sighed and shook her head.
'Well, that's one way to look at it... but the ideal isn't just about the girls or the game, Keima-kun. It's also about the people that you love the girls in the same way you do. I mean – fans are the ones who made the games possible, not the other way around. You can't just dismiss that! I can't accept a world where there are only the heroines. It'll get to your head.'
To her counter argument, the Capturing God and the wikia administrator exchanged wordless stares before they smiled in unison. Message received – even if their views might be a little different, the two of them did love the ideal with all of their hearts.
..
'And this is, Argo, the Rat!'
Keima raised an eyebrow at the way the new female player, Argo, stared at him for a long time before waving a hand in greeting.
'Well~ Argo here! Like what Meizun said, Argo the Rat, at your service. Whether it is the location of the weakest or strongest mob, a specific quest or even selling your gear, you can count on me to get you the best deal. All for a fee of course.'
Argo winked before offering a hand to Keima.
'So you must be Otoshi-kun, I've heard a lot about you from Meizun over here.'
Argo winked again while Keima raised an eyebrow at the smaller girl. The two's avatars were quite similar, only Argo wore a hoodie to hide her probably longer hair.
'Meizun, I believe you stressed confidentiality in our association and correspondences?'
Keima wasn't that mad, but it was to prove a point as well as to earn some favors from the wikia administrator in the future. Potential blackmail material was always good.
'D-Don't worry, Argo here is my second in command! She won't tell any one else.'
Argo's chuckles made Keima really wonder about that.
'I'm one of the beta-players too. So if there's anything you need to know, whether it's a quest or whatever, there's no one better for you to ask.'
For a small fee of course?'
'Of course! You catch on quick!'
Argo chuckled happily while Meizun just looked torn before she came to a decision herself.
'Well then, we should be going to get some more experience, Argo, Keima-kun. It's time to start levelling!'
Although Keima would rather interact more with the world at large, he was dragged away as Argo accepted to be led by the wikia administrator.
It'll probably be the last time he would ever play SAO, Meizun's ambitious plans or not. It just wasn't his cup of tea.
Sadly, that decision was made for him by the God of this world, a decision even the Capturing God had to follow.
..
Keima's eyebrows raised when Meizun was enveloped by a flash of white light. He looked about, surprised for a few seconds before he himself was enveloped by the same light. Regaining his sight, he looked around, silently nothing that he was in the first town's plaza, and more players were being forced to gather by the God of this world, Kayaba Akihiko.
His intent wasn't clear, but what was clear was what his speech would cause. It was going to be bedlam when the truth finally dawned on all of them. For Keima though, not having the [Log Out] button had caused different feelings to grow in his heart as compared to the normal player. He actually felt surprised and amused about the prospect of a game that he couldn't log out off.
Of course that train of thought was derailed when the fact that he might die was revealed. But he was the Capturing God, not a gamer. His skills were in capturing the heroines of the world. He suspect that there were a few NPCs in town whom could be called heroines, but he was not certain.
Before Keima could completely contemplate his thoughts, Kayaba Akihiko had shown his next hand – adding the 'mirror' item into their inventory. It's foolish to use a key-item without knowing what it does and Keima held back from using it. Argo did the same as well and the respect he had for the other girl grew as she winced when her warning to Meizun to not use the item came a second too slow.
It was unlike Meizun to just follow instructions or charge in without even considering the implications. The wikia administrator was normally more cautious and verified everything before committing to a course of action. Then again this was quite a stressful situation for all of them.
..
'A-Ahh... What happened?'
When the light faded away, Meizun looked totally different. She was much shorter than what she was previously and had brown eyes, curly auburn hair in quite a small frame and built.
She didn't seem aware of the change but it made Argo's mouth dropped as she pointed a finger at her accusingly.
'Y-You, look the same as you do outside, Re- I mean, M-Meizun!'
Argo rushed over to Meizun to check on her as Keima looked around the whole square with an assessing look. It looked that a majority of the players had followed Kayaba's instructions – meaning that only a few players had the privacy of having an Avatar to hide their real identities.
'I can't drop the 'mirror' from the inventory, Keima-kun. Can you?'
Argo asked stiffly and when Keima replied in the negative, she shook her head and said that it was probably a 'key' item of sorts and can't be disposed.
'At least you weren't as easily led on like Meizun to use it just like that. At least Meizun looks cute, right?'
Argo laughed when Meizun blushed and said that wasn't true. There were plenty of comebacks for Keima to comment on, but sadly they all had to focus on the biggest threat to all of them. Kayaba Akihiko wasn't done yet.
..
'Now, I have finished the official Tutorial for [Sword Art Online]. Players – I wish you luck.]
The final announcement was given, and the being that was Kayaba Akihiko disappeared in a spectacle that was worthy of the Final Boss. There was a short pause, before the entire square filled with players started to panic even more.
Out of around ten thousand players, only a few groups were calmly taking stock of the situation. One of them was the group that composed of Keima, Meizun and Argo.
The two girls were having some difficulty keeping calm but all of them had cool heads that were whirling desperately, trying to find a solution for this. Keima was, well... Keima. The Capturing God's mind was in a similar state– considering what Kayaba Akihiko had said.
A part of him was afraid and angry. This, person had just trapped him in a game that he had no intent on completing and playing? Why did the real had to give him this shitty reality? Trapping him in a MMO... and even if it has a clear end, it's still a MMO! It was impossible for anyone to clear the game! Worst, he hated physical activities the most! He might as well not even bother to fight seeing how troublesome it was! There were beta players like Argo and Meizun, weren't there? Leave leveling up to other players! When he heard the news that players had to clear 100 floors in order to escape, his mind was probably made up then.
He would not play SAO - it's ridiculous to expect him to. It was sheer misfortune that brought him here, along with his curiosity in this nervegear virtual reality. So, he would 'satisfy' his curiosity of this world, and leave the main gameplay and clearing to the other players. He might as well not even bother to fight enemies, and to just interact with the world. Why fight, when your accomplishments can not be called your own?
Still... a part of him however was worried that his title of Capturing God would be taken away from him now that he was stuck in SAO. From what he learnt about the beta-testers of SAO, the game had a brutal difficulty curve. Even with their experience and the fact that they couldn't die in the game - they were only able to reach the tenth floor in one month. Also, there was no doubt in his mind that the difficulty of the game would spike upwards from there. And no matter how skilled a player would be, there would be accidents resulting in death, leading to unrecoverable losses in manpower. There were 100 floors to clear this time, and that meant that the time needed to clear the game, assuming that law enforcement couldn't get them out, would be years! Years! Who knows what galge he would have missed then!
That led to another part of Keima feeling fear, fear that he was stuck in a game where he had absolutely no experience with. SAO was a new game but besides that, it was a MMORPG that was based on the Full Dive technology which Keima had no experience with.
It was a game that required physical action to clear the game and even if the system made it clear that stamina nor pain was an issue, it meant that Keima would have to put physical effort into it! While it wasn't a giant hurdle, he still dislikes doing it, as it reminded him about how real was a shitty reality. As the Capturing God he would prefer to never need anything more than his experience, his skills in reading between the lines and his ability to remember the details tocapture the heroines of any galge.
SAO was a completely different thing altogether, where the necessary skill resided in one's ability to learn and be good at the full dive technology.
Meizun was a natural, or was just experienced, but what did that entail for him? He had given it a try before this 'GM Event' but even so, he wasn't confident in his abilities in the game.
It took a while before he calmed down, and when he did, he found himself surprised by what was in his heart. He was tempted and even reassured by the situation. This… this game could be the closest he would get to the ideal, and he was given a chance to live in it. A world that evolves, that grows with each interaction. This could be the place that he was truly waiting for, a place where heroines can shine… though he still disliked that he could die here. This was probably the place that he was truly waiting for, wait – what was it that he was looking for? A place where he wouldn't be -
..
'We have to go now, Keima-kun, Meizun.'
Argo interrupted Keima's internal thoughts with a sharp whisper, one hand resting on the two's shoulders before she tugged them to start moving. They did so, but only because Keima was still considering his own options absent-mindedly. Looking back at this moment from the future, Keima could rightly point to this being the crucial time and when his poorly thought and arrogant considerations changed his life for ever.
'Where are we going, Ri-I mean, Argo...'
There were quite a few slip-ups between the two girls as Argo pulled the two of them into a nearby cafe before calling the waiter to serve some drinks for the two of them.
'We're moving out of the starting city. There's at least three different cities in the first floor after all. It's best for us to start moving before all the players here start camping at the starting areas to get stronger.'
'O-Oh, right... this... this thing got way serious a moment ago... huh. Should we should get some supplies first before we head out?'
Meizun calmed down quickly too but when she turned to look at Keima, she froze for the Capturing God had a small satisfied smile on his face instead of being serious or coming up with a plan like what she had expected him to do.
'Keima-kun? Wh-What's wrong? Is there something funny?'
'Keima-kun?'
Argo seemed surprised too and the information trader pulled back her hoodie to have a better look at the Capturing God. He was definitely finding the whole thing amusing for he shook his head and said that he wasn't leaving this city. Not yet any way.
'Ah, so you want to help the other players? That's... really quite noble of you, Keima-kun.
Meizun sounded happy and torn about that, Argo for her part just look pained. She was in the beta, and she knew how important a good head start was to a player. A player who was able to obtain a better weapon earlier on was one who would have higher chances of surviving. A player who manage to reach the preferred grinding areas first would benefit as he would be able to kill more monsters quicker, gaining experience faster compared to other or compared to a two players sharing a grinding area. It wasn't uncommon for more experienced Betas being able to hold an entire grinding spot of monsters by his experience and level alone.
Newbie players would find the going tougher than ever due to their lack of knowledge and information. That was not mentioning how they would find the curve more difficult as stronger players would hoard areas to allow them to gain levels faster, forcing the newbies to fight in more dangerous areas or to remain weak until the stronger players move on.
The fact that Keima wanted to stay behind to help the newbies made Meizun feel happy and proud of the Capturing God, he was going to lead his lost sheep to the right direction right? With any bit of luck and charisma she knew he had, this was the best possible place to gather a group of loyal players to form a guild with!
..
'No, I'm not.'
'I'm... not, what?'
Keima's reply made both girls pause in their thoughts but it was Keima's next statement that made them freeze again.
'I'm staying here... there isn't any reason for me to clear the game.'
'W-What do you mean, Keima-kun? You heard Kayaba Akihiko, we're all stuck in SAO! If we don't clear the game, we won't be able to go home again!'
It was Meizun who questioned him first, no, demanded from him and the smaller girl's jaw dropped when Keima just flicked a hand through his hair dismissively.
'I have no interest in the real after all. This... you were right the first time, Meizun. This is the ideal, and since I found it... I see no reason to live. Kayaba Akihiko had created the ideal world for me.'
Keima sighed, almost in contentment while the other two girls just stared at him in shock. Did he really mean it? Did he really not mind never leaving SAO? Never going back? Was the Capturing God going to just, give up like this?
'Do you even know the implications, Keima-kun?! He was not kidding around! We can't log out of SAO! We, we could really use your help here! Help me out here, Meizun?'
Argo expected Meizun to do just that but the second biggest surprise of the day was Meizun shaking her head and saying that she had expected this.
'Otoshi-kun, you... are you really okay with this?'
The website administrator asked softly, her eyes looking resigned and surprisingly serious. Keima responded in turn, the tone of her voice making Keima take note and to reply her.
'Yes, I'm fine.'
'… I... I won't stop Keima-kun.'
Meizun finally answered after a moment's hesitation – but she wasn't done just yet.
'But I won't approve of it. I'll come every day, to persuade you, Keima-kun. I promise...'
Meizun spoke softly while Argo looked on, her expression rigid and torn as well.
Author's Notes: R&R is appreciated greatly!