Chapter 35: Randomness is Back!
Yes, the king of random in Sword Art Online is back! It's been a long time my compadres! I have been trapped in a forsaken and secret floor for like… 9 chapters already! This really is not good for my reputation. At least I'm back now though. Kirito-san saved me from some sort of Hybrid state he kept talking about yesterday.
Both of us have also noticed the change in my unique skill, Phantom… what could have happened to it? It changed to a new unique skill which seems to be the genuine one and it is called, Chaotic Phantom. Kirito-san told me everything that happened while I was missing in action and so, I'm once more updated.
Where I'm going in this somewhat random game? Of course, since I already thanked Kirito and Asuna for this rescue, I might as well go hang out with the ladies. A ladies night you ask? It's a rare sight to see but it is not impossible. From what I overheard, some of the players from my circle of friends will be hanging out over at Floor 82's newly updated woods (To be exact, I got some information). It was formerly a dark, deep forest but now, it has turned into an area good enough for a small picnic or bonding time together.
Floor 83 has finally been cleared and now we have to worry about Floor 84 and the rest…
It feels great to be free again! I changed my hair color back to its original brown color. To compare myself and Tadaiku, his hair is darker than mine and is more formal while mine is messy. My hair was forcibly dyed red by that spawning boss I was against a while back. Red is not my color and there is no doubt about it. Red hair really doesn't suit my personality in any aspect, unless you count my rage.
Do I feel feeble in any way? Not exactly…
I have not encountered my Silica-chan yet since Kirito-san told me that I collapsed in his house as soon as I regained consciousness there. Wow… I really do get long naps after that incident… To cut to the chase, the only people I really encountered again were: Asuna, Kirito and Yui. No one else knows that I have returned.
The ladies' night is supposed to be a secret but I had to eavesdrop on a conversation between Asuna and Sinon. I never really did see the cold and calculating archer socialize with Asuna like this. They never really got the chance to talk but it appears to be that I just haven't heard them do so. Floor 82 sounds fun though. I might as well do a boy's night then! The one, for the ladies, will still start on the late evening so I still have tons of time to plan out something!
I never really did host anything like a party before. I always get invited but I never really did start one of those noisy and rowdy parties some people start. What I mean by party is, one of those get-togethers people have where they keep dancing or singing… or in some cases, drink till they drop.
For now, I've spending some bonding time with my mentor/friend, Kirito-san! Last night, when I woke up, I kept playing some of those games with Yui but it was quickly rebuked by Asuna once I made too much of a nuisance to their sleep.
Let's cut to the chase, shall we? We're the representatives of Knights of the Blood to check on the players from the Phantom guild. They've been quiet throughout the succeeding events… Kirito says; it was because their leader has been absorbed. He lost me on that 'absorbing' part he suggested. How can such a player have abilities like that?! That would be too overpowered! They were all currently locked in a cell. It is a cell inside the jail made by the Investigators. They're like the jailers or something.
Where we are? We're in the floor where the real HQ of the Investigators is, Floor 77. It has been transferred to this floor ever since it has been reformed by the new leader, Impenetrable Shield Zero. Rumors say that he is an old friend of Tadaiku. Other rumors also say something about him fancying one of the players! Who could that one girl be?
I was walking with Kirito through this small meadow. It had numerous beast class monsters but they were nothing I can't handle now. Before, I may have a hard time with them but now, I can fight them with ease. The meadow had some NPCs in a nearby village but that wasn't our point of interest. We had to meet up with those people and Zero. The meadow was vast but after some time, we spotted some kind of fortress from the distance. That must have been the jail… it was gigantic!
"Oi, Kirito-san." I called out which just made him turn to me. He wasn't that sociable if things get serious but it seems that I'm one of those few people that break that persona! He can't be solo all the time, ya know! "I'm guessing that the tower of stone in our sights; is our destination." I pointed at the fortress of stone stationed and within our sights.
"From the directions of Zero, this should be the area he told us to go to." He answered with slight haste in his voice. "I only went with this just because Asuna told me to go. She's always busy with all that planning she's burdened with so I might as well do my part." We continued our way towards this jail.
"I do wonder about something, Kirito-san. Would you mind it if I asked you something?"
"Hmm? What is it Koyero? If it's something about yarn or cats, ask Silica, not me."
"Oh no, It's something about… clothing."
"Clothing?"
"I'm wearing the Knights of the Blood uniform but why are you not wearing it? It feels quite soft, if you ask me."
"Well… I don't prefer those flashy kinds of outfits. I prefer the dark and easy to hide with clothing. Flashiness won't really help you when it comes to battle and sneaking."
"So… you don't like wearing soft things?"
"I just need to wear what I need to. I never really wanted to wear that uniform, and so… Asuna finally made an exception for me after Heathcliff was revealed to be the creator of SAO, Kayaba Akihiko."
Our conversation soon stopped after we were right in front of the giant doors of the jail. Now I wonder how many jailbirds are in here. The doors were refined wood with some reinforced steel holding it together. There was also some round metal handle to open it but it seems like it was locked… The Picklock is mandatory but it can really help right now. No one has the guts to try a jailbreak in SAO though much less, break in a jail.
Some players say that it is nearly impossible to break out of this jail but my thoughts say otherwise. I didn't know what should be our next action so I decided to knock. I hope at least that works!
No response.
I tried again but no one seems to be answering to my polite knocking! Oi, anybody home?!
Kirito was the next one to try but he tried a different method. He inputted some kind of combination in his menu and that resulted to the gate opening. (What did he just type?) We were welcomed by the Impenetrable Shield himself!
Zero had his mask off and it seems like he's using his original hair and eye color. He had ebony dark hair and crimson red eyes which felt like it was piercing you. He was in stainless steel armor, from head to toe. His shield was hanging on his belt with slight motion. His weapon is the unique weapon, Shieldblade which has the ability to get powered up by taking with the shield. (Seems like a masochistic weapon to me…)
He insisted us to come in and so, we did. The door closed behind us but we could still feel a faint breeze coming from the small holes of the door. The inside didn't really give the jail aura. Could this be some kind of delusion to confuse the prisoners or something? The inside has a red carpet laid on the floor and some chandeliers hanging on the ceiling with lighted candles. The walls looked a bit ancient but that was masked up with newly placed tables and chairs. Is this really a jail?
Zero seems to have an interest on Kirito. He instantly started speaking with him as soon as we got in but Kirito wasn't the same. He didn't really return the feelings of excitement and just stayed silent. Kirito gave me a 'look' and I knew what he wanted me to say to this guild leader.
"Let's just cut to the chase, Zero. You called us here to help you in questioning the Phantom guild members so just bring us to the cell so that we can get this over with." My seriousness seems to have astonished the jailer, even Kirito! Am I really that random at times? Well… I guess I am. "I have many other things to do with Kirito-san so I do hope that this interrogation would be finished as soon as we question them."
"E-Eto… Fine then. We shall commence with the interrogation when we arrive at the basement." Zero regained his composure and stared at me with those piercing red eyes. "They've been silent no matter what we try to do. They never said a word when I asked about their guild leader… I do wish that the progress will finally start when the two of you question the four of them."
"We'll never know if you just keep changing up the topics and speak to us like this." Kirito had a point. All Zero did was hinder with the plan he made himself. "Lead both of us to this basement you are talking about and we should be able to start with the questioning."
Zero obliged his request and began leading us through the corridors. The pathways all seemed practically the same to me. Ever since I came back from exile, my mood swings seem to have vanished into thin air. It feels a bit awkward for me, not getting mood swings anymore but I also feel a touch of content with this.
My mood swings have been the cause of many misunderstandings but it has also resulted to ease for others. It also feels like my signature or something… now I kind of miss it and reminisce about those moments I had it, like my first meeting with Silica-chan. To make matters worse, it feels like I never got mood swings. What really happened while I was away?!
After some time of navigating through all these corridors, Zero has finally led us to the so called basement of this area. The basement led to the people related with my case. They were also the ones who had something to do with this Hybrid incident yesterday.
He opened the door leading to the basement and urged us to follow him downstairs.
The basement was obviously dark with lack of light and some melted candles. The roof above us was a bit low but it wasn't low enough to touch our heads. Light is one thing this place needs. It was even a bit stinky in here… What has caused such a scent? I don't really want to know the answer. Unlike the upper floor, the basement had really no life in it. Not a single decoration or eye pleaser was placed. Now this is a convincing prison!
Some protests and shrieks could be head from some paths but Zero led us to the middle one. The one with those people Kirito and I had to question.
We've been led to an enclosed space, the place where the 4 players were. One had dark raven hair and bloody red eyes which were spookier than Zero's. Two of them were in ninja outfits so I can't really describe them much. Finally, the last one was a girl with raven hair and hazel eyes; she also had kendo-like armor. Time for some investigating…
Zero left the both of us to ourselves and that signaled for the interrogation to start. Kirito instructed me to be the first one to give out the questions and so I accepted by sitting on a chair. The person across the table, looking at me is the gloomy player Kushimu.
Ironically, the gloomy player was the first one to question and not the interrogator who was me. He gleefully pointed at me and looked like he was going to jump at me or something. Did I miss anything while I was gone?
"H-Husharu-sama!" His eyes looked like it was about to explode with tears, just by looking at me. "I-I knew you'll be alright, my master… Please, tell me that you're still well." He stuttered as he gazed at me with such ecstasy.
"Ehh? I'm Koyero! I'm not some player called Husharu. Is my name on top of my head being all glitchy or something?" I turned to Kirito for an answer but all he did was shake his head. I then gazed at the player across me, trying to forget what just happened. "I am not this Husharu you think I am. I am Koyero, a member of the clearers guild of Knights of the Blood."
"Nonsense!" His sudden burst of emotions surprised even Kirito! He had rage in his eyes although I can also see deep sorrow within them… "Y-You are my savior… H-Husharu-sama, this isn't funny! Your Hybrid plan was supposed to be foolproof, you promised me that!" Tears began forming under his eyes and those tears eventually dissolved into digital polygons when it dropped on the floor.
"Kushimu, I'm sorry to say this but—" I held back my words by biting my lower lip but I had to inform these people that this Husharu is gone now. Without further ado, I decided to break it up to them slowly. "His attempt of merging with me failed so instead of absorbing me, I absorbed him. He now dwells within me, with no hope of getting out… There is one ray of hope though. He is actually… a part of me that was missing. He was the account responsible for my loose brain."
Despair. That is the one thing I sensed from the player in front of me. His will to go on seems to have vanished along with my mood swings. He just couldn't accept the fact that his master was now gone. More importantly, he couldn't believe what I have just admitted… or does he?
Kirito just leaned on a corner while watching this small scene unfold between me and this game program (which Kirito says really is one).
Just now, I felt something when I saw his insane state. It was like I remembered something from my counterpart's perspective. It was like a glimpse of the past happening in front of my very eyes. Kushimu says that he is Husharu's most trusted comrade and that he would do anything for him. That was the trigger. It is a trigger which allowed me to unlock all these hidden memories of mine… I remember… I felt myself being sucked in by my own mind. It was like I was watching my own flashback!
I suddenly found myself in some sort of fields but I wasn't alone. There stood a player who had formal black hair and gleaming red eyes. He looked like he was filled with the will to go on and the friendliness of a family member. Could this guy be Husharu?!
That one person I saw helped a player up and surprisingly, that player he helped up was the very one I was questioning in the basement! Game program, Kushimu! It seems like they had a small ramble about something then started to speak to each other more smoothly. It was like Husharu frightened the awakened Kushimu.
After a bad start, He started speaking normally. This is awkward though. It's like I'm narrating my own memory even if this is a memory of somebody else! After all, Husharu was using part of my brain so that may be the reason for me suddenly being informed of all this.
Do not be wary, Kushimu… I am a game program just like you. I am a program that has been thrown away and disposed of as soon as Kayaba's use for me was fulfilled.
W-Who are you and why am I in these fields?
I see… Amnesia has taken over you, eh? No matter. I will be the one to guide and help you in our new world. I am Game Program: Husharu. The very first one created and deleted…
H-Husharu… What can I even do to repay you? I have no memory of the slightest thing. The only small detail I remember is something about an escape. It seems like fate has made me into this.
You have no need to repay me but I have one favor to ask.
What may that be, Husharu-sama?
Raise your spear for me and fight by my side. I cannot do this alone. Kushimu, my brother… Lend me your power.
Hai, Husharu-sama… I swear that we shall be together until the end of this nightmare…
Thank you, Kushimu.
No, it is I who should be thanking you.
I swear that I'll let you see the light of the new world as we travel. As soon as I get my revenge, we can start over and be friends in that… other world…
Disorienting is one way to describe a sudden flashback… Once I managed to return back to reality, I dropped my head on the desk which worried Kirito but I quickly gave a thumbs-up to indicate that I was alright. Time to get a bit serious!
How was the interrogation after some minutes? It was futile… None of them wanted to speak up and it ended with not a single piece of important info extracted from them. After even more useless attempts, we decided to call it a day in questioning them and leave the rest to Zero.
After that small intervention, Kirito and I had to part ways. He intends to go back to his house back at Floor 22 while I intend to reunite with my Silica-chan back at Floor 1. That floor has always been the floor where we both rest up. I even made a house there, in an empty lot outside the town.
What are the reasons for my knowledge in making houses? Well, I used to play a game called Minecraft but I still do, back at home. It is an addictive building game where you break some blocks and remake it like a pro.
I made it to the nearby town of Azusha. It had numerous small stalls and a mediocre size. It wasn't as big as most towns but this one had the nearest teleportation area so this is my safest bet. I went for the teleportation area as fast as my feet could carry me.
As I stood there, I looked up and dictated, "Floor 1!"
The next time I opened my eyes, I saw a crowd of players gathered around the town center, which aroused my suspicion. This town doesn't really get all lively like this so this really is a bit of a sight to see. My curiosity took over as I made my way towards the crowd. It seems like they were surrounding a player but I just couldn't put my finger on who it was. The crowd blocked my eyesight but I noticed one thing… All of the players in the crowd were around the Level 60's and peculiarly, they were all male.
A bunch of male players crowding around? This cannot be anywhere near good! They must be crowding around Silica-chan or something. She is well known in the middle floors but what is their motive in staying in the very first floor? Those fans better not try to do anything funny with her… Yes, she's some sort of idol and mascot to some players but for me, she is distinct.
She is my Silica-chan and I will not hesitate to defend her from anything inconspicuous. I'm not ready to assume that the one in the crowd is Silica but that is the most possible answer at the moment. She stays at the house I made and promised to make that her main shelter so, that must be her! There is no way that I'll be allowing any perverts to make a score out of her!
"Don't worry, Silica-chan! I'm coming!" I announced and charged in the crowd, shoving anyone in my way. Luckily, this was a safe zone so they were not harmed in any way when I did that.
"Koyero?" A girl voice called out my name so it had to be Silica-chan! I hastened my shoving and began shoving harder to get nearer. They shoved back which made me out of the crowd but that didn't stop me.
"Oi, get out of my way!" I went in the crowd once more but they simply pushed me out, making me feel a vein pop out of annoyance. "You're all beginning to piss me off!" I snarled and broke through the crowd. I finally made it to the center and saw the one in the middle of the crowd. It was indeed Silica but there was another player with her. I-It was… Cold Archer, Sinon! I never expected to see her in such a lively place like this but to make matters more awkward, she wasn't with her loyal comrade, Tadaiku.
"Moody Vanquisher… We haven't really introduced ourselves to each other but for now, let's escape from the crowd then we can talk…" Sinon was the first one to speak up as she managed to ward off one of the male players by pushing him away.
"Don't call me that! I hate that nickname other players call me. Plus, where's Tadaiku? He swore that he wouldn't leave you in your time of need but now, he not even here." I gave a slight smug expression which seems to have angered Sinon in some way. She pulled up some sort of crystal and teleported all three of us outside the town.
Three of us made it to the area near the house I made and we even spotted Tadaiku lugging around something which seems to have maxed out his inventory weight or something.
Is this what Sinon meant? She sent Tadaiku on an errand and promised to wait in that exact spot? No wonder she was aggravated once I forced her to get away from that crowd… There were 2 rare girls in one place; maybe that is the reason for that sudden crowd. He seems to be struggling with all that weight from his inventory though. I wanted to help him but half of me pulled me back and prevented me from doing so. I can't argue, after all—
He was the one who exiled me…
My look of pity quickly changed into a look of cruelty once I just gazed at him as if he wasn't even there. This just worsened the mood of Sinon. Her silent gaze soon turned into a cold glare of animosity but that soon ceased when Tadaiku made it in front of us… that so called brother of mine.
"Ahh… If it isn't my little brother, Koyero!" He exclaimed like he wanted to hug me but he couldn't due to that inventory overweight status he had. "I-I'm sorry for what has happened before. I never knew that Exile would do such terrible things to you! It was supposed to make you be trapped in a peaceful land but after knowing the truth, I now know that there is no real safe place in this death game. Would you find it in your heart to forgive me, brother?"
His vibrant cause managed to reach out to me but at the same time, I knew I couldn't just forgive him. He trapped me in a horrible floor so how could I be so lenient?!
Silica-chan is a witness to this so I may just have to let this big slipup of my brother slide. I looked at him directly in the eye and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Only this once, I shall forgive you…" I bit back my words but I decided to just try and let this one slide. "Now…" Finally, mood swing activated! "We'll be friends again, right Takanii-chan?!" A grin was on my face as I gleefully rode on him but that resulted to him falling down due to all the added weight he's burdened with.
Things will be different…
End of Chapter 35
Next Chapter: The Silent Mercenary.