In the real world, the Yuuki sisters are transferred to the hospital where they are transferred to SAO.

The red light warning outside the intensive care unit on the basement floor kept flashing, touching the hearts of the rescuers.

- Toot - Toot - Toot Toot Toot.

"Doctor Kurahashi! The patient's vital signs are still declining! ”

The intermittent sound on the instrument made everyone tremble, and the urgent words came from the mouth of the nurse, causing the doctor whose eyes were already bloodshot to grit his teeth.

"Don't give up! This child has survived the hands of the 'Grim Reaper' countless times, and this time it must be ——!! ”

Yuki's attending doctor prayed from the bottom of his heart, his white clothes were wet with sweat, and he didn't dare to stop the emergency measures in his hands for a moment.

（…… Even now, you're working hard in that world! ）

(So you definitely have to survive it!) ）

(Yuki——! )

……

Time passed minute by minute, and despite everyone's best efforts, this time, the Grim Reaper may no longer have mercy on the girl, and raised the sickle mercilessly.

It's just that just when Dr. Kurahashi finally closed his eyes in despair, a phenomenon that could not be explained by science quietly occurred on the girl on the hospital bed.

It's a realm that can't be reached by the naked eye, and if you have to describe it, it's probably -

White particles of light.

************************************************

In the depths of the obsidian labyrinth, the members of the strategy team had already set up a formation, attacking in an orderly and alternating manner.

This may be the last battle in this game, which makes everyone tense their nerves, and no one dares to slack off.

“...... Hehe, sure enough, this kind of development is in line with the script of a fantasy story, don't you think so? Kirito. ”

Looking at the faces that appeared one after another, familiar or unfamiliar, not caring at all that they were already surrounded, Heathcliff's face showed a look of about a light smile, and then looked at his former deputy commander.

"Are you trying to say that this is the outcome you expected a long time ago? Kayaba! ”

Not calling him the head of the regiment, nor calling him by his character name, Kirito whispered the man's real name with a grim face.

Perhaps in the hearts of the young swordsmen, the back figure who has been standing on the front line of the raiders is the regimental commander Heathcliff that they recognize.

"No, it's not. The script I designed was actually broken up a long time ago. ”

Answering Kirito, Heathcliff turned his gaze to the 'angel' who was surrounded by the crowd.

"Originally, in my budget, it would take at least two or three years for you to reach me, but the appearance of that girl has made everything in this world 'messy'."

It seems that thinking of Yuki's unusual performances, this man rarely sighed.

“…… Kirito, do you know that the reason why I handed over the 'Second Knife Stream' to you is because you were originally the 'brave' I chose. ”

"That's why at that time I wanted to see who would stand in front of me, the brave in the script and the brave outside the script."

“……”

That's right, 'Kayaba Akihiko' is the man who will act for such a 'boring' reason.

If it was the former Kirito, he was used as a 'pawn' like this, and he might have been angry. Only now, in response to Heathcliff, it was the young swordsman's even more cold blade.

"Really? I'm really sorry to live up to your expectations! ”

Sneering and pressing all his strength on his sword, even Heathcliff couldn't help but take two steps back, but quickly stabilized his figure.

“…… It seems that the loss of the 'second knife stream' not only does not sink you, but makes you grow faster...... Oh, that's the fun of adventure stories. ”

Relieved, a smile appeared on Heatscliff's face.

"Well, I'll give you another chance."

"As the successor to the brave lady who has come to the end of her life."

“——！！”

…… What do you mean?

"Little !!!"

Just as Kirito was reflecting on what the man had said, the screams behind him made him have to distance himself from Heathcliff.

Facing the angel with his hands hanging on the ground and his figure beginning to flicker, perhaps only Lanzi and Naoba understood what the man meant by it now.

"Did you do something?! Kayaba! ”

Angrily pointed his sword at Heathcliff, and when Kirito came in, he noticed that Yuki's blood bar was still in a safe area, so this strange change would happen, and everyone subconsciously linked it to the man.

"To do this kind of thing now is to blaspheme this battle."

Shaking his head with regret, the man in red calmly told the truth of the facts.

"If I'm right, her body was terminally ill before she entered this game, and the battle just now may have overdrawn her vitality."

“——！！！”

Then, it seems that as a final farewell, Heathcliff did not take the initiative to attack, and everyone had the opportunity to learn the name of Yuki's illness from the mouth of Naoba with a sad face.

Everyone was silent, what kind of consciousness and smile was she playing this game, constantly stirring everyone's hearts.

“…… Don't look so sad...... Sister Lan ......"

"Don't worry...... I'm not going to die......"

Yuki, who raised his head weakly and wiped away Lanzi's tears with his hand, smiled peacefully.

It's just that in the eyes of others, it's more like a final goodbye.

Shaking his body and slowly getting up, Yuki's body began to dissipate white particles continuously.

“…… Still won't give up? As a final tribute, I have set aside time for you to say goodbye to your companions. ”

With an obsession that surprised even Heathcliff, the 'angel' who stood firm slowly began to talk to himself.

“…… Truly...... My body is at its limit......"

"But...... Say goodbye now...... It's still early......"

（…… ）

(Is it finally over at the last minute...... ）

A relieved smile appeared on his face, but he was not seen by anyone because of the overflowing white light that enveloped his body.

The next moment, the 'angel''s body turned into pieces and flew into the air.

"Don't, ahhhh————!!!h

Seeing this scene, Lan Zi, who could no longer suppress his heart-rending wail, stretched out his hands and kept trying to catch the white light in front of him.

Taking Yuki's words as his last stubbornness before he died, Heathcliff closed his eyes slightly and sighed.

"Kayaba !!!!"

Roaring at the name, as if this was the only way to vent his anger, Kirito brandished his weapon and rushed forward.

"Do you understand how many people have lost their lives because of you?!!"

However, the man who had long thought that his heart was like a rock would not be shaken by this, and easily knocked the young swordsman away.

“…… So, the first brave man has already left, who is next? ”

Scanning the audience with brass-colored eyes, with an unprecedented sense of oppression, the final boss said indifferently.

Looking at the young swordsmen struggling to get up, the female warriors who fell into endless grief, and the strategy players who were shocked by their great strength, Heatscliff's eyes flashed with inexplicable disappointment.

……

…………

[Letting others leave the scene without permission like this, even I will be troubled. 】

The condensed air begins to flow.

The crisp and familiar voice echoed in this space, causing Lanzi, who was immersed in pain, to suddenly raise his head with great anticipation.

Everyone didn't notice it before, but as the 'angel' dissipated, the fragments and white light did not disappear, but gradually hovered in the air.

It was a very small point of light, but it gave everyone a light called hope.

The white particles begin to shrink and then gradually converge into transparent crystals.

With this crystal as the center, the familiar outline of Lanzi slowly formed until it was fleshed out.

“…… Small...... Excellent ......"

Smiling at the girl who was happily calling out her name, the girl floating in the air looked at the man who was also wide-eyed and looked incredulous.

"No more follow-ups, Heathcliff."

"Because of the battle, it's over."

……

[The refining of the "Quantum Spirit Crystal" is completed. 】

[The quantum calculation loop has been loaded.] 】

The next moment, time stopped.

No one could understand what had happened, no one knew what had happened in the world of stopping, and perhaps only Heathcliff, who had faced everything at that time, could understand a little.

And the only thing that can represent the result is the inorganic echo that keeps echoing in everyone's ears after the world turns again.

- Game strategy completed, game strategy completed, game ......