I see, the gathering place of the unrealized data is the warehouse that Lilan is talking about. I seem to understand something. \"

"Anyway, that's what I said. And the three MHPs, I, Jupiter, and Quinella, were also sealed in a corner. Moreover, this unrealized data warehouse also contains field data and even city data. Now I've recovered. "As far as I can remember, I remember it was like a world.

A data dump that has been abandoned without implementation, which I call a "hollow zone". ”

I thought that there were only monster data and weapon data in the unrealized area, but I didn't expect that there was also venue and city data here, and it was also the place where Lilan and the others were sealed, which really surprised me. - Seeing my face, Yui smiled as soon as she stayed in the "Hollow Zone".

"What? This face is saying that the data of the 'empty area' has not been implemented, which is a waste. ”

"Because yes, if there's so much data, wouldn't it be great to implement one, two, or even three? Even the Dragon Queen in your data was originally planned.

"Yes. This is the world that was born to fulfill the wishes of the world I imagined\"

It's a game of death that takes lives. ”

At this time, Alice, one of the former Argus employees who developed Lilan and others under the leadership of Akihiko Kayaba / Akihiko Kayaba and realized it in Ayn Grant, sighed deeply. When I turned my head to look at him, I noticed that his face was full of deep emotion.

"Only Kayaba-san knows the truth. We're just making a normal online game. I personally could not have expected this.

"Mr. Kayaba also did something terrible. Because we've locked Lilan, Yui, and the others in the "Void Zone" along with the missing and unrealized data. ”

"Alice was probably the most shocked person about this incident." I've heard it many times, but since I entered SAo, I've always regretted that the plan for the Kayaba was not realized, and I regretted that we were trapped in SAo. - If you think so, Alice is just making games and AI. In a sense, this person can be said to be one of the victims of SAo. No, it actually is.

As I looked at Alice like this, one of my daughters, Yui, stopped me.

"Dad, you know about the airspace."

\"Ahh Lilanne and they are sealed in the Roughyard, which contains unrealized data and missing data. So far, thanks to Yui and their explanations, I understand. \"

"That's good. But it's important to start here. ”

The smile on Ye Xiu's face became serious again. The "Hollow Zone" is an important story, but I quickly realized that it would become even more important from now on.

"Dad, I told you before that the hollow area is both a warehouse and a testing ground."

\"Ahh Nothing can be achieved without testing. The test site is the "hollow area."

"I suddenly had a question." Who is going to be able to dive into the "hollow zone" and still be able to explore the data and experiment with what to implement in the future? If SAo were a normal online game, who would want to use the "Hollow Zone"? With a barrage of questions, I immediately asked Yui.

\" and so on. Hey, Yui, then again, who can enter the Hollow Zone? And who will test the items and data that are about to be implemented? No one put it in. \"

"It was just me, my sister at the time, and my brother Jupiter, who had some kind of administrative power, who entered the airspace.

When I hear the phrase "master account", a person comes to mind. At first he only came as our companion, but later it turned out that he was behind it all and ruled as the Demon King of Ayn Grant.

"Master Account Sugo. Taking advantage of our inattention, he used the main account to enter the empty area and take the data. ”

"Yes. At that time, the "Dragon Dragon", which was fighting with the fathers on the 100th floor, was brought out by Nobuyuki Sugago from the "Hollow Area" and implemented in Ayn Grant. I thought it was made using map data from the "empty area". Upper, but also from the "airspace". ”

"It's all about airspace data, isn't it? It's good to be able to use a master account, enabling powerful data in the airspace. ”

"Yes.

"By the way, who did it? If the player doesn't go in, the admin won't go in. Or is it a pattern that is not implemented by experimentation? ”

Then Yui shook her head, glanced at Alice, and then turned her attention to me. With a confused look on her face, Alice stared at Yui and began to speak.

\"What's wrong, Yui? \"

"It's a bit of a weird story, but when I looked closely at my sister's memories, I found something like the history of the 'Hollow Zone', and it seems that the 'Hollow Zone' test was conducted on its own without the experimenter."

"The experiment was carried out without an experimenter? What is that? ”

"To put it simply, I was experimenting in the 'hollow zone' and was not discovered. That's it."

"That's"

At this moment, Lilan folded her arms and opened her mouth with a grim expression.

"Now that I think about it, it was a terrible scene, but the [Hollow Zone], which only the Administrator can enter, is repeatedly experimenting in a testing ground where there are no players. This is a faithfully reproduced AI group. Player, creator

Hearing this, both Alice and Alice were surprised. Of course, there are various AIs such as monsters, NPCs, Lilan, and Yui in SAo, but I don't think there are others, and I didn't expect them.

"An AI that faithfully reproduces the player? Is there a feature to create something similar in the hollow area? ”

"Yes. The AI system developed by Mr. Alice, the AI system installed on the NPC, has the potential to be applied to the Void area. The AI we created based on this data is experimenting with data from the empty area. The reason why the player is faithfully reproduced is probably because it seems more convenient for experimentation. Think about it."

At this time, Alice, who was in charge of creating the AI system, lowered her head and made a grumpy face. It was as if I first learned that my system was being used in an unexpected place.

"I didn't expect the AI system I made to be used in such a place, but I didn't expect it to be put into the company's database, as well as the AI that lives in the empty area? Let's call it empty data. ”

Yui turned to face me, ignoring the fact that Alice had named the AI in the "Hollow Zone".

So, that's the most important story. When I checked the usage history of the "airspace" that my sisters came out, I found that there were other people who had logged in besides my sister, brother, and Sugo. "Entering the 'Hollow Zone', it appears that they retrieved a copy of the Void data and brought it to Ayn Grant. ”

So, that's the most important story. When I checked the usage history of the "airspace" that my sisters came out, I found that there were other people who had logged in besides my sister, brother, and Sugo. "Entering the 'Hollow Zone', it appears that they retrieved a copy of the Void data and brought it to Ayn Grant. ”

Beings other than Yui, Jupiter, and Lilan invaded the "Hollow Zone" - and with that sentence alone, I understood how ridiculous the story was.

"So, is there anyone who can do such a thing? Who the hell is this? ”

"I don't quite understand either. However, in the history of my sister, there are indeed records that there are other users besides my sister, my brother, and Sugo. And that person is an AI that faithfully reproduces the player. "In the 'Void Zone', after retrieving a Void Data, it appears to have left the Void Zone, returned to Ayn Grant, and released the Void Data. ”

I immediately imagined the data hole in Ayn Grant, but I still couldn't believe it. If the empty stats are a faithful representation of the Ayn Grant player, then there will be two players with the same name, appearance, and data. Would Ayn Grant allow such a thing?

"Wait, wait, Yui. With that said, Ayn Grandtree has two identical players. Wouldn't the system go crazy in this case? \"

"Remember Kirito. At that time, the base system was paralyzed due to Sugo. Even the normally impossible has become possible. \"

Lilan's sudden words reminded me of it. Of course, at that time, Al Ngrant was in a situation where the control system, i.e., the basic system, was paralyzed due to Sugo's manipulation, and all systems except the basic system could not function. So even with two identical player stats, Ayn Grant didn't think it was illegal at the time.

"But who would do such a thing for what-"

It was then that a strong hallucination crossed my mind. Immediately after that, the content that came to my mind made me feel that the heat in my fingertips and toes had dissipated, and my body suddenly became cold. Trying not to realize this, I immediately turned my gaze to Alice next to me.

Alice's face also became solemn, as if she realized something outrageous.

"Alice Sand"

"What's wrong, Kirito-san? \"

"What would happen if Ain Grandtree had both real and empty data? What can you do? \"

"What a coincidence. That's what I thought, too. \"

Then Alice lifted her head slightly and folded her arms. And just like that, I began to spin the words as if I were slowly spitting them out.

"It's a test AI, but the way to use hollow data that looks exactly like a player's nature and appearance is to send them to death. If it's an AI, even if it's killed, it's not just that, but if Ayngrant's system itself admits that the data virtual is a player, after the digital virtual dies, the life monument on the first floor will become a scapegoat, drawing a horizontal line.

However, in that case, it is only the data that dies, and the person himself is not dead, but a horizontal line is drawn on the monument of life. - In the real sense, you can 'play dead'. ”

In Ayn Grant, when someone dies, a horizontal line is drawn on the name of the Lifestone on the first floor. And the cause of death is also written on it, so it is easy to confirm who lived and who died.

However, if the same happens when the data void dies, even if he himself does not die, a horizontal line will be drawn over the name of the Monument to Life. - Although you are not dead, you can make yourself look like you are dead.

And, according to Alice, in addition to testing unimplemented systems, Yuichi's method of using hollow data is to serve as a scapegoat that can be sent to death. - After hearing this, I couldn't help but think of a certain place of death in my mind.

"It was the biggest mistake I ever made and the worst battle in the history of Ayn Grant. "The worst dead end. This is exactly the "Smile Coffin Lufin Coffin" crusade. In that fight, I sent Lilan into a rage and had him eliminate all of the "Coffins of the Smile", including the leader Vashak Casals and the executives Zaza and Johnny Black.

However, all the "Smile Coffins" were gathered there at the time, and the remnants of the "Smile Coffin" have been appearing in front of our capture team since Lilan killed them all.

"But if that time"

"Hey, Kirito! \"

I almost screamed when I suddenly heard a voice. When I looked up, I was greeted by a girl with long blond hair and white wolf ears.

"What's wrong? Pale face. ”

I turned to face the girl with a worried face—I was the one in charge of annihilating the "smiling coffin" at the time, and I asked in a cold sweat.

"Hey, Lilan might remind you of something unpleasant, do you remember the crusade of [Smile Coffin]?"

"Ugh!"

As if his back had been hit by an ice cube, Lilan's body began to tremble, and when he looked surprised for a moment, a sad expression gradually appeared underneath him, and he lowered his head.

"I remember, at that time I lost myself and killed it out of instinct. And I actually killed all the [Smile Coffins]. I did cause you trouble at the time, and I almost killed you. ”

Then, Lilan looked up. This time, he had a confused look on his face.

"But why are you talking about this now? What comes to mind right now? ”

"What if the empty data is mixed up at that time?"

Hearing my words, everyone let out a small sound of surprise for a while, and the room was silent. The room was silent because the windows were closed so that even the wind could not be heard. At the same time, a heavy silence enveloped the place, but it was Lilan who broke it all.

"Wait a minute, you're saying that the fight was the one who replaced you with the 'Coffin of the Smile'?"

"Someone in the smiling coffin knew in advance that the battle would be like this. I took my empty data and released it to Ayngrant and let him participate in that fight. \"

Then, at that time, only the empty data was destroyed, and the person in question survived after the destruction of the "Smile Coffin Wood", he survived and logged in by hiding the fact that he was the "Smile Coffin Wood"

My voice and words leaked out naturally, conveying all the thoughts in my head to everyone present. I guess that's also impossible for me, but I can't think of any other ideas. I heard Alice's voice next door.

"If Kirito-kun's story is true, then there is only one person who survived the smiling coffin, and you hid in Ayn Grant and finally exited safely. Are you saying that the "Smile Coffin" isn't completely dead.?"

The "smiling coffin" is still alive. The smiling coffin, which was originally thought to be dead, actually survived because of a special method and was released into the real world after logging off. As soon as I thought about it, all kinds of thoughts flooded into my mind like muddy water. Anxiety welled up in my heart, my body began to tremble, and I couldn't help but hold myself tight.

"Who the hell is that?" Is it a leader, an executive, or someone lower?

"No, how the hell did he get into the airspace?"

"How the hell did he get that empty data?"

"How did he bring empty data to Ayn Grant?"

“！”

Suddenly, something warm landed on my neck. The next moment, the cloudy thoughts that came to my head stopped and fell silent. But I don't know what's going on.

Just when I was stiff and dazed, something suddenly appeared from the side and peeked into my face. Long blonde hair, white gold wolf ears, ruby red eyes—none other than his partner, Lilan.

When I saw that face, I realized that Lilan had moved from Yui to me, and that he had put his hand on my part and did a spiritual healing, which was a function of MHHP.

"Lilan"

\"I wanted to sink too deep, that's why I forced you back. Kirito, you're going too far this time. \"

“”

After staring into my eyes and sighing, Lilan spoke again.

"Of course, I don't know who brought out the Void Data, so I can understand why people would suspect that it was a "smiling coffin". Moreover, the reason why the "Coffin of Smiles" was able to wreak havoc was because that world was a world. "The game world and the game of death take place at the same time.

However, now that we are back in the real world, there is no way to know where we are, and it is difficult to find it. And even if I meet him at ALo or something, I can't kill him because it's not a death game. All you can do is incapacitate them. ”

After chatting with Lilan for a long time, a smile appeared on his face.

"You can't talk about other people, you tell me that the game of death is over and I don't have to worry anymore, but you're also just as cautious as you were in that world, so be it." Walk around and think about the things you don't need to prepare.

"It dawned on me when I was told that." Of course, when I was at SAo, I wanted to help everyone, including myself, live, so I developed various strategies and paid attention to the things around me. Thinking about it now, I feel like I'm pretty close to where I was then.

\"Kirito, don't think too much, the death game is over, even if there are survivors in the coffin of laughter, it is impossible to kill you, you don't have to think \"

Hearing Lilan's gentle voice, I covered half of my face with my right hand. Of course, the death game is completely over, and the world we are in now, ALo, is nothing more than a VRmmo. In addition, Amusphere's personal information is unreadable, and people can't even know other people's addresses. Even the "Smile Coffin" using hollow data would not be able to attack us who escaped from that world.

Yes.

Realizing that there was nothing to worry about, I sighed deeply.

"yes, yes, yes. Just like Lilan said. I can't tell you that you didn't escape from that world either. ”

"Because we've all lived in that world for a long time.

My heart warmed up, and when I could smile like Lilan, I felt the weight on my shoulders. When I turned my face, Alice, who was sitting next to me, put her hand on my shoulder and smiled.

\"That's right, Kirito-kun. While it's true that your story is possible, it's impossible to determine your whereabouts in the real world, even with survivors. And, even in case that person is still there. \"At your level, you were originally the 'smiling coffin wood' guy in SAo, and you were sent to a special juvenile detention center, and I didn't need it at all. ”

After Alice said something similar to Lilan's, I gathered my mood again. It is true that there may still be survivors of the "smiling coffin", but this is only a possibility, and even then they will not be able to attack us directly. So there's no need to be careful, there's no need to be afraid.

But even so, I can't rule out the possibility that there is only one survivor left in the "Coffin of Smiles".

"yes, I think I'm thinking too deeply, but"

"But?"

When I came to my senses, I started thinking about it again and remembered a certain being. The presence of the smiling coffin, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that it is a survivor of Yuichi. Before I could say that, I turned to Lilan for help, and he helped me regain my composure.

"Lilan, I want to thank you first of all, thank you so that I can calm down. You not only stabilized my mind, but also calmed me down. And thank you for giving me peace of mind. ”

Still, I can't rule out the possibility that the "smiling coffin" is still alive. Alice-Sand, do you know a player named Hafia? ”

"Hafia?"

Then I told Alice about Hafia and how Lilan felt when she met her. At the end of the story, Alice is sitting in a chair with her chin in her hand.

\"So the Tsuji duelist who attacked so suddenly. Then, Lilan felt the same presence as the person in the "Smile Coffin", didn't she? \"

"Yes. And "

I was suddenly attacked, so I thought I might have misunderstood because I was upset, but when I thought about it calmly, I realized that it wasn't a mistake. At that time, Hafia's method of killing Diaberu was to use his stealth skills to sneak behind the opponent without making any footsteps, and slit his throat with a deadly poisonous knife.

It was none other than Johnny Black, the leader of the Smiling Coffin, who excelled in assassin combat, a poisoned dagger. - At the time, Hafia was doing exactly the same thing as Johnny Black.

"Hafia's fighting style is exactly the same as the movements of the [Smiling Coffin] executives."

"What do you say"

So I now think Hafia is the one who survived the smiling coffin. Hafia is the one who uses the Empty Data to survive death, recover karma, and survive in Ayn Grant. I think

Then Alice made a grumpy face and began to scratch her chin with her fingertips. Usually I'll start messing with my hair with my fingertips, but this time I'll be scratching my chin.

"Of course, if you can act like a 'smiling coffin' executive, it's normal to think he's a surviving 'smiling coffin' executive. Now that she can be transgender, she can change her gender so that people don't notice that she is a survivor of the "smiling coffin" and even cover her face with a mask

"But in that case, you must be familiar with him, he should have called you, right?"

"No, he was silent. He applied for a duel without saying anything, and when he refused, he attacked me silently. Even what he did to me, he didn't scream, he didn't even shout. I did it. ””。

I sorted it out in my head after the fight with Hafia, but what would I shout if Hafia was Johnny Black, and most importantly, I was Johnny Black at the time. I should tell you, yes.

However, Hafia did not do this, but simply swung a sword at us and ran away. Based on this alone, it is not possible to conclude that Hafia is Johnny Black. Alice probably thought the same thing, and the expression on Alice's face was complicated.

"No, I can't tell if Hafia is the same Johnny Black, I'll have to wait and see. Also, he has a tendency to attack players, so he will reappear. "I'll have to find a time to ask if you're Johnny Black."

"Of course, it's the quickest way to do it, and I have a feeling that Hafia will come back." I believe that in the near future we will fight Hafia again. When the time comes, it's best to ask before drawing your weapon. Only then will everything become clear.

Just as I leaned on Lilan to think calmly about what to do next, I heard footsteps and I turned around. Yui had an apologetic and worried expression.

\"By\"

"Dad, I'm sorry, I said this thing has been confusing Dad, if only I didn't talk to you."

"No, it's not like that. Thanks to Yui telling me, I learned about that world and what I needed to pay attention to from now on. It's all thanks to Yui telling me. Thank you\"

"That's when I realized." Jupiter, Strea, and Quinella, who had the same faces as Yui, were approaching me. Perhaps, the instincts of MHHP and MHCP work just like Lilan.

\"Kirito-san, are you alright? \"

"Yes, thanks to your sister, I managed to do it. It seems that I can't go unless I'm careful not to think too much. I'm fine now, you don't have to worry too much. ””。

\"I'm really fine. Kirito, it's time for you to rest. \"

"Indeed. I'm going to take a break. After all, it's a place to rest. Miss Alice, can I stay here a little longer? \"

I looked away from the worried expressions of the three and turned to Alice, where I saw her arms folded. His face was completely different from what he saw when he was examined.

"It's okay, after receiving Lilan's psychiatric treatment, it's time for you to take a break. Besides, I haven't seen you in a week, so let's hear what's going on in that time. ”

I nodded, and sat down deeply in my chair, but not very calm.

If the people who survive with the Void data are indeed the people in the "Smile Coffin", then it cannot be ruled out that they will attack us like Hafia in this world, and Hafia will attack us again at any time. If this happens, you should think about how to deal with it.

The thought of the mountains of things to be careful with when attacking made me sigh deeply.

"Agu!"

Shino was slammed into the air, and her body slammed into the wall. Shino felt a dull ache all over her body, and fell to the ground with her back against the wall, letting out a moaning sound.

Asuna and Lifa were walking down the back alley when someone pulled them aside and continued to pull them back with great force. Until now.

"What the hell is going on"

What the hell is going on? When Shino opened her eyes and grasped the current situation, Shino couldn't help but be taken aback while chanting in her mind. Here is a small gap between the buildings, the air is dim and damp, and there is a strange person in front of it.

A man who could not read the details, wearing a black hooded cape and gray pants with a loose belt. I couldn't see his face clearly because he was hooded, but I could at least tell him he was male because his shoulders were quite wide and I could only see his mouth.

"Who are you?" \" Before Shino could say this, the man in the black poncho spoke.

"Yo, I finally found you, and I met you, you must have come to this world."

“！！？”

Just after Shino was startled by the man's words as if she knew something, the man quickly closed the distance between him and grabbed the sitting Shino by the neck with his right hand, forcing him to stand up. Shino felt the suffocating sensation of being gently strangled, and her eyes widened and she made a hoarse voice.

"Ah, Agu, Kaha"

"Hehe, the response is good, isn't it? Jill is really a first-class product, and the reaction is also the highest level, I don't know

The words spoken by a person who pronounces the so-called Katakan list words as fluent in English. Based on this alone, Shino understands that this man is not an ordinary player, but because he was strangled to death, he can't think about it properly.

"Ahhh

"Who am I? What am I doing here? No one knows what's going on, everything is so strange, what kind of world is this? I don't know, there is no way to think about all this at the moment, it seems that I have to get information first, I have to live first, what are the material needs to survive, it seems that there is an important person, I have something to deal with, and I can't put it off any longer! That person is still waiting for me, ahhhhhhh

At this time, the man seemed to sense something, and the corners of his mouth lifted, and finally it became something unexpected.

"Huh?

"W-What!? \"

"I've known you since, though. yes, ma'am, right? So, you erased the world I loved. ”

At this time, Shino opened her eyes again, and forgot about suffocation for a moment.

"Black Dragon Swordsman" refers to Kirito. Kirito became known in that world as the "Knights of the Blood Oath" and eventually became the leader of this sprawling organization. And I, as his lover, as the wife of the head of the Knights of the Blood Oath, am a celebrity.

However, unless you are in that world and listen carefully, all this information is incomprehensible. Knowing the information of that world is proof of being called so.

Survivors of SAo. They are called by name from time to time.

"Why, why..."

"How do you know? Hey, come on, if you remember me, you'll know it at once. Look, remember me or do you think you can't remember unless you twist your neck? ”

"As a result, the strength of the man's arm became stronger." With a crackling sound, Shino's pain suddenly intensified, and the illusion of her neck being crushed hit her.

"Ahhh

"Huh?

As if realizing something, the man let go of his hand, and Shino, who had been choked by the neck, fell to the ground on the spot. The air is suddenly inhaled into the lungs and circulated, and the clogged air creeps up to the mouth and exhales when you cough violently.

"Well, do you remember?"

Hearing the man's violent cough, Shino immediately turned her head to search for her memory.

This is the case with tall men in raincoats, hoods covering their faces, speaking a mixture of Japanese and English, and multi-Chinese who are fluent in English. A thick chill crept up her spine from this characteristic man.

There must be men with such personalities in that world. What's more, like Kirito, he has a sword as strong as a magic sword, and even leads an army that is feared by both the assault group and the humans who inhabit Ayn Grant.

However, at some point, he went mad, was exploited by an entity, and ended up not returning to the real world and ended up with Ayn Grant. That's why it shouldn't exist in the real world, let alone in ALo.

"Martha, ha, you, ha-"

In the next moment, Shino felt a sudden shock in her abdomen as if she had been hit by a heavy object. Realizing that it was a man's kick, Shino hit the wall and bounced off and rolled to the ground. A strong dull pain spread throughout the abdomen, and a strong feeling of nausea came up with the cough.

"Uh-uh-uh"

"Oh, my bad. I didn't have time to remember, so my legs stretched out.

"I mean, it's natural to want to kick him because he's a rival."

Shino rolled with a faint pain and nausea, thinking in the corners of her head. Why have you experienced such pain and suffering since some time ago? This game is supposed to have painkillers, but this man's attack pierces through it, giving real pain and suffering. What the hell is this guy doing?

Just as I was thinking this, a man's voice came to my ears.

"However, the skills that boSS taught me are so powerful that ignoring the painkiller's painkiller can make you pass out like this."

The corners of the man's mouth lifted, grinned, and squatted down. The man looked at Shino's face, which had been forcibly lifted up and twisted in pain, and opened his mouth.

"You can do stupid things too, I was the first to fall in love with him, but you intervened halfway and snatched him away."

"Ahhhh

"I was told that I don't need to say anything about it, but ...... Well, as someone who loves the same person, I'll tell you something special. ”

Even though Shino was screaming, the man forcibly grabbed Shiina's ear and put it to his mouth. Then he put Shiina's ear close to her mouth and whispered.

"I was saved by [boSS]. And I'm the one who survived that party. If I don't, I'll be sent to hell. It was indeed a miracle to meet the "boSS". ”

"As I thought, ah, no, ha"

"Oh yes. I'm just like you. I am like you, a person who has given me hope and joy in life, and I love him from the bottom of my heart. In the world after we left. "Go, do yourself a favor and fall in love with him.

"But when I see you guys so in love, I just think"

The man lifted Shiina's ears higher and flattened her face.

"If Prince Charming is killed in front of me, what will happen to you, princess?"

“！！”

Shino's eyes were wide open, and her ears seemed to be crushed by pain.

"This man is him." And when it comes to what he is best at, there is only one thing.

And this guy is confident that he can do it, and maybe he can.

"If what this guy wants to do becomes a reality!"

“... Ahh

"Hehe, did you just imagine that? That's right, I'm afraid. He's gone, and I'm scared. Because you love him, and you love him very much.

"Most importantly, I rely on you." The thought of the moment when that thing that made me dependent on you disappeared, I felt like I was going to die because I was so scared. ”

On the way, the man grabbed Shino's ear and looked at the sky unfolding in the back alley. Normally, I thought I had found a flaw in the attack, but I couldn't even think of an appropriate action due to the dull ache and nausea all over my body, as well as the pain that seemed to tear my ear.

"I'm also afraid, he's gone, and if he's gone, I'm afraid I'll lose the meaning of life, so I'm the same as you, yes, you're the same as me, I'm a person who thinks of him as much as you do, someone who has special feelings for him, and"

As the man approached Shiina's ear until his lips almost touched, he raised the corners of his mouth and asked her to kiss her.

"He's a murderer, just like you."

The next moment, Shino was completely stiffened. I felt like all the blood was drained from my body, and a deadly poisonous gas came out of nowhere, running through my veins.

Shino Asada, the girl who once killed a robber with a pistol. This is my real name, and it is the sin I have committed. - Why did this man know about this? You have to dig deep into the web to find this information, and it's not that easy to get.

"Huh? I was so surprised to know about it. This incident happened in such a remote place, and the people involved at the time, I finally found out, and I didn't know it was you. "I didn't expect his opponent, the wife of the former head of the Knights of the Blood Oath, to be a murderer in the real world."

Besides, this is originally a virtual reality world called ALo, and I'm Shino, a virtual character who looks completely different from the real world. It is impossible to guess what is inside an avatar from its appearance or name.

"But this man knows he's ever killed someone." And I know it's the content of a fictional character named Shino. - When he realized this, his body began to tremble violently, tears began to flow, and his heart was dyed black with fear.

"I don't, no, no, no!!"

"Hehe, this reaction doesn't seem right, you're a murderer, but you're also called a murderer, you know?"

What do you hate? Hey, murderous princess! ”

Shiina, gritting her teeth and rattling, tried to shake her head to the side, but the pain in her ears made her neck stop. However, at this moment, the man seemed to realize something and spoke again.

"Huh?

"B, Yes"

"What, do you want to know? Unfortunately, you don't have to know yet. ”

The man said vigorously and threw Shiina's body against the wall. Shiina's head hit the wall, made a dull sound, screamed, and fell to the ground weakly.

"Uh-uh"

"Don't worry, this is the last time I'll come to this God Race, and I won't show up again. Tell your important companion, Prince, though. ”

"Someday, the Prince of Hell will come and pick me up."

With that, the man turned and continued walking, disappearing into the darkness of the back alley. When the man completely disappeared into the darkness, Shino shouted silently into the darkness.

(Kirito Kirito——————! ）

\"Shina, Shina, where have you been——! \"

"Shino-san, where are you? \"

Asuna and Lifa ignore their destination and wander the back alleys. The sky capital of the Rhine is as vast as an alley, perhaps because it is the largest city in Swatjärfheim. And, thanks to the different shapes of the buildings, it resembles a complex labyrinth. Walking in such a place, Asuna's mood is the same as when she dives into SAo's labyrinth.

"I've been gone for a long time, but I can't find you at all."

"The back alleys of the Tiandu Line are so complicated.

"But I have to find out about Shino as soon as possible. Maybe something caught the poem. \"

\"Indeed, Miss Shino, why did you suddenly disappear after us?

"Maybe he's involved in some kind of incident." I'll have to find Shino as soon as I do—thinking so, Lifa paused as she turned her gaze to the gap in the building that stretched horizontally. In the back alley, which was already dark, there was a place where it was even darker, and there was something on the ground. Something is falling, neither a thing nor an object.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, the object on the ground was a fallen man, a player with pale blue hair, green clothes, cat ears, and a tail, and when Lifa knew this, she had a hallucination that sent chills down her spine.

Lying in the darkness is a person with similar characteristics to Shino.

\"Shino-san!! \"

"Yes!?"

Lifa deviated from her previous route and jumped into the darkness, crouching down as she reached the fallen man. A young girl with light blue hair, cat ears and tail, and a green outfit. Undoubtedly, it's Shino.

However, even though Lifa approached her and called out to her, Shino didn't react at all and just crouched on her face. It didn't take long for Asuna to rush over, and when she walked up to Lifa, she let out a surprised sound.

\"Shhhh!?h \"

Asuna excitedly hugged Shiina's body and made her lie on her back. A painful expression appeared on Shiina's face, as if she had been hit by severe pain, and she was out of breath. With this alone, Asuna realized that something bad had happened to Shino and shouted to him.

\"Shino, what's wrong Shino!? \"

"Ahh

Shino just made a faint sound from her throat and didn't answer anything. It looks like you've been hit by intense pain, but since this game has a pain blocking feature, you shouldn't be hit by that much pain.

But why is Shino so painful? \"As I thought something like this in my head, Lifa let out a confused voice at Asuna.

"Asuna-san, what should I do! \"

"Anyway, let's take him to the hotel. Besides, I have to inform Kirito-kun about this! \"

\"Oh, okay! I'll let Big Brother know! \"

"Rafa-chan, please! \"

Lifa stood up and ran straight into the back alley. Asuna looked around until she couldn't see her footsteps and heard Shiina's voice come out of her mouth, and then she turned around. Shiina's eyelids opened slightly. My slightly open eyes reflected my own image.

\"Poetry! \"

"A Suna"

She almost cried when she got the correct answer, but Asuna held back her emotions and asked Shino.

"Shiina, what's wrong? Can you tell us what's going on? \"

“！！！”

The next moment, Shino suddenly opened her eyes and wanted to get up, but she immediately frowned and fell into Asuna's arms. Asuna was both surprised and puzzled by how she looked, as if she felt intense pain.

"What's wrong, Shino?

\"Asuna, Kirito, Kirito, where are you? \"

\"Eh, Kirito-kun? What happened to Kirito-kun? \"

"Kirito, where are you?" \"

If it's Kirito's whereabouts, you can know by expanding the contact window, but now Shino's hands are used to support her body, so she can't do it. But if it's Kirito, Lifa is calling him, so he should come over according to the situation.

\"If it's Kirito-kun, Lifa-chan will call him now\"

"Hurry up, I've got to hurry up and get off Kirito, Kirito!" \"

\"Wow, Shino, calm down! Who the hell is Kirito-kun!? \"

Shino yelled at Asuna, looking like she was about to cry.

\"Kirito will be killed!! \"

"Huh?"

\"Shino!! \"

At this moment, I entered the dimly lit back alley of the Tiandu Line, aiming at a little of it and running. Behind them, Lifa, Lilan, Yui, Alice, Streya, Jupiter, and Quinella also ran in the same way.

"Why is this happening?" It all started a few minutes ago. In the room where Alice was used, I heard important stories about that world from Yui and them. It happened so suddenly that everyone was taken aback, and I couldn't help but be stunned after listening to the story.

In the back alley of the Rhine River in Tiandu, Shino was attacked and unable to move. After hearing the report from a panicked Lifa, I couldn't help but stay there.

When he realized that it was in a corner of the back alley, he ran straight into the back alley and kept running. A dark, damp back alley, with many turns, running between many buildings, screaming in my heart to hurry up, hurry up, finally reached my destination, a slightly empty place.

"Poetry, poetry"

Shino was supported by Asuna and lay on her back. Since it was dark all around, I could still see it clearly even though it was dark in color, and I immediately rushed to Shino and crouched down. Then Asuna noticed me and stopped me.

\"Kirito-san! \"

"Asuna, I heard from Lifa. What the hell is going on? \"

Asuna was about to answer, but a voice leaked out of Shiina's mouth, and I turned my head in that direction. Then, Shiina's eyelids opened, and my image came into her eyes.

\"Shino! \"

\"Kikirito? \"

I don't know if I've experienced such a terrible experience, the expression on Shino's face is as if she has experienced severe pain, but as soon as she looks at me, she gradually becomes shocked. Surprised, stunned, as if it had become like that.

\"Kirito Kirito!! \"

"Wow..."

Immediately after, Shino got up and lunged at me. \"I was surprised for a moment because it came suddenly, but I still firmly supported Shino's body. Soon after, Shino began to cry on my chest.

\"Kirito, Kirito!! \"

\"Oh, it's here, Shino. I've heard you've had a terrible experience. \"

I hugged Shina's trembling body and slowly stroked her back and the back of her head. I wanted to hear the situation from Shino right away, but soon found out that Shino was not qualified to talk about the situation right now, so I turned my face to Asuna.

"Asuna, what's going on? \"

"I don't quite understand it either.

"But one thing is for sure, someone attacked you."

"I think so, only the same player can hurt the players here."

"It's true"

I hugged Shino's trembling body and stroked her head, and many voices came from behind me, and I turned around. There, Lifa, who told me about it, and Lilan, Yui, Jupiter, Strea, Quinella, and Alice who had just spoken to me were all present. Deep Alice rushed to me and crouched down.

\"Kirito-san, I finally caught up with you, but what is this? \"

"Alice Sang Shino seems to have been attacked by someone. \"

"What do you say"

Alice was taken aback, and then turned her gaze to Shino, who was being held by me. Gradually, his expression became serious. She's probably been dating Shino longer than me, so just by looking at Shina's appearance, she can understand her changes and state. And I immediately understood Shino's current situation.

"You're scared, it looks like you've had a terrible experience, but who did it?"

Alice then approached Shino and gently placed her hand on Shina's body. I don't know if she noticed that Shino was trembling too much, and she showed a surprised expression for a while, and then a sad expression appeared on her face.

"Shino, are you alright? Did something go wrong? \"

“！”

Then, Shiina, looking away from my chest, turned to Alice, who was not far away. When I alternately looked at Alice and Shino, Shino's face gradually approached crying.

"Teacher, teacher!!"

In the next moment, Shino burst into tears and jumped from my chest to Alice's chest. Unsurprisingly, Ellie hugged Shiina's body tightly and began to gently caress Shiina's body and head as I did—or rather a movement more familiar to me.

"Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay"

I thought she would say something, but Shino just leaned against Alice's chest and cried. Then Yui walked up to us and shouted to Asuna.

"Asuna-san, what's wrong with Mom? \"

"Xinnon, it looks like someone has attacked you.

Sure enough, just from Asuna's narration, we can't understand what Shino went through. It seems that the only way to get detailed information here is to ask Shino about the situation. However, when I turned around, Shino was still crying to Alice and was not in a position to answer our questions. It seems that it is necessary to leave Shino alone for a while to wait for her to calm down.

But then Lilan walked up to me and crouched down next to me. And whispered in my ear.

"Kirito, Shino, but let me calm down. Now, Shino is being attacked by great fear. \"

\"I've thought so too, but how many times have you done it this time?" Are you using Shiina's abilities a little too much? \"

"It's not an ability to use too much to cause problems.

Just as Lilan was about to say this, Shino, who barely spoke, said from Alice's chest. Shiina, I turned my head to listen to it.

"Teacher, you're dead, aren't you?"

"Ugh"

Alice probably couldn't hear clearly, and tilted her head slightly, but Shino raised her face and said the words of pleading.

\"Vashak Casals PU is dead, isn't he, he died in Ayn Grant, isn't he? \"

\"If it's Vashak Casals!? \"

I was surprised to be with Lilan. Speaking of Vašak Casals, he is the creator of the Killing Guild "Smiling Coffin Luffin Coffin", the red player who kills the most players of all the players of Ayngrunte, and the player who is feared by all the inhabitants of Ayngrunte. It can be said that it is a terrible demon who has fallen into the abyss.

Although it has been a long time since SAo was cleared, I can still remember his appearance and characteristics for the first time. That's how much of an impression he made on us.

But perhaps because of such a unique trait as Vashak Casals, Lilane fell into a frenzy after being implanted with a "pseudo-empirical parasite" by the "Breakout", was obliterated by the last defense mechanism, the Hollow Incarnation, and ended up in Ayn Grant.

Since Shiina's name was uttered by Vašak Casals, Lilan and I couldn't do anything but be surprised. If you look closely, Asuna, who was with us against the "smiling coffin" when she was in Ayn Grant, had the same look of surprise on her face.

"Phew, what are you talking about? \"

Instead of answering her best friend Asuna's question, Shino asks Alice for help.

\"By the way, Vashak Casals is dead!? \"

"Shiina, you're saying you were attacked by Vashak Casals? \"

Shino asked Alice, who was stiff in shock, and nodded slowly. The next moment, Yui and Strea raised their voices in surprise, but Shino continued to move her mouth.

"The guy who attacked me was a guy who was fluent in Japanese and English. So, he hit me many times with extremely painful attacks, and finally he said, 'Prince of Hell. "One day I'll kill Kirito"

"Prince of Hell." Prince of Hell. When these words, which were cut into words and arranged with the first letters, sounded in my head, the image of this person came to my mind.

She has an exotic and mysterious beauty, but she wears a black-green cloak that covers her face, and she speaks in a tone like dJ, with a mixture of Japanese and English.

When the man's face is clearly seen, the corners of the man's mouth in the image are raised. He seemed happy to see me again and said he was here again.

(never)

At the same time, I remembered what I had heard from Yui earlier. Yes, while I was in Ayn Grant, someone hacked into the "Cavity Zone", the warehouse used by Lilan and Jupiter, and the testing area, took out the Hole Data, and released it to AynGrant.

I speculate that someone at the "Smile Coffin" knew the chaos of the "Smile Coffin" crusade beforehand and did so in order to escape the battle, but Shino's testimony and this story are hypothesized based on this.

- Even if I thought about it, I didn't want it to happen. I think I thought of something similar, and Lilan, Yui, Strea, and Alice immediately turned to me and called out my name almost simultaneously.

Kirito!

"Daddy!"

\"Kirito-san\"

"I involuntarily put one hand over my head." Shina's testimony is true - no, Shino is a girl who can't lie, so what she says is true. Now, the worst-case scenario has become a reality.

Somehow, he invaded the Cavity area, collected his Cavity data, sent him to the battlefield as a doppelganger, deliberately let him die to mistake the Life Monument, and watched the battle from above, the escaped player completed the karma recovery mission and returned to Grimm, hiding in Ayn Grant and eventually returning to the real world at the same time as Ain Grant was released.

Moreover, even after clearing SAo, he will not be able to leave VR, there is no doubt that he will come to this ALo

\"Vashak Casals is the one who survived that fight!! \"

Hearing this, the people around were stunned. If someone else had heard this, I would have been frozen in the same way.

No doubt. Vashak Casals survived that battle. Only one Vašak Casals survived the battle and fled from Ian Grant. Then, in order to tell him that he was still alive, he logged in to ALo and attacked Shino.

"Can't believe that?" Lilan said with a confused expression.

"Uh, was Vashak Casals an empty stat at the time!? \"

"There is no doubt that Vashak Casals is Yuichi who is fluent in Japanese and English, and who understands us and the world. Using hollow data, he survived. Now he is online in Alfheim just like us! \"

At this time, Asuna and Lifa, who had been listening, looked at me and Liru alternately.

"Wait a minute, Kirito-kun. What does it mean that Vashak Casals is alive? What does it mean that Vashak Casals survived the battle? What are you talking about? \"

\"Ernie sauce, what does Vashak Casals mean?

“...... I'll talk about this when we all get together.

I glanced at the frightened Asuna to wonder if she could understand what was happening and what was being said, and then I walked over to Shino, who was hugged by Alice, and shouted to her. Shiina's face also showed an expression of disbelief.

"Shino"

\"Kirito Vashak Casals survived? \"

"Oh, it seems. More on that later. Also, Shino, what the hell did that guy who attacked you say? Please let me know if you can. If it's painful, don't push yourself. "Let's talk. Good"

My heart ached and seemed to remind Shino of a painful experience, but since Vashak Casals was the one who attacked Shiina, it was necessary to find out what he was talking about. This guy spoke unexpectedly gently, maybe he was telling Shi Nai something important. - At the moment when I thought this, Shino opened her mouth.