I replied to Shino's trembling voice and gave instructions to Lilan. Soon, Lilan slowly began to descend towards that place.

The feet are also filled with water, and trees and plants grow on the ground underneath. It happens to be warm, and it is also a scene reminiscent of mangroves. Although it is not muddy on the ground like the real-life lakes and marshes, it is difficult to fight because the feet are stuck deep enough to soak near the ankles.

Although there is Lilan in the form of a wolf dragon, it is really difficult to fight, so I said hello and moved forward so that everyone could not be detected by monsters.

Advance nearly 30 minutes from the search start time. We slowly approached the place shown in the premiere. The reason is to move forward in the form of a premiere accompanied by walking with the goal of the destination. The Prime Minister silently headed for the destination when he started the mission, and if he had traveled with him, he would indeed have reached that destination.

If the premiere was a human, she would get lost, but she is an NPC, so she won't be so stupid because she is an AI. The Prime Minister is actually the navigator, and we act according to that guidance.

If there is an enemy who gets in the way of the navigator, we will immediately eliminate it and open the way. The navigator moves forward on the path that has been opened.

That's what the premiere mission is doing in a way in its current form.

"Hey, Kirito"

"Well, what's wrong with Shino?"

"Don't you always feel that the number of enemies is less?"

While walking along the navigation of the premiere, Shino's voice was echoed. Originally, I thought that the area of the Jewel Peak Lake and Marsh Group tended to have fewer enemy monsters, but now I feel that there are fewer opportunities to encounter enemy monsters.

Although he took the action of not fighting enemy monsters as much as possible, even then there were few enemy monsters. I felt like I was slowly entering the safe zone without enemy monsters.

Shino is right. There are almost no monsters inhabiting here. There wasn't even the breath of a monster nearby. ”

Lilan, who made a "sound", looked around. Although it seems to be looking for monsters, there is no feeling of being able to find them at all. Sure enough, the place we were in seemed to be a place where there were no monsters.

Because there is no blocking the road of the premiere and exposing that body as a dangerous thing, it is good to say that the situation is good.

"You can't fight without monsters. Wouldn't it be nice that the premiere wasn't dangerous? ”

"Indeed, because there are no monsters, it is carried out comfortably."

Answering my premiere like this, I continued to walk as I used to navigate. Sure enough, because I didn't encounter a monster, I was able to get my foot to my destination smoothly. If you continue like this, you will reach your destination at the premiere in a while. The premiere was also mixed with small talk, and it seemed to be holding (there was).

While thinking about it, I suddenly opened the window and confirmed the name of the place where I am now. Mount Everest Lakes and Marshes, Thurin-Vilsen Tract. This is the name of the place that I heard from Elise before, and it is said that if you go north from here, you will find "good things".

Now we're — or rather the premiere — heading north from here, so we're heading toward what Elise calls the "good stuff."

What is there and does it have anything to do with the decrease in the number of monsters? If you continue to walk while thinking about various things, the height of the water under your feet will be lowered.

Soon the water was gone, and the mangrove-like trees began to turn into ordinary trees. I don't feel the breath of a monster anymore. It looks like we're about to get to the next area.

Perhaps noticing the changes around me, Shino greeted me again.

"I always feel like I'm feeling around me."

"If you continue like this, you will have to go to the next area. Premiere, there is a way. ”

In response to my question, the premiere nodded and did not stop moving forward. Due to the advance of the Everest lakes and marshes to the west, the north side approached for the first time. It's impossible to imagine what kind of monsters, devices, and scenery will be waiting for you. What the area is like in a completely unknown area? Following the premiere with anticipation, uneasiness and curiosity, it wasn't long before I saw the exit of the forest.

I didn't expect to come to the end of the forest. What are you waiting for? We moved forward with all kinds of expectations and reached the exit of the forest.

We were so frightened that we stopped. It was a vast expanse of open land. The ground is covered with lawns, and there are rivers large and small everywhere.

A little farther away, you can see multiple lakes of different sizes, with coniferous forests, and dense wooded mountains in the interior.

"Here it is"

“”

We couldn't speak. The scene unfolded before us was very similar to what we had been seeing. No, not very similar, just looks exactly the same. What used to seem like a matter of course has not been realized.

"Kirito, here and here"

"Ah, here it is"

Meet the dazed Shino. I must have the same expression. That can't be helped. Because here it is——。

"Premiere! \"

The "voice" that echoed in my head brought Shino and I back to our senses. Looking at the eyes of Lilan, the owner of the "voice", she saw the premiere and walked in casually.

No matter what we become, the mission will continue to act, and it will also move with the premiere. Remembering what it has been so far, we ran after the premiere. It wasn't in the water like the one just now, but on the cozy lawn that made people feel nostalgic, so we immediately caught the premiere.

The aura of the monster was more than it had been before - no, it couldn't be felt from the earliest area itself. The place where we are is is a place that is completely liberated from the threat of monsters. That fact also accelerated our surprise.

Verdant lawns and beautiful skies. lakes and coniferous forests. And the breath of a monster that doesn't exist.

If you connect all the elements of this area in your mind, it will become a form anyway. once obtained, but has become the shape of the place of the past. That's ——。

“！”

At the same time as I thought about it, the premiere also stopped. Try to stop in the accompanying form, and you will be frightened by what is in front of you. At some point, we stepped into a corner near the taiga and stopped in front of a tree.

"This is"

The tree in front of you is no ordinary tree.

Although the appearance does not look much different from other trees, compared to other conifers and broad-leaved trees, the trunk is noticeably thicker, and the branches and foliage cover the sky. If the nearby trees are about a few decades old, the tree will be more than a few hundred years old.

In the real world, if it is Japan, it must be worshiped in the form of a sacred tree, perhaps because of its majestic posture, which inspires an incredible feeling of awe and peace of mind.

"There is such a big tree"

Next to Shino, who couldn't take her eyes off the tree, Lilan compared the trees around her to the trees in front of her. It's as if to test how different this tree is.

"This tree is noticeably different from the neighborhood. There may be something special about it. ”

Accepting Lilan's voice, I opened the window and confirmed the status of the mission.

The part that was written "Aim for the destination" has now been rewritten as "Receiving the blessing of the sacred tree". Did the time you stepped into this place, or the purpose of coming to this tree, changed?

But in any case, this tree, as Lilan pointed out, seems to be a special tree of the sacred tree. And then at the premiere, we seemed to be guided by this tree.

"Is the tree 'Blessed by the Sacred Tree' a sacred tree? Premiere, I ask again, the place you want to come to is here. ”

The premiere nodded and slowly walked towards Shenmu. It's like the Shenmu itself has some kind of power that attracts the premiere. Soon after, the premiere stopped, and after looking up at Shenmu, he put his hands together in front of his chest and looked down. Just like when the "sacred stone" was first discovered, it is a prayer posture.

"Are you praying to the sacred tree?"

"It must be 'blessed.'" I don't know what kind of thing it is. ”

"Sacred Stone" and prayers and blessings to the sacred tree. The prayer to the sacred tree at the premiere is reminiscent of the two shrine maidens and the sacred tree in Einclyde's creation myth "The Earth Cuts Off".

But this is something similar to it, not the itself. If the "Great Tree" were real, it would need to be as big and majestic as the "World Tree" in "ALo".

Compared to that kind of thing, this sacred tree was too small and not solemn enough. It has nothing to do with the fact that this is a similar mission to the myth of "the earth is cut off".

If other players had done it, they would have made a fuss about it as a mythical mission, but for me who has been in the game for a long time, it's easy to see through such an illusion. Although it is not possible to see through the full picture of the premiere mission.

Think about things a minute later. The premiere stopped praying and came back to us. The "! "It's gone, it means that the mission has been carried out.

"The premiere, is it over?"

The premiere of which was accosted, bowed slowly. You can get a glimpse of your usual politeness.

"It's over. Thank you for your stay here this time. ”

"No thanks. However, at the premiere, you prayed to the "sacred stone", sacred wood, etc., what was your impression of prayer? ”

In response to the question from Shino, the prime minister tilted his head. It is true that the premiere is to pray to the "Holy Stone" and the Sacred Tree, but the "Sacred Stone" and the Sacred Tree are media after all, and the real object of prayer should be different.

It's because I know this that I pray at the premiere, but even if I'm told by Shino, the premiere always has an expression that I don't know what it is.

"Object of Prayer, My Prayer"

"I don't think I know that."

Say "Well" to Lilan, who looks a little regretful. Although the mission of the premiere has nothing to do with mythology, what is the future of this mission, and the original form of the prayer of the premiere at that time should also be understood.

Here the task should be carried out patiently.

"Let's make sure that the mission for the premiere is going on, and that's it. Compared to that."

Finally seized the opportunity to say it—thinking so, Shino and Lilan both turned their eyes to me. An expression appeared on his face as if he was thinking about the same thing as me.

"Kirito here!"

"Ah, I'm thinking the same thing. Here? Foundation? Small? Like"

The twenty-second layer of the Ain cladding. In fact, all areas are non-combat, free of monsters, and a smooth hierarchy of lawn-covered earth and large and small lakes, coniferous forests, and mountains. The place of existence of our family life home. The landscape from before is very similar to the landscape here now.

When you look at it now, you always feel like you can see some familiar scenery.

Originally, this Ain Round was the prototype land of Ain Clyde, so it is not surprising that there is terrain and scenery similar to the strata contained in Ain Clyde.

We are always looking to be the place where the twenty-second floor of Ein Clyde is based. One of the reasons why you can do it so quickly is also one of the reasons. Attack at a speed that other players consider to be unusual, and explore the liberated areas to all corners.

Now that we're among them, have we finally arrived. I found the place where the home was supposed to go back to.

Driven by thoughts, I used my skills to be farsighted. The surrounding area is still covered with a lawn that resembles the 22nd floor and coniferous forests.

If this is the prototype of the 22nd floor, the home where everyone lives together should also exist. Even if I tried to look for it, I couldn't find a similar building. Is it because it's a little small hill now?

If it can be seen from the air, or——。

"Kirito, you can fly here!"

"Really!?"

\"Ahh As there are no monsters, there seems to be no flight limit! \"

I can't help but react loudly to my partner's "voice". Lilan, who has become in the form of a wolf dragon, can fly, only the area that has been liberated by defeating the regional boss, and cannot fly in the area in the strategy. If that restraint is neutralized, there's no way not to use it.

"So, Lilan, let's fly! If you fly from the sky, you know what to expect! ”

"I was thinking the same thing. Take to the skies now! ”

Shino said it before me, and jumped on Lilan's back to span another. Then I jumped with the premiere in front of Shino on Lilan's back.

Then, the premiere straddles Lilan's back in the form of a sandwich between me and Shiina, and Lilan suddenly stands up. It doesn't look heavy. I don't know the maximum load of Lilan yet, but I also flew with me, Asna, and Yui on one occasion, so it seems that the three of us can fly without any problems.

"Okay, Lilan, fly!"

"Premiere, let Lilan and Kirito hold firmly!"

Maybe it was because I was in a hurry, and I couldn't hide my surprise at the premiere, but according to Shino's instructions, I turned my hand to the vicinity of my abdomen and grabbed it tightly.

Confirming that all the flight attendants were sure to kick up the ground in the air, spread its big wings, flutter its wings and start rising all at once.

The body was suddenly pulled into the air, and a typhoon-like storm blew. If you let go of your hand, you will be thrown out in an instant. I suddenly greeted Shino in the back.

"Are you all right!?"

"It's okay, that's all!"

"How's the premiere!?"

“——！！”

The premiere was almost in a squatting form, with my face buried in my back. Because the wind was so strong, it was difficult to even look ahead. And the premiere itself, because it was the first flight sitting on Lilan's back, something that was not used to could not do anything in a row.

But, even so, he thought he wouldn't leave me and turned his hand hard into my stomach.

Suddenly, I looked in front of me and saw a blue sky. It is always the clouds in the distance that are getting closer. At both ends of the field of vision, wings larger than birds flap repeatedly and powerfully.

Rilang's ascent continues. The limit height of this area is set quite high.

"A little more!"

Clenched Lilan's bristles hard in her hands, listening only to the sound of the wind. The wind that blows has a smell. The smell of warm days, the smell of plants swaying in the wind, and the smell of the beasts that Lilan has. The smell I smelled on the twenty-second floor at the time of "SAo" filled the place again.

Sure enough, we—just as we were about to think so, Lilan's ascent stopped. If the wind is certain, the wings of the wings will also be spaced apart. Lilan jumped to the position before the limit height, as if she was circling.

“！”

Leaning out of the hovering Lilan, I lost my words. What you see is a landscape of green and blue. Everywhere there are lakes of different sizes, and small rivers flow. Coniferous forests are also dotted with trees, and in the distance is a very large mountain.

This is exactly the same scene that Lilan saw when she jumped to the extreme height of the twenty-second floor. No, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that at the time.

We're back. In the place where we have lived together and where there is a house.

"Kirito, this place is sure enough!"

"That's right! This is the prototype of the twenty-second floor! Here we go!! ”

Maybe it's an answer to what I said, I heard Shino's trembling voice. Shino also staggered her body slightly, and saw the figure of the earth unfolding in front of her. And then the same as I thought. I went back to that place.

\"！ Kirito, look over there!! \"

Lilan made a "sound" as she moved her head slightly. Its gaze was cast on a part of the earth beneath it. I was startled when I turned my gaze to chase after Lilan, the wolf dragon who could see more than I did.

In front of Lilan's red eyes is a corner of the coniferous forest. A closer look reveals that a log house has been built in a lonely place.

The overall shape, the color, but also the location and the surrounding things.

Either one – it's the same home we spent in. When she was completely attracted by that look, Shino was already stunned to look at the log greenhouse standing in the coniferous forest.

"Kirito!"

"Ah, let's go."

I replied to Shino's trembling voice and gave instructions to Lilan. Soon, Lilan slowly began to descend towards that place. "Well, what is relevant to the premiere mission is"

Found the place of love - the prototype of the twenty-second floor of Ain Clyde and got the diary house of the wish three days later.

We have resumed our exploration of the Everest lakes and marshes. Like finding that place and that house, this Everest group of lakes and marshes is large and hides more elements than you think. There are also things like before to reach the regional bosses, and there should also be things to carry out the premiere missions.

No, because it's in the Lytria steppe, the Great Forest of Aldrob, this Jewel Peak group also has activities related to the premiere mission. Something like the sacred tree we found should have several in this Jewel Peak group of lakes and marshes.

Although this was just my expectation, after telling everyone, everyone thought the same way, and put forward the goal of advancing the premiere mission, and each formed a team to explore.

Then I also took Shino and Lilan to the corner of what is now the Jewel Peak Lake Complex. Expanding into the surrounding area is a zone of coral reef-like objects and clear water, just like when you first landed on Mount Everest. Before that, it was a mangrove-like forest area, but when you pass through it, you reach a place like the starting point.

The monsters that inhabit it are like crabs, all of them are aquatic lizard-type, and they are all people who evolved to adapt to the special area of this gem peak lake and marsh group.

However, I don't think it's very smart, so I didn't make a surprise attack from the water, and I could easily break it if I dealt with it the same way as the previous monsters. Well, although there is also the grace of Lilan, a huge dragon, who is the first to attack.

Continuing like this, we passed through the coral reef and came to the forest again. Until now, the ground was full of water, and we were able to tread on it while treading it, but now we are in a forest area where there is no water, like in the Lystrian steppe.

"The water has receded. Isn't it a little close to the innermost? ”

"It's not there yet. Isn't it time to get to the middle of the country? ”

"It's that kind of place. I feel like it's farther inside. ”

Say hello in the order of Lilan and Shiina. Although the two of us also have questions, where is the location of our location as a whole?

The field of \"SA:o\" could not be larger than that, and it is not possible to fly through the air to confirm the overall picture like ALo. It is possible to confirm the map, but it is not possible to grasp the overall map of the map itself, but we only know the area we have explored so far and the current location.

Now how many places we explore, where can we cause the deepest and where the activity is. It can only be found by stepping on its own feet in the end.

While thinking about it, I opened the window and checked the map. The current location returns to the route of exploration that we had so far from the area where the home was located, and it seems to be quite far away. The terrain around that one is defaced, I don't know. I only know that I have stepped into the land that I have not yet stepped on.

"Where does this area look from the innermost part? Just looking at the map, I don't know at all. ”

"It seems that I can only go looking for it with everyone, although it is a normal thing."

As she spoke, Shino looked around. The map data can be synchronized with everyone when it is merged, and the map data can be expanded with everyone.

So we and others won't waste our exploration, and it's definitely not unusual to use everyone's strength to find a route to the activity and the deepest places. As Shino said, it's best to update the map data that everyone gets later.

"I can't help it, let's move on like this-"

Just as she was about to speak, Lilan looked up as if she had noticed something. Ears pricked up to the sky. Lilan did this when she felt something, so try not to get in his way and try to say hello.

"Lilan, what's wrong? \"

"Can be heard"

"Is it a voice? Didn't hear anything though."

Shino looked around, and I also pricked up my ears to look around. It is surrounded by a forest area that has not changed much, and there is nothing conspicuous to be seen.

However, there is no lie in what Lilan said.

Lilan, who has taken the form of a wolf dragon, feels that she has become something above a person, and she can recognize things that we can't recognize. In fact, he explores with the breath, voice, and sound that only Lilan can feel, and unexpectedly discovers a lot of good things.

Because of this, something that only Lilan can detect is trustworthy.

"Lilan, where is the voice coming from? \"

"Start from the front. If you move forward like this, you will be able to reach the source of the occurrence. ”

Listen to the "sound" and look ahead. It is not known whether the exploration of the Jewel Peak Lake Marsh Group is in good shape, and the quest that the player is approaching can see a lot so far. I'm afraid Lilan felt the kind of metal pile, right?

What kind of tasks are waiting, and you don't know if you don't look at them.

"I see, it's up to you to feel. \"

I gave instructions to the two of them, and made my way through the vast forested area ahead, and I was startled after a certain point.

The voice that Lilan felt also reached our ears, and it was a conversation with "Cornered, Rhea Mob!" "Look, hurry up and take out the balance Blake!" Such a scolding is similar to the sorrow of Kirito.

If it's the scream of a monster, I don't really care about it, but the scream of a human is whether the player or the NPC has been attacked. And judging by the content of the scolding, someone must have been attacked by something grumpy.

Running to find the source of the sorrow, he came to an open place in the forest. There is a source of scolding and screaming. However, when we saw the mournful owner, we couldn't help but be surprised again.

The scream was made by a diminutive girl with short blue haircut and loose clothes in light blue and white tones.

The girl had an almost whole-body damage effect, and sat on the ground, dragging her body backwards. In front of that line of sight, there is the figure of a male player equipped with a one-handed sword, a two-handed axe, and a two-handed sword, and everyone is anxiously approaching the girl together.

It was like a hunter chasing his prey, but his eyes were far from those of the hunter, savage and dazzling.

"Premiere!!"

Shouting the name of the girl who was taken as the prey, we squeezed into between. Instantly supporting the premiere of the Schinon sit-in, I drew two swords from the sheath on my back and stood in front of the players with Lilan.

Perhaps thinking that the prey would be taken, several players spoke as if intimidated.

"What, you're suddenly in line."

"Stop! Don't do anything about this daughter's little one! ”

In response to my voice, Lilan, who was close to her nose, roared. Unlike wolf stuff, the roar of the tall beast shakes the trees and ground as players step back. But it didn't seem to have any effect, and one of the players walked over.

"Hey, are you going to snatch that guy? That's not going to work. ”

Immediately next to the player, holding a two-handed sword, greeted him even more.

"Well, you're aiming for Balancing Blake, too. Then give me a hand. Balance Blakes may decline by headcount. ”

I can't help but tilt my head at the words from the players. I don't know what you're talking about.

The premiere was the NPCs of "SA:o", and the NPCs died literally at the end of the "hp bar".

However, at that time, there was no such thing as weapons and items dropping, let alone information that it was a colloquial thing called Balance Blake.

"Balance Blake? What are you talking about, that kind of thing doesn't exist at all. ”

"Don't you know? It is said that if you kill Mob, you can get items. So, that Rea Mobe will drop the balance ball. You're aiming for that, right? ”

I myself understood and couldn't help but be stunned. It is true that a long time ago, there were rumors that you could get rare items by killing NPCs, but now this has proven to be a ridiculous lie.

These players don't know this, as if attacking the premiere. Maybe I'm as surprised as I am, while supporting the premiere, Shino said as she bit the players.

"That's a lie, it's been said a long time ago, and it's not confirmed."

"yes, I'm going to prove if it's fake or not. Let's actually take down that Rhea Mob and try to see if we can get the balance Blake. ”

Everyone's eyes widened. These players attacked the premiere to confirm whether that ridiculous lie was true or true, trying to take that life.

If the player attacks an NPC, it will become a blue cursor aimed at by all NPCs and monsters on the field, and it will become a state where the game cannot be played normally.

Shino was stunned again and said:

"It's quite risky. Obviously, if you become a Blu-ray cursor, you can't play the game well. ”

Although I always deny the spicy words spoken from Shino, this time Shino is correct.

The harmless premiere is rewarded by the Blu-cursor for the NPCs who live in this world for their barbaric acts. Moreover, these players are also involved in the punishable behavior of the Blu-Cursor.

There is no denying it anymore. These players are now ——。

(Huh!?) ）

When I suddenly saw the players in front of me, I noticed something strange.

The players' cursors have not changed. A green cursor is shown indicating normality.

These people have been attacking the premiere since just now in order to confirm the boring rumors. So it should be a blue cursor, but no one is like that. The strange phenomenon of breaking taboos without being punished has occurred.

Perhaps noticing the same thing, Shino greeted me in surprise.

"Kirito, these guys!"

"Ah, not the blue cursor. What's going on? ”

Think without disarming. The game is still in closed beta testing, so it's no surprise that there are still bugs left. Maybe there's a loophole in the conditions and verdicts for being a blue cursor, which may have happened to these guys by accident.

Probably realised, the savage two-handed axe made the palm open.

"It's a pity that even if you attack him, you won't turn into a blue cursor. So it doesn't matter. ”

"That guy's homepage is a little bit off. The rumors will be confirmed in a little while, and if it bothers you, you'll all-"

One of the players was about to speak when a big bang hit the player closest to us. The roaring flames engulfed the players with a fierce momentum. Let it go away.

A few seconds later, surprised by the explosion that was too sudden. When the flames and black smoke cleared, all that was left was black, charred earth, and the players were gone. Not only the players in the front row, but everyone was unable to fight for a moment, and was judged to be completely wiped out and forcibly moved to the street.

I suddenly looked back at Lilan. Some smoke and flames came out of the corners of his mouth. Although it was known from the time of the explosion, the current explosion was caused by Lilan's firebomb Bryce attack.

\"Lilan, you\"

"Even if you say it's a lot of fenced land, because it doesn't look bright. We also used a vulnerability in the system. “

In duels and outside the circle, players will be attacked by other players, and the orange cursor will be turned in, so you can't attack casually.

However, if you are attacked by all of the "Demon Makers" of "Beast Tail", they will be judged to have been attacked by monsters, so "Demon Makers" can attack other players at will and defeat them, or they can wipe out the party.

However, only a fairly strong "demon" can do this, and there are many cases where a normal "demon" will be avenged even if it attacks other players. However, because Lilan has intelligence and strength that cannot be compared to ordinary "demon messengers", it is easy to force ordinary players to the point where they cannot fight.

Although he told Lilan not to shoot at the player, he didn't want to reprimand him for making a move this time. If you don't, you may not be able to repel the players who are aiming for the premiere.

"Compared to that, the premiere, no problem, right!?"

Temporarily succeeded in eliminating the surprise of me, and walked with Lilan to the premiere. At the premiere, Shino looked at me in a fidgeting position. He didn't quite know what was going on.

"It's really dangerous. After a while the hp runs out and is dying. ”

Probably Shiina's use of the recovery tool.,The damage effect that was almost all over the body of the premiere disappeared.,\"hp bar\" was also fully restored.。

However, Shino showed a very worried expression, and it was almost too late. It was really at a good time to arrive at ease again, and I sat down again to get close to the premiere.

"It's great that the premiere was safe and sound. It's scary. ”

“”

The premiere has not changed its face to this day. Because I encountered an attack from players who usually have a good relationship, it was very confusing. Perhaps it is necessary to reassure him for the time being.

"The premiere, it's all right. I retreat from those who attacked you. ”

Lilan's "voice" echoed in her head, and the premiere finally turned that face to Lilan.

"Thank you for your help. \"

"That's not a big deal. They also shoot at you when they know they are not good, so they shouldn't overdo it. ”

"Really?"

If it's normal, say to Lilan, who launched Bryce, "Isn't it going too far?" ”。 It feels like a strange reaction. It's like going back to the beginning.

Sure enough, I was worried and said hello again.

"Premiere, is it really okay?"

"It's okay, thanks to you guys helping me a lot."

With that, the premiere stood up. Even if he left Shino's hand, he didn't stand particularly shaky. But it's not like it used to be. I thought the same thing, Shino came over and whispered.

"Kirito, although it's a premiere"

"Maybe I was attacked by the players and came up mentally. They should be allowed to rest. ”

"yes. But why"

I already know what Shino wants to say. It's a blue cursor thing.

Those players attacked the Premiere but didn't turn into a blue cursor, and tried to use it to kill the Premiere. Something that shouldn't have happened in the first place, the premiere was caught up in it and died, so this should be reported to Seven, one of the operators.

However, it is a prerequisite to give a good rest to the premiere, which may have lost its peace. Having decided what to do next, I said hello to the premiere again.

"Premiere, after the pain, let's take a break. I know good places. ”

At the premiere, I tilted my head and said, "Good place? I replied, "You'll know when you come," and watched her reaction as I started moving from that place.

Before coming here, I kicked it apart and walked in the forest where the monster disappeared for more than ten minutes. We walked up a slightly higher hill.

There is no flooded earth and rivers of different sizes, it is a slightly larger land. Although the atmosphere may be close to the area where there are houses, there are outcropping rocks everywhere, and this is not the case.

Then look up and see that there are large and small white clouds, and a vast blue sky.

The time has come to set the highest weather. In this case, no one will be convinced.

When I was pleased with the surrounding scenery, Shino and the premiere seemed to visit with doubt.

"Kirito, is this place?"

"Where is this?"

It can be taken from the place that leads to the area where our home is located, so to speak, on the waterfall.

The place I stumbled upon when I was exploring with Lilan in the past is not a place where you can encounter powerful enemy monsters or find rare items. To other players, it's just a corner of the venue that doesn't have anything special, but for me it's just as important a place as a place to have a house.

It is the highest place in the Jewel Peak Lake and Marsh complex, and the sound of water falling from the lower reaches of the nearby river can be heard from the rock wall of the road that has been walked so far.

From here, you can overlook the first area of the Jewel Peak Lake Complex, and the scenery is also stunning.

While looking at the scenery that you can't see while playing with ordinary play, you take a nap with a lot of sunshine. So I made this place a special place along with Lilan and marked it.

Speaking of that, Shino sat on the grass that covered the ground with a convincing expression.

"I see, that's why you brought us here."

"That's it. The view is also very good, so let's calm down. ”

Sitting and talking, Shino began to notice the scenery spreading below.

"The view was indeed nice. It's not like it's miniature, but it's beautiful."

"yes, I wanted to tell you too, but I forgot to tell you."

"Please tell me sooner". I thought Shino would say that, but Shino was unexpected, pinned by the vast landscape. Lilan is like this, but she seems to like the scenery from here. Precisely because the average player thinks that this is a place where there is nothing and leaves, I think it is a place where you can calm down.

That was also the guy near the house who won, but in terms of the expansive view, it still won here.

"How's that, the premiere. The scenery here is good, and people don't come, so it's a good place. ”

I didn't look at the scenery at the premiere, I watched my business. It's like staring at me all the time after the first encounter on the field, when talking in the "starting street". Is there something I care about, or something I want to tell me.

Just when he seemed to be habitually tilting his head, the mouth of the premiere was opened.

"Why don't you do anything to me?" \"

"Huh?"

"Whoever greets me will attack me, I'm being targeted, but you don't want to attack me, and not only that, but you're protecting me, why don't you target me?"

I couldn't help but open my eyes. Shino and Lilan watched the premiere with the same wide eyes.

has been guarding the premiere, and also away from the players who are aiming for the premiere. When we weren't logged in, he said it was going to be near Lilan and Yui, so I felt like the premiere was always close to our guardians.

However, the premiere was also targeted. So far, he has been targeted at life by unintentional players and has taken damage.

Although they have been together all the time, they have not noticed such a truth at all, and they are speechless for a moment, but they are immediately recovered, and I said to the premiere.

"Premiere, are you still being targeted? Like that, being targeted by the players. ”

"Yes, I'm always being targeted. Whether it's running away or running away, everyone will catch up. ”

"So that's it? They will protect us when we are away. ”

Shino turned around, and Lilan showed a bitter worm expression. I think about it sometimes.

"I'm not around the premiere all day, either. I was going to be with the premiere as much as possible, and there were also people who were aiming at me when I wasn't there? ”

Indeed, Lilan and they also have a personal relationship, although they have to protect the premiere, but they are not always by their side. I'm afraid the premiere was targeted while Lilan was away. I thought I was away from fear, but the current situation is not like this.

Where we didn't see it, the premiere would be targeted by players and it felt painful. That's why the premiere looks weird.

"So that's the case for the premiere, all the time"

"Aren't you like them? Aim at me like they did—"

"Impossible."

The premiere of the language obscured by Shino turns the gaze. Shino put that hand on the shoulder of the lavish premiere and stared intently at that eye.

"We're not like them. We won't target you, we'll protect you. Until now, we haven't made a move on you, haven't we been guarding you? ”

At the premiere, he stared at Shino in amazement. The poem continues.

"Indeed, a stupid guy like that might have his eye on you. But it doesn't matter. We won't target you, and if we find you, we'll be the first to help you. So, you're all right. ”

\"Really? \"

"Ah, really. We've decided to protect you. So don't forget, the premiere. You've got us. ”

Shino's words are more powerful than ever, but I agree with that as well.

We have been guarding the premiere and spent it together. The reason for this is because of the ongoing mission, but this is always secondary.

In fact, because the Premier League is a living being, if the "hp bar" disappears, it will really die. It is precisely because there are no two irreplaceable beings in this world that we will spend it with the premiere, and if the danger is imminent, we will protect it.

Reconfirm with Shino's words, and I also say hello to the premiere again.

"yes, the premiere. You've got us. We will always be with you and watch over you in the future. So, no matter what happens, don't worry. If you have anything, we'll be there. ”

So Lilan's "voice" echoed in her head. Lilan, lying on her stomach with her hands crossed, turned her whole body towards the premiere.

"Kirito, we'll protect you while they're away. I will also try to protect you near you and not be so upset. ”

After all the things that I had thought about so far and the future were all said, the premiere silence repeated the wink. The water-colored eyes were always directed towards me, and my figure was reflected in them. The same thing was said before at the premiere, but this time it became a form that broke it, so would you be angry. When I was a little uneasy in my heart, the premiere opened my lips slightly.

"Well, I want to try to believe you. \"

Listening to that voice, I was about to lose my strength. No, maybe it's right to be relieved. I thought the premiere wasn't about distrusting humans but about distrusting players, but that's just unfounded.

Premiere believe us. So, what we should do is to protect the premiere more than before. from any threat.

"Ah, trust me, the premiere. We will be with you in the future and plan to go on adventures with you in various places. Let's enjoy together. ”

I don't know what was said for a moment at the premiere

"Yes. \"

Nodding right away, it gave us more peace of mind. For the time being, the premiere will be calmed down, and it will be clear what should be done in the future. And we're on our way to doing what needs to be done right now.

After reconfirming the purpose, they stood up, and the three of them continued to stand up.

"Alright, let's rest here. Kirito, what's the next route? ”

"It's a long way from the route we just had. So let's go back first-"

"Ahhh Great, great, this!! ”

Follow Lilan's "voice" to open the window and want to check the map. Suddenly, a loud bang rang to my ears. For a moment, they thought they had misheard or misheard, and the other three looked around in surprise. It seems like I'm not the only one who listens.

Soon, Shino senses something creepy.

"Ah, what, the sound now?"

"There seems to be someone down the slope."

With that said, the premiere pointed in a certain direction. There is a ramp used to climb this hill, but you can see a lot of people below. The source of the sound seemed to be either of the figures.

I thought it was aimed at the players of the premiere, but based on the language content I heard, it didn't seem to be the case. What the hell is that group. Walk downhill with concern and approach the figures.

Hiding in a hidden place close to a certain level, he inquired about the situation. The original form of the figure is four male players, but only one person is in a position where he is keeping a distance from the three players. The trio is a party of players to explore, and the rest of the group is an unrelated player.

It is a common occurrence in this world for individual players and party players to meet.

"Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha."

For that soloist, our eyes go first. The player is male and wears very ordinary gear, just like an adventurer. However, that look is obviously strange.

The man looked unusually excited, salivating from his mouth and smiling as he looked around. The trio near the man greeted each other while looking very confused.

"This guy suddenly walked into the hunting ground and laughed."

"Hey, hey, hey. Here we are hunting, don't suddenly cut the queue! ”

"Ah, ah, isn't this guy weird?"

In response to the three people, the man made a sound along with saliva.

"Look around! There are cute and cute girls everywhere!! Which daughter says hello to you? I'm going to be the daughter of the ponytail there! ”

I could only react in the same way as the three people on the surface.

I did try to make sure that there were three cute girls around, Shino, Premiere and Lilan - Lilan was even a wolf dragon——。 However, because all three are hidden in the shadows, it is impossible to see from the men, and there is no female player anywhere except for these three. Only we are.

"What are you talking about, that"

Let the confused poet think on the side.

Is there also a player who improves his stealth skill and disappears, does this look like a man? If that were the case, Lilan, who had a keen sense, would have noticed its presence, but he didn't feel anything but looked at the man. Let's try to say hello.

"Lilan, do you feel anything? There are no players who have disappeared. ”

"Nope. Only we are here. ”

I couldn't help but be surprised by the "voice" that sounded in my head. Lilan's "voice" was distinctly slender, a bit like something that flew out when she turned into a wolf dragon with sadness. I thought something had happened to the man, but when I looked back, Lilan had been staring at the man.

"It's so cute! Let's make the atmosphere even louder! Get the mood pumping! I've got good stuff! You're welcome! I'll teach you a lot! ”

The man muttered to himself as he pretended that someone was nearby. It looks like a drunk, but you can't get drunk in this game, so it's not drunk.

If that's the case, isn't there also the acting skills of a drunken man - when thinking like this, the white light surrounds the body of the excited man. What was going on this time - when everyone thought so, the man disappeared along with the light that surrounded the body. The trio outside was confused again, muttering as they looked at where the man was.

"Hey, hey, gone!?"

"What was it and what is it now?"

The three of them said pretty much the same thing as I thought. The light when the man disappears is similar to the light produced when he writes off, so although he is logged out, it doesn't look like he was processed.

Men have left this world without doing anything, and can only think so. Excited by what we can't see, suddenly disappears. For phenomena that are too out of the norm, I can only ask about the premiere near me.

"Now, what is it?"

Asked about the premiere

"I don't know."

Muttered.

After many anomalies in the Everest lake and marsh complex. We put the premiere back to "The Streets of the Beginning" for a while and headed home.

When we got home, our friends who had finished exploring at the door of the house were waiting for us to come home. I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long, but I opened the keys to the house and invited everyone to the first floor of the house.

The room that we used as a living room was turned into a meeting place early because of the arrival of my friends, and immediately there was an exchange of information and opinions that everyone had found, and I told everyone what I had seen after the premiere.

Everyone followed along in amazement, and soon after my report was over, one of them, Asna, said with a sad expression.

"In that case, the premiere was still targeted"

"I thought we could protect him, but I didn't expect him to be caught."

Lizbet, next to Asna, also had a bitter face. Other people have similar faces, and I guess I have the same face.

"When the bonus is dead, rare items will fall, there can't be such words. If the bonus dies, it really will die, it's true. Why are there still players who are aiming for bonuses? ”

The silica caressed Pina at the knee, and that face looked sad.

At the premiere, the NPCs of this world will never be resurrected after the end of the "hp bar". For NPCs, Game of Death is the truth of this "SA:o", and we intend to seize it and spread it to the surrounding players as much as possible. However, it is very high that there are people who are aiming for the life of the premiere like that, and we can do it.

Argo, the information vendor who mainly investigates and spreads information, puts his hand on his chin.

"We also plan to announce to as many players as possible that the death of NPCs has nothing to do with the decline of rare items, and it was surprising that there would be players who verified the rumors."

"However, if you deliberately attack the NPCs of this world, you will turn into a blue cursor. But if it's an older brother, the player who attacks Prime won't turn into a blue cursor."

What Lifa said was also the thing I cared about the most. The NPCs of this world would really die if they died, so the felony of inflicting the blue cursor on the attacking player.

Despite this, the players who attacked at the Premiere did not turn into a blue cursor, and were calm until they were burned by Lilan. What should have happened did not happen such an incredible phenomenon, which happened on that occasion.

Since the world is an online game, there can't be anything like that, and there shouldn't be anything like that. After leaving the premiere on the "street where it began", I wanted to report it to Seven, who was one of the operations, but several calls to call even so, Seven showed no signs of responding.

"I was about to tell Seven about this, but he didn't answer at all. Lilan, don't you know what it is? ”

Seven's sister, Lilan, replied with a somewhat difficult expression. It seems to be the feeling after hearing something.

"Seven, I've heard that research is getting better now. There are also more cases where you have to stay up all night researching. ”

"So, is Seven sleeping after an all-nighter now?"

Despite being a genius scientist, Seven is still a twelve-year-old. Staying up all night isn't something to be praised for, but there are some parts that can't be helped. After that, you will collapse and sleep.

I once again understood that something troublesome had happened at a bad time, and I sighed. Lilan seemed to say hello to me again in response to that.

"I've already told Seven about the premiere, but the problem is Kirito what you saw after that."

"yes. Kirito, what is that player? After saying some nonsense, I wrote off"

Before I took Klein's question, I was reminded of the male gamers who watched with the premiere.

Suddenly, suddenly salivating and laughing while drooling, acting as excited as if there was something around, and suddenly logging out of the strange player. It looked like a drunk, but now it feels more dangerous than that.

"You're talking about saying strange things where there should be nothing. It's inexplicably creepy. ”

I couldn't help but nod my head at Agil's opinion. Even if you don't look at the different opinions, it can be said to be very strange and creepy, and just listening to it makes you feel creepy. So Yuki made a suggestion.

"What drama to practice? The acting skills of drunk people, that's it. ”

"I don't think so. If that's the case, I'll choose a place where no one is around. ”

When Kem said it, Yuki replied, "Ah, that's it." I also considered the same thing as Yuki once, but as Kem said, it was extremely unlikely that it would be acting.

What happened to that player. While everyone was thinking together, the speaker appeared. Sitting next to Asna is the teenager in Parker's white and pale blue clothes, with the same hair color and eye color as Asna.

"That player's symptoms were caused by 'digital drugs.'"

Everyone reacted to the word "digital medicine" in that speech, and I was one of them, but I got knowledge about that "digital medicine". This was caused by the reporting programmes and search engines of the Internet and terrestrial digital radio in the past few days.

The so-called "digital drug" refers to an improper process that secretes narcotic substances in the brain through images and sounds. By using some kind of program, the brain is awakened.

We played with "SAo", "ALo", and "SA:o", using machines that directly exchanged signals with the brains of Nafgia and Amusfia. Thanks to this, we can also experience all the sensations in the virtual world, however, the "digital drug" is an improper program that abuses the signaling function of this sensation.

When this "digital drug" is used in an imaginary space that is not just a game, the visual and auditory senses are directly stimulated, and drug substances in the brain such as norepinephrine and epinephrine are secreted in large quantities and in excess.