The lovely voice of Yui resounded from both my earphones and the PC speaker.
“OK, try moving slowly first.”
[Yes!]
After her reply, the small diameter lens of the closest camera started moving.
Currently Yui should be flying like a little fairy in the pseudo-3D reflection of the Dicey Café. Although the image quality was low and the response time was also bad, she would have much more freedom compared to the passive image from the mobile terminal’s camera up until now.
“……I see, so those cameras and microphones are like Yui’s terminal’s…… sensory organs, right?”
I said nothing to Sinon’s words, while Suguha nodded,
“Yeah. Onii-chan learned that at school, mecha…… mechatoni……”
“Mechatronics.”, that, was me.
Suguha has no idea what the word is and randomly picks a part of the name.
“You take that nics course and made these stuff, all just for Yui-chan, right?”
[It was an order from me!]
Ahaha, three people laughed together while sipping their usual hot ginger ale.
“I-It wasn’t just that! Once the camera is more compact, I can attach it to my shoulder or head and bring it anywhere with me……”
“Isn’t that also for Yui?”
Really, there was no way I could object to that.
However, this temporarily named «Audio-visual two-way communication probe» system was still far from complete. In order for Yui to be able to realize the real world like the virtual world, the automatic movement function of the terminal camera and microphones was a requirement, and the sensors were also not enough. Ideally speaking, it would be best to use a self-propelled human type. Of course I couldn’t make it using the equipment from high school, is there any aggressive mechanics-san somewhere out there making a beautiful girl robot……?
While my honest delusion unfolded; Asuna, Klein, Lis, and Silica assembled in that order, while food and drinks were lined up on the two tables which were stuck together. When Agil brought out the spare ribs served on big shining plates, all the members clapped at the shopkeeper. He then took off his apron and sat down, and both non-alcoholic and real champagne were poured into glasses——
“Congratulations for obtaining the «Holy Sword Excaliber» and «Thunder Hammer Mjölnir»! Thanks for the good work in 2025! ——Cheers!”
Everyone said in a big chorus after my lead.
“…… Anyway,”
Sinon, who sat on my right, murmured after around one and a half hours, when the feast on the table was almost settled.
“Why was it «Excaliber»?”
“Heh? What do you mean?”
As I tilted my head trying to understand what her question meant, Sinon supplemented while spinning the fork skillfully at the tip of her finger.
“Normally…… it usually «calibur» in other fantasy novels or manga, right? As in, «Excalibur».”
“A……Ahh, is that so?”
“Heh, Sinon-san also read those kinds of novels?”
Suguha, who was on the opposite side, asked. Sinon made an awkward smile before replying,
“I was head librarian during middle school. I had read several books about the legend of the King Arthur, I have the feeling that they all used «calibur».”
“Hmmm, maybe it is another thing which was set on the whims of the ALO item set designer……?”
I made an emotionless response, and Asuna who sat on my left made a bitter smile and said,
“It’s certainly based on the legend, just like the fake reward from the earlier quest, wasn’t «Caliburn» also one of them?”
Then, a clear voice of Yui replied from the speakers atop the table.
[The main ones are «Caledfwlch», «Caliburnus», «Calibor», «Collbrande», «Caliburn», «Escalibor», and more.]
“Uwa, so many…”
The latter was written キャリバー (kyaribaa) which was used throughout the entire SAO series as the strongest sword in ALO as well as this arc's title, the first one was written カリバー (karibaa) just like in King Arthur's sword Excalibur, even native Japanese could be confused with the two thus what they are discussing in this chapter.
I was amazed, while I was thinking «calibur» and «caliber» seemed to be a mistake, Sinon continued,
“Well, it might not be a big deal…… but when saying «caliber», I’m a bit anxious because I’ve heard of its other meaning.”
“Heh, what is it?”
“A gun’s barrel diameter, written as «caliber» in English, for example, my Hecate II’s 50 barrel diameter is called «fifty caliber». I realized this after seeing the difference in Excaliber’s spelling.”
Sinon closed her mouth for a moment, then glanced at me before continuing,
“……Then, it turned out to also have another meaning, «A man’s capacity». «A man of high caliber» means «A man who has high capacity» or «A man with high capability».”
“Hehh―, I need to remember that……”
Suguha said in admiration, Sinon then said, “Perhaps it won’t come out in the exams though.” and smiled.
Then, I didn’t know when she heard about it, but Lisbeth on the opposite side of the table grinned and said,
“That means we can’t call the Excaliber owner a cheapskate. And I heard a rumor, that recently a certain someone did a part-time job and earned quite a bit…―”
“Uu…………”
It was just yesterday that Kikuoka from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications had deposited the cost for assisting in the investigation of the «Death Gun Incident». But it was already spent on various upgrading of parts of Yui’s stationary machine —— then Suguha’s nanocarbon shinai —— was also already pre-ordered, so the balance was immediately in a desolate state.
But I couldn’t pull back here right after I heard about caliber. I slapped my chest before declaring,
“O-Of course, I’ve decided from the start that today’s party is my treat.”
Right after that, the loud sound of applause came from all directions, along with Klein’s whistle.
As I raised my hand in response, I started thinking in my mind,
If I learnt anything about the human’s capability through the experience from the three worlds: SAO, ALO, GGO, it would be just one, «Nothing can be shouldered alone».
No matter in which world, there were many times I was about to be crushed, but somehow managed to continue walking forward with the help of many people. The development of today’s sudden adventure was also a sign of it, wasn’t it?
So surely, my —— no, everyone’s «caliber» was the point inside the full circle made by all my companions holding hands together.
That golden sword was to never be used for my personal gain.
While I decided that in my mind, in order to toast with everyone again, I reached my hand toward the glass on the table.
(END)
First Day
Aincrad First Floor
November 2022
Death game.
It was not a phrase with a precise definition. If it were to be considered as a «match involving bodily risks», that would include martial arts, rock climbing and such, even to the extent of motor sports. What separates those dangerous sports with death games is probably just a single condition.
That the penalty of death, is clearly stated in the rules.
Not as the result of an accidental incident. A coerced death, served as the consequence of the player’s mistakes and defeat, or punishment for the violation of rules and other reasons. In short, murder.
With this premise established, the VRMMORPG which became the world’s first, «Sword Art Online», had now unmistakably became a death game. The game’s developer, and as such, the ruler, Kayaba Akihiko, had personally made that clear declaration without the slightest hint of doubt, a mere twenty minutes ago.
That if the HP were to reach zero—t
hat is, on «defeat», they would be killed. Or if the Nerve Gear were to be removed—that is, to «violate the rules», they would also be killed.
It didn’t feel real. Not that it should. Countless suspicions still swirled about my mind, even now.
—Is something like that possible? After all, it merely used «a game machine fit for households», the Nerve Gear; could it have the ability to destroy the cerebrum of human beings?
—In the first place, why do something like this? Holding players hostage in a virtual world, if a ransom was at stake, then it would still make sense. However, putting the lives of players at stake for the clearing of the game, that would serve absolutely no tangible benefit for Kayaba. On the contrary, it would make him lose all the reputation he had as a game designer and quantum physicist, degrading him into the worst criminal recorded in history.
I don’t get it. I can’t make any reasonable sense of it.
But at the same time, my instincts understand.
Kayaba’s proclamation was completely true. The nature of the stage where SAO takes place, the Floating Castle Aincrad, had changed from a parallel world overflowing with passion and excitement, into a cage of death trapping ten thousand people within. The words uttered by Kayaba at the end of his tutorial earlier—[This situation itself, was my final purpose]; that phrase was likely his absolute true intentions. That outrageous genius had, merely for the sake of realizing this death game, created SAO… and thus, the Nerve Gear.
Due to that belief, I—the level 1 swordsman, Kirito, am presently running with my life at stake.
All by myself, in the middle of the vast grasslands. Abandoning the first friend I made in this world.
All to keep my own self alive.
The Floating Castle Aincrad is formed by floors, reaching up to a hundred, narrowly piled up atop each other.
In order for the lower portion to be as wide as the top portion was constricted, the entire castle took the shape of a cone. The diameter of the thus widest first floor amounted to up to ten kilometers. The «main city area», in other words, the largest city of the first floor, «Starting City», reached out in a semi-circle with a diameter of one kilometer on the southern tip of the floor.
Tall castle walls had been built up along the edges of the city, reducing the chances of monsters invading to an absolute zero. Also, the insides of the city was guarded by the «Crime Protection Code», making it impossible for the HP, that became the actual amount of life they had remaining, of players to fall by even a single pixel. To put it in other words, if one were to stay within the Starting City, their safety would be ensured, eliminating the chance of death.
However, I decided to exit the city right about the instant Kayaba Akihito ended that initial tutorial.
There were several reasons. The lack of confidence in the «Code» continuing forever. The desire to avoid the discord and mistrust that would surely be born between players. And also, the tenacity to level up of an MMO gamer, ingrained in my very core.
This might be some sort of fate; I do have a considerable liking for death game themes in fiction, and had gone through many novels, comics, movies and such from all over. Of course, the games I had tend to cover a large variety of themes, but I believe it to be a common theory existing within them.
In regards to death games, it was always a trade-off between «safety» and «overcome». If the starting location is a safe area, there would be no danger to one’s life if one were to remain there. But if one were to shrink away from danger before even trying to brave through it, it would become impossible to overcome the situation.
Of course, there was no way I had any heroic aspirations of cutting down those hundred boss monsters with my own sword, so as to clear this game. However, within the ten thousand players imprisoned, those possessing that mentality was probably not limited to only a small amount—there should be a thousand such people at the very least. Sooner or later, they would get out from the city, hunt down the weak monsters around the area, and begin to earn experience points, whether as solo or group players. Increasing their levels, upgrading their equipment, getting stronger.
And with that, the second theory.
In a death game, what opposes players was not simply restricted to rules, traps, and monsters. They would acquire players, just like them, as enemies as well. I am unaware of any death games that did not turn out so.
In this SAO, outside of towns, in other words, when «outside the boundary», PK is possible. That said, although it is unlikely for them to go to the extent of murder—that would result in them becoming a true murderer, after all—resorting to threatening others with weapons to steal away items; I do not have the confidence to say that not a single such being would exist, unfortunately. Just by imagining the possibility of some certain person with stats overwhelming my own becoming my enemy results in tangible fear and terror, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
And based on those reasons—
The choice of staying in the Starting City, abandoning the strengthening of myself for safety, offered no advantage to me.
Thus, if I were to aim to level up, there was no time to stand around idly. The relatively safe grassy fields around the city would likely soon be filled with «those who decided to move forth», like me. The monsters POP of SAO was fixed to a certain amount within a certain time frame for each area. After the initial targets were hunted down, it would become a frenzy to search for the next POP, and from then, it would likely become unavoidable to steal them from others at times.
To avoid that, for the purpose of having an effective rate of leveling, it is necessary to aim for beyond «relatively safe»—the «slightly dangerous» area.
Of course, in a game where one had just started, not having any sense of direction, that would be a suicidal act. However, due to a certain reason, I am familiar with many things, if restricted to only the lower floors, the topography, even the monsters that appear, in this game, SAO, which had just started official service today.
Exiting from the northwest gate of the Starting City, cutting straight through the vast grasslands, after escaping from a path similar to a maze within the deep forest, there is a village named, «Horunka». It may be small, but it certainly had an inn, a weapon shop and a tool shop «within the boundary», making it sufficient to serve as a hunting base. In the surrounding forest, there is no POP of monsters with the dangerous paralysis, poison, or equipment destroying skills, so it would be unlikely to die by accident, even with solo play.
With the village of Horunka as my base, I will get my level from 1 to 5 throughout today. The current time was six o’clock, fifteen minutes in the afternoon. The surrounding grasslands were dyed golden in the setting sun from the outer circumference of Aincrad, and the forest seen across was sunk into a pale blue by the dusk. But luckily, even at night, strong monsters would not spawn around Horunka. If I continued hunting without stop until the next change of day, I would probably be able to gain enough stats and equipment to head for the next location before the village is filled with other players.
“…Selfishness is a good point too, huh… I’m the very image of a solo player, geez…”
As I ran with all my might, that was what I first whispered out as I went out of the city.
If I did not say that out in a joking tone, fear and that other bitterness—self-hatred, threatening to force itself out from my mouth, would have no chance of being erased.
If only that well-natured cutlass user was by my side. Aiding with his leveling up, in addition to ensuring his survival; that moral action would probably be able to overwrite some of these feelings of guilt.
But I have deserted my only friend in this world, the one named Cline, at the Starting City. To be accurate, when I invited him to head towards Horunka together, Cline mentioned that he could not leave behind the comrades who were in the same guild as him in a previous game.
Then let’s go with them too, that proposal might have been possible too. However, I di
d not propose it. Unlike the grasslands where only wild boars or caterpillars that could be easily defeated, even at level 1, appeared, the forest beyond had somewhat dangerous types of monsters spawning, such as poisonous bees and predatory plants. If the wrong response was made towards those special attacks, it would cause the HP to drop to zero in a flash… in other words, one might even end up dying.
The chances of Cline’s friends ending up dead, no, the gaze Cline would give me the moment that happens; that was what I was afraid of. I didn’t wish to have any unpleasant thoughts, I didn’t want to be hurt; with that belief and nothing else in my mind, I abandoned the one who called out to me, and invited me to play as a party for the first time in this world…
“…!!”
Emotions of disgust, unable to be covered up by even my self-torturing monologue, swelled up from the bottom of my mind, and I gritted my teeth, forcing my right hand onto the sword equipped onto my back.
In a clump of bushes slightly ahead, a single blue wild boar POP-ed. They were non-aggressive monsters, so I planned to ignore them all until I got through the grasslands, but out of impulse, I unsheathed the simple straight sword from my initial equipment, starting the motion for the single hit sword skill, «Slant».
Reacting to being targeted, the wild boar glared at me, and violently scratched the ground with its right foreleg. The motion for a charge attack. If I were to falter here, stopping my skill, I will end up receiving a large amount of damage instead. With mixed feelings of calmness and irritation towards myself, I stared at the monster, letting loose my skill while aiming at its weak point, the back of its head.
The sword blade faintly glowed light blue, and along with a sharp sound effect, my virtual body moved, half by its own accord. The system assist, unique to sword skills, was forcibly correcting the slashing motion. While taking care not to go against the movement, I intentionally accelerated my leg and right arm, increasing the power of the skill. Merely for the sake of mastering this skill, I once spent close to ten days using the skill for empty attacks on the practice dummies in the town.