Sword Art Online - Volume 8 - Early and Late

by Reki Kawahara

  The transfer gate was still in effect, but along the shopping street on the main roads, there were numerous player shops lined up together. As for the reason why, it’s because the rent here is unbelievably cheap compared to the streets on the floors below.

  Of course, the area for these cheaply rented shops is very narrow, and the appearance is dirty. However, some players like such an Asian-styled —— or the messiness of a certain electronics street. I’m one of them as well, and I recently thought of buying a player’s home here and using this street as my base.

  Amidst the exotic BGM and the cries of selling, I smelled junk food coming from the stalls and lead Asuna forward quickly. The rapier user revealed a pair of nice legs from under the mini-skirt of her white knight uniform, and her looking like this when walking was really too eye-catching.

  “Oi, let’s move faster…OIII!!!”

  I realized that the sound of high-heels on the left-rear side was moving further and further away, so I widened my eyes and shouted.

  “HOW CAN YOU JUST BUY THINGS SO RANDOMLY!!!”

  «The Flash»-sama, who bought a suspicious looking kebab from a suspicious looking hawker, took a bite of it and answered nonchalantly,

  “We just ran out after eating only salad. Yup…this tastes good.”

  She continued to chew and said to me “Take this” as she handed the other kebab in her left hand to me.

  “Eh? For me?”

  “Didn’t I say that I wanted to treat you?”

  “Ah…ahh…”

  I instinctively lowered my head in thanks and received the kebab, and then realized that the treat the other party was supposed to give went from a grand meal to a kebab. On a side note, as we ran out of the restaurant, the expenses of the meal were deducted from our item window based off the average.

  I chewed on the ethnic tasting kebab that had a unique foreign flavour, thinking that I must eat this girl’s cooking one day, as I headed forward.

  Once the two sticks of kebab were finished, we arrived at our destination. I let go of my hand to let the wooden stick disappear, and then wiped my hand that wasn’t dirtied on the leather coat before talking to the shop owner whose back faced us,

  “Hello~ we’re here~”

  “…I won’t entertain guys who aren’t customers.”

  The boss of the grocery store and the axe warrior Egil grumbled with an awkward voice that didn’t fit his rough appearance, and then, said to the customers in his shop,

  “Sorry, we’ll be closing shop for today.”

  “““Ehh!?””” On hearing the grumbling, the burly shopkeeper cringed back and apologized as he chased all the customers away. He then called out his shop management menu to close the shop.

  The extremely messy racks automatically closed, and the metal doors outside let out a creaking sound before closing up. At this moment, Egil finally turned over to look at me and say,

  “I say, Kirito. In the field of business, the most important thing businessmen look for is trust, and the second most important thing is still trust. I’ll skip the third and fourth, and for the fifth, if there’s a chance, I’ll make a killing…”

  These strange notes vanished as he noticed the player standing beside me. Egil’s beard at the bottom of his bald head shook as he just stood there. Asuna herself was smiling purely as she nodded at him.

  “Long time no see, Egil-san. I’m sorry for bothering you at such short notice, but it’s urgent, and we really need your help…”

  Egil’s stern expression immediately eased up, and he patted his chest saying to leave it to him, and even served us tea.

  Men, who are unable to resist their congenital parameters, are really pitiful.

  Egil finished listening to what we said to him in a room on the second level, and seemed to understand the seriousness of this situation too as the eyes under his promiscuous eyebrows narrowed.

  “Did you say that his HP dropped to zero inside the «area»? ——Are you sure it wasn’t a duel?”

  The giant said with a thick and slightly deep voice, and I, who’s leaning my body on the back of the chair, slowly nodded.

  “In that situation, it was impossible for us not to see the victory declaration screen, so we should be thinking about it in such an aspect. Also…even if it was a duel, the victim was going to have a meal, so it would be impossible for him to accept such a request. Besides, it was in a «Decisive duel mode» too.”

  “He was walking with that girl…Yoruko-san before he died, so it’s definitely not a «Sleep PK».”

  Asuna shook the mug-type glass on the small round table and added on.

  “Besides, it’s really too complicated to have a sudden duel like this. I think we can consider it to be a planned PK. And…with this…”

  I opened my window and materialized the rope evidence from my item storage and handed it over to Egil.

  Of course, the end that was tied at the leg of the table was undone, but the other side was bound into a large loop.

  Egil put that loop right in front of me, gave a disgusted look and snorted coldly before touching it with his large fingers.

  He chose the «Inspection Skill» that pops out in the window. Asuna and I don’t have such a skill, and even if we chose it, we would only get a failure ignore. However, as a merchant, Egil should be able to get some level of information.

  In the end, the giant used a deep voice to state what only he was able to see on the screen.

  “…Unfortunately, this isn’t created by a player, it’s just a common item that can be bought in an NPC shop. It’s not of a high rank too. The durability has already dropped by about half.”

  I remember that horrifying scene, and nodded.

  “I guess so. Besides, it was dangling a player in full-plate armor. The weight had to be quite a lot.”

  But to a killer, several seconds was enough to drop the guy’s HP down to zero.

  “Never mind. I’m not really expecting anything much from the rope anyway. The important thing is this.”

  I touched my still open item window and materialized the next item.

  The shiny black short spear immediately created a heavy sense of presence in this small room. In terms of weapon class, this short spear couldn’t be compared to Asuna and my main weapon, but right now, that wasn’t the point. This spear was used by someone to cruelly end another player’s life, and it could be said to be a real «murder weapon».

  I cautiously placed the short spear in Egil’s hands to prevent it from touching anything else.

  The entire spear was made from black-colored gold, and this kind of weapon was really rare. Its length was probably about 1m, and the base had a grip about 30cm long. At the tip of the handle, there was a 15cm long blade.

  The special characteristic of this weapon was that the spear itself seemed to be covered with short spikes. Once the spear was stabbed deeply into the enemy, it would create the unique effect of becoming non-removable because of the spikes. A high strength value would be required to pull it out.

  In this world, the strength power is represented by the value parameter set by the player and also the signal strength released from the brain to the Nerve Gear. At that moment, the full-plated guy stricken by fear —— Kains, was unable to produce clear signals to move his virtual body, which was why the spear didn’t move even when he used his hands to grab onto it.

  The moment I thought about this, I just felt even more convinced that this wasn’t just a sudden PK. It may be a «premeditated murder». This was because the death caused by the «Continuous Pierce damage DOT» was too cruel. The victim wasn’t killed by the enemy’s own sword skill or weapon —— but by his own cowardice.

  This thought instantly flashed through my mind, and suddenly got interrupted by Egil, who finished his inspection.

  “This is made by a PC.”

  Asuna and I immediately pushed our bodies forward and inadvertently cried out, ““Really?””

  A PC created item wou
ld mean that this weapon was created by a player with the «Smelting Skill». There would definitely be a record of that player’s «name». Also, this short spear is likely to be a one and only item. Once we directly ask the player, there’s a high chance that we can know who ordered it.

  “Who’s the creator?”

  On hearing Asuna’s pressing voice, Egil lowered his head as he looked at the window and answered,

  “«Grimlock»…that’s how it’s romanized. I have never heard of such a person, so at least he isn’t a top-rated swordsmith. Maybe he’s a guy who improved his smelting skills only to forge his own weapons…”

  If even the merchant Egil didn’t know who this swordsmith is, it was obvious that Asuna and I wouldn’t; and the room entered a short silence again.

  “However, we should be able to find that person. If he managed to upgrade his rank to such an extent to create this weapon, he can’t possibly be a solo player all the time. If you go and listen to gossip in the middle floors, you’ll definitely find someone who teamed up with «Grimlock» before.”

  “That’s true. There can’t possibly be many people like this idiot.”

  Egil nodded, and together with Asuna, looked at this stupid solo player.

  “Wha…What? I-I’ll occasionally party with other players too.”

  “Only during boss battles.”

  After being told off coldly like this, I could only remain silent since I couldn’t argue back.

  Asuna snorted, and then turned to look at the short spear in Egil’s hand.

  “But…to be honest, even if we find «Grimlock», he probably won’t say too much to us…”

  I agree with that.

  The one who killed Kains is actually an unknown red player who bought this short spear and not the swordsmith «Grimlock» himself. Using one’s own weapon, recorded with their own «name», to kill someone will basically be like writing a name on a chopper in the real world and using it to kill. But speaking of which, the crafter-class players who have some sort of knowledge and experience should be able to determine the customer’s intent when designing this weapon.

  The «Continuous Pierce Damage DOT» has a rather weak effect on monsters. Mobs, which act according to the system, don’t show any signs of fear as well. Even if they’re hit and stunned by the piercing weapon, they’ll immediately pull that thing out. Of course, the monster wouldn’t possibly return it nicely to the player, instead it throws it far away, so it’s impossible to get back that weapon until the battle ends.

  Thus, the spear that was created was obviously meant to be used to deal with other players. Of all the swordsmiths I know of, all of them would refuse once they know the design.

  But Grimlock still created this spear.

  He may not be the killer —— we can know his name through validation —— but he may be a weak-willed person, or even a player who’s secretly part of a red guild.

  “…At least he won’t reveal the information to us easily. If he wants payment for providing information…”

  I just whispered, and Egil shook his head vehemently while Asuna glared at me.

  “We’ll pay half each then.”

  “…I understand. I’m on a pirate ship now anyway.”

  After shrugging my shoulders, I raise my last question to the stingy merchant.

  “It’s not much of a clue, but just tell me the name of this weapon.”

  The bald giant lowered his head for the third time to look at the window, and said,

  “Yes…it’s called «Guilty Thorn». Which means thorns of sin, right?”

  “I see…”

  I looked at that spiked short spear again. Of course, the weapon’s name is randomly set by the system, so this name itself shouldn’t possibly have any «human will» behind it.

  ——However.

  “Guilty…Thorn…”

  Asuna’s murmuring suddenly caused a chill in me.

  Part 3

  Asuna, Egil, and me, the three of us headed from the transfer gate in «Algade» to the lowest floor of Aincrad, the «Starting City».

  Our aim was to check the «Monument of Life» that stood within the Black Iron Palace. We have to at least check whether the swordsmith Grimlock was still alive before we looked for him.

  It was spring, but the large «Starting City» was still basked in an atmosphere of desolation.

  Of course, this wasn’t the result of the randomly generated weather. The wide streets that were covered in darkness have no signs of players around, and even the BGMs performed by the NPC band are all ominous melodies.

  Recently, I heard that there’s a certain unbelievable rule —— the largest guild of the lowest levels, the self-governing organization «Aincrad Liberation Army» banned players from going out at night. It looks like this might really have happened. There were patrol troops wearing similar dark grey armor as we walked down.

  And once those guys saw us, they immediately came running over to us like youth police forces catching middle schoolers skipping class. They all backed away when they saw Asuna’s absolute-zero stare-attack, but such action was really tense.

  “…No wonder Algade’s so bustling…the things here are so expensive…”

  After hearing me mutter this out inadvertently, Egil told me a rumor that was even more horrifying.

  “I hear that the army recently intends to start «taxing» the players.”

  “Eh!? Tax? No way…how do they intend to do so?”

  “I don’t know about that…maybe they’ll automatically deduct from monster loots?”

  Egil and I just stupidly joked around like this, but once we stepped on the stone floor of the Black Iron Palace, we immediately shut up.

  As its name stated, this place was a large building assembled with black glossy pillars and metal boards. The air inside was obviously colder than outside. Even Asuna, who moved forward quickly, seemed to be so cold that she’s rubbing her exposed arms.

  Maybe the reason no one is inside is because it’s so late at night.

  During the day, many people won’t believe in the deaths of their friends or lovers and come here to check. Once they see a line mercilessly drawn on the name they’re looking for, they’ll normally start crying out loud. I guess Yoruko, who witnessed the death of her friend Kains will still come here tomorrow to check. In fact, even I did the same thing not too long ago, and right now, I haven’t managed to completely step out from that painful memory at all.

  Just like that, we walked into the empty lobby, lit by blue flames.

  Asuna and I arrived at the «Momument of Life» that extended 10m sideways, and we stared at the portion that started with the letter «G» in alphabetical order.

  Egil continued to walk to the right. Asuna and I held our breaths as we looked at the names mentioned, and seemed to find that name at the same time.

  «Grimlock». On it —— there’s no line.

  “…Still alive.”

  “Yeah.”

  Both of us heaved a sigh of relief at the same time. Slightly further away from us, Egil was looking at the «K» column, and immediately said to us with a serious look,

  “Kains’ definitely dead. The date of death is the month of Sakura, 22th, 18:27.”

  “…The date and time are correct. That’s the time we left the restaurant.”

  Asuna muttered and looked down, lowering those long eyebrows of hers. Egil and I said a silent prayer. The Romanization of «Kains» should be read just as it was written. We checked with Yoruko before.

  After finishing all we had to do, we left Black Iron Palace and exhaled all the air held within us. Unknowingly, the BGM on the streets became a slow waltz used late at night. The NPC shops have all closed down, and the few street lights were the only things lighting the streets. The patrol troops of the «Army» had disappeared.

  We silently returned to the plaza where the transfer gate was, and at this moment, Asuna suddenly turned to look at me.

  “…We’ll start looking fo
r Grimlock tomorrow.”

  “You’re right…”

  I nodded my head in agreement. Egil’s thick eyebrows frowned.

  “Well…my main occupation is a merchant, not a warrior…”

  “I know. That’s all for you now, you merchant.”

  I slapped him on the shoulder and pat him. Egil gave a relaxed expression, but sheepishly whispered a sorry in apology.

  This good old bruiser isn’t really thinking that «business is priority» or «it’s really troublesome to investigate». He just doesn’t want to meet that player who created such a short spear that killed someone. Of course, he’s not scared; quite the opposite actually —— he’s worried that the rage he normally vented on monsters would suddenly explode.

  Egil left us with a ‘Do your best, you two’, and vanished into the transfer gate. Asuna was ready to head back to headquarters for a while, so we disbanded for today.

  “Let’s meet at the transfer gate at the 57th floor at 9am tomorrow. You must reach there on time, and don’t oversleep.”

  On hearing Asuna say this in the tone of a teacher or an older sister —— even though I don’t have one in the real world —— I could only smile wryly and nod.

  “I got it. You should be the one sleeping properly. If you’re worried, I can be on standby beside——”

  “NO NEED!”

  After leaving these words behind, the sub-leader of the KoB quickly turned around and leapt into the transfer gate, leaving a red and white afterimage behind.

  I, who was left behind, could only stand in front of the gate that was giving off blue and white lights for the time being and sort out what happened throughout the entire day. At first, it was just a simple «Today’s weather is good», and yet I ended up being «The Flash» Asuna’s nap guard; and just when both of us finally managed to go for dinner, we ended up involved in a murder case inside the «area», and now I became either a detective or an assistant taking on the murder mystery.

  Of course, every single day in the floating city Aincrad «isn’t normal», but it’s been 1 and a half years since the death game started on November 6th 2022, and most of the players, including me —— were at least living in the middle levels. Most of us will deliberately forget about our lives in the real world and focus on surviving in this «Daily Life» that’s composed of swords, fighting, gold coins and dungeons.