Sword Art Online - Volume 8 - Early and Late

by Reki Kawahara

  “Then…the third option’s the only thing left.”

  We looked at each other and nodded.

  It’s a little sorry to Yoruko, but Asuna and I are so into this case not because we’re trying to find out the truth behind the «Golden Apple» leader’s death, but to find out the «Inside area PK» method that killed Kains.

  Based on what we could see last night, the fact is that we could only confirm that «Continuous Pierce Damage DOT outside the area can never be carried over inside the area». That’s why we have to thoroughly discuss if there are other possibilities.

  “However…I still wish someone more knowledgeable can help us out…”

  I muttered, and Asuna immediately frowned and answered,

  “Even so, it’s really unfair to Yoruko-san if we just spread information randomly. Besides, there’s no one that’s trustworthy enough and is more familiar with the SAO system than us…”

  “…Ah.”

  I suddenly thought of a player, and then immediately flicked a finger.

  “There is someone like that. Let’s call that guy out.”

  “Who?”

  I said the answer, and Asuna’s eyes widened like longans.

  Part 5

  I can be certain that the guy wasn’t attracted by the ‘I’ll treat you’ clause, but I was really shocked when that guy really appeared 30 minutes after Asuna messaged him.

  On seeing that burly body come out silently from the central transfer gate of Algade, many pedestrians moving around the plaza raised a commotion. This guy had a dark red robe and platinum hair that’s tied up, and he did not have any weapons on his waist and back—making one even associate him with a «magician» class that didn’t exist in SAO. The leader of the «Knights of the Blood» guild and the strongest swordsman, the «Holy Sword» Heathcliff, saw us, and immediately raised his eyebrows before moving over like he’s gliding.

  Asuna immediately bowed agilely and quickly explained,

  “Leader, sorry for calling you out here out of a sudden! This idio…no, this person didn’t listen to me and insisted on you coming over no matter what…!”

  “It’s alright. I just wanted to have lunch too anyway. Besides, it’s rare to have the «Black Swordsman» Kirito-kun to get a chance to treat me anyway. I have to attend a meeting with the members of the equipment group in the evening, so I can meet up with you now.”

  Heathcliff said with a smooth tenor voice that had an iron will in it, and I looked up at him and shrugged, saying,

  “You managed to block that monster in the boss battle on this floor for ten minutes, so I can thank you by treating you. I can also tell you some of the more interesting latest news.”

  I brought the leaders of the strongest guild KoB, and lead them to the weirdest looking restaurant I knew of in Algade. I didn’t really like the food here, but the overall atmosphere created by the restaurant seemed to touch my emotional chords for some reason.

  After moving around in the maze-like narrow alley for about 5 minutes, I turned right, headed down the stairs, headed left and climbed up the stairs. As that shop finally appeared in the slightly dim space, Asuna said,

  “…You’re going to lead me out too, or else I won’t be able to head back to the plaza.”

  “I heard that there are several people who didn’t bring their teleport crystals around and got lost, and after moving around for half a day, they still couldn’t get out.”

  I deliberately showed a smile and scared Asuna, and Heathcliff immediately quipped,

  “You just need to pay an NPC on the streets 10 coll and they’ll send you to the plaza. Of course, if you don’t even have this money…”

  After saying this, he gently clapped his hands together and quickly walked into the shop. Asuna gave a bewildered look as we followed him.

  The cramped shop was as empty as I had expected. After sitting down at a cheap 4 seater table, I ordered 3 «Algade Noodles» from the gloomy looking shop owner and drank up the iced water in the glass. Asuna sat on my left and said with a delicate expression,

  “Why is it…like we’re doing a cross-examination…”

  “You’re thinking too much. Then, let’s get straight to the point to avoid delaying the busy leader-dono.”

  I looked up and saw Heathcliff being all nonchalant as I said that.

  Asuna first explained what happened last night clearly. While listening to her, the «Holy Sword»‘s expression didn’t seem to change at all, and only twitched his eyebrows on hearing Kains’ death.

  “…That’s how it is. It’s somewhat troublesome, but I hope you can give us some suggestions, leader…”

  Asuna concluded. Heathcliff drank another gulp of water, and then answers, un,

  “Then, let me hear your hypothesis, Kirito-kun. What’s your view about this «Inside area murder» method?”

  On hearing the topic being directed at me, I put down the hand supporting my face and immediately raised three fingers.

  “Un…I guess there are about 3 possible methods. First, an actual inner area duel. Second, combining a known method with a system loophole, and third…an unknown skill or equipment that can cause the Anti-Criminal Code to lose its effect.”

  “You can forget about the third possibility.”

  Heathcliff immediately concluded, and these words caused me to stare at his face. Asuna was like me, blinking a few times before asking,

  “…Leader, how can you be so certain?”

  “Think about it. If you’re the developer of this game, would you design such a skill or weapon?”

  “Un…probably not.”

  I answered.

  “Why is that?”

  I looked back at the yellowish-bronze eyes that had a magnetic effect, and continued,

  “That’s because…it’s too imbalanced. I really don’t want to admit it, but the rules of SAO are rather fair. Of course, your «Unique Skill» can’t be considered as such.”

  I curled my lips up as I added that last sentence, and Heathcliff silently smiled back at me in the same manner.

  Deep inside, I was shocked, but my expression didn’t change at all. Even if he’s the leader of the KoB guild, he can’t possibly know that I recently got «that» in my skill window.

  Asuna looked back and forth at Heathcliff and me while we exchanged weird smiles with each other, sighed and shook her head before interrupting,

  “Either way, discussing this third possibility is a waste of time because we can’t confirm it. Then…let’s examine the first assumption, the possibility of a proper duel.”

  “Alright. But…the shop here really is really slow in serving food.”

  I shrugged at Heathcliff, who was looking deep into the counter.

  “As far as I know, the shop owner here is the most unenthusiastic in Aincrad. This is also one of the shop’s specialties. Besides, ice water can be refilled without limit here.”

  I took up the cheap kettle and continued to pour ice water into leader-dono’s cup in front of him.

  “——If the player dies inside the circle, it must be because of a duel, un…this can be said to be common knowledge. But I can confirm that there was no sign of any window indicating a victor. Are there those kind of duels?”

  At this moment, Asuna, who was sitting beside me, suddenly tilted her head.

  “…Speaking of which, I’ve never noticed this before. Where does the window that indicates the winner appear?”

  “Eh? Well…”

  Actually, I’ve never thought about this question before. But Heathcliff immediately answered without hesitation,

  “It’ll appear in the middle of the duel participants. Or, if both sides are ten meters apart when the victor’s decided, there’ll be two windows appearing at the closest point to them.”

  “…To think you know this kind of rules. That means…even if it’s far away, it’ll appear at most 5m away from Kains.”

  My mind recalled the scene of that tragedy, and I shook my head and said,<
br />
  “There were no windows appearing in the surrounding space, I can be certain of that since there were a lot of witnesses. Also, if it appeared behind Kains inside the church, it means that the criminal was still inside the church at that time. However, Asuna, who ran into the church just before Kains died, didn’t see anyone. That makes it really weird.”

  “Speaking of which, there were no windows inside the church.”

  Asuna added.

  Hmm. I wonder. Then——

  “…So…it’s not a duel?”

  As I muttered, the already pitiful atmosphere in this restaurant seemed to become even heavier.

  “…Did you choose the wrong shop…?”

  Asuna muttered, seemingly trying to change the thought process here as she finished up the ice water inside her glass before putting it back on the table with a klang. I then immediately fill her glass with ice water. She thanked me with a vague expression, and then raised two fingers before saying,

  “The second possibility is the only possibility left. «System Loophole»…but I just feel that something is wrong with this.”

  “What’s wrong about it?”

  “«Continuous Pierce Damage ».”

  There were toothpicks on the table, which were unnecessary in the first place —— it was impossible to dirty our teeth in this world —— Asuna drew one and used this pocket-sized weapon to throw into the air.

  “I feel that the short spear wasn’t just used to showcase a public execution. Perhaps he has to rely on continuous damage to create a PK inside the area…that’s what I think.”

  “Un. I feel the same.”

  I nod, and then shook my head,

  “But didn’t we experiment this before? Even if we use a piercing weapon out the area to stab through, the damage would stop once we moved into the area.”

  “That is when they walk over. Then…what if they used the «Return Crystal»? He set up a crystal in a small room inside the church to exit and then moved from outside the area to that place…would the damage stop as well?”

  “Of course.”

  Heathcliff’s sharp voice answered.

  “No matter whether it’s walking or teleporting or even being thrown into the area…once anyone enters the street area, the «Code» will work without exception.”

  “Wait. This «street area» you’re talking about refers only to the ground or the inside of the buildings, right? What about in the air?”

  I suddenly had a weird imagination when I raised this question.

  That rope. If Kains, who was stabbed through with the short spear, was hung on the neck by the rope, what would happen if he was immediately hung and stabbed through without touching the ground before being pushed out through the corridor…

  This question caused even Heathcliff to hesitate.

  But two seconds later, his tied longhair swayed sideways.

  “No —— strictly speaking, the «area» extends from the streets and above until the cover, the base of the next level. The moment someone moves into that 3-dimensional space, the «Code» will protect that person. So even if someone sets the exit 100m above the streets and move from outside the area into the air, there won’t be any fall damage. However, one will have to experience some unpleasant mental impact.”

  “Is that so~”

  Asuna and I let out voices of amazement.

  Of course, we’re not amazed by the shape of the «area» region, but by Heathcliff’s well-versed knowledge and memory. I had the thought of does someone need to know so many things just to be a guild leader, but I immediately denied that thought the moment a certain bearded katana user appeared in my mind.

  However——

  If that is the case, even if there’s a «Continuous Pierce Damage» existing, since Kains is inside the area, this damage should have stopped. In other words, there should be another source of damage on that guy’s HP other than the short spear «Guilty Thorn» —— are there no other loopholes?

  I continued to think, and slowly stated my guess.

  “…On the Monument of Life, the time of Kains death was there, and the cause of death is clearly stated there —— «Continuous Pierce Damage». Also, what was left at Kains’ death scene was that black short spear.”

  “Yeah. It’s really hard to imagine the criminal using another weapon.”

  “Listen to me…”

  My mind immediately thought of that flinging-like feeling when a powerful monster dealt a critical hit, and continued,

  “Once someone is hit by a powerful critical hit, what will happen to their HP bar?”

  Asuna immediately gives me a don’t-you-already-know-this expression and answered,

  “Of course it will decrease by a lot.”

  “It means there’s a problem with how it decreases. The HP won’t drop in one huge shot but slowly decrease from right to left, right? In other words, there is some delay in the attack until the HP is worn out.”

  As I said this, Asuna finally understood what I was trying to get at. But Heathcliff still looked emotionless, which made it hard to tell what he was actually thinking.

  I continued to look at both of them, and then waved my hand to say,

  “For example…that spear hit outside the area caused Kains’ HP to drop from max to zero. From the equipment, I can tell that that guy’s a tank, so his HP should be rather high. The HP bar will then drop from max to zero, un…it’s not surprising even if it takes 5 seconds to wear out. The culprit must have used this time to teleport back through a portal and sent Kains into the church to hang from the window…”

  “Wa…wait a second.”

  Asuna keeps her voice down and interrupts me.

  “Kains is not of the clearing group, but he’s an elite player amongst the middle levels. Using just a single sword skill to reduce this person’s HP down to zero is impossible for me…and for you!”

  “Un, that’s true.”

  I nodded slightly.

  “Even if we used a «Vorpal Strike» to deal a critical damage, we probably can’t drop his HP to half. But in SAO, there are thousands of players. We can’t deny that there are high leveled swordsmen who don’t belong to the clearing group…those that Asuna and I don’t know of.”

  “So what you’re trying to say is…we don’t know whether Grimlock was the one who killed Kains with that short spear or a «red» player he requested, but that guy has the ability to take down a fully-armored tank…?”

  I shrugged to affirm this, and looked at the guy opposite me with an attitude of waiting for a «teacher» to grade.

  Heathcliff’s half-closed eyes stared at the table, and after a while, he nodded,

  “In terms of method, that’s not impossible. It’s true that once you carry out a hit outside the area to drop the HP down to zero and open a portal to move the target over, you can create a so-called «Inside area PK».”

  Oh? So I’m right? The moment I thought this was the case, that clear voice added, “However…”

  “…I suppose you should know. A piercing weapon’s main characteristic is the length, followed by the armor piercing ability. In terms of pure power, it’s not as strong as a smashing weapon or a slashing one. If even a heavy long spear can’t do it, it’s even less possible for a mere short spear.”

  This really blew a hole in my reasoning.

  I pouted like a grumbling kid, and on seeing this, Heathcliff smiled and continued,

  “If someone was to use a short spear that is not exactly a high-rank item to take down a middle-level tank…I think that person will have to be at least level 100 to do so.”

  “100!!???”

  Asuna immediately cried out in panic.

  The rapier user widened her ground-yellow eyes and turned to look at Heathcliff, and then me, and then back and forth again, before shaking her head and saying,

  “No…it’s impossible for such a person to exist. We’ve been training for so long, so you shouldn’t have forgotten, right? If it’s level 100…i
t’s impossible to do so without training 24 hours a day on the frontlines dungeons.”

  “That’s what I feel too.”

  Since the strongest guild KoB leaders deny this possibility, how can this puny little solo player raise a logical argument? In fact, even I, who is basically the highest levelled player in the clearing group, is only just above level 80.

  “…The-then it may not be the player’s ability, but the strength of the sword skill, for example…a second person with a «Unique Skill» that appeared or something…”

  The moment I said this, the leader shrugged his shoulders that were covered with the dark red cape, and then smiled,

  “Fu…if such a player really exists, I’ll definitely ask him to join the KoB immediately.”

  As those unpredictable eyes stared at me, I could only give up on such a possibility and leaned the cheap chair’s back.

  “Hn~ I thought this might work. What is left is…”

  Just when I was about to say the stupid statement ‘request a boss-level monster in the training grounds to beat Kains’, a figure stealthily appeared beside me.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting…”

  The NPC shop owner said with a lazy tone as he served 3 bowls of noodles from the rectangular tray. The bangs under the oil-stained chef’s hat were too long, and I couldn’t see his face clearly.

  Asuna was already used to seeing NPC shop workers on the other floors who were clean, polite and serious in their work, and was dumbstruck as she could only watch the shop owner leave slowly and return to the counter.

  I picked up the cheap wash-free chopsticks on the table, PAK, split them apart and pulled a bowl of noodles over. Asuna did the same thing as me and whispered,

  “…What’s this? Ramen?”

  “Sho-should be something similar?”

  I said so, and pulled the wavy noodles that were soaked in the clear soup base out.

  And then, 3 sounds of slurps and food munching could be heard inside the shop.

  An abnormally hot and dry wind blew in from the door, and in the sky above, unknown birds let out a ‘QUACK—’ sound.