Episode 2 "The Lost Stranger"

 "... is it really... SAO?"

I carried it on my back...it was probably my initial equipment...while confirming the sword, I was about to go out into the field. For the time being, I wanted to go outside and confirm whether this place was really SAO. After a short walk, I saw a group of people.

　

"Could it be a boa...?"

　

If I'm not mistaken, was it a monster suitable for Swim, which Klein struggled with in the book?

(...do it, try it!)

I drew my sword. As if noticing my movements, a boa charged towards me.

　

"... I don't know how to use sword skills!?"

　

It's good that I pulled out my sword, but I don't understand the activation motion of the sword skill, and I get flustered. However, Boa didn't care about that and didn't stop charging.

　

"Oh! It was dangerous...!"

　

I dodged Boa's rush with minimal movement with my feet. It seems that real-life movements can be reproduced more than adequately. When I'm thinking that

　

"Tsu... come again, then!"

　

Boa rushed at me again, so I didn't move and aimed for a counter.

　

"There it is!"

　

Before Boa's charge hits me directly, I dodge it with my footwork just like before, and cut my body with my sword as we pass each other.

　

"Haaah!"

　

And then, he shook off his sword and slashed Boa from behind. As a result, the boa's HP seemed to become zero, and the boa disappeared.

　

"... Are you really in the game?"

　

While looking at the polygonal boa, I realized that this world is really a game world. That means...

　

(So ​​this game is just like the original, a death game...?)

　

Someone called out to me when I was thinking of the worst possibility.

　

“Hey, you, your movements just now were amazing!”

"Huh? Ah, ah... Thank you."

　

A young man wearing a bandana spoke to me. There was another man behind me.

　

“Are you a beta tester too?”

“B-Beta tester……?”

"Yes, is it different ...?"

"Klein, asking more than that is bad manners..."

　

When I was puzzled by the bandana man's question, the man behind stopped me.

… wait… what did you just say?

　

"Ah, ah. That's right, Kirito... I'm sorry, I'm new to this game."

"No, no, don't worry about it..."

　

I somehow managed to keep my composure and returned that to the bandana man, originally Klein.

(Ku, Klein and Kirito... are they the main characters in SAO...!?)

The people I met were constantly proving that this world was SAO, and I was getting a headache.

　

"Even so, is that a monster... Kirito, can I ask for a lecture right away?"

"Oh... if you don't mind, would you like to join us?"

“Eh?

　

I never thought I would receive such an invitation from Kirito, who was communal in the original work...

However, for someone like me who doesn't know anything about SAO, it was a welcome invitation.

　

"... Well then, please take my word for it. I'm... um, my name is Fon."

　

“Fon… nice to meet you! Well then, let’s talk about sword skills first…”

　

I looked at my character name in the HP column. It said "Phone", so he called himself that. After that, Klein and I received a lecture from Kirito.

Klein, who had never played a game like SAO, was having a hard time with Boa, but I had the kendo skill I learned in the battle earlier and in real life, so I quickly got the hang of fighting.

　

"No~, I can't believe this is a virtual world...!"

While watching the sunset, Klein muttered his impressions. However, I was worried about that line.

(If this is really the world of SAO...)

That's right, if this world is just like that book, after this...

Just as I thought, Klein and Kirito noticed there was no logout button. I also opened the menu with my right hand and checked it, but there was no logout button there. And we were surrounded by some kind of light.

Before we knew it, we were in the square. I wonder if the current one is a metastasis.

Apparently, the other players were also transferred.

　

“Hey, Kirito, Fon, are you okay…?”

"Ah, ah... but is this...?"

　

Klein and Kirito were confirming their safety, but I was staring at the sky. The fact that the transfer was done means that next...

And then, the sky was dyed bright red, and two characters were displayed.

(Is that...<Warning><System Announcement>?)

Apparently, the other players also noticed something unusual and raised their voices.

Then, something appeared from the sky like a shape. It was something in the shape of a human with a red hood that had no substance.

　

"Players, welcome to my world"

　

From that line, I knew it was Akihiko Kayaba's voice. It was exactly like the original script.

Kayaba's explanation was the same as in the book. This SAO is a death game, if your HP reaches zero, your brain will be destroyed by Nerve Gear, and in order to clear the game, you have to conquer this floating castle, Aincrad... but I know that. That's not what I wanted.

(I...how can I return to my original world...!?)

While I was thinking about that, Kirito and Klein were saying lines from the book while I was glaring at the monster in the hood.

And the monster in the hood finally sent an item called a hand mirror. Then I was once again enveloped in light.

　

"Wow!"

　

And when the light subsides, there is...

"Hey, are you okay, Kirito, Fon?"

"Ah, ah... who are you...?"

"No, who are you...?"

　

Kirito, who was drawn on the cover of the book, was there. The other one is wearing a bandana, so is he Klein...?

　

"Are you Klein!?" "Are you Kirito!?"

　

(... it's really just like the original...)

I wondered about that.

　

"Well, the phone hasn't changed at all..."

"I wonder if you used your own face as an avatar, it's strange..."

"Well, well..."

　

The two calmed down and noticed that my avatar hadn't changed at all. I also checked with a hand mirror, but apparently my avatar was still in the real world.

Then Kayaba began to speak again. The reason why the world was created, the purpose...

　

『This concludes the <Sword Art Online> official service tutorial. Good luck to all the players.”

　

And, as if everything had been said, the monster in the robe disappeared. And then, the square erupted into panic. Meanwhile, Klein and I were pulled into an alley by Kirito.

　

“Listen carefully, both of you. To survive in this world, you must strengthen yourself.

That's why I'm thinking of moving my base to the next village. If you don't mind, would you two come with me? If it's me, I know all the dangerous routes, and even at my current level, I can reach the village safely... Won't you come with me? ”

　

I received such an invitation from Kirito. but,

　

"But, but. As I said before the lecture, I stood up all night with the guys I played with in another game to buy the software. It should be in the square...don't leave it there."

　

That's right, Klein cares about his friends. However, Kirito couldn't afford to take all of those companions with him.

　

"No, don't worry about us. I can't let you take care of me anymore.

And before I did this game, I was the head of the guild. It's okay, I'll do something with the techniques I've learned so far! Besides, I might be able to log out soon..."

"... Klein..."

　

Kirito muttered in frustration at Klein's words.

　

"... Fon, what are you going to do? Will you follow Kirito? Or will you stay?"

"I... I think I'll follow Kirito."

"phone……"

　

Asked by Klein, I decided to follow Kirito. Now, I want to gain even a little more power.

Why did I come to this world, and how can I return... In order to find the answer, my first priority now is to survive.

　

Kirito, Fon... next time we meet, I'll show you how strong I am!"

"Oh... if anything happens, send me a message... see you somewhere."

"... go ahead and wait for me... Klein...!"

Kirito and I split up at Klein's words. And Klein ran to the square, and we also ran to leave town.

“Kirito, you have an unexpectedly cute face!

　

We heard Klein screaming and we turned around and yelled back.

　

"You look ten times better in that Nobushi Zura!"

"Thank you! I'll take it as a compliment!"

　

And we ran off again. Concerned about Kirito's condition, I called out to him.

　

"... do you have any regrets?"

"... it's obvious"

"Klein is strong...I'm sure he'll be fine."

"………………let's go"

　

Kirito shook his head at my words and replied back. I can only say this because I know the original work, but did it ease Kirito's sense of guilt a little...?

We aimed at the next village and ran at full speed.