SAO part 3: Tutorial end.
The chiming sound of a bell filled all the first floor, making most of the players jump from surprise because unlike the normal bell this sounds more like a warning.
But before the players understood anything, a clear blue pillar of light engulfed them even if they tried to resist or run before their vision started to blur until it faded to darkness.
Akashi(DIO) that was engulfed by the blue pillar felt his vision on the forest blur until it turned to darkness for a moment before it returned, but he wasn't in the forest anymore.
A large road paved with stone and walls surrounding all the place while some street lamps surrounded these medieval streets, in the middle was a clock tower with a bell ringing above it.
This is the first place that all the players start in their journey, the central plaza of the starting city.
Akashi(DIO) stood there calmly while watching all the people around him.
The people here or should say avatars were a bunch of beautiful people with a variety of equipment and different hair colors that seemed to come from a fantasy world. In this place now, there were all the 10,000 players that logged into SAO and were forcefully teleported here.
Everyone was looking around without a word while Akashi(DIO) was looking at the bell that kept ringing.
"What's going on?" one player said.
"GM, why can't we log out!" one of the players shouted.
"Fix your game, I have a date after an hour!" one of the players said angrily.
All people started to complain while screaming, and some of them started to curse the GM directly.
Suddenly, Akashi raised his head and looked at the sky while one of the players shouted.
"Eh... look at the sky!" the player pointed at the sky drawing all the players' attention to look almost automatically towards the sky.
The sky of the first floor or the bottom of the second floor started to turn red, like it was painted with blood.
If the players look closely, they can see that this red color is made from two phrases crisscrossing each other. The first was *Warning* and the second one was *System Announcement*.
The player stopped their complaints and felt a little relieved while looking at the sky and waiting for the GM announcement about this bug and how he can fix it.
But something weird happens that surprised them. From the middle, the sky started to drop a red liquid like blood, but unlike normal liquids, this one morphed almost instantly into the shape of a hooded robe covering a very tall man floating above the plaza.
However, there was nothing inside the robe even his hands were gloves separated from his sleeves and floating around, giving the player a very uneasy feeling and anxiety.
The players around started to whisper around between themselves about is this the GM or why don't he have a face.
<... You're serious?> Akashi(DIO) looked at the hooded figure while thinking.
The giant figure raised his hands slowly with his two empty gloves facing the 10,000 players before it spoke.
"Players, I welcome you all to my world" the giant figure said while Akashi(DIO) expression darkened.
The bells that sounded like a church bell and the dramatic entrance with the creepy and mysterious look that supposed to put fear and dread into the players confirmed Akashi(DIO) thought that this guy has a god complex.
Akashi(DIO) looked at the people standing in shock while listening to Kayaba announcing his identity and the truth about the log out button, especially the microwave that they put on their heads.
Akashi(DIO) looked at Kayaba that stopped talking and giving the players a time to process the informations.
Akashi(DIO) thought before he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, DIO that guy is taking your job" Golden cat said while looking at Kayaba.
Akashi(DIO) eyebrows twitched while looking at Golden cat smile before turning around and looking for something.
The first one had black hair while the second one had red hair with a bandana on his head.
"You noticed? The players already set groups because members of two guilds joined this mission and they had an agreement of not interfering with him and if someone interferes, he'll be hunted by the two guilds" Golden cat said while looking at Kirito and Klein before Akashi(DIO) looked at him.
"What do you want?" Akashi(DIO) said directly because no one will give information like this without a goal.
"Calm down there. I'm just telling facts you'll eventually know and it doesn't hurt anyone if you make some allies, isn't it?" Golden cat said with a smile while Akashi(DIO) looked at his eyes.
"... I work alone" Akashi(DIO) said a few words before looking around the plaza.
"...*Sigh*... Are you that type? Well, actually I wanted to ask you something" Golden cat said, but Akashi(DIO) didn't care.
"How did you made this avatar" Golden cat said while Akashi(DIO) looked at him.
"Why do you think this an avatar?" Akashi(DIO) said calmly.
"Don't lie to me, there no way this's something exists in reality!" Golden cat said quickly.
"And didn't you notice anything?" Golden cat widens his eyes while pointing at the surrounding.
"Hm? Nothing is weird" Akashi(DIO) said while looking at Kayaba resuming his speech about the players dying.
"You actually didn't notice... Look at the graphics around" Golden cat said.
"So..." Akashi(DIO) said while Golden cat had a shocked expression.
"So tell me why the graphics are normal until they reach you" Golden cat said with disbelieve while Kayaba explained the 100 floors quest and the player started to scream.
"It like they took you directly from another game, is this even possible in SAO or it's a DLC I don't know about? Did you bribe Kayaba?" Golden cat spoke non-stop while Akashi(DIO) started to feel annoying.
But at this moment they heard Kayaba say something important.
"Then I will show you evidence that this is the reality. In your inventories, there is a gift from me. Please confirm this" Kayaba said while players started to take mirrors and Golden cat was one of them.
The moment the players started to shine with blue light, Akashi(DIO) moved behind Golden cat and pretended to take something from his inventory.
The lights faded with every player returned to his look in the reality except Akashi(DIO) that was holding a coin in his hand.
"What're you doing?" Golden cat felt confused while Akashi(DIO) hid the coin before looking at Golden cat that didn't change his look.
"Nothing..." Akashi(DIO) said before noticing Golden cat was looking at him in disbelieve while muttering 'I can't believe this' 'This is impossible'.
The players at this moment were rioting and feeling shocked because of the change in their looks.
"You all probably wondering why, I, Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of SAO and the Nerve Gear is doing this? Is it a terrorist attack? Or maybe I'm kidnaping you for a ransom" Kayaba started talking after all the players finished their transformation.
"Actually, none of these reasons why I'm doing this. Not only that, now I don't even have a reason or propose from this. Because this situation itself is my purpose. To create this world and watch it was the only purpose of the Nerve Gear and SAO. And now, Everything has been realized" Kayaba emotionless voice struck hard on every player in this plaza.
"... Now, I have finished the official tutorial for Sword Art Online. Players, I wish you luck" with those words that had a faint echo, Kayaba started to shrink starting from the head until he disappeared in the sky.
With Kayaba disappearing, the sky returned to normal and the NPC's started to play the regular BGM while the players stood there in shock.
"Can't you consider my proposal at least?" Golden cat said with a helpless look but Akashi didn't turn around.
"I prefer to work alone, but... The player on the left side of the plaza with the scar on his face. The group of players in the east side holding axes. and some players in the south with that guy with the long hair are all players and most likely guild members" Akashi(DIO) said quickly while Golden cat got surprised.
"Don't get me wrong, these are only informations that you'll eventually know and... I, DIO, don't like to own people favors" Akashi(DIO) said before rushing away from the plaza.
Golden cat smiled helplessly in his place before he and other players rushed out of the plaza while the players exploded by fear and anger.
The players started to scream and curse.
Some of them fallen to the ground crying and begging while the others screamed at the sky and cursed Kayaba.
The people finally realized even if they didn't want to accept it that this game changed from only an entertainment to a prison.
Akashi(DIO) that left the plaza didn't care about the screams behind him while rushing towards the closest store around him to buy supplies.
Akashi(DIO) thought before rushing towards the shop.
Akashi now is level 3, and he put his stats the same as the last level because he wants to focus on agility and hitting weak spots while dodging most of the attacks.
Akashi(DIO) entered the store and brought all that he can take from throwing knives and health potions while buying a long knife for close combat before rushing outside the store.
Akashi(DIO) already has enough of cols after that massacre he did back in the forest but he doesn't want to wast it on high items before reaching the other city.
Running at his fastest speed, Akashi(DIO) reached the gate before rushing outside the starting town.
Akashi(DIO) rushed towards the north in the direction of the other city while killing every monster in his way by throwing knives at their weak spots.
'So it finally starting' suddenly, Akashi heard the arrow voice.
'Don't worry about it, I just wanted to say that you shouldn't have picked this look' the arrow said something confused Akashi(DIO).
'How to say this, compare to DIO, you are more like a Jotaro' the arrow said something made Akashi(DIO) frown.
'Stop this is getting annoying, also think about it for a minute, how much you two are similar' the arrow said while Akashi(DIO) was running in the sunset.
'This about it... You both started in jail' the arrow said while Akashi(DIO) killed a boar.
'You both have hats' the arrow said while Akashi(DIO) eyebrow twitched.
'The hat huh... Actually, about that, I have a confession to make' the arrow said while Akashi(DIO) almost stopped.
'I just want to say first that all my heart and actions are utterly unclouded, and everything I do is for your sake and justice' the arrow said while Akashi(DIO) menacing aura almost turned into a killing one.
'It's not about what I did, it about what you did... I think you should change your last name to Kujo in that game' the arrow said while Akashi killing aura disappear and replaced with a confused expression.
'Nothing... I'm just pointing to how are you similar to Jotaro, especially the way to fix your hat' at this moment Akashi(DIO) stopped running and stood in his place.
Akashi(DIO) widens his eyes while putting his hand on his face in disbelieve.
'You see Akashi, like I said you are a smart guy, but you still lack experience. Even if you're controlling this link, do you think I wouldn't notice you sharing your sense with your stands?' the arrow said words that seemed like blades to Akashi(DIO).
'The way you fix your hat is similar to a certain form of Jotaro and you know what is it?... A POSE, HAHAHAHA!!!' the arrow started laughing maniacally while Akashi(DIO) expression turned paler.
'Maybe at first, but after some time in that training, your form turned very similar to Jotaro and... I don't have to remind you of that phrase in your memory. Everything is a Jojo reference. You focused on the ridiculous poses and forgot the simple ones' the arrow crushed all Akashi(DIO) hopes at this moment.
"I-Impossible..." Akashi(DIO) muttered these words in disbelief.
'This isn't impossible, it's the inevitable fate that all stands users can't escape even you... And don't try to stop because this already engraved in your muscles memory. Believe me, this thing is more deadly than that purple haze virus' the arrow said to Akashi(DIO) that still can't process this information.
'So Akashi Brando, Kujo or whatever, although you need to variety your poses but after all that menacing aura you were sending. I congratulate you on becoming a true stand user.' the arrow said to Akashi(DIO) that didn't move or said a word until now.
'You don't have to worry, you didn't lose because this wasn't a battle from the start. After all, how can you start a battle without a reason in the first place? But look at the bright side' the arrow tone turned sarcastic at this moment.
'You're standing proud now, aren't you? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!' the arrow left the connection after leaving a laughter that kept echoing in Akashi(DIO) head.
Akashi(DIO) stood in his place with his head down while the wind was blowing his clothes slightly.
After a while, Akashi(DIO) raised his head and looked at the sunset and the clouds drifting before taking a deep breath and saying the only thing that can express his feelings now.
"WWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" Akashi(DIO) screamed while scaring all the birds around before running again, but he didn't stop screaming.
Akashi(DIO) was running in the direction of the next city in the sunset while sending a scream filled with hatred and anger, scaring every player was planning on taking this route.
---
Meanwhile, on the 100 floor, Kayaba was watching all the players that left the starting town first.
"Finally, my dream is complete I wonder what the future is hiding" Kayaba smiled while watching a lot of screens showing different players.
Suddenly he noticed a screen showing a tall blond player killing monsters with only knives.
"This is the player from that time it seems he didn't change his avatar. Well, it was just a gift anyway ,but he's very promising indeed... Hm? why did he stop?" Kayaba felt confused by the player stopping for no reason in the middle of the road.
"What happ-" Kayaba didn't finish his words because a terrifying scream rushed towards him from the screen.
"WWWRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY-" Kayaba was shocked from the scream, so that he closed the screen immediately.
"..." Kayaba stood there in silence watching the closed screen before reaching slowly again.
"YYYYY-" Kayaba closed the screen completely this time before moving away to another one.
"Maybe I should check on the other players first" Kayaba said before looking at another screen because he doesn't want to admit that he was scared from that scream.
SAO tutorial officially ended and players started their journey in this death game with a GM scared from a player scream and that player having his pride broken by an arrow that he'll probably destroy the next time he meets him.