World of Swords

Rin: "Ugh my head hurts." I clutched my head due to the intense headache am feeling.

I looked around my surroundings and it seems like am in a house and two more things caught my eye I picked up the two items.

Rin: "Ahh so that's what the System said about 'providing me the proper necessities'." I then smell something horrible oh wait that's me.

Rin: "Well guess I need to take a shower and eat breakfast then check what's happening around the media before diving into the game."

After I took a shower and ate a sandwich that was for some reason on the table. I hope the system didn't put me in someone's house. I then checked the news to see what's happening right now.

Reporter 1: "All right, we're underway! It's time for this week's MMO Stream. First, we had you watch the promotional video... Are we looking at the day of last week's launch? What could all these people waiting in line be after? Sword Art Online!"

Rin: "If I remember correctly Kazuto should be at his home watching this Livestream right now."

Reporter: "The one at the front of the line waited for three days prior to launch. Amazing! Or this is just what any real gamer would do? On today's MMO stream we'll be covering the intentionally famous Sword Art Online, AKA SAO!"

Reporter 2: "To be honest, none of the NerveGear software released so far has really taken advantage of the hardware."

Reporter 1: "But SAO was made by the Nervegear inventor, Akihiko Kayaba, and it's a long-awaited VR MMORPG. I can't wait!"

Rin: "If only they knew." I sighed knowing what will happen when the game goes online.

Reporter 1: "The beta testers all said it was incredible. I wish I could've gotten the copy too.."

Reporter 2: "Only 10,000 copies were sold in its first printing. It sold out online in seconds. And as you saw, hard-core fans bought all the store copies."

Wait a minute if there are only 10,000 copies how did I get one? Did the system steal it or did it just create a new one?

Rin: "Well it's time to dive into the game. Hopefully, I won't die instantly since this is my first time. Come to think of it didn't the System say I would get a power when I entered these worlds I get sent to?"

Knowing that I won't figure out what's my power in the game I put on the NerveGear and plug it on and put the game in its place.

Rin: "I guess it's time to spend two years into the game without dying."

Wait a minute am forgetting something important.

Rin: "I DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT!"

After spending a few minutes trying to register an account I finally did it.

Rin: "Hopefully this works."

Rin: "LINK START!"

After a few seconds, I finally got to see the Town of Beginnings in first person

Rin: "Wow this looks better than the show I wonder if all the other worlds will be this good."

Just after I say that all the other players came in and started cheering. I understand the reason why they are doing it but I absolutely hate it when they cheer too loud. I looked at the top left and saw my Hp bar, I also saw my username isn't Rin but my last name Hikari. Oh right and my outfit is changed into the starting gear.

Hikari: "Welp guess I'll just have to get used to it. And as much as I hate socializing I should find Kirito and ask him how to play this game as I really don't know what am doing and besides there's still time before the main event begins."

After a few minutes of walking, I got to the shopping district.

Hikari: "He should be around here running oh there he is."

I spotted Kirito running into an alley with Klein right behind him and me following right behind the two.

Hikari: "Here goes." For some reason, I can't talk properly when am talking to someone and I get shy and more introverted I guess my past life really did change me.

Klein: "So could you give me some tips on the lower floors?"

Kirito: "Yeah I don't know if-"

Klein: "Come on, please am begging you!"

Klein: "Look my name's Klein. Good to meet you."

Hikari: "U-Uhm c-can I j-join as w-well?" WHY AM I TALKING LIKE THIS LIKE THIS!

Kirito: "You too?"

Hikari: "W-well it's my f-first time as well and I s-saw you running and y-you look like you know w-what your doing. M-My name's H-Hikari n-nice to meet you."

Kirito: "Alright I'm Kirito"

~At the West Fields~

Klein: "Uaagh!"

Me and Kirito were watching Klein get hit in the crotch by a Frenzy Boar I got to say I was trying hard not to laugh since there's no pain in this world.

Klein: "Right in the crotch..." Klein was trying hard to endure the "pain".

Kirito: "Oh come on, seriously? You can't feel any pain."

Hikari: "Kirito is r-right you cant f-feel any pain in t-this world." I need to figure out how to solve my stuttering problem.

Klein had a look of realization on his face.

Klein: "Oh, yeah. Your right. Sorry, couldn't help myself!"

Hikari: 'Really Klein? Couldn't you have told the difference between the pain from this world and in real life?'

Kirito: "I told you. What's important is your initial motion input."

Hikari: 'You say it like it sounds so easy.'

Klein: "That's easy for you to say! But he keeps moving around."

Hikari: "I-I mean it's n-not going stand t-there and take the h-hit Klein."

Klein: "Yeah you have a point."

Kirito: "If you do the motion input right. And activate a sword skill," Kirito picks up a pebble and it glows red and he throws it at the boar.

Kirito: "The system will ensure that you hit your target."

Klein: "Initial motion..."

Hikari: 'I kind of get it but at the same time I don't.'

Kirito: "How should I put it?" Kirito then holds the boar at its place and starts explaining.

Kirito: "Add a slight pause, and when you feel the skill begin to activate, drive it home like "bam!"

Klein: "Drive it home?" Klein then figures out what to do and gets ready to activate his sword skill.

Kirito has a smile on his face and sends the boar to Klein.

Wait a minute where's that music coming from?

Klein then use the scimitar sword skill what was it called "Reaver?"

Klein: "ALL RIGHT!!!"

Hikari: 'Hmm alright my turn' I then went to another boar and start to feel the skill activating.

My dagger glowed and I swiftly swing my dagger to the side while going through the boar huh I think this was called "Side Bite". The boar then disintegrated into particles and a screen popped up showing my Exp, Col, and Items huh neat.

Hikari: "I-I did it."

Kirito: "Congratulations."

Me, Kirito and Klein high-fived each other.

Kirito: "However." Kirito put his blade on his back.

Kirito: "That's as weak as slimes in other games."

Klein: "Huh? Seriously?"

Hikari: "I-I mean we are o-on the first f-floor Klein. Which means e-every enemy is weak."

Klein: "I thought it was a mid-level boss or something." I deadpanned at his response

Rin: 'Klein if that were the case then most of the players would be dead by now.'

Kirito: "Yeah as if." We then saw the frenzy boars respawn on the fields.

Klein then does another sword skill Which I don't remember is that a way to power up the attack damage?

Klein: "Woah!"

Kirito: "Addictive, isn't it?"

Klein: "I'll say!"

Hikari: "Well i-it is fun once y-you get used to i-it."

Klein: "So these skills... There are lots of them, like forging weapons and stuff, right?"

Klein then starts practicing on his scimitar while Kirito is explaining.

Kirito: "I've heard there's an infinite variety of skills."

Hikari: 'Yeah and one of those skills are going to be your very own Kirito.' I smiled to myself knowing what's Kiritos future will be.

Kirito: "On the other hand, there's no magic."

Klein starts readying his sword skill.

Klein: "An RPG with magic? That's a pretty bold decision yeah?"After that, he swung his scimitar

Hikari: "I-I think it was a g-great decision. Wouldn't t-the other players be too o-overpowered if there was magic?"

Klein: "Yeah but still yes!"

Kirito: "Isn't it more fun to move your body as you fight?"

Klein: "True that!"

Hikari: "Mhm" I nodded

Kirito: "Well you guys ready to move on?"

Klein: "Yeah man, let's keep going!"

Hikari: "I-I can keep up."

After the three of us grinded till dawn then we all decided to take a break

Hikari: 'This view is amazing... It reminds me of when I was viewing the scene when I was on the bridge with my parents.'

Klein: "I still can't believe it, no matter how many times I see it... That we're in a game."

Hikari: "W-Well it's right in front o-of you isn't it?"

Klein: "Heck yeah but I still can't believe it."

The three of us chuckled.

Klein: "Whoever made it is a genius. It really is amazing... Seriously, I'm glad I was born in this time."

Kirito: "You make a big deal out of everything."

Klein: "Well, hey, it's my first full dive!"

Hikari: "Oh c-come on Kirito everybody w-would react the same if it was their first time."

Kirito: "Then this is the first time you're playing a game with the NerveGear?"

Hikari: "Mhm I j-just got interested in the N-NerveGear so this is my first time." I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in it.

Kirito: "How about you Klein?"

Klein: "Well, it's more like I rushed out to buy the hardware so that I could play SAO. I was really lucky to get one of the 10,000 copies. Well, you were 10 times as lucky, getting into the beta test."

Hikari: "Y-Yeah Kirito you we're o-one of the 1,000 people who g-get to try the beta."

Kirito: "Yeah, I guess I was."

Klein: "How far did you get in the beta?"

Hikari: "I'm c-curious as well Kirito how long w-were you in the beta?"

Kirito: "I was only in for a couple of months, and I only reached the 8th floor. But this time, one month should be more than enough."

Klein: "You're really into this, huh?"

Hikari: "Of course h-he is Klein any h-hardcore gamer would be really i-into this."

Kirito: "To be honest, during the beta test, SAO was all I thought about, day and night." Kirito takes out his sword

Kirito: "In this world, a single blade can take you anywhere you want to go. It's a virtual world, but I still feel more alive than I do in the real one." Kirito smiles then put his sword away

Kirito: "Now then, want to hunt some more?"

Hikari: "I-I can keep going s-since its good to have m-more Col. H-How about you, Klein? You c-coming?"

Klein: "Of course! That is what I would want to say.." The two of us heard Klein's stomach growl

Klein: "But I'm really hungry... I'm logging out."

Kirito: "Right, eating here only makes feel full"

Hikari: "Yep a-and no matter h-how much you eat, your b-body will not be affected."

Klein: "Yeah for real and that's why I already ordered a steaming hot pizza for 5:30 PM."

Hikari: "Lucky a-all I had was an ordinary s-sandwich."

Kirito: "You're totally prepared, aren't you?"

Klein: "Well, once I've eaten, I'll log back in."

Kirito: "I see."

Hikari: "Okay s-see you, Klein."

Klein: "Hey, after this, I'm meeting up with some people I know from another game."

Klein: "What do you say? Do you guys want to friend them too?"

Me and Kirito didn't respond

Klein: "Of course I'm not forcing you guys or anything. I'm sure there'll be other chances to introduce you two.

Hikari: "S-Sorry Klein I don't like meeting n-new people or making friends right now."

Kirito: "Yeah, sorry Klein. But thanks anyway."

Klein: "Hey, hey, that's my line. I'll be sure to pay you back sometime. Virtually that is."

Kirito: "Yeah right."

Klein: "Thanks so much, man. I'll see you around. Klein put his hands out.

Kirito: "If you have any other questions, call me anytime." Kirito shakes his hand

Klein: "Sure! am counting on you! And you too as well Hikari."

Hikari: "H-Huh oh sure am counting on you two as well."

Klein then goes to the main menu to log out

Me and Kirito were going away until.

Klein: "Huh?"

Me and Kirito looked at him.

Hikari: "What's w-wrong Klein?"

Klein: "Where did the log out button go?"

Kirito: "It should be there."

Klein: "Hmm nope, I don't see it anywhere"

Kirito: "It should be at the bottom of the main menu huh?"

I frowned, I checked my main menu and sure enough, the log out button is not there.

Hikari: "It's happening."

Kirito: "What do mean by that?" Kirito looks at me with a suspicious face

Hikari: "N-Nothing anyway it seems like Klein is r-right the logout button is not there."

Klein: "Oh well, it's the first day out of the beta. There's bound to be some bugs. I bet the server people are freaking right now."

Hikari: "Well they a-aren't going to be the only p-eople who is going to f-freak out."

Klein: "Huh?"

Kirito: "Yep you will too. Look it's 5:25 PM." Kirito then points at the clock and it is 5:25 PM.

Klein: ".....HUH!? MY TERIYAKI-MAYO PIZZA AND GINGER ALE!"

Kirito: "Just hurry up and call the game master."

Klein: "Well yeah I already tried, but nothing's happening. Was there any other way to log out?"

Kirito: "No, if a player wants to log out themselves out, they have to go through the menu.

Klein: "That's nuts. There's gotta be some way. Return! Log Out! Escape!" But it did nothing

......

Hikari: 'When you're watching this scene on a television or any other device it's scary but when you're in a game where you cant log out it's...'

Hikari: 'Horrifying..'

Kirito: "Didn't I tell you? There wasn't an emergency log out in the manual either."

Klein: "Hey, you're kidding, right?"

Klein: "I know, I'll rip the NerveGear off my head..."

Hikari: "It's i-impossible Klein because of the NerveGear our real body won't move in the r-real world no matter how hard you try."

Kirito: "Hikari is right, once your hooked in you cant move your body in the real world anymore. The NerveGear intercepts any command issued from our brains right here."

Klein: "Seriously? So we have to wait for them to fix the bug?"

Kirito: "That, or if someone in the real world removed the NerveGear from us."

Klein: "But I live alone. How about you two?"

Hikari: "I also live a-alone but my parents aren't here a-anymore so it's just me."

Kirito: "I have a mom and a little sister. So I think they'll notice by dinner time..." Klein then grabs Kiritos shoulders

Klein: "H-How old is your little sister, Kirito?"

Klein: "H-Huh? She's on the sports team, and she hates games. She has nothing to do with people like us" Oh if only you knew Kirito

Klein: "That doesn't ma—" Kirito kneed him in the crotch

Klein: "Augh Aooogh!, Oh wait, it doesn't hurt, right?"

Hikari: "Is t-this really the time for talking a-about this?"

Klein: "Yeah but..." I then saw Klein staring at me

Klein: "Maybe how about yo-" I kicked him in the crotch

Klein: "Augg nghh, oh right sorry still a force of habit." I glared at him

Kirito: "Forget that, don't you guys think it's weird?"

Hikari: "Mhm i-it is weird for something like t-to happen"

Klein: "Yeah, totally. But it's just a bug."

Kirito: "It isn't just a bug. If we cant log out, that is a serious problem for the games future operation."

Klein: "Come to think of it, you're right."

Hikari: "Maybe t-the developers are fixing it right n-now?" I said but I knew it wasn't possible

Kirito: "That's not possible they should have noticed the bug earlier and if needed, they could shut down the servers and forcefully log everyone out. But there hasn't even been an announcement..."

All three of us had suspicious looks on our faces wondering why this is happening in the first place suddenly

*DING DONG* *DING DONG*

Kirito: "Huh?"

*DING DONG* *DING DONG* *DING DONG* *DING DONG* *DING DONG*

The three of us heard the bell and we were suddenly teleported into back at the Town of Beginnings

Hikari: "W-Whats going on h-here?" I knew of course but I cant let anybody find me suspicious

The three of us saw the other players as well being teleported here until all the 10,000 players have arrived

Kirito: "Someone forced a teleport?"

We all waited for a few seconds until somebody said

Player 1: "Look up there."

We all saw a warning screen and a system announcement

Kirito: "Now what?"

It covered the whole Town of Beginnings making it look like the sky is coloured with red and then what seems like blood is coming out of it and was forming something or someone

Klein: "W-What the hell is that?"

Hikari: "I don't k-know but it seems l-like were about to find out."

Player 2: "Is that the game master?"

Player 3: "Why doesn't he have a face?"

Player 4: "Is this an event?"

A "Girl" player: "I'm scared"

A "Handsome" player: It's fine. It's just another part of the opening ceremony.

GameMaster: "Attention, players. Welcome to my world.

Kirito: "What's he mean by that?"

GameMaster: "My name is Akihiko Kayaba. As of this moment, I am the only person able to control this world."

The rest of the players had surprised looks but the person who is most surprised is Kirito

Player 5: "Is that really him?"

Player 6: "This is really elaborate!"

Akihiko: "I'm sure you've already noticed that the logout button is missing from the main menu. But this is not a defect in the game. I repeat... This is not a defect in the game, but a key feature of Sword Art Online.

Klein: "He's kidding right?"

Hikari: "I-I don't think he is Klein."

Akihiko: "You cannot log out of SAO of your own will. And no one on the outside can shut down or remove the NerveGear. Should this be attempted, the transmitter inside the NerveGear will emit powerful microwaves, destroying your brain and thus ending your life."

Player 7: "What are you talking about?!"

Player 8: This must be a performance to make the opening more exciting."

Player 9: "Come, enough already."

A "Handsome" Player: "Let's go"

The Two players tried to leave but gets blocked by an invisible wall

A "Handsome" Player: "Hey, I can't get out!"

Klein: "Huh are you guys listening to this crap? He's gotta be nuts right. Right Kirito, Hikari?" But when he looked at the both of us he saw that we had a serious look on our faces

Kirito: "He's not the transmitter's in the headgear works just like microwaves. If the safety were disabled, it could fry your brain."

Klein: "Couldn't someone cut the power or."

Hikari: "T-that won't work Klein, the NerveGear h-has internal batteries." Klein had fear written all over his face

Klein: "Grrrr But this is crazy. This is totally crazy!"

Akihiko: "Unfortunately, There have been several instances where players' friends and families have ignored this warning and attempted to forcibly remove the NerveGear. As a result, 213 people players have exited permanently, from both Aincrad and the real world."

Kirito: "Two hundred and thirteen?"

Klein: "No way... I don't believe it!"

Hikari: "..." Akihiko then showed us news articles relating to the 213 players that died from the game

Akihiko: "As you can see, news organizations across the world are reporting this situation, including multiple deaths. Thus, you can assume that the danger of a NerveGear being removed has been reduced." It then showed a family member crying

Hikari: 'I can't imagine how broken and depressed all the families are from the players who died from this game. Of course, I know what will happen in SAO and things will get better but...' I clenched my first

Hikari: 'People had died from this game Kayaba and you've taken people's loved one's away from them. I don't hate you but I just can't forgive you even if you did help in the war, you have taken innocent peoples lives.'

Akihiko: "So, I would like you all to focus on clearing the game. But be sure to keep this in mind. There is no longer any function to revive someone within the game. The instant your HP drops to zero, your avatars will vanish forever. And simultaneously, your brains will be destroyed by the NerveGear." I then saw Kirito tensing up

Hikari: 'Everybody has fear in their eyes right now that's normal in this situation but I can't die and I already know what's going to happen so why... Why am I feeling scared?'

Akihiko: "The one condition for your escape is to complete this game." He then showed us the map of Aincrad.

Akihiko: "You are presently on the lowest floor of Aincrad, floor one. If you make your way through the dungeon and defeat the Floor Boss, you may advance to the next level. Defeat the final boss on floor 100 and you will clear the game."

Player 10: "Clear?"

Player 11: "What's he talking about?"

A "Handsome" Player: Why should we believe in the crap your saying!"

Klein: "Clear all 100 floors? That's impossible. Even the beta testers never made it that high, right?"

Akihiko: "Last but not least. I've provided you all with a present in your item storage. Please see for yourselves ."

Sure enough, there was a mirror in my inventory I clicked it to reveal it was a mirror and I can see my own reflection

Kirito: "Huh? A mirror?"

Klein: "Uuaaaaa!"

Hikari: "W-Whats going o-on!" My vision was blinded by a bright light

Kirito: "Hikari! Klein!" After that, all of the players were enveloped by a bright light

After a few seconds, we all could see again

Hikari: "Ugh I hate it when I get blinded by bright lights." Huh would you look at that I didn't stutter

Klein: "You two okay?

Kirito: "Y-Yeah. Wait who are you?"

Klein: "I'm me who are you?" Kirito then checked his mirror to see his face was changed

Player 12: "Who are you?"

Player 13: "When did my face change?"

Chubby Player: "Son of a- You were a guy?"

Thin Player: "You're not 17!"

Kirito: "That means..."

Kirito&Klein: "Is that you, Kirito/Klein?"

Klein: "B-But how?"

Kirito: "The scan. The NerveGear covers your entire head with a high-density signalling device. So it can see what your face looks like. But how's it know our height and body type?"

Klein: "When we first put the NerveGear on there was something called calibration. You had to touch your body all over like this remember?" Klein proceeds to touch himself to make a point

Kirito: "O-Oh, right... It must be basing this on that data..."

Kirito: "Wait where's Hikari?"

Hikari: "You called?"

Klein: "Wait that's you? Why do you still look the same?" I realized that I still had the same body even when all that happened I then realized I just picked my own body instead of creating a new one

Hikari: "That's because I didn't edit my avatar the system gave me a choice whether I can choose my own body itself to be an avatar or create a new one. Anyway for now let's just drop it and focus on what's going on right now."

Klein: "But... But this is... What's the point? Why would anyone do this, to us?" Kirito then point at Akihiko

Kirito: "I think he's about to tell us."

Hikari: "Yeah so we better be quiet and listen to what he has got to say."

Akihiko: "Right now, you must all be wondering, "Why?" "Why would Akihiko Kayaba, developer of Sword Art Online and the NerveGear, do such a thing?" My goal has already been achieved I created Sword Art Online for one reason... To create this world and meddle in it."

Kirito: "Kayaba..."

Akihiko: "And now, all is complete." Kirito clenched his fist

I grabbed his shoulder

Hikari: "Kirito as much as I understand your anger you need to calm down" He seemed to look at me and calm down a bit but that's good enough

Akihiko: "This ends the tutorial for the official Sword Art Online launch. I wish you luck, players." He then deformed and went back into the red sky and everything went back to normal...

.........

Hikari: 'Silence there was nothing but silence I mean who could've after having all of this information? Your stuck in this game till somebody clears the game or you will be stuck forever. Not only that but once your HP is down to zero you die... This isn't a game where it matters about having fun no instead....'

Hikari: 'It's a matter of life and death.' I then heard glass shattering and looked over to see Silica scared and fear in her eyes poor girl

Silica: "My god... NOO!" Her words snapped everybody out of it and realize the situation they are in right now..

Panic ensues and everybody was screaming and my ears aren't loving it I then saw Lisbeth just sitting on the ground with a look of despair in her face

More screaming occurs and any more my ears would burst

Kirito: "Come on, Klein, Hikari."

Klein&Hikari: "Huh? Woah!"

The three of us were then in an empty path after some time getting out of the main area

Kirito: "Listen to me. I'm heading to the next village right now. I want you two to come with me.

Klein: "Huh?" I knew what was going to happen so I still listened anyway, Kirito then showed us the map of the first floor

Kirito: "If everything he said is true, the only way to survive in this world is by making yourself strong as possible. The resources within a virtual MMORPG, in other words, the money and EXP the three of us can earn, are limited. The fields surrounding the Town of Beginnings will soon be hunted clean. To be efficient, we should set up a base in the next village right now. I know all the paths and dangerous areas. So even at level one, I can get there safely." I frowned slightly looking at my HP bar and am level 5, I kind of grinded when Kirito was busy teaching Klein

Klein: "Well thanks... But... I..... stayed in line all night with friends from another game to buy this software." He had a look of concern

Klein: "They must be out there in the plaza. I can't leave them behind" I can see Kirito thinking about something but I know already

Klein: "Sorry." Kirito then looked up at him

Klein: "I can hardly ask you for anything else, can I? So don't worry about it and go on to the next village without me. I used to run a guild in my last game, you know. I can use the techniques you taught us to get by!"

Kirito: "Okay, how about you Hikari?"

Hikari: "Sorry Kirito but I got a lot of things on my mind right now so I won't be coming with you but like Klein said you taught us techniques on how to play the game so to repay that you can go ahead to the next village and get all the things you need."

Kirito: "I see then let's say goodbye here. If something happens to either of you two, you guys can send me a message.

Klein: "Sure!"

Hikari: "You got it Kirito!" I smiled at him

Kirito: "Okay, see you guys around." He was walking away until Klein called him

Klein: "Kirito! I... Hey... Kirito. You look better like this." Kirito turned around

Klein: "Way cooler than your avatar isn't that right Hikari?"

Hikari: "You bet! You look like a hero or something!" Kirito then smiled

Kirito: "And that unkempt face of yours suits you 10 times better." He then walks away

Hikari: "Welp see you around Klein."

Klein: "Yeah see you."

~West Fields~

I was grinding a lot as I didn't know where to start other than increase my level until 3 wolves spawned right in front of me

Hikari: "So this is what it's like living in the anime world huh?" I grabbed my dagger from my hips

Hikari: "I could get used to this" I then got in stance and prepared my sword skill "Side Bite"

Hikari: "Well what are you waiting for?" The wolves get ready to pounce on me I take one last deep breath

Hikari: "Let's do this."