The Inner Area Incident
March 6, 2024 - 56th Floor: Pani
Hikari: 'Why did I even come here again?' I was at the meeting to defeat the field boss and nobody has any idea on how to deal with the boss
Frankly, I didn't even want to go to the meeting for the field boss, to be honest, I just wanted to see the start of the episode play out with my own eyes
I didn't even grind a lot for the whole month and that's because I can't steal Kiritos title for being the strongest player in this game all I did was max out my smithing skills and since there's nothing else to do in this world I just did casual things such as getting the fishing skill and baking or cooking new food
Hikari: 'Please hurry it up.' I was waiting for this meeting to end so I could read my book
Asuna slammed her hand to the table to get the attention of the assault team
Asuna: "We'll lure the Field Boss into the village." Everyone was shocked by her idea
Hikari: 'Really? Now you are just desperate on trying to kill the field boss.'
Kirito: "W-Wait a second. If we did that, the villagers-"
Asuna: "That's our aim. While the boss is occupied with killing NPCs, we'll take it down."
Kirito: "NPCs aren't just bits of data like trees or rocks. They're-
Asuna: "Alive? Is that it?" She cuts him off
Asuna: "There's nothing special about them. Even if they're killed, they'll simply respawn."
Kirito: "I can't accept that logic. And neither will Hikari." Everybody looks at me when he mentioned my name
Hikari: 'I hate you.' I sent a death glare to him which he responded by sweatdropping
I sighed
Hikari: "Yes he is right I'm not going with this plan of yours." Asuna looked at the both of us
Asuna: "I, Asuna, The Vice Commander of the Knights of Blood, am assigned to lead this mission-" I interrupt her
Hikari: "So because of that we're going to listen to you? Please you're better than this."
Asuna: "W-What?"
Hikari: "Asuna have you forgotten the fact that the two of us are solo players? That means we can do whatever we want and what I want is to not go on with this plan of yours." She glares at me while I just didn't care
Hikari: "You can be angry at me all you want but you know I'm right."
Me and Asuna had a staring competition before she gives up and I smirked in victory
~Time Skip~
Hikari: 'I know she gets better soon but damn she is annoying.'
After the meeting ended I decided to just do some quest not before Agil was calling me and Kirito
Agil: "Kirito, Hikari." he called out to the two of us
Agil: "Another quarrel, huh?"
Kirito: "Agil."
Hikari: "Hey Agil."
Agil: "Why do you three always end up arguing? Especially you Hikari I have never seen anyone talked back to Asuna before."
Hikari: "First of all I didn't even want to argue but this guy right here keeps calling me out." I punched him in the arm
Kirito: "Hey look I'm sorry."
Hikari: 'You said that the last 10 times you called me out.'
Hikari: "It's alright but please stop involving me with your quarrels."
Kirito: "I guess the three of us just think differently."
Hikari: "Obviously." We all then remember the words Kirito said back at the 1st Floor
Kirito: "You can become strong. So if someone trustworthy ever invites you to their guild, don't turn them down."
Kirito: "That's what I said, but I never thought she'd join the strongest one and become a floor-clearing demon." I sighed
Hikari: "I mean it was good for her but now she's really strict ever since she joined that guild." I shook my head
April 11th, 2024 - 59th Floor: Danae
About a month later I and Kirito were under a tree. I was leaning on the tree reading my book while Kirito tries to take a nap on the grass
It was peaceful till Asuna came in and ruined it
Asuna: "What are you two doing?" Kirito open up his eyes while I just continue reading my book
Kirito: "Oh, it's just you." He tries to take a nap again
Asuna: "The others are frantically working to clear the dungeon, so why are you two lazing around here? Being a solo player doesn't excuse you two from-" She gets cut off
Kirito: "The weather today is the nicest possible during the nicest season in Aincrad."
Hikari: "I hate to say this but your right Kirito this is really peaceful it's *Yawns* a good place to sleep or read a book." Asuna was just confused at our words
Hikari: "What he means to say it's going to be a waste to spend the day like this in the dungeon." While reading my book Kirito nods
Asuna: "Don't you guys get it? Every day that passes here is a day lost to us in the real world."
Hikari: "But..."
Kirito: "Right now, we're living in the world of Aincrad." The winds blew into our faces
Kirito: "See? The sun and wind are so relaxing."
Hikari: "Mhm."
Asuna: "Really? It doesn't seem that different from usual."
Hikari: "Just lay down Asuna and soon you'll get it" When I said that Kirito already fell asleep
Hikari: 'Wish I could sleep that fast.' I went back on reading my book and not noticing that Asuna looking around then at me and Kirito
After a few minutes of reading, I look back to Asuna who is sleeping peacefully beside Kirito and I smiled at the two then I continued reading
~Time Skip~
Kirito: "Ngh.." After reading for quite some time I saw Kirito waking up and stretching his arms
Hikari: "How's your nap sleepyhead?"
Kirito: "Good. Where's Asuna?"
Hikari: "Look beside you." He then look at his side and saw Asuna sleeping beside him
Kirito: "H-Huh?" His jaw dropped and I smirked
Player 1: "Well, would you look at that? Sleeping broad daylight?" The two of us looked at some of the players who were passing by
Player 2: "Those three are too laid back for their own good."
Player 3: "Honestly, who do they think they are?" They all laughed
Hikari: 'Shut up extras.'
Kirito: "I didn't expect her to listen to us..."
Hikari: "I mean I can understand why though." He looked at me
Hikari: "I'm sure being Vice Commander has a lot of work do to so it makes sense why she slept."
Kirito: "Yeah..."
Hikari: "Anyway let's just keep watch."
Kirito: "Aren't you tired?" He asks
Hikari: "Remember this is a game you don't really get tired unless of course, you want to sleep."
Kirito: "Oh right..." We then started to take watch till she wakes up
~Time Skip~
I and Kirito were sitting on a short stoned wall till dawn waiting for her to wake up of course I was still reading my book
Hikari: "It's nice staying from the front lines for once."
Kirito: "It sure is."
Asuna: "Achoo!" The two of us looked behind and we can see Asuna waking up
Asuna: "Mmg..." She looked around and saw the two of us
Asuna: "Eh...Huh? Uh... what..."
Kirito: "Morning."
Hikari: "How was your nap-" before I could finish Asuna instantly gripped her rapier
Kirito instantly went over the short wall scared to see what would happen while I just did nothing since I know what happens
She returned her rapier back to its holster while fidgeting a lot
Asuna: "One meal."
Kirito: "Huh?"
Hikari: "Eh?"
Asuna: "A meal! I'll treat you two to whatever you guys want. Then we'll call it even, okay?" She said with a bit of shy voice
Hikari: 'Tsun~Tsun~'
57th Floor: Martin
The three of us went inside the "Restaurant" yes that's the name and we just take a seat Asuna just holding her hands still thinking about what just happened while I just drink my glass of water with Kirito beside me just trying to ignore the chatter behind us
Player 4: "Isn't she Asuna from the Knights of Blood?"
Player 5: "And isn't that Hikari sitting with her?"
Player 6: "So she's the Flash and the other girl is the Solo Player..."
Player 7: "Who's the guy in black?"
Hikari: 'How did I get noticed but not Kirito? Is it because I'm not wearing black?'
Asuna: "Well, how should I say this...?" We looked at her
Asuna: "Thanks for today." Kirito was confused but I understood what she meant
Asuna: "For watching over me."
Kirito: "Oh, no problem."
Hikari: "Yeah Asuna it's not a big deal."
Asuna: "The towns are safe areas, so there's no risk of being attacked or player-killed, but it's different when you're asleep."
Kirito: "Yeah. There's sleep-PKing, which takes advantage of the duel system."
Hikari: "Yeah normally, duels are just a test of strength on who's stronger than the other."
Kirito: "But during one, damage can be taken, reducing HP, even a safe area."
Asuna: "You can challenge someone who's asleep, and move their finger to make them accept the duel request. Then you attack them until they die. It's not unheard of." She held her hands tighter
Asuna: "So, um... Thank you both." She said in a shy tones voice
Kirito: "W-Well, uh... Y-You're welcome." While I did a thumbs up
Girl: *Screams*
The three of us instantly stood up and went outside the restaurant when we heard somebody screamed
When we did we saw somebody hanging from the church windowwith a sword stuck in his chest
The people around were panicked to see somebody being hanged
Kirito: "Hurry and pull it out!" The guy looked at us and tried to pull it out
Asuna: "You two stay down here and catch him." She then runs up inside the building to reach where the guy was
Kirito: "Got it." And I nodded the two of us ran underneath the guy
Kirito: "Hang on!"
Hikari: 'Hang on...Wow' The guy was still trying to pull it out but fails again and it looks like we're running out of time
Kirito: "Damn..."
Hikari: "Just hold on for a bit longer!" The guy screamed and moved his body till he stopped...
The guy then disintegrated into particles leaving the sword falling onto the ground and the noose hanging
Many people screamed that somebody in the safe zone died
Hikari: "Oh you gotta be kidding me..."
Kirito: "Everyone! Look for a "Winner" duel notification!" Everybody started looking who has the "Winner" notification
Asuna: "There's nobody inside." The three of us tries to find who has the "Winner" notification but failed
The two of us went inside the church to find Asuna
Kirito: "What's the meaning of this?" Kirito was inspecting the weapon that killed the guy
Hikari: "Somebody got killed obviously." Asuna nodded
Asuna: "The most obvious explanation would be that the murderer impaled the victim, put the noose around his neck, and shoved him out the window. Wouldn't you guys agree?"
Kirito: "But a "Winner" notification was nowhere to be seen."
Asuna: "That's impossible. Damaging someone in a safe area is only possible during a du-" She was interrupted by the people outside who were in a panic that somebody died in the safe zone
Hikari: 'That's because he didn't really die but was made to look like he did die.' I knew of course but I couldn't tell them anyway even if I wanted to
Asuna: "Either way, the three of us cant ignore this incident."
Hikari: "Right."
Kirito: "Yeah."
Asuna: "If someone's found a way to PK even in safe areas, then towns can't be considered secure anymore."
Kirito: "Agreed." I nodded in response
Asuna: "We'll have to leave the front lines, but this takes precedence" She then starts to walk towards to us
Asuna: "Well then, you two have to assist me until this is resolved. And just so we're clear, we won't have time for naps OR reading a book." She took her hand out
Hikari: "Oh come on Asuna really?" I sighed
Kirito: "But you slept even longer than I did..." Kirito hold her hand
Asuan: "Huh!?" The second he grabbed her hand she instantly squeezed it HARD
Kirito: "AAUGH!"
~About a minute later~
The three of us were walking outside to talk to the people who witness the incident
Kirito: "Excuse me. Does anyone know exactly what happened earlier? If you do, please tell us about it."
After a few seconds a blue haired girl stepped forward
Asuna: "Sorry, I know you're going through some trauma. What's your name?"
Yolko: "U-Um... my name is Yolko."
Hikari: "So we're you the one that screamed earlier?"
Yokko: "Y-Yes. Earlier I... came to have dinner with the man who was murdered. His name was Caynz and he used to be in the same guild as me. So when we got separated in the plaza, I went to look for him and saw him hanging from the church window..." She started sobbing
Hikari: "I'm so sorry for your lost." No I'm not
Asuna tries to comfort the sobbing Yolko
Asuna: "Did you see anyone else?"
Yolko: "It was just for a moment, but I though I saw someone behind Caynz" Asuna looked at us with a serious face the returned to comfort the girl
Hikari: 'Yeah there was definitely somebody else behind Caynz he totally did not just did that to himself.'
Asuna: "Did that person look familiar?" She shook her head
Yolko: "No..."
Kirito: "Um... I hate to ask this, but do you have any idea why someone would want to kill Caynz-san?" When he said this Yolko thinks for a second but shook her head
Yolko: "No..." The three of us looked at each other
Yolko: "I'm sorry for having you escort me."
Asuna: "Don't worry about it. Well then, we can continue our talk tomorrow, if that's fine with you."
Yolko: "Sure." She bowed to us the went inside her room
Hikari: "Soo what do we do now?"
Asuna: "Lets go over what we know. If we trace the spear's origins, it could give us a lead."
Kirito: "We'll need to use the Appraisal skill then. You don't... have it leveled, do you?"
Asuna: "Obviously not. And neither do you." Kirito then turns to me
Kirito: "How about you Hikari? I know you've been learning multiple skills before so by any chance you might have learned the Appraisal skill?"
Hikari: "Sadly I do not Kirito although I could try and learn it but I doubt we have the time for that." I lied. Of course I have it
Asuna: "Anyway can you two stop addressing me so rudely?"
Hikari: "Seriously?"
Kirito: "O-O-Oh... Then uh. How about "Miss"?" She gets a bit annoyed
Kirito: ""Vice Commander-aama"?" She stares at him
Kirito: ""Flash-sama"?" She gets even more annoyed
Hikari: "Oh come on what are we suppose to call you then?"
Asuna: "Fine just call me Asuna."
Kirito: "R-Roger that. So, about the Appraisal skill, do you know anyone could help us with it?"
Asuna: "Hm... I have a friend who's a blacksmith, but she's really busy around this time, so we might have to wait a while."
Kirito: "I see. Then let's go ask a merchant acquaintance of mine and Hikari."
Hikari: "Ah you mean him."
50th Floor: Algade
We were walking to Agils shop to get him to check the weapon
Agil: "Thank you! Come again, sir." Kirito walked inside followed by me
Kirito: "Looks like you're carrying out your greedy business as usual."
Agil: "Oh, Kirito and Hikari too."
Hikari: "Hey Agil." I waved at him
Agil: "My motto's always been "Buy cheap, sell cheap"."
Kirito: "The second part's pretty fishy."
Hikari: "Ahaha yeah...."
Agil: "Don't you guys speak so ill of me." Asuna was just getting inside and Agil saw her
The instant he sees her Agil grabs Kirito under the counter
Agil: "Wh-Wh-What's going on, Kirito? Why are two solo players like you two with Asuna of all people? Weren't you three always at odds? Especially Hikari why's is she also with her?
Asuna: "Ahaha..."
Hikari: "Don't worry you'll get used to it."
Agil: "Say something!"
After quite some time explaining from Kirito on why the three of us are together we finally get down to business
Agil: "Someone got killed in a safe area? It wasn't during a duel?"
Kirito: "We didn't see a "Winner" notification anywhere."
Asuna: "If he was walking with Yolko-san beforehand..."
Hikari: "Then we can cross out that it wasn't a sleep-PK."
Kirito: "The setup is too complicated to have been the result of a random duel. We can be certain that it as a premeditated murder. And then there's this." We showed Agil the sword that "Killed" Caynz for him to check it out
Agil uses the Appraisal skill on the sword to find any information about it
Agil: "It's player-made." We were shocked to get this information well I was pretending
Kirito: "Really?"
Asuna: "Who was the one that made it?"
Agil: "Grimlock. Never heard of him... But I do know that he's not a first-rate swordsmith. And there's nothing particularly strange about this weapon."
Hikari: "So it's just an ordinary sword then? That's it?"
Asuna: "Still, it should give us a clue."
Kirito: "Just in case, tell us the item name too."
Agil: "Let's see... It's cally Guilty Thorn, meaning "thorn of sin"." He then hands the sword to Kirito
Hikari: "What a cool name."
Agil: "You bet it is."
Kirito: "The thorn of sin..." He then inspects the sword
...
Kirito: "Now then..." He positioned the sword to stab his hand but Asuna stopped him by grabbing his wrist
Asuna: "Wait!"
Hikari: "Why'd you stop him?" I was generally confused when I first saw this in the show Kirito has a massive amount of HP so why stop him? It's just going to do about 10-100 damage or something
Asuna: "What do you mean why'd I stop him? He's an idiot?! Someone's been killed by that weapon!"
Hikari: "Asuna. It's not a One-Hit kill sword Agil even confirmed the one who made this is not a first-rate swordsmith and also have you forgotten he has a lot of HP to spare? If anything its just going to damage himself a tiny bit so I think it's fine for him to do it."
Asuna: "But he shouldn't be trying something that dangerous!"
Hikari: 'Did she not listen to a word I was saying?'
Asuna: "This... should be left with Agil-san." Asuna then takes the sword and hands it to Agil
Agil: "Huh? Okay..."
~The Next Day~
We were inside the empty Restaurant to ask Yolko more questions about Caynz
Asuna: "Hey, Yolko-san. Have you ever heard of the name "Grimlock"?" As soon as she said the word "Grimlock" Yolko stiffened up
Yolko: "Yes. He was a member of the guild that Caynz and I were in together." The three of us looked at each other since it seems like were on the right track
Kirito: "The truth is, we appraised the spear that Caynze-san was killed with and found that it was created by Grimlock-san." Yolko widened her eyes and covers her mouth
Kirito: "Can you think of a reason why this might be?"
Yolko: "Yes, I can. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this yesterday. I want to forget about it. It's not something that I want to remember. However, I'll tell you about it. About thr reason for our guild's destruction."
Yolko: "The name of our guild was "Golden Apple". Six months ago we defeated a rare monster that we encountered and it dropped a ring that raised one's Agility by 20 levels. Some of us wanted to use it. While others wanted to sell it and split the earnings, ultimately dividing the guild. But in the end, the matter was resolved by voting. The result was 5-3, in favor of selling it."
Yolko: "Our leader, Griselda-san, left to stay overnight at a large town on the front lines to consign the ring to an auctioneer. But Griselda-san never came back."
Yolko: "Later, we discovered that she had died. I still don't kniw the cause of her death."
Kriito: "Nobody would leave a safe area carrying such a rare item."
Hikari: "So that means she might've been sleep-PKed is that what your saying Kirito?" He nods
Hikari: "Well sorry to say this but unless the killer was one of the few players who discovered the sleep-PKing method 6 months ago it shouldn't be possible that she was killed by that method."
Kirito: "Still though, it's hard to believe it was a coincidence. Whoever attacked Griselda-san must've known about the ring as well, in other words"
Yolko: "One of the seven other members of Golden Apple..."
Kirito: "The obvious suspects would be those who voted against selling the ring."
Asuna: "So you're saying they attacked Griselda-san to get the ring before she consigned it?"
Kirito: "Probably." He ask another question
Kirito: "Who's Grimlock-san?"
Yolko: "He was Griselda-san's husband. Of course, it was only an in-game marriage."
Hikari: 'Yeah about that...'
Yolko: "Griselda-san was a very powerful swordwoman. She has both beauty and brains. Grimlock-san was a kind person who always has a smile on his face. They suited each other well and were a close couple. If Grimlock-san is the murderer from yesterday, he must be targeting the three who wanted to use the ring."
Yolko: "Caynz and I were part of the three who opposed the ring's sale."
Hikari: "What!?" We were instantly shocked at this new information we were getting
Kirito: "Then who's the last person?"
Yolko: "A tank-class player called Schmitt. Nowadays, I hear he's a parr of the Divine Dragon Alliance of the clearing group."
Kirito: "Schmitt? I've heard of that name before..."
Asuna: "He's the leader of the Divine Dragon Alliance's defenders. He's the large lance-wielder." The two of us remembered the meeting about a month ago and he was there
Hikari: "You mean that guy at the meeting?" She nods
Yolko: "You guys know Schmitt?"
Kirito: "Well, we've only seen him during boss fights."
Yolko: "Could you arrange for the two of us to meet up? He may not have heard of the incident yet. If so, he might end up meeting the same fate as Caynz..."
Asuna: "Lets call Schmitt-san. I know someone in the Divine Dragon Alliance, so if we go to their headquarters, I think I can organize a meeting."
Kirito: "In that case, we should escort Yolko-san to an inn first."
Hikari: "I agree if she's one of the peope who voted against selling it then she's a target."
Kirito: "Yolko-san, be sure to stay inside the inn until we return."
Yolko: "All right."
After escorting Yolko to her room the three of us decided to think on the situation
Asuna: "So, how do you two think the murder happened?"
Hikari: "I don't really know to be honest... I'm not really good in solving mysteries how about you Kirito?"
Kirito: "Well I can think of three possibilities at most. The first is the result of a fair duel. The seond is the use of a complicated system exploit."
Asuna: "Well, those two are givens."
Hikari: "So what's the third possibility?"
Kirito: "The use of an unknown skill that can disregard safe areas. perhaps in the form of an item. On second thought, that's unlikely."
Hikari: "Yeah that isn't possible at all."
Asuna: "Why?" She ask the both of us
Hikari: "Because if it does exist that's just breaking the game It would be unfair. How would you feel if you were playing a game and you were killed in a safe area just because of an item or skill that removes the safe area from regenerating your HP?"
Kirito: "She's right it's completely unfair. I don't really want to admit it, but SAO's rules are fundamentally fair. There's no way safe area murders would be encouraged like that."
Asuna: "Oh..."
The Next day Schmitt arrived for the meeting and he wasn't liking what he was hearing
Schmitt: "Was the weapon that killed Caynz really made by Grimlock?"
Yolko: "Yes." Schmitt has fear written on his face and he stood up
Schmitt: "Why did Caynz get killed after all this time?! Was he... Was he the one that stole the ring? Was he the one that killed Griselda?" He sat back down
Schmitt: "Is Grimlock planning to kill us for not agreeing to sell the ring? Are we being targeted, too?"
Yolko: "Grimlock-san was the spear's maker, but someone else could have used it. Or maybe... Griselda-san is taking revenge."
Yolko: "After all, killing in a safe area can only be done by a ghost." Schmitt was now scared for his life and the three of us just looked at each other
Hikari: 'Stop it... It's not even physically possible for a ghost to kill someone.'
Yolko: "I... stayed up last night thinking." She stood up
Yolko: "In the end, all of the guild members share the responsibility in Griselda-san's death! After we got the ring, we shouldn't have voted, and just let Griselda-san decide on what to do with it!" She broke well by "broke" I mean she was acting
She walked backwards till she reached the window
Yolko: "Only one person... Grimlock-san alone thought Griselda-san should decide. That's why he has the right to avenge her... by making us pay for her death with our lives." Schmitt was now fidgeting because of what Yolko said
Schmitt: "Don't screw with me... This has to be some sick joke. After all this time... Half a year's passed already, so why now?! Are you just going to accept that Yolko? Are you fine with getting mysteriously killed off like that?!" Kirito grabbed his arm sending him a message to calm down until
*STAB*
Yolkos eyes shot up and we all did the same when we saw her
She turned around revealing a similar-looking dagger stabbed into her back
She then fell out of the window Kirito tried to catch her but failed
Kirito: "Yolko-san!" As soon as Yolko hit the ground she "Disintegrated" only leaving the dagger behind...