Chapter 119 – A Strange Encounter
"Hey, did any of you see something up ahead that looks like a pillar?"
While flying through the sky, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly came to a screeching halt, his black coat fluttering wildly in the wind.
Everyone focused their attention forward—and faintly, they could indeed make out a massive silhouette.
"Hmm… yeah, I can just barely see something."
Leafa spread her green wings and hovered into the air. Moonlight filtered through her race's characteristic translucent ears, casting a silvery sheen over her pale golden hair.
"Coordinates 51°E, 128°. Distance, 37 kilometers... No doubt about it—that's the World Tree of ALO."
"Oooohhh—!" everyone exclaimed in unison. The previously weary group suddenly burst into excitement.
Klein, out of nowhere, pulled out a telescope—only to get his hand smacked by Silica's short staff.
"Idiot Klein! Using items will trigger the alert meter!"
"So that's the World Tree of ALO..."
Kirito brought his black sword sheath in front of his chest, his instincts from the SAO days making him instinctively take up a defensive stance.
Realizing his automatic reaction, he scratched his cheek with a sheepish smile.
"They call it a World Tree, but this size is ridiculous... Even the sky-tree dungeon on the 75th floor of Aincrad wasn't modeled this extravagantly."
"Well, it is said to support all nine realms," Leafa replied—but suddenly stopped, unconsciously twirling a strand of hair around her fingertip.
So that's the great tree called the World Tree? It really is majestic.
"We're still a few hours from our destination."
"Ugh, still that far?"
"Yeah... I'm starting to feel a bit worn out."
"Same here. Maybe we should rest nearby for a bit."
"Alright. Let's all take turns resting," Hachiman decided, and the party settled down at that spot for a short break.
"By the way, are there any monsters in this area?"
"There shouldn't be any near ALO," Leafa answered Kirito's question.
"I see."
"But recently, a new high-difficulty dungeon called Jotunheim was added underground near ALO. It's swarming with demigod-class monsters."
"Oh? Lots of giant-type enemies, I assume?"
"I haven't gone there myself, so I don't know. But why do you say that?"
"'Jotunheim' is the name of the land where giants lived in Norse mythology."
"I see... You're really knowledgeable, Kirito-kun."
"Ah, no, it's just basic trivia."
Watching him, Leafa couldn't help but think of her brother.
She realized she often saw her brother collecting obscure knowledge like this.
But the moment she noticed herself comparing the two, she quickly shook her head.
'Onii-chan is Onii-chan, and Kirito is Kirito... but still...'
Leafa realized clearly that right now, she was more concerned about Kirito than about her own brother.
'Lately, Onii-chan keeps mentioning someone named 'Liz.' That expression he had back then... That Liz person must be someone he likes. If that's the case...'
Her thoughts spun in circles without answers. Leafa decided to put the matter aside for now.
'I should focus on helping Hachiman and Kirito accomplish their mission. Once it's all over, then I'll figure out the rest.'
Just then, something odd caught her attention.
'Wait... Hachiman said the major quest wasn't implemented yet. But judging from how serious this setup is, it's clearly a real event. What's going on here?'
After the rest break, the group resumed their journey—but in the next instant, Hachiman suddenly shouted a warning:
"Sorry! Everyone stop!"
"What's wrong, Hachiman?"
"Look—over there!"
Following his finger, they saw a small village that had somehow appeared without notice.
"There's no way that village was there before."
"This scene... it's like one of those dimension shift cuts from Silent Hill," Kirito muttered, his gloved hand gripping his sword hilt as metal clinked reassuringly.
"I've never heard of a village in this area. Leafa, have you?"
"No... I've never seen or heard of a village like this either."
"Let's get a bit closer and have Yui scout it remotely."
"Okay, Daddy. If we get a little nearer, I should be able to gather more intel."
"Alright, move in cautiously and stay alert."
The group approached the mysterious village with care.
"Yui, sensing anything?"
"There appear to be no NPCs... and no players either."
"Nothing at all?"
"But... there's a strong monster presence in that building that looks like an inn."
"So it's a trap."
"Possibly, Daddy."
"Can our ten-person party handle it?"
"It'll take some time, but it's doable."
"What does everyone think? If we ignore this, Sakuya and the others might fall into it later."
"True. We should clear it now while our full strength is intact."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Alright, initiate combat! Ayaha, start with something big!"
"Yes, senpai!"
"I'll attack too—with Leafa."
"Right. Let's go."
The three of them began chanting spells. When the flames, wind, and lightning collided with the inn, the structure twisted and warped—beginning to writhe like a living thing.
The wooden outer walls peeled back like molting skin, revealing a fleshy core that took the form of a grotesque creature—part jellyfish, part statue.
"Whoa! What is that?!"
"A statue... jellyfish...?"
"It's huge."
"Looks like a summoned beast straight out of a Final Fantasy film set..." Silica quickly drew back her weapon.
"Never seen an enemy like this before. Could be an Outer God."
"An Outer God, huh? That's perfect."
"Everyone, battle stance!"
Just as Hachiman gave the command, Yui called out in alarm:
"Wait, Daddy!"
"What's wrong, Yui?"
"This creature... doesn't seem hostile."
"Even after we attacked it? That's possible?"
"I'm not sure..."
The statue-jellyfish shifted sideways, then waved a tentacle—as if beckoning them. Beneath it, a large hole in the ground opened, seemingly inviting them in.
"Yui, are you sure there's no hostility?"
"I'm absolutely certain."
"..."
Without hesitation, Hachiman stepped forward toward the hole. The others followed, peering inside—only to see a vast world stretching deep below.
"Could this be... Jotunheim?"
"No way."
"Ah! I think I saw a similar scene on the official website!"
The jellyfish-statue creature took a particular interest in Kirito, repeatedly pointing to its back, then to the hole.
"Is it telling him to ride on its back?"
"Looks like it's really fond of Kirito-san."
"It's kind of cute, but sorry—we've got a mission to finish. How about we name it 'Toki'?"
"Toki?"
"Yeah, sorry, it just reminded me of that old wartime story about elephants."
"You mean the one from Ueno Zoo?"
"Yep. My family has the picture book."
"Leafa's family does too? What a coincidence."
"Kirito-kun's family too? That's fate."
"Alright, it's Toki now. Even if the name's bad luck, it won't understand anyway."
As soon as Hachiman said that, Kirito cheerfully addressed the creature:
"Alright! From today, your name is Toki! We can't go with you now, but we'll definitely visit Jotunheim someday. Until then, don't forget us!"
Whether it understood or not, Toki showed a strangely happy-yet-sad expression and slowly retreated into the hole. The hole then sealed shut—and with it, the entire village vanished.
"What the heck was that just now?"
"Probably a forced transport event to Jotunheim."
"That's one surprisingly gentle monster."
"If we're destined to meet again, we will. For now—let's move on."
As the World Tree drew nearer and nearer, Yui suddenly cried out:
"This ID... Daddy! Mommy is right above us!"