Chapter 129: Conversation with Mr. Kayaba
"Papa, something's coming over there! That presence… it's the Grand Master!"
Yui called out loudly.
"Got it. Thank you, Yui."
Hachiman stared down the corridor.
What emerged from it was a virtual being he had never seen before, shaped somewhat like a slug—it was the entity that had previously captured Asuna, and even controlled Argo.
Seeing it, Hachiman spoke with interest:
"Mr. Kayaba, when did you end up like this…? Your handsome image is totally ruined."
"Apologies. This was the only virtual body I had immediately available. Long time no see. Also, since we've reunited, how about calling me by a friendlier name—'Heathcliff'?"
"Understood. Heathcliff."
Hachiman picked up on Kayaba's intent and spoke with the casual familiarity of old comrades.
"Sorry I'm late. I only just finished integrating my consciousness."
"Heathcliff, what state are you even in right now?"
"Hm, the me standing here now is a residual image of Akihiko Kayaba. You could call it an 'echo,' I suppose."
"Kirito might understand that, but for me, that metaphor's way too abstract."
"Then just think of me as a fragile existence that might vanish at any moment."
"I see."
Hachiman stepped closer and stood next to Heathcliff. The two of them looked up at the sky together.
"It's a beautiful sight."
"If you trace it to the source, this sky was your creation. Sugo just made a few edits here and there."
"Honestly, I barely remember anything about him."
At that, Hachiman teased:
"To borrow a quote from the lamprey vampire—Heathcliff's standards of measurement are probably in meters. From your perspective, Sugo must've been a mere few millimeters of significance on the scale of observation."
"I see… That might be true."
As he said this, Heathcliff placed one of his slug-like feelers gently on Hachiman's head and gave it a soft pat.
"Hey, hey… come on now…"
"Thank you for eliminating the one who defiled my final work. Now it can finally come to a close."
"…Yeah."
Hachiman silently allowed the slug-like creature's touch. The moment resembled their interactions from two years ago.
Then Heathcliff suddenly remembered something and said:
"By the way, that little sprite you're traveling with—she seems to be a part of the Cardinal system I designed, isn't she?"
"I'm a medical and health consultation program: Y-Utility Interface, also known as Yui! Grand Master!"
"You came up with that name too, didn't you?"
"Yeah, that's right. Looks like she's already established herself in this world. A fragment of the SAO I created will now stay by your side forever."
"Heathcliff…"
"Hachiman-kun, I've transferred 'that thing' into the storage of your neural interface device through Yui."
Heathcliff took out a silver, egg-shaped object.
"What's that?"
"The 'Seed of the World.' You can research its use together with Kirito and Argo. How you use it is up to you all."
"Understood."
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Where are you going?"
"To a world yet unseen. If fate brings us together again, we'll meet then… Hachiman."
"..."
"Farewell. Take good care of Asuna."
Before the words had even fully left him, the figure of Heathcliff—Akihiko Kayaba—vanished.
"Papa, the Grand Master's presence has disappeared."
"I see. Hey, Yui, what happens if I log out now?"
"Hmm… When you log back in, your coordinates will be set in front of the gate between the Grand Quest!"
"That's a relief. Alright, Yui, Papa's going to get Mama now."
"Okay, Papa! I'll be waiting for you both to come back!!"
"Sorry to leave you alone."
"It's okay! I told you before—I'm now bound to you, Papa. When you're not around, I go into sleep mode. So the next time we see each other will feel like an instant to me, Papa!"
"You're right. Well then… I'm heading out."
"Okay! Looking forward to seeing Mama!"
"Goodbye, Yui."
"Bye-bye!"
The moment he pressed the logout button, his consciousness was plunged into brief darkness.
When he regained awareness, Hachiman grabbed his belongings and dashed out of the room. The hospital where Asuna was staying was just across the parking lot.
'That conversation with Heathcliff delayed me. I've got to hurry!'
As he ran through the parking lot, a car suddenly came speeding toward him. Hachiman dodged instinctively, but the car swerved again and continued to charge at him.
"Whoa!"
He narrowly avoided it, but as he stumbled back, the car crashed into a wall.
From inside stepped a familiar figure.
"You're… Sugo!"
"You dodged pretty fast… you little shit!"
"How did you—"
"Didn't you say it yourself!? You were going to that woman's hospital room! There are cops there, right? But you don't have any around you now!"
Sugo pulled out a knife.
His left eye twitched, and he stood with his knees awkwardly turned inward.
'He chased me to the hospital. Run? But this guy will definitely hurt the hospital staff!'
As Hachiman kept dodging and thinking of what to do, he tripped and fell.
"Crap!"
"Not as nimble in the real world, huh? Time to die!"
Just as Sugo swung the knife down, two figures rushed in—Tobe tackled Sugo away, and Hayama kicked the knife from his hand.
"That was close, Hikigaya."
"Haruno-san told us to lie in wait. Didn't expect an actual attacker, but she was spot on."
The two quickly restrained Sugo.
"You saved me… My body really is sluggish in the real world."
"You've just recovered, don't push yourself. Leave this kind of thing to us."
"Hikigaya, can you call the cops for us? Our hands are full here."
After contacting Kikuoka, Hachiman explained:
"The guy the news mentioned—one of the last hundred SAO survivors still unaccounted for—the culprit is him. Everyone's finally been rescued. Thanks to you guys."
"So it's true after all… As expected of Hikigaya!"
"It wasn't just me—it was a group effort."
After the arriving police took over the scene, Kikuoka informed him:
"Miss Yuuki has regained consciousness. Go see her."
Hachiman looked at Hayama and Tobe:
"Want to come with me? I'd like to introduce you to Asuna."
The two whispered between themselves:
"Hayato, he just called us friends!"
"Yeah… Let's let them have some time alone. We can meet her later."
Stopping in front of the hospital room door, the two of them stayed back while Hachiman took a deep breath and knocked.