My name is Kirigaya Kazuto. I am an internet addict—no, I am an online game enthusiast. Ever since the SAO beta test ended, everything in the real world felt so boring. I finally waited for the official launch, only for it to be turned into a death game by a maniacal scientist.
In reality, I am meek and submissive, but in the game, I strike with force.
If that's the case, let me be the one to clear this game and save everyone.
I stared at the gigantic pillar that had suddenly appeared, making this grand resolution.
…
The Central Plaza in the Town of Beginnings.
Aomori stood atop the 13 Totem Pole. The Tattered Tracksuit he was wearing detracted considerably from his flair, but he still tried his best to appear profound and mysterious, looking down at the players below. "My name is Aomori, and my identity is that of a Senior Agent belonging to the National Defense Agency."
"What? A secret agent?"
"Did he come to arrest Kayaba Akihiko? Hurry up and catch him!"
"I'm a taxpayer who pays tens of millions every year! Get me out of this hellhole right now!"
"Bastard! It's because of the government's inaction that we've fallen into such a dangerous predicament. When I get out, I'm going to sue the media for your incompetence!"
Suddenly, a peal of thunder rang out, silencing the players' voices.
"Hey, Kirito, didn't you say you couldn't use magic?" Klein, wearing a red bandana, said dazedly.
"I don't know either..." Kirito, the chuunibyou protagonist of the original work, was also confused by the situation.
Aomori raised his blade Ryuko, his eyes narrowed, and he said with a gentle smile, "Take it easy, please let me finish what I have to say."
"As you all can see, I can use ranged skills. That is because the account I logged into is a special account with some GM privileges, allowing me to exert combat power equivalent to a max-level character."
"A max-level character?!" Kirito, who had stepped back into the crowd, was astonished. As a beta tester, he naturally understood how powerful that would be. "If that's the case, maybe clearing this game is actually possible."
"That's fantastic!" Most of the other players also understood that the stronger Aomori was, the better, as it made it easier for them to cling to his coattails. To them, Aomori, who had descended from the sky, was the only lifeline available.
"Therefore, my colleagues outside are handling Kayaba Akihiko. My job is to clear the game and save you all—if Kayaba Akihiko wasn't lying," Aomori stated.
"How can this be..."
"Isn't there any other reliable method?"
"I don't want to stay in this broken game for even one minute."
"If any of you have better suggestions, feel free to put them forward. If not, for the sake of your safety, you will need to honestly follow my command from now on. Otherwise, the consequences are on you." Aomori's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it clearly.
Most people were waiting to latch onto his power, but a few looked conflicted.
Suddenly, a player with a sharp face and monkey-like cheeks jumped out and challenged, "How can you prove what you're saying is true? What if you're an agent sent by Kayaba Akihiko to mislead us?"
"That makes sense."
Aomori shook his head. "I cannot prove it. You can choose to trust me, or you can wait in town for us to clear the game. Just don't get in our way."
"Hmph, you say you can't prove it. You're clearly feeling guilty," the male player mocked.
Many people began to waver, unsure whether to trust this handsome guy, their attitudes fluctuating back and forth.
"Time is precious, let's not waste it. Those who trust me, head to the west exit of the Town of Beginnings now. I will be waiting for you there. The time limit is one hour."
Having said that, Aomori leapt off the 13 Totem Pole. Just before he landed, a flash of white light appeared beneath him, and a white, canine creature suddenly materialized, carrying him as it bolted out of the Central Plaza.
In the air, a swift, large bird abruptly appeared and flew off into the distance.
"So cool."
"What was that? A mount? A pet?"
"I'm so jealous. I hate cheaters."
"That must be a tamer's familiar. I didn't expect him to have even that," Kirito said, equally envious.
"Hey, Kirito, are you going to follow him?" asked Klein, with whom Kirito shared an inexplicable connection.
Already, a good number of players were running towards the west exit.
"Hmm." Kirito pondered for a moment, just about to answer, when Klein added, "I'm going to follow him. Because I can tell, he's a true high-level player, just like you. Kirito, why don't you come with me? Please trust my judgment."
"Of course I trust you. Just a few hours ago, you could tell how impressive I was at a glance," Kirito said with a smile.
"Does that mean you agree?"
"Yeah."
"Yes!" Klein cheered and said, "I have to go find my friends first, so why don't you head over there by yourself, Kirito?"
"Alright, see you in the west district."
"See you in the west district."
Watching Klein's retreating figure, Kirito's smile gradually faded.
He could tell that the guy named Aomori was a formidable player, but he wasn't sure if he was good or bad. The main reason he agreed to follow was that he absolutely had to see for himself if it was a trap, after all, the lives of thousands of people were at stake.
But even if it was a trap, what could he do? Could he stop him?
Kirito recalled Aomori's various actions, feeling increasingly uncertain. Summoning a stone pillar, using lightning—being able to use magic in this world of swords. He was clearly a cheat.
Shaking his head, Kirito followed the direction of the crowd and began to walk.
…
At the open space of the west exit, a 13 Totem Pole identical to the one in the plaza stood tall. Aomori sat perched atop it, leaning on the Absol (the white canine creature), watching the crowd around the pillar grow larger.
Aomori had temporarily fabricated an identity, mainly to provide a plausible explanation for his exceptional abilities. Furthermore, Aincrad was simply too vast; relying on himself alone would definitely prevent him from clearing it within the time limit.
Once the labyrinth strategy began, his impressive strength would surely fall under Kayaba Akihiko's scrutiny. Therefore, instead of hiding his abilities, it was better to jump out now. At least he could recruit many people to do the groundwork, and perhaps even secure the assistance of the invincible guild leader Heathcliff, Kayaba Akihiko's avatar, for free.
Aomori's fabricated identity had many holes and certainly couldn't fool people for long. However, as long as he didn't display a treacherous persona, presumably no one would choose to sacrifice everything in a final confrontation.
Aomori was operating on a higher strategic level this time.
An hour later, nearly three thousand players had gathered beneath Aomori's pillar. Aside from a fraction of players who didn't trust Aomori, most of the remaining players likely still couldn't accept reality and chose to stay in the Town of Beginnings.
"Pidgeo!" Pidgeotto swooped down from the sky, landed on Aomori's shoulder, and chirped "pidgeo pidgeo" incessantly at him.
Aomori nodded, surveying the dense mass of heads below. He spoke loudly, "I am very happy that you all put your trust in me. As the saying goes, time will tell what a man is made of, so I won't waste time on platitudes. Just remember three things: Life is precious. The only things that can protect you are the sword in your hand and the teammates beside you. As your leader, I will always charge at the very front. Let us not be looked down upon by mere game monsters! Humanity must prevail!"
"Humanity must prevail!"
That's right. They were just data composed of AIs. Would they truly lose to such opponents? Many players who were confident in their skills felt their blood surging, convinced they could single-handedly defeat a boss.
"Now, would the beta testers please raise your hands?" Aomori added. "Don't worry, I merely want to gather some intelligence on clearing the labyrinth section. Those who provide information will have made a great contribution. In addition to various subsidies and preferential treatment in the game, you will also receive national commendation upon returning to the real world."
After his words fell, a few people in the crowd sparsely raised their hands. This group included Kirito.
Aomori quickly counted nearly 600 people. Since there were only 1,000 beta testers in total, this accounted for six-tenths, though some likely concealed their identity.
"600 people, that is enough," Aomori said. "Beta testers, please move to the sides of the group and help provide some cover for the novice players. We must reach the next town before night completely falls. Novice players, please familiarize yourselves with the controls as soon as possible. We don't have much time left."
"Yes, sir!"