Chapter 771: The End of SAO the game (1/2)
Asuna and Yui exchanged a look. They came and they stood by Wu Yan's sides.
”We...”
Asuna hesitated for a moment.
”We cleared the game, right?”
Kayaba Akihiko closed his eyes, he let the wind flutter his white cape.
”Indeed, you guys cleared the game...”
He waved his hand and an interface appeared in front of him.
”The 6,000 or so players who are still alive were logged out safely about 5 minutes ago.”
Asuna released a sigh of relief. She kept her eyes on Kayaba.
”Then, why are we still here? Aren't we supposed to return to the real world?...”
Kayaba glanced at her and he a.s.sured her.
”Don't worry, you guys cleared the game so I won't go back on my words. I brought you guys here because I had a few questions for Wu Yan-kun...”
Asuna and Yui grabbed Wu Yan's hands. They vigilantly looked at Kayaba. Wu Yan is surprised Kayaba chose to phrase his rather forceful dialogue like this. But, he didn't think Kayaba would pull any stunt...
He touched their hands, a signal for them to calm down. Wu Yan stepped up as he conversed with Kayaba.
”I am quite curious, we barely talked more than a few times, what on earth are you still puzzled about?...”
”That may have been the case before SAO started. Although our encounters are... countable with a single hand...”
Kayaba continued with an ambiguous tone.
”But, I have always been watching you.”
Wu Yan's not surprised. His performance definitely warranted the Game Master's attention. It would be weird if Kayaba turned a blind eye to him. He waited for Kayaba to finish his sentence.
”I have a question for you...”
Kayaba looked straight into Wu Yan's mien.
”The moment I turned SAO into a death game. I already resolved myself to d.a.m.nation and hatred by the players I have harmed. This enormous sin is mine and mine alone to bear...”
”The day I used my administrative privileges to lock every player in this world as Kayaba Akihiko. I was sure each and every player would hate this game to their cores. I was steady in that belief...”
”Until I met you. You really threw the spanner in my works here...”
Kayaba chuckled.
”Funny, I never heard you cursing this game nor express your resentment of this world, nor have I ever heard you grumbling about being stuck here.”
”I trapped you here, placed a metaphorical guillotine above your head. Why? How are you so unfazed by the thought of dying any moment?”
Kayaba asked with an urgent tone.
”Please, answer me...”
”Why?”
Wu Yan looked up at the sky. He sounded unsure even when he knows the answer.
”Because, the threat of constant death is as real in this game as it is in my life, I guess that's why...”
Kayaba isn't exactly pleased with Wu Yan's vague answer. He's smart but he couldn't read minds.
When he wanted to say something, Wu Yan continued, stopping him right there.
”Anyway, a game's a game...”
Wu Yan grinned and he stretched his back with a satisfied look.
”I had a ton of fun playing this game and that's enough for me!”
Kayaba's eyes brightened up when he heard this. The guy had his answer.
He looked at Wu Yan. Then, he looked at Asuna and Yui who are still basking in the afterglow of Wu Yan's words. He mused out loud.
”Maybe, you're the one who is right...”
Kayaba turned his back on Wu Yan & co.
”Right, I forgot to congratulate you. Congratulations, Yan-kun, you cleared the game...”
Kayaba walked towards the horizon as he slowly disappeared into thin air. It was like he never showed up.
The System's mechanical voice notified Wu Yan of his successful quest clear.
Mandatory mission completed, releasing power-limiters for mandatory quest. The user may now exit the SAO transcript world and return to Silvaria at will.
Maybe it's because he missed the System, the mechanical and emotionless voice sounded cute to Wu Yan.