Accel World Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3
”Say what?”
That short speech, and the continuing long silence, showed her huge shock.
In the real world she was the Umesato middle school student council vice president, in the accelerated world she was the Legion «Nega Nebulas»' leader, also Haruyuki's «Parent», a level 9 Burst Linker, the Black King, «Black Lotus» that is who Kuroyukihime is. Yet she stared at Haruyuki's face for over 5 seconds, then finally returned the cup held in her right hand to the saucer.
”...Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun becoming a Burst Linker, had about fifty-fifty expectation... but of all things a «Healer»...”
She combed up her long black hair, and leaned back onto the white painted chair as she gave a small sigh. On top of the jet black blouse, the brand new dark red ribbon gave out bewitching light.
In these days he felt she was more and more intensely beautiful, so Haruyuki became dazed in fascination.
2047, April 10th, Wednesday, afternoon 3:30pm.
As usual, they were seated facing each other in the lounge beside the student cafeteria, at a table deep inside. During lunch time, this place was fully occupied, but after school in this place where you cannot connect to the Global Net, there was not anyone who was whimsical enough to stay, so right now there was not any other students here.
Chiyuri becoming a Burst Linker, her avatar «Lime Bell»'s special ability shocked Haruyuki and Tak.u.mu, two days had already pa.s.sed. At the start of school year, Kuroyukihime was swamped with student council related work, without her even able to have time for lunch, so it was today that they were finally able to talk to each other directly.
Chiyuri's installation success from Tak.u.mu's copy, and her avatar's name, were already reported to Kuroyukihime two days ago. He really wanted to write about that avatar's shocking ability as well, but Tak.u.mu said ”It's better to tell her when you directly meet her”, with that strong insistence, so it was today that he explained it to her.
After he used a small voice to apologize for the late report, Kuroyukihime finally looked back, and shook her head with a 'No'.
”For that, Tak.u.mu-kun's judgement is correct. If there was even a slight chance, that this information was leaked to other Burst Linkers on the net, it would be a big problem.”
”It...It's to that extent?”
”Without a doubt. The Burst Linkers in Tokyo will come gather in Suginami, before Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun... Lime Bell joined some kind of legion, they will try to recruit her with different kind of measures taken, for certain.”
After that was said with a slight wry smile, Haruyuki was again dazed in wonderment.
After stepping into the accelerated world for half a year yet not seeing or hearing of it, made him understand the rarity of «Recovery Ability». However, to be able to start scouting battles, that wasn't peaceful at all.
Talking about rarity, Haruyuki's «Flight Ability» was rare in the rares. However, even with his «Nega Nebulas» tag, he was marked to be invited to another legion two or three times.
While feeling a huge surprise, Haruyuki mumbled an inquiry.
”B-But... Why? She had not even debuted in an actual fight yet...”
”Nn... about that...”
After showing her thinking about how to answer, Kuroyukihime suddenly held up one finger.
”You might understand if I tell you this. Seven years after the birth of accelerated world, only two Burst Linkers have appeared with «Recovery Ability». One of them, after getting past countless invitations and a.s.sa.s.sination traps, is still in good health. The other one could not endure the repeated conflict, and retired from the accelerated world due to self decision.”
”Re...”
Retired. So that meant, erasing your Brain Burst by yourself, right?
To the paralyzed Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime showed a slight cynical expression.
”Well, I have to call it as, «Troubled by two princes seeking love, then finally jumping off the tower», that kind of princess-ish sickness worsen as time pa.s.s.”
”No, no way, that's too blunt...”
Haruyuki involuntarily pulled his cheek, then Kuroyukihime said some even more dreadful things.
”Fortunately, Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun isn't like that type at all. On the contrary, I can't say that there would be two princes fighting over her.”
While she was laughing with ”Hahaha”, Haruyuki involuntarily glanced behind to check that no one was there, and quickly returned to the topic.
”B-But, that, why just having that «Recovery Ability» can cause that much uproar...?”
”Just imagine it. During official territory battle, you took a lot of effort to decrease the opponent's front line avatar's HP, then that guy retreated, and when he came back his HP is all full. To say it truthfully...”
”...To continue fighting would be pointless.”
That definitely is tough. Or more like awful.
Haruyuki nodded, then Kuroyukihime casually opened her right hand and added.
”So it is like this. If the enemy team has a healer, you have to take that person down first no matter what. On the other hand, that kind of thinking is easily read by the other side, and they can use ambushes, pincer attacks, and other traps as much as they like.”
”...I see...”
”To say it clearly, even right now, for the situation where the enemy contains a healer, counter strategies for it have not been established at all.”
After hearing the words said with a snicker, Haruyuki blinked hard.
”Err, wait a minute. Earlier you said that, 'right now there is only one healer'... ah, except Chiyu, that is... Is that right? Then, if the legion that Burst Linker belong to «feels like it», is it possible for them to unify the accelerated world...?”
”For possibility then it certainly is conceivably. More than enough.”
”Why did they not do it?”
For Haruyuki's simple question, Kuroyukihime had a wry smile for an instant, that soon disappeared.
From the narrowed jet black eyes, a sharp light went across them— he felt it like that. The sound that she released, was also mixed with a strangely cold echo that was different from before.
”The reason is simple. That healer is one of the «Pure Color Six Kings» right now. Even if they have 99% success rate in team battles, with just one loss from another King, at that time «Acceleration» will be lost. Therefore, that person won't appear on the battle field.”
”One of... the Kings!?”
Haruyuki almost dropped the Oolong tea paper cup he was holding up, and hurriedly held it with both hands.
”What color!?”
He asked that after a cough, but somehow the answer did not come soon.
Kuroyukihime who was looking down, seemed to hesitate for a long while, then eventually shook her head.
”...Sorry, right now about that person, I don't want you to even hear her name. I don't want you to have a single grain of interest in that person.”
”What? That... What does that mean?”
Not able to grasp Kuroyukihime's intention, Haruyuki asked a stupid question.
Instead of answering, a question was asked back.
”Hey, Haruyuki-kun. Let me ask you something odd... You, in this half year, how many times have you been scouted by other legions?”
”Huh!?”
With his back suddenly stretched straight, Haruyuki opened and closed his mouth many times.
However of course, he could not choose to lie to her. So he told the truth in an almost inaudible voice.
”That is... including the Niko incident three months ago, from the «King» controlled six huge legions, twice. Other than those, from a small legion, once. Bu-But of course, I instantly rejected all of them right then!!”
He desperately add the last part, but unfortunately Kuroyukihime did not seem to be impressed by it— on the other hand she was bothered by something else, and winkled her eyebrows as she asked again.
”Fumu. That other one from the six huge legion, basically what color was it?”
”...Let's see... that was, Blue I think...”
After his answer, a few seconds later, Kuroyukihime took a small long breathe.
”...Is that so, I see. However, Blue huh. Even though they kept sending a.s.sa.s.sins every week, that is way too shameless.”
”Th-That's right.”
With the white beautiful face finally going into a slight smile, Haruyuki also relaxed his speech, and then tilted his head.
”But, what about it?”
”Of course, I believed. That you will absolutely not accept another King's invitation. I believe, but... even so, I cannot stop feeling unease. Because that guy's attraction is absolute...”
Which color King she mean for «that guy», Haruyuki could not understand.
While Haruyuki was confused, he looked up at the evening sky, and Kuroyukihime suddenly raised her right hand. With a delicate gesture, she caressed the line from Haruyuki's round cheek to his jaw, and at the same time whispered. That sound was smooth as silk, but at the same time a tense coldness from somewhere was mixed in it.
”Haruyuki-kun. Listen... You are mine. Up till now, and from now on. For eternity, I will not give you to anyone.”
With the sudden touch and announcement, Haruyuki opened his eyes wide, and forgot to breath as he was paralyzed.
Taking the words at face value, a confession of love - he could accept it like that. However in Haruyuki's ears, even after Kuroyukihime closed her mouth, he felt that he could hear a sound that did not become voice.
—If you go to another King, I will cut you before that.
While feeling terror running down his back, even so Haruyuki answered in his heart.
—At that time, please cut me without mercy.
At the same time, he responded with a joking like sound.
”Of-Of course. If you want, you can write your name on my avatar with an oil type marker pen.”
”...Fufu, that is good thinking. Let me tell you, it really exists on the «other side». A non-erasable pen.”
”Wh-What!?”
With Haruyuki's surprised face, Kuroyukihime finally showed a normal smile, and lowered her hand to pick up her tea for a sip.
”Sorry, we got a bit off topic. The main topic is about Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun. I think that I have already conveyed to you how rare «Healer type avatar» is...”
She returned her cup, and after looking far away for a bit, she made a small nod.
”Certainly, as Tak.u.mu-kun said, this needs to be handled with care. After the news of the 3rd «Healer»'s appearance in the accelerated world is spread, different powers will be scheming after Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun.”