Accel World Vol 6 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 5

‘—— Will, no longer believe anyone.’

That, was said by a long ago comic’s dark hero as he lowered his right hand gun, and pressed his wound with his left hand, which Haruyuki gloomily muttered in his brain.

Crouching at one side of the sofa set, he held a cup of red tea with both hands. It was high cla.s.s looking Darjiling that Kuroyukihime hand brewed, but he had not recovered from his shock enough to enjoy its fragrant aroma.

‘—— Not believing anyone anymore might be a bit much, but at least I will doubt them. Suddenly appearing, and somehow calmly treated me as a real person were without exception Burst Linkers. Moreover, a veteran high level. Without doubt.’

With that decision, he took a glance at the other side of the sofa, and saw that s.h.i.+nomiya Utai was pouring milk into her teacup with a serious face. Maybe she put in the proper amount, and placed the pitcher down after one nod, then carefully stirred with a spoon.

As he looked at that childish gesture, there was still something hard to understand. Utai was a same corporation’s Matsunogi school elementary branch fourth year student, born on year 37 month 9, so currently just 9 years and 9 months old. That was two more years younger than the Red King Niko.

The first generation Nega Nebulas, ceased to exist due to Kuroyukihime’s rebellion drama two and half years ago, so Utai should be only 7 years old at that time. If it was that, what age was she when she became a Burst Linker?

As Haruyuki sipped his red tea while at the mercy of many questions, Kuroyukihime who sat to his left side returned her teacup to the saucer, and lit the spark of conversation with somewhat unexpected words.

“...For sure, you did not wear the Neuro Linker yesterday either, so do you normally leave it off, Utai?”

To that question, as Utai drank milk tea with her right hand, she skillfully typed with just her left hand. The fearsome thing was, her speed did not drop by much.

[UI> Yea. If I wear it, I would very badly want to go to that world.]

“Then you should just go. You don’t have a rewarded head like me. Even if your name is on the matching list, there should be no troublesome guys coming to attack you one after another.”

[UI> Once or twice a month I go for solo duels in Setagaya neutral area. That is plenty. To wish for more than that, will not be allowed for me. Because substantially, part of the responsibility for destroying old Nega Nebulas, was mine.]

“Whatt...!?”

It was Haruyuki who leaked that sound of surprise.

He intently repeated looking at the chat window, but the words typed by Utai, no matter how he read them, could not mean anything else.

—— Destroyed Nega Nebulas.

Those words, were repeated by Kuroyukihime many times before.

The Black King, Black Lotus, during the seven Kings conference two and half years ago, took the head of the Red King, Red Rider who was advocating no fighting among level 9s, and forever became a wanted person. As a result, the first generation Nega Nebulas that she led was also destroyed without debate, which Haruyuki understood up to that point —— but.

When he looked to his side to seek an explanation, Kuroyukihime who was still in exercise clothes, was looking down at her teacup with sorrow filled eyes, and did not open her mouth. And then Utai also, with her left hand resting on top of the holo keyboard, continued to remain silent.

In the heavy silence, only the light coming in from north side window slowly grew thicker. It was soon midsummer, but when it was past afternoon 6:30, as expected the sky became slightly dim.

Leaving school time extension by student council members, should be limited to 7:00. He was worried about time, but he was interested in where these two people’s conversation was heading, so Haruyuki bit his lips. He could not wait for an explanation that would allow him to easily understand everything, but Haruyuki was originally an uninvited guest to this place. So he hesitated about showing a too forward att.i.tude.

However fortunately, the two veteran Burst Linkers seemed to have reached a kind of understanding in silence. And Kuroyukihime to his side whispered with a small sigh.

“...Right now I still, as for speaking about first generation Nega Nebulas, consciously... or unconsciously avoiding it. As if the act of clinging to something that was lost, was something that I could not face the current hardworking members of Haruyuki-kun’s group with, I believed... more than anything, I do not have the courage to face my crime... —— However, Raker returned, and I met Uiui like this after two years. This moment, time to face the past has come... would this be the case...”

Across from Haruyuki who held his breath listening to those words, this time Utai’s hands flashed.

[UI> If you said crime, then I also have it. Looking away from each of our past, and continued to hide in the edge of accelerated world for a long time, what made I, Saa-chin, and Fuu-nee able to face ourselves once more, is without doubt because of new Nega Nebulas members’ hard work. Arita-san has the right to know what mistakes the former us made, and why we had to disappear from the front line.]

“Aa..., that’s right. Exactly as you said.”

Kuroyukihime who read words with cherry light, said that in a nod, and turned her body towards Haruyuki.

Inside the deep black eyes, the same wavering light from before when she talked about her past was there, but right now there was not only that. Right in middle of the iris, a small star shone resolutely.

Her voice that was released after a slight pause, had a mix of elegant echo that was enduring pain, and going to overcome it.

“...Haruyuki-kun. As you already know, in the past I pretended to accept the cease-fire agreement the first generation Red King, Red Rider claimed and took his head. Then went into a fight with other five Kings, after surviving to Burst Out, continued to be cut off from the Global Net for two years... I said that, but in truth once more, the next day after the fight with Kings, I dived into the Unlimited Neutral Field. In order to apologize to first generation Nega Nebulas members, and to give them a large portion of points that I have gathered.”

[UI> That kind of thing, there was no way we would accept.]

After Utai inserted words in, Kuroyukihime had a small wry smile.

“But, I did not have anything else to give. I took the risk of changing points to items at a «Shop», still you guys were angry when you heard it...”

[UI> Of course. Remembering it right now also upsets me a bit.]

“Sorry about that.”

With another laugh, Kuroyukihime continued after shrugging her shoulders.

“...However, the story did not end there. I confessed what I did, and announced my decision to retire after appointing the next leader, then Utai’s group of «Elements» gave an outrageous proposal in exchange.”

“E... Elements...?”

After Haruyuki whispered by parroting, Utai typed with a very slight red face.

[UI> At that time, four Burst Linkers that served as Nega Nebulas’ sub leaders, were somehow attached with that exaggerated nickname. The reason was, their avatar’s attribute were split into earth, water, fire and wind.]

“«Wind» is of course Sky Raker. What Uiui’s attribute is, I will leave it for your enjoyment later.”

Kuroyukihime who added that with a smile, and Utai’s face with just a slight grin, made Haruyuki looked at them from one to another.

Four sub leaders who took the nickname of «Elements». That would mean, he could probably take it to be an existence following the «Four Heavenly Kings» of ancient warring state feudal lords. It took some imagination, but this small build little girl, was a strong enough person to stand beside that Sky Raker. If she is this strong, and also lives in Suginami, why have Kuroyukihime not contacted her earlier, and invited her back to the legion? Even though there seem to be some kind of circ.u.mstance, but if she could at least help with territory war, they could defend much easier.

—— Haruyuki thought about those and other different kinds of small things, but Kuroyukihime changed her expression after a cough, so he also hurriedly sat upright. Calm sounds, flowed in the student council room at dusk.

“—— The proposal by the «Elements» to counter my retirement announcement, was also totally unexpected to me. They... about method to clear «Brain Burst», other than reaching level 10, might be another way, was what they said...”

“What...!?”

Those words, also gave Haruyuki a huge shock.

Online duel fighting game, «Brain Burst»’s end point. That there was something other than the harsh condition imposed in «Reaching Level 10», which was something he believed without doubt till now.

Would there be other similarly difficult goal? For example, control all territory? No, that would be too unrealistic. Most of Burst Linkers are concentrated in central Tokyo, but battle area is spread throughout j.a.pan.

Unable to expand his guess, Haruyuki sat on the edge of his seat and asking in an agitated sound.

“Wha... what is it!? That, other method for clearing!?”

“You should have seen it more than once, Haruyuki-kun.”

Kuroyukihime switching to a mysterious sound for that, made Haruyuki opened his eyes wide.

“Seen it... you said, what is it?”

“Always existing in the center of accelerated world, however not a tiny bit of entry is allowed demonic palace... that severe majesticity.”

At that moment ——.

In his brain, the scene he saw just yesterday vividly floated up.

The «demonic city» stage in deep fog. In the distance from the sharply lined up city, were black towers standing to reach dark clouds. Even though it rejected everyone, it was a somehow inviting solid and l.u.s.trous silhouette.

“...Im, imperial palace...?”

To Haruyuki who murmured that with a shaking sound, Kuroyukihime and Utai lightly nod in silence. After blinking restlessly many times, he hurriedly retorted.

“Bu, but! Didn’t senpai say it yesterday! The imperial palace is, «Even in accelerated world, is a place that cannot be entered with any method», right!”

“But, I should have also said this. The no invasion kind of setting, is only limited to «Normal duel field».”

“Th, that... would mean, let’s see... if it is a place not in the normal duel field, then...”

After a swallowing sound from his throat, he fearfully continued.

“...If it is the higher rank «Unlimited neutral field», then entry method is available, is that right?”

The answer, did not return for a few seconds.

Kuroyukihime and Utai glanced at each other, and somehow their eyebrows lowered momentarily. However they soon raised their head, and nodded like earlier. This time, was answered through Utai’s chat tool.

[UI> At the very least, we confirmed what looked like a route. Unlimited field’s imperial palace... we call it «Emperor’s Castle», but that place does not have normal field’s Chiyoda area imperial palace, instead four castle gates exist.]

“...Those are... the emperor’s castle entrances...?”

“Umu. One at the castle’s east, west, south, and north side, with a height about 30 meters kind of huge gate standing there. Other than those, the castle wall’s top and bottom, are set with invisible walls as expected.”

Kuroyukihime’s words, made Haruyuki drew real world’s imperial palace plane view in his mind. To be sure, this side’s real thing should also, be set with east, west, south and north doors. A few of which even became name of underground railway stations. South side is «Sakurada door», and west side is «Hanzou door». He could not remember north and east side, but since accelerated world’s geography is based on real world, it should be natural to think that «Emperor’s castle» would have doors.

“...Those doors... are they openable...?”

As he inquired with excitement in his heart, Kuroyukihime crossed her arms and nodded.

“Doors that cannot be open will be same as walls. If a gate exists, then it would be more reasonable to think that it is openable. —— If you can reach it, and can push on the door, that is...”

[UI> That’s right, even if there is a door, you might not reach it. Since, four doors are all absolutely protected. By unlimited field’s seen as strongest of strongest, four super cla.s.s Enemies.]

“...!”

Feeling that he finally could see where this story was heading, Haruyuki took a sharp breath.

«Enemy», is a general name for monsters living in the unlimited neutral field. They are automatically controlled by a system similar to normal MMORPG, with most of them fiercely attacking Burst Linkers that have entered their reaction area. If you can defeat them, then you can gain Burst Points instead of experience points, but on top of lowest cla.s.s Enemy being fearfully strong, the points you gain are also insignificant. If you think about seriously hunting Enemies, then you would have to make a party with many people, and camp in the unlimited field for a few days to over a week, and that struggle is not an easy task. Even for Haruyuki who does not dislike «Earning humble experience points», he did not feel like proactively wanting to join those.

After wetting his dry throat with some cool down red tea ——.

“Strongest... you said, how strong is that...?”

That question, made Kuroyukihime thought with ‘Uumu’.

“Nn... Honestly, it’s a feeling that cannot be explained... —— About that, Haruyuki-kun, for sure you once... that was when we were heading to Ikebukuro with the Red King, you saw an around twenty people party hunting an Enemy right?”

“Ye... yea. About a building in height, what an incredible one. That, is one of those «Super cla.s.s enemy» that s.h.i.+nomiya-san talked about?”

After Haruyuki timidly said that, the two veteran Linkers had wry smiles at the same time. Utai’s fingers flashed, and sakura color fonts flowed with light sound effects.

[UI> Enemy hunt by around twenty people are called «(Huge) Beast cla.s.s» rank ones. Ones about ten times stronger than those are «Legend cla.s.s», which is rarely met, and most people will die if they are not prepared to meet one.]

“Te, ten times... of that...!?”

Haruyuki moaned as his back shook. The Enemy he saw on Yamate street when they were on way to Ikebukuro, was something he could be sure would be instant death sentence if he met that one on one. Honestly, Haruyuki’s senses could not even imagine something like legend cla.s.s kind of strength.

—— However.

Smooth words released by Kuroyukihime next, were something that Haruyuki could not react to by shaking or anything.

“And then, the Enemies protecting four doors of emperor’s castle, make that legend cla.s.s seem about as strong as a chiwawa. They are called «Super cla.s.s», because you cannot even guess their status. They who are called the other name of «Four G.o.ds», are no longer beasts as that name suggested, and should be recognized as real G.o.ds reigning over accelerated world kind of existence...”

Accelerated world’s —— G.o.ds.

Until now, Haruyuki had believed without doubt that the strongest ones in game s.p.a.ce created by Brain Burst were «Pure color seven Kings». No matter how large size Enemy are said to be strong, he thought that Kings including Kuroyukihime and Niko would be able to fall them even one on one.

No, probably for «Beast cla.s.s» and if situation allowed, up till «Legend cla.s.s», could probably be won under prepared conditions. Certainly, the Blue King should have a nickname of «Legend Slayer». That meant, it was without doubt the proof of him solo killing a legend cla.s.s once. And it was such an accomplishment that it became his honorific t.i.tle.

However, right now Kuroyukihime’s sounds, he believed that it had a hint of fear mixed in it. Haruyuki’s sound sank, and fearfully asked.

“Umm... «King» and «G.o.d», which is strongest...?”

“King is just a human. On the other hand, «G.o.d» is an existence far beyond the range of human. If it is a serious head to head fight, even if you wrung all the power held in seven Kings, that would not even be equal to just one of the «Four G.o.ds».”

“...Are you, serious? Then, that, that kind of monster... no, G.o.d cla.s.s enemy protected doors, won’t be able to be broken through then...”

After he dumbfoundedly whispered, Utai nodded with her shoulder length ponytail swaying, and typed.

[UI> That’s right, it is tremendously difficult. That kind of difficulty, made us thought like this. Getting pa.s.s the «Four G.o.ds» protection, opening doors and reach the center of «Emperor’s Castle», might be a second clear condition for Brain Burst, that.]

“Ah... I, I see...!”

Haruyuki involuntarily said out loud.

The already known «Rob all the points from five level 9 Burst Linkers other than yourself to become level 10» kind of condition is very difficult, however in a certain sense, could be said to be possible to achieve right now. If five people from the current seven Kings, decided to sacrifice themselves, and give their head to one King then it would be done. At that moment the first level level 10 Burst Linker will be born, and something will happen in the accelerated world.

However of course, that kind of thing is not realistically possible. Various Burst Linkers fight in order to strengthen themselves. Reaching level 9 after putting in a huge amount of time and pa.s.sion, they would not be able to do something as readily throw that all away.

On the other hand, «Defeat the Four G.o.ds protection and reach the center of Emperor’s Castle» kind of difficulty, is just a fighting power problem. For example if one large legion members are all «King» cla.s.s veterans, it might be possible to break through. This is also unrealistic, but it does not require the spirit of self sacrifice.

That is, two conditions of «Level 10» and «Emperor’s Castle attack», their difficulty vector is different. The former strength of heart, and latter strength of fist is needed. Thinking on that contrast, when successful on reaching center of the Emperor’s castle, for sure something will happen in the world —— conceivably Brain Burst itself might be cleared, which might make you think like that. Sufficiently. Anyway, «Undefeatable castle existing in the center of world map» is set to be the final chapter stage for any kind of games since ancient times, right?

While tasting the heavy gamer gut feeling tingling stimulus, Haruyuki leaned out and lightly nod.

“Yea... possible, that is possible! If it is protected by that outrageous kind of monsters, the imperial palace... no, emperor’s castle, is the so called «Last dungeon»! If you enter it then for sure something incredible... incredible something...”

[UI> Conceivably, there might be a last boss more incredible than the four G.o.ds. In any case, two and half years ago, we Nega Nebulas members, proposed the same explanation right now to Saa-chin who announced retirement. If the first clear condition is cut off, challenge the second one, that. Against this, the blockhead Saa-chin...]

“Stopped it. Of course stopped it. Shouted at full power ‘No way’, ‘Won’t allow’, ‘Give up’.”

While smiling wryly, Kuroyukihime responded with that.