"Well, that's not a sword. If you keep carrying something like that, you'll be reported for violating gun and knife laws, you know that?"
"Violating the gun-sword law? If it's just standard equipment and gets reported by the GM, you won't be able to conquer it. Also, is there such a law here?"
"GM? Strategy? What are you talking about?"
I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion.
Why is this so wrong? And the girl's reaction was also very strange. When I see a sword, I say it violates the law of spears and swords, and the terms GM and strategy are confusing, and it is completely different from the reaction of SAO players. It's as if she is not a SAO player.
By the way, where is this?
The girl's question elicited a response from Egil.
This is in my shop in Alcaide City on the 50th floor.
Floor 50... Alkaid? Is there such a place name?
Sure enough, our words didn't match up at all. Our conversation seemed completely incomprehensible. Moreover, the situation is very similar to Lilan's. This girl may have lost her memory.
Hey you. Your situation is very similar to that of my friend who lost his memory. Don’t you remember anything before and after you came here?
The girl fell into deep thought, lowered her head slightly and then raised it again, shaking her head.
I don’t know, like, I don’t know at all…
Sure enough. The girl lost her memory just like Lilan.
Are you saying you have no memory?
The girl nodded.
I can’t remember the reason why I came here or what happened. I can't even remember what happened before. My mind seemed to be shrouded in thick fog.
Sure enough, just like Lilan, so is this girl. Lilan should be able to understand this girl's situation.
I looked around with this thought, but I didn't see Lilan.
Well, where's Lilan?
I called to Lilan in a low voice and felt something about to move behind my back. I was a little panicked, thinking about what had happened, when I suddenly heard Lilan's voice.
I'm on your back under your coat. To avoid confusion, I hid it first.
The warmth behind this is Lilan. And as Lilan said, if Lilan showed up in front of this girl, it would only add to the confusion.
I see. Please hide it first and come out when the time is right.
I promised Lilan and turned to the girl again.
You, I'm sorry for making such a sudden request, can you stay with me for a while? I want to explain to you the current situation.
The girl stared at me with an angry expression, but gradually her expression softened slightly. In other words, close to expressionless.
...What's going on, tell me.
OK First of all, can you tell me your name? As I said before, I am Kirito. Maybe you can't even remember your name?
The girl spoke.
"I remember my name. My name is Asada Shino.
Shino Asada... Asada?
Wait a moment. Is that a real-world name, not a virtual name in the game? It's rude to call you by your real name. "
Shino tilted her head.
"real name?"
At this time, I realized that Shino didn't seem to understand the current situation.
"I want to know your character's name. Wave your right hand and the status screen will pop up and you can confirm it there."
"Wave your right hand...and...ah, what is this?"
Shino waved her right hand and was surprised when she saw the status window that appeared.
As expected, Sinon was not a SAO player. Players will not react like this.
Then Shino turned her gaze to the window and murmured in a low voice.
"'Shino'...this seems to be my name."
"That's it, Shino. Please take care of me."
Shino changed his name to Shino and nodded slightly.
"Please take care of me."
"Well, Shino, let me explain the situation of this world now——"
As soon as I said this, Egil seemed to notice something and shouted to us.
"Ah, sorry, Kirito! It's almost opening time. So can you continue the explanation somewhere else?"
"Eh, really? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Because you shocked me when you suddenly appeared. In short, I can't lend it to you anymore. Although it's a bit overwhelming, please leave."
"Okay, okay, I understand."
I turned to Shino. Anyway, I have to take her and Lilan somewhere else. On my way to find the square, I found a coffee shop with a nice atmosphere. I decided to take them there to talk about the world. Having said that, I haven't introduced Lilan's affairs yet, so I plan to tell her about Lilan's affairs and the situation in the world there, but she will definitely be shocked...
"What are you doing, Kirito? Egil is not happy anymore. Leave quickly."
Shino's voice brought me back to my senses, and I nodded.
"Ah, yes. Then Egil, thank you for temporarily borrowing this place. I wish you a prosperous business."
Saying that, I hid Lilan in my coat and left Algreed's town with Shino.
I took Shino and continued through the dirty streets of Algard to the coffee shop I just found. In contrast to the somewhat ambiguous street scene, the interior of the coffee shop is quite stylish and the atmosphere is very good, so I think it is a good place to chat about the world with Shino.
Under the guidance of the NPC, I sat down at an empty seat, ordered two cups of coffee, and then turned my attention to Shino, who was looking around with interest.
"This...is not the real world..."
"I really think so." The inside of Aincrad is a game after all, but if you take damage and your HP returns to zero, you will die. You can still feel the taste of food and drinks. Most importantly, the unfolding scenery is just Like the real world, it has texture and three-dimensionality.
"Even if you say this is the world inside the game, it must be difficult for people outside to recognize it." This world is full of reality. No, another reality, this world.
"Yes, Shino. I want to talk about this world from now on, is that okay?"
Shino turned to me and nodded.
"Yeah. Talk to me."
I told Shino about the structure of this world and the situation in Aincrad. Along the way, Shino was surprised, rolled her eyes, and raised her eyebrows many times, but in short, she listened to everything I said. As soon as she finished speaking, Shino said anxiously.
"[Sword Art Online]...I seem to have heard it somewhere. If you want to end it, anyone can clear it..."
"Yes. To escape this world, you must clear this game... You must reach the 100th floor, which is the top of this castle. Defeat the BOSS on the 51st floor, and then go to the 52nd floor."
"So, if your health value in this world returns to zero, then you will die in real life..."
"Yes.
Shino sighed softly and nodded.
"I understand. I really don't want to jump out and run into the fields and lose my life, so I'm going with you."
"Thanks.
"For the time being, it seems that Sinon has nothing to worry about." Thinking this, Sinon opened her half-opened eyes again and stared at me.
"By the way, Kirito. When I saw your back, your back was moving. What happened to your back?"
At that time, I finally remembered what the warmth on my back was. Yes, chatting is fine, but I haven’t talked to a reliable partner yet. If Shino saw it, she would probably be frightened, but as long as she lived in this world, she couldn't escape.
"That's my friend, Chongrun, you can come out now."
Then, there was the sound of birds flapping their wings behind me, and at the same time, my coat floated up. Just then, a white dragon suddenly appeared on the table between me and Shino, and Shino shouted in surprise.
"Wow!? What is this!?"
I smiled bitterly and asked if this was the reaction of SAO players.
"This is my partner, Lilan.
Shino put her hands on the table and stared at the little dragon in front of her.
"Is this your companion? What is this? A dragon?"
"It seems to be called "Stegosaurus""
While Zairan's "voice" echoed in her mind, Shino screamed again and looked around. ...For the time being, everyone who spoke to Lei Run seemed to have this reaction. Well, at first I was one of them.
"Wait, what was that voice just now? It was directly in my mind..."
"That's Rylan's 'voice', Rylan communicates with us telepathically, that's okay."
"Is that so!?" Shino glanced at me, then returned her gaze to Mizurun.
"Nice to meet you, Zailan. I'm Shino..."
"I've been listening to Kirito's back, so I know. It seems like you're having a hard time.
Shino's eyes widened.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Rui Run scratched his ears with his hands.
"I understand. I understand the language of everyone in the world. You look like this, but it's not like you don't understand the language.
Shino looked at Li Ran blankly.
"...This world is well made, isn't it? Even this kind of thing can understand human speech and can speak."
"No, that's not right." The replay... was so special. Even ordinary NPCs find it difficult to have a good conversation with us, but Lilan understands people's words like a player, thinks and comes up with answers on her own, and speaks smoothly. And Egil said that no other "animal trainer" would bring such a trainer.
"It's great to replay." At the very least, if I could meet another "tamer", I might be able to figure it out, but neither Egil nor I knew who the "tamer" was, so we didn't Nothing can be done. But I couldn't help but know, so I had to do something eventually.
"Well, in short, Lilan is a good person, and she is also very capable in combat. She is a reliable dragon who helps us get through difficult times. Even as a friend-"
Just as she was about to say this, Shino's hands reached out to Liran's cheeks and body and began to caress them. His eyes and hands are gentle, as if he is admiring a pet.
"Is this...a monster from the game? I can't believe it, it's so furry...so cute."
"I was surprised." Until now, Lilan hated being touched by other players. Players who wanted to touch her would often run away, but she did not try to escape from Sinon. Instead, it dangled its tail over the table and closed its wings. It seems he has calmed down.
"I don't believe Ruirun didn't run away..."
"Instinctively, I spoke to the doted Lilan."
“Rerun, are you okay?
"It should be fine. Besides, Kirito, you can trust this person. This person is so calm.
"do you know?"
Shino opened her half-opened eyes again and looked at me and Lilan alternately.
