"Is it true, Shino?"
"Yeah. I'll say it now."
I started talking to Kirito about the memories I could recall.
"I learned about the game "Sword Art Online" through TV and online news. Many people died. The mastermind has not been caught yet and is being processed.
"What? So you got a neural device somewhere and used it? Basically, this game doesn't let you in without full diving functionality. I'm here."
"Neural Gear." Sources said that Kayaba's company developed and sold VRMMO-specific hardware equipped with full diving functions. Sword Art Online is a game that can only be played with NerveGear and is sold under the slogan "Humanity has finally succeeded in realizing a perfect virtual space."
However, after it was discovered that Sword Art Online was a killing game, it was discontinued and disappeared from all consumer electronics retail stores.
"The NERVE Gear has been discontinued a long time ago. It was probably the Medicuboid in the hospital who invited me here. Like the NERVE Gear, it is a large device with full stealth capabilities. Do you know VRMMO Kirito? It is said to be good for Nantoka Kontoka therapy. It is also used in medicine. It is an alternative to narcotics and it is used in psychiatric treatments."
"Hey, VRMMO is also used in hospitals? I thought it was just for entertainment, but it's not."
"Yes.
Kirito's eyebrows rose.
"Hey, then why are you here? Isn't this what you do in SAO?"
"I don't know why I was sent here. When I created the clone and waited, it suddenly fell from the floor. When I woke up, it was in your arms."
"You mean SAO dragged you here?"
"It makes sense to think so. There's probably a commotion in the hospital right now. No matter how much time passes, I won't wake up. I've become a SAO player."
Kirito showed a troubled expression.
"Probably. No one would have thought that if you used Medicuboid to launch an application that was not SAO, you would be swallowed by SAO. Even so, why would you use something like that?"
"Um?"
"Medicuboid or Nantoka Kontoka therapy or something like that. Why are you using these things? And counselors...what's going on?"
That's it. Why should I use Medicuboid? I know I made an avatar using Medicuboid, but I can't remember why I did it, or how I used Medicuboid in the first place. Even though this should be the most important thing, I only remember the inconsequential things and the important things remain a blur.
"I don't know. I know I used a Medicuboid to get into VR, but I can't remember why I got into it, or why I had to use a Medicuboid. It's important. It should be, but for some reason I just don't remember..."
"What, you didn't know? But knowing you used Medicuboid to get in here is already a step forward."
"Actually not." Knowing that this place is really in that SAO is equivalent to knowing that this place is really in the death game. According to reports, if the player's HP reaches zero and dies in SAO, the Nerve Gear will burn the player's brain in the real world. I am no exception.
If my HP in this world drops to zero, the Medicuboid in the hospital will burn my brain and kill me. No, Medicuboid is indeed a body with huge output. If it enters electromagnetic pulse mode...
Thinking of this, there was a shiver in the bottom of my stomach. I would probably throw up in the real world.
"..."
"Shino, what's wrong?"
"Hey Kirito, in this world, if your HP returns to zero, you will really die. Then, so do I..."
"Suddenly, my hand became warm." While I was thinking about what this was, Kirito covered my hand.
"It's okay, Shino. I will protect you. I will protect you until the end."
I will send you back to the real world. "
"Involuntarily, my eyes turned into dots." I didn't expect Kirito to say such words. No, he could also say the kind of bad lines that appear in games, animations, and TV series.
"Are you serious?"
"That must be a joke." Otherwise such a bad line...
"I'm sorry, but I mean it. I don't want anyone else to die. You're one of them and you're in love with me."
"It seems that he is serious." Perhaps it should be said that his black eyes are serious, or that they are not the eyes of a liar. This man said he wanted to protect me. He came out with such a stinky line and looked like he really wanted to execute it.
"I'm not stupid.
"It doesn't matter, as long as you are here, I don't care."
"I don't understand what Kirito means at all." This man is not normal at all, he is simply an idiot. I can say lines like this because I'm an idiot. But I don’t know why, I don’t know why, but those words are strangely convincing and warm.
"I want to trust this person, I can trust this person, even though I don't have any basis for it, but that's how I feel."
"…Yes.
"Do you believe me?"
"Yeah. I can trust you anyway. Besides, I don't think you're a bad person. So I guess I'll try to trust you a little. But you know that, Kirito."
"Huh?" Kirito tilted his head.
"Thanks to me getting some of my memory back, I'm able to remember what my goals are, what my goals are. I want to get stronger."
"You said I want to become stronger?"
"Yes. I am here, and having a level means that I can become stronger. Moreover, I also have a weapon called a dagger.
"I want to be strong." I don't remember why, but I want to be strong. physically and mentally
Kirito looked at me in surprise and spoke after a while.
"I want to become stronger... This game is not for fun, nor for casual talk. Moreover, even now, it is a situation that even a novice like you can enter."
"Everyone starts as a beginner. Any scientist, any player, starts with zero knowledge. Even you are a beginner when you start this game."
“Good but”
"In that case, I hope you can teach me your skills. According to the person named Asuna, your talent amazes everyone around you. If you train me like this, I will become stronger. I am I think so”
Kirito made a thoughtful gesture.
"I don't have a quarter point, so I figured I'd ask the people around me for strategies and keep up with your training... Are you really motivated? You might even die."
"Ah, this man is such an idiot." I quickly forgot what I said.
"You'll know if you don't try, and I won't die. After all, Kirito will protect you, right?"
Kirito was surprised and smiled bitterly.
"That's right, you won't die. Lilan and I will protect you."
"That's it. So please Kirito. Give me the power to fight. If you can teach me some, I can handle the rest by myself."
Kirito looked at me, then sighed and said.
"I understand. I will accept your request. By training you, I may be able to gain something. So, if you want to become stronger, let us become stronger together. Let us become stronger together, Shino."
Somehow, Kirito listened to me. I thought it would bounce back like Asuna did, but I'm glad it didn't.
"I understand. Then I want to start in the morning, but where do I start?"
Kirito once again struck a thoughtful pose and whispered.
"First of all, let's go back to the first floor and start from there. There are a lot of level 1 and 2 enemies there, so even if we are attacked, it won't cause too much damage. When the situation is better, we will go up to the second and third floors. .
"Then, let's reach the 50th floor before New Year's Eve on the 31st. By then we can be on an equal footing with Kirito and the others."
Kirito's eyes turned into dots.
"Hey, you have such a tight schedule, are you going? Today is the 26th... There are only about 5 days until the 31st. If it is your first time to go from the 1st floor to the 51st floor, you will run to the 10th floor in one day. This will Happened, I think this is very unreasonable, or rather unrealistic..."
"That's good. Fifty-one is just a goal, as long as it can be achieved, the higher the goal, the greater the motivation."
"I-I get it...well, it's a pretty tough schedule, but that's okay."
"You mean you don't mind?"
"Okay...that's it. But I don't know if I can really get to the 51st floor, so don't be angry if you can't invite me."
"He showed it with a smile."
"It's okay. Now, Kirito, please."
"I understand, Shino-san."
Kirito sighed deeply.
At this moment, I suddenly remembered something and shouted to Kirito.
"Ah, by the way, Kirito. I've been thinking about something. Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"The Lilan you are with...is he a boy or a girl?"
Kirito was dumbfounded.
"Are you curious about Lilan's gender?"
"Yes.
Kirito once again struck a thoughtful pose.
"Then again, I haven't paid much attention to it...I don't know what gender it is, male or female..."
"I was unexpectedly surprised." Apparently, Kirito didn't know Lelan's gender.
"You don't even know the gender of your pet, and you are the owner?"
"Yeah. I've never thought about it that way before... I'll check the status when the replay comes. I'm sure you'll understand. But don't think I'm a woman."
"Why do you think so?"
"No matter how you look at it, his 'voice' is that of a woman. When he is older, it is a slightly older woman's 'voice'. When he is younger, it is a woman's 'voice'." It really sounds like a girl. You know because you're listening, right? "
Lilan's "voice" was indeed too loud to reach her grandma's ears, but it was loud enough to sit on Kirito's shoulders and she looked like a girl. I thought this meant Lelan was female, but...
"Yes... Lilan is a woman..."
"Okay, I'll confirm it again when the replay happens. Is it a male post or a female post? Or, why are you asking me this?"
"I'm just curious, I don't think it means much. But if it's a female, I want to know what the male looks like."
Kirito turned his attention to the wooden house.
"I don't think he'll change much. He's a dragon, but he looks like a mammal."
"That's not necessarily true. In real life, the shapes of male and female beetles are completely different. The replayed species must be the same as the beetles, with completely different appearances."
"I don't know if it's that kind of thing. Anyway, if his male exists, I'd like to see it."
While talking about these trivial things, I suddenly felt sleepy and yawned. The sleepiness that had been blown away just now seemed to have returned.
"I'm sorry Kirito, I suddenly fell asleep."
"That's good, let's go back to bed early and start training at noon today."
I nodded and returned to the cabin with Kirito.
"I don't know why, but I'm getting stronger and stronger."
