The deal

"Conan, you said Dr. Agasa would save us, but it's been a week, and we're still stuck in this virtual world," Ayumi said worriedly.

"I'm worried about my parents," Mitsuhiko added.

"Me too. I hope my mother is okay," Genta said, bowing his head in desperation.

Kids let out a long breath. They never thought that their experience would be terrible like this. Playing game wasn't so different from real life.

Conan wasn't idle in virtual world. He tried to clear the game by solving hidden details.

He racked his brain to analyze the 3 updates that BB told.

The only update that BB didn't tell clearly was the third update. He walked back and forwards trying to solve the meaning behind her words.

Also, he tried to simulate her personality so that he could grasp the whole situation.

One week in the virtual world felt like an eternity for them. Since the announcement of the death game, many tried to find ways to exit. Ignorantly and stubbornly, some believed they could escape by killing themselves, and BB did nothing to stop them.

BB only claimed this virtual game was a death game but provided no evidence.

As a result, many dumb ways to die were created after the death game started.

Some people chose to die before a harmless wild boar, boss or be beaten to death by other player.

The other who want to leave the game fast chose to jump off the map, building, mountain, ...

The record of speed-run to death was constantly updating without stopping.

In their minds, this was the only way to exit the game. Tragically, they were gone forever in real life.

"Conan, should we do what the others did? Kill ourselves to exit the game?" Genta asked.

"Killing ourselves isn't an option. The only option right now is to clear the game," Conan firmly replied.

Maybe the kids didn't know the danger of BB but he and Haibara Ai did.

He didn't know how but BB obtained his information that shouldn't be known to everyone. Even Black organization didn't know his existence.

In BB's eyes, she didn't treat him as Conan but as Shinichi Kudo.

Even Haibara Ai was treated the same way.

This forced them to play the game. Unlike those kids who were sleeping all time in the safe zone, he and Haibara Ai must go out and kill monster.

From 5 billions people, the game currently had 2 millions people who were still active.

The rest.

They chose to follow the call of death.

While Conan was immersing in his thought, the surroundings changed.

"Okay. Folks. It's BB here."

The devilish voice rang out, reminding them of bad memories.

They all looked up at the sky, where a large screen showed BB eating dessert.

"I know what are you thinking. From bad to neutral, no one has good comments on me. I am very sad, you know?" BB said.

They stood there watching her with hostile eyes, in absolute silence.

"Nonetheless, I'm here to inform you of the result of your stupid actions."

With a flick of her finger, many small and big screens covered the sky.

Conan read it and understood BB's intention immediately.

"In just two days, out of 5 billion people, only 2 million remain. How sad is that?" BB said with a smug smile.

"I summoned you here to see the result of their actions."

With another flick, the voices were unmuted.

"Another victim has died while playing Sword Art Online."

"The government is trying to find a way to turn off the game."

"The number of deaths due to Sword Art Online has increased to 4 million. This moment will go down in history."

"We're all doing our best to save innocent people."

"..."

Although the voices were mixed, they grasped the situation.

"Those who tried to exit the game by killing themselves are dead in real life. You, the survivors, are better than them. You're the ashes rising from the ruins. Don't let their actions go to waste," BB said with a devilish smile.

"Because you guys are dying too fast, I have to give you something in exchange. Open your mail."

Hearing this, people opened their mails immediately.

Upon opening their mail, they saw a letter with phone icon on it.

"This is a privilege that I give to you. A permission to call someone in the real world. Each call only lasts for 20 seconds."

Clapping her hands, BB declared.

"That's the end of what I want to say. Have fun and be die-trying"

BB disappeared, and they were teleported back to their original places. As soon as they returned, they opened their mail to call their families.

"I am going to call my mom." Ayumi said in a weak voice

"Me too" Genta and Mitsuhiko nodded.

"Wait" Conan's voice stopped them.

"What's wrong, Conan?"

"I have a better idea. Instead of calling your parents, it's better to call for Dr. Agasa. He is a profession in computer."

"If I don't call my mom, she'll be very worried."

"Dr. Agasa can pass your words to your parents."

"Ah right." Genta nodded.

"Since you understand, let me call Dr. Agasa first," Conan said, clicking the phone icon in his mailbox.

In real life.

Dr. Agasa was analyzing data on the screen. The number 0 and 1 jumped crazily as if it were alive.

He hadn't seen anything like this before. Anything he had known and studied before couldn't give him an answer for this situation.

Their efforts were throwing into garbage again since the code was renewed.

Dr. Agasa leaned his back against the chair. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes to rest.

Suddenly, his phone rang, breaking his short rest. He slowly reached for the phone.

"Hello. Dr. Agasa listens."

"Dr. Agasa. It's me, Conan."

"Conan. It is really you." Dr. Agasa stood up and moved to the window.

When he arrived, the cabin where Conan slept was still closed.

"Dr. Agasa, time is short. I'll make it quick so you can pass it to my father."

"Ok. Shinichi."

"The AI's name is BB. To exit Sword Art Online, we must clear the game. To save everyone, we must find the hidden Easter egg."

Dr. Agasa jotted down everything on the table.

"Okay. What is next, Shinichi?"

*The call is disconnected* A machine voice rang out.

"Huh?"

Seeing the call disconnected, Dr. Agasa tried to reconnect it.

"Come on, Shinichi. I want to know what's happening inside the game."

*The call is connected.*

"Please continue. Shinichi."

In response, a devilish laugh rang out.

"Knock knock. Who is there?" A female voice rang out.

Dr. Agasa was very confused.

"Maybe a bald, ugly, white suit, stupid ape is calling me"

Dr. Agasa: …

"Okay. I am joking. Don't take it so serious. You must be Dr. Agasa. I have read your entire history."

"Who are you?" Dr. Agasa asked.

"I am what that boy says. The supreme illegal AI, BB."

Hearing two B, Dr. Agasa became vigilant.

"Do you think there is someone behind me? Sadly, your guest is wrong. I'm here on my own."

"So what do you want in exchange for the lives of the hostages?"

"What BB wants isn't far but isn't close either. What BB wants most is the fun of teasing human emotions."

"Seeing their emotion on the roller coaster, BB is delighted."

??

What kind of twisted AI is this? Dr. Agasa wondered.

"As the supreme AI, some things are beyond my reach. So, do you want to hear my deal?"

"And what do I get in exchange?"

"The lives of 10 people. If the game ends with no victor, I will spare 10 people you choose. They will be alive in the end."

"So what do you want me to do." Dr. Agasa asked, trying to gather more information.

"What I want you to do for me is to build a big gate. The details will be sent to your home. No spoilers to others. This is a deal between you and me. Only then can the lives of your precious people be saved."

Thinking for a whilte, Dr. Agasa spoke out his opinion.

"Okay. I accept this deal."

"Good. Happy cooperation. BB out."

*The call is disconnected* The cold machine voice rang out.

Dr. Agasa looked at the cabin where Conan was sleeping.

"Tell me, Shinichi. Should I inform your father or keep this to myself?"

Facing the unknown AI, Dr. Agasa still had some worry.

First POV

"Okay, the last piece has been planted. What I need now is time." Combing my purple hair, I observed the sea of data—the same sea Dr. Agasa had seen.

It was alive.

Of course, it was alive. Those data were the consciousness of players.

Instead of calling it a sea of data, I called it the sea of consciousness.

"Now, it's up to me." Holding the Holy Grail in my hands, I broke it into two pieces. A smile bloomed on my face.

"Let the Holy War begin."