Death Game

--- Akira ---

Activating the skill associated with your weapon in SAO wasn't complex, but it required a certain level of understanding.

I shifted into a classic stance, my feet shoulder-width apart, and my weight evenly distributed. I gripped the spear firmly with both hands, one at the base and the other halfway up. The weapon responded, glowing with an incandescent blue light that coursed through the blade.

A Frenzy Boar had just spawned and had its attention on me, its beady eyes locked as it snorted and pawed at the ground, ready to engage. I didn't hesitate, my body moving on instinct as I unleashed the skill.

The spear moved in my hands with extreme precision, the shaft spinning and twisting as the tip darted forward like a striking snake. The thrust was simple, but it couldn't be underestimated.

It sliced through its thick hide like it was nothing.

I could never execute this kind of complicated movement right off the bat if it wasn't for the System auto-adjusting everything.

The moment the spear connected, the Frenzy Boar froze, its eyes wide and its body rigid. It was as if time had stopped for a brief moment.

Then, a second later, the System registered the hit and the monster disappeared in a shower of experience points and gold coins, as usual.

For reference, I looked at my Status.

[Status]

[Name: Haru]

[Level: 1(27%)]

[Skills: Spear(Lv. 1(20%)]

[You have 2 Skill Slots left]

I'm barely 27% on the way to level 2.

Well, it's understandable since Frenzy Boars don't give many experience points.

But anyway, since I accomplished what I needed to do, I turned my head to look at Asuna.

"So, this is how you—"

Suddenly, I heard bells ringing, which stopped me in my tracks.

Asuna's confusion was evident on her face, but I knew all too well what the bells signified.

"Stay close to me," I said, my voice firm and devoid of emotion.

Asuna nodded, though she looked doubtful.

"Do you know what's happening?"

I was about to reply, but in the next moment, we were both enveloped in a bright, white light. The world around us blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors.

As the light soon faded, we found ourselves standing in the bustling Main Plaza of the City of Beginnings, surrounded by a sea of confused players.

It was time for the Death Game to be officially announced.

--- Asuna ---

Could he be one of those beta testers?

The idea had taken root the moment I realized how much knowledge of the game he seemed to have.

When the bells began ringing and we were teleported to the plaza, I immediately heard the whispers of the people around me.

Piecing together what they were saying left me shocked.

There's no log out button?

That's impossible.

I frantically searched through the main interface of the game, my heart pounding in my chest. There had to be a log out button, there just had to be.

But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find it.

"...Eh?" My mind struggled to comprehend the implications. If there was no log out button, did that mean we were trapped inside the game?

Panic began to set in, my breathing becoming shallow and rapid. But then, I felt a hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. I looked up to see the man who had helped me earlier, his expression calm and steady.

I wanted to ask him how he could be so composed in a situation like this.

But even if I couldn't really understand, seeing him like that made me calm down a little.

Before I could ask him anything, however, red warnings started popping up all around us, and a strange red liquid began to seep out of them. The liquid condensed in the air, forming a swirling vortex that grew larger and larger until it took on the shape of a person...

"Players, welcome to my World."

---

As I struggled to come to terms with the situation, my mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and panic.

Even after Akihiko Kayaba proclaimed that we would have to fight for our survival and complete the game to escape, I couldn't fully accept it.

It was all just too much to take in at once.

Despite my growing anxiety, I couldn't help but cling to a small sliver of hope.

The man who had helped me so far seemed unbothered by the situation.

'Perhaps...'

I hoped, in the deepest corner of my heart, that he would show me that same unwavering expression, that he would be the rock I could cling to in this storm.

It wasn't fair of me to think of him like that, I knew that.

But I couldn't help it.

So, I turned my head to look at him, my eyes searching for that comforting presence. But what I found instead made me shiver in fear.

His gaze was cold, devoid of emotion, as if the area around him was frozen. He stared at the spot where Akihiko Kayaba had been moments before, and I could feel the weight of his anger and hatred.

For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of what to do.

But then, I bit my lip and forced myself to reach out, grabbing onto the sleeve of his coat. I may not be as strong as him, may not have the same skills or experience, but I knew that if I was left alone right now, I would only spiral further into fear.

And so, I clung to him, well aware I had no right to do so.

As I reached out and touched him, he seemed to snap out of his thoughts, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at me. I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and vulnerable, showing weakness to someone I barely knew.

I averted my gaze, trying to hide myself in the chaos and panic that was unfolding around us.

People were shouting, crying, and running in all directions, but none of it seemed to matter to the man. He stood there, calm and composed, as if he had already accepted the reality of our situation.

How do you possess so much strength...?

Without a word, a screen materialized in front of me.

[Invite]

[Do you accept the party invite?]

[Yes] [No]

---

Author's Note:

Let's start the first Arc of this Trial, named Withered Rose.

For a short while, Asuna and Akira will form a party.

We'll see how this goes from now, with Akira's original idea of going solo.

I skipped Kayaba explaining this is a death game because it didn't really add much to the story.