Accel World (先飞看刀)

The battle field was again the late night ruin and burning «End of Century» stage.

Haruyuki shrunk his small avatar and hid on the walkway above the Seven Rings[1].

He did not notice it in the previous battle since he was panicking too much, in his view other than remaining time and HP, a small water color triangle was shown. It is a guide cursor displaying the general direction of the enemy.

The triangle pointed straight north at the wide road, shaking slightly. That meant the enemy, «Ash Roller», was not staying still somewhere far away, he was probably coming closer in a direct line in a hurry. The cursor did not show him the distance.

Haruyuki reviewed the the attack strategy mail that Kuroyukihime sent him in his brain.

[The result from considering your information is that Ash Roller has two big weak points. First, when he moves, he makes a lot of loud noises.]

That is true. The previous time, if he actually noticed his surroundings, he would have heard the rumbling noise of the gasoline engine from far away.

This time he won’t be surprised by the same thing again. He held his breath and listened intently. And - .

...He’s coming!

The cursor was shaking slightly like usual, but an unmistakable heavy low tone reached Haruyuki’s hearing. In the Seven Rings empty of people, Ash Roller seemed to be roaring around with engine on full throttle. He must be really happy, if he rode a bike in the real world, he would be going slowly daily in that congestion in a low power electric scooter. And his challenger, was again his perfect win newbie from this morning.

‘But this time, at the very least it won’t be a perfect win. Since the first attack will be mine.’

Haruyuki ground his inner teeth and stared at the water colored cursor.

It was pointed straight south like usual, he could tell the enemy approaching by the engine sound. But, it’s not the same for the other person. In a straight line high speed approach, the only time he would notice the cursor change direction, is at the instant when they cross.

While laying on his stomach on the floor of the overhead walkway, Haruyuki intently looked down at the direction of Kouenji station. The explosive sound became louder, to the point that he could even feel the vibrations in his body -.

Saw it.

Ash Roller had his headlights off of course, but Haruyuki for sure saw the red flames reflect off the chrome. The time that they will cross is 15 - no, 10 seconds.

There is only one chance for a surprise attack. However, Haruyuki’s weapons are only the normal skills Punch and Kick. That is, he can only jump down from the overhead walkway and hit with his body.

‘Scary. This is not something I can do.’

To the self that thought that for an instant, he cursed in his heart.

‘Don’t say stupid things. Right now I am not the overweight 13 year old Arita Haruyuki, I am the Burst Linker «Silver Crow». And then this is not the real world but the virtual game field. It’s the world where I have been putting most of my time and pa.s.sion thus far. Rather, it can be said that this is my real world.’

‘Then, I won’t be defeated. Instead - this time will be my happy win against this skeleton person!’

“Uwaaaa!”

With that shout, Haruyuki stood up, in one breath climbed over the metal railing, and jumped.

For a biker approaching at over 100kph, to be able to land a kick on him from a high above drop, is probably a performance harder than Haruyuki thought it would be.

However, for Haruyuki who can continually hit virtual squash b.a.l.l.s that are even harder to see, Ash Roller’s skeletal helmet was a huge target. He extended his right leg in the air, stabilizing his path with both hands extended, and flew forward like a silver arrow.

“...Owa!?”

He noticed that cry leaked from beneath the skeletal face face-guard.

However at that time, the heel covered by silver armor scored a direct hit at the center of the skeleton.

Bakyaaaan!! With that tremendous impact sound, the face-guard cracked radially. The rider’s head bend back with a crunch sound, Haruyuki slid past above that face, fell to the asphalt road and tumbled around.

His eyes were spinning for a moment, but he soon raised his head to check behind him.

The bike, with sparks flying out the front and rear brake rotors, flew off to the right side, it stopped when it crashed into the pile of rubble at the side of the road. The rider’s body, from reaction to the kick, hit his face on the tank, at the same time, the engine stopped with a sad sound.

“...Di, did it.”

While whispering and holding his right hand in a fist, Haruyuki checked both of their HP gauges.

For Silver Crow, with his fall damage from a high place, he had lost about 5% HP. As for Ash Roller, he had suffered large damage, with the flying kick and crashing dealing big damage, his gauge lost about 20%, and it became a slight purple color.

It can be said that his first attack was a perfect success. But in detail, it was not a critical hit that can kill.

Haruyuki stood up, his eyes found a five story building to the left side of the road and he started running that way. From what Kuroyukihime said, the «End of Century» stage"s main fight area is on the road, so you cannot enter the buildings. However, the outside of the buildings was not limited by this.

On the building’s wall was a half collapsed emergency escape stairs put there like an afterthought. Haruyuki jumped on it, and climbed all the way to the top of the building in one go.

[As for Ash Roller’s 2nd weakness. That is, his duel avatar’s potential is mostly put into his bike. The rider’s fighting ability should be almost zero. So first you attack to damage him, then move to the top of a building that the bike cannot climb to.]

That was the battle plan Kuroyukihime gave him.

As long as his opponent is damaged more than himself after he climbed to the top, all he has to do is wait for time up to win. Even if the rider got off the bike to climb to the top, he can just use Punch or Kick to easily pummel him.

From the looks, it might be said to be a cowardly battle plan. However, Haruyuki actually loves this kind of clever win with attacking weak points. It can be said to be his nature in games.

For now from the top of the roof, Haruyuki wanted to return Ash Roller’s laughter from this morning in multiples, so he moved to the edge.

Looking down, he can see that the crashed bike’s engine has finally been re-ignited. With the idling sound like someone breathing hard shaking, the body of the bike was pulled out of the rubble.

While he was thinking about how to provoke him, Haruyuki heard some whispering sound.

“Ah, that small kid did well.”

“A big difference from this morning. Wonder who the «Parent» is.”

Looking that way, from the roof of the building a little away, were silhouettes sitting on top of a huge water tank looking down this way. The «Gallery».

Since a Burst Linker «Duel» is only a maximum of 1.8 seconds real time, there won’t be enough time to accelerate once a fight starts. So, for interested Burst Linkers and friends who registered the name, once that person starts a fight, he will also automatically accelerate and dive into the battle field to watch, there seems to be that function. For that purpose, no Burst Points are expended.

Looking around, Haruyuki can see shadows here and there on rooftops and roads. They should not have marked him, so they must be Linkers that are checking out Ash Roller.

However, one person in that gallery should have registered Silver Crow. Of course, it would be Kuroyukihime’s «Black Lotus».

Now, where is she? While he was looking around, one of the two sitting on top of the water tank waved to him.

“If you win this duel, I will register you too. Good luck, boy.”

“Well, it won’t be this easy I think.”

To the other one’s speech, Haruyuki replied in his mind.

‘Unfortunately, it won’t be too exciting development from here on, it will probably time up.’

He shrugged a bit with that feeling, and looked back to the road.

Then, he froze in consternation.

Far down looking like a pea, Ash Roller’s bike’s front wheel stood against the building’s wall.

Wai... wh, what are you trying to do?

The reply, was a high pitched furious shout.

“Don’t... be so full of yourself, baldy!! You dare to step on my V-twin sound!!”

Bogaaaan!! The engine roared, and the chrome exhaust put out flames.

Right after, the huge American bike started up the building wall at a blistering pace.

“Aaa...”

Haruyuki’s eyes bulged out under his silver face plate, he retreated back a step - just two seconds after that. Within the span of an arm held out, with loud noise and burning stench, the steel frame appeared.

Baruoooon! With that high pitched engine sound, the bike that flew about two meters above the roof’s edge, landed right in front of Haruyuki’s eyes.

“Uwawawa!!”

He hurriedly back dashed a few more steps.

With a loud crashing sound, the grey rear tire hit the rooftop concrete. The concrete cracked radially, and some fragments. .h.i.t Haruyuki’s armor. At that moment, he noticed that his health gauge lost about one dot, he was surprised again.

For normal fighting games, damage is only dealt with system-set methods. For sure, this «Brain Burst» is not just a normal game. With graphics and sound that is difficult to distinguish from reality, and this detailed realism.

The key to winning fights in this world, must be in there.

While he engraved that in his mind, Haruyuki looked up at his far more experienced enemy.

While he skillfully steadied his bike, Ash Roller stared down at Haruyuki, and began speaking in a metallic high pitched voice.

“Actually, from my win against you this morning, I finally reached 300 points, and became level 2.”

The gunmetal helmet’s skeleton face-guard was mostly broken, and a part of his face was visible. It did not seem terrifying, what is there looked more like a science type, a slender young man’s face.

Duel Avatars are a manifestation of one"s inferiority complex, that speech from Kuroyukihime faintly pa.s.sed by in his mind.

Ash Roller, smiling with thin lips, continued his speech after moving the throttle handle once.

“I was super stumped on what to use the level up bonus on, it had special attack, movement speed up, and wall-climbing. Ah, I made the ultra ~ correct ~ choice ~”

He removed both hands from the handles, and pointed two index fingers at Haruyuki.

“And so you are giga unlucky~”

‘I know without you saying so.’

While he grumbled in his mind, Haruyuki wasn’t just listening quietly. He desperately look around the surroundings, and tried to remember Kuroyukihime’s mail, squeezing his knowledge to try to find a way out of this situation.

[If the first attack, or the retreat fails, and you have to fight Ash Roller still on his bike head on, unfortunately the chance of your winning will become very low. Because - ]

Continuing, Kuroyukihime had written about Duel Avatar’s «affinity».

For a Burst Linker’s automatic English name, it always include a color word.

That color determines the Duel Avatar’s affinity.

«Blue» is short range direct attack, «Red» is long range direct attack, and «Yellow» is indirect attack. For middle colors like Purple and Green, can have two types of affinity. Also, for color that is away from the the color circle, the metallic names «Metal Color», instead of attack, these are best at defense affinity.

[Your «Silver» included, the metallic colors are very rare, it is a strong color type. It has resistance against cutting, piercing, heat and poison attacks, and attack strength using it’s hard metallic body for close combat are not low. But of course it has weaknesses. Corrosion attacks are it’s natural enemy, and it is also weak against blunt attacks.]

That was how Kuroyukihime a.n.a.lyzed Silver Crow’s affinity, continuing, she also said the details of the supposedly never before seen Ash Roller.

[On the other hand, Ash Roller’s «Ash», in the color circle, it is closer to blue than green. The low color saturation means its attacks are special type. It is hard to tell if the tires are weapons or not, but I am afraid its affinity is the close-range blunt attack type. That means your armor has almost no effect against Ash Roller’s charge. In that case, there is only one way against him in a head to head fight.]

- For all the remaining time, continue to dodge.

Even though she said that.

While Haruyuki was in despair, he checked out the size of the building rooftop.

The length and width was under 20 meters. Kuroyukihime’s dodge battle plan was probably made for fighting in the empty Seven Road, she probably never thought that the bike could climb walls. The end result was, Haruyuki fled to a place where he was at a disadvantage.

With the bike’s charge, it’s probably impossible to run and escape to the emergency stairs. How about jumping off the roof knowing that he would take damage? However, if that made him more damaged than Ash Roller is now, there would be no turning back.

To Haruyuki who stood there without a fighting plan, the rider on the metallic horse released a victorious laugh.

“Hyahahaha! No way to fight back huh, you bald shiny boy! Then I will start!!”

Dorooo!! The internal combustion engine roared, and the free wheeling rear tire put out blue smoke.

The front tire hit the ground with a thump, and the huge bike charged straight at Haruyuki.

“Uwaaa!!”

With a scream he jumped right, but the distance was way too short. The tip of his foot was scratched by the tire, and his health gauge decreased. At the same time, with the paralyzing hit, an instant of pain rushed through Haruyuki’s nerves.

In virtual games, the «Sensation of Pain» being used was long ago forbidden by law. This really isn’t just a game. Even though virtual, at the same time it is a real fight.

After the bike moved just 3 meters past him, it made a huge skid sound then did a spin turn, putting it again in a charge position.

Is there anything? A secret move that will turn the tide in one go, saving him -

That’s right, the special attack!

Even though the name is just «Head b.u.t.t», maybe it has the power to crush rocks.

Gambling on this one chance, Haruyuki followed the install silhouette"s display, and crossed both arms in front. Next, he leaned his upper body forward, and opened his arms.

With a humming sound effect, he noticed that his bald and shiny head was starting to be surrounded by a white aura. The people in the surrounding gallery put out a surprised sound.

...This can work!!

With deep belief, Haruyuki stared at the huge bike in front of him.

“Uoooo!”

With that shout, he aimed his shinning head at the bike’s headlights and charged - .

Long before his head hit, he was run over by the front tire and fell backward, making a human-shaped hole in the concrete. The effect light on his head dispersed into s.p.a.ce, and his special attack gauge emptied and disappeared.

The gallery’s roar of laughter shook the stage. Mixed in that, one person’s whisper reached his ears.

“Unfortunately, it looks like the end.”

Haruyuki’s whole body was covered by a familiar heat of humiliation.

‘d.a.m.n. d.a.m.n. Inside virtual games, I should be the hero. My character is way too weak. What is this special attack Head b.u.t.t that won’t even hit, I can’t take this.’

He stood up, but in a rotten mood sat back down, in Haruyuki’s view was - .

Far away, on top of a tall building, a lonely standing silhouette was there.

The rolled hair waving in the night wind. The softly moving dress. See-through looking b.u.t.terfly wings.

The shape smaller than a rice grain, it’s expression can not be seen. However, it’s stern look going his way, Haruyuki felt it fully.

Can’t - can’t give up.

Even if losing, stand up again and again, lose ungracefully. If he can"t do at least that, he can’t even be a p.a.w.n for that person.

Pushing down his humiliation, Haruyuki desperately thought about his various knowledge and experiences.

Virtual but real. That is this game, «Brain Burst» biggest specialty. Overwhelming detail and reality. Then, that Ash Roller’s bike too, should not be just polygons made for looks. Delicately recreated means it should have weakness too.

Bike - that is the previous era gasoline engine type’s feature, what is it?

Noisy. Stinks of gas. Those are weaknesses before meeting it, so they don’t matter to the current situation.

It can’t move without gasoline. Then make a hole in the tank - no, this kind of pinpoint attack is impossible.

Is there anything else. Anything - .

With its rear tire making tracks while the bike turned, the single bright yellow eye faced Haruyuki for the 3rd time.

At that instant, Haruyuki swallowed a sharp breath.

There is. That. Internal combustion bike’s feature, and its weakness.

“Hya - hahahhaa!! Dance more - !!”

With that shout, the iron horse galloped.

Just once is fine. Move, Silver Crow. Faster than that person.

Biting his teeth, Haruyuki stared at the bike rushing at him.

That’s right - even though that person is fast, it’s not beyond his vision. Instead of a showy dodge, a bare minimum of movement should avoid it.

“...!!”

Taking his full concentration, just before he was bashed flying, Haruyuki slid only 50cm to the right.

The tip of the handle brushed his body a bit, then Ash Roller pa.s.sed by his eyes.

At that instant, Haruyuki extended both hands, knowing that he would get damaged, he grabbed the edge of the black fender above the rear tire. With shock that almost ripped his fingers off, sparks flew off from the joints in his hands, and his health gauge lightly dropped.

The bike’s speed dropped slightly. Not missing this chance, Haruyuki put his feet on the ground hard, and leaned his body back as far as possible. Crackle, the steel feet broke the concrete, and his gauge continue to drop.

“Hyaahaa - !!”

Ash Roller looked back and released a high pitched laughter.

“Idi - ot!! A gully small fry like you wants to try and stop my monster machine!!”

The rider boots stepped on the foot pedal with a crunch. Black leather gloves opened the throttle.

The engine roared, and the m.u.f.fler put out flames. Right after, the American bike put out fearsome torque, it sped up again while pulling Haruyuki.

Crackle crackle!! He heard his feet release an incredible friction sound - at the same time.

“Oucccchhhh - !!”

It’s like his feet are being sc.r.a.ped away, no, the heat and pain of that hit him, Haruyuki screamed.

“Kihyahyahya! If you don’t let go in a hurry, you will get shorter - !!”

Ash Roller’s sure win voice was mixed with ear splitting metallic sound. His silver legs became red due to overheat, and his health gauge dropped at a fearful speed.

However, Haruyuki did not let go of his hands. He bit his teeth under the silver mask, frantically endured the heat and pain, and simply continued to drag behind the bike.

If this was the Seven Road under them, then Silver Crow’s small body would be like Ash Roller said, it might eventually become a small piece of metal and disappear. But the ruin building roof top has limited s.p.a.ce, there should be no way to continue dashing forward.

The low fence slowly approached, the skeletal rider made a strange ‘Hyoo-’ sound and started to bend his bike for a spin turn. The brake rotors spewed out sparks, and white smoke raised from the huge tire.

“Kuuuu!”

Haruyuki desperately resisted being blown away by the centripetal force.

Soon. In half a second, the first and last chance will come.

The engine rotation dropped, the bike finished its turn, it was going to start its violent dash again -

Just before that. For one instant, Silver Crow’s feet was firmly on the ground.

“- Ooooo!!”

Haruyuki shouted.

At the same time, summoning all his strength, he raised the fender in his two hands straight up. Sparks flew from his knee, elbow and shoulder, he lost another 10% of his remaining 20% of health gauge, his two small legs endured the huge weight, standing straight.

0.1 second after, the huge tire fiercely spun. But that movement energy did not change to forward momentum. Just barely, the treads were above the ground.

“O...oo?”

Right in front of Haruyuki’s eyes, Ash Roller yelled while still sitting facing forward. He frantically moved his hand two or three times more.

With that the engine roared, and the rear tire spun like crazy. However, the steel bike body did not move at all.

This is the «Weakness» that Haruyuki noticed. Different from the in wheel front and back electric motor bikes, the previous era internal combustion bike’s engine links to the rear tire with a chain for movement. It’s absolutely impossible to lift the whole bike, but with the steel robot avatar, even with reality details, he can keep it up for one hour.

“d.a.m.n... you! Hey!! Let me down, baldy!!”

Ash Roller looked back at Haruyuki while shouting. Seeing that, he grinned even though his opponent could not see it.

“No way, if you don’t like it, try turning the front wheel.”

After returning from the accelerated world, Haruyuki took a huge breath of the afternoon sunlight, and blew out a long breath.

The fight concluded at the count of 600, that is about one second of real time. However his palms were soaked with sweat, and a paralyzing cold.

His tense finger reached for the Neuro Linker’s Global Net disconnect b.u.t.ton, suddenly his back was. .h.i.t with a Bam!

“Oh, you did it, Silver Crow! I truly thought you would lose like that.”

Turning around, he saw Kuroyukihime’s small face with a rare real smile. Both of them accelerated after leaving the school ground, this is of course why she is here, but inside the stage with her viewing the battle from the top of a far building, gave him some confusion.

‘That, is the real distance between her and me. Don’t be mistaken.’

Listening to his own words, Haruyuki returned an awkward smile.

“I... I too thought I was going to lose.”

“Don’t be so humble, that was a superb victory. I too, never thought about Ash Roller’s bike’s internal makeup... It’s a weakness that your avatar’s instantaneous strength can handle. Anyway, you took back your points.”

“No, more than that. It was 20 points added, that person became level 2.”

Kuroyukihime blinked, then gave a huge smile, and hit Haruyuki’s shoulder again.

“Hahaha, I see, that was the reason he can climb walls.”

“It’s no laughing matter, I was shocked.”

“Fufufu, ah sorry. Due to that, it was an interesting way to win, right? I heard from the gallery, you are the first one to fight Ash Roller that way. A splendid victory.”

“Ah, ha...”

With the movement wheel lifted up and unable to go anywhere, Ash Roller stubbornly continued to rev the bike for 5 minutes before he got off it.

For Haruyuki who was just running away or getting blown away, he was just waiting for a fistfight, of course he won easily with steel fists.

“Even your «Punch» and «Kick» became useful. As for «Head b.u.t.t», that might be fine with orthodox fighting type opponent. ...Ah, we can’t just stand here and talk.”

Hearing Kuroyukihime’s words, Haruyuki looked around. With them standing right in front of the school gate, the students leaving school while they walked, or just stood there staring at them with obvious curiosity.

Haruyuki shrunk himself to make him look smaller, and his breath stopped when he saw Chiyuri’s face in the crowd. He turned his face away in reaction.

Yesterday, him running away to escape in front of Chiyuri and Tak.u.mu was still fresh in his memory. He had not apologized for the sandwich incident either, then he did that, now he does not know how or where to start repairing their relationship.

‘No - it’s not my fault. I had told her many times to keep quiet, it was her fault for telling Tak.u.mu about Araya’s group. I don’t want to be shown mercy and pity.’

To Haruyuki who was hunching down like a rock, Kuroyukihime sort of asked him.

“What happened, if we are changing locations, how about that shop there... Hmm? You are...”

“What are you trying to do with Haru?”

Chiyuri’s sudden close range voice made Haruyuki jump.

Looking up, he saw his childhood friend’s slender body stiffen up fully to go against Kuroyukihime.

Only Haruyuki understood, that was Chiyuri’s biggest not-wanting-to-lose pose, she stiffened her big eyebrows, and again spoke in a low tone.

“The violence on Haru yesterday was due to some trick by senpai right? Then you expose Haru like this again, what are you trying to do? Are you getting enjoyment from this?”

Hiii - .

What is this what is this situation what should I do.

Completely over his capacity, while his body is fully shrunk down, he somehow managed to move his tense mouth.

“H, hey, Chiyu...”

“Haru, you shut up!!”

Having been hit with the stare that was carved in him while he was still a kid, all he could do was stand still and be quiet.

While being hit with that super powered Chiyuri Beam, Kuroyukihime showed her dignity, with a cool smile and small tilt of her head, said.

“Hmm... I don’t really understand what you mean. Are you accusing me of enjoying myself by staining Arita-kun"s will somehow?”

“Isn’t that right? Haru hates this kind of thing, standing out and being stared at. Hasn’t he been really troubled since earlier? Although senpai would not understand.”

“Ah. It is true that I might have put Arita-kun in a situation that he is uncomfortable with. However, I think it is his choice to accept it or not. Do you have any right to say it?”

“I have. In this school, I"ve been friends with Haru for the longest time.”

“Oh, friend... huh.”

Upon hearing Chiyuri’s announcement, on the white beautiful face, a super cold Kuroyukihime smile appeared.

“Then, I have higher priority. You have heard the rumors right, I confessed to him and am currently waiting for a reply. We are going on a small date.”

Gyaaa - .

Oh no this is it the world is ending I have to transfer schools tomorrow.

It was like when he was accelerating, Chiyuri and the surrounding people froze instantly. Haruyuki too froze in an unnatural pose, only sweat continued to pour from his face.

In the silence, Kuroyukihime took out a pure white handkerchief from her uniform’s pocket.

“It’s almost winter, what a strange person.”

While wiping off Haruyuki’s sweat, she took his right arm in her own.

“See you later then, friend-kun.”

Then, going in the center of the walkway lined by students on the left and right, Kuroyukihime pulled Haruyuki’s huge body along as she moved forward.

While being pulled forward, he looked back and saw his childhood friend’s face, changing from dumbfounded to shock then to something just short of an angry explosion.

“G, going back to before... What were you thinking!!”

After entering the brick paved ally from the main road, Haruyuki finally pulled his arm from Kuroyukihime and shouted.

“I, I have to say it, in this world there are things that can not be solved with «Acceleration»!!”

“Ahahahaha.”

Kuroyukihime laughed from the bottom of her heart.

“Hahaha... You reach this main point about Burst Linkers so quickly, that is great.”

“That is not great at all! It is senpai’s fault if I can’t go to school tomorrow!”

“Hey, your face did not look altogether bad this time either. I took a field of view screen shot this time too, want to see?”

“I don’t want to see it! Rather, throw it away!!”

“Fufufu...”

With clop clop sounds as her loafers bit into the pavement, Kuroyukihime’s shoulders shook as she continued to laugh for a while. Eventually, letting out a small breath, she continued with an ‘oh, about that’.

“There is something I wonder about... that is, I want to make sure.”

“Oh? Wonder about... you mean Chiyuri?”

“Ah, close enough to use just first name?”

“Ah, no, well, she is Kurashima, Kurashima Chiyuri from first year cla.s.s one.”

“I know. It"s just that it"s the first time I heard of her being your best friend. On the other hand, is she really just a friend?”

While being showered with looks of doubt, Haruyuki nodded a few times.

“That’s right. Old childhood ties...since she has a boyfriend.”

“Oh? That means... no... Hmm, hum.”

“...What’s that hum about?”

“No, nothing, I just again realized the depth of the real world.”

“Ah, ha...”

Sighing while not knowing what’s going on, Haruyuki asked about something that tickled him earlier.

“Ah... earlier, you said you know Chiyuri’s name?”

“That’s right. It was purely incidental, I noticed her with a meaning different from noticing you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It can not be easily explained. It is connected to the reason I found and invited you to the accelerated world. Well, let’s drink some tea while we slowly talk. As a victory celebration, my treat.”

Saying so, Kuroyukihime changed direction, heading to the coffee shop chain store that seemed to be her original destination.

Maybe it was still early in the afternoon, there were not too many people in the store, but as Kuroyukihime stepped in, Haruyuki felt some gazes concentrating on them. Just that, it’s scary to follow behind her.

Just going home from school - no, doesn’t matter what time in his life, Haruyuki who had no experience drinking tea with a girl, his brain was in overload mode, so he automatically ordered a huge sweet drink and let Kuroyukihime pay for him, then sunk into the seat of a table far inside the store. Right after, he took the cable offered and plugged it into his Neuro Linker, while thinking.

‘Uwaa what is this, this is like a real date...’

‘It does not look like that, this kind of combination. Sister and brother? No, master and bag holder?’

“I can understand what you are thinking.”

At that moment, noticing that he is being stared at, he took a quick sip of his caramel favored sweet drink.

“N, no, nothing. Instead of that, earlier you mentioned the reason for inviting me to the accelerated world...”

“Don’t be in such a hurry. It’s a long... talk.”

With high cla.s.s elegance, she sipped her not-too-sweet looking drink, then with a sigh rested her chin on her hands.

With the pale yellow light coming from the window, that shape looked like a uniformed middle school student in an old foreign country movie scene, Haruyuki involuntarily became speechless. It was like there was an old style shooting screen in front of him, with just a direct cable linking them - .

Since he was just looking with a blank gaze, the sudden tap on his right hand on the table almost made him jump.

“Well, you did really well earlier. Again, congratulations on your victory, Haruyuki-kun.”

“Ah... yes, thank you very much. It was because of senpai’s advice.”

“No, it’s because of your ability to adapt. At that rate, you will soon be level 2. Or you might become level 3 within this year.”

“Ha... ah... Actually, I can’t even imagine it...”

Having barely won in a dangerous situation. Later, winning tens more of such hard fights, the thought just amazes him.

Then, Kuroyukihime’s smile disappeared, and like she was reading what’s in Haruyuki’s heart, she nodded.

“Hum. Actually, it’s a long road like you thought. Of the around 1000 Burst Linkers, only a limited number reach level 4. Level 5 and 6 is almost impossible to reach with solo play. Level 7 and 8 Burst Linkers are all huge groups" commander cla.s.s, without a doubt.”

“Gr, groups?”

“It is like guilds and teams in other online games. For us, «Army Corps»... called «Legions». In the current accelerated world, control is divided between six huge Legions. Controlling those are the rare six level 9 Burst Linkers... Crowned with the names of Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Purple and White, the «Six Kings of Pure Color»!”

Suddenly, a knife sharp sound echoed in his mind, Haruyuki opened his eyes wide. Noticing the stare, Kuroyukihime blinked some then with a slight bitter smile.

“...Sorry for the loud voice.”

“No... but, six people?”

It was a shock to learn that there were around 1000 Burst Linkers, but there was only awe to learn that there was so few level 9s.

“I have played many net games, but I have never heard of so few players reaching the level cap.”

Maybe with sure feeling, Haruyuki said so with a feeling of envy, Kuroyukihime who heard that, one of her eyebrows moved, and she tilted her head.

“I never said that level 9 was the cap.”

“Eh... then there is a level 10? How many...?”

The answer, was again denied with a juice sip. Kuroyukihime took another sip of her coffee, then leaned her back into the seat and stared playfully in s.p.a.ce. The cable that was pulled, swings between them in a silver dance.

“Brain Burst... actual name «Brain Burst 2039» was released by an unknown programmer seven years ago, it has been updated many times since then. However after all that time, there isn’t a single Burst Linker who has reached level 10. There is only one reason... the set rule was just too cruel.”

“Do you have to win a lot of duels? Like a 1000 wins... or 10000?”

“No, just 5 times is enough.”

After the unexpected words left her lips, for an instant, she had an insecure smile.

“Just that the opponent can only be another level 9 Linker. Furthermore, with even one loss from a level 9 fight, at that moment all the points will be lost, and Brain Burst will forcefully uninstall...”

The speechless Haruyuki was stared straight by the dark eyes of Kuroyukihime.

“Haruyuki-kun. An amazing phenomenon like «Thought Acceleration»’s Brain Burst being kept secret from the general public for seven years, don’t you think it’s strange?”

That sudden question confused Haruyuki, but saying so, it is a mystery. If there were 1000 Burst Linkers, the secret would have been leaked long ago, and the world should be amazed by it.

“The reason for that, is the strict requirement for a Brain Burst candidate.”

“Requirement...? Good at games... or something...?”

To Haruyuki’s question, Kuroyukihime answered with a bitter smile.

“It’s not that vague a reason. The biggest requirement is, «After birth, usually continue to wear the Neuro Linker». The first generation Neuro Linker was sold on the market 15 years ago... that means.”

Pausing for an instant, Kuroyukihime slowly continue.

“There are no adult Burst Linkers. The oldest is 15 years old, just a child. For a child’s play, he will do anything to defend his usage while he was a Burst Linker, and after forceful uninstall, whatever he says won’t be believed by the adults.”

The glossy lips, for one instant, showed a sarcastic smile.

“That is also like a shared child’s sweet illusion. The summer two years ago... the young kings reached level 9 at almost the same time. Right after, the system message showed the cruel rule to reach level 10. The result, did they go into a b.l.o.o.d.y war? - No. The kings chose eternal stagnation. Instead of going forward, they chose to maintain their mini gardens. That means... the accelerated world was divided between the Legions for control, and a no-invasion treaty was signed. What a farce. To reach level 9, they have hunted numerous Linkers.”

Haruyuki swallowed his saliva in a gulp. Pain ran through his dry throat, he took a big sip of his melted caramel frappé then sent out his thoughts fearfully.

“That is, senpai’s goal is to challenge this «Six Kings of Pure Color»...?”

Hearing that, Kuroyukihime displayed a mysterious smile.

“No, I already did that.”

“Wha...!?”

“The Six Kings... were once the «Seven Kings of Pure Color». Even though they were rivals, they were linked by strong bonds, these seven boys and girls. They went through numerous duels, winning and losing, however they did not hold a single drop of hate. The «Black King» betrayed everyone, and hunted them, a night two years ago.”

Black - King.

That is, the avatar name should be... black crowned...

Haruyuki opened his eyes wide, and stared with breaths held, as Kuroyukihime slowly nodded.

“Yes... that is me. The Black King, Black Lotus, was the only person of the people who reached level 9 that did not choose peace. Throwing away bonds, friendship, respect, and everything to suggest a fight with all seven’s total points on the table. When that was rejected - the meeting round table was suddenly covered with fresh blood.”

“Wh... what did... you do?”

“At the last night of the Seven Kings’ meeting... even saying so, it was not a meeting in the real world. Because Burst Linkers do their best to hide their real face and name.”

Why is that, Haruyuki was going to ask, but he soon realized the reason. If real face and name was exposed to other Burst Linkers, the worst situation, «Attacked in reality» might happen. When someone is in a situation where he can not get points any other way, he might just do that.

Kuroyukihime made a small nod like she read Haruyuki’s mind, and continued.

“For that night’s meeting, the seven duelists were all connected to the same field with «Battle Royal Mode». I... when the «Red King» was unguarded while he was preaching friendship and non-aggression...”

Behind the silky front hair, the white face lost all expression. Her empty eyes staring at one point, Kuroyukihime lonely spoke what was ahead.

“Cut off his head. A perfect critical hit... he lost his full gauge in an instant, lost all his points according to the new rule, that is, losing his Brain Burst. The current Red King is the second generation. What was next... was like the realization of h.e.l.l, Fufu. Red’s lover, Purple cried while screaming, Blue went crazy with anger, those people and I went into a killing play with no respect or honor. I knew it was the first and last chance... desperately trying to somehow take four more heads, it was truly reckless...”

Her lips with almost no color became distorted, a voiced laughter leaked out.

“Rational judgement was blown out. I fought while driven by madness, however I did not hunt a single person more, neither was I taken down, when I noticed it, 30 minute had pa.s.sed and I was linked out. - For the next two years, all I did was run and hide. The current me, is accelerated world’s biggest traitor, the head with the highest reward, and the lowest coward.”

“...Why...”

The monologue was so gruesome that Haruyuki’s thoughts were half paralyzed, only a simple question was released from his mind.

“Why did you do that...?”

“Instead of friendship or honor, I picked something far beyond... becoming level 10. You can say that is my only reason for living. - The System Message also said this. The Burst Linker who reach level 10 will have a chance to meet the program creator, find out the real reason for Brain Burst’s existence, and be told about its ultimate goal. I... want to know. I want to know no matter what.”

Putting both elbows on the table, Kuroyukihime whose face was hidden by her linked hands, her tortured thought that seemed to echo from a bottomless abyss reached Haruyuki.

“Accelerating thoughts to obtain money, performance, and fame. Are those the only reason we fight, the rewards we wish for, and the limits that we can reach? More... isn’t there something more ahead...? This... sh.e.l.l called human... on the outside... more...”

Ah - .

A little, just a little... he understood. From the intolerable «Ground», looking up at the far away «Sky», that kind of feeling.

Maybe his momentary thought reached her, Kuroyukihime slowly raised her face, she looked at Haruyuki with eyes radiating pressure.

But that was only for an instant, the beautiful uppercla.s.sman let her arms fall to the table, and spoke with a dry smile.

“...So, are you dumbfounded... or maybe scornful, Haruyuki-kun? I, for my goal, someday I might sacrifice you too. If you say you cannot cooperate anymore, then that’s fine. I won’t hold you back, and I won’t take back your Brain Burst.”

After Haruyuki thought for about two seconds - .

He slowly extended his right hand, and stopped about one centimeter before Kuroyukihime’s fingers, saying.

“Ah, that is... For any game, giving up seeing the ending, staying in the map right in front of it forever, if there is a person like that, then he is a fool. It is of course a matter of aiming for a higher level... since, isn’t this the reason for the existence of Brain Burst?”

It was not a lie to win favor from Kuroyukihime. For a hard core gamer, Haruyuki truly thought so from the bottom of his heart.

Kuroyukihime’s eyes instantly opened wide, a few seconds later, she blew out a laugh.

“Fu, ahaha... How could it be, you are more of a Burst Linker than me. I see... it’s of course a matter to aim for, that way huh...”

“It... it’s no laughing matter.”

A little hurt, Haruyuki’s mouth became pointed, he straightened his back and continued.

“Any... anyway, I will continue to help senpai. I too, want to eventually become... level 10.”

Suddenly, Kuroyukihime’s left hand that was on the table moved, and grabbed hold of Haruyuki’s right hand.

“Thank you.”

To the fl.u.s.tered Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime’s thoughts that were hollow and without reverberation just before, warmly flowed into him.

“Thank you, Haruyuki-kun. For sure... my judgement was not wrong. I am glad to have chosen you, from the bottom of my heart.”

At this point, he should return the hand held, and look into each other’s eyes - these kind of thing, is something that Haruyuki could not possibly do.

Instead of that, he pulled his right hand back on reaction, shrunk his head like a turtle, and stuttered with his retreated thought voice.

“N, no, not really... I am just someone barely to be used... In- instead of that, what is the main point, that is... what am I supposed to do...?”

In the short silence, in the eyes that stared straight at him, was it compa.s.sion?

Eventually, after a short sigh, Kuroyukihime spoke into the silence.

“That’s right. That was left for a long while... let’s get to the main point. Earlier, I told you about how I lived for two years, right?”

Haruyuki too, took a huge sigh and raised his head, he nodded to Kuroyukihime whose cool expression had returned.

“That is, it was not that I was able to continually win against the anger crazed kings or the a.s.sa.s.sins they sent. It’s not that... during these two years, I have not even once connected my Neuro Linker to the Global Net. If I am not on the matching list, then there won’t be any challenge or anything right?”

“Aa... Rea... really?”

He said without thinking. For Haruyuki, getting information from the Global Net is a must, like drinking water or breathing air. If that was cut, it would really be like the comparison of withering to death.

“Really really. I can use set terminal panels to check sites or read email, although the 2D view makes my eyes tired. It’s nothing once you get used to it... however, even if I am disconnected from the Global Net, for my social status, there is one net that I must connect to everyday.”

“S, status...? Is that rich girl... no, princess?”

“Idiot.”

The cold voice denied it, he finally thought that this person too is a middle school student like him.

“Ah, ah... I see. It is the Umesato school’s local net. ...Ah... wa, wait a minute. No way...”

“It"s true.”

Kuroyukihime finished her coffee in one gulp, then continued while holding her cup.

“Two months ago, the day after summer vacation ended, I was «Challenged» through the school local net. By someone in Umesato middle school.”

To the speechless Haruyuki, he was further surprised by the continuing speech.

“And the worst thing was... At that point my original Avatar was switched to a viewing dummy Avatar.”

“Dummy... is that kind of function available?”

“Yes. There are many who want to be in the gallery while hiding their real avatar. But of course, as a dummy it does not have any fighting ability. However the problem was not that... thinking back on it now it was most regrettable, I, for the dummy avatar, used my avatar for the school local net. I had never expected that a Burst Linker would suddenly appear in the same school...”

After a moment of doubt, Haruyuki did a slight jump that made his chair creak.

“Eh... is that the black swallowtail b.u.t.terfly...!?”

The s.e.xy avatar shown in his mind, overlapped the neatly uniformed shape in front of him.

“The enemy saw that... in the school local net...? That means... that is...”

“You are pretty sharp. Yes, that person, this me...”

“That person knew that this real me is «Black Lotus». The Burst Linker’s biggest taboo, «Reality Fracture». I became fearful of attacks in the real world by the six kings’ a.s.sa.s.sins.”

Attack... in the real world.

Haruyuki had already deduced the fearful meaning of those words. If the real person can be stopped, to put it in extremes, then kidnapping and imprisonment while using violence and threat to steal points is possible too.

Of course that is a felony. Even for «Normal Games», there were incidents of reality harm from troubles between players. And then, «Brain Burst» is not just a normal game.

Haruyuki held his breath while waiting for Kuroyukihime to continue explaining. However - .

“Even so... nothing happened. No attacks, nor even sign of contact.”

“What...?”

“I too was in a huge confusion, but... if it was like that, it can only be thought of like this. The enemy... wants to keep me to themselves. Fortunate to have found out the real me, gradually chase after me who has a huge reward on her head, without letting the legion that person belongs to know, hunt all my points for their self.”

“Chase after...?”

Looking at the head tilted Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime coughed, then desperately listed.

“In the toilet. While changing. During shower. During school, moments when I am not mentally prepared are plenty. Being pin pointed and challenged during those moments, there is no way to fully fight back.”

“Sho...wer, ooh.”

To Haruyuki who unconsciously imagined the full shower scene and leaked that word, Kuroyukihime again gave him another cold stare. Fortunately, she did not go after him beyond that, she sighed and continued.

“Actually, I was attacked over ten times this past two months by that person. Recently it was not all blunt timing, so I was somehow able to escape with a draw.”

“I... see. How to say it, that is a very greedy person... But, in a certain sense, it"s a blessing within misfortune, kind of...”

“Well, compared to attacks in reality, yes. But, other than that, I also can not return to my original Duel Avatar and beat him up. If the enemy thought it was no longer possible, he might give up my points, and give my head to the kings for the reward points instead...”

“A, ah... I see... yea.”

Haruyuki unconsciously muttered. The reason she was stuck was because of this.

“Then, but, what should we do? You can’t run, and can not attack back.”

“I know. There is only one way out. We have to know his real side too. His school year and cla.s.s, and if he is a Burst Linker I don’t know about.”

Bam. The feeling of wanting to hit his knee overwhelmed Haruyuki. In a situation when both sides know each other’s real ident.i.ty, to protect their Brain Burst, they should absolutely be able to stop the fighting.

“I see, that is right. If we can do that, we can completely seal the enemy’s movement. Saying so... isn’t that really simple? For example during morning a.s.sembly, when all the students gather in the auditorium, accelerate and challenge him. From the place he appear, you can find his cla.s.s and seat number.”

“Oh, pretty good. It took me a day to think of doing it that way.”

“...That means... you have already tried it?”

“Already tried. And then... I was shocked. It had been a while since I was so surprised.”

“Wh... who was it...?”

“There was no one.”

Kuroyukihime’s answer was not within Haruyuki’s expectation.

“There was only my name on the matching list. As you know, for Umesato middle school students, when they are in school, they are not allow to disconnect from the local net even for one instant. Since attendance and cla.s.ses are done through the net. If you disconnect, you will instantly be warned through the school announcement system. For that reason, I also can not block the enemy’s attacks. Even so... that person was not on the list!”

“He might be taking a break from school due to flu?”

Kuroyukihime stared at Haruyuki, then lightly snorted.

“I already checked that all the absent students were there that day. Other than that, after I was attacked, and managed to painfully escape with a draw, and right after, his name was not on the list either. That means... it’s hard to believe, that person can block his name, using some kind of method. He can challenge anyone as he likes, but other Burst Linkers cannot touch him. This blows away accelerated world’s golden rules at its roots, a terrible privilege. To be able to do that... means that there is a super hacker that succeeded in modifying the impregnable Brain Burst Program, or - someone that has contact with the program creator...”

Meeting the creator, finding out the «Meaning» of Brain Burst was her only goal for living. Kuroyukihime said that a little while ago. Then, finding out the truth of this mysterious enemy might be more important than her own protection.

For Haruyuki who deduced that, there was an unknown tingling feel in his chest, he muttered.

“...That means... the thing senpai want me to do... is help to find the truth about this enemy right?”

‘Not a knight protecting a princess from a demon.’

‘No... that is a matter of course. Don’t think about stupid things. I am a hound chasing a beast, or just a pig sniffing for mushroom in the ground.’

“Yea... well, that’s about it.”

Not showing any sign of noticing Haruyuki’s moment of conflict, Kuroyukihime lightly nodded.

“Actually, I have already acquired a lot of information. I will list the ones I understand now... First, the enemy’s name. His Duel Avatar is called «Cyan Pile». Level 4.”

“Cyan... Pile...”

Very... cool. That seems to be strong. No, Kuroyukihime said level 4 was the first wall. So that means actually strong.

“Affinity is, very pure «Close Range Blue». I have seen him punch out the stage’s thin wall many times. Does not have any lateral jump equipment. That’s why I was able to escape thus far... to be honest, I"m almost at my limit. I can not keep up the concentration.”

That must be it. From arriving at school till leaving for home, not knowing at what moment the attack come, this kind of situation, Haruyuki probably could not endure for three days. However, Kuroyukihime, without showing any sign of exhaustion, continued to send him clear thoughts.

“Also, this is just a conjecture... that not just me, that person is being haunted too, I get this feeling.”

“Eh... by what?”

“Fear of losing acceleration. That person is probably on the dangerous verge of drying up his Burst Points. For people with enough points, normal duels are more enjoyable. Like Ash Roller that you fought.”

“A, ah... that’s right, that person was enjoying it a lot...”

“However, Cyan Pile does not have a single bit of that extra. Silent, without any inhibition, and chased me with an almost crazy appearance. That is a sign only Burst Linkers fearing loss have. The cheap reward from the kings on my head was not enough, he wants all the points that I have gained. ...Well, that does not mean much of anything...”

“I... see. We can not really do a mental check on all the students. Are those the only things you found out?”

Haruyuki lightly asked to find out - but.

Suddenly, he somehow felt that Kuroyukihime’s thought became strangely tense. He thought a bit, before he could ask, she shook her head and said.

“No. There is one more important information detail. ...The Guide Cursor.”

“Oh? That water colored arrow icon?”

“Yes. That, from the start of battle, points to the enemy"s position. That means... even if I can not see the moment that Cyan Pile appear, if I memorize the starting direction of the cursor, the enemy’s real body will be somewhere in a direct line in that direction... this is the theory.”

“Ah... ah! I see, that’s right. If the stage is same shape as the real one, then you can find out which corner of the school he is hiding at!”

“That’s right. I have memorized the guide cursor direction from tens of attacks up to now, and compared it to the list of students in Umesato middle school in that direction, keeping track of the overlap names. The result, I deduced the person with the highest chance of being Cyan Pile. But, there is no actual evidence. In a place that is packed with so many people, one line is not enough. Since there are usually tens of students in that line. ...Haruyuki-kun, what I want you to do is, when I am attacked next time, you will be automatic audience, then memorize Cyan Pile’s direction with the gallery use cursor.”

“Cursor... if there are two, then...”

At Haruyuki’s amazed speech, Kuroyukihime nodded with a harder than usual expression.

“Right. With two cursors, then there is only one point they cross. Then, if there is a student at that position... that will be proof without doubt. Being Cyan Pile’s real body.”

Biting her lips, Kuroyukihime’s right hand finger swiftly moving in s.p.a.ce, manipulating the virtual desktop that only she can see. The one file that she pulled out, was going to slide toward Haruyuki - right before, however, her finger stopped.

“...? What’s going on? Who is that, this candidate?”

With his interest roused, even after he drank the huge frappé, his throat was still dry when he moved it, he leaned far out.

Kuroyukihime still seemed to be hesitating, eventually, like she has something else to say, finally shot the file over.

“Listen... when I prepared that file, it was one week before meeting you at that game corner, after a difficult search to find the third acceleration candidate in Umesato middle school.”

Not understanding why she has to say that, Haruyuki winkled his brow as he accepted the file. He unhesitatingly tapped on the icon in his virtual desktop.

What opened, was just one picture. It was probably used in student identification cards, a bust up frontal shot was shown.

“...Eh...? This...? Wh...y.”

Vigorously cut neat short hair. Blue hairpin. Cat like large eyes.

Looks familiar... not just that. It’s a face he has seen the longest in the world other than his mother.

“Chi... Chiyuri? That person is... a Burst Linker...?”

Muttering, he relaxed for more than five seconds, then burst the bubble and faced Kuroyukihime.

“No... that is not possible! She is very bad at games. She is bad at every genre... there is no way she has the apt.i.tude for Burst Linker. Slow-witted... everything shows up on her face... that is, she is not someone that can stubbornly hunt senpai.”

“You seem to know a lot about her.”

Hearing the slightly harder voice, Haruyuki said without looking at Kuroyukihime’s eyes.

“That is... well, we are childhood friends...”

“When I met her earlier at the school gate, I was surprised. If she is «Cyan Pile» then of course she would know that I am «Black Lotus». I suspected she had some kind of plan, but...”

“That is, because she is not deft enough for this kind of psychological like attack. Actually she is extremely inept, all her thoughts are shown on her face.”

Somehow, the more Haruyuki protested, the higher the angle Kuroyukihime’s eyebrows became, she replied with a cold voice.

“In that case it is more natural to think that she is «Cyan Pile» right? She... Kurashima-kun clearly showed hostility toward me, you saw it too.”

“No, that is, not like that, it was because senpai and I Direct Connected and things...”

“Why would she be angry about that? Kurashima-kun has a genuine boyfriend right? Then, if Haruyuki-kun and I direct connect or link arms, she has no obligation to complain.”

“...That is... it is like that but...”

How did it become like this, Haruyuki felt like holding his head as he became speechless. Chiyuri surely has a nothing to complaint about boyfriend in Tak.u.mu, other than that, that is - I am her - .

Underling? Belonging? Possessed property?

Some unspeakable words crossed his mind, he was having trouble with how to explain the nuance, when Kuroyukihime showered him without mercy.

“Maybe her att.i.tude is like this? Kurashima-kun was a Burst Linker from before, thinking of eventually making you into her «Child». Then I suddenly s.n.a.t.c.h you from the side. So, unable to hold her anger, she came after me. How about that?”

Logical or illogical theory somehow became a speech of a somewhat spoiled brat; unable to understand Kuroyukihime’s mentality at all, when he noticed, he had already went with the flow and announced.

“I... understand! Then, I will directly check with her!”

“Oh?”

Moving one eyebrow, Kuroyukihime obstinately said.

“But, how are you planning to do it? Asking her face to face if she is a Burst Linker won’t work; you understand why, right? Saying so, when «Cyan Pile» can freely block attacks, you cannot just challenge her when you see her. The reason I am so troubled in the first place is because I cannot find out. Just saying any fancy idea can be troublesome.”

“It’s not just a fancy idea!”

Unable to hold back a sharp retort, Haruyuki did so with pointed mouth.

“Listen, I will direct connect with her. Even with attack blocking, during direct connect I should be able to check her memory to see if she has the Brain Burst program or not. Senpai should be satisfied with this right?”