Chapter 2: Link Start
"Link Start" As a dazzling burst of multicolored particles exploded across his retinas, Hikigaya Hachiman's ankle landed precisely on the cobblestone pavement of the Starting Town — Wait a second, something about this sensation was off!
'Huh? A descent sequence? Wait, isn't this the character I used for my part-time job... Damn it, I should've rebuilt my character from the start... Can't believe this avatar still exists.'
Hikigaya shrugged helplessly and leisurely began checking his appearance and status screen.
"Still named Hachiman', huh. And stats reset to default...
Well, not like I'm going to play seriously. If it's just for fun and relaxation, this'll do... But seriously, all that time I spent excitedly brainstorming names last night went to waste..."
Just then, a new effect appeared on the edge of his vision.
(A system message? Or something from Kayaba Akihiko?)
He tapped it open, and the message displayed:
"The moment you find something real in this game will come — I will not apologize, but I believe you'll understand. This isn't compensation, but I've managed to place the equipment you favored but couldn't import into the official version somewhere in the game. If you find it, make good use of it."
The word "real" jolted Hachiman into curling up in pain from a recent memory.
The feeling was so distorted it made him nauseous.
This wasn't like the conversations he'd once had with Kayaba.
Now, Hachiman had a clear understanding of what he truly sought.
'Here we go again! This cryptic language is even more suffocating than Hiratsuka-sensei talking about marriage!'
"Restoring your eyes took quite a bit of effort."
At the second message, Hachiman bolted toward the fountain.
He peered at his reflection in the water.
'Even in a VRMMO, my eyes look like they're rotting...? What the hell? Is this some twisted pity for social recluses? Or has Kayaba developed a strange new fetish?'
After slumping in defeat at the cruel reality, Hachiman tried to decipher the meaning behind Kayaba's message.
'My usual weapon... But in a world this vast, how could I ever find it again? And what did he mean by "I believe you'll understand"? Ugh, no point obsessing. Time is precious.'
Hachiman made his way to the open-air stalls in the market district.
'This place is just like I remember — it was already pretty well-established when I last played.'
Staring at the price tag of a short sword, he imagined Yukino holding a teacup with a faint, evil smile.
"300 Cor? Are you trying to rob me? The same sword is 250 at the next stall over!"
"You don't get it, do ya?" said the mohawked vendor, twirling a dagger. "This one's got the [Blessing of the Forever Alone] effect — boosts drop rate by 0.5% for solo players~"'
'That dubious effect is clearly made up. Do I look like Zaimokuza — the kind of idiot who'd believe in a mythical "Panty Collector Demon Sword"?'
Satisfied with his look, Hachiman masked his presence as much as possible.
Though not a system skill, this stealth technique for solo players was somewhat effective — nobody noticed him at all, thanks to his solo player aura, which seemingly overrode system mechanics.
Just as Hachiman was turning to head out for some hunting, he bumped into someone who had appeared behind him unnoticed, stumbling back a few steps.
"Ah, s-s-sorry!"
He reflexively apologized, then froze in shock:
'Wait, when did this girl—? No, hold on! Gender in VR characters means nothing! Like that time the 200-pound programmer used a little girl avatar!'
Hikigaya jumped back and tried to look directly at the person, but unaccustomed to eye contact, he averted his gaze and fell silent.
The person stepped closer and spoke first:
"Sorry, sorry. You were just so interesting I couldn't help but get a closer look~ I'm Argo the info broker. Come find me if you need anything!"
Hachiman tactically stepped back three paces and locked his eyes on the tip of her nose.
"Miss, according to SAO Player Guidelines Article 38, entering within 0.5 meters of another player without consent constitutes sexual harassment."
While sneaking glances at Argo, he noticed the tattoo on her face.
He blurted out instinctively:
"That tattoo... the martial arts skill quest — where did you get it? Was it on the second floor?"
Argo's heart jolted. That martial arts info was supposed to be her exclusive beta-tester secret.
Trying to stay calm, she mentally scanned the beta tester roster but found no trace of this player.
As Argo stayed silent, Hachiman assumed she hadn't heard him.
Summoning all his social courage, he introduced himself:
"Uh... my name is... Hachiman. Nice to meet you."
Regaining her composure, Argo responded casually:
"Hachiman, huh? I'll call you Hachi then~ Looking forward to working with you~"
Now it was Hachiman's turn to be thrown off.
'Giving nicknames right after meeting? Are you Yukinoshita? No, wait — this is just like that tasteless Yui-style nickname thing.'
"But more importantly—" Argo suddenly leaned in and whispered in his ear:
"Hachi, who are you, really? I didn't see you during the beta at all~"
The closeness sent Hachiman into a panic.
'Too close! At this rate, I'll fall for her! And what's with this sultry voice?! It's just like... her!'
Sweating bullets, Hachiman thought of the student council president, Isshiki Iroha.
He took a deep breath and calculated:
'Telling an info broker too much is dangerous. I'll just give a vague answer.'
"Ah... I helped Mr. Kayaba a bit before the beta. Just a short-term part-time gig before testing started..."
"No need for formal speech, Hachi — we're both players and close in age~ Helped him? Wait, are you from ARGUS?"
"I only met him during an internship and did some brief testing... I probably know less about the beta than the actual testers."
'That's not a lie. I really don't know the beta's progress or content.'
Argo seemed satisfied with the answer.
"No wonder you move like that~ Fascinating! Wanna add each other as friends?"
Looking at Argo's beaming, outstretched hand, Hachiman froze again.
'A spontaneous handshake?! Another Hayama-type normie?! Do normies just... befriend people like it's nothing?!'
Suddenly, Hachiman realized something.
'Wait, this might not even be a woman in real life. No girl's ever wanted to shake hands with me before.'
Slightly less tense now, he mimicked the way he once high-fived Hayama and gave Argo a light tap on the hand.
"Uh... sure. Let's get along."
"Then hit me up anytime~"
Argo waved and jogged off. Hachiman stood frozen in place.
'A hybrid of Yukinoshita, Isshiki, and Hayama... Argo's something else. At least she doesn't have Miura or Kawasaki in her, or I'd be speechless.'
Hachiman regrouped and set out for the fields, once again using his non-system stealth technique — still unsure if it worked.
'At least I can hold conversations now. This past half-year wasn't a total waste. Of course, being alone is most comfortable... unless those guys show up...'
After leaving the city, Hachiman found an open hunting ground and took a deep breath, raising his weapon.
Not far away were two players calling each other "Kirito" and "Klein."
"Dammit, Klein! I told you to stop doing the Terminator pose mid-battle!"
"But it's manly as hell, Kirito!"
'These two idiots are definitely going to die within three episodes... Wait, why is the Mad Boar respawning right behind them?!'
Just as the massive tusks were about to skewer the red-haired samurai, Hachiman's body moved before his brain could react.
His dagger, powered by his AGI stat, left a blur as it pierced the Boar King's... butt?
'What the hell?! I was aiming for the weak spot! This stupid system is targeting me on purpose!'
As the now-enraged boss charged at him, Hachiman frantically opened his inventory.
Suddenly, Kayaba's mentioned "favorite gear" began glowing in his junk pile — a frying pan from the beta, named [The Recluse's Redemption]?
'Kayaba Akihiko, I swear to—!!'
Just then, a private message from Argo popped up:
*[To Hachi: Just recorded a video of someone getting chased around a tree by a boar ten times~ Wanna buy it for 1000 Cor? (ฅ>ω<ฅ)]
"ARGOOOO—!!"