Hachiman called out, but it was Yui who responded.
"Papa, something's coming! It's… the Grandmaster!" Yui warned.
"Thanks, Yui," Hachiman said, focusing on the corridor.
Emerging was a slug-like avatar Hachiman didn't recognize, previously used by Asuna's captor and Argo. He smirked, "Akihiko-san, what's with that look? Ruins your charm."
"Sorry, it was the only avatar available," the figure replied. "Long time no see. Call me Heathcliff, for old times' sake."
"Got it, Heathcliff," Hachiman said, adopting their old camaraderie.
"Sorry for the delay. I only just integrated my consciousness," Heathcliff said.
"What's your state now?" Hachiman asked.
"I'm an echo of Akihiko Kayaba, a fleeting remnant," Heathcliff replied.
"Kirito might get that, but it's lost on me," Hachiman said.
"Think of me as a transient existence, soon to fade," Heathcliff clarified.
"I see…" Hachiman murmured.
They sat side by side, gazing at the sky.
"Beautiful view," Heathcliff remarked.
"You made this sky. Sugou just tweaked it," Hachiman said.
"Honestly, I barely remember him," Heathcliff admitted.
Hachiman chuckled, "Like that vampire lamprey said, your scale for judging people is probably in meters. Sugou was just a few millimeters, too small for you to notice."
"Maybe so," Heathcliff said, placing a slug tentacle on Hachiman's head, patting it.
"Hey…" Hachiman protested.
"Thanks for stopping someone who defiled my final work. Now I can find closure," Heathcliff said.
"Yeah," Hachiman replied, allowing the patting, reminiscent of their bond from over two years ago.
Heathcliff glanced at Yui. "That pixie seems to be part of my Cardinal System."
"I'm Yui, from the Medical Health Counseling Program, [Y-Utility-Interface]!" Yui chirped. "Nice to meet you, Grandmaster!"
"You named her, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Yes," Heathcliff said. "She's thriving here. A piece of my SAO will stay by your side."
"Heathcliff…" Hachiman said softly.
"I've sent something to your NerveGear's storage via Yui," Heathcliff said, producing a silver egg-like object.
"What's that?" Hachiman asked.
"The Seed of the World. Investigate it with Kirito or Argo. What you do with it is up to you."
"Got it," Hachiman nodded.
"I'm off," Heathcliff said.
"Where to?" Hachiman asked.
"To an unseen world. If fate aligns, we'll meet again… brother."
"Akihiko… san," Hachiman whispered.
Heathcliff—Akihiko Kayaba—vanished.
"Papa, the Grandmaster's presence is gone," Yui said.
"Right. Yui, what happens if I log out here?" Hachiman asked.
"You'll reappear at the Grand Quest gate," Yui replied.
"Good. I'm off to get Mama," Hachiman said.
"I'll wait for you both!" Yui chirped.
"Sorry for leaving you alone," Hachiman said.
"It's okay, Papa. My consciousness sleeps when you're gone, so it'll feel like an instant!" Yui assured.
"Right, forgot about that. I'm off," Hachiman said.
"I'm excited to see Mama!" Yui replied.
"See ya, Yui," Hachiman said.
"Bye!" Yui waved.
Hachiman logged out. His consciousness flickered, then returned. Grabbing his things, he rushed out toward Asuna's hospital across the parking lot.
(Talking with Heathcliff slowed me down. Gotta hurry, he thought.)
As he crossed, a car sped toward him. Hachiman tried to dodge, but it swerved to follow.
"Whoa!" Hachiman barely evaded as the car crashed into a wall. A familiar man stepped out.
"Sugou!" Hachiman exclaimed.
"You slippery brat!" Sugou snarled, eyes bloodshot, stance awkward from pain.
"Why are you here?" Hachiman demanded.
"You said you'd go to her room! Sure, it's crawling with cops, but you're alone. I raced here, and I was right!" Sugou said, brandishing a knife.
"I'll get caught, but I'll kill you first. My eye still throbs!" Sugou raged.
(He's unhinged. Escape? But he'll follow to the hospital, endangering others…) Hachiman thought, searching for a way to call for help.
Sugou advanced, swinging the knife. Hachiman, used to game reflexes, dodged but tripped in reality's heavier physics.
"Damn!" Hachiman cursed.
"No game moves here. Die!" Sugou lunged.
Suddenly, two figures appeared. One tackled Sugou; the other kicked the knife away. The tackler grinned at Hachiman.
"Hikitani-kun, close call, huh?" he said.
"Tobe! Then you're…" Hachiman turned.
"Yomino-san told us to wait here, but I didn't expect an actual thug," the other said. "She's something else."
"Hayama!" Hachiman exclaimed.
Tobe and Hayama restrained Sugou. "Thanks, guys. Reality's heavier than I'm used to," Hachiman said.
"No worries, Hikitani-kun. You're fresh out of a coma. Leave this to us," Tobe said.
"Compare, call the police. We're tied up here," Hayama added.
"The police are in the hospital. I'll get them," Hachiman said. "This guy's creepy, huh?"
"More than creepy," Tobe muttered.
Sugou, restrained, muttered incoherently, eyes vacant.
Hachiman called Kikoka in Asuna's room, then explained to Tobe and Hayama. "You know the news about the hundred still trapped in SAO? This guy's the culprit. We finally saved them all. Thanks, both of you."
"No way…" Tobe gasped.
"Amazing, Hikitani-san!" Hayama said.
"Not just me. You two, and everyone who fought with me," Hachiman said.
"Here come the police," Hayama noted.
"Hachiman-kun, you okay? Sorry I didn't notice," Kikoka said.
"No worries, I didn't expect this either," Hachiman replied.
"Asuna's awake. Leave this to us and go see her," Kikoka urged.
"Thanks, Kikoka-san," Hachiman said.
"We're the ones grateful. You helped solve this case," Kikoka replied.
"I'm off," Hachiman said.
He turned to Tobe and Hayama. "Come with me."
"What? It's your big reunion," Tobe protested.
"Go alone, Hikitani-kun," Hayama added.
"Sure, but I want Asuna to meet my friends," Hachiman said.
"Friends…" Tobe echoed.
"Friends, huh?" Hayama repeated.
Tobe whispered to Hayama, "Hikitani-kun called us friends. I'm kinda touched."
"Me too," Hayama replied. "Let's go to the room but wait outside first, let them have their moment, then meet her."
"Deal!" Tobe agreed.
"Sorry, was calling you friends too much?" Hachiman asked hesitantly.
"Nah, don't sweat it. We're friends, right?" Tobe grinned.
"Introduce us to her already," Hayama urged.
"Alright, let's go," Hachiman said.
The trio headed to Asuna's room. Tobe and Hayama insisted on waiting outside, as planned. Hachiman, nervous, knocked on her door.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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