It was a night like any other.
The moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a gentle silver glow over the 62nd floor.
Wisps of clouds drifted lazily, adding a serene touch to the otherwise ordinary evening. As I lay in bed at the inn, preparing for sleep before the Boss Battle of tomorrow, I closed my eyes, letting the day's fatigue wash over me.
But suddenly, my vision was flooded with a blinding whiteness.
I opened them quickly, searching for the source, only to find myself in a familiar white room.
Oh, I've entered my consciousness.
'Well, it makes sense. I'm playing a game, it's not like my soul is chained in there'
I wasn't surprised. Although the system message reminding me of the remaining days was absent from the moment the System incorporated itself with SAO's system, I recalled it was 136.
A quick mental check confirmed that it matched the actual days I'd spent in SAO.
Looking around, it didn't take long to spot what I was searching for—my sword.
The blade stood embedded in the ground, with orbs swirling around it, casting an ethereal glow.
If there was something different from the past, was the number of orbs present.
There were two more.
'I wasn't too sure in the past, but it really seems those swirling orbs are my authorities. Interesting'
Unfortunately, I still didn't have the skills required to analyze what I had in front of me in detail, so although I could understand, it was only me throwing guesses.
That's as far as I could go, for now.
But my attention was actually drawn to the numerous black chains binding it.
Just like the orbs, there were significantly more than the last time, and they were bulkier than those I remember. I could differenciate the two quite easily since the 'original' chains were now cracked in several places, struggling to contain whatever power lay within.
It's likely for this reason that new, stronger chains had been summoned to reinforce the old ones.
But oh well, I can't do much about it aside from increasing the awakening %.
I approached the sword, reaching out to touch its hilt.
The sight of it brought back some memories of the 1st and 2nd Trials, moments filled with both triumph and hardship.
I allowed myself a few moments of reminiscence before steeling myself.
Using all my strength, I tried to pull it free. Despite the fact I was not sealed in my consciousness, unlike the 3rd Trial, I could barely lift it a few centimeters.
I sighed.
"I'm sorry. I am not strong enough to free you from those chains yet. But I promise you it will happen. It's only a matter of time."
There was no physical response, but I could feel its emotions—anticipation and happiness.
Thanks for believing in me and supporting me this far.
I smiled and let go of the hilt, ready to head back.
Just before I could open the usual door, a faint feeling made me turn around.
...
There was nothing there, just my ordinary sword. Shaking my head, I dismissed it as my imagination—
As if!!
I turned back to the sword, staring at it.
...
"You're not trolling, are you?"
...
"So, I really need to be the clueless idiot who can't take a hint and leave right now? Is that what you're telling me?"
...No response.
Fine, you win.
I'll quietly leave.
I owe you for all the help you've given me, after all.
Opening the door, I stepped through, my resolve to complete my sword's awakening stronger than ever.
...
[...Haha]
A small laugh echoed in the space, ending almost as soon as it started.
---
Returning to my body, I finally thought it was time to sleep. But before I could drift off, I felt someone hugging me.
Sigh.
...Why's it all happening today? Just let a man sleep...
I opened my eyes, but what I saw was something completely out of my expectations.
Honestly, seeing a ghost wouldn't have surprised me nearly as much.
That is because the person hugging me was a girl with long, dark hair and bright black eyes.
She wore a one-piece white dress with a ribbon tied around her waist.
I was immediately stunned when her features came into view.
For obvious reasons.
'What the fuck!?'
...
Before I could begin to question what was happening, I noticed she was trembling as she hugged me, tears streaming down her face.
The sight of her crying escalated the barrage of questions in my mind.
Somehow, I had made a girl cry, and I didn't even know what I had done.
Officer, please put the guns down, I swear I didn't do anything...
But would they believe me, in this situation!?
Jokes aside, I could hear her whisper, "Thank god you're alive. I thought, I thought you..."
Now you're really worrying me.
Deciding it was time to get some answers, I gently lifted her face up.
The sight of a crying kid was a little disheartening, even for someone like me.
I still have emotions, after all.
"Hey, it's okay. Just calm down and answer my questions calmly, Okay? First, who are you?" I inquired, doing my best to mask the fact that I already knew who she was.
Her tear-filled eyes met mine, a mix of relief and confusion swirling within them. I needed to understand what was going on.
"...Yui-MHCP001," she whispered.
I shook my head and retorted, "From now on, you'll be just Yui." I paused, then asked, "Why are you crying, and how did you get here?"
Yui sniffled and said, "I had been monitoring you for a while now, but all of a sudden, your presence was...gone. Your physical body was still here, but the most important part was missing."
She paused, taking a shaky breath. "For me, that's no different from death. I couldn't resist the urge to appear here, hoping to save you."
Her voice wavered as she continued, "But while I was trying to do something, you somehow returned, which brought me a lot of relief. That's why I'm like this."
If I didn't know what she truly was, I might've asked her questions related to her identity, but I didn't feel like focusing on useless things.
Stunned, I simply responded, "I see."
I gently wiped away her tears with my fingers, watching as Yui closed her eyes in response. Her small face, framed by long dark hair, looked delicate and vulnerable.
Now I feel like a scumbag!
Sigh.
Why did the Cardinal System had to create Yui as a kid like this?
Still, there was one more important question I had to ask, as I couldn't hold back my curiosity.
"Why are you so concerned with my well-being anyway?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent, though I was a little moved.
Yui looked away, replying timidly, "Your presence has been the only somewhat pleasant thing I've enjoyed during these months of hell and suffering."
I don't know what that meant, but judging from those words, I realized Yui had all her memories, yet she still appeared in front of me.
Was that safe? I worried about the possibility of her being flagged for deletion, which would spell a lot of trouble. But seeing her genuine concern for me, I couldn't bring myself to ask about it now. Despite everything, I couldn't be harsh with kids.
I patted Yui's head. "I don't know what you went through, but if I've been of help to you, then I'm glad."
That was my genuine thought, although it went against my original plan.
No, in fact, that plan could not be used anymore.
I'll have to come up with another one.
Yui's face lit up as she grew closer to mine. "Do you really think that?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes, why wouldn't I?" I replied.
Yui's eyes shimmered with a mix of emotions, "I should be the one working towards helping the players, but instead, I got help from one. It's kind of shameful... Should I go ahead and help you anyway?"
NO.
I immediately shook my head. "There's no need to do that. I'm just happy to have been of help!"
I said this not only because I genuinely wanted to reassure her but also out of fear of the Cardinal System. Yui had been strictly forbidden from helping the users. If she did, the System would undoubtedly punish her severely.
Yui, unaware of my true concerns, misunderstood my words as a sign of genuine goodness. She hugged me even tighter, her small arms trembling. "I don't want to let you go. I really like you."
No way...
An absurd thought crossed my mind—what if the FBI was recording this conversation to use it against me? The idea was ridiculous, of course, but it was hard to shake off.
Jokes aside.
As I stood there, feeling Yui's warmth and sincerity, I realized I had now gained a cute little daughter who would probably start following me around.
No, in the first place, she was already kind of doing that.
Strangely enough, though I should have been annoyed or burdened by this, I wasn't annoyed at all.
---
Author's Note:
Sword Waifu is trolling?
Confirmed?
If you don't get what happened, in essence, Akira felt something akin to a presence, so he turned around, but there was no one.
Of course, a normal MC would gloss over it like it was nothing, but we're not into that kind of shit here.