32 Chapter 32: Different Path, But Have the Same Goal.

Rein won't conclude in an extreme view that humanity is just a disgusting creature who only wear a mask for their ugly desire.

There is somebody who has a good conscience, like the Kirigaya's family who accepts him wholeheartedly, the outsider.

But it's very rare to find someone with a conscience in the first place.

Most of them, even if they aren't a criminal, they are people who only show their true nature only during the critical moment.

They only expose their nature to save oneself by pulling others' leg after being pushed to a cruel situation.

That moment is precisely this situation he's facing right now.

"After all, what matters to you all if I die on the road and get killed by the monsters? It won't affect you at all, right?" (Rein)

"....."

"All of you are blaming me, so you can relieve your emotion to me.

SO YOU CAN RUN AWAY FROM REALITY."

"Tch!!?" (Players)

Without any pauses nor embarrassment, Rein points out the ugly fact they don't want to face.

Of course, most of the players do this subconsciously, not with concrete purpose.

But will it change the result?

No.

They will still do this in the future too, even if the scapegoat will get hurt badly or ultimately die.

Because your own self is the most important existence in the world.

That's all.

No matter what religion or moral you have been learned from the past, most people will only use it as a mask to fit into society.

It won't change at all.

In the past, present and until the future.

However, why do they do it in the first place?

"....Why is it, damn it? Why you are still fine after being involved in this crazy shit!? Why you don't give up even in this hopeless situation!?" (Player A)

Yes, that's the reason.

Because they are weak while Rein showed himself as a strong person.

That overwhelmingly huge differences make them unconsciously be ashamed and try to drag him as well so they will be on the same level.

Because....he is too bright.

And they don't want to accept it.

Rein, who faces daily struggle on the business field in the past faced it all the time. When a big public company makes a mistake, all of the competitors try to gobble up many benefits they could get like a hyena while pushing all of the responsibility to the company shamelessly.

It is much worse and ugly what a person could imagine after knowing their true side.

However,

(These guys are just confused right now.) (Rein)

For these people, he will give the perfect solution for the path they need to walk right now.

To the one who questions him, Rein only answers him calmly but this time, with a bitter smile.

"It looks like you are misunderstanding something. I'm also scared and afraid of this situation, you know?"

".....What?" (Player A)

"Just like you and every people in this place, I'm afraid of death. I also fear the monsters that will attack and kill me. Most of all, ...I'm also afraid the unknown future that will endanger me all this time."

".....Hah?"

Now they become more and more confused after listening to him.

He, the guy who openly declares the game master himself of killing him personally is afraid of death?

What kind of joke this man is saying right now?

But, Rein is neither lying nor trying to appease them either.

What he says is the truth with no ounce of lies.

"True, I won't even know what will be facing me in the future. Maybe I will die before fulfilling it. Maybe I'm just a liar. Or maybe, ...I will fall even before I reach my goal." (Rein)

"...."

Each and every player can only listen to him silently without refuting to him.

"But."

While looking at them directly, Rein gives the word that'll be remembered for a long time.

"I will always rise, no matter what it takes. Even if I'll fall down in the middle of the road, I will always stand up, because giving up means I am over." (Rein)

"!!" (Players)

After saying what he wants, he leaves the plaza in steady steps without waiting for their reactions.

The players could only look at his back, unable to stop him.

He won't know will his words reach to them.

After all, anyone could say their pretty ideal and scoff at it.

Right now, all he could do is to struggle, just like any of them.

So he could survive and most of all,

To rebel this world.

*****

"...Wait, Rein!!" (???)

"Hmm?" (Rein)

After going outside the city, Rein immediately heads to another city for finding a harder quest and stronger monster to aim.

However, in the middle of the road, he got called by his name even though he never said it to anybody yet.

In this world, there are only two people who could recognize him.

One is Kayaba Akihiko.

and the other is...

"Kazuto. No, Kirito is it. I guess you are in this world too." (Rein)

"....I should say the same. I never thought I could meet you this quick after that goodbye." (???)

It is the main character in this story.

However, instead of reunion with tears and joy, Kazuto only face him with a serious face.

No, maybe Kirito is a better fit in this world.

"How?"(Kirito)

"of what?" (Rein)

"Don't play dumb. I know you already predict this situation even before the start. That's why you said farewell to us."

(As expected. I really can't hide from him.) (Rein)

In the story, Kirito is the one who defeated the last boss in an informal manner even before reaching the top floor. Of course, it took him a certain amount of sharp intuition to do it in the first place.

Therefore, he immediately links Rein's farewell to this situation.

Because he knows it beforehand.

"...*sigh*... At that time, I should stop you to play this game even by force. Reminding you of the danger of Sword Art Online" (Rein)

"...So you really know it." (Kirito)

With a bitter smile, Rein can only respond weakly to that.

"The purpose I come to Japan is because of this game in the first place. Just like you, the first time is just an interest. However, the more I dig deep into this game, The more I find it dangerous."

"....."

"Even so, I can't convince you Kirito. It's not because I don't want to but I CAN'T. The information that I gathered is literally illegal by hacking to Kayaba's server. You won't even believe it with just that."

"...."

"..Fuuuhhh...I'm really sorry for making you involved into this. You got into trouble because of my indecisiveness."

*Shakes head.*

"....No, it's fine. It's also hard for me to believe it. ...After all, this situation still feels unreal to me."

Kirito listens to Rein's confession without missing a word, but he won't feel remorse nor hated without telling nor remind him.

Just like he said, Kirito can't believe it even if Rein convinced him passionately since the scale is too big for him to accept it.

However, the biggest reason is he himself.

(I myself won't stop no matter what.) (Kirito)

Because he himself already gets charmed by SAO, there'll be no obstacle to prevent him from playing.

Even if his friend will try to stop him.

"....I see. thank you for saying that." (Rein)

"...What do you plan to do now?" (Kirito)

"Just like I said, raise my level. If I want to defeat the floor boss, my current status is nowhere near enough."

"....You really are strong. ...Unlike me..."

Seeing his friend' resolute action and determined face, Kirito could only feel inferior and ashamed. Even in this situation, he can still act calmly, unlike himself who almost break.

Noticing Kirito's feeling, Rein only smiles faintly to him and grab his shoulder.

To encourage this person, he won't care no matter hard will it takes.

Because this person is Rein's friend in a genuine sense.

"Don't give up." (Rein)

"...I..." (Kirito)

"Kirito, I understand you are still panicked of this predicament. I also feel that way. However,.... you have somebody waiting for you in that world, right?"

"!!...That's."

"If you give up now, it will really be the end. If you stop your track and rot in that city, then you really won't be able to move anymore. That's why, ....struggle. It's fine for it to be pitiful. It's also fine for you to fall in the middle of the road. ...However, don't ever lose hope until the end. Because.

There are people wishing for your return, no matter how long will it takes."

"....Haha, I'm supposed to support you when you need it. ..Instead, I'm the who gets cheered up. Geez... I'm really pathetic."

Although Kirito himself said that, Rein won't feel Kirito is a weak person.

In Rein's opinion, every human is weak in some way.

No matter how much strong front human put in the surface, there's got to be a vulnerable side that is weak and easy to break.

That's why humans support each other.

True, maybe Kirito feels depressed after being trapped in this world.

However, as long as Suguha and Kazuki wait for him in the real world, it will give him unlimited energy to survive in this world brilliantly.

Even if it takes years, even if Kirito will walk the thorny and long path.

"Fuuuhh....alright, I really get motivated now! If it's now, I feel like I can beat anybody who comes to me!!" (Kirito)

"Ahahaha! That's the spirit. Now that's the Kirito that I know."

"Haha, sorry for troubling you, Rein."

"It's fine. That's what friends are for."

With this, he successfully leads Kirito back to his feet without staggering again.

If he already falls only in this small 'rock', then he won't be able to survive anymore on the later stage.

After that, Rein tries to ask Kirito his future plan.

After all, motivation only won't lead anywhere.

"Just like you Rein, I will also go another city. From beta test day, I have the lead to go for the next place."

"....Alone?"

"Ukk... I don't have a choice alright? Beta tester doesn't get seen in a good light. Much more in this situation..."

As expected of a loner, his answer is also truly a loner-like. In fact, it's more idiotic for Rein to expect a guy like Kirito able to travel with other players in the first place.

....How sad it is.

"Haaahhh... I'm not saying that's wrong but. At least you could make one companion to accompany you. What is it? Are you going to be a king of the loner even in this world?" (Rein)

"Sh-shut up! Don't bother it!! Also, what's with the king of loner!? I still have friends in the real world, alright!?" (Kirito)

Ah, he immediately gets panicked. Rein, who see Kirito like this only narrow his eyes and stare at him directly to the face.

"Hohhh, Really? In this one year, I never see you a single time playing with friends of your age even once. Moreover, every day I come to your home, you always holed up in your room, playing this game all day long. I wonder who's your so-called "friends" are ?"

"Guh..."

"Whew...you really are hopeless."

In any case, Rein also didn't expect much for Kirito able to gather companions in the early phase.

Right now is the most dangerous situation for beta testers like Kirito. If their identity gets exposed carelessly to scums, then there's no doubt he will get sucked every drop they could get while leaving him penniless or dead on the road.

Rein wants to accompany him but that is an impossible wish to fulfill.

After all, that speech only already gather unwanted attention and deep animosity from most players. If he travels with Kirito, rather than helping him, it will only endanger him more than now.

Besides,

(For the current him, I'm sure he won't give up easily.) (Rein)

Kirito, who also knows it, didn't even bother to ask Rein to party with him because he's thinking the same line.

Therefore, both of them is on their own.

Right now, they can only walk their own path as best they could.

"Fuuuhh... Don't force yourself, okay?" (Rein)

"That's my line. Don't die until we reach the top." (Kirito)

With a resolute face, both of them bumped their fist together for encouragement.

"See you somewhere." (Rein)

"Yeah...see you again, Rein." (Kirito)

With that, each side walked in different directions with a different target.

However, in the near future, these two will get reunited again.

Why?

The reason is obvious.

Because their ultimate goal will always be the same.