55 Chapter 55: What a Mess.

To be better.

To aim higher.

To be someone everyone dreams to be.

These kinds of notions frequently pop up to people who are competitive.

It doesn't matter what's the genre will be. As long as there is a word called 'competition' involved in it, then these people will be competitors to aim for that number one position.

In that sense, Kirito could be considered as a competitive guy.

After all, Online Game is virtually a 'stage' for gamer junkies to climb up for the absolute top.

.....Even so, in every competition, there's the so-called unclimbable mountain.

(...One day, I will stand up beside him.)

Kirito is no exception either. In SAO world--Nay, even before that, he has found someone to chase for.

So he begins the long journey of climbing that wall.

Climbing, struggling and stumbling for a long, long time.

He already forgot on how many times forcing his absolute limit. He doesn't remember how much he wants to give up forever.

....In the end, he began to wonder.

(...How much more? How much more effort should I put to catch up with him!?)

It was a natural and reasonable doubt. Sure, having a big dream is fine and all. But when he can't even see the sight of his goal, then he began to feel tired. His feet give up before him.

(.....Damn it. Damn it all!!)

Frustration just piles up like a snowball. Losing becomes the norm for him.

There's where everything becomes haywire.

(....Not enough. Not enough at all!!)

A dream becomes a goal, a goal change to passion.

....Then, the passion slowly transformed into a twisted obsession.

And that obsession doesn't have the brake to stop this madness.

(To catch up with him, the normal way will never be enough. I must be faster than anybody, stronger than everyone. Then-----!! )

He'll achieve his ultimate 'dream'.

"....I'll surpass him ,"

In a very twisted ending.

"No matter what it takes."

******

-SAO 55th Floor.-

Virtual Reality is a world where the impossible change to possible, hallucination into reality.

Therefore, common sense has been thrown out the window the moment they stepped in into this huge tower.

In this jumbled world, there's no such thing as changing seasons. Sure, there may be a special event such as Christmas Eve, but the weather and climate itself didn't change.

Not even one bit.

Each floor, each area has its own climate and environment specifically designed by the creator. Unless a bug or the creator interrupt it, it will never change.

Which means, this dang cold snowstorm Rein and Asuna experiencing right now won't get lessen nor increase.

"....Brrr....Huuuu. I know the 55th floor is cold, but not THIS cold!"

"...Then can we just turn back? It's not too late you know?"

"Hmph, of course not. Until I confirm her safety, I will never give up!!"

What a cool line to say.

(...Excluding the motive behind it though.)

A sigh couldn't help escaping from his mouth, becoming smog then disperse to the air.

The reason for both of them (rather, only Rein) to suffer from this predicament is because of Kirito. To be specific, the thing he did led to this way.

Just like in the original story, Kirito did go to the store Rein recommended. The problem is, when that guy requested a weapon equivalent to his current one, he broke one of the most prized weapons.

Yes, he broke it with a nice *KLANG!*

and yes, he did it even without considering the consequences.

(.....Sheesh, sometimes he can be reckless. He really makes enemies too easily.)

So, to the store owner who got her merchandise broken, not only her pride as a blacksmith had been broken just like the sword, she couldn't even recuperate the loss anymore. After all, it WAS one of her best creation.

Reaching that point was already worse, but that black haired boy incited her for saying that her weapon was not up to his standard.

Sure enough, THAT was the breaking point.

"Fuhn! if I have the material, I can make a sword that can break your crappy sword like glass!!"

....And back to the present.

In order to follow her request, Kirito and She went to this snowy mountain to get the rare material located on the deepest region.

As for this pair?

"Come on, guildmaster! We are almost there!! Move fast like you always do!"

"...Okay, okay. Geez, slow down a bit. Don't blame me if you get tripped."

"Shush!! No more complaints. Besides, even if I do, you'll save me as always!!"

(Am I a lifeboat now?)

In a sense, he is a lifeboat. Kind of funny since this guy, who is feared and respected by every other player, treated as a mere servant to follow her unreasonable request.

In any case, the pair in front of them have almost reached the target so it can be said as natural for Asuna to rush up a bit in case of emergencies happening. After all, there's a scary boss guarding the material 24 hours.

There's no such thing as free lunch in this world too.

(...But still, this is kind of weird isn't it?)

What he means is not this bizarre situation of stalking a boy and a girl pair, but the action taken by that boy. True, if it really is according to the scenario, Kirito had already got 'that' skill, so it isn't strange requesting a new one-handed sword and led to this point.

The problem is not there. What makes it as a problem is the attitudes and action shown to him.

"...Hmmm."

While grabbing his chin and following the lively girl leading the front, Rein reminisces the scene happened on his house a few hours ago.

At that time, when Kirito requested another weapon, there was something.....unusual to him.

How should he put this? That expression which won't let anyone stop own 'goal'?

(....Right. Like he is....'obsessed' by something or someone.)

That eyes showed by Kirito. Agil, and Sachi may not notice it, but to him who pay attention to his guild members at all times, there was something abnormal. Like, there was some sort of zealots inside him.

(....And that 'stare' and 'expression' too.)

After Rein recommended the store, the way Kirito looked at him was not what he expected. Usually, he'll feel giddy and excited for visiting a 'treasure trove'. Instead, he just formed a mix of bitter and complicated expression directed toward him.

....Not only that, there was some sort of....'Malice' mixed inside that expression.

True, it may be still small and insignificant but emotions are scary thing. If left unchecked, then that tiny speck of negativity will enwrap him until he can't escape from it anymore.

He can conclude it that way because he already saw many people become 'inhumane' in his previous life.

(This is bad.)

Slowly, his face who just feel tired to get involved in this 'farce' unconsciously formed into a serious one.

(....This is really, really bad.)

Greed ruins people because they know no end on wishing without considering the risk.

Jealousy blinds people's eye and makes them do things on extreme measure.

And for hatred..... it will make people to never stop until the target of their hatred disappear.

"!!....So that's what the 'despair' means."

Rein never forgets the initial goal of coming to this world. Heck, he always deals with it until today.

[Mission: The core of the world's despair is located at the end of the red castle piercing heaven.]

However, when it also influences the main character, then the severity will rise up a great deal. Strictly speaking, Rein is just an outsider while Kirito is the bona fide protagonist of SAO. A story can only exist if the characters who are deeply involved with the story itself act according to the scenario.

Then what will happen to that so-called scenario if the characters are going astray?

(...It will be an outrageous mess.)

Then, Rein reaches to one dread conclusion.

(Note: This is the guide given by Akashic Record.)

[Ping!]

[You have found the core issue of this world's error.]

[Mission updated.]

[New Mission! Find out the changes occurred to Kirito and resolve it before Kirito 'transform' to a certain point.]

[Consequence of failure: 1. Death of Kirito. 2. Destruction of the world.]

"Fu*k this sh*t."

Seeing the messages continually popped out in front of his eyes, a curse couldn't help escape from his mouth. Luckily, his small voice combining the snowstorm prevent Asuna to hear it.

Destruction of the world.

Just like an incomplete script, a story will never be complete anymore if the main character itself kick the bucket before finishing the role.

And for stories like that, it'll be obvious to be thrown to the trash bin.

"....Asuna, let's speed up the pace."

"Eh? W-why so suddenly?"

"Sorry but I changed my mind. Kirito himself won't be a problem but the blacksmith is tagging him along right? Is her skill on par with him?"

Hearing that, Asuna also changes the gear. What she initially thought as protection from certain 'wolf' changed to the protection of her friends' life.

"...No, of course not. She may be a master macer, but even she can't hold a finger compared to Kirito-kun."

"Then all the more reason we need to hurry. The snowstorm will reduce the player's vision. Also, just like you said, there's quite a strong boss monster at the end of this mountain."

"....Are you saying that my friend is a burden?"

Hearing that, Rein only shakes his head.

"No, what I mean is the overall situation itself. Can we be absolutely sure Kirito could protect her during the boss fight? What happens when that blacksmith gets surrounded by other monsters while he is preoccupied with the boss? ....And, what happens if they get separated because of this damn storm? Asuna, I'm sure you yourself know the best. In this world, there's no such thing as one hundred percent certainty but only a constant danger lurking us."

Sure enough, Asuna couldn't muster a response after hearing that. What Rein said could be overprotective but there's logic inside his words.

(Moreover, he always predicts the worst case scenario, doesn't he?)

Just like that time on the Christmas Eve, Rein contacted with Diavel beforehand because of him knowing the situation beforehand for it will be an unbridled mess.

In this dog-eat-dog world, having a safety line will be the silver lining in any peril situation.

"Looks like you understand my point."

"....Of course. How long did you think I know you? You always act to protect us."

Hearing that, Rein makes a faint smile.

It always feels nice when someone close to him expresses that much trust.

"Thanks for your kind words. ....From now on, I'll lead the front. Asuna, you don't need to worry about the monsters. Just run and follow me, got it?"

*Nod*

"Good, let's hurry up and pick up that troublesome boy."

Now, speed is equivalent to life.

Every minute, every second passing will decide the life of Kirito and this world's fate.

(I won't let that happen under my watch. No way.)

After all, this is his life's calling. Even before that, Kirito is his friend.

"....I won't let you die."

With that in mind, he moves both of his legs to the best he can.

So he won't ever regret being too late.