As players were all curious about what the suddenly appearing, terrifying red cloak was, a magnetic voice came from within the cloak.
“Players, welcome to my world.”
The red cloak, in an emotionless tone, began to introduce itself.
“I am Kayaba Akihiko. I suppose all of you here should know me, right?”
As soon as these words were spoken, all the players in the square were stunned.
Kayaba Akihiko, as the developer of this game and the creator of the full-dive game, could be said to be the most talked-about person this year.
As players who had bought the game at launch, they understood all aspects of SAO and naturally knew this genius.
“Now, let me reintroduce my identity in this world. I am the only one who can control this world.”
Kayaba Akihiko said calmly.
“What do you mean, the only one who can control the world?”
“Isn’t it the game's GM?”
“What about the operators? Let the game’s operators come out and speak!”
Players immediately expressed their dissatisfaction.
“I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the logout button has disappeared from your menu bars.”
Kayaba Akihiko ignored the players' scolding and continued to narrate his story in an emotionless voice.
“Don’t worry, this isn’t a problem with the game. This is the original version of 【Sword Art Online】.”
“The original…version?”
Klein’s voice was hoarse as he whispered, “Do you know what Kayaba Akihiko means?”
“I don’t know.”
Kirito shook his head, his heart heavy.
“Genius and madman are only a thought apart. Kayaba Akihiko, as the genius who developed full-dive games, probably wants to create a world-shaking event in SAO.”
Xia Yan casually said, “Like trapping all of us players in this world, which is Kayaba Akihiko’s world, watching us players struggle to survive in the game.”
“He’s so insane. Did he abandon his future? If he did this, he wouldn't be able to escape either.”
Klein asked incredulously.
As the scientist who developed full-dive games, Kayaba Akihiko’s future position in the scientific community would likely reach a terrifying level.
“Who can guess the thoughts of a madman?”
Xia Yan shrugged.
“Simply put, from today onwards, you players cannot log out of this game.”
Kayaba Akihiko dropped a bombshell.
“Unless you can completely clear this game, reach the top of Aincrad, and defeat the final boss, otherwise, you will be forever trapped here.”
The moment the words fell, all the players in the square were stunned, staring at Kayaba Akihiko in the sky, unable to react for a long time, only the sound of heavy breathing.
“I know you probably can’t understand what I’m saying immediately.”
Kayaba Akihiko continued to ignore the players’ panic, and said to himself, “But all you need to remember is one thing.”
“That is, for all of you present, this world is no longer just a game, but a real world.”
Kayaba Akihiko continued, “What I’m going to say next, please remember it carefully.”
“First, from today onwards, SAO will cancel the resurrection function. When your character’s HP reaches zero, your character will disappear forever and will not reappear.”
“Second, when your game character dies, the 【NervGear】 on each of your heads will release microwaves the moment you die, burning your brain and causing the death of your real-world body.”
“Finally, please don’t take any chances. The game has begun, and there is no way to stop the game except for the method I mentioned. People outside cannot make you leave the game by removing the 【NervGear】.”
“If anyone outside does this, the signal component of the 【NervGear】 will emit microwaves, destroying your brains. Once the power supply outside is cut off for more than ten minutes, or the network is disconnected for more than two hours, or if you try to damage the 【NervGear】 itself, your brains will be burned instantly.”
“These conditions have already been published through our company’s network and media in the outside world.”
Kayaba Akihiko sighed and said, “Sadly, there are already many players whose family and friends ignored my warnings and forcibly removed the 【NervGear】. The result was… Currently, 231 players have permanently exited SAO and the real world.”
“As for your bodies in the real world, don’t worry. The government should have already mobilized and begun transferring your bodies to the hospital for care. These things can be taken care of within the two hours of offline buffer time. You can rest assured and focus your energy on clearing the game.”
“Please remember that there is only one condition for escaping this game. Reach the 100th floor of Aincrad and defeat the final boss.”
“At that time, you will be able to completely clear this death game, and all the players who survive will safely log out of the game.”
After finishing speaking about the rules of the death game in one breath, Kayaba Akihiko continued before players could react, “Finally, before I leave, I have a little gift for you, which has been placed in your inventory. Please materialize it.”
The moment his words fell, all the players’ bodies seemed to be controlled, and they reached out their hands to summon the command, taking out a small mirror from the inventory.
“Clang—!”
Accompanied by a flash of light, the players were enveloped by this dazzling light.
When the light faded, all the players had changed their appearances.
Klein looked a little older than before, while Kirito had become the baby-faced boy he remembered, his height also shrinking significantly.
All the players had returned to their real-world appearances.
“Now, you should believe that this isn’t a game but reality, right?”
Kayaba Akihiko’s emotionless voice continued, “The game operation instructions for 【Sword Art Online】 are over.”
“Players, good luck.”
Leaving behind these final words, the red cloak that represented Kayaba Akihiko slowly dissipated like melting ice.
..
Requesting flowers, requesting comments