SAO - A New Matrix

Tutorial – Enraging

About MMOs:

Some players wished for a change in people's attitudes, which brought the cross-gender in online games. Female characters receive more flattery from others online. Others enjoy having an "eye candy" while playing. 

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-VI-

"Welcome to your new reality."

After those words, a flashback was forced through my mind:

"I'm going to be as forthcoming as I can be, Mr. Anderson.

You are here because we need your help..." An Agent was interrogating me.

...I understand now. What is driving my nerves up to the roof is this man's delivery. The cold and machine-like monologue that creates a complete detachment from his victims and the world itself. To terrify everything and everyone with impunity. To act like a Shinigami, harvesting worthy sacrifices.

It's enough.

I activated my Sword Skill –which of 'sword' has nothing– and transferred it to the pebble in my right hand. Then I directed the throw at the floating avatar.

"You are asking-" The pebble makes a *Swish* sound going through the mid-part of Kayaba, leaving airwaves that distorted Kayaba's character, before landing at the other side of the city. "-yourselves-" Then I throw another one with the same result. "-why?-"

Well, that was the test run. From now on, I'm going for the head.

Graving pebbles in both hands, I began throwing non-stop.

"-Why would *Swish* Kayaba Akihiko *Swish* developer of SAO- *Swish* *Swish* -and- *Swish* *Swish* *Swish*"

*Swish* * Swish* *Swish* *Swish*

In a few seconds, Kayaba's voice was overshadowed by the sounds an constant distortions product of my throwings.

I didn't know if the 'Representation' of this madman would truly listen or not. May as well be a fixed event.

But.

"STOP." Kayaba snapped out. "I'M NOT HERE, YOU CAN'T DO *Swish* -THING *Swish* AGAI- *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish*"

It's him. Not a recording.

"I have the impression you are trying to convey us something!" I throwed another rock. "Ah, yes. You offered us a really good deal!" I brought out my most sarcastic tone.

At this point, I was pretty sure that most if not all the players in the plaza were focused on me or my voice. Not like I'm paying attention; I was just throwing little rocks.

"But I think I got a better one!" I stopped my pitching.

"How about...we all together give you..." I elevate my left hand towards the giant. "...the finger!" Raising the middle finger, giving everyone the full view of my disrespect towards this lunatic.

I let that image sink in the eyes of all spectators for a few seconds, especially Kayaba.

"...and you give us our freedom back!"

...

...

...

Silence.

Absolute dead silence.

I don't think there's a soul who could have imagined such development. Not even the so-called Genius of the Era, who revolutionized the world with modern VR Simulations. Or maybe it's because I'm American, and nobody expected the display of our 'freedoms' in such abnormal circumstances. Beats me.

Anyway, some would cast this action as nothing but 'young foolishness' or straight out 'dead wish', but I don't see it like that. In my view, everything deemed 'necessary' is possible. And if something is possible, then isn't our obligation to pursue it? I wonder, does this mindset make me a fool in the eyes of others? Perhaps. But such is the life I choose to lead; unconventional, but driven by a purpose deemed worth dying for. That's better than live as I did back in the Matrix.

"What just..."

"Did this guy-"

"Pff."

The first murmurs were born among the crowd. Lifting the stunned locked state from their bodies and minds little by little.

Until reaching a singular apex.

A pebble stone flies before "touching" Kayaba's Avatar in the chest.

Ok, that wasn't me.

"Yeah, fuck you!"

"What is this bullshit about not logging out?!"

"Screw you and get us out!"

A violent mob erupts in the Town of the Beginnings. All fear and dark mood replaced by fury and will to survive.

Kayaba tried to regain the old ambiance with more villainous dialogue, but the force of the masses drowned everything he tried to spit out.

"You should know well to stay in silence." He amplified his voice even more than before, but the SAO's community isn't getting anything. He got even more insults and trashing. Some players even were imitating my bold 'salute' as throwing him things –anything, even the weapons in hand–.

Several seconds would pass without a clear dialogue between the two parts. One of them must eventually give up.

Would he dare to silence us all? Throw a tantrum over his hurtled ego?

"Very well." There was a tone of finality...and defeat? "I wish you the best of luck...players."

The hooded figure melted back in the form of blood red slime, hiding in between the «System Warnings». The giant wall of crimson messages plastered across the sky disappeared abruptly.

Meanwhile, the rioting in the square was still in progress with no sign of stopping.

Slowly, with long strides, I start to create a distance from the center of the city.

Time to sneak out. Hands in the pockets, avert eyes, and keep walking at a steady pace.

Don't misunderstand me. If it weren't for my little act, most of these players would be on the ground calling for their parents to save them. Will their rage and frustration become the fuel needed to survive this slaughterhouse called Sword Art Online? Who knows. All I knew was that a lot of people are gonna die, one way or another. My intervention might as well increase the number of victims in the future.

What is done is done.

I slipped among the thick mass of people without much trouble. I was used to this type of activity...even in my last life. Never meddling with anything nor anyone...always alone. Even when people were around me, the loneliness never subsided. Until the Nebuchadnezzar came to my rescue, I was nothing but a shadow.

And now I'm back to square one, with no prophesy in sight to keep a little shiny hope that one day, could actually be back as who I was. Condemned to blend in the background of a virtual world...again.

As I was about to touch the human perimeter in the plaza, the curiosity to know how many have displayed guts and will to live overcame me. I hesitated, but then barely tilted my head to steal a glance at some players to my left. Just 3 fleeting seconds, but that was all it took to see a familiar face.

There she was.

She didn't change one bit. Her amber-brown gems shone in search of my onyxes. Our gazes collided, and if only for a heartbeat, time felt meaningless. Unlike the others around her –shouting and protesting in a frenzy– she stood just a bit distressed, an enigma amidst the uproar.

I instinctively masked my recognition, blending into the chaotic backdrop to avoid drawing attention. My heart stopped, but my body moved on, navigating through the throng of bodies.

Don't make second guess, I told to myself.

And by the time I was out of the square, the second guess was avoided.