Cross Edge—a VRMMORPG developed by a lone middle school student utilizing The Seed. Hearing rumors about it, I logged in many times to see if they were true or not...and what I witnessed in-game, I still find hard to believe.

What I saw in there were not goblins—low-level monsters typical of RPGs—but residents of the Dark Territory.

Why...? How is this possible?

"Kirito!　We'll ponder this later!"

Alice's voice from behind me zapped me back to the present.

"Sorry about that. You're right—we've gotta get out of this mess first!"

Days earlier...

We gathered at Agil's Dicey Cafe for the first time in a while.

The usual suspects, including Asuna, Sinon, Liz, and Silica, were tasting the newest cake on the menu.

"Why're you spacing out, Kazuto?"

"Oh...it's nothing, Sugu. Just thinking how good this coffee is."

Truthfully, I was just so happy to be there with the whole gang after so long...but not like I could just say that.

"Then how about a refill?　Your cup's empty."

"Thanks, but I'm good. So, Agil, when are you gonna tell us your news?"

"Okay, fine. I'll tell you."

"—Have you heard of Cross Edge?"

"I've heard the name, yeah."

The middle-schooler who designed and developed the game had been in the news.

"Yes, I've heard of it, too."

Sinon came up beside me, coffee cup in hand. Asuna, Liz, and the others followed. Apparently, they were finished with the cake.

"Cross Edge... Some guys at school play that game. I don't think anybody here has played it, though."

"Well, yeah. We've all been playing ALO as a rule lately."

Silica and Liz had also heard of Cross Edge, but never played it. That was probably because they liked to hang out with Alice, who they couldn't see IRL, but could see in ALO.

"It's pretty popular, though. You can play in many different worlds."

"It does sound fun. Maybe I should give it a try."

Liz and Silica sounded like they were Cross Edge-curious.

"So, what's so special about this Cross Edge business?"

"The girls are right, it's surprisingly popular...but strange rumors have started to spread about it."

"Rumors?　What kind of rumors?"

"Like, if you win enough successive PvP battles and reach the top rank, some ridiculously OP boss appears."

"Uh, isn't that kinda typical?"

Asuna and I nodded along with Liz in agreement. Most PvP games match players of the same rank. The higher your rank, the more powerful your opponents.

"Well yeah, that much is typical. But there's more to it than that."

Agil suddenly lowered his voice. We all held our breath.

"The opponents they assign aren't typical players. And if you lose a battle against them...part of your memory is erased."

"What the heck..."

I tried to laugh it off as a joke, but Agil's expression was the definition of seriousness. Not to mention I...we...had experience getting caught up in a similar scandal.

"So...kind of like the Augma incident?"

"Oh...!"

Asuna's murmured question caused Silica to flinch in fear.

The Augma Incident... In the ARMMORPG "Ordinal Scale", which was set in the real world, Asuna's memory was actually stolen.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories."

"Oh, no, it's cool."

But there was a strain in Asuna's eyes as she spoke. I softly gripped her hand and she squeezed it back.

"Anyway...that's already plenty bizarre as it is, but there's more to the story."

"There's more? Jeez, how much could there be...?"

"I'm not sure if this is disturbing or not...it's a gray area...but in Cross Edge, you can supposedly meet the dead."

"What?"

I let out a dumb gasp.

"Meaning, you can reunite with someone who's died and play with them."

"Now that's just crazy..."

Sugu's voice was filled with suspicion and fear. I didn't blame her. Meeting the dead was an absurd suggestion. However...after hearing the rumor about memories getting erased, an indescribable fear swept over me.

"So, like, do ghosts appear or something?　In the game, I mean?"

"I know somebody who misses their dearly departed so bad that they spend all their time playing it. If what my friend says is true, then yes."

"That's...actually quite sad."

Silica murmured in a small voice. Sinon nodded in agreement.

"It is. Even if you see someone who you shouldn't be able to...there's just something really sad about that."

If I could reunite with the dead... If that's true...if I could believe it was true...then I...

"Kirito..."

Asuna gave my hand another firm squeeze. Her warmth kept my thoughts from spiraling in a dangerous direction.

"Sorry to kick you while you're down, but there's more. Actually, I'm just about to get to the heart of the story."

"Dude, there's still more?"

"Yeah. Word has it, players with Laughing Coffin tattoos have been spotted in Cross Edge."

"What?!"

It came out louder than I meant. Asuna's eyes were also wide open in shock.

"Laughing Coffin... Are those creeps really back?"

"It's only a rumor—not confirmed. But the more strange stuff I hear, the more credible it all sounds."

"Yeah. I can't deny that..."

Memory-erasing and returns from the dead aside, if the Laughing Coffin was involved, we couldn't let those rumors go unchecked. We defeated PoH in Underworld...but there was a possibility he had survived.

"If the Laughing Coffin is involved...the Death Gun goons might be, too."

"Yeah. True."

"If it goes down, we're here for you."

"I'll also do whatever I can to help!"

"Thanks, Liz, Silica. Okay. Let's pick a time and dive in to Cross Edge."

"But be careful, okay? If you sense you're in danger, run away immediately."

Everyone gave Asuna their word. After all, we were each very well aware of the potential danger.

"I'll let Klein know what's up. He'll get mad if he finds out we didn't include him."

"Yeah, please do."

"It would have been nice if Klein hadn't ditched the invite today..."

"Go easy on him. People with grownup jobs are still at work right now."

At Agil's rebuke, Liz muttered under her breath, "Oh. Right."

"Klein has a grownup job, huh. Sometimes I forget."

Liz's remark made everyone laugh and eased the tension in the air. Her ability to lighten up a room has always been a boon.

The next day, Asuna, Yui, and I logged into Cross Edge. At first, I suggested I investigate solo, but they wouldn't let me.

"Okay, let's see what this Cross Edge place is all about."

The initial login screen had a lineup of your past game avatars that you could select from. Cross Edge was created with The Seed as its core system.

So by using The Seed, you could import avatars you made in other games risk-free.

"...Huh?"

I almost overlooked one of the avatars in the familiar lineup. But it was an avatar that really ought not to have been there.

"Wh-What is my Underworld avatar doing here...?"

Underworld. A digital world created by Project Alicization, a Rath-sponsored, bottom-up AI generation project. It was there that I spent over two whole years of my life (though in real time, it was only a few days.) And it was also where I met my best friend.

But the project was top-secret, on par with matters of national security. It was not the sort of data a private corporation should have been able to acquire...

"Okay... Let's proceed with caution."

I raised my defenses up a level and started the game.

"Whoa...the controls are so smooth. The animations aren't glitchy or unrealistic at all."

"True. I can see why this game is popular."

In the Cross Edge lobby, Asuna and I gave our avatars a test run. And just as Asuna said, a lot of care was put into the animations. Cross Edge not only let you experience a variety of worlds, its gameplay was solid. That was what made it popular.

"Daddy, Mommy, you look just like before. I love it!"

"Heehee, I know. Though I was surprised you chose the same as me, Kirito."

Yui was very pleased to see the avatars we had selected. We were using the avatars we'd cleared SAO with. Logging in and seeing Asuna also looking just as she had back then made me like we'd traveled back in time to the Aincrad days for a second. Yui was in her ALO pixie form. This form was apparently more useful than the little girl guise she adopted in SAO.

"Okay, so what first? Gather intel, I assume..."

"Oh, hold that thought, Kirito."

As I was about to leave the lobby and go outside, Asuna stopped me.

"She should be here right away."

"Somebody's joining us?　But who..."

"Do forgive my lateness. I am not yet accustomed to this sort of game."

"A-Alice?!"

I spun around to see Alice—not as she was IRL, or the cait sith form she took in ALO, but as an Integrity Knight, clad in radiant gold.

"It's all good. We just got here."

"I see. That is a relief to hear."

"Heehee. I invited her. You're going to be spending a lot of time in Cross Edge, aren't you, Kirito?　I imagine the rest of us will be here a lot, too, so I figured Alice should join in the fun."

"Oh, okay..."

"Goodness. I hope you weren't planning on leaving me behind, Kirito?"

Alice's eyes gleamed sharply. Seeing her in her Underworld form after all this time made her all the more intimidating.

"No, er, seriously, I was planning on coming here alone. Cross Edge is completely new to us—I didn't want anybody else to endanger themselves."

Alice's eyes softened when I said that.

"Don't be so cold, Kirito. I don't want you venturing off into danger all alone."

"Truth. That's exactly what I told him."

Alice and Asuna were totally clicking. And Yui joined in.

"I feel much more secure with everyone here, Daddy."

"Yeah...I guess I do, too."

The reality of it was, to have a chance to meet the freaks targeting high-rankers, or to find Laughing Coffin members, we first had to familiarize ourselves with Cross Edge's gameplay. And in that sense, it was very helpful to practice with two highly-skilled players.

"It's good to see you in your Underworld form, Alice."

"Yes, on the initial login screen...I was allowed to choose this form."

"Ooh! You learned the vocab word 'login' finally."

"After using it so much, anyone would learn it."

With a laugh, Alice drew the sword from her belt and caressed it lovingly.

"I just love this form best. I feel the most like myself in it."

"Yeah...you look great, Alice."

"Why did you not choose your Underworld form, Kirito? The Swordcraft Academy uniform suited you."

"Thanks...but I thought I'd go with this look this time."

I couldn't exactly change clothes right after Asuna and I were walking down Memory Lane together.

"Okay then, let's go. Ideally, we find a high-ranker and talk to them."

"Personally, I would love to have a duel. I must re-familiarize myself with how to fight in this form."

"For intel-gathering, we could just stay here in the lobby."

I almost added a thought to that, but I kept it to myself. Alice taking the form of an Integrity Knight meant it was possible Underworld's resources were being used in this game. And there was no such thing as being too cautious.

The Cross Edge lobby was loud and lively with many players. Some were fairies, some wore military fatigues—there were players from all different worlds and settings there. Among them were some avatars even I didn't recognize. Everyone seemed grouped up for the most part. I didn't spot very many solo players. This might sound strange coming from me, but playing MMOs as a party made more sense. It gave you an advantage, and it was just more fun. And since Cross Edge could replicate all sorts of virtual worlds, many parties had converted over from other games.

One of the lone female players stood out. She stood leaning against the lobby wall, her head covered down to her eyes with a hood. From the way she didn't seem to be watching the time, I surmised she wasn't waiting for anyone.

"Hey, Kirito, that girl in the hood..."

"You spotted her, too, Asuna? Yeah, it's not like a hood equals Laughing Coffin, but..."

From the way her eyes moved, she was probably looking for something. What that something was, we didn't know.

"That player is Layla. She is currently the fastest-rising player among the ranking."

"Whoa! Is that true, Yui?"

"Yes. I was consulting the recent player rankings and saw a player named Layla was ranking-up at tremendous speed."

"Interesting."

She was rather petite...so she must have gotten there by skill. That would also explain the untouchable air she had about her.

"I have additional news, unrelated to Layla..."

"What's up, Yui?"

"I noticed a minor anomaly in the ranking fluctuations."

"An anomaly, you say?"

"Yes. A few days after joining the top class in the ranking, some players' accounts have been deleted."

"Their accounts were deleted?　Yeah, that's definitely weird..."

"Meanwhile, there are several accounts that have been inactive for an extended time since reaching the top class. As it stands, they've been overtaken in the rankings by other players..."

The top-rankers would be players who had sank serious time into Cross Edge. It was difficult to believe that they would suddenly get sick of it and quit after all that hard work to climb to the top.

"Either way, it's best we speak with her. In fact, I believe she wishes to speak with us, too."

Alice was right—the girl's wandering eyes had settled on us. She was clearing staring.

"You're right. She does look like she has business with us."

Though there was no guarantee it would be a casual matter.

"Hey there...got a minute?"

I made extra-sure to keep my tone friendly and non-threatening. But she didn't even show a hint of a smile. Maybe I acted a little unnatural.

"What do you want?"

"Uh, it just looked like you were watching us, so I thought I'd say hi."

"...You were being loud, so you caught my eye. That's all."

It looked like we weren't getting anywhere with her. But she showed no signs of leaving either.

"So hey...there's this "Layla" person in the rankings. Are you her?"

"I am... What of it?"

Her expression suddenly grew harsh.

Nothing, it's just—if you're a ranker, you must know a lot about Cross Edge."

She gave no answer. She just held her penetrating gaze.

"Yeah, and we just started playing today. So we wanted to pick your brain, if that's okay."

Asuna dove in to the rescue. Layla's gaze shifted to her.

"Sorry, we didn't introduce ourselves yet. I'm Asuna. This is Kirito."

"And I am Alice."

Alice inserted herself there.

"We hear you are quite the skilled fighter. Might we learn some fighting techniques from you?"

With that, Alice drew her sword. It was a provocative stance, which Layla answered with an apathetic nod.

Whoosh!

Layla's daggers sliced straight for my throat. She held the dual blades in an underhand grip, and aimed them incessantly at my vitals. If she got in my blind spot, she'd have the advantage. I dodged her slashing with backsteps to put some distance between us before I turned the tables and charged at her.

"Hnh!"

"...Gasp!"

I thrust with all my might, but Layla's second blade shot out to parry my sword. My body lurched left from the impact.

"Urgh!"

Before I could regain my balance, Layla swept in, slashing at my side. It was too late to block with my sword. So there was only one option left—

"Yahhh!"

Rather than forcing myself to stop in my tracks, I let my momentum carry me and slammed into Layla's right hand where it was held aloft. Her slash lacked the strength to deliver more than a light wound to my shoulder.

"End match!"

Asuna's voice as the judge ended the fight, and we put away our blades.

"No wonder you're a top-ranker, Layla."

"I'm nothing special. It's you guys that have skill."

There was a hint of excitement in her voice.

"It's hard to believe that any of you are Cross Edge noobs. You'll shoot up in the rankings in no time."

"Thanks, Layla."

"Your form was impeccable."

Asuna was right. Layla had presented a formidable challenge to all of us. Layla's expression was much more cheerful than before. I felt like we might finally get some answers out of her.

"Listen, Layla...I figure you ought to know, since you're a high-ranker yourself..."

"What do you want?"

"Have you heard a rumor about a creep who targets high-rankers, and that you lose your memory if you fight them?"

The moment she heard my question, Layla's cheerful expression changed on a dime.

"...Yeah. I heard the rumors."

"What did you hear specifically—"

I was going to ask for more information when Layla's sharp voice shot me down.

"It's just an urban legend."

Layla's voice was rejection personified.

"Maybe some hater spread it because he was butt-hurt that a child prodigy made this game... Aside from that, I don't know anything."

Without a word more, Layla turned her back on us and began to walk away. I couldn't bring myself to go after her. I could just feel the anger radiating from her back.

The next day, Asuna, Alice, and I logged into Cross Edge again. By how badly we'd parted ways with Layla, I assumed we were on our own to investigate today...but to our surprise, Layla was in the lobby, waiting for us.

"What're you here for today?"

"Oh, uh..."

We just assumed it would be difficult to talk to Layla, given how badly we'd left things. Seeing the anxiousness in my face, Layla awkwardly looked away.

"Sorry about yesterday. I was a jerk."

"Oh, no, we could have done better, too. We only just met you and we asked that weird question... I'm sorry."

"Forget it. As long as you understand."

"I consider it an honor to accompany you, Layla. Thank you so much for including us."

"...Sure."

Layla's face seemed to distort with emotion slightly at Alice's heartfelt expression of gratitude. She looked remorseful.

"Anyway...lemme give you a tour of Cross Edge. It's a really fun game."

The next thing we knew, Layla was giving us a lively talk-through of Cross Edge's mechanics. Asuna and Alice both seemed to notice her change in expression. Also, Layla looked happy when she talked about Cross Edge. I couldn't imagine it was just a facade.

She probably felt bad about what happened yesterday. Satisfied with the conclusion I'd reached, I hurried after the trio as they headed to town.

For the next few days, Layla showed us around Cross Edge, participating in events and quests with us. Layla's Cross Edge knowledge was quite broad. She knew about all the worlds, battle tips, and even the game's design concepts. When I asked her how she could possibly know so much, she said she knew the dev. Needless to say, Layla's dedication to Cross Edge was obvious.

After spending the day playing in a high-yield hunting ground with Layla, it was nearing time to leave.

"...So hey, Kirito. Can I ask you a question?"

After a while of uncertainty, Layla finally hesitantly spoke up. I wondered what had made her so reserved. I considered us friends at this point.

"What do you want?"

"Well...do you know about the pain absorber?"

"The pain absorber...as in, the system used in games?"

In VRMMOs, all the senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—could all be experienced just as in the real world. But if they were replicated with 100% accuracy, there was no way anyone could fight with swords or guns. It didn't matter that you couldn't die. Nobody wanted to experience that level of pain. The pain absorber was a function that suppressed these pain sensations to levels the body and mind could tolerate.

"That's right. Have you heard of something even more powerful than the pain absorber?"

"Something more powerful?　In what way?"

Asuna asked back, her brows lowering at the sudden somber vibe.

"It's a pain so realistic that you feel like you've actually been wounded."

"You feel like you've actually been wounded...?"

Asuna and I exchanged looks. I wanted to say no such thing existed...but I had experienced such pain in-game before. In ALO, when Asuna was kidnapped and I went to rescue her, Oberon manipulated the system commands. And the pain he inflicted on me then still makes me shiver whenever I think about it.

Layla gave us a questioning look when neither of us answered. After a while, she read something from our expressions and let out a sigh.

"It's just a rumor. Sorry to scare you. I've heard people talking about it in Cross Edge."

"Oh, okay... Well, we're new to the game."

"Right. I guess you wouldn't know about stuff from before."

"Makes sense, yeah."

"So...was it just a rumor, then?"

"...Once, an admin made a tuning mistake, and for a short time, players experienced pain more intensely. They fixed the error immediately, of course."

"Holy crap..."

Ordinarily, that sort of adjustment was top-priority.

"And when it happened...some people were ranting about how they were using pain to control people."

"Using pain to control people? But how...?"

Asuna's voice was thick with worry, just like Layla's. Controlling people with pain... If that were actually possible, it would not surprise me if the Laughing Coffin were involved.

"Sorry. That was a dumb question. Anyway, I'm meeting someone right after this. Gotta bounce."

Without another word, Layla quickly ran away. All we could do was watch her go in silence.