"So this is a Cross Edge town... It's incredibly detailed."

"It seems to resemble the cities of Aincrad in some way."

The next day, Leafa, Silica, and Liz joined me and Asuna in Cross Edge. This was in part to increase the scope of our search, but I also wanted to liven things up with more people so Layla might open up to us a little more. Leafa was using her ALO avatar, while Liz and Silica had their SAO avatars.

"This building feels so real!　The weapons and items feel real, too," Liz marveled.

"Well, my brother put a lot of work into those aspects."

Layla sounded a little proud. Just as I predicted, Layla quickly warmed up to my friends.

"Since we've got an expert with us, let's have her show us around!" Leafa said.

"Uh, by "expert"...do you mean me?"

"Of course!　Layla, will you do the honors?" Leafa asked.

Layla gave me a conflicted look.

"I'm asking you too, Layla."

When I said this, Layla nodded with a hint of a smile.

"Well, I know of a really good cafe. Why don't we discuss our next move there?"

"Ooh, what a lovely idea!" Silica beamed.

"I'd love to talk shop with any blacksmiths that might be there," Liz echoed.

We happily gabbed as we made way to the cafe. Layla looked relaxed, too. She was not the nervous, stressed girl she'd been last time. She finally looked her age.

"Layla sure looks happy."

"Yeah. We'll need to thank the girls later,"

I replied to Asuna as we followed the pack.

"With everyone's help, I'm sure we'll find Layla's brother in no time," she said.

"Yeah...I sure hope so."

For any of that to happen, we first needed to find the hooded man who'd approached Layla. We had to think of some way to find him. As I pondered this...

"Asuna!　And Kirito!"

A familiar voice called out from behind us. We turned around to see a girl in obsidian armor with shining black hair flowing in the breeze—it was Yuuki.

"Yuuki!　Are you feeling okay?"

Asuna ran over to Yuuki and hugged her tiny frame. Yuuki happily returned the embrace.

"Yeah, I feel fine, Asuna."

"But what are you doing in Cross Edge?　Why aren't you in ALO?"

"Well, I logged in yesterday and heard you were in Cross Edge. So I thought I'd come join the fun."

"Oh, okay..."

"Of course, I don't think I can log in every day."

"Sure, I understand. I'm glad to see you're doing well, Yuuki. But why did you suddenly take up Cross Edge?"

"Well..."

Asuna glanced at me. It was probably safe to tell Yuuki.

"I'll explain. So, here's the thing..."

"Stop it, you two!　We're gonna be late!"

Just when I was about to fill Yuuki in on everything, Liz ran back to us.

"Whoa! Yuuki?!"

"Lisbeth!　Long time no see!"

"Yeah, for real! But are you okay...? Nah, I can see you're doing fine. But wow, you scared me, girl!"

"Hehe, sorry."

"Oh, don't apologize. Hey, why don't we all have some tea?"

As we made way to the cafe, we updated Yuuki on everything. Yuuki seemed particularly angered by the news of Layla's brother's disappearance.

Once in the cafe, we introduced Layla to Yuuki. She looked a bit surprised...

"Kirito sure has a lot of friends. Of the female persuasion."

...But that was all she said. She seemed to be under some misunderstanding, but I decided not to correct her.

After we had some tea, we went out into the field and explored the forests and dungeons. Leafa and Liz were very surprised by the variety of appearances among the other players.

After some exploring, it was already evening by the time we returned to town.

"Thanks, Layla. I had a great time!" Leafa said.

"I had fun, too!　I noticed some people had companions like Pina. I'd like to spend more time here," Silica added.

"I really wanna learn more about the blacksmiths here... I'll bet they can make swords, axes, and even guns. I'd love to try my hand at that," Liz beamed.

"I think I'd like to try gun-fighting. I wonder what sort of settings bullets and swords have when you combine them in a fight," Yuuki said.

Everyone eagerly expressed their gratitude to Layla. Layla received every compliment with a smile and a nod. It was clear just how much she loved Cross Edge.

As we walked, I hoped that this would lighten her spirits. Then we arrived in the plaza in the center of the town...

"...Wow, what a crowd," I remarked.

The plaza was filled with fliers advertising events and recruiting party members. There was a big huddle of gamers gathered around them.

"What do you think that's all about, Kirito?" Asuna asked.

"I think they just announced a new event."

But I thought to myself that we didn't have time to enter an event with a time limit as I pushed through the crowd to check the notices. And among the papers, I saw, "Third Official Battle Royal, now accepting submissions!" written big on a flier.

"Battle Royal... As in a PvP tournament?"

"That's right. A bunch of characters gather in an arena and fight until there's one left standing."

Layla, who suddenly appeared beside me without my noticing, answered my quiet question.

"The last Battle Royal was really exciting. A lot of people entered. But the second one only just ended. I assumed the third would come later."

"Huh. So it's that popular..."

That meant our friend who targets high-ranking players might make an appearance.

"Hey, Layla, when was the second Battle Royal held?"

Asuna sounded a little concerned.

"About a month ago, I think. Several months passed between the first and second, so this one's happening awfully quick."

"Okay, noted... Hey, Kirito...isn't this a trap?"

"...Yeah, I can't say for sure."

I had also considered the possibility.

"If the admins are targeting Kirito, that would explain why they'd hold the next tournament so soon. And if they know about my brother...about Michael...that means the admins have to be in on it. You said so yourself, Kirito."

Layla looked at me with concern. But if whoever was targeting high-ranking players wasn't connected with the hooded man, this was also a great opportunity for us.

"Anyway, I'm gonna look into the past tournaments," I said.

"Yeah, Kirito, it's obvious you want to compete."

Asuna saw right through me. I couldn't deny that I was excited by the possibility of fighting players from different worlds. That was one of the qualities that made Cross Edge special.

"Kirito gonna Kirito," Leafa groaned.

"But our Kirito isn't the sort of guy who can be stopped," Liz said.

"I-I'm rooting for you! I know you can win!" Silica chimed in.

It seemed Asuna wasn't the only one who saw through me.

"...That's the kind of guy you are, Kirito."

"...Yeah, you might be right."

I didn't think Layla would jump on the bandwagon.

After we logged out of Cross Edge, Asuna and I headed for Dicey Cafe. We needed to dig further if the admins were in on the Battle Royal, and we would need Agil's help for that. Besides, he might have an answer to one of the questions we asked last time.

"A PvP Battle Royal, eh? What crazy timing."

"Yeah, it worked out perfectly."

Agil agreed that it might be a trap, but that sort of event was not at all unusual for a PvP game.

"I really hope there's nothing nefarious going on," Agil said.

"Actually, I hope there is. Then we can solve the mystery faster," I argued.

Asuna glared at me.

"I really wish you'd stop charging head-first into danger like that."

"Haha, you have my condolences, Asuna."

Agil laughed as he handed us our coffee.

"Hey, Agil, don't forget you were the one who brought it up."

"Yeah, I know. And I did some digging, as promised."

"Ooh! Did you find anything?" I asked.

"Sorta. I found out that Epsilon has a medical department and that one of the players who lost their memory was there."

"A medical department..."

Just like the medicuboids, there were medical treatments that utilized VR tech. But I wondered how Cross Edge was involved with medicine...

"Memories, memories...read and recreate..."

Asuna murmured the words quietly. She looked very deep in thought. Then she suddenly looked up.

"If they can read memories and replicate them...couldn't they do the reverse, too?"

"The reverse?　By reverse, do you mean...erase memories?"

"Yeah. Sometimes people want to keep their memories, but other times they want to forget, right?　I was just thinking there might be treatments or technology that could do that."

"Aha. Memory-erasing tech... Maybe they're using Cross Edge as a testing ground for it."

Agil nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, that's definitely possible. With such a big pool of players, it's the perfect testing ground. We don't have any proof yet, of course, but still..."

"Yeahhh, proof... If only there were some way we could get close to the admins..."

"What about the PvP tournament?　Couldn't that work?"

"Yeah, but I haven't looked into it yet. If I could make contact with the admins there, we might learn a lot of things."

"I guess I'll look into it. Meanwhile, eat this, will ya?"

With that, Agil gave us some stew and bread. The delicious aroma reminded me how hungry I was. It was also dinner time.

"Ooh! This looks amazing. Thank you so much, Agil," Asuna said.

"I'll give the bill to Kirito. Eat as much as ya like."

"Wait, it isn't on the house?!" I demanded.

"Of course not. I always give you guys free coffee. It wouldn't hurt you to pay for food sometimes."

"Fine, you win..."

"Well, let's eat. Thanks, Kirito," Asuna said.

"Go ahead and order seconds if ya want, Asuna!"

"You've gotta be kidding me..." I groaned.

When we finished eating the dinner Agil so kindly made for us... he suddenly moaned from behind his laptop.

"What's wrong, Agil?"

"Take a look at this, man."

Agil showed me his screen. His face was drained of blood.

"It's him...!"

It was the guy who had tormented us in Aincrad...and had continued to torment us ever since. The hooded man was PoH.

"But didn't PoH, you know...in Underworld...?"

"Kirito, stay calm. I know they look alike, but there's no guarantee they're the same guy," Asuna said.

"Yeah, you're right... It can't be him. Thanks, Asuna."

Asuna was right. It could just be someone who looked similar. I had to remember that PoH had been rendered utterly incapacitated in Underworld. So there's no way this man could possibly be him. I kept telling myself that...but I still found it hard to believe that who I saw on the screen now wasn't PoH.

"This is an image of the winner of the last Battle Royal. And when he was interviewed, he said he's going for back-to-back wins."

"So in other words, he's entering this tournament, too."

Which meant we were all but guaranteed to fight him.

"Kirito..."

Asuna rested a worried hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry...I know it could be a trap. I won't do anything reckless. We have to focus on rescuing Layla's brother, too."

"Yeah... And I'll fight by your side, too."

"Thanks, Asuna."

"I mean...it's not like you guys would listen to me even if I tried to stop you."

Agil heaved a sigh.

"I'll look into Cross Edge a little more. Maybe try following up on inactive accounts, or players who quit."

"Thanks, Agil. We owe you one."

In a back alley far from the hustle and bustle of town... a lone man stood in the same spot where Layla met the hooded man. He was blonde, blue-eyed, and handsome, and wore a suit and tie—quite a contrast from the dimly-lit alley.

"He entered the tournament."

He directed the words at seemingly no one...until a hooded man appeared from the shadows without sound.

"Hehehe...I knew he'd come."

"Not like I need to tell you this, but don't you dare beat him too soon. Our objective now is to get as much intel from his brain as possible through prolonged battles."

"Yes, of course. It would be a waste to beat him right away. Hehehe..."

The hooded man chuckled and nodded.

"Besides, I've prepared a little doll to play with him."

"I see. Well, I wish you every success."

With that, the blonde man left the alley without so much as a glance at the hooded man. The latter waited until he was gone before spitting on the ground.

"Keh! You won't be so cocky after I beat him."

The man drew a blade from his belt. It looked more like a cleaver than a sword.

"But, until that day comes, I'll play the good dog."

And with that, the man stepped back into the shadows. His form grew faint, melting into the darkness. And a moment later, nobody was there.

"Okaaay, folks, at long last, it is here-a!　Let it be knownnn!　That the Battle Royal has begunnn!"

As the somewhat quirky announcement played, a cheer rose from the surrounding audience.

It was the first day of the Battle Royal. That unique mix of nervousness and tension you get a fight filled the arena. But we were in no position to enjoy it. Now that we knew there was a chance PoH was involved, we couldn't be too careful.

"It's almost time, Kirito..."

Layla approached me, looking just as nervous. Layla, myself, and Asuna had entered the tournament. Alice and Eugeo wanted to enter, but we had them on lookout instead. Knowing Laughing Coffin, we wouldn't be surprised if this was all a ruse and they had rigged the arena with traps. Because of that, we needed skilled players on watch.

"Without further adooo!　I proudly announce...the tournament brrracket!"

At the announcer's signal, a list of the participants appeared broken up into groups on the monitor. With so many contestants, everyone would first need to make it through a preliminary round. I was worried for a second that I would be in the same bracket as Asuna or Layla...but luckily, we were separate.

"Now the only question is, what group is our little friend in..."

It would be so easy if he entered under the name "PoH"... As I checked the brackets, Layla approached me.

"I think I'll be paired off with him, Kirito."

"Really?　Do you know his name?"

"No, I don't...but I spotted him in the crowd earlier. He noticed me, too...and gave me a signal."

Layla made a gesture of cutting her own neck with her thumb.

"Sorry, Kirito, but I'm gonna beat him before you get the chance. And I'll force him to tell me what happened to my brother."

"Okay, godspeed. Just be careful out there."

"Yeah, I know. And don't you dare lose your prelim. Let's both win the prelims and fight each other in the final, Kirito."

With a sweet smile, Layla held up her fist. We bumped fists and wished each other a good fight.

"Sure thing. See you in the final, Layla."

Asuna and I made it through our prelims without much trouble. In Cross Edge, where people fought with swords, magic, and guns, winning a fight could be difficult. We had Layla to thank for all the tips and practice-fighting she gave us.

"Layla's bracket is up next, huh," Asuna said.

"Yeah... I hope she wins."

All the entrants, including Layla, were up on the stage. The hooded man was among them. Seeing him in person made it even more difficult to believe he wasn't PoH. It felt as if his eyes were staring at me from deep in his hood...though maybe I was imagining it.

"And nowww...let the battle beginnn!　Whooo is gonna surviiive?!"

At the announcer's signal, the players all began to fight. Layla nimbly dodged her assailants and handily defeated them. Meanwhile, the hooded man stayed slightly removed from the center of the fighting, almost like he was observing. Two players noticed this and charged him at the same time. But the hooded man dropped them both with a single strike, not even taking a step. Evidently, the rumor of him being the winner of the last tournament was true.

One by one the players were defeated, until at last only Layla and the hooded man remained on stage. They were both mostly unscathed despite the brutal battle. At a glance, they looked evenly matched...

VOOM!

Then, the sound of a whirring blade made it all the way out to the stands where we were. With a dagger in each hand, Layla charged the hooded man. Any ordinary foe would've fallen to the blindly-fast barrage of slashes in an instant. But the hooded man dodged every attack by a hair-thin margin. He was probably able to do so because he was giving it his full focus rather than attacking, but it was impressive all the same.

"Oopsie. That was a close call."

Layla huffed to catch her breath. "Is that all you're gonna do? Dodge?"

"I was just appraising your skill. You're better than I took you for, but you'll never beat him in your condition. That's why you flip-flopped."

"You're wrong!　It was because I couldn't trust you guys!"

"Hehehe... And here I was so kind to share intel with you, yet you betray me..."

"Shut up!"

Layla swiftly thrust out with her right dagger. The hooded man dodged it, just as Layla took another step and stabbed with her left dagger.

"Whoa...!"

He quickly jumped backwards, but barely a second later, Layla's dagger slashed his hood. It was faint, but it was the first hit.

"...Hmf! Guess playtime is over," he said.

"Sore loser!　I'm ending you now!"

Layla rushed in. The hooded man should have dodged then...but instead, he too lunged forward.

"What?!"

The hooded man's weapon blocked Layla's attack. Then his momentum pushed her slight frame back.

"Hyahah!"

As Layla lost her footing, his sword thrust in for a second attack. Each attack that followed was aimed at Layla's vitals. It took everything she had not to get hit.

"Dammit..."

Taking a sweep attack to her legs, Layla wobbled. She was unable to dodge completely. His blade had grazed her. The damage looked light, at least...

"AHHHHH!!!"

But then layla howled in anguish and dropped where she stood on stage. She clutched her wound and screamed.

"Impossible...that was just a scratch!"

"Heheheh... My, such a drama queen. I didn't cut you for real, did I?"

He slowly approached the incapacitated Layla...and raised his sword high.

"Layla! Eyes up!"

"Nn—nnngh..."

She clutched her shaking leg and managed to find her footing. But she could not bring her weapons to the ready.

"Ooh, she can still stand... Somebody's got a strong will. Then, how about this?"

"AHHHH!!!"

The tip of his sword slashed down across Layla's shoulder. It was another light attack, but the moment it her, Layla's body lurched in shock, and she toppled again.

"C'mon, it can't hurt THAT bad, right?"

The audience started to murmur in shock over Layla's display. I had to agree that from an outsider's perspective, she looked like she was making a big deal out of nothing. But...I somehow knew her pain was real. The Pain Absorber was under somebody's control, just like when I fought Oberon...or maybe at an even higher level.

"Layla, you're in danger!　Forfeit the fight!"

Even in-game pain could impact your real body if it was intense enough. If he kept attacking Layla, she would be in danger.

"N-No...I have to get him to talk...about Michael..."

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" the hooded man cheered.

"Sh-Shut up!"

Holding one trembling hand steady with the other, Layla attacked him over and over. But her slashes were handily dodged.

"As much as I'd love to play more, the main dish awaits."

Layla rose to her feet and steadied her daggers. But before she could get in position, a sword thrust into her chest with a dull thud.

"Huh?!"

A look of disbelief filled her face as she stared at the sword in her chest. And then, immediately after—

"Waaah...!"

With weak cry...her avatar vanished.