"There's some trouble with GGO."
Just as Alfheim Online (ALO) was set to launch, plans to proceed with Gun Gale Online (GGO) hit a roadblock. Though the technical aspects of developing GGO were straightforward, the concept of converting in-game currency to real-world cash proved problematic. While currency exchange within games was common, the fact that GGO was a shooter added a layer of complication. The game's realistic gunplay, combined with a cash conversion system, raised concerns about its potential influence on players' perception of violence.
In the original story, GGO operated in a legal gray area, with its servers located somewhere in the USA, though no official address or contact information was available. This secrecy led to the "Death Gun" murders going unsolved until Kirito was called in to investigate, as server access would have immediately revealed the culprit.
The debate over VR games had simmered since SAO's beta testing, with critics warning that such immersive technology could blur the lines between game and reality. While most people understood the difference, some, like Sinon's classmate in the original series, began to treat GGO as their primary reality, even prioritizing it over the real world.
Ultimately, GGO wasn't necessary for Daniel's objectives; he had other means of revenue and didn't need to place himself in a legally risky situation. Another solution could be an age restriction for GGO. However, that would have prevented Sinon from participating—unlike SAO and ALO, GGO's design inherently attracted a mature audience.
SAO itself had no age restrictions; even younger children were permitted to enter and were often found in Starting City, some accompanied by teachers who had initially logged in only for the experience. The initial 10,000-player roster chosen by Akihiko Kayaba covered all ages to create a balanced "society" within the game. Otherwise, SAO's limited player slots would have been monopolized by adults.
Daniel's connection with Asuna deepened, in part due to their shared care for the young players in Starting City. While Daniel couldn't alter SAO's death game mechanics, he went out of his way to help these children, providing food and money while warding off any players who threatened or harassed them.
Asuna's knowledge of Daniel's efforts increased her admiration for him.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" In a pristine, white virtual training room, Daniel performed the hand seals and released a large fireball from his mouth.
ALO and GGO weren't Daniel's main focus; his true project was a game based on the world of the Shinobi. In this ninja game, players would relive the storyline of Naruto, honing their chakra and jutsu skills as they journeyed through a recreated ninja world.
However, using ninjutsu in a game was far more complex than executing SAO's sword skills. While SAO's skills required only a specific stance to activate, jutsu required players to master intricate hand seals. Although he could have implemented a shortcut to allow the system to guide players through jutsu, Daniel disabled this option for the sake of authenticity. Simple jutsu would be manageable, but high-level techniques like Water Dragon Jutsu would challenge even skilled players—a design choice Daniel fully embraced.
Ninjas of the current world, with its altered timeline, would face the Naruto narrative with fresh perspective, which Daniel anticipated would lead to fascinating outcomes. Beyond immersion, the game would serve as a training tool for hand seal proficiency and mental resilience, bridging virtual and real-world skills.
While Daniel juggled these projects in the real world, the battle to clear SAO continued with the Knights of the Blood Oath maintaining their lead as the top guild. The Dragons of the Silver struggled to keep pace, often hindered by hasty recruitment and declining quality. Observing the guild's discord, Daniel predicted it wouldn't be long before it collapsed.
"We're almost halfway there, already close to Floor 50, and yet, no sign of Yui... Perhaps she hasn't gained self-awareness yet," Daniel thought, recalling the original story where Yui's awakening came later.
Yui had originally emerged on Floor 22 because Asuna had been staying there. Now, with Asuna spending most of her time on that floor, the delay likely meant that Yui hadn't fully developed her independent consciousness.
"I hope we won't have to wait until the 70th floor," he mused with a sigh.
"Kirito, you bastard—getting married, just like that!"
On Floor 47, in the courtyard of Kirito's new cabin, Klein clutched Kirito's shoulders in mock despair after learning about his wedding to Sachi.
Perhaps inspired by Daniel's acquisition of a secluded cabin, Kirito and Sachi had purchased a small house in the peaceful outskirts of Florilaya. Known as the "Floor of Flowers," Florilaya boasted a beautiful landscape filled with blooming gardens—a fitting home for the couple.
"It's just a game marriage—mainly for the shared inventory," Kirito explained, brushing Klein off.
SAO's marriage system, while limited, did offer convenience through shared item storage and location tracking. Marriage required a pair of wedding rings, which only dropped from rare chests, but they weren't unheard of.
Though couples couldn't experience much beyond their shared inventory, many players married to take advantage of these benefits, and male-male or female-female marriages were common.
Besides the rings, the marriage system required a minimum "affection level" between both players, a nod to realism that further demonstrated Kayaba's thoroughness in designing the game. Most guests at Kirito and Sachi's ceremony were genuinely happy for them, though Silica, the beast tamer whom Kirito had previously saved, appeared a bit dejected.
Kirito, despite his membership in the Moonlit Black Cats, continued to heed Daniel's advice, choosing only safe grinding spots to level up. His encounter with Silica came during one such solo session, where he'd saved her from danger and helped her revive her pet. He then escorted her to Floor 47, leading to his decision to settle down there with Sachi.
"Already got the Elucidator, huh? Guess I'm out of luck," Daniel said, admiring Kirito's newly acquired black blade.
Marriage in SAO was straightforward: players needed only wedding rings and mutual affection, then the system handled the rest.
"So when are you two tying the knot?" Klein's question, directed at Daniel and Asuna, took everyone by surprise. Asuna turned beet red and hastily retreated from the group.
"A wedding ring… Agil, any chance you've got one in stock?" After a pause, Daniel turned to Agil.
Agil, who owned a shop and often handled rare items, knew the market well.
"Not right now, but I might know a place where you could find one."
"Thanks for the tip," Daniel said with a grateful nod.
"Great, but how about letting me get a taste of that S-rank food of yours?"
High-level ingredients like S-rank food were rare, and although many players had trained in cooking, Asuna was still the only one capable of handling such ingredients. Despite the virtual nature of taste, the dishes prepared with S-rank ingredients were extraordinarily delicious.
"Sure thing—I'll send you a review as soon as I've tried it," Daniel joked, laughing as he agreed.
"Run, why don't you keep running?"
On Floor 19 in the labyrinthine hills of Labeluk, Daniel entered a dungeon area to see three black-cloaked figures, faces hidden beneath their hoods, cornering a fallen player.
"Smiling Coffin? Well, this is a stroke of luck." Recognizing the sinister emblem—a grinning face on a coffin—Daniel smirked as he approached.
He'd come to the floor in search of a wedding ring, hoping to surprise Asuna. Although she hadn't pressed him about it, Kirito's recent marriage had clearly affected her.
In truth, Kirito and Sachi's wedding was also partly born of the uncertainty about whether they would ever escape SAO. Faced with a possible lifetime trapped in a game, they chose not to live with regret.
"Smiling Coffin. Floor 19," Daniel quickly messaged his clones after confirming the PK guild's presence.
One of the black-cloaked players smirked at the fallen player they had surrounded. "You don't seem afraid. Let's see if that's true." As he raised his dagger, prepared to strike, three daggers flew through the air, each striking one of the assailants' foreheads. While they took only minor damage due to the game mechanics, the unexpected attack sent them reeling.
"Who's there?" Startled, the Smiling Coffin members backed away in alarm.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Smiling Coffin?" Daniel stepped forward, drawing his sword.
"Aah, if it isn't the famous leader of Akatsuki." Their surprise faded when they saw Daniel alone, and the three exchanged wicked smiles.
"Think you can take us on solo? That's just asking to die." Two of them immediately rushed forward, forming a triangular formation to surround him.
"You'll need more than that."
"Watch out—they're using poison!" the female player on the ground warned as she caught sight of a faint glint in one of the attackers' hands.
As she spoke, Daniel deflected a poison-tipped needle with a flick of his blade.
"Paralysis poison, huh?" In an instant, Daniel appeared in front of the nearest Smiling Coffin member, unleashing a rapid flurry of sword strikes. While Daniel's techniques were less effective on bosses, they proved devastating against human opponents, his relentless combos driving the
enemy's health bar down alarmingly fast.
"Damn it! What are you two doing?" the Smiling Coffin member yelled as he fumbled for his teleport crystal, only for Daniel's blade to shatter it mid-reach.
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