"Don't! Let us out!" came the tearful cries, raw with desperation.
"Are you kidding me?! We don't want to play such a terrifying game!" someone screamed hysterically, their voice trembling with fear.
Kayaba Akihiko had vanished, but the terror he left behind lingered. The plaza was filled with panic—screams, sobs, and the unbearable sound of despair echoing across the air. The fear and confusion were enough to pierce one's soul.
And then, cutting through the chaos, came a voice—confident, alluring, and impossible to ignore.
"Hmm~ Foolish brothers and sisters! Let your big sister save you!"
The voice was mesmerizing. Every head turned toward the source—a stunning woman standing beneath the statue. Under the Hand Mirror, everyone's true appearance had been restored. Even among thousands, the beauty of these two women stood out like twin stars. Their presence alone shifted the mood of the square.
"How exactly are you going to 'save' us?" someone asked skeptically, testing the waters.
The difference between men and women showed immediately. If the savior had been male, no one would have cared. But since she was a breathtaking beauty, they were at least willing to listen.
"By clearing this game, of course. Once it's completed, everyone will be able to log out." Kurumi's voice was calm and confident, her smile graceful and serene. Her effortless charm drew every gaze.
"That's easy to say—but how do we actually beat it? Even during beta, no one cleared more than a few floors," someone retorted immediately. If it were a normal game, players would boast they could clear all 100 floors without hesitation. But when death meant true death, their courage vanished.
"Exactly! Who'd risk their life for this?! If you die here, you die in real life!" another shouted. The voices of dissent grew louder, the crowd spiraling deeper into fear.
"If you're killed by a monster, you'll never respawn! Kayaba said it himself—revival is impossible!" Despair seeped through the players, their fear multiplying with every word.
"I understand," Kurumi said softly. "Then wait here in the Starting Town. Wait for your big sister to clear the game and lead you all out."
She placed a hand over her chest, smiling with unwavering confidence. Her expression didn't waver for a second—her calm courage alone was enough to move hearts.
"What nonsense! What can one person like you possibly do?!" someone shouted angrily. Fear had turned to resentment.
"It won't be just me," Kurumi replied smoothly. "I have Little Honda." Her voice was certain. With Futayo Honda's loyal nature, she would never leave her side.
"Even with the two of you—what makes you think you can clear it?" the voice came again, mocking this time.
"We'll clear it. We'll defeat the bosses, conquer the dungeons, and advance to the top floor. We'll prove that this world can be beaten. That's my duty as your big sister."
Her unwavering tone and fearless gaze silenced the crowd. A girl who, despite being mortal, took it upon herself to carry the fear of ten thousand souls—what kind of courage and resolve did that take?
"Hmm~ Since none of my dear brothers and sisters object, your big sister shall now share some intel." Kurumi continued with her elegant and captivating smile.
"First: Little Honda and I hold hidden professions—Divine Shrine Maiden and Temple Knight. We started with them; no quests were needed. I suspect that this game grants special classes or abilities when certain conditions are met. Those who unlock them will naturally be stronger than ordinary players."
"Second: Among the ten thousand of us, over a thousand are beta testers. They know the game better than anyone. They understand how to level efficiently. Anyone who truly wants to survive—and to clear the game—should seek their guidance to reduce the risk of death. That's all your big sister knows for now. My dear brothers and sisters, until we meet again!"
With that, Kurumi turned and began walking toward the edge of the plaza, Futayo following with her usual serious expression.
"Wait—you! Are you a beta tester?" a blue-haired boy called out.
"No. This is my first time playing." Kurumi folded her arms proudly, her tone declaring her inexperience as though it were a badge of honor.
"You mean... you don't even know how to level properly?" the blue-haired boy asked, astonished.
"Not at all," Kurumi said proudly, flashing her confident smile. "But what does it matter? Being the pioneers sounds fun, doesn't it?"
After speaking, Kurumi continued walking toward the plaza's edge. But then, another girl called out to her, "What if we die?"
Kurumi turned her head. The girl had golden hair and a beautiful, familiar face—it was unmistakably Asuna.
Still, Asuna wasn't quite as stunning as Little Honda or Kimi. And compared to Kurumi-chan, of course, no one could measure up. Kurumi-chan is the best, after all.
"If we die, what happens then? Your plan to clear the game and free everyone would just be empty talk," Asuna asked sharply. Her question struck deep, and the fragile calm among the players began to crumble into fear again.
"Then we'll just wait for the next big sister to appear," Kurumi replied lightly. "Someone else will step forward to lead everyone. I've always believed that. I just happen to be the first big sister." Lifting her chin proudly, Kurumi spoke as if it were only natural for her to bear that title.
"Besides," she continued, brushing back her flaxen hair with a confident flick, "even if I die to a monster, I refuse to lose to this game—or sit here waiting for that coward, Kayaba." Her stride was poised and elegant as she left the square, radiating an aura of unshakable confidence.
"Divine One, I am under severe suppression in this world," Futayo said solemnly. "Tonbokiri is ineffective, and I cannot use Divine Arts."
"That's normal," Kurumi answered with a faint smile, though her face had paled slightly. "For beings like us—Heroic Spirits—the less danger humanity faces, the more we're suppressed. I'm the same. Not even one of my Godseeds can be used."
"Divine One, I feel no different from an ordinary player," Futayo said, her small yet resolute face completely serious.
"..." Little Honda... can we not bring up such depressing things? Kurumi scowled, flicking Futayo lightly on the back of her head. I was just having my cool moment, and you've gone and ruined it again! You hopeless, unromantic woman!
Awroo! Wolves howled in the distance. A gleam of steel flashed through the forest. Futayo's movements were clean and sharp—each swing of Tonbokiri cut through the wolves like flowing water, turning them into experience points.
Futayo's martial skill was nothing short of perfection. Every strike carried the precision of years of training—fluid, flawless, and unbreakable.
"Little Honda, even if we've been reduced to the level of ordinary players, over a decade of disciplined combat mastery still lets us stand at the peak," Kurumi said, as three shields of Aster Guardian surrounded her. With a fluid step, her sword darted forward like a viper's tongue, felling another wolf.
The Aster Guardian was one of Kimi Aoi's Divine Arts—each level of mastery allowed her to summon another blossom. Her swordsmanship, however, came from the ten long years of struggle during the Guilty Crown era. Though her skill still fell short of Futayo's, Kurumi's combat ability far surpassed any ordinary player in this game.
"Divine One speaks the truth," Futayo replied, striking precisely at a wolf's weak point with Tonbokiri, killing one after another with elegance and control.
Watching Futayo's petite yet valiant form, Kurumi felt her heart skip a beat. Her pulse quickened slightly. This feeling... it's like first love.
Both of them were only level three, yet the wolves were level seven. Still, with their overwhelming technique, they cut through the beasts effortlessly—an impossible feat for most players.
Kurumi was certain that no one in the game could level faster than her and Futayo. Even Kirito, the so-called protagonist, would likely avoid such high-risk battles. But the two of them? They charged through every quest without hesitation.
"Oh, right. I secretly brought one of my avatars through the Book of the World. Let's see if I can use my power of time," Kurumi said, blushing slightly as she drew out the sacred book. Her form shimmered as she returned to her original self.
The Aster Guardian shields vanished instantly—but she couldn't sense any of her time powers. Zafkiel had already merged with the world of Horizon on the Middle of Nowhere, leaving her unable to access the power of time.
"Uuuh... no good. I can't connect to my Divine Kingdom at all." Kurumi let out a pitiful whimper. How tragic... my true self has become the weak one, while my vessel form is stronger. What kind of miserable goddess have I become?
"Divine One," Futayo said, her tone steady, "if you could use the Book of the World to bring your avatar, why not also use it to store your power of time?"
Kurumi: "..." A flock of crows flew past, cawing mockingly as if to say, Idiot... idiot... idiot...
"Urusai! Urusai! Urusai! This goddess is wise and far-sighted! How could someone like you possibly comprehend my plans, Little Honda?!" Kurumi's face turned red with frustration.
"My apologies. I am not skilled with words. My speech was improper," Futayo replied seriously, sweeping her Tonbokiri in a wide arc that cut down the remaining wolves before bowing respectfully to Kurumi.
Kurumi: "..." Enough, Little Honda. Stop mocking me with that serious face! How could I ever have found you charming? I must have lost my mind. You emotionless fool... you stone maiden!
Ten days passed—just ten days—and the two of them had already cleared the first-floor labyrinth area, reaching the town closest to the second floor.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side. No matter how thoroughly they searched, they couldn't locate the boss room. The labyrinth was enormous. Even though they swept through it with overwhelming power, it was impossible to check every single chamber.
After another week of fruitless searching, Kurumi finally decided to call for outside help.
Inside the town tavern, she began writing a guidebook. It clearly listed the monsters in each area, their characteristics, and the step-by-step processes for completing various quests. Kurumi left nothing out—she detailed everything meticulously.
On the very first page, she wrote: "Your big sister has explored every inch of the labyrinth but still hasn't found the boss room. Dear brothers and sisters, please contact your big sister immediately if you discover it."
Then she attached a photo of herself on the cover before distributing the manual to every player. Her in-game currency dropped rapidly—ding, ding, ding, draining like water from a broken jar.
"Hmm~ Now we just wait for word," Kurumi said with satisfaction. "Little Honda, on such a fine day, shouldn't we do something... more interesting?" Her gaze fell on Futayo, who stood perfectly straight beside the bed, her posture like that of a poised spear—graceful yet gallant. The sight always stirred Kurumi's heart.
"Divine One! I propose we return to the labyrinth and search for the boss once more!" Futayo declared seriously.
Kurumi: "..."
And there it goes. That flutter of affection—gone. Completely gone.