"Asuna, what you said earlier about that full-dive VR game in your world… is that actually real?"
Eriri's message appeared almost instantly, her excitement impossible to hide.
Asuna paused for a moment before replying.
"…Yeah. A company called ARGUS developed something called the NerveGear. It's a full-dive headset that directly connects to the human brain, letting users enter a completely virtual world."
Her tone carried a faint trace of anticipation as she continued.
"It's basically like a second reality. The game is called Sword Art Online, or SAO. I've already pre-ordered the headset. I was planning to try it as soon as it launches."
Saeko responded with clear surprise.
"…Your world's technology has reached that level already?"
In her world, something like that only existed as a theoretical concept, something discussed but never truly realized.
"My world isn't that far behind either," Utaha added thoughtfully, "but we're nowhere near that level yet."
Eriri muttered,
"…Whoever created that must be a genius."
At that moment, a new message appeared.
Ryujin: "SAO… is it about to launch?"
The chat suddenly went quiet.
Asuna blinked, then replied slowly.
"…As expected, Guild Master. Long time no see."
"Not really," Ryujin answered casually. "I've been watching your conversations this whole time."
Asuna hesitated before continuing.
"…It's scheduled to launch in three days."
Then she paused again, a strange feeling creeping into her thoughts.
"Wait… how do you know about SAO?"
Something about this didn't feel right.
They weren't from the same world. Not even the same time or dimension.
And yet—
He knew.
Even the way he said "launch" sounded completely natural, like someone familiar with the concept.
Ryujin didn't answer immediately.
Instead, another message appeared.
Ryujin: "Asuna, as Guild Master, I'll give you one piece of advice. Don't log into SAO for at least three months."
"…Huh?"
Asuna froze.
"Guild Master… why?"
"Boss, you know something, don't you?" Eriri jumped in immediately.
"Curious," Utaha added calmly.
Ryujin fell silent for a brief moment.
He remembered that world. The launch day, when ten thousand players logged in full of excitement, unaware that it would become a prison they could never escape.
A miracle that turned into a nightmare.
His gaze lingered on the guild list for a moment.
Asuna was part of it now.
After thinking briefly, he made a decision.
He opened the Guild Master panel and activated a special function.
Memory Instance.
He didn't upload everything, only the most important part—just enough to change her fate.
A notification appeared.
[Trainee Guild Master Ryujin has uploaded a Memory Instance. All guild members may access it.]
"…A Memory Instance?"
Asuna frowned slightly.
"I'm going in!" Eriri said without hesitation.
One by one, they followed.
The moment they entered—
They froze.
Because what unfolded before them was not a story.
It was reality.
A fully immersive experience.
Asuna took a step forward, then stopped completely.
"…That's… me?"
She stared at the girl standing in front of her.
The same face.
The same presence.
Herself.
Inside Ryujin's memory.
"…So that's what Asuna looks like…" Eriri muttered unconsciously. "…She's really pretty."
But then something clicked.
Why was Asuna inside the Guild Master's memory?
He joined later.
So how could he possibly know her?
Before anyone could process it, the scene shifted.
The game launched.
Ten thousand players entered.
Excitement filled the air, mixed with joy and anticipation.
And then—
The logout button disappeared.
Silence fell.
A figure appeared in the sky.
The creator of the game.
And his words turned everything into hell.
"You are no longer able to log out."
"The only way to escape is to clear the game."
"And if you die here… you die in reality."
Panic spread instantly.
Screams echoed everywhere.
Despair consumed the crowd.
Then came the proof.
Real-world news reports appeared.
Ten thousand players trapped.
Remove the headset—
And you die.
What was supposed to be humanity's greatest technological breakthrough became a death trap.
The scene ended.
Silence filled the guild.
No one spoke.
Asuna stood completely still.
"…A death game…"
Her voice trembled.
Now she understood.
That was why he told her not to log in.
Because if she did—
She might die.
Then suddenly—
Something clicked in her mind.
Her eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Her fingers moved rapidly.
"@Ryujin… Guild Master… explain this."
"Why am I in your memory?"
"And not just that… that's my future, isn't it?"
"How do you know all of this?"
Her breathing became heavier.
"Guild Master…"
"…What exactly are you?"
Because this wasn't just knowledge anymore.
This was foreknowledge.
The ability to see the future.
And that—
Was far more terrifying than any power.
One by one, the others exited the Memory Instance.
And every single one of them—
Had the same thought.
Who…
Is Ryujin?
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