Sword Art Online: Another Reality

Chapter 19: Conflicts.

-Southeast Urbus. Inside a Bar-

The leader Sharia had just stunned, wore banded armor that made his already hefty form look even more rotund, and a bascinet helm with a pointed top.

Yet. With a mere throwing knife, Sharia had stunned him.

[Throwing Lv 1: 10/100]

Not just that, even if he were to fight with them, as intimidating as they look, it wouldn't take more than a few seconds to dispatch them.

He wouldn't need to do so, armed.

One of the group, reacting to their leader's incapacitation, lunged at Sharia with reckless abandon.

With Sharia's «martial arts» skill. It was easy for him to apprehend a lunging enemy.

Instead of backing away, Sharia had closed in on the player, pushing his body against the player, completely disrupting their balance.

"Ugh!"

The player suddenly being hit by a force greater than his own suddenly spat out the ale he had drank a few minutes before—if such a thing was possible in a virtual world.

Next, Sharia had grabbed that player's hand and threw him overhead, slamming him onto the ground.

BAM!

The sound of their body slamming into the floor echoed through the BAR.

Sharia had done all this unarmed even when his opponent had almost unsheathed their sword.

And… all this had happened so quickly. Even their leader, who had been paralysed, widened his eyes.

'Could it be that they had pissed off a higher-level player?' 

They couldn't help but think so in unison.

Nezha swallowed even harder. 

This was exactly what he feared the most. But he couldn't recall doing anything to provoke someone of this caliber.

Then, as they stared in wonder. Sharia's voice suddenly came out.

"Instead of trying to grow stronger, you resort to pathetic tricks like this. How disgraceful."

Sharia, in the person of the stylish player, had said so, earning more annoyance from the player scammers.

His words landed like a slap to the face, but instead of shame, they sparked indignation. His words had an adverse effect instead.

"What would you even know? Seeing as strong as you are, I bet you're a beta- instead!"

True. If it wasn't for the fact he had his own way of getting stronger. 

Maybe he would have been on the first floor, sulking or blaming the beta testers.

No— 

No way. If you had think about it. How many beta testers survived SAO?

How many were present on the day Kirito fought Kayaba? So that couldn't be it. 

Knowing that the beta testers have more knowledge of the game and where hunting spots are located, Kayaba had made some, too many, changes.

It is possible. Amongst the plenty that had died. Beta- testers were the majority.

"You might be correct. But just because you're correct doesn't mean you're right."

"I'll in no way defend the testers nor myself. However, can you all risk your lives on the front line like they've been doing?"

"They're risking their lives, driving themselves crazy to upgrade their equipments, yet—"

"You know… we don't have unlimited time in this world. Despite this, even if you do get all the best equipment, can you put your lives on the line like they are!?"

"Will you all put your lives on the line like they do? Or will you continue hiding behind schemes, leeching off their sacrifices?"

Sharia had even more so shouted that. Almost in frustration.

If they would put their lives on the line. Then, he wouldn't have any complaints, after all, he couldn't care about most other players. 

However, if it hindered the clearing of the SAO game…. In fact, that wasn't it. He was sure—

People like this... people this greedy would never do anything that'd benefit other people more than them.

"Using testers as a shield. Do you know how many testers have died already?"

Next, Sharia opened the system menu with the slide of his fingers, opening up the news that had been circulating since more than two months ago.

"A lot changed between beta testing and the game's full release. Kayaba made sure of that. How many testers do you think fell for his traps?"

At this point. It wasn't about them anymore…

He had gone and forgotten that they were trying to sabotage every front liner. It didn't matter anymore. The one at fault is Kayaba!

Everything is Kayaba's fault!

It may seem ridiculous of Sharia to shift all the blame to Kayaba, but it's not like the psychopath himself is clean.

Even if players had died of recklessness and some had just ended their life after giving up….

Who do you think is the catalyst?

Yes. Kayaba may be the catalyst, but on that note. Even humans like them and him can be more ruthless than Kayaba can ever be.

Thinking of this, Sharia didn't have anything more to say. Now would he tell them to return the stolen items?

"Do as you wish with what I've said."

At this point, even if he told them to return the stolen equipment, what if it had been sold away….? Then the items are lost forever.

No. There was an higher probability those weapons had been sold away. This much, Sharia had deduced.

—And as strong as he may be. Sharia didn't think he could take justice into his hands for other people.

The rest couldn't stop him, nor did they try to. It was evident from the way he had beaten two of them that…. He was in a league of his own.

Hence, they had just frozen there. Unmoving.

Exiting the bar. Sharia walked leisurely while looking up at the night sky.

After gaining a few distances and confirming that nobody was following him, Sharia let out a sigh as he put his outfit back into his inventory.

"I have to admit. That didn't feel as good as I thought."

His brows furrowed as he continued his way back into his inn. He felt more conflicted than earlier.

Although. Even though Sharia had done that with good intentions. It wasn't like they were going to just call it quits.

If it were up to Nezha, it might have been so, but….

-Southeast Urbus. Near the bar-

Shortly after Sharia had left.

Near the bar, hidden in the shadows, atop buildings that were near the bar. Two, no, they were more than just two.

But, in front of a building near the bar, two shadowy figures can be seen as they silently conversed.

"Seriously. Giving "him" such a hard time. You could have told us instead."

"Nyahahaha. What rights do you have in this? He had personally asked for me to investigate them. This is his problem, you know?"

The tall one beside the shorter one frowned as he looked towards the bar.

"I'm sorry, Lord Sharia. However, unlike how you intend. They wouldn't just end it here."

Diabel knew this for a fact. And he understood what Sharia meant.

Argo had been eavesdropping on their conversation. With her skill set and mastery, it was natural Sharia didn't notice.

More so, they had procured high-level hiding equipment that let them lurk like so.

"His kind words and gestures are wasted on people like them."

It was still possible for players who had their equipment stolen to retrieve it back.

However, it's something only a few know. By a few. It's possible only Kirito and Diabel, who has a vast network, currently know.

While it is still retrievable, it's best for them to act now.

But once it has been sold to an NPC shop, then it would be impossible for the scammed players to get their equipment back.

"Aren't you going against his wishes?"

Argo asked, giving him a slight glance.

Currently, the whole bar had been surrounded by people on Sharia's unknown guild.

Most of them comprised those who had been on the first-floor raid and others who had heard of Sharia from them.

"Haha. Not really. Don't worry; we don't plan on taking it too far."

Diable had said with a small laugh, but Argo wasn't believing any of the bull crap that came out of his mouth.

"Well, as long as they aren't harmed. Then I guess it's okay. Just keep it moderate."

Around 20 players had assembled here. And they were nothing more than five or six at best.

And more so, each one of the current twenty were around «level 10» and above while the party inside was low-level—probably around that same level with high-level equipment to carry them.

"Well then, let's apprehend them."