NOVEL NEXT 76. Reason of the Discovery.
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"What the hell is happening?!" Kaito freak out alongside Crocodile, hella confused about what just happened. This event made both Kaito raise some serious questions in his mind. In fact, everyone in the chat group also reacts the same, and a lot of ping mentions are spammed inside Kaito's head--- but right now he chooses to ignore them and deliberately turn off the notification.
...
How did Heathcliff know about their identity?
Why did the optional task become completed just because Kayaba raised that question?
Had all the plans he had laid out just now been in vain?
...
"Owner, remember the detail of the task is for us not to reveal, but it didn't say if the main villain reveals himself would fail the task." Crocodile whispered. realizing what happened to the task earlier than Kaito,
Hearing what Crocodile said, Kaito also quickly realizes that the task was about to not reveal the mastermind by the chat group members-- but when the mastermind himself reveals his own identity to them--
it was not their fault--
and therefore the system perhaps counts it as complete.
*Cough*
"Before I answer that, Can I ask you, how did you come to that conclusion, Mr. Kayaba?" Kaito asked, after calming himself down quite a bit.
There is no use to try to hide considering their task is completed, so Kaito just wanted to know the truth now.
"So you all really know my identity." Heathcliff aka Kayaba who has patiently waiting for them answered, "To answer your question, it's because that's the conclusion I can come up with after investigating the DSA guild members for 2 years"
"You have been investigating us for 2 years? Why?"
"Because all of you are too suspicious... All of you were too good, in fact. At first, I thought you guys were a group of cheaters coming to this world but then when I listened to some of your secrecy discussion among your members using my privilege as administrator... I know that all of you were not simple."
"Naturally after that, I am fully investigating your guild goal in this world... which made me really impressed and admired because your noble goal is to make this, my world, a better place."
""...""
Hearing his explanation, Both Kaito and Crocodile understand why Kayaba could find out about their identity and the reason behind his over-exaggerated admiration toward their guild's existence.
Kaito also didn't expect the system doesn't block their conversation about their sensitive topic from Kayaba-- but after thinking about it quite a bit, Kaito realize the system did nothing wrong here. The system never told them that it would hide their daily conversation in this world, only chat group conversation alongside its interface.
No doubt Heathcliff would have some idea after hearing their conversation, especially when the guild does a lot of meetings discussing their task.
Once again, Kaito was getting reminded to check anything that the system said carefully in the future, because the system clearly being elusive (unclear) with them.
'At least the task is completed. Didn't expect I would meet another fortunate event considering my bad luck...'
...
"I have answered your question just now, Kaito-san. When I would get the answer to my question?" Heathcliff continue asked.
"Well..."
Kaito took a glance at Crocodile in order to ask his opinion and he gives approval, "Just answer it, Owner."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Well, you are right. " Got the confirmation from Crocodile, Kaito turned back at Heathcliff and nodded, "As you have concluded, We are indeed visitors from another world. However, our main purpose is actually to survive in this world and finish it together... Not to make this world a better place"
"Although, making this world a better place is indeed our second objective since our group is full of good people." Kaito added.
"Really? Did people from another world actually take a fancy to my creation?" Heathcliff hummed, "Honestly, your answer actually makes me a bit shy."
"In a way, that's true." Kaito confirmed his statement, "Anyway, do you have another question?"
"Why do you all want to join this game on purpose? I often hear a word 'task', 'owner', and 'chat group' from your guild members' daily conversation, does it mean someone actually ordered everyone in your group to do this?" Heathcliff asked another bombshell question.
"Hmm..."
While Kaito still hesitate about how to explain the answer to his question, Crocodile pat his shoulder with a serious expression and suggested, "Owner, how about inviting Kayaba Akihiko to the chat group? As someone who is smart enough to design this world and directly tear up our secret, he would become a lot of help in the future."
"And more importantly, he already knows too much" Crocodile added.
Hearing Crocodile's persuasion, Kaito indeed agrees with his idea-- especially in their base world, they really need more people that have the experience to develop it together later on. The only concern he got for this idea is the reaction from other chat group members, considering Heathcliff wasn't exactly a good guy and he was fully aware that some members outright hate him, like Lisbeth.
"...Would it cause a riot among other chat group members?" Kaito turns to Crocodile again to express his concern.
"Does it already happen? You haven't opened the chat group, Owner?" Crocodile answered with a teasing tone.
Kaito shook his head, ignoring the idea to open the chat group, and continually asked, "Welp, I still have some points left. But do you think they would be happy if I did?"
"They won't." Crocodile also shook his head and then answered while clearly having fun with it, "but I am sorry, that's not my problem. You are the leader, after all."
"Well..." Kaito shrugged and then didn't say anything furthermore.
...
'I will make sure that would be your problem, soon!'
After the interrogation earlier, Kaito has been thinking about how to improve his leadership and the solution he comes up with is to divide his authority among other people instead of holding them all by himself... like appointing a vice leader, secretary, accountant, etc. Kaito plans to appoint Crocodile as one of the people that hold an important position, so he would become as busy as he does very soon.
To be honest, he really regrets that he didn't realize to do this much earlier. Such a system clearly would make his job easier as the owner and would give others a better impression of him... Something that Kaito cares about the most.
...
"You two... Ignoring my presence even though I am in front of you. What's happened?" Kayaba said, which interrupted both Kaito and Crocodile's conversation.
"Ah! Sorry for waiting, Heathcliff-san."
"We apologize for our behavior."
Realizing they just went on their own, both Kaito and Crocodile quickly turn around and apologized.
"Don't worry, I have time. I am really interested--"
"No no no, We have a better solution!"
"Hmm?"
...
"I want to invite you to our chat group so I don't need to explain anything... So, do you want to join us?" Kaito said, asking him straightforwardly.
"Chat group? Isn't your guild name DSA?" Heathcliff fell quiet for a while thinking and then give his answer, "As long it does not harm me, Sure."
Hearing the positive response, Kaito quickly offered a handshake and said, "You will understand soon."
*DING*
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[SAO Creator has joined the chat group!]
[Tips: After chat group members reach 20, the price of inviting members by points will be increased by tenfolds!]
[Tips: 1 slot left available]
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Looking at the notification that appeared in front of him and Heathcliff's reaction seems to be surprised. Kaito knows that Kayaba Akihihiko has entered the chat group successfully.
"This is..."
"Well... Just read the announcement, our current main task, and watch the memories of Sword Art Online so you have the gist of what is happening, Kayaba-san."
"...This is... amazing"
Realizing that he just entering something amazing, Heathcliff excitedly nodded and begin to explore the chat group by himself. (He sits still like he currently daydreaming). Kaito could guess how chaotic the atmosphere was in the chat group right now, and after getting interrogated by the chat group members earlier, he didn't want to deal with it again.
"You don't want to open the chat group, Owner?" Crocodile asked
"I will do it later. I mean, we have promised to do another meeting after the concert, right? Do you think I am a masochist to let myself get interrogated again? We will talk about our main task alongside with Kayaba later-- and how we are going to finish this world."
"I guess I will explain the situation behalf of you." Crocodile nodded in understanding, "You owe me another one, Owner."
"Hey, you are also partially the culprit here"
"Hahaha! I guess that's true!"
...
After that, Kaito quickly left the room, leaving Crocodile to explain on his behalf to Kayaba who currently learns the existence of the chat group. Using teleport crystal, Kaito teleported himself to floor 75th in order to grind his level until his supposed 'birthday party' was done.
He knows everyone probably going to capture him again soon due to the chaos that just happen, so he would rather escape than deal with interrogation again.
