my slow journey to infinity

Chapter 16 Ice Blue Tears
The first time a monster spawned on the second floor of the mine was when Shui Wang walked down the stairs for the third time. He saw those slow figures walking aimlessly from a distance.

Those were three skeleton monsters, classified as undead creatures.

There was no trace of flesh and blood on their bodies, and their bones were dark yellow, rough, and even a little weathered and cracked. But Wang Shui sneaked closer and struck with his first sword. He felt like he had struck a stone.

Fortunately, these undead with mining picks move slowly and have low health. The blue fire ball in their skulls is their weakness. This can be regarded as a classic design.

There is very little experience, and the only drops seem to be ores. Their only function is to tell Aqua Regia that monster spawning has begun here.

The boring days of mining continued, and Wang Shui showed a kind of patience that lone wolf players could not understand - tolerance for loneliness.

Even social nerds like Kirito like to go to night markets. They are just afraid of communication, not that they have no desire for communication. Loneliness is still very scary for animals that are naturally social.

The Internet age has given birth to many people who like to be alone. Even they need to constantly obtain similar information on the Internet. It may be real-time online chats or comments across time. A small amount of attention and communication can make them feel like they are alone. Still alive in this world.

What they enjoy is a simple, convenient and uninterrupted life, rather than isolation and loneliness.

Aqua Regia is an anomaly. He is a social madman with a superficial understanding of psychology. He understands human beings' need for social interaction, but he is one of the very few people who truly enjoys loneliness.

But that doesn't make him anything special.

The time lasted until November 11, the 28nd day after the start of this death game, when Shui Wang walked out of the mine.

His level had been pushed to level 7 by the few monsters in the mine. He still had 6 mining picks, but he had run out of food and water.

The game life made Wang Shui develop a habit of checking the remaining food every time he eats to avoid panic.

So after he finished eating the last of the food, he washed his hands and face with the last of the water, and walked into the dark valley wearing tattered cotton and linen leather-embedded clothes and covered in dust.

The numb spirit was gradually activated by the night wind, and the dead fish eyes became a little more active. Wang Shui felt that his heart was calmer for some reason. Now he really liked this game world.

Walking towards the town of [Torbana] three kilometers away, Wang Shui prepared to return to the player group today, enjoying the solitude and not being in a hurry. Now he has to catch up with the elite players of the first and second tiers.

To find a good team and become a solid background for Mr. Tong, Wang Shui even has some plans to enjoy the two years of game time. After all, it seems that there is nothing wrong with the plot at the moment.

However, if a person has no long-term worries, he must have immediate worries.Wang Shui, who had just come out of the cave, was the first to be greeted by a player PK.

PK in the SAO world does not refer to a simple fair PVP duel, but [Player Kill], that is, player kill. By killing the player, he will also die in reality.

This happened about a week after the game started. At first it might just be to rob property, but later it seemed that scum appeared specifically to kill people for fun.

So when watching three orange buoys chasing another orange buoy, most players in this game should get out of the way and quickly move away from them, and the same goes for aqua regia.

Under the dim light, Wang Shui, who was dressed like a beggar, gave way to the road and waited for the four people to run past him before opening the props bar and dragging the equipment onto the character model.

The [Miner Suit] with a mining bonus dropped by the mine monster was replaced with the early cheap leather armor, and the [Tough Sword] with a black lacquered sword spine also appeared in the hands of Aqua Regia, who was the first to express The only thing that aqua regia exists is the iron bullet that bursts out from his left hand.

Whoosh! ——[-211! ], [dizziness], [shock]

Wang Shui did not hit the last one, but the one at the front of the three pursuers. The iron bullet hit the target's back of the head, inflicting high damage and negative status on the weak point. At the same time, Wang Shui's entry was announced in a high-profile manner.

The two people behind naturally stopped quickly. They turned around and held their swords, subconsciously preparing to confront each other first, but Wang Shui had already charged forward without hesitation, and stabbed the nearest person in the abdomen with [Angry Stab]. Wang Shui kicked to the left. Take a step back, then lift the sword forward and slash downward. At this time, the sword skill light effect lights up, and the [Vertical Slash] is determined to be successful.

People who are attacked by aqua regia are left in a state of depression, unable to move forward or retreat, and unable to maintain balance.The companions behind him immediately rushed forward, preparing to rescue him.

At this time, the orange buoy player who had been being chased at the front immediately turned back to join the fight after finding help from passers-by. He passed the first controlled person and went straight to the guy who was using the [Scythe] to help, with the dagger in his hand. Emitting a green sword skill light, a [Side Bite] sticks to the opponent like a poisonous snake.

Without waiting for the help of his teammates, the orange player at the end of the team holding a one-handed straight sword quickly bottomed out under the suffocating suppression of Aqua Regia. He let out a scream of fear from his mouth. He fell to the ground and continued Back up and wave.

The attention of the other three people present was attracted.

"Ah! Ah! Stop fighting! Don't kill me. I'll give you everything I stole!"

While shouting, he materialized the items in the prop inventory, and a large number of equipment and props appeared on the ground instantly.

Aqua regia seemed to slow down.

"It's all here!"

These words became his last words.

Wang Shui stepped forward among the props on the ground, and stabbed with his sword to clear out the last of the opponent's blood. Without any delay, the opponent also shattered into light flakes with a horrified expression.

The people present were inexplicably shocked by Wang Shui's determination, but Wang Shui didn't pay attention to the things on the ground and just launched a charge immediately.

……

……

The third person, the first one to be stunned, was also shattered under Wang Shui's sword. The last two pursuers seemed to have sensed Wang Shui's murderous intention, and ran away instead of taking out anything to beg for mercy.

However, the [Flying Sword] skill is really suitable for dealing with small and medium-sized targets.

The buoy above Wang Shui's head, who killed three people in a row, also turned orange. With an inexplicable sense of oppression, he looked back at the hunted person with short ice-blue hair and eyes, approaching step by step.

Perhaps he was frightened by the killing of Shui Wang, or perhaps he knew that he could not escape the infallible [Flying Sword] skill. The orange-named player who was being hunted - who was also an extremely handsome female player - was in indescribable fear. Back away slowly.

Wang Shui moved quickly. As he walked, he let go of the sword in his hand, letting his beloved sword fall to dust.He grabbed the girl's collar with both hands, even lifted her directly from the ground, and then pressed her hard against the stone wall of the valley.

"Why are you in the game!" Wang Shui's voice was filled with fatigue from long-term mining and obvious anger.

"I...you...are you...Satoki?!"

Sinon, who was pressed hard against the stone wall and could hardly move, called out this name in great surprise.

"Why are you surprised? You knew I would be in the game."

After Wang Shui said that, he put down Shino, turned around to pick up the sword and put it back into the sheath on his waist, and then went to pick up the props on the floor.

Sinon's brain is shutting down. Tonight, she was first attacked, chased, and then rescued. Then she found out that the person who rescued her was her neighbor and classmate in real life, and then this classmate killed three people without hesitation... ...or when the opponent stops attacking and begs for mercy.

After experiencing the death game for nearly a month, Shino felt that she was much stronger, more independent and stronger, but now her mind was in a state of confusion, and she had not even recovered from the initial attack.

Shino could only lean on a big stone and stare blankly at the dark sky, letting the cool breeze in the valley cool her down.boom--

A heavy figure fell next to Shino, and she looked at this new friend she made a month ago through the dim light beside the track in the distance.

Plain and mature, he raised his head and looked at the sky, with the orange buoy above his head pointing towards his face.

There was no so-called sense of security, and now there was no fear. Shino felt... strange. Yes, they had only known each other for less than a week, and this guy was a psychology enthusiast who was very good at hiding his inner feelings.

"Why are you in the game?"

Wang Shui, who was lying on his back to rest, asked the old question again. Sinon thought about it seriously for a long time, but she fell silent and did not give an answer.

"Silence means that you don't want to talk, which means that it has something to do with me. Whether it's because you're afraid of burdening me or because of the embarrassment of being a stranger, you remain silent."

"So... was it because I saw NERvGear that I was attracted? Or was it because I was too strong, especially mentally, that gave you the vision to learn from me and strengthen yourself? It seems that you have already implemented it. , you bought gaming equipment, you may have even started reading psychological information, you started to get close to me and observe my lifestyle up close - just want to become as powerful as me?"

The experience of being read, made Shino straighten up in shame and anger, and turned to Wang Shui, but soon his chin was pinched hard by a right hand.

"Asada-kun, do you really think I'm powerful?"

Shino slapped Wang Shui's right hand away and lay back in silence. She thought about Wang Shui's words. This guy who expressionlessly killed three people not long ago seemed to be lamenting that he was weak.

"Did you kill anyone before you were hunted down?" Wang Shui changed the subject, but didn't go very far.

She didn't kill anyone. She just attacked an enemy with a green buoy during her counterattack. Only when the system determines that she intentionally harmed the player will she be awarded the orange name.

"It seems that you haven't, but you have. A long time ago, you killed a robber with a pistol. Although it was self-defense, the horrific memories are engraved in your memory and in your body. You still maintain a normal aversion and resistance to taking other people's lives. But now, you seem to have convinced yourself to accept me..."

"Those orange players just killed your teammates, right?"

The last sentence instantly made Shino's chaotic thoughts turn cold tonight, and inexplicable pressure began to swell in her mind.

"It's very simple logic. Shino must have never been exposed to this kind of game. Regardless of age, gender, usual interests, and study efforts, they all told me this. Moreover, SAO is very hard-core, very novel and completely It is the first stealth game in the world. The early difficulty of this world is okay for RPG veterans, but it should be difficult for a newcomer like you."

"I think with your character, there is a high probability that you will not wait for physical and mental decay in the starting town. However, because you are not familiar with the process and have no concept of becoming stronger, your first day should end with an embarrassing escape, and then you will be low. Learn from others efficiently.”

"Then you got help. It's not hard to imagine it was Argo the Mouse's strategy manual. You mastered the basic skills, followed the advice in the manual to find a team, and then spent a long time spawning monsters near the starting town. Exercise and get familiar with combat.”

"You have never played a game, and you have not hidden your appearance. Naturally, you are cared for by the team. Your teammates are good, with good skills and character. They protect you, and after a long period of strategy, they finally even arrived. This is near the last town on the outskirts of the labyrinth area."

Wang Shui described it in a calm tone. At this point, Shino, who slowly lowered his head, suddenly trembled in his shoulders.

"I guessed it right. They were very good to you. Until tonight, they also covered your escape. Robbers generally don't kill indiscriminately. They usually just force other players to hand over props and money, but your teammates After a desperate fight, I think the looters made additional demands.”

Wang Shui turned sideways, pinched Sinon's chin with a strength attribute of up to 35 points, and made her look at him with her lowered head. Tears gushed out from her beautiful ice-blue eyes like clear springs.

"They require you to open the [Restricted Level Specification Unrestriction] and require you to sacrifice your body, so that your stupid teammates, who are filled with your sense of justice, will rise up and resist."

boom--

Wang Shui was knocked to the ground as expected.

Shino's thin body pressed against his chest, her hands pressed down on his neck with all her strength, and then she squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth:
"They! They! No! Stupid!"

Big teardrops fell on the corner of Wang Shui's mouth. The salty taste was so real that Wang Shui lamented the boredom of the developers.

"But they are still dead, all of them. The robbers don't want what happened today to be exposed, so they are chasing you." Wang Shui, who was lying down, did not struggle, but his voice was still cold.

"They are used to simple robberies and don't even bother to hide their faces, but killing is different. This may lead to unanimous attacks from high-level players. They should be considered masters if they can sneak around this town. Leaving the front line will make them It has become much weaker, so they will definitely not give in. The pursuit is very decisive, and you can only run away in a daze, without even considering that you are moving away from the town until you meet me."

"You showed fear when you saw that I killed three robbers. You saw that I was an acquaintance and did not take action against you, so you let down your guard and accepted my murder, because this can be regarded as avenging your teammates."

Wang Shui felt the pressure on his body gradually become shaken, and continued:
"Just before I spoke, you had a great affection for me in your heart. Maybe it was all gratitude, but more importantly, it was your yearning for my strong strength and strong psychological quality, and your expectations for me, so I I just asked you, do you really think I am strong?"

Wang Shui looked into Shino's eyes. Shino not only closed his eyes, but also tilted his head to the side.

"Yes, you think I am strong, and even because of me, your attitude towards life has been shaken. You are not out of sadness yet, but after a while, when the sadness is healed by time, you will unknowingly Change, become weak and accustomed to dependence on others.”

"Perhaps you will become gentle and mature, and have blind trust and even love for me. These changes can be said to be benign, especially for me. I can win your heart almost by relying on my social skills."

Wang Shui stretched out his hands to grab Shino's shoulders and then sat up, hugging her but not holding her tightly.

"But that's not the Shino I like."

"It may be a bit selfish. I don't even hope that you will like me. I only hope that you can maintain independent thinking and a strong heart, and maintain the determination to face all difficulties. Gender is not a strong shackle, nor is the body, but the soul is."

"Only a strong soul can have a strong self, and then have a strong body. But I don't have it. The decisive killing you see is my decision after thinking about the situation that cannot be eased. It is my decision to influence you and let The guilt you feel after falling into the death game, but I’m not a strong person.”

Only then did Wang Shui tighten his arms and hug Shino tightly.

"I'm sorry for bringing you here and giving you false expectations."

Shino, who was shaking and crying again, also hugged Wang Shui tightly.

"I will become your new teammate and help you become stronger in SAO. I will do my best to protect you, but I am not a knight and cannot promise to take you out of the game safely, so you must also become stronger and become stronger. You have to protect me, okay?"

The little body in his arms twisted a little. Wang Shui didn't care whether Shino nodded or not. There was no rich emotion on his face after saying so many "heartfelt words". Instead, there was a kind of plainness that penetrated people. indifferent.

Taking advantage of a weak point is the worst method, and the success rate will not even exceed half, unless the other party has long been attracted to you but did not choose you for various reasons (spare tire).

The success rate was not [-]%, Wang Shui didn't even bother to operate it, so he regained Sinon's personality and integrated his existence into Sinon's thinking.

There are many restrictions, and detailed operations require a adaptable psychological suggestion method. This method cannot make Shui Wang become everything in Shino's heart.

But Wang Shui did not emphasize his presence with the intention of winning over Shino.

What he needs is not a warm doll, he needs an independent and strong warrior!

A warrior who would lay down his life for him.

(End of this chapter)