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Where Your God Is - Chapter 14
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♦Topic: Sword Art Online Players FLOOR TWO CLEAR!
In: Boards ► Boards ► Places ► Japan ► Tokyo (Discussion)
Lucifug (Original Poster) (Corpo)
Posted on January 23, 2023: (Stickied)
Alright, you heard it here first! The second floor of SAO has officially been announced as cleared by an internal memo of the task force set up to resolve the crisis.
They'll be airing the streamer footage of the fight in the next six hours. Fair warning, it's pretty gut-wrenching for a while. There were two deaths this time and multiple close calls.
The players who died will have their families notified before the footage is released, as has been the case with any other deaths caught by the streamers on-camera or spoken about where they could hear.
Overall, the fact that the second floor took only a week to clear is incredibly good news compared to how long the first floor took. This means that we can move up our expectations for clearing Aincrad significantly even if no progress is made by the task force in tracking down the masterminds behind the attack on Argus Technologies.
I'll be typing up a list of individual players involved in the boss fight as well as their guild affiliation now that players are beginning to organize themselves and the option to found guilds has opened up.
The largest guild is under Diavel (I'm using shortened versions of the player's handles). It's called the Aincrad Liberation Front (or ALF) and consists of most of the players at the first raid as well as several of the best crafters and non-combat support players.
The second-largest is Another Castle, formed under the player Coper and seem to be (not completely sure of this) made up of predominantly Beta-Players. Kudos for the well-applied Mario joke, also.
The third-largest is Seethe & Mald, formed under Panda-Humper and Kibou seems to be an anti-beta guild that's focused on advocating more equal distribution of information and the grinding areas with a special interest in recruiting role-players. For some reason.
There's also about two dozen unaffiliated players and NPCs of various builds running around in loose groups.
That's all I've got the green light to post until the actual fight drops.
See you then!
Llama_Claus
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Holy shit! Already!? I thought for sure it would take at least another week to get ready for the raid! Total surprise that they went after it this fast so soon after that meeting they had!
Also, sucks that people died. Maybe they should have taken more time?
BigBirdDied4OurSins
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Speaking as a combat vet, some situations are going to be unpredictable life-or-death no matter how much you prepare or what weapons you have. As long as the situation gets properly scouted and no one does anything stupid, deaths are simply an unfortunate fact of what's going on right now.
HawkLife
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Yeah, plus it's those fucking terrorists that started this whole thing!
I hope those Aum Shinrikyo bastards burn for this! Anyone know the latest on the hunt for the masterminds?”
GremlinEnergy
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Does the boss fight have Kirito in it? Want me sum athose juicy thighs!
AlphaMale345
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Wrong thread, dude. We got an image compilation thread over [HERE].
Got one for Keyboard Smash [HERE] too.
SurCola
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Uhh... okay, I understand that we're living in a cyberpunk dystopia these days, but Kirito's avatar looks awfully young. And so does Smash's for that matter. Is that kind of thing... okay?
Crimminey
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Jury's still out on that, mate. Since they're avatars, they're not 'real people' or verifiably underage, so there's no real issue with sharing risque stills featuring them.
Well, no more than any other celebrity or whatever.
Fair warning, though. [MITO] & [ASUNA] have both been pretty thoroughly doxxed and are using their IRL bodies/faces. They are underage and their parents are rich AF. Proceed with caution.
MonkeyBusiness
Replied on January 23, 2023:
I love how everyone jumped from talking about a landmark accomplishment in clearing a death game to underage softcore porn in like, five posts.
Anyway, national police have been cracking down on Aum Shinrikyo cells for months now, but no such luck on the 'mastermind,' being apprehended. If there is one, anyway?
Lolitup
Replied on January 23, 2023:
'If there is one, anyway?' - What's that supposed to mean? Someone had to plan this shit!
Slammajamma
Replied on January 23, 2023:
It means the mastermind might nto be a member of the cult at all. It could be someone who just used AS' whole apocalyptic world-must-burn bullshit to get them to do what they wanted.
IE: It could be anything from another company to another country trying to destroy the monopoly Argus had on FullDive tech. If you want to get really tin-foil-hat about all this, you could even argue that it's an elaborate coverup to hide day one glitches that made the game borderline unplayable.
HawkLife
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Wait, so if all this is the matrix inside the dream inside the matrix, then is the streaming stuff we've been watching all just an elaborate AI Deep Fake?
SonicDoucheHog (Verified Jackass)
Replied on January 23, 2023:
@HawkLife – Dude, go take your meds. The prescribed ones this time.
Let's not go down the 'World Isn't Real' rabbit hole again, please? Last time I had to ban like, a dozen people for a month. The SAO Crisis is a real thing that's really happening and not procedurally-generated AI content. People are actually dying. Insinuations to the contrary will be met with strict disciplinary action.
Ubiharder
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Yeah, anyway, acknowledging the friendly neighborhood Totally Not A Mod's warnings, uhh...
When are we goingt o get to to play SAO, anyway?
BigBirdDied4OurSins
Replied on January 23, 2023:
FFS This game is literally being used as a torture and murder implement by a bunch of lunatic cult members and you want to play it?
Ubiharder
Replied on January 23, 2023:
…yes. I do.
Wumbo_Expert
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Same.
URAOKA
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Yeah, me too.
Wakkawakka
Replied on January 23, 2023:
I actually tried to get a NerveGear before the cops showed up to reposes them, but no dice.
URAOKA
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Damn, hardcore. I just wanted to play the fucking game, not be stuck inside the whole death game shit they're going through right now.
Wakkawakka
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Yeah, no. I'd be down to sign up if they were letting people into the game anymore. My life's shit right now and I'd be up for a bargain-bin isekai.
Sushi108
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Well, that went dark real quick.
Anyway, so... no mastermind. Alright. Any progress on getting the people out? Do we have anyone who knows the systems on-board?
Lucifug (Original Poster) (Corpo)
Posted on January 23, 2023:
Uhh... yeah, no dice on that front. Look, I know that everyone and their fucking dog thinks that getting the players out should be 'simple,' it's not.
The code is essentially incomprehensible from our point of view at this point. Whatever virus they used to scramble the system did an incredible job, from a programming standpoint. We're stuck trying to create an entirely new user interface for the proprietary system Argus uses to run SAO. Basically none of the old authentications work and we're accessing the game through backdoors we found scribbled on sticky notes around some of the old programmers desks.
Backdoors, mind you, that only access specific features of any given sub-system per door. These were only created for the convenience of individual programmers who wanted to make small tweaks without overhauling entire sections of code and interfacing with the Argus Code Wizard.
Also, on an entirely related note, fuck the Argus Code Wizard.
Ubiharder
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Late to the party on that one. What's wrong with the Argus Code Wizard?
Actually, scratch that. What is the Argus Code Wizard?
BigBirdDied4OurSins
Replied on January 23, 2023:
It's the Programming UI for the proprietary SAO programming language. Normally a wizard is just a step-by-step assistant program, but Argus' program is... special? Well, kind of. The AI licensed by coding assistants is pretty simple and lwo-level, but the one Argus runs is a completely in-house construction that's meant to keep code inputs from breaking the game.
Which is a huge concern due to the insane complexity a FullDive game has.
Fishy-ish
Replied on January 23, 2023:
In plain English, please?
Lucifug (Original Poster) (Corpo)
Posted on January 23, 2023: (Stickied)
Sorry, had to step away.
Anyway, yeah, what BigBird said, but the Wizard AI is 'smart' enough to reject coding commands or changes it thinks would 'break' the game or make parts of it that are functioning non-functional.
The problem is that 'functional' is completely relative to what you actually want the game to actually do.
In strictly factual terms, the game is 'functioning' right now in that it's playable without glitches that would impair operations that most players need in the day-to-day experience. Ugh, I'm explaining this poorly, but I've only had a thirty minute nape in the past 36 hours, so...
TL;DR – Not being able to log out doesn't actually mean the game's broken from the perspective of an AI. So it's stopping us from fixing the problem because it doesn't understand there's actually a problem.
1000Truths
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Yeah, I'll add to that. I work in one of the American branches that got licensed to run the local Argus servers for the SAO launch. This is the first time I've really posted about it, but shit's been crazy since Day One. Not every vidya game that has the NSA, FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security show up to secure your offices...
Anyway, the Code Wizard pretty much eats any official changes we try to make to the game and shuts them down hard. It's a double-edged sword, though, because while it keeps us from fixing things, it also stops us from actually breaking shit and accidentally killing people.
So we're reduced to using the backdoors each individual server maintenance team put in collectively to cobble together a new programmer UI that might be able to affect real changes.
Lolitup
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Sounds like you need someone in the game to challenge the Coode Wizard to a duel to the death.
1000Truths
Replied on January 23, 2023:
God, that... that's the stupidest idea I've heard in a long time.
@Lucifug – You seeing this shit?
Lucifug (Original Poster) (Corpo)
Posted on January 23, 2023:
1000Truths
Posted on January 23, 2023:
Huh? Wait, no... holy fuck! You can't be serious! Dude! Du-no, wait, I can just call you!
Don't do anything crazy!
Lolitup
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Did I... do something? Just now?
Ubiharder
Replied on January 23, 2023:
I mean. Uh. Maybe?
Can they really turn the Code Wizard AI into... like, a floor boss or something?
BigBirdDied4OurSins
Replied on January 23, 2023:
I mean... technically? Most of the game is run by artificial intelligences in one way or another. You'd have to... uh, reassign the Code Wizard the properties of an in-game object rather than having it serve as a meta-game entity controlling code viability.
But the Code Wizard wouldn't be deleted or anything. It's an integral part of the system.
But... it might cause it to reboot from a backup.
Ubiharder
Replied on January 23, 2023:
Okay, that sounds cool, but... who are you going to get to hunt it down and kill it?
I mean, you'd have to have someone in-game capable of receiving instructions to hunt the thing down, wouldn't you?
MonkeyBusiness
Replied on January 23, 2023:
You think they can get a message out to Keyboard-Smash?
…
“What's up Mito?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I danced through a practice kata.
“Can't sleep,” she shrugged, looking out at the high moon. “Tomorrow's the first day of floor three. The Elf War.”
I took a sharp breath and nodded. “It's gonna be nasty. The first explicit PvP event. Still, we've done everything we could. The major guilds all know the score.”
Mito sighed, her eyes still distant as she traced the forest surrounding our lodging for the night. Floor three was somewhat special in that there were no major cities. Appealing to the cliché of the giant forest of elves, there were only small, scattered population centers. The closest thing to an exception was the <<Great Tree>> that served as a fantasy-style skyscraper and housed all the amenities of a floor's starting town.
We were about halfway up the enormous tower of wood, granting us a majestic view of the green-coated mountains surrounding the valley where the <<Floor Two>> boss' dungeon let out.
“Keeping it from becoming something really bad is probably the best we can do. We're going to see some edgelords deciding this is a great chance to see what killing someone is like for real,” Mito shivered. “You talk to Coper about keeping an eye on the Bad Old Crowd?”
“I really wish the beta hadn't done such a good job of selecting candidates. There's such a thing as making the simulation too realistic,” I grunted. “You have the details on the BOC?”
“A few of them. I think some of them actually bought it when they weren't careful enough in the first week. I've lost track of Badderest, XaXa, and Cream3.1459. No idea where they are and Argo's been no help.” Mito combed a hand through her hair in aggravation. “Ugh. I really don't want to deal with Asuna asking questions about where I keep running off to.”
“You can't protect her from the truth forever,” I said, swinging my paired katana through one movement before sheathing them. “Sorry, that probably came out cliché and trite.”
Mito stepped out onto the balcony of our room and leaned against the railing. “Only a little, but it's true. Thankfully I've managed to get her up to the level of the average beta player in terms of understanding terminology and gameplay mechanics. So there's that, at least. We gonna' try and keep up the steam in clearing the floors?”
“As much as we can, anyway. Floor two is kind of basic shit. It's more of a rehash of Floor one with the aesthetics swapped to savanna and grasslands instead of variant the mix of terrain they use to start out. The only thing this floor really did was get people ready to form up guilds and offer starter bases to claim.” I stretched, heading for the balcony myself and sliding down the railing to sit on the floor as I looked between the wooden slats to the star-lit landscape.
“Well, that and better grinding spots.” Mito shrugged, then snorted and laughed. “You know, I had to explain to Asuna three times that grinding wasn't some type of weird 'sex thing'?”
I barked a laugh and grinned back at her. “Somehow, I can believe that. I can really believe that.”
There was silence between us, a quiet and comfortable one as we each contemplated our own thoughts.
“We worked well together on the boss,” Mito said suddenly, her voice distant and nostalgic. “It reminded me of when we were playing together, way back in the beta. Why'd we stop, anyway?”
I felt heat rise up my neck and start climbing towards my ears. “I'm pretty sure you know why, Mito.”
My fellow beta player snorted and popped her neck, trying ineffectually to hide the red on her own face. “Ahh... yeah. Sorry about that. Again.”
“Meh. It was what it was.” I paused, pushing away the awkward memories. My own relationships were one thing, but other people's? Dangerous and volatile. “So... Asuna, huh?”
Her blush intensified and, when she spoke, it was hushed. “That obvious?”
“Only because I already knew what to look for,” I replied. “For what it's worth, I think you two would make a good couple. Better than you and me would have, at least.”
“Fuuuu~” Mito sighed, chuckling under her breath. “I guess it's a sign we can be friends again if I can look back and laugh about it. Sorry for ghosting you after that. I never did apologize, did I?”
“I mean, I told you when it happened you didn't need to,” I deflected, then grinned. “Besides, it just shows you've got good taste.”
“Pfft!” Mito sputtered, looking away from me as she tried to quietly lose it. “Hah! You would say that, wouldn't you? I guess I could throw it back at you, though. All three of them, really?”
My flush crept up a bit further and I laughed awkwardly. “I guess we aren't all that subtle, huh?”
“Only 'cause I know what to look for,” she smirked. “You're lucky Asuna's... well, Asuna. She won't get it unless you throw it in her face, but if anyone else knew you were a guy...”
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, shifting the long strands that trailed down to my back. Normally I'd wear it in a ponytail to keep it out of my way, but I hadn't bothered after getting in from the boss fight. “I didn't exactly lie when I explained it in the first place.”
Mito snorted and nodded, conceding the point. “You didn't, no. Still, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought Argo at least was...”
The awkward look on my face must have clued her in as her eyes widened in surprise and no small amount of glee. “A girl like that? You're more dangerous than I though, Kirito. Heheh... good to know my gaydar isn't broken. Damn.”
“It's complicated,” I muttered. “But we trust each other.”
“That's a good start,” Mito nodded with a softer smile, then shivered. “Ugh, it's getting cold out here. Better head in before we get a status effect.”
I hummed, then rolled out my inventory and popped two mugs of hot cocoa into existence. “How about now?”
“Bend my arm, why don't you?” Mito smiled, taking one from me and inhaling the aroma deeply before taking a slow sip. “Oh gods, yes. That's the stuff.”
I mimicked her and took a long draw from my own. We sat there again, comfortable in the quiet, before Mito spoke up again. “Okay, so I never did figure out the whole side-quest you recommended on the casino floor. What was...”
And that was how I spent the first night on the third floor, rekindling an old friendship that I'd thought lost.
It was a good feeling.
~~~
Okay, here's the last chapter of August! And it's a PHO-style Interlude for the world outside the SAO game! This is the first one of these that I've done in a long time, so be gentle.
There's also some heart-to-heart between Kirito and Mito, two former Beta Testers as they reminisce about the old days and old threats coming back.
I'll have the September Polls up in an hour or two after I have something to eat as well. So look forward to that shortly.
Thanks again for another wonderful month and I'm incredibly appreciable for all the support I get from each an every one of you! Here's hoping to an even better September!
Comments
Christopher Jimenez
It should be Cream3.14159, missing a one. This was entertaining and now I can't wait to see the halping manifest.
Matthew Robar
I love the ghostbusters meme, it fits perfectly and elicits a wonderful reaction of “this is a stupid idea but it’ll work, and I hate that it would work” and the ensuing panic of other forum goers is just *chefs kiss*. Perfect plot progression and use of the forum trope for a funny gag
TheForgottenKing
They're totally gonna bang!
Jeffrey Gassenheimer
Why Tokyo? Isnt this at least a Honshu/Kanto wide concern?
