Log Horizon Book 6 chapter 1

Was gifted a book by an anon, will start editing the parts based on the official chinese translation.


Chapter 1: Murderer


1

As usual, Akatsuki enters the pathway which is not very wide.

In a deep corner of the production street, this zone which is a remodeled basement is full of wooden boxes.

This is the storefront of the production guild Amenoma, evident from the large amount of worn out Japanese sword on display with the 'pick up' option disabled. Among the many weapon crafting guilds, it is a weird guild that specialize exclusively on Japanese swords.

Members who runs such a strange guild are not normal themselves. Because of their enthusiasm in crafting, the ingredients and tools are overflowing from the grand scale forge inside. Even the storefront has crates of unfinished blades and ingredients, looking more like a warehouse.

But this is convenient for Akatsuki.

Being bombarded with greetings of 'welcome' pressurize her, she might be put off by sales clerk recommending her products. Akatsuki is shy by nature. Although she can converse freely with her guild mates Naotsugu and Nyanta, and is warming up to Tohya and Isuzu, she still finds it hard to handle people other then them.

Akatsuki is thankful she can browse Amenoma's merchandise in peace (because of the laid back nature of this guild).

"Hmmm..."

Akatsuki recalls the way around and walks to a corner of the store.

Japanese swords that can be used by many classes are displayed in this section.

Glass displays are uncommon in this world.

The swords are simply hung on the wall.

This zone is owned by the guild Amenoma, so the sales items have been set to be immovable by others. Akatsuki who is not a guild member is unable to take the item with her even though she can touch them. She can examine the items and see the stats on her status screen, so it is not an inconvenience to shoppers. They do not need to worry about shoplifting either, a very convenient setting.

There are dozens of swords in this section.

Akatsuki has set her eyes on several of them.

In Elder Tales, the condition for equipping an item can be seen through its status screen. For example, this 'green steel Kodachi-black wrought hilt' can be equipped by Guardian, Samurai, Assassin, Swashbuckler, Bard and Kannagi, these 6 classes.

Samurai can basically equip all swords, but if status screen of the sword does not include Samurai in its user list, they won't be able to equip that sword. On the other hand, Monk can't equip most swords, but he can equip the ones that specifically states that it can be equipped by Monks.

The main weapons for Akatsuki's class Assassin are bows, swords, blades and whips. But they can equip a wide array of other weapons because they belongs to the weapon based class. Akatsuki uses the Kodachi since Elder Tales was still a game because she think it is cool, but she has grown to love it because of its practicality after the Apocalypse. With her experience in Kendo, this is the weapon she find easiest to use.

It is tough to choose a weapon. Akatsuki browse through the list she is familiar with after repeated usage. There are probably ten of thousands, or hundred of thousands of weapons in Elder Tales. But it is common knowledge that the choices are much more limited for an adventurer seeking an ideal weapon.

In terms of weapons, there are one handed sword, two handed sword, spear, axe, pole arm, bows, staff, clubs, gauntlets, throwing weapons, whips and other special weapons. The numbers of each weapon type is different, but each type has about 10% of the hundred thousand weapons available.

Another issue is the levels needed to equip weapons. In Elder Tales, there will be higher tier weapons available for every ten levels you gain. Every adventurer needs to refresh their equipment after leveling 10 levels, since they will lose out to players of the same level if they don't upgrade their gears. Hardcore players will pay even more attention to his equipment and review them frequently. With the level cap at 100, they will need to change their weapons 20 times if they upgrade every 5 levels.

Another thing to note is the 12 classes available to the players. Take Kodachi for instance, Assassin focusing on agility and attack power will consider different attributes from Kannagi concentrating on magic power and elemental defense, and will choose different Kodachi. Similarly for Assassins, their preference between higher damage or higher attack speed will affect their weapon choice.

Applying these conditions will filter the choices further down from the 10% suitable by level rank. The choices will dwindle down to a manageable amount despite the overwhelming total numbers.

For Akatsuki, there are about 10 choices.

Here lies another the biggest problem.

The possibility of obtaining them.

In Elder Tales, without exception, the most powerful weapons are the rewards from major raids. Akatsuki has no experience in major raids. Although she is confident of her level and gaming skills, but that's the limit of adventurers that only goes for party battles. Also, 90% of the raid weapon drops has a 'no trade' attribute. That means they cannot gift or sell the items obtained from raids. Unless you take part in the raids and pick them up on site, you will never be able to obtain them.

Although Akatsuki has 10 weapon on her wish list, but only 2 can be traded without taking part in major raids.


"...Welcome."

Akatsuki turns and face the source of the voice.

Standing there is a girl about Akatsuki's size. Dwarves as a race are about the height of a human child, so her actual height might be taller. They have several traits that are beneficial to production players and is a race popular among production guild.

Her name is Tatara, guild master of Amenoma, a craftsman with great crafting skills, Akatsuki knows her.

Akatsuki acknowledge the greeting with a nod.

Although she knows Tatara, they are not acquainted to the level where they can chat casually yet.

"Erm..."

But Akatsuki is still grateful for Tatara's presence. Tatara has the reputation of pouring all her love into her swords, evident from her rare subclass of bladesmith, a high grade blacksmith. She is reserved socially, not talking to the customers visiting the storefront and is laid back about doing business, one of the few people Akatsuki is not afraid of.

Akatsuki ask her about something she is concerned with.

"Pardon me, may I ask what happened to the sword that was displayed here?"

Her voice is a bit stiff. Akatsuki gets tense when asking questions to people that are not her guild mates. As Akatsuki think about all this, Tatara slouch lazily on the counter and replies 'I sold it.'

This is a stunning revelation to Akatsuki.

Akatsuki frequented Amenoma for the past 2 months.

The high level equipment Akatsuki is after is horribly expensive since it is a rare tradable weapon drop from raids. Amanome is selling it after modifying it, but from what Akatsuki knows, Kodachi are uncommon here. That's why it remains unsold after 2 months, and Akatsuki assumes that even if she doesn't buy it, the store won't be able to sell it.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's true. I remember... it was paid in cash."

"Woo..."

She is at a loss for words. This is totally unexpected.

Akatsuki looks to the wall again and confirm the presence of 'Meito-Waganemushi' which she wants the most, as well as the absence of 'Sentou-Byakumaru'. <TL: Steel eating bug and White demon.> 'Sentou-Byamaru' has an ability that can be activated, invoking area frost damage. It is highly effective against opponents with high physical defense, but area damage is difficult to control in some situations. She should be glad her favorite weapon is still available.

"...Want to buy?"

"Woo woo woo..."

She can't vocalize her answer to this question.

Of course I want to. I want it so bad.

Assassin's from the weapon-based class relies more heavily on their weapons quality than other classes. In addition, Akatsuki also has some personal agenda.

She wants better weapons.

But high quality weapons are so expensive.

The weapon at the top of her wishlist 'Meito-Waganemushi' might get sold too if she leave it alone. But the price tag is twice the amount of Akatsuki's entire fortune.

No matter how much she wants it, she is unable to mouth the words 'I want to buy'.

Akatsuki has been battling monsters daily. She has keep this up since the Sand Leaf mopping up campaign, after Shiroe got cooped up in the guild house. But after the Apocalypse, there is a limit to the means to secure money in this world by yourself.

For Shiroe, no, maybe Marielle or the other guild master of the round table might be able to come up with the money easily, but it is a heavy burden on Akatsuki.

Akatsuki force herself to look away from the beautiful blade in the black sheath, shaking her head several times to express her intent.

Seems like Tatara is not that interested in improving sales. Since Akatsuki is not buying, she continue to rest face down on the counter. The counter is just like her bed.

Akatsuki grab the hilt of the kodachi she is equipping to take her mind off things and left Amenoma.

For the young girl who wants to improve her combat capability, there is still somewhere she needs to go.



2


The streets of Akiba welcomes the scenery of December completely.

Yamato is cooler than Japan in the old world in the summer, which translate to a more brutal winter too. It has snowed several times in December. Although the snow didn't pile up yet, the wind is becoming chillier by the day.

But Akiba is the city of adventurers.

Although there is an increase in the number of people of the land, 2/3 of the pedestrian on the streets are adventurers. Adventurers have tough bodies and do not fear the cold, they can manage by equipping a aquamarine ring that regulates body temperature if it gets too chilly for them.

Akatsuki rush through the streets in the morning light.

Her destination is the suburbs. Akatsuki blows her summoning flute at the southern edge of Akiba, calling forth a black stallion to her and mounts it.

(I want to get stronger...)

Akatsuki says to herself in her heart.

This thought surface once everyday... No, she thinks about it dozens of times daily.

Akatsuki reached for the sheathe on her waist with her fingertips.

This 'Kamahen-tenmoku' sword is a top production class weapon that has been with her before the Apocalypse happened. <TL: Furnace change heaven eyes.> It is not a weak Kodachi, one of the best weapon you can get through party level adventures.

Akatsuki thinks she is similar to this weapon.

She is in the top ranks in 6 men party battles, completing her assigned duties perfectly. But there are higher tiers in Elder Tales, and that is major raids. Akatsuki don't have experience with raids. She avoided them because of the long waiting time and the complicated personal relations involved.

Another further reason is 'no one asked her'.

But the fact remains that Akatsuki don't have experience with raids. This means she can't get the Artifact or Phantasmal-class equipment available only through raids. There are battle guilds like black swords knight and D.D.D who are top of their league in Akiba. There should be top ranked Assassins who are better than Akatsuki there with equipment that will make her green with envy.

It is the same when she compares with Shiroe, Naotsugu and Nyanta.

They were part of the legendary Debauchery tea party that have top notch adventurers who rivals that of major battle guilds.

Compared to her comrades, her abilities pale in comparison.

Akatsuki is a competent Assassin, she may not top class, but she definitely is at the peak of the 2nd class. But she is not a top class Assassin.

This is the reality Akatsuki is facing.

The best of the 2nd class.

She is the same as the weapon she is using.

She is thinking of advancing to the worse of the top class in equipment when she visited Amenoma, but the top class weapons are too expensive for her. She feels ridiculous visiting this shop everyday.


Akatsuki dismounted near 'Birdland Duvacha'. She is not planning anything sinister, she just wants to move in silence.

After traversing the overgrown forest for a while, her view are blocked by the greenery.

This is a well traveled path in the forest, designed to meander about by the developers. This is a design technique to make a small area looks bigger than it really is.

'Birdland Duvacha'is a type of field maze. Even though it is outdoors, the area is confined by the meandering paths and is set as a place to fight monsters.

But after the Apocalypse, you can bash through the maze in a straight line instead of sticking to the meandering, although it might be troublesome and slower. It takes some effort to climb up and down the cliff, but this an easier route for the light and agile Akatsuki.

'Birdland Duvacha' is about 40 minutes away from Akiba by horse. A zone with level 80 monsters, Akatsuki who is level 91 won't be able to get EXP here, but it is a safe place for her to travel in. The monster that appears here can be beaten by her safely and won't fall in one hit, a suitable place for her to try out her weapons and skills. Akatsuki has visited this place for battle training many times before.

The group she is looking for is also training.

After bashing through the bushes for a while, she can hear the sounds of battles. The sound of iron clashing, harsh sound of freezing air and the sharp noise of lightning. The Black sword knights are going through group training today.

Akatsuki looks for a depression in the ground and lay low. She can see the whole training ground through the vegetation from her position.

Two parties of Black sword knights are going through a fierce mock battle. Akatsuki uses her tracker subclass to hide her presence as she watches the Black sword knights train.

Rumors of Overskill started to spread around the time of the Libra Festival.

It started out as an urban legend and begins to spread among the populace.

In Elder Tales, the special moves of adventurers are expressed in the form of skills. Skills offers adventurers the ability to perform many feats under ceratain conditions, but they are normally restricted to what their class is capable of. An example would be the skill 'Assassinate' used by Akatsuki which Assassins can learn after reaching a certain level. As the adventurer's level rises, they will have access to higher forms of the same technique. For instance 'Assassinate III' which awakens at level 47 is weaker than 'Assassinate IV' which is learned at level 57..

But the same 'Assassinate IV' will have different power depending on who uses it. And that is dependent on the skill level. The skill you learn after gaining the requisite level is known as 'Comprehension level'. You can use the skill but it is lacking in power. By using specific items or investing 'mastery points', you can improve the skill to Novice, Intermediate, Hidden or Secret level. Intermediate level requires the used of 'intermediate scroll' which are crafted by a high level adventurer of the same class. Hidden level needs a 'hidden scroll' that are made from rare item drops, which can be purchased at a high price.

But it is different for Secret level, which requires completing a raid level quest to obtain the 'secret scroll'. This is the reason behind the gap of the top class adventurers in major guilds and 2nd class adventurers like Akatsuki. These skills are hard to master.

As for Overskill, it is rumored to be a tier higher than Secret level.

This is a level that didn't exist before the Apocalypse when Elder Tales was still a game.

As the skill level increase, it's power can be seen in many areas.

Although the skills differ slightly, 'Assassinate' is an attack skill, so it purely increases attack power. From what Akatsuki remembers, the attack power increases by 22% if she progress from 'Comprehension' to 'Secret level'. There is no telling how much the power will improve if she reach Over skill level.

Although she hears nothing but good things about Over level, its existence remains just a rumor, because the adventurers who can confirm and say for sure are few in numbers. About half the people in Akiba don't believe Overskill exist. The other half remains skeptical of its power. Akatsuki only believe it exist because Shiroe says so.

(If I can get my hands on the Overskill, I will be stronger...)

Akatsuki thinks as she hugs herself.

Most of Akatsuki's skill are at the intermediate or hidden level. It is more then enough for party level adventurers, but it is weak compared to the members of major guilds. This is the obstacle Akatsuki is facing.

But Over skill definitely exist.

Since Shiroe says so, it must be true.

Out of the all the adventurers in Akiba, the members of the Black sword knights would be the ones most likely to reach this skill level. Honesty and D.D.D probably have members with Over skill, but the elitist Black sword knights have a higher chance of finding such people.

Although she is not sure how to master Over skill, but considering the fact that secret level are learned through special raid level quest, it should be the same for Over skill. That is what the word on the street says. The way to learn Over skill are basically unknown. Without the support of online guides, the spread of knowledge in Elder Tales has grind to a stop, and the value of knowledge are remarkably high.

That is why Akatsuki is enduring the chilling cold of December, curling up under the trees to observe the Black sword knights' training. If another Assassin uses Over skill, she can confirm its power with her own eyes. If it can be learned by going through a quest, she wants to know how to go about it.

(Powerful... The fight was won in an instant.)

By observing them from the sidelines, she can tell that the Black sword knights are strong. Aside from the Assassins, the other classes of adventurers are also at a remarkable level.

--Hey, put your back defending.

--Use more strength, this amount of damage won't do!

--Your legs are not steady enough!

The members of Black sword knights who uses rough words freely are an elite group that only takes in the top 1% of the Yamato server.

Their movement, coordination and equipment are aesthetic and powerful.

Just looking at them moves Akatsuki to the verge of tears.

Although she can't anything other than fight.

But she is weaker than others in battling.

Akatsuki recalls that night of the festival and the profile of her lord and junior's profile illuminated by the bonfire. They are a pair of birds flying high, beyond Akatsuki's reach.

She wish to be by Shiroe's side. Very strongly.

But Akatsuki is unable to grasp what Shiroe's point of view. So now she has to pay the price.

(I want to become stronger...)

Akatsuki says to herself in her heart again.

But repeating this won't make her stronger, and Akatsuki understands this. She also know how foolish she is, observing the Black sword knights this way. She does't have the strength to accomplish anything.

The Akatsuki who is protecting Shiroe's secrets is more lonely than anyone in the winter of Akiba.



3


The glass bottle is so huge that describing it as a bathtub made from glass is more adequate. The peach colored fluid swirls around the glass container. A man on a stepladder threw some pale brown leaves in casually.

Although the fragrance that rises with the steam smells similar to cocoa, the frowning Rodrick knows it wont have any taste.

This is a research lab that is known as "Roderick's workshop".

Just one of the room inside The Roderick firm's guild tower.

A guild tower is another way of saying a guild hall. For The Roderick firm that buys entire buildings to use as their base, it is an appropriate name for this place. Especially for a skyscraper like this.

One of the major production guild of Akiba, The Roderick firm, purchased seven buildings in the northern region of Akiba to serve as their guild base. One of them is Roderick's personal research laboratory, which is filled with research apparatus made from glass.

Although there are smaller equipment, most apparatus are similar to the container he is using, as big as a bathtub.

To craft items in Elder Tales, you just use the game menu selection and it will be made in 10 seconds. This method remains viable in this alternate world. But to achieve the new possibility Roderick is after, it is necessary to forego the game menu and start from scratch.

They will need big machines for mass production.

When the Round table council was formed, Shiroe showed them the possibility of creating brand new items.

The first to bloom is the food industry, followed by the furniture making realm and the developing world of fashion. There are new inventions announced by the craftsmen of Akiba everyday as technology advance rapidly.

But there are some technical knowledge that exist in the old world which cannot be replicated by the craftsmen here. Roderick is one of them. His is a pharmacist, a production subclass that can create balms and potions that are common in fantasy games.

Since 'Recover HP by 180' potions don't exist in the old world, he can't use the old world as reference to brew such a concoction. Alchemist, Sigilmaker, Jeweller and other fantasy production classes face similar issues.

But that doesn't mean they cannot craft new items.

If the ingredients and technique of the old world are not applicable here, they will have to examine and experiment with the ingredients existing in this world. Recovery and strengthening potions up to level 50 has been developed in the half year that had passed, there has also been significant improvements in Sigils and jewelry making.

For Roderick, the mass production of 'minor appearance reset potions' is a major breakthrough. Unlike the real 'appearance reset potions', it is the weak version that can only reset 2 out of the dozen setings like gender, height, weight, body shape, hair color, eye color and skin color. But thanks to the prevalence of the potion, adventurers who are distressed because their gender differs from the old world can now rest easy.

Following this, Rodrick analyze high quality potions like 'Ambrosia', 'Theriaca' and 'Yomotsumike', mass producing them and reverse engineer alternatives products through research. <TL: Invincibility, status recovery and royal food for Hades>


The Roderick firm is one of the 3 major production guilds, but the directions it is taking and its goal differs from other crafting organization.

When Elder Tales was just a game, item are crafted by choosing the ingredients using the game menu. The item that can be crafted varies from subclass to subclass and a there is a need for many ingredients. Before going into production, the craftsmen need to gather numerous 'recipe scrolls'.

Take Pharmacist for instance, they can create instant HP recovery potion, HP increase potion, HP recovery over time potion, all kinds of ability enhancing agents, 3 types of antidote, preventive anti-toxins, dozens of poisons (to be applied on weapons), speed increasing potion, attack speed increase potion... etc. There are new stronger potions available when the subclass increase by 10 levels, so Roderick is able to mix over 600 types of potions back in the game days. That is the number of recipe he has.

But it is hard to gather all available recipe scrolls, even more so for beginners or normal adventurers. To reach the stage where you can make any type of potions at will requires a huge investment of time and in game wealth.

The Roderick firm guild was started with the goal of completing the library of recipe scrolls. The recipe scrolls can be duplicated using rare ingredients. The craftsmen working in a guild gathering recipe scrolls will be able to learn from the recipe scrolls they have on hand, which is a big advantage over other craftsman.

It is only natural for The Roderick firm to shift their focus to research and development after the Apocalypse.

So far, all those interested in research and development as well as high quality craftsmen are all gathered in The Roderick firm.

Adventurers who apply techniques from the old world, trending towards mechanization and mass production will join Oceanic systems. Those who likes doing business and working with people of the land congregates at 8th shopping district.center. Oceanic systems have their own sales department, but The Roderick firm outsource their retail to 8th shopping district center and other merchant guilds. His members are all academics spending their spare time thinking about new experiments.

The Roderick firm guild towers gradually becomes a mess, stuffed with complicated experimental apparatus and scrolls tabulating the experiment results. MMO games are popular among high school and college students. Since there are still schooling, they are comfortable in this guild that is like a research facility.

Most of the member's refer to themselves as part of Roderick Research Laboratory, or Rod Lab for short. For them, this is a place where they can have fun doing research, just like a school with lax discipline.

With activities like the popularity poll for the girls of 'attachment rice ball house', compared to a homely guild like Crescent moon alliance, they are growing accustomed to this world in a different way.

In this gigantic room with high ceilings located in the center of the guild hall, Roderick turns his head.

A young guild member is calling for him. The young boy went off after leaving a guest behind. Roderick steps down from the stepladder and greets his guest.

"Good day Mr Nyanta."

"It's evening already nya."

Roderick thinks for a moment. It should still be morning...

"The night will still come even if you skip lunch nya."

Nyanta answers the question in Roderick's heart. Nyanta looks at the surrounding with interest as he brush his whiskers, and then takes out a letter from his pouch for Roderick nimbly.

After reading the letter, Roderick felt troubled.

This is a letter from Shiroe of Log Horizon. This part is obvious. The content are request about investigation and development of the world, which is within his expectation. Their exchange of letters has been increasing recently.

There are countless flora and fauna in this alternate world as well as ore and minerals. Formulating new concoction and checking their effects in order to craft new items is incredibly fun.  From the material needed to craft items by game menus in Elder Tales, they have a rough idea of what is the efficacy of each ingredient. By organizing such knowledge, they are able to develop new exciting products.

The Roderick firm is a place where Research fanatics gathers. Although they work on different aspects, the guild members are all dedicated to their field in the same way.

It's the same for Roderick too. But immersing himself in the joy of research and leaving his Round Table duties to the other guild master troubles Shiroe the most. So he find it hard to reject Shiroe's request.

And Shiroe's letter normally brings benefits to The Roderick firm. Roderick will commercialize Shiroe's observation and meet with promising guilds and adventurers as per Shiroe's request. He has never lose out while working on Shiroe's request.


But the letter this time is not as clear as his previous correspondence.

It has just a few lines.

"That seems to be the case nya."

"Do you know about the content of this letter Mr Nyanta?"

"Not at all."

Nyanta shrug his hands at the stunned Roderick. Nyanta apparently has no idea.

... I would like the catalog of magical items owned by the major guilds, and to investigate their effects. Especially the items with flavor text, would it be convenient?

"Wait, anyway... I won't decline this request. But to investigate this, I will need Phantasmal and Secret level items, it is going to be expensive. Is that why he is asking me for help?"

"There are no such treasures in Log Horizon nya."

"There should be quite a few at your place right?"

"Nya haha. A lot of our family is in their growing phase, so we need money everywhere nya."

The calm laughter of Nyanta display the steady side of an adult. He can only be described as a gentleman with his usual neat and stylish demeanor.

Roderick sigh to signals his acceptance.

Since Shiroe says so, this experiment will benefit them sooner or later. Although this research requires a big budget, it is still a manageable amount.

The task of investigating these items is definitely most suitable for The Roderick firm to take up. Most of the recipes in Yamato can be found here, and there are fanatics who are more interested in research than food here.

"There are several issue I want to consult with you. Join me for lunch?"

"I already told you it's evening nya."

"Then let's have some ramen."

"If you insist nya."

Roderick and his long time friend leaves the research lab he has stayed in for several hours. This friend of his shrugs.

Winter has came. A meal with hot soup will definitely be delicious.



4


It is a freezing night.

The metallic breeze that is colder than yesterday blows through the city. Kyoko sneeze loudly and look around her. That was a big one, How unfeminine.

Soujiro would be disillusioned with her if he see this. She continues to rub her itching nose as she thinks about this.

For adventurers above a certain level, the cool breeze in the winter is nothing to worry about. But they would be lying to say it is not cold. With visual and audio information telling them 'this cold is unbearable', the cold attacks their psyche more than their body.

That's why Kyoko is quickening her pace and returning to her guild house.

Probably half the members are already sleeping in the guild house.

The negotiation with the 8th Shopping district center... or rather, the idle chat with them made her return this late. But the result is the large amount of goodies in Kyoko's bag of holding. She even managed to get 3 salted salmon. With this, some of her friends will definitely shed tears of happiness, this is the taste of their hometown after all.

(If this goes well maybe Mr Soujiro will...)

Kyoko smiles as she fantasize about Soujiro.

Lunch with just the 2 of us, the menu is rice ball of course, with salmon inside. 'Mr Soujiro, there's rice on your face okay?' 'Eh? Where?' 'It's on the right.' 'Eh? Where?' 'You are such a messy eater... Let me get that for you'. Then she will eat it. Fufu, something like that.

Kyoko blushes in the dark alley.

In the chilly winter breeze, the 12 chamber engine of the young girl is running at full power.

The athlete Kyoko raises her temperature easily. This is a body with good metabolism rate. If it was Fragrant Olive, she would have collapse from a nose bleed by now. Kyoko cannot hold a candle to the anemic elf's delusion.

"Ahchoo!"

She let down her guard imagining about this lunch scene. A young maiden sneezing so loudly, that was careless of her.

In middle school and high school, she was teased a lot for her sneezing. 'Why are you acting like an old man Kyoko!'. She can remember that even now, the lines of her school mate from the wind instrument club. And she really like that boy too. How dare he compare a maiden with an old man. That really hurts.

With her one track mind focusing on the sports club, she is a girl who laugh out loudly in class and not really a maiden. But he should have picked something else to comment about instead. Such as 'I caught a glimpse of your great talent from your grand sneeze'. No, wait, that will be even more infuriating.

Kyoko think about such things as she rush towards the guild house.

She just noticed that sneezing in this world is the same as the old world. Although this is within expectation, but it still seems remarkable when she consider it in depth.

(Just coming to an alternate world is already an unbelievable.)

She retorts herself.

She is not in top condition because of all that sneezing.


Something green and icy stirs in the cold air.

The night breeze going through the gaps between the abandoned buildings makes the trees sway. When she finally noticed, a man was standing in the darkness ahead of Kyoko.

About 1.75m in height, a man with long hair. Wearing a sleeveless black tank top and leather pants. His limbs are equipped with jet black armor giving him a strange silhouette, but this level of strangeness is common among the adventurers of Akiba.

What made Kyoko stop in her tracks is the silent intimidation she feels from him.

A chill going down her spine made Kyoko stop and take a step back unconsciously.

Displeased with the distance created, the man walks towards her.

The pale illumination of the firefly light set up by the Round Table council gradually shines on the man stepping out of the darkness. He is wearing a black mask the size of a blindfold and holding a green blade that seems to be sucking in light from the surrounding.

Facing the blade that seems to be lifted by strings, Kyoko's body reacted faster than her mind.

Kyoko is an experienced level 90 Guardian. Although she is known as one of the harem girls of West wind brigade, it is still a top 5 battle guild in Akiba.

As captain of the 2nd battle party, Kyoko is a veteran in a fight.

But that is all thanks to Kyoko's body of an adventurer.

The flash of silver seems to slash through just millimeters away from her eye, making her break out in cold sweat. The first thing she grasp is the killing intent that is coming after her. The man in front of her is trying to kill Kyoko. The next thing to come up on her mind is the term 'PK' which is immediately dismissed by the term 'city zone'.

No, it is impossible to kill someone in the city zone.

The guards will teleport over and stop you if you try.

So she just need to hang on until the guards make their way here.


The worse thing that can happen is dying. But even if she dies, She will just respawn in the cathedral. This is the priviledge of the adventurers. There is nothing to be afraid of. And there are no beings in existence that can send her, a level 90 player to the cathedral so easily. Guardians has the highest defense among the 12 classes. Although she is not wearing armor while walking the streets, but the physical defense of her body is still effective. No problem, she can handle this. There is no need to panic.

Kyoko tries to calm herself.

But she failed.

The man charge in so close that their lips are almost touching, smile with his mouth wide open, letting you look deep down into his throat. This grinds the calmness Kyoko collected into dust.

Too fast. Even her level 90 dynamic vision can't keep up. No, this is not speed, but a skill. If she watch closely, he is squirming like a formless being, like a needle that is sewing the gaps between your thoughts up, closing distance instantaneously.

What she saw was just the first few strike of his sword.

Kyoko looks at the man holding the hilt of the sword extending out from her belly.

Wrong.

The man has pierce her with his sword.

Instead of screaming, it is akin to vomiting all the air in her lungs out. Kyoko leaps.

But the man is twisting the sword piercing her thigh with a grin when Kyoko lands.

Because of a bad status effect, Kyoko is bleeding profusely from her wounds. Kyoko is stuggling in the back alley like a wounded hare. She can't even scream properly, her limbs numbed like a fever patient.

But even so, Kyoko fended off several attacks agilely thanks to her powerful adventurer body.

Kyoto continues to shriek unsuccessfully, trying to regain her composure, struggling to figure out how to escape from this predicament.

It seems to have been a long time.

Much too long.

Shaken by fear of the man who likes to stab as he please, Kyoko lost track of time. But it seems to be too long.

"Ah, ah. ahhh"

As he pierce Kyoko's breast, the man's blood red maw twist into a smile as he looks at Kyoko.

"The guards aren't coming."

After comprehending these words, Kyoko's mind is full of questions buzzing like background noise. This is against the rules, such things never happened before. Kyoko swings her fist at the man in response to this unreasonable announcement.

A blade sprout out from her fist.

This is a rather farcically scene. The man leaps back and stopped Kyoko's fist with his piercing strike. This is a speed and technique that surpasses the level 90 Kyoko. Soujiro's Overskill clairvoyance might be able to keep up, but she can't see through this attack.

Kyoko continues to resist with punches and kicks.

Although Kyoko has no martial arts training, but the body of the adventurers has the ability to toy with a bear in battle. Her attacks are absorbed and devoured by the sword. The single blade in the man's right arms seem to split into thousands of copies to protect the man and cut up Kyoko.

She don't get it.

Why didn't the guards teleport here? Why is PK allowed in the city? Why is there a monster infiltrating Akiba, Kyoko don't get it.

She can't even think logically as Kyoko fight on driven by a feverish heat. If Kyoko seems feverish, the man can only be described as insane. The man with a slimy smile seems to be torturing or playing around, piercing Kyoko's body everywhere.

The late night battle ended in silence.

The breeze blowing between the buildings blows away the sound of the battle.

Kyoko fell with her head full of questions. The man's sharp blade pierce through her neck like he planned all along. As the color fades from her vision, Kyoko can see her blood staining the blade crystallizing in the cold and dispersing into the air.

Although it is the middle of winter, the frozen blood looks just like the petals of a Sakura flowers.

Frost bite is setting on the on the wounds on her limbs. Her messed up paralyze limbs made her cry tears that did not originate from sorrow.

Kyoko was sent to the cathedral in accordance with the law of this world. When the young girl open her eyes and reach the guild house where her comrades are waiting, it is already morning.

And so, the rumors of the Murderer spreads in the streets of Akiba along with the intimidating winter chill.



5


A murderer is haunting the streets of Akiba at night.

The news spread faster than the wind in throughout the city. There were 3 victims on the very first night, 1 casualty on the 2nd night. A party 5 fell to the murderer on the 3rd night.

Since veterans of battle guilds also fell to him, this proves the combat ability of the murderer is beyond that of a level 90 adventurer.

It was believed initially the incident can be solved easily.

Firstly, in this world of Elder Tales, numbers are equivalent to strngth. Even if the Murderer are stronger than, let's say 3 person, party systems can be used to form a group of 6 to take him out if there is a need.

There is another unique feature of this world. Although all the victims died by the hands of the Murderer, they are still 'alive''. When adventurers die, they will respawn in the cathedral. So witness testimony and intelligence on the Murderer are plentiful.

Enbart.Nelles

No guild.

Level 94, Samurai.

A head of dark blue long hair, a mask covering both his eyes. Metallic armor that covers his limbs.

With these characteristics in hand, investigation should be a piece of cake. The incident happens late at night, but they can search for him in the day too. West wind brigade and Honesty who suffered casualties are leading the search for the culprit.

But after looking for a week, they didn't find the Murderer while the body count continue to rise.

Adventurers killing adventurers are known as PK (Player kill). This is one way to play the game, but is restricted in certain zone surrounding Akiba, enforced by the Round table council. Adventurers who persist in PK activities are known as PK (Player killer), but won't be known as 'Murderer'.

To begin with, the city zone of Akiba are protected by guards.

If any violent incident occurs, a magic alarm will sound at the guardroom. The people of the land wearing special armor, the guards will then move on scene to apprehend the culprits. You can tell there is something strange happening from this point alone.

The Round table council has already interview the guards at the guardroom during their investigation. The result indicates that the guards did not detect anything wrong when the incidents occurs. In terms of the Elder Tales game systems, it is judged that no PK occurred.

News of the Murderer spreads like wildfire in Akiba.

But that is not out of fear of the case.

It is closer to being a ghost story or a paranormal occurrence.

Death is not a risky matter to adventurers.

There will be some form of penalty, which is the dangers of losing your memory of the old world. This fact has been gradually made known to the public by the Round Table carefully. Even so, a large part of the populace are very concerned with the risk of memory lost. This is reflected in an increase in the number of adventurers focusing on crafting in the city.

But most of the citizens is relaxed about this news.

That is because adventurers who has died dozens of times commented 'The memory loss is not a problem at all'. And they continues to function normally in the city, living on as usual with their friends.

In any case, the fact adventurers need to live on in this world is inevitable.

Even if they fall to the Murderer, they will not lose too much.

Another thing is the high confidence level they have in the Round Table council although few will actually say it out loud.

The governing body of Akiba, the Round Table council that was formed less than a month after the Apocalypse has achieved both tangible and intangible results. The adventurers might come from different backgrounds in the old world, but they share a common experience in this new one. That is the shock brought by the Apocalypse and the devastation that follows. Their representatives who answered the call of duty and is capable of running an event as big as the Libra Festival are the pride of Akiba citizens.

Just the term 'Murderer' shows how strange this case is.

The unfathomable occurrence that is beyond the game setting, the demon that strikes like a catastrophe... does not caused too much damage. It strikes fear into the heart of people, but is just treated like a paranormal incident. Even though he is roaming free out there, he will be caught eventually, that's what the citizens think.


Ever since the Apocalypse, there have been many strange incidents, with new reports every day. Akiba, the biggest adventurer city in Yamato server gathers all the news in the region. Mysterious things, mildly interesting events, terrifying incidents, worrisome happenings, all sort of news congregates here.

The murderer is not a trifle matter.

But there are more pressing issues facing Akiba right now.

The biggest news right now are the raid on Seven falls and the rise of the mega guild in Minami.

The Akiba expedition force that was victorious in the battle of Sand Leaf is finally starting their invasion of the Seven Fall Citadel. The Goblin King who is crowned in the 'Return of the Goblin King' quest will adjust his strength according to the activity of the adventurers. After being ignored by the adventurers following the chaos of the Apocalypse, the Goblin King has become the strongest raid boss ever in the history of this quest. He even sent an army in an attempt to conquer Sand Leaf.

No matter how difficult the quest gets, they are just goblins. They are not a threat according to the game settings.

But there is still the possibility the knowledge of the game might not translate perfectly to this world after the Apocalypse. Even if the adventurers don't see the goblins as a threat, the goblins can be deadly to the people of the land.

That is the reason why the Round Table council is sending a elite army to subdue the goblin king.

A 450 men army led by commander in chief Krusty.

The decision to sent the army was to raid the goblins as well as bring peace to the northeast region of the land. At the same time, this expedition is also a part of the negotiations with the 'League of freedom cities Eastal'.

With Krusty and Issac the heroes of Akiba taking the field, along with Charasin and Akaneya supporting from the back.

The burden on the other members of the Round table council also increases substantially. They are rumored to be spending their days in the guild building or their guild hall, buried in work.

News of the attack on Seven fall Citadel are the one grabbing the headlines and the attention of the citizens.

The 450 men army has already set off, the people believe they will return victorious. But the supply lines and back end support are also crucial, so they must be ready to provide them with aid. This is something they need to be prepared for, and cannot ignore.

The other big news is the rise of Plant Hwyaden who is dominating the west.

Most adventurers bears complicated feelings about Minami city.

For the players in Yamato who hails from Japan, the governing body in Minami is similar to a form of dictatorship.

For a game like Elder Tales, it is only natural for countless guilds to coexist. The chaos in Akiba evolving into conflicts between guilds is a natural progression.

To unite all the guilds in such a short window of time feels a bit forceful.

But it is hard to point out what is wrong with this system. It is too early to say something is wrong just because it is a dictatorship. From the news coming from the Minami, scuffles between adventurers are dropping. They are going about it a different way then Akiba, but it seems the adventurers are living together in peace and harmony.

For adventurers playing on the same Yamato server, it is not surprising to have old friends or comrades living in apart in either Akiba or Minami city. Adventurers in Minami inviting friends in Akiba to move over, or players in Akiba asking comrades in Minami to relocate here are common.

In the end, it is hard for common Japanese to talk about politics in their daily lives.

With the difference in Akiba and Minami you can understand the news with just a general knowledge and a bit of background. But it is awkward to bring it up as a conversational topic, an issue all adventurers are aware about.

Speaking of the difference in population size, Akiba has more citizens. But the adventurers in Plant Hwyaden is twice that of Akiba's biggest guild, Oceanic Systems.

The people knows this situation will make waves in the future, but is reluctant to talk about it, creating an awkward atmosphere.


Between these 2 major news, Akiba passes each days full of tension steadily. That's why the citizens doesn't think much about the Murderer although they are aware about him.

The Murderer did not appear on the 4th and 5th day.

But Honesty's patrol team was wiped out on the 6th day

The Round table council raise the alert level steadily, although no curfew are set, the citizens are reminded to avoid going out at night. It is not too bad if the victims are adventurers, but it will be really bad if any people of the land is to fall. The casualty so far has all been adventurers, but that doesn't guarantee the safety of the people of the land.

At this point of time, no adventurers understand what the appearance of the Murderer means on the grand scale of things.





End chapter 1



Web version edited out from novel version:

This night in Akiba, Akatsuki is panicking.
She is aware of the danger, that's why she sneak out of the guild house quietly.
She has only one goal, that is to improve herself.
For the major guilds like West wind brigade and Honesty, their top members should have mastered Overskill. If they cross path with the rumoured Murderer, the veterans core members should be part of the patrol too. If that is the case, maybe she can get some clue by watching the battle... Although there is no guarantee she will witness it, but Overskill definitely exist.
In the strong wind of December, Akatsuki leaps away like a thrown dagger from the Log Horizon guild building. She slice through the wind so fast that you can't really see her.
Gambling in this one in a million chance, Akatsuki is all in on this bet, but she has 2 insurance backing her up. The first point is the penalty of death. The comfort in the knowledge that you won't lose everything if you die. The other point is Akatsuki's subclass tracker. Tracker's skill sneaking and silent move allows Akatsuki to merge her presence into the shadows. Tracking and wide sense helps her to detect any signs of battle early. The darkness of the night is works to her advantage in hiding her presence and stalking her prey.
Long hours of solo training allows Akatsuki to develop her techniques. Although her tracker level did not increase by much, she now has a better grasp in the mastery of these skills.
Akatsuki can't hide behind Shiroe anymore, she drives her trembling heart on, dashing through the night. Her figure is like a black swallow dashing through the darkness.