Breathing Techniques in SAO

The players in the square all questioned in disbelief:

"How could something like this be possible?"

"It's just a game, how could we not be able to log out?"

Kayaba ignored the players' words and continued in a calm voice:

"Furthermore, there is no way for anyone outside to stop or disable the operation of the NerveGear. If someone tries to do so—"

As the atmosphere in the entire square grew so heavy it was hard to breathe, Kayaba spoke the second half of the sentence:

"Then the NerveGear's signal component will emit microwaves that will damage your brains and stop your life functions."

Silence.

A deep silence fell over the square.

The players looked at each other in shock, and after a moment, Kayaba's words dropped like a bomb into the crowd, causing everyone to completely erupt.

"No… no way. This can't be possible. How could something like this even be done?"

The man with the samurai-like face, whose ID was Klein, turned to Kirito and said, "Ki… Kirito, this can't be real, right? Ha… haha, it's just a game device, it can't do something like this, can it?"

Kirito didn't answer; he just stared blankly at Kayaba Akihiko.

Nearby, Tomioka Akimi walked over and said, "This is indeed possible."

He whispered to Kirito and Klein:

"The NerveGear uses countless signal components buried inside that emit weak electromagnetic waves, stimulating the brain's nerve cells to create the sensation of doing certain actions."

"Although it is truly the most cutting-edge technology right now, its basic principle was already accepted in every household in Japan forty years ago—that is, the microwave oven."

"As long as there is sufficient output power, the NerveGear can easily cause the water inside our brains to rub and vibrate, generating high heat that cooks the brain."

Klein retorted, "That's true… but that must just be a scare tactic. As long as you unplug the NerveGear's power cord, it won't be able to emit high-frequency electromagnetic waves, right? As long as it doesn't have a large-capacity battery inside… then…"

His voice trailed off, his mouth slightly open but no sound coming out.

Kirito took over and continued, "It does have a battery, and it accounts for one-third of the helmet's total weight."

Klein stared blankly and said, "Then what happens if the battery dies?"

Kayaba Akihiko seemed to hear Klein's question and said:

〈More precisely, the brain destruction program will only activate if the external power supply is cut off for more than ten minutes, the network connection is lost for more than two hours, or an attempt is made to destroy the NerveGear device or remove its locking mechanism.〉

〈These conditions have already been publicly announced to the real world through our company and the media.〉

〈By the way, at this very moment, there are already many players' families and friends who, ignoring our warnings, have tried to forcibly remove the NerveGear. The result is...〉

Everyone swallowed nervously, waiting for him to continue.

〈Regrettably, as of now, two hundred and thirteen players have permanently exited both the real world and Aincrad.〉

Silence fell over the crowd once more, as an even heavier bomb exploded in the hearts of the players.

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

Kirito trembled slightly and took a few steps back; Klein collapsed directly onto the ground; Akimi moved his lips a few times, then finally shut his mouth tightly.

Two hundred and thirteen players.

That number echoed in everyone's ears like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts again and again.

"I don't believe it… I just don't believe it!"

Klein said hoarsely, "It's just to scare us, right? There's no way something like this could actually happen! Stop babbling! Let me out! I don't have time to play around with you."

Struggling to stand up from the ground, Klein continued, "That's right… all this must be some kind of game event, a show put on for the game's opening, right?"

The surrounding players also echoed in agreement.

But as if to shatter everyone's hope, Kayaba's calm, report-like voice sounded again:

〈There is no need to worry about your physical bodies in the real world. Currently, all television, radio, and internet media are repeatedly reporting this situation, as well as the emergence of many casualties.〉

〈Therefore, the possibility of forcibly removing the NERvGear from your heads can be said to have dropped to a very low level.〉

〈From now on, your bodies should be transferred to hospitals or other places within the two-hour disconnection limit of the NERvGear, to receive careful care. So we hope you can rest assured and...〉

〈Focus your mind on clearing the game.〉

"Wh... what?! What on earth are you saying?" Kirito shouted, "You actually want us to focus on clearing the game? To calmly clear the game under these circumstances?!"

He glared fiercely at the figure suspended in midair and continued shouting:

"This can no longer be called a game!"

As if following Kirito's words, Kayaba spoke in a declarative tone:

〈However, please pay special attention — for all of you, Sword Art Online is no longer a game, but another reality.〉

〈From now on... there will be no resurrection mechanic in the game. So, when your HP reaches zero, your character will disappear forever, and at the same time...〉

Everyone could fully anticipate what he was about to say next.

〈Your brains will be destroyed by the NERvGear.〉

All eyes fixed on the HP display in the upper left corner of their vision, and they fell into a long, heavy silence.

According to Kayaba Akihiko, when that pale blue bar completely empties, they will die.

This is indeed a game — a life-or-death death game.

An RPG like Sword Art Online should normally allow players to gain experience and improve skills through repeated death and resurrection.

During the closed beta, Sword Art Online worked exactly like that: when players died, they would revive at the palace in the northern part of the plaza — the Black Iron Palace.

But now, they say there's no way to revive?

And if you die, you truly lose your life? You can't even stop playing?

"This is... so stupid..." Kirito whispered.

Under these conditions, how could anyone risk their life to venture into dangerous zones to play the game?

Wouldn't it be better to hide safely in the town area and wait for outside rescue?

But Kayaba's next words completely shattered that hope from the players' hearts.

〈There is only one condition to be freed from this game〉

〈That is the one I just mentioned — to reach the highest floor of Aincrad — the 100th floor — and defeat the final boss there. I guarantee that at that time, all surviving players will be able to safely log out of the game〉

Ten thousand players fell silent.

〈There is a gift from me in your inventory. Please check it〉

Kirito opened his inventory and found a new item called "Hand Mirror."

He took it out — it was a square-shaped mirror.

While all the players were puzzled, suddenly some bodies were wrapped in blue light similar to when teleporting, and others gradually followed.

Soon, everyone was glowing in light, and the plaza was illuminated so brightly that it was hard to keep one's eyes open.

After the light faded, everyone was surprised to find their faces had changed to their real-life appearances.

Some couples who had looked like pairs on the plaza instantly turned into two men, and the linked arms made the atmosphere awkwardly tense.

Then Kayaba's voice continued:

〈You're probably wondering why〉

〈Why Kayaba Akihiko, the developer of Sword Art Online and NerveGear, would do something like this〉

〈Actually, my purpose has already been achieved〉

〈I only created this world to observe it〉

〈That's why I created Sword Art Online〉

〈And now, everything has been accomplished〉

〈Now, the official operation tutorial of Sword Art Online ends here. I wish all players good luck〉

After finishing his words, the cloak in the sky suddenly disappeared, and the chessboard-like light screen vanished in an instant.

The orange-red sunset shone down again, as if nothing had happened.

After a brief silence, the players' angry shouts filled the entire plaza.

"What a joke! Let me out now!"

"Who has the mood to clear this crappy game with you!"

"Kayaba Akihiko, f**k you!"

The chaotic noise made Akimi furrow his brows.

He said to Kirito and Klein, "Follow me, this is not the place to talk."

Then he led them to a slightly quieter alley at the edge of the plaza.

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