Perhaps due to the vast market potential of the SAO, this place was clearly one with strict access control.
The security guards at the entrance were alert, their eyes scanning the passing pedestrians and vehicles, wary of any corporate spies.
Yusei was also pondering how to sneak in.
Just hypnotizing the guards wouldn't work, after all, the guards couldn't even enter the building themselves, only guarding the outer gate.
'I need to find a researcher,' Yusei pondered.
Just then, a man who looked tired and somewhat disheveled emerged from a nearby restaurant.
He wasn't wearing a white lab coat, just ordinary formal attire, but his destination was clearly the research institute across the street.
Yusei's eyes lit up, 'You're the one.'
…
Kayaba Akihiko, a genius-level individual, didn't care about the world's opinion in order to fulfill his dream.
With his talent, he could have earned any amount of money.
Now, his creation, SAO, was about to be released, and it seemed everything was falling into place.
The market for VR games also appeared incredibly vast.
However, no one knew that Kayaba had other plans in mind.
What he had been busy with lately was the final step of confirmation.
'One more month. Just one more month, and I could realize my entire dream.'
A smile appeared on Kayaba's face. He could almost see the terror on the faces of the players logging into the game that day.
It wasn't that he had a sadistic taste for others' fear, but the thought was admittedly somewhat amusing.
"Heh."
His laughter was particularly noticeable in the empty research lab.
But just then, an abrupt voice interrupted him.
"What are you laughing about?"
Kayaba was startled, stopping his typing and turning to look at the door.
There, a high school student in uniform stood watching him.
"Who are you? Where are the guards?"
Kayaba frowned.
He was the lead of the SAO Project… the security was quite tight, with guards stationed at the entrance.
"They're standing guard right there."
Yusei walked in nonchalantly, casually closing the door behind him and unceremoniously taking a seat on the nearby sofa.
"Let's talk business," Yusei said, showing no awareness that as an intruder, getting caught and sent to the police could lead to a prison sentence.
Kayaba also sensed something amiss. He was puzzled why the guards seemed to have let this kid in as if they couldn't see him.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"My little sister and I want to play SAO, experiencing the VR game. But my sister and I are afraid of dying in the game, so we'd like you to... give us some advantages."
Yusei looked at Kayaba with a smile.
When he heard 'afraid of dying', Kayaba's heart skipped a beat, but then he remembered only he should know about that and suppressed his unease.
He patiently explained, "According to the game mechanics, even if you die while fighting monsters, you'll respawn in a nearby city. There's no need to worry."
"Really? But aren't you planning to make it a death game? If players can respawn, how can it be called a true death game?"
After Yusei finished speaking, Kayaba's face changed dramatically, and he stood up.
"Just who are you?"
Kayaba was shocked. He didn't understand how the other party could know about his plan.
Yusei's words had laid everything bare, "I know all about your plan to create a death game."
How could Kayaba not be stunned? He had handled everything personally, and no one else should have known the details.
"I'm just a high school student. An ordinary high school student who wants to ensure his little sister's safety and give her a good time."
At this point, Yusei lost interest in teasing Kayaba further.
He lifted his gaze, a flash of crimson light passing through his eyes, like a vampire in the darkness, sending a chill down one's spine.
Kayaba, who had been about to say more, instantly froze, his expression turning blank before returning to normal.
His attitude towards Yusei also changed.
"So it's Yusei-sama. What requirements do you have? Rest assured, SAO will definitely meet your satisfaction."
Kayaba spoke to Yusei with great respect.
Yusei cleared his throat lightly, "Good, now let's talk business."
"Yes, Yusei-sama."
Yusei was extremely satisfied and nodded. His hypnosis worked perfectly on ordinary people.
In Kayaba's perception now, Yusei was his lifesaver from his most difficult, most desperate times.
Even the dreams in his mind took a back seat.
In ancient times, Kayaba, now under the illusion control, would be considered Yusei's death-sworn follower.