Great, we're doomed now!

But Ye Shou's senses were extremely sharp. Although this golden dragon was exactly the same as before in terms of size, aura, and abilities, its strength was...

Especially the way it disappeared at the end was completely different from ordinary monsters. It didn't even leave behind a trace of its remains, and it was like a large-scale illusion. Ye Shou couldn't help but have doubts.

There's definitely something fishy going on with this guy!

...Ye Shou slowly landed on the ground, the light faded and he returned to normal. The holy sword and armor also automatically fell off and disappeared, leaving only Bayeri's ethereal spirit image. As Qian Hua ran over, she deliberately kissed him on the cheek before dissipating.

"Xiao Shou, what happened just now..."

Listen to me—

"Wasn't that monster already defeated?"

"Oh, you mean a monster... That's right, it's one of my defeated opponents, it should be dead by now, but I don't know why it's reappeared." Ye Shou pondered for a moment, then glanced thoughtfully at the sky. Although there was nothing there, he looked as if he was carefully examining it.

"I think probably—"

Beep, beep, beep!

Ye Shou and Qian Hua simultaneously received notification sounds. One took out a TPC communicator, and the other put on a Bluetooth headset. With a light tap, a virtual interface was projected in front of their eyes, and a dazzling amount of information flooded out all at once. After a moment, both of their expressions became serious.

Monster disasters are occurring around the world!

What is the connection between the mysterious countdown and the monster?

Ultraman Tiga has protected us once again.

Why have the enemies who were previously defeated reappeared?

"……interesting."

Ye Shou laughed after reading it, but there was no smile in his eyes: "It seems that we are not the only ones who have encountered this. If it was a premeditated attack, then the planner is really resourceful."

Chika didn't offer much comment, only looking at him with concern:

If Ye Shouruo is angry or serious, that's one thing, but once he shows that expression, it means he's about to get serious.

Regardless of the cause of this incident, those directly involved have become Ye Shou's targets for elimination!

At that moment, a voice call switched to the channel, and Ye Shou was surprised to see that it was Lucy.

"Hey?"

"There's something that should be bad news for you."

Lucy paused on the other end of the phone, then said, "Previously, the cybersecurity monitoring noticed abnormal data fluctuations within the group. After tracing the source, we found that it was someone's laboratory, and this person suddenly 'went offline,' meaning he was no longer under our surveillance."

When the agents arrived, they found... the person was already dead.

"...I guess it might be an electrical overload that cooked his brain?" Ye Shou asked coldly.

Lucy was clearly surprised: "How did you know? Did someone inform you beforehand?"

"As expected... So the one who died was Kayaba Akihiko?"

"Yes."

Lucy asked curiously, "You don't seem surprised? He must be a talent you value highly... Judging from the monitoring list, out of so many scientists in the group, he's the only one you're taking special care of. Even Dr. Agasa doesn't receive this treatment."

"Special attention? Heh, you could say that."

Given his personality and style, it wouldn't be surprising if something happened... I've warned him, but his true nature just can't be suppressed.

"Preserve as much of his research data as possible, and don't disturb his body—I'm coming right away!"

Ye Shou said a few words and then hung up the phone. He then sent a message to Liuli. When he put down his phone, although he had a smile on his lips, his eyes had become quite dangerous.

He was 70% certain that this incident was related to Kayaba Akihiko!

What exactly is this guy dissatisfied with?

Ample research funding, an ideal working environment, challenging topics, and a group of brilliant collaborators—even his deepest, twisted desires should be soothed!

Ye Shou thought he had been very lenient with him. Although he had been wary of him and kept an eye on him, he had not given him the treatment he deserved. Kayaba himself had also said that the premise of their cooperation would not change and he did not care whether he was treated sincerely or not.

To put it bluntly, Moutai doesn't need emotional value.

Over this long period of time, he has also contributed advanced technologies to the group, such as virtual networks, AI assistance, and quantum communication. TPC has also benefited greatly from this, and Ye Shoudu has gradually forgotten his true nature, thinking that he can rest assured...

But if he really is the one causing trouble, what is his motive?

First, Ye Shou was certain that Kayaba was not "humanly loved" and would not engage in any inhumane practices.

At best, he's just a giant baby who wants to create his ideal other world, where he's the only one with some kind of invincibility cheat...

But this wish has already been fulfilled, hasn't it? Not to mention the large-scale application of virtual networks, back in Brazil, global players went online together to conquer catastrophic monsters, truly demonstrating a commitment of will and soul—according to the intelligence agent, Kayaba was so moved that he almost cried at the time.

Isn't this great?

Why don't you just continue to work for TPC obediently? You can realize your personal value, contribute to all mankind, and increase the profit of the Jiuze Group. Isn't that enough?

What exactly did I do to wrong you?

"I'm sorry, Chika, that's enough for today. I'll take you home now." Ye Shou put away his phone, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, and tried his best to maintain a relatively gentle tone.

Chika wasn't frightened by him, but she was a little worried: "What happened? You rarely..."

"I was just amused by the overgrown child, it's nothing."

I have some things to take care of at the company later, so I might not be free for the next couple of days. I promised to spend time with you... looks like I'll have to break my promise.

"There's nothing we can do about it, after all, monsters are running rampant in the streets." Chika, who usually likes to act cute, was surprisingly understanding now, stepping forward to straighten Ye Shou's clothes. "Then you'll just have to wait for my special chocolate!"

"I'll be satisfied as long as it's not some kind of culinary disaster."

"Humph!"

Just kidding~

Ye Shou chuckled, then said seriously, "I can eat even the most bizarre dishes!"

"..."

After seeing Chika off, Ye Shou went straight to Kayaba's laboratory, where the maid had already arrived.

You'd better have a decent, legitimate reason, even if it's to destroy the world, then I'll consider you a hero!

If it's simply for some nonsensical personal reasons...

Did you think that death would make you fearless?

Sorry, but I do have some connections in cyberspace and the eight hells!

Interlude: Sword Art Online: Woman of the Mirage: Chapter 409: Kayaba - Back to the Basics (4K)

Inside the laboratory, sealed off by a heavy alloy door, the pungent smell of disinfectant filled the air. Two researchers in white lab coats stood at the door; the man had half of his blue recorder sticking out of his breast pocket, and his shoes were stained with some dirt, indicating that he had rushed there.

The female researcher seemed somewhat lost and disoriented, her eyes scanning the laboratory but unable to focus on any particular point.

"Please stop here, we cannot let unrelated people... I see, then please come in."

The two showed their access credentials on their handheld devices, indicating that they had extremely high authority, and that it was personally approved by the highest level—Kuse Yoru.

"Be careful not to pollute the environment... 006, take these two to get ready."

The elite operative nodded to the group's security personnel and forensic doctor guarding the door, confirming that the two could enter. Then, someone distributed shoe covers to them, and they carefully put on gloves and masks before being led inside.

The crime scene, scanned by various instruments, centers on a state-of-the-art holographic projection gaming pod. This non-sale item is not only of exceptional hardware quality but also integrates a variety of luxurious experimental technologies.

Moreover, unlike the commercial versions available on the market which are limited in power, it can operate beyond the safe power limits, providing users with an unparalleled experience.

—This is how the “accident” came about.

The overloaded sensor module released powerful electromagnetic waves that essentially cooked the user's brain, like a watermelon being put in a microwave oven...

Even seasoned special agents couldn't stand the scene; only the forensic pathologists could maintain a calm demeanor while carrying out their "collection" work.

"I advise you not to watch it. We will notify you after the autopsy report comes out and the cause of death is confirmed."

The forensic doctor kindly tried to persuade the two, but seeing that they had no intention of giving up, he could only shake his head helplessly and then asked one more question: "Is it someone you know?"

"...Yes, senior from university."

"An acquaintance... Strictly speaking, we should be more than friends but less than lovers."

"Oh, that's really... my condolences." The forensic doctor didn't know what to say, so he just gave a perfunctory reply and stepped aside.

The holographic capsule's hatch was already open, and the pale blue LED lights were still flashing. The male researcher was the first to peek into the capsule, but his face instantly turned ashen.

"Well!"

Higa Ken's pupils contracted, and he abruptly took half a step back. He then covered his mouth, turned around, and stumbled out of the laboratory. Soon, the sound of nauseating retching echoed down the corridor.

The staff at the scene were not surprised at all—even some professionals had experienced similar symptoms.

If we were to rank them by rarity and bizarreness, Kayaba Akihiko's death could certainly be called "genius." They've seen plenty of sword wounds, gunshot wounds, and poisonings, but someone's head exploded while playing a game... that's truly a first.

Virtual games are not absolutely safe; when they first became popular, there were indeed some unexpected incidents.

For example, a little girl might enter a game but not know how to log out, resulting in her wetting her pants. Others have been so frightened by ghosts and monsters at horror movies that they lost control of their bladder and bowels, or even suffered cardiac arrest—all of which are understandable according to normal logic. Later, with improvements to hardware and optimizations and restrictions on game content, such problems gradually disappeared.

But Kayaba Akihiko... is just... speechless.

Anyway, the forensic doctor's first impression was that he brought it on himself: he was a game developer, but he was addicted to this kind of illegally modified machine, and even to the point of overloading it.

Most people present believed that Kayaba had gone too far, and in their eyes, it was the same as dying from a drug overdose or sexual asphyxiation, and did not deserve sympathy.

Rinko Kamishiro stood there, her brows slightly furrowed. She was unaware of what others thought, nor did she care. Her gaze fell on the cabin interior, unfocused, but unlike Ken Higa, she didn't appear disheveled. It was as if she couldn't see the bloodstains and fragments at all. Subconsciously, she reached out, as if wanting to touch something within.

"Don't move!" The forensic doctor quickly stepped forward, stopped her, and said sternly, "The evidence collection at the scene has not yet been completed. Any touching may destroy crucial clues."

Security personnel also stepped forward half a step and gestured for the passengers to leave.

Rinko Kamishiro snapped out of her daze. As a Japanese woman, she instinctively bowed and apologized, without engaging in pointless arguments. She simply took a deep look at the holographic pod, her eyes filled with a trace of sorrow, but even more so with nostalgia, as if she wanted to remember this scene forever—even though it wouldn't make her feel comfortable.

She then followed the security personnel out, and at the end of the corridor, she raised her hand to remove her mask, revealing an intellectual and mature face. She wouldn't call herself a beauty, but her features were definitely well-proportioned. Her face now showed a deep weariness, and it was unclear whether it was due to being too busy with work or the impact of this incident.

As a core researcher specially appointed by the group, Rinko Kamishiro has both prestige and status, and her material benefits are also quite generous, but at this moment, none of that seems to matter.

She didn't understand why Kayaba Akihiko had to die—

Rinko Kamishiro knew perfectly well that Kayaba wouldn't make such a basic mistake.

It was definitely not an accident. If no one was murdering him, then it was Kashiwagi's suicide!

But why... not when SAO shut down due to its failure, or when it was forcibly moved to TPC, but now?

He didn't die when his career and ideals were thwarted, he didn't die when his fate and life were controlled by ( ), but just when everything was stable and improving, when the whole earth was full of vitality and all things were thriving, he suddenly chose to die.