Money Can Buy Everything

019: Security Measures

At that moment, Momo seemed to notice Asuna's gaze and slightly tilted his head, making eye contact with her from a distance.

Asuna blushed. Even though they were at a social event and there was quite a distance between them, she couldn't deny that she had been stealing glances at Momo.

Asuna wanted to look away, but she saw Momo wink and give her a bright smile, then gestured slightly towards the person next to him, Kayaba.

Though there were no words spoken, Asuna seemed to understand Momo's intention. She glanced at her surroundings, noticing her own father, Shouzou, with a formulaic smile on his face, no different from Kayaba.

So, this young and outstanding boy, who appeared so youthful, was also reluctantly brought to this event, just like her.

A mischievous smile appeared on Asuna's lips, but she also knew about propriety. She discreetly concealed her smile and gave a playful eye-roll in Momo's direction.

It seemed as if Asuna was saying, "Stop teasing me, or I'll get angry!"

"Hmph, stop making faces. Neither of you are good people!"

"Don't be so jealous all the time, Shou! Beware of wrinkles on your face!"

Momo shrugged, considering it his final response to Asuna, saying, "She's just a pure and obedient girl, you know? Her biggest act of rebellion in her life is secretly playing her brother's game. It's me who's not a good person, so don't misunderstand her!"

"Have a little shame!"

"Sense of shame has always been the most incomprehensible commodity. It has no value or utility, yet it is highly priced by people. It's simply the foolishness of humanity."

"I think you've gone mad, haven't you?"

Momo couldn't be bothered with the irritated Hakurei Reimu. He followed Mifune and greeted many important figures. They were all interested in Momo's identity, but he kept his answers vague, always leaving them curious and guessing.

"Hello, I'm Momo Masayoshi, it's an honor to meet you, Dr. Kayaba Akihiko. I admire your talent and creativity, and I'm really looking forward to your game, Sword Art Online. Tomorrow, I'll also be one of the first participants in your game!"

Kayaba's expression changed slightly. He witnessed a player, filled with excitement, who was about to join his death game, and moreover, a player with such immense wealth and influence. It made Kayaba Akihiko feel somewhat uneasy.

"Is that so? Thank you for your praise. With supporters like you, I believe my game will definitely be successful."

Momo grinned and said, "Of course! After all, you are Dr. Kayaba Akihiko, the pioneer leading the world's progress. Your technology surpasses the entire world. Even if you wanted to create your own world within the game, I doubt there's anyone in the real world who could stop you, right?"

Kayaba Akihiko narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Do you have any suggestions? I'm not very strong in expressing myself through words, so feel free to be straightforward."

Momo nodded and said, "Well, what I'm particularly interested in is the issue of security in Sword Art Online. After all, I can say that I'm entrusting my life to a completely new device, and it seems that my consciousness will also be immersed in the game. I'm just speculating, but what if a hacker were to trap my consciousness in the game and use it to blackmail me? As someone with influence and wealth, I tend to have a bit of paranoia. Dr. Kayaba Akihiko, I'd like to ask you, based on your game and the NERvGear, are there any potential security risks or possibilities of being exploited for criminal activities? Safety is something that the Masayoshi family values greatly, and I believe you understand the power of the Masayoshi family."

Kayaba's face became completely serious. He said, "Masayoshi-san, what exactly are you planning to do or request? I'm listening."

"In that case, how about making a deal?"

Momo smiled and said, "I can overlook the security issues of Dr. Kayaba’s death game, but as a righteous businessman, I cannot tolerate the existence of such a game. So, let's discuss whether the rules can be changed."

"Instead of the rule where a player dies in the game and dies in reality, let's change it to a player dying in the game and being freed in reality. Of course, you can still announce that your game is a death game to scare the players. After all, they won't be able to know what's happening in the real world, and it won't make a substantial difference."

"After all, even if they die in the game, they won't die in reality. Your game will still be a death game. Removing the helmet will cause death, cutting the network cable will cause death, running out of power will cause death, damaging the helmet will cause death, and starving to death in reality will still result in death. As long as a few reckless individuals appear, no one will doubt the seriousness of your death game."

"Trade request, the host requests to make a deal with Kayaba Akihiko, with the condition of not disrupting the normal operation of Sword Art Online, to ensure the safety of players who are forced to exit the game due to death."

Reimu looked at Kayaba Akihiko. She was also curious because this final transaction of Momo's could potentially change the entire world's plot.

Kayaba remained silent for a few seconds and said, "Since you want to save people, why not let me guarantee the safety of all players? For example, if they remove the helmet, they can be saved. Wouldn't that be better?"

"Although that's a valid point, I would be satisfied if we could save over ninety percent of the players. Besides, I really want to see the world you've created with my own eyes. Ah, please don't misunderstand, I'm not some chuunibyou trying to be a savior. I just have occasional moments of kindness."

"If I decided to save all the players, I believe you would never agree to my deal. In that case, I wouldn't be able to see the world you've painstakingly created."

Kayaba Akihiko unexpectedly smiled and said, "I see. I understand now. My answer is yes. I don't have the courage to go against the Masayoshi family's colossal presence."

After contemplating for a while, Kayaba finally made a decision. Although he held significant status and reputation, he couldn't compare to the Masayoshi family.