How come I must know
where obsession needs to go?
How come I must know
the direction of relieving?
Deep in the night
Far off the light
Missing my headache
Visions of light
Sweeter delight
Kissin' my Loveache
Deep in the night
Far off the light
Missing my headache
Visions of light
Sweeter delight
Kissin' my Loveache
How come I must know
where obsession needs to go?
How come I must know
where the passion hides its feelings?
How come I must know
where obsession needs to go?
How come I must know
the direction of relieving?
She's still angry.
Wh... Who?
The woman who trapped me in ''The World.''
Let's leave.
If you mean that this place has already been detected by the enemy...
...and is no longer safe, then we should go.
No. This place is too much of a burden to Tsukasa.
And...
What? Say it!
Her goal is to get to me.
So wherever I am, she will come to that place.
I understand, let's move. I'll contact Helba.
So, where to?
This happened just recently.
Yes.
Let's go.
BT?
I guess I wasn't totally prepared.
I'll replenish resurrecting and healing potions to the max.
Go on ahead.
Understood.
I'm glad.
Bear trusts you.
So he can go on ahead without any hesitation.
Are you jealous?
Who knows?
Shouldn't you be asleep?
I won't let you leave until you tell me a story.
Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground. It's a place of destiny.
We'll separate into two groups.
Tsukasa, Subaru, Mimiru, and Silver Knight will go inside the cathedral.
Crim and I will remain outside.
Roger that!
All right.
You're being such a good girl. You're so lame.
Helba said that she wanted to see...
...what the awakening of Aura would bring to ''The World.''
Yeah, I remember.
I would like to see it as well.
But what if Aura doesn't awaken?
What if we are unable to stop the enemy's plan?
What do you think will happen then?
I've got too much on my mind all the time.
I don't like ''what ifs'' and ''maybes.''
You're much better at that sort of thing.
Have you heard from BT what I do for a living?
No, I haven't.
I'm not interested in what's going on offline in the first place.
I see.
Truthfully...
I think, truthfully, nothing would change. On the surface, that is.
That's scary.
Scary?
Nothing changes on the surface, but below the surface...
...something is changing while no one knows about it.
That's scary.
The situation right now is the same.
Monsters displayed with irregular graphics that can't be defeated.
A player that cannot log out.
Even with all of these things happening...
...the game is being operated as normal.
We are the only ones who are desperate to resolve this.
I thought of something totally the opposite.
Opposite?
That this is a battle to bring to light what is happening below the surface.
I see. You're right.
The disturbance may become much greater.
But if it does, then there will be others...
...who realize that there is something wrong with ''The World.''
From there...
It's their job?
If we can hand it off, that's enough.
You don't want to see it through to the end, yourself?
Unfortunately, there's my job.
This is bad. I've almost forgotten that this was a game.
If you can be so involved in it, that you forget it's a game...
...then it's the best game.
Bear! Crim! Sora has...
Where are they? You know, right?
I do.
Then tell me.
Are you going to ignore me?
I won't take responsibility for what might happen then.
Sora. If you are going to behave that way, I can't tell you.
Then, when can you tell me?
Can you keep a promise?
Depends on what it is.
A vague response... an ambiguous attitude...
The gray zone between yes and no.
I hate that uncertainty that makes humans, humans.
Old lady, who are you?
I am ''The World.''
Why me?
She said that the reason why I was chosen is inside me.
Yes. That's what Helba said.
What does that mean?
To answer that, I must know more about Tsukasa.
If I do something...
...will this end?
It may end, or it may not. I do not know.
But there are times when you start something...
...you have to end something.
Yes.
Can we end this?
There is no such thing as ''never-ending.''
It's just that there are many different types of endings.
What about outside?
I switched with BT.
Tsukasa, I want to talk to you for a moment, okay?
What is it?
Do you have any anxiety about returning to the real world?
Was it a foolish question?
You've investigated, right? Then...
I did. And as a meddler...
...I would like to say that I volunteer to be your guardian.
Guardian?
Basically, your foster parent.
With your academic achievements...
...there is a private boarding school that you could attend.
I will be your sponsor.
Why?
Some time ago, BT told me...
''If you're not prepared to take full care of that child...
...then you shouldn't get involved any further.''
And, ''That's the best for both of you.''
I've decided to take full care of you.
But, why?
Compensation. No matter what the motive is...
...it is better to have as many choices as possible.
I wanted to provide you with a choice. That's what this is.
You can give me your answer after you log out. Think about it.
Old man, what were you talking about?
I was enticing Tsukasa a little.
That's the worst. Tsukasa, don't fall for what the old man says.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
It's all right, just say it.
I just think it's a waste.
What is?
Just for once, why don't you act like Crim in the real world?
I'll lose my job.
You may get something more in return.
Ta-daaa!
Crim! Let's settle this, now!
You!
''I don't have time for idiots!''
Didn't that thought just cross your mind?
You're a little off.
Not an idiot, but a complete idiot.
Crim! Hurry, come inside!
BT, go on ahead!
All right, Crim. I'll let you handle the complete idiot!
Macha.
You're not as strong as you think you are.
If you think I'm delusional, then so are you.
You're wrong.
How...
Strength is not a difference in level or equipment.
Level-wise, 99 is the limit.
Even with equipment, the limit of the parameters are preset.
Do you understand?
Nope!
That is why you are weak!
I don't feel like I lost to you at all!
It's not bad to realize it after you've lost.
If you can!
Tsukasa, increase Subaru's defense!
I...
If you don't, then who will?
BT, I'm counting on your support magic!
Leave it to me!
Let's leave.
If it comes this way, there's nowhere for us to run.
To increase the choices that we have.
Choices?
I understand. But what are we going to do outside?
As you wish.
Mimiru, can you hear me?
What is it?
I'm going to leave here with Subaru. Cover us!
Roger that!
While you're having a hard time with me...
...they're having a worse time inside.
I've heard that before.
When it becomes diffiicult, you have a tendency to change the subject.
It's because you are weak.
To put it bluntly, it's because you're a kid.
You're really ticking me off!
It's the truth. That's why you can't object.
When your parameters are the same as your opponent's, who will win?
The one who's more passionate!
You really are so old-fashioned!
Yes, I am. I hate changing myself to fit the times.
Now, Tsukasa! Run!
Can you move?
Heal me.
If you can talk, then you're fine. Do it yourself.
You're not kind.
Oh, I am gentle. But not a pushover.
Did someone say that to you?
Tsukasa?
This is...
Subaru, stand behind me!
I will...
Leave healing to me!
You handle it! I'm going to attack as well.
We can do it! Just a little more!
We'll finish it off with physical attack skills!
Roger that!
BT, ignore how much SP you've got left!
All right!
We did it!
I guess this is it.
We can still fight!
But...
Everyone, run.
We can't.
It's all right. I'm used to pain.
I won't forget. So...
I'll return to the real world no matter what.
Run!
Macha?
Macha!
Tsukasa!
Wait!
Tsukasa!
Mimiru!
Subaru...
Where's Subaru?
She disappeared.
What did you say?
Preview
Searching for eternity, you are a frivolous dreamer
Holding fast to unreliable dreams, where are you going?
Searching for the key to open twilight,
With the moon's shadow out of reach, I cry. Where am I going?
Even though secrets are lost in our eyes,
We will never break our embrace.
Pale January moon, hide the morning's glow.
The gentle dawn of a night that should not end.