A faint smile curved across Aiba Asagi's lips as she looked at the man before her.
Standing calmly in the frozen world of the game, she introduced herself without hesitation.
"I am Aiba Asagi, from another world."
Her tone was composed, almost casual.
"Kayaba Akihiko, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The moment those words left her mouth, Kayaba's pupils shrank sharply.
…Another world?
Everything clicked into place instantly.
No wonder.
No wonder she had been able to infiltrate his system so effortlessly… no, not just infiltrate—it had been completely seized.
No wonder her data had been blank, yet she still appeared within the game.
Because she didn't belong to this world to begin with.
"I see…" Kayaba muttered, his voice low, yet filled with realization.
Asagi tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening.
"You seem surprised."
She took a step forward, her gaze locking onto him.
"Let's talk."
A brief pause.
"Would you like to visit another world?"
Her words carried a subtle temptation.
"There, you'll find everything you've ever desired… perhaps even the world of your dreams."
Those were the exact words Izumi had instructed her to say.
A talent like Kayaba Akihiko was far too valuable to ignore.
Especially after witnessing the structure of this world firsthand—Asagi understood why Izumi had taken such interest in him.
This world… was astonishing.
A near-perfect recreation of reality.
If she hadn't known better, she might have believed this was a true alternate dimension.
Kayaba's eyes flickered with something dangerous—something passionate.
"An honor… beyond words."
His voice trembled—not with fear, but with excitement.
Another world.
A real one.
This was the culmination of everything he had ever sought.
Why had he created this game?
Because he longed for a world beyond reality.
And now… that dream stood right before him.
There was no reason—no possibility—for him to refuse.
Asagi chuckled softly and flicked her wrist.
A single invitation card spun through the air toward him.
"Take this."
"It will guide you to our world."
"A world where multiple realities converge into something far greater."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"I think you'll find the technology there… very satisfying."
A brief pause.
"We'll come find you once you've settled in."
Kayaba caught the card without hesitation.
He didn't even question it.
Without another word, he opened it—
—and vanished.
Asagi watched the empty space he left behind and let out a small laugh.
"So he just abandoned the game, huh…"
A shake of her head followed.
"The pull of another world really is that strong."
Still, she didn't linger on it.
Her fingers returned to the keyboard, tapping rapidly.
Now that Kayaba was gone, the rest was simple.
She would take complete control.
The system.
The code.
Everything he had built.
Especially…
"The Seed… and that AI support program."
There was much to analyze.
Much to refine.
...
Meanwhile — In the Real World
Inside the Yuuki residence—
The sudden announcement that the game had been breached sent shockwaves through the household.
Yuuki Asuna's parents rushed toward her room without hesitation.
But the moment they opened the door—
—they froze.
Because standing beside her bed…
…was a man they had never seen before.
Asuna herself stared at him in stunned silence.
"Hello," the man said casually, raising a hand.
"Nice to meet you, Asuna."
A grin spread across his face.
"I'm Izumi."
"Yes… that Izumi."
Recognition flashed across her eyes instantly.
This was the person Asagi had mentioned.
The one who created that world.
"…The Creator God?" she asked instinctively, her voice uncertain.
Izumi chuckled.
"Well, I don't mind the title."
"But you can just call me Izumi."
At that moment, her father, Yuuki Shouzou, stepped forward, his expression stern.
"…Who are you?"
"And how did you get in here?"
This place had tight security.
No ordinary person could enter unnoticed.
Yet here he stood—calm, relaxed, as if he owned the place.
Izumi scratched his cheek lightly.
"Ah, right. Sorry about that—showing up uninvited."
He smiled.
"I'm Izumi. From another world."
A casual pause.
"And your daughter getting out of the game? That was our doing."
"So, no need to panic."
Silence.
An awkward, heavy silence.
No need to panic?
A stranger appearing inside their daughter's room out of nowhere—
—and casually claiming to be from another world?
Even he probably wouldn't believe that himself.
Just as they were about to question him further—
"Father, Mother… it's true."
Asuna spoke firmly.
All eyes turned to her.
"He really is from another world."
"And… I asked them to help me escape."
Her tone carried urgency.
Because she knew.
She had heard enough from Asagi.
Izumi… was not someone to anger.
A being capable of destroying worlds.
If something went wrong—
If he became displeased—
What would happen to this world?
That thought alone made her uneasy.
To her, Izumi was less a god…
…and more like a demon king in disguise.
Meanwhile, completely unaware of his growing reputation, Izumi simply stood there, watching quietly.
Her mother, Yuuki Kyouko, stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly.
"…Explain everything, Asuna."
And so—
She did.
From the invitation…
To the city between worlds…
To everything she had experienced.
By the time she finished—
The entire Yuuki family stood in stunned silence.
Another world.
A being who could create worlds.
It was beyond belief.
And yet…
Right in front of them.
It was real.
...
At That Moment
A flash of white light.
A familiar figure appeared beside Izumi.
It was Aiba Asagi.
Her sudden arrival erased any remaining doubt.
"…Is everything done?" Asuna asked immediately, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Asagi nodded.
"All done."
"Everyone has been freed."
"And the system… is now ours."
She raised her hand.
Resting in her palm—
was a crystalline seed, glowing faintly.
The core of everything.
The foundation of countless virtual worlds.
The Seed.