That day started like any other. I woke up in the inn at Yesall, a town on the edge of the 76th floor. After the disaster of a boss fight on the previous floor, no one was particularly interested rushing into the next dungeon. The majority of the clearers were level grinding. Me, I was enjoying the time off. There was no one demanding my time, or looking at me funny just because I'm a beater, even though any advantages I had, no longer mean anything. I walked down the steps and into the cafe that made up the first floor of the inn. I had just sat down and ordered my breakfast when I got a message from Argo. Now Argo is a good kid, and her information never led me astray (even if it did cost me a good bit of col), but the info she had just sent me was too good to be true. There are several legendary weapons in Aincrad, my sword Ragnarok and my friend's (I use the term friend loosely) katana, Masamune being the ones everyone knows of, but there were rumors of an even more powerful sword. Excaliber, as this sword is called, is said to be in a dungeon made from a frozen lake referred to as Urðr's Lake under a rare tree known as Yggdrasil in the far northern part of the 75th floor aptly named Jötunheimr. The other bit of news that Argo shared (for free I might add), was that the person who discovered this ice dungeon was failed assassin Oberon of the red guild, the Laughing Coffin, who I might add raped and nearly killed Asuna, one of my few friends in this death game. Looking back, I started the quest to get back at the bastard and his creepy friend Kuradeel. No one hurts my friends and gets away with it. From what Argo told me, I would need a full party of six to complete this quest. Due to the fact that I am a beater and my severe lacking of social grace, I didn't have that many people I could call a friend. I sent a message to the whopping five people on my friend list (including Argo) stating to meet me here in Yesall in two hours time, and got a response from all of them within half an hour.

2 hours later

To my surprise, when I returned to the inn after grinding in the surrounding fields, I found Klein, Silica, and Argo waiting for me in the cafe. Klein ran over to give me the biggest bear hug I've ever received, while Silica waved shyly and Argo rolled her eyes.

"Sinon and Asuna just messaged me. They should be .here in a few minutes," Argo said, " Do you want me to tell them or are you going to do the honors?"

"Tell us what?" Klein asked.

"The reason he called us, " Argo smirked, " You still suck at messaging, Kiri-bou."

"I thought I told you not to call me that, " I stated, glaring at her.

"So I'll do it then."Argo said.

"Fine by me." I replied, turning away, "Let's just wait for Asuna and Sinon."

A couple of minutes later, Asuna and Sinon walked in. I waved them over, and looked over at Argo.

"Is this everyone?" Argo asked brightly.

"Yes, this is everyone I messaged," I replied crossly.

"Ok, so I've received information from some very reliable sources that another legendary weapon has been found. In the northern part of the 75th floor, there is a dungeon called Urðr's Lake, inhabited by a group of ice giants lead by a nasty giant called Thrym.

"Another one!?" Klein exclaimed.

"Yes, another one, Klein. I also want to mention that the person who supposedly discovered this dungeon was the dirtbag we all know as Oberon." She paused to let the information sink in. Klein's eyes narrowed. Asuna looked away while Sinon's face darkened. Silica gazed around, a confused look on her face.

"So is everyone in," Argo asked.

All five of us nodded. "Great. Everybody should get their weapons repaired and stock up on health crystals. We leave first thing tomorrow."