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November 9, 2022,

Floor 1, Western Fields

Letting out one final scream, Israel crouched as he lunged forward, his sword aimed for a stab at the monster's chest. At the same time, he could hear Jae's hatchet whistle through the air above him as Jae went for a horizontal hack. The monster, a level 5 goatman mini boss, desperately swung its spiked cudgel in an effort to ward off the brothers' combined attacks, but it was too late. Israel thrust the sword with all his strength, driving the entire blade through the monster's heart up to the crossguard. At the same moment, Jae's axe tore clean through the beast's neck, launching it's head up into the air well in advance of it's body.

Though both were eager to see what the mini boss may have dropped, the two instead ignored the on-death explosion and took up defensive stances as they scanned the area for any more monsters. They had learned the hard way just that morning that random mob respawns would be one of their biggest threats if they weren't careful.

After they had confirmed that the area was safe for the moment, the two quickly sheathed their weapons and opened their inventories.

"I hit level 5." Israel said as he began steadying his breathing after the long battle. He continued scrolling through his stats before adding, "I got a free HP boost for this one, must be a milestone bonus. I think I can afford to put my attribute points into strength this time around. I need the damage, and neither of us went into the yellow the whole boss fight."

When Jae didn't answer, Israel quickly finished assigning his attributes before turning to see if something was wrong.

"I was hoping for a sword." Jae sighed as he read through his item inventory, "I have no idea what abilities spears have in this game."

Israel leaned over to read the weapon's description on Jae's inventory screen. The shaft was seven feet in length and made of strong ash wood. The blade of the spear itself was a foot in length and made of plain bronze. It was a level 3 weapon, easily dealing twice the damage Israel's starting sword did. He shrugged before raising an eyebrow at Jae. "At least you got a new weapon. Again. You just got that hatchet this morning. I still haven't gotten a better one. With my luck, I may as well stop hoping and just go buy one in town."

Jae shook his head as he wiped his brow. "That wouldn't be worth it. We had to grind all day yesterday just to finally be able to afford one health crystal for each of us." He paused as he went over the math again before shaking his head in annoyance. "In any other RPG, it's easy to get rich and stock up on cash, but here everything is so expensive. And that's with the two of us sharing what we have! I can only imagine how hard it must be for all the players that are out there on their own."

Israel nodded thoughtfully, pushing his long blonde hair out of his face before adding, "When we went back to town last night, most of the players looked like they hadn't even gone outside yet. I want to help them...convince them that they need to start leveling up if they're going to have a chance."

"I'm sure they already know that, man." Jae said as he equipped his new spear. "Kayaba made that much clear back in the plaza."

Israel turned away and gazed outward. The two of them were in some ruins on top of a small hill overlooking the outskirts of the fields around the Town of Beginnings. In the distance, Israel could just make out the walls and rooftops of the town itself. They had spent the last two days grinding, only taking breaks long enough to eat and sleep. Throughout the first day, they stayed primarily in the fields outside of the Town of Beginnings, but as they grew more confident in their swordsmanship and began leveling up, they soon started traveling further afield.

By the second day, they had each earned several hundred col, and had quickly run back to town to buy health and teleport crystals, only to find that in reality, they hadn't earned much at all. After another day devoted to combat though, not to mention a mini boss-fight, they now had over two thousand col between them. For the first time since they had arrived in SAO though, Israel now found himself thinking of the other players. The feeling of safety they felt within the safe zone was an illusion, at best. RPG's had a habit of being unpredictable. It was likely that at some point, there would be an event or new quest that would render a safe area temporarily unstable, or even dangerous.

"I just unlocked a spear skill!" Jae shouted excitedly from behind him.

Israel turned and faced him. On Jae's screen was a picture of a plain steel spear with a caption over it that read Two Handed Assault Spear.

"What's it do?" Israel asked, though his mind was still on other things.

Jae shrugged. "It's just a basic spear move I think. Pretty much the same as the one handed Rage Spike sword skill we started with, except it can also be a slash instead of a stab."

Israel raised his eyebrows. "That's actually really good for the sake of versatility. You could use the same move several times and change it up each attack so the mobs can't predict it."

Jae waved his arm in answer. " Yeah I know, I already thought of that, but I'm not sure if I want to switch over to being a spear user."

Israel blinked in surprise. "But that spear has better stats than both our weapons combined." He gestured to Jae's item screen. "And a new skill to top it off."

"It requires two hands to use." Jae interceded. "Three days of almost nonstop training with one handed weapons goes in the trash if I take this. Not to mention I won't be able to equip a shield."

"We don't even have any shields."

"The point is that I lose the option, smart ass."

Israel rolled his eyes. "You always were indecisive." Before Jae could begin shouting at him, Israel held up his finger.

"Just try the spear out, bro. I'll stay defensive and cover you while you get used to it and after a while you can decide whether or not you want to keep it. Personally, "He added under his breath, "I'm hoping for the latter."

"Why?" Jae asked suspiciously.

Israel raised his sword dramatically. "Yesterday I saw some players who haven't even left the spawn point in town yet with better swords than what we all started with."

"You're exaggerating."

Israel's eyes widened. "You'll see for yourself when we head back."

Jae paused as he equipped his new spear. Swinging it around for a moment, Jae's expression gradually went from sour to pleasantly surprised. Focused on an invisible foe, he began activating his spear skill, using it first for long range thrusts, and then for wide semi circle slashes. Finally lowering his weapon, Jae smiled for the first time in three days.

"You were right. I'll hold onto it for now."

"Good." Israel turned back towards the Town of Beginnings, far off down the hill. "Let's get back now and start actually stocking up on health and teleport crystals."

"Don't you want my axe now that I don't need anymore?" Jae inquired.

Israel mulled it over for a moment. "Axes have never really been my style." he finally answered. "Sell it. I'll just wait it out for a better sword. Besides, we need the money."

"Agreed."

The two kept their weapons out as they descended the hill, prepared for any respawns or fast moving mobs.

It was dark by the time they arrived at the gates of the Town of Beginnings. Street lamps were automatically lit by the game system every night, basking most of the city in an orange glow. As they walked down the main path, Israel and Jae both noticed that the area was far less crowded than it had been the day previously.

Jae had always possessed an excellent sense of direction and memory, so Israel simply allowed him to take the lead and guide them around the city to the NPC blacksmith. As they turned the final corner, the two suddenly ran into a girl. Tall, with long legs and perfect posture, she emanated an air of quiet dignity. Her wavy brown hair reached to her shoulders and somehow complimented her serious expression and hazel green eyes. Jumping back in alarm, the girl's hand darted to the handle of her one handed longsword without hesitation.

Israel brought his hand up quickly. "Sorry about that," he offered. "We didn't hear you walking around the corner there."

Jae wanted to say something as well, but he wasn't quite sure how to proceed. The girl was incredibly beautiful.

Releasing her hold on her sword, she instead waved her hand apologetically.

"No, that was my bad." She said casually. "I just wasn't expecting to see anyone here. Not many people come around this part of town."

Jae saw his opportunity.

"Yeah, I was hoping the blacksmith shop here would be a bit cheaper than the one by the Plaza."

The girl stifled back a cough of irritation. "Don't bother," She explained as she shook her head. "This place is even worse than the first shop. The prices are shit and neither one of them even sells axes."

"Axes?" Israel asked curiously.

The girl nodded. "I need a one handed axe for this stupid quest I'm doing out in the forest."

Jae quickly swiped his hand out in front of him, bringing up his inventory screen.

"I've got a one handed axe that I'm not using." He paused as he equipped the axe and held it out to her. "Will this work?"

A surprised smile stretched across her face as the girl replied, "Yes, that would work fine." She lifted an eyebrow. "How much do you want for it?"

"Nothing." Israel and Jae both said at the same time. There was silence for a moment as the two looked suspiciously at each other.

The girl giggled. "I appreciate that, thank you both. But I wouldn't feel right just taking it from you two."

"It's fine," Jae repeated, "We've been doing pretty good for ourselves. You don't need to feel bad."

She shifted her weight. "Come on, I was a beta tester for this game. There's gotta be something I can do to help you guys out."

Israel shrugged. "You could tell me your name."

She giggled again.

Jae rolled his eyes.

"I know," She tilted her head ever so slightly, "You guys don't look like you've done many of the quests yet. There's one in particular that will help you a lot early game like this. It'll save you thousands of Col."

"What quest?" Jae asked.

"Don't look like we've done many quests yet." Israel repeated her words bitterly.

Jae threw him a blank stare. "Dude, focus."

Israel shot him a glare right back as he replied through gritted teeth, "I'm paying close attention, trust me."

The girl looked amused as she looked from one to the other. "You guys were going to the smith right…?"

Jae nodded. Israel crossed his arms.

"Ok well there's this quest on the other side of the Floor," She continued, though her amused eyes remained locked on Israel. "It's in the village of Trevica. Once you beat it, the blacksmith in that village is activated personally for you or your party, and he's considerably cheaper than any of the smiths here."

Jae's eyes widened. "Really? That's awesome, thanks so much for letting us know."

Israel raised an eyebrow. "If that's true, then why were you trying to get an axe from the smiths here?"

She shrugged. "I've been grinding alone, so I need to be more careful about what areas I go to. I already did that quest, but I stay around this general area because the monsters here are easy to handle. Walking all the way back over there whenever I need a basic item is dangerous, not to mention a huge waste of time."

Israel nodded. "That makes sense." his eyes appraised her curiously as he smiled. "You're approach to all this is pretty smart. So you're a beta tester, huh? We've started hearing people here in town saying some pretty stupid things about you guys."

She nodded sadly, but then she started moving.

"Don't listen to them please," She said gently, as if almost pleading, "They don't know what they're talking about. The other players are just scared, that's all. Fear makes people think and do things. Anyway, I have to go guys. I'm on a timed quest."

"Aren't you scared?" Jae asked as she stepped between them and walked past.

"I'm pretty sure we're all scared…" She sounded like she was going to say more, but instead she threw up an arm behind her in a wave goodbye as she prepared to turn the corner.

"Hey you." Israel's voice was friendly, but firm. Stopping for just a moment, She turned her head, now appraising Israel with her hazel eyes.

He gave her a lopsided grin. "My name is Israel, but until I get yours, I'll be forced to remember you as badass hot girl. I wouldn't want to label you, but you leave me no choice."

She couldn't help but return the smile. "God, you're persistent. I'm Naomi."

And then she was gone.

Israel and Jae were both silent for a moment as they stared at the spot she had been standing. An instant later, the two brothers were at each other's throats.

"What the hell man?" Jae shouted angrily.

Israel's eyes widened. "What do you mean what the hell? You weren't saying anything important to her." He shrugged. "You gotta either make a move or get out of the way, my friend."

Jae held back the urge to strangle him. "Make a move? I couldn't even get a word in towards the end! You kicked me out and locked the door on that whole conversation. Jesus, dude. You do this to me every time."

Israel laughed. "Do what? Talk to girls because you're too afraid to?"

Jae's fingers scrambled over buttons and menus as he tried furiously to find the duel option. Seeing him struggle, Israel couldn't stop laughing. Holding his sides violently, he tried to stop but to no avail. Dropping to his knees, Israel had to work hard to keep breathing as Jae became only more enraged. He knew he would regret laughing so hard very soon, but he decided to enjoy it while he could.