[Entry: First steps]

It was a week and a half before I set out from the [Starting City]. By that time, I had succeeded in mimicking the [Horizontal] skill with a sword in either hand. No, to say that I had just mimicked it was incorrect. I was not bound by the [System Assist] and its forced movements. What I now possessed was a versatile tool I could utilize in any situation.

Truthfully, I would have preferred having [Slant] and [Vertical] mimicked as well before I set out on my journey but I could no longer afford to do so. My col had finally run out, despite the affordable lodging rate of a single col each day for my room in the [Warrior's Way]. Thankfully, food had been provided with the room. A soggy, moldy and absolutely horrendous piece of bread but it was food nonetheless. Had it not… well, I suppose I would have accelerated my plans.

I departed early in the morning after giving thanks to the shady innkeeper of the Warrior's Way. He grunted a reply and sent me on my way with another moldy bread piece and a slight smirk. His actions made me wonder if Kayaba's NPCs were capable of emotions and thought. It was unreasonable, yet I could not help but feel that the innkeeper was mocking me behind that smug face of his.

As I walked through the city, I noticed how subdued it was compared to when I had last seen it. It was still lively because of the automated activity but the players', the human activity was missing. Many of the players I saw appeared glazed, disbelieving. Waiting for a miracle that would never come. I thought it was pathetic. But humans adapt. Within another month, or even sooner if the boss was found and defeated, these people would be back on their feet. Some more players would set out and try to make their mark. It was only a matter of time. Human nature. And if they did not adapt… well, they could keep praying to their deities.

My destination was the [Hunting Grounds] where I suffered my first death. This time, I would not be defeated. No, the boars would rue the day they ever slighted [Kisen].

There were other players in the field when I arrived. They used the basic attacks bestowed with the [One-handed straight sword] skill, coordinating their strikes so that the required [Cooling Time] of their skills did not leave them open for a counter from any [Frenzy Boars]. I admit, it was a valid strategy: make up for individual weaknesses with numbers.

It was beneficial to form a [party] with other players, more so now that the loss of your health points meant the loss of your life. Gradually, you would become stronger and gain funds. Also, the safety that came with numbers was yet another lifeline to prevent your death. Statuses that would cripple a solo player like myself, such as paralysis, were no problem since your partners could protect you until it faded.

I could not empathize with that style of battle, of having to rely on others for strength. This game did not give bonuses for fighting in parties, instead splitting the rewards evenly among each player. It was better, therefore, to fight alone and compile all of the rewards for yourself. The catch came in the fact that the risk of death would increase exponentially as the game continued and the enemies became both stronger and faster.

"Hey guys! Look at that noob over there!"

I blinked in confusion as I registered the speaker and his words. It was an uncouth, spiky haired youth. The other players had turned at his words and stared at me with varying looks of disdain, sympathy, and even happiness. I was surprised there were none of recognition. The fact that no females were among their presence likely contributed to that. I was always spotted whenever one saw my face for some reason or another.

I shook my head and gave a cold glare at the players before turning my back on them. I drew my blades, first copper from my dominant left and then beginner from my right.

"Hey wait! You shouldn't fight with those! There aren't any sword skills you can use with two swords!"

One of the players had called out.

"Ah, let him learn his lesson." That came from the first player who had spoken, that spiky haired youth. "Serves him right."

"But-"

I approached one of the boars and quickly executed a four hit horizontal combo. The sound of shattering glass stunned them into silence. I glanced at the [Results Screen] that appeared with the death of the [Frenzy Boar]. A few pieces of col and a meager amount of experience points. It would not benefit me to continue hunting here. Too much time would be wasted. The simplistic attack patterns of the boars was also bad for actual combat experience. Too easy to predict and avoid. Well, at least now after my preparations.

"Impossible!"

"That guy- He just beat the monster without sword skills! Is he… A beta tester!?"

I ignored the shouts of disbelief and began walking north, towards this floor's dungeon. Assuming that this first floor is fairly linear, there should be another village in that direction. Logically, there should be at least one rest stop and side dungeon before the final one. Kayaba was an avid gamer, if I recalled correctly, and this was the first dungeon. He wouldn't diverge from the basic design of a fantasy game too much.

"Hey wait!"

I continued walking.

"I said wait you beta tester scum!"

I stopped and turned around. That spiky haired player glared at me, his sword pointed in a threatening gesture.

"You can't just leave us behind you bastard! Take responsibility!"

The other players looked on expectedly. Did they believe, truly believe that I would care? And that the beta testers should as well?

"Pathetic." I looked at each player and scoffed. "Utterly pathetic." I turned back and walked.

"Wha- You! Who do you think you are?!"

I never looked back as I continued onwards. "I am Kisen. Not a beta tester, nor a player. I am a legend, one who will carve his fate upon this very world."

I left before any disparaging marks could come my way. It was not that I feared them. It was that their presence irritated me beyond belief. To believe that others held responsibility for their own lives, their own actions. Beta tester or not, I was tempted to cut them down where they stood. Their words, their actions, their very demeanor clashed with everything I stood for. To wish for another's power, to want protection by those stronger than your own self. Like I stated. It was pathetic. Utterly pathetic. Why did they not reach out with their own strength? Forge a path with their own hands instead of riding the coat tails of their betters? I did not understand. I did not want to understand.

A wolf appeared, its vicious fangs bared in a gruesome grin. The orange marker over its head indicated its higher level and strength compared to the boars I had fought earlier. I felt an inkling of fear and the slightest urge to run.

"What a disgrace." I held my blades ready, fangs that sought the wolf's blood. Two apex predators seeking the other's death. The wolf leapt, its jaw opened wide to tear into my flesh. But I was ready.

The wolf's glistening fangs clamped down on my copper sword. A slight cracking noise indicated that its durability had decreased by a significant amount. I ignored it, grinning at the wolf's now exposed underside. My right hand swung left, right, left. Three times, blurring into a single motion. The wolf shattered before it was able to even register it was vanquished.

A fanfare sounded and a violet message appeared in front of my eyes. "Congratulations. You leveled up," it read. Beneath it was the battle results screen, indicating I had reached level three and gained even more col. I had also gained some material for production skills. Despite the success, I felt hollow. It was what I wanted, yet not satisfying.

I opened the status screen contemplating on what to invest the status points in for a brief moment before closing it. It was idiotic to believe that mere numbers could grant strength. Instead, I opened the [Skill Management] screen. With my level up, I now possessed two slots for skills. I ignored the combat related skills immediately, for obvious reasons. However, that still left me with a plethora of other skills to choose from. In the end, I decided upon [Extended Weight Limit] and [Enemy Scanning]. They were the most useful skills at the time and the only ones I could train immediately.

I arrived at the next village hours later as the sun passed the highest point in the sky. Though there were two paths to choose from as I traveled, northwest through a forest and northeast through a lake area, I chose the forest. It was a degree more difficult due to hidden enemies but the thought of having to fight aquatic creatures unnerved me. Who knew what strange creatures lurked there? And then the possibility of having to fight an aquatic battle as well… yes, the forest was a substantially better path.

Thankfully, the enemies had not increased too much in difficulty as I journeyed. I fought a few more wolves and a couple of insects but they all fell before me. Their attacks remained relatively straight forward and predictable. What worried me was the possibility of plant based monsters. I truly did not wish to fight something like that, not just because of the increased complexity in their attack patterns but rather the sheer unnaturalness of them. It was… disturbing. But I digress.

The village consisted of ten buildings that I could see from the entrance. That number likely included both the private homes of the NPCs and shops. A small number to be sure but quite accurate in its representation of a medieval village. Or at least one of a fantasy world. Well, it was logical.

Other players were present in the village, green markers separating them from the NPCs. It was not surprising once the length of time since the tutorial was considered. A week and a half was a long time.

I did not recognize any player and they did not recognize me. That was good. Less hassle for myself and everyone around. I quickly bought a few potions and antidotes from the item shop before I walked towards the weapon shop opposite of the village's small center. The highest priority I had was to purchase effective armor. The enemies from this point onward would likely stray heavily from those found in reality. Reliable armor would ensure I lasted long enough to draft a course of action.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man with hair as white as snow. He polished a dagger and its scabbard behind the counter, giving me the barest of glances as I entered.

"Excuse the intrusion." Out of habit, I muttered the familiar phrase. To my surprise, the man answered back, with a smile on his face nonetheless. "It is no issue young traveler." He returned to polishing the dagger but the smile never left his face. Interesting… it appeared NPCs did have their own personalities.

"Sir." I made sure to use to polite speech my parents had vaunted throughout my life. "What armor would you recommend for a one such as I?"

The elderly man set down his work and gave me a scrutinizing glance, pausing shortly as he saw my blades. "Hm… one moment." He turned around and searched a large chest behind him. I found the action unusual. Shopkeepers usually opened a screen to show their wares, a stark reminder that this world was not quite reality.

"Aha! Here you are young traveler." The shopkeeper presented me with a worn gray coat, reminiscent of a Japanese war uniform in the olden days. It appeared to be woven out of some fur but so well crafted that it was hard to identify. I took it from him with a polite bow.

"Try it on."

I chose not to bother with the equip menu screen and put the coat on myself. It had a reassuring weight to it yet was as light as the clothes I already equipped. Curious, I opened the menu to see its statistics and paused at the description. The coat's name was [War Memento], a unique item, and the defense rating was higher of even the strongest metal armor in the [Starting City]. In addition, it gave slight bonuses to dexterity and strength. In short, it was an amazing piece of equipment that would last me quite a while.

For a moment, I felt like I was back in reality being offered a valuable gift by my grandfather. "Ah, no. I can't accept this, ojii-san. It is too valuable."

The elderly man smile widened and patted my shoulder. "Do not worry. My old uniform was gathering dust in that chest. It is better that a young traveler as yourself puts it to use than an old man like myself. It only serves as a reminder of my reckless days in the castle guard at the moment. Go on, take it."

I was speechless. Virtual or not, this man had reminded me of my grandfather. It reminded me just how much I missed his presence in my life, despite how long it had been since his passing.

I blinked as I realized my surroundings were blurring. A droplet of water fell on my cheeks, creating a wet track on my face as it made its way to the ground.

"Tears…?" I was confused until I recalled that emotions were exaggerated in this world. When you were furious, your face would turn red and steam spewed from your ears. When you were irritated, a vein throbbed on your forehead.

I laughed as more tears spilled from my eyes. How long had it been since I let my true emotions show? Since I had been able to take off the cold mask of pleasantries and platitude?

"It's alright son. It's alright." The shopkeeper continued to pat my shoulder in a comforting gesture, like a grandfather would for his distraught grandchild.

At that moment, I did not care if another player saw me. I did not care if the Yuuki heir was seen as weak. What mattered was being able to express my emotions. For a moment, the thought that I was being comforted by a virtual construct crossed my mind but I quickly shoved it away. Virtual or not, the warmth was real. That kindness was something that my parents could never give me, nor ever would. They were too concerned with the faux pas of their lives to think of their son as anything other than a tool, a polished one, but a tool nonetheless.

A memory came back to me then, one lost amidst the empty life I led in reality. It was a scene just like this, of myself and my grandfather shortly before his death. It was only a snippet, a short glimpse at a time I could no longer recall but a few of his words echoed in my head.

"Sen… You are a brilliant child bestowed with a great gift. It is good that you are determined to be great. I am happy for you, happy that you've accomplished so much at such a young age …"

I blinked away the last of my tears as my grandfather's words faded. Yes, my grandfather had been proud of me, happy at who I was. Of what I wanted do, not just what I could do.

I recollected myself and gave a final thanks to the shopkeeper before setting out once more. Today was my first step on my journey. It might be long but surely at the end I will have succeeded in my goal. To become great, fulfilling my purpose and destiny.

A/N: Here we are with the next chapter. Now first, a few points of explanation. Kisen, my character, will not possess Dual Blades. That is given to the one with the fastest reaction time in SAO. He does not possess that as Kirito is the fastest. However, with the training my character has done and continue to do, along with his exceptional intellect, he is anything but weak as you could see. Strategy from analysis of the enemy and exploiting their weakpoints makes him a fearsome foe. Granted, that won't help against those that are still faster and stronger than him… but who's to say there isn't a unique skills that doesn't fix that? =)

A bit of plot advancement though not too much. I'm sort of winging this plot as I go, considering what Kisen would do and writing in his voice. We'll see how that all ends up. For now, that will mean things are pretty much the same until the first boss fight.

He's met Kibaou as you read, and holds quite a severe distaste for them. His attitude about non-players and beta testers are also hinted upon a bit.

More characterization as well on Kisen's part. I figured since Kirito had an emotional moment in that village, well why can't Kisen?

Also, the NPC's actions were an exploration on my part of what they could do. I highly disbelieve that they did not possess intelligence or stories of their own. The Cardinal system of SAO runs the world, and I'm sure it crafted a background for each NPCs, or would craft one if the right questions/person came along. Thus, my rendition of the shopkeeper, an elderly castle guard for the Starting City that retired to that small forest village with his wife. Losing her, he lives there all alone now and tends a small weapon shop, waiting for travelers to pass through. But, you know. They tend to be quite brief and curt when dealing with NPCs. My character isn't because of his ingrained habits, and there you go.

The [War Memento] is probably as strong as the [Coat of Midnight] Kirito got from the first boss fight, if not a tad weaker. As for my reasoning why Kisen got it and other players didn't, well people shouldn't assume so much about the world just because it's virtual!

I also know I should make my character interact with others, but I don't really want to introduce more OCs or have him interact with Kirito and Asuna just yet. If any of you have any suggestions, do leave a review with your answer. I'll consider it.

Ah, one last thing. Do you all like when I use [brackets] to mark game terms and such?

Anyway, leave a review if you enjoyed or have input. Again, thank you for reading this story.