Chapter VII

Two hours after the end of the fight between the Four Knights, Sakumi, Kirito and Silica arrived at Floor 47 to the little town of Floria. Silica rejoiced as she was seeing the town with all the flowers with all the flowers that were planted around it.

''It's like a dream!''

Kirito began to explain the floor where they were.

''This floor is known as the Flower Garden. This entire level is covered with flowers.''

After he said that, Silica got to one of the flowers to smell one of the beautiful flowers of the garden. Sakumi took the free time to talk to Kirito.

''This level is beautiful. I must admit that I didn't came here often.''

She began to smile and Kirito returned it.

''Yeah.''

''You remember the flowers you gave to me after we first met in real life? I still remember them, roses with some sunflowers. That was one of the kindest thing you've done to me since then.''

''You better love them! (laugh) I paid a lot to get actual real flowers in there!''

The two laughed with happiness as they were remembering this happy souvenir from the real world, which is also unfortunately one of the last thing they did before getting trapped in here. Sakumi noticed that Silica still didn't came back and she joined her. She looked frozen for a second, not noticing her friend coming by.

''Silica-chan?''

Silica suddenly snapped out of her frozen-like state and quickly stood up.

''Yes! Sorry to keep you waiting!''

''Is there something wrong?''

''Nothing. Nothing at all, Saku-nii-chan!''

''Okay then. Let's go.''

''Right.''

The three gained the little bridge that was not far from Floria, of which the path leading of the Hill of Memories was. The Hill could also be seen from where they were. Kirito took out one of his warp crystal and gave it to Silica, which didn't actually knew what the item was.

''What's this?''

''If anything unexpected happens, and I tell you to warp out, use this crystal to jump to any town.''

''But…''

''Promise me.''

Silica didn't responded for two seconds but she agreed with his decision.

''All right.''

She took the crystal form Kirito's hand and put it into her pocket.

''Okay, let's get going. This path leads to the Hill of Memories.''

Just before she started to join Kirito as he was starting to walk, Sakumi send her items, which was five healing crystals.

''There. You shouldn't have any problem on healing items stocking for now.''

''Oh, thank you, Saku-nii-san. I must admit that I got out of healing items yesterday in the forest.''

She smiled and noticed that Kirito was getting away.

''Your welcome. H-Hey Kirito-kun! Wait for us!''

He returned himself and wait for the two girls to join him. On the road, they encountered some opposition such as Mandrakes and Giant Venus Fly Traps, but they weren't really strong. So, for most of the battles, Sakumi and Kirito let Silica kill the monsters to gain some fun and some EXP along the way, making her level up at least one or two times along the way. After assuring that they were no monsters around them, Silica decided to ask a question to Kirito.

''Kirito-san, could I ask about your sister?''

''Why now, all of a sudden?

''You said I look like her. I know it's impolite to ask about the real world. But would it be okay?''

''I called her my little sister, but she's actually my cousin.''

Sakumi was intrigued by Kirito's story with her sister, but she decided to not respond to let him continue.

''We grew up together, so I don't think she knows. Maybe that's why… I've been distancing myself from her. Our grandfather's really strict. When I was eight, he made us attend into a local kendo dojo. I stopped after two years. My grandfather beat me up.''

However, she didn't knew about his grandfather attitude toward him. She couldn't even think that someone can actually beat up a kid for something as little as that. Silica thought the same thing.

''That's horrible.''

''So my sister said that she'd put in enough effort for both of us, and to stop hitting me. She work really hard after that, and made it to the nationals.

''That's amazing!''

But she still noticed the same sad look Kirito had on his face.

''But I always felt bad about it. Like maybe she would rather have been doing something else, and secretly holds it against me. So it's possible that I am helping you because it feels like a way to atone to my sister. I'm sorry.''

''That's not true.''

Kirito turned his head toward Sakumi who began to talk.

''When I first entered your house and when I saw your sister, she looked like a normal daring sister to me. I don't think she hates you like that, Kirito-kun. At least, you are lucky to have one who can often be with you.''

Sakumi looked at the ground with a sad face after telling him this thing about Haruna, but Silica tried to cheer up the two.

''I do not look at it that way.''

She put herself in front of the two players to stop them.

''Kirito-san, you can't work that hard for someone who you don't like. I am sure she really loves kendo! And you, Saku-nii-chan, even if your sister is often at her college, it doesn't mean that she doesn't love you as much as she can!''

The two regained their usual smile, reassured by all the efforts Silica is trying to do to comfort them. Sakumi put her hand on Silica's shoulder.

''That is why you are one of my best friends, you are able to keep everyone happy around you!''

The two girls began to laugh as Kirito was smiling while looking at them, happy to know that Sakumi looked like she had lots of friends in the real world.

''Maybe you're right. I hope so.''

Sakumi stood up and she noticed that Silica was blushing and her friend quickly returned herself.

''Okay….I'll do my best, too!''

Sakumi approached Silica and began to whisper in her ear.

''Oi, Silica-chan. Just asking, but….are you secretly in love with him?''

Silica blushed even more as she asked that question and she responded with a whisper to not let Kirito hear them.

''What? No no, it's just that, um, uh…..''

But she whispered loud enough to make Kirito heard her.

''Uh….what are you guys talking about there?''

Sakumi returned herself toward Kirito, smiling nervously.

''Oh, uh…., nothing! Just normal girl talk! Hehe….''

Silica looked to her with the same annoyed face the two players they met yesterday had.

''Saku-nii-chan, don't make things worse, okay?''

But, when she said that, a bright red light came for the ground and tentacles began to surround Silica. Sakumi took her sword in hand.

''Land Anemone!''

What got out of the ground was some sort of sea anemone with tentacles going out of his mouth along with Silica trapped in the tentacles. At the second Sakumi said that and that Silica was beginning to shout, a blue slash mark appeared on the monster and it shattered into pieces, making Silica fall on the ground. Kirito was suddenly on the other side with his sword on his shoulder and he was smiling toward the two girls. However, Sakumi was still shocked by her friend's speed.

''What, b-but, how did you got there that….''

She decided to forget about it and she sheathed her sword as fast as she took it.

''Ah, whatever.''

After an hour of walking through the level, they finally arrived at some sort of little structure that was floating in the air. When Silica approached it, the top of the structure began to shine in yellow with a flower blooming at the center. Sakumi approached the structure to see the flower by herself.

''So, this Is the Flower of Revival?''

Kirito approached the two girls, looking interested in the flower's blooming process. He began to talk to Silica.

''Take it.''

Silica took the flower and the base of it disappeared in sparkles. Then, a reward screen appeared with the words'' Pneuma Flower'' written on it. She smiled and returned herself toward Kirito.

''This will bring Pina back, right?''

He nodded and smiled.

''Yeah.''

''I'm so glad…''

''But there are lots of strong monsters around here. Let's revive her after we get back to town. I'm sure she'd prefer it that way.''

''Yeah.''

They got all the way back up to the little bridge outside of Floria. But, when they walked on it, Kirito and Sakumi suddenly stopped walking and he put his hand on Silica's shoulder. Silica turned her head toward him with a confused look.

''Kirito-san? Saku-nii-chan?''

Sakumi unsheathed her sword.

''Behind the trees.''

Silica looked to her with a nervous look. Kirito began to warn the players hiding.

''Whoever is hiding behind those trees, come out.''

Then, the red-haired woman that they met yesterday got out of her hiding place. Silica was surprised to see her here.

''R-Rosalia-san?''

Rosalia began to speak toward Kirito.

''If you can see through my hiding skill, your detection skill must be quite high, Swordsman.''

She turned her head to look toward the flower that Silica still had in her hand.

''It appears you managed to get the Pneuma Flower. Congratulations. Now hand it over.''

''W-What are you talking about?''

Kirito put himself in front of Silica to protect her as he was predicting the situation that will happen.

''That isn't going to happen, Rosalia-san. Or should I say leader of the orange guild, Titan's hand.''

Silica looked to him with a confused look again as she knew that, even if Rosalia was not kind with her, she couldn't such a thing since she was green.

''But she's green!''

''It's a simple trick. The green members find the targets, and lead them to where the orange players are waiting. That was one of your friends listening to us last night, right?''

''Then, the reason we were in the same party for two weeks….''

Rosalia's eyes suddenly looked to the poor girl with an aggressive look, even if she still had her wicked smile.

''That's right. I was assessing its strength, while waiting for them to earn money from adventures.''

The situation began to scare Silica as she was still explaining her plan right in front of her to Kirito and also to Sakumi.

''You were the prey that I was most anticipating. It was unfortunate that you left, but then you said that you were getting a rare item. However, you knew that, but went with her anyway. Are you an idiot? Or did she actually really seduce you?

Kirito looked to her with a bothered look, disappointed to see that she was narrow-minded and overly self-confident.

''No, neither of the above. I've also been searching for you, Rosalia-san.''

''What are you talking about?''

''Ten days ago, you attacked a guild called the Silver Flags. Four people, all but the leader, died.''

''Oh, the ones with no money….''

Sakumi was shocked to see her think like that. How can someone be such cruel toward innocent people? In only a split-second, she could just reach her and take her to prison with the warp crystal she had in her pocket, but she let Kirito speak.

''Their leader went from the warp point to the front lines, form morning until night, begging someone to avenge them. But he didn't want you killed. He wanted someone to jail you. Can you understand how he felt?''

''Nope. What kind of idiot would take this seriously….There's no proof that killing someone here means they die in real life. Anyway, shouldn't you be more concerned for yourselves?''

She then snapped her fingers and seven orange players appeared from behind the trees, weapons in hand. Sakumi got in front of Silica and put herself into her combat position. Silica began to be worried about the situation.

''Kirito-san, Saku-nii-san, there are too many! We should run!''

Then, Kirito turned himself toward her and put his hand on her head.

''It's all right. Until I tell you to run, just keep the crystal ready. Stay put and watch.''

''Okay. B-but….''

Kirito began to approach the mercenaries with no fear, sword in hand, making Sakumi react to it.

''Kirito-kun, wait!''

When she said his name, the mercenaries were questioning were suddenly having a scared face, whispering about him. They already knew him…and some of them were suddenly even fearing him.

''That can't be the Black Swordsman….''

''Rosalia-san, this is the beater who solos the front lines….He's in the lead group!''

Silica and even Sakumi, however, didn't knew that.

''The lead group?''

Rosalia, though, didn't looked impressed at all, pushing the thinking of seeing such a player here.

''Someone from the lead group wouldn't be down here! Go get him, and take everything he owns!''

Then, the mercenaries began to start their sword skills and rushed together toward Kirito.

''Die!''

Sakumi was about to help him when he turned his head toward her with a smile on his face. She suddenly stopped and knew what he was thinking.

When the mercenaries arrived to him, they've began a series of strikes with their weapons, appearing slash marks on Kirito. But, his health didn't even looked like it was going down.

Silica had put her hand on her dagger, worrying about Kirito's state.

''I have to save Kirito-san…''

But Sakumi approached her and put her hand on her shoulder, surprising Silica.

''Don't worry. He's all right.''

She pointed the health bar that could be seen on his side and Silica realised something stocking: Kirito's health bar wasn't looking to go down because it was clearly not. Every time he was losing a bit of health, it was suddenly reappearing, filling the bar to its fullest each time.

''What?''

The mercenaries began to be exhausted and they soon stopped attacking to catch their breath, infuriating Rosalia.

''What are you doing?! Kill him!''

Kirito, while he was still looking pretty calm, began to talk.

''About 400, in around 10 seconds…That's the total amount of damage you seven can do to me. I'm level 78. I have 14,500 HP. My battle healing skill auto-regenerates 600 points in around 10 seconds. We could stand here all day, and you'd never beat me.''

One of the mercenaries looked surprised, but also disappointed to see his part of the killing gain slowly going to smoke.

''Is that even possible?''

Kirito turned his head toward the mercenary.

''It is. High enough numbers will make you invincible. MMOs that use a level system are unfair that way.''

Rosalia was slowly going much angrier after listening to the little pest that was in front of him. Kirito opened his inventory and took a big warp crystal for a multiple teleportation, showing it to everyone.

''My client spent all his fortune to buy this warp crystal. It's set to take you to the prison. You're all going there!''

Then, Rosalia pointed her spear toward him, preparing her combat form.

''I'm green, so if you hurt me, you'll go orange….''

Suddenly, Kirito, at a blighting speed, appeared right in front of Rosalia with the use of a device on his feet, with his sword right in front of her neck. The rush was so shocking for her that she immediately stopped moving.

''Just so we're clear, I'm a solo player. One or two days of playing while orange mean nothing to me.''

Rosalia lost all hope of fleeing and dropped her spear, knowing her soon-to-be fate until the end of the game. Sakumi sheathed her sword, but she was still surprised to see that Kirito can be so fast while in combat. Silica looked to him with a surprised look.

''Wow. That…was amazing.''

Sakumi noticed that she said that and said in a clam voice.

''Well, that's Kirito-kun to you. Let's get out of here.''

3 hours later, Mishe, Weathercrook Pavilion:

Sakumi had let Kirito and Silica revive Pina in Silica's room while she was sending a message to Yukishi, activating the texting menu with a text box appearing in front of her when she got in her room. The conversation was going like this:

CHAT HOST: Sakumi

Yukishi ENTERED THE CHAT

Sakumi: Hey, Yukishi-san, what's up? : 3

Yukishi: Oh, hey, Sakumi-chan. How are you today?

Sakumi: Fine, thanks. Look, I finished what I had to do and I am coming back to the Tower of Life as fast as possible.

Yukishi: We….need to talk about something important. It's about Uria and Ashka.

Sakumi: ?

Yukishi: It's…..well…..

Sakumi: …Don't tell me they are….

Yukishi: Look, just come here as fast as you can and we'll talk about it with Haruhime and Link.

Sakumi: All right….

Sakumi LEFT THE CHAT

Yukishi IS NOW THE HOST

Yukishi: (sigh) Sometimes, I really hate that freaking game.

As Sakumi closed her menu, tears were beginning to appear in her eyes as she knew actually knew happened to the two players. She knew that they were dead somehow and that Yukishi was not admitting the truth directly because he didn't wanted her to be sad. However, it was worthless. She began to cry in her bed's pillows. Everyone around her thinks that she is a tough but daring woman who always keep people happy from the outside, but she was a normal child on the inside who tries to keep everyone alive, even if she can't save them all.

After 10 minutes of crying, she stood up from her bed and got to the Pavilion's NPC to serve herself a cheesecake. She took her food and sat at one of the tables. Then, from the stairs, she could see Kirito getting down of the stairs that were leading toward the guests chambers. He noticed Sakumi and sat in front of her. Sakumi, who still had her face pointed to her food, lifted her head with surprise as she saw Kirito.

''Ah! Kirito-kun! Don't scare me like that!''

He began to smile.

''Pina is now alive again, thanks to us.''

''Oh. That's great for her, at least she still has a little friend with her now again.''

Kirito noticed that she was looking a bit depressed and it was clear that she was crying before going down here.

''What's wrong? Is there something that bothers you?''

''I…guess not. We lost two guild members today, apparently. They were one of my principal party members.''

''Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.''

'' (sigh) Like this game isn't going even crueller every day.''

Suddenly, Kirito send her an item. The item only had a simple name: Lute. Sakumi looked at her trade screen with a confused look on her face.

''A lute? Well, thank you, but….what do you want in return?''

''Nothing, it's a gift. You can take it.''

Sakumi looked at him with a weird look, but she smiled after hearing what he said. After the trading was completed, she opened her inventory and pressed on the Lute's item button, making a six strings lute appear. Then, since it was one of the few musical items of the game, a screen appeared at her side containing some notes on how to play. The screen even had an Internet button, but she soon realised that it could only open on special music sites. She searched on the internet one of her favorite Anime song and downloaded it. Shortly after the download, the name of the song appear in her song list and it was containing the partitions and an actual audio file.

Kirito noticed it pretty quickly.

''Wow, I didn't know that musical items could possess such a thing.''

''Yeah, me too. This is wonderful, I can finally practice my guitar songs a bit! I didn't expect such a thing to exist in this game! Thank you, Kirito-kun!''

Kirito smiled as he was looking at his friend that regained her usual happiness from the gift. At least, she could push aside the death of her teammates for a while now. He was about to leave the table when Sakumi suddenly took his arm.

''W-Wait!''

''Hm?''

He returned himself to Sakumi and she gave her an intrigued look.

''Could you please come with me to my guild's base tomorrow? I know you're a solo player after all, but I would really like you to come with me.''

''Well, uh, okay. I'll wait for you tomorrow morning in front of the building we are. Good night, Saku-nii-chan.''

''Good night, Kirito-kun.''

Then, Kirito directed himself to the NPC and decided to command a room for the night. An hour after he got in his room, Sakumi entered hers and started playing with her lute for a bit before sleeping. The song she downloaded was from an American production and the lyrics were written under the partition. Along with it, she downloaded another song from the same Anime. The songs were called ''This Will be The Day'' and ''Red like Roses Part 1 and 2''.

After 10 minutes of practicing, she noticed that the only thing that she couldn't mastered was the solo part of the first song, but she knew that she will surely master it one day as well. She unequipped the lute and got to bed, taking of her armor to sleep.

''Finally, maybe this game isn't so bad after all…''