Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara and ASCII Media Works.
The town of beginnings was home to at least 80% of the player population, so at least 12000 players lived in this city. There were not enough mobs for all of these players to fight against in the first couple of fields surrounding the town of beginnings, which gave problems on its own.
For example, fighting against mobs would earn you experience or Col, but if all mobs were destroyed, there was no way to earn these. For the latter, there was something made as Safe quests. These were simple quests inside a safe zone like a city which helped to earn Col, One of these the two sisters were doing right now.
''Come on, let's go, Aiko!''
''Not so fast, Yuuki. We have enough time!''
The quest [Deliver the Package] was a simple quest that could be repeated every day. It only gave a bit of Col and no experience since it was a safe quest, but it was enough to help Sasha and the other kids.
Despite the many objections Sasha threw at them, they wanted to help her and that sense was shared by the other kids likewise. The objective of the quest was to deliver a package from one place in the town of beginnings to another place on the other side of town.
Yuuki was running the entire time, feeling more energetic than ever. She was the younger one after all, although the difference was minimal. Perhaps though there was another reason for her lively mood today.
Aiko expected it was the hair band she wore the entire time, that reminded her of someone special. It looked the same as the one that she received from their mother three years ago and since last year it was the only real reminder she could carry with her.
It was three months ago when they heard about this a new possibility to communicate with other people and to experience the things we couldn't do IRL. When she and Yuuki entered this world, with the machine Kayaba Akihiko build, they were in total happiness. She ran like never before, running through streets, alleys and more just to feel alive. Why did Kayaba have to take that luck away?
It was the second day when Sasha found them and helped them to get a place to call home in this new world. Every day, they had new friends joining their little group and it was a couple of days later that we met the swordsman Kirito, the beta tester of the first day. He was the only person that came back after fighting a great length on the front lines and they had started to look up to him.
''Yuuki, easy! We will lose each other if you keep running forward like that!''
''Sorry, Aiko, but you just have gonna try to catch me!''
''So be it!'' She manipulated my menu and equipped the boots she got from Kirito two days ago. Before she knew it she shot forward, easy catching up with her stubborn sister. Yuuki turned around to mock her but wasn't expecting her to be that close already.
''What?!''
''Got you now!'' she tackled her and they ended up rolling on the floor in the progress. When they finally came to a hold, she was on top. They were lucky that Aincrad had no such thing as pain that could be felt, because if that scenario would happen in IRL, they would have serious wounds on their body, instead of laughing as they did now.
''And now you have to listen to me.''
''Okay, you win, Aiko.'' Yuuki stood up and stretched my arm to help her sister get up, while they laughed as if nothing had happened. They continued on their way to the destination, but this time walking next to one another.
''That was fun.''
''Yeah, it was.''
''It has been a long time since you were smiling like that, sis.''
''It has?''
''Yeah, ever since the start of this game, you only showed that smile four times. The first day when we came into this world, now and the two times Kirito told stories about the front lines. You have a crush on him?''
Her sister could be so incredible direct, but that was Yuuki and who could blame her? After everything they had been through, they just had to say what was on their mind.
''No way. I am just impressed.''
''Impressed?'' Yuuki had turned her head to Aiko's side and was staring her with an expression filled with confusion. She can be so adorable when she has no clue.
''Since day one Kirito guided the players in the game and fought on the front lines. He brought Silica to us and what I could hear from those stories, she was not the only one that was saved by him. He is not stuck in a city like this, but he is actually trying to experience this world.''
''If you look at it like that, it is indeed kinda impressive. On another note, we are here.''
The duo reached the delivery point and five minutes later walked back to the church with the extra earned Col in their pockets.
''Tell me, Yuuki. Do you ever think about leaving this city and going in the field?''
''Always, sis, but it is not that simple. What chances do we have on the field?''
''More if we have somebody with us that knows what he/she is doing or with a larger party, but how are we going to find players who are willing to go out there with us?'' Simply asking around wouldn't do it.
The Town of Beginnings is a gigantic city, easily giving shelter to the entire player database. To walk from one outskirt to the opposite outskirt would take you at least four hours. And in that length, a total of 12000 players scattered themselves through the different inns and plazas.
Suddenly, Yuuki stopped walking. It took Aiko a couple of steps to notice since she was so deep in thoughts, but after three steps she noticed. The girl wondered why she stopped all of a sudden. When she turned around, her sister's eyes were wide open and her lips formed a circle. Her right hand formed a fist that she held in her left hand in front of her, indicating she came up with something.
''Why not both?''
''What?''
''I have an idea. Follow me.''
''Poooooohhhhh.''
The time on his HUD showed it was just passed 8:00 o'clock, but his body didn't seem to agree with that. After a long walk, where he had to say sorry to my friends more than ever did in his life and telling them his story, Kirito got the information regarding his question from Argo. To his shock, a total of ten deaths could be labeled as [Died during duel], which was just as he feared after his battle with Morté.
If it wasn't for his Martial Arts skill, he didn't think he would have survived that battle. Morté was trying to kill him by dealing a critical hit to the head, what would take more than half his health away. Because the duel was active, his opponent wouldn't become yellow, but on the other hand, the damage would have killed him.
Morté was using the quick switch option, completely switching his longsword, which Kirito could counter, with a shield and one-handed ax.
Kirito could tell during their duel that he trained himself in PVP and by the fact that he kept the duel going where he could have won from him, he could deduce that his objective was not to win this duel, but to kill him. Morté eventually gave up and left and a moment later he saw the ALS and DKB approaching the fortress.
They were fighting over who would finish their quest first and Kirito knew if he didn't act fast, his chance to finish this quest would be taken away from him. Not only that, but the conflict that was about to happen between the two guilds would escalate to even more dangerous heights. After he confronted them and got surprised by his friends, the whole thing eventually ended without any bloodshed.
Now, Kirito lay in a bath in the bathhouse of the dark elf base fortress, taking a brief rest before tackling the remaining quests of the campaign. His teammates were in the dining tent, enjoying breakfast, so he was alone.
With those thoughts, the boy manipulated his menu after settling himself into the hot water to disable the ethics code, but the moment he wanted to press it, his attention was drawn to a person entering the tent. A figure with purple hair, pointy ears, and eyes that had the same color as her hair met his stare.
''Kizmel!?''
''Ooh, I didn't realize you were here, Kirito. Do you mind if join you in your bath time?''
Being only fourteen when he started the game, Kirito had no real experience with women, let alone a dark elf NPC like Kizmel. There were too many things he had to consider in a very short amount of time, but he didn't have that kind of privilege.
Kizmel stood there staring at him, still waiting for an answer. He eventually decided it was rude to say no, especially with all the help they received from her and the fact that this bath still remained a mixed one.
''Be my guest.''
''Thank you.''
He could hear Kizmel begin to undress and it took a considerable amount of willpower not to look. Then came a question he was not expecting. ''You're not wearing a swimsuit, Kirito?''
''Uhm, no? Why would I wear one in the bath? Is that a common thing in the dark elf culture?''
When he heard nothing for a full five second, he slowly shifted his attention until he met with Kizmel's eyes, to see a face full of astonishment. He noticed the strap holds around her neck indicating she was wearing a bikini this moment and that gave him the courage to scan the rest of her outfit.
She was wearing a simple purple bikini, but even with that simple bikini, Kizmel was the living embodiment of the male fantasy. Klein would probably have an instant heart attack if he was here. Kirito had to admit his face was getting red and he quickly turned his head away. He thought he saw Kizmel smile for a brief second, but it was hard to tell with his head to the side.
''The last time I joined your friends in the bath, Asuna made this for me and told me it was a common thing to wear in the bath in the human world.''
They explained to Kizmel that humans didn't come from this world, but from another place. Apparently, she already knew, as she told them there were legends about humans teleporting from a place far away and fought to liberate the castle of Aincrad. However, now he was more surprised by the fact Asuna made a swimsuit on her own, indicating she had the tailoring skill.
''I think it is more a personal reason than a cultural one. In the human world, there are certain differences compared to the elf world, for example, the gestures.'' It was priceless to see Kizmel using the thumbs up and learning her the purpose of the high-five. Kizmel nodded.
''Another example is that mixed baths like these are a rare sight back in our world. Instead, women and men are most of the time separated in the human life regarding personal aspects, like bathing. Even with the same gender in the room, some things have to stay covered and this could explain your situation the last time.''
''You say most of the time? What are the occasions that this isn't the case?''
Kirito slapped himself in the face internally for the poor choice of words when he tried to come up with an explanation. The entire conversation wasn't something he was comfortable with, but with this question, he knew the color of his face had to be as bright as the upper light on a traffic light. He mustered his courage to give one more answer.
''When humans are close together or have known each other for a long time, like good friends or family. It is of course also a matter of personal preference.'' Kizmel nodded again and smiled.
''If that is the case, do you mind if I lose the swimsuit?''
''Whatever you feeling comfortable with, Kizmel.'' Despite the calm answer, he had quite the difficulty to look at her as he heard the sound of removing clothes. He was glad there a small cloud of steam hanging in the bathhouse, so there was something to hide in. Eventually, Kizmel settled herself in the bath next to his.
''Now that you are here Kirito, would you be so kind to wash my back? I'm afraid I can't reach it myself.''
Again there were more than enough things to consider, for example how the anti-Harassment code would react to him touching the naked back of a female NPC, even with a brush between his hand and her back. Eventually, in the short time where his thoughts appeared to be in overdrive, he decided that it would be okay.
''Sure.''
With hesitation, the boy settled behind Kizmel as he started to wash her back, being extremely mindful for the distance between them and the strength he applied to the brush that was luckily included in the build of the bathhouse.
One wrong move and he would be teleported to the prison on Black Iron Palace. His thoughts were interrupted by Kizmel, who started a conversation.
''Thank you for helping me. I used to ask this to my little sister, but after her passing, I haven't had somebody to help me with this request.''
''No problem. I am glad I can help.''
He learned from the death of Tilnel the first night he was with Kizmel. He was impressed back then how an NPC could show so much emotion, but the more he got to know Kizmel, the more he knew she was not a normal NPC. At one point they thought she was an NPC controlled by a person from the real world, but Kizmel wasn't acting as a human.
Also, apart from the fact that she could react to everything, she was still talking in ways that only sounded logically in the eyes of a Dark elf and didn't understand any game speech. If this was a player from the real world, they had to give him/her an Oscar on the spot.
''I have been plagued by strange dreams the last number of days.''
Those words triggered Kirito's curiosity. He had never heard of the idea that NPCs had the function to dream. Hearing this now gave him yet another surprise and began to think there was nothing she could surprise him with by now.
''D…Dreams, what kind of dreams?''
''Well, the dreams start with the same thing every time. You came to aid me in the fight against the forest elf knight, just like three days ago. However, what happens next is unlike what happened three days ago.''
''How so?''
''First, in all dreams, you were dressed completely different. And your partners were not the same as now. Second, there was only one forest elf instead of three. Third, if you forgive my rudeness, your skills were not what they are now. We couldn't stand firm against the forest elf and I had to use one of the strongest magic in my possession to save you from certain death. The enemy was slain, but because of the magic I used, I had to give up on my life. In my last moments, you looked at me with a sad expression in your eyes. Every time it is the same dream, but each time you wear different clothes and have different companions with you.''
He had to come back on his former statement; Kizmel surprised him again. The dreams she spoke of where the events that happened during the beta, where Kizmel died in front of him. She has memories of that time?! Naturally, he couldn't mention the beta to Kizmel. She wouldn't understand.
''Don't worry Kizmel. Those are only dreams. For as long as I am alive, I will protect you.''
''You have my gratitude. I promise you once again I shall do the same.''
After washing each other backs, they left the bathhouse and went back to the group. After getting ready, they activated the next quest on the elf war campaign and made their way out of the camp.
After regrouping with Kirito and Kizmel, the group had activated the seventh quest of the campaign. The objective of this quest was to kill a giant butterfly that was released by the forest elves for reconnaissance. Of course, they first had to locate it and that wasn't an easy task on its own. After an hour, they finally found it.
It was flying high, but luckily for them, they had Lode with them. With his Brave spear +4, he used a sword skill and the spear shot through the air, striking the butterfly in his wings. He used the quick switch option to regain his spear and repeated the process until the butterfly shattered. This mission was a success.
In the eighth quest, they had to escort a group of Dark elves to help them transporting the Jaden key, a green crystal in an oval shape, to the Western tree spirit. The Western tree spirit is the way for dark elves to travel between floors. The forest elves had a tree spirit on their own on the eastern side of the floor.
According to Kirito, they would be ambushed and the Jaden key would be stolen, what would activate the next quest. He was right when a group of Unknown Marauders ambushed us midway. They took care of most of them, but the last Marauder used a smoke bomb and got away.
The ninth quest was called [Pursuit] and the objective was to track the thief that got hit by a shining signal by one of the dark elves. They found the location of the thief an hour later and reported it back to the commander of the fortress.
At last, there was the tenth quest, which involved them exploring the cave that the thief used as a hideout. Kirito informed his group that a strong mob was waiting for them at the end of the cave that took an entire afternoon to beat in the beta.
Eventually, they encountered the Jaden key and unlike the beta, two strong mobs, called Fallen Elf Commanders stood before them. Maybe it was because of their overpowered equipment, like his two-handed sword Demonic Blade +2, maybe because of their teamwork or maybe just dumb luck, but the Fallen elf commanders screamed his last sound after an hour of fighting and they went back to the commander of the fortress with the Jaden key.
After they found out that the Fallen elves allied themselves with the forest elves. The commander wanted the Jaden key as quickly as possible to the kingdom of Lyusula on the ninth floor. Kizmel had this task taken upon her and they headed for the second time to the Western tree spirit.
They said their goodbyes to Kizmel and promised to meet each other on the next floor. After a farewell that was more emotional than Dale wanted to admit, they went back to the elf base and got their rewards. Then the commander spoke again.
''If you are going to tackle the guardian of the Pillar of Heavens, I must warn you. Its poisonous attacks are extremely lethal. Make sure to bring enough antidotes with you before you enter his lair.''
''Thank you for your advice, sir, it is greatly appreciated.'' The young leader smiled and bowed as they said their goodbyes, leaving the elf base on the third floor for good.
''So what now, leader?''
''Time to spread the word, Dale. If the ALS and the DKB have made their promise, they should reach the floor boss room tomorrow. In the meantime, we spread a new strategy book for the third-floor boss as it was in the beta, with updated information regarding its poison attack.''
And so a free manual regarding the third-floor boss could be picked up at the NPC shops the next morning. They left the dungeon alone just as promised and trained two days in the fields on the third floor.
When the meeting started in the closest town to the dungeon Dessel, a total of 54 players were present, just one party more than an entire raid-party. Of course, it was not that bad to have an extra party, but if the floor chamber was not large enough, there wouldn't be enough space for all the players to fight in.
However, this wasn't the case with this floor boss on the third floor and so the raiding party had six players more than normal. After the name of the boss was confirmed to be the same as in the manual and the information of the manual was completely discussed with the present players, Lind gave a speech.
''If everything is clear and we are all ready, let's us march together so that by this time tomorrow we all stand on the fourth floor! Let us show the remaining people that are too scared to come out of the city that this game can be beaten!''
The DKB members roared to their leader speech, the ALS members roared the moment Kibaou raised his fist in the air. Dale turned his attention to Kirito, but the only thing he noticed was a grin on his face. Finally, the boy stood up and unsheathed his weapon.
''Let's go guys. We got a boss to beat!''
''Yeah!'' They followed their leader as they headed to the last obstacle to reach the next floor, the floor boss.
Three hours later, on 14 December 2022, at 13:45 their first experience with a floor boss started.
''Is it always going that smoothly?''
''You know this is the first time, Klein.''
They were walking on the stairs towards the fourth floor. The boss was a giant tree called Nerius the Evil Treant. Its appearance reminded Klein a bit of a boss from one of the Dark Souls games, but he was glad its difficulty was not taken as inspiration.
Since it was that big, they could surround it and with at least five overpowered weapons, that of his, Asuna, Kunitmittz, Dynamm, and Dale took a lot of health from the stubborn tree boss.
Another factor had the be the great teamwork with Kirito in the lead of four parties, including the group of the giant man called Agil, so they shredded the six healthbars like it was nothing. Even with the new larger AOE poison attack, or area of effect the boss gave no problems thanks to the antidotes they had brought in hundreds.
The ALS and DKB wanted them to open the teleporter and so they ended up here next, making their way to the fourth floor with the thirteen of them.
Liz and Argo were not built as main fighters, for Argo was an information dealer and Liz a blacksmith at first and fighter at second.
''So what is the fourth floor going to be like?'' The red-haired pirate asked.
''If nothing changed since the beta, it has a desert-canyon theme and will consist of a lot of narrow canyons and mountains. It was extremely hot on this floor. There is almost no green since there is no water on this floor and for that reason the ground on this floor used to be very red-brownish in the beta.''
''That sounds terrible. I never thought I would say this but I hope they made a few changes to make the floor a little more entertaining.''
''While there is only one way to find out, Klein because there is the door and our next step to freedom.''
Kirito opened the door to the fourth floor and a blinding light flashed in their eyes, completely blocking their sights. At the same time, Klein heard a sound he never heard in Aincrad before. His eyes adapted them self to the light, but what he saw before him, was not he was expecting.
''Seems you got it all wrong, buddy.''
''Yeah, but for once, I don't mind that.''
The news of the victory on the third floor boss with no casualties came with a deafening victory cry. Players collected the best food they could find in the Town of Beginnings and eat and drank together.
If there was alcohol in a game like this, half the players here would be drunk in a matter of hours, but alcohol was not available here. It was to be expected since the information on alcohol was too much of a pain to recreate.
Although the blue-haired boy wasn't old enough to drink yet, he had tried it several times during family occasions and he really could use a good beer right now. It already had been two weeks since that moment, but he still couldn't sleep. Besides, how could I face everyone like this? If it wasn't for him, I would have died. But how can I face him after everything I did? How can I face the others? He had no answer for that question.
The sound on the plaza was getting louder as more and more people gathered around to celebrate the latest victory, but Diavel was in no mood to join them.
He was the only player in the bar, but not alone. At least twenty-five NPCs were sitting around him, so he couldn't say it was that silent either. Then he heard someone coming in; An older player with brown short hair, not much taller than me and basic gear on stepped inside. Since it was nobody that Diavel knew, he turned back around. Little did he know the unknown player came for him.
''Are you Diavel?''
The person in question turned around in his chair, staring the player that was standing at his left straight in the eyes. I never met him before, but he still knew my name. What does he want?
''Yeah, what can I help you with?''
''Excuse me for barging in on you like this. I had your location brought by the information dealer Argo. Heard you two were familiar with one another?''
It was true that he and Argo had some history in the beta, for they were both on the front lines. Of course, he never got so strong as that one person, but floor six was still considered to be one hell of an accomplishment during that time. If this player knew Argo, he was not here for bad purposes.
''Yeah, that is true. Can you tell me who you are and why you searched me?''
''Oh my apologies. My name is Mortimer and I have a request. I and my friends like to get stronger, but since we are still kinda new to this game and do not like to take chances, we are looking for a guide to help us level up. I asked Argo and she recommended you.''
Why would she do that? She knew I stopped fighting on the front lines. Although Diavel was strong enough to tackle most of this floor on his own, he hadn't been out there for a whole week.
''Sorry, I don't think I can help you with that one.''
''Why not?'' Why is this player so persistent? The boy wondered as he stared at the player, but couldn't read his expression. He decided to be honest with this stranger.
''I stopped two weeks ago fighting on the front lines because I almost died. I almost let my party to their deaths and I do not want that to happen again.''
''So I heard.''
''And you still want me to help you? Don't you think there are others that can help you better than me?'' This time Mortimer didn't answer immediately. Diavel turned back to a spot on the bar. Mortimer waited a couple of seconds before answering.
''A single mistake does not define a person, Diavel. Would be something if you couldn't make a single mistake in life, don't you think.'' The older player took a moment of silence before speaking again.
''I agree. You had people depending on you and you made the wrong choice. However, everything turned out for the better and here you are, alive and well. I can understand you do not want to go back to the front lines, but does that mean you have to stop playing and hide in the city?''
Diavel had to admit he was right, but it was easier said than done. To his surprise, he felt something coming out of my eye. Am I crying?
''How do you do that? How do you handle the guilt that people could have died because of you?'' I whispered, shocking myself of my own broken voice.
''Slowly, with baby steppes and with friends surrounding you.''
Those last words drew his attention as he shifted his eyes back to Mortimer's face, his eyes filled with a sincerity and his mouth showing a comforting smile.
The last two weeks he was alone and apart from a message from Argo regarding deaths that included a duel, he had no contact with anyone in the last two weeks. Yet here was someone, who he never met before, standing before him, comforting him and asking for his help.
''What do you say, you willing to help us out?'' It took Diavel a few seconds to form the right answer in his head, but after this conversation, he had no way to refuse this request.
''Okay.''
''Are you kidding me!?''
''No boss, our plan failed once again because of the beta tester Kirito.''
Four players sat in an inn in the city of Zumfut, one day after the supposed clash between the two guilds of the front line. Things, however, did not go as planned, just because of a simple kid.
''So do we have anything regarding the fourth floor, Morte?''
''Unfortunately not that I know of, but there are some good rumors on the fifth floor.'' Intrigued by the theatrical tune in his voice, the player in the black poncho wanted to know more of those rumors.
''Tell me everything!''
Author notes:
Here is chapter 9. Hope you guys liked it.
This is a small chapter in comparison to the rest of my chapters, but there was not much that I could place in this chapter. You could say that I could place the boss fight in here, but Nerius the Evil Treant didn't feel like the suitable boss to write an extensive fight for.
Thank you, Cougarfang, for beta reading this chapter.
Let me hear what you guys think about this chapter; once again I appreciate all feedback.
This was it for chapter 9 and see you guys in the next one.
