Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara and ASCII Media Works.
Being a guildleader was no easy task: the constant responsibility of the safety of its members, the pressure of leveling all players up accordingly and making sure all members could do their job.
Wandering through to the city of Fore, Kirito took the rare silence around him as a long-awaited friend. Together with the darkness that had finally fallen over the land, the black-haired leader proceeded along the lines of the beautiful enlightened city. After a few steps though, he stopped and shifted his attention to his back. No words were needed. Instead, Klein stepped out of the shadows and joined his good friend in his peaceful walk.
A few moments had passed when Klein softly said, ''Good to cool your head now and then. Has been a while since we last shared a silent evening like this.''
''Without Issin shouting he felt something crawling up his leg,'' Kirito replied grinning, both of them remembering the situation like it was yesterday.
Taking control of his short laughter again, Klein held his hands behind his head before saying, ''Things have changed quite a bit since that time. Who would have thought we would create one of the biggest and most influenced guilds in the game back then?''
''Who would have thought we would end up in a death game?'' Kirito retorted, Klein giving a deadpan look before saying, ''Way to ruin the mood, Kiritard.'' Kirito grinned it off, making Klein's serious expression loosen up until a soft smile appeared on his face as well.
It was not soon after Kirito came with, ''The guild is getting a bit too big. I think it is better if we put a hold to recruitment until we have things sorted out.''
Kirito felt he was a coward for saying such a thing, for the members thought they were not even competing with the likes of the ALS and DKB in size. However, if there was one that would agree with him on this point, it would have been the first friend Kirito made in the official version of the game. For that reason, it did not surprise him when Klein said, ''You're right. It is great that the officers are doing their job so well, but otherwise, we would have been overwhelmed.''
''Glad we see eye to eye on this,'' Kirito said softly before a short silence accompanied them along the beautiful lighted streets of Fore. Kirito shifted his attention once again to his friend and asked, ''What did you think about the proposal this afternoon?''
Klein looked up and said, ''For once, it is a well-thought action taken from Kibaou and Lind. I guess leaving the quests to us just to focus on the clearing is not as bad as it seems. Assuming they will work together,'' the red-haired pirate added skeptically.
''Doubt it, but let's hope so,'' Kirito said.
Not much had to be said in the presence of good friends who you could trust with your life. Kirito knew he could rely on Klein and the sub-leader knew he could count on his leader. Still, Klein would never take this moment for granted. It was for that reason he softly said, ''Thank you for listening to my selfish request back then, Kirito. You got to admit though; you are doing an amazing job as a leader.''
''I did not have much of a choice with all of you staring me down,'' Kirito replied dryly, adding, ''But I don't know if we would have come this far if I didn't. We have a solid base to work with and we are making a difference.''
''No kidding. The blacksmiths can be counted among the best in Aincrad, we have one of the few well-known mixers, the crafters constantly come with new additions and the alliance is doubling that worth. And then I didn't even talk about the unique things yet.''
Kirito shifted his attention to the street in front of him as he asked, '' Do you think we are doing the wrong thing telling her the truth?''
Instantly catching on to due to the seriousness in his voice, Klein answered, ''I don't know. But it will be one hell of a problem if someone else she doesn't like said she was… special, in a world that is ... constructed.''
''Hope Ojima can find a way to explain her without breaking her or hurting her feelings,'' Kirito said softly, for he truly did not want to hurt Kizmel. Shifting his attention to the next topic he asked, ''And what did you think about the topic Heathcliff came with? Do you think something like that could happen?''
''Let's hope not. And if it does, we have to spread the word as soon as possible.'' Another nod confirmed they agreed on this subject as well as they continued to walk through the not-so-spectacular streets. A laugh occasionally could be heard from the remaining subjects they were talking about. However, as time passed by, Klein couldn't help himself but ask that one particular question. ''Say, Kirito, what is going on between you and Argo, Asuna, and Liz? You guys have been acting strange since last week.''
Naturally, as he had learned from Ojima and experience, Kirito decided to explain everything by telling the truth as best as he could. Klein's eyes glittered before he almost shouted, ''You have three girls who like you and you rejected them all?! And on top of that, they open up to you like that?! Teach me, senpai!''
Trying to ignore Klein's bow, Kirito quickly whispered, ''Would you keep it down. First off, I didn't reject them… I just said I couldn't offer them more than this but I wanted them to be happy and secondly, you have a girlfriend.''
Perking up from those words, Klein's expression and stance relaxed before he stated, ''Still sounds perfect. Can't believe things are still going so smoothly. But anyway, good for you buddy! If you ever need some advice…''
''I will not ask you,'' Kirito filled in jokingly before escaping through a small alleyway.
''You little bastard!'' Klein growled as he attempted to catch his leader for that retort, Kirito's grin so wide it was easily visible from a mile away.
''Wow.'' A soft sound of admiration could be heard, as the five players known as the Moonlit Black Cats entered the tenth-floor elf base.
''Say that alright. To think this is all created by players,'' Sasamaru spoke softly in awe.
''Technically speaking, the elf builders created this,'' Tetsuo replied.
''Who cares. Let's explore this place!'' Ducker shouted cheerfully, three players cheering with him while another just hopped behind them uncertainly.
The idea was good: challenge the elf campaign and assist the elves in perfecting their bases. And the fact that Kizmel was still in the mind of every last one of the Cats was more than enough reason to do just that while trying to become stronger for the front line as well, tackling two or even three objectives at the same time.
The execution was not that easy though. The four boys had no problem with a bit of adventure and risk-taking in this new world but Sachi had troubles holding herself strong in front of the many enemies.
The naval battle on the fourth floor, for instance, was a terrifying battle in Sachi's eyes, and although the others said she performed great in it, this did not help to ease her anxiety one bit. And seeing how their levels were mostly coming from the achievements instead of hard work, the last battle against the forest and fallen elves was spent with her mostly hiding behind her shield while the others kept the assault going.
Luckily, her nervousness soon vanished when she noticed the elves and players living in harmony. A dark elf NPC asked her if she wanted something to eat, while another forest elf was shouting about the goods he was selling.
''This place is huge…'' Tetsuo stated in shock and awe. ''How is it possible to create such a thing in only a month?''
Naturally, none of them had an answer. However, what they did have was fine hearing and following that sense, they soon found a place crowded with other players. Keita stepped forward and asked one of the players, ''What is going on here?''
''You must be new. This place is used to deliver the goods for the elf constructors. The next quest is almost done, so we are waiting for the last guy to deliver the goods.''
''Why are you not going to take a break for a second? By the time you are back the quest should be active, right?'' Ducker asked.
''And miss the chance to drop all this stuff when it activates? Listen up, kid.'' The older brown-haired player started. ''These quests give a lot of rewards and the more goods you deliver, the more the game awards you get for it. Every last one of the players here is out to drop the items they have collected, probably all having collected Lion skin. So predictable.''
More than one of the Cats asked themselves why that was so predictable, but that question was held back when they noticed another player moving closer to the collection shop.
''Ah, finally. Someone is going to complete the quest!'' another player commented loudly, the other players shifting instantly to the just-arrived player. The whole spectacle of finishing the quest wasn't that spectacular at all, but the players present were not interested in that in the first place.
However, when the next quest did not appear, the players quickly lost that interest and an impatience began to arise. ''Hey, what the hell?! Give us the next quest!'' one of the players even shouted to the NPC in the store.
Luckily for both the players as well as the NPC, an unfamiliar sound echoed through the air before a large message appeared above the camp for any present player to see. [Congratulations! Elf Camp fully upgraded!].
At the same time, another message appeared to any player that had contributed to the building of the camp, together with another window of rewards. ''You kidding me?! What do we have to do with all this extra stuff now?'' another player shouted angrily, despite receiving yet another significant experience reward in front of him.
Ignoring the other players and their clear signs of irritation, Keita turned around and suggested, ''What do you guys think about skipping this floor and going to the eleventh? If we are lucky, we can get some great experience from these quests.''
''Shouldn't we stick with this floor for now?'' Sachi asked, a trace of fear in her voice.
''Nah, we should be fine. As a matter of fact, I heard the eleventh floor is even easier than this one.'' Tetsuo answered, Sachi's nerves and anxiety returning with each passing second. However, she didn't want to hold back her friends any longer and thus she ran clumsily behind her guild members.
''Are you certain it is wise to not assist the others in liberating the goblins?'' Kizmel asked, shifting her attention to her companion.
''I am certain. Kirito said they got it covered.'' Ojima answered smiling despite the nervosity he was feeling, walking towards the plaza of Fore. He still didn't know why he volunteered to explain Kizmel the truth, yet he knew one thing: if they wouldn't focus on it now, it would definitely backfire against them. And although it was harsh, being truthful to one another also meant there was nothing holding their friendship and comradeship back.
''Still, to take a day off just to explain to me what I could not comprehend. Why would you go through such lengths just for something so small?'' Kizmel asked.
''Because you are a good friend to us, Kizmel.'' Such words naturally deserved a kind smile from the dark elf, yet Ojima wasn't done yet. ''And what we are trying to teach you isn't something minor. Please remember this feeling when you have learned everything I have told you.'' A nod was everything he received to rest his worries. I better get the best eight-course menu this game has to offer for a solid month for this. Ojima internally complained.
''In that case, I'll be in your care,'' Kizmel said with an understandable smile, that showed no worries thus far.
Arriving at the teleporter on the plaza, Ojima took Kizmel's hand for traveling rules and shouted, ''Teleport Town of Beginnings!''
The dazzling light that blinded any who traveled through this way was something Kizmel could not get enough off. It was another magic the humans possessed, although her view of the world was now very conflicted due to the manual. She hoped her companion could ease those conflictions a bit, even if it was just a bit. Her companion in question let out a soft sigh and asked while walking through the city, ''Kizmel, can you tell me more about Tilnel?''
Kizmel stared questionably at her companion before asking, ''What precisely do you want to know?''
''Where did you guys grow up?'' Ojima started.
With a smile, Kizmel began. ''My parents were both knights of the Pagoda forces before me and my sister were born. For that reason, we grew up in the capital city. I still remember the first time I held Tilnel in my arms when she was born.''
Noticing something he could continue on, Ojima asked, ''What can you remember about it? Tell me it all.''
Without thinking about it, Kizmel stated, ''Everything. The weather, the scent of Lyusula, the tears of happiness crawling down my mother's cheeks. It was a magical moment.''
''Do you remember anything that was said?'' Ojima asked, trying to figure out if this memory was an implanted one or not.
''Only that the name my sister was called was given,'' Kizmel said, still not certain what her companion wanted with this story.
Not much time to think about it she didn't have for her companion asked, ''Tell me more about your favorite moment in your childhood with Tilnel.'' Thinking back on all the moments of her childhood, Kizmel's expression began to tense a way that was unknown to Ojima. ''Kizmel? Are you okay?''
''Yeah, I am fine,'' Kizmel answered, hiding she didn't have many memories she could recall from her childhood. The strange thing was, the memories she could picture, she knew every little detail of. ''Sorry for worrying you. I do have a certain memory. It was a holiday we elves celebrate every four years and it was the first time for me that I could join that wonderful festival.''
''Sounds nice. Tell me more.''
Noticing the interest peak in her companion, Kizmel started, ''The Yule Festival is an enormous festival to celebrate an old belief of the elves. By celebrating it, we thank ourselves as well as everyone around us for the past four years and the fortune that has fallen over our life. Even if the luck had been hard to find in that time, we still value the fact we are alive and well. I still remember all the different dishes, the dancing with my closed ones. The smile my little sister and I shared when the music of our people echoed through the city. It was beautiful. We eat, danced and had fun like never before.''
Being a witness of the beautiful smile on his companion's dark-tinted face, Ojima cursed internally for what he had burdened himself with. However, according to his 'Well thought plan', Ojima knew he had some time before the truth would trouble his companion. His second plan stepped in the moment when he noticed an NPC shop and walked towards the generic looking NPC.
''Good morning. How may I help?'' The NPC asked, normally not even doing that for the system menu was all that player needed.
Ojima did not think heavily about it as he answered, ''Good Morning. Can I buy some fruit?''
''Of course. What can I sell you? Any interest in some oranges? Or do you prefer apples?''
Naturally, after the opening of the other floors, new items were brought to the NPC's so now and then, making the assortment what a normal NPC previously had much broader. Having learned that information from Argo's manual, Ojima proceeded accordingly. ''Oranges, please. Also, sir, can you tell me what you know about the castle of Aincrad?''
There was a long pause from the NPC, to the point Ojima thought he had broken the man when his answer came, ''I am sorry, adventurer but I do not know what you speak off. Is there anything else you want to buy?''
''No thank you. And my name is Ojima.'' The player said before leaving, Kizmel's expression a slightly confound one.
Following her current companion, she couldn't help but ask, ''What was that for? I thought Kunimittz, Cuchulainn, and Chiran had already brought those in spares.''
''It wasn't the groceries that were important here, Kizmel. It was my little conversation. There is a secret we humans know that you have to learn and it is best if you figure it out for yourself. Let's see what this shop owner has to say.'' He answered as he walked into the next store and began another conversation, this time about the specialty of the shop owners business, namely crafts.
However, just as before, the shop owner could not continue the conversation. The third time, Ojima asked Kizmel to hold a conversation, and neither could she hold a conversation about the products he was selling.
Walking through the wilderness to the Secret Medicine of the Forest, Kizmel was listening to Ojima's explanation of their world. ''Darius was exaggerating I believe. The human world is not that horrible. It is just 'Sometimes not easy to follow'. Our world spends a lot of similarities with his one, yet also the same amount if not more differences.''
''For example?'' Kizmel asked.
''Just humans and animals. We don't have elves or goblins in our world. And neither do we have skills or magic in our world. Also, our animals differ from the monster we see here. For instance, the frenzy boars are normal wild boars in our world, and those dreadful spiders on the 3rd floor are only 1/10 in size in our world.''
Noticing the little sweat drop crawling past Kizmel's skin, probably from trying to follow the information without a clear picture, Ojima activated his search skill, noticed the coast was clear, opened his menu and shifted his attention to Kizmel. ''I believe you have read the manual about our 'menu' already but I don't believe you have actually seen it. Is that right?''
''Only briefly on the sixth floor. Why you ask?'' Kizmel asked, before noticing the window of Ojima appearing right before him. ''Is that…?''
''Yep. Sorry about the strange language. It is so that I can read it.'' Ojima explained.
''And what language is this then?''
''English. Anyway, now that we have something concrete to work with, what part of the menu do you want to explore first?'' And thus, while taking a short break in the wilderness of the 1st floor, the duo explored the insides of the gamer menu. Kizmel's expression changed from a curious one to the delighted one, to the contagious laugh to an understandable one.
Following the route to Horunka, Ojima also explained cursors and how players could see the difference between a strong and weak opponent. Using the crafts skill on a piece of paper, the spiked player had made a green diamond and held it above himself. He made a green circle as well and gave it to Kizmel. ''If we see a monster that wants to hurt us, that circle changes to a red one. The color of that monster will be compared to our level, determining the threating level and thus the darkness of the red color.''
''That does not explain how players always know who to talk to get another 'quest'.'' Kizmel countered questionably.
''Right. That is why we are here. Let's get one of those quests activated.''
The Secret Medicine of the Forest mission started with a sick girl that needed a rare medicine in the forest. Ojima already knew that quest from before and thus did not listen very well to the mother of that said girl in favor of holding the exclamation mark he had made from the paper above her for Kizmel. When the quest was finally underway, he showed Kizmel the change in his quest-log and thus teaching Kizmel how a quest was located and how the player knew it had started.
While walking to the nest of Little Neplents, Kizmel asked, ''So that I have told you something of my past, could you tell me something about yours?''
''What do you want to know? I got a lot of stories.'' Ojima stated, Kizmel curiosity triggered.
''What is the other reason you are using a Bo Staff?'' Kizmel asked after a few seconds.
Ojima scratched the back of his head before saying, ''Alright then. When I was younger, I used to watch a lot of fighting movies.'' Noticing he said something foreign he said. ''Let's just say we took a lot of pictures similar to the crystal Argo was showing yesterday and put them together to make a story out of it.''
Noticing the confirmation nod from Kizmel, Ojima continued. ''A few of them were with Bo Staffs and what amazing tricks you could do with them. Since then, I used to mimic their movements with similar items.'' Although this may sound normal, the picture of a small child using the tube of a vacuum cleaner as a weapon wasn't what you would call you everyday activity.
''And what is the reason you choose the chant skill? Surely that wasn't something that you saw in those movies as well," Kizmel noted.
''No, I used to sing a lot but my voice was worse than… basically, anything else that you can imagine, '' Ojima answered. ''Despite hearing it constantly from my friends and family in a joking way, it used to be my dream that they would tell me how good I sounded. And maybe movies helped a bit,'' he confessed, earning a soft chuckle from Kizmel.
It was when they had finished the quest and were returning to the Town of Beginnings, Kizmel came up with a strange request. ''Ojima, could you sing a song of your world to me?''
''A song of my world? What kind of song do you want to hear?''
Giving it a quick thought, she answered with a smile, ''Your choice.''
Staring around him, he found the current wilderness empty of other players and thus said, ''Fine,'' before clearing his head and activating his Chant skill. The truth was that Ojima did not know the lyrics of many songs, except for a few. And luckily, there weren't many players that could understand the English words. There were, of course, Disney songs he used to know quite well, but he refused to sing 'A Whole New World' for several reasons.
And thus, the chant skill added a soft melody going with the music in his mind before Ojima chanted the start of the song.
''My gift is my song
And this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been kind
While I wrote this song
It's for people like you that
Keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting
But these things I do
You see I've forgotten
If they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but
Now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world.''
It was a song known by the older and more romantic population of the gamers, and also one of the few songs Ojima had actually sung to his girlfriend before, as well as seeing the movie it was from. It was for that reason he could remember the lyrics so well.
When the song ended, there was a brief moment of silence before Kizmel said, ''That was beautiful. What was it about?''
''It is a love song I used to sing to the one waiting for me in the human world. It is about a poor man that can give nothing except this song to the one he loves and although he has his flaws, he will love her unconditionally,'' Ojima answered, a glimpse of sadness in his eyes.
''I see. Thank you for sharing that part of your world with me.''
It remained silent for another moment until the Bo Staff wielder asked, ''Kizmel, what makes you alive?''
Sending a confused glance at her companion, she stated, ''I am not sure what you are referring to. Could you explain your question?''
''You heard from Kirito that this world was created by us humans. So, if you met the person or persons that created this world face-to-face, what would you say to them to prove you are your own person?''
Kizmel stayed silent for a good fifteen seconds before answering with, ''I have my memories of my past. Furthermore, I am someone who can make decisions independently and think about these kinds of questions. Shouldn't that suffice? What would you do if you heard about something else that viewed you in a similar manner?''
''I think I would freak out… yeah totally freak out,'' Ojima confessed with a nervous grin and a hand behind his head.
''Why so?''
''If there was someone watching over me like a creator over his work, what of my story is then truly mine and real? Can I believe the memories I believe so deeply in or are they not true in the slightest? The only thing I am certain of is something a historian used to say; I Think, Therefore I am.''
''I see. That is a tough situation indeed. However, even if you are created, it does not mean you are not real. Even if someone has created you, these moments show us who we are and that despite their 'creating' us, we have our own will.''
Can you think such way when the truth that everything you thought was real is no longer the truth? I hope you can… Ojima thought as they saw the walls of the Town of Beginnings. This was only the first of many days he had to teach Kizmel the truth, without breaking her spirit. Or was his mind the first to break? It surely felt like that.
02:15, 06-03-2019.
Large waves of information maneuvered through the digital database with speed unimaginable and unnoticeable, at least for the naked eye. Further, while almost the entire player database was sleeping in the safe zones of Aincrad, Yui and Strea observed both the new update and the players.
There were still players having nightmares, although the number of incidents had decreased to 35%. That number was decreasing the longer Yui was active and thus, she could consider her role as a Mental Health Counseling Program a success. Since the percentage had changed for better much quicker thanks to Strea, it was a shared victory.
Both MCPH's began to scroll through the changes made and were visibly surprised by the number of changes Cardinal had made, for not all updates were in the favor of the monsters. Naturally, most of the nerfs were concentrated on items and skills and some changes were involved around individuals as well, yet it was strange that some of these changes were focused on the normal NPC's.
It may have to do with the new high functioning AI next to them, who was not focused on the players, unlike Strea and Yui, but on the AI's. What the further purpose of the blond AI boy was, the other two AI's did not know, yet they knew he was not as terrible as they originally thought. Certainly, because he introduced himself almost immediately.
''Hello, I am the new Adaptive Behavior Guiding Program 001, codename Eugeo. A pleasure to meet you!''
A morning without light. Visibility no further than 3 to 4 feet. The feeling of a creature staring her down in that same terrifying darkness. That was usually the feeling the unknown spear user associated with every morning since she had to retreat to the ninth floor. It was thus a surprise when her sight was blinded by an unfamiliar intense light.
Further, instead of relying on her Search Skill, her eyes were enough to picture the area around her. A large forest, simple hills you expect from a normal RPG and small canyons that led all the way through the remaining part of the floor, with no end on the horizon.
''What is going on?'' she asked, wide in the open as she didn't notice the floor above her, but still able to see the time in her HUD. It was also that moment she noticed her Hiding skill was not active and that she was being watched.
Before she could move, the player in question held his arm out and said, ''Wait! I mean no harm. I just never saw you here before.''
Two blue eyes stared over her shoulder, right in the black eyes of the player behind her, before she asked, ''And why would I trust you? What is this place anyway?''
The boy held his hand behind his head before answering, ''I am not sure how I should do that or where we are, although this should still be Aincrad. And although I can't give you a concrete answer on either question, I would be a dumbass to hurt a beauty like you.''
''Not interested,'' the girl immediately countered before she turned around and stated, ''If you have nothing to convince me, I will be taking my leave.''
''Wait! Let us at least exchange names. If we ever meet like this again, you can scold me personally instead of this way,'' the brown-haired player said with a grin.
Taking a moment, the unknown girl stopped before mumbling, ''Fine. What is your name?''
The brown-haired player's grin grew wider as he answered, ''Coper. And what is yours?''
''Sinon. Now, leave me alone,'' she said curtly, before dashing into the wilderness.
While staring at the leaving blue-haired spear user, Coper said, ''What a strange girl. Did you see that cursor? Think Aincrad is a bit broken.''
A figure appeared out of the shadows a moment later, short black hair accompanied with red pupils and a large grin. ''Well, it wouldn't be the first time a girl rejected you. And probably. Oh, remember how Koharu smacked you halfway across the plaza when you tried something on her?''
Noticing the large grin on his partner's face, Coper jokingly said, ''Oh, put a sock in it. Why not equip that coif back on? At least then I don't have to look at that ugly face of yours,'' before both of them walked off into another part of this unknown place.
Although it wasn't clear at first sight, the theme of this floor became very obvious once the players engaged the new monsters. And naturally became literally blinded by the new debuff the Little Angels produced.
Again, the Searching Skill helped significantly at this moment as the players who had equipped it attacked the red cursors head-on. Or tried to but forgot there was a tree between them. While Asuna and more laughed to their hearts' content remembering the sound and the picture of the collision their leader made against such a tree, Dynamm said, ''And that is why you don't fully depend on your Searching skill.''
''Yeah, yeah. I should have known better.''
''You just ran straight into a tree. That was hilarious!'' Lode could barely speak before more uncontrolled laughter filled the air. Heathcliff had to hold back a laugh as well as Isabella elbowed him to stop.
Kirito let out another sigh before activating his Searching skill again for any traces of the goblins or something else he could find to continue the campaign quest. ''Where could the start of the goblin quest be? We have done all the other quests on this floor already.''
''That two-handed sword award quest was pretty difficult though,'' Dale said.
''Nah, it was entertaining. Finally a fight against some worthy monsters,'' Eugene responded with an overconfident grin, the others ignoring the statement.
According to the players that preferred to play at night, there had been a moment the monsters stopped attacking last night. When the monsters continued shortly after, the players present noticed a change, not for the better. The frenzy boars, for example -which should not be able to even tank a single hit from the players - now could handle three hits from a normal player.
Furthermore, some of the mobs that used to fight alone, just like the oxes, decided to spawn in duos or more. On one rare occasion, it even seemed the monsters adapted to the fighting style of a solo player. Unfortunately, a few players heard this information a bit too late and left the world without a single trace left behind. For that reason, Argo and her subordinates had immediately spread the word of the new changes, saving the lives of numerous other players.
The WnH-KoB alliance had luckily avoided death in their group and after hearing about the changes from both the other players as well as Heathcliff, who had apparently decided to do a little night training, the rule was set that setting out alone into the wild was forbidden.
Another change was the appearance of straining. Before the changes, one could easily hold the Searching skill or Hiding skill active for a longer period of time. Now, the player could feel an overwhelming feeling of fatigue in their body or a loss of concentration that only rose when time passed by. Or the skill just simply stopped.
The players searching for the Goblin campaign were not that worried about those changes though, as a pleasurable atmosphere hung in the air. The good mood in the group despite the worrisome changes was mainly because the players were actually enjoying themselves with their comrades in this world. Listening to the beautiful sound of singers, viewing the work of the crafters or blacksmiths, enjoying a good duel against one another or fighting the monster side by side. They could get along.
''That light is even a theme? Kayaba sure chose some strange subjects to explore,'' Diavel stated, staring at a wilderness similar to the first floor.
''First hearing, now sight. What's next; taste? Touch? Smell?'' Hideo asked.
''I believe we already had that one on the 16th floor. Or did that swamp stench influence your mind?'' Packer asked jokingly.
Those high spirits were not easily broken, but the noise they made was easily shushed when Kirito nodded to his sub-leaders that he had spotted something with his search skill.
''What's the matter?'' Heathcliff asked.
''Monster cursors up ahead. At least the same number as us if not more.''
''What color?'' Klein asked.
''Can't properly get a view on it. It looks like an ambush though.'' Kirito whispered before shifting his attention to the group and suggesting, ''We split into three groups and attack them from behind. Everyone who has the Hiding skill, use it. The others move through the bushes.''
Another moment the two leaders stared at each other before Heathcliff nodded and said, ''I see. We need bait. The tanks with me. Mortimer, lead one group from the right.''
''Asuna, Dale, join the right. The rest with me,'' Kirito commanded before moving through the vegetation of their surroundings. Around five players disappeared from the spot, while two groups moved in position and one waited until the others were in position.
''One moment you are talking about some random stuff, next moment you prepare for another battle of the ages. You got to love Aincrad,'' Mitchos said with a simple grin.
''Then can you start focusing on the latter please?'' the tank Albedo asked a bit nervously.
''Yeah, yeah. Let's get this party started.''
On the left side on the ambush, Kirito activated the Searching skill again. Noticing the group of cursors had not moved, he tried to focus on the identification on the circle cursors. Kirito stood up from his position seconds later and ordered his guild members to do the same. Mortimer was confused but Asuna picked up and followed instantly.
''Hey, what are you guys doing? Wasn't there an ambush further ahead?'' Mortimer asked.
''Yellow cursors. I have no idea what is going on but if there is a chance what is waiting for us is not hostile, we better not make it hostile by acting suspiciously,'' Kirito answered.
''I see. Let's proceed forward then,'' Heathcliff replied before he continued his march. Kirito saw a caution in the player's eyes he had not seen in a very long time, yet decided not to think too hard about that fact.
Once they reached their destination, it became clear that the cursors were indeed monsters. If Kizmel was here, the Dire Wolves that appeared out of the bushes would probably be attacked instantly. The wolves had no plan to do a similar thing, as they stayed on the spot and did not move an inch.
''Eh, leader? What are we supposed to do?'' Kunimittz asked a bit worried.
Before anyone could even answer that question, one of the Dire Wolves stepped cautiously forward, bowed his head and threw an item their way. While all players stared tensely at the backstepping Dire Wolf, Kirito picked it up. [Item found: Ring of Carasa].
Shifting his attention to the wolves, he noticed they were waiting for something. Without a further moment to waste, he equipped the ring. [Set effect of Ring of Carasa on guild and alliance members?] was the immediate reaction of the system.
None of the players could understand what was going when a cloud of purple dust covered them for a moment, and it wasn't needed either for the same Dire Wolf stepped forward and said, ''Humans. We need your help.''
''I am completely lost,'' Argo stated, confused.
''Understandable. I fear I do not understand the situation either,'' Kizmel confessed to her friends. ''And these days are already as confusing as they are.''
Asuna stared with questioning eyes at Ojima before the player non-verbally retorted, ''I am trying!'' and switched her attention back again to the two in front of her. ''According to the Dire Wolf, the goblins we know and the wolves used to live in harmony together. That changed when one day a goblin-like monster none had seen before appeared and began a conquest against both races. The father of this pack leader had accepted the evil goblins, but most of their kind wanted nothing to do with them. Now that they heard and witnessed our strength, they asked for help to change things back to the way it was.''
''And how are we supposed to do that?''
''Simple, honey. We find the evil goblins and kick their butts,'' Alice Rue answered with a smile, Klein blushing at his new nickname.
''If you lovebirds can focus for a moment, then we can discuss how we should do that in the first place. There is no second quest activate for the quest and we almost have the entire floor explored by now,'' Argo stated.
''Fine, fine. But how do we know that wasn't all there is to the campaign for this floor? It wouldn't be the first floor with little content to the campaign quest.''
''Did that sound like an end of a floor campaign? We didn't even see any goblins yet,'' Eugene said.
Kizmel tried to follow the conversation as best as she could but the whole concept of quests was still not very clear to her. The main thing she wondered was how a young girl could get sick three days in a row, with the mother not recognizing them at all. And then you had those shop owners, who did not seem to communicate well with her or her companion. For people specialized in their art, there was little they could talk about.
In only three days, she had begun to think more and more about her surroundings and herself. For example, after the first day with Ojima had ended, Kizmel was thinking back on her childhood memories yet could not picture more than she did before. More strangely, when her companion asked her what she could remember of their first meeting, she couldn't recall everything as thoroughly as the memories before she met the players.
With this on her mind, Kizmel stood up from her chair and spoke. ''I am sorry, but I am afraid I am too tired to follow this conversation. If you may excuse me, I will take my leave. Good night.''
''Good night, Kii-chan.''
''Good night.''
When Kizmel had left the room, some of the players shifted their attention to the spiked officer and asked, ''What did you do to her?''
''I was trying to let her figure things out for herself by experience. It is easier to accept things when they seem logical than to take anything for granted.''
''Then what was that?'' Klein asked.
''Uncertainty. I asked her about her memories of the past and what she remembered of the times she met us. And we had some conversations with NPC shop owners. And we did The Secret Medicine of the Forest quest.''
It stayed silent for a long moment before Isabella stood up and asked, ''Can I be excused for a second?''
''Sure,'' Heathcliff said as he tried to pick up their previous subject.
Before Isabella moved towards the dark elf's room, she gave the officer a pat on the shoulder. ''Don't worry. Your idea is not a wrong way to explain this difficult topic, but maybe it is wise to show her now we are there to support her in this confusing time.''
''I see. I hope it is enough to help her through it.''
''Do not worry. She is strong,'' Isabella comforted Ojima before she walked onward to her destination. Knocking on the door to the room that was supposed to be Kizmel's, the sub-leader asked, ''Kizmel, may I come in?''
''Of course. Please come in.''
Opening the door, Isabella noticed Kizmel sitting in her bed, her underlying armor easily noticeable. The black-haired woman sat on the bed as well before she asked, ''Are you okay?''
''Yes, I am fine. There has just been a lot on my mind lately.'' Kizmel mentioned.
''Like what?''
Kizmel pulled the manual from under her cloak and said, ''This book. The adventures I now experience. Things I do not seem to understand. It is like there is something deep hiding in the knowledge of the players' minds, yet they do not want to speak it out loud. Is it that much of a secret to share it with a friend?''
Isabella's expression saddened before she answered with, ''No, it is not a secret we don't want to share. It is a secret that we keep for the sole purpose of not hurting you.''
''Hurt me? How does this secret affect me?''
Isabella searched for the words to say, yet knew no way to speak what was on her mind. It was then Kizmel took her hand, firmly squeezed it and said, ''Tell me the truth. I do not care if it hurts me or not. I do not want to be kept in the dark any longer.''
''Are you certain?'' Isabella asked.
''I am certain,'' Kizmel said confidently.
Isabella stared in the dark elf's eyes before saying ''Sorry, but I am afraid I cannot explain this to you. Yet, I understand you can no longer wait. Let me speak with the others. Maybe one can explain it to you?''
Five minutes later, Kizmel stepped into the room, where around eleven players had discussed the topic quickly before knowing what to say.
''Ah, Kizmel. Please sit down.'' Heathcliff spoke with a soft smile, one rare for the gray-haired tank. Doing as she was offered, Kizmel sat down and saw at least five uneasy faces. Heathcliff coughed and continued, ''We have discussed the worries you are dealing with and I think we have held you long enough in the dark. Do you really want to know the truth?''
It couldn't be easy. It would most certainly shock her if her friends were that desperate to hold this information back from her. Yet, Kizmel wanted these insecurities she felt out of the way and return to the proud swordsman she once could call herself, nothing holding her back to achieve the dream of returning to how the world once was. With a determined expression, she answered, ''Yes. Tell me everything.''
''This world is not real,'' Heathcliff blurted out, the shock easily recognizable on Kizmel's face as well as the discomfort on the others'. Seeing that the truth had grasped Kizmel, Heathcliff paused to let the information sink in before continuing. ''As Kirito has mentioned, this world is created by us players. However, our world has much more information than this world and we players, despite what seems to be the power of a god, can create nothing in comparison to the real world.''
Feeling that he had to explain the likes of Aincrad and truth behind the system of Aincrad, thus revealing a very important detail, Heathcliff said, ''In our world, we have something we like to call Artificial Intelligence, or created intelligence. Unlike humans, this intelligence is created not in a natural way but by technology that I simply cannot explain. The current world we live in is being monitored by such a thing, called Cardinal.''
Five sets of eyes stared with mixed expressions with shock and surprise at Heathcliff. The question that followed was one he expected and hated, coming from the Rat. ''How could you possibly know that?''
''I guess there is nothing left to hide.'' Heathcliff sighed before looking at the other players and stating, '' I am Nataruho Asura, co-developer of the game Sword Art Online.''
''And I am Hiraoka Natsuko, also a developer of this world. Sorry for hiding this for you,'' Isabella apologized sincerely with a bow.
Before one of the others could ask a question, Heathcliff continued, ''I know this is troubling, but I will explain everything. Let us explain everything to Kizmel first.''
Although not liking the confession and almost wanting to attack his co-leader head-on, Kirito did his best to remain calm for Kizmel's sake and said, ''Fine. But you will explain it.''
Before one could continue the previous conversation any further though, Kizmel asked, ''What did you mean, this world is a fake?''
Heathcliff let out a soft breath before answering with, ''Because the truth is, this world is only eight years old.''
''What?!'' Kizmel suddenly shot out. ''That can't be! I remember the birth of my sister and my parents! And what about the history of my people? That can't all have happened in the span of 10 years! How…'' First, an expression none of them had seen before, then stuttering that sent the shivers down their spines. ''How….This…can..can..not…be..?''
''Kizmel?'' Isabella asked concerned before the stuttering began to proceed to a system that could not comprehend what was going on. A glitch appeared in her face, the players watching in terror and fright at the sight before them.
''Kizmel!''
Eyes open wide, the sub-leader of the KoB found herself in her bed, virtual sweat dripping down her face, her husband staring at her with worried eyes. ''Another nightmare?''
''Yeah. I am sorry for waking you up.''
Heathcliff said nothing and instead sat up as well, holding his wife close to him. A moment later, he heard a soft, ''Thank you.'' before she said she needed to go for a walk.
The truth was, Isabella was worried after that dream, that felt too real to deduce it was fake. She also began to wonder why Yui did not intervene in this nightmare, yet could not blame the AI for being busy. As she walked through the enlightened city of Fore, some of her worries began to fade at the sheer sight of the beautiful capital.
If things weren't what they were, she could have enjoyed that view to the fullest glory. Yet, there was so much Isabella was worried about. The ever-growing curiosity of their rogue NPC companion; the independence of a system that was not programmed to hold this much on its own; the changes Cardinal implanted she could do nothing against. The responsibility she bore as one of the creators of the game, without the means to actually help them. And there were so many more things that weighed on her shoulders.
When she returned from her walk, which had not helped to put her worries at ease, sudden laughter in the night surprised her.
''Did he really? I did not expect such a thing at all, but I would have been delighted to be a witness of that incident,'' Kizmel said with a soft smile, Kirito walking behind Kizmel and Asuna with an expression that said something like, ''Would you stop telling everybody that?!'' before they noticed Isabella.
''Isabella-san. What are you doing out at this late hour?''
''A normal late night walk. What have you guys been doing?'' she asked curiously.
''Just a normal late night training,'' Kirito said with a grin before Kizmel continued, ''Kirito challenged us in a short resources collection challenge for the 11th-floor elf base quests.''
''And lost.''
''Yeah, yeah. Not everybody has to know,'' Kirito muttered before entering the inn, followed by the other laughing, chuckling or smiling three.
Noticing how the dark elf was very relaxed despite what Isabella had feared, she wondered how the officer had achieved what seemed to be successful teaching without even for a moment bringing Kizmel into doubt. Perhaps that was something she could ask him tomorrow, for sleep finally overtook one worry in her mind and would soon give her the rest she now wanted.
[Daily relic amount reached.] was the window that appeared before the orange-haired player on the fifth floor. ''No way... three days in a row? How is this even fair?! I haven't even collected one yet!'' the dagger user complained loudly, despite no one being around to hear her.
Of course, she had heard about the changes of the game and had felt the restraints of the Searching skill herself but to think the game was going at her directly for grabbing almost all of the relics the last three times they had respawned. Thinking back, it may be a bit of a bitchy move to collect them all, yet Philia simply couldn't help herself. The thrill of the hunt for treasure was constantly running through her, making her feel alive in this created world.
Knowing she had nothing to win staying on this floor, she left for the teleporter and made her way to the twelfth floor. The other floors had been or were currently being gradually explored. Yet, the beach floor and the floors towards the 15th floor weren't at all, mainly because the front line was simply going too quickly and players would rather not stick around.
Equipping a swimsuit she had bought from a store on the thirteenth floor, Philia decided to use the skill she had trained so heavily on the fourth floor. Walking through the sand, her feet touched the edge of the large waters first before slowly beginning to submerge everything else in the clear blue water. Completely submerged, the orange-haired girl opened her map and began to chart what none other had yet done, just for the thrill of seeking the treasure none had yet found.
The field boss of the 17th floor was a giant Phoenix and for this first time in around three weeks, proved a decent challenge for the front lines. There were still no deaths in the two guilds of the ALS and the DKB but the damage that was done this time far exceeded the rewards, even with the Flag of Wisdom and Flag of Valor.
Climbing the dungeon was this time also not a simple thing either. Despite having around 84 players map the dungeon on the first day, the players did not reach further than the 5th floor. The added strength of the mobs and extra spawns gave the players a serious run for their money and literally cost them more than they received for the battles.
A day later, when the players couldn't find a single mission after the Dire Wolf encounter and one brief encounter with the goblins from the previous floor, the three guilds decided to help as well, which resulted in the mapping being completed two days later.
On 10-03-2023 at 11:34, 149 players stood in front of the famous dark-stoned walls of the floor boss. Players had taken their spots with their guild and party members and were ready for the next obstacle to beat: Hadraniel the Lights Guardian. A simple large angel with purple armor, blond hair, two large wings, and a bright white sword. What could possibly go wrong?
''Asuna, Klein!''
''On it!'' both of the sub-leaders answered, fourteen players charging to engage the ads from the ALS forces. At the same time, the SK and the WI members had to assist the DKB from getting overrun by countless ads, such as the Litte Angels and the Light Protectors.
Seeing a moment to counter the non-stop moving boss, Kirito commanded, ''Dale, Agil!''
''We got this!'' Agil shouted back before launching himself forward, Hadraniel just dodging the downward air attack and evading the other two axe users as well before the hammer of Naijan slammed it out of the air to the ground. Immediately after, Dale and his party members charged in but the angel boss immediately countered the slash from Dale and evaded the attacks of Gilgamesh and Eugene.
''Keep it pressured!'' Heathcliff commanded, Alice Rue and Sakuya moving to intercept it while Nezha tried to shoot him out of the air.
Hadraniel rose high in the room again, planning to do the now-familiar debuff again. ''Lode, Nezha, Enkidu, Issin!''
''Got it, Kirito-san!'' the four players shouted before launching the two spears, one chakram and a Throwing Pin at the boss. Unlike last time, the archangel wasn't responding to the critical hits and its sword began to shine.
''Shields!'' Isabella shouted before a line of shields blocked the light from reaching the players protected by it. Not everyone could be protected, but the players that were blinded were immediately relieved by the other players that were waiting for their turn in the doorway.
''Kirito-san, get back. I will take it over,'' Kohara said as she stepped in.
''Right. Good luck,'' the black-haired boy responded before making his way back to the exit of the room, his vision still blurred by the flash. Heathcliff noticed the exchange and immediately took over the command over both guilds as well as engaging yet another wave of ads.
''Kirito-san, are you alright?'' a concerned Yuna asked, waiting for her and her party's turn to engage the boss.
''Yeah, I am fine. A bit of a pain that I couldn't block that debuff but the others should have it covered.'' Noticing the others of the party, he switched his attention to the officer and said, ''You guys are next. Follow Heathcliff, Asuna or Klein's advice and have each other's backs. I am counting on you, Hideo.''
''Got it, leader!''
And thus, Kirito witnessed how another group of his guild charged into the battle when another group had to retreat due to the debuff or the damage received. The ads were under control, although still spawning frequently, and Hadraniel was trying desperately not to get hit by the attacking players. And although not taking part in the battle, there was a very important detail that Kirito noticed just outside of the room.
At first, the archangel seemed to have trouble dodging the various attacks and was frequently struck out of the air or smashed to the ground. Over the course of the battle though, Hadraniel was actually dodging and countering more accordingly. A voice from his right took the words right out of his mind. ''It is learning.''
''That seems to be the case. We need a new tactic,'' Kirito mumbled. When he received no answer from his sub-leader, he switched his attention to Argo and noticed the large grin on her face. ''You have an idea.''
''Nah. Just thinking you should do something spectacular again. Nobody can predict your actions, Kii-bou.''
Not knowing if that was a compliment or an insult, Kirito ignored that comment and searched far and wide for an idea to pop up. However, none of them had crossed his mind. They were charging the archangel constantly, and the range attacks did not even move him anymore. What can we do? The only moment to counter him is when he is activating that debuff but we can't reach that height with our weapons. Or can we?
Realizing that it was his time to shine again, Kirito stepped forward before saying, ''Let's see if this is going to work then.''
''Good luck, Kii-bou!''
With a plan in his head, he made his way towards Heathcliff. As he finally reached the co-leader, the gray-haired leader stated, ''Good to have you back. This boss is not going down easily.''
''I know. I have a plan but I need your help.''
Noticing it was an idea not a normal player would think about just from Kirito's expression, Heathcliff switched his attention and said, ''Speak.''
''How high can you throw me?''
Author notes:
That was chapter 37.
So we have three new characters, two foreshadowed, the last one completely by surprise. Also a lot around Kizmel and that appearance of her breaking down. Hope you guys can forgive me for deceiving you. We saw the Moonlit Black Cats again, the update, that has only started and much more.
Thank you 666-HyuggaNeji-999 for beta reading this. Really appreciate it!.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and see you in the next one.