Author's Notes

Took me a while longer to edit this chapter. I had to add some meat to the chapter over descriptions and edit a few scene transitions while trying to make the dialogue appear smoother.

Overall, I might've went overboard on the first half of this chapter lol.

Anyway, comment any edits/changes I should do. Next, chapter will reveal a critical thing to the MC.

Thank you for reading.

-10/26/2021

Arc 1-4

The Capital City of the First Floor is The Town of Beginnings and the place I have found myself in. It is also the setting of the first episode in which the series will take place.

However, the main plot has yet to start. This has left me with a good week of exploration before then.

With the extra time on hand, I've taken the liberty to explore the local area. To enjoy whatever this virtual world has in store for me.

Accessing the Options Menu, I open the Online Forums. My screen shifts to link itself to the server as it establishes a connection through the internet.

A brief overview of the player's guide shows key areas nearby. I began to highlight these places on my HUD by attaching a small emblem on the Map.

On the Map's Legend I finish up labeling the local shops: Blacksmith, Leather Worker, and Tanner. Once done, I began to make my way to the few Class Trainers nearby. To check out the skills available.

Sadly, this was in vain.

After meeting these NPCs, I learned they were unable to teach anything at all. It isn't due to their inability to… but it was from the lack of money I had on hand to afford their services.

For whatever reason, Kayaba thought it was a great idea to have them charge a ludicrous amount of Silver even for the lowest of skills.

Why the hell would the director think a campfire skill should cost 1000 Silver?

My measly 100 Silver isn't going to cut it. It will be a long time before I learn anything from them.

With hopes dashed, I continued to explore and interact with the merchants. Maybe my luck will turn for the better with them instead.

After browsing through the multiple establishments, I gained a proper overview of the city. I then decided to end my journey by checking out the Apothecary.

Unlike in the other four cities, the owner here is known for having the best prices amongst the potion vendors across the entire Floor.

True to any RPG, it is recommended to have a steady supply of potions on hand. Any player worth their salt will say the same, as such resources have proven time and time again to play a critical role in prolonging any journey outside of the safe zones.

Thus these players are able to utilize their time efficiently and avoid returning to the city for a short rest. Instead they can spend their time further exploring their environments.

A casual look over the current stock here, verifies the information I have read so far. It seems luck is on my side as the store sells a plethora of potions at an affordable price.

Heeding my earlier advice, I bought a few Health & Stamina Potions. There is no telling when I would be needing them.

However, there was an exception though. I have left the Magic Pots alone as it would be redundant otherwise. as I am working towards a Stamina Type of Build.

At a cost of 1 Silver per Pot, I spend a total of 10 Silver.

While they were cheap, I also couldn't help but to feel a little uneasy at their price. There might be unforeseen problems I have yet to find which made them so inexpensive.

[Basic Health Potion x 5] - An alchemized solution of ingredients which promotes instantaneous regeneration. +25HP

[Basic Stamina Potion x 5] - An alchemized solution of ingredients which invigorates the metabolism. +25SP

However, I have to place my trust in their flavor text for now.

I would rather not doubt the Game's own messages. Especially if I find myself in a tight situation where the prescribed effects took longer to activate than prescribed.

In such a predicament it is likely I will meet my own end as death is more than assured.

"Hm, I think I'm ready now." My confidence rose after this purchase. "I want to try my hand in the local forest."

Outside of the Capital is The Beginner's Forest. A woodland area which surrounds the entire City while filled with low tier mobs.

If my aim is to experience this game in its entirety, then what better way is there to start with, than to enjoy the main mechanic of any RPG?

Battling monsters is a sure way to get the blood pumping. Even my slow walk to the city perimeter isn't enough to calm my rising adrenaline. Instead, my eagerness rises the closer I get.

I never considered myself a battle junky before. However, through a haze of excitement, the journey here became a blur. Before long, I was already inside of the forest.

It is like one moment I was on the stone streets, the next moment I am inside the forest hunting and searching for anything to ease my growing appetite.

However, I regret my rash decision to rush here.

Bloodlust must have gotten the better of me. Whatever hopes I had prior to this are gone. My mind backtracks as I happen upon an unlikely beast which has crossed my war-path.

Unlike what I was initially searching for, I instead came across this giant monstrosity. I couldn't help, but feel a slight apprehension towards myself for being such an eager idiot.

What the hell was I thinking?

Rushing out here is bound to end up in conflict. Unfortunately my reptilian brain led me into the worst situation possible.

Now I must suffer for my primitiveness. A consequence of failing to think ahead and the following actions which have led to this.

In the haze of confusion I came across a bit of focus. Through this I have brought forth clarity as shivers run across my spine.

This monster is beyond me. There are hundreds of scenarios where I see myself ending up dead.

However, I refuse to back away.

Even if I am to run now, I doubt I will be getting far. Which frightens me.

Who wouldn't be scared in a similar situation? Especially when they encounter a bear standing above 9ft tall?

This fuzzy ball of terror is the opposite of what I expected to find.

I just had to encounter the [Guardian of The Beginner's Forest]. What ever happened to fair RNG? Where are the little boars I was so eager to find?

However, my situation appears bleak. This grizzly bear is eager to welcome me into its domain and possibly an early death.

Damn, and here I thought I could persuade my way out of this situation… I could've done some grunts and made peace with it.

However, I think it is a little too late to apologize for my transgressions. My journey is going to be cut short.

"*Sigh* I'm not even that far from the city to no longer see its' gates…."

What kind of first encounter is this?

Thankfully, this is still the Beta Release. At least I have no worries of a perma-death.

However, I refuse to roll over just yet. If I'm to see any hope of getting out of this alive, I must critically think. I must strategize beyond what a simple beast can imagine.

Thus the first strike is a given.

I felt a part of my reptilian brain cry out in protest. However, I ignore it in favor of lowering my shoulder as I hold the iron sword at my hip. I take a step forward and launch a preemptive strike.

The bear flinches. Not expecting such a sudden attack right from the start. It thought I would've stayed put and allowed myself to be mauled.

Sadly, I have proven to be beyond my simple instincts as a bit of overeagerness and blood lust made the slash unwavering.

The desperate lunge manages to draw blood. Though, tis but a scratch upon its hide.

"Fuck… I'm screwed."

Is it too late to run now? I think I may have angered it…

A blast of saliva hits my face as the bear roars. Before I could wipe my face clean, I found myself on the receiving end of a beat down.

Both of us blur together while I barely held on. I grit my teeth to keep up with the best of my abilities. Every slash I manage to dish out whittles it's health.

However, at this rate I am bound to lose.

This matchup is simply unfair. Fate never meant for me to win. I was not favored in our match up.

Our contest of endurance has put a strain on my dwindling stamina. No matter how I attempt to extend our battle with pivots and deflections, I see the end drawing near.

Exhaustion overtakes me bit by bit. Numbness spreads and soon I no longer felt my arms.

"Curse you Kayaba!" I scream to fuel my fighting spirit.

The last shred of my stamina fades as my sword fails to block. A paw slips past my guard and slams into me. My torso crutches and I am sent flying.

Half of my health bar drains in an instant. I flew past the surrounding trees, until coming to a sudden stop.

My back collides against an old oak. Splinters fly and pain shoots through my limbs as I begin to fall.

I collapse upon the floor in an unresponsive state.

The grizzly steadily closes in for the kill. It's claw rises to deal the final strike.

I wouldn't be able to get up in time from where I laid. The knockback effect has yet to subside.

This is it. This is how I will meet my end.

A blur intercepts the descending talon. Both my sight and mind halts as I take in the new party.

An unknown person has appeared before me.

He raises his kite shield to ward off the finishing blow. The paw clashes against the metal plate and pushes the fellow player back.

Thankfully, the man doesn't bend under the attack's might and prevents the bear from further action.

A light shines forth. In an instant the stranger's blade flashes and finds purchase inside of the bear's skull.

As I lay upon the forest floor I couldn't help but to be in awe.

Since when? From where did this person appear from?

"H-how? Why?" I couldn't help but to groan.

The stupor I am in is poorly hidden. My confusion is plainly visible for all to see. However, the stranger seems more focused on his own introduction than my own apparent state of shock.

"Have no fear. For Heathcliff is here."

With his voice, the bear collapses.

Strangely, my face twitches.

The brawny man ends the corny introduction with a flex of his biceps. As if his feat of heroism is beneath him.

However, I see the mirth lingering within his eyes. The man is more concerned over this presentation rather than the harm which has befell me.

This, this is unexpected to say the very least.

The guy is supposed to be my hero. Sadly, reality fails to live up to expectations. He is truly something 'else' entirely…

Eventually, he does end up snapping out of delusion to give me a proper hand. The least I can do is thank him.

"Thank you?" I pull myself up in confusion. "I really did not know if I would be coming out of that fight alive."

"Ah, no worry. Your struggle is the reason why I rushed as fast as I did." Heathcliff nods to himself. "The moment I saw yourself fighting the boss, I feared for the worst. In all honesty, you can consider me impressed that you held on as long as you did."

Wait, that bear was a boss monster?! Why the hell was it so close to the city gates?

"O-oh…." I feel a little dead inside. "I thought it was a normal mob…."

Heathcliff chuckles in response. His face is hidden under the leather cap, but long silver hair peeks through the visor.

Honestly, his appearance is similar to a stereotypical Fighter in an RPG. The kind of mob character which teaches the basics of combat… and usually meets an unfortunate end in the next chapter.

"Well, I hope you can put a pause in your deep state of thought. At the very least, please wait until I'm no longer here to think to yourself. But nonetheless, I am now curious. So, speak your mind as it is only right of me, as your savior to listen to any woes you may have."

Wow, a little condescending? Are we? Though he did save me afterall….

But do I really need to entertain a possible lunatic? Can he not see I'm currently embarrassed? That I have yet to get over the fact of my miraculous survival?

'It's just… Uh, well you see… I have yet to find a way to pick a Class…"

I hope the stereotype I have in mind carries me through. I need a little help and this guy seems to be in a 'giving' mood.

Heathcliff appears shocked and pulls up the infamous blue screen to search.

"Hm… interesting. May I inquire what your name is?"

"K-kirito?" My answer is rushed due to my prior traumatic experience. Of the time I dealt with that blue screen which forced me into naming myself Kirito.

"Ah I found you. It seems you have yet to complete the tutorial quest." He nods to himself. "In fact you should have undergone the training quest first before coming out here. There should've been a demonstration of each of the Classes and you were to be given one."

Huh? But that never occurred?

"You sure?" I asked to be positive. "There wasn't any quest there for me. I didn't receive any prompt like that. Nothing showed up under my Quests when I visited the training area an hour ago too."

"Odd, very odd. I will send a complaint to the management then. Hopefully, they can help you." Heathcliff changes tune. "But, enough of that though. You may address me as Healthcliff, and I have to say I am excited to finally meet a fellow adventurer."

"Me too, I guess? Though now that you mention it, I haven't found many others..."

"Ah, that is to do with the server limit of 1000 players." He directs my vision to his screen. "Look here. Under the Settings you can see the number of people online. And on this tab… is where your tutorial quest should have been placed."

That…. That looks nothing like my own status!

"I-I…. How do you send complaints to the admins again?" I'm a bit fed up with these bugs. "I seem to be running into a lot of problems today."

"T-that is rather unexpected. However, if you look right over here, you only need to report what sort of bugs you have experienced and a time log pulled from your Nerve Gear. However, it may take some time for them to address your concerns."

"*Sigh* Of course…" There is no such option for me to send a report. "I guess, I can only wait this out then. So, do you want to partner up? Go exploring and see if I can somehow gather some quests before then?"

"A fine suggestion lad. I know of a few places we can go. How about we head off into town first? There are a few quests which should be suitable for us. They have even proved rather challenging for me to attempt solo."

"Ch-challenging? Sure...what the hell?" I don't care at this point. I want to experience the game and ignore my current issues. "Do you happen to know of any quest which rewards a two handed weapon? Like a greatsword or an axe?"

"Hm…. there is one... Though, you're better off using my backup weapon instead." Heathcliff manifests an iron greatsword. "I bought this at the local smith for a fairly cheap price. So I don't mind if you keep it."

I caught the weapon in surprise. I didn't think he would offer me anything. Hell, this greatsword costs 120 Silver at the store.

Heathcliff or whoever you are, you're turning out to be better than I imagined. I gotta say you're a rather cool guy.

"You didn't have to." He waves me off. "I...Thank you. I think we should hurry then and see if those quests will at least work for me."

"Ha, now we're on the same page Kirito. We have three hours left and I know just the place to visit first." He types something into his screen. "However, you'll be needing this if we are to turn in the bounty issued upon this boss."

A black screen appears and I receive the prompt for a shared quest. Heathcliff fails to notice any oddity of my screen.

Is there really nothing wrong with my account?

Dang. I must be getting worked up over a small matter then.

Post Notes

Plan for next chapter is to show off more of the system. Quests and the like. However, I'm not going to drag out Heathcliff's and the MC's adventure further. The plan is to rush some minor parts here and there to get through some of the bulk.

For those who are wondering why the MC doesn't know who Heathcliff is, well the guy looks nothing like his anime counterpart. Also, I doubt a majority of people even know who heathcliff is compared to Kayaba.