A few days later
A/N I thought I mentioned this last chapter, but apparently I forgot to. This fic is somewhat inspired by Monstrous Compendium Online by Vathara. I would link them directly, but from my understanding ffnet hates links, so just google the fic name or search it through ffnet.
"Ok, that should be all the relatively important quests here. Now we can move on to some of the harder but more rewarding stuff. If you guys think you are ready, of course." Kirito sheathes their sword after killing the last quest monster and turns towards the others while saying it.
"Yeah, we should be good for the harder stuff Kirito. We got all the basics and general tactics down. Where are we heading next?" Klein answers for them while also sheathing his weapon.
"Next stop is the village of Horunka, there's a quest there when finished that gives you a one-handed sword that can be used until the end of floor 3. Or at least that's how it was in the beta test, it might be different now." Kirito looks a bit sheepish before adding "Originally my plan before you convinced me to stay Klein, was to head there immediately and get a leg up on the progression. It's a good thing I didn't though, this body really threw me off at first. Might of gotten myself…..killed if i had just run off to do something dangerous like that" As they continue speaking their face gets more and more downcast, ending with them grasping one of their arms and looking at the ground
There's an awkward silence for a few seconds before Issin breaks it "Speaking of your body, and forgive me if this is insensitive but….how do you want us to address you around other players? It hasn't come up yet but eventually we will encounter other players who don't know about your circumstances." She asks while looking somewhat concerned for them.
The question seemed to shake them out of their thoughts, though the downcast expression still remained. "That's….a valid concern. Well you guys should probably stick to female pronouns around other players then. Otherwise that could draw a lot of unnecessary attention our way, which would be bad for multiple reasons."
"Ok, that does sound like a good idea, though it may take some getting used to." They pause for a second before returning the conversation to its original topic "So..now with that out of the way. What are the details of this quest in Horunka?"
Kirito perks up a bit more when the subject shifts back to something they are familiar with. "It is/was called the Secret Medicine of the Forest. You have to kill a bunch of plant monsters to get a rare drop; that you would then give to the quest NPC to get the sword. It's a repeatable quest so we should be able to get those of us who use swords a nice upgrade and a decent amount of experience in the process."
Upon hearing that Kunimittz speaks up "That's good but, do you know of any quests where we can get other weapon types? Because starter equipment is only going to last so long after all."
In response Kirito looks to the side a bit sheepishly before replying."For your weapon types? Sadly not. I really only used the one-handed sword options in the beta test and the only other person I played with used daggers and throwing knives. So I don't know much about quests that give items for the other types."
They pause for a few seconds before continuing "However there is someone I know that almost certainly does know, an information broker i was friends/acquaintances with during the beta. Though once she finds out what happened to me, she will definitely burst out laughing and probably never let me live it down. In spite of that, I will still contact her after we do the quest because she will be very helpful going forward."
After Kirito finishes Klein is the one to interject this time while clapping their hands together. "Ok. So if that's everything then we should get on our way to Horunka and Kirito can fill us in on the rest of the details on the way there."
After arriving inside the forest outside of Horunka where the nepenthes spawned, Kirito anxiously goes over the plan again, despite having covered it twice already.
"OK, so just to be safe I'm going to go over it again. We are after the ones with flowers on their heads, not the ones with the fruits. The fruits summon more monsters when struck. And we need 4 flowers in order for everyone who uses one-handed swords to get an Anneal Blade. Long as we stay together the nepenthes shouldn't be any real danger"
"It's going to be fine Kirito as you said, as long as we stay together and be careful there shouldn't be any danger and we can just grind them for the drops." reassures Anna "Maybe we will even get some extra special secret loot or something from all the farming. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Upon hearing this, Dynamm chuckles before interjecting "Yeah, that would definitely be nice. Though i don't know what weird plant monsters would drop that would actually be worthwhile"
"Theorize later guys. Looks like the mobs have arrived so it's time for us to do some gardening. Everyone get into formation now." Ordered Klein upon spotting the approaching nepenthes
The 7 of them formed into a rough circle to cover everyone's back so they wouldn't be flanked while also staying out of each other's way. Ready to rend some evil plant matter.
a few minutes later
"Ok yeah, I was definitely being overly pessimistic about this. These guys are not picking up much of a fight" They say before ducking under a vine whip then slashing up through its torso bisecting it. "Though the fact there are seven of us so they can't try and surround us definitely helps."
"Yeah, you are right about that, I can see how these things would be dangerous if you were by yourself or with just one other person. But with all of us together they aren't much of a threat." The Harry One replies while blocking a vine and then slicing it off, leaving the nepenthe with one less limb.
"That may be, we should still be careful and not get cocky. Triumphant pride precipitates a dizzying fall, they say" cautions Kunimittz while he runs one through with his spear.
They continued fighting Nepenthes until they managed to get the 4 flower drops they needed, (which took several hours of grinding) then headed back to the Quest NPC's house to give her them.
"Hello again Miss, we got the medicine you needed for your son. Hope it helps" states Kirito knowing that since it was a repeatable quest, nothing would actually change…so it was to their great surprise when something did change.
"Thank you so much Miss Adventurer, and you and your friends even brought more than I asked you to! Now I will be able to up the dosage and have some in reserve in case any of the other villagers get sick. This deserves an extra special reward, please follow me." She then heads into one of the other rooms, to the confusion of everything there
"Hey Kirito? I thought you said we each have to talk to her individually to get the sword? So what is going on?" Klein, who was visibly confused, inquired.
"That's how it worked in the beta. Maybe they improved her ai or the quest script or something? Well whatever is going on, we should follow her because this sounds like some sort of special conditional completion and I am very curious about it." Kirito says while moving to follow the woman.
The other six looked at each other for a few seconds before deciding they did make a good point, and followed after the woman as well. Into a second bedroom that had a hatch leading to an underground basement furnished with stone, unlike the wood above. Once all seven of them entered the basement the NPC continued
"Many years ago, my grandfather and some friends of his had a special set of weapons commissioned to help with defense against the various forest monsters. Sadly he has now passed away and his friends as well, leaving me with the set of weapons. I would like you all to have them as payment for the help you have given me, my son, and this village." She finishes her solemn explanation and opens a few of the chests in the room at the same time a System Notification pops up for all of them.
Quest Complete: The Secret Medicine of the Forest
You Have fulfilled a Hidden Condition: Bring 3+ Nepenthe Flowers to the Quest Giver (as part of a party or solo)
Reward: The Party receives the Aneled Set, with each member receiving an appropriate weapon type and one copy of Introduction to Pyromancy
Kirito: the Aneled Longsword
Klein: the Aneled Longsword
Anna: the Aneled Bastard Sword
Dynamm: the Aneled Broadsword
Harry One: the Aneled Broadsword
Issin: the Aneled Spear
Kunimittz: the Aneled Spear
"Huh. That's certainly never happened before, though I guess that solves the problem about needing to find other quests to get upgrades for you guys. So that's convenient, provided these are any good anyway."
Upon opening their inventory they see that the sword they got is indeed quite good. It has stats on the same level as the Anneal Blade and has a special effect that causes struck enemies to sometimes be covered in sticky oil. Slowing them down and making them more vulnerable to fire damage and effects. It could be upgraded a maximum of 9 times as well, compared to the Anneal Blade's maximum of 8. Perhaps most intriguing to Kirito however was that the description of the sword stated that it could not be traded to other players. Who had never seen character-locked equipment before.
While Kirito was looking at their new sword, Klein was much more interested in the other addition to his inventory, the supposed "Introduction to Pyromancy'' which was not something he expected to see in SAO, with its focus on melee combat. According to his inventory screen it was a decent sized red and gold tome; that when first used would impart the user with the knowledge to use basic pyromancy spells and also provided a rundown on basic magical theory.
Surprisingly it wasn't just a consumable either, if equipped it would boost the potency of any pyromancy-class spells cast, though a free hand was required to get the bonus. Like the Aneled Longsword it also had the 'can not be traded to other players' condition at the bottom of the description.
"Hey Kirito? I thought SAO didn't have magic, or ranged combat in general, so why are we getting what sounds like a magic book?" Instead of trying to figure out what was going on himself, he decided to get to the heart of the matter and just ask Kirito, who hopefully knew.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sword Art Online does have ranged weaponry as well as magic implements. Though they are significantly rarer and usually only related to one or two things. Us getting one this early is very interesting, and unusual now that you mention it." Is Kirito's distracted reply while looking at their new sword before moving to inspect the tome. After skimming through it they continue their observation.
"Very interesting indeed, this book seems to unlock the ability to cast a few basic fire spells through the system. While also explaining the base magical theory behind the spells. There wasn't anything like this in the beta, they must have revamped the magic system."
After considering that new information Anna asks a question of her own. "So...if that is a new thing, is the "hidden condition" we completed also a new thing? Because I don't remember it ever being advertised that quests had multiple completion rewards or requirements."
"I haven't heard anything about hidden conditions you could accomplish, but there were hidden quests you could do that would usually have special rewards so it could be an extension of that. With the requirements that nobody managed to do before, but that is very unlikely."
While they are discussing what is and isn't a new addition to the game, the others notice a peculiar sound, that sounds like tiny feet running across stone flooring from above before it comes down the stairs to reveal it is actually the little boy they were sent to get the medicine for. Who charges into and hugs Kirito, shocking them out of their conversation.
"Big Sis! You got the medicine to help me get well! Thanks a lot!" He then turns towards the others and continues "You guys helped Big Sis get the medicine right? Thank you guys also."
At first Kirito was rather shocked to have someone suddenly hug them, before then hugging the little kid back smiling. It feels...nice to be called Big Sis, when was the last time Sugu called me Big Bro or anything like it?
"It's good to see you are feeling better already kiddo, but don't over do it and hurt yourself ok?" Trying to caution the kid Klein adds, before asking a different question. "Also, does your mom know you are out of bed already?"
Finally letting go of Kirito the kid goes to hug everyone else while answering "Don't worry Mister, she said it was ok as long as I was careful." After hugging everyone else the kid appears to suddenly remember something. "Oh! Mom also wanted me to ask if you all wanted to have dinner with us as thanks? She is a really good cook."
The others all look at each other before deciding there is no reason to decline the offer and proceed to go back up the stairs.
The next morning, after having a delicious dinner and finding an inn to sleep in, the party returned to planning their next move, or moves going forward. The first of which was making contact with the info-broker Kirito knew from the beta.
"So Kirito...Who actually is this info broker you allegedly know? You haven't said anything about them other than that they exist." Questioned Kunimittz while they were waiting for the mysterious person to show up.
Kirito rubbed their head embarrassed before answering. "Her name is Argo, but she normally goes by a different moniker, The Rat. She is something of the mischievous sort, but is otherwise quite reliable."
They pause for a bit upon seeing some of the looks from the guys before elaborating more. While side-eyeing them.
"And before you get any ideas she is only a few years older than me and normally wears a brown cloak everywhere."
Appropriately chastised, the curious guys go back to waiting for Argo. A few minutes later someone a bit taller than Kirito wearing a concealing brown cloak approaches the group.
She looks them over a bit before lightly shrugging and proceeding to ask "So Kii-bou said to meet 'em here? But I'm not seeing 'em." She pauses for a sec before pointing at Klein "Hey, you with the vague bandit look. Do ya know where Kii-bou is?"
Is it at this point that Kirito chooses to interject and attempts to explain the situation. "Hey Argo, I'm over here, and yes it's me. There was a….complication with my avatar" They say, trying to find a way to lead into the explanation, but not really finding one.
Argo's head snaps over to Kirito and proceeds to stare at them intently. "So. You're sayin' you are Kii-bou. You're gonna have ta prove that, because it is quite hard to believe."
"Argo, I know where you originally got your whiskers; and why you then kept them when you didn't have to." Is Kirito's answer, having expected some proof being needed for the broker.
Her gaze lessens somewhat but still remains, as if this information is on the right track but not quite there yet. "Oh? Do ya now? Well then let's hear it."
Apparently expecting to not have to actually explain the series of events, Kirito is surprised for a few seconds at the demand before proceeding to back up their statement. "On floor 2, you found the secret martial arts skill quest but due to the specifics of the quest you were unable to complete it. Which left you stuck with the whiskers. Sometime later the whiskers were attributed to being your 'thing' due to their distinctive nature and your profession. So, when you did figure out how to complete the quest and remove them, you decided to add them yourself since they were a part of your image by that point."
Argo's piercing gaze falls away to reveal confusion and hidden behind it, concern mixed with a bit of mischievous glee in an unusual combination.
"It's really you Kii-bou? Ya somehow got turned into a girl? How did that happen?" Before going over and hugging them.
After the explanation, as well as the requisite introductions, were finished Kirito and Argo moved onto the other matters of importance, namely what the other players have been doing.
"From what i've been able ta' gather so far. It seems like most of the player-base is stayin' in the Town of Beginnings and either tryin' ta' safely acquire levels and gear, or doing nothin' and hoping this is all some elaborate hoax or that a rescue will happen soon. The ones that actually leave the town, do so in groups like with you guys'' Argo pauses to regain their breath before continuing "So far, after the expected chaos of th' first day things seem to have cooled down to a low simmer. Things are peaceful on th' surface but with a undercurrent of tension. There is also one other thing that seems pretty important; didya see the so-called 'Monument of Life' while you all were in town?"
The 7 of them all share looks of confusion before turning back to Argo "No, where is it? Or I guess more importantly, what is it? There weren't any obvious monument looking structures when we were there."
"Both of those questions basically have th' same answer. It's a large stone monument labeled as such that seems ta have replaced the respawn room. It's inscribed with all 10 thousand names of the players from launch day ordered alphabetically. The concernin part is that when it was discovered, some time after the chaos subsided, some of the names had been crossed off."
This shocks all of them, concern clearly visible on their faces and looking like they want to say something but none of them do. Finally Anna is the one to break the silence "Is...Is that implying the names that are crossed off are...dead?"
Argo sighs heavily before answering "Yes, that is what people believe th' connection is. If that's true then people have already died due to this."
A heavy silence sets in as a result of that disheartening possibility. Luckily however, before things get too uncomfortable, Argo appears to remember something and breaks the silence.
"Oh, just remembered somethin' considering what we were talking about. Kii-bou you mentioned there were two things ya wanted ta' talk about? What's th' second?"
Kirito blinks a few times, apparently stunned by the sudden change in subject before answering. "Oh right. Yesterday we were all doing the Secret Medicine of the Forest quest. Got enough of the flowers for the 1 handed sword users of our group and went to turn them in when something unexpected happened."
Seeing them pause for a sec Argo interjects with a bit of sass. Smirking she says "Something surprising you of all people? Especially during a regular quest? That does sound pretty important."
Rolling their eyes at the sass, Kirito continues "As I was about to say. When we went to turn in the quest. Instead of having to do it individually, the NPC recognized that we had multiple of the flowers and gave us special dialogue."
Pausing for a breath they again continue
"Then a system notification popped up and said we completed a hidden condition and we all got a special reward as well. I'll get into what the reward was in a bit, because it was indeed special and important to note. However the most surprising part of all this however was that the little boy who you supposedly helped, actually got better. He even thanked us for helping him and said his mom invited us to dinner. Which as you know, never happened in the beta."
As the explanation finishes Argo is understandably shocked into silence by the news and takes some time before becoming able to utter a response
"So you're sayin that tha quest system as well as tha npc interaction systems have been altered? This is indeed very important, though I haven't noticed anythin like that myself. Perhaps it's less an alteration to tha system itself and more that hidden conditions were added that have a more apparent effect? Definitely worth investigatin."
"Yes, if some of the quests that were previously repeatable as well as important suddenly stop being given -because why give the quest if the boy no longer needs the medicine?- then does that mean no one else can get any Anneal Blades? Would make this even more of a zero-sum game then it already is, which is very concerning to think about. And speaking of the Anneal Blade, that does lead into what I was going to say about the special reward we all got. A demonstration would probably be helpful to go with the explanation. So how about we go test the things we got out and discuss this all further?"
This chapter was originally going to have an extra scene, but figured it would be better if I moved it to the next chapter since this one is already nearly twice the length of the first one. That and figured things were getting a bit too exposition-y
One of the changes I made should be apparent by now. Wanted to add a more dynamic quest/npc system because I always thought it was cool when games or other writers did similar things. Is it potentially a bad idea considering I have very limited writing experience? Probably but here we are.
Also, I tried to do Argo's accent but more than likely failed horribly at it. Might just ditch my attempt at it later.
P.S: the weapon set and honestly that scene in general, (other than the canon stuff obvs) originally started out as reference to one of my favorite games. If anyone gets it they get an internet cookie.