Nothing too much should have changed for this chapter; a few lines in reference to other stuff maybe, but otherwise mostly everything is the same. The biggest change is the final scene with Asuka and Asasaki regarding their plans for the floor.

"That's a cute statue you have there."

". . ."

"I like how from this side it glimmers blue and orange but then from this side it has a purple and red sheen. You know in English we'd call that trait [iridescence]."

". . . ?"

"Guilty. And yeah, I'm totally stalling again. You know how memories of this kind are. Where was I? Right, the rogue Fallen Elves on the third floor."

If this were reality, I didn't doubt for a moment every single one of my muscles would be writing up a hall long list of grievances. How long has it been? Ten minutes? Twenty? Of the four elves, I'd already felled two of them. The ones still standing I'd learned were siblings, the rapier and longsword users becoming more and more enraged with every attack I snuck onto them.

For the umpteenth time the leader made to lock weapons with mine, this time succeeding. The second elf to have passed had shouted that I could easily be overpowered. It was the last thing she said before offered an eternal nap in the digital cloud. A vice grip on my free arm prevented me from escaping. The longsword piercing me from behind reinforced that bond. Half snarling, she brought her face closer to mine. Spittle would have undoubtedly flew onto my face if body fluids of that nature existed. "You will not escape from here, Demon. I will avenge all those you have killed!"

A rising head to her chin and palm thrust to her chest was my answer. A purposely telegraphed stab lashing out behind me incited a yelp. "That's a cute story and all," I grabbed hold of the now free blade stuck within me and wrenched it free, dismissing it to my inventory for later inspection, "and I'm more than happy to let you entertain that dream, but there's something you're forgetting." My foot slipped past her defenses as the rapier user approached me again, the system releasing the push kick as quickly as it registered. "You're not the hero here."

Blinking away with a Reaver, I turned around and slammed down a potion. Biggest obstacle here is Miss Stabby. Equipped with some form of Battle Healing, any damage I dealt to the eldest rarely lasted past three engages, the eldest regularly tagging out with her sword wielding sibling to metaphorically regain her breath.

A glowing blade jetted past my head, the second stab dodged just as easily. I feinted a lunge to the side, reversing my momentum when she surged forward in response. Dancing around her left flank, two strikes that may as well have been slaps scratched against her armor, an analogous Diagonal screeching at me as I leapt away from the strike.

My body tingled once more, whisperings of danger coaxing me airborne. Coiling upon my free hand, I pushed off into a spiraling kick against Stabby's sibling, my meager Strength stat doing nothing more than providing another opening for a quick sword skill.

If they weren't Fallen Elves, I think I would have stopped to try and negotiate a ceasefire.

But you can't do that, can you?

If I did, who's to say they wouldn't just kill more swordsmen? At least now I know the source of missing people rumors back in Zumfut. "Keh!" I slipped back into a defensive stance, Slasher holding her pose with a hopeful look on her face. "Don't think a single strike means you have a chance," I sneered, reflexively rubbing at the numb void on my chest. "Your friends are busy turning into mist, you can't pull off that group attack anymore."

"Shut up!" Stabs-a-lot rushed at me from the side, her blade swinging haphazardly in a mix of silver and multicolor glowing blurs. "You swordsmen think you're so special, always killing everything and taking what you want! You are a curse upon this land, and with your deaths we will come closer to returning to the way we once were!"

A glowing bear claw knocked a strike aside, «Island Birth» lancing out and tearing a critical laced chunk of health away. The battlefield is no place for the innocent. A Reaver carried me to the rapier user's sister. Throwing all rationale to the wind I let my anger and frustration seize hold of me, tearing into the the weaker of the two remaining Fallen Elves. There was no time to celebrate her choked death cry. The scream of rage behind me heralded a barrage of strikes, my limbs drawing upon a mimicked well of strength I knew I would never touch for years. At the last moment before our weapons clashed again I whipped my blade around and hooked the barbs against the edge of hers, keeping the limb in place as I slide around and behind my foe.

"Scream." A quick shove on her extended arm elicited the command, her hand involuntarily dropping her weapon at the flicker of sensations a broken joint generated. Half moon pivots brought me back in front of her, her right knee suffering the same fate from a kick. Attacks such as these were never pleasant, but given the circumstances I knew I'd forgive myself decades down the road.

"I'll make this simple." A simple push kick brought her to the ground. I stabbed through an exposed part of her unbroken arm, making sure to use enough force to drive my sword through the ground. "You answer my questions and I'll make your suffering easier."

Gritted teeth were my only response, the elf vainly trying to escape from underneath my foot. I called forth her sister's sword, clinically noting it's name of «Floran Oath». Its steel colored edge, shimmering the lightest tint of forest green, slid through her other forearm. "Why were you attacking the swordsmen in here?"

Pained gasps were my only response. I pulled out Floran Oath and speared the elf's arm on the other side of her elbow, finally sparing enough time to focus on her indicator of 'El'zira, Fallen Elf Centurion'. "You're named," I stated, not fully aware enough to offer sympathy. "Why are you named?"

"Every elf has a name, not that you would care for it, monster!"

I reflexively pressed my heel deeper into El'zira's stomach, leaning on her sister's blade as I spoke to myself. "Monster's aren't supposed to have special names like that." I gave another stab somewhere through the elf's upper torso, swapping my weight to my right arm while I finally looked at the blinking indicator over my quest log. "Not normally."

#The Other Side: Defuse the situation with the Fallen Elves.#

"Three targets eliminated and the fourth under ten percent. I'd call that defused." I brushed my hair back behind my ear, lightly fingering the Forest Elf earring. "So before I kill you in revenge for the Forest Elves that were eradicated from this floor, is there anything you'd like you tell me? Better make it fast, by the way. Two swords stuck in you are kind of a death sentence for anyone." El'zira said nothing, her body wracked by restrained fury (though it would later hit me as potentially silent sobs). "No? Then I'll just end you now."

"The Valley of Dragons," she blurted.

"Come again?"

"The Valley of Dragons. There is an underground ruin underneath the lone mountain that houses the Elder Tarragons. My home was in the north east quadrant. It's the only two story building there. Please," I leaned forward, her voice growing fainter as the last dozen health ticked away. "Bury my sister and mine's Memento Tags in the place mentioned in my journal."

The resistance in El'zira's body disappeared, the same smoking trait that all Fallen Elves exhibited upon death emanating from her body. A sigh left my body as I reclaimed the weapons from their sheaths of digital flesh, a change in my quest log stealing my attention.

#The Other Story: Defuse the situation with the Fallen Elves. FAILED.#

#Record of History: Honor El'zira's dying request.#

"Failed?" I questioned. "But you can't fail quests, not unless-"

"And as you storm through the door, the Acolyte stabs his dagger into the princess' heart, the dark power stored within the blade unleashed by her royal blood."

But I don't-

"What the fuck!?"

"This might be a game, but it's still a kind of reality. Just because you guys are deliberating what to do doesn't mean the world stops, failure is always an option."

I didn't-

"Hey, that's unfair! You could have at least given us a little warning!"

"Sorry, Sunshine. The world isn't always fair. Just be glad I'm teaching you runts this in a simulation and not out on the field. You can't hesitate in your actions. If you make a mistake, you have to learn how to cope with them."

I- I could have saved them?!

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"Miss Asasaki! Miss Asasaki!"

I groaned, tiredly slapping the hand away as I curled into the cold, motionless body I was laying against.

"Miss Asasaki, please, wake up! Your comrades are in danger!"

I rolled away from the voice and into a crouch, hand flying to my waist and failing to grab the knife I habitually kept on my belt. "Where-"

"Down the tunnel, a new monster has spawned that we have no information on. My group is aiding them, but without me, or you, they'll likely be forced to retreat. Survival will not be a guarantee." The sword and shield user collected himself, a brow raised at my actions.

"Then why aren't you with them?!" I materialized Barbed Sabre back onto my waist, moving into a jog light enough that the armored Heathcliff could keep up. Please keep talking, grey man. I need the distraction.

"No one else could survive the trip to you. Even if the others were faster, if they were to be caught by a monster they'd likely die."

I flinched at his last word, a lance of mental anguish the system could never hope to diminish piercing through me. "Tell me where they are. I'll catch up to to them."

"Is your map of the area complete?"

"As complete as Argo's most recent guide is." I'll deal with you later. The handful of windows that had appeared after the battle were closed out, a tiny notification icon taking rest in the bottom right of my vision.

"The largest chamber north of here, the one that's been designated as the best place to fight the dungeon boss."

"Thanks, old man." Spurred on by the lowering bars of my fellow party members, I Sprinted forward at full speed, making use of the time to compartmentalize my actions against the dead Fallen Elves while simultaneously forcing away the tiredness coursing through my body.

"Team B, switch! Team A, pot up! Team M, watch your damage, you're creating too much aggro!" The familiar form of Haregi leapt through the air, the thick piece of metal around his arm trailing a flaming gold through the air as he slammed a fist into side of «Teotihuacan, Empress of the Arachnids». Five other bodies rushed up to the massive spider's form, sword skills unleashed at whatever opening they could find.

"Sachi, Sasamaru, reduce output! Tetsuo, next strike in fifty, get ready to receive! Ducker- where the hell is Ducker!?"

"Ya-hoo! Come on, you old coots!" The yellow garbed teen flourished his dagger down onto Teotihuacan's back. "You can't really let this kid deal more damage than you, are you?!" Two more skills slammed down before he stood up and vaulted away, the spider briefly turning to face him before a flash of light from one of the main front liners took back the aggro.

Idiot boy! Of all the stupid, hare brained-

He's following after you.

Shut up! I've already made one mistake, I can't handle locking away another! Sprint launched me in a rather tight parabola over Teotihuacan, my blade flashing out with various sword skills. "Oi, Leader! Fit me in! Level 25 with the relevant gear! Am I Tanking?"

"Whoever heard of a DPS tanking?" Haregi shouted back.

"We call it Evasion Tanking!"

You haven't stretched, you know. If you keep this up, you're going to collapse from Exhaustion. That nap you took didn't-

My kids are fighting for their life against a goddamn unknown boss and they're all around 70%, I've got three teams who are underleveled and underprepared for this this, and you seriously want to get on my case for trying hard?

"Miss Asasaki, your output's too high, tone it down!"

It's the secret boss of the third floor. Fūmaningun isn't here and you have no experience with the others. If you don't cooperate you're just going to-

"Aggro strike, incoming!"

"Tetsuo!"

A thick leg of chitin stabbed through my left shoulder, a tight body suit of webbing suddenly forming on my person. The strands coming from the monster's mouth retracted and introduced me into a warm and musty sauna. In the darkness of the beast's mouth my health began dropping from the sixty percent it had recovered to to a measly twenty, muted battle cries hidden behind a cacophony of masticated viscera.

I'm not dying here.

But after what you did, are you sure you don't deserve to?

Shut. Up! The beast's screeching wrenched me from my thoughts, my body smacking against the ground with a wet plop.

"We need a potion over here! Team C, cover!"

A pair of arms hooked under my shoulders, pulling me away from the battle. Assuming I was away from any immediate danger, I began assisting those around me with the webbing. What greeted me was the furious and tense faces of Keita and Haregi respectively.

"How could you be so hypocritical! Weren't you always saying that it's important to be a team and not a fucking hero?"

"Keita, language!" Even as he reproached the eldest of the Fukasawa children, the refined brute held a potion to my lips.

"No, fuck language! This bitch keeps telling us what to do but won't even practice what she preaches, why should we ever listen to her?!"

Everybody just needs to shut up. I pushed Haregi's offer away, downing one of my higher grade floor six potions in its stead. "What's the condition for that attack?" I asked, repeating it in a demanding tone when neither of the leaders replied.

"Every two minutes, whoever has the highest aggro," Haregi answered.

"Then I'll take point. Adjust your margins as needed." Two minutes was exactly how long my cooldown was for another potion. If I didn't dodge before the next activation, I'd die.

"Asasaki, don't be an idiot-"

"Shut up and fight, Keita. My numbers are bigger than yours. All of yours. I'm level twenty five and my all my equipment has been enhanced at least four times. Playing around your guy's margins means limiting my output severely. Trust me a little, alright?"

"But you're-"

"Keita. Let her do what she wants. Right now, she's our Heathcliff. Until the captain arrives, we work around her. If she says she can handle it, she can handle it."

"Smart man. Any other attacks I should know about?"

"The beast has a three hitting swipe attack. A wide cone for the first two, and a full circle for the third. There's a noticeable windup that signals which direction it will strike first. Each strike after that will be from the opposite direction."

"There's another attack where a single strand of webbing that can't be manually broken will be tethered to somebody at random," Keita added, his tone slightly monotonous. "If you attack while it's there you'll get hit for the same damage, so keep that in mind. It glimmers like a flashlight in your eyes, can't miss it."

"You guys haven't found an Over-Damage Attack yet?" In response to their confusion, "Deal too much damage in a given period of time and the beast responds. The Wolf on the First Floor had a move like that. You guys haven't found one yet?" When they replied in the negative I shook my head. "Guess we'll find out the hard way then." Wanna say something else? No? Good. Just stay silent and finish shunting those memories away. I can't deal with another mental breakdown right now.

The ODA turned out to be an AoE knockback of pressurized air that dealt minimal damage but had the same range as the spherical swipe. Dodging it within range was impossible and the only way to reduce damage was with a shield or the actual Parry skill. When the stun from the attack wore off, level eighteen «Arachnid Children» spawned equalling half the amount of people that were hit by the attack. Their individual damage wasn't much, but their health was rather high and their focus refused to move off whoever was closest when they dropped. The skill would occur two more times before I finally learned what I needed to limit my output to, and several of us would almost die just as many times from the sudden change in pattern. When Heathcliff finally arrived the beast had just entered its Red mode, each of its abilities occurring much more often alongside the standard stabbing attacks from its legs.

By the time it pixelated into AI heaven, all of us were firmly in the yellow or dangerously bordering the red, including the formerly fresh faced sword and board user who'd taken point at my side and reducing the amount of dodging I'd needed by half. What had caused me to take a few easily avoidable hits was the realization that he never consumed a single potion, instead relying on his Battle Healing and the rare technique known as a perfect Block (raising his shield up and activating the titular skill right before the strike would connect). His timing wasn't perfect, but for his first fight against the creature it was understandable why the cestus wielding Haregi had sung his praises so readily.

"We're done here, right?" I asked, minimizing the after action report instead of closing it.

"There's the matter of the loot, but yes." Heathcliff stowed his weapons away, a small but proud smile on his face as he moved towards me. "I believe I speak for us all when I say thank you, Miss Asasaki. Without you-"

"Look, I'm grateful for whatever you're about to say but can somebody catch me? I've been fighting off Exhaustion this entire time and my body's about to shut down on me. Oh god, it's like the second day again. No really, can somebody-" The darkness that had been creeping at the edge of my vision suddenly lurched, my digital body doing the exact same except forward and likely downward. Huh. I haven't passed out like this since-

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A breeze blew through the opening in the windbreak, the gentle wind giggling through my fingers and lulling my heart rate ever lower. The construction of this gazebo's amazing. Even after all these years, it's still standing strong.

"How did I know I'd find you here?"

Did I call that breeze gentle? "Not now, sis. I'm enjoying my weekend." I lied. It's a tortuous, plague spawned wind that offers nothing but tidings of pain and death.

"Yes, and so is the rest of the family. Now come on, Dawn. This whole party's meant for you. We can't very well celebrate somebody if they're not there."

"We can and we call it the Day of the Dead," I grunted. " Now scram. I'm busy napping."

Eltanin huffed and flicked my head. "Up. I'm sitting down and your fat ass is taking up all the room."

"I am not fat, thank you very much." I did as requested, keeping the back of my left hand over my eyes as I accommodated myself to my sudden lap pillow. "I work hard for my body, and I refuse to accept any comments towards it that do not acknowledge its toned amazingness."

"Yes, yes. And you totally don't revel in the glances all the guys keep taking of you whenever you come with me to the gym."

"It's not my fault civilians are so damn worthless. No offense."

"If the civilian part of our family took offense to anything you adrenaline junkies said, Shakespeare could have written a play about it." Eltanin grabbed hold of several strands of my hair, nimble fingers working them into a braid. "So spill. I know you. Indulgence in laziness does not include hiding away from everybody and snapping at me. It includes half assed moans and groans like you're pretending to be asleep."

"What's the worst kept secret in our family?" I asked after gathering my thoughts.

"That we totally don't have a monopoly in several influential businesses around the county?"

"Enn!" I huffed, mentally steeling myself for finally verbalizing my fears. "It's that pretty much all of the military folk who got stationed in combat zones came out with PTSD, even the ones who didn't lose anybody. You know how it is. How when certain people are here we're not allowed to use noisy fireworks, that war games and action flicks have to be locked away."

"This again?" Eltanin took a sharp breath. "Oh god, I'm- I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like-"

"It's fine, El." I reached up with my other hand and poked her in the cheek, right eye peering beside my fingertips. "I know what you mean. You have your studies, Rachel, and life in general to worry about. Me constantly bringing up my problems whenever I have a moment doesn't exactly help you with your stress." I sat up, a rueful smile on my face. As I did, the braid she had completed fell off the top of my head and over my eye. "Oh my god, did you seriously give me a padawan braid?" Eltanin snorted at her handiwork,

I scoffed and pushed the braided bang long past regulation length away from my eye, letting it trail down my collar bone. "Look, I don't blame you, sis. What I'm going through, it's my own issue. Sometimes a passing thought just floats on by and suddenly I'm wandering down memory lane." I sighed. "I don't begrudge you." I nudged her with my elbow, leaning forward while making sure my smile didn't portray any of my inner thoughts. "I really don't. You're letting me stay with you and your husband while I take care of things. You're preparing for your whole future of an amazing scientist who will one day cure cancer!" I threw my hands into the air and slumped back into my seat, repeating back to her the same words she constantly spouted as a child. "A traumatized sister would just get in the way of all that."

"You really shouldn't speak about yourself like that."

"Hm?"

"You're still important to me, Dawn. To all of us. You shouldn't speak about yourself like that. It worries me. It really does."

"Yeah, well. Doesn't change the fact that I'm only in the way."

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But was that a dream or a memory? The ground pulsated before me, my arms bending at a steady pace. I'd woken up not too long ago, Sachi's soft breathing and my nonverbal grunts the only noise in our simplistic room. This isn't good. If I'm forgetting what's real and what isn't. I rolled onto my back, maneuvering a small bundle of fabric under the small of my back to keep myself in place for my core exercises. That's right. This world isn't real. But even if it isn't, that won't excuse poor treatment of the people in here, it doesn't invalidate their existence.

Making my bed to my usual standards as best as I could, I headed downstairs and got a simple meal of bread and a bushel of berries. That's right. I killed- no, butchered- four people yesterday. There was no reason for me to be fine with violence. I should have made an attempt to negotiate. I pulled open my quest log, reading through the most recent addendum.

#Find the journals of the Starfair sisters in the northeast part of the underground city on the sixth floor.#

The line prompted me to take out one of the various journals I'd collected back with Asuna, the system only describing them as «Fallen Elf Journal» with the more ornate one labeled «F.E. Researcher Notes». All three of them contained the same unknown and likely coded script, bits and pieces of the writings sticking out to me as similar syntax and wordings even if I couldn't translate them. "Hopefully El'zira's books are different," I grumbled.

Halfway done with my meal, I began looking through the various messages from my guildmates, Klein requesting I message one of them when possible about my well being.

#Sorry. Got caught up in some monster troubles while I was hanging with the Fukasawa kids. They're in a guild now. Moonlit Black Cats.# Send. #I would have come back last night, but I passed out from Exhaustion and just recently woke up.# Send. # m(_ _)m # Am I really going to send a kaomoji? Eh, sure. Send. #Let me know what the plan is for today?#

This character limit on messages can go screw itself. Correspondence with Klein out of the way, I turned my attention once more to my quest log. "I have way too many sidequests." Deliver Hilde's message at gods know where, Hadvaar's request whenever that comes, the truth behind this 'Sanctuary' that Forest and Dark elves alike seemed to be going for as well as what the Fallen Elves were stockpiling crystal consumables for.

War, obviously. If potions are the norm on these floors, having instant use versions would be akin to modern day firearms in the age of bows and arrows.

Look, just because I was thinking it doesn't mean you can go and- "God dammit." I hung my head, realizing that at some point I had been allowing my inner critic to return to the ever present source of snark and negativity instead of a sassy but amicable backboard of ideas.

#Going out for a run.# I sent to Ducker. #Let me know if you guys end up leaving before I come back.# One of these days we really need to have a talk, you and I.

When I had returned from my Sprint aided jog around the floor the sun had fully risen and player activity had returned to its normal levels. As it turned out, Phoneutria Village was the premier staging area for any trips into the third floor tower or the northern part of the forest. It was only because of my habitual rising with the sun that it seemed we were out of the way, much like the Outpost on the first floor.

"She's a bad influence! We can't keep associating with her like this!" The moment I opened the door Keita shot me a glowering look. Without another word he stormed past me, heading down the path that led back to the center of the floor.

"I'll follow after him. I've known him longer, so I should be able to talk him down." Tetsuo gave us all an apologetic look, running after the guild leader.

"Did I interrupt something?"

Ducker shared a look with the rather sullen Sachi. "Nah, not really," he lied. "Just the usual argument that happens whenever you come up during a conversation." The teen slid off the table, his smile admirable but telling attempt at covering the issue. "It's no big deal, just a clash of-"

"It is a big deal." Sachi suddenly looked up, focusing her gaze on me. "Asasaki, why do you follow us? Why do you teach us? Why is it usually you and you alone that comes with us?" It felt weird seeing such a serious look on her face. Normally she was happy, sullen, or nervous, but never vexed.

"Because you guys are kids?" I raised a brow, more than a little confused by the question. "Because I want to try and raise your chances of surviving?"

"So why not hold lessons or teach other people?" She pressed. "Why does it feel like you only spend time with us?"

"The things I teach aren't meant for most people."

"So you admit it."

"Admit what?"

"Admit that what you're doing to us is wrong."

"Okay, time out." I moved my hands into the relevant position. "What's the actual problem here?"

"You're ruining our childhood!"

Well I mean, I personally did not cause it, I'm just exacerbating the matter. "Don't you think your childhood is already going to be ruined just by living in here though?" I pulled out a chair and sat in it backwards, facing the spear user. "Don't misunderstand, I get what you're talking about, but how long did you expect you'd be in here?" In the corner of my eye, Ducker stiffened. "Sachi, it's already been four months and we're only at the seventh floor."

"Eighth, actually," Sasamaru corrected quietly, seeming a little uncomfortable with the conversation. "The clearers beat the floor boss last night, around the time we beat that dungeon boss."

Which confirms Teo's appearance was a result from the conditions being met and not just a freak accident. "Four months and we've only just cleared seven floors. Close to two weeks per floor and there's supposed to be a hundred floors. I couldn't give an exact number but I'll estimate that around two years at our current pace. And at your age, two years is a long time." I did my best to look at each of the children in the eyes, Sachi refusing to meet mine while Sasamaru looked away after a moment. "I get not wanting to forget about the real world, believe me, but don't you think refusing to adjust to the world we're in right now is rather stupid?"

Sachi refused to say anything more, merely hugging herself tightly and seemingly withdrawing into herself.

I sighed. "Just think about it a little, alright? How each person survives in this world is something they have to figure out on their own. Some of us," I shrugged, "some of us just decide that it's better to make use of our situation instead of ignoring it." I patted my hip instinctively, settling for resting my hand there when it found nothing to grab hold of. For what like a full minute nobody said anything. Not I, not the kids, not the handful of other patrons who had ceased all conversation to listen to us. "I think I'd better go. You guys have this whole thing to figure out, and my guild's probably going to need me later today. I'm not sure, they haven't messaged me yet."

In silence I left the inn. Outside the sun was still shining down its artificial rays. The wind was still blowing gently through the trees and birdsong was frolicking around, their sources unseen no matter how hard you searched. "Well, I suppose we'd better get going then. Fūrinkazan's probably still asleep if they haven't messaged me back. Nothing from Asuka or Iseyer either." Another huff of air. I took two steps down the western path before I realized that was exactly where Keita and subsequently Tetsuo had gone done. Be the adult and try and fix this or ignore the problem in the hopes that it'll solve itself? "God damn me and my conscious."

A short trek down the road brought me to a sitting Keita and consoling Tetsuo, the red garbed teen ignorant of my arrival. "I just don't know what to do, Hiroto. I'm supposed to be their leader, but why does it feel like everything I do is a mistake?"

I kept silent, complying with Tetsuo's secretive gestures.

"Nobody's perfect-"

"But I have to be! I'm the oldest of our group!" By this point Keita had reached a point that was undeniably 'yelling', his voice yet lacking the rage that would constitute screaming. "Sachi's home life isn't the best, Ducker would probably be getting into the wrong crowd if we weren't friends with him, Sasamaru's still awkward as ever with socializing, and I'm-!" He cut off, suddenly realizing in his movements that I was there. "You."

I raised a brow, mentally reciting a mantra to keep myself calm.

"Why are you here?"

"Because Zumfut is down this path? Also, I figured I should check on you."

"Well we don't need your help. Not anymore. So just take the Last Attack bonus from that boss you were so desperate to get and just leave us alone!"

I'll just file that away for later. Should probably check my inventory properly when I get the chance. "I assume you speak for your whole guild when you say that?" Keita responded affirmatively, my mind overlaying the image of a frothing dog when he barked out his answer. "Alright then. I won't bother you kids anymore. Can't say anything about you guys approaching me though. I mean Ducker has my contact info and I've already said that I would teach him- wha?" Why does everybody have to be taller than me in this world?

"Delete his contact info," the staff user snarled, lifting me up slightly with fistfuls of my collar. "And refuse to speak to him ever again."

A window just behind Keita caught my attention. Oh, the anti-harassment still works for me? I thought that would've been disabled when I turned off my Morality Setting. We'll just take care of that real quick and- "Nope. Ducker wants to learn from me, and I'm not inclined to refuse somebody information that could save their life. And before you start harping on about how I'm ruining his youth or whatnot, could you let go of me? You triggered the harassment system and I'm sure this looks pretty bad to anybody that passes by."

The rage that the teen was harboring continued to seethe, Keita only taking a single step back as he continued to glower at me.

I did what I could to smoothen out my clothes before continuing. "Look, I hate teaching the kid this stuff as much as you hate the idea of me doing it, but! we both know he's better off learning this sort of thing. Knowing how to work an enemy's limbs, where to strike properly, how to force criticals, all the fun stuff that you need to know in order to take down an opponent. That frees up a skill you might otherwise have taken to pad your damage or survivability a little more." Yeah, keep talking outta yer ass, I'm sure this won't come back to haunt you at all. "Besides, despite you having a hate boner for me you've got a good head on your shoulders. If you're around I don't think Ducker would ever stray down a path he shouldn't travel." I scratched the back of my head, gently pulling on my bun. "I won't force him though. If he comes to me, I'll teach him, but I won't pester him about it. And it'll all be up to him, you're free to convince him that learning from me is a bad idea. You're a guild leader, you've gotta look out for those you're in charge of. You gotta-"

"Now before you even get them into this hold you need to make the decision as to whether you're killing the target or just subduing them. If you hesitate during the transition that split second you wait means your target will escape and counter you."

"You gotta make sure that everybody under you gets out sane and alive." But why did that come back now? I started walking down the path again, raising a hand in farewell after several steps. "Take care, you two." Nobody died on me, right? Hard as I tried, all I could remember from last night was a sense of frustration and exertion. Irritance at how fate seemed hell bent on screwing me over, apathy at the umpteenth strike that made it through my armor, despondency at the realization I had been unable to dehumanize somebody I had killed. "War is hell," I muttered. "Were it not for our circumstances, I would like to think we would have been friends."

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All things considered, having a snack break at the edge of a floating island with nothing but hundreds if not thousands of feet of air between me and the ground below ranked among the top of the most exhilarating things I'd ever done. With equipment repairs and supplies replenished (including a set of better tasting potions from Hilde), I'd spent the past few hours gliding around to the various islands. Other players were a bit of a scarcity on them, something I learned was a result of the effort needed to upgrade the gliders. The ones that I did come across were more than happy to have another player progress through the dungeons with them. In an attempt to limit the amount of attention I drew though, I made sure to limit myself to the standard moves that my temporary companions used, grateful that their levels were high enough to not warrant my unique fighting style.

"It's cool that a potion making skill actually exists though," I mumbled around my food. "Might have to bring somebody I trust with that skill to Hilde someday." I rolled onto my back, licking the residual taste off my fingers. "God, it's going to suck once I get out of here. How weak am I going to be?" I closed my eyes, an rueful smile spreading across my face. "I wonder if anybody's taking care of my body? Making sure I switch sides regularly, try and stretch out my muscles." As I spoke I moved into a few lazy stretches, wishing the usual sensations would have occurred from the movements. "Think I'll get any special treatment from being a foreigner? Nah, doubt it."

Arms spread out with my lower legs still hanging off the edge, I reopened my eyes. "A year. After one year of being in here and enjoying myself, I'll start taking this seriously and join the clearers." I sat up, scooting back a little more as a precaution. "Right. Come next October, I'll be helping those muscle headed brutes clear the floors and deal with all the bosses. Gotta represent woman kind and all that." I snorted and flopped back down. "Maybe. I'll let another gal handle that sort of pressure. Just helping everybody progress along'll be fine enough for me."

Some thirty odd minute passed in silence, nothing but the occasional roar of wind and flapping of wings disturbing my peace. When I next opened my eyes it was to the soft beeping of an alarm I had set up, an alert that I needed to get going if I wanted to meet up with my guild on time.

"That was a good nap. I need to remember to do this more often." A flourished tap of my inventory digitalized a pair of goggles onto my eyes, a quick adjustment making them more comfortable. "We doing this the normal way or the extravagant way?" After a moment I snorted, taking a few steps back. "Extravagant, dur."

This world is so amazing. If we weren't trapped within it, I think I might appreciate it a lot more. But maybe, I started running, diving off the edge and performing a few twirls before reorienting myself headfirst towards the ground. Maybe that just makes it that much more special. Another set of flourished swipes slash taps called forth my glider, the frame in my hands vibrating imperceptibly as I secured myself within it.

The wind rushed through my hair as I pulled out of my nosedive, my ponytail whirling in a mess I knew I'd regret but couldn't help but enjoy. I let out a loud whoop, thrusting a single hand into the air as I lost myself to the excitement. From this high up, the whole of the floor spread out before me. The tower leading to the next floor lay in the western plains, the flatlands rising up into a rather steep mesa that demanded traversing through the labyrinthian tunnels in order to access the main course. Scattered throughout the rest of the floor were the two other pillars, the decoys long since hypothesized as an explanation to how the whole of Aincrad was supported.

Which of course explains why we can't just head straight to the right Tower. Gotta try our luck and find the proper one. As I neared Coriola Village I began adjusting my speed, circling the area a few times to locate a proper landing spot. Identifying a stretch of road near the large group I figured as my own, I began my rather speedy descent, flaring up at the last moment and landing on my feet much like a parachuter.

"That's what we missed out on?!" Issin whapped the back of his hand against Klein's chest. "But that looks like so much fun!"

"It also would have taken us the better part of a day or two to acquire, time better spent practicing and leveling," the man answered smoothly. "Da- Asasaki. Good to see you again. Enjoyed your day off?"

"Very much so," I replied, putting both my goggles and glider away. "And what about you guys? What have you been up to since yesterday morning?"

"Training, training, and more training," Issin ticked off. "I mean we were doing other stuff at the same time like getting enough materials to equip the elves up properly but training was still the main reason."

"You really ought to join us for more sessions, Asasaki. Harry and I have a decent idea of how to help you work with the team, but we could always use more experience together."

"Yeah," I glanced over at the others, the elves travelling with us freely mingling with everyone. Off to the side Asuka and her companions were watching silently, the scholar and inheritor conversing about something from a piece of parchment. "I think for the next week or so I'll be sticking with you guys. Besides, the seventh and eight floors are going to be the best place to level up, aren't they?" I gave a sly grin as I shifted my weight onto my right leg. "If I want to be able to enjoy my vacation, I need to be as strong as I can get to not have to worry about anything."

The two gave me a confused look. As one they turned towards each other and gave simultaneous shrugs. "Okay, everybody!" Moving on from my words, Klein clapped his hands together, the sound bounding around the area. "It's about time we get going. Our journey today is going to be through the sixth floor tower, leading into the seventh floor. The region was unlocked early last week but it's still unexplored enough that there'll plenty for us to do. Team leaders, your roles and rotations have been discussed this morning so make sure to pass the information on. If anybody gets into any trouble, don't be afraid to call for backup. There shouldn't be any problems except for a few mini-bosses," Guardians, the inhabitants of Aincrad called them, "but even so, we're getting up to the next region alive, alright? Nobody's allowed to have only memories of them travel with us."

I chuckled at the rather morbid joke, Klein's reproachful delivery inciting a bit of laughter from the others.

"Alright!" Another clap. "Team 1, we'll be taking point first. Take down anything we come across cleanly and efficiently. We won't be stopping for breaks until we hit the base of the mountain." With a deep breath, Klein brought his hands together grandiosely, those of us familiar with the ritual moving with him. "And all together!" The resulting clap boomed, the following silence chilling in the most wondrous of ways.

Fūrinkazan sans Kunimttz and myself began heading northwest out of the village, the spearman in question walking towards me with his weapon resting against his shoulder. "You're with me today, Asasaki. We'll be teaming up with the Ol'dekhaan. They're a bit fierce in a way that you aren't, so just be like me and back them up where they allow us. Despite being two people down they're still a solid team, so don't take offense if they don't say much. They much rather actions over words, though I suppose you already knew that." The man gave me a bit of a glare, though in Kunimittz body language it was meant to be an encouraging.

"I'll follow your lead then." I gave a lazy salute, offering my two Contracts in their own teams a wave before following after my fellow Swordsman.

With the chill but refreshing winter weather cheering us on, our group of some twenty five people marched towards the tower. Aside from a few incidents regarding the first encounters with new monster types, our trek went by unhindered. Perhaps the most surprising thing was how smoothly each fight went. The full group of Fūrinkazan members were able to fix the majorly glaring problems after their second fight, Haru dialing back his newfound voracious assassin like behavior to take down only the designated targets in a single string of abilities.

The newest contingent of Forest Elves from the previous floor took a few fights before they were able to show a better sense of unity with their six siblings, resorting to verbal commands from each floor's leader to harmonize properly.

As for my group of four goblins and two swordsmen, our fights went by exactly as Kunimittz predicted: supporting the goblins in the gaps they provided us. Were it not for the obviously marked zones in which we should be in, I felt certain in saying that our teamwork would have been significantly more messy.

By the time our break rolled around, all verbal orders had become nothing more than a formality, our fights against the for once simplistic AI little more than rinse, wash, and repeat of the same 'grab aggression, damage until special attack begins wind up, evade attack, loop'. While Kunimittz never went beyond a handful of words in his answers, our fights had become boring enough that I could ask him inane questions about this or that, most of which regarded clothing or armor designs I'd seen in the past.

A little bit into the period of rest, I'd joined the spearman at the rock face of a lone mesa. "Where do you think they got the inspiration for this area from? The opening region of this floor reminds me of some pictures I've seen of a few hiking spots in China, but this place? I've got nothing." For a good mile or so, the land around us was nothing but rolling hills of grass and the occasional tree. The monsters that roamed around consisted of winged serpents still classified as Tarragons, the occasional heavy set drake capable of spitting out elemental breath attacks, and a slew of herbivorous animals marginally larger than reality ranging from torso sized hyperactive rabbits, prairie dogs able to use martial arts and likely packing unarmed combat skills, and while scanning the horizon I swore I saw a beetle the size of an ATV scuttling about.

"If not China, then maybe somewhere Europe," he gruffed out. The man shifted for the umpteenth time since we sat down, desperately trying to find some comfort against the wall as composedly as possible. "The valleys with the floating islands definitely feels like China or some sort of Hollywood movie, but these plains wouldn't be out of place in a medieval knight series if some ruins were scattered around."

"Yeah, I can see it." I folded my legs to the side, grateful for the warmth my cloak from the first floor provided in the shaded breeze. I could have easily gotten a new one from another floor, more elegant and luxurious, but it felt wrong not using at least something I so readily connected to Satoru.

"Asasaki. Answer me this: what exactly do you plan on doing in the upcoming floors in regards to the elven questline? The rest of the guild is set on just enjoying ourselves and taking it easy for the next couple weeks, but you, and by proxy Choryu, as well as Harry seem determined to see this through to the end. That's only three people against whatever's going on plus that other player you mentioned. And it's not as if you're safe fighting players either!" Kunimittz sat up from the ground and thrusted a finger towards me, having given up on finding comfort against the wall. "You're lucky we were among 'allies' back on the fourth floor," the looseness he used the term could be felt, "and if it weren't for their goodwill you would've been SoL with that orange icon of yours. You wouldn't have been able to enter most safe zones, if you were by yourself players would instantly have distrusted you, and-"

"I know, Kuni, I know." I huffed, my good mood kowtowing in the path of annoyance. "And as for what I'm going to do," I looked to the side. "I dunno. Three people against each floor of Fallen Elf soldiers and their elites is going to be a pain." Impossible would be the better word.

Oh, was that actually me that thought that one? Huh, that's a little worrying. "If nothing else, that just means I have to go crazy with my training so my numbers can keep us all safe. Maybe find some better gear to stay at ahead of the curve."

"And there we go."

I blinked. Where Sachi had said something similar in accusation, this spear user had said it in forlorn resignment. "Alright, you lost me. What turned the lightbulb on?"

His confused look blossomed into understanding, minute as ever. "You're different than us. I think most people would have shied away from going up against those odds, but you just said you'd become overleveled enough that you could handle it. Were you not here, I think Harry and Choryu would have done the same as us and let this whole situation go. But you are here. And now, the rest of us are stuck wondering whether or not you guys will even come back next time the Elves call on you."

Barking laughter reflexively left my lips, his words uttered far too often amongst those of my family who had never joined the military. "Yeah, that's about the right sentiment to be carrying." In response to his affrontment, "I really don't know what I could tell you. Once a upon a time and were we closer, I might have said 'Don't worry. I'll make sure we all come back home.' or maybe even 'I'll die before I let anybody under my command get medically discharged.'. But that was ages ago. I'm a different woman now, and I know all too well that shit happens."

I took in a long breath, holding it in for a few moments before sliding my legs out in front of me with the exhalation. "This whole issue with the Fallen Elves? It's pretty much a war. A war that we don't need to be participating in, a war that we have no right in participating in, but because I personally know people involved with it, I feel obligated to help them out; especially when I know I can make a difference. Harry wants to follow this story through to the end because he loves his quests- so I've been told- and Choryu is tagging along because I think he feels a need to be my six even though I'm perfectly fine running solo."

Another breath. Out, two, three, four. "If it was up to me, I would bar them from joining me. But it's not. This is their choice, and they're free to make whatever decisions they want. As the one with the most experience in this sort of thing and perhaps arguably the strongest of our group," Kunimittz snorted something suspiciously along the lines of 'pompous ass', "it falls to me to make sure they come out as unscathed as possible. Considering my own track record of avoiding injuries I know I don't have much of a history to show off, but Choryu and Harry've got five people who are looking forward to their return, so I'm sure I can find a way to manage. What I'm saying is, trust in me a little, why don't you? I know in this sort of thing I don't have any sort of favorable results to back me up, but that's because it was my own decision and life on the line. Once you become responsible for somebody else," I shrugged. "Things become a lot more different."

Immediately Kunimittz responded. "God you're old, you know that?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You are so damn old. You're basically a whole generation or two older than us. And they were calling you 'Little Miss'. They should have been calling you Elder. Wait, no. Madame. There we go. Flows much better with their monikers of 'Ninja' and 'Developer' they had for you."

I snorted, bringing a loose fist to my lips. "Kuni, are we friends now?" I asked after regaining control of myself.

"Friend is a bit generous," he said dryly, face now back to its usual vaguely irritated appearance. "Acquaintances or Work Associates would serve much better."

I chuckled and shook my head, bringing a single leg in to rest my hands upon. "It's a step forward. I'll take it."

Klein's voice broke out, the man standing lower on the slope so that all of us could see him. "Alright, everybody! Break time's over! We've got a long push ahead of us and there's only a few places to stop once we get inside. Make sure we're playing smart and efficiently, don't be afraid to back off to pot up. We've got numbers on our side here so there's no excuse to play hero." Once more the leader of Fūrinkazan called for a unifying round of claps, a series of triplets cracking through the air. "Team 3, you'll be taking point first."

"Show time, Spearman. Try not to get tripped up when I dance around you, alright?" I ribbed.

"Try not to get gored through the torso again. That'd be what? Your tenth?" He fired back.

"Probably. I've stopped taking count recently." And isn't that the most of concerning of things.

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"With every floor we ascend, I can't help but wonder what else is waiting for us in this world." Asuka stared out at the horizon with a dreamy smile. "Each new sunrise and sunset, the cultures we meet, the stories we collect. It's such a strange feeling, seeing the writings of my ancestors in person." The red headed trader gave another satisfied sigh, chin resting on her folded arms.

"Air smells different," I commented, the scent having kept hold of my attention the past several minutes. "I know it's a lot more forested than the Black Iron Kingdom, but it still feels about the same, what with all the conifers and all that." After exiting the sixth floor tower we'd all split off for a short break. Everybody else had set up a small camp back near the exit but Asuka and I had traveled a little farther up a hill that looked over the region.

"Well of course it'd smell different. Even if the trees are the same, this is an entirely different area. The Black Iron Kingdom may have been the center of trade before the Great Separation, but we were still the defending line against the lands claimed by the monsters of the world." A cough. "Even if we're starting to learn that all monsters are not as uncivilized as we once thought."

"I dunno, it's hard to put into words. It's like," I shifted my weight onto my left leg, hip cocking to the same side. "It's like there's more life around here, more vibrancy. Back on the first floor, the air smelt- I feel kind of bad saying it but- it felt corrupted. No, that's the wrong word." I took another whiff, closing my eyes to better process the information.

Earthy. Green. A slight chill from the wind that energized rather than sealed. Perhaps it was the years of desert air speaking, but every inhalation made me want nothing more than to throw all responsibilities away and alternate between dancing and hiking through these woods.

"It's lacking the smell of smithies and farms," Asuka said once I opened my eyes. "It took you bringing it up, but the air here's untainted by the kind of combustibles we'd use in a forge." Pointing to the few smoke stacks lazily rising over the treeline, "There's still fires of course, but those look like the kind you'd get from cooking."

"I suppose that'd be our first stop then."

The fencing hobbyist rose to her feet, joining me at the edge of the hill. "Yup! Evermoor Village is supposed to be our starting base of operations. From what Klein mentioned, the town that swordsmen can access through your portals is right in the center of the floor, but it's surrounded by a ring of dense forest and completely littered with traps. The only way to get through is to hire a guide from one of the villages or risk the dangers and go on your own." Asuka gave one of her business smiles, the kind that expressed nothing but amiability while hiding irritation. "Perhaps in two or three days, once we figure out what else we of Tolbana can acquire from the region, will we make our way into the heart of the Forgotten Forest."

"S'there a history behind that name?" I asked once I got over the alliteration.

"Criminals, sentient monsters that were caught infiltrating civilized societies, and other 'undesirables' of the time were dropped off at these woods. All that's been recorded on any of our maps were a few spots were carts would drop off their cargo. Those that survived were never cared for, and thus my forefathers of generations past came to call these woods that." The false smile turned real, the woman proud of the recitation of her lineage.

"Hopefully they aren't too angry with our arrival then."

"Far from it! Apparently the locals are ecstatic about swordsmen. It seems in recent years they've been unable to get to some of their better resources, but the presence and willingness of your kind have been helping them immensely. I'm sure there will be more than plenty of things for us to take care of and build a good rapport with."

Why does that sound like you read that from one of Argo's guides? "Sounds like we'll have our hands full. All of us."

"No more busier than we normally are. I kind of envy you, Asasaki. As strong as you are, you'll be able to go places I could only dream of." Asuka raised her hands to the sky, fingers spread as if trying to catch something. "Not that I'm saying I wish I had your skill set, but it must be so incredible to be able to go where ever you want simply because you want to and know you can handle anything that comes up."

"If I ever figure out how to take pictures, I'll be sure to get as many as I can." I rose and hugged her from behind, a sense of sorrow infusing me.

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Journal entry XXX, Date: January 10th, 2023

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This chapter has been updated March 26, 2019.