Floor 8 - Chapter 3 - Human Nature
January 8th 2023, Floor 8, Snowlit Woods - around the same time.
The group's chance meeting with little Silica had proven a goldmine of information for Argo. She could now boast about being the only info broker with accurate information on the Familar system, as well as understanding it herself a little better. What she struggled to understand though, was exactly why the young dragon tamer had been saved by an orange player. In her eyes, they were bad news - people who'd took steps to become the most dangerous people in Aincrad... so why had one stepped in to save a young girl from her imminent demise? All of these questions, and probably very few answers... the worst kind of questions for her. She was an information broker... not the Riddler, after all...
Still, whilst the group had gone off to clear the next part of the Elf War Quest, she'd decided she wanted to see Silica and Pina in action herself. Argo wasn't a fool, nor was she reckless, and so, she knew that her less well armed and armoured build would struggle heavily, if it came down to defending Silica, and she'd rather not be responsible for getting someone killed... so she'd shot off a message to some trustworthy allies.
''We're here Argo, what's the problem?'' Kirito asked, as he spotted the cloaked girl.
''Yer both here, good. I need some help wi' somethin'... lil Silica here, she's-''
''Is that a dragon!?'' Asuna asked, taken aback by Pina's sudden arrival on the scene.
''Huh, she's got a familiar. That's not something you see every day...'' Kirito stated, as Pina investigated him and Asuna.
''Yup! And that's why I need ya help, you two. I wanna see how those work together in the field, but...''
''You don't feel safe doing it with just yourself to help, right?'' Asuna understood the situation pretty well already.
''Yup, Aa-chan, an' it's not like I can ask th' others to help me out here, they've gone off on that Elf War Quest...''
''Wait, you know where the trigger for that is?!'' Kirito asked, stunned by the fact he hadn't been the first to find it for once...
''Yup! An' I'll tell ya where it is, Kii-boy... but I went yer help first. Call it a quid pro quo...''
After some time, they'd reached the part of the Woods that Argo had planned to observe Silica in. The group remained in a position to allow them to prepare for an ambush, not that they'd be really expecting it - it was rare that mobs really tried to ambush players this low down. Most of them were visible, but relied on simple camouflage, Kirito thought to himself. ''Silica, don't run on ahead! Wait for us!'' - Asuna shouted out to the young dragon tamer, who'd just ran off to examine something. Argo found this kind of amusing... ''So, Aa-chan, any lil' sisters of yer own?''
''Focus, Argo. We aren't here for fun, you know this.''
''Yeah, yeah, I know. Just wondered, wi' the way you're actin' towards lil' Silica there.''
''I just want to make sure she's safe, that's all, Argo.''
''Think we're here, guys and gals. Silica, ya should be able to handle these mobs, but don't hesitate to ask us to help if ya start to feel overwhelmed...''
''Okay! Pina, come on!'' The young dragon tamer ran in to attack the first mob, a frost sprite. These things were annoyingly nimble, but they had really low attack and defence otherwise, and Silica was doing a good job of showing that, evading what few strikes the sprite launched, and hitting it when it did. After a minute or so, the sprite fell to the floor, deceased, and disappeared from the world. So far, so good, everyone thought.
Another opponent turned up, this time one of the Penguin Knights. Asuna had wondered exactly how these things could exist, penguins not really having hands as such, and therefore being unable to grasp a sword or a shield, but she soon put that thought out of her head, as Silica was proving a surprisingly good fighter, taking down the Penguin Knight quite quickly, having used her superior speed and agility to outflank the penguin.
This defeat drew in more foes, at least four or five of them this time, and for the first time, the trio began to feel a horrible feeling in their gut. The mobs weren't supposed to spawn in this fast... nor were there supposed to be this many of them! ''Argo, help Silica! We'll thin their numbers!'' Kirito called out, as everyone raced into their positions.
After five minutes, the group had cleared a large swathe through the mobs, and were able to escape from the encirclement. ''Argo, you said this should've been safe!''
''It should've been! Hell, it was when I did it!'' Argo replied, annoyed at Asuna's insinuation. ''Whatever that was, it wasn't how it's programmed!''
''It felt like someone was trying to MPK us.'' Kirito stated, darkly.
''MPK?'' Asuna and Silica looked slightly confused at the acronym, whilst Argo's usual grin disappeared as she realised something...
''Yeah, Monster Player Kill. Basically, lure a load of monsters in, to kill a player...'' Kirito explained, a look of disgust on his face.
''That's evil!'' - Silica responded, horrified at the fact people would do that, knowing what was at stake here.
''Yeah, yeah it is.''
The eventful training session aside, the group continued on for the day, before heading back into the town.
Back at the inn, Kirito had taken time to go and have a wander around the town, whilst Asuna had decided to take a bath. His absence definitely hadn't been because of a threat she'd made about his continued presence... not at all. Still though, it allowed Argo a chance to talk to the swordsman. ''There was something off earlier, Kii-boy.''
''Not just me who thought it then.''
''No, pretty sure I saw someone snoopin' on us, but I can't give anythin' more than that.'' Kirito remained silent, but looked troubled. ''Look, Kii-boy, can I ask ya to stay for a while, just till we see this through?''
''That's fine by me... I'll take the info for the Elf War Quest as payment though...''
''Consider it done.''
In the Gaol,
''Jet, you're insane.'' - Whilst Phillia was as blunt as ever, it was hard for anyone but Jet to disagree with the sentiment...
''It'll work, trust me!'' - And disagree, he did.
''For the benefit of everyone present, your entire plan for dealing with Kysala, when they arrive is to hide an oxygen crystal, and a fire crystal in a bag, and hope she gets angry enough to stomp on it, thus creating a localised flash fire around them, and hope that staggers them enough for us five to be able to take them out. Am I correct?'' Kizmel stated, whilst Jet rubbed his hands against his neck.
''When you put it like that Kizmel, it sounds ludicrous...'' Jet admitted, whilst everyone else wondered why he was allowed to come up with a plan in the first place.
''That's because it is!'' Phillia shouted, an echo forming in the chamber.
''I've got to agree with Phillia here. You have no way of knowing how close you'd need to be for that to work, or even if it would work. Never mind how stupid Kysala would have to be to fall for that.'' Rain may have been slightly blind to some of Jet's faults, but even she admitted that sometimes, his plans had no real basis in reality, or had serious problems with them... hell, it had been one of those plans that had led to them meeting for the first time!
''Umm, I've got an idea? Couldn't we just grab the key, and run?'' Koharu asked, as everyone collectively facepalmed.
''That would work, yes.''
''Are we sure she's his girlfriend, and not his carer?'' Phillia asked Rain, who just scowled at her. ''Yeesh, don't do that with the kids Rain...''
''Do I want to know what they're on about?'' Jet asked no one in particular.
''Depends. How insulted do you want to be?'' Kizmel responded.
''I think ignorance is better now then.''
Back in the town...
''So, where are we heading?''
''There's an area just south of the Snowlit Woods, and we'll try again.''
''I'm kind of looking forward to this! I won't let you down!'' Silica said excitedly, as Pina chirped away.
''Hey. Do you lot mind not hogging the path. There are other people around...'' - A woman asked, passive aggressively, as everyone moved aside briefly.
''Sorry about that...'' Asuna apologised with very little sincerity. The woman huffed at them as she walked past, before stopping as she saw Pina. She turned to Silica, and looked down towards her, her tone becoming fiercely condescending, ''You've got some nerve, bringing a monster into the safe zone.''
''Umm, she's not a monster, she's a familiar. She won't attack anyone.''
''Hm, then I should be able to touch it.'' The three more mature members began to look increasingly angry, Asuna being the first to speak up...
''You could ask first.'' She stated, hoping to cut the woman's attempt off there and then.
''It's... it's okay. As long as Pina doesn't mind...'' Anyone paying even more than a cursory glance could've said how scared Silica was, the poor girl was shaking, and not due to the cold...
''Doesn't mind...'' the woman sneered, a mocking edge to her words, ''It's a program made of ones and zeroes, nothing more. It's probably not even smart enough to realise it's being talked to!'' The unpleasant woman reached out and began to try to pull Pina off of Silica's shoulders, as Asuna shouted out, enraged at the woman, ''What the hell do you think you're doing!''
''The idiot who designed this game only gave monsters the ability to attack and be hostile... or are you so stupid as to not understand that!'' She snapped back at Asuna, as Pina cried out in pain, and Silica begged the woman to stop. Maybe there was no real risk of either losing HP, but that didn't stop this from being traumatic in other ways. That was it for Kirito, who'd seen far more than enough, and reached to draw his sword on the woman. ''Let. Her. Go.'' The edge in his words was sharper than his blade, and the woman seemed less than impressed by this. ''You're protecting a monster? It's just ones and zeroes, for God's sake! A string of data! How stupid are you people!''
''I'm not certain that they are the stupid ones here...'' Asuna looked over, to see the redhead from the last floor... Lueur, it might have been, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, and causing her to lose grip on Pina out of surprise. ''After all, familiars are programmed to be unable to attack players, which means you have nothing to worry yourself over. I can understand that you were concerned by our little friend here-'' the woman huffed, but was glared down by Lueur, who continued as if that hadn't happened, ''-but that doesn't make it acceptable to harass this poor girl, does it now?''
The woman decided she'd had enough, and stormed off, uttering curses at the group. Lueur was, unsurprisingly, the first to speak, ''Pleasant woman, wasn't she?'' He said sarcastically, a sentiment that Asuna agreed with.
''Thank you for that... uhh, Lueur, wasn't it?''
''Ah! The lovely fencer remembers me!''
''Uhh, who is he?'' Kirito voiced what everyone else present was thinking...
''We met after the auction. He apparently helped Jet and Koharu with... something. I didn't get the full story off them.'' Asuna explained, as best she could.
''As we haven't been introduced formally... I am Lueur, and I don't believe introductions are in order for you... Kirito, the 'Beater', a noble anti-hero if I ever saw one, a man willing to take the hatred of the strong, to protect those who might not be strong enough to handle themselves. I must say, you are providing me with plenty of stories to tell!''
''Okay... but what are you actually supposed to be?'' Kirito asked, confused at the redhead stood in front of them.
''I am nothing but a humble scribe, he who tells stories of heroes and monsters... and I'm terribly sorry, I didn't get your name?'', the troubadour turned to Silica, who was still shaking slightly after the run in with the woman. ''Si-silica, and th-this is Pina... thank you!''
''Your thanks isn't necessary, Silica. I'd hate for someone to upset such a cute dragon tamer as yourself, in such a despicable way. Your mere image paints such a wonderful picture that I couldn't bear to see it sullied with tears.'' Kirito had often been described by Argo as the single most clueless person with women ever. As it turned out, she was wrong... living proof of that stood before them. He really couldn't tell if Lueur was trying to flirt, or just that dense to not know how his words were actually coming across. ''That gives me an idea for a story... even if you cannot become the hero, you can certainly become the protagonist...'' If this was how he told stories, he could make a killing as an anaesthetic...
''Thrilling stuff -'' It wasn't. ''- but we do kind of have places to be!'' Asuna tapped her foot impatiently, as Lueur decided to choose now to get on with his actual intention for being there.
''Apologies, but I'd hate to see my future muses felled so early, by something so silly as a curse...''
''A curse?''
''Oh yes, this floor is cursed... or did you think this much snowfall was natural?''
''I mean... huh.''
''Take care not to become entrapped by the witch's curse, my friends... which ends my message for you. Until we next meet!'' And with that, Lueur disappeared again, leaving everyone equally confused by his words, as his actions.
''I can see why Jet thought he was an idiot.'' Asuna muttered, under her breath, though not so quiet as to not be heard.
''Yes, but Jet's the dictionary definition of a misanthrope though, Asuna.'' Kirito shrugged, as though he hadn't insulted his... uhh, come to think of it, were they friends?
''The witch's curse though, what did he mean by that? The freezing conditions here, or something related to the floor quest?''
''Maybe he was just trying to show off? I know boys do that often?'' Asuna fought back an urge to make a comment about almost every male she knew... all four of them in here. ''Hmm, maybe, they do do that sometimes...''
''I do not do that!'' Kirito defended, as both Asuna and Silica hummed in disagreement. ''I don't!'' he continued to defend himself, despite how ineffective it was proving...
Some time later, the group had found the area they needed, and were soon honing their skills against the mobs. Silica watched as Kirito and Asuna fought in almost perfect unison, never once messing up as they scored hit after hit on the mobs. If Silica was honest with herself, she was almost jealous at how well those two performed...
''Pina!'' - Silica called, as she ducked under a Penguin Knight's sword, and her familiar performed a healing pass. Over on the other side, Asuna had just finished taking out a frost sprite, whilst Kirito took out a yeti mob. A series of quick strikes from her dagger, as Koharu had shown her, and the penguin knight was no more.
''That's about fifteen of them dead now, so I think we can say we're finished. Was that alright, Silica?''
''Once I'd got into a rhythm, I was okay with it. I think I can handle a fight solo now, but...''
''Hold that thought.'' Kirito looked out into the distance, and saw a much larger number of mobs coming their way - at least thirty of them, all in all, and very agitated by the looks of them. ''Silica, head back to the town. Asuna, we'll thin them out, and then make a dash for the town, alright?''
''Understood.''
''I'll stay! I can fight-''
''Silica, do as we ask! Please!'' Asuna requested, as the young girl deflated in front of them.
''Okay... Pina, come on!'' And with that, Silica ran back towards the town, as fast as her legs could carry her...
As Silica ran as fast as she physically could, she couldn't help but feel guilty. She wasn't strong enough to fight alongside Kirito and Asuna, and now, they were fighting for her. She felt so pathetic, as if- ''Chirpp!''
''Pina? What's... oh. Oh no.'' Silica felt her blood run cold, as she saw who was now stood in front of her. The woman from earlier, and she seemed considerably less than impressed...
''So you ditched your friends. For what, for this little monster? Is that how it is then? Your little pet is worth more to you than the lives of actual humans?!'', the woman's voice became even more sneering than before, ''If I act all helpless, people will come save me! If I get a cute familiar, people will make a fuss over me! Even if I leave someone to die, it's alright because I'm weak, and I deserve to be protected! That's how you think, isn't it?!'' Silica tried to respond, but the woman gave her no room to answer, ''Don't lie! You're just like me! You're filth! All you care about is yourself!'' The woman's taunting began to sound more unhinged as she continued, until she drew her weapon on Silica...
''That is enough!'' Koharu grabbed the woman's weapon, and threw it to the ground. The rest of the group followed moments later, in the form of a confused Phillia, a livid Rain, an oddly calm Jet, and Kizmel, who looked ready to kill someone.
''Silica...'' The young girl shook violently as she stood there, as Jet placed his hand on her shoulder, and she hugged him tightly. ''Shh, shh, it'll be alright. You're safe now, we're here.'' Jet reassured, as he pulled a tissue and wiped tears from her eyes. As he did that, Kirito and Asuna raced in from defeating the mass of monsters...
''Why... why did they come back to save you! Then why... why was I?'' The woman broke down, realising that her plan had failed, and she was now facing down seven very unhappy looking players.
Kirito was the first to speak, as he put two and two together ''You were the one who tried to MPK us, aren't you?''
''Ha! Anyone can do something as simple as an MPK, no tools means no evidence... and you don't even have to get your own hands dirty. You can make whoever you want disappear, just like that...''
''Why were you after Silica.'' Asuna asked, readying her rapier, just in case.
''Af-after me?''
''Guys, I think we should take her back to the town. We won't get anywhere out here.'' Koharu stated, as Asuna agreed, and started prodding the woman into compliance.
After a short, but tense walk, the group had arrived back at the Inn in the town, and had split into two - the first were in a different room, looking after Silica, whilst the rest sat in a rather cramped room, surrounding the woman and ensuring she didn't attempt to flee.
''Silica's resting up in the next room, Jet and Rain are with her, and I've also called Argo here. She said she'll be here in a bit.'' Koharu walked back into the room, having helped calm Silica down.
''What are you, the girl's guardian?'' The woman asked, tauntingly, ''She's quite the lucky one...''
''Drop the taunting. Why did you try to PK her?'' Asuna ordered.
''You sure enjoy sticking your noses in my business... why the hell do you want to know anyway?''
''You tried to kill us!'' Asuna yelled at the woman, as the remorseless woman rolled her eyes.
''I didn't do a very good job, evidently.''
Anticipating the unproductive bickering that was almost certain if they continued down this path, Koharu spoke up, ''On our quest to reach the hundredth floor, although we've met people we've clashed with, every one of them has fought to live another day. But... I think you're different. There's this malice I just can't figure out. I just want to know why you did what you did.''
''Pfft, are you serious? A quest to reach the hundredth floor... you've got to be joking! And as for that girl... I wasn't trying to kill her, or you... I just wanted her to understand!''
''Understand what?''
''That even if she showed everyone this sweet face, that she only cares for herself. That she's an evil person who abandons others. She wants to go places she can't handle, and when things get hairy, she flees and abandons her friends.'' The woman's voice fell almost silent, as she stuttered out her next sentence, ''Just like I did.''
''Are you telling us...''
''You got caught up in an MPK?''
''It was back on the fourth floor. I was a somewhat well known player, so I thought I could join any party I wanted, just like your friend. After all, if I tagged along with higher level players, it'd be easier. The items, EXP, Col, would all come so easily. It's such a nasty point of view... but I was trying my best, even though a party who refused to let me join didn't see it that way. It was just meant to be a little prank, they said... they didn't think it'd get three people killed, they said...''
''They lured you into an MPK, as a prank...'' Kirito seemed horrified at that prospect. He'd seen MPKs for malice, and admittedly, he'd seen this done once back in the beta, but that was a very different situation. All that was on the line then was Col, items and EXP, and it seemed bad enough then... now though? It was just evil.
''I was with my party, in a narrow dungeon. We were surrounded in an instant, and they just ran off, laughing all the way. I'm sure they didn't realise the gravity of what they did, but it was already too late.'' The woman began to weep as she remembered, ''I was the only one who got out... and there they were, waiting outside the dungeon. Probably wanted to see to laugh as we came out... I begged them, pleaded with them. But no matter how many times I asked, no matter what I offered them, they wouldn't save my party. It was impossible, they said... they could've drawn the monsters out, but then what? The monsters were too strong... They told me to forget about it, and threatened me. They said that anyone else I told would meet the same fate.'' She recalled the blade held to her throat back then, and shuddered.
''Where are they now.'' Phillia asked, as she looked around the room.
''Why do you even want to know? I called the GMs countless times, but no one came... no one's coming to save us...'' The woman paused for a second, as silence lingered in the air. ''It was someone in a tavern who told me how I could get my revenge. After I heard what they had to say, I felt like I could do anything. I thought I'd show them how it felt to beg for mercy and forgiveness!'' Asuna and Koharu glanced at each other, as a sense of malice and bloodlust began to radiate off the woman.
''You didn't, did you...'' Kirito asked, looking towards the woman's cursor - green, which put doubts on his theory.
''No. By the time I'd found out about this... they were all dead. It seems they were fighting over this hunting ground with great spoils. They were utterly mauled when a surprise monster attack hit them. It's stupid, isn't it? In the end, the idiots whose prank killed my friends, met their fate in the same meaningless way... It's not like you'd ever understand... every day I wake up, and curse the fact that I'm the only one who's still alive. You can't even begin to comprehend how painful it was! Do you really think your hearts can handle that long trek up to the hundredth floor...'' The woman broke down again, memories of that fateful day, and the nightmares that came with it, flooding in. ''I'm sick of it! Sick of being alone... sick of these thoughts...''
''And you decided that you should take all of that out on Silica, just because she seemed happy!? That way of thinking is wrong, and I understand that you feel lonely, and regretful, but inflicting that pain on others? It just isn't right!''
''I know! I know already! I just... I'm scared... I'm so scared of death! There's no place here for me!''
''Then make one?''
''Nothing is going to stop our goal of reaching the top of Aincrad, and help doesn't come... then we have to push on with our own strength! If you really want to save yourself, then help people, the Assault Team, whichever you choose, in any way you can, it doesn't matter how small! The frontlines aren't as distant as you think, and we're all supported by a range of players, from artisans to mid-level players. Instead of hurting people, why don't you find peace by helping people instead?''
''Anyone can talk big, you know...''
''Maybe that's true, but if my words can make you believe that we'll make it out of here, then they'll have done their job!''
''Koharu's right. If you want to repent for what you've done, then help people... if you don't, then keep out of the way of everyone who does...''
''You really are naïve... and I'm leaving. I'm going downstairs.''
''Do you think I got through to her?''
''I don't know, but I do know one thing, Ko... I'm giving you the whole speeches thing from now on, that was better than any of mine!'' - Jet joked, trying to lighten the mood. ''Seriously though, you did something I wouldn't have there... kept calm. I get that woman's traumatised, but that's not an excuse to lash out at someone else entirely, and don't even get me started on those bastards who pulled such a 'prank'...''
''Do you think she'll stop though?''
''I don't know. I hope so, because next time, she's not getting away scot free...''
''Uhh, random question? Where exactly did you guys come from?'' Kirito asked, wondering how the group had timed it so perfectly, as to arrive at the same time as Silica was in trouble...
Some time earlier, Snowlit Woods
''So... what are we actually doing out here, Kizmel?'' Rain asked, trudging aside yet more snow, and thanking anyone that she wore a thick coat...
''The Sapphire Key is proof to our contact - that we can stand a chance against the Fallen!'' Jet wished Kizmel would be a little quieter as he didn't fancy being crushed by an avalanche. Despite those reservations, he did have to wonder who their contact was...
''So, this contact... who is it?''
''You've met him before, but I cannot say. Not yet, anyway.'' The group continued on ahead through the snow, before the group came across their contact... A Forest Elf, and if Jet's memory wasn't playing up, it was the commander from the fourth floor...
{Author's Comments}
I'll admit, this one may be all over the place, as my usual planning process went completely out of the window this week, due to coming down with an ear infection. Anyway, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as badly as I feel it does, but then again, you are usually your own worst critic...
Hopefully, next week's chapter won't be as much of a rush job (it won't), and I regain my hearing soon enough.
Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter, or have any criticism for me, leave me a review or PM, or favourite, follow, etc.
Signing off, Midland 2541.