SAO A Different Story
AN: A short chapter, due to a significant time-skip between this chapter and the next.
Disclaimer: I don't own SAO, wish I did.
A Different Story
Chapter 3- Blades, Bowmen, and Black Cats
As the Diamond Blades shuffled their way out of the boss room of the 25th floor, they heaved a collective sigh. It was one part exhaustion, one part relief, and one part sadness. Well over two dozen players had died at some point during the boss fight. The leader of the group from the Aincrad Liberation Squad had gotten many of his members killed, and it didn't surprise any of the four players that it had been the cactus head, Kibaou, who had idiotically charged the boss. The main force had arrived in time only to save the remains of the decimated force, and even then they took more losses.
The guild of five walked a short way away from the boss room exit, before sliding down to the base of some tree trunks and simply resting their tired bodies. The Diamond Blades had added Kizmel shortly after the Elf War campaign had ended on the ninth floor. Despite her being an npc, she seemed extremely lifelike, and was even able to join parties and guilds, as learned by Kirito after he invited her to the guild at her request. If it wasn't for the fact that she couldn't be added to their friends list, the players would have eventually forgotten she wasn't even human. Other players had inquired as to their elfin member, but Argo deflected any questions by saying it was a quest related npc for a unique quest they had discovered. Kizmel seemed so human, sometimes, that Kirito wondered if the Cardinal system that ran SAO hadn't evolved some low level AIs and included them into the game.
Eventually the guild returned to their feet and made their way to the town. They needed to restock on healing potions and crystals, and their gear was in desperate need of repair.
"No, no, no. Sachi, you need to press forward. You're using a shield; you need to stay in front. It does no good to try and block attacks that have already hit your comrades," Asuna reminded the nervous girl. Their guild had encountered the Moonlit Black Cats guild out training, and had happily offered advice and training. Taking a break from the front lines for a few days was doing a world of good for their morale. They had led the Moonlit Black Cats to a dungeon that was just above their average level, and watched over them as they fought tougher opponents than they normally did.
"Don't worry, Sachi. We're right here watching your back. If you get into trouble, we'll be there in no time at all," Kirito promised as his swords dispatched another golem.
Sachi seemed to stand a little straighter under Kirito's gaze, confident that he would protect them like he said. Argo noticed this and chuckled. Kirito had the same effect on all the girls around him, even the lone npc of the group. It was as if they couldn't help but do their best when he was looking. The fact that the girls in his guild all had crushes on him, once again including the npc, may have had something to do with it. Copious amounts of time were spent having late night girl talks while Kirito was sleeping on the couch.
While Asuna called out combinations for Sachi and Argo contemplated solutions to their multiple crushes for Kirito, said swordsman stopped Ducker from opening what was an obviously trapped chest. Suddenly appearing room with one entrance and naught but a lone chest inside? So obviously a trap is Kirito felt hurt that someone almost fell for it.
Training continued, with the trainee guild eventually teleporting back to town, leaving the Blades to grind mobs for Col and material. Kirito went back to the trapped room and purposefully set of the trap, making short work of the summoned monsters alongside Asuna. Had anyone inquired as to their levels, they would be astonished to find that the entire party was level 45.
After spending several more hours in the dungeon, the group was walking back to the town when they heard sounds of fighting nearby. Lisbeth led the way over the crest of the nearby hill, and the party saw a sight that they hadn't expected. There were two players fighting against a pack of wolves, but that wasn't what they were startled by.
One of the players had a bow. Argo had heard rumors that there was a hidden archery skill, similar to the martial arts skill, but they had been unconfirmed. It appeared as if the rumors turned out to be true. Turning their eyes to the other player, Asuna and Kirito admired the player's swordsmanship. She was wielding a one-handed longsword, but fought holding it with both hands. The group watched as the pair finished of the last of the wolves before approaching. It turned out that the girls' names were Sinon and Yuuki. Asuna chuckled a bit when Yuuki was introduced. The girl though she was being made fun off, until Asuna mentioned that her last name was actually Yuuki in real life. That brought forth several chuckles from the group.
As everyone but Kirito started chatting and swapping stories, the black clothed swordsman stared up at the cloudless night sky and sighed. He didn't know what is was with girls, but they couldn't help but travel in packs. He had no doubts in his mind that the girls would invite Sinon and Yuuki to join their guild. As far as Argo was concerned, Sinon was unique, and uniqueness was to be collected and hoarded. For Asuna, having another sword wielding female was a joy. Kirito sighed again, something he was sure he'd be doing often.
A shriek of "You have a BATH!?" echoed around the hills, as Kirito simply muttered a 'told you so' to himself and turned to invite the pair to the guild.