Chapter 1: Mysterious Child of the Forest

"Hey! Minori, everyone look over here!"

The one who spoke was Tohya, a level 40 [Samurai] of the guild [Log Horizon]. Together with his sister and the other beginners, Isuzu and Rundelhous of their guild, they went to the south forest to [grind] in order to level up. In case of emergency, should they contact their seniors, Naotsugu, a level 93 [Guardian] or Akatsuki, a level 93 [Assassin] who were assigned to overlook their training.

"What did you find Mister Tohya?"

The one who spoke and voiced his curiosity this time is a blond haired boy and a level 40 [Sorcerer] Rundelhous Code, often called as Rudy. He was originally a [People of the Land]. In this mysterious Alternate World, [Elder Tales], beings are classified into two groups despite of their race. [Adventurers] are classified as the [players] when it was still a game. They can revive once they died and have far more superior strength than the rest. People of the Land, however, where the weaker from the bunch, save for other exceptions. They were once the ones to be called as [NPC]s.

Everybody in the guild of Log Horizon are Adventurers save for Rudy.

Rudy was an exception as he was revived by Shiroe, a level 93 [Enchanter] and their [Guild Leader], as he died three months ago in the chaotic battle in Choushi. Now he has the subclass and privileges of being an Adventurer.

"Here, it's a girl, I think she fainted."

Tohya was regarding to an un conscious person he found. Said person has a flowing black hair, a deeper shade than that of Akatsuki's and was wearing peculiar clothes. One could say it was well based of its appearance...

... really black.

"Fainted?"

Minori, the level 40 [Shrine Priestess] asked in confusion as she walks over towards Tohya, her brother, and the stranger and furrows her delicate brows in a troubled manner.

"She's an Adventurer so... why?"

In Elder Tales, as said earlier, Adventurers have strong bodies so it is only natural that one can even live or stay awake in long period of time. Tiredness and such can only be felt once the grinding against high leveled opponent and at such [overworking]. But...

... the area where they are seeking to conquer is relatively safe for beginners. Even at level 10-20 and monsters don't really go [aggro] unless challenged upon, so Minori was puzzled by this event.

"Eh, that's a peculiar name."

Isuzu, a level 40 [Bard], who was quiet till now, spoke of what she had founds out.

"What is?"

"Her name's Kirito, don't you think it's peculiar?

True enough, stating from the stranger's [Status Screen] was that her name is [Kirito] and an Adventurer.

(But what is this unease I'm feeling now? It felt like something is very off about [her]?)

Minori thought with contempt.

"For now, why don't we take her to our Guild's building? I'm sure she'll wake up soon, and I think she would want to wake up to a relatively safe place without monsters ne?"

Shiroe was a man of responsibility.

Everything he does and will do was always planned meticulously that no one could found holes in it. Either it is just too perfect or it is just too hard to comprehend from other's perspective. Such things like this often led into something villainous, that and Henrietta often dubbed him as [Pitch Black Kuroe].

But right now that was not his concern.

It is true that the fruits of his hard work are proven, given that the place they were occupying now, [Akihabara], had been productive and lively at least, even if the protective barrier is down at the moment and some of [The Round Table Council] were off to different missions covering the [Yamato Server] or at least their turf. There is no need to panic, for now.

What truly bothered him is the increase of his harrowing work. His [Battle of Paper works] was all about concerning the town, concerning their progress; their guild and his research upon finding a way back home. That led to the fact that his habit back [there] was clearly showing in this fantastical land, being a [hikikomori] that is.

Buried in paper works, Shiroe scratched the back of his head. It's not particularly itchy but he just found himself doing so.

"My lord."

He almost jumps at his seat when he heard that soft, almost quiet voice, but given that he was [almost] used to this, he only gives a sigh and stares above.

"What it is, Akatsuki?"

Shiroe voiced his question to the petite young lady hanging upside down in the ceiling of his office, and somehow he can feel a sense of déjàvu every time this happens.

"It seems that Minori's group has encountered a rarity, my lord."

"Eh?"

True to her words, Akatsuki jumps down from her previous spot to the windowsill peering down. Her raven hair billowing in the wind that pass through it and Shiroe was almost sure that he can smell its fragrance.

(Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts!)

He shakes his head to clear the building migraine. He cannot allow himself from acting like Naotsugu, thank you very much.

Stopping himself from stressing over trivial things, he stood up and follows Akatsuki in the window, also peering down. He can view Minori and her group already heading towards their guild building; however there seems to be a little fuss between them as Shiroe squinted for a clearer view.

"Shiroe-san!"

And as if sensing his discomfort, Minori, the young middle schooler, lifted her eyes towards them and called.

"Minori! What's wrong?"

When training, Shiroe is almost certain that Minori's responsible characteristic wouldn't allow her or her party members to slack, thus he can almost anticipate that they'll always be a little late returning home but that is not the case as of now. If anything, should something happens, either they contact Naotsugu or Akatsuki for assistance. Now is a little different.

When the beginners' party was within the doorstep of their building, Shiroe knows that something was off.

A [girl] was resting on Rundelhous' back.

Quick on his feet, Shiroe found himself descending the stairs.

(It couldn't be, another People of the Land casualty?)

"Is something the matter nya?"

That voice automatically rung in the living area once Shiroe reached the ends of the stairs, Akatsuki hot in his tails. It belongs to their chief, a [were cat] and a level 93 [swashbuckler] Nyanta.

At the same time, the door bursts open and the young ones hastily entered. Once settled, Rundelhous laid the unconscious individual in the unoccupied couch, face pale.

Shiroe quickly assess the situation at hand. The girl, while fast asleep, seems to have been uninjured, however you can't really tell. Save for her soft breathing, you could easily mistake her being dead or something.

(Kirito, an adventurer?)

"Hm, where did you find her nya?"

"At the clearing Chief Nyanta."

Tohya answered dutifully. His creased eyebrows displaying an equal confusion among the other guild members.

"Shiroe-san, have you heard of her?"

At Minori's inquiry, Shiroe couldn't help but be quiet. Even he himself hasn't heard of a player named [Kirito] yet. It's impossible for her to be a beginner like the younglings since beginners tend to flock themselves together, that or this one is just a dumb noob.

Shiroe took one more look at the girl's status screen and widened his eyes in unexpected surprise.

But he was soon broken from his thoughts once he noticed that said 'girl' was showing signs of waking up.

The black of the starless void.

When the stranger opens her eyes that was what greeted Shiroe's guild.

It took a while when she have her bearings collected and she somewhat wear a troubled expression, mirroring that of the group in her front.

"Where..."

And with a hoarse voice, she spoke her mind. Shiroe can't help but feel troubled, unable to find the appropriate words to placate the now awake adventurer.

"Hello Miss Kirito, I am the glorious Adventurer Rundelhous Code, How may I help such a fine young lady?"

Shiroe felt saved by Rundelhous' bold statement together with his royal bow. Everyone else seems to snap out in their stupor and slowly approached the bewildered girl.

"Miss?"

As if beginning more self conscious, Kirito mutters and started to smooth her hair, feeling her body or to say, checking her chest. After all of the fuss, she let out a relieved sigh.

"Anno, you're quite mistaken. Actually... I'm a boy."

Everybody quiets down.

"EEEEEEHHHHHHH?! YOU'RE A TETRA?!'

"Eh? What about me?"

At everybody's exaggerated exclamation, Naotsugu enters the living room together with a Tetra sitting on his shoulder.

"Oi, Shiroe what's wrong?"

Since arriving late, Naotsugu and Tetra don't have a little bit of an idea on what was happening. Deciding to ignore the dazed figures in their front, they just opted to follow their line of sight.

An equally bewildered black haired girl was sitting on the couch.

"Ooh~ Nee-san, may I ask what is the color of your pant-!"

And Naotsugu's nose was assaulted by Akatsuki's knee.

"My lord, may I knee this pervert, Naotsugu in the face?"

The one who first broke in the uncalled silence, Akatsuki, turned to face Shiroe who sweat dropped at the all-to-familiar scene with Naotsugu's yell of indignity in the background and the newly known [male] Kirito shudders at the implied request from the armored man as a certain chill run in his nape.

"So, uhh... you're a male role playing as a girl when Elder Tales was still a game?"

"Elder Tales? Game?"

At Shiroe's lame question, the girl, no boy, furrows his beautifully crafted eyebrows and started muttering to himself.

"Etto... I'm not role playing as a girl. This is a [male] avatar."

Well that was an even shock.

In The World of Elder Tales, after which [The Apocalypse] was brought forth; [avatars] can be something related with a player's real self. In other words, a game character reflects the true self of another. So that's why it's a big surprise that Kirito possesses such a game character, apparently a male one at such appearance and not a girl in which they thought of earlier.

"So you were saying I'm in Elder Tales right?" said person asked.

"Yes, right now you're in Akiba."

Shiroe replied. Once they calmed down and settled themselves in the living room, Kirito began asking some questions. Either about the situation itself or the game mechanics, and all were answered by their guild leader.

But the next thing the stranger did was enough for them to be perplexed.

After putting his index and middle finger together with his thumb, Kirito waved his right hand down. Several seconds later, he made a complex expression and tried doing the same in his other hand. Once again, he made a face and wrinkled his brows.

"E-erm, Kirito-san, what are you doing?"

"Eh? This? I'm trying to summon my [Main Menu Window]. This is a [VR] game right?"

"Main menu window?"

Isuzu, the first one to spoke after Shiroe inquired and was given yet another vague answer.

(Wait, this sounds familiar.)

Shiroe thought, his face enlightening once realization came upon.

"You mean a Status Screen, right?"

"Something like that."

"Etto, just focus on your forehead, you will see it in that method."

Kirito nodded after being notified. Once again, his face held the same expression as of earlier but it was that of pure concentration. After a while, he let out a joyful sigh.

"Ah, here it is!"

As if a child that had gotten his candy, Kirito ecstatically maneuvered his fingers to his, unseen by the Log Horizon members, status window but his grin slowly fade down.

"It looks like a [real] LCD screen."

"Well naturally, Elder Tales is a twenty year MMO. You know that right?"

At Naotsugu's straight away response, Kirito seems to deflate even further.

"Kirito-dono, you seem troubled, may I ask why?"

Akatsuki, the normally quiet one, spoke in a clear voice, surprising the others. She was currently in the ceiling, hanging upside down shocking Kirito in her front.

"A, ah, no, it's nothing."

Shiroe narrowed his onyx eyes. Judging by the fidgety attitude the young boy was showing as of now, he seems to have been hiding something.

"Who are you really?"

Shiroe knows not to pry, but if this strange person named Kirito turns out to be a spy from Minami, then it is very much welcome to be suspicious.

Kirito kept quiet for a moment, perhaps weighing down the information to tell and whatnot, Shiroe knows because he used to always do that. Finally after a minute of contemplation, Kirito looked at them straight forward and spoke in a determined voice.

"I'm Kirito, a [wandering swordsman]."

[End of Chapter 1]

~Author's Notes~

Aaand the chapter 1 is done~ It took me a week doing this and unfortunately I have yet to proof read this crap so etto... (and I feel that all they did was talk -_-") sorry for the inconvenience *bows down*.

I know many of you were bothered as to why I've used GGO!Kirito instead of SAO!Kirito, well, blame my sister for that, she kept pestering me to write a fiction for Kiriko-chan (GGO!Kirito) soo...

And besides its part of the plot (well, that and both anime launched their season 2 last year, uh-huh yea,)

For you dear readers, thanks for reading/faveing/following, I appreciated it~

Comments/Suggestions/Grammatical Criticsms are always welcome~