January 1st
Aincrad
Nearly two months in and there are currently 38,836 players still alive within the world of SAO. 21 more people had been victims to the harsh reality of the death game. Whether through tactical blunders, lack of skill, or just bad luck. These were the players who took the risk to venture outside the city's safe area and fight to prepare themselves for the oncoming event. Thankfully there has yet to be a suicide. Several players had been planning to throw themselves from atop the central keep, but the first event had rolled around and showed these players a ray of hope. These borderline players and nearly every other player within Aincrad had been waiting on the first event.
The fact that nearly no one actually participated, leaving the burden to be shouldered alone by those few hundred courageous players with the strength of will to stand, shows that most players would rather let their fate be decided by others then to fight for their own lives. Luckily for them the first event had ended with a victory.
The defense had been shaky and nearly failed multiple times. Thrown together at the last minute it had all but broken in the face of the seemingly un-killable boss mob. Their lack of experience and coordination allowed the boss to shatter the defensive lines and wreak havoc amongst the warriors. But after such a harrowing experience the players defeated the entire army and slayed the boss. They won, and everyone in Aincrad was happy and any thoughts of suicide faded into the back of their minds.
Just before the first event could have ended in a rout, a player clad in black had stepped forward and dueled with the boss. His actions inspired the failing defenders and allowed the battle to be turned back in their favor. His actions were the topic of much gossip and everyone wanted to know who the player was. The info brokers had nothing to give but hearsay and blatant lies. The only fact about him was he wielded a single black sword and had a high collared black coat on. He appeared to be a teenager with black hair.
Dozens of players had falsely claimed to be the hero when no one had come forth days after the event. The city had been calling for him to step forth and be recognized for his deeds. Since there was no official name, everyone had begun to call the mysterious hero...
"‹‹The Black Hero ››! Its ‹‹The Black Hero››!"
A voice yelled out in surprise. All those around the man turned to look at him confused. Before them was a player wearing black with a single sword slung over his shoulder. He was mounted on a black horse. So sure he was the correct age and had the correct appearance, but most of the fakers had managed that much too. Besides how would the hero know their leader on a first name basis? Impossible.
"‹‹Kinichi›› just what are you talking about?"
Spoke one of the players off to the side.
"He is probably just some punk pretender."
Another player voiced.
"Shut up ‹‹Garzan››. The serious edge in his voice managed to cut through his friend's laughter. I was there that night. I saw him."
Kinichi pointed at the player in question.
"That is him. He looks exactly like what I saw… Err. Well it seems he has changed his gear over the last month. But I swear that is him!"
Asuna cut across the growing argument before they spent the rest of the day on it.
"Excuse me, but you said you visited my old bakery? W-what did you think of it?"
A light blush crept across her face. The fact her bakery had been nearly a complete failure was something she was very embarrassed about. Discussing it so openly was not what she had planned to do today.
The player's surrounding the young girl nearly fell off their horses at the sudden change of subject. This could be The Black Hero himself and all she wants to know is what he thought about her bakery! The player who had caused all this didn't say anything for a moment before speaking.
"Ahh-haha well… I only ate there once. But your croissant was pretty good. Umm… I can't say much more about it. Sorry."
"Oh, well I am glad you liked it. But don't come looking for them again. I closed my bakery."
Suddenly the girl spurred her horse forward and stopped alongside him.
"You sit pretty naturally on your horse. Are you any good at riding?"
She gestured behind her.
"We are the mounted guild ‹‹Knights of Ruin››. Anyone who wants to can join if they have a horse. Would you like to?"
The question was asked nicely, and Kirito almost felt bad for turning her down. But he had no interest in joining a guild. Even if this girl was really cute. He needed to get back to the city.
"I will have to decline, I prefer to play solo."
He answered and then urged his horse forward. Any information about ‹‹The Black Hero›› or ‹‹Knights of Ruin›› he could always get Argo to answer for him. He had nothing more to speak about with this group.
Riding away Kirito sighed. He needed to visit Liz, find Argo, and see what Agil would buy from him. Perhaps he came back from Graig too early. After all the next event didn't start for several days. And he already wanted to turn around and go back to Graig.
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
It was late evening when Kirito walked through the north gate into Aincrad. He had sent Argo a message earlier and was waiting for her reply. But instead of sitting around waiting he had went on his way towards his one and only blacksmith. He hadn't spoken to her since Christmas. But he had several matters that required her attention.
Lizbeth's POV
Today was a slow day. Anyone who might normally require her services was off getting as much last minute xp as possible. The second event was days away and suddenly all her customers realized they could be more prepared. So she was pleasantly surprised to hear the bell on her door chime. Looking up she saw…
"Welcome to ‹‹Heart Forged›› my na- Kirito?!"
A small smile and a wave was his way of greeting. Liz's face adopted a glare and she spoke with venom.
"So finally done with all your other smiths and decided to visit me huh?"
Her sudden snide attitude put Kirito's mood down.
"Liz… I never used any other smiths but some npc ones."
His answer apparently was good enough. And she crossed her arms and the look on her face didn't soften.
"So…? You can walk to this area and find an npc to do your gear but my shop is too far out of the way? Humph. I see how it is Kirito.
"Whaaa? Liz no you don't understand. I-"
Wrong thing to say.
"OH! I understand perfectly Kirito. You abandoned your personal blacksmith. You lied and…and I will no longer be taking your business here. Good day."
"Liz."
She met his gaze.
"I have not been in Aincrad for the last few weeks. I was not abandoning you or my promise. I was literally too far away to have you repair or upgrade my gear. But this is the only thing I have done since getting back to Aincrad. I came here first."
Liz stood silent for a long silent minute. Kirito couldn't see since she now had her back turned but a blush was slowly calming down across her face.
'He came here first? Why does that matter to me? Argh stupid blush! Go away! Oh yeah I need to answer him.'
"How far away were you? Do you mean to tell me you haven't been in Aincrad since the last event?"
With a quick nod Kirito replied.
"Yep. And we are talking beyond the northern forest far away. Travel time is measured in days. I think the npc smiths up there did a decent job with my gear but I want you to check it all over while I am here please."
"Oh… sure give it here."
Liz sent Kirito a request which he accepted and the smith interface window popped up between them. Rather than having to trade his equipment over or some other long winded task. Smith's and other craftsmen had special task windows that allowed them to do business quickly and efficiently. Kirito selected the ‹‹Repair All›› option and Liz agreed and Kirito paid the specified price. His gear was now 100% repaired and ready for use.
Kirito used the silence to think over how to approach the next topic.
"Say… Liz. Is your ‹‹Blacksmith›› skill level over 150?"
She nodded and Kirito continued.
"Well since you are my personal smith I have an order to put in."
Kirito operated his menu quickly and several scrolls materialized into his hands.
"These are some unique recipes from the place I was questing in. I got these as a unique quest award. You can have them. I need you to make me several stack of the throwing picks. I will pay for the material costs and whatever crafter's fee you want to charge me. Just have them ready before the event please."
Liz didn't know how to react. Collecting every single recipe was her secret goal. And Kirito had just unknowingly given her something that was practically priceless in herself made quest. So she reached out and accepted the scrolls.
"Sure Kirito I can make you them."
While Liz was going through the animation of learning each new recipe, a familiar sound drew Kirito's attention.
Bing!
Opening his menu he noticed it was Argo getting back to him.
Oh Dearest Kirito!
You are finally back and you haven't come to see your precious little Argo? I am wounded Kirito. To think I can answer all your questions and instead of searching for me you just casually message me and go off to meet another girl? All the discounts in your favor and my personal time spent researching whatever you needed. Wasted... Oh my, oh my.
You will find me for tea tomorrow morning at the shop ‹‹Teattle Tales›› south-west section of the second district. It is my personal tea shop actually. Like the name? I use it for all my official information discussions. And... I LOVE TEA! Never tell anyone else, ever...
~Too de Loo~
-Argo
Kirito's groan caught Liz's attention and brought her out of her recipe daze. She looked at him questioningly. He replied.
"Just Argo answering me with her usual eccentrics."
Which caused Liz to giggle at the thought.
"Oh yeah Liz."
He said suddenly with a look of realization crossing his face.
"I need you to upgrade my new sword and armor. I don't have a ton of mats but enough for a couple upgrade on each I think."
Liz sent him another request and opened the special smithing window. Accepting Kirito slotted his sword and all the mats he had for upgrading it. She accepted.
"Follow me to the back. I have to use an anvil to do upgrades."
They moved to her backroom workshop and Kirito watched as she began to strike his new sword over and over again. Occasionally a bright light shone around Liz and the sword. After five minutes of Liz hammering she looked up with a smile. The smith window was still open and Kirito used it to receive his sword back, before he then slotted his chest plate and mats for upgrading it.
"Ohhh nice job Liz! +4 on my new sword!"
"Oh well you know I try my best. But Kirito this is some nice looking armor and that sword was very high quality as well."
Her comment was obviously a question so Kirito answered.
"I got them from a special quest reward. I guess it pays off to be the only one questing at a certain quest hub. I get all the special quests and rewards."
Neither said anything else as the sound of Liz's hammer striking his chest plate filled the silence. She worked it over for a much longer time. But eventually she stood up and it was returned. Kirito paid her fee.
"Awesome!"
He said and equipped both pieces into place. His new sword was slung over his should similarly to his old one.
"The armor I got to +5. Be sure to bring it back to me when you want it upgraded again."
Kirito wouldn't meet her eye for some reason. And she noticed a blush creeping across his face.
"Uhh Kirito? Is something the matter?"
"OH! No, no don't worry. I just… well I have… Hmm you see-"
"Kirito just spit it out."
He instead open his menu again and materialized several small packages. He threw them in her direction and said.
"I got these at Christmas. Think of it as a split thank you/Christmas present."
Then he turned and strode towards the front of her shop. She quickly trailed behind him.
"It's getting late. I should leave. Good night Liz. I will be back to pick up the picks before the event."
"Bye…"
Kirito was out of the door before she could say anything else. Liz decided it was time to close up for the day.
'Well, I wonder just what this present is.'
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
January 2nd
Teattle Tales
Kirito woke up several hours before mid-day. Back in the real world he used to sleep in late on the weekends. But during his travels he tried to maximize daylight. Npc's didn't give out quests once they fell asleep. He got up and headed toward the south western part of the section district per Argo's directions.
Eventually Kirito found himself in front of what could only be described as a typical European tavern. Only it sold tea and information not alcohol and pleasure. He entered and was greeted by the dark atmosphere and saw candles flickering by several tables where hooded figures were bent over quietly discussing things. Sunlight dimly streamed through the dusty half shuttered windows. The atmosphere was clearly Argo's doing.
Before he could continue his inspection he was pounced on by a small figure and dragged to a side room. As he quickly realized it was Argo he listened to her complaining.
"For goodness sake Kirito how can you wear a cloak like that when it is full of holes? Is its durability almost zero or something? If you need good tailor just tell me and I can sell you the info for a good one."
In the room Kirito broke free from her grasp and seated himself on one side of a pristine looking wooden table. The bench was comfortable he found. Before him lay a menu listing tea prices. He decided to scan it while Argo continued explaining just how shabby he looked.
"-all black still, I just don't understand. Hey Kirito. Kirito? KIIIRIITOOO!"
"Oh sorry, uh yeah black is just my color I guess?"
"Why are you asking me that? How would I know it's your outfit."
"Uhh Argo. Can I get some black tea…?"
Argo looked flabbergasted.
"Really Kirito?"
He chuckled.
"No, but some green tea would be nice. I am thirsty from all the dust inside. Can't you clean this place up a bit?"
"Its atmosphere, people come here expecting all kinds of shadiness. So I simple fulfill their expectations."
"Hmm I guess that does make sense. Anyway, Argo I have some business for us to settle. You wouldn't happen to know someone who has a tailoring skill above 300? This cloak is pretty shabby after all and I think it could use a covert touch up."
He winked obviously.
Argo nearly faced palmed. Really Kirito was too much sometimes. But business is business and he isn't her strangest customer. Before she replied Kirito spoke again.
"Lizbeth sent me to a tailor last time I was in town. I think her name was ‹‹Ashley››. Argo do you know if her skill level is above 300 now?"
"Oooh why that would be 50 col Kirito."
She stuck her hand out and he quickly slipped her the col.
"Yes, Ashley is one of the more successful tailors on the market. Last I heard her skill was near 400."
She slipped the col up her sleeve. Obviously another one of her atmosphere tricks. Sleight of hand and all that.
"Now about the bow. No one who can pay a decent price has come forward yet, so that is still a no go. I spent a lot of time but I just don't think anyone will buy it in our price range. However if I caved and went to one of the people trying to undercut the price I would lose a lot of face. As I told everyone who tried to get it cheap that their offers were laughable and I would have no problem selling it for the price I wanted."
Kirito nodded sagely.
"Mmhmm. I understand."
"I really doubt that."
He face-vaulted onto the table. But quickly regained composure. A slight blush on his face.
"Now I must know what this title of yours is about. I imagine most people can't see it because of your ‹‹Hiding›› skill level being so high. But naturally my ‹‹Searching›› is higher. And ‹‹Hero of Graig›› seems pretty important."
So Kirito began feeding Argo pieces of info with a price tag attached to each tidbit. But he left off important parts for the most part. He had been planning this conversation the whole ride back. His intention was to get a good amount of col or an IOU from Argo. Eventually she realized the string he was pulling and called him on it. So for a large price of 2,000 col Argo bought his entire travels in detail. So Kirito gave her the complete rundown on all his doing in the north.
When he recanted his return trek he mentioned the KoR and the hero figure Argo snorted. Kirito looked at her and she offered a free explanation. At the mention of the heroic figures deed. Kirito realized it was him. Argo already knew so and teased him.
"Ohh I bet every girl would be delighted to know your player name. I get could so rich selling off secrets about you~"
Argo started getting more detailed exactly what she could sell. And to Kirito's horror most of it was true!
'How does Argo even know that?!'
He quickly stood up and bid her good day. Then hurried out of the tea shop to escape her heckling. All the while he heard her cackling with glee behind him. He needed to visit Agil still and sell off his extra gear drops.
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
January 3rd
Kirito's POV
Kirito had visited Ashley and gotten his cloak redone so it now wasn't washed out and torn. It was a deep pitch black and in fact it now added +5% to the ‹‹Hiding›› skill, but only at night. But now Kirito was bored. The few friends he had within this game all had businesses they had to spend all day managing. And this was the first time he had free time since the start of SAO.
So with a quick message to Argo about passing the time, he found there were several things to do within the game. Including: ‹‹Fishing››, then people held festivals and there were apparently several sports clubs being held among other things. Kirito decided to try out fishing.
Kirito found a carpenter and quickly bought a ‹‹Beginner's Rod›› and some bait. Turns out Kayaba was an avid fisherman and had implemented a completely realistic fishing experience, at least using gear one would find during the Middle Ages. Kirito had heard there was a lake to the south of Aincrad about a ten hour walk. So he rode Midnight and made it there much quicker.
Kirito had never fished before. And this game came with no system assist only a brief explanation in the flavor text attached to his beginner's rod. He followed the instructions and equipped the bait onto a hook then tied the hook onto the rod's line. A way's down the shore bank he watched an old man cast like a pro.
Kirito thought the movement seemed easy, and as he tried to copy he sort of succeeded. His hook did fly out into the lake. But he didn't get much distance on it. Compared to the old man his line was only cast half as far. He sat down with his back to a stump and allowed himself to enjoy the weather. It was January but this far south in the game the weather was nice.
He spent most of the day lazing about fishing and napping. A welcome way to relax. Something he planned to do again another time he decided.
At the end of the day Kirito went to Liz's to pick up his order. Liz had presented to him x200 ‹‹Graig Throwing Pick››. He thanked her greatly and paid. Then left to sleep in an inn again for the evening.
January 4th
'There is a very serious atmosphere in the city today.'
Kirito thought as he walked down a street. Everyone had grim looks on their faces. The carefree attitude's he saw yesterday were gone. And everyone was hurrying about in the street.
'I guess they can't keep denying what is going to happen tomorrow.'
Kirito was on his way to a meeting, a gathering of all the players who were going to fight tomorrow. It is being held in one of the large plazas in the top district. The day before a massive festival had been held where many people had been celebrating. Kirito supposed it was to enjoy life before it possibly ended. He wasn't really sure. Kirito had spent the day fishing after all.
Arriving at the meeting 20 minutes early, Kirito could already see several hundred people sitting down in make shift wooden bleachers. When Kirito took a seat away from the others, high in the corner of one section he noted the bleachers weren't very comfortable. He estimated there was seating enough for 3,000 people. But he sincerely doubted if 3,000 would show up. There couldn't be more than 1,000 people who could stand and fight tomorrow without being overcome easily. The others who would show up simply needed more time to catch up. Their gear and level's would be too low.
Quickly the stands started filling up. The meeting started at nine and when the clock struck the turn of the hour, two players walked to the wooden podium in front of the bleachers. With no way to amplify their voices the crowd quieted down to try and catch what was about to be said. A figure with blue hair yelled out to stop the last couple conversations.
"Hello everyone! My name is Diavel. I am sure most of you recognize me. I have been working hard every day to ensure our success tomorrow. I also led some of you in that terrible battle 29 days ago. This meeting has been planned out to try to organize ourselves so we are prepared tomorrow. If we are organized we can be more efficient and we can hopefully keep everyone alive tomorrow."
He paused to let his words sink in.
"Last month many of you before me acquitted yourselves well. We grouped together last minute and some of you joined during the event. It was disorganized and it barely worked. But we did it. We proved that we can survive whatever Kayaba is going to throw our way. I have been going over what worked and what didn't work last month and hopefully things will be much smoother tomorrow."
He started pacing back and forth across the stage.
"After another month of training we are all here today because we want to fight and prove we can survive whatever is coming tomorrow. I am here to ask you to give everything you can tomorrow. But your own life. Don't sacrifice your life. We all want to live and together we can make sure no one dies. I will be the raid leader tomorrow. The more of you that join the more organized we can be. So I urge you all to accept."
He stopped pacing and stood tall behind the podium. Then he banged his fist on his breast plate and thrust it into the air above his head.
"Together we can survive, together we can win tomorrow. Together we are unstoppable. Already the raid has nearly 2,000 members. Join together. VICTORY THROUGH UNITY!"
His voice was much louder as he yelled the last phrase. His action was copied and hundreds of player's raised their fists into the air and yelled back.
"Victory through unity!"
Kirito was too far away to notice. But Diavel had a huge smirk on his face as he watched the crowd.
Hell yeah! that's another chapter done and out. Please feel free to write a review or send me a pm with any questions or comments. I enjoy answering them, and your suggestions are appreciated. Otherwise your just gonna have to wait till I decide to write another chapter to hear from me. And guess what? Its gonna be the next event! I know I am excited. If you liked the first event then just expect something twice as awesome.