Chapter 8: The Plans!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online and Minecraft.
Koyero's P.O.V
I am a man of my word and if I say there will be something I planned there really is something! Too bad that I'm bad at cooking and baking… maybe I can try to make a belated birthday cake for her… It's better to try yourself than depending it all on someone else, ya know… Anyway let's just say I'll make the cake for last… for now I shall spend time with my favourite person that I remember, Silica-chan~. I wonder where to take her though… Sword Art Online doesn't really have dating spots much… might as well be with her the whole day then… My thoughts were interrupted as someone came in the room. It was Silica-chan, I'm still thinking about why we began sleeping on the same bed recently… maybe she's cold or something… it has to be.
"You said we were going somewhere… so where?" She asked as I stood up. "Well… let's just say that we'll hang out." I smiled. "Hmm… Pina stay here." She commanded Pina. "So I'll take that as a yes I suppose?" I changed my armor into a blue shirt and kept my lower clothing the same. "Yep!" She nodded enthusiastically as we went out of the usual inn where we mostly stay in… Anyway I wonder how much money I have… I don't like the inn's room service if you know what I mean.
Anyway first place where we're going is to the first place we met… even though we had a bad start that time and me getting eaten by that leech in Floor 62… Anyway I saw a familiar face… a person with black hair and red strands of hair on the edges also some red eyes… I couldn't put my finger… I still have no idea who he was… He saw us and waved. Is he…? No… who was I thinking of…? I reluctantly went to him with Silica, it looked like my body had a mind of its own. He stared at me for a second with shock and happiness at the same time. Silica looked questioned as she saw his expression on me.
"I hope you remember me, Koyero." He gave a gentle smile, he had two scars on each of his cheeks… who was this guy? "Gomen but I don't recall anyone that looks like you…" I suddenly felt pale. "I see… at least I could clarify that Yumi and I wanted to know… if you were alive…" He showed his dark red eyes and gave a playful smirk. "Yumi? Didn't you say that name before?" Silica shook my arm making me snap out from my trance. "You know… I did say that name… and Hozume…" I muttered. "Good! You remember! We'll be in touch soon… good luck on the date!" He disappeared leaving us dumbfounded by what he just said.
'Shit… why didn't I think of that sooner?! I could make this a belated birthday date! I'm such a genius!' I thought to myself while smirking. "What's with that look on your face, Koyero?" Silica looked at me in suspicion. "Oh nothing Silica-chan! I'm just… poking you!" I began poking her hoping that my poking will excuse me. "Umm…o…k?" She fell for it since she probably thinks that my mood swings are affecting my behaviour again. "So Silica-chan… let me tell you something!" I gave a mischievous smirk. "What?" She hid her blushes but failed. "Today, your belated birthday, will be now a date! Isn't that great?!" I pointed at her happily. "N-NANI?!" She squeaked softly. "I'll take that as a yes so let's go to that place I found in Floor 76!" I grabbed her and dragged her to the teleportation area then we teleported to Floor 76.
Well I found this place in Floor 76. It was an exotic looking place and it looked like a restaurant… I wonder why Kayaba would make something like this… Anyway I led Silica to this place and she looked at me with doubt but I made her go in. The place was filled with NPC couples and some player couples, about 5 I think? Silica got my attention by pinching me as we went to a table.
"Oww… what was that for?" I rubbed the place where she pinched. "Can you even pay for it?" She whispered softly. "Of course I can! I only use my salary on the inn, weapon repair and healing items… no biggie!" I saluted happily then dropped on my chair. "Baka…" She shook her head in embarrassment. "May I take your order?" A NPC waiter asked as I finally went on my chair. "Hmm… I'll have the ribs, fries, burger, spaghetti and a big pitcher of soda!" I responded. "Well… I'll have the… sushi…" Silica responded while giving me a look. "Will be here, thank you for staying…" The waiter left.
"Really? All that?" She stared at me. "Hai, I got to eat too you know… I have tons of money so don't worry about it! Just sit back and relax!" I smiled as the food was now at the table. "Might as well talk?" She recommended and gave a face facepalm as she saw that I was all done. "You're right, let's talk. You start!" I smirked making her shrug. "Fine… can I talk about real life things then?" She questioned me and I nodded. "What's the first game you played? I've been curious for some time now… especially the times where you just charge in…" She asked then chewed from eating sushi. "Ahh… that's easy! Minecraft of course! How about you?" I felt excited while drinking that soda thing I ordered. "Actually this is pretty much the very first online video game I played…" She admitted. "Cool, now I know why!" I said. "Know what?" She reached for her glass and sipped from it. "You know… I rather not talk about it…" I looked away mischievously. "May I ask about the mood swings?" I saw her gulp as she stated her question. "Now that's…" I was interrupted by an out of nowhere attack from a player. It seems this was all a trap after all… I knew there were no legit restaurants in Sword Art Online!
The NPCs were actually several Scarlet Temptation members in disguise… we're deeply outnumbered right now… Seems like relaxation is about to become a fight for our lives! Silica left Pina at the inn so I have to fight them all myself I guess… All of them were high levelled… 10 level 80s, 5 level 84s, 3 level 83 and 1 level 88… Silica seemed to have a shiver when she saw one of them. Did he hurt my Silica-chan?! I growled a bit resulting to some smirks.
"Hello, Koyero…" A man with dyed hair bowed? White hair? Silver hair? "Who the hell are you?" I shouted angrily. "I… forgot... sorry but we have to take you with us." He revealed to me that he was Ku, the man that fought Silica. "Indeed… you must come with us…" A blonde came here a man named, Ze came to me. "Over my dead body!" I unsheathed my Zweihander while Silica unsheathed her dagger. "I thought we could settle this in a friendly and gentlemanly way but alas… I am mistaken…" Ku took out a katana and so did the others. "Let's get ready… to RUMBLE!" I announced as I began clashing with numerous people. I left an opening on purpose making Silica rush out to get some help. "How good of you to avoid making a lady hit… I was probably wrong about you but we still have to capture you..." Ku slashed at me and hit the ground instead since I dodged. "Impressive…" Ze went behind me and hit my head with the handle of his sword.
I fell on my knees in pain… what did that attack have? Paralysis? Well I couldn't do anything now… I have to accept my inevitable fate unless… they come… At least this date wasn't completely bad… Actually I saw someone go through the door. It was that black haired guy with strands of red hair and red eyes… is he going to help? He was level 92 I think…
"What do you all think you're doing to him?" He gave a devilish glare that gave me a shiver down my spine. "Ahh… gomen but we do not allow witnesses to survive…" Ze charged and tried to slash him down but failed by a landslide since that red eyed guy slashed first. "The first hit counts… I am Hozume…" He kicked Ze down forcing him to use his crystal and escape. "Hold your ground, minna… We can do this…" Ku backed away and coughed a bit. "It seems you really have to retreat I must say… since you chose the paralysis tactic I chose the poisoning…" He revealed his blade to have digital blood stained on it. All the people there except me and that guy named Hozume had a slash wound on the side.
"I'd prefer that you all run along now…" He put on something making them cower. "See ya!" Ku fled with all the other people. "Hozume?" I muttered trying to remember what that name was. "Amnesia, eh? Hope you get your act together soon." Hozume sighed while eating leftover pasta. "Anyway time to heal that paralysis, shall we?" He healed me with a crystal. "How did you…" I had a pitiful face. "These scars tell all bad memories…" He pointed at his two scars on each of his cheek. "I-I have to go… to see if Silica-chan's all right." I excused myself. "Well you better get going. Who knows what could happen to her in this situation… On the other hand, I have to go find someone…so see ya…" He walked away. "Kuso… it seems this day didn't go according to plan…" I pouted and went out of the fake restaurant.
Kirito's P.O.V
Asuna and I were investigating at Floor 77 where we fought two guild members from Scarlet Temptation. There were rumours from some people that there was a fortress somewhere outside this dungeon. First things first, we have to find an exit. The monsters here looked like they were made to weaken players and stall them… Sometimes when we go to a bright area it just turns to pure darkness. This place is giving me a bad feeling… There is not a single NPC in this area, only treasure chests which are all probably traps, monsters and the unknown area of the exit. Actually we could already go to Floor 78 but we have to get to the bottom of these rumours and see if an exit out of the dungeon and a fortress outside was true.
"Kirito-kun, I think we're lost. To make matters worse it looks like we're going in circles…" Asuna was probably the player that was the most suspicious of this Floor since every time we go to this Floor, we end up always in a dark gloomy looking dungeon. "I promise I'll do it later, remember?" I smiled making her fluster. "Umm… at least don't say it aloud!" She protested but was still blushing. "Hehe… Just kidding… anyway no one can hear us because we're the only ones here in this Floor." I reassured her. "I-I knew that…" She looked away. "Anyway since I picked our most recent path, why don't you pick the next one?" I insisted. "Fine… we'll go left." She led the way and I followed. "Getting brighter I think…" I was blinded by something. "Maybe this is the exit… or it could be a trap…" She said. "Well trap or not, we have to go in that area…" I went near the door. "…" She silently nodded and we both went in.
We finally found the exit. When we checked our maps, it wasn't registered. No matter what we did to it, it still did not register the pathway so we just let it be. The outside was actually gloomier than inside the dungeon. The sky was unending black, the trees were wilting, the whole area was dark. Next thing to do is to find this so called fortress. We finally saw one NPC. He was wearing black clothing all over with a hood covering his face. We approached him and tried talking but he didn't say a word. We checked the quests he gives and he only had one named 'Into the fortress'. We both took it and checked our maps. The only think present was us and the area of the fortress. We were walking towards the area until one shady person appeared in front of us. She was also wearing the same clothing as that NPC but she is actually a player.
"Ohayo… welcome to Floor 77… I'm the blacksmith around here…" She muttered in a cold tone. "Umm… Ohayo! I'm Kirito, who are you?" I asked. "My name in SAO is Deira…" She turned away looking like she wanted us to follow her. "Where are you taking us?" Asuna looked at Deira and she looked back. "My workshop…" She answered then we followed her. "If you're thinking… Deira isn't my real name… just saying so you won't be confused…" She explained and continued walking. Her level was 81. "I thought that no one would ever go here… well I can't think that… since I just went here 1 day ago…" She gave a sad expression as we went in her workshop making her take off her hood.
She had light violet hair with a strand of it covering her left eye a little bit, big pinkish eyes that looked quite emoish and shoulder length hair. Her workshop had some good looking weapons hanging on the wall. If Koyero was here I'd bet he'd flip out and ask if there was a Zweihander. She sat on a desk and looked at us. She had an emotionless face which looked creepy although Asuna didn't get intimidated at all. We were ready to question her.
"What is inside that fortress?" Asuna gave the first question. "I don't know… all I know is… there are a lot of people in it… but they never go in my workshop…" Deira sighed while tapping the desk. "Who are those people?" I stood up. "Players… they say that the fortress is their territory so I just stay here and try to do some business but I'm currently failing…" She stood up as well and so did Asuna. "Thank you for the information… we promise that we'll drop by next time… and maybe tell Koyero." I chuckled a bit. "Who's Koyero?" She tilted her head in confusion. "One of our guild mates." Asuna answered then we both left. "Who's Koyero?" I heard her mutter as we left.
We were rushing back to the dungeon. We finally knew where the exact location of Scarlet Temptation is. Asuna gave a grimaced nod and I nodded back. We found the teleportation area and went to it. The whole area was now in our maps thanks to Deira. We teleported to Floor 1 so that we could warn Koyero and Silica first.
Koyero's P.O.V
I was in the usual inn after I found Silica and told her what happened. She glomped me out of relief, I likey… Anyway my surprise is still in place… I shall show her at the end of the day. Boy will she be so glad when she sees what I will do… Anyway before I could lead Silica to the destination I was taking her, Kirito sent us the message to stay at the Floor 1 inn so we had to stay. The chair was a bit small but fine with me. The service on the other hand is for a different story. Anyway my salary with me right now is a zero since I spent it all. Who cares? Silica-chan will be happy, I just know it. Or not… So where can I find tacos? I-I mean where is Kirito? I hate my mood swings…
"We're here, sorry for the wait." Asuna came in first. "Yeah. We got caught up in something…" Kirito shivered. "What was it?" Silica and I asked. "Better that both of you don't know…" He turned away. "What did you want to talk about anyway?" I was the first one to speak. "We found the hideout of Scarlet Temptation!" Kirito looked at us with some despair written on his face. "What's with the 'we're going to die' face?! We can kill them all!" I had another mood swing. "We can't just go all-out at their territory. They know that area way more than all of us." Asuna disagreed with my plan. "Deira could help us." Kirito tilted his head. "Who the heck is Deira?" I was shocked since I had well… let's just say instant thoughts. "Koyero, don't even go there… She's just an acquaintance that Asuna and I just met outside the dungeon of Floor 77, she's a blacksmith." Kirito gave a glare at me. "Thank goodness, I feared that you would do something…" I sighed in relief.
After minutes of our small meeting someone came in. Actually it was two people.
"Konichiwa, Kirito-san, Asuna-san, Koyero-san, Silica-san!" A girl with raven hair and blue strands on her downer part of her long hair came in then bowed respectfully and did I mention that we were in the inn? "I'm here like I said, Koyero." Hozume came in as well. "Who are these people?" Silica shook me, getting my attention. "That guy is Hozume while that girl is… Yumi, I think?" I whispered to Silica. "What is your business here, if I may ask?" Kirito was the first one to look suspicious. "We just wanted to offer something." The girl/Yumi blinked and looked at us. "What is it Yumi?" I muttered before Asuna could answer. "I see your amnesia is beginning to get better." Yumi sat down with Hozume.
"Amnesia?" Kirito put a finger on his chin, thinking. "Hai, Koyero was struck by a van, am I right?" Hozume sighed and looked at me. "You poor thing…" He pitied me. "I never knew…" Silica had her head down. "H-How did you know?!" I slammed the table. "We talked to your parents a few years ago…" Yumi looked pale. "Let's stop this conversation for now… we'll offer you the thing we wanted to tomorrow…" Hozume and Yumi stood up and left. "Us too… I promised Asuna too… anyway… tomorrow." Kirito left with Asuna as well.
"Silica-chan~! I have a surprise for you!" I glomped her. "A belated birthday present?" She was curious. "Hai! Follow me now!" I carried her and went into an area outside the Town of Beginnings. "Nani?! What is that?" She was in awe as she saw a house. "Umm well… I bought the area and paid NPCs to help build a house with the resources I currently had." I scratched my head. "Really?! I never knew you could…" I interrupted her. "Hai, build. I told you. I played Minecraft before SAO." I earned… a kiss… thank goodness it was just on the cheek or my head would probably explode or something. "Domo arigato gozaimasu, Koyero-kun…" She blushed deep red. "No problem… I'll just go to the…" She grabbed my wrist. "Live with me… You made the house after all…" She was extremely flustered just like me.
"Nani dai?! Are you sure, Silica-chan? That would seem like we're… dating or even more…" I gulped a bit with my heart beating faster. "Ok then… are we dating already?" She began breathing quickly as well. "Umm… Fine… we are…" I may regret my answer but who cares! I got Silica-chan! "…!" I felt something warm… a hug from Silica-chan… and after a few moments of looking at her eyes, we leaned for a kiss… my first kiss… "That felt…" Silica couldn't think of anything now. "Great?" I finished her sentence while covering my eyes. "Mood swing?" She smiled. "Hai…" I smiled back at her. "Let's go in then. Did you buy furniture?" She held my hand and we both went in the house. "Hai… we even have an all-you-can-eat buffet outside!" I pointed at the boars who were roaming the fields outside. Pina growled and licked its own lips like those boars looked good to eat, can't argue with that!
"Do you even know how to cook?" She giggled. "Umm… maybe I can ask lessons from Asuna-san if she has time? Anyway my cooking skill is in half already!" I saluted happily. "I never really saw you cook…" She looked at me surprised. "Of course I cook! Just not so good." I got my Zweihander while glaring at a boar from the window. "Looks good to eat, eh Pina?" I smirked. "Rrr…" Pina responded with a growl of approval. "Great! I'll go kill some boars then! Minecraft style!" I charged and began doing a boar massacre. "He never changes… that's what I like about him..." I heard Silica mutter making me smile while killing these boars. Goodbye room service and hello own service!
Extra Scene:
Klein's P.O.V
Let's see, I was in Floor 1 along with Koyero, he came in this place saying that he just had dinner. He sat down beside me, should be interesting… he does know that this place is a bar right? He ordered a drink not knowing that it was sake… thinking that its water… He drank it and rushed to the bathroom… I ordered whisky. The glass was still in front of me untouched. I wasn't in the mood to just drink it immediately.
"Warning! Do not just order a 'drink' to that guy!" Koyero coughed while pointing at the bartender who was probably a player. "Hey!" He shouted as I pulled him to a seat and went back to mine. "Klein! Long-time no see! What's your level?!" He cheered up instantly. "I became level 89 recently, you?" I secretly looked at my untouched whisky just in case. "Still Level 84, what do I expect? I've just been playing around these days…" He slammed his head on the desk. "Don't worry about it. Loosen up for a change." I patted his back. "Luckily I'm in charge of the rookies tomorrow!" He smirked. "I feel sorry for them…" I mumbled since I was thinking of what may happen. "What did you say?" He pouted. "Nothing, nothing…" We both faced the counter.
"Is that water?" He pointed at my whisky. "You must be mistaken, kid. That my friend is…" I face palmed as I saw him drink it. "This water is horrible!" He shivered. "Whisky…" I finished. "No wonder it tasted like alcohol…" He finally figured it out. "Don't worry I'll pay for another whisky since I drank yours." He punched my arm playfully and called the bartender. "1 glass of whisky please!" He ordered before I could decline his offer. "Coming up!" The bartender placed a glass on the counter. "Arigato but you didn't really have to do this." I grabbed the glass and sipped a bit. "So what's happening between you and Silica, I've heard rumours that you built a house just outside the Town of Beginnings." I question Koyero making him whistle like he knew nothing.
"Where did you hear that from? Nothing like that is true." He was obviously lying to me. "How much money do you have left?" I asked. "Only about 2000 left… I had... uhh… bought something!" He smiled innocently. "Spent it on what?" I sipped some more whisky beginning to get interested. "Fine… I bought materials and hired some workers to help me build a house…" He admitted it. "Handmade?" I was impressed. "Hai, it was a handmade gift for her." He explained. "So you guys are going to get hitched soon?" I began to smirk. "Of course not! We just started being all romantic at each other after I showed her my gift. We can't just marry that fast!" He protested.
"Hehe… Gomenosai. I got quite carried away. Maybe because of the whisky." I apologized for my rudeness. "How much whisky did you drink before I went here anyway?" He pointed at me. "Hmm… about 10 glasses… I think…" I got my act back together. "At least you're not intoxicated or anything. I on the other hand might be sick for drinking alcohol…" He covered his mouth like he was going to be sick. "That's what you get for being in here… what is your age anyway? I've been wondering about this recently." I finished my 11th glass that he just bought to replace my supposed to be untouched glass. "Right now I'm 15!" He yelled out happily. "Go home kid… this is a bar…" I looked at him in embarrassment. "This was a bar?! No wonder! I'll be going then. Bye Klein-san!" He went away leaving me alone with my empty glass of whisky. "1 more glass then I'll be leaving." I ordered the bartender and another glass of whisky appeared in front of me.
He could get stronger… as long as he keeps his mood swings in check… and try to master more moves… easy for me to say… I only usually use one skill… Anyway this bar is where I usually go with my friend in SAO… too bad they couldn't go here since they said they were beat from the training. Why did that kid go in this bar in the first place anyway? That is now one of the 6 wonders about Koyero… the other six is well… I don't want to hurt his feelings so none of us talk about it. But since the first one isn't so mean I'll say it. Why did Koyero battle the Floor 1 boss with those other players including Kirito even though he was just Level 5 that time and only used a low-levelled Zweihander and with no armor protecting him? See not that mean but I sense that a 7th wonder will come soon… and my guess will be that it'll be probably with Silica this time…
Kirito did say something about the hideout of Scarlet Temptation… Asuna on the other hand forbade us to not get anywhere near that fortress. There was also a workshop somewhere outside the dungeon so it looked like the owner has bad business there… If Koyero finds out, he'd probably go there immediately… that kid… is so troublesome. I drank my 12th glass then went out… That's enough whisky for me and the night's becoming darker so I have to go just for the best… I really do wonder what will happen in Floor 78… Koyero as the teacher of their rookies, eh? What could he possibly do bad about it? He's trustworthy I guess but he could get them in trouble at the same time. Kuso… I have to get going… I ran to the teleportation area and I was teleported to my destination.
End of Extra Scene
End of Chapter 8
Next Chapter: The Rookies and new people, aren't they the same?