Chapter 17: The Darkness Arrives…
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online.
Figo's P.O.V
"D-Dark Radiance?!" My sister was the most surprised. "Indeed… this is what that mysterious type weapon was hiding…" I muttered in a dark tune. "F-Figo-sempai?" Quorora covered her mouth in horror. "I'll handle this… for good!" I charged at the army of small ghosts. "Don't do that! It's dangerous!" Vukso tried to stop me but he was currently occupied since he was fighting as well. "Do you even think I'll need your help, Vukso? You couldn't protect Havuki so how can you help me then?!" I chuckled and disintegrated the ghosts that went in my way while Vukso seemed to have weakened. "I knew it was a terrible idea to make Figo-san use that move…" Wukure seemed to regret me using this powerful mode/move.
"Don't feel regret buddy… This shall make us survive and defeat this ghost boss… and its useless children…" I reassured him by destroying more of its 'minions'. "Figo-sama… this isn't you." Kerzuki glared at me while reaping the ghosts with his scythe. "I will defeat that boss first." Kerzuki crossed his arms to taunt me then his scythe began glowing. "Tsk… I'd like to see you try!" I was now closer to the boss than Kerzuki. "Wukure, take care of the girls. I have a job to do." Kerzuki just went away from his position and made Wukure take his place… I will not go easy…
That Kerzuki is beginning to make me annoyed by his presence… He may be obedient but I hate the thought that he thinks he can defeat the boss before me. This Dark Radiance shall make every single enemy I have lost, confused and go to agony… Quorora seems to fear me… What is making her be like that? Deira, my sister has the same emotion… Kerzuki had just left the party and so did Vukso… how dare they disobey my formation… I shall show them that treachery will not be forgotten… The darkness never forgets a name…
"Dark Radiance: Stream…" I curved my blade making it into dual daggers. "What is Figo-sempai going to do now?" Quorora seemed to be hurt to see me like this. "This…" I threw both daggers like boomerangs and they had a dark aura path wherever they hit then came back to me, becoming a sword again. "Think that you can still defeat me?!" I laughed like a maniac. 'W-What is happening to me?! I know that this is my first time using it but still… Quorora and Deira seem shocked… Kuso… I knew that using my Dark Radiance could be risky but Quorora insisted me to use it so how can I decline…?' I gritted my teeth knowing that I couldn't stop.
"It's useless to hide it now! I have no other choice… Scythe Skill: Reaping Redemption…" Kerzuki pierced his scythe on the ground and lured in some ghosts. "What are you doing?!" Vukso seemed to be confused but I know what'll happen next… "There we go." Kerzuki grabbed his scythe and gave a little spin to it when the ghosts came closer. "Reaping Redemption!" He made some quick slashes and slams like he was a human tornado, defeating most of the ghosts then he finished it all off with a strong roar that seemed to have flinched everyone in the room… except me of course.
"Now that… was a roar…" Deira was the first to recover from flinching. "That was nothing… Deira, watch the counterpart of your Radiance…" I taunted making her turn her attention to me. "Figo…" She felt pained to see me like this. "Dark Radiance… Shadow Blade… feel your fear make you to scared to move… I shall destroy you with this blade." My blade had an aura of darkness instead of light since Deira's Radiance focuses on helpful things while me? I'm the complete opposite of it…
Wukure was looking at me in pity while he was still defending against relentless attacks from the minions or children of the ghost boss. He got hit by one of them but he quickly recovered and hit back just for the sake of protecting the girls. I despise Kerzuki and Vukso… they try to defeat this thing without me? Let's see how much they'll survive… I blazed through anything that went in my way resulting to the boss being left making Deira and Quorora use buffs on us, not that I need it...
The attacks were relentless but they were quite easy to dodge. It seems like this boss can speak which is a bit weird for a ghost that usually tries to give only creepy sounds and other things like the things I said. This boss may be quite tough… but not tough enough to beat my Dark Radiance though… I hit the boss with multiple Dark Radiance based attacks but it seems it only got minimal damage since of course this boss is with a high Level of 94. I was fighting alone with the buffs that they gave. Kerzuki came in the battle and fought alongside with me against this boss forcing it to deplete a life bar and use its second life bar.
"Figo-sama… I shall snap you out of this trance so be prepared to lose that bet you challenged me…" Kerzuki wielded his scythe like one of those necromancers or something. "I'll prove to you that the darkness is not amused… you have disobeyed my commands and you shall see me as the victor and the champion who shall beat this ghost!" I changed tactics and began looking for a weak spot by slashing everywhere. 'This is getting bad… I'm getting worse and worse second by second… Someone must snap me out right now!' I prayed inside my mind. "Reaping Redemption…" He almost incapacitated the arm of the ghost but it still had high HP.
"I will not yield…" The boss muttered while levitating. "Trick or Treat…" The ghost levitated higher and something captured me, making me immobilized and so was Kerzuki. "Trick…" He chuckled weirdly. "This is useless against me!" I quickly escaped the hold and hack-and-slashed the ghost. "Grraah…" I think I hit his weak spot since he was now in the third bar. "Radiant Rain…" Deira raised a hand making it look like it was raining but it was actually the microscopic blades of light that removes darkness which greatly affected the ghost… and me. "S-Stop it!" I felt scorching pain all over my body then the rain quickly stopped. "Gomen…" Deira muttered as she just used buffs now.
Without me knowing, I turned back to normal after the rain of Deira stopped. I panted heavily on the ground making the boss take advantage and blow me away to the far wall making my HP late-yellow now. Kerzuki seemed relieved to see me back to normal and continued using his scythe to attempt to reap the boss' soul out to no success. Vukso began to defend me while I was injured so why did I do such mean things to my reliable comrades? I must learn to control Dark Radiance before I even think of using it again… I rested on the ground as I watched my comrades begin to strike back while I was here being useless and being limp. Vukso gave a smirk of reassurance and gave a look that said, 'It's our turn now!'
I watched them all form their ranks as they were completely synchronized in fighting the ghost with Quorora being the first hitter because of her agility and fair power. Vukso landed a 'Diminishing Blow' to stagger it but it just gave very little damage. Only Deira and Kerzuki seem to be the only ones that are really giving it a fair amount of damage while Wukure went all yandere on it and gave some merciless and cheap hits just making the ghost irritated and no hurt. It seems that he is literally trying to draw the attention to himself only to stall time for the others. I got up making them surprised.
"Don't go up yet, Figo…" Deira was worried about me and gave pleading eyes but I was still standing. "Figo-sempai please don't push yourself. We will-" Quorora was attacked by the ghost and she was slammed on the ground and I even heard a crack so her HP was now late yellow like mine. "..." I felt anger surging through me as I saw her hurt body. "Figo-san calm down!" Wukure saw my clenched fist. "You hurt Quorora…" I had a serious expression. "Oh no… here comes pandemonium…" Wukure gulped and hid behind Kerzuki making Vukso confused. "I don't care even if I get out of control anymore…" I clenched my fist and glared at the boss.
"Yep… we're all going to be in rubble…" Deira agreed. "Nani?! I really don't get it! What is all the pandemonium talk about?" Vukso looked at me in confusion. "I suggest that you hide, Vukso-san." Wukure suggested while Kerzuki was now hiding behind Deira as well. "Well… I don't think I should…" Vukso wasn't flinched or afraid. "Impact in 3…2…1…" Kerzuki muttered. "Dark Radiance!" I shouted in rage.
Sinon's P.O.V
I felt a bad omen when I was here in Floor 80… It was like someone or something was telling me that a forbidden move was used or something. There are no forbidden moves in SAO but I agree that the atmosphere seems a bit coated in more darkness than it should be. A while ago, I have defeated a few monsters like a gargoyle. I shot down the bats that were beginning to swarm since I was pretty sure that they'll become vampires when they get any closer. Who would want a monster to kill you by sucking your blood out? Anyway I needed to investigate this matter right now.
I was investigating with someone with the player name, 'Tadaiku'. He had shoulder length brown hair that is styled to have downward spiky hair and some strands were covering both of his eyes but you could still see his eyes. His eyes were the color of the calming sky and he seems to be quite the mixture of being carefree and protective. His primary weapon that was hanging on his back seems to be a giant blade that looked a lot like Koyero's Zweihander.
Maybe it was also a Zweihander. The difference seems to be that his version had a dangerous form with mini blades growing out of the side little by little by his will. He had a silver cloak and silver gauntlets to protect his arms. Other than that he has light armor clothing for agility so he's balanced in overall. He was in a high Level of 95 which was the same as Asuna.
"Where do you think this power is coming from, Tadaiku-san?" I muttered when I felt its presence again. "I sense that it is coming from north, Sinon. If I am right, this power is darkness." He gazed at me. "Darkness?" I gave a look at him. "The latest update added a lot of things, Sinon. I heard that there were new moves with new effects so be careful. Some skills have counterparts now and I heard that 1 new unique skill was added but no one knows who got it." Tadaiku smiled a bit and walked beside me. "I know… I trust that you will be the one to keep the opponents back as I shoot them from a distance." I kept my cool.
"Of course. I was your partner ever since Floor 47 so why don't you trust me as much as I deserve?" He sighed. "I know that your strength is overwhelming but don't overestimate yourself…" I warned him. "I know… forgive me for my arrogance." He seems to regret his speech. "Don't worry of your back. I got it covered while you cover the front." I reminded him.
"That I shall do, I assure you Sinon. The frontlines must get through me first before they even hit the back." He prepared his unique-looking Zweihander. 'I saw what his blade could do to his opponents… We usually only fight sub-bosses but he managed to defeat them easily and leave his HP still high unless you count the harder battles where he gets red HP.' I thought to myself.
"I am the shield but I am also the blade… I shall cut down the enemies that face us… My weapon shall strike them down and prevent them to even stand again…" He defeated about 8 Level 92 chimeras that attacked together at the exact same time. 'He defeated those monsters just because I weakened them mid-yellow HP when they were still far away…' I complimented myself. "I got your back…" I fired a volley of arrows that defeated the vampire bats that were heading towards us. "Let's move! The coast is clear now." We sprinted across the dark forest and saw a black pillar.
This was where the presence of the power we felt not so long ago was the most powerful. We both looked at each other then we both nodded. We went this far and we must be ready to fight anything that will be behind these doors. We opened the doors and we saw someone give the final blow to the ghost boss and we also saw 5 bodies on the ground that may be knocked out. This person stared at us with eyes of hate and unsheathed his blade. He muttered the words, 'Dark Radiance' and charged. The doors closed behind us and Tadaiku charged as well, clashing with that guy while I was in back to lend him Tadaiku some openings whenever possible. This guy was incredible tough but so was Tadaiku.
"I won't let you get past me…" Tadaiku clashed valiantly with the other guy. "I am Figo… so state your name already…" Darkness could be felt from him. "I am Sinon and he is Tadaiku. We will remove that darkness from you, Figo." I was confident. 'Hold it… isn't he the leader of that guild where Wukure was? What happened to this Figo in the first place? He seems to be fully merciless right now. It must have something to do with that unusual blade of his… it has signs of evil. If we remove it from him then we may turn him back to normal.' I thought of a possible solution.
"Turn me back to normal? Don't make me laugh… this is already me!" He began pushing Tadaiku back with that power of his. "I won't let you succeed…" Tadaiku stood his ground and regained his balance. "Dark Radiance: Pandemonium…" Figo muttered. "Be glad that I even let you see this move!" When he slashed nothing happened. "Nani?" He was confused. "I used a negating arrow on you so don't think I'll let you use that much powerful moves." I was ready to fire another shot. "That means all I have to do is take you out first right?" Figo tilted his head. "If you pass me." Tadaiku landed a hit on his shoulder but it only seemed to hurt him a bit.
"Eto… was that supposed to hurt? With my armor, that normal move of yours was nothing. Show me your skill so I can see true power…" Figo sounded quite tempting but I must keep my guard up. "Why do you think those tricks will work on me?" Tadaiku's Zweihander began growing some blades… he must be serious. "Hai, if you're foolish enough to fall for it that is." Figo chuckled. "Don't fall for his trickery, Tadaiku-san… he's planning something…" I shot a flurry of arrows on the sword arm of Figo but that only seemed to slow him down.
"This really is the capacity of a SAO archer, isn't it? Archers always stay in the back… depending on the people in the front to protect them from harm… Can you even fight without using that, huh?" Figo was trying to get on my nerves and it was working. "Of course I can…" I unequipped my bow and I pulled out my secondary weapon, the dagger. "The dagger, eh? Good choice for speedy attacks but not powerful attacks. Wise choice for an archer as well." He complimented but it was changed to a smirk. "Not powerful enough…" He instantly moved right in front of me surprising me and even Tadaiku.
"Then let's see what you got…"A wall suddenly burst up and separated us from Tadaiku. 'I wasn't expecting this to happen but I must stay calm and fight my way out…' I gazed at his eyes that were now becoming darker. "I will defeat you…" I began clashing with him with my small dagger. "I'll get you outta there!" Tadaiku was beginning to give the wall some big cracks. "To be expected from someone of his level…" Figo looked down and glared at me that made me flinch. "I shall finish you to show how weak you are without that unique skill of yours…" He charged and clashed with me once more.
He was faster than anyone I knew… maybe a bit slower than Kirito but still… It seems that every hit he gave to my dagger, my dagger's durability drops down in a fast pace… I gave him some hits but he just chuckled and kept going… until I heard a little weak mutter from someone. After the mutter that I just heard I suddenly felt a power course through me. Not like his but it seems more gentle, warm and merciful. Is this the counterpart of his skill? If it was then Tadaiku was right… there is counterparts of moves scattered throughout the world. I'm guessing there's none for unique skills so I must focus fighting with this guy using this power that the mutter gave me…
"I sense… Is that Radiance?!" Figo growled and almost incapacitated me with his very dangerous blade. 'It feels like someone is speaking to me…' I trembled a bit. 'Use Radiant Rain… I am too weak to use it right now so I gave my Radiance to you for the time being… Use Radiant Rain. All you have to do is to strike the ground…' A voice was in my head so I have no choice but to listen to it I guess… "Radiant Rain!" I stabbed my dagger on the ground and some sort of mini blades were falling on him like rain but they were all glowing. "Deira! You cheap shot!" He screamed in pain.
"Ugh…" He fell on the ground. "I will not…" His right hand tried to grab my leg but his left hand stopped it. "Enough…" I heard a more caring voice like this was the real Figo. "Is that the real you now?" I crouched to take a better look while Tadaiku was about to go in. "No… I must let this dark-" His darker voice was interrupted. "No… Deactivate… Dark Radiance." He muttered and stood up looking normal again. "I shall never use that power again unless I know how to control it…" Figo promised while panting. "It's ok…" I smiled. "Finally I broke it…" Tadaiku finally broke the wall.
"Sinon, shall we offer him that thing?" Tadaiku asked. "Well… I'll think about it… he seems to have trouble controlling that power so I think he should." I nodded. "Do what?" Figo questioned me. "Train with us to master that power of yours, of course. If you get outta control then we'll snap you right out of it." Tadaiku assured. "I accept but first let me check my teammates…" He grimaced.
Figo's P.O.V
After I walked away from them, they waited for me to go back to them so they could tell me the terms about training with them. I walked towards my unconscious friends and teammates and felt very guilty… Quorora… Deira… Wukure… Kerzuki… and Vukso were all injured like this all because of me… I'm a monster but I'm sure I'll defeat my newfound power and use it to help my friends! My goal was to make my comrades be with me and feel assured that we will all get past SAO but if I'm like this… I don't know how I could do it… First I checked my sister Deira since she was the lowest level among us and she saved me…
I checked if she was breathing and she still was… Thank God… Deira was my only sister and she is one year younger than me… She taught me how to swords-fight and she also gave me courage when we were both stuck in this game. I smiled at her and knelt down. Arigato Deira for being my sister and being there always for me even if the situation doesn't have a trace of you anywhere… I must master this power for all of you… for the sake of protecting my nakama…
Next I checked Quorora since she was the only girl in my guild, she was the second lowest level and she was my childhood friend. I hope that boss didn't hurt her too much… I'd feel extreme guilt if she wasn't safe after this… That boss made her get a 'crack' sound so I must stay with her until we get out of this… It's good that Sinon and Tadaiku were here or else I would never have gotten out of this unforgivable new move of mine… Quorora-san… I will protect you and I will not accept even a finger of another monster to touch you… I swear with my life… I will block hits with my body if necessary…
"Quorora…" My head was looking down so I can look at her face. "Gomenosai… for not protecting you in our battle… I knew I should have put Vukso to protect you as well and not just Kerzuki… I am ashamed of myself… Quorora-san I swear to you even if you can't hear me that I will protect you… no matter what happens to me I want to see you safe…" I was holding her immobile hand since she was unconscious. "Aww… them feels… how sweet…" I heard a voice behind me. 'Tsk?! Is this another monster?!' I punched the one behind me, knocking him out. "Shoot… Gomenosai… Wukure… I didn't know it was you…" I muttered.
I said some other things to Kerzuki, Vukso and Wukure. I felt guilty about knocking out Wukure but I'm sure he'll be okay. He has the proneness to getting hit on the head a lot. I placed a crystal on each of them and gave the teleportation area: Floor 1, in the inn. I paid the cost and all of them were teleported away from Floor 80 and into the inn in Floor 1. All that were left were me, Sinon and that overwhelming guy Tadaiku… I must say that he was extremely powerful even if I had that monstrous power he didn't even stagger much.
"That was a good inspirational speech, Figo-san. Anyway welcome to the team in training." Tadaiku offered a hand. "Yeah, Arigato but I'll just be training with you guys and that's it." I shook his hand. "We know. I hope that you're ready for the difficult challenges we'll face in the training." Sinon told me. "Like what?" I questioned. "You will be coming with us to train in the dangerous area, 'The Rest'. That is where all monsters including bosses go to after they're defeated here." She explained.
"Yep and that means that you should be ready at all times… so are you ready to train? We won't force you if you think it'll be too risky. Believe me, it is." Tadaiku smiled. "I am and I won't hold back in any stage so count me in. you'll need extra frontline members." I smirked. "That's the spirit." Sinon patted my shoulder. "We'll be going there so follow us." They both began walking and I followed.
'I know that this may be very risky for me but not as risky for my friends since my power is berserk and won't listen… training it will be for the best so I depend the guild to Wukure for now since I know that he will get the message that I'm training. I hope Quorora-san will be okay… I know she's hurt and I must protect her… with the power I'll get from training I will not let her be in pain any longer…' I was deep in thought as I followed them.
Extra Scene: Koyero before the Present.
Koyero's P.O.V
I can't believe this is happening to me… I am Yanaihara Koyero, the only son and adopted son of the Yanaihara family. My family isn't that rich but I'm really content with them. I am in this now death game named Sword Art Online and I can't take it anymore… I'm just Level 5 before I was almost killed by the first boss when I joined them in going to that boss stage but now I'm Level 7. I have no people to go with… I'm just all alone now… no friends… no family… no one is with me anymore… most of the party members I was with last time found me useless and weak and waste of space… no one wants me… until someone came.
"…" Someone was wearing a hood to cover his face and sat beside me… he doesn't probably notice I was here… I don't care… I was meant for that purpose… even if those boars can give nasty bacon… "Eto… do you notice I'm here?" I finally spoke up. "Hai…" He muttered. "Wait… aren't you… Kirito the Beater? You saved my life… how can I thank you?" I gave my first sincere smile in this game since he saved my life before that first boss killed me with a final blow. "Yes I am… you don't need to thank me. I'm a solo player so…" He stood up. "I must stay that way…" He seemed depressed.
"Wait!" I grabbed his wrist in desperation and he looked at me. "What is it?" He was curious of what I was going to say. "I have nowhere to go to and I have no one to be with… so can you please do me just one favor… please be with me until I become at least Level 10." I begged with my knees on the ground and my face near it. "I-I'm useless and I couldn't even beat a normal monster… I need to become stronger…" I had tears all over my face. "… Fine… only up to Level 10 then we'll go our separate ways." He had pity for me and accepted.
"Arigato gozaimasu, Kirito-san! Now how can I thank you…?" I was checking how much was my Col but it was only about 2000 Col. "Here's some-" I was about to trade but he stopped me. "No you don't have to. I'm doing this for you willingly." He held out a hand to help me stand. "I owe you…" I took it and stood up. "Kirito-san, what's your weapon anyway?" I smiled. "A sword, why?" His hood was no longer covering his face. "I was just curious… anyway mines a Zweihander!" I grinned. "I see… you must have a large amount of strength to carry that thing." He complimented.
"Hai! I used to do heavy lifting for my foster parents before I was in this game." We were walking outside Floor 2's safety area so we can face monsters. "I see… I did kendo before because of my grandfather but that didn't last long." He spoke. "Anyway the only skill I know is Embracer so how can I get a new one, Kirito-san?" I questioned. "Oh that? Well you have to somehow get it… like that the skill was made for you and only for you." He guessed. "I see…" I placed my hand on my chin, thinking.
"Try thinking it like a real-life situation even if this is a game since this game seems to be reality now." He told me as I kept yelling 'Switch' whenever I was in a tight spot. "I know but I can't…" I admitted while fighting a monster after Kirito 'switched'. "Just try harder!" He gave the final blow then we moved on to the next bunch of monsters. "I figured out a name for my first move at least…" I muttered. "Hmm? What is it?" He looked at me. "It's not a move but I think it's a mode… the first was Phantom and the other was Chaotic…" I was confused by these things.
It took me some time to realize that those things were modes so I had no idea. When I checked my profile it says there Chaos so I don't know what it means… It says Chaos will change you while Phantom will be you so I really don't get it… I told both of them to Kirito hoping that he'll know the answer. He looked just as confused as I was. These modes say that they are only for those who don't want to live… what kind of unique skill does that? The description says that by using this move the user doesn't have to experience the unwanted life of his choosing and I'm the only one that has it so I have no idea why…
"Don't let them get you so easily…" Kirito freed me from the vines that wrapped around me. "Arigato Kirito-san!" I bowed. "Well… anyway you're Level 9 now so this is the last level that I'll be with you in since that was in our agreement." He reminded me. "C-Can I add you in my friend list so we can like… at least message each other to see how we're doing?" I felt suddenly lonely since it was almost time for him to go. "Hai, I think we should." He smiled. "I hope that we'll cross paths somewhere again."
"Arigato for everything, Kirito-san…" I smiled as I took down one last monster before becoming Level 10. "Sayonara… my nakama…" I was full of grief after he left. 'I know we'll cross paths again and I promise you that I'll be stronger… strong enough to give you a favor as well… Kirito-san, I'm glad that we met or else I could've died that time in Floor 1… arigato…' I thought to myself as I dropped to the ground in tears after about 10 minutes of him leaving… I'm all alone again with no one to keep me company…
I was training in the fields in the next day so I can become stronger… I tried using that mode I've been seeing in my profile only to myself called Phantom.
"Phantom!" I shouted while I was training then my Zweihander began having shadows covering it… 'How does this resemble me?! Why shadows?' I gulped. "The pain of being alone all these years must be sad Koyero… you've endured even the most horrible car crash and you even had no friends in school… not even one…" A voice chuckled. "Shut up… SHUT UP!" I slashed my way through the monsters and panted heavily as I looked around and saw the massacre I just did. "W-What am I?!' I widened my eyes in horror. "We see each other soon…" The voice disappeared. "I will never use Phantom again…" I clenched my fist as I sat down on the fields… all alone…
Back to present…
"That's all I want to say… do you remember any of that, Kirito-san?" I gave a fake smile. "Hai… gomen for that." He apologized. "That's what happened?" Yui looked quite interested in hearing more but that's enough for one day. "That's how I met your father! Not that kind if you're thinking…" I laughed a bit. "Arigato for spending time with us Koyero." Asuna smiled. "No problem leader!" I saluted and fell off my chair. "Hehe…" Yui giggled. "That's just adorable no matter how many times I hear it!" I squeezed her cheeks softly then stopped.
"Do you want to stay with us for lunch?" Kirito offered. "Asuna's making some Salisbury Steak." He smirked. "Gomenosai but I have to get going. Silica-chan probably misses my cooking." I declined but I really wanted a bite of that steak… "Especially Pina…" I whispered. "He… can cook?" Asuna pointed at me, embarrassed. "Indeed! My cooking skill has become 620/1000 recently so I'm becoming quite good! Far away from yours but it's good enough." I told Asuna. "Kowero, I thought you were going already." Yui tilted her head.
'Kawaii… she called me 'Kowero'… I shall treasure this moment of cuteness…" I had a 'kawaii meltdown'. "Umm… Are you alright?" Kirito woke me up from my trance. "Hai! I really must go now. Sayonara Kirito-san, Asuna-san and Yui-chan!" I waved goodbye and ran out of the house. "You can visit us anytime. You're welcome here and I think Yui wants to hear a continuation of your life story." Kirito chuckled. "Hai!" I really left now and made my way towards the teleportation area.
End of Chapter 17
Next Chapter: Bonding Time!
Next Extra Scene: The Meeting of the Two Blacksmiths.