Wooo this chapter was slightly late cause I was at Anime Festival Asia SG (Bought too much SAO mercs for my own good ... _ ) but here we are! Sword Art Online Atarashi no Kisetsu Chapter 3! Received only one question thus far which is "What is the meaning of Atarashi no Kisetsu?" Ans: It means New Season (with Season refering to the 4 seasons Summer, Autumn ,Spring and Winter )
Maybe because I wasn't specific with the reviews that I hoped to see, there was quite a lack of it ;-; (Or maybe the story is just still too new) So maybe I'll ask some specific questions now!
Qns 1: What do you readers think of Yuuki at the moment? Too out of character? Hoping to see more?
Qns 2: How is the original content? Is there too much canon or more originality is needed?
Feel free to PM or leave a review (Bad ones will still face the wrath of my [Object Eraser]) and so, that'll be enough for now and so, proceed on to read!
MINI-UPDATE: SORRY FOR THOSE WAITING FOR CHAPTER 4, I'VE RECENTLY LOSE ALL MY DRAFTS (PC BORKED ON ME) BUT IT'LL BE UP BY 8 DECEMBER. SORRY AGAIN!
Chapter 3 : Whiskers of the Rat
Urbus, December 4th, 14:00
This was definitely not a good idea but his curiosity had got the better of him. Grabbing the hand of the unconscious girl, he held out her tiny, delicate index finger and swiped down, opening her menu. First, he would find out about her base stats and so he opened the status.
"Impossible."
The girl lying on the bed of the inn which he had brought her to after she blacked out was only level 8 which was 3 levels below him as he had leveled from 10 to 11 after getting the Last Attack on Illfang which granted him bonus EXP. Next, her stats point were allocated between Strength and Agility where there was a slightly higher emphasis on Agility but it confirms his theory that she had manually followed the system assist in order to speed up her Sword Skills. The last of the three stats in the game had no points allocated to them which made it surprising that she had survived thus far.
"Some Vitality will help you live you know …"
Maybe if it was not the base stats, then it was her equipment. Closing the menu, he continued manipulating her hand to open her equipment page and then tapping on her weapon.
"Never heard of this weapon. A unique but it has no enchantments?"
Her weapon, Hunter's Fang was behind his Anneal Blade in base stats but what shocked him was the lack of enchantments. His weapon had +6 (3S3D) enchantments* ((Explained at the end of chapter)) but that enhanced his PvE strength and are little help in a One Hit Duel. He was expecting at least a Speed enchantment but of course there was not even one enchantment of any type. Enchanting your equipment was a very important factor in order to proceed with the game as stronger equipment was usually hard to get and you would usually be stuck with older weaponry for quite awhile and enchanting helps make it viable as the going gets harder.
Behind him in terms of base stats and weapon stats plus the fact she was so heavily fatigued that she fainted, he had indeed only won that duel due to supreme stats and numbers. If not, he believed that she might have won due to her speed
"After Asuna it's another monster. Yuuki huh? Wait maybe it's the armor."
He directed the hand to the box which covered the player, Yuuki's upper armor when the hand he was controlling bunched up into a fist.
"T-This isn't what it see .."
*Smack*
The black swordsman's pleas were left unheard as he fell back, landing on the ground of the room. Eyes closed, one hand holding onto his cheek where it stinged from the blow, he shivered when he heard the sound of a sword drawn.
"P-Pervert! What did you think you were doing!"
Opening his eyes, he could see the girl seated up on the bed, her face flustered, left hand hugging her body protectively and finally between his eyes was her red blade, Hunter's Fang. While they were in the safe-zone where you can't damage other players, it was still scary to have a sharp weapon barely touching your nose.
"It's not what you think! I was just looking at your stats!"
No matter how he puts it however, it was clearly a breach of privacy. He was surprised that she had not used the system's Harassment Act in order to immediately bring punishment on him. She was looking at him skeptically when her eyes widened as she finally notices a blue window in her vision.
"Harassment Act?"
Crap. If she uses that, it was a trip down to the prisons of the Black Iron Castle for a few days. That would be precious time lost and with a new level open, the hunting grounds and Quests will be open for taking while the other players were busy getting adjusted to the 2nd Level.
"Wait! Please don't use that!"
The index finger of her left hand touches the blue window of the harassment act and swipes it to the side, removing the message.
"I'm sorry for attacking you out of nowhere so I'll let this go for now."
She sighs as she says that, sheathing her Hunter's Fang away.
"I'm Yuuki. Nice to meet Mr Black Pervert."
"It's Kirito. And I told you I wasn't doing anything!"
The 2nd Floor resembled a savanna plain with huge fields of yellowish grass and rocks of varying shapes and sizes. In the middle of the Floor stood a large crater and inside it was the town of Urbus. And in this town in one of the secluded alleyways which was hard to reach due to having only a few paths to access it and these paths are difficult to navigate without a map unless you had been there at least once, a certain swordsman emptied almost half of his wallet purchasing an extremely expensive delicacy from an unnamed NPC restaurant. He brings it outside to the table where Yuuki sat confused, wondering why Kirito had taken her through the maze-like city to this silent area.
"Oh ... that looks good!"
"This is a Tremble Shortcake. It's my apology to you, Yuuki."
It was a rather large sponge cake. It was 18 centimetres in radius and 8 centimetres in height. This dessert gets its name from one of its main ingredients, Tremble Milk which is acquired from hunting the Trembling cows in the area. Together with lots of gleaming white strawberry-flavoured cream covering it and topping it off with juicy bright red strawberries, it was a sweet-tooth's delight.
"H-How much does this cost?"
Kirito waves her question aside but seeing that she refused to eat until he gave her an answer, he sighs, wondering about the stubbornness of girls.
"Only a few thousand Col. Nothing to worry about."
A few thousand Col was enough to at least cover your meals for nearly a full week! It was everything to worry about!'
"The cake has a timed-life you know. Since I already bought it, just eat it."
His last attempt at getting her to eat it was finally success as she scoops up a small portion off the top of the Tremble Shortcake with a spoon and inserts it into her mouth. He grinned happily as he watches her expression slowly change as her wide eyes locked themselves on the cake.
"K-Kirito. You better take a bite b-before it's too late!"
Her hands were shaking as she said that, the spoon almost reaching the heavenly dessert. Kirito waves his hands to signal that she was free to eat away.
"You're actually not a bad guy! You're now Mr Friendly Pervert, Kirito."
"Oh god its so weird to walk next to you Mr Friendly Pervert."
"How long are you going to call me that ..."
"Tee hee! Who knows?"
Backtracking through the long winding alleyways, Kirito and Yuuki made their way back to the main square of the town of Urbus. Along the way, Kirito had removed his black coat "Coat of Midnight" and instead, his plain leather armor could be seen. He also donned a bright yellow bandana which looked strange and out of place on him. But this was to make him unrecognisable as the Beater, Kirito, who was one of the most despised players in Sword Art Online after the events of the 1st Floor Boss Room.
"How did you know about such a place?"
Yuuki points behind to the path they had just exited from as they walked towards the Teleport Gate of Urbus.
"Argo. Oh yeah, you should meet Argo, she's a..."
"When you say Argo, you mean the girl with whiskers like a mouse? Yeah I know Argo-chan."
"I won't need to explain that. In fact, I'm meeting her now but she's ... late."
The moment he said that last word, both he and Yuuki realised something was wrong. In the one month that had known Argo, there was one thing they were sure of. She was never ever late and always seems to be everywhere, doing business with just about any player. For a player like her, time was money.
"What time were you going to meet her?"
"4 PM ... Crap."
4:13 PM. Yuuki opens her menu to try and send a message but her hand is suddenly pulled by Kirito who begins running off towards the West Gates of Town.
"No time for a message. She's been through here recently."
Yuuki followed Kirito and they slowly sped up as Kirito moved faster having seen some strange signs. Using one of his skills, [Tracking] Kirito was able to see the path that Argo had taken through the town of Urbus in the form of green footprints created by his skill but it showed her running quickly as the color shading of the footprints was dark and she had also crossed over obstacles such as stacked boxes and a cart which Kirito almost ran into but was pulled aside by Yuuki. This was all signs that she was likely escaping some pursuer. They exited Urbus and were headed towards a dangerous part of the map that Kirito knew, was the spawning ground of large, cow-like monsters. He hastened his pace seeing that the footprints were becoming more clearly defined indicating that he was nearing Argo.
"...many times you ask, I'm not selling that information!"
The familiar nasal voice of Argo could be heard from behind a huge mound of rocks and Kirito slowly and carefully scales to the top of this small mountain to hopefully hide his presence from whoever Argo was talking to.
"We don't want to get violent! Just give us the information for the [Extra Skill] and we'll pay for it with money."
Nearing the top of the mini mountain, Kirito flattens himself against the rough surface as he pokes his head out. Auburn hair, a strange claw-like weapon on her right hand and a gauntlet with several over-sized nails attached to it and grey whiskers painted on her face, Argo stood opposite two figures with no escape as behind her was another mountain of rocks. The two figures who were likely her pursuers were dressed in dark grey armor with their head covered in a dark grey cloth leaving only the eyes. The small curved swords they carried behind their backs completed their image of a ninja. There was something familiar about them to Kirito but he could not figure out what it was. Also, an [Extra Skill] on the 2nd floor? This was not something he had heard of.
"Kirito don't go running of by yourself! Have you found Argo-chan?"
"Who is there?!"
As Yuuki stepped over the rocks and into visual range of the two ninjas, one of them throws a glowing blue knife towards Yuuki. Kirito would have pulled her down if he had not seen the red sword, Hunter's Fang leaving its scabbard from her side and glowing orange from the activation of the sword skill [Horizontal], it deflects the blue projectile and it flies off towards the fields. Everyone was stunned by what they had seen. With only a window of two seconds to respond after having seen the knife thrown at her, she had reflexively blocked it. Yuuki stood on the top of the rocks, looking blankly below her at the shocked ninjas and Argo. Suddenly she seems to realise that she had been attacked and she waves her arms as she falls backwards and down the rocks.
"Owww ... that was s-scary."
Yuuki called up to Kirito as she ventilates heavily with a hand over her rapidly beating heart. Seeing that she was fine, Kirito jumps into the fray, landing between Argo and the two ninjas.
"Kii-bou! You're late! And by the way that headband looks dreadful!"
Hurriedly, he reaches up to remove his yellow disguise before facing the ninjas again.
"Sorry Argo, you were running pretty fast. Besides ... these guys seem familiar. Something to do with ... Fo ... Food ... Foora?"
"We're from the guild {Fūmaningun}"
{Fūmaningun}. Kirito finally remembered why these ninjas seemed so familiar. Back in the Sword Art Online Close Beta Test which Kirito was lucky to be a part of, their guild was specialised in their members following the Path of the Ninja which aside from the dress code and weapons, their stats were focused only on one of the three parameters of the game, agility. They were ridiculously fast and were often the skirmishers, dealing quick bursts of damage and retreating with their speed.
"Step aside, we only want the information and would not want to be hurting you."
Both ninjas reached behind, their hands holding onto the hilts of the curved swords behind their backs. Kirito also reaches for his sword, Anneal Blade, behind his back.
This is bad. They were out in the open and not in a town meaning that there wasn't an Anti-Criminal Code to prevent players from attacking each other. The party that attacked first would gain orange cursors which unlike the normal green cursors of every other players, bared them from entering town a few days for committing a Crime and becoming a Criminal. But did the other party know the consequences? Plus are they actually going to try and kill him and Argo?
Kirito thought anxiously as he retreated and not before long, he had retreated to where Argo was.
"Pst ... Any ideas on how to get out of this mess?"
Argo shook her head at Kirito's question but then she snapped her fingers.
"Oi you guys from your Ninja Clan, I'll give you the information for free ... on a condition."
It could be said that it was a miracle that the Rat had actually used the word "free". The two ninjas halted their advance and they beckon for Argo to continue.
"If you beat the girl behind you in a 1 vs 1 duel, you'll get your reward. If not, you leave us alone."
The girl would be Yuuki who was climbing over the rocks to reach them. The girl who had shown them inhuman reaction speed by deflecting a thrown knife barely seconds after she had seen it. Also, in a duel, the ninjas had a disadvantage as their emphasis on AGI meant their weapons were limited to no STR requirement ones which did not deal much damage and they also had no VIT meaning their HPs were very low, only living off the amount they got from leveling up.
"If you still have doubts, it is a First Strike duel."
That tipped the scales. With their AGI, they can dodge better than an ordinary balanced player and have more accuracy and speed when attacking. Grinning beneath their cloth masks, they felt that Argo had given them a free win and along with it, free information which they had tried a full month to obtain from her. ((They also tried to get the information from her during the Beta Test))
"We accept on those conditions. Be sure to honor your word."
"Argo what's with this idea?"
"Trust me Kii-bou. You already saw how fast she was."
That scene with Yuuki knocking the knife cleanly out of the air was still fresh in Kirito's head as well as the duel he had with her just after the 1st Floor Boss Room. She was indeed fast, the smoothness of her Pre-Motion with enabled her to perfectly use the [Sword Skills] to a terrifying degree and add to the fact that she moves herself to assist in the motion to create her lightning fast attacks. It reminded him of a certain rapier user that he had not seen since the 1st Floor Boss Room.
The countdown enlarged as it reached 15 seconds. It would not be long before the duel began. On the defending side was Yuuki as Argo's champion, her red longsword, Hunter's Fang, glinted with the rays of the late afternoon sun. On the attacking side was the ninja who had thrown the knife, being the senior of the two representing his guild of ninjas,{Fūmaningun}. His thin, long curved sword which closely resembled a katana spun in silver circles as its owner warmed up.
5 seconds. Both duelers entered their stances with Yuuki entering a defensive stance, her longsword held with both hands and her opponent going into a low crouch like a sprinter preparing to go off the moment the starting gun fired.
Duel Start!
The ninja was off, his blade glowing bright orange for the One-Handed Curved Sword Skill [Reaver] (1-Hit Charge type attack). Boosted by his high AGI, he quickly closed the distance and underneath his mask, he smiled confidently. In the Guild {Fūmaningun}, he was one of the top few players in it due to his experience as a Beta Tester and also having the highest skill level with One-Handed Curved Swords which resulted in him getting picked for the job of getting information on the [Extra Skill] of the 2nd Floor.
"How?!"
His smile was lost, his confidence shattered as his attack was parried by Yuuki's Sword Skill [Uppercut]. He was now behind his opponent and there was a small cut on his cheek where Uppercut had grazed him. Luckily, he was not out of the fight as First Strike Mode required a clean hit to name a winner. Throwing caution to the wind, he charges at Yuuki, his blade glowing a dark red for another One-Handed Curved Sword Skill [Beat-down] (1-Hit Vertical Slash) but it was met with Yuuki's swift Sword Skill [Vertical] and both of them are knocked by the impact of their swords colliding. As he tried to steady himself from the knockback, he immediately rolls sideways as Yuuki flew by, propelled by her Sword Skill [Rage Spike]. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he realised that the situation was turning sour.
"No choice."
He muttered as he decides that he had to use his last resort. Turning around to face Yuuki who just got off the Post-Motion of [Rage Spike], he activates a One-Handed Sword Skill and his blade lights up with golden yellow colors.
"I thought your previous partner was a monster but this is quite ridiculous."
Argo comments to Kirito beside him who would agree with her after the spectacle they watching before them.
"Argo. You probably already know but even if Yuuki wins, they won't go away quietly."
Grinning, Argo slaps Kirito on the back as she had a solution to that problem.
"No worries. I have a plan for that ... and crap. That guy has quite a high skill level for Curved Swords."
Kirito and Argo both shared the same worry as they recognised the yellow Sword Skill that the ninja was using. [Slice and Dice], a 2-Hit Horizontal Combo which required a considerable skill level to be available for use. With just about every early Sword Skill being a single hit attack, a combo was going to be extremely difficult to block.
"Her only hope would be to dodge but ..."
It was Argo's turn to receive a pat to the back as Kirito reassures her.
"Yuuki will win. I know it."
"How do you sound so sure unless ... you've dueled her already?"
Kirito was a good swordsman. Hell, he was probably one of the best in Sword Art Online as of now and in the Beta Test, Argo remembered him as one of the more active testers fighting on the higher levels whereas most others spent their time on the lower levels. Crazy reaction speeds, a buttload of experience and a pro MMO gamer.
"I would have lost if she was in top form."
"Whoa ... to think that Kii-bou was backed to a corner."
'What kind of monster would she be in the future.' Argo thought as she returns her attention to the duel.
It was the same feeling back when she was battling the Ruin Kobold Sentinals in the 1st Floor Boss Room. This strange uplifting emotion was also present in her duel with Kirito. Prior to this in her solo hunting sessions in the middle of the night, this rapid beating of her heart was never there. It was not a bad feeling. Rather, Yuuki felt very awake, like a bucket of ice cold water had been poured over her and everything was very clear. There was something exciting about feeling the recoil on her sword as she clashed with others, her lustrous black hair flowing as she danced around the battlefield blissfully, engaging in a battle with life and death. This feeling was the thrill of battle.
As the ninja charged at her, his curved sword glowing yellow, the feeling intensified. Time seemed to slow around her as the first slash from the Sword Skill [Slice and Dice] came and to counter, Yuuki's body moves smoothly and efficiently to create the Pre-Motion for Sword Skill[Horizontal], parrying the first slash but that was not the end as [Slice and Dice] was a 2-hit combo, the 2nd slash was coming but the Post-Motion for [Horizontal] was setting in.
I won't lose!
While her body was trapped in Post-Motion, Yuuki's fingers moved quickly, changed the position of her sword and the system registers it as the Hunter's Fang's color transitioned from the orange of [Horizontal] to the blue of another Sword Skill.
Impossible! Was the thought on everyone's mind as they watched the miracle happen before them. Yuuki has simultaneously chained two skills one after another without the delay of Pre-Motion in between them, something which was supposed to not be possible
The Hunter's Fang's color transitioned from the orange of [Horizontal] to the blue of another Sword Skill which knocked aside the 2nd slash of [Slice and Dice]. The duelers were briefly stuck in Pre-Motion before they jumped back facing each other.
"Darn! What are you?!"
The ninja shouts with crazed eyes as his body enters the low crouch again and his curved sword illuminates with orange. [Reaver] had come of cooling and it was the only thing he could think of in this desperate situation. Charging forward with his skill, it was yet again parried by a quick [Uppercut] but the color of Yuuki's blade transforms from the purple of [Uppercut] to the blue of [Vertical]. This time Kirito caught the movement that allowed her to do this ridiculous skill chaining. At the end of [Uppercut], before Post-Motion set in, her fingers were already moving to reposition the sword for another Pre-Motion and the system assist had acknowledged the activation. Twisting her body to follow the motion of the ninja, the blazing blue sword left a long red gash on his back ending the duel.
"Alright you guys lost, now leave."
Argo commanded but she was only met with defiance as both stood up, reaching behind for their weapons, provoking Yuuki to do the same.
"Oi you guys! We gave you the chance to heal up before leaving! Who said about honoring their word?"
Yuuki receives a pat on her shoulder and she turns around, seeing Argo with a grin on her face as she shows Yuuki a thumbs-up, a sign for "I'll handle this".
"You had your chance. Kirito, now!"
From behind Argo, Kirito dashes out, a bottle in hand as he tosses its contents at the ninjas. Stinky green liquid dirties their grey outfits but otherwise, they seemed unharmed. Now clearly fuming in anger, they drew their curved swords.
"MOOOO!"
Behind them was a huge bull-like monster, Trembling Ox. Two and a half metres in size, it was a very dangerous monster due to its powerful charge and its unrelenting behavior where it would not stop attacking a single player once it had set a target. And this Trembling Ox had its sights forcefully locked on two targets covered in monster bile, an item which taunts monsters to attack whatever the bile is on and now its the two ninjas. Throwing their swords aside in a panic, they made a mad dash towards the direction of Urbus with the Trembling Ox chasing after them.
"Would they be alright?"
Yuuki was watching this scene in somewhat amazement and a slight tinge of worry but Argo dismisses this with a wave of her hand.
"Their AGI is pretty high so they can easily outrun that bull though it won't stop chasing them till their back in town."
North West of the 2nd Floor, near the end of the map, December 4th, 17:23
Having received an oath from both the curious Kirito and Yuuki, Argo then proceeds to lead them towards where they would find the [Extra Skill] Quest.
"I don't like holding favors."
They were led through mountains and narrow ledges, across high cliffs and deep valleys. After a long journey lasting almost an hour, they finally entered a cave after avoiding many along the way and inside this cave, the sounds of a water falling could be heard and as they traveled deeper inside, it opened up. The right side of the open area in the cave was missing walls thus, the evening light of the sun shone through, illuminating the place. A large lone tree could be seen growing in the middle of a small patch of grass in the middle of the cave and beside it was a straw hut. At the back of the cave were a few springs, some freezing cold while others steaming hot.
"Get over here both of you."
Argo was at the hut, holding the door open while gesturing to Kirito and Yuuki who were still looking around the cave. They caught up to Argo who entered the hut and inside was a big, well muscled man with a bald head, sitting on his rocking armchair with a gold "?" above his head signifying a Quest.
"Well here it is. The Extra Skill Quest for [Martial Arts]. Whether you want to accept or not is up to you."
Martial Arts sounded like a valuable skills as the weapons in Sword Art Online had durability values and the weapons can be destroyed through use so in an emergency, Martial Arts would be useful. Another context might be if you were disarmed, Martial Arts made sure you weren't completely defenseless. After a brief conversation, the "?" on the NPC changed to a "!" indicating the Quest was under way.
"Young disciples, follow me."
The NPC gets onto his feet and leaves his hut with the three following behind him. He leads them to a corner of the cave where there were rocks of a slightly different color than what you normally saw. It was slightly bluish and a metre in height and diameter.
"If thou wishes to learn my arts, they must split these rocks with thy bare hands."
Was that even possible? Kirito goes to tap the rocks and he nods to Yuuki indicating it was possible but.
"It's going to be difficult ... I think we should quit."
"Err ... Kii-bou, Yuu-chan. I take no responsibility and remember, no grudges."
Argo speaks up as the NPC approaches Kirito and Yuuki, a bottle in his left hand and an elegant looking brush in his right.
"Until you are finished with your task, you may not leave these mountains nor remove this mark!"
Before either could react, the brush had entered the bottle, coming out dripping with ink and then their faces were mercilessly attacked by the NPC. With that, the mystery of Argo's whiskers had been solved.
Cave of the Master, December 4th 21:50
Hands sore from hammering the stone, they laid on the grass beneath the tree. Argo had already left them moments after they began their impossible task and now, Kirito and Yuuki were too fatigued to continue.
"Mr Friendly Pervert, please keep your hands off me while you sleep."
"As I told you before, that was not my intention!"
Hearing a giggle from the opposite side of the tree where Yuuki was currently occupying, Kirito sighs and looks towards the open area of the cave which revealed the night sky.
"Yuuki ... can I ask you a question?"
"If its about my three sizes, I'll rename you to Mr Lolicon Pervert. I'm only twelve you know."
Kirito was caught off guard and he tries to get up but only succeeded in headbutting the tree. From behind it, hysterical laughter could be heard from a little girl who had too much fun teasing an innocent boy.
"Y-You know you're not supposed to tell people about your IRL self."
Opps. Yuuki just realised she told him her age but then again, Argo wasn't here to scold her.
"I trust you. So anyways while you're not falling over yourself Mr Lolicon, what's your question?"
"Do you hate me? I did let your brother, Diavel die ..."
"I don't. As long as you're still fighting I guess you are living his final wish, Save everyone."
Kirito sighs yet again but this time he sounded relieved, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Thanks Yuuki. We'll get out of this soon."
"No problem Mr Perverted Lolicon."
Cave of the Master, December 5th 10:31
A day has passed there seemed to be no progress at all. The rock had barely a crack on it even after Kirito had spent over 8 hours on it. It felt like they were doing more damage to themselves than to the rock. Going over to the springs where Yuuki was currently resting her own bruised hand, he did not notice the two newcomers entering the cave.
"Kii-bou! Yuu-chan! I've brought Aa-chan here on her request!"
Beside Argo who had returned was a cloaked figure who removed her hood, revealing silky chestnut long hair and beneath it, an angelic face with beautiful hazel eyes.
"Kirito-san, to think you were over here. I spent a whole day searching for you, you know."
Arms crossed, her piercing glare got Kirito nervous as she approached him. After his time with her on the 1st Floor, they didn't have some of the most pleasant memories.
"Ohhh Kirito! I didn't know you have such a beautiful girlfriend!"
Yuuki calls out towards the group as she returns from the springs. Immediately, both Kirito and "Aa-chan's" face turned bright red like an apple.
"Yuuki! It's not like that between me and Asuna!"
Shrugging, she heads towards the rocks to continue her attempt to break it.
"As you say Sir Lolicon! Nice to meet you Asuna!"
Kirito swore that he saw he mischievous grin as Yuuki turned around. However, he had bigger problems.
"Kii-bou ... this Onee-san is disappointed in you."
Argo shakes her head trying to sound disappointed though like Yuuki, there was an impish expression on her. She waves good bye and good luck to Kirito before leaving the cave again, her job finished.
"T-T-To a little girl like her ... Kiritoooo!"
There was only one way for him to escape the furious girl and that was up! Kirito hurriedly scrambles up the tree and barely in time as Asuna's hand grabs one of his boots and pulls it off but not him along with it.
"Get down here Kirito! You need some discipline!"
"Asuna this is not what it seems! Yuuki!"
At the rocks, the sound of a young twelve old girl laughing her heart out could be heard.
Cave of the Master, December 5th, 11:00, after calming down an angry demon named Asuna
Deeming that it was finally safe to leave his sanctuary on the top of the tree after making Asuna understand that Yuuki was joking (mostly), he climbs down and confronts Asuna.
"Me and Agil-san were worried about you. I mean we both understood it was an act but taking it all on yourself must be harsh."
Scratching his head, Kirito did not know how to answer due to his status as an introvert for the past years of his life. Asuna saves him by continuing.
"So what we both want to say is ... thank you. Agil-san probably wants to also thank you in person too. We all would have died to the boss if not for you."
Ah darn ... it was strange getting thanked. Was what Kirito thought though he did feel happy.
"By the way, what are you and ... her doing here?"
Asuna gestures towards where Yuuki was hitting away at the rock with her bare fists.
"Argo never told you? Its the Extra Skill Quest for Martial Arts."
Following Kirito into the hut, Asuna talks to the NPC before being directed like Kirito and Yuuki to where the rocks were.
"I never asked but, what's with the make-up?"
'Oh crap.' Kirito had forgotten all about that and glancing over at the NPC, the ink and the brush were ready. With only three seconds before the inevitable happened, Kirito ran for safety at the top of the tree.
"Kiri ... KYAAA! What is this ... KIRITOOOO!"
Cave of the Master, December 5th, 13:25
"Yuuki-chan right? I'm Asuna."
The beautiful girl held her hand out to Yuuki who shook it.
"Yuuki's enough Asuna. So is Kirito really your boyfriend?"
A disgusted expression appears on Asuna's face as she waves the notion aside.
"Never. Did he really do nothing to you?"
A gleeful smile showed through Yuuki's face as she says her next line while sounding nervous
"Well ... he did play with my hand for quite awhile."
"Yuuki! I told you I was ju..."
"Quiet you criminal! Get back to work."
Kirito returned his gaze to the rock as he continued hammering seeing that his opinion was not wanted plus, tangling with Asuna had already proved to be dangerous.
*Grrrrr*
Yuuki's stomach releases a cute rumbling sound signalling that she was hungry.
"Try one."
Asuna had taken a basket out of her inventory and from inside it, she pulled out a sandwich. It looked weird however with purple and pink vegetables sticking out of the sides. But since she was so hungry, Yuuki accepted the mystery sandwich and takes a large chunk of it. Surprisingly despite its strange appearance, it was ...
"Delicious! Woaw Asuda, wheruf di gu gef dit?"
Her next sentence was near illegible as she had the sandwich stuffed into her mouth. Asuna beside seemed a lost for words but then seeing how Yuuki looked, she giggled lightly.
"Finish your food first Yuuki-ch ... Yuuki."
For a short moment, when Yuuki turned to face Asuna, it was instead her sister, Aiko seated beside her. But that moment vanished instantly and Asuna's face returned.
"Sorry. Where did you get it, Asuna?"
With a voice filled with pride, Asuna puffs out her chest as she proudly tells Yuuki.
"I made it."
When Yuuki tilted her head in curiosity, Asuna continued explaining.
"Ever since I tried eating something aside from hard bread on the 1st Floor, I wondered if taste is replicated in this world so I picked up the Cooking Skill."
Asuna glanced briefly in the direction of the rocks where Kirito stood. He chose that moment to turn around and peek at the two girls again and met Asuna's gaze but what interested him more was the second sandwich that Yuuki pulled out of a basket on Asuna's lap.
"A-Asuna-sama ... can I have one?"
Mouth open, saliva dripping from the corners of it, he had his hands put together as if in prayer as he begs Asuna. It was a cute sight for both girls as they laughed merrily.
"Just one."
'After all, I owe it to you for the cream.'
Cave of the Master, December 6th 19:30
Two long days have passed but the rock was still as unbreakable as when they had started. Except this time, the rock was covered with several marks of black ink crosses. These represented where Kirito had already hit and after more than 30 hours already, about 80% of the rock was painted black with crosses.
"Not far now."
Unless his guess was wrong. That it was not hitting a specific point on the rock but instead something else like a proper pose or maybe the answer was even simpler.
"Whoaa Asuna! Your skin is so white!"
"Y-Yuuki! No!"
From the springs, in particular the steaming pool which was hidden behind the rocks except for an entrance that faced away from the cave and out of Kirito's view, both girl's were taking a break with a bath together.
"Ow ... Not there as well I guess."
Swinging his right hand which had just punched the rock, his left index finger, covered in black ink goes to mark the spot he had hit but it stops short of the rock as a miraculous sight unfolds. Starting from where he had hit, cracks spread from the top and bottom of the impact zone, disappearing at the top of the rock and suddenly, there is a loud crash as two halves of the rock fall onto the ground.
"Ye-YESS! Asuna! Yuuki! I did it! I ..."
In his excitement to tell them the news, he forgot that they were bathing in the hot spring. From within the white steam, he heard two loud screams and then, two shadowy figures were closing in one him fast.
"KIRITOOOOO! Pervert!"
He was one of the few that climbed to the higher levels in the Beta Test. He had braved the fields of the 1st Floor solo. He was the one that defeated the 1st Floor Boss Illfang. But tangling with two angry girls was way worse than what he had faced thus far. There was only one option, retreat back to his haven on the top of the lonely tree.
Bonus Chapter 1 : Agil and Argo
An Inn in Urbus, December 7th, 10:30
"Good morning. I assume you are the Rat?"
Across Argo was Agil, the huge chocolate colored man with a bald head and gigantic rippling muscles. A real hulk that scared almost everyone thusfar but Argo the Rat was unfazed, continuing with her confident speech
"That's right. And you are Agil, I saw you around on the 1st Floor. So what business do you want with me?"
"I wish to know the whereabouts of a male player named Kirito and also of a girl named Yuuki."
'Oh ho ho.' Argo knew where they were. Trapped in the cave for the Extra Skill Quest, Martial Arts which was mostly her fault. It was a piece of information she was previously not willing to sell but seeing the reactions of Kirito, Yuuki and Asuna, she had second thoughts.
"Sure. The price is 50,000 Col."
She said it directly without any pause that it took Agil and his party members to show a reaction. While Agil only raised his eyebrows, his five party members exclaimed in surprise.
"Is the price ... negotiable?"
"You can try."
Argo says nonchalantly as other players had tried this before but ended up almost raising the original price. However there was a glint in Agil's brown eyes as a fire was ignited inside.
"Aren't you surprised that we had called you?
"I was. How did you even find me?"
In reply, Agil takes an item out of his inventory. It was the guidebook that every shop gave up on the 1st Floor. The cover page had a black symbol resembling a mouse's face. At the bottom was written "Argo Strategy Guide, want to find her? Read on!"
"Not bad. But the price remains the same."
"At least commend our efforts for finding you. 45,000 Col."
Tch. Argo clearly made the sound as she realised she was getting swayed ever so slightly. This man was no joke when it came to the business of bartering.
"47,000 Col."
"We might be working together more in the future. What's the point of scaring away potential customers like myself?"
The confident grin on Agil's face was a stark contrast to Argo's annoyed frown. No longer with her confident voice, she sounded slightly threatening and dark.
"40,000 Col."
"Unless it was say, 30,000 Col, I'm afraid we'll have to end business for today and probably in the future."
Visibly biting her nails now, Argo was going to give in to Agil when a message popped up in front of her. Looking down to hide her mischievous smile, she returns to face Agil with a dissatisfied frown on her face.
"Alright you win. I'll make that 10,000 Col only."
"Woah! That's Agil-san for us!"
"Nice one Agil!"
His party members were cheering at their victory over negotiations and patting Agil in the back who had a triumphant expression.
"Alright that's 10,000 Col. Kii-bou and Yuu-chan you say?"
Argo could not longer hold it in and she was smiling gleefully as she points behind Agil and his party. Their happy atmosphere broken by that unsettling smile, they turned around towards the door of the Inn where Kirito, Yuuki and Asuna walked in, looking tired after spending 3 days to get the Extra Skill. Behind them, the Rat had already left through a backdoor, satisfied with business for the day.
THE END, hope you enjoyed Chapter 3 + The Bonus Chapter! Now of course at the end there must always be spoilers for hype! (P.S How was the Bonus Chapter? Want moar or should these not even exist? [Neko holds Object Eraser at the ready])
Sooo *drum roll* next up on Sword Art Online : Atarashi no Kisetsu
Angry bulls monsters! The return of Kiabaou and Lind! Golden boxers! A parting at the crossroads!
*Oh dear I forgot about the enchantment thing xD
So here it is! There are five enchantment types, sharpness (S), quickness (Q), accuracy (A), heaviness (H) and durability(D)
Anneal Blade +6 (3S3D) = 3 sharpness + 3 durability enchantments
The names of the enchantments should be self-explanatory :D (If they aren't, errr ... you're beyond my help ;-; saynora!)