Authornote- Howdy everyone and Merry Christmas! With the holidays, I decided I will be posting a chapter each day from today to December 26 to celebrate the season of giving. This will be the last multi-update week for a while with this week long update will be eating a bit into my buffer. However, I hope you all will be enjoying the holidays as much as these chapters. Well, Auto out and Merry Christmas!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Log Horizon. This is a fanfiction used to help with my writing skills and the fact I enjoy writing stories like these. All I own is the ideas and sub-plots used to make this fanfiction and explore Log Horizon and Naruto in a different way. Also, don't own any of the games and anime I make reference to in this story, but still got to give homage to video games since this is technically a video game fanfiction as well.
"If only those dragons hadn't spawn over the mountain, we could just fly all the way to Susukino!" Naotsugu complained, having gotten off his griffon and stretching his legs. "Still hurts like riding a horse." Akatsuki glared at him while getting off of Shiroe's griffon. She looked at the beast with some fear as Shiroe took off its harness and saddle before it's two companions and it flew off.
Sensei and my lord are amazing. Akatsuki thought, still remembering the amazing view she got to see.
The party had stopped for lunch the roughly three days ago on their first day, having not gotten far on horses. However, Akatsuki was shocked when her three other companions pulled out unique bamboo whistles and summoned Griffons that they used for the rest of the journey. That was why Sensei had planned such a low amount of food for a journey that should take a month. I thought he was planning for us to resupply at towns to keep our packs light…But this method will keep us in top form for once we reach Susukino. Akatsuki thought before her eyes widen as they moved to the entrance of the dungeon before them.
[Real life always beats out art. This is amazing.] Las Boss whistled at the entrance of the dungeon that all four knew was Depths of Palm.
"We used to come here a lot when it was a game… But it looks different…" Shiroe said, studying the entrance.
[It got an overhaul due to the enhance visuals that were coming with the console.] Las Boss explained while pulling out his spear and holding it out. [However, I believe we should be careful as there is also new content for this area if I remember correctly.]
"The expansion?" Shiroe asked as they entered the dungeon.
"Summon: Aldurne!" Las Boss hissed, a magic circle appearing and a toddler like plant creature appeared. [Yeah. A lot of dungeons and such got updated looks and content.] Las Boss did a thumbs up while the little creature held up its arms.
"A summoning?" Akatsuki asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion as Las Boss got the summoned plant creature onto his shoulders.
"Ah, that's right. Even though Depth of Palm has some plant life, it's mostly rock and such." Naotsugu said while Las Boss and Shiroe using their lighting spells to give them light.
"What does plant life have to do with a summoning?" Akatsuki asked, glaring at Naotsugu. They know so much more than me. Why are they hiding such things like the whistles?
"Willow Spirits and several other Druids spells requires plants in the area to work," Shiroe said, looking at the summoning on Las Boss's shoulders. "A plant-type summoning counts as plants in the area which will allow spells like Willow Spirits to work. Though, why haven't you made a permanent contract with a summoning?" Shiroe asked, looking at the Druid.
[My build made it hard to work with a permanent summoning.] Las Boss sighed, the Aldurne cocking its head at the others. [However, from what I seen, the summonings AI has become like real minds though I still have to properly compare the pros and cons before I decide on one. I am a crown control build, which most of the summonings are not built for.]
"Ah, true. Akatsuki-san, can you scout?" Shiroe asked thought sweating with seeing the glare he was getting from Akatsuki.
"Yes, my lord." Akatsuki answered, disappearing with using her skills. She began looking throughout the area as Las Boss stayed with Shiroe and Naotsugu. The trio stayed in the open middle part of the tunnels in case they were attack. It gave them plenty of room to move about without any issues if a battle began.
"Reporting… No enemies in sight." Akatsuki answered while landing on top of a pillar to also see the next area with her Night Vision. Amazing we have yet to run into enemies. I was expecting them right off the bat.
"Awesome! Let's move on!" Naotsugu chimed while Shiroe looked at a map. Shiroe nodded, putting the map away and they continued. They also spotted monsters known as Ratman hiding within tunnels. They were the lowest of the demi-humans, but the humanoid rats were still a threat at level forty due to their disease status they can inflict. Even with the preventive potions they have used, they wanted to keep from having Las Boss result to healing them as a last resort.
However, thanks to Shiroe's hand drawn map and detouring around areas where the Ratmen were in mass, they managed to get through to the bottom within several hours without even one fight. "This is quite impressive. Much different from a monitor." Naotsugu said, awestruck by huge tunnels.
"Thankfully, it hasn't change layout wise." Shiroe said, checking his map again. "Though there are places I would like to check to make sure, we don't have the leisure time. Especially since we are avoiding the Ratmen."
"Hey, is this a safe spot?" Naotsugu asked as they reach an area with waterfalls coming out of the walls of the room.
"Yes. Let's take a break." Shiroe said.
"I will scout ahead." Shiroe nodded at Akatsuki before she disappeared once again. This place is quite vast compared to when it was a game. Akatsuki thought, taking note of the paths where the Ratmen had groups within and the areas that were free if them. Even the air felt fitting of an underground dungeon, damp and stale, instead of just her room when she entered the dungeon when it was a game.
[Sensei, are you scouting as well?] Akatsuki pushed the yes button, looking around. Is Sensei's memories like these ruins? Slowly falling apart? Akatsuki thought, biting her lips. She noticed the past few days, Las Boss had been drifting into a daze at time. It made her fearful he might be forgetting everything. I don't know what is crueler, losing your life or losing your memories.
[No, doing inventory. So, how is the scouting going?] Akatsuki looked at the sudden text box that popped up next to her.
"So far, it seems random where the Ratmen are grouping. As my lord said, they won't attack us due to how high the difference of our levels. That is, unless we corner them by going through a tunnel they are in." Akatsuki said, standing near one such nest. She heard the warning hisses from the monsters. They were leering at her with glowing red eyes and backing up deeper into the shadows of the tunnel. "However, I've noticed that the surroundings are not stable. If you are not careful, some paths will collapse and you can fall."
[Ah. It's probably how this world translated the ruin's back story into how it is now. The Depths of Palm is an ancient maze of tunnels and mine shafts, so the new look for the console was to give it a more deteriorated look that must have made it like this. I apologize since I was part of the concept team that made the new look.]
"It is alright, Sensei. You were only making it so we would be exploring amazing places… When it was still a game." Akatsuki said, frowning while using the telepathy link to speak with Las Boss. Since the game became reality, Akatsuki found herself simply falling back on her ninja role-playing to keep going. However, with meeting Shiroe, Las Boss, and Naotsugu, she found herself not even homesick. Like this world was made almost perfectly for her.
Especially with finding Las Boss was a real ninja and she was learning his moves. She already gotten two new moves, Shadow Clones and Shadow Veil with learning Kage Bushin no Jutsu and Kakuremino no Jutsu from Las Boss.
As they experimented with the Kage Bushin, both Las Boss and Akatsuki found it was suited for double damage at the cost of spreading out HP and MP. If the clone dies, all HP from the clone does not return to the user, though remaining MP does. However, Shadow Clones work similar to Kage Bushin, but it only takes a small amount of users HP and MP. It makes the clones far more fragile, but the clone can run out of MP without dying like the Kage Bushin. Though fragile, Shadow Clones were very useful when combined with the Shadow Veil invisibility that makes her undetectable depending on how much MP she uses.
But, what if Sensei forgets all of his old memories? Would he still be a ninja? Akatsuki thought before shaking her head. "Sensei, I am heading back to report." Akatsuki saids, getting a grunt through the telepathy. It was Las Boss's way of quick answers along with using his whistle. Though, I find it odd the new skills are better than the jutsu. I hope, though, to get some more jutsu from Sensei. I must protect my master. Akatsuki thought, quickly returning to the small camp the three males had made while she scouted.
Las Boss was calmly taking notes of their wares, looking more of a military solider than the healer he was. His notes were spot on right down to the percentage of how the items would work. She was amazed at how knowledgeable Las Boss was on items, much like Shiroe's own game knowledge. It makes his status as healer of the group more refined and solid than other healers she fought with in the past. Most healers were indeed shy and quiet, often only healing and giving support when needing to.
Las Boss, however, was a bit like Maryelle. The difference between the two being Las Boss's words were not what made him famous or charisma. It was his actions that spoke loudly with having no issues being right on the front lines to battle and heal. Though silly and sarcastic, he was just like a right hand adviser for her lord, Shiroe.
Naotsugu... Though a good Guardian, was like the jester compared to the mighty two mages. She pondered how he gotten a griffon whistle as he did not seem to be that strong to get such a prize. Though, with remembering his skills as a Guardian, he could have easily helped out a raid to get the item.
"Hm?" Akatsuki noticed Naotsugu grinning at Shiroe and looked at her lord. She found him talking via telepathy to possibly Maryelle. None of them could talk to Serara, the girl they were going to save, directly due to none of them had her on their Friend's List. Hence Shiroe has been in constant contact with Maryelle to keep up to date on her status.
That's right. She's in a bad spot. Akatsuki thought, remembering the information they had gotten. Susukino was becoming more and more dangerous compared to Akiba. What had happened to Serara was a good example of the lawless city. Serara was forced into joining another guild known as Brigandia by force. From some nasty players' intimation, from what they heard, and was even directly confined by them.
It was through Las Boss's interrogation that they found Serara was almost sexually assaulted. The player she escape with was not as lucky and Serara did not want to leave her in Susukino. Their escape was only successful due to the help of a nicer player. That player assisted them with seeing them escaping from the guild members after they were injured, but it was a narrow success. Akatsuki gripped her fists at the thoughts of such sins. Could have I... No... Akatsuki shook her head and walked over to Shiroe.
"Well, I will contact you later, then." Shiroe sighed, ending the conversation formally.
"How is the situation, my lord?" Akatsuki held back a chuckle when Shiroe jumped and turned around to see her. He took a second to calm down by looking at Naotsugu. Sadly, Naotsugu was trying his best to eat his lunch quickly for obvious reasons, not making the best escape goat. It seems I am taking on Sensei's habits. Akatsuki thought, liking the idea she was even silent when she wasn't wanting to be. At first, she was quite annoyed at her Sensei's own sneakiness. Now, she was glad she was gaining it and catching up to him.
"Akiba is the same from what Maryele told me." Shiroe said, his voice showing he calmed down after the quick fright. "Serara is hiding in the urban part of Susukino. Since there has been no issues so far, let's proceed as planned after we finish resting."
"Affirmative." Akatsuki nodded while talking out her canteen. She narrowed her eyes at it. The canteen looked bigger in her hands compared to the same canteens the others had. Why must I have to be reminded of my size all the time? Akatsuki thought before noticing Shiroe offering one of his oranges to her and took them.
"So, Las Boss, how's our… supplies?" Shiroe asked, his eyebrow twitching in discomfort with seeing the goop monster on the plate Las Boss was eating.
[What? It's curry.] Las Boss gave a frown, chewing on the spoon. [I thought you like curry. Want some?] Las Boss held up another spoon with the goop sticking on it and the Aldurne took it. The creature happily said it, making Akatsuki shiver at seeing the seemingly inedible stuff eaten by a cute creature.
Sensei… You are a brave man. Akatsuki thought, pale at seeing the food and watching Shiroe shook his head rapidly in denial. A brave, but crazy man.
[Yesh. Seriously? Oh, well, more to myself. Though, I am limited due to our supplies with cooking, hence not going to cook anymore complex foods like this. I just wanted to get some good nutrient packed foods in my body even though my Anemia status is gone.]
"I see. With any luck, the markets in Susukino had not been taken out by guilds since there are fewer people there and we can do a major restock for the way back." Akatsuki nodded, remembering Shiroe mention Susukino had only one eighth the population compared to Akiba. Even though it has become a lawless place, food supply and other items on the market was probably higher in amount than Akiba. In Akiba, the large guilds were buying up what they can when they can as fast as it appears on the market, forcing smaller guilds and solo-players to go to the fields to get items they could not get on the market. "Akatsuki-san, can you tell me what you saw? I want to cross reference it with my map."
"…" Shiroe sweated as Akatsuki puffed her cheeks out. "You're being too formal. Call me, Akatsuki." Akatsuki said in annoyance.
"Sorry…" Shiroe sheepishly smiled at her. "But, can you report?"
"Understood." Akatsuki began her report while peeling her orange. She reported the nests of Ratmen she found including the ones on the main path. Shiroe used the information to draw a new path on his map to detour that part of the main path.
"Does it look something like this?" Shiroe showed Akatsuki the map, wanting to make sure it was correct.
"Indeed. That is accurate. You are quite good at cartography, my lord." Akatsuki said while inspecting the map and impressed at the craftsmanship. The map reminded her of the old maps she saw in museums she visited in the old world. The only difference was that this one before her was fresh and clean instead of worn, old, and dirty of an aged map.
"This is just like CAD and it also helps my subclass is Scribe." Shiroe said, blushing slightly in embarrassment.
"CAD?" Akatsuki asked, a bit confused of the acronym.
[Computer Aided Design.] Akatsuki looked at the text box and at Las Boss. [You can use computers to do artwork to blueprints in your world. It took me a while just to build my own version of a pen display to get my concept art and illustrations purely digital to make it easier to send to the bosses.]
"Yeah. I used CAD for engineering blueprints and such. I am an engineering student at my university." Shiroe said.
"So, you are a college student, my lord? You, too, Sensei?" Akatsuki's brighten, remembering Las Boss was a young ninja. Since he is a ninja, he could be graduating from military school for it.
[Nope. There's not really a high-up education in my world unless you're really rich. Instead, after you have training through a workshop or the military school for ninja and such, you move up into apprenticeships and such. For ninja, I think you get a seasoned ninja to teach you if I remember how it works. I'm just twelve, too, which I don't think your world would allow me to even take online college courses... Though I wanted to.] Las Boss slightly pouted at his apple core he now had.
"I am actually graduating soon… Or was." Shiroe said, a bit sad.
"So, you are about my age, my lord." Akatsuki mused aloud. An awkward silence filled the room. "Is something wrong?"
"Hmm?/No way?!" Both Shiroe and Naotsugu retorted, looking at her in surprise.
"Is it that surprising?" Akatsuki asked, a mean glare now in her eyes. She noticed Shiroe had mixed emotions, probably guessing she was a little younger than him and felt guilty. Las Boss just rolled his eyes, probably having guess she was not a kid.
"Are you kidding us, Shrimp?! Based on your height, you-Ack!" Akatsuki kneed Naotsugu before he could finish his sentence.
"May I kick this baka, my lord?" Akatsuki asked, pointing at Naotsugu.
"Didn't I tell you to ask before doing it?!" Naotsugu shouted.
"Naotsugu-baka is always nitpicking about height issues."
"It would be sadder talking about bre-Ack!" Naotsugu got hit by Akatsuki's other knee this time before she gracefully did a backflip and landed two meters away.
"…Akatsuki? Please don't murder Naotsugu?" Shiroe asked, though giving a sad look at Naotsugu.
"Since it is my lord's request." Akatsuki said, though smirking on the inside with seeing Naotsugu sulking. "But, did you also think I was a child, my lord?" Akatsuki glared back at her lord.
"I am not concerned about height… or age issues… Just troubling…" Akatsuki noticed Shiroe thinking hard. She noticed his focus was off of her and was elsewhere.
"What are you thinking about, my lord?" Akatsuki asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Oh. Nothing really." Shiroe said, getting up.
"That isn't true. Whenever you are thinking, your brows furrows." Akatsuki pointed at her forehead. "Right here, you know. Just like the wrinkles of an old man." Akatsuki heard Naotsugu burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at, Naotsugu?" Shiroe asked with a dark tone.
"Because-Snicker… Hahaha!" Naotsugu tried to stop, but couldn't when Shiroe kicked Guardian in the shin only to hurt his toes from hitting the Guardian's armor.
"…Las Boss?" Shiroe asked for Naotsugu to yelp when he got hit across the head by Las Boss's spear, the Aldurne mimicking his moves. "Thank you."
"No fair!" Naotsugu shouted as Shiroe and he bickered with breaking up the small camp and moving ahead. "Yeesh… Was this place as decayed when it was a game?" Naotsugu asked, noticing the cracks within the stairs they moved to begin the climb back up through the ruins. They had to reach the north side of the mountain they were going under to get to the channel that leads to the Ezzo Empire.
"Sensei told me they updated the graphics. That might be that the cause." Akatsuki answered, though noticing Las Boss behind them.
"To fit the story, huh?" Naotsugu sighed, "Hey, Naruto, I just remember, is there... Huh?" Naotsugu stopped along with Akatsuki as they noticed Las Boss stopped.
"What's wrong?" Shiroe asked with seeing Naotsugu stopping before hearing Las Boss blow his whistle. A long warning wail that shocked everyone. Akatsuki almost did not react when Las Boss threw his summoning at her, making her catch the Aldurne in her arms.
"Willow Spirits!" Akatsuki's eyes widen when Las Boss shouted and unleashed his spell.
"What the fuck?!" Akatsuki looked back at Naotsugu, finding him wrapped up in magic vines.
"Boss! What are-Huh?!" Shiroe yelped as the ground began to shake. "Earthquake?!" Shiroe shouted before they heard a rushing sound.
"WHOA!" Akatsuki and Shiroe were shocked when Naotsugu was hit by a torrent of water and looked up to see several holes in the wall above them was unleashing the water. "Agh! I don't need a bath!" Naotsugu roared, trying his best to keep his head above the water as the vines kept him from being washed away.
"Akatsuki!" Akatsuki looked back at Shiroe running at her for her eyes to widen seeing the ground beneath him break.
"My lord!" Akatsuki bolted forward and grabbed his cape only to find herself also falling.
"Willow Spirits!" Akatsuki looked up just as Shiroe and she was caught by vines from another Willow Spirit from Las Boss.
"Sensei! Tha-Watch out!" Akatsuki shouted with seeing cracks forming in the wall right next to Las Boss.
"Agh!"Las Boss yelped getting hit right in the head as the wall collapse. He was launch off the stairs by the torrent of rock and water.
"Astral Bind!" Shiroe shouted, unleashing his own bind spell. "Boss!" Shiroe shouted as the binding spell missed Las Boss's legs and he fell into the darkness below them.
"Akatsuki! Slam your blade into the wall!" Shiroe shouted as Akatsuki saw the vines beginning to dissipate. She quickly pulled out her blade and slammed it into the wall before the vines fully disappeared and releasing them. "Astral Bind!" Shiroe shouted, unleashing a new batch of vines which grabbed into him.
"Are you guys alright!?" Naotsugu shouted, having gotten out of the torrent before the vines that ensnared him disappeared.
"Sensei is-"
"We need to get down fast! Boss got knocked off!" Shiroe shouted to Naotsugu, "Take off as much armor as you can and put it in your magic bag! Then start climbing down before us! I can keep using Astral Bind to lower us down till we get close to the water down below."
"But, he could have died on impact!" Akatsuki said before realizing something between Shiroe and her. The little Aldurne was sniffing, hurt from being squeezed between the two of them.
"Boss is still alive as any non contracted summons disappear is the summoner is dead. Akatsuki take your blade out of the wall." Shiroe said as his Astral Bind disappear and Akatsuki yanked her blade out. He let them drop a few seconds before recasting the spell. "Hurry up, Naotsugu! We need to get to Boss before he dies!"
"Got it!" Naotsugu shouted, quickly getting to taking apart his armor and stuffing it into the small pack. The bag that many Adventurers knew as Dazaneg's Magic Bag was able to hold many times its own weight. A must for players when it was still a game and even now.
"Akatsuki, I need you to have your blade ready in case I miss." Akatsuki nodded as the vines disappear and they fell. She was shocked at how fast it took before they saw the water below from the speed they were going. "Astral Bind!" Akatsuki gasped from the suddenly stop. "Do you see Boss?" Shiroe asked, trying his best to look around now feet above the water.
"Night Vision…" Akatsuki mumbled, her vision shifting to see in the dark. "There!" Akatsuki shouted, seeing Las Boss's traveling chest floating in the water and pointed to where he was at.
"Alright. Swim to him as fast as you can." Shiroe said while putting his staff away and she sheathed her sword. She had the Aldurne grab onto her back before the vines disappeared and they dived into the water below. Akatsuki shot straight towards Las Boss, seeing he was stuck underwater with the chest above.
Sensei! Akatsuki saw Las Boss's health slowly draining as she got close enough and quick worked to push the chest over. Crap! I'm too short! Akatsuki glared, trying to push the chest over, only to fail with her arms unable to flip the chest from underwater. However, she was shocked when a long pair of arms came up from behind her and managed to get the chest to flip over with Las Boss. Akatsuki looked back to see Shiroe before they surface.
"Sensei!" Akatsuki shouted with surfacing, her eyes widening with seeing blood on Las Boss's head.
"Boss!" Shiroe got up on the chest and checked over the man."Come on! Stay with me!" Shiroe shouted, shaking Las Boss. Water spruted from the Druid's mouth, making him cough before breathing in air. "His health has stopped dropping. Help me push him to shore."
Akatsuki nodded as Shiroe jumped back into the water. They both began to kick, holding onto the chest like a raft till reaching the shore of the underground lake.
"Akatsuki… Can you...get a fire going?" Shiroe heeved, pulling himself out of the water.
"Yes, my Lord," Akatsuki said, getting onto the land and quickly opening her bag to pulling out what she needed. She looked back as she put the wood and kindling on the ground, seeing Shiroe hurrying to get Las Boss off his chest and out of his wet clothes. Sensei… How did you know that would happen?
"Yahoooo!" Akatsuki looked to the water hearing a splash before seeing Naotsugu surface. "Cold festival! Cold festival!"
"Bakatsugu." Akatsuki sighed lighting the fire. Shiroe came up to her, dragging Las Boss over to the fire to dry off. His cloak off and drying with most of Las Boss's clothes on a boulder.
"We made it in time." Shiroe said, letting loose a sigh of relief while sitting down next to the now blazing fire. "He was just knocked out by the fall. His head wound has already closed up with wiping the blood away. He'll probably heal with being asleep."
"That is good." Akatsuki said, finding the Aldurne hugging her for warm.
"He realized the danger and stopped us from falling, but forgot about himself… But, then again, he's always like that." Shiroe let out a sigh of relief that Akatsuki caught before he spoke again. "I guess we will rest here for now and dry off. I don't want to chance us getting sick now."
"Agreed! Freezing festival!" Naotsugu shouted, running over to the fire with getting out of the water. All his armor was gone, exposing the simple clothes he wore underneath it. "Naruto took a hero fall festival. I am amazed with how many times he done that he hardly dies from his heroics." Naotsugu shivered, holding his hands to the fire.
"Let's focus on the present. Boss will be probably out for a hour or two, so we better prepare for the detours we need to take to get back on track." Shiroe said, pulling out a towel from his bag to help dry off. "I believe we have rope. We should have that out and ready in case we need to climb up an area. It's clear we also need to keep an eye on our footing with confirming places can collapse."
"Yeah. That was not fun." Naotsugu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I did not need a power shower festival back there. How bad did Naruto get it?" Naotsugu pointed at Las Boss, who was sleeping soundly next to them.
"He only lost an eighth of his health. I guess our level 90 bodies are able to take a fall with hardly any damage." Shiroe said, patting his chest. Akatsuki noticed she barely lost any health as well with the sudden drop and rescue. "However, we need to be on guard. Especially with one of us down."
"I'll do first watch once I am dry festival!" Naotsugu chimed while Akatsuki looked into the flames.
Sensei is doing a better job at protecting my Lord than me, Akatsuki thought, clenching her fists as the Aldurne looked at her with confusion. I should be the one protecting both my Lord and Sensei. Especially when Sensei is losing his memories because me, isn't he? Akatsuki thought, giving a worried glance to Las Boss. Just how much of your memories have you lost so far?