"Beginning of the Treasure Hunt"

~ Act 5 ~

Sad, Blue Eyes

"Tsubaki!"

"Onegai, Tsubaki!"

Those were my parents calling for me.

I was at a festival, wearing my blue, flowery-patterned yukata. I had hid among a crowd. It was the first time running away from my parents at the festival, yet I was only a kid. I was only playing like any kid would do, but such child play…

It had me lost. I did not know where my parents were, nor could I see them. Soon, I grew the feeling of sorrow. That sorrow had made me shed tears, for I was a little child. I had regretted running away from my family at the festival.

A slim boy gently grabbed my arm as our eyes made contact. He looked about three years older than me, while I was five years old at the time. He had sad, blue eyes like mine.

I tilted my head as I said, "I am lost; very lost indeed!"

The young boy shook his head. He wouldn't let my arm go, as if he'd also been alone. I did admit in my head that the boy was mysterious. He never spoke a word, except staring at my eyes.

"What's wrong?" asked I. Yet, the young boy didn't reply. Instead, with a warm smile, he had made me feel proud again. I put on my angelic smile across my face.

I felt my other arm being pulled, and to my surprise, I was glancing at my beautiful mother. She had found me hidden among the crowd full of people.

"Tsubaki!" my mother's angelic voice exclaimed. "Don't run from us again! We worried about you, Tsubaki-chan!"

Behind Mother were my older brother and Father. All three of them were smiling, yet my mother had the most angelic smile. My angelic smile rose as I looked back at the boy who grabbed my arm, but he was gone, and it turned my smile into a frown.

Wood and Astral Cores

I woke up fifteen minutes ago. I looked at my surroundings. Kirito-kun was still asleep as he snored softly and quiet. I sighed with relief, though I thought about my dream; the dream with the young boy who I never saw since the festival. I wondered where he was, or what he had been doing.

Yes, Kirito-kun and I were still inside Sacred Sword Remains. We hadn't received Sacred Sword Ragnarok yet. But no matter, since this was the day we could make our next attempt.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check my inventory," I said to myself, swiping my index finger downwards as the Menu popped up.

I tapped on "items". Then, I tapped on "other", just to check the ingredients I can cook. The list shown:

"-[Ingredient] High Quality Boar Meat, 60.

-[Ingredient] Astral Core, 30."

Good. I still had more meat left, but there was something about the list that concerned me… and I noticed it by its quantity.

Astral Cores? I thought. Since when did I damn receive those?

During my days of having an orange cursor, I'd have to gather boar meat and boar meat only. I had never heard of [Ingredient] Astral Core before. Was somebody here?

I looked away, and to my surprise, wood was lying on the ground. I blinked my eyes once as I gasped. I didn't recall gathering wood. How did it get here?

Oh, my fucking god… I thought sorrowfully. Were we too late?

Nonetheless, I rushed to Kirito-kun and shook him to wake him up.

"Onii-chan!"

No response, like always.

I shook him again. "Kirito-kun! Kirito!"

Kirito-kun woke up finally, yet he was half asleep. He moaned with exhaustion as he said without noticing me, "…Good morning, Asuna-chan… Silica-chan… Lis—"

And then he went back to sleep. I rolled my eyes as I said to myself sarcastically, "I knew he had been a lady-killer."

I chuckled, and then I shook Kirito-kun's warm body once again. "KIRITO!" I yelled. Kirito-kun woke up as he shook, very scared and surprised. His eyes had widened.

"I'm up!" he said. "I'm up!"

I laughed. "Good morning. Anyways—"

"What are we eating today?" Kirito asked.

"Do not act like I'm Asuna-chan," joked I, grinning. "You know we will be eating boar meat. That's all I have that is healthy. Yet, I have a new ingredient to go with it."

"You went out solo for a new ingredient!? That's reckless, Tsuki-chan!"

"And yet you've been a solo player!? I was asleep the whole time before I woke you up! And what I wanted to discuss with you is the new ingredient and the pile of wood lying on the floor!"

I opened up my inventory and had Kirito-kun stand beside me to look. "I woke up and then checked my inventory. I found [Ingredient] Astral Core in my inventory, though I have no clue how I received it. About the wood lying on the ground, I never recalled gathering them."

Kirito-kun's eyes widened. "You are assuming somebody got to the sword before us?"

"Yes," I responded. "I hope that isn't the case, but how else could I receive [Ingredient] Astral Cores? I was here the whole time."

Hesitation rose. I tilted my head in confusion. "Kirito?"

Then he started to say, "…I never knew you were a zomb—"

I slapped Kirito-kun, enraged. "I am NOT a damn zombie!"

"Ow!"

"That's what you deserved!"

Kirito-kun rubbed his cheek. "I was only joking, Tsuki-chan." He chuckled nervously.

I shook my head as I said angrily, "I hope it was a joke, or else I would not have woken your lazy ass up, even though your joke went too far!"

"Sorry, then," Kirito said.

After eating our meal, we walked forward to investigate the whole area. I was reading the map to guide us through Sacred Sword Remains. Kirito-kun and I were at the north-western section of the area.

"We have to walk north," I informed, "then we should take a left… and then walk right. It seems there will be a door after taking a right."

Kirito-kun nodded. "Alright."

The area became eerie every second we walked. I could hear the howls and even the screeches. This scene was like camping in the woods at night. I never liked camping, even when my cursor was orange. I'd rather stay home, yet in this MMO, we can't go back to the real world.

Just like I had said, we walked north, took a left, and walked to the right. The eeriness grew as my uneasiness grew gradually. In front of us now was an intricate, heavily-patterned black door.

"Is this it?" asked Kirito.

"Seems like past the door lies the Sacred Sword Ragnarok within," said I.

Kirito-kun glanced at me as he said, "I've come prepared. We shall see if somebody got to this sword before us. Coming across this door feels different compared to coming across Sacred Sword Remains."

I nodded, but I was nervous. To me, it felt like this hunt was precious to Kirito-kun. I decided to fight within all my potential and do my best. I made an oath to my original guild I'll become stronger, no matter if I was known as a renegade.

"Then we shall open the door," said I.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am."

But I felt a presence—the presence of a stalker hidden among the shadows, or it was just my instincts that we've been spied on. I instantly looked around, yet there were no signs of the spy. Could it really just be me, acting like I hallucinated?

"Tsuki-chan?" Kirito said. Though, I didn't respond.

Begin The Treasure Hunt!

I pushed opened the intricate, heavily-patterned black door as both Kirito-kun and I walked ahead. The room became dark, but not fully. We came across another black, intricate door.

"There were two doors… in total?"

"Seems like it."

I sighed. "You open it, please."

And so Kirito-kun did. I smiled brightly. It was time for the hunt to begin. Thrill, action, and fighting will start. I cleared my throat, and then said these words:

"Here we come, Sacred Sword Ragnarok!"

I said those words like I meant it.

The first monster appeared in front of us, holding its spear on its right hand and a black, golden-rimmed shield on the left as it glared as it was holding a sword on its right hand. It was an armored skeleton, undead monster called Powered Skeleton. The monster was level 140.

"Get ready to fight, Tsuki-chan!" Kirito said, as he grabbed his swords and pulled them out.

"I feel prepared, now," I said, smiling as I took out my spear. My spear was called the Combat Rionichi. I discovered it during the assault at a Labyrinth Area.

Kirito-kun hesitated while looking at my spear. "You're not going to use your axe?"

I shook my head. "I decided to go back to wielding the spear. Well, it's only for this hunt that I will wield a spear. Is that fine?"

The Powered Skeleton roared at us, as if it was taunting us, or scaring us. I did not fear, for if I might surrender and abort our objective. I was not afraid of dying anymore. I learned to be strong on my own.

"Say no more!" Kirito responded. "Let the treasure hunt begin!"

Sidestepping, attacking, Parry, and attacking again…

Sidestepping, attacking, Parry, and attacking again…

"Its weak spot is its arms, Kirito-kun!"

"Aim for the right arm while I distract it!"

I nodded as I obeyed Kirito-kun's orders. The Powered Skeleton attacked and unfortunately I couldn't dodge it. I used my hiding skill, just so the monster will only pay attention to Kirito-kun. First, he slashed at its legs swiftly, and then once the Powered Skeleton was distracted, I thrusted my spear at the monster's right arm. Doing massive damage, the Powered Skeleton's HP was at half.

"Almost—"

The Powered Skeleton slashed at my cheek, interrupting me. Dammit. My HP decreased slightly. I rubbed my cheek, as if I had a bad cut, which it did feel like it.

"Kuso…"

"It is at half! Let's finish it off!"

Would it be risky to use a sword skill as the finishing blow? If so, what else could I do? Though, I could rely on the sword skills…

Joint Attacks would probably be best.

"Kirito, let's finish it off with sword skills!" I demanded in such high-spirited tone.

"On it!" Kirito responded.

I was charging up my spear, yet it was interrupted once I was being pulled by an unknown figure, possibly because he or she used Hiding Skill. He had to cover my mouth to prevent my yell to be heard. I, too, went invisible as soon as my mouth was covered. It seemed the unknown figure and I had hid behind a boulder far away from Kirito-kun and the Powered Skeleton, yet at the same area. I was hidden unnoticed.

Kirito-kun used the sword skill Locus Hexedra, slashing at the Powered Skeleton up and down, then up, and lastly striking it from the top to bottom like a straight line. The monster's HP gradually decreased to 0 as it disappeared in blue, sparkling fragments. The monster was defeated.

"Yes! We did it, Tsu—"

Finally, he noticed I wasn't beside him. "Tsuki-chan…?"

Another monster appeared in front of Kirito-kun and it was a different one. It looked one of those one-handed sword wielded knight monsters with white armor. The monster was named as Valley Stab and it was at level 145. Why did it appear in front of Kirito-kun?

"Is it influenced by a miasma?" Kirito assumed.

I struggled to break free. I managed to shove the unknown person's hand away from my mouth.

"No!" I exclaimed. "If I don't get back and fight…!"

The unknown figure didn't respond. He dragged me out from the room. I struggled more, yet I couldn't break free. However, I was still struggling. I wanted to get back to the room…!

"Stop struggling," the figure said, "and I will explain."

Interrupting the Treasure Hunt

The person sat me on a rock and tied up me to the wall. I struggled, though struggling had hurt my wrist. I decided to glance at the shady man, just to identify him. As I examined him, I noticed some of his physical traits. One in particular, actually: the blue eyes; the sad, blue eyes.

"Are you…" I began.

"I can understand lip-moving," the shady man said. "Tsubaki-chan, it has been long…"

I hesitated. I was speechless from seeing him. He was the same boy I met long ago; long before Sword Art Online launched. Now, it seemed he looked much older and possibly his late teens.

"You recognized me?" I asked.

"Indeed," the boy said.

I looked at his HP bar and then looked a little bit upwards. "Sere" was his username. In my opinion, it was an odd username.

"You're here for the sword," he said.

I nodded. "And Kirito-kun is, too. Both of us decided to start the hunt with the sword."

"There is a requirement to receive Sacred Sword Ragnarok," Sere stated. "You don't have enough skills.

"In order to receive Ragnarok, you have to defeat the monsters that appear within three minutes. It must be within three minutes. If you want to defeat those monsters—"

"Why are you here?" asked I.

"If you want to defeat those monsters," Sere continued as he ignored my question, "you must complete the Grand Quest, by slaying a boss that was sealed for its threatening sword skill. That sword skill surpasses all, even God. After slaying the boss, you'll receive the threatening sword skill."

I cringed. "'Grand Quest'? How do you know of such information?"

Sere sighed. "I've been to the place. The boss lies deep within its palace. You can find the palace at the Discard Area. I… would rather you to figure out where the Discard Area."

"Sere," I responded, "why can't you inform me where it is?"

"I'd rather keep your adventure interesting," Sere said. "However, I'll give you a hint. It's at the Discard Area. That's all, Tsubaki-chan."

I pulled out my Hollow Map, trying to find out where the Discard Area was at. "There are no places called the 'Discard Area' or some shit…"

"And that's where I would rather keep your adventure interesting and fun," Sere responded. "Of course, the name 'Discard Area' won't be listed in the Hollow Map. You have to find out where it is. I've been adventuring the Hollow Area a lot more than you have, Tsubaki-chan."

I shook my head. "You must've known Sword Art Online was a death game, yet you…"

Sere grunted. "Why can't I see you?"

"No matter the circumstances?" asked I.

"It's different," Sere responded.

"How?" I asked again.

"I am a patient."

"A patient? What does that got to do with—"

"Have you ever heard of the FullDive technology called the Medicuboid?"

I blinked my eyes. "Medicuboid?"

"The Medicuboid is an extension of the NerveGear and is used for medical purposes," Sere explained. "It is used in hospitals to treat patients in terminal care.

"I began as a Medicuboid patient a month ago and for the past three weeks I thought the Hollow Area was part of ALO. The Hollow Area was where I started."

"But being deaf isn't—" I said.

"I have lung cancer," Sere interrupted. "I will die anyway, no matter the circumstances."

How was he supposed to be in ALO, I thought, yet he started his adventure in the Hollow Area? This is not ALO, obviously…

"The only explanation I could think of why I'm not playing ALO," Sere said, "would be forced teleportation. That might sound like a stupid explanation, but what other explanation could I think of?"

Or did the doctors lie? I thought.

"The doctors must've lied," I said, "and inserted the SAO game. Then again, that also proved you were force teleported. You'd start at Aincrad if you logged on, yet you logged on and started exploring at the Hollow Area instead."

Sere shook his head as took off the ropes from my wrists. I could see how frustrated he was. The Hollow Area didn't have towns or shops. There were only monsters and lands to explore. The Hollow Area was like an area to host a survival game. Sere's eyes were no more sad, blue eyes. They were cold, blue eyes.

"The doctors lied…" Sere spoke in a frustrated tone.

I looked down as I frowned. "How much time do you have to live?" I asked.

"Two more months," Sere responded.

Two months to live. Poor Sere… I hugged him. I poured all the happiness into my hug because I haven't seen him in so long and finally I reunited with him.

"I missed you," I said, "so much..."

"You did?" Sere asked.

"If I hadn't," I replied, "I'd still struggle."

Sere nodded. "You are so nice. I could just…"

"Could… what?" asked I.

Sere shook his head as he walked past me, but then stopped. "It's nothing. Please forget about it, Tsubaki-chan."

Returning to the Control Area

"Hey, Tsuki-chan!"

I glanced at the figure who spoke. Sure enough, it was Kirito-kun. His outfit was all dirty. It seemed he defeated the Valley Stab and then ran. I ran towards him to give him a hug.

"You defeated the Valley Stab!" I said happily.

"Where were you!?" Kirito asked.

I trembled. "I was…"

I looked right behind me, but Sere wasn't near me anymore. I sighed out of dissatisfaction for not running to Kirito-kun to aid him. Why hadn't I sneakily aid him without having Sere notice?

"Kirito-kun..."

"Y-yes?"

I laid my cheek on the palm of my hand and said, "I was afflicted by the blind status. I didn't know where I was going. Sorry about that. Anyways…"

I wasn't going to tell Kirito-kun about Sere. Not yet, even if I had to lie. I could later tell Kirito-kun about the requirements to receive Sacred Sword Ragnarok.

"Perhaps we should return to the Control Area," Kirito suggested. "I would like us to start a discussion with Philia-chan."

"Discussing about what, exactly?" I asked.

"The monsters that appear randomly," Kirito said. "After defeating the Valley Stab, another monster appeared in front of me. I feel like those monsters are being influenced by a miasma."

"…Miasma?"

"What else could it be?"

Discussion

We left Arlebast Otherworld and teleported to the Control Area. Philia-chan seemed to have left the Control Area. I wondered where she could be, but I knew she'd be okay. Kirito-kun told me about his adventures with Philia-chan.

"I'll send a message to Philia-chan," Kirito said as he swiped down with his index finger like a line to pull up the Menu button.

"I'm sure she is okay," I replied, frowning.

Of course, I didn't know what Kirito-kun was typing. He was so concentrated in typing the message. I thought that not messaging Kirito-kun was stupid of me.

"And… send." Kirito-kun tapped on the "send" button.

"Could we still discuss about the monsters?" asked I.

"Tsuki-chan…" Kirito began.

I looked away from Kirito-kun as something in the Control Area caught my eye. The object looked like one of the teleport devices to the Control Area. I glanced back at Kirito-kun and questioned him about the teleport device.

"That is the device to teleport to the Discard Area," Kirito answered. "It popped up once I activated some Grand Quest from the console behind us."

I blinked my eyes. I remembered Sere mentioned about the Discard Area. I remembered he said a threatening sword skill lies within the Discard Area. I gulped nervously.

"I haven't explored the Discard Area yet," continued Kirito, "possibly because we've been busy with clearing the floors in Aincrad."

"I think we should teleport to the Discard Area," I said, "I had obtained information about the requirements to receive the Sacred Sword Ragnarok. In order to obtain Sacred Sword Ragnarok, we have to defeat all the monsters within three minutes. There is a rare sword skill that can defeat those monsters. We would have to obtain this threatening sword skill that lies within the Discard Area. That threatening sword skill surpasses all and even God."

"Where or how did you receive such information?" Kirito asked.

I started running forward. "Who cares? Let's go to the Discard Area tomorrow!"

Kirito-kun sweat dropped. "W-wait, Tsuki-chan!"

"C'mon! Don't be such a Slowpoke or else I got to "catch" you!" I laughed.

PK Symbol

It was after the axe-wielding tournament. I lost to Agil-san. As a result he was the winner of the tournament. I was a little bit disappointed about the loss, but my match with Agil-san was fun. He deserved earning the [Chest Armor] Necro Fear Coat as the tournament prize.

I stopped by at his shop for rest. I loved rest, especially after having a busy day with leveling and clearing floors in Aincrad. I'd probably trade or sell my items.

Once I sat on a chair, I noticed Agil-san wasn't at his usual post. Where was he, I wondered. Then, I heard a creek, like someone pulled the chair beside me a little bit. Sure enough, it was.

The person looked normal with his armor worn, yet something was off. I looked around at his armor, and then something caught my eye. On his right arm, there was a brown hand brace, which was unusual that it'd be worn by ordinary players. The hand brace had a familiar symbol, which it had made me widen my eyes.

It was the Laughing Coffin's symbol.