Dungeon Oratoria Online

by asdf1asdf1

DOO is the first game to be created in a long awaited category, a VRMMORPG. Follow Kirito and co as they seek to clear out the depths of the dungeon located beneath the city Orario. However, this game is no mere entertainment, it's a real world, where death in the dungeon means death for your body. The only way they can escape the game is to clear the bottom floor of the dungeon.

4. Chapter 4

Edit (20200901): Updated format to match future chapters.

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Chapter 4 – To do a Quest

Asuna:

"Hrng!" My head. Why does it still it still hurt? Opening my eyes, a piercing light entered, and I closed them instantly.

"Ah, you're awake miss Asuna! I was getting worried." Hearing my name, my eyes fling open and lock in on the speaker.

The young woman took a frightened step back. Apparently, I was still scaring people.

"Who are you?" the mumbled words fought through a dry mouth. Barely articulate, the women understood.

"Ah, I'm one of the nurses at the Babel clinic. Your friend Kirito dropped you off here." Frowning, the nurse continued to speak. "There was minor bruising of your ribs, but nothing to explain the condition you were in. Frankly, I just had to hope you'd get better."

Nodding mutely, it wasn't worth trying to respond. Most of the pain had faded, however, it was still hard to focus. Only one thing remained clear in my mind, Kirito had saved me again. The thought raised the heat in my cheeks. How embarrassing.

Did the man spend his whole day running around the dungeon looking for women to save? Not that I could complain.

"Well, since you appear to be in good condition, I'll bring you some water and go to sleep myself."

Nodding, I once again didn't reply. Manners were hard.

"Here you are." Placing the glass on the stand beside the bed, she really was a nurse. Was someone doing stuff like this to my body right now? Changing the sheets, washing me.

Now that was embarrassing.

"One last thing dear. That Kirito boy said he'd come tomorrow morning to check up on you." Laughing at my face, the nurse left.

What expression had I made that she'd do something like that? Glancing at the clock it read 10 pm. No doubt Loki was worried about me. Trying to find the energy to get up, I came up short. "I'll check in on her tomorrow," mumbling my excuse, my eyes closed.

It wasn't long before the sweet embrace of true sleep consumed me.

---

Kirito:

Laying on the sofa I stared at the roof. Sleep was a distant thought. The only thing in my mind was her. Finding her laying on a Wall Shadow. How that happened I still didn't understand. The terror of the moment kept my heart racing still.

Why was I so upset at the thought of her dying? Because she was a girl? Somehow that didn't seem to be quite right. Because I knew her? Closer but not quite.

Treading deep within myself, I arrived at an answer. It was obvious really. She gave me hope. Hope that this game could be beaten. Her fight had been nothing short of spectacular. She had no right to win that fight. A fake weapon, no training, and a bad status. With all the odds stacked against her, she fought. Tooth and nail to stay alive, to win.

It was awe inspiring. There was no doubt, she'd do the same to the rest of the people. She'd become our hero and lead us home.

Or maybe it was the new blue hair.

Smiling, I drifted to sleep, with dreams of elven and fox-eared maids.

"Oof!" Air released from my mouth in a rush. Had something just hit me. Eyes opening, I quickly located the source. A miniature goddess was glaring at me.

"What now?" Closing my eyes, I glanced at the permanent clock in the corner of my vision. A little past 8. It was time to get up.

"You were late again! Aren't you going to apologize to me? You stress me out with worry and then act nonchalant about the whole thing!"

Huffing, Hestia turns her back on me.

Swallowing my sigh, I stretch. She was right. I need to get back from the dungeon earlier. It's always one thing after another these days. Standing up I ruffled her head. "What do you say we go out for dinner tonight?"

"Huh?" Spinning around, Hestia stared at me with large eyes. Her twin tails somehow moving with excitement.

"Do you want to go get supper somewhere?" I don't think I've ever been more nervous to ask a question in my life.

"A date? I don't know if I'm ready, it's just so soon…"

"What?"

"Ah, I mean um I'll meet you at Laverty fountain at 6!"

"Uh, ok?"

"So, why don't we update that status in the meantime?"

"Thanks."

Laying down on the bed I take my shirt off exposing my status. Getting on top of me, Hestia performs the ritual that's become commonplace for us. Its always so peaceful while it happens. Maybe it really is a magical ceremony.

"You've grown quite a lot." Hestia remarks. "You must be one of the strongest from your world."

Laughing nervously, I try to play it off. "You know how it is. Going solo gives larger reward for larger risk."

"So, you haven't found a party member yet?"

Eyes widening, I realized I did have one, Argo. "Actually, I picked one up yesterday. I'm helping her for the next week or two." Gasping, my eyes shot open.

Did Hestia stab me with the needle?

"Oops."

Somehow it didn't seem like an accident. Gritting my teeth, I stay silent as she finishes.

Standing up, my eye caught the mirror in the bathroom that was just visible. Was that… muscle? Walking into the room I examined my body. I was never fat; in fact, I was too thin. But now, I had noticeable definition. It certainly was nowhere near the level of a professional athlete. But still, I had the build of a jock instead of a computer nerd.

"Hmph, checking out your new muscles you're using to woo the ladies, are you?" Hestia sniffed with disappointment.

Ignoring the last bit, "Is this a side effect of my status going up?"

"Doubtful," Hestia replied, still a bit peevish. "Most likely its your work in the dungeon. You know muscles get bigger when you use them, right?"

Eyes widening, I simply stared at myself. This game would even simulate the changes in your body over time. It made sense; I suppose. Even if one was 300 pounds when the game started, if they spent all day in the dungeon fighting, they'd burn a lot of weight. All in all, it wasn't an impressive feature Kayaba added. It just signified that he expected us to be here a long time. I wonder if our avatars will age.

Turning my back on the mirror I look at the most puzzling aspect, my back. Usually one's status is locked by their god rendering it invisible. Hestia didn't: meaning there was a giant tattoo on my back detailing my status.

"Why don't you lock my status?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" The diminutive goddess asked, rushing to finish prepping for work.

Explaining quickly got me a blank stare. That's right, I'm her first member.

"I-I'll ask Miach or Hephastus when I see them."

"Oh yeah, I had a question about Miach."

"What's that?" Hestia asked with a frown.

"Do you trust the guy?"

"Of course!" Hestia replied indignantly.

Nodding my head, I hesitate to answer. Still, if people buy their ineffective potions and die because of it, I wouldn't sleep right. So, I tell her of the time I used the Blue Pharmacy's potions.

Biting her lip, Hestia didn't shoot it down right away. "I'll ask Miach when I see him. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, shall we get going then?"

Nodding her head, a solemn goddess followed me out of the rundown church we call home.

Every step I take towards Babel is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I have no idea what to say when I see her again. Biting my lip every sensation stands out. The weight of the empty drawstring backpack resting easily on my shoulders. The hawking of wares between the street vendors setting up their cart for the day. With Hestia heading the opposite direction for work, I slowly plod along alone.

Looking around it's hard to believe I'm inside a game. All of these people, acting normally, looking real, are actually NPCs. Generated somehow by Kayaba Akihiko. I had to wonder if this is what the delay on the game was for. In order to generate AI that participated in the world similar to humans. If I was late getting home, Hestia worried about me. When I forgot to visit Eina for a few days she was irate. That's not normal NPC behavior.

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the gleaming white tower of babel. Taking a moment. I stared at its incredible design. Supposedly it had been built 1000 years ago, when the gods came to this world.

In combination with their newly obtained falna, the adventurers forced the monsters back into the dungeon and off the surface. The slowly growing tower of Babel had taken nearly 100 years to complete. Possessing 50 floors, and big floors at that, the magnificent tower stared down upon the city of Orario. Nearly every inch of its surface was carved with exquisite detail. A masterpiece dedicated to the power that mortals could wield when blessed by a god.

Glancing at the clock it read 8:50 am, ten minutes before I was supposed to meet Argo. Plenty of time to meet Asuna and then Argo. For some reason I got chills when I thought about the two of them meeting. The number of disappointed stares I receive would surely double, at least.

Walking quickly through the busy entrance I aim for the stairs in the back. The pharmacy is on the second floor. A 24-hour affair, the guild runs it. In the beta I came here to get cured of poison after dungeon runs. A problem I was now starting to encounter again with purple moths on the seventh floor.

"Kirito!"

Getting called out I whirl around. I know that voice. "Asuna?"

An awkward 3-meter distance separates us. I don't know how to approach this girl. A million questions run through my brain, but only one sticks out prominently. What was she doing here?

As if reading my thoughts Asuna gestures towards an empty bench on the edge of the floor. Following behind her I sit on one edge of bench: she does the same. While the distance had shrunk there was still a noticeable gap in the middle of the bench. Not the position of two people who were on talking terms.

"I must thank you again it seems."

"Huh? Oh yeah, you're welcome."

Again, awkward silence.

What am I supposed to say!?

But if I knew that answer I wouldn't be trapped in here. It seemed Asuna was reluctant to say something as well. Almost as if she had a question but was afraid to ask it.

Mustering my far-flung shreds of courage, I ask a question. "So, what brought you into that condition yesterday? I mean, killing a wall Shadow is hard, but it didn't even seem to have hurt you."

Lowering her head, I didn't think Asuna was going to reply. "My real body."

"What?"

"I think someone in the real world was trying to force a logout on me."

Baffled, I stared at her open-mouthed. Kayaba had told us removing the Nerve Gear would kill them, as she's still here, that didn't happen. What other way would there be? In the beta you could sleep log-out, with that gone was there any other way? People with severe full-dive nonconformity of FNC couldn't connect to the servers in the first place. Were they trying to replicate that? And how would she know?

"But that doesn't matter now. It shouldn't happen again."

Turning towards me I was taken in by her intense brown eyes. The only part that didn't fit in with her appearance as a water spirit.

"I want to join you as a supporter."

"Huh?"

Now that sentence was perhaps even more baffling. No one wanted to be a supporter. Although, since she was an elf, most likely she was specced towards magic. Perhaps her goddess recommended she found a party to support to learn about the dungeon? "But why not a Loki familia party?"

Did I say that out loud? Apparently.

Sniffing, Asuna glared at me. "My reasons are my own. Will you accept me or not?"

Was she quoting something? The grandiose statement felt somehow appropriate in the medieval setting.

Opening my mouth, I was going to say the only thing that came to mind. Alright.

"Well, what do we have here?"

A smiling Argo was standing only a few feet away. When had she shown up? Despite the warm smile on her face, her eyes pierced with frozen fury.

"A-Argo! I was just waiting for you!"

"Oh, that's so nice." Walking towards us, Argo plopped herself between Asuna and I. "So, you want to support us, do you?"

The way Argo was sitting, her posture, was she implying something? What, I have no idea. There appeared to be some sort of standoff though as Asuna glanced between Argo and the mostly hidden me.

"So, what's your answer Kirito?"

Even I could tell that was a bad idea. Asuna had completely ignored Argo in favor of asking me again. I didn't need to see Argo's face to know the expression it held.

"I have no issues with it. But I've agreed to work with Argo for this next week or two, so she'd need to approve as well."

I was trying to be diplomatic but apparently, I failed. Asuna's face went stony with disappointment while Argo was basically purring.

"Yes, that is true." Argo agreed. Leaning backwards, Argo's upper body was now rested fully on mine. "I just don't know if I feel comfortable taking a supporter into the dungeon who may collapse at any time."

"Argo…" Frowning at the girl I have no idea what she's doing. It sounds like she doesn't want Asuna with us.

With Asuna standing up, I got to witness a full out glare without being the one it was directed at. It was nice. "So, then your answer is no?"

Staring idly at her nails with no apparent care in the world, Argo answered. "Well, if you can prove that it won't happen again, then I suppose you can come."

"It won't."

"That's not exactly proof, is it?"

Back going ramrod straight, Asuna turned to look at me. There was less anger and more expectation in her look. But what could I do? Now Argo was looking at me as well. Caught in the middle of two slightly intimidating women, I scratch my head. How did it come to this? I'm supposed to be playing solo. Although I may need a party for the middle floors…

"Asuna, I'll take on your contract as my supporter."

"What happened to needing my permission?" Argo hissed at me.

"Well, I realized that technically I'm just helping you map floors seven to nine. This makes Asuna my supporter and therefore part of my party which will aid you in clearing. You bear no responsibility for our well-being."

I was pretty proud of the solution. It resolved everyone's issues. Argo was worried about Asuna passing out in the dungeon, but now she didn't have to be because she was my responsibility. Asuna on the other hand was simply upset that Argo was going to block her from coming with me. It was perfect. Glancing at their faces, they didn't seem to think so.

Asuna was steadily getting redder, while Argo was now pouting. What were they upset about now?

"Onto the dungeon then?"

Nodding their agreement, the girls followed me in.

"Do you want point through the upper floors Asuna?"

"What does that mean?"

Rolling her eyes at the ignorant girl, Argo explained. "Do you want the front so you get more experience, while you can still kill the monsters."

"Oh, sure."

Maybe to escape Argo's harassment, or maybe she actually wanted to kill monsters, Asuna sped up until she walked beside me. Falling back a few steps I entered the middle of our three-man formation. This sure was nostalgic. This was where I spent some of my time in the Middle floors of the beta. Sitting in the middle position of a party. The front was often reserved for the heavy tanks. As we didn't have one though, I'd be back to playing front once we got down a little lower.

Due to our slightly late start time, especially compared to a lot of the early risers, the top floors were packed. Walking quickly through the first floor, we entered the second. Asuna took the long way around to the third floor, whether she didn't know better or it was intentional I couldn't tell. Based on Argo's stare melting my back, she wasn't happy.

"Oh, a spawn!"

Seeing the cracking rock, I stopped. A spawn on the main route was rare. Especially on the top three floors where the layout was circular. Stepping back, I allowed a confused looking Asuna access to the wall.

Confusion faded rapidly however once it got more pronounced. Sticking its wolfish face out, the kobold barely had time to growl once before it ate a rapier.

"That wasn't very sporting."

Both of the girls giggled at my stricken tone. It hadn't even gotten a chance to get out of the wall.

"Um, so how do we get its stone?"

"You kill it outside the wall, genius." Argo laughed. The words were still harsh, but they seemed to be delivered lighter. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.

"I'll get it." Stepping forward, I had quite the task ahead of me. Drawing the extracting knife, I went to work on the kobold and listened to the conversation behind me.

"I just kind of remembered, but your 'the Argo', correct?"

"That's me!"

"Your guidebooks are very helpful. Were you part of the beta test as well?"

"Why thank you. And any information is going to cost ya."

"But your guidebooks are basically free?"

"Hey, I wouldn't sleep easy at night knowing people were dying the dungeon because they decided to not buy the book. Everything else has a price."

Rolling my eyes at the girls behind me, I stick my arm down the kobold's now open throat and grab the stone within. Pulling out my arm, I triumphantly showed them my prize. Both of them looked a little sickly for some reason. They weren't the ones who had to stick their arm in.

As the party moved on, I smiled. At least the girls are getting along now. Walking with a party, the dungeon didn't seem as frightening today. Maybe I was getting used to venturing with people.

---

Asuna:

"So strong…" the whisper escaped unbidden from my lips. The corpses of multiple Killer Ants lay behind him. I doubted my ability to kill one of the monsters he slaughtered with ease.

"Excuse me."

"Huh?" Argo had just dragged me forward. From the shadows a Wall Shadow appeared. The terrifying claws swiping where my head was just moments before. Engaging the creature, Argo danced around it. A flurry of wounds weakened the creature. Falling to its knees, Argo finished it off with a final blow to the face.

So fast. I had been unable to follow the individual blows. Only get an impression of their existence. She'd turned a monster I'd gotten lucky against into child's play. These two were on a different level. It wasn't just a difference in status, they knew how to fight. Efficient. Deadly. I wanted to bury my head in the ground thinking back to the enemies I fought on the way down.

"Umm, Asuna?"

Turning around to look at Kirito, I flushed. There were no enemies left. Pulling out my knife I got around to my job, collecting the rewards of their work. It was humiliating but it was the result of my inaction. They were in the dungeon every day while I sat around feeling sorry for myself.

Busying myself extracting a stone from an ant, I stared at Kirito's back. Standing straight he didn't necessarily look strong, but he looked dependable. I swear I'll catch up to him one day.

From behind, was that?

"A scream?"

It seemed Argo heard it as well.

"Not again," Kirito complained. "Don't people listen? You can't enter the seventh unprepared. Argo, go. Asuna and I will clean up here then catch up to you."

Nodding seriously, Argo dashed off down the tunnel. Suddenly, Kirito was by my side helping me extract stones.

"Are we so concerned with money that we need to do this first?"

Shaking his head, Kirito denied my scorn. "You should never leave magic stones behind. Either pierce them or collect them."

"Why?" Continuing to work, our hands flew as we talked.

"Monsters are born with magic stones inside them. The bigger the stone, the stronger the monster."

"Are you saying…"

Looking at me, Kirito's black eyes bore into my soul, "When monsters eat magic stones, they get stronger. An enhanced species."

Shivering, my hands shook trying to extract the final stone. Failing to make a precise cut, my knife chipped the stone. "Oops."

"Forget it. Let's go."

Standing up, I wait for Kirito to take the lead. Instead he just stood there looking at me expectantly. What was he waiting for?

Oh, right. My ears are more sensitive than his.

Blushing I lead him the direction Argo took off. I knew vaguely where it had come from, but it had been awhile.

Wait… the sound of metal. Picking up the pace I run towards the echoing sound.

The passage opened up ahead. A cavern. The highest ceiling I'd seen in the dungeon, it was at least 4 metres overhead. In the center…

It was horrible. Two bodies of adventurers had been torn apart by killer ants. The horde had swelled close to fifteen. The reason was obvious. Multiple Killer Ants were limping around with ruined bodies. The rest of the people were standing in a loose circle swinging wildly. Their swings hit nothing, and when they did, they were deflected off the ant's carapace. My horror was reflected on their faces. They knew they were dead.

Looking up, one of them saw us and his face lit up with hope. "Quick! Use that NPC to save us!"

"NPC?" I asked quickly.

Face going tight with anger, Kirito quickly explained. "He thinks you aren't a real person."

"Ah." There were many reasons one may think that. I decided to believe I was so pretty he assumed I was generated by the system. "I have an idea."

Stopping before rushing in to save them, Kirito looked at me. "What do I need to do?"

Gasping, I was stunned. There was no time to explain and he knew that. Instead he put his faith in my decision making. "Open up a hole in the ants so that the people can run into this tunnel."

Nodding, Kirito ran to do just that. But where was Argo? Clearing the question from my mind I prepared myself. Stabilizing my breathing, I stuck my hand out. If I failed, I would die. But I could do this. I had to.

"Rise and flow. I am the Master of Water, servant of Neptune.

Rise and obey. Destroy those who obstruct."

With this I could help. My magic was strong enough to clear this room. It had to be.

"By my will, I give you life. By your will, I wield it.

Chosen not given, I call. Answer my prayer and heed your duty."

Was that someone? Would they get past me in time? I couldn't tell. Putting my trust in Kirito I kept chanting.

"Wash away the rabble and purify the streets.

Put out the fires and drown the nonbelievers"

Just a little more. I could do this! I could be helpful. Gritting my teeth, I shut out the horrible screams and weaved the final verse.

"Blessed of the Undine.

My name is Necksa!"

With the spell completed, I could focus on what was in front of me. Yes, Kirito had done it! Running past me, we nod at each other. Directing the water to shoot out as daggers, I speak its name.

"Vannforlengelse!"

According to my will, the water formed itself into daggers and went careening into the ants. One by one, my spell sent the seventh-floor monsters to their death. In the aftermath, only two injured ants were left alive. Before I could even call out to someone to finish them, Kirito was past me. Two quick swings finished off the evidence of my failure. My magic hadn't been strong enough to pierce their armor. I'd relied on penetrating the ants' weak points.

"Amazing…"

Apparently, the saved party didn't see it as a failure. The fear of death had been washed away by my spell. Even the bodies of their fallen comrades still lingering in the room couldn't dampen their euphoria.

"Why thank you miss!" Stepping forward, what appeared to be the leader of their outfit stuck his hand out.

Answering timidly, I stick out my hand in response. As he grips it, a shock goes through me.

This one isn't worthy.

The thought rocked my body. Instantly my right hand recoiled as my left extended and struck the man in the stomach.

Why did I do that?

"Easy there." Instantly Kirito is there. His hands on my shoulders calm my shaking body. "Elvish instincts, you know?" Kirito tries to soothe the group.

I stop listening as he assuages their anger and grief. Collecting the belongings of their fallen teammates they head to the surface. If any of them had said anything, I didn't hear. I just punched a man for shaking my hand. It wasn't like he forced me to either. He stuck out his hand and I answered.

"Wow Aa-chan. Its just one thing after another with you."

"Argo?" The voice of the absent girl shocked me. Where had she been?

"But seriously. That magic was very impressive. Although I'm not sure what the elf roleplay was about."

Face crimson, I look at the ground. What can I even say to that? "Eep!" Someone was touching my hand. Clutching it away I look at the perpetrator, Argo.

"Oh, so it seems only Kii-bou is worthy of touching you."

"W-what are you saying?"

"The elves are a proud race," Kirito explained. Thinking back, Loki had said something similar. "Basically, most elves will only allow their kin and those they consider worthy to touch them."

Suddenly the instinct made much more sense. This one isn't worthy. Somehow the game had implanted an elvish upbringing into me. But what is it using to decide who can touch me?

"May I?" Kirito asked hesitantly. Sticking his hand straight out, the tips of his fingers were within range.

"Wh-what are you asking for!?" I screech at him. "You can't suddenly do that to me!"

Pulling back his hand, Kirito wore his confused face that seemed to be there often whenever I talked.

"Rejected!" Argo laughed loudly at the boy. "Besides, didn't you already touch her when you helped her out of the dungeon the first time?"

"I don't remember," Kirito rejected hastily.

Wait, why did Argo know about that? Turning to Kirito I give him the hardest glare I can muster.

"Its not like that!" Kirito plead desperately. "I had to tell her when we found you yesterday! A-Anyway, let's clean up these magic stones and head for the surface. These bags are starting to get full."

I cross my arms and watch him extract on his own a little bit. Partly out of spite for his hand touching thing. But mostly because I didn't want them to see how much energy that took out of me. Glancing back and forth between them, I realize Kirito had neither been surprised by Argo's absence or her reappearance.

"So where were you during that fight, Argo?"

Stiffening, the girl just shook her head at me. "10 million valis."

"You're joking right?"

The number was ludicrous. What was she playing at? She left first; she may have been able to save one of them by being here. Fists tightening, I was moments away from ripping into the girl. Glancing at Kirito I wonder why he's so calm about this.

He's black eyes meet mine. That soul-penetrating gaze I'm unable to get to used to. Waving me over, I walk towards the mysterious boy. That's right, he's doing my job again.

"Don't let Argo upset you."

The whisper is so low I'm not sure if I am imagining it or not.

"Her heart is in the right place. If it wasn't, she wouldn't write those guidebooks."

"Thank you." That's right, they were good people. Whatever secret Argo was keeping, I'm sure I'll learn it eventually. With only one Ant left, Kirito moved to get it. Placing my hand on his, I stop him. Looking first at his hand then me, he looked shocked. Giggling gently, I go and collect the final stone.

---

Kirito:

Bidding the girls farewell, I leave to use facilities at babel that I'd only heard of in the beta, the showers. It was just cresting 5:30 so I had plenty of time. Laverty fountain was a short five-minute walk. But I also needed to get my sword sharpened. If I left home tomorrow twenty minutes earlier, I could probably get everything done then. There wasn't enough time for that today, unless I go after supper…

Mind filled with thoughts; I undress in the private room. The room is reminiscent of showers one would find in remote areas with these public ones being the only one's people had. A long white room with curtained off stalls for showering. Stepping in I turned on the hot water and release a long sigh. The temperature is perfect to soothe an aching body. With pain that was becoming more apparent every day, my muscles hurt. Standing under the shower I finally understood how people were addicted to this. It was heavenly. I felt the stress of the day flow out from my body.

The best part of this world was that they could justify any invention with two words, magic stones. How was the water heated? Magic stones. How did the water get pumped and distributed? Magic stones. It was fantastic.

Uh oh. It was almost 5:50. Getting out, I threw my clothes on and ran down the stairs, money pouch jingling loudly. I left all my money at the home and was relying on what I'd made in the dungeon today to tide us over. The total amount at the exchange had been just over 20,000 valis. A fearsome amount that had dropped Asuna's jaw.

Based on my agreement with Argo, I split it 60:40 with her since I was doing most of the fighting. That 12K was then split 70:30 with Asuna, based on the standard supporter contract. That left me with 8,400 valis earned in the dungeon today. Less than I would have made solo. Still I couldn't be too upset about it. With few people around, these floors were dangerous.

As long as Hestia didn't have a first-class establishment in mind, it would suffice and then some. Making it to Laverty fountain with five minutes to spare, the goddess was nowhere in sight. Leaning against the gray stone wall, I look around at the surrounding area. Laverty was along West main. A direction I'd never gone during the beta. I'd have to take the time to scope out all of Orario eventually. The best food stores. The best weapon shops. The best apothecary. The best restaurants. Wait, that was the first one again.

"Kirito!"

"Ah, goddess. I didn't notice you arrive."

"That's because you were too busy daydreaming with your head in the clouds. Drooling too. Let me guess, thinking about women?"

The sniff and disdain in her voice spoke volumes. Wincing from the verbal onslaught I was quick to defend myself.

"N-No, I was thinking about food! And well that I'd need to explore Orario soon. There's so little of it that I've actually seen."

"Oh?" At that Hestia's mood seemed to have recovered a bit. "And do you have a partner in mind for when you go exploring?"

"Well I was…" Biting my tongue, I thought about the question some more. Too many times I blurted out my thoughts and got punished for it. "Well, I'm still undecided. I was going to look for someone who knew about the city to show me around."

"Hehe!"

Giggling happily, Hestia skipped as she led me along West main.

"I have this Sunday off of work!" Hestia declared. "It's only a shame Monsterphilia is cancelled."

"Monster what now?"

"Oh, it's this taming show that Ganesha familia used to put on. I never got to see it. But, maybe with you new people here, in ten years or so."

Mentally reconstructing Hestia's sentences, I think I got the gist of it. The familia had no one left who could tame the monsters. Taming was rumoured in the beta, but I never encountered someone who could do it. Apparently, the tamed monster only obeyed the tamer. This is why monsters weren't used to do tasks in the city.

"Oh right! Would you like to accompany me this Sunday?"

"Hmm." Putting her finger on her chin, Hestia considered the question. "The manner of asking was lackluster, but given how you just gave me a present, I suppose I'll accept."

What the hell was that? Shaking my head, I decided I'd never understand women, even artificial ones.

"By the way, this is a bit of a double date now."

"What!?" Niceties forgotten I was too focused on the word choice.

"I ran into Miach and invited him and Nazha out. Thought we could talk about the potion misunderstanding."

My face went white as I looked at the goddess in horror. How could a supposedly divine being be so clueless? This would be horribly awkward. What was I supposed to say, Sorry, I must have been wrong about the potion, but I probably won't be coming back? Also, she invited them along. Does that mean they think I'm paying? Groaning internally, I plod along to what was an almost certain disaster.

"Miach!"

"Hestia!"

Greeting each other like long-time buddies Hestia pulled the surprised deity into a hug. This is actually my first-time meeting Miach. He stood taller than me by half a hand. His deep blue hair and perfect face were sure to make him a hit with the ladies. Including the one behind him. If even my poorly tuned instincts could figure that one out, Miach must be aware as well.

Sitting down, there was a menu already placed at my spot. Giving it a quick glance, I'm relieved all the items are standard prices. Unless someone went on a massive drinking spree, I could cover four meals, get my weapon repaired, and have extra left over.

Across from me was the familiar Chienthrope, Nazha. Feeling I should do something to break the tension I smile at the girl.

Why does she look sick? Is she not feeling good?

"It's good to meet you Kirito. I am Miach, Nazha's god."

"Ah yes. I've heard a lot about you from Hestia." Standing up slightly I awkwardly shake his hand diagonally across the four-person table.

With the waitress showing up, I realize I haven't picked anything. Choosing the first item on the menu it's some sort of pasta.

"Well let me be blunt. Kirito, do you still have one of the potions you bought from Nazha?"

Blinking I'm a little shocked, but I nod mutely. I kept it in the back of my potion holster as a last resort. I'd bought four from Nazha and used three of them. Handing it to Miach, the god took it with a hard face.

Opening the potion, Miach sniffed it and tasted a portion. Capping it, he handed it back to me.

"Well?" Hestia asked nervously.

"Your child spoke true; this potion has been diluted and is approximately half as effective."

Like a synchronized action, three gazes fell upon the twitching Nazha. It was obvious what Miach wanted to say from his facial expressions. The pronounced disappointment. But why were we in a restaurant? It was hardly the right locale for something like this.

The only explanation that makes sense is that Miach believed that I'd bought my previous potions from an exceptionally potent brewery that could make ones doubly effective as theirs. That wasn't what happened though. I'd discovered a scam that wasn't particularly well thought out. Sure, the potion had the correct taste and colour, but when they didn't work as well… that was impossible to hide.

"I did it for money," Nazha explained. "You see, Miach took out a crippling loan for me. With another payment coming soon, we don't have the funds to stay afloat. Its all my fault..."

"Nazha…" Miach's strained voice held both pity and sorrow. "Know I never regretted taking that loan out."

Impressive. He didn't just look the part, he talked it as well. "Why don't you make money in the dungeon?" I ask. "Surely you have other familia members who can help as well?"

"I-I can't fight monsters anymore." Nazha admitted with a guilty look. "I slaved away in the dungeon for six years to hit level two. Then a monster ate my right arm. All my work, gone in an instant."

"But…" Naturally Hestia and I's gazes moved to Nazha's right arm. Where it evidently existed. But wait, while her left sleeve was shorter and had no glove, no skin showed on her right arm.

Smiling at our bewildered faces, Nazha slowly raised her right sleeve. Underneath was not flesh, but silver. Argetlam.

"How much…"

"Many millions," Miach admitted sadly. "All of my familia members left over it. I didn't bother going to the recruiting event, but an odd pair joined us anyway. They don't know about the debt, but when they do, I imagine they'll leave too." The god's sad voice echoed with defeat.

"But I have an idea!" Nazha's firm voice rang out. The final member who would not abandon the god that never turned his back on her.

"What's the idea?" I wanted to help, but I knew that the amount of money they were talking was far beyond anything I could help with.

"To create a new potion." Asserting her gaze, I nod slowly.

"That sounds difficult, but if you know it will work, then let's do it. What drops do you need?"

Laughing quietly at me, Nazha shook her head. "I was foolish to try tricking you. But what I need is not in the dungeon. It's outside Orario."

The final two words froze my brain. Even more incomprehensible than six years to reach level two. Outside Orario. One wasn't even allowed to walk on top of the walls. It was assumed that the outside only existed as lore, not an actual place.

"I'll explain more on the way, but would Sunday work?"

Looking at my goddess, we nod at each other. Exploring Orario could wait. It was time for an adventure.

"One last thing," Nazha chimed in, "I'd like another person and don't want to get my familia involved until we can give them some good news. Do you know anyone?"

Scratching my head, I look away awkwardly. I hadn't told Hestia yet. "I uh, contracted a supporter who will probably come."

"What!?"

Hestia was just as mad as I figured she'd be. The public place is most likely the only reason I'm still alive. Her twintails shivered to life and inched towards my throat.

"It just happened today!" I insisted. "You didn't give me a chance to tell you."

"Well that's perfect," Miach mediated. "The five of us will head out on Sunday! I just need their name and familia to register them to leave the city."

Swallowing I glanced quickly at Hestia. She was bound to figure out sooner or later. "Asuna, Loki familia."

Strangely enough, Hestia didn't say anything. Her eyes spoke volumes about her disappointment and desire to wring me out later. It was Miach who spoke.

"Loki?" The disbelief in his voice was tangible. "But I mean they are, were, one of the most prominent familias. Do you have Loki's permission?"

Laughing nervously, I once again resorted to scratching my head. "Well, she may. But I have the feeling she didn't think it was important enough to tell Loki."

Even Nazha seemed shocked. I knew that Loki familia had a large house, but it never actually occurred to me that each familia had a history and a reason behind their current economic standing.

"Will you tell me what happened to Loki familia?"

Eyes widening, Miach murmured to himself, "I guess the children from the other world really don't know."

"Its best you don't know Kirito." Placing a hand on my arm, Hestia forgot that she was supposed to be angry. Instead she seemed on the edge of tears. "So many children…"

Into that morose mood, food arrived.

---

Asuna:

"Eh? Tell me it ain't so Asu-tan?"

Loki's fingers stopped moving when I told her I joined a party. I didn't say who, merely that I was supporting a party.

"If it ain't Lind's, is it someone else in the familia?"

Shaking my head, I deny the question. "They're in Hestia familia."

"That shrimp!?" Exploding with rage, Loki's voice jumped an octave. "Now listen here Asu-tan, you're far better off with people here. If you really want, then Phae-phae is fine. But not that lowlife goddess! No doubt they're just using you to make money!"

"I-I don't think that's true." Why did Loki hate Hestia so much? I didn't want to breakup the contract with Kirito already. He knew far more about the dungeon and the game than I could learn on my own.

"Oh ho." Loki murmured evilly. "It's a boy is it? I can't believe your cheating on me Asu-tan."

Flushing red, I fought to stay calm. I mean he was… But its not like. Thoughts getting mixed up I try to calm myself. Loki is a trickster. Its what she does. Taking my new status sheet, I thank Loki calmly. Yes, serene like water.

"Hehe, well if he passes muster maybe I'll steal him from Hestia for you when the no-trade contract expires."

"Eep!" Going scarlet I dash out of the room. But the thoughts Loki had implanted were already there. I could already see him eating breakfast with me. Leaving together for the dungeon. Sharing a secret smile as we part for night… What is wrong with me?

A boy saves my life a couple of times and suddenly he's all I can think about.

Finding my way back into my own room, I glance at the status sheet.

Asuna

Level One

Strength: I 4 → I 25 Defense: I 3 → I 12 Utility: I 6 → I 30 Agility: I 10 → I 60 Magic: I 0 → H 100

Magic:

Vannforlengelse: Shoots water in the direction of the User's choice. Shape and force of the water is chosen by the user. Volume and power scale with level.

Skills:

Flashing Penetrator: Increases the user's speed when dashing towards enemies.

Eyes widening, I focus on my magic stat. My continual practice yesterday must have paid off. The rest of the stats though… were disappointing. But then again, I barely fought against anything. Would I ever catch up if I stayed as his supporter? Doubtful. What if I stayed as a mage though? He'd praised my magic. But then again, my skill promoted fighting. Gritting my teeth, I fought to solve the one issue no one could help me with, not even Kirito. What fighting style to use.

"Hey, Asu-tan!"

"Loki?" Why was she knocking through the door?

"I noticed your magic stat has grown a lot. I have a present for you."

A present? Warily I went over to my door and opened it. Loki's ways of cheering me up also seem to involve intimate touching. Although I do let her touch me…

"Tada!"

Recoiling from the object shoved in my face I retreat a step and analyze it. "A stick?"

Rolling her eyes, Loki sighs at me. "A staff silly." You should learn to use magic without one, but you've obviously done that. This will help you focus your magic energy and increase its strength!"

"Oh, thanks…" Despite my best efforts, I know it came off as unappreciative. It looks like a walking stick with a gnarled top. Even the plain brown hue is unremarkable.

"Hey now," Loki huffed, "I know it doesn't look like much, but it will help. When you level up, we'll go custom order you a better one, how about that? Your status ain't high enough currently to use the powerful ones."

"Oh." It made sense now. "Thank you, Loki." Bowing my head, I accept the staff. Running my thumb down its smooth edge, I can feel it vibrate in response to my touch. This is no walking stick.

"Well, toodaloo, good luck in the dungeon tomorrow!" With a final wave over her shoulder Loki was already gone.

How much money in presents had Loki given me already? Based on the quality of the armour, and the dress, and the hair salon, and now the staff, I had a feeling I had gotten extraordinarily lucky with my familia choice. Were the other members getting as much? Probably not.

---

Kirito:

Even with night fallen, North main was as busy as ever. People were out enjoying the warm evening. Despite what would have been a frosty early spring evening back in the real world, here it felt like the middle of spring. A little crisp, but nothing the plentiful torches couldn't fight off.

Keeping a keen eye out, we pass it. That Hephaestus familia store. Unfortunately, the display lights are out, and the door is shuttered. To be expected.

There was no reason for a high-end store to stay open into the night. Strangely though, a single light was on. Far in the back.

Is that a girl? Being overseen by a goddess. Walking past the store my view was removed. If I was right though then perhaps a player is indeed trying to undertake the arduous road to becoming a blacksmith.

Good luck.

Smiling slightly, the scene made me feel a little better. If they were willing to learn how to make weapons, then I could surely continue to brave the dungeon.

"On the bed."

Obeying the testy goddess, I remove my coat and shirt and assume the regular position.

"Talk." Grabbing the needle and taking her regular spot, the word was not a question or query. It was a command.

So, I did. First about meeting Argo and my agreement with her. Then about finding and saving Asuna Lastly, I got to how Asuna had met me in Babel that morning asking to be my supporter. Seeing as it freed me up to fight uninhibited, I really had no reason to say no.

Albeit reluctantly, it seemed like Hestia couldn't find fault in any one of my decisions. "Just remember Kirito, I'm a virgin goddess and as such, I won't sit idly by while you deflower elves and Renarts!"

Coughing, I flushed red. Why did she always have to say stuff like this?

"Well, you react like a child, so I suppose you aren't ready for that yet," Making up her mind with a sniff, Hestia released me. "Here you are."

Sitting up I grab the paper. Time to see what my status looks like today.

Kirito

Level One

Strength: G 290 → F 308 Defense: H 168 → H 178 Utility: G 240 → G 254 Agility: F 336 → F 356 Magic: I 0 → I 0

Magic:

()

Skills:

Gilded Hero – Grants the user abilities surpassing their limit in times of great desperation or need. Particularly when aligned with a righteous goal.

Nodding I'm glad to see it's still increasing quickly. Racking up kills on the seventh floor was rapidly increasing my status. There is only one hole in it that's slightly bugging me.

"Do you think I'll develop magic soon?"

Being surrounded by two girls who possess powerful magic is slightly humiliating.

Jumping slightly, Hestia looked at me. "Impossible to say really. You're human. Without innate magic one can never be sure."

Nodding, I try to hide my disappointment. I'd developed magic when I hit level two in the beta, hopefully the same would happen here. It was a short chant lightning spell. While it was short on power, it had incredible versatility. All I could do was hope I'd get magic at all.

The other issue was my defense. It was bad. With my poor armor I was in danger of dying to one blow. One way of training it would be to wear more armor and soak blows. Glancing at the paltry chest protector it was time to face the music. I needed better armor. From what I could tell, Asuna's had deflected a Wall Shadow and was made of leather. Maybe I'd ask her where she got hers from.

Yawning, it was time for sleep. Quickly bidding Hestia goodnight I fell on the couch. I should probably go see Eina tomorrow, it's been awhile.

This sleep would be glorious. Closing my eyes, I could already feel the tug of the sandman.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Urgh." Keeping my eyes closed I glanced at the permanent clock in my vision. 8:00 am. I needed to get up and leave. "I need a day off." I'd gone to bed at 10! That was a full 10 hours of sleep I'd gotten, and I was still tired! Kayaba needed to cool it on the realism.

Rolling out of bed, I slowly stood up. Slinging on a shirt, then my chest protector. Finally, I donned my coat, sword, and backpack. My days with a backpack may end soon though. I'll bring it just in case Asuna doesn't bring a big enough one.

"I'm off goddess."

"Eh, what time is it Kirito?"

"Just ten minutes past eight," I assure her. "I need to get my weapon repaired before going to the dungeon."

"Alright." Hestia moaned.

Doubting whether Hestia would get to work on time today I stumble my way outside. Does this world have coffee? Because I certainly need some.

Swinging past the Benevolent Mistress, I grab my food to go. If anything, the coffee is better than I remember from our world. Although the concept of travel mugs doesn't exist yet, so Syr made me promise to bring the cup back afterwards.

Climbing the stairs, I'm feeling far better about the day than I was earlier. The guild armory is on the third floor of Babel. Just another way to suck money out of you. Basically, any repair fell under a flat rate of 1,000 valis. A steep price to pay for adventurers just starting out. Even for me it was still a once a week kind of a deal. Any more was unreasonable.

Grunting the NPC smith took my sword. Giving it a once over, he shook his head with a sigh. "500 valis."

"Huh?"

Grabbing a whetstone, the man explained. "The sword is flawed. I can sharpen its edge as much as you like, but it has internal issues."

"I'm guessing those aren't fixable."

Shaking his head, the man continued to work. "Needs to be melted down and reforged. Only way."

Sighing, it was what I expected. I could feel the general degradation of its state over time. I kept using it for tasks above its durability.

Handing me back the blade, the man took the half pay. "If your planning on going into the dungeon, I'd bring a backup weapon with you."

Nodding my thanks, I left. Standing in the hallway, I glanced at the time and considered my options. It was past 8:40 already. I had some money on me, but not the 10,000 plus I'd need for a good longsword. Deciding I'd just look briefly, I took the elevator up. Walking quickly, I find a cheap Hephaestus store. Flying past the weapons rack, my eyes scan quickly over prices. Everything is too expensive. Except for… that dagger. What the hell. Throwing it on the counter I hand over the money, attach it to my leg holster and bolt down to the first floor.

Skidding to a halt, I see the two girls already there. And Asuna has, "a staff..."

The awe in my words must have drawn their attention.

"Hehe, see? Kii-bou here knows exactly how much those run for."

"Oh, my goddess said it was a bad one and that I wasn't ready for a stronger variety."

Eyes bulging it took me a minute to comprehend her words. While it looked plain, it was a high-grade beginner staff. An item like that would run somewhere between 100,000 and a million valis.

What the hell was Loki familia!?

Containing myself, I focused on the other thing I wanted to ask. "Asuna, where did you get your armor?"

Running an unconscious hand over it, the look on her face told me everything I needed to know.

"Another present."

Nodding mutely, Asuna pulled the hood of her sky-blue cloak over her head. Probably to hide the red tips of her ears.

Swallowing I look at Argo who seems to be in as much disbelief as me currently.

"Well, time's wasting!" Powering ahead of us, Asuna led us into the dungeon.

"H-hold up Asuna. Actually, I need to talk to the two of you about something."

"Oh?" Argo laughed mischievously, "going to invite us out on a date?"

Stumbling a little on the stairs, I quickly recover. "Uh no. I'm not going into the dungeon on Sunday. I'm working a quest for a friendly familia. I'd like Asuna to come as well."

Putting it as diplomatically as possible; I try not to offend Asuna who had essentially signed away her freedom in the matter for at least a week.

"You better not be asking me to do anything weird!" Asuna threatened.

"Actually," Smiling at the girls, I dropped the bombshell on them. "We're going outside the city."

"Oh fun!" Was all Asuna said. Argo made a noise like a dying cat.

"Is there room for one more?" Argo pleaded. "I mean this is huge Kii-bou!"

Scratching my head, I kind of realized I'd forgotten about Argo. I assumed she'd take the day off to write some of the next guidebook. "I'll ask…"

Frowning Argo seemed to realize the issue that her presence introduced. Asuna was under contract to me. Argo however, had no such binding and therefore made both confidentiality and quest reward harder to distribute. It shouldn't be a big deal, but they were legitimate reasons for Miach to deny her presence.

Sulking, Argo followed us down the stairs.

Patting her head, I made her a promise, "I'll bring something back for you, alright?"

"Hehe, you really are such a lady's man now, Kii-bou."

Unsure how to deal with that I awkwardly withdraw my hand. Had my experience points in dealing with women really increased that far? Doubtful.

"Can I take point again on the way to the seventh?"

"Of course," I assure Asuna. "It would be great if you were strong enough to defend yourself on that floor."

"Maybe if you actually did some instructing, I would be!" The irate mage shot back.

Sighing I had no response for her. Why was it my job to teach her how to fight? Though with her talent, and more importantly grit, there was no doubt she'd become one of the best.

With the power of her magic, even with her low status, everyone would be dying to have her as a party member. The ultimate trump card that could turn around even the most hopeless of situations. Thinking back on my experience casting magic, I ask her a question.

"Hey Asuna, do you think its possible to move and cast magic?"

Argo snorted beside me, but I expected that reaction from her. I wanted the opinion of the girl with no background in gaming. No preconceived notions about how possible something was.

I got what I wanted.

Not answering instantly, Asuna tilted her head as she thought about it. "Potentially. But I've only been using it for two days now. I think as I get more used to it, and concentrating past just completing the magic… It's not impossible to assume so."

It was exhilarating to have someone agree with me. The one tentative anonymous post I'd put on the beta forums had gotten shredded to pieces. "That's what I was thinking! The longer the chant the more magic energy the harder it is. But I was thinking, if you could reduce the rate at which the magic energy flows, it should make movement possible!"

"Then the spell would be weaker, Kii-bou."

"True," I concede. At least Argo hadn't laughed outright. "Nevertheless, it allows you to reposition a spell. That could be huge!"

"Yeah, could be." Argo sighed. "Someone needs to risk self-immolation to even practice it though."

Smiling, I make no reply. All I need now is useful magic.

---

Asuna:

"Stupid frog!" Yelling at the slimy thing, I bury my rapier in its eye. Kirito and Argo paused on the fourth floor to allow me to fight more enemies. Even with my comparably low status I should be more than a match for these enemies. Pulling my rapier from the frog's head, it certainly didn't feel that way. Kirito assured me that even someone with an empty status can fight monsters up to the fourth floor. It's the ones past there that require a higher status to deal with. I killed a Wall Shadow while barely able to stand, however, there was no guarantee I'd be able to repeat that feat.

Fighting against these monsters, more than my pride was being bruised. Numerous holes were being punched through the once beautiful cloak. Without this armor granted by Loki, there was no doubt I'd be bleeding out on the ground. Why was I so useless at this?

A touch on my shoulder, Kirito. Leaving it there I was grateful for the contact. It was comforting. "Don't stress so much." Kirito soothed. "You should have seen me flail around in the beta."

"Really?" Shaking slightly, my voice was pathetically weak. I had never done something like this before. I couldn't expect myself to match people who had sunk large amounts of time into this; and yet I did.

More than that, I wanted to match him. Declare myself his equal. Save him for once.

Continuing to rub my shoulder he assured me, "Yep. Thinking back on it, all I did was die in the beta. You don't have that avenue of learning, but I'll uh… Well I mean if you want…"

"Ugh, pathetic Kii-bou," Argo broke in, "where'd all your womanizing skills go?"

Turning to defend himself, Kirito's hand left my shoulder. The spot left behind felt cold now. Like something was missing. Going bright red, I couldn't believe it. I was becoming far too reliant on this boy. At least they were too busy arguing to notice.

"So, as I was saying," Kirito finally reasserted. "I'd be willing to, uh... mentor you for the next while. Until you don't need me, I suppose."

Tsking, Argo butted in. "Just say it straight out Kii-bou. You want her to permanently join your party. Especially for when we hit the middle floors."

Rather than commenting on the actual topic, I grasped onto the unfamiliar words, the middle floors. "What are the middle floors?"

In answer, I received silence. Sighing, Kirito took up his mantle as teacher. "It's how we know there's something below the seventeenth floor. In the beta we were given very little information about what's known about the dungeon. That trend continues now. However, when you ask guild advisors, or some gods, or NPC adventurers, they'd say something. Most likely only after you returned from the thirteenth floor, that's when I first heard it. 'So, how did you enjoy the middle floors?' Its an entirely different beast from the upper floors, or the first twelve. Individual strength matters less than coordination and strategy. The number and strength of the monsters are on different scales compared to here."

"Hellhounds," Argo spoke with disgust.

"Liger fangs," Kirito grimaced.

"Minotaurs," their voices synced perfectly with awe and fear.

Frowning I identified the primary issue with this. "Hold on, you make it sound impossible for someone to advance past this stage on their own. Doesn't that ruin the whole aspect of the game?"

Looking at each other, Kirito and Argo laughed. "It may be a game, but it's not something you play."

"That sounds like a quote, but it doesn't answer the question."

"It is," Kirito chuckled, "said by Kayaba Akihiko in his last interview before the game launched. It means that he knows forcing people to form parties is bad practice for a game."

"But its not something you play…"

"Exactly," Kirito agreed, "You live it. And to that end, this dungeon is as unfair as real life. Though to be honest, I did a lot of the middle floors myself in the beta."

"How?" Argo asked shocked. "Even I had to resort to forming a party with familia members when I wanted to check it out."

Shrugging Kirito seemed unwilling to answer. "You may lose possessions upon dying, but you keep any experience earned."

Flinching at the words, I stare at the idiot. "That's psychotic, you realize that, right? If it will keep you from repeating that, then I'll join your party officially once the supporter contract is up."

"Oh, got a thing for him, eh Aa-chan?"

"Shut up!" Growling at Argo, I quickly don the bags. Its time for the fifth floor, therefore, it was time to get relegated to bag duty.

Walking quickly through the fifth, we were headed for the deep seventh. Once again, I was relegated to the back lines. It was hard to imagine anyone willingly assuming this role when their life wasn't on the line.

"Hey Asuna."

"Y-yeah?" Stuttering my reply to Kirito, he rarely asked questions like this. Especially with the nerves in his voice. It sounded like he was embarrassed.

"I was thinking, if you want fight the monsters down there, your magic is still effective against them, yeah? And well, your magic stat won't grow unless you use magic."

It made sense, the only thing I couldn't figure out was why. Argo and Kirito could more than handle the seventh on their own.

"What's wrong Kii-bou, you tired?"

Argo's teasing forced a cough from the boy but nothing more. "Its just a good chance for Asuna to practice her magic and get stronger."

"Sure," Argo spoke while snorting loudly. Staying silent I agreed with her assessment. "I'm starting to think you have more secrets than me."

"I'm pretty sure that's impossible Argo," Kirito fired back.

Narrowing my eyes at his back I was unconvinced. Unfortunately, he was right. My status would skyrocket against these enemies.

"Enemy coming," was all Argo responded with.

A Wall Shadow. The unofficial boss of the fifth floor was blocking the passage to the sixth.

Rushing at Kirito, the boy walked lazily to meet it. It didn't know, but it had no chance of winning this encounter. Interestingly, Kirito didn't meet its claws with his sword, instead, his left hand went to his leg. When it came back up there was a silvery glow. A knife most likely. Its high speed made it a blur. Knocking the claws out of the way, Kirito buried it in the Wall Shadow's face. The new fighting style seemed to have worked, but why was he changing? The same sword was still buried in its sheath on his back.

"Oh, I see," Argo cackled, "You slept in and didn't have enough time to repair your blade. Now your using a dinky knife instead and want Asuna to cover you with magic."

Moving forward to collect the stone, I kept my ears firmly directed towards their conversation.

"Close, but not quite," Kirito denied. "I got my sword repaired, and the smith told me its near breaking. Need to go get another one but didn't have the money on me."

"So, we are venturing into a potentially fatal environment, and you aren't fighting up to your full potential?"

My cold voice froze the boy on the spot. Scratching his head, he looked very much like a child being scolded. It was kind of cute. Wait, no.

With my thoughts drifting, Kirito took the moment to defend himself. "I'm doing fine. The blade will last. I just don't want to push it by slamming it into hard objects."

"Like the Killer Ants that dominate the seventh floor?"

"Hehe," retreating under the dual assault, Kirito put up the knife as a final resort. "That's what this thing is for!"

Meeting Argo's gaze, we both roll our eyes, we trust him too much for our own good. As Kirito walks past, I give him a quick jab to the side. "If you screw up, I'm leaving you to the ants."

"Noted," the word came out strangely forced. Had I hit him too hard? Not hard enough most likely. Sniffing loudly, I let my judgement on the matter be final.

"I think doing the middle floors solo would be easier."

"What was that?" Glancing at Argo it seemed she wasn't sure what Kirito had said either. Whatever it was, he should probably be punished for it.

---

Kirito:

Finally, the seventh floor. The sweet embrace of combat would be my only salvation from the things in my party. I should have listened to my gut when it told me adding Asuna would only further my torture. Now I was stuck with Asuna forever. Wait.

Breath hitching, I stumble slightly over the loose rock. What had she said again? That she'd join my party once the supporter contract was up? Nothing more, mothing less. She hadn't even said how she wanted to join. To stay on as a supporter, a full-fledged mage or something else. The thought that it may be temporary was… sad. For some reason.

"Umm, Killer Ants approaching Kirito." Asuna notifies me.

"Ah, right." Flushing slightly, I'm glad my back is to them. Drawing my dagger in my left, I pull out my sword in my right. Improvised dual wielding. Parrying the blow with my knife, I open up an angle on its head. Swinging my sword down like a guillotine, it passes cleanly between the head and the thorax. A perfect kill. Even if the knife feels a little off still, it's doing its job. It opens up the enemies for an unopposed kill. If my sword can't hit anything solid, then it won't. I'll kill the enemies by only hitting soft spots.

"Pack coming from behind," Argo informed me. Based on the noises, more were coming from the front as well. This was both the advantage and danger of being the frontrunners, more enemies. Give it another week and even this floor will be covered with adventurers.

"We make for the end of the next intersection. Asuna begin casting when we get there." Orders given, we run to reach the narrow passage before getting cut off. While I haven't been in a while, Eina's lessons are still fresh in my mind. The layout of the seventh floor, and especially the main paths has been drilled repeatedly into my head. Leading the girls, I stop at in the middle of a narrow passage. On one end, the path enemies will be coming down. On the other, it opens slightly before forking into two more paths. Even if more enemies come, there will be an escape route.

Faithful as always, Asuna halted and began chanting. The staff held naturally in her right hand. Below her, a magic circle was forming. Eyes bulging slightly, the small sky-blue ring that barely encompassed her two feet was transfixing. The size of a magic circle indicated how powerful a spell would be. Some didn't produce magic circles however, and whether that was a result of the spell or the person was unknown. In the beta, it was accepted that the presence of a magic circle made the magic harder to cast. More powerful, but also more difficult. Why Asuna had one today but not yesterday could only be speculated currently.

Unfortunately, that's when the enemies decided to arrive. Moving to counter, I realized the downside of the spot I'd chosen. The narrower tunnel meant it was easier to contain the monsters. It also meant manoeuvring my sword was exponentially more challenging. Relying heavily on my dagger, it was becoming a crutch for my weakened sword. With little guarantee of a clean kill, the enemies arrived faster than I could kill them.

"I got some back here, I'll deal with them."

"Thanks." Forcing out a reply to Argo's comment, I realized how stressed I was. It only continued to build as Asuna's melodic voice consumed the room. Their lives were in my hands. The concept was terrifying. I wasn't even entrusted to drive a vehicle.

Why did I think I could lead people in this place?

Everything will be fine. Everything will be fine. Repeating the mantra to myself, I slaved away at the horde in front of me. Probably the result of a monster party. Plus, the mobs we dragged along from the front. At least 15 enemies. Most likely more. That's without factoring in the enemies Argo was dealing with in the back. Was it just because we were nearing the eighth floor? Doubtful. With even more monsters arriving, I knew something was wrong. This wasn't normal.

Mentally, I tried to pull up the map of the seventh floor while still engaged in combat. The passage in front of us leads back to the main route. But the one behind us, the empty fork, that would lead to… "A pantry."

The monsters, similar to us, had a hunger stat. If they go long enough without eating, they starve. The pantries exist on the edges of the floors. Monsters gather there to sate their hunger. There was no doubt about it, we were standing on one of the paths to a seventh-floor pantry. No wonder so many monsters are funneling through here.

"You really screwed this one up, Kii-bou!" Coming back to help me, it seemed like Argo had finished what came down the other tunnel.

"Ready." Asuna's saving call came before I could retort.

Pushing back the nearest enemy, I jump back to beside Asuna. The strain showing on her face is intense. I can only imagine how hard it is to control the magical energy.

"Vannforlengelse!"

Comparable to last time, water coalesced in mid-air. Forming the familiar dagger shape, it shot forward. Readying my sword, I prepared to finish off the remnants. Wave after wave of water shot forward from Asuna. The entire passageway was covered. The only cover was behind the other monsters.

Ash. Where once monsters lingered, only ash remained. Eyes wide, I could barely breath. The scale of the spell was entirely different. The carapaces of the ants which had once denied her were pierced easily. Some magic stones lay intact in the chest of their dead carriers, but the majority of them were destroyed. Containing my disappointment, I doubt this is the result Asuna wanted either. That was probably, 4, maybe 5 thousand valis of stones which were destroyed.

"Oops?"

Looking at Argo, I could see my disbelief mirrored on her. The result was the two of us breaking down into gales of laughter.

"Let's get off this path."

Barely able to talk from laughter, I lead them away from the pantry pathway.

"I-I really didn't mean to break all the stones!" Asuna insisted. "I just got caught up in it all I suppose."

"I think you were just showing off for Kii-bou," Argo teased.

"I wasn't!" Asuna insisted, somewhat unconvincingly. "I just wanted to test my new power."

"It's impressive," I admit, "you shredded through them like wet paper."

"Thank you."

Shielding her face from me, Asuna's quiet words were barely audible.

"As impressive as it is, if she keeps shredding all our stones, our income is gonna go way down," Argo reminded us drily.

"Haha, yeah." Laughing slightly, I scratch my head. As convenient as Asuna's magic is, that's a big downside.

"I think, I can fix that."

Staring at her, I was sure I'd heard wrong. How on earth could she change her magic?

"I'll just fire the water in a different form and reduce the power."

"A different… A different form?" Argo asked.

The weak voice was far more than I'm able to manage. Being able to choose the form of your magic. It would push your versatility through the roof.

"Well yeah," Asuna explained, "My magic let's me choose how I shoot it."

Shaking my head at the clueless girl, I don't know what to say. She just keeps blowing my mind.

"Well, let's try it." Finally finding some words, I lead the trio onwards to more enemies.

---

Asuna:

Sitting in the bumpy cart, I try to make conversation with the drowsy-looking dog girl sitting across from me. This was made hard by the short goddess glaring at me. For some reason she kept pushing up her breasts, as is emphasizing their impressive size. I was confident with my body, but it was still unnerving having another woman being so aggressive.

"S-so Nazha, how long have you known Miach?"

"Oh, since I joined his familia, just about seven years ago now."

"You must have been just a small girl at the time."

"Hehe, not as small as you may think," Nahza chuckled behind hooded eyes. "Though its kind of you to think so."

"Yes, I like to think I helped raise Nazha," Miach added with a smile. Just returning with Kirito from talking to the guards, it was time. We were leaving Orario. Smiling at Kirito he looked like a little kid. The excitement in his eyes was infectious. Argo wasn't able to come unfortunately. Or more accurate, Miach hadn't wanted her along, especially when hearing her god's name.

"Off we go!" Kirito told them unnecessarily. Jumping into the cart, Miach joined him.

They had borrowed the cart from Hestia's employer. Even a driver had been loaned. That meant the back was cramped as the five of us huddled together.

"Oh, it's a little tight in here, why don't I sit on your lap Kirito?"

"I-Isn't that a little much goddess?" Kirito weakly replied to his excited goddess.

"Yes," Nazha agreed, "If you need more space, Miach and I can sit closer together. After all, it's our fault you're here."

"Haha, you're as humorous as ever Nazha!" Patting his angry follower on the head, I wondered how stupid a guy could be. Apparently becoming a god didn't make the weaker sex any more intelligent. That was something worth remembering.

Rolling through the line slowly, it was a matter of minutes before we were there. The arch in the stone wall passed over our heads. Sticking my head through the cloth divider separating the front and the back, I watched the rolling grass fields come into view.

Beautiful. The perfect green grass plains were something unheard of nowadays. Basically, untouched by human hands, the landscape was serene.

"Wow." Kirito had mimicked me on the other side. Turning towards me, he gave me an inhibited smile.

Blushing slightly, I return it. "Thank you for inviting me."

"No problem." Kirito denies easily, "We needed another person anyways."

Coughing slightly, I realize we've been staring at each other for the past minute. This past week, this mysterious black-eyed boy had become a large part of my life. Conversation came more naturally, and we were steadily getting used to each others' quirks and habits.

Looking back out over the landscape I no longer see it. Even the approaching forest is hidden behind those piercing black eyes. Like a black hole they pull my attention. Shaking my head, I try to focus on the scenery. Even if that mysterious smile was…

"Eep!"

Getting pulled by something I fall back down inside the main compartment. Putting her mouth by my ear, Kirito's goddess, Hestia, growls at me.

"I don't care how pretty you are. I'm a virgin goddess and Kirito will follow in my footsteps. You hear me?"

Turning to face the miniature goddess head on, I understand why Loki doesn't like her. This possessive goddess claims things that aren't hers. Anger flaring, I don't care if I'm supposed to respect her, no one talks to me that way.

"I think that's up to him to decide, yes?"

Glaring back at me, the goddess had no reply. Tsking she went over to where Kirito was just coming back in from outside.

"Hey Kirito!"

"Uwah!" Kirito's pathetic scream came from an obvious source. His arm was buried in Hestia's voluptuous chest.

Giving the goddess one last glare, I look away. It's not like I'm competing for him! And don't give me that sympathetic look Nazha!

"S-so Hestia, have you heard from Také recently?"

"Také?' I ask.

"Také-Mikazuchi, he's a god, I was under the impression that Hestia knew him."

"Eh, well I know of him," Hestia agreed, finally releasing a distressed Kirito.

"Ah, well he spoke quite highly of you. Apparently, your influence has led the stall you work at to far outstrip his."

"Hehe, well the children find me irresistible!" Hestia bragged.

"You work? And why isn't your familia bigger then?" Maybe the questions were curiosity, maybe they were spite. Not even I know.

"Uh…"

This time Hestia froze with an awkward smile on her face.

Unable to take his goddess' pathetic stuttering anymore, Kirito stepped in. "I told her she could quit, but she insists on working. As for why we don't have more members… well…"

Scratching his head, Kirito had no answer for that one.

Giving him a deadpanned stare, the boy melted under it. Sniffing, he shrunk a little more. Good. He shouldn't defend that lazy goddess of his.

Frowning, even Miach seemed to agree with me. "I didn't want to drag children into my financial mess, but you don't have my issues Hestia. You really should try harder to recruit some children."

Collapsing under the criticism, Hestia fell over. Gazing at her impassively, I just couldn't understand this goddess. She seemed to have no romantic attachments to Kirito, and yet seemed to be very possessive of him. Willing to go this far for her friend, yet insanely lazy. A walking conundrum.

Turning away, I look out the back of the cart where the road was stretching behind us. Already the great marble walls of Orario were fading in the distance. The great tower of Babel could still be seen though. It would probably still be visible even when the walls disappeared behind the gentle hills.

"So, where are we going?"

"Kirito didn't tell you? We are headed for the Seolo forest, about an hour away."

Nodding calmly, I look back into the cart just long enough to glare at Kirito briefly. He had explained the circumstances of the quest and why we were going but left out where. A forest. It sounded fun.

"Are we getting herbs there?"

We were making a new potion after all.

Giggling Nazha was slow to reply.

"We're going after something even rarer."

"Oh… Ok." Glancing at Kirito I could have sworn that he didn't know either. Looking back at the scenery, I tried to figure out why Nazha wouldn't tell us what we were after. A couple possibilities came to mind.

Either she didn't want us bailing on her once we knew, or that we wouldn't believe her if she did. Hoping it was the second, I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall as the cart swayed gently along the road.

"Hey Asuna, we're here."

"Huh?" Opening my eyes, Kirito's face was a mere foot away. "W-what are you doing!?" Shrieking at the boy, I give him a two-handed push in the chest.

"Ah!"

Screeching pathetically Kirito tumbled backwards out of the cart.

"Aah…" Blushing slightly, I realize I may have been a little out of line.

"I thought you said that she wouldn't get mad if you woke her?" Hestia asked. With the goddess glaring at me, I had no defense. I panicked unreasonably.

Hopping out of the cart, I join the rest of the members on the quest. Stretching out a hand, I receive a backpack from an amused looking Nazha.

"We have the easy job," the chienthrope girl explained. "Kirito here will be distracting the monsters."

"Monsters!?" Kirito's voice was borderline pathetic, although the pout was pretty cute.

"Yes," Nazha sighed, rolling her eyes. "Take this and run that way. Also, try not to die, I'd feel bad."

"Now?"

A roar rang out through the forest. The deafening sound overpowered the quiet ambience. It was unnatural. A creature that shouldn't exist. Whatever it was far outstripped anything I've encountered before. Hands shaking, I shot a panicked glance at Nazha. It was definitely the first option. What the hell was she thinking?

"Just be ready to leave when I get back." Picking up his pack, that had a funny smell, I just noticed. He shot off into the woods.

"Let's go. Stay quiet." Leading our team of four, Nazha crept silently through the woods like a wraith. Only now did I appreciate the fact that she'd been an adventurer. No doubt these were skills she'd picked up in the dungeon. Listening for something, she stopped us.

"Good, they're all following him."

Not elaborating, Nazha led us through a final thicket into a clearing. Nests. Rows upon rows of great big dirt mounds with eggs in them sat in the clearing. Through the far side, I glimpsed what laid them. A dinosaur. Not just any dinosaur, but the one everyone knows, the tyrannosaurus rex.

"We-We have to help to him!" I shout. Panic is welling up inside me. Maybe my magic will help him. Moving forward, I have to get closer to cast it.

"Stop it missy. Keep a level head. Kirito will survive just fine. Surface monsters are weaker than their dungeon variants."

"Well how strong is it?" Shooting the question back at her, Nazha considered the question.

"About as strong as an Orc, maybe?"

"What's an orc?"

"Oh, they're these great clumsy things that spawn starting on the tenth floor."

Tenth floor. The words hit me like lightning. Kirito is getting chased by a horde of monsters too strong for him. He'd die.

"Hey, I'm worried about him too. But let us focus on our jobs first. All right?"

Somehow, Hestia's calm words reach my scattered brain. Nodding, I take one last look at the fading monsters.

Splitting up, the four of us start jamming the eggs into our packs. Measuring at least a foot across, the dark red eggs were the same color as the monsters. They even had the same black stripes as them. Working fervently to fill my bag, I sent Kirito the only help I could, a prayer. Stay alive; at least until I can repay you.

---

Kirito:

"I'm going to kill her!" Cursing Nazha, I roll behind a tree. The difficult terrain was the only advantage I had against these things. Initially I had attempted to stay on the trails that they created, only to come to a shocking conclusion. They're faster than me. Not by much, but enough to make it an inviable solution to my dilemma.

Panting heavily, I glance at the clock. Its only been five minutes. How much longer did they need? More importantly, I wasn't sure how long I could give them.

Slashing at the dinosaur's jaw, I left an insignificant scratch along its muzzle. It did the trick of making it recoil. Dashing away, I counted at least five of the creatures on my tail.

"I'm not some damn rabbit Nazha!" Seeing a flash of red out of the corner of my eye, I fling myself to the left. "Free potions for a month! No, a year!"

Dodging another attack, I fling my sword at the monster. Getting lucky, this one left a deeper gash.

"Uh oh."

Looking around, I realized that they had abused their higher agility. They were hunting as a pack. Getting flanked was never fun. Getting flanked by monsters far stronger than you was another level of unpleasant.

"Well, this is the end of the time I can buy you."

Murmuring to myself, I unstrap the special bag I was given. Putting all of my strength into it, I fling the bag as far as possible. It held monster bait inside it. Lures that could be used to increase one's yield in the dungeon. Alternatively, they could bring a horde down on you and get you killed.

As the bag sails over the trees, the monsters listen to their noses and follow the food. Skulking away from the scene of the crime I run for the cart. If they aren't done, we're in a load of trouble.

"Ah, right on time."

Giving me that lazy smile of hers, Nazha's tail is swishing in obvious delight.

Glaring at her, I jump in a cart that's practically moving already. Just as I am ready to relax, another roar rings out. Bursting out the trees less than 50 metres behind the cart, a smaller version of the monsters appears.

Picking up speed, it starts to close the distance.

"Ah, one followed you Kirito. I thought you were better than that."

Giving Nazha one final glare, I jump out of the cart. If it needs to be dealt with, so be it. Drawing my sword, I assume a high stance. Let's do this.

Calming my breathing, I scan the monster for weak points. The scales on its mouth are hard, as I've figured out already. The other options would be an eye, its throat, or the back of a knee. As I run out of time, I decide on a course of action. Risky but feasible.

Shuffling the grip on my sword, I feel the sweat loosening my grip. Risking my live for NPCs, I'm such an idiot. But at the same time, this is their world. We're intruding in it. Focusing my gaze, it all comes down to this moment.

Feet moving, a whizzing sound comes from behind me. Stumbling from surprise, I let out a yelp as the dinosaur looking monster crashes to the dirt in front of me; an arrow sticking out of its eye. With it trying to rise, I jump in and open its throat. Looking back at the still moving cart, there's Nazha perched on the top holding a longbow.

Recovering from the shock, I head back to the cart. Thankfully they stopped it for me. Before long, I'm leaned against the supporting frame, my eyes closing.

"You owe me Nazha."

Reminding her of this, my consciousness fades.

---

Suguha:

Sunday.

Finally.

Stretching, Suguha woke up more excited about this day than she had all week. The reason for this was simple, she got to visit Kazuto again. The other reason was school. School hadn't been nearly as unpleasant as Suguha had feared it would be. Instead it was downright strange.

All Yukiko did was sit there and stare at her. It was starting to get creepy. The Vice-principal had said that Suguha wouldn't get any punishment. Partly because of her accomplishments in school… but primarily because no one was accusing her of anything.

This had left Suguha constantly looking over her shoulder, sure that some sort of additional punishment would come. However, as the days passed, as she got was a blank stare.

Trying to dismiss the strangeness, Suguha dressed and descended the stairs. Her mother was already up and slaving away cooking breakfast for the two of them.

Giving her a big smile, Suguha did her best to stay positive in front of her. It had gotten rougher when her father had left this week to go back to America. Now that it was just the two of them, Suguha couldn't let her mother see her in pain.

"Looks like your excited to go." Midori comments with a smile when she notices Suguha.

"Of course, mom," Grinning broadly, Suguha poured all her excitement into that one smile. For Suguha knew, that it would be fleeting. As the hours of the day fly away, so would the excitement as Suguha gripped her unmoving Brother's hand.

"Hey, he's survived three weeks, right? He'll get out of there."

Nodding her confirmation to her mother's words, Suguha's eyes were dry and focused.

I'll make sure of it.

Reaffirming her belief, Suguha scarfed down the food in front of her. "Ready!"

"Eh? You're too fast for me, I'm still cleaning up."

"Let me help with that."

Moving into the kitchen to help her mother, the pair shared a quiet moment, one washing dishes, the other drying.

Finally, it was ready to leave. Glancing at her phone on the way out, Suguha confirmed the time, 9:45 am. With Sunday traffic, probably 15 minutes to the hospital, maybe a bit more. Right now, Kazuto was located in the hospital closest to them. According to rumours though, that was about to change.

A new giant hospital was currently being built. Funded by donations from across the world, its goal was singular. To host comatose victims while boasting the fastest internet connection possible. When the death rates were at an all time maximum, there were rumours that it would be cancelled.

However, something had changed, and building was resuming at a frantic pace. It was on pace to become the fastest sq feet/hour building project in the modern world. Rather than years its schedule was planned in months.

Suguha didn't care about that though, she cared about where it was located, at least an hour drive away. The excessive time required to reach it would severely hurt her ability to visit Kazuto.

Biting her lip, Suguha tapped her fingers agitatedly against the edge of her mother's car door. The thoughts were concerning, but merely a molehill beside the mountain she was still trying to deal with. How to enter the game.

The theories swirled around her brain ad nauseum. But no matter how she thought, no solution seemed to present itself, except one. As that was to steal one off a player's head, that too was out. No matter how much she cared about Kazuto, she couldn't murder someone to achieve her goals.

Her inability to come up with anything got more frustrating every day. Every minute wasted meant another chance for Kazuto to die.

Glancing over at her mother, Suguha noticed her making the same motion she was, drumming her fingers. Frowning, Suguha tried to remember the last time she'd seen her mother do something like that. When she was sad, she cried; when she's happy she smiles. But what is this? Anxious?

"Are you alright, mom?"

Flinching Midori jerked in the driver's seat. Looking over at Suguha there was shock in her eyes.

"I'm uh, I'm fine."

Super nervous. But why?

Biting her lip even harder, Suguha's anxiety spiked. Her fingers picked up tempo on the door, matching the rate of her mother.

"Kazuto…"

"Son…"

The dual words of Suguha and Midori were quiet and morose. It was hard to muster any other feeling when staring at the comatose boy. Walking to the bed, the two took up their customary positions, Suguha holding his left hand, and Midori his right.

Into that peaceful silence, Midori spoke.

"Suguha, there's something I need to tell you."

"Is this why you were acting so weird before?"

"Haha, yeah…" Trailing off, Midori shuffled nervously in her seat. Looking around the room, her gaze seemed to never fall on her daughter.

Growing nervous, Suguha could only wait for her mother to speak. Throat drying, Suguha felt impending doom. What new revelation was her mother about to expose?

"Kazuto… Well, he isn't your brother."

The words caused Suguha's brain to seize to a halt. Immediately thousands of rejections came to mind.

"What? I grew up with him, of course he's my brother."

Shaking her head, the beginnings of tears shimmered to life in Midori's eyes. "He's the son of my late sister Aoi. You were only six months old when we adopted him… I'm so sorry."

So many questions and emotions swirled through Suguha, but one broke through to the surface. "Did he know?"

With a nod Midori confirmed the question.

With this, infinite situations played through Suguha's head. Was this why he drifted away from us? From me?

"Although, I kind of expected you to figure it out since he's only six months older than you…"

Midori's words washed over Suguha but went unprocessed. Her eyes were glued to the unmoving figure of her brother, no cousin. The word sounded alien and wrong.

With all the new information, the room seemed to press in around Suguha. Standing up in a flurry, she stumbled to the door.

"Suguha?"

"I'll be back mom." Spitting out the words, Suguha rips the door open and exits the room.

Walking the white expanse of the hallway, no thoughts circled Suguha's mind. No comparisons or anger. She was simply numb. Numb to the changes she'd endured these last weeks. Zoning out, Suguha stumbled over nothing, unable to even process the act of walking.

Turning another corner, Suguha was stunned again by yet another unexpected discovery, a face she knew. Yukiko.

One of the last people Suguha wanted to see, she debated turning around.

Noticing her, Yukiko's eyes widened with shock to match Suguha's. Face twisting into a mask of determination, Yukiko scanned back and forth down the hallway quickly.

Is she looking for people? Suguha wondered to herself. Thinking Yukiko is scared Suguha's going to beat her up again, Suguha's face tightened into a grimace.

"Eh?"

Letting out a sound of surprise, Yukiko was heading straight for Suguha. Tensing up, Suguha was wondering if she'd reversed the scenario when Yukiko blew right past her shoulder.

"Follow me."

The words were quiet. Almost inaudible for Suguha who was right beside her. Turning, Suguha obeyed automatically. At every intersection Yukiko scanned the hallways from around the corner before continuing.

Confusion rising, Suguha still followed the girl.

"Here, this should do."

Shuffling Suguha into an empty room, Yukiko closed it firmly behind her.

"What do you want?"

Flinching under Suguha's sharp words, Yukiko's surge of courage seemed to have disappeared. Shuffling her feet, Yukiko bit her lip.

A trait they have in common, Suguha noted unhappily.

"I know what you're planning, I want to help."

"Huh?"

The words threw another wrench into Suguha's thought process. This girl who hated her was now offering to help get her into a death game. Maybe she does hate me, Suguha thought idlily.

"I know you don't believe me, but I'll meet you outside the gates after school Friday. Until then, I'll tell you this. Earlier this week, Kayaba sent a message to the company in charge of the DOO servers. That Saturday, May sixth, two months after the servers launched, another 2000 people will be able to log in."

Checking her watch, a frantic expression appeared on Yukiko's face. "I have no more time, but this should hit the news Thursday, I got to run!" Bolting out of the room, Yukiko let the door swing wildly behind her.

"What…" The one word was all the brainpower Suguha had left available to her.

---

Author's note:

Hello again!

Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter as well.

I can guarantee that Chapter 5 will release next weekend. After that, we'll see.

What can I write about now that I've run out of (volume 4) short stories to plagiarize after all lol.

Thanks again for all the follows and favorites, I'm shocked people are actually enjoying this story. Hopefully it stays that way!

Oh, just a request, can you attempt to keep story spoilers out of the reviews? Particularly late volume Danmachi. If you have questions about the Characters or impact of those volumes PM me!

I think that's everything.

Later,

-asdf