Author's note:
Hello again,
As promised here is a chapter dedicated to the other characters.
Hopefully you enjoy their exploits. I think it's pretty fun!
Anyway, I remembered that I forgot to ask about SO10 last week. It was really interesting to see more of Finn's perspective.
I know I said this chapter may be delayed, but Chapter 13 is far more likely to be delayed.
Later,
-asdf
Chapter 12 – Roads traveled
Top of Babel:
"I must admit, I am confused my goddess."
Eyes opening in surprise, Freya had not foreseen this happening. Her usually obedient to a fault follower, the fabled strongest in Orario, asking a question of her. Waving him to go ahead, Freya displayed a small smile of interest in his words.
"That man who just left, and the ones you recruited today… Why were you so liberal about who you allowed into the familia? Our name will get sullied as people associate Freya familia with these weaklings."
Twisting a lock of her hair, Freya didn't answer her follower's questions, but asked him one. "What do you think this city will be like in another four months? How about a year?"
Frowning the man didn't understand. "It will be mostly the same, won't it?"
Shaking her head, Freya denied him. "It won't be. The children from the other world were gifted the ability of fast growth. The level two's have begun flowing in, in another three months or so, I imagine the rush of level threes will start. Yes, less and less of them will survive or be willing to keep pushing for the next milestone, but still."
Shaking her head, a rare look of self-deprecation was on Freya's face as she examined the city of Orario.
"I was foolish for not recruiting more during the first summoning. I underestimated how fast the growth would be."
A disconcerted expression consumed her follower's face. First, at his goddess' expression. Mostly, however, it was the thought of losing his place as the strongest. How long until these people from the otherworld… No, until that boy could challenge him?
"That is why I rounded up even those with limited hope," Freya explained with a light laugh. "If even one of them break their limits, it will have been worth it."
Nodding the man accepted the explanation and resumed his silence. His position here was no longer the one of peace he'd come to enjoy. It felt fleeting. He felt like he should be in the dungeon, improving his skills so that he could continue to guard his goddess' hard-won position as the strongest.
The First Summoning:
"No… Mom, Dad… Pina." Trailing off, Silica collapsed onto her knees, all strength leaving her body. No tears, no shouting. She didn't have the strength or the understanding to do either.
While she knew all of the words the cloaked figure had used, she couldn't comprehend what they meant.
Why can't she log out?
Why can't she see her family again?
Right now, all Silica wanted to do was lay down and cuddle her cat Pina. To go to sleep and forget about today.
All around the coliseum, she could hear yells of disbelief, shouts of denial. Yet the mirror in her hand told her the truth. Her large trembling brown eyes, the pigtails she always wore her hair in.
It was Keiko.
She was Silica.
They were now one.
For a twelve-year-old, it was too much. Stumbling, Silica sought an exit. She needed to get away. Out from the mass of humanity.
"Are you okay?"
"Ahh!" Flinching up from where she lay, Siilica found a pair of eyes looking at her from above. Even in the almost total darkness she knew it was Suguha. The other girl who had joined the familia today with her.
Frowning, Silica slowly lifted herself into a sitting position. The memories of that day still haunted her occasionally.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Suguha's soft words are filled with sympathy.
Turning her full attention on the girl, Silica easily found the bags underneath her eyes. There was no doubt about it, Suguha hadn't been sleeping when Silica woke up.
Making up her mind, Silica hoped that sharing her story would help both of them.
The cold, cobblestone streets were unforgiving. By the time Silica finally focused on her surroundings, she was well and truly lost. Ever corner looked the same in the coming darkness.
No one walked the streets. Silica felt completely and utterly alone.
It was now, after the numbness faded, that the tears came. Large and ugly they turned her face into a mess. Splotchy and red, Silica sobbed as she began running through the roads at random. Searching for an escape. Some way back to the life she used to know.
Silica had no delusions; she knew she was privileged and pampered. She got everything she wanted, from a pet cat to this game. As an only child, Silica's father doted on her.
Silica had expected a fun game… Not this realistic nightmare where death was permanent. It was too much for the young girl.
"Hey, is that one of them?"
"What are they doing here?"
"Quiet!"
Cat ears perking up and twisting to her left, Silica's pace slowed as she spied three figures trying to hide behind a crumbling wall.
"Crap!"
As Silica watched them, they dove under it, removing themselves from her view.
The strange interaction jolted her out of her misery though. Her feet that used to be sprinting as fast as they could move, now felt glued to the cobblestone.
What were children doing here?
Glancing behind the wall, Silica focused on the building next to them. Even in another world, she recognized what it was, or what it was meant to be anyway, a church.
"Lai, Fina, Ruu, where are you?"
Opening the church door as if called, an elderly woman stepped outside. Almost instantly she spotted the three children.
"Shhh!" The children implored. "One of them is here!"
Pointing over the wall, Maria's eyes followed their fingers to where Silica still stood, eyes red, but no more tears flowed.
"Oh, my poor child." Forgetting about her three troublemakers, Maria rushed over to Silica, sympathy plain on her face.
Putting her hands on Silica's shoulders, Maria lowered her face to Silica's level.
"Are you alright?"
The words, so similar to her parents, cause a fresh wave of tears to well up. Unable to speak, Silica whipped her back and forth in answer.
"Oh, come here." Voice filled with sympathy, Maria wraps Silica in a tight hug. Staying like that over a minute, Maria waits for the shaking in the girl's body to fade.
"Let's get you inside with something to eat. Does that sound good?"
Regressing to the level of a young child, Silica nodded numbly and obediently followed along.
The inside of the church had been converted into a big playroom. Improvised toys and places to run consumed the entrance. Further back, off the side, stood a kitchen. Inside a magic-stone oven could be used to whip up any matter of dish. If there was food.
Frowning, Maria began searching for what she needed. Recently cleaned dishes sat beside the sink. Grabbing the still wet pot, Maria filled it partially full with water and threw it on the stove. All the while she bustled with pantry, pulling out the few spices and ingredients she had to make a stew. It was by no means gourmet, but it would tide the girl over and the heat of the meal should help calm her.
Despite the near destitution she lived in, and the ever-present hunger that gnawed at her and the children's stomachs, Maria never considered not helping.
"What is Maria doing?"
The sulky words were barely audible. The catears on top of Silica's head were far more attuned to picking up noises than human ears, however.
Turning towards the source, Silica, for the first time in over an hour, smiled. The three children from outside had followed them into the church and were currently peering into the room. They looked like characters from the Sunday cartons she used to watch, one head stacked upon each other.
"Crap! She saw us!"
Panicking, the human boy who seemed to lead them tried to pull back. Doing so resulted in the three-person stack collapsing into a big pile.
"Ah, I'm glad you three volunteered to help!" Walking over the pile of children, Maria smiled down upon them.
Shivering, the children waited for the sentence to be handed out.
"Go and scrounge up enough blankets to make another bed. I'll bring our newest member up later."
Hearing Maria's intentions, Lai dragged himself to his feet. His earnest brown eyes gave him a serious appearance despite his youth. His mop of brown hair clearly displayed his human ears and parentage.
"B-but she's one of them!"
Lai's protests seem to be agreed upon by the other two children hiding behind him.
No longer totally oblivious to the events around her, Silica was confused. What had she done to these children? All she knew was that they didn't like her. She had been rejected.
"Oh, shush now," Maria chastised him. As if sensing Silica's coming breakdown, she pulled the girl into a tight hug. "She's nothing more than a lost girl."
Wavering, the orphans revaluate the timid girl wrapped in Maria's arms. Comparing what they saw now to the rumours they'd heard leading up to today. They'd been convinced that all of the summons would be great warriors. Stronger than anything the world had ever seen before. This girl though…
"Let's go Lai." Pulling on his arm, the chienthrope girl had apparently made a decision. Around Lai's age, they led the orphans together. The third member of their group, Ruu, was a half-elf who didn't talk much.
Leaving it at that, the three dashed off to prepare a bed for their newest, and oldest member.
"Why don't they like me?"
Silica's voice is soft and weak. On the verge of collapsing from another rejection.
"Oh, don't you worry about them," Maria consoles her. "They're just a little intimidated of you. Give them a couple days and you'll be friends in no time."
"Okay…"
"Now come over here and eat some stew."
Obediently following Maria, Silica was glad for direction and instruction in a life where all had collapsed. Listening and obeying adults was something she knew how to do. As long as she did what she was told, everything would be fine.
Trying to convince herself of this, Silica hid in the Orphanage, unaware of the events going on outside of Daedalus street.
"I'm sorry you went through that…" Leafa didn't talk loudly, but the words still cut through the absolute silence of the second-floor library. The hard, wooden floor combined with thin linens and ominous shadows made it inconducive to sleeping.
Hestia had brought them here, while Kirito had said that he'd fix something up at the familia home for them. So, for this one night, the two girls had been left alone in this cold library.
It certainly wasn't the warm welcome the girls would have liked, they hadn't even officially been inducted to the familia, but it did give them time to bond. Leaning against the wooden wall, Leafa absorbed Silica's story.
"No," Silica denies, "I got really lucky. Without Maria I don't think I would have recovered. Also, the other children were really nice once we got to know each other."
Looking into her eyes, Leafa saw a wisdom uncommon in someone so young. The kind that can only be gained from surviving events no one should be forced to endure.
Letting her hand drift over, Leafa didn't force the contact on Silica. Glancing at it, Silica immediately took the offered contact. Feeling the warmth transferred to her, Silica sighed contently. Closing her sighs, the catgirl slid over until her head rested on Leafa's shoulders.
"What about you?" Silica asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "Why did you join the game? What's your brother like? You must really love him to come in here after him."
"I do…" Leafa answered, the word falling from her mouth. Besides that, though, she didn't know what to say. Where could she possibly start? The daunting task seemed impossible. Opening her mouth to tell Silica so, one image fixed itself in her mind. Seeing Kazuto for the first time in the hospital, his prone body unmoving.
Opening her mouth, Leafa told Silica her story. How she swore she'd do anything to rescue her brother, and what she's done since then to make that a reality.
"Amazing…" Silica yawned at the end out it. The time was well past midnight. The two of them should have fallen asleep hours ago in order to awaken in time for tomorrow. Slumping, Silica's conscious faded now that the story was done.
Easing herself out, Leafa laid Silica down upon the sheets they'd been given. Eyes closing as well, Leafa didn't notice the hardness that had bugged her many hours earlier. Her throat was dry and scratchy from where the time she'd spent talking. Despite that, she too was content and ready for sleep. Having reconfirmed her desires, Leafa fell into a peaceful sleep, ready to make good on her promises.
Outside Orario:
"Insane! This is insane!" Argo protested wildly, walking around, hands tightly clutching her hair. Eyes wide, the Renart was moments away from losing it.
"Calm down," Lulune instructed, rolling her eyes at their new recruit. "We haven't learned anything yet."
"Haven't learned…" Going speechless, Argo thought she must have heard wrong. Standing in an abandoned alleyway, Argo's world had recently done a 180. She thought she had understood the world before. Now she knew exactly how much she still didn't know. The city in which Argo now stood was a hard three-day ride from Orario. In that time, Argo had been forced to admit that this was another world.
With current technology it just wasn't possible to make a world this large that was this detailed. The suspicions had been gathering, but now, it pushed Argo into a very unstable state. The recent discoveries only furthered the disconcertion of the usually unflappable info broker.
"Use your magic and approach softly," Lulune instructed. "We don't have a lot of these magic items left from when… Never mind."
Cutting off her statement, Lulune drew a pure black helmet from under her cloak. Its name was a match for Argo's magic and was a priceless artifact. Now that its maker was no more, Hermes familia guarded them with their lives.
Waiting for Argo's magic to finish, Lulune donned the helmet, the pair now fully invisible. Sneaking off they dealt with rumours, that, if true, would shake the foundation of Orario.
Twenty-seventh floor:
No words left Asuna's lips. The creature before her was beyond explanation. She had known beforehand what it looked like, its capabilities. On paper, she was fully prepared for this encounter. Standing before the incredible two-headed dragon was another matter entirely.
"Groah!" Opening its twin maws, Amphisbaena released a bloodcurdling shriek that pierced the dungeon. Its right head glared with piercing red eyes while the eyes of the left head were pure blue. Standing in the plunge pool on the twenty-seventh floor, the great beast seemed unconcerned about the water crashing down upon its back. The waterfall stretching up to the twenty-sixth floor dropped its water from over a hundred metres.
Asuna knew that if she were to try standing under it, she would not survive the experience. The great torrent of water broke upon the dragon's white scales releasing a mist of vapor over the room. In these conditions it was impossible to fight at full strength.
This is why the guild classified Amphisbaena at level six. The number was absolutely mind-boggling to Asuna. Never mind level six, level three was hard to comprehend currently. Even out the water they put it at level five. The reason was obvious, compared to the goliath, Amphisbaena was far more deadly.
Similar to then, hordes of monsters came rushing. The Twenty-seventh floor was far larger than the seventeenth, and therefore, held far more monsters. The hordes of monsters rushing towards the raid group was a nightmare in of itself.
As combat started along the periphery of the cavern, the right maw of the dragon opened. From within, a strange red mist burst forth, billowing and surrounding it. Biting her lip, Asuna knew that the mist was a sign of bad things to come. According to her familia, only smarter variations of Amphisbaena pre-emptively used the mist.
"Damn it," Droyman cursed.
Not doubt, Asuna agreed silently. The red mist negated magic. Their primary way of killing the thing is to drop enhanced meteors on it. The pre-emptive mist meant a long fight waiting for it to clear to give themselves a chance.
Not to be outdone, the left head also released its mighty breath. From this head released not a mist, but a torrent of fire, blue fire.
"Dodge!"
Commands shouted; the adventurers did their best to evade the mighty inferno. Even in a land of water, the flames set ablaze the pool and sat there flickering.
"Gah!" Crying out in pain, an adventurer had been caught in the blast. Not a fatal wound, but they were still out of the fight for an indiscriminate amount of time.
Gulping, Asuna's hands started shaking. In the first minute of the fight they'd already accrued more injuries than the entire last raid.
"I want to try something," Astrid said, appearing behind Asuna.
"Ah!" Flinching from surprise, the girl let out an embarrassing yelp.
Giving her a dead-panned stare, Astrid waited for Asuna to compose herself.
"What shall I do sub-commander?" Recovering, Asuna's cheeks were still bright red. Despite that, the words were spoken firmly.
"Cast your magic," Astrid commanded. "Don't make missiles though, form it into a sheet and cover floor boss with it."
Eyes going wide, Asuna gasped in surprise. Astrid may have just solved the boss. Firming up her resolve, she got to casting.
Her level one magic was never going to have an effect on the floor boss. But if it could remove the mist…
Praying for a way to be useful, Asuna cast her magic. Doing something she'd never done before, she held back the release. Flattening and combining the projectiles. She could feel the deadly piercing power of each vanish as she did so. The act felt wrong, like she was ruining it. Nonetheless, she pressed forward with the action, creating a great wall of water.
Gasping, Asuna felt the buildup of force exceed her abilities. In a rush the released wave rushed towards the floor boss. It wasn't perfect, the wave wasn't big enough to fully cover amphisbaena.
Despite that, it would test Astrid's theory. As the wave approached, it covered the red mist. The aftermath removing both. The water washed the mist into the actual water residing on the floor. Likewise, the red substance destroyed the magical energy keeping the wave together.
As the last bit of the wave dissolved, Asuna was disappointed. Only the front third of the mist was gone. The important parts covering the dragon's heads and back was still there.
"Nice one!"
"She's done it!"
While Asuna wallowed in failure, her familia celebrated. For they saw what she didn't. That the widespread ability removed far more of the mist than any other spell in their arsenal. Already, where the mist was previous concentrated began to disperse and cover its original area.
"Here you are!" With a happy voice, Astrid handed over a pair of hi-mind potions. "I want you to keep casting until the mist is gone. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" Firming up her resolve, Asuna began chanting another round.
Continuing like this, a level one adventurer was instrumental in the defeat of a level six floor boss.
Opening her eyes, Asuna dispersed the memories of that day. Today was the last day she had.
Tomorrow the summoning was happening, and Loki wanted all hands-on deck scouting for potential recruits. For some reason the goddess seemed particularly invested in this event.
That didn't matter right now though. Standing in the midst of the Twelfth floor, Asuna had no companions with her today. She didn't know what Lind was planning on doing on doing today and didn't particularly care.
She was going on an adventure.
Looking around the misty floor, Asuna's hand tightened around the handle of her rapier. She'd brought her staff, but it was currently hooked to her back. The chances she'd have to use magic today would be far and few between.
Striding forward, Asuna kept her gait confident. Inside though, her stomach was a tight knot. The last time she'd adventured alone had been her second time in the dungeon. When she'd learned her magic and Kirito saved her… again.
The memories only fueled Asuna's anger. She hated how weak she had been then. How weak she still is. Her familia told her to be patient, to wait. She knew that their words made sense. As long as she continued to push into the dungeon, she'd level up eventually, and continue climbing. Building up not only her status, but her knowledge, and techniques.
It was that word though, eventually.
Kirito levelled up in six weeks with far less resources than Asuna had been given. If she couldn't at least match that feat… The thought was irksome.
The feeling of having everything given to her, and still not being able to keep up. Asuna refused to let that happen. Perhaps that was what drove her to come here solo. It was likely she could have gotten Mirel or Astrid to come guard her today if she'd asked.
Either option brought a bad taste to her mouth. Doing so would remove any danger, and in doing so would ruin the adventure.
"Imps…" Asuna's quiet voice carries through the ominous fog. Her keen eyes easily picked up the black shapes moving just beyond vision. Frowning, she pointed her sword ahead of her, hesitant to engage them.
More than the strength or number of monsters on these floors, it was the presence of gangs of imps, and some other nasty tricks that led to the recommendation of a party.
As the dog-eared, pale creatures approached, their usual offkey keening grated on Asuna's ears. Thankfully it was only five, less than the typical seven member ones that tended to populate the twelfth floor.
Pursing her lips, Asuna's gaze flicked between the five creatures looking for an opening. Her day in the dungeon would come to a very early end if she couldn't figure out a strategy to overcome the net tactic the imps employed.
As she surveyed them, her confusion grew. The creatures looked lethargic and uncoordinated. As if they were indecisive, or simply not listening to each other. Far different than the creatures of the lower floors.
Getting fed up with waiting, Asuna lunged. The lightning thrust a blur of speed surpassing the abilities of abnormal level one adventurer. Her constant sparring with Astrid had honed her use of her skill. The passive increase to moving forward pushed beyond the ability of the imps to react.
"Kruu?" Letting out one confused note, the first of the creatures slid off her rapier, falling to the ground dead. Mouth twisting into a smirk, Asuna turned her gaze to the four confused creatures. Stalking forward, they didn't stand a chance.
Finally getting a chance to rest, Asuna leaned against the wall of a safe room. As the adrenaline faded, her state of being alone finally caught up to her. She didn't feel lonely, but she missed the sounds of other people. Back in Kirito's party she had friends to talk to. In Lind's while she didn't participate often, the others liked to talk and joke around. Sitting here by herself… she was lonely.
The thought brought a giggle to her lips as she looked up towards the roof. The rocky surface was beyond view, hidden in fog and darkness. It was so different from how she was before. Loneliness was a part of her life, a constant. At school she had been surrounded by peers, but never in contact with them. She went through school as an individual. The rest of her life had been studying. Her mother had been around, but the interactions were serious, never friendly.
The last people Asuna were truly close to her were her grandparents. The memories of their rustic log cabin still brought a smile to face. The only other one was her brother. Bound together by their shared enslavement, Asuna held a special place in her heart for him, despite seeing him less and less since he graduated.
It was actually his NerveGear Asuna had used to check out his world two months ago. The latest delay had slotted it into one of the times when he was travelling. That one foolish decision had completely derailed Asuna's life.
Yet, as she considered her strange actions that day, no regret welled up within her. From every perspective, that choice had ruined her life and possibly killed her. So, why didn't she regret that choice? Even more, as she thought over it, if she had a chance to go back and do it again, she may do the thing again. Even knowing that it would trap her here.
Closing her eyes, Asuna let out a contented smile. It was all that boy's fault she decided. He had showed her how to live life in this world. And, try as she might, Asuna was falling in love with this world.
"Gra!"
"Hi Yah!"
Hearing monster screams followed by human shouts, Asuna's delicate ears picked up and analyzed the noises. Placing her hands on the ground, Asuna heaved herself to her feet and set off at a light jog. It was unlikely she'd get there before everything was resolved, but she felt obliged. She'd been helped by too many different familias to not aid those in need.
"Get them out of here!"
"Move it! Move it!"
Confusion growing, Asuna's pace increased as the sounds only grew in intensity. The twelfth floor seemed to have erupted into a hive of activity. Unfortunately, there were too many possibilities for Asuna to narrow down exactly what the cause was.
Approaching a cavern, it seemed like the commotion was coming from within. As Asuna arrived, a group was fleeing, bodies in their arms. Gasping, Asuna recognized the figures. It was Takemikazuchi familia.
"Asuna?"
"What happened?"
There was no time for pleasantries or small talk. Some of the bodies in their arms were from their familia. Asuna didn't want to consider whether they were still alive or not.
"An irregular," Ouka spat, his voice hard. The reason was obvious, the figure laying in his arms was Chigusa.
Asuna's heart hurt, looking at the girl's pained expressions.
"A hellhound," Mikoto elaborated for Asuna's benefit. It must have come up from the middle floors.
"Thank you," Asuna nodded.
Wishing the best for their familia, Asuna moved to walk into the chamber. Rather than fear, a strange excitement filled her. This was the chance she'd been looking for. A formidable foe against which she can improve.
"W-where are you going!?" Mikoto asked aghast. "Don't bother. We'll need to wait for the guild to organize a mission to suppress it."
"And how many will die while we wait?" Asuna asked. "I'm going to kill it."
A silent conversation happened behind her. "I'll help."
The decision most likely didn't sit well with her familia, but Asuna just nodded. Having a level two adventurer around would be a huge aid.
Too much of an aid?
Shaking her head, Asuna forced the cocky thought away. This was about protecting people, not proving something. Keeping this thought firmly in mind, she advanced forward with the ninja in tow.
"What is that…"
"The Hellhound." Mikoto replied grimly. "Do you want to leave?"
Yes.
"No," Asuna replied confidently. "It's distracted eating magic stones. Take this and lead it on a chase."
Opening her bag, Asuna gave Mikoto all of the stones she'd collected so far that morning. The bag shook with the weight of at least 20K valis in magic stones.
"I see…" Eyes widening, Mikoto nodded her head in understanding. The plan carried a great risk for her, but the chance of success was high. There were still people alive in the corridor, groaning and struggling for the exit. Instead, the giant dog was content consuming magic stones.
It was an adventurer's worst nightmare. A monster that had enhanced itself past its natural abilities by consuming the cores of other monsters. The enhancement was clear in the beast's size. Its shoulders now stood almost two metres high, close to triple the size of a normal hellhound. Asuna was glad for the large chamber. She didn't want to think about what its fire could do in a corridor.
Standing there, Asuna clutched her staff, waiting for Mikoto to start. It was only now that she appreciated how much more dangerous the job she gave Mikoto was. She would have to strategically drop magic stones, leading the beast around, all without letting it focus on her and the bag in her hands.
"Hruff?" Letting out a snort, the hellhound's head finally lifted from the ground, blood dripping thickly from its jaws. Sniffing the air, it swung its head and forth before settling on Asuna.
Please let it be now Mikoto.
Not daring to move, Asuna sent a fervent plea to the absent kunoichi. The red eyes of the beast froze her in place.
However, the sound of an object rolling through the grass took its gaze off her. As it turned its head away, Asuna felt like restricting chains had been removed. It was time.
Settling her nerves, she began the familiar cast. The words flowed from her lips in a hurry. Rushing through the spell, she almost lost the thread of the magic more than once.
Due to Mikoto's efforts, the beast continued following the dropped stones around like a puppy. Asuna knew that each one only increased its strength more, but it was a moot point by now. Each stone was a drop in the bucket compared to the power it had already amassed.
Smiling viciously, the spell was done. All that was left was for Mikoto to get out of there. With one last clink of a stone hitting the floor, Asuna caught sight of a shadow, running low to the ground. Nodding at her, Asuna turned back to where the hellhound was still eating the final stone.
It's too easy.
The thought sent a bolt of hesitation through her. In the time provided, the hellhound finished eating and began looking around for more.
Cursing herself for delaying, this was no time to improve. This was a deadly monster that needed to be killed.
"Vannforlengelse!"
Speaking her magic loudly, water began to coalesce and form up into the long spears Asuna favored.
The influx of magic energy instantly drew the irregular's attention. Pointing its head at Asuna it opened its jaws and replied.
Halfway between the combatants, their magics clashed. The deadly water of the level one mage against the torrent of fire from the enhanced level two monster. Against a normal hellhound, this wouldn't have been a competition. If Asuna hadn't rushed the casting, the spears would have cut through the fire and obliterated the irregular. If they hadn't just fed over ten magic stones to the monster, the fire wouldn't have had the potency needed.
Asuna's eyes grew wide as she watched. A torrent of steam erupted from the site of impact. The fire was getting pushed back, getting put out. It was too slow though. Most of the barrage was missing the monster, going wide. It wasn't focused on one point. This created a shied of fire, blocking only the area that needed protection.
With one more grunt, Asuna forced the last wave of water towards the creature, trying to bend their direction through strength of mind alone. This final effort overcame the fiery defensive and hit the monster.
"Wow…" Mikoto's shocked voice was the only human sound that could be heard in the quiet room.
Panting, Asuna waited for the steam to clear to see the result. Before it did though, a black shadow moved through the boiling water. Unconcerned with the heat, the head of the hellhound was the first thing through. As the whole body emerged, its injuries became clear. Long gashes marred its entire body from where peripheral spears had caught it. The main injury was to its front right foreleg. As it walked, it put no weight on the shattered appendage.
Too easy?
Smiling at her foolish words, Asuna exchanged her staff for her rapier. No longer did the gaze of the beast fill her with overpowering dread. She could tell the thing was still insanely powerful, but no longer was it an unbeatable opponent.
"I'll flank it," Mikoto suggested. "Its attention appears to be locked on you."
Nodding, Asuna was glad for the help. Any previous thoughts of going on an adventure or proving herself had fled Asuna's mind. All she really wanted to do now was kill this beast and return to the surface. Talk to her familia, relax, and wait for tomorrow.
Drawing the blade in one fluid motion, Asuna evaluated her opponent. The great beast was clearly severely injured, but its will to fight appeared undiminished. It didn't so much stalk closer as it stumbled. Still unused to walking on three legs, the beast was at a disadvantage.
Moving to her right, Asuna circled in the direction of the beast's injured leg. As it tried to rotate to follow, it stumbled, crashing to the ground. Asuna wasn\t nice, or naïve enough to give up such an opportunity. It was always better to kill it before it could show its entire capabilities.
Blade raised high; the point of the rapier was aligned to crash straight through the forehead of the beast. As the blade descended, its wicked red eyes locked upon Asuna. Trusting the feeling in her gut, Asuna abandoned the thrust, pulling back as fast as she could.
Eyes wide with disbelief, the jaws crashed shut with a resounding snap a few inches from her nose. If she'd tried to finish it off, it would have killed her. Rising back up, the monster followed Asuna as she retreated.
Hand shaking from fear, Asuna didn't know what to do. It had clearly shown that it was faster than her. The insane speed of the bite far exceeded her ability to react. Running through her list of abilities, everything she knew; nothing came to mind. By herself, she was still helpless against this foe.
"Hiyah!"
But she wasn't alone. A smile drifted unto her face as the monster unleashed a scream of pain and turned away from her.
Mikoto's slash had left a long red line on the beast's flank.
Even with all her speed, the monster was still able to track Mikoto's movements. As time ticked on, it was becoming more and more mobile as it adjusted to life on three legs. This fight needed to end.
Following up Mikoto's example, Asuna dashed it and stabbed her rapier into its flank as well. Her hand jolted from the impact, the tip only sinking in four inches or so.
This time it reacted even faster, the turning motion ripping her rapier from her hand. Horrified, Asuna stared at the rapidly approaching jaws which would mark her death.
"No!" Screaming out her defiance, Mikoto made it in the nick of time. Katana slashing up, the hardened steel met dungeon-forged teeth, enhanced through magic stones.
The ear-piercing shriek of metal being ripped apart filled the dungeon floor as Mikoto was blown back. Catching her, Asuna stumbled back with Mikoto before laying the girl on the grass.
"Ugh," Groaning, Mikoto's eyes swirled dizzily. Ripping open a potion Asuna poured it on the girl's head hoping it would help. Giving Mikoto's body a quick glance, she couldn't find anything obviously wrong. Hoping it was just a brief concussion and that Mikoto would get over it soon, Asuna stood back up.
The monster was still licking its chops, trying to extract the final pieces of metal from its mouth. Asuna got a grim satisfaction watching the blood-stained pieces fall to the ground. At least it had caused some damage.
A gleam of light caught Asuna's eye from forty feet away. It was rapier, lying whole from where the centrifugal force had flung it. If she went for it though, Mikoto would die. The hard glint in the creature's eye went past her to the girl that had injured it twice. Reaching into the pouch Mikoto had, Asuna prayed she wasn't making a mistake.
Cocking back her arm, the magic stone caught and scattered the light rays as it twisted through the air. Every rotation was unique, creating a fantastic spectacle that the irregular couldn't keep its gaze off of.
Asuna meanwhile, was in a full dash toward her weapon. Using every bit of the agility available to her, she made the run in just over four seconds. Glancing back to the Hellhound, she was greeted by a horrifying site. The monstrous dog and stood up on its two back legs to catch the stone from the air. It was still over twenty feet high when it disappeared down the beast's gullet.
Swallowing nervously, Asuna tried to convince herself that just because it was big didn't mean it was invincible, she could do this.
Once the stone was gone, its attention was straight back to the prone form of Mikoto.
"Hey you!" Shouting at it, Asuna lifted up the stone in her left hand.
As if had been a command, its head snapped in her direction. The red eyes locking unto the stone. Without a second of hesitation, the beast bound towards her. Its movement speed was incredible. The uninjured back legs giving it a speed Asuna didn't think possible.
Having no time to refine her plan, Asuna did the only logical thing, and threw the stone at the hellhound. The underhand throw had little momentum behind it. The monster adjusted its path for the stone which mainly involved slowing down. Jaws wide, it waited for the object to enter its mouth so that it could consume the energy within.
Making a decision, Asuna bet everything on this one moment. Drawing her arm back like a javelin thrower, Asuna shuffled one step forward and throw her rapier at the stone.
Not even noticing the airborne weapon, all of the monster's attention remained fixed on its next meal. A disrespect for adventurers had led it to this injured state. As it continued to only pay attention to magic stones, it led to its death.
Maw open wide, the creature let the stone fall to the back of its throat. Puncturing the soft flesh, the rapier followed the stone in. Keeling over unto its side, the monster's jaws continued to snap in disbelief. It couldn't breath, it couldn't move.
Eyes tracing blindly around the room, it finally settled upon the figure in blue. After all this time, in its final seconds of life, it felt a different emotion from hunger, fear.
Asuna:
Opening my eyes, I blink away the images of that day.
"What happened next?" Loki asked.
"Ganesha familia showed up shortly after," I answer with a shrug. Donning my shirt, I take my new status sheet.
"Hehe congratulations on level two!" Loki declares happily. "There was only one option for advanced abilities, so I went ahead and added it."
Hands shaking slightly, I read my new status. I had thought, maybe, that the battle against the irregular had done it. Actually seeing it in front of me was entirely different as my face split into a huge grin.
Asuna
Level One → Level Two
Strength: D 584 → I 0 Defense: D 523 → I 0 Utility: C 644 → I 0 Agility: B 789 → I 0 Magic: S 990 → I 0
Mage: I
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.
Undine's Blood: Heals specified targets. Can be used as a touch range to fully heal one target or distributed to many.
Skills:
Flashing Penetrator: Increases the user's speed when dashing towards enemies.
Child of Water: Increasing the potency of magic cast in or around large amounts of water.
"Wow…" My voice gave out on me as I read my status. Another spell and another skill. Both of those were fairly self-explanatory, so I focused on the Advanced ability: Mage.
"It increases the effects of your spells," Loki explained before I could ask. "It also increases the efficiency of your mind, so you tire slower from using magic." Raising a finger, Loki remembered one final point. "It also widens the range of your magic. So, you can use your magic both further, and cover more area with it."
Nodding, I absorb the information. It's hard to keep the sloppy grin off my face. Already I'm picturing different uses and fights in which my new ability will aid me.
"Hehe, I like that smile!" Loki commented, a wicked look in her eyes. Taking a step forward, Loki fell in the most exaggerated motion possible.
Barely glancing up from the sheet, I spin out of the way of her pathetic groping attempt. "Thank you!" Leaving the words behind, I ignore my prone goddess and walk to the door.
"Wait!" Loki cries from where she's fallen. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Pausing with my hand on the handle, I tilt my head and think. "I don't think so…"
"I promised you another staff when you levelled up!" Loki gasped, I'm unsure whether the shock is genuine.
"Oh, right." I blink. Truth be told, the offer makes me a little nervous. I've just grown accustomed to the one I have. It's worked fine for me so far. Do I really need a different one?
"How about this!" Loki declares. "We'll go to the mage shop tomorrow morning, then get lunch, and in the afternoon, we'll walk around recruiting people?"
"Alright." I agree with a sigh. I'd already known that tomorrow was a right off anyway. "Thank you for your generosity Goddess." Bowing deeply, I remember my manners. No doubt a custom ordered staff would be very expensive.
As I turn to leave, one final question comes to mind. "Why are you so insistent on recruiting people tomorrow?"
Loki's face changes into a grimace. "I don't think I'm the only one, but we didn't understand exactly what you children from another world would be like. Now that you've demonstrated your power, I think this next summoning will be very different from the first. Every deity intent on increasing their familia's strength will there, recruiting."
"Why?" I ask confused. "We're weak compared to the veterans."
Shaking her head at me, Loki sighs. "You may be weak for now, but I'd bet money that the first person to become a tier one adventurer is someone from the other world."
"The rate of growth…"
"Precisely," Loki grumbles in agreement. "It's something that I've had to adjust too. I can't let that vixen get a leg up on me either…"
Almost missing the final comment, I merely nod my head and exit. The previous good mood has soured somewhat. One thing that is clear is how stressed Loki is about the upcoming summoning.
Going to bed, I try and get some sleep before the big day tomorrow.
Witch's Shop:
"Yo! What's up Lenoa?"
"Goddess Loki," the woman replied with a grunt, not bothering to look up from the book she was poring over.
Her attire and appearance were so stereotypically witch, that Asuna had trouble believing they were real. From the pointed black hat, to the black robes and gold necklaces. She even possessed a long, wizened nose with warts.
Giving the book, or tome really, an interested glance, Asuna was surprised to see that its contents were written in a script she couldn't follow. The dizzying characters made her eyes water as they blended together.
"Got yourself another mage, eh?" The witch continued, looking up at Asuna.
"Sure did!" Loki replies easily. Stopping beside Asuna, Loki leaned on her. Deciding the contact wasn't severe enough to shake off, Asuna stood there and waited.
"So, what's your name girl?"
"A-asuna…" For reason, Asuna found herself hesitant under the old woman's gaze.
"Hmpf!" She huffs in answer. Asuna can't tell if its dismissive or not. Closing the ancient volume, the witch gets up from her seat. "So, what brings you here?"
"A staff!" Loki interrupts.
"Have you used one before?" Lenoa asks.
Nodding, Asuna presents her the one she'd been using up until now.
"Bah!" The witch barks, taking the old staff. "No wonder you want an upgrade. This is for children!"
"I'm pretty sure I bought that here." Loki replies. "…for half a million valis."
"And did I rip you off?"
It seems like a loaded question, but Loki answers it with an easy smile. "I wouldn't be back here now if you add."
Yet again the witch only grunts, but to Asuna it sounds happier this time.
"What do I need… Ah, yes here it is." Tossing things around, the witch pulls out a strange metal disk. Bringing it back to the counter she places it before Asuna. "Put your hand on this and push magical energy into it."
Blinking, Asuna slowly extends her hand. Making the action as slow as possible, Asuna tries to buy herself time to figure out the witch's words. What does pushing magical energy mean?
Running out of time, Asuna placed her hand against the disk hoping it would come to her. The surface of it was cool to the touch. However, no revelation came to her, or obvious next step.
"Well?" Lenoa grumped. "Get on with it?"
"W-what do I do?" Afraid to ask the question, Asuna had no other choice.
Muttering something about incompetent elves, Lenoa rolled her eyes. "When you use your magic, you can feel the energy within you. You can adjust the strength of the spell by changing how much energy you put in. Now, don't use any magic, simply call upon the energy and push it out of your hand and into the disk."
Blushing, Asuna took a moment to think over the words. Thinking she understood, she closed her eyes. Treading deep within herself, Asuna easily located the core where she drew her energy from. She could feel the forbidden energy on the other side of a thin membrane. It would be so easy to access. Without a spell to guide and shape the power, it would be suicidal to try and do so. More likely than not, it would blow up in her face.
Deciding not to puncture the energy, Asuna instead extended a tendril of thought to where the hand lay on the metal disc. Now that she was more aware of magic, she could indeed feel the hum from the disc. Creating a link between the two, Asuna now understood the Witch's original statement. She pushed the energy from where it sat in her core, up and out through her arm to the disc.
The wild energy was captured and shaped the disc. Creating strange blue runes the surface of the magical item began humming with power.
"Good, good," the witch muttered without paying attention. All of it was on the symbols appearing on the disc. "I see…"
"I-is this enough?" Asuna asks weakly. She could feel the strain from the absence of the energy blurring her vision. If she'd tried this at level one, she would have passed out already.
"Oh, yes," the witch replied. "Stop now before you break it."
Sighing with relief, Asuna ripped her hand off the plate. Stumbling backwards a few steps, Loki's arms were there to stabilize her.
"Easy now." Loki murmured. "Go sit down over there."
Guiding her over to a closed wooden chest, Asuna sat gratefully upon it. Already though, her vision was stabilizing. With it, the weak feeling in her body was slowly leaving.
"This staff will cost you," Lenoa warns from where she stands above the disc. Still examining it, she speaks idlily.
"They always do," Loki answers, still nonplussed by the witch's antics.
"True," the woman smiles, "But the gems I recommend for this one are rare Ocean Sapphires."
"Don't those come from the Ocean beyond the far east?" Loki asks.
"Indeed," the woman nods. "Others will work, but those would be best for this girl."
"How much?" Loki asks apparently unconcerned.
"Six million," Lenoa smiles nastily. "And another three every time they need replacing."
Considering the number briefly, Loki nods.
Asuna can only sit in open mouthed horror at her goddess.
Six million.
It's a vast sum far larger than Asuna has made during her career as an adventurer.
"L-Loki?" Asuna weakly asked.
"How long until it's ready?" Loki asked, ignoring Asuna.
Shrugging her shoulders, Lenoa has no answer. "Depends how quickly the crystals get here. Probably… a month?"
Nodding her head, Loki seems pleased by the answer. "Good doing business with you."
"Always a pleasure goddess Loki…"
Getting half dragged out of the store, Asuna is in a stupor. First using so much power on the disc, and then the price had stunned her.
"You're confused why I spent so much money on you, yeah?" Loki asked.
"O-of course!" Asuna sputters in reply. "I'm not worth that much!"
"You're right!" Loki agrees, "You're worth far more. If such a paltry sum of money is what is required to keep you alive and help you succeed, then it will have been money well spent."
"Thank you, goddess…" It was hard to stop tears from following the words. Walking half a step back from her vermillion haired goddess, Asuna realized there was no other familia she'd rather be in.
Outside Guild Headquarters:
"Umm, good luck joining a familia…" The parting is awkward, but Philia has no other way of wording it.
The man in front of her is someone she'd never want in her familia.
"This is hard," Rain complained, as the man walked away, an obvious sulk in his shoulders.
"Tell me about…" Philia agrees.
As one the two girls look at the pair causing them the most issues. Miach's good looks and easy smile easily attracted women. All of whom Nazha immediately scared away. However, all the men that were approaching appeared to be more concerned with picking up one of the women.
"Is that…?" Nazha asked.
Following Nazha's finger, Rain's and Philia's eyes widened in surprise.
"Asuna?" Their twin gasps drew the head of the blue-haired mage. Now possessing the matching eyes, she truly was a sight to behold. Her countenance was that of an elf. It was hard for the girls to believe that they used to go to the dungeon with her.
"Ah, Rain Philia." Asuna greeted them. "Nazha and Miach too."
"Eh? These your friends Asu-tan?"
"Loki?" Miach murmured in surprise. "A pleasure as always."
Narrowing her eyes at Miach, Loki seems to dismiss him and waits for Asuna's explanation.
"Yes," Asuna explained with a slight smile. "I used to venture into the dungeon with them. I was introduced to Miach familia when I aided them with a quest."
"I see…" Loki hummed casting an appraising eye over them. "Hey, you two, you hit level two, didn't you?"
Nodding, Rain's face split into a big smile. "We did it Asuna, we're level two!"
"That's great!" She answered back, equally as happy. "I just levelled up yesterday."
"Eh?" Rain exclaimed in surprise. "Impressive!"
"So, how did you level up?" Asuna asked.
"Hehe, it was quite the adventure…"
Thirteenth floor of the dungeon:
"Take that side!"
"More from the back!"
The hallway had descended into chaos. The beleaguered adventurers fought tooth and nail to stop the rampaging hordes.
Trapped in one of the passageways, Rain and Philia found themselves separated from the rest of their party. On the other side of an intersection, the other four adventurers fought, trying to clear a path to them.
Part of the reason they were separated was not their fault. As monsters kept coming a rift was rent which divided them somewhat. However, an onus could be placed on the girls, whom were beginning to feel a bit like a liability as the intensity of the fights increased. As much as it hurt to admit, the two girls knew they were the weak link of the party. The three level two's were clearly superior. While they knew they could match Chigusa in individual talent, her movements and superior coordination with her familia members made her more useful.
"Got it!" Philia assured Rain, arm whipping forward. The knife embedded itself in the Hellhound, stopping its attack. Taking advantage of the opening, Rain cuts it down with her swords.
Panting heavily, Philia takes the time to wipe off her brow. The fighting has continued for close to five minutes now. It was a phenomenon unprecedented on the upper floors. Even getting a monster party dumped on you up there would only take a couple minutes to clear.
The constant high-intensity, high-stress situation drained one's stamina far faster than shorter fights with less time between them.
"Al-miraj!" Rain called out identifying their next target.
"One knife left!" Philia replied, informing Rain of her limited equipment. Philia had bought a set of six almost a month ago. Now, five of them lay on the surrounding dirt floor out of reach.
"I know!" Rain angrily replied. The stress of the situation bringing anger into her voice. "Just… Ah!"
With a cracking noise, the floor under the red-haired swordsman started to give way. With just half a second to jump out of the way, the axe of the almiraj stopped her. Deflecting the thrown weapon, Rain began falling.
"Rain!" Screaming the name of her companion, Philia dove into the hole after her with no thought of her own safety.
"Oh…" Just catching the end of the fight, Kirito's face went white as all blood drained from it. The edge of Philia's cloak was all he caught as she disappeared in the ground.
Renewing his spirit, Kirito began swinging even faster. His light blade felt ineffective. He wasn't able to kill them quick enough. He couldn't make it. By the time they fought their way to where the girls had disappeared the hole had already sealed itself.
"Rain… Philia…" Falling to his knees, Kirito stared in horror at where his long-time party mates had disappeared.
Two level ones on the fourteenth floor… Was a portent of certain death.
"Do they have a map on them?" Ouka asks sadly, the only one still able to talk.
All Kirito could do was shake his head in answer.
"Then let's head to the nearest stairs," Ouka decided. "If they're likely to find us, it will be there."
More than glad to relinquish command of the party, Kirito nodded along obediently and followed after the large man.
Rain:
"Oof!" The fall hurt. Down on all fours, I can't catch my breath. The impact had driven the last of my breath from me. Groaning I force myself to my knees.
"Rain!"
Just rolling out of the way, a pair of feet impacted where my back had just been. Rolling my eyes at Philia, her actions help bring a smile to my face.
It may be my last one.
The thought is sobering.
Forcing myself up, Philia automatically offers me a hand to help. Taking it, I pull myself the rest of the way up.
"Thank you…"
With the words I try to convey multiple meanings. Not for helping me up. But for being my friend in this world. For coming down here with me. I wish she hadn't, but I would have done the same thing for her.
"So, how do we get out of here?" Philia asks with a smile.
We don't.
But I don't say the words. I'm supposed to be the optimistic one. It's the persona I've slowly perfected.
"We need to find a group of adventurers," I declare. "They should know the way out of here."
"Alright," Philia accepts. Nodding along, I see a brief flash of fear cross her eyes. Nonetheless, her face firms up into the stubborn expression that means she won't change her mind for anything.
"Hey, just think," I tell her as I lead us randomly down one of the passages. "Kirito will feel so bad about this that when we'll be able to demand anything we want from him!"
My joke helps to lighten the mood a little. More importantly though, it focuses us. Neither of us would admit, but the strange black-haired boy was extremely important to both of us. We need to survive and return.
Determination resurrected; we make out way back to the thirteenth floor.
"Eh?" Asuna asked surprised. "How did you survive that? That floor is no joke?"
"We're getting to it!" Philia pouts, their epic tale interrupted.
Slowly but surely a crowd had formed around the girls. The telling of the tale summoned the potential adventurers on the street.
This fact was not lost on the gods whom observed them contemplatively. An exchange of tales here may yield them much benefit.
"Urgh!" Breathing heavily, my arms shake holding the Hellhound off me. While not large, the powerful hindlegs of the creature went to work, trying to force its way towards me. My dual blades are crossed in front of me, constantly sending off sparks as its claws crash against the edges.
"Hruu!" Letting out a cry of pain, the giant dog goes limp as Philia stabs it in the back.
Panting heavily, I'm forced to drink a potion.
"Sorry…"
Waving a hand, I dismiss the apology. "Don't be," I assure her with a smile. "you're doing exactly what you need to be."
"Alright," wincing, Philia accepts my words. Without her throwing knives which were left behind on the thirteenth, Philia's fighting range was vastly reduced.
That left the brunt of every encounter to me. It was hard to keep up. Level one's weren't meant to be down here, and I was starting to understand the true meaning of that statement. To put it simply, Philia and I weren't strong enough. Even isolated opponents were a struggle.
"Shall I take point?" Philia asks nervously. Her large eyes displayed her fear for the world to see.
"No, I'm fine," Giving the girl a broad smile, I put every bit of confidence I have into it.
"Alright!" Philia accepts easily. "Lead the way then."
Stepping forward, I resume our path back to the thirteenth floor.
"What do you think the others are doing?" Philia's voice is filled with equal parts longing and resignation.
"I'm sure they're down here looking for us," I assure her. "We'll find them any moment now."
"That's right," Philia agrees with a chuckle, "Kirito always rescues damsels in distress."
"That he does," I laugh back. For once the mood of oppressive gloom has finally lifted. It's moronic, and totally unfounded, yet Philia's words bring a flutter of hope to my breast. That Kirito will again defy the odds and rescue us.
"Almiraj…" I'd tried so long for Philia to remain hopeful, but the appearance of the monsters makes it all vanish instantly. It's what the dungeon excels at, giving you hope then taking it away the next moment.
Drawing my swords, I rush into the unwinnable fight.
Philia:
"Just one more step now, alright?"
"I thought I just took one…"
Rain's weak voice almost breaks my heart. I can't stop the tears trailing down my face as I pull her along the tunnel. Her actions had been nothing short of heroic. She used every tool at her disposal to defeat the monsters.
One of those tools had been her body. The multiple gashes looked like a scene from a horror movie. It took every hi-potion we had to heal her. The wounds had closed, but the blood was still lost. Only an elixir could fix that. As a result, Rain would not be fighting anymore.
It hurt to see her in this condition. A woman, a friend, whom I relied on so heavily. I couldn't give up on her now. Not after the feat she just pulled.
Pulling her along, I felt horrible. I helped, or at least I had tried to. But beside me, Rain was a hurricane. The rate at which she was improving had previously invoked envy. Now I was just upset I couldn't match her.
"Just a couple more steps, that's easy right?"
"Super easy…" Rain chuckled, her eyes unfocused and drifting.
Swallowing the pain, I force myself to keep moving. The dark passageways of ominous black rock are nerve wracking. The crunch of my boots on the loose rock coating the passageway sounded like bullets. The sharp cracks permeated the air making what sounded like an unbelievable racket.
"Hruf."
"Oh no…"
Despite my pleas it was. A hellhound. The black beast turned the corner in front of me, its eyes filled with rage.
"Can you stand Rain?"
"Why'd she have to move away? My poor sister…"
Taking that as a no, I lay her gently to the floor. I'd have to finish this quickly.
Drawing my knife, held in a back-handed stance, I face it in a ready position.
Staring at the weapon, the creature stops. Not bothering to approach further, a red light builds at the back of its throat.
Freezing in place, I can only stare wide-eyed at the light of death as it grows. I can't do this. I can't be a hero.
"All I wanted was to impress her…"
Hearing Rain's murmurings, I gasp. It was as if she knew what I was feeling. Before my eyes flashes the last time this happened. Then it was Kirito that jumped in front of it.
As the blast came, I charged. Holding an arm in front of my face, I dashed through it. I could feel the leather padding I wear singe and curl from the heat. The protective cloth of the spirits was more than a match, however.
"Yah!" Shouting a warcry I down the monster in one blow. Still vulnerable from its attack, surprise flitted across its face during its last moments.
Panting, I stand over the corpse of the creature. Everything feels surreal still. But I know one thing. I won't die down here.
Guild headquarters:
"That's amazing," Asuna murmured as the crowd cheered around them. It was strange. A conversation between friends while an entire crowd eavesdropped on them. Nonetheless, no one said anything to them as Philia finished up telling the tale.
There wasn't much left. A couple more fights, a couple more dead ends, then rescue. Finding a random party, they showed them to the stairs where Kirito and co waited.
"Hehe," Loki chuckled, "What fantastic children you have Miach, and such cuties too…"
"L-Loki," Miach sputtered, "you wouldn't…"
Winking mischievously, Loki elbowed Asuna instead. "Go on and tell yours now."
"It's not really much to tell…" Asuna protested weakly.
"Nonsense!" Loki rejected. "I'm sure the crowd wants to hear your exploits, right?"
With a large cheer, the onlookers enthusiastically answered Loki's question.
"A-alright," Asuna relented. With how indebted she was to her goddess, it was impossible to say no. "It actually has a similar face to your story," Asuna laughs.
As she talked, Asuna wove the tale of how Mikoto and her took down the enhanced Hellhound that briefly terrorized the twelfth floor.
First floor of the dungeon:
Night had fallen so long ago; the sun would be coming up soon. That was what the figure wanted though. Complete isolation was he got accustomed to this world.
The heavy metal shield in his left arm never did what he told it to. The longsword in his right was ungainly and often slipped from his grasp, falling to the dirt floor.
He was in no fear of dying. The goblin before him was slow and pitiful. However, measly the starting gear he had taken from the familia home was, it could turn its claws aside with ease.
With his status he was far faster and stronger than the creature. The three hundred points fueling him to feats the goblin could not hope to match. However, yet again, his errant vertical swing crashed heavily into the dirt floor, leaving his head exposed to a blow. The impact jarred his teeth and rattled his helmet. Pulling back, he took the next few blows on his shield.
Drawing the sword to his side, he thrust forward with the sword. Propped up against the edge of his shield, the blade landed true. Skewering the creature, it fell to the ground dead.
Groaning Heathcliff looked up at the rocky ceiling some six feet above him. The victory tasted sour in his mouth. He was absolutely horrible. It only made sense he told himself. Never in his life had he shown any desire or proficiency for sports. Now his lack of hand-eye coordination and balance were coming back with a vengeance.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
A person? Turning towards the too happy voice, Heathcliff was shocked anyone would be here. Why would you go to the corner of a floor when the dungeon is deserted?
"I was planning on laying low longer. Building up my status, but when I see garbage fighting like that…" Tsking the man slowly shook his head at Heathcliff.
Rather than fear, Heathcliff was glad for the interruption. He had an uncanny ability to see through people. To analyze them and understand what made them tick.
The man in front of him was dressed all in black. The poncho sort of clothing looked insanely uncomfortable. The only thing it did was completely obscure their identity and provide a touch of primordial fear. Their face as well was buried behind a hood and couldn't be seen.
"Who are you?"
The question wasn't the best, but Heathcliff figured it was best to keep the figure talking. With his skill he couldn't die, but still. Was this man from his world or this one? It was concerning that he couldn't tell.
Wasn't the plan to have obvious NPC's? Casting his mind over the question, Heathcliff encountered the weird fog again. Like a half-forgotten memory.
"My name wouldn't mean anything to a dead person!" Laughing wildly at his joke, the man charged.
To his status enhanced senses, it was by no means fast, but it was optimized. It had a grace that Heathcliff doubted he would ever achieve on his own.
Lifting his shield, Heathcliff moved to block the attack.
"Amateur!" The man scoffed evilly.
Dodging around the metal shield, it now served more to block Heathcliff's vision of the assailant than as armour.
"Now die!" Shoving the knife forward towards Heathcliff's chestplate, he finally got a good view of the person's eyes. The black orbs contained a maniac fury.
He seems to hate all people, Heathcliff decided calmly. Or maybe just a subset to which I belong?
As the thoughts traversed his mind, his magic activated. Holy Sword. The passive activation kicked in to force his body to follow the optimal route of defending itself. Heathcliff had suppressed it against the goblins, but now let it activate.
Optimally using his 300 strength and agility, the shield flung itself sideways, knocking the knife out of the man's hand.
"Huh?" Confusion thick in his face, Heathcliff's longsword was moving at the same time. The blazing weapon was powerfully swung from the upper-right with the technique of a master.
The person was fast, but not fast enough. The blade carved through robe and flesh. As they left range, Heathcliff felt the magic turn off and the leaden weight of the equipment return.
"You were… a trap?" the man asked, coughing up blood at the same time. "Shit… Got to… get out of here…"
Pulling a small sphere from his robes, the device emptied smoke into the tunnel completely obscuring Heathcliff's vision.
Shaking his head, he merely sighed. A normal person would have called the assailant a murderer. Tried to have chased them down and brought them to justice. Heathcliff didn't particularly care, however. They were merely another person trying to live their life in this world.
A human. Unlike him, whom was a god. He had killed far more on a whim. Yet it was getting harder and harder to call himself one. It should have been true, and yet his confidence in the statement continued to deteriorate.
Skulking forward, Heathcliff pushed the disturbing thoughts to the side and sought more foes to practice against for another hour.
PS. Thanks for the reviews, I am reading them. I just keep forgetting/not having the time to reply.