Author's note:

Hello again,

Welcome to another chapter. First off, as a warning I won't be posting any new material in August. I'm taking the month off to catch up on other things and projects as well as hopefully do some more in depth planning for the stories. Before then though, I'm hoping to get another two chapters out.

As a side note, I was actually shocked this chapter managed to get so long. When I pulled the ideas together I thought it was going to be far shorter, but alas, more to read I suppose.

Lastly, I hope you are all doing alright during these times and stay safe.

Chapter 27: Rousing rowdy rebels in rogue town

Guild Headquarters:

"Thank goodness…" Breathing a sigh of relief, Eina collapsed at her desk as the early morning sun began to illuminate the entranceway. Ever since hearing about the goliath respawning, Eina had been consumed in a flurry of work. Arguing, signing, drafting, proposing. All on the off chance that hopefully, maybe, she would be able to save even one more life.

"It's strange though," The Ganesha familia captain commented. Her beauty a rival for Eina's despite Eina's lineage as a half-elf. "Whoever it was that took the goliath down didn't go to Riveria. Or if they did, they didn't announce that they killed the goliath."

"Really?" Eina asked, her brain still working enough for this one final conversation. Ticking just over a full day of work, Eina was eager to go home and collapse upon her bed.

"Yeah," Shakmi commented, looking mystified, or maybe just miffed that the mission Ganesha familia had accepted was completely pointless. "It will be interesting to see if and who will come forward to claim the kill credit."

"They may be hiding it," Eina suggested, "to prevent their familia rank from increasing."

"Hmm, an angle I hadn't considered," the captain conceded, signing the final form and pushing it across the table to Eina. "Taxes are annoying after all."

"They help the guild run," Eina assured her with a smile, taking the documents and bundling them. Waving goodbye to the Ganesha familia captain, Eina's heart felt light. Whatever had happened to Kirito and his familia on their trip, they hadn't died to the goliath. She didn't know where they were, but something told her that Kirito would come back.

"Ahh, why do I have to come to work so early…" A young voice whined, sliding into the space beside Eina.

Instantly that good mood vanished under a storm cloud of anger. "Misha…"

"Hey Eina… Doing work already?"

"…"

"Is something wrong? You shouldn't glare like that or your face will be stuck like that forever, you know?"

"…Do you feel no remorse!?" Eina exploded at her friend. Despite the two of them being extremely close, Eina sometimes couldn't take Misha's laziness and lack of accountability. "People could have died because of you!"

"I-I told you," Misha whined, holding back tears in her eyes. "I submitted it! I really did!"

Eina wanted to continue her tirade, but her anger fled fast, leaving only exhaustion and a headache. Rubbing her head, she apologized. "Sorry. Have a good day at work, I'll see you tomorrow."

"W-what!? How can you leave if you only got here!?"

"Misha… I haven't left."

"Oh…" Blushing deeply, Eina thought that it was the most repentant she had ever seen her friend. "S-sorry. I guess I should have stayed and comforted you yesterday."

"No, no." Eina sighed, waving off the apology. "I'm fine, seriously. See you." Emerging from behind the desk, Eina instantly bumped into someone she hadn't seen. "Oh, my apologies."

"N-No, I wasn't watching where I was going and umm…"

"Bell…"

"He's always like this Hestia, clams up as soon as he sees a pretty girl."

"Hmm, and he always seems so rigid and proper."

Blinking at them, Eina's tired brain finally put the information together. The goddess in front of her with the two followers, one of which ran into… was Kirito's goddess. "Goddess Hestia?"

"Uhh, do I know you, half-elf?"

"W-well, no… but, I advise one of your followers."

"Kirito…" The goddess breathed back, fear in her eyes. "Where is he? I know they aren't supposed to be back until tomorrow, but then word was going around about a surprise floor boss and…"

Holding up a hand to stop the high-pitched tirade that was worsening her headache, Eina had to press a finger to her temple until the ringing stopped. "We just got news that the goliath was killed yesterday. There appears to have been no casualties, but they couldn't find the group responsible for the deed.

"Thank goodness," Hestia breathed, some of the fear leaving her. "I mean… I know they're all still alive because my number of bonds haven't gone down, but it's nice to hear. Thank you, elf."

"It was my pleasure to help you goddess." Giving her a short bow, Eina turned to the other two and repeated the gesture. The boy's face heating for some reason.

"W-wait a minute elf," Hestia called. "You… aren't umm, involved with Kirito, are you?"

This time, it was Eina's turn to blush as she was reminded of Kirito's romantic entanglements. "I-I am, not one of his, uh… members. No." Blushing profusely while saying it, Eina shifted under their gazes.

"Okay! Well thanks again!"

With that, Eina could only watch as the three of them left her behind, going to one of the counters to discuss something with one of the other guild members. The prum girl that had said nothing before appeared to be the one talking the most now.

Outside in the rising sun's light, the memory of the encounter drifted away, leaving only one thing on Eina's mind: sleep.

Asuna:

"Urgh…" Groaning, my head feels like it is filled with needles. Each one red hot and pulsing, sending wave after wave of pain. Covering my head with my arms, I roll over seeking some sort of reprieve from the pain.

Hand stretching out, it paws over a rough surface: the waterskin. Memories faintly coming back to me, I remember drinking some before collapsing for a second time. Grabbing it toward myself, I play with the cap while blind. Eventually getting it open, some spills over my hand and onto the ground. Bringing it to my mouth, I pour it over my face. Noisily gulping down every drop I can get.

"Ahh…" Sighing from the relief of fresh water, even if it was lukewarm, I could feel it nourishing my body. Eyes snapping open, I cap the waterskin and throw it back to the floor, the mostly empty container sloshing loudly. Stretching, I wince as various parts of my body hurt. My stomach and rib area in particular are still stinging from the blow I sustained. The only other notable area is still my head. Although the water has soothed the pain greatly, I can still feel the needles, less hot, but still pulsing a duller pain.

Taking another few steps, I threw back the tent entrance and emerged into the grassy knoll that our recent coalition claimed. I had to admit, it was a beautiful area, if quite far from the path. I don't know who chose it, but they did a good job.

"Asuna!"

"It's good to see you!"

Wincing from the loud voices, I couldn't help but break into a smile instantly after the pain subsided. Standing in front of Rain and Philia, it was hard to not be filled with joy. Their friendship had been extremely important to me while figuring out who I was as an adventurer.

"It's good to see you as well," I assure them politely. "Have you recovered all right?"

"Nope!" Rain interjected, "not good enough!" With no more waning she launched herself at me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Eep!" Squeaking, my attempts to throw her off were thwarted by another presence, Philia, further restricting my movements. Too weak to resist, I stood there, the sensation gradually changing from unwelcome to acceptable. "…I missed you as well."

"You shouldn't have left." Philia growled into my arm. Rain confirmed this by nodding against me as well.

"…" Sighing, there was nothing I could say. Wrapped by their contact I felt safe. Yet, an adventurer can't always be safe. If I ever want to return to the old world, I will have to take on numerous unsafe challenges, like yesterday.

As more commotion sounded around us, the girls peeled themselves off. I was surprised to find myself missing their contact. Or maybe just any contact in general. The only person I'd touched in weeks was Loki, and that was only my back when she updated my status.

Catching sight of my weary and beaten party beginning to stir for the day, I froze. Glancing down at myself I breathed a sigh of relief that I was still wearing all of my clothes. My battle cloth was certainly worse for wear, but it was still in one piece. More than could be said for much of the others' weapons and armour. Lifting my arm, I tentatively smelled at myself.

Instantly I regretted the decision as my enhanced senses informed me of my foul odor. A combination of a day of sweat and work all mixed in with monster blood and offal. I was repulsive. Wondering why Rain and Philia didn't comment on it, it clicked that they probably smelled the same.

"Hey… Do you girls maybe want… To take a bath together? I know a…"

"YES PLEASE!" Blown back a step by their eager answer, I saw numerous excited faces popping out from all over the place.

"A-all right then… Why don't we eat breakfast first, then we can bathe and hit up Riveria."

Seeing no dissention, I began looking for a pot to do just that. As a large familia, every Loki familia member except the leaders took turns cooking. Up to ten people on a shift per night, responsible for making food for the others. Breakfast as well, people cooked but that was more of a free-for-all. Some of the early risers typically making extra for people getting up later. As such, my entire party was quite proficient in cooking dishes.

However… "There is nothing to cook, is there?" I sigh at Lind.

"Fret not," he assures me. "there is some stuff that grows in the forest. It isn't much, but combined with the salted rations we brought along, it will get us by."

Nodding mutely, I couldn't express my disappointment. For some reason I imagined I could make toast with a nice layer of butter. So warm and tasty…

Snapping my mouth shut before I began drooling, I let the others serve me, finding myself seated on a tree stump while the others were scattered along the floor. The grass certainly looked more than soft enough to sit on. Still, their ministrations weren't unwelcome, even if they were embarrassing.

"My my," Rain teased, plopping down beside me. "You didn't say anything about establishing your own harem."

"I'm not!" I whine back at her, checking quickly to see who had heard. Thankfully only Lind was in range, and while his cheek twitched, he didn't acknowledge the comment. "Actually…" I whisper at her. "I'm not sure why they are being this nice to me…"

This drew a snort from Philia while Rain rolled her eyes. "You're kidding, I hope? After that stunt you pulled on the seventeenth, I'd treat you like a queen as well if you weren't my friend first."

"O-Oh," I mumbled. "But I didn't do anything, you guys got us out."

"Asuna," Rain replied, completely monotone, "I could have collapsed maybe three of those tunnels with a use of my magic. You brought down like fifty killing hundreds of monsters while doing so."

"Yeah," Philia murmured, "you sure know how to make a girl feel useless."

"S-sorry…" I find myself replying, not sure how to respond to their praise.

"I would have called that the highlight if Kirito hadn't fucking one-shot a floor boss right after." Rain sighed, a mixture of disbelief and awe touching her features. "I'll need to do better next time."

"Same," Philia nodded confidently. "I should have been able to do more."

"W-wait," I hold my hand. Wondering if I had been hallucinating words. "K-Kirito… Did what?"

"You've seen his magic, right?" Rain asked.

Nodding, I remembered vaguely the spear of black material. I'd seen it once only. To be honest, I'd found the spell somewhat forgettable. Meant for single foes and not really helpful against… Single foes.

"Oh." Piecing it together, I wavered slightly, not eating as I thought about it. "How did he get the spell off?"

"Dodged an attack," Philia broke in. "Barely caught a glimpse of it myself. Chant didn't falter while doing it."

This time I shivered; my gaze drawn to a small black tent residing on the edge of the clearing. Wondering why it always had to black, I couldn't believe his audacity. Using concurrent casting against a floor boss. There was no reason to either. He could have just run. Left us to die.

As if my thoughts had been a summons, he appeared. The flap lifting to reveal the boy. Heart racing faster at the mere sight of him. I felt a small smile work its way unto my face.

"Oh no…" Panicking, I jolt to my feet.

I love you.

Those words that I had spoken. Back when I believed them to be my last. I wanted him to know. My living complicated everything. Considering running away, I force my knees to bend, lowering myself back to the stump.

"Over here Kirito!" Rain called, patting the spot between Philia and her.

"We have food for you!"

"Thank you…" Kirito muttered in return, smiling softly at the girls. Rolling my eyes, I couldn't believe the dopey looks on their faces. One smile and they were practically his loyal servants.

Or I'm just mad he didn't smile at me.

Telling myself to shove it, I focus on the food. The salted meat is tough and chewy, but it does the trick. Every bite I can feel more of the much needed energy and vitamins my body was sorely lacking return.

"Don't you have anything to say?" Rain prompted Kirito once he was sat.

"Uh…"

Staring angrily at the boy, I ripped another large piece of meat off while glaring down at him. From this angle it made it all too easy.

"Kirito…" Philia pushed him again.

"Asuna," Kirito finally got out, "umm… w-well, thanks. For everything."

"You're welcome," I reply cordially, turning back to my food as Kirito did the same. A wall instantly erecting itself between us. The whole area's mood died. Rain and Philia were likewise forced into silence as the four of us ate.

"I'm back!" A voice shouted breaking the quiet lull around the clearing. Entering the clearing was Hestia familia's newest recruit, Strea. Simply looking at her made me want to cover my chest with my arms. I wasn't flat… but still! They shouldn't get that large!

"Did you go somewhere Strea?" Kirito asked politely.

"You bet!" she answered, slinging her massive sword to the side. "I've been keeping watch since we set up camp!"

Choking slightly on the food, I turned my head to Lind, wondering if its true. I remembered coming to for a few minutes after the fight, still in the boos room, bodies gathered by the slide down to the eighteenth while the last few awake members tried to sort us out. Jamming mind potions down my throat, they got me conscious enough to cast my healing magic. After that, the next thing I knew was waking up in the tent.

Darting to his feet, Lind bowed deeply. "My humblest apologies! Standing guard completely slipped my mind!"

"I too must apologize," Kirito followed up, looking abashed. "I should have done a shift. You certainly shouldn't have been forced to do that."

"No," Strea denied, somehow finding the energy to look happy. "I should have helped more in the fight. This was the least I could do!"

Gaping slightly at her, I could scarcely believe it. She was a true gem. A pure soul. If Kirito ever rejects her, I'll make sure Loki picks her up. Anyone, even a high-level adventurer would be completely exhausted after exploring the dungeon all day, having a fight to the death with a floor boss, and then after all of that, standing guard for at least twelve hours.

"U-umm Strea," I address her. "Us girls were going to have a bath after breakfast if you want. Of course I understand if…"

"Yeah! I'll be there! Is Kirito coming?"

"And here I thought Yui had taught her some humility…" Philia mutters under her breath.

"W-wha!?" I stutter at her. "O-of course he isn't! I-I mean if he was…" Trailing off a sickening thought wormed its way into my head. "He… He doesn't, usually take baths with you, does he?"

"Nope!" Strea alleviated my worries while the person in question ducked his head blushing. "At least… not with me!"

"…Kirito."

"I-I don't!" The boy insisted. "I haven't with umm… any of them…"

"Although if he did," Rain commented casually still eating, "you wouldn't be able to complain."

Staring at each other, I was forced to look away, cheeks heating. Her words stung because they were true. That also seemed to be where Kirito's relationship with the girls was moving to, and quickly at that.

Conversation dying, everyone else finally extracted themselves from their tents and joined us in eating. Looking around the circle of people, I noticed a clear divide. On the left of me was my party. On the right, Hestia and Miach familia. Then Take Mikazuchi familia which had taken up residence beside Hestia familia's younger members. That left a large space across from me where empty space remained. Our groups still too wary of each other to close that gap.

Then there was me, left in the middle of them. Split between two sides. Hoping the bath would clear my mind, I ate slowly not engaging in conversation.

Lisbeth:

"That's quite the sword…"

"What the…!" Jumping up in surprise, the blacksmith tumbled sideways to the ground, falling from the rotary whetstone. Getting up quickly, Welf glared at me. "This is my personal forge, what are you doing here?"

"Grr…" Growling softly, I try to not the words hurt but that's impossible. This is a smith so skilled that Hephaistos gave him his own forge so that people wouldn't steal his techniques. I got a general forge because I have no techniques to steal and needed all the tips and tricks I could get. "I heard you got into a scuffle with your contract."

"People are blowing it out of proportion." Welf snapped back, returning to the chair. Peddling slowly, the whetstone began turning, allowing Welf to lay the blade against it for sharpening.

"Or maybe you don't like the fact that you owe him a magic sword."

"He didn't even want one!" Welf snapped back, his temper clearly frayed. "It was just his familia pushing him to try and get one."

Shaking my head, I didn't see how Welf couldn't find the hypocrisy in his own words. Adventurers wanted magic swords because they were get out of jail free cards. An ultimate trump that required zero skill or finesse. Free of the time constraints of normal magic.

"Well," Welf snapped at me, "why are you here."

Taking a deep breath first, I prepared my request. "I want you to teach me to make magic swords."

"Huh!?" Welf responded stupefied.

"I want to learn from you. My first attempt wasn't good enough, I want to get better."

Standing up swiftly, Welf knocked the chair away as he approached me, fire in his eyes. "You think you can just waltz in here and learn from me!? I have better shit to do than teach you to hurt metal."

Not backing down, I stood face-to-face with him, back straight. "You have the knowledge I need. Name your price. One week of lessons."

"Didn't you hear my answer, hell no! Get the fuck out of my shop and don't bring that drivel to me ever again!"

Biting my lip as Welf stalked away, I debated listening to him for half a second. However, if I walked out now, I'd only cement Welf's beliefs. That magic swords are unreliable, and people should depend on their own normal steel weapons instead. Taking a second to glance out the window, I winced at the noon sun. I'd been naïve. I realized now I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.

Knees folding, I lowered myself to the paved stone ground. Resting my palms flat against the surprisingly cool surface, I knelt fully. As if genuflecting to a god. Forehead against the concrete, I began my test.

My will against Welf's.

Sachi:

"Oh, it's so beautiful…" Murmuring from the back, I took another step forward, gazing in wonder at the crystal-clear blue pond that Asuna led us to. It was located almost at the edge of the floor, a waterfall trickling slowly at the back. Gazing into it, I could see the bottom. Even the deepest parts were fairly shallow; maybe 3 or 4 metres.

The clarity though…

Blushing, I realized I wouldn't be able to hide from the other girls. Without swimsuits… Face going molten red, I scuttled back to beside Chigusa. Like me, Chigusa wasn't moving. Pulling awkwardly on her clothes like she knew it was going to happen at some point, but the embarrassment was too strong right now.

"WheeHee, I'm first!" Exclaiming with a chiming laugh, Strea dove into the pool, knees to chest creating a massive splash. Glancing around the others, I saw that most of them had finished stripping. Mikoto was done and striding confidently forward, even if a small blush touched her cheeks. Asuna as well was getting in demurely.

Leafa and Silica appeared to be somewhat hesitant, however for different reasons. Silica kept glancing around, then holding an arm across her chest. Leafa meanwhile was staring at the water, a disconcerted expression on her face.

"Are you alright Leafa?" Asuna asked, walking back to the shore as she realized their delay.

"Y-Yes… I just thought it would be umm… shallower."

"Aww, are you scared of water!?" Strea teased, having heard after finally coming up for air. "Don't worry! The Water Witch will save you if you start drowning!"

"Don't call me that!" Asuna pled, finally looking embarrassed.

The girls interacting fairly normally despite their nudity began to settle my nerves. "They won't judge me, they won't judge me…" Repeating the statement over and over again, I got my shirt over my head.

"We can do this," Chigusa assured me in her quiet voice. Sending me a small smile of confidence, she stripped first, propelling me on to follow her example.

"Surrounding area looks good," Rain announced approaching the edge we were using as a deposit for our clothes. "Doubt we will have any monsters show up."

"Thank you for checking," Asuna speaks to them turning away from Leafa. "We don't really have enough people to bother with two shifts. May as well risk it."

Shrugging in answer the two girls quickly stripped as well. Despite starting well ahead of them, I approached the water tentatively as the two Miach familia members dove in, ready to forget their stresses from yesterday.

Entering from right beside Leafa, I stole a look at the girl's face. It was tensed up in a mixture of apprehension and fear. Only a small barrier separating her and full-blown panic. "Umm, are you okay?"

"Huh? O-Oh yeah. M-Maybe I'll just watch the edge for you all…"

"U-Umm," I reply nervously not wanting to overstep my bounds. "I think… you'll be a lot happier if you end up going in."

"W-were you afraid of water as well?" Leafa asks urgently as I dip my feet in.

"No," I answer honestly. "But I was afraid of almost everything else. Dying, what was happening in the real world, strangers, the monsters. The list was endless."

"How did you get over it?"

Thinking about the question, I sat on a rock, the water swirling around my mid calves. "To be honest, I'm sure if I fully am yet, but I had help," I finally say. "My friends and familia have been very supportive of me. Teaching me and praising my abilities. Showing me how much someone can accomplish if they are willing to be brave. Kirito as well was… Inspirational." Blushing I remembered my first time on the tenth floor. When Kirito swooped in and saved me from the hard armored. "So, umm… I think I understand a little. I-If you want help, I'll be right here."

"…I'd like that," Leafa answered after a brief pause. Looking over at her, I found that she was staring at me. Seeing her small smile, I replied in kind, with one equally as timid.

"You know," I admit, "I never thought I'd get along with you. You became an adventurer after me, and yet you hit level two at the same time if not earlier. During the trip down, you were so aggressive, wanting to fight things, to test your strength. I was content to sit there and put magic stones in my pack."

Leafa chuckles slightly in reply, sitting beside me so that she can also put her feet in the water. Sighing as the cool liquid melts away the residual aches.

"S to bond over being afraid together…" Blushing, I struggle to finish my words. "It's nice."

"Yeah, it is. Thank you Sachi. You're very kind."

Flashing me a bigger smile, Leafa places her hand on my leg in support. Finding some well of courage from this conversation, I place a hand on her arm as a show of solidarity. As I do so, my gaze drifts down to her completely naked body and then to my identical one.

Shooting myself away from her, I blush deeply as I close my eyes. "S-sorry, I wasn't… I mean!"

"Oh, were you hitting on Leafa?" Rain interrupts, an evil twinkle in her eye as she instantly picks up on my distressed state. The mischievous idol seems to be able to pick up on discomfort from a mile away. "You shouldn't try and steal Kirito's imouto away from…"

"Huh?" Glancing toward where Rain's words cut off, the girl is standing there stunned, staring at Leafa.

"L-Leafa!" She whines loudly. "You're supposed to be younger than me! Why are you so big already!"

"Eep!" Leafa squeaks as all of our eyes naturally gravitate toward her chest.

Looking down at my own, I realize that, like Rain, Leafa appears to have surpassed me in that department. With her armour on it was hard to tell, but her body is quickly transitioning towards that of a woman's.

"I-I've just been in a growth spurt recently!"

"Grr…" Hearing a soft growl beside me, I turn to face the noise as Rain begins to approach Leafa, intent on berating the younger girl. Silica is standing on my other side, arms crossed over her chest as she glares at Leafa. "It's not fair… I'm not growing at all."

"Umm, is that really an issue though?" I ask her.

"Yes," she shoots back. "How am I supposed to get Kirito to ever see me as a woman if I look like a little girl?"

"O-Oh… But umm… I thought he was with Rain…"

"You haven't heard?" Silica replies confused. "He's made a harem."

"Eep!" Squeaking loudly, I stared in disbelief at the small girl, her cat ears twitching in confusion "A-a harem!?"

Without looking at the pond, I could feel the mood shift. A general wariness rising from the girls not in my familia. Hunching my shoulders over, I nervously turned around. It had the feeling of a gun duel. A strange triangle mostly formed between Asuna, Rain, and Philia. Leafa slowly joined as well as her embarrassment faded.

"What's with you all?" Strea laughed gaily. "It was the best option, wasn't it? Otherwise you'd all be attacking each other with swords right now!"

Asuna merely turned around and swam toward the waterfall, clearly not wanting to get involved with anything. Staring after her for a moment, I was mesmerized by her beauty. Her elven body was supple and perfect in a way that left me feeling ungainly and splotchy. The way she moved through the water had a natural grace to it as well, like this was her home element.

"A-are you being serious right now?" Mikoto asked. Returning form her swim across the pond. "Kirito always seemed so shy to me during our interactions."

"Hehe, he isn't so shy at night," Philia chuckled evilly, an ugly lust in her eyes. Gulping, I stared across the pond in horror. Have they all…?

"You've!" Chigusa's voice rang out in shock. The usually near inaudible girl gasping in surprise as she listened in to the conversation.

"No," Rain rectified Philia's misunderstanding with a roll of her eyes. "I think we've all kissed him though."

Still though, the statement made me stare in wonder. It was so hard to believe, so different from what I had grown up to expect. And yet… they looked happy.

"Grr…"

For the most part.

"Oh, I guess Silica and Strea haven't. Uhh, my bad?"

"Stupid Kirito." Once again, the two girls spoke on top of each other. Mirror images despite being almost complete opposites. Strea had the body of a woman grown while Silica was still struggling to enter puberty and the changes it brought.

"I suppose I wish you luck on this endeavour," Mikoto replied meekly, struggling, like me, to fully come to grips with this.

"Thanks," Rain accepts with a grunt. "But enough of… Whoa! H-Hang on Mikoto, how large are you!?"

"Eep!" The girl squeaked. My sub commander, unflappable in the dungeon. I'd seen her face down hordes of monsters without blinking. Confident in the training and experience she had accumulated through years of hard work. Yet, one belligerent idol diving at her was all it took to send her swimming away.

"No! Come back! It isn't fair!" Rain took off after the girl, chasing her around the pool.

Sharing a chuckle with Chigusa, I made my way to the edge, wanting time to relax before we had to return.

"Stay away from me!"

"No! Just one squeeze! Please!?"

Closing my eyes, the water felt immaculate on my tired body. I could only imagine how good it must be for the others that worked harder than I did.

"No! They are reserved for Take only!"

"Huh!? You have a thing for your god!?"

"T-that's not what I meant! J-Just stay away."

Mind peacefully drifting off, the girls playing around with each other made a pleasant backdrop of sound within the tranquil forest.

Kirito:

"…"

"…"

"…"

Silence reigning supreme, I chewed slowly, not saying anything. The mood around the clearing was incredibly awkward. Ouka and I sat a good two metres apart while the Loki familia members were clustered on the other side. Every time I scanned over them, I caught Lind's gaze, the man not reacting as he had during the previous encounters we've had.

"How long are they going to take!?" One of the Loki members exploded finally.

"We should just go…" Another one answered.

"It's not like they'll be in danger from monsters."

"True, they're crazy strong."

Listening to the conversation, I smiled slightly. The Loki familia members weren't wrong. I constantly found myself struggling to keep up with the girls. Especially having Mikoto and the other Take Mikazuchi members around made me conscious of my movements. Each one of them had trained for years to master a variety of weapons.

"I am surprised Chigusa and Sachi joined in," Ouka rumbled to me. "They've never been the most outgoing."

Surprised to find the stoic man opening up to me, I take a second to compose my reply. "I think… They'd be more embarrassed to be the only one's to turn down an offer."

"Sounds like you have experience with that kind of thing."

"Ha…" Laughing weakly, I didn't know what to say. Admit that I was a huge loser before coming to this world? "Some."

Ouka nodded casually. "I grew up poor. Barely had enough food to keep us all fed. However, I grew with up friends surrounding me."

"Umm, okay?" I had no idea where he was going with this.

"…I guess, I'm trying to say… that I don't understand your life, but I had my own struggles."

"Ahh…" Nodding along, I felt like I finally got what Ouka was saying. He was like me. Or maybe the old me. Quiet, few words to say, yet he had people that he'd die for. "So, you came to Orario because you were tired of poverty?"

"In a way," Ouka nodded slowly, starting to open up. "Our whole familia lived in the far east. When we were old enough, Take brought us here so that we could make money to send it back home. We use it to help out the orphanages."

Blinking, I hadn't expected such an ending to the story. "You really aren't like other adventurers, huh?"

"No," Ouka agreed, finally smiling. "We aren't. Part of why we never tried to recruit anyone or expand the familia."

"Until Sachi and them," I probed.

"Yeah, Keita kind of just… stumbled into us. Begged us to take them in. Promised they would work hard, not disrupt our usual proceedings…"

"I'm guessing they did," I laugh at his expression. A half smile touched with disbelief split his rough face.

"Yeah, they really brightened up the house. I think I'm changing as a leader because of them. Act…" Words cutting off, I followed his gaze to the third person that was joining us, Lind.

"Uh, hey."

Nodding back, I stared at him in confusion, wondering what he could possibly want. The man hadn't been able to stand me.

"I was wondering if you could uh… Maybe tell us how you took down the floor boss." Lind's voice was pitched just high enough so that the other Loki familia members could hear. "N-None of us were really able to see anything at the time… So, I thought…"

"Uhh… Sure," I answer despite not wanting to talk about it. There was little I could say about the event. "I used my magic on it. With Leafa distracting it, I was able to get it off in time."

They all looked extremely disappointed with my barebones answer.

"There is a difference between humility and lying," Ouka rumbled, "you have crossed it."

"N-No!" I stutter back, embarrassed by the man's remark. "I killed it with my magic."

"Yes, while concurrent casting and jumping three metres off the ground and destroying its right arm."

"Amazing…"

Blushing slightly, I avert my gaze from their awe-filled faces. That moment is so blurry in my memory that it's possible Ouka remembers it more clearly than me. I could only recall two things from the final moments, Asuna's words, and that Leafa was about to die for saving me.

"Damn dude, well, can I just say… Sorry?"

Glancing back at Lind, I stare at him, not comprehending his words.

"I… Kind of misjudged you the first few times we met. Thought you were a bit of womanizer. But you are a good person, thank you for saving our lives."

"Uhh…" This time I am truly lost for words. Scratching my head, Lind bowed deeply to me. The gesture was far deeper than I was comfortable with. Especially considering he was definitely older than me. Although most adventurers are.

"Now that that's over, let's head on over to Riveria! Maybe I just need a new blade to start killing floor bosses!"

"Yea, in your dreams dude!"

"I must say, I am curious to lay eyes on this Rogue town I've heard so much of," Ouka added on.

"Ah, right," Lind smiles at the two of us. "Neither of you have been, have you?"

"No," I admit, "that was one of the reasons I really wanted to do this expedition."

"You're in for a treat," Lind says, a knowing smile touching his lips. "Want to head over now?"

"I-I would," I reply not wanting to break this newfound camaraderie. Especially with men who I have a notoriously bad record of interacting well with. Bell only the latest on my list of failures. "But the girls would kill me if they came back and found out that we left without them."

"Let's just leave a note," Lind replies like it's no big deal. "Tell them they were being slow and should catch up to us."

"Haha…"

"May as well," Ouka agrees to my surprise. "We only have a limited time after all."

"Hmm…" Still debating it, the warning bells were going off in my head. However, they weren't blaring like sirens, so I was pretty sure I wasn't in bodily harm risk level yet.

"Oh, come on! Surely the goliath slayer is allowed to visit a town without permission?"

"Yeah, I don't see a leash on your neck!"

Cheeks heating slightly from their comments, I find a strange smile growing on my face. Getting prodded into an ill-advised adventure with friends. It may be a stupid idea, but it would be fun whatever happened. "Alright. Let me just write a note quick."

Asuna:

Standing under the waterfall, I was surprised steam didn't come off my body. I had underestimated how hard it would be. To hear them talk about their intimate experiences with Kirito while I was left with… Nothing. No, not nothing, the product of my choices. I wanted to aid my familia in its goals. Enough to give up on Kirito.

Then I went and confessed.

Glowering again, I turned the waves of embarrassment into anger. Maybe that was why I was feeling so sensitive today. I bared my feelings with the prospect of death. Without actually having died, I was left in an awkward state. Where Kirito knew how I felt. How I had tried so long to not feel. But having him in front of me… I had to say to it.

Closing my eyes, the surrounding sounds increased in volume as I focused on them. Many of the girls were having a good time, splashing and swimming around. On top of that was the dull pounding of the gentle waterfall hitting my head and shoulders. Digging deeper, I found a missing emotion: regret. I didn't feel it for my actions. I may be a raw nerve right now, sensitive to everything around me, but I was glad I told him.

"Hey, you umm, doing alright?"

"Huh?" Whirling around, I hadn't noticed the approach. Staring into Philia's hesitant brown eyes, I didn't know how to respond.

"I guess we were kind of insensitive back there, huh? It's easy to forget that you knew Kirito before any of us."

"Besides Argo," I smile, thinking back to the incorrigible Renard girl. "Also, I guess Leafa knew him back in the other world."

"I suppose," Philia replies hesitantly, "although based on Kirito's stories you'd think that he was a different person back then."

"I was as well." I reply seriously.

"…O-Okay," Philia says, the conversation clearly not going how she expected it to. "I just wanted to say, that if you told Kirito you wanted to join, I'm sure he'd accept you. I would certainly enjoy seeing you more."

"…It is nice to see you and Rain again," I murmur back, not addressing the main point. "However… I can't do that. Your familias are friendly. Your deities can accept a cross familial relationship. Kirito and my goddesses though… They hate each other. It would be a complete betrayal of my familia."

Taking a deep breath, I composed the rest of my words. "I am sorry for my infantile behaviour; I will try to be better from now on."

"Asuna…" Philia replied pained.

"Come, let's join the others." Walking around her, I led her close to the edge back, avoiding the deep hole in the middle where we would have to swim. Even there though, there was little risk. The pools can't get too deep with more floors beneath us.

"Hmm…"

"Umm…" Forced to stop moving, I found my way blocked by Strea. She was staring intently at my face, thoroughly examining me. "D-do you need something?" I didn't know how to deal with this girl. We'd never had a proper conversation. She was simply another girl who had popped up and seemed to have fallen in with Kirito.

"You're pretty! No wonder Kirito likes you so much."

"U-Umm…"

"You could be a little nicer though…"

"S-sorry…" Overwhelmed by her abrupt mannerisms, I couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Strea," Philia chastised her. "Asuna saved us, couldn't you be a little nicer?"

"Hmm, maybe it's my exhaustion from standing guard all night!" She answered with a playful wink.

Chuckling slightly, I found myself liking her. She did us a great favour, although I was confused at how she still looked so fresh despite the long day. "Yes, thank you for that."

"Don't worry about it!" Strea chirped happily. "As thanks… Can I have the date with Kirito?"

"Huh? W-why are you asking me!?"

"What are you talking about?" Philia inquired, narrowing her eyes at the girl. "I haven't heard anything about this."

"Weeell," Strea said, drawing out the word, "we realized that since we aren't going back to the surface today… One of us should get an evening date with Kirito!"

"B-But why did you ask me for it?" I stuttered, once again trying to contain that rising anger that came from thinking Kirito and the girls.

"Isn't it obvious?" Strea asked confused, an evil twinkle shining in her eye. "We're in the dungeon. Unlike on the surface Kirito and you can have a secret tryst here."

"S-Strea!?" I stutter, my cheeks heating. "W-We aren't like that."

"Hmm, I do like the idea of a night date with Kirito though…" Philia commented.

"Ooooh," Rain squealed with excitement jumping on Philia's back to enter the conversation. "A night date with Kirito!? How do we decide who gets it? Maybe like… a competition?"

"What about a quiz about Kirito?" Mikoto suggests randomly, her face strangely red. Had I missed something? Disregarding it as unimportant, the situation has run away from me. There was nothing I could say to stop it.

"How are you going to run a quiz on him?" Leafa queries sharply with a suspicious gaze.

"Well," Mikoto shrugs, "it will be questions with no correct answer. Sachi and Chigusa will help me judge to determine who the worthiest is!"

Taken aback by the girl's excitement, her eyes were shining with the love of a maiden. Not for Kirito I didn't think, but she was obviously a closeted romanticist.

"I'm not sure I…"

"I don't think…"

"Nonsense!" Mikoto overruled her two familia members. "Now, the first question is this!"

"We're starting already…" Philia muttered beside me in confusion.

"I guess so…" I replied quietly, still unsure about whether I should be participating in this.

"Now!" Mikoto posed dramatically, fist clenched staring off into the distance, "Kirito admits to you in a moment of weakness that he has always dreamed of being saved by a woman and getting princess carried away from danger! What do you do?"

"…"

Stunned, I blinked at the girl in confusion. Could it be… "Are these… just her fantasies?"

"…Yeah, I'm guessing they are."

Giggling with Philia, the answers begin pouring out of them.

"I squeal and hold him close to me!" Strea answers immediately, grabbing Silica to show a demonstration. Staring at them, I blush deeply, remembering that we're all naked currently. The scene was… extremely lewd.

"A-Ahh…" Mikoto stutters, "Strea and Silica are disqualified for being too… too sensual."

"No fair!" Silica complains managing to free her head, "this was all Strea."

"The judge's decisions are final," Rain teases, sticking her tongue out at the disappointed girl.

"No! I refuse to… Ahh!" Giving one last scream, Silica was eaten back up by Strea who seemed to have been completely taken by her fantasy.

"…" Unable to keep up with the theatrics, I was left stupefied as the answers began to roll in.

"I would thank him for being so honest with me…" Leafa supplied, voice trailing off in embarrassment.

"I would promise to fulfill his desire whenever he wants," Rain says confidently before her cheeks break out in colour.

"Hehe," Philia tacks on, chuckling with a menace I'd never heard from her before. "I would fulfill it right then and there, carrying him away to a safe place where we would…"

"Philia," Rain spoke, voice strained, "your true colours are showing."

"Too lewd!" Mikoto declared, "Philia is disqualified."

"We would snuggle! Snuggle!" Philia pointless protested as Mikoto cut down her argument with a single shake of her head.

"Asuna?" Mikoto probed turning to me.

"Huh? Y-You want my answer?"

"Of course!" The far eastern girl declared pointing at me dramatically. "It seems you may be the person who needs it the most!"

"Hmm, it seems like we have a biased judge," Rain sighs.

"U-Uhh, well…" Trailing off, I try to come up with what Mikoto would want to hear. But it's not just her, Sachi and Chigusa would be judging as well. Giving up on pleasing the judges, I think about what I would actually do. "I think… If Kirito told me a secret… I'd be happy. A-and… I'd umm, tell him I accept it and then maybe… tell him one of mine?" Overcome by embarrassement by the end of my answer, I blush deeply, ducking my head as my words come off like a question.

Hearing no answer, I begin looking around, wondering what went wrong. Was my answer strange? Apparently it was, as everyone is just staring at me, a mixture of stupefied expressions on their faces. "W-What?" I protest. "I j-just think that's what I would do."

"Asuna!" Mikoto follows up, "in order to give you the win, you need to tell us what the secret is that you would tell him!"

"E-EHH!?" Shrieking, I take a step back, as the circle of girls encroach on me. Rather than upset that I may take the date with Kirito, all of their eyes shine with excitement. The promise of juicy gossip.

Why does this always happen when I bathe with girls!?

Remembering my last confession session during the raid, I only blush further, unsure how to answer them. Debating whether it's worth it, I bite my lip, eyes twitching back and forth looking for some solace or way out. I found none, however, as each one of them waited eagerly for my words.

"W-well… I'd probably tell him that I understand how he feels… Since I often wish for the same thing, a hero to save me."

Stunned by the words I'd emitted, I sink in the water up to my nose, keeping my flaming cheeks and ears out of view. My heart beat erratically, confused by why I'd say such a thing. Sure, Rain and Philia were my friends, but I didn't really know any of the others.

"And we have a winner!" Mikoto declares a moment later, after consulting with her other judges. "Asuna wins the night date with Kirito for pure brutal honesty!"

"…"

"Congratulations girl!"

"You deserve it!"

Staying silent through Rain and Philia's words, I finally smiled slightly. Tonight would be interesting, whatever happens.

Kirito:

"…is that?"

"The black knight…"

"I thought he had a harem… But they're all men?"

"Wait… you don't think… that is his harem?"

Trying to keep my face calm is a challenge. These were not random civilians in orario. No, each one was at least a level two adventurer, strong enough to generate the arrogance required that they didn't bother lowering their voices.

"Sorry about this…" I apologize to the others awkwardly. "I didn't expect this."

"It's fine," Ouka waves off my concern, looking unconcerned about the adventurers. "All they do is talk."

"I don't know," Lind smiles back, his expression mischievous. "I think they deserve some recompense." Striding confidently toward them, Lind throws back his cape, revealing the breastplate beneath with…

"L-Loki familia!?"

"Oh shit!"

"Haha!" Breaking into laughter at their theatrics, they practically pissed their pants as they dashed away from Lind. "Guess you guys are good for something after all."

"Harsh," Lind winces, my joke landing heavier than I meant it to.

"I… I uhh, wasn't being serious."

"I know that, ease up man!" Slapping my shoulder roughly, Lind led us further through the strange town.

Looking around at my surroundings, it was hard to believe that we were eighteen floors below the surface. The high arching crystal lid, that was illuminated with a sun-like light made it easy to forget. Combined with walking through a street and it could hardly be further from the tight corridors, senses strained for the smallest noise to determine if there were monsters nearby. Instead, here was an entire town, built out of wood atop of a craggy mountain overlooking the rest of the floor. Little to no planning went into its construction, houses of different size and construction thrown all of the place. Each one doubling as a shop as lazy adventurers lounged in front of their goods, conversing with neighbours or simply staring off into space.

Interestingly… "Why are most the residents, men?" From my experience, there was actually a large female adventure base. A lot of them amazons that seemed to thrive in battle.

"Not too sure," Lind answered, "maybe this lifestyle appeals to men more."

Grunting, I could definitely see that. The permanent residents seemed to take a perverse pleasure in selling cheap goods for ridiculous mark-ups, only possible due to adventurers needing the items, regardless of price. Shaking my head, I tsk at a blade selling for 100,000 when its worth maybe a tenth of that. "People pay for these with familia tokens, right?"

"That or trading," Lind confirms.

"I'll need to make sure we finish setting one up then," I reply lightly, thinking once again about my familia's future. Things have moved so fast in these past few weeks that I'd always neglected turning my attention to seemingly mundane tasks like that. After this expedition though… Yes, I wouldn't mind a short break. Time to recuperate and stabilize issues with the familia.

"Well, well. Is the black knight a patron of my shop? Which weapon caught your eye?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I'm not buying."

"Tsk. Too broke buying gifts to woe girls no doubt. Not that I see any around right now. They all scamper when your money ran out?"

Clenching a fist, I could feel my temper boiling beneath the surface. The incessant comments from the town folks trying to rag on me. Taking any chance they could to demean me.

"Shut it," Lind barked. "Maybe Kirito is popular because he knows how to be kind unlike you."

"What was that? You think you can come down here and… L-Loki familia!?" Words cutting off, the man's eyes bulged with barely contained fear. Veins popping on his forehead he sat back down with a thump, nowhere to go and nothing more to say.

While the vindictive part of me wanted to tease him about it, I gestured with my head leading everyone further on. "Why did you stand up for me?" I ask Lind as we get out of earshot.

He shrugs casually in response, like the action was no big deal. "My familia doesn't regard the people here very highly. Moments like this remind why."

"That didn't answer the question," I prod.

"Didn't it?" Ouka chuckles listening in. The man more talkative now after our last conversation. "There's a certain pleasure in putting assholes in their place."

"I sup…" Breaking off my words, we came to the end of the street where a bare-chested man was talking casually with a couple of other adventurers. His body was muscled and scarred from dozens of fights, an eyepatch resting over his left eye. "Who's that?" Instinctively I knew he was different from the other goons that he has run into.

"Boris," Lind answered softly, so as too not be overheard. "Leader of this town."

"Leader?" I reply surprised. I hadn't thought that a place like this would have an official leader. The choice made sense though from what I'd seen.

Acting like he'd heard me, the man waved away the other two and strolled over to our group. "New faces in Riveria eh? Not you though Bluey, I've seen you with Loki familia, acting so high-and-mighty."

Lind simply nodded back, letting the comment slide.

"So, who does that… Wait a second. You're… The black Knight right? First person from the other world to hit level two, and you are… Masuratakeo, Take Mikazuchi familia. Well! Come here boys!"

With no more pomp, Boris slid between us, wrapping an arm around each of our shoulders. As he began walking to his shop, I had no choice but to go along with him.

"Now that you are strong enough to clear the middle floors, I'm sure you'll be prepping up for runs into the colossal tree labyrinth. Riveria is one-stop shop for all your needs! Selling magic stones, drop items, buying new gear, whatever you need, we got it!"

"T-thank you?" Stuttering, the sales pitch caught me completely off guard, subverting all of my expectations of the man.

"Yupp! So be sure to buy plenty! You wouldn't want your favorite merchant to go out of business now, would you?"

With that, my impression of a strong adventurer completely shattered. He was entirely focused on one thing and one thing only, money.

"I'm afraid my familia isn't ready to reliably come down here," Ouka admitted, in a voice that told me he was as shocked as I was.

"S-same," I reply, not sure about the validity of my claim. It sounded amazing, to spend a week camped out on this floor, waking up in the morning to explore the nineteenth and lower. One day I was sure it would come true, but for now I needed to resolve issues on the surface. Plus, without Take Mikazuchi familia the middle floors would be extremely challenging for us to get through.

"Oh… Well, you've been here once now, I'm sure that the frequency of your visits will pick up soon!"

"Y-yeah…"

"Exactly! So how was the dungeon today? Must have left pretty early to get here already."

"We arrived yesterday actually," I answer without thinking.

"Yesterday? But we had that surprise Goliath spawn, you get through before it?"

Feeling like it would be trouble, I answer honestly. "N-No, we killed it."

As the man freezes beside me, I finally get a chance to extract myself from him. Turning around, I see Lind sighing, shaking his head as if preparing for some storm.

"YOU KILLED THE GOLIATH!?" Boris roars, his voice probably audible throughout half the city. "HA! With just the eight of you!?"

"N-No, our girls aren't here right now…" Glancing awkwardly around, a crowd had formed, storekeepers and random adventurers coming to see the adventurers that had mysteriously killed the goliath and taken off without claiming credit.

"Come on, Boris," One of them laughed. "Probably had some of the Loki familia elites there. These guys sat in the chamber pissing themselves while they killed it."

"Nope," one of the Loki familia members shot back, a strange look of pride in his eyes, "no elites, and Kirito here was the one that dealt the killing blow!"

"W-what!?"

With that, the crowd erupted. The plausible explanation that would have explained everything was summarily denied. Unable to keep track of the mood of the crowd, I laid a tentative hand on my pommel, wondering if it would erupt into violence.

"Did ya now…" Boris' voice sounded quietly, only audible due my close proximity as he thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Well, ye heard me, right? Be sure to stop by often."

Clapping me once on the shoulder, the man walked away, leaving me to deal with the crowd that had formed and was pressing for explanations.

"That Shrimp? Killed the Goliath?"

"No way! It probably fell over laughing when it saw that twig trying to fight it."

"Umm…" Muttering, I was completely lost. I was bad with people at the best of times. This was certainly far from the best of times. The swirling voices and opinions made it hard to concentrate on anything. All I really wanted was to finish exploring the town and leave. Maybe buy some food so that we could have a nice supper with everyone.

"You!" A burly adventurer strolled up, a large scar covering the right side of his face. Based on his stature I took him to be a half-dwarf. Bulging arms capable of generating extreme strength I probably wouldn't be able to match.

"Y-Yes?"

"You see this?" He asks roughly gesturing at the scar. "Got it from a goliath about a year ago now. "Now, you telling me, you killed one of those fuckers without really trying!?"

"W-well, we all tried pretty hard… but, yes?" Scratching my head awkwardly, I didn't know how to answer his claims. The anger and hate in his eyes were overwhelming me.

"Then you won't say no to a friendly duel then, yeah?"

"Get out of here!"

"He has nothing to prove to the likes of you."

Stepping in front of me, Lind and Ouka spoke up on my behalf. Grateful for the intervention, I breathed a little easier. It was clear that the people here weren't fond of outsiders coming in and showing them up. Boris had treated me like a welcomed customer, these ones seemed to view me as an attack on their pride and ego.

"Grr… He's Loki familia."

"The big one looks pretty tough as well…"

Scared off by my two protectors, the crowd seemed unwilling to try and get to me. Both their presence as adventurers and the thought of picking on a member of Loki familia protecting them.

"Hey now," another adventurer spoke loudly, pushing his way to the front of the crowd. He was even shorter than me, dirty red-brown dog ears displaying his Chienthrope heritage. An equally matted tail swinging behind him. If I saw a dog in that condition, I would assume it was homeless, or nearly dead.

Based on what Silica and Argo had told me, most animal people were extremely particular with their fur. Trying to keep it in pristine condition as a symbol of pride. I couldn't help but wonder why his was in such a state of disregard. As if was intentionally left filthy.

"Is it true that you fought the goliath with no Loki familia elites? No level threes at all?" The man pressed with a sly smile. The oily words came off so innocent, so curious. Yet it caused an alarm bell to ring in the back of my head. This man was far more dangerous than the burly adventurers that simply didn't like us showing up and acting better than them.

"Y-yes, that is correct," Lind answered confused.

"Wow!" The man replied, his smile deepening. "To defeat the level four goliath with only level twos… I believe Apollo familia was the last to attempt such a feat, correct, Hyacinthus?"

At the sound of the name, the crowd nervously parted, some of the shopkeepers glancing around in fear, looking for all available exit routes. From between them, a regal man walked up, a red longsword hanging at his hip. Behind him came his party, two women were on one side, one with shorter red hair who gazed ahead confidently while the other was tucked into her shoulder, long black hair forming a curtain around her as she tried to hide from the crowd. However, my vision was torn to the men on the other side of the leader. For there, following behind with an imperious air that only an elf could produce was the man that I'd found in our house. His short green hair framing a set of piercing emerald eyes above a sharp nose. There was no way that I could forget him.

"So," the man spoke, a sneer playing across his lips. "this is the Hestia familia leader. A mere level two that claims to have felled a floor boss practically by himself."

"T-That's right!" One of the Loki familia members spoke up, trying to defend me while only digging me a deeper hole. "He saved out lives!"

The man snorted, shaking his head at the Loki member, his face caught in a rictus of disgust. "This is how far Loki familia has fallen. I remember the days when your familia had actual warriors in it, but you are nothing."

As he turned his gaze to me, I had to take a half step back from the searing hate burning within his gray-blue eyes. Looking at him, I felt the pride I'd slowly started to build up about myself begin to melt away. He was literally everything I wished to be when I was growing up. Popular, powerful, good-looking. Enough charisma and intelligence to easily handle a situation like this.

"I'll give you one chance to answer, boy, do you mean to state that you surpassed the Apollo familia's record of lowest level goliath kill in recent times!?"

Shallowing, I felt everyone's eyes upon me. Even Lind and Ouka were waiting for my answer. Each one waiting for me to stand up and defend my own feat. "N-not really. I got lucky."

"That's what I thought." Flaring his cloak behind him, Hyacinthus strode away, his familia following behind him. The red-haired girl paused briefly to shoot me a sad smile. Unable to return it, I felt the disappointment from my impromptu party as the crowd dissipated, the residents muttering about what a let down that was.

"Why did you say that?" Lind asked quietly.

"I didn't want to get into a fight. If his ego is that important, then it isn't worth getting into a fight over it."

"Hmm, I understand where you are coming from," Ouka says thoughtfully, "but I fear that in the long run, this may only increase your number of fights."

"Why's that?" I ask as Lind nods along to Ouka's words.

"You backed down." Lind finishes the warning. "And in the rogue town, strength is everything."

Asuna:

"Then we just add in a bit of this spice over here…" Explaining as I went, I was surprised by how many of the girls were paying attention. It wasn't that I was a fantastic chef or anything either…

"It smells so good…" Kirito intoned from the side, holding his stomach.

Chuckling slightly, I had a feeling that he was part of the reason they were watching so intently. Back when we were in a party, Kirito had devoured his lunches with… rapturous intent. Finding some sort of bliss in food that I could only partly sympathize with. The moment that came to mind was that first meal after starving myself for a week. Even now, the aroma, the texture, it came to mind, how perfect that meal had been…

Blushing lightly, I focus on the cooking. Maybe I understood Kirito's fascination more than I had realized. Continuing to the next step, I watch the stew closely. It was all we could realistically afford from that town. While my wallet was far tighter now, I considered this meal an apology and thanks to the others. They could have, and probably should have, turned around and left when they realized the goliath had spawned. Instead, they had rushed forward, intent on saving us.

"You make it look so easy!" Rain whined from her perch right beside me. "I mean, I know you're just stirring it, but it doesn't look like that when I stir it!"

"Umm…"

"You know… You may be right," Philia adds on, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe the elegant stirring technique has to do with her practice using a staff?"

"Ahh," Rain mumbled in agreement. "So it has transcended into a mastery of all objects hard and straight. I see…"

"R-Rain…" I mutter weakly, but the damage has already been done.

"Ehh?" Strea connects the dots a little too fast for my liking. "Does that mean Asuna is going to be really good at playing with Kirito's… Hmph!?"

I'm saved ultimate embarrassment by Leafa who was wrapped her hands around Strea's mouth, stopping her from talking.

"W-wait," Silica breaks in upset, "what are you all talking about!?"

"D-don't worry about it," I try and assure her, silently begging for the conversation topic to change. I need to focus on cooking. Thinking about later will only cause me to spiral into a ball of nerves. A rare, and maybe the last opportunity I'll ever get to settle things with Kirito. First, I need to figure out what it is I even want to happen…

"Grr…" Growling at myself, I force myself to pay more attention to the stew. I have the boys working off to the side cutting up some of the meager vegetables we bought to form a salad. Not the best partner for a stew, but it will work. The thick, third-grade meat floats heartily within the large pot. A necessary purchase that I'm still debating taking back to the surface. It won't be easy to carry without a cart.

"Now, we need to lower the temperature a bit, we want it to simmer but not boil. Normally with an oven you would turn the temperature down, but now…" Leaving it there, I adjusted the platform a bit, lifting the pot higher above the flames. "There we are, should be ready in another ten minutes or so!"

"Amazing…" Rain mutters.

"Indeed," Mikoto nods happily having shown up for the end portion. "As someone who grew up learning how to cook with sparse ingredients, you certainly have a knack for it."

"Yupp," Philia finishes the compliments, "I'm sure you'll make a great wife one day."

"W-wife!?" I squeak back. Waving the ladle between us, I protest the word. "I-I'm not nearly ready for something like that!"

"But you're already good at handling stic… Hmph!?"

Grateful for Leafa's second timely interruption on Strea's words, I still blush as I glance toward the obtuse boy, lightly dozing in the grass, a far-off expression on his face.

All too soon, the rest of my familia brings the finished salad, and I dole out the stew. Quickly carved bowls made out of the surrounding trees are good enough to hold the substance. The rough craftsmanship leaving some splinters and hard edges. Thankfully, the stew doesn't leak through or get too absorbed.

Taking a seat, I sip the brew lightly. The broth is a little watery for my taste. I couldn't get the proper flour needed for it too thicken. Thankfully the spices add enough flavour that it isn't horrible.

As I suspected upon purchase, the meat is too salty. The preservative almost required for it be here and not have rotted. Especially in a world without vacuum packaging or even reliable refrigeration. Hopefully someone will design those commodities at some point. While plastic may be a little challenging, I have some faith in my fellow Japanese inhabitants to be able to reintroduce pieces of our technology.

If we get stuck here long enough maybe someone will build another full dive system.

Snorting at the thought, I can't stop the wide smile from inhabiting my face. The loud noise drawing the attention of the people sitting nearby.

"What is it?" Rain asks, poking me with her elbow.

"N-Nothing."

"Come on…"

Prodding me again, I sigh. I doubt she'll drop it until I tell her. "I was just thinking, it would funny if we used our knowledge to introduce things to this world like electricity. Then we could build another full dive system and go to a world inside a world."

My spoken thought doesn't draw any laughter or snorts. Most of them simply stare at me in confusion. Probably wondering what twisted mind would be required to create a scenario like that.

"You know…" Kirito theorizes, his already empty bowl beside him, "I doubt it would be overly challenging here. I'd imagine the only reason things like electricity haven't been discovered is because there is no reason with magic stones. But what if you combined them?"

His voice growing eager, I blinked remembering that the boy was actually a huge nerd in the previous world, not the warrior I see him as now.

"The magic stones are the perfect, unlimited energy source. No coal, or hydroelectric or wind, maybe solar would still be best in some isolated regions, but here in Orario? Taking our knowledge of devices and things from the real world, we could revolutionize society here! Invent things like guns to make clearing the dungeon easier!"

Caught off guard by the passionate spiel, it was a side of Kirito that I hadn't seen before. One more associated to his old self I would guess. Scanning the surrounding people, many were nodding in agreement, with the exception of the three residents. Ouka, Mikoto, and Chigusa simply looked stunned. Probably unable to follow along with much of what Kirito had said.

"Hey, uh Kirito, can I talk to you for a second?" My question kills the mood entirely. Every single person alternates looking between him and me. Trying hard to remain calm and not blush, I set my bowl down and begin walking into the forest a way. If he doesn't follow… I'll deal with that when it happens.

Taking a deep breath, I wait nervously as I hear a pair of footsteps following. Even level two adventurers shouldn't be able to hear us this far away.

"H-Hey, uhh what is it?"

"I just… I don't think it's a good idea to change their society and world that dramatically." Talking, I want to get the points out before I get distracted.

"Why?" Kirito asks in confusion, no doubt in his mind. "How is advancing technology not helpful for them."

"Then answer me truthfully," I say whirling at him. Staring him in the eye, I speak, "which world are you happier in? This one, or the old one?"

"…" Kirito bows his head, not answering. But I don't need one. I saw the look in his eye. "…This one."

"What was that?"

"You are right," Kirito admits, raising his head, "I'm far happier here than I ever was back in the old world. Even without the technology, a cell phone, my PC… I see now that it's people that really make life special. And I'm so blessed with be surrounded by so many amazing individuals…"

Blushing under his gaze, I couldn't help but believe that he included me in that. "U-Umm… I know it isn't the best time but… While we were bathing… The girls said that, well… if you want, I mean…"

"Asuna?"

Taking a few deep breaths, I force myself to look at Kirito. Despite the fact that his face always makes me forget things. How hard it is to concentrate on anything except how much I care for him. Bringing my rambling under control, I ask simply. "Do you… want to spend the evening with me?"

"…Yes." The word is soft, like a breath. Barely audible, but perfect all the same. "But…"

Just like that my emotions crash. Freezing in place, I wait for the rejection. For the words that will spell the end to my fantasies. To my goals for these past months. The final chapter of our interwoven lives, touching, but never connecting.

"The others… I'm sure they'll have planned it out already. I'm in a relationship now, I can't run off and leave without consulting them first."

"A-about that!" I squeak out, my heart restarting, "t-that's what I was trying to say. They said that we should do this!"

"You… you aren't lying, right?" Kirito asked, a faint expectation in his voice.

"Of course not! Now, come one!" Gaining courage from my previous collapse, I grab at Kirito's hand. Smiling widely, I pull him deeper into the forest. Heading for the place I want to show him as the light on the eighteenth floor begins to dim, preparing us for a perfect evening.

Kirito:

Beware the secret smile of an elf, it will steal your heart.

I don't remember when or where I had heard that line. Originally, I had discounted it, some fantasy author's wording to make the fictitious race sound more ethereal, more beautiful than humans.

Having experienced it now, I believed.

The pure joy and beauty contained within… She had captured my heart.

No, it had already belonged to her, or at least a piece of it did.

Smiling broadly at her back, I ran along behind her, willingly following where she led. Her delicate hand within mine was so soft. So magical. I knew that Asuna was born human, in my world, but it was so hard to see her as one now. She moved with an elven grace that I doubted any not of the species could duplicate.

While I admired her, my heart raced with excitement. Filled with the truth that I'd come to realize during the fight against the goliath: I love her. There was no other was to put it. My feelings for her ran as deeply as any of the girls in my harem. Even if we went our separate ways after today, that wouldn't change.

Running along through the forest in the dying light, all thought about electricity and magic stones as energy sources were erased from my mind. Asuna was right, they weren't important. Only us, and the here and now was.

Eventually, Asuna slowed, the forest getting thicker as we began to approach one of the walls of the floor. Over a mile away from where we were camping. Even the roars of the floor's monsters couldn't distract me. My eyes were fixed on her.

So graceful. I could almost imagine that if I blinked, she would fade away, like the water she controls.

As these thoughts rushed through my head, Asuna pulled her hand from mine, sending an irrational spike of fear through me. "Is something wrong!?"

"N-No!?" She asks, taken aback by my rushed words.

"O-Oh… Umm, sorry…"

"I-It's okay…"

"…"

"…"

Even as silence reigns between us, I can't take my eyes off her. The memories, each one comes faster, one after the next. All in an unstoppable torrent. We've gone through so much together. Even before I knew Rain and Philia, long before Leafa came to this world, bringing Silica to us as well. Months before Strea came from nowhere, telling us that she was our newest familia member.

"W-Why are you staring at me?"

"O-Oh…" Caught red-handed, I blurt the truth. "I was just remembering all the time we spent together… Like how we met."

This gets a chuckle from Asuna, even as she colours in embarrassment. "I was so stupid. Trying to fight with an antique weapon that had no edge."

"Look at you now," I smile, "confident, leader of a party. Fast enough that I certainly wouldn't want to try fighting you."

"Y-you're overselling me," she answers, blushing deeper as she turns away, nervously playing with her hair. Her shifting stance is incredibly adorable. I have to forcefully stop myself from ruffling her hair. "I'm too bold sometimes, I don't incorporate advice well, I'm a burden on the leaders."

"If they really think that…" I begin, swallowing nervously as I step closer to her. "There's another familia I can think of where the leaders won't consider you a burden."

"Is that Miach familia?" Asuna teases, a knowing smile touching her lips.

Wearing the same smile, I meet her deep crystal blue eyes, and move closer. The distance between us slowly closing. Pausing an inch away, the tension has increased to unbelievable levels. Excitement making my heart beat a mile a minute.

Leaning closer, I can practically taste her as the air between our mouths mingles in anticipation of the main event.

"Groagh!"

"Ahh!" Letting out a paniced shout, we stumble away from each other. Trying to grab at the hilt above my shoulder, I fall to the ground as an unseen tree stump fells me. Approaching from around a nearby tree, a large bear-like monster advances. Remembering my lessons from Eina, I recognize it as a bugbear. They start spawning on the nineteenth. Each one has the strength of a minotaur but moves faster.

"Hiyah!" Recovering better than me, Asuna lunges first, the rapier leaving a shining line in the low light. Not leaving it there, she follows up with a second and third attack as the monster backpedals.

"Groagh!" Refusing to just die, the bugbear starts swinging back. Each large paw possesses five razor sharp claws that can easily slice through low grade armour. Let alone Asuna's robes.

"Are you ready Kirito?"

"Huh?"

"Switch!" Calling out the keyword, she gives up on lunging and uses her blade to catch one of the bugbear's attacks. Grunting from the effort required to block a large-class monster.

Not willing to let her dedication and quick thinking go to waste, I jump into the gap created. Sword cleaving vertically, I cut off the stopped appendage. Mercilessly following through on the stunned creature, I dispatch it. Swing after swing tearing deeply into its torso.

Giving one last groan it collapses to the forest floor, dead. Panting I stand over it and shove my blade through. With the stone broken, the body begins to disintegrate, the blood dissolving as well.

Glancing over at Asuna, we both break into awkward chuckles, the moment between us good and lost. I'm confused how I feel about it. Sad that it was lost, but on the other hand, maybe it's better this way. Nothing to look back on and dream about what could have been.

"Come," she gestures, "there's a place I want to show you."

Leaving my sword out, I see that she does the same. It was foolish of us to let our guard slip so low in a forest infested with monsters. Even if none spawn on this floor, they migrate here from the seventeenth and nineteenth.

Walking side by side, we pass through a few more trees before it suddenly opens up into a cliff. Before us, is a sea of crystal. Each one filled with a dark-purple light that they reflect across the surrounding area as night proper descends on the floor. Giving us enough light to see the crystals, each other, and the beautiful surroundings. Glancing back, I can see no more than a couple metres into the trees through the pitch-black night that's taken up residence in the forest.

"It's beautiful," I say simply.

"Yes," Asuna agrees, voice quiet. "Ever since my first raid… When my familia first showed this view. That's when I knew. That I wanted to be the one to show you this. To teach you something about this world, rather than always learning."

"Asuna…"

"Hehe, so… I'm glad you like it. I-Is it alright… if we stay here for awhile?"

Heart tearing, I stare into her eyes. Each one looks like pure sapphire under the low light. I know I should say no, it isn't fair to my harem, and yet… "we can stay for awhile."

Burying my blade in the grass, I step in front of it and sit down, staring at the array in front of me. Each time I think I've gotten used to it another detail catches my eye. How that small one in the back has five sides instead of four, reflecting the light differently form the others. The inconsistencies and incongruities like this are endless. I felt like I could stare at it for a lifetime and still not be able to understand all of the different facets the sea of crystal contained.

"Ah… Thank you. For indulging me… This one time."

"One time?"

"…Please don't make me say it."

Anger flaring in my chest, I turn to her, mind torn from the crystals and back to my situation with her. "Why not? Why shouldn't we be able to do this!?"

"Our deities would be extremely upset if they knew…" Asuna murmured, already sounding defeated. "I knew I shouldn't have agreed to do this… It's… going to make everything… so much harder from now on… Without you…"

Watching her beginning to tear up, her perfect face marred as agony twisted her expression, the anger swelled hotter than ever. Pushing me, forcing me, to find a way through this. To circumnavigate the rules placed.

"What if… They don't find out?"

"Huh?"

"We limit it to times like this," I plead, mouth running faster than my thoughts. "Random secret meetings in Orario. Chance encounters in the dungeon. It could work!"

"Y-You," Asuna hiccups, "would be willing to do that… for me? To live a lie?"

"…" Hesitating, I think about the other girls in my life. Each one precious in their own way. But how can I be happy if Asuna isn't? Can I sacrifice her for them? I can't. "I can. Though if the girls I'm dating ask, I won't lie to them."

"K-Kirito…" Hearing my name come from her lips made everything worth it. The tears on her cheeks change from sadness to happiness as her expression lights up. Shooting me that secret elven smile once again, I can't help myself.

Leaning forward, I kiss her deeply, our crossed swords acting as a backdrop for our crystal oasis.