Disclaimer: I don't Own Sword Art Online

I'm using this story to weigh my story skills so If you guys ever have any criticism, feel free to let it be known and I will try to improve upon receiving it.

Chapter 1: Kuro Just wanted to Grind

*Kuro's Pov*

Man Diavel when you told me that you wanted me to be a hero, you didn't talk about the consequences that would come with the title. At least my friends don't have to see me like this. How did I meet those guys again?

*One Year after Clearing the First Floor*

Kuro is seen walking around the Market District looking to craft an important weapon. Kuro goes up to a blacksmith NPC and gives the materials needed for the weapon. "Sorry traveler, it would seem that you don't have the required materials needed for that weapon. Come back again!" The blacksmith said.

"WHAT!? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! DID I GET THE WRONG MATERIALS!?" Kuro screamed. This causes everyone in the district to stare right at him. Kuro slowly turns around and says "D-Don't mind me!" Kuro then turns back and thinks to himself "How in the hell did I forget which materials I needed? (Sigh)…. Well what's three more hours of grinding?"

A random voice is then heard from behind. "Boy, don't I understand what you're going through?" ? Said. Kuro turns to see a guy wearing a white jacket, trying to get along with him. Kuro turns back around and thinks about the grind he has to endure again. "Hey are you ignoring me!? That's harsh…." The guy said.

Kuro: "Sorry…. Don't have time to talk right now."

?: "What's so important that you can't talk to me for a minute?"

Kuro: "What's so important that you want to talk about?"

?: "(Sigh) Just trying to be friendly is all."

Kuro: "Sorry. I'm just trying to focus on my next plan at the moment."

?: "Focus on your next plan?"

Kuro then turns to the guy and says "It's hard for me to think and listen to someone at the same time, so I usually need to be to myself so I can make my plan actually make sense. Understand?" The guy, annoyed, tells Kuro "Well all I see is someone who got the wrong materials and needs to grind in order to get the materials he needs for some weapon. And I happen to be bored out of my mind so I don't mind-"

Kuro: "It's Okay, you don't have to if you don't want to."

?: "Did you not just hear me… I'm bored. Plus I might have something that can make the grind a little more tolerable…."

Kuro: "Like what?"

The guy pulls out of his inventory some drop rate potions. Kuro, Surprised, stands up straight and says "Will you help me?"

?: "Wha!? Sure. That was my plan in the first place."

Kuro: "Thank you Sir!"

?: "W-What's with all of this? And you don't have to call me sir…"

Kuro: "Okay, guy I don't know the name of."

?: "It's Ren and what's yours?"

Kuro: "Kuro….Nice to meet you Ren!"

The two then make a party and head straight for the teleport gate. "So Kuro, what floor are these materials on?" Ren says. "Well I thought I knew which floor, but as you see, I'm not at all certain anymore." Kuro states.

Ren: "Well how do you expect us to get there?"

Kuro: "I hate to ask them, but I guess I have no choice in the matter."

Ren: "Huh? Wait, ask who?"

Ren follows Kuro back towards the market district and to a back alleyway. "Who the hell are we meeting Kuro?" Ren says. "I think he wants to meet me, new guy." ? said. Ren turns around to see a person in a hood. This makes Ren jump back out of fear and say "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

Kuro: "This here is Argo, Ren. She's the informant of the Assault Team, and she even helps them from time to time."

Argo: "I'm surprised you knew where to find me Kuro…. Haven't seen you since the first floor."

Kuro: "Well I think I'm the lucky one here. I'm surprised you're not on the recent floor gathering intel? Taking a day off?"

Argo: "You know I don't take days off. Those're days where I could be making col!"

Kuro: "I see you haven't changed a bit…."

Argo: "I could say the same to you but I would be lying. Well Kuro, What is it that you want to know?"

Kuro: "Any idea on where to find this item?"

Kuro shows her the item he is looking for. Argo ponders for a minute before saying "Floor 19 is where you want to head. The mobs there are bound to drop the item. But I must warn you, the drop rate is very low so-" Kuro stops her and says "Don't worry about that. My friend here has drop rate potions to make the drop occur earlier than expected."

Argo says "Well, Well, Well Kuro. Looks like you ARE the lucky one here. It's been a while since I've seen someone have those. So….Ren was it? How did you get these?"

Ren: "Fishing?"

Kuro And Argo: "Really!?"

Ren: "Well…Technically speaking…."

"I used to be one of the people who was just gonna wait it out until the Assault team beat the game. Had no real reason to risk my life. But then the 22nd floor opened up and that's where I've spent the majority of my time. Some random guys in black hooded clothing came up to me and asked for all of my fish and wanted to trade. So this is what they gave me."

"Weird, trading fish with something this rare, but can't complain." Ren says. Kuro and Argo look as though they have seen a ghost. Argo then says "Kuro can I talk with you before you head out?" Kuro tells Argo "It's about Laughing Coffin right?" Ren has a puzzled look on his face. "Laughing Coffin?"

"Don't worry we can talk about it on the way to floor 19." Kuro and Ren finally start to make their way to the teleport gate when Argo stops them both. Argo tells Kuro "Are you gonna join the 40th floor boss fight?" "Jeez, the 40th floor already?! Umm….I'll think about it. Haven't fought a boss in a year Argo. Don't know if I'm strong enough."

Argo: "Everyone's been asking about you Kuro. Seems as though you left a lasting impression on them. Even though you couldn't lead them correctly."

Kuro: "I tried and that's all that matters."

Argo: "I guess so. Anyway, happy hunting and at least try to make it to send us off."

Kuro and Ren are about to make their way to the teleport gate, when they are stopped again, But this time it's a person in a black jacket asking them a question. "Excuse me, are you guys by any chance one of the people who put this flyer up on the community board?"

The flyer said "Looking for a guild! Willing to join anyone!" Kuro says "Sorry but this wasn't me. Ren?" Ren shakes his head no. The person then says "(Sigh) ok sorry about asking you both outright like that. I was just excited to finally get more people to join us only for someone to post this and not have any contract information whatsoever. Anyways, see you guys." This makes Ren feel bad.

Ren: "Hey I don't mind joining the guild!"

?: "Really?"

Ren: "Yeah and neither does Kuro!"

Kuro: "I Don't!?"

?: "Wow thanks guys I'll send the guild invite right away!"

Ren whispers to Kuro saying "Sorry I just felt bad for him."

Kuro: "So you had to rope me into this!? All I wanted to do was grind and get my weapon, now I have to do guild stuff."

Ren: "Relax Kuro. You never know, it could be fun."

Kuro: "..."

*Kuro's Pov*

"As random and sudden as that was, That was how I became a guild member. And weirdly enough, I don't regret saying no…"