Chapter 2: The Weight of Resolve
Izuku's vision blurred for a moment as the world around him shifted. He found himself standing in the central plaza of Sword Art Online, the bustling hub filled with players eagerly discussing their new adventure. His heart raced with excitement and nervous anticipation as he approached the character creation screen.
He chose his avatar, which looked quite like himself with some fantasy adjustments—a slightly bigger frame, a few inches taller, and a similar hairstyle to his idol, All Might.. He was ready to dive into the game, hoping to escape his quirkless reality.
As he entered his desired username, "Medoru," a sudden glitch caused the name to change to "Deku." Izuku frowned, muttering to himself, "Great, different world, same shitty luck". After realizing there was nothing he could do to change his name now so he sighed saying, "ughh, fine I have a game to beat anyways".
Loading in, welcome and good luck with your journey!
Izuku's POV
Teleporting in for the first time.
Izuku's eyes scanned the bustling square of the starter city, his heart thudding nervously in his chest. The game had been live for a few hours now, and although he knew the mechanics from his time as a beta tester, he still felt that familiar surge of nervousness around so many people. He clutched his sword tightly in his hand, looking around at the various players gearing up and preparing to venture out into the wild fields for training.
He spotted a girl standing awkwardly near the edge of the crowd, looking somewhat lost. Her blonde hair was tied back, and she wore the standard starter gear. She was glancing around, her hands fiddling with her sword, clearly unsure of what to do. Izuku felt that tug in his heart—the same one that made him want to help people in the real world. He muttered to himself, psyching himself up. "This isn't like the real world… no quirks, no heroes… but maybe I can still help someone here."
Gathering his courage, he approached her, his heart pounding in his chest. "U-um, hi!" he called out, his voice a bit louder than he intended. She turned, blinking at him with wide blue eyes.
"I—I'm Deku," he said, stumbling over his words. His face flushed as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "Are you, uh… are you looking for someone to train with? You seemed like you weren't sure where to go, and I—well, I know the game, so I could help if you want."
Melissa's POV
Melissa stood at the edge of the square, watching the other players as they hurried off toward the fields. She felt a strange knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach. Sword Art Online was the first game she'd ever played seriously. Her father had never been much for video games, and she'd always been more focused on science and engineering. But when she heard about this full-dive VR game, she couldn't resist the chance to experience something new and exciting.
But now, standing here with her sword in hand and no idea what she was supposed to do, the excitement was quickly fading into uncertainty. She felt out of place and didn't want to admit she was lost. Everyone around her seemed to know what they were doing. "I can't be the only one who's new, right?" she thought to herself, scanning the crowd.
Suddenly, a voice broke through her thoughts. "U-um, hi!"
She blinked, startled, and turned to see a boy standing awkwardly nearby. His green eyes were wide, and his face was flushed. He looked just as nervous as she felt.
"I—I'm Deku," he said, stammering slightly. He seemed to be struggling to find his words, and for some reason, that made Melissa relax a bit. At least she wasn't the only one feeling overwhelmed.
"Oh, hi!" she replied, smiling to put him at ease. "I'm Melissa. I just… I'm kind of new to all this. It's my first time playing a game like this."
Deku's eyes lit up, and he fidgeted nervously with the hilt of his sword. "R-really? I can show you the ropes, if you want! I was a beta tester, so I know a lot about how the game works."
Izuku's POV
Izuku's heart skipped a beat when Melissa smiled at him. He hadn't expected her to be so… friendly. She didn't seem annoyed by his awkwardness, and that made him feel a little more comfortable. "She's new, like me," he thought. "Maybe I can really help."
"That'd be great!" Melissa said, her smile widening. "I don't even know where to start."
Izuku nodded quickly, his mind racing through what he knew about the early levels of the game. He'd spent hours exploring these fields during the beta, so he knew the best spots for beginners to train.
"I-it's not too hard once you get the hang of it," he explained, muttering under his breath as he tried to organize his thoughts. "The fields just outside the city have low-level monsters, and it's a good place to get used to the combat system. We should, um, go there."
He glanced at Melissa, worried she might be getting bored with his rambling, but she nodded eagerly, clearly interested in what he had to say. That made him feel a little more confident.
"Should we… um…" He hesitated, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he struggled to get the words out. "W-why don't we form a party? I-I mean, if you want! That way we can share experience points and help each other out."
Melissa's POV
Melissa watched as Deku muttered to himself, clearly thinking through every step. He seemed so thoughtful and focused, which was a bit different from how most people she'd met usually acted. His awkwardness made her feel more comfortable, and the fact that he had been a beta tester was reassuring. "He really seems to know what he's talking about," she thought.
When he finally suggested forming a party, Melissa could see how nervous he was, the way he stumbled over his words. She found it endearing. She could tell he was genuinely trying to help, and it made her feel like she wasn't alone in this new world.
"A party?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, pretending to think it over. When she saw his eyes widen in slight panic, she giggled. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Deku's face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and Melissa couldn't help but smile. He seemed like a good guy, and she felt lucky to have met him.
"Thanks, Deku. I really appreciate the help. I was starting to feel a little lost."
Izuku's POV
Izuku couldn't believe it. Melissa had agreed to form a party with him. He nodded quickly, opening up the menu and sending her a party invite. His hands were shaking slightly, but he managed to keep it together. "She's not annoyed. She's actually happy to train with me," he thought, feeling a little rush of excitement.
"I-it's no problem," he said, trying to sound more confident. "We'll head out to the fields, and I'll show you how to handle some of the low-level monsters. Just stick close, and I'll make sure you're safe."
Melissa smiled warmly at him, and Izuku felt his heart skip a beat. She was relying on him. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel like the awkward, quirkless kid who didn't fit in. Here, in this game, he had a chance to be someone. Someone strong.
"Let's go," he said, leading the way toward the field outside of town, Melissa walking beside him. This world may not have quirks or heroes, but maybe, just maybe, he could be something close to one.
As they left the city and stepped into the wide-open fields, Izuku began explaining the basics of combat, showing Melissa how to lock onto enemies and use her sword effectively. She picked up the mechanics quickly, her natural curiosity driving her to ask questions, and Izuku happily answered them. They fought a few low-level boars and slimes, and with each victory, Melissa's confidence grew.
She stumbled a bit at first, but under Izuku's guidance, she slowly began to get the hang of it. He encouraged her, giving tips as they fought side by side. Melissa, for her part, showed a determination that impressed Izuku. Every time she faltered, she quickly corrected herself, eager to improve.
By the time the sun started to set, they had cleared a fair amount of monsters, and Melissa was starting to feel more comfortable with the game. "You're doing really well," Izuku said, grinning as he wiped sweat from his brow. "I think you've got the hang of it now."
Melissa smiled, breathing heavily from the exertion. "Thanks to you. I'd still be wandering around in the city if you hadn't helped."
Izuku blushed and looked away, scratching the back of his head. "I-I'm just glad I could help."
Melissa's POV
As they made their way back toward the city, Melissa couldn't help but feel grateful. She had been so lost earlier, but Deku had been kind enough to take her under his wing. He seemed so earnest, so genuinely good. She smiled to herself as they walked. It was funny how quickly someone could go from a stranger to a friend in a place like this.
"Well, today was a lot better than I thought it would be," she said, glancing at Deku as they reached the city gates. "Thanks again, Deku. I don't know what I would've done without you."
Deku's face reddened, and he muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Melissa to catch. She just laughed, finding his shyness endearing.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked, and Deku nodded eagerly.
"Y-yeah! Definitely," he replied, his voice a little too loud in his excitement. Melissa laughed again, waving as she headed back to her inn.
"Goodnight, Deku."
Izuku watched her go, his heart pounding in his chest. He had actually done it—he had made a friend. In this
As Izuku and Melissa finish forming their party, a sudden notification blared through the sky. A sharp ringing echoed in both their ears, cutting through their conversation like a blade.
"What's going on?" Melissa asked, her eyes darting around in confusion.
Izuku looked up at the game's interface as an unfamiliar sensation washed over him. "I don't know," he muttered, his usual muttering habit kicking in as he tried to process the sudden system message that flashed on the screen. "A forced teleport? But why…?"
Before either of them could react, their avatars were enveloped in light, and their bodies were whisked away, leaving behind the small clearing they had been practicing in. When the light dissipated, they found themselves standing in a large, bustling square in the heart of the Town of Beginnings. Thousands of players stood in confusion, murmuring to one another. Above them, a crimson sky hung low, distorted with ominous data fragments that flickered like static on a broken screen.
Then, the voice spoke.
"Welcome, players, to my world."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat as a figure clad in deep red armor materialized high above them. The crowd below fell silent, the weight of the voice pressing down on everyone present.
"I am Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of *Sword Art Online," the voice continued. "I am sure most of you have already noticed an important fact. This world… is no longer just a game."
Melissa gasped beside Izuku, her face pale as she clutched her sword tightly. "What does he mean? Izuku, what is he talking about?"
Izuku's mouth went dry. He felt a familiar sense of dread building in his chest, but it wasn't until Kayaba's next words that the reality of their situation truly hit.
"You cannot log out of *Sword Art Online," Kayaba declared. "And the only way to leave is by clearing the game. Any attempts to forcefully remove your NerveGear will result in your immediate death. And finally… if your HP reaches zero, your avatar will be deleted... and you will die in the real world."
A brief pause before he continued.
"Your meta abilities won't help you either. Each of your NerveGear have had a small quirk suppressant installed. Any attempts to use even a technology quirk will be futile."
The atmosphere was thick with panic and disbelief. Cries of confusion echoed around the town square as Akihiko Kayaba's words sunk in. *No log out.* *Death in the game means death in the real world.* The players, once elated at the prospect of an epic VR adventure, now stood frozen in fear, their hearts heavy with the weight of their new reality.
Deku's mind raced. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as the truth of Kayaba's announcement clawed at him. *No way out.* *This isn't just a game.* His thoughts darted to his mother. *What's she thinking right now? Is she trying to wake me up?* The fear of her being alone, helpless to reach him, gripped his heart like a vice.
As if sensing the mounting tension, Kayaba's voice echoed through the skies once more. "To aid in your journey, I've left each of you a gift in your inventory."
Deku, his hands shaking, reluctantly opened his menu, navigating to his inventory. His eyes landed on a single new item: *Mirror*.
"What...?"
All around him, others were doing the same, pulling out the object and holding it in confusion. Before Deku could even question its purpose, a blinding light enveloped the square. His vision blurred for a moment, and a strange sensation washed over him—like a shiver traveling through his entire body.
When the light faded, Deku blinked, looking down at himself in shock. His in-game appearance—the sharp, confident look of the character he had chosen—was gone. In its place was a reflection of his real-world self: shorter, slightly more awkward, with the familiar messy green hair and soft features. His heart sank as he realized the avatar he had crafted to fit this world had been stripped away.
All around him, gasps and murmurs of disbelief spread through the crowd. Players who had once donned towering, muscular bodies now found themselves in their real-world forms—shorter, lankier, younger, or older than they had appeared moments ago. The reality of their situation became even more painfully clear.
A group of girls who had previously looked like seasoned warriors now looked like teenagers, wide-eyed and trembling. One boy—who had previously been a tall, imposing figure—was now revealed to be a much smaller child. There were tears, shouts, and confusion everywhere.
Deku swallowed hard, his eyes scanning the crowd. *This… this was never just a game to begin with, was it?* He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rising fear inside him. The world of Aincrad, once filled with excitement and wonder, now felt like a massive trap—a cage with no way out.
"Why?" someone in the crowd shouted. "Why would he do this to us?"
Deku glanced over at the source of the voice, but he couldn't bring himself to answer. He didn't have an explanation. All he knew was that they were stuck here. *And we're going to have to fight to survive.*
As he stood there, processing the weight of their situation, the image of Melissa flashed through his mind—her smile, her unwavering belief in him. *I have to keep moving forward. For her.* His resolve hardened as he looked down at his real-world body. There was no hiding anymore. This was who he was, and he would survive. For Melissa. For his mother. For the promise he'd made.
Cries of confusion continued around them, players still desperately checking their menus, hoping it was a cruel joke. But it wasn't.
"This can't be real…" Melissa whispered, her voice trembling.
Izuku clenched his fists, feeling his nails dig into his palms. It was real. He could feel it in his gut. Kayaba wasn't bluffing. This was life and death now. His mind raced back to the countless hours he had spent during the beta, and all of the dangers he had narrowly escaped. Now, all of those dangers could mean his life. Their lives.
"This isn't happening," Melissa muttered. "It can't be…"
Izuku swallowed hard, fighting the lump in his throat. This world was no longer a game, and every decision they made from here on out had to be precise, calculated—because one wrong move, and that was it.
Akihiko Kayaba's speech ended with a grim reminder of their only objective: to clear all 100 floors of Aincrad and escape. The red figure disappeared into the sky, leaving a sea of terrified, panicked players in its wake.
For a few moments, Izuku and Melissa stood frozen, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The square around them erupted into chaos. Players screamed, some fell to their knees, while others began running in all directions.
"We… we have to go," Izuku muttered, grabbing Melissa's arm.
"Go? Where?" she asked, still in shock.
Izuku's face was determined, despite the fear gnawing at his insides. "Away from here. It's going to be chaos soon. We need to get out of this town and start grinding for levels, or we'll be left behind. If we're going to survive, we need to get stronger. Fast."
Melissa hesitated for a second, but then she nodded. "You're right. Let's go. I'll follow your lead."
They pushed through the panicked crowd, dodging players who were frozen in fear or scrambling to find answers. Izuku kept his eyes forward, knowing that every second they spent in the Town of Beginnings meant they were falling behind.
As they reached the town gates, Melissa glanced back at the massive horde of players still milling about in confusion. "Do you think… do you think they'll be okay?"
Izuku shook his head. "I don't know. But we can't wait to find out." His voice was firm, though inside, his stomach churned. He didn't want to leave anyone behind, but the harsh reality of this new world left them with little choice. If they stayed, they would be caught in the chaos—and chaos was the last thing they needed right now.
They passed through the gates and out into the open fields beyond the town. The rolling hills of Aincrad stretched out before them, but Izuku's mind was already calculating their next move. "We should head towards the next town. There'll be stronger quests along the way, and fewer players to compete with."
"Right," Melissa said, falling into step beside him. Her hands were still shaking, but she tightened her grip on her sword. "We need to stay ahead. For now, we survive… and then we fight."
Izuku nodded, glancing at the sky, which had returned to its serene, clear blue after Kayaba's ominous display. "Yeah… and we win."
With their hearts racing and determination beginning to harden within them, Izuku and Melissa set off, knowing the stakes had just been raised far beyond what either of them had ever imagined.
A few weeks later…..
The sun hung low over the rolling plains of Aincrad, casting a golden glow on the fields stretching out before them. The gentle breeze rustled the grass as Izuku and Melissa approached their target—a cluster of wild boars, snorting and pawing at the ground. They had been hunting for hours, but neither looked tired. If anything, there was a certain energy between them, an unspoken rhythm to their movements that had begun to form after weeks of training together.
"Think you can keep up this time?" Melissa teased, glancing at Izuku with a smirk.
Izuku chuckled, adjusting the grip on his sword. "You're getting faster, but let's not forget who's been teaching you."
Melissa rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh please, you couldn't hit a crit last time if it hit you first. I bet I land the final strike this time."
"Challenge accepted," Izuku muttered, eyes narrowing with a grin. "Let's see who gets the kill shot."
Without another word, they moved. Melissa darted forward first, her light armor allowing her to outpace the boars before they could react. Her sword flashed as she brought it down, striking the lead boar across its flank. The beast roared in pain, turning to face her with fury in its eyes.
But before it could charge, Izuku was already in position. His body moved instinctively, almost like he could predict the creature's movements. With a quick sidestep, he swung his blade, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. His attack connected cleanly with the boar's side, sending it reeling backward.
"Nice hit!" Melissa called out, spinning to take on the next target. She dashed forward, bringing her sword in a wide arc as she aimed for the second boar. Her strike was clean, but she underestimated the creature's speed. The boar dodged, causing her to stumble slightly.
Before the creature could retaliate, Izuku was there again, his blade flashing in front of Melissa as he blocked the boar's charge. "Got your back!" he shouted, stepping in to counter with a series of rapid strikes. His sword moved with precision, each slash driving the boar further back.
Melissa recovered quickly, her eyes narrowing in determination. "I didn't need saving! Just… timing my next move," she said, grinning as she swung her sword at the boar's exposed side, landing a critical hit. The creature let out a final snarl before collapsing to the ground, its HP bar hitting zero.
"Two down, three more to go!" Izuku called out as the remaining boars circled them. They were larger than the first two, their tusks gleaming dangerously under the setting sun.
"Don't get cocky, Deku!" Melissa teased, adjusting her stance. "I'm still going for the final hit!"
Izuku laughed under his breath, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "We'll see about that."
The largest of the boars lunged at them, its massive frame barreling toward Izuku. Without missing a beat, he sidestepped the attack and countered with a swift upward slash, but the boar managed to deflect his blow with its tusks.
"Melissa, now!" Izuku called, bracing himself for the next attack.
"On it!" Melissa dashed forward, using the momentum of her sprint to drive her blade into the boar's exposed side. The creature let out a pained roar as its health dropped significantly.
But it wasn't over yet.
The remaining two boars charged in unison, aiming to catch them off guard. Izuku and Melissa instinctively moved together, positioning themselves back-to-back.
"Let's do this," Melissa said, her voice steady despite the tension.
"Right," Izuku replied, his eyes focused and sharp.
The boars came at them with ferocity, but Izuku and Melissa had been training for this moment. They had developed a rhythm—a fluid dance of sword strikes and dodges that allowed them to cover each other's weaknesses. As one boar lunged at Izuku, Melissa would step in, intercepting the attack with a precise strike. When the second boar turned to charge at Melissa, Izuku would leap into action, his sword slashing through the air to drive the creature back.
Their movements were synchronized, their strikes landing in perfect harmony. Melissa's sword flashed as she landed a critical hit on one of the boars, while Izuku followed up with a powerful combo that sent the other one sprawling to the ground.
The final boar, the largest of the pack, let out a furious roar as it charged once more. This time, Melissa dashed forward, her sword raised high.
"I've got this!" she shouted, her voice filled with determination.
But just as she was about to land the final blow, Izuku stepped in, his sword glowing with a brilliant light as he unleashed a powerful Sword Skill combo. His blade sliced through the air with lightning speed, delivering the final strike that brought the creature's HP bar crashing down to zero.
The boar let out a defeated groan before collapsing to the ground, disintegrating into pixelated fragments. A victorious fanfare played as both their experience bars filled up.
Melissa stood there, panting slightly as she caught her breath. "You… you stole my kill shot!" she said, glaring at Izuku with mock indignation.
Izuku scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a grin spreading across his face. "I didn't mean to. It just… happened."
"Sure it did," Melissa muttered, but she couldn't hide the smile creeping onto her lips. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time. We did good, though. That was some pretty solid teamwork."
Izuku nodded, checking his inventory. "We're getting better. Our timing's improving with every fight."
A notification popped up in the corner of their vision, signaling their level up. Melissa's eyes widened as she opened her status screen, her face lighting up with excitement. "I'm up two levels! Finally hit level 12!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride.
Izuku smiled warmly at her. "Nice!
You've been working hard for that."
"Yeah, I-wait." Melissa glanced over at Izuku's screen as he pulled up his stats, and her jaw dropped. "You're... you're level 18?!"
Izuku blinked, looking at her in surprise. "Uh... yeah, I guess I am."
Melissa stared at him in disbelief.
"How... how did you get so far ahead of me?! We've been fighting together this whole time!"
Izuku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I... may have been grinding a little extra during the nights when you were resting."
Melissa's eyes narrowed. "You've been sneaking out to grind while I was sleeping?!"
Izuku waved his hands defensively. "I wasn't trying to leave you behind, I swear! I just... couldn't sleep
sometimes, and I figured I'd get a little more XP while I was up."
Melissa crossed her arms, feigning a pout. "That's not fair! You should've woken me up. I could've gotten some extra levels, too!"
Izuku laughed, though there was a bit of guilt in his expression. "I'll make it up to you. Next time, we'll both go out for some late-night grinding.
Promise."
Melissa huffed, but the playful smile on her face showed she wasn't really upset. "Fine, you owe me big time."
As they gathered their loot and prepared to head back to town, Melissa couldn't help but glance at Izuku out of the corner of her eye.
Despite his humble attitude and constant muttering, he was something else. His skill, his determination-it was on a different level. And yet, even with all of that, he never left her behind. He was always there, looking out for her.
She smiled to herself. Maybe, just maybe, they really could survive this game together.
After their long day of battling and adventuring, Izuku and Melissa returned to a quiet spot in the village, sitting near a small fountain that reflected the gentle moonlight. The peaceful ambiance surrounded them, allowing both to catch their breath. As they relaxed, Melissa looked over at Izuku, her expression softer, more thoughtful.
"Hey, Deku… I was wondering," she began, her voice tentative. "Is it okay if I ask you about your real life? You've shared bits and pieces, but I'd like to know more about you. I mean, the real you."
Izuku blinked, a little surprised by the question, but after a moment, he nodded. "Yeah, I don't mind. It's just… there's not much to tell, really."
Melissa smiled gently. "That's not true. Everyone's story matters. Yours does too."
Izuku exhaled, his gaze drifting to the stars above them, as if searching for the right place to begin. "Well, I guess it starts with my friendship with Kacchan." He paused, and Melissa noticed the slight edge in his voice when he said the name. "We grew up together. Back when we were little, he was always confident—strong. I really admired him at first. We were close. But then… things changed."
Melissa listened intently, her eyes reflecting sympathy as Izuku continued.
"I was diagnosed quirkless when I was four," he said quietly, the words feeling heavy. "At first, I didn't really understand what that meant. I still thought I could be a hero, you know? Just like everyone else. But Kacchan, he… he changed when we found out. I guess he saw me as weak—different. The bullying started soon after. He'd call me 'Deku,' telling me I'd never be a hero, that I should just give up."
Melissa's heart ached at hearing this. "I'm sorry you went through that. That must have been hard."
Izuku nodded, though his smile was faint and a little sad. "Yeah, it was. But I never gave up on wanting to be a hero. No matter how much people told me I couldn't, I still believed I could save people, even without a quirk. I always looked up to All Might. He's… he's everything a hero should be. Strong, brave, and always smiling. I wanted to be just like him, to save people with a smile, no matter how scary things get."
Melissa could see the light in his eyes when he talked about All Might, the deep admiration, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to his dream.
Izuku sighed. "But even though I still want to be a hero, it's hard when everyone else thinks it's impossible. In the real world, I'm just quirkless Deku. Someone who can't make a difference. That's why… that's why this game felt like a second chance to me."
There was a pause as Izuku looked down, lost in thought, before Melissa gently broke the silence. "You're not the only one, you know…"
Izuku looked up, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Melissa took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. "I'm quirkless too."
Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you are?"
Melissa nodded. "Yeah. Just like you. I grew up wanting to be a hero too. But without a quirk, I thought it would be impossible. So, I made a different choice. I decided I'd be like my dad—work in support. He creates technology that helps heroes. I thought if I couldn't be one, I'd at least help them succeed."
Izuku tilted his head slightly, curiosity in his eyes. "Who's your dad, if you don't mind me asking?"
A small smile crept onto Melissa's face as she answered. "David Shield."
Izuku's jaw practically dropped. "David Shield? The David Shield? The one who created all those amazing support items for All Might and other top heroes?!"
Melissa giggled at his reaction. "Yeah, that's him. I guess I never mentioned it before because I didn't want it to change how you saw me."
Izuku's starry-eyed admiration couldn't be contained. "David Shield… I've read all about his work! He's a genius in the support industry! I can't believe… and you're his daughter?! That's incredible!"
Melissa laughed softly, enjoying Izuku's fanboy moment. "Yeah, I suppose it is. He's pretty amazing. But you know, growing up with someone like him, I always felt like I had to live up to that legacy. I wanted to make a difference, just like him, even if it wasn't by being a hero. That's part of why I came to Sword Art Online. I thought maybe I could find a way to help people here too."
Izuku's excitement was palpable, but he managed to calm himself a bit. "I had no idea. That's… wow. I guess we both came here for similar reasons, then. To make a difference."
Melissa smiled warmly at him. "Yeah, I guess we did."
There was a brief, comfortable silence before Melissa added, "You know, All Might is kind of like an uncle to me."
Izuku froze. "W-What?"
Melissa chuckled at his stunned expression. "Yeah, he and my dad are really close. He visits a lot. I'm sure if we ever get out of here, you could meet him. Maybe even ask him for some tips on being a hero."
Izuku's face turned bright red, his heart racing at the very thought. "M-Me? Meet All Might? I-I could never ask you to do something like that! That's… that's too much!"
Melissa just smiled softly. "Deku, what else are best friends for?"
Those words hit Izuku harder than any monster they had faced in the dungeon. Best friends. It had been so long since anyone had called him that. His eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed by the kindness and acceptance Melissa had shown him. He had felt alone for so long, but here, in this strange world, he had finally found someone who truly understood him.
Unable to hold back his emotions, Izuku wiped at his eyes as they started walking back towards the inn. Melissa walked close beside him, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't facing the world alone.
When they arrived at the inn, just before they went to their separate rooms, Izuku hesitated. "Hey, Melissa…"
She turned to him, curious. "Yeah?"
Izuku reached into his inventory and pulled out a gleaming sword, its silver blade etched with intricate designs. The sword was pitch black with a sleek. straight-edged blade that gleamed ominously, its design simple yet undeniably powerful. "Here, take this."
Melissa's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the sword. "Deku… what is this?"
Izuku scratched the back of his head, muttering under his breath. "It's a thank you… for listening to me. And for everything you've done."
He handed the sword to her, and she held it carefully, still in awe. "This is… it's an S-class sword! One of a kind… Where did you get this?"
Izuku smiled sheepishly. "I got it from the boss today, but I want you to have it. Hopefully, it'll help keep you safe."
Melissa's eyes shimmered with gratitude as she looked up at him. "Thank you, Deku. This… this means a lot to me."
Izuku nodded, trying to downplay his own emotions. "Yeah, well… I just want you to be safe. That's all."
They exchanged quiet smiles, and with that, they each went to their respective rooms. Tomorrow would be another day of training at the eastern dungeon, but tonight, both of them went to bed with a renewed sense of hope and trust in each other.