«Nov 25, 2022 - 2:45 PM» «Aincrad - 1st Floor»

«Viola Town»

Inside my rented room, my fingers drummed idly against the wooden table as I stared at my menu screen... The message indicator remained dim—Amaya-san still hadn't replied.

It had been about fifteen minutes since I left the Iris Cave, and though I wasn't exactly worried, something about the silence unsettled me. She had been struggling with the quest all morning—what was taking so long?

I pulled up my menu and checked my Friend Messages.

[Hibiki: "I just finished mining, Amaya-san. Marco-san is still in the cave. Where are you and Aya-chan right now?"]

The message had been sent 10 minutes ago, but there was still no response.

I exhaled, leaning back in my seat. There was no point in overthinking it. She was probably still searching, and Marco-san would take a while to finish his mining quota. Might as well kill some time.

With nothing else to do, I decided to head down to the lobby and wait. The inn was a modest, two-story establishment, its interior lined with wooden beams and soft lantern light. A few players were gathered around the common area, chatting over plates of food and drinks.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard the light jingle of the entrance bell as someone walked in.

I barely paid attention at first—until a voice, soft yet clear, spoke up near the front desk.

"Uhm, I'm back. Here's the payment."

Something about that voice made me pause. It was gentle, yet carried an almost melodic tone, like a song half-whispered in the wind.

Curious, I turned my head toward the source—

Standing by the counter was a girl with short milk-tea brown hair. Her figure was small and graceful, she wore a white hood with a plain, deep-red tunic.

Her very aura is very calm, and comforting. And strangely, there was something... familiar about her.

Before I could place where I had seen her before, she suddenly turned in my direction—

Our gazes met.

She blinked, tilting her head slightly. "...Do you need something?"

I immediately looked away, feeling my face heat up. "N-No, sorry. I just—thought you looked familiar."

She studied me for a moment before offering a faint smile. "Maybe we met in another life?"

I frowned. What kind of answer is that?

Before I could respond, the girl faintly giggles.

"I'm just kidding, do not take it seriously, please."

Then, the «NPC Innkeeper» handed her a key.

"I have confirmed and recieved the payment for this week, Miss 'Yuna', thank you very much. Pease have a nice day." The NPC says.

The girl gave a small nod, before heading toward the stairs, disappearing up the steps.

I stood there for a few more seconds before shaking my head. What was that about?

«Yuna»... that was her name.

«2:55 PM»

A familiar ding echoed in my ears, signaling a new message.

[Amaya: "We're here at the Viola Chapel, Hibiki-kun. Please come quick."]

The urgency in her message made my brows furrow. Without wasting any time, I turned on my heel and made my way toward the «Chapel of Viola» near the center of town.

Viola Village's chapel was a small stone building located near the outskirts of town. It wasn't anything grand—just a simple structure with a pointed roof and stained-glass windows depicting healing potions.

When I arrived, Amaya-san was standing by the entrance, arms crossed. Aya-chan was beside her, kicking at a stray pebble.

"Amaya-san," I called out. "What's up?"

Amaya-san sighed in frustration. "We've been at this for over two hours, and we still haven't found the key item."

"Hm? Is it about the Advance Potion Quest?"

Amaya-san opened her menu and swiped a quest window toward me.

«Advance Quest: "The Alchemist's Trial"»

«Status: ONGOING»

«Quest Rewards: Scroll of Life x1 - 30,000 Cols»

«Current Objective: Find the 'Phantom Orchid', and return it to the Chapel.»

"Phantom Orchid?" I asked, as I saw the current quest objective.

Amaya-san rubbed her temples. "It's a key item most likely, and a very rare one. The quest description only gives a vague hint—something about it appearing in places 'hidden from mortal sight.' We've asked around, but nobody knows where to find it."

"We went to a beautiful gardens Hibiki-san! Even the flower shops, and the farms!" Aya-chan chirped, and then pouted immediately "...But no Phantom Orchid anywhere!"

I scratched the back of my head. "That's weird. If it's a quest item, shouldn't there be a clue somewhere?"

"You'd think so." Amaya-san shook her head. "That's why we're heading to back to the marketplace next. Someone has to know something."

Aya grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the street. "Come on, Hibiki-san! Let's go before it gets too late!"

I chuckled. "Alright, alright."

Then with Amaya-san's lead, all three of us left the chapel.

In the vibrant streets of Viola Village, beneath the fading light of a late afternoon sun, a covert network of low-level players was quietly at work. In SAO, every player's status was displayed by a «colored cursor» floating above them—a digital emblem that revealed reputation and intent.

«Green Cursors» denoted innocence and newness. Players that have not directly committed an infraction receive a green cursor. Most players in SAO have green cursors. NPCs also have some kind of green-cursors, but only in a different shape. They also have an «NPC» tag under the «HP Bars», that differentiate them from the player cursors.

«Orange Cursors» signified those who had begun straying into dubious territory. They are seperated in two categories.

- First, the «Orange Players». It's a term that has become a synonym for "criminal", by other players. Orange Players are unable to enter villages or streets that have the «Safe Zone» effect on. If they try to get into these areas, they will be attacked by «NPC guards» until they leave the affected area. In order for an orange player to move between floors, they must either walk from floor to floor or use teleportation or corridor crystals.

- Second, the «Red Players». Red Players or 'Player Killers' refers to those Orange Players who have ACTUALLY resorted into killing, and murdered other players. Although referred to as "red" players, their cursors are actually still orange.

Among these, a loose band of Orange Players—merely a rag-tag group of Level 1–3 individuals—occupies the shadows of «Mauve Woods»—a forest in the southernmost corner of Viola—as their hideout.

They were, at their core, cowards, much like Hibiki. They avoided direct confrontations at all costs... to protect themselves.

But unlike Hibiki, whose paralyzing fear stemmed from his internal demons, these players relied on deceit to survive. Their cowardice led them down a path of trickery and theft.

They were, in many ways, scum—opportunistic and driven solely by greed.

Despite this, these scums in reality, all possess zero 'guts'. They are cowards who have no courage to actually kill anyone; the act of murder was just simply too much for them.

Their survival solely depended on deception and intimidation, but not outright bloodshed.

Normally, the entirety of Mauve Woods lay within Viola's borders—part of the Safe Zone where NPC Guards actively repelled any criminal Orange Players.

However, through a quirk of the game's geography, Mauve Woods extended far enough beyond the village limits that its middle section, actually lay OUTSIDE the Safe Zone.

In that dangerous, unguarded expanse, the Orange Group could operate freely, executing their schemes without fear of immediate reprisal from the system's enforcers.

As of now for the group, their target was clear: the newly opened «Weapon Shop» in First Town. Rumors had spread that one of its owners,

...Amaya, was an accomplished «Potion Crafter» who's interested in an advance quest known as «The Alchemist's Trial», which required the rare key item—the «Phantom Orchid».

Their only knowledge, for now, was that the Santos Family's Weapon Shop had become a hub of interest—thanks to Amaya's growing reputation as a Potion Crafter and Marco's rising skills as a blacksmith in First Town.

The group saw the Santos Family as vulnerable prey,

To that end, the Orange group had dispatched a couple of scouts. Two young players, the skinny «Voltaire» and the more rotund «Utsuro», were assigned to stake out the Santos Residence in First Town.

Their cursors still glowed bright green—and this allowed them to roam the Safe Zone of the First Town and Viola Village without triggering attacks from NPC guards—a necessary advantage since orange-cursor players are normally forbidden from entering the Safe Zone.

Their mission was straightforward: Observe the Santos Residence, track Amaya's movements, and report back on any sign of weakness.

According to their reports, the Santos Family's Weapon Shop in First Town was already attracting curious glances and hushed whispers. The group was convinced that Amaya, due to her curiosity in «The Alchemist's Trial» which is coincindentally located on the Viola Village, would eventually be forced into vulnerable positions where she could be exploited.

At the heart of the group's plan was «Zidra»—a man who, by all appearances, was a reputable merchant. Zidra's role was that of bait. His task was to approach the Santos Family under the guise of offering valuable information about the «Phantom Orchid» and to lure them into venturing toward Mauve Woods.

Maintaining a «Green Cursor» himself, Zidra carefully avoided any direct criminal behavior, ensuring he remained an emblem of innocence. His calm, courteous demeanor made him trustworthy to those unaware of his true allegiance.

Earlier that day, the Santos Family had left the First Town and teleported to VIola Town. According to Voltaire and Utsuro's report, Marco the blacksmith was given a custom weapon order by an Army player. The weapons apparently, requires «Violatites».

On the otherhand, Amaya the Potion Crafter, also decided to take the «Advance Potion Quest» today.

With all pieces now in set, the Orange Group's plan had finally STARTED.

Over the course of the day, the Orange group had been watching Amaya and her daughter closely, carefully tracking their movements through Viola Village as Amaya searched for information on the key item.

The situation became even more perfect for them when they noticed that Marco, the blacksmith and head of the Santos Family—who was rumored to already be Level 5—for some reason... was nowhere to be found.

As for the sudden addition of a teenage-looking kid—Hibiki—he made no difference to the plan.

With this, the only threat in their plans... is gone.

First, Zidra moves through the market of Viola Village. His keen eyes took in every detail—the discreet exchanges between Amaya and the NPCs as she desperately looks for the information about the «Phantom Orchid». He noted, too, that the absence of Marco (as the group believed it) rendered Amaya and her daughter even more exposed.

To the group, this made their target all the more appealing.

Second, Zidra's goal is to approach Amaya, and then offer her information about the «key item» that she's been looking. This information, obviously, was designed to lure the Santos Family out of the Safe Zone without them knowing.

Third and last, Voltaire and Utsuro were tasked to wait for Zidra at the entrance of Mauve Woods. Their goal is to support Zidra, to make sure that the targets will be lured inside the woods.

If everything moves out smoothly and if Zidra could convince the three to venture into the deeper parts of Mauve Woods, the plan would be a success...

—And Hibiki, Aya, and Amaya would soon find themselves in the perilous middle area—outside the Viola Village's protective borders—where the rest of the Orange Group would be waiting.

As the afternoon light deepened over Viola Village, Zidra proceeded to move towards the unsuspecting group gathered near a vendor's stall.

The Orange Group's carefully crafted plan would set the stage for what would become... a dangerous venture.

«3:15 PM» «Viola Village - Marketplace»

The Viola Marketplace was bustling with activity. Stalls lined both sides of the cobbled streets, merchants advertising their wares in loud, enthusiastic voices.

Amaya-san wasted no time, approaching an NPC older woman selling herbs and potions.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but do you know anything about the Phantom Orchid?"

The woman frowned. "Phantom Orchid? Hmm... never heard of it, dear. Sounds mystical, though."

Amaya-san sighed. "Thanks anyway."

Then as we turned around, a man's voice cut through the air.

"...Good day. I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. A rare item?"

We turned to see a merchant-looking man standing behind a nearby stall.

At first glance, I thought he was an NPC, but no.

A «Green Cursor» above his head. He's a «Player».

"Kinda... We've been searching for over two hours, and the Phantom Orchid is still nowhere in sight" Amaya-san said in frustration. "And who might you be? Do you know where to find a Phantom Orchid?"

"They call me Zidra," he said with a casual smile. "And if it's the Phantom Orchid you need... well, let's just say I happen to know where you can find it."

Amaya-san's eyes widened slightly. "Where?"

"A place called Mauve Woods," Zidra answered smoothly. "It's the only place on the First Floor where Phantom Orchids grow."

Amaya-san frowned. "Mauve Woods? Never heard of it."

"There's a forest to the southeast, still technically within Viola's borders." Zidra explained "The place ain't really that popular to the players, partly because it seems empty—but the thing is, once you venture deeper, you might just find what you're after."

Amaya-san hesitated. "Mm... You're sure about this?"

"Positive." Zidra smiled. "In fact, I was just heading back there myself. Why don't you people come with me? I know the best route... for a price of course."

Something about this felt off. Call it... instincts.

I wanted to say something, but before I could, Aya tugged on my sleeve.

"Hibiki-san?" she turned to me, her eyes a bit worried. "Is something wrong?"

I sighed.

Seriously, the way Aya can always see through me is unbelievable

I chuckled, and gave her a smile to reassure her. "It's nothing, Aya-chan. Don't worry."

Maybe I was just imagining things again.

I had always been the cautious type—the kind who second-guessed everything, who hesitated when others charged forward. My gut twisted uncomfortably, but it wasn't the first time I felt this way.

My fear had ruled me for so long that I had to wonder—was this real unease or just my usual paranoia?

The quest had been stalled for hours. We needed progress.

And besides, Amaya-san was an adult. She was careful, rational, far more experienced than I was. She wouldn't walk into something reckless especially since Aya is here. If she thought this was a good lead, then it had to be worth checking out. It will be fine.

After a long silence, I saw Amaya-san nod slowly.

"Alright, Mr. Zidra. Please lead the way."

Zidra grinned. "Right this way, then."

He then turned, leading the way toward the southernmost corner of Viola.

As we began to follow him, I cast one last glance back toward the marketplace.

The once-lively chatter of vendors and players now seemed muted in my ears, as if the world itself was distorting the further we walked. The bustling streets, the warm glow of torches, the safety of the town—it was all slipping away behind me.

After that final moment, I turned my back to the town completely...

—onto a path that would change everything... once again.