[Alfheim Online, New Aincrad, Floor 1]
[Malzeno's POV]
"Is it done?" I again asked the fabled question while we marched through the sea of players from all walks of Alfheim, it felt like a lifetime ago, when people flooded the streets of Aincrad on the day of launch, when people would scour the streets, experiencing their own adventures... all before the worst were to come. This was a nice form of nostalgia, even if it did carry some heaviness to it.
The person I asked was our resident blacksmith with bubble-gum pink hair and a mean streak to boot. She wore a red and white dress and also has brown boots. The only difference is that she has pointy ears, and her wings appear to be mechanical as she chose the Leprechaun race.
"Oi, Pinky, is it-"
"I heard you the first time! Geez, you're worse than Kirito!" Lizbeth, or Liz, swatted my finger away from her cheek, glowering at me with those hateful dark pink eyes. "Yes, it'll be set for tomorrow; you're lucky I even accepted a job so tight on schedule to this event!"
"You see this? This is why I love working with you," I smiled happily as she puffed out her cheeks a bit with an annoyed noise.
"Next time, I'm charging you extra for stressing me out on this job," Liz grumbled while I nearly tripped along the way.
"...now I remember why I was broke all the time," I deflated a bit while walking.
"You should have kept quiet, Mal~" Asuna hummed a bit further ahead with Kirito.
"And where's the fun in that, who doesn't love my colourful creative comments?" Giving a little wave of my hand, I heard a collective groan from our group.
"A real charmer, that's for sure..." Liz rolled her eyes.
"I'm taking that compliment, you can keep the sarcasm, thank you~" I winked, hopping away before her fist to strike me, moving in beside Yuuki who was stifling a giggle at my antics. Man... she's really cute - granted, she's been that way since day one, it's just more... magnified, shall we say?
Am I in denial? Nah...
"What did you have her create for you?" My overpowered leader inquired while I tapped a finger to my lips, predicting she'd ask this.
"That'll be tucked away for a special moment tomorrow - when and against who remains unclear, but'll be worth the wait," I had a devious grin, and I was a little nervous inside. What I had planned was more for me than a gift for someone else, but lately I've been coming to terms with a lot I've tried to move on and forget, that last part being what needed changing.
"Oh come on, just a tiny hint? Please-please-please~" Yuuki tugged on my jacket, giving me these big puppy eyes that I had to wince and look away from.
"Too much... cuteness...!" I hissed, then promptly pushed my hand over her eyes. "Ah, much better - yeah, no dice, I've been trained by the greatest informant of Aincrad, no way am I shaming her teachings now,"
"Nyahaha, yer makin' big sis proud, MaL!" Literally standing between Jun and Siune, was the hooded broker herself, startling the aforementioned two who were fixed on mine and Yuuki's bickering. Argo's whiskers twitched while her sharp grin rose. "It'll be worth yer time waitin' for the big reveal tomorrow, Zekken, that's all I'll hand out for freE,"
"So is it a new set of gear?" Jun hazard a guess, arms crossed with a furrowed brow. "I mean, his outfit's pretty bland-"
"Okay, that stung," I held up my hand slightly.
"-he doesn't really stand out all that much from Nori," Jun kept digging for himself, said Spriggan raising a brow at him, leaning over his shorter form.
"Oh? Says the short-stack that hasn't changed his gear in the last three months, you maxed out your enhancements one month ago, I'm surprised you haven't gotten something destroyed this time," The ravenette snickered when Jun's face looked a little redder.
"Aw, he's getting flustered - wait, 'this time'," I paused my teasing, removing my hand from Yuuki's eyes so she could finally see again, shaking her head a bit. "Oh God, don't tell me you tried to enhance an item that ran out of enhancement attempts? You don't even need to be a blacksmith to know that's stupid,"
"I-it was an honest mistake, no one said that was a limitation, I-I just thought that... shut up!" He growled, crossing his arms while Nori cackled in his ear.
"Honestly, a rookie mistake..." Lizbeth concurred with me, shaking her head. But her blacksmith talents made her curious from how she stared at the redhead. "Say, how many enhancements did it have then?"
"Uh... been a while, I think it was... 50?" Jun said it so casually that he didn't see the storm he just kicked up.
"Oh boy, didn't think I was gonna see a PK in a safe zone again -which is stupid, by the way!" I made that clear to the ones at the front of our group who flinched. Yeah, 'my friend was murdered in a safe zone', sure... cause that makes sense...
"You did... WHAT!?" It took me and another player to hold Liz back, a Sylph girl with bright green eyes and wearing white and green clothes. She also has a white and green collar on her neck. Long blonde hair, often tied up with a flower-like hairband. Her hair bangs, however, are not tied up with her hair. Leafa and Kirito's 'sister' although they're cousins from what he's told me.
"Leafa, please remove the pink meanie before she murders him," I asked politely.
"S-sure, leave it to me," She smiled nervously, pulling the furious blacksmith away from Jun who looked as pale as a ghost.
"What... was that about?" Yuuki, who had been left utterly bewildered this whole time, asked of me. My only response was to pat her shoulder.
"Trust me, you don't wanna know-" I pointed at Argo. "-you shouldn't have told me, but you did. So, I'm telling you, you don't wanna know," That's one memory of SAO I'd live without, my head hurts just thinking about it.
Given how massive the Town of Beginnings was, it housed another great monument to capture everyone's eyes. A large stone coliseum, it was similar to one found on Floor 75, only not nearly as grand in size, but it could house a massive number of players regardless. Everyone from across multiple games logged on to buy a seat, many milling around market stalls outside while fireworks dazzled the players from above the edges of the arena.
~Welcome everyone to the 4th United Duelling Tournament! The name's Cliffheart! Coming live straight from the 1st Floor of New Aincrad! We've got quite the roster in store for you all these next two days, so be sure to settle your duties IRL as we've got back-to-back battle royales in store for you today!~The female announcer declared with a bubbly voice.~I'm joined by the CEO of MMO Tomorrow, Thinker!~
~I'm honoured to have the opportunity to commentate on this year's UDT, I know the last was truly a spectacle so I do hope to see the same this time around, I'm sure everyone else would agree~Thinker replied politely.
~Excellent words! With that said, those entering the first round should head into the arena as soon as they enter. Remember, you have a 15 minute window, you miss it, tough luck! To hurry up, you slow pokes!~Cliffheart declared, going silent as everyone moved around in a hurry now to get seated or prepare.
Inside the west wing of the arena, we all stood around as some walked in or prepared before heading through the tunnel. The place was akin to a dungeon layout, just no prison bars but lots of crates and supplies in piles against the walls with furniture and spare rooms.
"Huh, didn't peg them to rope in Thinker," Kirito marvelled at the familiar voice.
"He's a significant figure in the gaming media, did you know about this, Argo?" Asuna inquired, the rat nodding knowingly.
"My boss said for me to keep it on the down low, sorry, A-ChaN," Argo shrugged.
"Woah, so this Thinker guy is an SAO survivor too?" Yuuki buzzed with excitement at the information. "Man, we're lucking out with all these new people, you guys know so many!"
"Pays to have connections, Thinker was instrumental in keeping the peace for everyone that didn't want to leave the 1st Floor town, course, there were some hiccups-" I didn't miss seeing a faint flicker of annoyance pass over Kirito. "-but he's about the most generous person you'd meet, maybe we can chat with him later?"
"Could be worth a try, but he's no doubt busy," Agil commented, a few nodding in agreement.
"I'm sure he'd make time to see us, right, Argo?" The youngest of the group, even by mine and Yuuki's standards, was a Cait Sith called Silica, with her familiar, Pina, a blue feathered dragon that sat on her shoulder.
Silica had light brown hair tied into two tails by red ribbons, as well as two red ring baubles. She wore a blue robe of that exposed part of her shoulders, a short black skirt, fingerless black gloves, and blue, asymmetrical shoes with long black socks.
Argo ruffled the top of Silica's head, smiling under her hood. "I can run a good word by him if he's got timE," Seeing the girl's expression brighten made Argo coo at how cute she was. "It's a crime for someone to be so cute, y'knoW?"
"Reel it in, boss," I rolled my eyes, turning to the entrance. "Rest shouldn't be long, so I guess I'm up," Exposing my right forearm, it caused a spell circle to appear around my wrist like a bracelet in green, displaying '1' as a result, my marker once I entered the arena to tell me where I was slotted in. "Welp, wish me luck, cause no one else will - hahaha, I'm gonna enjoy this..."
"Good luck!" The group encouraged, so sweet of them. Heading down the tunnel, I heard the familiar clop of boots behind me, bringing my heels to a grinding halt.
"Coming to wish me luck personally, I'm gonna blush, Cupcake," I grinned in turning to meet her crimson eyes. The others had moved on, with Asuna shoving Argo, Lizbeth, Silica, and the Sleeping Knights along to give us a moment of privacy. "You're clear - and... we're hugging?"
I felt my back straighten with heat rising to my face when she hugged me tightly, pulling away with the biggest grin possible. "Do your best, even if we can't fight tomorrow, promise me you'll go all out like when we fought for the first time," She looked pretty serious about this...
"I mean, kinda the plan I guess? What's gotten into you? If you're worried about people targeting me, trust me... that's the fun part," I chuckled, then before she could counter, I patted her shoulders gently. "I promise, really, you want a show so bad? I'll damn right blow this first round out of the water, even you'd struggle to usurp my glorious performance," With a modest bow, I got a laugh from her, and a light shove.
"Dork... okay then, guess I'll just have to do even better than you in the second round!" She declared, holding her fist out in front of me. It might've just been me, but Yuuki looked a little pink in the face, and how she acted was very awkward until now. She having an off day?
"Bring it," I smugly retorted, bumping her knuckle while turning to walk towards the open field, hearing the roars and chants of the crowd beyond. Grabbing No Turning Back off my... well, 'back', I headed towards my execution with a skip in my chest.
The fireworks rumbled in the air above, overpowered by the chorus of voices that circled the whole arena stands above the flat arena filled with, from my best estimate, just over 100 players. All with various backgrounds, weaponry, and gear. Some more equipped than others.
~Times up, everyone! The first match of the United Duelling Tournament is about to begin, so find a seat!~Cliffheart declared, raising the voices around the arena again. ~Thinker, mind explaining the rules!?~
~Certainly. This will be a free-for-all battle, you may use sword skills, items, but are restricted to ground combat, so no wings, and no use of spells. This match will go on for 20 minutes, if there are still more than 5 players remaining, we will decide based on performance who will move forward to the afternoon's matches~ Thinker explained simply. ~Only thing I have left to say is to wish all of you the best of luck, and to fight using all other methods you've gained over your time in ALO~
~You heard the man; let's not keep this frantic crowd waiting any longer!~Cliffheart chimed in.
I gripped NTB tightly, nocking three arrows coated in orange liquid. I've been waiting months for this game, I didn't have nearly enough strength to compete last time, Kirito taking the gold per-usual, but now... I could see them clear as day at the edge of the coliseum to my right, everyone that wasn't participating cheering too. Including the guild I've become a part of in one month.
~Battle to your heart's content in Three... Two... One...!~
Like a symphony, the burning wind-up of sword skills, coupled with the various shades of the spectrum ignited across the dirt arena, already, eyes were trained on me, my assassins were purposefully near. Can't say I blame them, after all...
~BEGIN!~The pair declared, followed by a loud gong being struck somewhere in the city.
I pulled the arrows back on the string until they were taut, grinning madly. "I've got a bet I can't lose either!"
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
And so the battle royale begins, this'll be an action-packed arc to say the least, bunch of fights, mostly centered on Yuuki's and Malzeno's to save my sanity, haha... and maybe something more towards the end ;). Until then, I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support, seeya in the next chapter, Players!