A/N: Here is the author who didn't upload for so long.
I got no excuse. Well, I do. I started studying this year, so that's why. But also, cause I was not much invested in SAO anymore and got sometimes a bit lazy.
Well anyway, here comes a very long chapter.
12k words.
Can't believe myself either how long I wrote, but I suppose it might be a good thing for you readers.
Anyway, that's all.
I hope you like it.
--
[Ayanokoji Pov]
In the middle of the morning, feeling a bright sun shine in the eye holes of my mask I couldn't help but glance aside and see the tent being slightly open.
Although I had woken up just due to that, I had slept pretty well, honestly.
In case anything happened, like the potential fact that I would sleep outside I had bought myself comfortable sleeping equipment.
That the luxurious sleeping bag would ever come handy was a surprise for me but it turned out to be one of the better decisions I had made.
Alongside that, I had a very long, but yet soft pillow.
I slept as good as I would do in my bed, here in Aincrad.
Feeling the need of stretching my arms in the air, as I had just woken up, I looked to the side of me.
[Image:]
There I saw the dark elf who had been awake like me, too. "Did you sleep good, X?"
I nodded my head, "I slept very well."
Looking at my HUD, just wanting to know what time it was I noticed something else there, too. New messages have arrived during the time I slept.
I was wondering who would be messaging me so early, as it was just 10 o'clock. I opened the message menu but of course I knew one of the people who messaged me in advance already.
One of them was Karuizawa Kei, my current girlfriend. She had asked me when I would come home at 1 a.m in the morning, but I slept at that time already.
The next thing I knew were messages where I was, hours later.
During 7 a.m, until now.
I quickly answered from her previous messages that, [I slept in an Inn], and that I would come [home later], hoping that this would be enough for her.
Aside from her, Horikita has surprisingly messaged me, too.
But she wasn't the only one.
Sakayanagi Arisu, as well, did message me. And not only her, but Diavel and Kirito, too.
Both Sakayanagi and Horikita had almost the explicitly the same contents, however.
[Horikita: Sakayanagi-san has invited us after the boss fight to a meeting with the other class leaders. Are you coming, too? She explicitly asked for you, as well.]
[Ayanokoji: I'll tag along. When and where?]
[Horikita: At one of her shops. Here is the location.]
She quickly shared with me through one of the features in Aincrad the Location on the Map. It was a spot not fairly much away from my rented house.
It seemed like she deliberately had chosen a location close towards my home. It was in a good position so I might end up visiting it as well.
I replied to Sakayanagi with a positive reply that I would appear too, and that was all. I took a look at the other two messages and replied affirmatively, as well.
Diavel invited everyone in the frontline to meet each other in an hour at 11 o'clock on Floor 3. Kirito informed me of this and asked whether I would end up coming, too.
Since the meeting with the others in the floor of the beginning was held later I had enough time to attend both.
Standing up from my sleeping bag, materializing it in my inventory, I then looked at her. "Can you send me with your charm to Zumfut?"
"Of course. Can you wait outside the tent for a minute?"
Nodding my head I left her tent.
I quickly overlooked a couple of things from my inventory, and changed some of my clothes aside from my mask until I had seen her coming out, too.
I put my weapon in my inventory, and waited for her to appear.
"Are you ready?" she asked, as she faced me directly. "I won't be able to teleport you right at the city, but only somewhere quite near it with my charm. Is that okay for you?"
"That's the option I prefer, actually."
She nodded, but she seemingly still had something to ask me. "I see. X... When will you be coming back?"
"I can't say for sure. But either I'll be coming tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."
"I'll be waiting for you, then."
Saying that I have gotten the notification of her leaving my party while she was using her charm to teleport me near the city Zumfut.
I held my mask with my right hand and at the same time I noticed in front of me, the same blue vision appearing like on the first day in front of my eyes.
So far I never had used a teleport gate at all, so I wasn't really aware between the difference of that and the charm.
All I could say is that it was similar to the forced teleportation from the 1st day.
"Goodbye, X. We'll see each other again."
"Goodbye, Kizmel. See you soon."
Wishing her a farewell, I noticed now how my avatar body teleported somewhere else.
I was in the middle of the forest, completely alone. I took my mask off and put it directly in the inventory.
Slowly, I equipped my other weapon, the curved sword.
My stats had taken quite the bit of a drawback without my katana present on me.
[Stats:]
[Strength: 60 (73)]
[Agility: 48 (67)]
But well, I was still by far the strongest player.
Unless my katana was equipped again my stats would remain reduced like this.
"Better to head back out now."
Coming from the forest out I noticed from afar the city, Zumfut. It was pretty much the only visible place here from this surrounding forest.
Slowly, I approached the city, entering it.
I looked around the city seeing a decent amount of people here. But not paying much attention to them I walked to one of the present shops there.
"Ayanokoji," A person shouted out my name from behind. I quickly turned myself around and looked at him.
"Diavel?" I said in surprise, recognizing the voice somewhere and then looked behind.
"Did I make such a weak impression on you that you already forgot my name after a day?" he asked, slightly holding his laugh away.
I shook my head. "Not really. I just didn't expect you to memorize my name. I thought that I must have left a weak impression on you and everybody else on the frontlines."
"Weak impression...? I'm sure that knowing my benefactor's name is the least thing I could do. Also, I don't think you have left a weak impression on the others, as well."
"I see."
"Besides, unlike anybody else back then I have never seen any trouble being written on your face when fighting against monsters."
"I'm just not good at showing my expressions when I'm stressed. That's all."
"If you say so, then I'll have to believe you. Anyways, I didn't approach you due to that. I would like to ask you something."
"... Are you interested in joining my guild? The Dragon Knights Brigade? We could need someone as strong as you there, definitely."
"Your guild...?"
"Well... It's not founded yet, but I plan on doing it with some other people from the frontlines guild quests on this floor today. Of course after I ensured the difficulty of the monsters is safe for us to handle."
"I wish you good luck with that. But currently, I'm not interested in joining any guild. Sorry about that."
"Don't be. It was just wishful thinking of me that many people were in favor of joining the guilds. I hope you change your mind however, sometimes later."
I simply nodded my head, not saying anything further.
Suddenly, a voice could be heard, disrupting us from our current conversation, "Diavel-san!"
"Lind, you're also already here?"
"Of course. It would be bad for us if I'm not one of the first people to arrive here as well, Diavel-san."
Diavel simply laughed, while the other person simply looked at me suddenly. For a moment he didn't seem to recognize me. "You're the player called... Ayanokoji, right? Thank you for saving Diavel-san. The Dragon Knights Brigade are indebted to you."
"Please don't mention it."
He nodded his head, while looking at me. "Speaking of which... Your username... Is that your...?"
"Yes... I'm not someone who often played MMO's."
Both of them had a slight laugh suddenly. Diavel and Lind tried their best to hide it but it wasn't really possible.
"I'm actually just playing this game because my school tasked us to play it."
"Your school...?"
"Advanced Nurturing High School."
"You're one of the people from there...?" Diavel questioned, looking at me.
I was evidently surprised about him knowing this information beforehand since I never mentioned it, but here were around 320 students remaining.
Nagumo must seem like a saint to the ones he expelled now since they're not forced on experiencing this situation.
In total... From what I'm aware of, he's responsible for at least 32 expulsions in his year alone. So he definitely saved around 1/5 of his year, perhaps, of potentially dying.
Coupled with the two people from the first year expelled and the four people in our year 322 students have been trapped in Aincrad.
But some from my school have died. I wasn't just sure how many died, but the only person whom I was aware of was a classmate from Ichinose so far.
Aside from her class, Ryūen's class took a hit with the death of Sakagami-sensei a month ago as well.
Other than that I'm not quite sure about the causalities from my school.
But speaking about my school how was Diavel aware of it?
Not hesitating I asked him curiously, "How do you know about that?"
"I met someone called Nagumo, a bit around a week ago. I ended up getting in a conversation with him and I was wondering why so many people were following him but I ended up getting my answer later. Do you know him as well?"
I nodded my head, simply, "Everyone in our school knows him. He is one of the most influential students in our school and also, the student council president. It's one of the most prestigious positions you can have."
"I figured something like that already out. He didn't seem like an ordinary person in your school," Diavel said, while Lind looked at me, seemingly a more reassured but he didn't speak at all.
If I had to guess... Due to me being grouped up with Kirito in a party, quite often, there might have been just a small kind of suspicion from him of me being a BetaTester.
But they seemed to have been gone, now.
People really seemed to hate the BetaTester's quite a lot.
Is that why you're not telling them that you're one yourself, Diavel?
I quickly had to shrug my thoughts off as one of them spoke up. "Diavel-san, the other members of our guild have just arrived as well."
"I see. Ayanokoji, we'll be going then. See you in one hour. If there's anything you ever need please don't hesitate to ask."
Saying that both Lind and Diavel left, while I was standing here.
He could pretty accurately tell that I didn't have the intention of joining them. For that I was pretty thankful since I didn't have the intention of being coerced to join their guild.
Leaving that topic aside I headed over to the large trees. Zumfut consisted out of three gigantic trees that stood next to each other.
[Image:]
Their trunks were around 100 feet wide and well over two hundred feet tall. The inside of the trunks were hollowed out in many floored structures.
There seemed a lot to discover so he headed out looking through everything what the large trees had to offer in them while as well, eating breakfast through the remaining time he had left quite above hundred feet in the air with a window to his side.
--
Time had passed quickly, and I was now at the destined position where we were supposed to meet up with everyone from the frontlines.
I noticed both Lux's and Horikita's absence, who both were clearly under the level of most people here and just happened to come because of me.
It surely was probably also because Diavel didn't know their usernames. Unlike me, Kirito, Agil or Asuna, they didn't really establish a name for themselves among the front.
That might have contributed to be the major part of why they weren't here. Of course they also both never ended up fighting in the Labyrinth, as well.
But well, they both realized the need of becoming stronger.
Sitting myself now somewhere nearby I could see many people looking at me, but not through fear like you would expect but out of gratitude for the fact of myself saving Diavel, who has been acknowledged as the leader of our raid party.
I was by far much popular than I had assumed.
I did get a few looks a day ago, because I had saved Diavel, but I wasn't paying any attention on them, mostly.
For a brief moment I even considered if Kayaba somehow revealed who the person behind the mask was, but that wasn't the case at all, fortunately.
But one thing was for sure; I would need a more durable mask. Two or three hits from a floor boss and then a portion of my face might be already revealed.
That was something I didn't want to happen.
Before my fight with the floor boss I assumed it would be fairly easy, since I was at the beginning at Level 28, with abnormal stats, but it was a bit more difficult than expected.
I guess if there's a next time I should be more careful.
"Yo Ayanokoji," Hearing this familiar voice from behind, interrupting my thoughts I looked over to my back.
There I saw Kirito, arriving a bit early like me here.
I nodded, simply, "Did you have a good sleep?" Kirito asked.
"I did. And you?"
"Well... I did, as well. I was awake for a bit of time, though. Did you notice what happened yesterday?"
"You mean the thing with the masked person. Yeah, I saw a camera logo appearing when I was lying on my bed, so I ended up watching the stream. And you?"
"I was leveling up at that time my extra skill martial arts I got thanks to you before watching the stream as well. I'm owing you one for that. But anyway, do you think it's the same person who offered us the Map Data?"
"I'm pretty sure he is. It doesn't seem like a coincidence. If he ends up offering materials you can only get from the boss fight it pretty much is confirmed."
"That's true. I'm just wondering how he unlocked the katana? Is that like the martial arts skill an extra skill?"
"You're asking the wrong person."
"Ah... Yes, sorry—"
"You there! Are you perhaps not this masked guy?" a brown haired guy pointed, who listened to our conversation, interrupting us.
That person was Kibaou.
But instead of pointing to me, he pointed to the person right next to me, Kirito.
"You're thinking it's me...?!" Kirito questioned in a shocked tone.
"Of course. Who else could it be, if not the Evil Beater!" Kibaou said, as if it was obvious of Kirito being X, the masked individual.
Murmurs could be now heard everywhere from the people present here questioning Kirito. He looked pretty uncomfortable with all this even more negative attention right now.
But before much more room of speculations could be made from the people here who ended up targeting Kirito, Diavel stepped in. "Hey, now, everyone. I'm sure after what happened yesterday everything must seem really confusing."
"But we shouldn't end up accusing each other because of baseless speculations. I don't think it could be Kirito in the slightest bit."
"Why do you think so, Diavel-san?" Instead of Kibaou, someone else asked him this question.
"I don't think Kirito is the type of the person to hide himself behind a mask. If we're going more specifically into the details there is also an clear height difference between him and the masked individual. More importantly, their fighting style differs by great lengths."
"Not to mention the sheer difference in strength and speed. The masked individual X is someone on its own league."
"I have no idea about his identity but I don't think it's Kirito. If Kirito had that kind of strength and weapon he would have used it. We all want to get out of this world quickly so there's no reason for him to hold himself back."
Kirito stood up, agreeing with him. "Diavel is right. I'm good, but if I had that kind of strength I would have used it by now. Also, I've been here with you all, training and fighting alongside everyone. Most of you should have noticed that I'm just three to four levels above you not twice or perhaps thrice the amount."
"I wouldn't be here right now wasting a day but be on my way towards clearing the Labyrinth."
"I'm not sure what the deal is with X, and why he remains hidden, but I'm sure he had his own goals in mind with that fight."
"Goals...?" Someone questioned.
But instead of Kirito, Diavel answered. "If X had the intention of clearing the floor right from the beginning he would have appeared with us for Floor 1. What Kirito wants to say is he was using the live-stream feature towards his own advantage."
"Does everybody remember the person that offered the Map Data's at NPC Stores? That trade name happened to be X, as well. All of us bought it for 5.000 Cor. And I'm sure it was a good amount he has gotten."
"Since he had confirmed that the trade name is him he'll likely offer a variety of items on the NPC Places. I can just guess right now but I believe validating his identity has been his goal."
"Within a day or two the next items that will appear will be some from the Second Floor Boss Fight and we'll find out. To eliminate any doubt arising from anyone."
"... So there's someone far worse than the Beater out there..." Kibaou muttered, his hands clenched, but everyone heard and saw him clearly well.
"Hey, Ayanokoji-kun did we miss something?" From behind, I heard a familiar voice. It was that of Lux, a girl I had saved, from a monster.
However, she wasn't the only one. I looked behind my back and saw Lux being together with Asuna, another member of the Party I was in on Floor 1.
"Nothing much. We just talked about that masked individual X. The meeting still has yet to go."
"Oh, I see. I thought I was late. But it's good to know I didn't miss anything crucial."
However, the girl next to her, Asuna looked thoughtful. "X... That's the person who offered the Map Data's of the Labyrinth in the NPC Stores, right?" Asuna quickly asked with Kirito nodding his head.
"We all assume it's the same person."
"Did you discuss anything else about him?"
"Anything else?"
"Such as getting in contact with him. If he's strong enough of clearing a Floor Boss entirely on his own, we will need him here as well. In order to leave this world as quick as possible."
"We didn't get that far... Until now, we were just talking if I could be that person..." Kirito muttered awkward, holding his hand against the back of his head.
"I see."
"... So you two didn't miss anything crucial really out."
"That's really all...? I've thought someone had at least answers about the Katana. Is it really something that you don't know of? Didn't it exist in the Beta?"
"As far as I know of, no. It could be an Extra Skill, perhaps."
"Extra Skill...?"
"A skill you could unlock through quests, or perhaps through something else. Something like Martial Arts. It's nothing that you would expect in a world of swords, but it exists. And in order to unlock it, you have to absolve a quest on this floor."
"You didn't say anything about the quest on our way here."
"Well... honestly, I had no idea of it. It was Argo who had told me it. And later, it was Ayanokoji, who helped me solving the riddle of how to break a 2 meter wide rock without using your hands."
She looked at me, once she heard those words from his mouth. "It's nothing really difficult. Just let a monster attack the rock for you."
"That sounds pretty..."
"Yes, it's not that quite hard. Still, if you're going there without a clue about the quest it will take you a good amount of time."
As I had said this, sudden words of Diavel could be heard now, and everyone focused their attention on him.
The Meeting took a bit of time, but Diavel clarified a couple of things. Such as that we should meet up next week, on this precise day again up.
For now, it was to avoid dangers, such as in my case, with an additional monster that didn't exist in the Beta.
Meanwhile, he also had announced that he and some of the people here would be forming a guild, and everyone here was welcomed to join it.
Surprisingly, many people liked that idea, and it went as I had thought. From all people present here, more than half of them were willing to join Diavel's Guild.
I had received a couple of stares from time to time, but honestly, I wasn't in favor of it. Of course, if a guild gives you any significant advantage in this game, I might make one myself, but with me as the only member in it.
From Kirito I had heard that in the Beta, Guilds taxed you a percentage of your Cor, whenever you earned money, killed a monster, absolved a quest, and perhaps, if you sold something as well.
That alone was much reason enough to avoid joining one.
I could influence Diavel's guild's as his savior easily, so even without me in there, I was pretty likable and would face no difficulties of manipulating people there.
Other than that, there were some irrelevant things he had told.
However, the one interesting thing he had said was, that he would try on getting into contact with X, alias me.
As long as it was on the Trade Register I could receive messages from my buyers, if I allowed it.
Unlike messages in which you go to the menu and would need their username, this didn't apply in the trade register.
My trade name was more than enough.
Other than X, nothing would be shown.
In short, everything was fine. I wasn't sure if I wanted to communicate with them currently, but well who knows what happens in the future.
That was the only fairly interesting thing so far we discussed.
Naturally, it wasn't well received among many, but no one could argue, given that I, alias X cleared a Floor Boss, alongside the two middle bosses on my own.
Just as the meeting was over, with Kirito and Asuna gone, Lux, the girl next to me asked me something. "Ayanokoji-kun, do you want to farm with me...?"
I looked at her face and had seen that it was slightly red.
"I have something to do, today. Sorry, it won't be possible."
"I see..."
"I can go some other time with you farming. If you'd like, we can take Hiyori with us as well."
Lux nodded her head, simply.
I walked to the direction of the Teleport Gate, with her following me. "Are you going to stay here?"
"Yes, I think so. Till now I had not much time on exploring this city, or any other one, so I guess it's time to do so. I'm also still in need of a room today, so I might as well sleep here."
"The Rooms should be on these three large trees, right? I'm really curious and excited to see how everything looks like from a room at the top."
"Must be probably beautiful. But similarly wise it will be a bit more expensive than the classic rooms at the Inns."
"As long as it's not 500 Cor per night, I'm ready to stay here, for today."
"Well, I wish you good luck with that. I'm going to head out now. Take care."
She waved at me with a smile, "Goodbye, Ayanokoji-kun. Take care of yourself as well."
[Image:]
Without a second further, a blue vision appeared right in front of my eyes, and I was teleported to the Town of the Beginning back again.
After spending an entire night in Floor 3, this was definitely a bit of a more refreshing sight. In all honestly, I couldn't await it anymore to sleep in my bed, again.
"Should I visit Kei before I'm heading towards Sakayanagi's Place...?" That was the only question I asked myself in the moment.
I had a bit of time until the meeting begins, but I decided not, too. Instead, I was wondering whether I should not look myself here around.
Speaking of looking around, since a couple of days, I have been wondering if I should buy the current building in which I lived.
Currently, it was being paid by rent, for about 7.000 Cor a month. In three days, rent would be due again.
While it was rented, I could technically buy the building, since I had 2 Million Cor, but it wasn't necessarily.
Besides, in the near future, perhaps there was a home I liked, or if I truly intended on doing a guild with me as the only player, I might buy myself an home which works as a headquarter as well.
I had stolen a glance, when Diavel and Lind were away, and walked to the Major and had seen what kind of headquarters were available and could be built and they were quite decent enough.
Some could serve well as both, technically.
In any case, I looked at the market at some furnitures that would be considered good for home. But almost none of them were to my liking.
I guess it's better to wait until a player can offer me better things. Perhaps, she has something like that as well?
There was a bit of curiosity, but I can ask her, once we are alone. I continued to follow the path Horikita has sent me via the Map and quickly, arrived there.
"It's quite large, surprisingly. Well, I suppose she quickly knew what many players would need and used her resources, her classmates, for that. Unlike Ryūen, Ichinose, or Horikita, she utilized everything she could the best way possible, even in this situation."
Despite the fact that we didn't have much particular contact, I figured, it was because she wanted to prove her usefulness to me. I was quite busy anyway, so it's a good moment now to meet with her.
Leveling up any further is for now, not my most immediate priority. I'll make sure that the people in the frontline are strong enough to clear the floor's by themselves, as well.
"Heyho, Ayanokoji-kun!"
I glanced to the side, hearing the girl that caused me to disrupt my thoughts.
[Image:]
I quickly came to myself and greeted her. "Hello Ichinose. You're quite soon here as well."
"I guess... I thought it would be impolite if I were to appear later than any other since my class will benefit from this deal in particular. But I guess I'm too soon here, aren't I? But why are you this soon here, Ayanokoji-kun?"
"Me... Uh... I didn't have anything to do after the meeting with the other people at the frontline was over. I was just wandering and looking around here to pass time."
"Oh, I see. That's why. Ayanokoji-kun, how has the meeting been? And... Are you okay? I saw what you had done at the Boss Fight at Floor 1. That was really... heroic of you. Saving Diavel-san I mean."
"Good. . . I think. We'll be spending the following week to level up and gain information on the floor boss before we attempt to clear the 3rd floor. After what happened in the livestream recently Diavel advised us all to be more careful."
"We still don't know the surprises the 3rd Floor carries so we're destined to act more careful now. But well that aside, I'm feeling fine, I guess. It's not like you can carry any sustainable injury in this world. Every injury regenerates even without healing potions so I'm fairly good."
Ichinose nodded, and then asked me something else. "Is it not hard being one of the clearers? And are you all not scared, either?"
"Uh... It's definitely a task on its own, but also necessarily, if we want to return back. We don't have the luxury trembling in fear because if we do, then everyone else will as well. Although, that's just nothing more than a wishful saying."
"There are bound to be casualties the higher we advance up, and thus, the fear ingrained in us will come to shine more often. So far we've been fairly lucky that we didn't need to fight the second floor boss, because it would have been quite difficult for us to manage the boss."
"But that's the precise reason we're doing this one week break from the labyrinth. Adapting, and leveling up, so we all beat the floor boss together without any casualties on our side."
"I see... I must become stronger as well, quickly," Ichinose looked on the ground a moment long until she faced me with a determined look.
"What level are you on? I can give you a few tips if you need."
"Ah... I'm on Level 6, currently. And you?"
"Level 11. It won't take much until I reach Level 12."
"That's really impressive Ayanokoji-kun."
"Really? I guess... You could say that. The average level in the frontline is after all Level 10..." I figured I might have set my fake level a bit too high after all but there's no turning back after my performance on Floor 1.
Saving Diavel was bound to get attention to me all over the place. There was no way to do the same thing I did in the school here as well.
"By the way, do you know some useful skills? It's not that long since I've reached Level 6, but there's the new additional skill slot I would like to fill in."
"Skills, huh? Might I ask what kind of skills you currently have equipped, taking the slot your weapon consumed aside of course."
"Uhm... I have the skills [Acrobatics] and [Searching]."
"I see. Then I would recommend a combat relating skill. By the way, do you still use the rapier?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Well... There's somebody I know who also uses a rapier. I could ask her if she is fine with helping you a bit. She's also one of the frontline clearers and can advise you better for the skills you need since you two use the same weapons."
"There's no need to go to such lengths, Ayanokoji-kun. You don't have to trouble yourself with this."
"It's nothing. I'll ask her once we see each other again."
"Okay... Thank you..." Ichinose said, smiling warmly at my direction.
"But for starters, I would recommend the [Parry] Skill. It's quite useful. As for how you unlock it, you need to parry a monster's attack perfectly. Once that is done, you'll have the skill."
"I'll definitely keep that in mind."
"By the way how are you and how are the things with your class?"
"Uh... We're fine currently, I guess. I've managed to convince my classmates as you advised to learn how to defend themselves and how to defeat the low level monsters. But the majority has chosen to take professions and such, because of the danger hunting monsters brings."
"The reason I came here and want to talk with Sakayanagi is that I want to ask that her classmates help mine. We weren't quite successful until now... So we barely have a daily budget of 3.000 Cor's."
"It's enough for 40... People... But for the group of people who hunt monster's it's getting more dangerous with the beginner equipment. We need better equipment..."
I nodded, understanding what she says. Since the death of her one classmate the other ones have been reluctant to go outside and face the monsters head-on-head.
Of course as I advised Ichinose hid the fact of him being murdered by a fellow player to prevent panic spreading among her class.
That was the best choice of action but that also determined how much it meant to defend yourself in this world.
At the very least she was able to teach her classmates that important lesson. A mere level 1 monster shouldn't make you feel panic no matter what.
While I understood the reasons why you would avoid risking your life, they weren't facing monsters with a difficult attack pattern.
In fact, the <
But many beginners were scared of fighting other higher ranking monsters in Floor 1 and thus fought the low-level monsters such as the <
However it was also a popular target among the low-ranking players who stayed at the 1st Floor and thus it was difficult to farm them likewise with other low-level monsters.
That's why Ichinose's class is unable to get past 5.000 Cor's per day, since they're avoiding fights with riskier monsters like the <
But the expenses of the Rooms at the Inn cover already for 40 People 2.000 Cor and the meals itself does the remaining expenses of the 1.000 Cor nearly.
There's barely anything left to spend on for equipment in that case.
I would have suggested to them to eat dry unrefined black bread which tasted quite awful but costed just 1 Cor and spare the remaining Cor but that does not seem something she would even wager as an option.
Even in this situation she doesn't want to worsen the mental condition of her class and keeps doing her best trying to avoid anyone to fall under depression and bears everything with a single, pained smile.
Soon, she'll reach her limit again.
"You two are already here? I didn't expect that."
From the sideline I heard a familiar voice, that of Horikita, who was walking over to us.
[Image:]
"Yeah, we two also just arrived."
"I see."
For a moment I thought I had seen her looking at me with a smile but I was just imagining things inside my mind.
Yes I did.
She looked at me rather dissatisfied until I noticed the girl to my right side moving her mouth.
"Horikita-san, how have you been?"
"Me? Well... I've been fine I guess. There's nothing really overly troubling me. The class is good... I would just wish that there would be more people cooperating," she said, eyeing her eyes on me.
But I quickly avoided her gaze and stared into the air acting oblivious of what she had said.
Her stare suddenly gave me a small shiver all over my body and I wryly smiled at her hoping she would let it be. After all we weren't here to discuss anything about me such as my particular uncooperativeness so far with my class.
Fortunately, Horikita let the case be and soon began to talk about various things with Ichinose like I had done just now.
Apparently, our class was in a better stake than Ichinose's class.
It's not like we had 40 people for whom we needed to pay since there were students like me living independently from the class.
So far it's just me, Koenji, Karuizawa, as well as Ike and Shinohara, apparently. Although Ike almost frequently partakes on the raid party of the class so it's not like they lost a valuable asset who doesn't participate anymore.
Horikita's level also was quite good for her to handle a good amount of monsters herself. She was at Level 8, which was fairly good, but still below the average person on the frontline.
Last time when she appeared she had seen her own weakness. If it wasn't for me back then she would have definitely died.
In our party for the 1st Floor Boss she was the weakest core in the group. Although she could handle the monsters well there was great difficulty in doing so.
Unlike me, Kirito and Asuna, and even Lux who was one level above Horikita, she faced the most trouble with the monsters. That also seems like why she had not appeared today at all: to grow much stronger so she doesn't become a burden to us.
"Ayanokoji-kun, have you been on the frontline meeting today? And the others as well?"
I nodded my head, "Yeah. I was there with Kirito, Asuna and Lux. But I didn't see you there."
"Yeah... I'll be... temporarily leaving the frontlines. I've realized my weakness and that I was nothing more than a burden to you all after the Boss Fight was over. I will do my best and catch up with you three quickly."
"Sure. I'll be waiting for you on every Boss Fight."
She looked at me perpetually surprised, "You plan on participating in every single Boss Fight?"
"Well, that's my intention so far."
"Wow..."
For some reason both of them were particularly astonished about this piece of information. I thought that was quite clear already from the beginning but I guess not.
"When will you go again?"
"For now, we have chosen to fight in one week against the boss, with Diavel's advice. In the meantime we'll level up, gain skills, equipment and then clear the labyrinth."
"I see. What is Diavel's plan with X? Do you know that?"
I nodded, knowing there was nothing wrong to share this piece of information. "He—No we hope that we can bring him to cooperate with us but so far we cannot message him on the trade register without him giving us the allowance to do so."
"That's quite..."
"Yeah... Nothing to be done about it. We'll have to wait."
I didn't have the intention of appearing currently, but I'll be selling once the meeting is over the items I received from the 2nd Floor Boss and prove my identity.
Once that is done, there will be no one who can question my identity anymore because they're only available to the 2nd Floor Boss Fight after all.
That's the plan at least. I hope I can sell them for a good amount of Cor. Good equipment is valuable after all.
"Uhm... Horikita-san, how many Cor's does your class have as a daily budget?" Out of curiosity Ichinose asked Horikita this kind of question.
Horikita stared at her for a moment long until answering her. "Around 7,000—9,000 Cor. It depends on the day, usually. On some good days with few players in the area we're fortunate to earn more Cor and at some days with much players in the area we aren't."
"I see. Even for someone at your level it's hard, right? I figured as much."
Unless Ichinose had a change of mind going to the second floor the resources on the 1st Floor were heavily limited as many players aimed for the monsters here.
You could survive here after all, even with just a daily budget of 300 Cor.
A room for a single person at an Inn is 50 Cor, and the rest can be spend for meals or cheap beginner weapons.
"I suppose. The resources in the 1st Floor are heavily monopolized by many low level players."
Ichinose seemed to have the intention of earning more but it wasn't as easy as it sounded. But if it's her she might not give up.
"You're right..."
Both of them sighed and then expectedly looked at me. "Any advice, Ayanokoji-kun? Do you know where monsters are more frequent to appear?"
"Not really... I can ask someone I know, if you'd like."
"Oh... Is it that girl you mentioned again?"
"You mean Asuna? No, it's not her. It's—"
"Kirito-kun, right?"
"Ah, yes. How did you know?"
She stared at me expressionless for a moment, her face telling me, 'Are you serious' and thus did not answer the question.
But for the sake of Ichinose who was unfamiliar with the person she answered.
"He's a BetaTester and Ayanokoji-kun gets along with him very well. He knows much about the monster locations and the best place to farm them so if it's him it'll be valuable advice."
I nodded with Horikita's simple explanation and Ichinose looked at me gratefully again. "If it's not too much trouble... Can you ask him, Ayanokoji-kun?"
"Sure."
The farming spot was something very important for her class so she did not hesitate to ask me. These two talked a bit further about several things and just as the time had neared we were finally ready to enter.
"I've never been here before."
"Me neither."
The two of them then stared at me.
"I'm the same."
I clarified that, and we soon headed into her shop.
"Wow, it surely looks luxurious."
On that aspect I had to agree with Ichinose.
The shop had quite the valuable things here around. From potions on the shelf to equipment, hand tailed clothes, items used for trapping and several other aspects.
It seemed like Sakayanagi utilized her classmates ability's for the 'profession' skills well.
There were many kind of profession skills you could do: tailor, potion maker, blacksmith, artist, woodcrafter, fisher, musician and countless of other kinds of professions with the endless of skills present here.
I in particular wondered what was so good about the musician skill. It seemed particularly useless among the many skills there were here.
But I suppose it's good for increasing the mood among players. Other than that I could not think of a reason why the skill was any good.
I looked quickly back and heard something from one of them.
"As expected, she is on another league," Horikita said quietly, completely immersed in looking herself here around.
My facial expression did not particularly switch out of admiration but even so I had to admit the shop seemed rather impressive.
"Well, it certainly is," I responded.
There were some useful things even I would perhaps end up using, so I did look around here. Potions were always useful, and the higher your skill was, the better they would be.
Currently, I was buying the standard potions from the 1st to the 3rd Floor, but now I hope I can buy better potions if they are offered by a player.
At the second Floor the potion effect remained the same, and at the 3rd Floor as well so I would need to keep an eye if a player was able to offer something better.
So I moved toward one of the healing potions that was shown in the shop and looked up the information via the status window.
"450 HP, huh?"
If I were to compare it to the current healing potions NPC offered, it was definitely better. Although just by a little amount of 150 HP, it had its use. For Frontline Players like me, HP Potions were one of the most important aspects we needed to advance further.
The current ones from the first to third floor healed little amounts of 300 HP. But you couldn't use them one after another.
There was a duration of 30 seconds until you could consume them again. Only when that was done, you could use another healing potion.
The more HP you heal, the more your survival chances improve. While I was on a high level, with high HP, I wasn't less attracted by the potion.
[Level 30: 698,029/768,800]
[HP: 6,950/6,950]
Though, its efficiency on me was question worthy.
Nonetheless, the price wasn't really an issue, since I was wealthy enough.
"Is something wrong Ayanokoji-kun? You've been staring at that direction for quite a while," Horikita Suzune said, approaching me from behind.
"It's nothing. I was just admiring the healing potion."
"Is it that good?"
"Not really, but it's better than anything the NPC merchants offer from the three floors."
"I see. I think I should buy some of them as well."
"You probably should."
She nodded her head and looked at the price.
While she had much more Cor than Ichinose, it didn't mean she could spend that much reckless here considering her situation as well.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing, really. We were just looking at this HP Potion," Horikita said, speaking before I could open my mouth.
Ichinose stepped forward from behind as well, looking over my shoulder, where I was staring at.
"400... Cor..."
Those were the only words she murmured, but it wasn't that surprising. Her class was in a dire state, and healing potions itself weren't something they could likely afford by any means.
Taking care for 40 People was a difficult task. But it was something she needed to solve herself, if she truly intended on protecting her class.
The option for cheap food always remained.
Sooner or later, once their current farming spots begin to get occupied, they'll move to more dangerous locations.
At that time she'll realize the luxury her classmates live in, while a set of people are suffering, fighting for them.
"My, my, all three of you are here already."
[Image:]
Sakayanagi entered the room, but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by Ryūen, whom I didn't think of doing this.
"Seeing you two together... is quite rare."
"Ryūen-kun and I merely had a business to attend."
"Business?" Ichinose questioned, seemingly wondering its contents.
"You could say, I needed their strength. I hired them to help my class with something. Their group is a bit stronger than mine, after all."
A part of Sakayanagi's class was helping out with the shop, having different kinds of 'job occupations', with the items produced from them being sold here in the shop.
Whether they were blacksmiths, tailors, or responsible for other things, their shop certainly did offer much in that regard.
As for the other part, it logically took the other task, the more riskier, and yet the more suitable one in this world, the task on fighting.
It was the same with Ryūen's class as well from what I could gather, but unlike her class their class had been fighting much longer and were more natural in it.
Most students in Ryūen's class were far more athletic than the ones in Class A.
It wasn't only that, but their core group, consisting out of Ichizaki, Albert, Kaneda, Ibuki, Hiyori, and Ryūen himself, seemed to be decently strong, from what I could say, that even Sakayanagi wanted their help.
Although when I fought with them the very first — and hopefully, last time, there were just four people back then: Ibuki, Ichizaki, Albert and Ryūen.
Hiyori and Kaneda seem to be split in-between the leadership position when Ryūen and the others are away. But when I last met Hiyori, she was running errand for obtaining herbs, selling them, and doing different kind of quests.
She and Kaneda seemed to these tasks rather than fighting. A few people need to hold the class together after all, so I suppose it's them, during Ryūen's absence.
That also seems to be the most suitable option for everyone, since the two of them weren't fighter's to begin with.
Circumstances just happened forcing them to step forward during the beginning when there was no other choice.
Now that they can easily maintain the class, they could take less riskier options into consideration, and grow their class with 'specific' skills benefiting them, simultaneously wise like the case of Sakayanagi and her class.
If they can produce or achieve at least something like them they might be in a good position to not worry much about Cor's in the future.
Though...
They should be doing well.
I glanced at Ryūen's equipment and I could say, he had grown much stronger during the time back then.
I guess he should be around Level 9 or 10, currently, with respectable equipment for that level as well.
His core group should be around the same Level.
It just leaves the question why he wasn't participating on the frontlines when they fought back then a few times on the labyrinth.
Well, I guess he or someone from his group had other thoughts.
"Is their class really this strong that you need their help?"
"I would love to refute you Ichinose-san, but I have to accept the truth that Ryūen-kun's group is currently stronger than my fighting group. Although..."
"My class is far more ahead to his class when it comes to many other aspects."
While Sakayanagi said this, she had a similar amount of people in her class she could utilize to fight.
Ryūen's core group might be stronger, but the overall strength between these two classes, should be nearly the same.
"For now. Don't be so overconfident that it will stay like this, Sakayanagi."
"Fufu, I want to see you make that happen, Ryūen-kun."
"Sakayanagi-san, Ryūen-kun, you two look like a quarreling married couple." Ichinose said, seeming to be a bit amused by their quarrel.
"A what now...?" Sakayanagi had a horrendous expression on her face, not believing she heard Ichinose entirely right.
She blinked several times until she confirmed that she did seem to have heard her right.
"That thought alone... makes me want to puke." Before Sakayanagi was able to say anything, Ryūen took that task upon himself, answering instantly as well.
"You're taking the words out of my mouth, Ryūen-kun."
In that regard both of them had agreed their disgust on that imagination alone.
"That was just a joke, you two. I just wanted to make you stop quarreling. As allies in an alliance we shouldn't be quarreling with each other, after all."
"I have to agree with Ichinose-san here as well. We should try to get along. Even if you two don't like each other, if we are going to be all in an alliance, it's better if you let it be. However, you certainly know how to joke well," Horikita from the sidelines said, with a slight smirk written on her face.
She knew how much this meeting mattered, so it was a good thing for her that they stopped arguing.
Similarly wise Sakayanagi composed herself again and spoke up. Unlike the school, the situation here was far more dire and more serious than she has ever faced.
In order to return, you'd need to adapt here in the new world the best way possible. Faster than in the school, and everywhere else, too.
She turned to the door behind and turned around the 'open' sign, signaling that the shop was for now closed, temporarily.
"You two are right. Please follow me. I'll lead you to the backroom. Let's continue our conversation there over a cup of tea."
Sakayanagi took the lead and walked ahead of us all. But for a moment her eyes met mine, a smile toggling up on her face.
'Did she see that I was still looking at the potions?'
That was the question I was asking myself upon Sakayanagi's curious glaze.
I followed her, like the other's as well, and soon, we found ourselves in a luxurious looking backroom.
On the right half of the room was a luxurious medieval table coupled with countless of items on it, such as an ink pen, an open book, seemingly there for the task of accounting the shop expenses and income alongside several potions, herbs, several small bags, some books, and a couple of scrolls.
As for the other side we were met with a luxurious living space. In the middle was a small, but luxurious table, with a set of tea on there alongside several plates of snacks, such as biscuits, tarts, assorted pastries and shortbread cookies.
Around the table were luxurious couches, a two two-person couch that was positioned directly opposite to each other as well as two single-person armchairs.
"That's really..."
"Quite luxurious here, Sakayanagi-san."
"Oh, this is really nothing. It wasn't quite expensive to begin with."
Both Ichinose and Horikita were fazed a moment long off, sensing the difference of wealth between Sakayanagi and them.
Ryūen ignored their behavior and sat on one of the single person armchairs. Unlike the rest of us, he was pretty nonchalant about everything here.
But if he and Sakayanagi had made contact beforehand, it was expected that he had seen this already.
My eyes looked here around as well, like Ichinose and Horikita, seeing on many of the shelves in this half of the room also pretty useful stuff.
Though, for me in general, most of it here might prove to be useless.
I was on quite the high level, so it was arguable, whether I needed things from here.
For now, the healing potions were on my number 1 list.
Aside from that, I would still need to take a look around here more.
I walked past Ichinose and Horikita who stood there a bit fazed and sat myself similarly wise like Ryūen on a single-person armchair.
After a couple of seconds they both recompensed themselves and sat on the two-person couch together while Sakayanagi sat on the opposite side.
"Please serve yourself," she said, giving us the allowance on doing so.
I did had the pleasantry on eating luxurious food myself sometimes here, but I wasn't seeing much of it, often.
Since I was mostly fighting, I rarely visited restaurants that would offer them.
But for Ichinose and Horikita, who never faced treats like these here before had taken their hands on them immediately already.
"The biscuits are really good..."
"I agree. They are quite delicious. I didn't expect to experience such a sweet taste in a virtual world at all. By any chance, where do you buy them, Sakayanagi-san?" Horikita asked, curious where to obtain them.
"These are treats made from a couple of people of my class. Next to this shop, we have many other shops in the city of the beginning as well."
"This primarily is just my shop, if you'd like to formulate it like that."
"I thought this was the only one," said Ichinose, even more impressed than before.
"Not at all. There's a bakery, a restaurant, as well as an armory and tailor shop. As for this particular shop, it offers what I deem as essential to be included here."
"Good...?"
"I'm sure you did take a look around already, but what is included here are potions, weapons, armors, and accessories. I focus on offering rare or custom-crafted items that are not easily found in typical shops."
"Custom-crafted items? You mean, you can make things specifically for the players who come here?"
"Exactly. If someone needs a weapon forged for a particular style of combat, or armor tailored to their unique needs, we can accommodate that. My class has various craftsmen, so there's always someone who can fulfill specific requests."
"The armory of my class in instance can provide that kind of service. Custom-made swords, shields, spears—they offer everything there."
"The only thing you would need to do is to give us enough materials."
Horikita, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward with interest. "That's impressive. But I assume this comes at a price. Custom-made items must be expensive, right?"
Sakayanagi smiled softly. "Of course. Crafting something personalized requires resources, time, and skill, which is reflected in the cost."
"I see..." Ichinose murmured, feeling likely down, because she wouldn't be able to afford it for her class.
"Although, there are standard swords like this one as well."
Sakayanagi said, spawning one of them from her inventory.
"There are quite many of those, and better than the beginning weapons provided. They come at a cheap price, I'd say."
"How much would that sword cost in particular?"
"Hmm... This one should be about 1.000 Cor's. It's relatively cheap and better than the beginner weapons. For stronger weapons suitable for this floor, it'd be a higher price."
"1.000... Cor's..."
That alone made Ichinose speechless.
The imagination that 1.000 Cor are for a cheap sword, perhaps only slightly better than the beginning weapon was hard for to imagine since her class was suffering under many difficulties.
In the end, they were able to get through each day, but at the bare minimum.
"1.000 Cor, huh? Well, I got lucky from the rewards of the boss fight back then and got a pretty useful weapon for myself. Though, Hirata and the other's might need a new weapon soon. Are there more expensive ones that can last on the 2nd Floor as well, Sakayanagi-san?"
Horikita asked, wondering whether Sakayanagi had something like that.
"For 8.000 Cor, it should be possible. That's a good price for this kind of weapon, wouldn't you agree as well, Ayanokoji-kun?"
Putting the other weapon in her inventory and spawning a new one, she looked at me and asked that question then.
"It's quite useful if you are within the 1st and 2nd Floor. But after these floors I would recommend a change of weapon. However, there's also an easier way to obtain more useful and stronger weapons Horikita. But it will not be easy."
Before she could ask me, Ryūen looked me in the eyes.
"You mean from these ugly creatures in the forest right, Ayanokoji?" Ryūen said his first words during this entire conversation.
I nodded, simply.
These 'ugly creatures' also called <
That itself left on the members that day quite the traumatic experience. They were all able to barely flee with their lives in exchange that their teacher drew out the countless of monsters.
I struggled as well back then when I was at Level 7, against so many of them, but it got easier the longer you fought with them.
Well, you could also say, it's because my stats grew rapidly due to them as well. I had quite much of the quest items back then, but now I just have a single one of them remaining.
"If you don't want to die, you better don't approach them, until you're all at least on Level 7 or 8. Back then we made the mistake thinking these Level 3 Monsters were easy."
"But if you really need them now..."
He suddenly laid his eyes on me again, Horikita noticing that as well.
"I see. Ayanokoji-kun, the sword you carry, is the reward from that quest, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Do you mind helping us, then? With your help it should be easy."
"Sure..."
I was reluctant at first whether I should agree or not but Horikita's gaze told me you better accept and help us, or else...
Yeah, she might do something troublesome.
Besides, I for one can test the strength of the core group within my class.
It might be worthwhile to take a look at them.
"The chances of the quest item dropping is extremely low. Especially, if it's for multiple people. It took me quite long. For all of you, it will take much longer." I said.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Also, at least everyone in the group should have about 10 Healing Potions each. That's the bare minimum. Be prepared to experience mental fatigue as well. You will be forced to kill hundreds of monsters hours long until you get everything necessarily." I continued.
"I see... It will be that difficult, huh? Is there not any option on how to increase the chances of the quest item dropping?"
"I don't know of any." I answered, truthfully.
Horikita then looked at Sakayanagi and Ryūen as well in a hopeful manner.
"I might know of one."
Horikita seemed to ponder a moment long in her thoughts what she could offer but she was quickly surprised the moment Sakayanagi began to speak again.
"Since we're allies, I don't mind telling you. It's nothing overly complicated, all we did was to increase our luck and ensure that there would be a higher probability of items dropping."
Increasing the drop rate, huh?
That's something I'm now curious as well.
"This had been also the reason I hired Ryūen-kun, because I would be able to get more items, the more people participated in hunting the monsters."
"What is the method you're speaking of?"
"Fufu, all you need to do—"
"Is to eat a shortcake on the second Floor at a specific restaurant. It will grant you a hour and a half long an increase of luck. If you are able to arrive at the forest before that timespan passes, there's a chance you might get them easier."
"Ryūen-kun and his group helped me and my class with the hunt of the <
"This is the only shop I know of, giving you these effects."
So that's how it works, huh?
The use of that seemed to be specifically made for the <
Even if you tried to use it within the labyrinth, it wouldn't work, since it takes far longer than that to arrive there to begin with.
Honestly, even I would face problems to arrive within one half of an hour to the labyrinth, yet advance and fight and clear the floor boss while having the luck effect on me and increase the chance of getting good items dropped.
"It's unfortunately not possible to eat it outside of that restaurant, so that's the only way it can be used. Additionally, there's a cooldown of one day as well."
"I see..."
There was no way it could be this useful and have so many advantages just like that. In hindsight, this was to be expected, but Horikita had still a hopeful expression.
"You might keep an eye on the NPC restaurants at the 1st Floor, otherwise. There might be something like that as well."
Horikita nodded, unsure whether it was useful or not. "Okay. Thank you, Sakayanagi-san. I will look into it."
"No worries. Well, now that this is over, let's come to the main topic, the alliance."
"What do you propose, Sakayanagi. A guild?" Ryūen asked, coming immediately to the point.
"A guild?" Ichinose questioned, not having heard that term before.
"You can imagine it as a unified front where all of our classes are united under one roof together. We would share resources, be under a roof together, coordinate strategies for defeating monsters and face challenges together."
"It certainly offers advantages, but also has the opposite effect as well. In a guild everyone would need to be at a high level and contribute the same. To say the least, that would be the bare minimum requirement."
"With one class contributing more than the other, it will be hard to manage it well. Especially, if one class is... how I should formulate it, not much beneficial."
"Why don't you speak out the truth we both are thinking about, Sakayanagi? Neither your class nor mine intends to carry on dead-weight like her that is barely able to manage themself."
"Suzune's class is still fine, they have strong people, but Ichinose, your class is the true dead-weight we would be carrying in that case."
Ichinose flinched at Ryūen's harsh words, her demeanor faltering in an instant. She forced a weak smile.
"That's... not fair to say, Ryūen-kun," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of hurt and determination. "Just because we aren't as strong in combat doesn't mean we can't contribute in other ways. Every class has its strengths."
"Strengths?" Ryūen scoffed, leaning back in his chair with an arrogant smirk. "And what strengths are those?"
Before Ichinose could respond, Horikita cut in, her sharp tone silencing the room. "Enough, Ryūen. There's no point in degrading potential allies. If Ichinose's class is weak, then it's our responsibility as leaders to figure out how to make their strengths work for us. Otherwise, you're no better than the very 'dead weight' you're complaining about."
Ryūen's smirk faded slightly, and his eyes narrowed. "Tch. So, you're defending them now, Suzune? What's the plan—babysitting them until they catch up?"
Sakayanagi raised a hand, her composed voice slicing through the tension. "Let us not descend into petty squabbles. Ryūen-kun, while your critique may hold some truth, dismissing Ichinose-san's class entirely would be a grave misstep."
"So what use would they have in that case, Sakayanagi? Can they catch up with your class's blacksmiths and prove to be as useful as them? Tailor clothes? Make Armors? Food? Are they even able to contribute any Cor at all, then? A class that is barely able to manage themselves?"
"Even if we were to choose a minimum requirement of let's say 50.000 Cor, that each class must contribute per month in the guild, could they manage it?"
"I'm understanding your concern, but there're plenty of supporting roles they can fill in. I plan on expanding again, but have not enough people necessarily for it. Since the majority of my class like me is fighting monsters, and I also barely have time on managing this store often, we could need lending hands."
"If some people in Ichinose-san's would like, I would be happy to form a new store they manage. They can prove to be quite useful, and earn lots of Cor, for the part of people not ready to fight in her class. It would be a solution benefitting them and us as well."
"In this world—where there are countless of skills, her class can choose other skills that neither my class nor your one does have. Let's take the blacksmith category for example."
"There're countless of skills available for that category, but not everyone chooses the same and can specialize in it as well. Skill categories such as [Blunt Weapon Forging], [Slash Weapon Forging] and [Thrust Weapon Forging] exist, each there for different kind of weapons."
"But then there are other categories as well, when it comes to the armory as well, like: [Heavy Metal Armor Forging], [Light Metal Armor Forging], [Metal Equipment Repairing] and at last, [Metal Refining], refining raw ore into refined ingots that is necessarily to craft weapons and armors."
"Due to the lack of skill slots we can hold at the beginning, there are more players necessarily for a blacksmith that fulfills every requirement."
That was a common problem. I experienced it as well.
Excluding your weapon that counted as a skill as well, you had two other skill slots available. You gain one each by leveling up at certain Levels, Level 6, 12, 20 and at last, 30.
I had seven skills currently.
[Skills:]
[Sprint:] - [219/1,000]
[Searching:] - [206/1,000:]
[Parry:] - [107/1,000]
[Night Vision:] - [143/1,000]
[Martial Arts: (New)] - [11/1,000]
[One-Handed Curved Sword] - [500/1,000]
[Extra Skill: Katana] - [32/1,000]
Of course on my part I had two weapons equipped.
"Even so, there are still different kinds of armors that can be made, like leader cloths, the one that Ayanokoji-kun currently here is using as well, made from the [Sewing] skill."
"The more people there are, the better the blacksmith shop can become. The same principle applies to other things as well."
"Did any of you ever hear of compositions? It's when two skills perfectly resonate with each other and create a new skill, basically, also called, Composite Effect."
"The furnitures you're sitting one come from that. If you have both the [Sewing] skill and the [Carpentry] skill you will be able to craft beds, couches and sofas."
I was surprised, that she actually knew this.
Until a day ago I myself didn't know that information as well. When I completed the 2nd Floor and rose up to Level 30, I equipped to my skill slot the [Martial Arts] Skill.
Only then did I obtain the composite effect that granted me two new sword skills combining it with my Katana.
There were Martial Arts skills without the weapon and with, and I had now both of them. There seemed to be many of these composite effects here likely, but I never heard Argo mentioning them.
Well... I didn't explicitly ask back then, but it might be something not many know of, currently.
"I'm sure you can behind what I'm implying Ryūen-kun, but Ichinose and her class have their use, if we let them long enough grow."
"Also..."
"Ichinose-san, at which level is your fighting ground around?"
"We're all around Level 6."
"At just the level when you gained a new skill slot. That's perfect. Are there some reluctant to fight in that group as well?"
Ichinose nodded, not sure what Sakayanagi was implying. "A few."
"Well, I can tell you reassuring news, then. There's a musical skill that is quite beneficial for fighting, actually. I'm not sure how you call it again... But if I remember right, it's giving you a buff, that increased your party's strength, speed and stamina during the time the music is played."
"Is there really such a skill?"
"There is. All you have to do is to unlock the skill [Musical Instrument] and level up its proficiency enough until you unlock the [Extra Skill: Chant] if I remember it right. That's also quite beneficial, right, Ryūen-kun?"
Ryūen didn't refute, he simply looked at her and found no room to complain.
"How do you know that even? I'm not even sure if the BetaTester's know that," said Horikita, curious where Sakayanagi is getting her informations from.
"A customer of mine that recently visited this shop told me that. She's quite the cheerful and friendly girl that seems to sing during the Inns often. I heard it from her."
"Better said, she told me it simply, while buying items here with here. She didn't think of monopolizing that information, but I made sure to pay her the corresponding price for that information."
"How kind of you, Sakayanagi. That you are willing to share this with us, without expecting a price," said Ryūen with a mocking smile.
"Allies share resources with each other, after all, right? It benefits us all, so there's no problem."
"Thank you, Sakayanagi-san. Not just for that, but for everything else as well," said Ichinose, standing up, doing a small bow, expressing her gratitude.
"Please raise your head. I'm merely doing what is the best for every one of us. Ryūen-kun, do you have any further objections with her class?"
Ryūen leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk that hadn't entirely faded. "Not for now, anyway. But if they don't pull their weight in the long run, don't expect me to stay quiet."
Ichinose sat back down, visibly relieved but still determined. "We'll prove ourselves. I promise my class won't let you down."
Horikita suddenly laid her gaze on Sakayanagi, seeming to want to ask her something.
"I'm curious Sakayanagi—why invest so much effort into justifying Ichinose's class when it would have been easier to exclude them and focus on the stronger groups? I'm not objecting that they shouldn't join the guild. I'm just wondering about your motivations. That's all."
Sakayanagi smiled faintly, her expression unreadable. "Because, Horikita-san, alliances thrive on balance. Strength alone doesn't guarantee success—coordination and adaptability do. By including Ichinose-san's class, we're diversifying our capabilities and ensuring a more stable foundation for our alliance. Besides..." she looked at Ichinose first softly, but I secretly noticed her eyes targeting me, with a slight smile written on her face.
"Growth often comes from opportunity. If we help Ichinose-san's class now, they might surprise us in the future."
She certainly knew that I was invested in Ichinose and did this for me in particular. While her driving motivations for her shop seemed to be purely strategic it wasn't like that at all.
In the end, I quietly thanked Sakayanagi inside my mind.
"Well, then, I suppose everyone is fine with a guild, right?"
"I'm fine with it," said Ichinose happily. "I'm sure my classmates won't object to that as well."
"It should be the same way with my class. There's no one probably, who would object to that decision as well."
Ryūen cut in with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. "But it also sounds like a power grab. Whoever leads this "guild" gets to call the shots. Let me guess, Sakayanagi—you think you're fit for that job?"
Sakayanagi chuckled softly, brushing off his accusation. "Not at all, Ryūen-kun. A guild doesn't need a single leader. I propose a council instead, with representatives from each class. Decisions would be made collectively, ensuring fairness. That should be fine for everyone, right?"
"We can fill the respective roles we hold on another occasion. For now we should get everything we need to form a guild. I heard you have to do a series of quests on Floor 3."
No one in particular objected to her decision and as I thought the meeting would be over now Sakayanagi's eyes had met mine.
"I'm curious about something else by the way. Ayanokoji-kun, are you interested in joining as well? So far I didn't hear your thoughts on it."
"I can't give you an answer right now. But I will think about it."
"I see. But that's good to hear, nonetheless."
After that point onwards they talked a bit more until the meeting was over.
"Well then, I suppose that's all. Let's meet up soon again here."
Before Horikita and Ichinose said something Ryūen stood up and walked out of the shop. Sakayanagi carried at the same time her usual smile.
"Horikita-san, Ichinose-san, until next time then."
"Goodbye, Sakayanagi-san. I'll be messaging you after my discussion with my classmates today evening."
"Me too. By the way, can I lend a couple of swords from you? I'll pay you back once we have enough Cor. With interest, as well. It's just that we need new weapons right now much."
"With interest, hm? I can do that."
After Ichinose finished that topic with Sakayanagi, she looked at me.
"Do you still have a matter to attend here, Ayanokoji-kun?"
"Healing Potions. I'm planning on buying some right now."
"Ahaha... The ones for 500 Cor, right?"
I nodded simply.
"I see... Having much Cor surely is nice..." Ichinose then walked out of the store, with a depriving expression.
"Now it's just the two of us, Ayanokoji-kun."
"Seems to be the case. How many Healing Potions do you have available currently, Sakayanagi?"
"I didn't produce many today, since I was farming outside as well. But..." She paused a moment long looking at her inventory, to see how many she currently has.
"It's around 42 Potions."
"I See. I'll buy all of it."
"That makes 16,800 Cor, then."
I sent her a transaction process over the system and she accepted. I bought the 42 Healing Potions for 16,800 Cor and found them soon in my inventory.
[Cor: 2,081,283 — 16,800]
[Cor: 2,064,483]
"By the way Ayanokoji-kun, if you are worried whether the others could get to know of your secret identity if you join a guild, please don't worry. I will make sure that doesn't happen."
"Only the leader can see that. How much Cor is deducted from its members."
"I see. I'll give it some thought."
With that said I left the shop and walked outside where Ichinose waited.
I wonder what's the matter.
--
A/N: And this concludes the chapter.
After so long an update. I can't believe it myself.
Don't know what to say precisely, but well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Also, how was the AI Art? Did try my best to get them accurately done, but can't say if they're really good.
Well anyway, it was quite the long chapter so I hope you liked it.
I would love to say more in the author notes, but somehow nothing pops up in my mind.
Yeah...
Goodbye.