December 9, 2024
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
Silica- Thanks for taking me out on the battlefield Kazzu! I'm sorry we couldn't explore any of the harder floors.
Me and Silica had just arrived back in town after spending some time out of the safe zone to level up. Well, level up Silica anyway. She wanted to get stronger for my sake and I wanted to fulfill her request. I smiled as I patted the tiny tamer's head.
"It was no problem, Silica. Part of getting stronger is facing the thing that scares you. In this case, the monsters outside of the safe zone."
Silica- Agreed. Plus, part of why I wanted to go out was because some of the quests in town required me to hunt monsters.
"Oh yea?"
Silica- Yep! Thanks to you, I learned about all of the best quests in town.
"That sounds exciting. Must be very rewarding if they require monster drops to complete. What kind of quests are they?"
Silica's expression changed from confident to nervous. A small bead of sweat dropped down her head and she twiddled her thumbs in embarrassment.
Silica- Um... they... they are... uh...
"Yes? Go on."
Silica- Sorry! No time to chat! It's time to get back to one of those quests! See you around Kazzu!
She turned her head fast and took off towards the shopping district. She wasted no time making her way through the crowds and vanishing from my sight. I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
That's a bit suspicious... Wonder what she's up to... It seems like she was hiding something from me. Should I try to find out? No, that would be invasion of privacy, right? But I'm the one who showed her the quests in town, shouldn't I know about them?
Letting out a big sigh, I decided to slowly follow Silica's footsteps to see what she was hiding from me.
I'm glad she found a way to raise her EXP. But why would she dodge the question like that?
It didn't take me long to spot the small tamer as she looked around for me, unaware that I followed her. She took a sigh of relief and entered an establishment with a smile on her face.
She seemed happy to be working here. Why avoid the subject with me? Maybe it really is personal. I should just...
As I was thinking, two gentlemen walked past me and looked at the establishment with lustful eyes. Looking closer at them, I felt a sense of familiarity towards them. They looked at each other with a creepy smirk and walked inside. An uneasy feeling crawled down my spine.
Forgive me Silica, but there's something going wrong here.
Moving closer to the establishment, I looked up at the sign to see what I would be walking into. The place was called "Lovely Pretty Love".
The hell kind of place is this?
Looking around the front of the building, I noticed a gap in the curtains. It was wide enough for me to take a peek at what was going on. Taking a peek inside, I realized it looked just like a regular old cafe. This only made me more and more confused.
The decor inside looks flashy as hell but other than that there isn't anything out of the ordinary.
Looking a second longer, I noticed where the two gentlemen had found their seats, leering over at something to their right. The uncomfortable feeling made itself known again, prompting me to head inside.
Please, just let this be a regular, totally respectable side quest that Silica has herself involved in...
I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. Walking inside, I was greeted by the smell of fresh flowers and vanilla. I smiled as I waited at the front desked to be seated, keeping my eyes on the two gentlemen who were sitting in the far right.
Aside from whatever those two want in here, I don't see anything wrong with...
?- Hello there handsome!
Handsome? Is this how they greet new customers or is this for me only? And that voice...
I looked over to where the voice was coming from only to blush like crazy at the sight in front of me.
"Silica!?"
Silica was in front of me wearing a French maid's outfit and giving me a polite curtsey. Upon hearing my shock, she looked up and gave me a blush of her own. We stood there looking at each other for a second before Silica dropped the act and stumbled on her words.
Silica- K-Kazzu...?
"H-Hi... I was just passing by and..."
Silica started freaking out and flailing her arms defensively. Her face a deep maroon color as she looked away from me.
"Whoa, whoa! Don't get hysterical Silica. Just calm down!"
The other customers in the cafe looked over at the both of us, sending me condescending glares while worrying about Silica.
Customer #1- Hey! What does that bozo think he's doing? Does he really think he can just hassle the staff?
Shit...
Customer #2- No one makes my lovely Silica cry and gets away with it!
The hell?
"I'm sorry Silica. Please let me explain."
Silica calmed down enough to give me a nervous glance and nodded her head, allowing me to address the situation.
"The way you acted when we got back made me worry about you. Since I was the one who showed you the quests in town, I wanted to see why you were being so secretive. I trailed you here and... the rest is history..."
Silica- I'm sorry for being so secretive, but you can't just follow people around like that! You aren't Strea!
"Well, you got me there."
Customer #1- Did I hear that right? Has that man been following Silica?
Fuck my life...
Customer #2- What the hell does he think he's doing?
I looked over at the two gentlemen in the far right and noticed them sneering at me while ogling Silica in the maid outfit. I gritted my teeth in frustration.
"Aside from showing yourself in a maid outfit, why did you think you needed to hide this from me? This looks like a perfectly respectable establishment. It smells great in here too."
Silica- The outfit was why I was hiding it from you! I was embarrassed! I mean, look at me in this ill-fitting maid's outfit! I look ridiculous!
"No, you don't. That outfit really suits you."
Silica looked at me with a stunned expression, shocked that I gave her a compliment.
Silica- It does?
"Yea... I would... even say that you... look... cute..."
I hid my blushing face from her as I rubbed the back of my neck. She gave off a small blush of her own and examined herself in the dress.
Silica- You really think so?
"Of course I do. Why would I lie to you?"
Silica gave off a small smile as she held her hands together and looked down at the floor like a shy schoolgirl. I chuckled at the sight and walked towards the door.
"Listen, I'm sorry I just barged in like that. I'll just be off. I'll grab you some lunch or something later if you want."
Silica lunged for my hand, softly grasping it and slowly moving me away from the door.
Silica- N-No it's ok, you don't have to do that. I mean, you're a customer after all.
"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or distract you from your job."
Silica- It'll be ok. I promise.
"Alright... I guess I can stay."
Silica let out a giggle before releasing my hand and escorting me to an open table, setting down a menu and giving me a bow.
Silica- There you go! Feel free to take a look at the menu Kazzu... I mean, sir...
Does she really not have a problem with this? Or is she realizing that there's nothing she can do about it? I feel bad for her...
Silica- Today's specials are the Lovely Pretty Love Omelette and the Lovely Pretty Love Curry. I'd go for the omelette if I were you. As a special service, the maids in the cafe can pour on any sauce you like.
Why does that sound super sexual?
Silica- You can have the whole bottle if you please. You can have whatever you want, Kazzu...
Are you doing this on purpose or just playing into character? I'm not sure how to feel about this.
"Um... ok... I'll take the curry."
Silica- Huh? You don't want the omelette?
"No, I'm fine without all of the extra sauce. I don't want to make any extra work for you."
Silica- Extra work!? The very thought! It would be my pleasure to pour a whole bottle of ketchup on your freshly cooked omelette.
Thank God no one else I know is around... This would be really hard to explain. Better play along for now to see what those two guys are planning.
"I see. Well, if you put it like that, I guess I'll take the omelette."
Silica- R-Right! One Lovely Pretty Love Omelette coming right up!
Silica gave me another small bow and walked back to the kitchen area. I let out a nervous sigh of relief and sat back in my chair.
This became more complicated than it should have been. What am I even worried about anyway? Silica can take care of herself.
Looking back at the two gentlemen in the right corner, I noticed them both get up and walk over towards me, both sitting across from me with crooked smiles on their faces.
Crooked Gentlemen #1- Sorry for intruding on you here sir...
Crooked Gentleman #2- We just wanted to ask you a few questions if that's ok?
"I don't see the problem with it..."
Crooked Gentleman #1- So, what is your relationship with that cute girl you were talking to?
"Silica? Me and her are part of the Aincrad Assault Army and she's one of my closest friends."
Crooked Gentleman #2- You and her are friends huh? You her boyfriend or something?
"Um... no... I'm already taken..."
Crooked Gentleman #2- So you would be cool if me and my friend here got closer to her?
Is he serious?
"I mean, you can try but I think she's out of your league man."
Crooked Gentleman #1- I don't know. Me and my buddy here can be very... persuasive.
"I don't think..."
Customer #1- Yoo-hoo! Silica! Can you take my order now?
Silica- Certainly, sir! One moment!
Crooked Gentleman #1- Seems like the little darling is back. We'll give you two some privacy.
Crooked Gentleman #2- Be seeing you around.
They both left while grinning at me. If that chill was any colder, my spine would have shattered.
I have a bad feeling about those two...
I shook the feeling off and observed as Silica was zooming around the cafe in a timely manner and taking care of other customers.
She sure is popular. She knows how to handle the clientele too. Seems like this work is right up her street.
I noticed that the customer that called out to her leaned in close to her and started whispering something. Activating my listening skill, I leaned in closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Customer #1- Listen, if that guy over there is giving you any trouble, just let me know, alright.
Silica- N-No, it's ok. He's my... friend. He's a special customer.
Customer #1- What!?
As she said that, other customers started giving me dirty looks.
This fucking sucks... I haven't even done anything...
Silica waved the customer goodbye as she arrived with a smoking hot plate. She set it down in front of me and took a seat across from me.
Silica- Here we are, sir! One steaming hot Lovely Pretty Love Omelette!
"Thank you Silica. It looks delicious!"
Silica- You're welcome! Now I'm going to add the missing ingredient. Tomato ketchup, poured with love.
"You don't have to Silica..."
Silica- I know... but... I want to... Kazzu, no amount of ketchup would be enough to express my undying love...
"Silica..."
She smiled as she began to write with the ketchup bottle, forming letters onto my omelette. When she was done, there was a delicious omelette with the words: "Kazzu Love", with the o in love being replaced by a heart. I looked over at her and she gave me a smile.
Silica- I'm sorry... I went and said it... now you know how I truly feel...
"Silica... I don't..."
Was she confessing her love to me!? Does Ashtry know about this? Would this even be allowed?
Playing dumb, I chuckled as I began to eat my food.
"I take it that saying those kinds of things is part of your job. You know, a kind of roleplay?"
Silica- Hm? Oh! That? Y-Yes. Of course. R-Roleplaying. That's right! Now, Kazzu. I mean, sir. It's time for you to try a bite of this tasty omelette. Open wide!
"Are you seriously going to feed me? You really don't have to, you know."
Silica- Um... yea. It's like a rule here. Can't be helped.
"Very convincing. I haven't seen you help anyone else in here eat their food."
Silica- That's because... um... because it's the first bite that I help you eat.
"Silica..."
Silica- Please, Kazzu...
She gave me sad puppy dog eyes that I just couldn't resist, as much as I tried.
"Alright, alright... let's try this omelette of yours."
I opened my mouth for her as she placed a spoonful of the meal inside. I closed my mouth and slowly started to chew. It was really tasty.
Silica- Well? How is it?
"I won't lie, it's really damn good."
Silica- Really?
"What? Don't believe me? Try some yourself."
Silica- Well... ok... I guess a mouthful wouldn't hurt...
She tried to grab my utensil to eat part of the omelette but I stopped her as I picked some food up and presented it to her.
"You fed me, I'll feed you."
Silica went tomato red as she nervously leaned forward and took a bite. Her face lit up with stars in her eyes.
Silica- Th-This is delicious! I'm in omelette heaven!
"Told you. It's like the eggs have been whisked to perfection and the seasonings are just right."
Silica- To think that I've been working here all this time and never thought to try the food myself. Could I have one more bite? Just one more?
"Of course. You went through the trouble of making it for me."
Silica- Wait! I just realized that we were sharing the same spoon! Th-That's so naughty...
"You're really one of those girls?"
Silica- It's like we... you know...
"Don't read too much into it. We just shared a bite together. Don't get all worried just because we had an indirect kiss."
Silica- Kazzu!
"I'm just saying..."
After finishing my food and spending the next few hours hunting monsters, I started making my way back to Agil's shop. The weather decided to take a turn for the worse and a heavy downpour met me at the entrance.
Damn... it was sunny all day with no clouds this morning. Where did this come from?
Lisbeth- Kazzu!
I turned my head to see Ashtry and Lisbeth running up to me, soaked and worried beyond belief. I looked at them and wondered what was going on.
"Everything ok ladies?"
Ashtry- You haven't seen Silica around, have you? She was supposed to get off work thirty minutes ago, but she hasn't been back here since then.
Lisbeth- She didn't send a message on where she was going either. I'm worried about her.
"Can't you two just use your searching skill on her?"
Ashtry- We can't see the footsteps in this damn rain.
"Alright, get inside. I'll look for her."
Ashtry- Be careful my prince.
"Always princess."
I gave her a quick peck on the lips before sending them inside and tracking down Silica.Silica had been hiding in an alley near her workplace to avoid the rain. She only had a small, covered spot to put herself in to assure herself that she wouldn't get drenched.
Silica- Dang it... I knew I should've left earlier today... Hopefully this rain stops soon.
?- I wouldn't count on it sweetheart...
Silica- Who's there?
Silica looked over to her right, only to see a shadowy figure walking towards her. A little worried, Silica opened her inventory and tried to equip her dagger, only to be forcefully grabbed and shoved against the wall by another player behind her. She grunted in pain as her arm was twisted behind her back to prevent her from struggling.
Silica- Stop! Let go of me!
The two men leaned in closer to her face, giving her a good look at them. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw both of their crooked grins.
Silica- You... you two were the ones who made fun of me on the first day of this game!
Crooked Gentleman #1- My, my, it seems this stupid bitch remembers us.
Crooked Gentleman #2- Glad to know you still remember our faces...
Silica- What do you two... want with me!
Crooked Gentleman #1- See, back on that day, you and that little boyfriend of yours decided to humiliate us by saying dragon pets exist.
Crooked Gentleman #2- So to prove you wrong, we went into a dragon's nest to find one of these eggs and show you the truth.
Crooked Gentleman #1- Surprisingly, the third friend we had found one and we were about to make off with it, until its mother decided to wake up and attack us.
Crooked Gentleman #2- As you can see, we made it out. Our friend, however, wasn't so lucky.
Silica- What does this have to do with me!?
Crooked Gentleman #1- Because of what you and your friend drove us to do, we lost one of our friends!
Crooked Gentleman #2- So now, we are going to take something away from him! You will do just nicely.
Silica- So... you're going to kill me?
Crooked Gentleman #1- No... we are going to do... so much worse than that...
Both men started running their hands around Silica's body. Silica started to fight back by elbowing the man who held her against the wall but was soon stopped by a sharp pain entering her neck. She fell to the ground with a thud as she saw the paralysis icon on her health bar. Tears formed in her eyes as both men started to rip through her work attire with daggers of their own, revealing her undergarments and even exposing her skin. She watched as both men ran their grubby fingers on her body, pleasuring themselves as they slowly crept up to her sensitive parts. She closed her eyes, unable to scream out of fear. Her body was about to be ruined; her purity taken by the hands of rapists. She was all alone. No friends, no Pina. Only one name stuck out in her head as she mustered all the strength in her lungs to make one cry for help.
Silica- Kazzu... help... me...
Crooked Gentleman #1- No one is coming to save you...
Crooked Gentleman #2- We are going to take our sweet ass time having fun with you...
Both men started laughing as Silica sobbed. Laughter that was ended by the sounds of wet footsteps approaching them. Both men halted their assault on the poor tamer to take a look at the newcomer. One of them smiled as he stood up.
Crooked Gentleman #1- Hey, pal. This isn't any of your business. Unless you want to join in on this, I suggest you keep moving.
Not a word was said as a small dagger pierced through the raindrops and snagged on the man's clothing, throwing him backwards and pinning him to a nearby wall. The second man had no chance to react before he was put in a headlock and thrown deeper into the alleyway. Silica's sobs stopped as she looked at her savior, only to see me kneeling down next to her and holding her close to my arms. I held up an antidote potion which shattered in my hands as the paralysis disappeared. Though free from paralysis, Silica had no intention of moving. Considering what happened, no one would blame her. There was a small pop up that appeared in front of her: "The Anti-Criminal Code has been violated. Would you like to report?". Silica slowly went to hit yes, but I stopped her from doing so as I gave her a small smile.
"Let me take care of this first, ok?"
Silica said nothing as she looked over at the two men, who recovered from my first assault, and nodded at me. I lowered her back down and stood up to face the rapists, a cold glare smeared across my face. Both men looked at each other, worried.
"I've seen some sick shit in this game, but this just topped the list."
Crooked Gentleman #1- We were just getting what we were owed from...
"If you say that raping her is her paying you back and I promise you, I will kill you where you stand."
Both men instantly went quiet as I walked towards them, cracking my knuckles and intimidating them further.
"By the end of the night, you two will be going to jail. But before that happens, I'm going to enjoy beating the shit out of both of you."
Crooked Gentleman #2- Well, we are green players. You hurt us and you'll be kicked out of the...
"You know, you sound like another bitch who told me the same thing. I didn't care then, and I don't care now."
Crooked Gentleman #1- Cocky little...
"Besides, I won't be turning orange today. A friend of mine found a loophole to that mechanic. All I have to do is keep hitting you repeatedly and the system will register that as a knockback effect without penalizing me."
I raised my hands up to the two players, clenching my firsts, ready to fight. I swung quickly at the first on and knocked him out in one punch.
"Weak. How about you?"
Crooked Gentleman #2- You son of a bitch!
He started swinging aggressively at me. Not a single one of his punches landed as I swiftly moved out of the way and started rapidly jabbing at him. For attacks I would consider weak, they hit my opponent like a ton of bricks. Each quick jab was met by a pained grunt as my opponent took blow after blow without any chance of recovery. Swinging a hard right hook, I knocked him back into a wall, causing him to fall down and look up at me, frightened.
Crooked Man #2- Please! Have mercy!
"You corner my friend in an alley, attempt to rape her for a grudge that you started, and you expect me to show you any sort of mercy!?"
Crooked Man #2- Please! You are already taking us to jail! Let us rot in a cell, just please don't kill me!
Silica- Kazzu...
I looked back at Silica and saw the fresh tears forming in her eyes. They weren't for my actions, but for how scared she was in this situation she was caught in. I looked back down at the quivering man, grabbing his head and giving him a high knee, knocking him out next to his friend. As I walked away from them both, a bright glow entered my field of vision, indicating that they had been teleported to jail. I knelt down in front of my trembling friend and pulled my casual clothes out of my inventory. I handed her my hoodie which was double her size, so it covered all of her body. Her soft whimpers told me that she wanted to go to a safe place. Wasting no time, I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle gaze.
"I'm going to take you home now, ok? Hold on tight."
She gave me a nod and wrapped her arms around my neck as I picked her up bridal style and carried her out of the alley, into the pouring rain. She shivered at the touch of the cold water and held me closer in hopes of warming her up. I held her as tight as I could to share whatever body warmth I had left. It didn't take us long to get back to Agil's, where Liz and Ashtry looked at us with joy, quickly replaced with worry.
Ashtry- Silica!?
Lisbeth- What the hell happened!?
Neither me nor Silica said a word as I looked at them with a sad expression. They didn't ask anything else as I carefully set Silica down and allowed her to walk over to her two friends, quietly sobbing as they walked her upstairs to her room. I took a seat and quietly growled as I slammed my hand on the desk.
"If I was a second sooner..."
?- Please don't blame yourself Sir Kazzu
I looked over to my left to see a slouched old woman walk over and join me in a seat across from me. I gave him a raised eyebrow.
Old Woman- I'm sorry. I'm the owner of the small establishment where your friend works. I saw what happened and was going to find you for aid. Fortunately, you were already at the scene.
"Oh... well thank you for thinking about my friend's safety..."
Old Woman- What bothers you? You saved your friend from those fiends, so why the long face?
"Because before this incident happened, I had visited her at your cafe. We shared some food together and she even... confessed to me... I think... I was shocked at the sudden revelation, but I had no idea what to think of it at the time."
Old Woman- And what about now? What do you think?
"Now... I think that nothing scared me more... than seeing her about to be raped by those two assholes... pardon my language."
Old Woman- So you care for her?
"I do..."
Old Woman- You would do anything to protect her?
"Anything..."
Old Woman- You love her?
"I... I do... but... my relationship with my current girlfriend is... growing a little complicated... I'm not sure how I feel about loving multiple women..."
Old Woman- Now there's where my knowledge ends... but... based on what you have told me and how you worded it, you seem to hold a lot of love for these women...
"You would be correct..."
Old Woman- If your lover and you agree to always love each other no matter what happens, then I see no problem loving different women, as long as you understand that she can hold affections for other men.
The thought made me a little uneasy considering the men we have encountered so far, I guess if she went on a date with Klein, I wouldn't mind but anyone else is either taken or sketchy.
"Understood..."
Old Woman- Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be off. I'll send a message to Silica telling her that she if more than welcome to take a few days away from the cafe. Make sure she gets better, ok?
"You got it."
The old woman stood up from her seat, gave me a small bow and left Agi's shop. Just as she did, both Liz and Ashtry walked up to me with small frowns on their faces. I stood up quickly and rushed over towards them, worried for Silica.
"How is she?"
Lisbeth- She's still shaken but I think she'll be ok thanks to you.
Ashtry- She actually asked if you could stay with her for the night. I told her that I would ask you.
"You have no problems with this?"
Ashtry- Kazzu, I know how much love you share with me and others close to you. I'm not angry or jealous that you share your love with others. I love you all the same. You are my prince, and nothing will ever change that. Now, go take care of Silica. I'll see you in the morning.
"Ok... I love you..."
Ashtry- I love you too...
We shared a kiss and I proceeded up to Silica's room, softly knocking on her door.
"Silica... are you there? It's Kazzu."
Silica- Come in...
Her voice was cracking but soft. I opened the door slowly and entered the room, taking note of the small girl on the bed, her eyes puffy and her cheeks stained with dried tears. I closed the door behind me and sat next to Silica, quiet as to not disturb her. It didn't take but a second for her to latch her arms around me and hold me tightly. I didn't move a muscle and allowed her to do with as she pleased. She pulled back for a second and gave me a small smile.
Silica- Thank you for being there when I needed you the most... I was... so scared... I...
"It's ok Silica... you don't have to talk about it..."
Silica- I'm sorry... I just... you are my hero Kazzu... you have been since I met you in that forest, you have been since you helped me revive Pina... that's why I...
"Confessed to me back at the cafe..."
Silica- Yes... but... I know that I have no chance of being with...
"It's not that... it's more complicated than that..."
Silica- Would you tell me? I won't force you if you don't want to...
"It's not that I don't love you, Lisbeth or Ashtry... it's just... I don't want you to have feelings for a man who is doomed to rot in the real world."
Silica- You think you will be sent to jail?
"I don't think it will be immediate. I believe there will be a trial, and I will lose that trial by a landslide. If I'm lucky, I'll be sent to prison."
Silica- And if you're unlucky?
"Death sentence..."
Silica- Do you really think they'll go to that extreme!?
"My father has killed many people to realize his dream. If he dies in this game, the responsibility will be passed on to me. I will shoulder my father's sins... and pay for them... I don't want anyone to love someone who has no life ahead of him after this game..."
Silica- I don't believe that! Even if the odds are stacked against you, I'm sure that everyone will be there to support you. If not them, then I sure as hell will be there when it comes time to prove your innocence! I won't let them take away the one I love!
A small smirk appeared on my face as I lowered my head to her, causing her to blush in realization to what she said.
"So you do love me?"
Silica- I... uh... I... yes...
I chuckled as I placed my hand on hers, gripping it softly as her grasp grew tighter on mine.
"I told Lisbeth the same thing but... if you just give me some time to adjust... and I promise to return your feelings..."
Silica- Kazzu, you saved my life... I don't care if you take a long time to do so... I will never change how I feel for you...
I smiled as she gave me another hug. Her scared emotions fleeing from her as we both laid down in her bed and slowly began to close our eyes. The last thing I heard was a soft whisper that escaped from Silica's mouth.
Silica- I love you... my knight...