Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Gaiden ❯ Progressive 1: Art of Bull and Fraud ( Chapter 4 )

Welcome back, everyone! In this latest tale, we are still in the ‘Aincrad era’, but this time, we switch from our Digidestined back to our Moon Princess, Black Swordsman, and ‘fast female fencer’ of SAO during the early days of this ‘arc’. This is the first one-shot based on the Progressive Novels and I made a few ‘flashbacks’ to this time period in this one-shot in previous fanfiction stories. I think that fans of my Sailor Moon Online stories will recognize what I mean, everyone! Before I start this latest tale, once again, I have to give thanks and credit to Belletiger and Kanius as well as Kanius’ YuYuGiDigiMoon fanfiction series, especially his The Invasion of the Rajita story, for giving me permission to use the idea of Valkyrie Sailor Soldiers and everything that’s a part of them in my fanfiction. I would like to give thanks and credit to Kanius and his YuYuGiDigiMoon series, including this author’s Dawn of Chaos story, and LazerWulf for giving me permission to use the idea for their version of Sailor Charon, namely the fact that she is Sailor Pluto’s sister among other things. I would also like to give thanks and credit to Matty G91 and this author’s story of Kamen Rider Lunar for giving me permission to use Kamen Rider Lunar, his looks, and everything about him as well as the UNI-SHOCKER organization.

 

Now, with that out of the way, as they say on SAO: Link Start!

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Naruto, Accel World, Digimon series, Yu-Gi-Oh R/GX/5Ds/Zexal/Arc-V, Kingdom Hearts, Hyperdimensional Neptunia series, Gundam series, especially Gundam Build Fighters, Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Mortal Kombat, Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed, Maken-Ki, Tenchi Muyo series, Ronin Warriors, Pretty Cure, Queen’s Blade/Gate, Dragonball Z/GT, Star Trek series, Star Wars, Log Horizon, Sonic the Hedgehog, DC universe, Marvel universe, Assassin’s Creed, Senran Kagura, Sekirei, Monster Musume, Karin/Chibi Vampire, 12 Beast, Stargate series, One Piece, Final Fantasy, Rave Master, Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra, Code Lyoko, Transformers, and anything/anyone that comes from these and other stories that end up in this fanfiction! Sailor Moon is owned/licensed by Naoko Takeuchi and its various studios and publishers, Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō, Naruto is owned/licensed by Masashi Kishimoto, Yuuto Date, Jump Comics, and Studio Pierrot, Digimon is owned/licensed by Toei Animation and its various directors, including Hiroyuki Kakudo, Yu-Gi-Oh is owned/licensed by Kazuki Takahashi, Toei Animation, and Studio Gallop, Yu-Gi-Oh GX is owned/licensed by Naoyuki Kageyama, Studio Gallop and its various directors, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds is owned/licensed by Katsumi Ono and Studio Gallop, and Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō!

 

Warning: These stories may and will contain mature level intense violence, blood, gore, death, mild to explicit suggestive themes, including mind-control and brainwashing, mild to explicit bad language, and mature adult themes/situations!

 

Second Warning: Some to a lot of OOC (Out of Character) actions and mannerisms in these series of stories!

 

Prelude: A castle of stone and metal floating in the sky that consist of one hundred floors. Within this massive structure, there are countless cities, villages, towns, forests, plains, lakes, and whatever you can imagine. There is only one staircase that connects one floor with another and these staircases are located within dangerous mazes filled with monsters. The players with navigate through these floors to the top with nothing than the weapons in their hands. And yes, I said players.

 

This is the world of Aincrad, a floating castle in a virtual sky, and yes, I said VIRTUAL sky. This world and this floating castle world are in a realm made of digital information…the world of Sword Art Online. A world that was supposed to be game, but because a nightmare prison when its creator, Akihiko Kayaba, trapped the ten thousand players within this virtual world and if they die here, they will die in real life. The ten thousand players struggle in this ‘game death’ to reach the top of the floating castle where the final boss and the key to their freedom waits.

 

You may know this story and the stories that come after it, but do you know all of the stories? All of the tales that happened within the floating castle? What about the tales that happened after the floating castle was conquered? There are stories connected to the ‘tale’ of this floating castle, its ‘history’, and its ‘aftermath’, but they weren’t told…until now. These are those stories…

 

Sailor Moon Online: Gaiden

 

Story 4: Progressive 1: Art of Bull and Fraud

 

Note: This story takes place between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of Sailor Moon Online.

 

December 4, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two

 

Today, we are in the virtual world of Sword Art Online, SAO for short, which was once the first virtual massive multi-player online game or VRMMO, has been transformed into a deadly virtual prison for those who now reside in this virtual world and trapped within in it as well as virtual avatars that looks a lot like their real-life bodies. If they die in this game, the avatar will be deleted and nearly simultaneously, the device that’s keeping them trapped within this virtual world, the NervGear, will fry their brain and kill them instantly. Basically, if you die in the game, you die in real life. And even since this death game has started nearly a month ago, around two thousand people are already dead, which means one-fifth of the ‘player population’ of SAO, ten thousand of them originally, are gone. Hope was getting low due to this game since the creator of the game and the NervGear itself, Akihiko Kayaba, who was the one that entrapped the players in the death game, said that in order to leave the game, you have to beat the final boss at the final level of the castle world that SAO.

 

The castle world, the settling for SAO, is known as Aincrad, a massive 100 floor castle where it is largest at the first floor and smallest at the final floor, Floor 100, which contains the Ruby Palace, the setting for the final battle with the final boss of the game. However, in the first month of the game, they couldn’t find the boss for the first floor of Aincrad and one-fifth of the ten thousand players are already dead which is the reason for the low morale. However, the top players of the game managed to find the floor boss and at the cost of the life of the leader of this raid group, they had finally managed to defeat the main boss of the first floor of Aincrad: Illfang the Kobold Lord. In that group was none other than the niece of Akihiko Kayaba and the famous Sailor Moon of Juuban: Serena Tsukino, who is known as Usagi in SAO.

 

When that fact was found out, one of the players basically lashed out against her just for that fact, but in order to make sure that the majority of the player population doesn’t turn against her, another player and former beta tester of SAO, Kirito, took the hatred and anger of the other players by making himself look like the ‘villain’ as it were. Kirito took on the moniker, beater, which is a mixture of the words ‘beta tester’ and ‘cheater’, in order to protect our Moon Princess and his fellow beta testers to prevent a ‘witch hunt’ against Usagi and the surviving former beta testers in the game from the other players. Afterwards, the two of them went to the second floor of Aincrad and they separated after they activated the teleport gate at the main town of the second floor known as Urbus.

 

Now, on the fields of the second floor of Aincrad, this is where we find our Moon Princess as she is trying to level up and get stronger in order to fulfill her ‘mission’ of protecting the other players until they get out this death game and help progress to leave this living nightmare alive. It has been a brief time since Usagi has gone her separate ways from Kirito in the aftermath of the opening of the teleport gate of the second floor of Aincrad in the main town of this floor, Urbus. She knows that the fact that Kayaba’s niece is with the other surviving trapped players in SAO along with ‘Kirito the Beater’ will become well-known in the player community of SAO and despite other players sticking up for her with Kirito focusing the hatred of players on himself, Usagi knows that it is best that she stays out of the limelight despite it being completely against her nature back home in the real world.

 

Right now, she managed to defeat a large cattle monster, Trembling Ox, and after it shatters into hundreds of data polygons, Usagi says, “Man! This cattle monsters aren’t any bull.” Usagi takes a deep breath and she then hears a feminine yell in which Usagi asks, “What’s that?” Soon after, Usagi races off in the direction of the yell and comes into an area with two rocky hill in-between a small canyon. She finds Kirito protecting a female player with a brown hooded cloak on in which Usagi sees that she has three whisker marks on each of her cheeks. Usagi thinks in her mind, “Kirito?” Usagi then sees Kirito protecting the female player from two players that are dressed up in outfits in order to imitate ninjas and she thinks in her mind, “What are they supposed to be? Imitating ninjas or something?”

 

Just then one of the ninja players shouts out, “You Iga dog?!”

 

Kirito asks, confused, “Huh?”

 

Soon after, Usagi notices the two ‘ninja players’ drawing their blades and she thinks, “What are those two think that they are doing? They aren’t in town and if they attack Kirito and even just nick him, they are going to go orange and make them unable to return to town until they are green. And if they get stuck out here, they could die! What the heck are these morons thinking? This isn’t just a game anymore!” Usagi then sees something and she gets to her feet in which she shouts out, “Hey, ninja losers!” When everyone looks at Usagi, she points behind the two ninja players and she says, “You are about to be victims of an MPK if you don’t watch out!”

 

The other ‘ninja player’ responds, “What kind of trickery is this?”

 

Usagi shouts out, “Don’t be stupid and look out already!” The two ‘ninja players’ then look to see another Trembling Ox and they are immediately off with the bull monster right on their heels. With the two players and monster gone, Usagi leaps down in front of Kirito and the hooded female player.

 

Kirito asks, “What are you doing here Usagi?”

 

Usagi responds, “What do you think Kirito? By the way, do you always look for trouble or does it come looking for you?” Kirito gives a nervous expression as a reply and Usagi asks Kirito, looking at the other player with him, “By the way, who is this?”

 

The female player was about to answer when Kirito responds, in a nervous hasty tone, “This is Argo. Like me, she is a former beta tester. She is an information dealer.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Information dealer?”

 

The female player, Argo, responds, “That’s what the job says. I gather information and sell it for a price. Normally, what I just told you costs one hundred col, but since you did help Kii-boy and me out, I’ll let it pass for now.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Okay…” Just then she becomes more nervous when Argo looks her over in which Argo can’t see her face thanks to her special hooded white cloak.

 

Argo says, “My, I had wondered what happened to the quest with that special cloak that keeps your face hidden. I had heard that someone in the first boss raid had gotten it, but I don’t take ‘rumors’ until I had found them to be confirmed fact.”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “How much did you hear?”

 

Argo responds, with a sly smile, “That you have been put in the ringer and we have a bit of ‘celebrity’ in our ranks.” Argo asks Usagi, “So, you must the infamous niece of Kayaba, huh?” Usagi gives a winch and she then states, “And you must know her if called her by name, Kii-boy.”

 

Kirito and Usagi give yelps and Kirito thinks in his mind, nervously, “Oh, crap!” Kirito tells Argo, “Argo, I don’t care what I have to pay! I need for you to keep that piece of information silent for good!”

 

Argo tells Kirito, “That isn’t usually my style, Kii-boy…”

 

Kirito responds, “Argo, do you know what it means even if her player name got out there especially at this stage of game? Come on, she just helped me save you!”

 

Argo says, “Okay, Kii-boy. If you keep this up, you are going to make Big Sister break the first rule of information dealing.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, confused, “Big sister?”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, nervously, “Don’t listen to her, Usagi!”

 

Usagi responds, nervously, “Okay…” Usagi asks Kirito, “Anyway, what was that all about?”

 

Kirito says, “Those two belong to the Fuma Ninja Force.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Fuma Ninja Force?”

 

Kirito responds, “They belonged to a ninja guild that was ‘feared’ back in the beta. Feared as in fear in when monsters pursue them, they used their incredible agility to get away and have the monsters target other players.”

 

Usagi says, annoyed, “Oh…”

 

Kirito says, shaking his head, “I know, Usagi. It looks like they are still continuing their ways from the beta.”

 

Usagi says, annoyed, “Hasn’t it gotten into their heads that this isn’t an ordinary game anymore? Doing that could get someone killed!”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “Yeah, I know. What you said is true, but even though it has been a month, it really hasn’t settled in yet. I mean, a real-life death game? It must still be hard to imagine for some people.” Kirito thinks in his mind, solemnly, “Though there are people that have completely realized that this is no joke and this is no game anymore.” Kirito realized this fact when on the first day a fellow beta tester tried to MPK him on the quest to get Anneal Blade, but the attempt backfired and Kirito barely survived when the other former beta tester died instead.

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yeah, you are probably right.” Usagi asks Kirito and Argo, “By the way, what was that all about?”

 

Argo gives a sigh and Kirito says, “Those two were bothering Argo because she had knowledge about a special quest on this floor that grants an Extra Skill.”

 

Usagi asks, “Extra Skill? You mean those special skills that you have got to earn by doing special quests or earning by developing certain skills to a certain point?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s right, Usagi. Shingo must have told you.”

 

Argo asks, “Shingo?” Argo then gives a nod of recognition and she says, with a sly smile, “I see. She is his sister.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I guess that the squirt was well-known in the beta.”

 

Argo says, “Yep. As Kii-boy must have already told you, he was the first beta tester and the top beta tester.” Argo says, “Haven’t seen him around.”

 

Usagi says, “Thankfully, the squirt had a doctor’s appointment on the day of the start of the game.”

 

Argo says, with a nod of recognition, “I see. Lucky boy.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yeah, the brat was always bragging me about the game during the time in the beta. On the day this started, I boasted about beating him to the top.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “You’ll see him again someday.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Thank you, Kirito.”

 

Argo says, with a sly grin, “Well…Well, it seems like our two ‘outcasts’ are getting familiar with each other.”

 

Kirito and Usagi blush and Kirito shouts out, embarrassed, “It isn’t like that Argo! Don’t you dare be selling that!”

 

Usagi says, “Besides I already have a boyfriend!”

 

Argo asks, slyly, “Oh, really now?”

 

Usagi gives an ‘eep’ and Kirito tells Usagi, “Argo doesn’t know the meaning of ‘client confidently’, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, annoyed, “Yeah, I kind of got that.”

 

Argo says, with a grin, “Since that kind of tidbit probably refers to you know where, I will keep that off-limits for the time being. But Kii-boy’s friend or not, you may be a bit of celebrity, however, I’m going to treat you like the rest of the crowd.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I could only wish that I could be part of the crowd.” Usagi asks, “Anyway, what’s the story on that Extra Skill?”

 

Kirito says, “If you want to get it from Argo, you are going to have to pay though right now, I don’t think that’s an option.” Kirito tells Argo, “However, you said that you would answer one thing for me, so, give Usagi and I the details about the Extra Skill those ninjas wanted. I’m changing my mind on what information I requested from you.”

 

Argo gives a pout and she says, “Okay, Kii-boy, I said that I would give one bit of information on the house. However, you and Usagi-chan have got to promise me that you can’t blame for what happens no matter what!”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Why?”

 

Kirito tells Argo, “You said something similar to those ninjas earlier. What do you mean by that? Why would someone bear a grudge against you for selling information on an Extra Skill that everyone wants?”

 

Argo says, with a grin, “That one will cost you extra Kii-boy.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, with a sigh, “Just to let you know beforehand, Argo has the moniker of ‘The Rat’.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, wryly, “I’m beginning to see why.”

 

Argo says, with a sly smile, “That wasn’t nice Kii-boy. And here, Big Sister, is giving you such helpful information.”

 

Kirito says, “Okay, I swear to Kami…I mean, I swear to the system that no matter what happens, I won’t hold it against you.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Ditto.”

 

Argo says, “Okay, you and your little girlfriend follow me, Kii-boy.” Kirito and Usagi sigh as Argo led them to the side of one of many of the flat-topped mountains that dotted this floor of Aincrad, through cavern and down an underground river, and while having several battles along the way, it was easy for Kirito’s and Usagi’s levels and gear, the threesome reached an area with a single tree, a single of water, and a tiny shed.

 

Usagi says, amazed, “Well, this just says ‘special quest’.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I agree.” Soon enough, the group enters the shed to see that inside it only has a few pieces of furniture and an elderly NPC that’s tall, showing all muscles and bones with not a sign of fat on him, bald, a long white beard, and dressed simply like a sage in which he has a golden exclamation mark above his head which is a sign of quest in SAO.

 

Argo tells Kirito and Usagi, “That’s the NPC who gives you the Extra Skill of Martial Arts. This is all I can tell you. It’s up to you whether to accept the quest or not.”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “Martial Arts?”

 

Usagi says, “Martial Arts is fighting styles that people usually associate with no weapons…Basically, hand to hand combat much like karate, judo, tai-chi, and the like. It isn’t completely true that Martial Arts uses no weapons in…the ‘other world’, but in games, it usually means unarmed combat.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I see. Now, I can see why those ninjas wanted it for themselves.”

 

Usagi says, nodding her head, “Same here Kirito.” Argo gives a confused look and Usagi tells Argo, “People usually think ninjas use blades and shuriken, those ninja throwing star things, but they also tend to use hand to hand combat with just a strike here and there with your bare hands and your opponent is out like a light. Or, one good neck chop and the head comes off.”

 

Kirito says, adding in, “That’s why those two wanted that skill. They wanted to round out their images as ‘gaming ninja’. However, I still don’t get how they knew about it. No one else knew about in the beta.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “They didn’t?”

 

Kirito says, “Nope. The only Extra Skill that was known to be found out in the beta was Meditation, a skill where you take a position to increase HP recovery and lessen debuff effects.”

 

Argo says, “This one is on the house. At the very end of the beta, there was an NPC on the seventh floor that revealed some info about the ‘Martial Arts master down on the second floor’. However, I found him way before that, but I guess that the ninja jerks heard it from the fellow on the seventh floor. So, once I got started on the info business, they came to me for details on the Extra Skill.”

 

Usagi asks, “Since you knew where he was all along, why didn’t you just give them the information?”

 

Argo says, nervously, “Any grudge over information sold or bought only last three days, but this one is different! This grudge could last a lifetime!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, curiously and a bit concerned, “A lifetime?” Kirito and Usagi look at each other and Usagi tells Argo, with a sigh, “I still don’t understand, but I won’t hold it against you, Argo.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Ditto.” The two of them step forward, but the two of them still got a ‘bad feeling’ going through them.

 

The NPC says, “You wish to follow my school.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yes.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s right.”

 

The NPC says, “The road of training is long and fraught with peril.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Not like my life hasn’t been ever since I became Sailor Moon.” Usagi responds, “I’m ready to accept the danger.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s what I want to hear.” The exclamation mark over his head turned into a question mark, showing that a quest has been accepted, both Usagi and Kirito get the accept acceptance long over their eyes. The NPC then escorts them out of the shop where he stops in-between two massive boulders that’s a good six feet tall and five feet across.

 

The NPC says, “Your training is simple: Split this stone with your two fists. If you succeed, I will teach you all of my secrets.”

 

Usagi yells out, stunned, “What?!”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Timeout…”

 

Kirito tests the durability of one of the boulders and when he is done, he turns to the NPC, but before Kirito can say a word, the NPC says, “You aren’t permitted to descend this mountain until you break this stone. I will put the sign upon you now.” The NPC then takes out small jar and thick and magnificent paintbrush and both Usagi and Kirito could say or do anything, the NPC put the tip of the paintbrush and whipped it across Kirito’s and Usagi’s face.

 

When he is done, Usagi recoils and she yelps out, “Hey!” She then looks at Kirito and she yelps to see three thick whisker marks painted on each of his cheeks. Kirito tried to wipe them off, but the ink was quick drying and it didn’t come off at all.

 

The NPC says, “That sign will not vanish until you break this rock and complete your training. I have faith in your potential, my two apprentices.” The NPC then goes back into his shed and leaving Kirito and Usagi in quite a bit of shock.

 

Usagi says, “Excuse me for a moment.” Usagi then goes behind one of the boulders and out of sight of Kirito and Argo where she removes her hood where we see that she has similar whisker marks around her cheeks as well in which she goes through her menu and materials a mirror, the same mirror that Kayaba gave to her and the other players on the day that they became trapped in this death game where it transformed their virtual avatars to look exactly what they look in real-life at that moment in time, in which she uses it to look at her. Soon enough, Kirito and Argo hear a loud screech of shock and surprise from behind the boulder and shortly thereafter, Usagi, with her hood over her head and face once again, emerges. Usagi says, solemnly, “Don’t ask.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Don’t tell.”

 

Usagi asks Argo, “So, this is how you got your whiskers?”

 

Argo says, with a nod, “Yep!” Argo tells Kirito, “You and Usagi-chan got the reason for my whiskers and the details of the Extra Skill rolled up into one! In fact, I’ll even let you in on one more nugget: That rock is hard as heck!”

 

Kirito says, with a groan, “Figures…”

 

Usagi says, wryly, “Something tells me that you went through the beta with those whiskers on your face.”

 

Argo says, with a nod, “You know it, Usagi-chan!”

 

Kirito asks Argo, “Did he paint whiskers just like yours?”

 

Argo looks at Kirito and he responds, “Hmm, they aren’t the same.”

 

Kirito asks, nervously, “Oh, what are they like?”

 

Argo replies, “If I had to describe you in one word, it would be…Kiriemon.” Soon after, Argo let loose a huge laugh that she had been holding back and she couldn’t stop herself from laughing no matter how much she tried.

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a sigh, “Come on, Kirito. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get rid of these stupid…”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I’m with you.”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn sigh, “And between you and me, I really need something to pound on right now.” Kirito gives a confused look and he then realizes what she meant by that in which Kirito can only nod his head in understanding. Usagi thinks in her mind, “I’m so glad that this game comes with pain absorbers because this would really hurt in real-life!” Usagi and Kirito then start to pound on their respective boulders with their virtual avatar’s bare fists in which the pain absorbers make it that they don’t feel any real pain at all from the effort. However, after hours of pounding and pounding, they barely crack the surface of the boulder as Kirito move off to take a rest, but Usagi continues to pound away at the boulder.

 

Kirito asks Usagi, curiously, “Aren’t you going to take a rest?”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a sigh, “I’m not really tired, Kirito. And right, I…I still need to vent.”

 

Kirito nods his head in understanding and he says, “Okay, Usagi. Just…Just don’t push yourself.”

 

Usagi says, with a kind tone, “Thank you, Kirito.” As Kirito goes off to take a rest, Usagi continues to pound away at the rock and she only stop for a moment to lower her hood when she knows that Kirito is out of sight. Usagi then continues to pound away at the boulder with not only her fists, but with her legs, in which she uses kicks, punches, and chops now in which she has memories of her uncle, Akihiko Kayaba, with the happy memories with him only for them to be replaced by the first day of this nightmare causing tears to start to shed from Usagi’s eyes causing her to attack the boulder even more fiercely than before in which she is attacking it with such ferocity that she starts to feel a ‘sensation’ since the pain absorbers can’t seem to absorb all of the ‘sensation’ caused by Usagi’s fists and legs hitting the boulder. Her drive continues to rocket up as images of the man that she loved, Darien Shields, and her best friends, the Sailor Scouts, are dominating her mind along with what happened during the raid against the boss of the first floor with Diabel’s death.

 

December 5, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two

 

The following morning sees Kirito waking up and preparing for another day of breaking the boulder in which he hears Usagi giving loud shouts and grunts causing him to go over to witness Usagi, her hood covering her face/head once more, giving the boulder one powerful kick causing it to crumble to pieces before shattering into hundreds of data pixels.

 

Kirito’s jaw drops and he yells out, “Whoa!”

 

Usagi sees Kirito and she asks, “Sorry, did I wake you?”

 

Kirito responds, a bit nervously, “Um, no. But you…”

 

Usagi replies, nervously, “I had a lot to vent…”

 

Kirito nods his head in understanding and he says, nervously, “Remind me never to get you mad, Usagi.” Usagi giggles nervously as the NPC appears in front of her.

 

The NPC says, “Well done, my student. As reward, I shall entrust you the secrets of my school.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Um…”

 

The NPC says, “But first, to signal your success, I shall tell you how to remove the mark from your face.” The NPC lifting his robe up and he says, “Used my scared robe to remove mark from your face.”

 

Kirito asks, shocked, “Seriously?!” He then quickly realizes something and turns his face away from Usagi getting her confused for a moment before realizing why Kirito did that. She removes her hood, takes the robe, and uses it to remove the whisker marks on her face before putting the hood back on. Soon after, Usagi gets a quest completion screen showing what she has earned including the Extra Skill, Martial Arts.

 

Usagi says, excitedly, “I got the Extra Skill!”

 

Kirito, turning his head to face Usagi once more, says, with a smile, “Great job, Usagi.” The NPC then turns back to the cabin from where he came.

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Kirito…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, with a smile, “I’ll be all right. There are no monsters around here unless you lead them here, so, I will be fine in this place.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay, Kirito.”

 

As Usagi turns to leave, Kirito tells Usagi, “Stay alive out there, Usagi.”

 

Usagi responds, “You too, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “However, for the moment, let’s keep this information a secret from anyone else. You can see why Argo is afraid.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Good idea.”

 

Kirito says, with a sly smile, “If anything, we can put this on her head later.”

 

Usagi says, shocked, “Kirito!”

 

Kirito says, with a grin, “Just kidding.”

 

Usagi shakes her head and she says, “Good luck, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “You too. But something tells me that you aren’t going to need luck.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Maybe, but it wouldn’t hurt.” Usagi and Kirito wave goodbye as Usagi takes off out of the mountain and back into the ‘main fields’ in which Usagi is walking along.

 

Just then Argo’s voice booms, “Hey, Usagi-chan!” Usagi yelps and turns to see Argo walking out in the trees.

 

Usagi asks, shocked, “Argo? How did you…?”

 

Argo says, with a sly smile, “In my line of work, you have got to have a few ‘tricks’ up your sleeve, Usagi-chan.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Able to hide from even my Search Skill is quite a trick especially since only a month has passed since the start of this nightmare.”

 

Argo tells Usagi, with a smile, “Anyway, something tells me that you have gotten the skill.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yes, I did. And I don’t hold anything against you.”

 

Argo says, with a smile, “Thanks, Usagi, but it isn’t about that.”

 

Usagi tells Argo, curiously, “What is it?”

 

Argo responds, “Just wanted to see if you could do me a couple of favors. I’ll make sure to pay you back for them.”

 

Usagi asks, a bit nervously, “Favors?”

 

Argo replies, with a grin, “Yep. Just a few small things. The first thing is to watch over Kii-boy.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Huh?”

 

Argo says, with a grin, “Kii-boy is one of my best customers and in this short time, he really knows how to keep things interesting as well produce the juiciest tidbits. So, I would like him to live as long as possible.”

 

Usagi responds, with a nod and slight nervous tone, “Okay…”

 

Argo says, with a smirk, “And I would like your help on a small quest that I’m researching.”

 

Usagi asks, “A quest?”

 

Argo says, with a smile, “I’m sure that a girl like you can handle it.” Usagi gets a ‘bad feeling’ from Argo’s smile, but decides that if the information can help other players improve their chances for survive, she feels that she has to help out in which Usagi nods her head, however, she gets the feeling that she is going to regret this.

 

December 8, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Urbus

 

In the main town of the second floor of Aincrad, Urbus, Kirito, wearing a wide bandanna across his face and without his Coat of Midnight, the Last Attack bonus prize from the first floor boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord, is with Asuna watching a male player scream and rebate at a short and brown robed male player with chair, anvil, and shelf on a strange rug of some sort.

 

Just then a familiar female voice says, “What’s with all of the commotion?” Kirito and Asuna turn to see a female player wearing a similar cloak to Asuna’s cloak, a mask covering their mouth, and a Venetian mask covering her eyes.

 

Kirito asks, nervously, “Um, do we know you?”

 

The female player responds, “Geez, I know that I look different, but I thought that you were remember me…Kiriemon.”

 

Kirito yelps and Asuna asks, “Kiriemon?”

 

Kirito asks, quickly realizing who she is, “U-?”

 

The female player, none other than our Moon Princess, responds, interrupting, “Do you want the whole of Urbus to know?”

 

Asuna asks Usagi, in a quiet voice, “Usagi, is that you?”

 

Usagi responds, “Nice to see you again, Asuna.”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “I’m guessing that this is your disguise to come into town.”

 

Usagi replies, “My white cloak would make me stand out.”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, a little nervously, “And this doesn’t Usagi?”

 

Usagi says, “I know. I know. I get it.”

 

Asuna asks, a bit nervously, “Why are you wearing that?”

 

Kirito responds, “I figured that she figured that it would get out that ‘her identity’ or at least, her ‘connection’ to Kayaba would get out sooner or later.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah. With all of my efforts in helping out other players, they are going to know my signature one of kind cloak by now. I don’t want to cause any trouble…”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “Oh, Usagi…”

 

Usagi says, trying to change the subject, “By the way, what’s going on here? You could hear that guy out into the fields.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Guy was trying upgrade his Anneal Blade from plus four to plus five. He got worked up when it failed and after screaming to get it ‘fixed’, it got reduced down to a spent Anneal Blade.”

 

Usagi says, with a winch, “Ouch.” Usagi says, looking over the scene, “Hold on! Is that a guy a player blacksmith? All that players I’ve seen are combat focused.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right, Usagi. First player blacksmith in Aincrad I’ve seen. Just heard about him.”

 

Usagi asks, “Shouldn’t he have a better chance at upgrades than an NPC blacksmith?”

 

Kirito says, “It should be, but it doesn’t mean that he won’t fail. And he failed four times in a row.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Really?”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “I don’t see what the problem is. Can’t he upgrade his weapon back to plus four?”

 

Usagi responds, “No, Asuna. On the weapons in SAO, the number of attempts isn’t just how high a weapon can be upgraded, but it is also how many ATTEMPTS you can upgrade. An Anneal Blade has only EIGHT attempts and this guy had four successful upgrades and four failures.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “And that means that it is ‘spent’. It can’t be upgraded anymore.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right, Asuna.” Soon enough, the player, Rufiol, was comforted by his friends in which they said about taking the Anneal Blade quest again and get the same blade that he had before he came to the blacksmith within a week. But then soon after, they witness the blacksmith buying the spent Anneal Blade for twice what it was worth causing both Kirito’s and Usagi’s eyes to narrow at this.

 

After that episode was done, Usagi asks Kirito, “Let me guess: When you heard of him, you planned to have him attempt to upgrade your Anneal Blade?”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “How could you tell?”

 

Asuna responds, showing an exasperated look, “You were hunting Red Spotted Beetles, Kirito. Usagi had defeated a few of them and told me that their drops provided the upgrade materials for one-handed swords.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh…” Kirito asks Usagi, curiously, “So, you wanted to upgrade your sword too, Usagi?”

 

Usagi responds, “Actually, no. My main sword is already a plus eight.” Kirito gave a flabbergasted look and was about to scream out before a glare from Asuna made him clap him mouth shut.

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “You already got your sword to a plus eight?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yep. My main Anneal Blade is a plus eight already. It is three ‘S’, three ‘D’, and two ‘A’.” FYI: Weapon properties in SAO are sharpness, accuracy, durability, and heaviness, but in order to avoid to complexity of saying all of the properties, the players use abbreviations. In the case of Usagi’s Anneal Blade +8, it is ‘3S3D2A’ which is short for three points to sharpness, three points to durability, and two points to accuracy.

 

Kirito says, amazed, “You must have gotten really lucky, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, a bit nervously, “Partially. I managed to get my Anneal Blade to plus six back on the first floor and I managed to get two additional points thanks to helping Argo.”

 

Kirito asks, “Argo?”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “I helped him ‘research’ a quest that wasn’t part of the beta…”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, with a sigh, “And it was a pain in the ass, huh?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Big time. However, the quest did help me get an awesome item. It is an upgrade ingot that pushes the success rate to the maximum for weapons that have less than ten upgrade attempts and allows you to upgrade whatever property that you wish.”

 

Kirito is shocked and he asks, stunned, “Really?!”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Yeah, it is how I got my Anneal Blade to plus eight.”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, with an excited tone, “Where is this quest? And what is it Usagi?”

 

Asuna glares at Kirito and she asks, annoyed, “Seriously, Kirito?”

 

Kirito gets a nervous look from Asuna’s glare and Usagi tells Kirito, nervously, “Um, the quest is called ‘Matador Miner’.”

 

Kirito asks, slightly nervous, “Matador Miner?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod and nervous tone, “Yeah…”

 

Kirito and Asuna give nervous expression and Kirito says, nervously, “On second thought…”

 

Asuna asks Usagi, “By the way, Usagi, you said that your MAIN Anneal Blade is a plus eight?”

 

Kirito gets an interested look and Usagi says, showing the Anneal Blade in its sheath strapped to her left side, “That’s right. The Anneal Blade that I have is the main one that I use, but I have two backup Anneal Blades just in case.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Hold on! That means that you did the same quest several times?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah. During the first month, I passed by the village quite a number of times and when it was open, I did the quest for extra Anneal Blades just in case. I got both of the ones that I have to plus six with one being two ‘H’, two ‘D’, and two ‘A’ while the other is three ‘H’ and three ‘D’. I want to make the first one ‘sharper’ and the other one ‘more accurate’.” Kirito is amazed by this, but he could help to agree with Usagi’s practically in which she not only has backup weapons just in case, she also has weapons that she can help her in various situations for at least the first four floors due to their different properties.

 

Asuna says, amazed, “Wow, Usagi.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “I’ll say.” Kirito then makes a mental note to have a backup weapon just as good as his main weapon in the near future.

 

Usagi asks Asuna, “Are you and Kirito here to upgrade?”

 

Asuna responds, with a nod, “Yep. I have four Steel Planks and twelve Windwasp Needles.”

 

Kirito says, “Nice work, but that means that the chance of going to plus five is only a bit over eighty percent.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “Aren’t those good odds to risk?”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Normally, sure…”

 

Usagi says, interrupting Kirito, “But something doesn’t feel right, Asuna.”

 

Asuna and Kirito look at Usagi and Usagi says, “A player blacksmith should have a better chance of upgrading than an NPC could and his equipment is better than theirs, but the thing is…he managed to fail upgrades four times in a row when chance of that happening are really low and I mean REALLY low.”

 

Asuna asks Usagi, “So, what’s the problem?”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Normally, nothing, but that guy buying a spent Anneal Blade for double of what it is really worth? It seems like he was being real nice, but I can’t shake this feeling…”

 

Kirito tells Asuna, with a very serious expression, “Asuna, you hate compromising right? Well, don’t. Since you already put so much hard work into those material, it is best to go one more round and get the odds up to ninety-five percent. Then you are practically assured to get it to plus five WITHOUT fail.”

 

Asuna doesn’t say a word for several moments and she then says, “Yes, it is a true that I hate compromising, but I also hate people who are all talk and no walk just as much?” Kirito gives a confused look and Asuna says, “Since you are dead-set on me pursuing perfection, I assume that you are going to lend me a hand, Kirito. The drop rate on Windwasp Needles is only eight perfect after all.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Huh?”

 

Asuna says, with a smirk, “Now that’s settled, let’s go hunting. I think that the two of us together can take down about a hundred before nightfall.”

 

Kirito gives a confused look and Usagi tells Kirito, with a sigh, “Don’t argue, Kirito. It isn’t going to get you anyway.”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “Right…”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, “And if we’re going to hunt together, you must take off that ugly bandanna. It looks absolutely hideous on you.”

 

Kirito gives a light groan of displeasure and Usagi thinks in her mind, “Ouch! Right in the solar plexus Asuna.”

 

December 8, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Field

 

Out in the fields of the second floor of Aincrad, Kirito, back in his classic Coat of Midnight, and Asuna are hunting Windwasp, which are low health and attack power for monsters of the second floor, but they have their own difficultly since they can fly and the players of SAO can use close range combat weapons, namely swords, spears, axes, and the like, in which they are ranged weapons in the form of throwing knives, but there is a limited number that can be used based on multiple factors for each player in which they don’t do the damage at the level of swords, daggers, and the like. Usagi, wearing her white hooded cloak once again, is with them watching in which she had asked if she can help, but Asuna insisted that she leave this to Kirito and herself in which they made it a contest where each of them defeats fifty Windwasps and the person that defeats that fifty slower than the other has to buy a very special cake from a restaurant in the main town of Urbus.

 

“Twenty-five!” Asuna shouts out as she defeats her latest opponent as it shatters into dozens upon dozens of data pixels.

 

“Twenty-two!” Kirito declares as he defeats his latest Windwasp.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Despite Kirito’s sword being more damaging inducing, Asuna is getting more critical hits than him, but then again, rapiers and techniques involving them are used for pinpoint attacks and Asuna’s Wind Fleuret has plus three in accuracy, so, it is not surprising that Asuna is getting the critical hits more than Kirito. He had better do something fast or he is going to have to pay for that expensive cake.” Soon enough, Usagi witnesses Kirito’s right hand glows and he attacks another Windwasp with Flash Blow, a Martial Arts Sword Skill 1 hit combo, after he hits the Windwasp with a One-Handed Sword Skill. Usagi thinks in her mind, “It might be close.” Later on, Usagi is consoling the solemn Kirito while Asuna is walking ahead of them with a smile on her lips hidden by her hood. Usagi tells Kirito, with a smile, “Come on, Kirito. It was real close and it could have gone either way.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “Thank you for trying to cheer me up, Usagi.”

 

Asuna asks, “Oh, stop being such a downer. It was just by one within a few seconds or so. Anyway, so, the thing that Kirito did with the hand is a skill known as Martial Arts?”

 

Usagi replies, “Yeah. It is unarmed combat moves. Personally, I was surprised that there are Sword Skills that involve hands and feet, but then again, combat, even in games, is more than just weapons and such. They also have plenty of ‘flashy’ punches and kicks as well.”

 

Asuna says, “I’m pretty surprised too and it looks to be a handy skill.”

 

Usagi says, “It is. If you lose your weapon, it doesn’t mean that you are defenseless.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “Yeah. If your weapon becomes lost, destroyed, or whatever, you can use your hands and feet as long as you make the proper motions and hit an enemy with similar damage to other Sword Skills…depending on your level and stats.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right, Asuna.” Usagi tells Asuna, “However, Asuna, it isn’t going to be in your skill list. It is an Extra Skill which is a Sword Skill that you need to earn to be able to use. However, the knowledge of how to earn it is unknown until a player earns the skill and tells everyone else how to get it.”

 

Asuna asks, “Since you and Kirito have the skill, why didn’t you give out the information?”

 

Kirito and Usagi give nervous looks and Kirito says, nervously, “You see…”

 

Usagi responds, with a sigh, “We’ll tell you if you promise not to say anything about it.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “Why?”

 

Usagi replies, “Because Argo might get into big trouble since he was the one that provided the information and an aspect of the quest to get the skill might cause big…I mean BIG trouble for Argo.”

 

When Kirito nods his head vigorously in agreement, Asuna says, “Then please don’t tell me about it. I don’t want to do anything to get her in trouble.” Kirito and Usagi give a mental sigh of relief and Asuna says, with a smile, “Anyway, enough of about time, I can’t wait get my hands on that cake.”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, solemnly, “There goes the hope of her forgetting.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Maybe next time, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, solemnly, “Yeah…”

 

December 8, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Urbus

 

In the main town of Urbus, Usagi, wearing her ‘disguise’ of a cloak similar to Asuna’s cloak, mask over her mouth, and mask over her eyes and nose, is walking through the streets of Urbus by herself. After Kirito’s and Asuna’s personal contest is done, she separated from them to do her own business.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Maybe I should have gone with them. I still have a bad feeling about that player blacksmith. I mean, any ‘evidence’ is just pure chance and all, but…”

 

However, Usagi hears a familiar male voice shout out, “Usagi!” Usagi whips around to see Kirito, wearing his Coat of Midnight, coming towards her.

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito makes a motion for Usagi to quiet down and he says, “I’m glad that you are here. I need for you to keep an eye on Asuna.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Asuna? What happened?” Kirito then gives a brief explanation about when after they had their meal and the cake, in which Kirito paid for the expensive cake, they went to the player blacksmith to upgrade her Wind Fleuret and it seems to have been destroyed when the player blacksmith attempted it. Usagi asks, shocked, “Wait! That can’t be possible! It had two more attempts on it and weapon destruction shouldn’t be a result of a failure to upgrade.”

 

Kirito says, “I know, Usagi. I’m going to figure out what’s going on. I’m going to see if I can figure what his game is.”

 

Usagi then gets an idea and she says, “I’ve got an idea of my own. I meet you back at the inn where Asuna is staying at.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head while not sure if Usagi’s idea will help, “Okay.” After Kirito tells Usagi about the inn where Asuna is staying, Usagi runs off while Kirito heads off to trail the player blacksmith to find out what kind of ‘plot’ he is doing. Within an alleyway, Usagi makes sure that she isn’t followed and she goes in where Argo is waiting for her.

 

Argo says, “Hey there. I see that our ‘White Swordswoman’ knows how to be timely.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “White Swordswoman?”

 

Argo responds, “That’s what plenty of players are calling since you have quite a few ‘exploits’ back during back last month in helping other players.”

 

Usagi sighs and she says, “Ugh. That’s what I don’t want to happen.” Usagi then says, opening her menu and opening a trade prompt, “Here you go.”

 

Argo is looking at her menu and she says, “Thank you kindly.” Argo then asks, curiously while looking at the menu, “What’s with the extra?”

 

Usagi responds, “I need to ask a question. Can a weapon being destroyed while trying to upgrade?”

 

Argo says, with a nod, “I see. Well, that’s an easy one. I don’t need to do any research. Strictly as a failure penalty, weapon-breaking will never happen. However, there is one way to ensure that a weapon will break with absolute certainty: When you attempt to upgrade a weapon that’s out of upgrade attempts.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, confused, “Then Asuna’s weapon shouldn’t shatter at all! She had two more attempts, so, why…?” Just then a memory comes back to Usagi’s mind and her eyes widen in which she turns to run off.

 

Argo asks Usagi, “Where’s the fire?”

 

Usagi yells out, “Got to go, Argo! Thank you!” Usagi then takes off at top speed to head straight for the inn where Asuna is staying at and along the way, she sees Kirito coming up from a different direction in which she says, “Kirito!”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi, we don’t have time to talk! We have to get to Asuna…!!”

 

Usagi says, interrupting, “I know! She is being scammed! Argo told me that weapons can only be destroyed during upgrade attempts when you attempt to upgrade a weapon WITH NO MORE upgrade attempts.”

 

Kirito’s eyes widen and he says, seriously, “Move, Usagi! We don’t have much time!” Usagi and Kirito zip along until they arrive at an inn and they head for an inn room number in which Kirito pounds the door causing him to yell out, “Asuna, it’s me! I’m coming in!”

 

Usagi shouts out, “Hold on, Kirito!” However, it is too late as Kirito enters the room and Usagi can hear a feminine scream come inside of the room in which she slams her palm into her avatar’s forehead as well as sighing and shaking her head as well. Later on, Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna are together in the same inn room with Asuna cradling her Wind Fleuret within its sheath.

 

Asuna then gives a slight dangerous smile and she asks, “Now, will you please? Why was my supposedly shattered sword left in my inventory? Why did you barge into my room like this?”

 

Usagi responds, “It is because you were a victim of an upgrade scam, Asuna.”

 

Asuna asks Usagi, “Upgrade scam?’

 

Kirito tells Asuna, “Exactly, Asuna. I don’t exactly know how it works, but Usagi has given me a good idea with what she learned from Argo.”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “I learned from Argo that the only way that a weapon can be destroyed by an upgrade attempt only if the weapon was ‘spent’ meaning that it has no more upgrade attempts.”

 

Asuna asks, surprised, “But mine…?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Had two more upgrade which means that it shouldn’t have shattered at all. It means that somehow this guy managed to switch your Wind Fleuret with a spent one to make it seem like yours was destroyed.”

 

Asuna asks, “But how?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s what I’m not sure about. However, I am sure that when that light from the forge when he put in the upgrade material caused us to lose sight of your sword for several moments and that’s when he was able to make the switch.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “But how could he make the switch in just several moments right in front of you?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s a good question, Usagi. I don’t know how it is possible.”

 

Asuna asks, “Hold on? How could he take my sword? It belongs to me because the system says that it belongs to me, right?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “System wise, yes, it does. However, there are ways around the system defined ownership.” Kirito then demonstrates and explains about equipment ownership in SAO.

 

When he is done, Asuna asks, “Meaning that if your main weapon gets snatched and you do a Quick Change to a backup weapon, you should put it in your left hand rather than your right hand, right?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “Ah, I see. Yes, that’s a good point. But it is a lot harder to swing a sword with your non-dominate hand.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “I should start working on being able to use my swords in both hands.”

 

Asuna says, “And one other thing: When you barged into my room and forced yourself a peek at my equipment mannequin, you were checking for that exact thing, yes? That I hadn’t equipped another weapon in its place. So, if that’s was the very first condition…”

 

Kirito responds, a bit nervously, “Yes, that’s right. The second condition was that it had to be within three thousand six hundred seconds of letting go: One hour. As long as those two conditions were fulfilled, we had a shot-one ultimate method of pulling back your equipment no matter where it happened to be. Remember that you asked me how your supposedly shattered sword was in your item storage?”

 

Asuna says, “In reality, my sword wasn’t shattered and it wasn’t in my inventory either. So that’s why…”

 

When Asuna glares at Kirito, Usagi says, “However, Asuna’s sword was under hers based on the system based rules of ownership, so, you used the last ditch method of bringing it back with the Materialize All Items command because despite Asuna not having her sword, it was still technically hers and would be brought to her since it materializes all of the items and equipment that she has in her inventory or is under her ownership based on the system rules.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Exactly, Usagi.”

 

Asuna nods her head and she asks, “So, anyway, why was that materialize button buried so deep in the menus? It’s almost like they don’t want you to use it and why does it have to be all of the items? If you could just select the items aren’t on hand already, there would be no need for that pile of my…my other equipment.”

 

Kirito replies, “You just said the answer yourself. They want to make it harder to use.” Asuna gives a confused look and Kirito explain about the reason why the Materialize All Items button was so hard to use as well as a story about it in which they discuss about what happened with the blacksmith player, who Kirito and Asuna explained his name is Nezha, and about how he was able to switch Asuna’s sword with a spent one to make it seem like Asuna’s sword was destroyed due to an upgrade failure.

 

Usagi asks, “But how was he able to switch it out?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s still a good question. I realize that since Asuna handed it over to Nezha, it was a hand over situation.”

 

Asuna says, realizing something, “Just like you said. I handed my sword over to Nezha to handle it for the upgrades.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “That’s right, Asuna.”

 

Usagi asks, “But how was he able to switch it out with another one in so short a time?”

 

Kirito responds, “That’s a good question, Usagi. And one that I don’t have an answer too.”

 

Usagi says, “And we are most likely going to be unable to ask him. When he finds that Asuna’s Wind Fleuret isn’t there, he is going to realize that she somehow managed to figure out the trick and he is going to lay low or at least be on the lookout for the two of you.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yep.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “I see. You know, looking back on it, he didn’t seem to be that excited to begin with…”

 

Usagi asks Asuna, “What do you mean?”

 

Asuna says, “He seem to try to convince me not to go through with the upgrade.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, I agree, Asuna.” Kirito then says, “We should lay low and gather information on Nezha and the weapon switching technique that he used. Either way, we have to get back to the front lines.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “You have a point, Kirito. From what I heard, they are going to challenge the last field boss tomorrow and move onto the labyrinth this afternoon.”

 

Kirito asks, “Wow, that was quick. Who is leading the force?”

 

Asuna replies, “Kibaou and someone named Lind.”

 

Usagi asks, “They actually allowed Kibaou to be a leader of other players?”

 

Asuna says, “Despite what happened between you and Kibaou, he has proven to be leader or at least, it is what other players think since he plans to form his own guild and do thing his own way in which becoming strong WITHOUT any aid from the beta testers.”

 

Usagi asks, “I guess that he tapped into something with the players that weren’t former beta testers, huh?”

 

Asuna says, “Yeah.”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “Well, I still think that it is stupid to think that beta testers have any blame at all. They were used by…him to perfect this rotten death game and trap us all here. Plus, as I don’t want to think about, some of those two thousand players that already died have got to be other former beta testers since Argo told me that around eight hundred former testers were trapped with us.”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “Argo told you how many former testers there are?”

 

Usagi responds, with a sigh, “She reluctantly gave me a rough estimate when I swore on my life not to say anything about this.”

 

Kirito says, “I see…”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “Oh, Usagi…”

 

Usagi says, solemnly, “I just think that it is wrong to blame the beta testers especially since they are dying like the rest of us to this…this nightmare prison. Just because they had knowledge of the game, it was a BETA TEST meaning that it was the ‘test version’ of the game that was made to find any ‘defects’ or ‘problems’ in the game. Just because they went through the ‘test version’ of the game doesn’t mean it gives them a complete advantage up to the point where they got in the test version of game. The ‘final product’ is always different from the ‘test version’ and that’s a fact.”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, “That’s a good point, Usagi. However, it doesn’t mean that we didn’t have any advantage early on in the game at all. I have to admit that I have to disagree that us, the beta testers, don’t have any blame on what happened to the rest of the players that are trapped here.” Kirito asks Asuna, “By the way, who is Lind?”

 

Asuna responds, “Lind was in Diabel’s party during the first floor boss battle. He used a scimitar.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Oh…him.”

 

Asuna says, “Yes, it seems like he has taken over Diabel’s place. He even dyed his hair blue and his armor silver just like Diabel’s.”

 

Usagi says, amazed, “Wow.”

 

Asuna says, “I took part in the scouting of the field boss, but it was just a big bull. Didn’t seem like it needed too many as long as they were well coordinated.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, the field bosses are harder than the regular mobs, but they aren’t at the level of the floor bosses since they are the toughest bosses of the game.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Usagi is right. It doesn’t take as many players to deal with the field bosses than the floor bosses as long as they are coordinated just as you said Asuna.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “Yeah, but they started to get bossy about who would get the last attack bonus, so, I told them flat out that I wouldn’t be part of the fight.”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn sigh, “Oh, boy.” Usagi says, “Kirito…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “I know, Usagi. We’ll all keep an eye on them.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I agree. South gate of Urbus, seven o’clock tomorrow morning.”

 

Usagi and Kirito nod their heads in agreement and Usagi says, with a nod, “Sounds good.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, with a dangerous smirk, “And make sure that you get a full night’s sleep tonight. If you are late, you go back to a full one hundred g.”

 

Kirito retorts, “Yeah, I know…Wait! What?!”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Don’t argue with her and just come to the meeting place on time. It will be best for all of us.”

 

December 9, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Field

 

Within the southern area of the second floor, Kirito and Asuna are watching from a high position as fifteen players, two teams of six with three players in reserve, are in a basin challenging the field boss of the second floor of Aincrad, Bullbous Bow, massive monster bull with a bulging rounded forehead for its powerful charging attacks. Kirito and Asuna watch the disorganized group separated into three ‘teams’ with one team wearing blue to signify Lind’s group and moss green for Kibaou’s group fight a miss-mass of a field boss fight with them fighting over getting the monster’s ‘attention’ AKA aggro, which is short term for aggression, causing the tanks of the group to fall causing them to gain a stumble debuff in which they were unable to defend themselves. As if sensing it, the Bullbous Bow makes its assault.

 

Asuna yells out, in a panic, “Watch out!”

 

Kirito shouts out, with just as much worry as Asuna, “Dash out of the way!” However, the players in the basin can’t hear them and the field boss passes right through the line of shield baring warriors, who were just recovering from their Tumble stats, but before it could plow into the non-tanks of the group, the field boss monster roars out in pain as a sword hits it right in its forehead by none other than our Moon Princess, who is back in her signature white hooded cloak.

 

Asuna asks, surprised, “Usagi?”

 

Kirito says, “I had feeling that’s where she disappeared off too.”

 

Kibaou yells out with his Osaka accent, “What da heck do you think you are doing?”

 

Usagi shouts out, “That’s my question to you and blue boy over there! Get your act together!” Usagi then uses Flash Blow, the Martial Arts Sword Skill combo, with her free hand against forehead of the field boss monster causing it to roar out and thrash wildly as it suffers more damage. Usagi then manages to leap down to the ground and pulling her sword out of Bullbous Bow’s forehead.

 

Kibaou yells out, “Hey! What ya morons think that you are doing? Ya want her to stuck you up?! Get on ya feet and get reorganized right now!” Kibaou’s group, the green clad players, immediately get back and reorganized themselves while Lind and his blue-clad group had already done so. Soon afterwards, the Bullbous Bow roars as it is shattered into hundreds of data pixels and the group gets their prompts for the money, experience, and items that they got with Usagi getting the Last Attack bonus prompt.

 

With it over, Lind says, “While we appreciate you assisting us…”

 

Usagi says, interrupting, “I didn’t do it for you. I did it to make sure that no one got killed.” Usagi points to Lind and Kibaou and screams out at both of them, “What do you think that this?! And don’t give me ‘what’! There can be no fatalities! That’s an unacceptable result here! Everyone back down in the Town of Beginnings is looking up to us to get them out of this prison and you are fighting over a boss monster like a regular mob! What is the matter with both of you?”

 

Kibaou says, “You listen here missy…!!”

 

Usagi screams at him, sternly, “No, you listen here you spiky haired freak!” Kibaou slightly recoils back and she says, sternly, “You are supposed to be a leader of other players! They are looking up to you to guild them through this prison and help them not only conquer, but also to survive! And being a leader is more than just giving orders, pal! You are supposed to guild them too! How can you be a leader when you are caring more about stupid attack bonus items then their very lives?!”

 

Kibaou and Lind flinch from Usagi’s words and Asuna’s voice booms out, “She has a point you know.” Everyone looks to see Kirito and Asuna coming down to everyone and Asuna says, sternly, “That whole boss battle was mess! The floor boss was a better battle than this and it is a miracle no one died this time! You are among the ‘top players’ of this guild and the other players down back in the Town of the Beginnings are looking up to you for hope and inspiration! What are they going to think if they see them squabbling for Last Attack bonus items like little kids over a toy?! What would Diabel think if he saw you all right now?!”

 

Kibaou, his group, and Lind with his group flinch from Kibaou’s and Lind’s right hands turn into fists and Kirito thinks in his mind, “Ouch! Right in the breadbasket!”

 

Lind says, with a nervous look on his avatar’s face, “Your point…is taken.”

 

Usagi says, sternly, “They better be. I don’t want to have to save your fellow player’s lives again.”

 

Kibaou responds, “You won’t. We don’t ya help and we don’t need this beater’s help! And we are going to prove it too! We’re going to show that the Aincrad Liberation Squad will be able to survive and grow on its own! Do you understand me you goons?!” Kibaou’s group gives a cheer and Kibaou says, “Don’t expect being the ‘big heroine’ anymore since we won’t need to. We’re going to get through this without ya help or that beater’s help at all! We’re going to help all of the other players become strong and get through this stinking’ prison alive!”

 

Lind says, “That’s the job of the Dragon Knight’s Brigade. We will take the will of Diabel and inspire the other with hope as well as give them the will to survive and thrive in this prison until we get ourselves free from this nightmare.” Lind tells his group, “Let’s show them our strength together everyone!” Lind’s group cheers for Lind while Kibaou secretly sneers at Lind as Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna take their leave.

 

Kibaou then says, not looking at Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna, “And good luck to you three. Ya all going to need it when we blaze through that dungeon and kick that boss’ ass.”

 

Kirito says, with a sly tone, “We’ll see.” Kibaou just scoff as Kirito as he, Usagi, and Asuna head off and when they are out of sight of the others, Usagi stumbles forward and sighs a big sigh of relief.

 

Asuna asks, concerned, “Are you okay?”

 

Usagi responds, with a nod, “Yeah, I’m okay.” Usagi thinks in her mind, amazed, “I seriously can’t believe that I did that!”

 

Kirito says, “You were great out there Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Thanks, Kirito, but I think that I might have gone overboard.”

 

Asuna responds, “No way, Usagi! You got it into their heads what it really means to be a leader and hopefully, they will get into their heads that this needs to be taken seriously!”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, “Maybe, Asuna. However, I’m not sure that it will work or at least, not right away. But Usagi…” Kirito can’t help to feel that it sounds like Usagi is a leader type person or has led people before she came to SAO, but he decides not to say anything about it. Kirito tells Usagi, “Usagi, we need to talk.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “About what?”

 

Kirito says, “About those three players that weren’t part of Lind’s and Kibaou’s groups. They are friends with Nezha.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “What?” Soon after, Kirito explains what happened last night when he went to spy on Nezha. When he is done, Usagi asks, “So, he is doing it because his friends want to?”

 

Kirito says, “It seems so, Usagi. When I spied on them, Nezha said that he felt that they should stop, but his friends encouraged him on.”

 

Usagi asks, looking back towards the basin where the battle with the field boss happened, “And those three that weren’t with Lind’s and Kibaou’s groups were three of them?”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Yeah. They call themselves the Legend Braves.”

 

Usagi asks, “Legend Braves?”

 

Kirito says, “It is because they take their names from legendary warriors from western history and lore. Those three were their leader, Orlando, a legendary knight of France, Beowulf, from England I think, and finally, Cuchulainn, who I think is from Celtic lore and history.”

 

Usagi says, “That explains the name.” Usagi asks, “So, they are Nezha’s friends?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “They called him ‘Nezuo’ which I think it is a nickname or something. From what I heard, Nezha doesn’t want to do this, but his friends are pressuring him to continue on. They are feeling a ‘high’ from their success.”

 

Usagi asks, “I see. But we don’t have any evidence, so, we can’t just accuse them of anything even what happened with Asuna. And we don’t get the full story on the weapon switching trick that Nezha attempted to do to steal Asuna’s sword. What can we do?”

 

Kirito says, “Stick with the plan and lay low in which we try to figure out that trick.” Asuna nods her head in agreement and Kirito says, “However, let’s not rush back to town right away. Nezha’s friends, including the group’s leader, saw us and in which when Nezha found out that he ‘lost’ Asuna’s sword, he knew that Asuna found out about his trick somehow and a female player with a red hooded cloak isn’t too common a sight. I think that we should spend time in the labyrinth before we return to town.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay, Kirito.” Asuna is confused at why they shouldn’t go back right away, but she decides to follow along to the labyrinth.

 

December 9, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Labyrinth

 

Inside of the second floor labyrinth, Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi are together where they are facing a monster known as Lesser Taurus Striker, a minotaur monster with two-handed hammer.

 

Asuna yells out, “NO! Stay away!” Asuna then uses a Linear, the 1 hit Rapier Sword Skill with very quick cooldown, attacks the enemy monster who was attacking with its hammer causing its attack to slow down as Asuna’s attack hits the minotaur monster in the chest.

 

Usagi shouts out, “Asuna, dodge and switch!” Asuna, on instinct, dodges the attack and Usagi uses Horizontal Arc, a 2 hit One-Handed Sword Skill, to finish off the minotaur who explodes into hundreds of data fragments.

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Nice work, Usagi.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, annoyed, “That was not a bull!”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “You have a point, Asuna. However, minotaur monsters are so common in games, especially fantasy and RPG games, players usually call them either ‘tauruses’ or ‘bulls’.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “Minotaurs? Like in Greek mythology?” Kirito then explains about the lore about the minotaur and their connection to RPG games.

 

Afterward Kirito asks, a bit nervously, “So, what was it about the mino…I mean, taurus that didn’t meet your approval?”

 

Asuna says, “It wasn’t wearing…Well, hardly anything at all! Just a tiny scrap of cloth across the waist! It was practically sexual harassment! I wish the harassment code would kick in and send it to the prison of Blackiron Palace!”

 

Usagi responds, plainly, “Well, it is a monster, Asuna.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “How come you aren’t disturbed by this Usagi?”

 

Kirito replies, “That’s because Usagi is a gamer, Asuna. She may be a ‘newbie’ when it comes to SAO, but she is a gamer and most likely, she played plenty of RPG games before the NervGear came out and also, she isn’t a beta tester for this game, however, she was the ‘tester’ for the NervGear itself.”

 

Asuna says, realizing that Kirito is right, “Oh, yeah.” Asuna says, with a sigh, “And probably, the rest of the few girls like me that are trapped in SAO are also ‘gamers’ and they wouldn’t bat an eye towards this kind of thing.”

 

Kirito responds, plainly, “Not exactly. Remember, this isn’t a game anymore Asuna. Everyone knows that if you lose your HP in here, it is all over.” Asuna and Usagi, solemnly nod at this statement knowing that it is true.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Well, Kirito, you are partially right about me. It isn’t just because of my ‘gamer experience’, but as Sailor Moon, I faced plenty of youma and other monsters that were even more grosser or stranger that overgrown bull…But I had Darien-kun and the others with me. I wish that they are here right now with me.” However, Usagi gives herself a mental ‘slap’ to remember that she is trapped in here and, at least for the moment, the others can’t come in after her even with the genius of Ami Mizuno AKA Sailor Mercury on their side. Usagi knows that her uncle, Akihiko Kayaba, is the rare type of genius that could stump even her. Usagi tells Asuna, “Anyway, if you are…uncomfortable…”

 

Asuna tells Usagi, with a sigh, “No, Usagi. After several more encounters I think that it will be okay.”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “You never really played games when you were younger, huh?”

 

Asuna responds, “No.” Asuna says, “Anyway, it is best that we don’t think about…the ‘outside’.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Good idea. Let’s keep our focus on what’s ahead.” Usagi and Asuna nod their heads in agreement and they continue on into the second floor labyrinth with the intention of forging ahead.

 

December 9, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Taran

 

Later on that day, Usagi, wearing her red hooded cloak and two masks for her face, Asuna, and Kirito, having his Coat of Midnight off and wearing his bandanna for his disguise, are going through the town of Taran on the second floor which is using the base for the players going through the labyrinth.

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Anyway, I’m going to meet Argo for a bit.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Actually, I have business with Argo too.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Really?”

 

Asuna says, “Same here.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “You too?” Just then Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi hear a familiar clanging of metal on metal and the two of them run to just outside of where the sound is coming from and from a hiding position, the three of them look to see none other than Nezha with his ‘gear’ in the eastern part of Taran.

 

Asuna says, with a sneer, “The nerve he’s got. You and Usagi figured out his deception yesterday and instead of laying low, he’s set up in the latest town.”

 

Kirito says, “Actually, maybe the fact that he’s here in Taran is a sign of caution.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “What do you mean?”

 

Kirito says, “I don’t think that he would know that we would be in Urbus at the same time since that’s the place that his fraud was discovered. While his friends did discover us and there was a threat of them putting two and two together. The fact that he is here may not be the case. They may not have figured that the same female player that Nezha took the Wind Fleuret from is a ‘top player’ of the game.” Kirito tells Asuna, “No insult to you, Asuna.”

 

Asuna says, “Well, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s got nerve. I mean, if he’s going to change towns just to set up shop again, it means that he is going to do his weapon switching trick again.”

 

Kirito says, “He probably will, but he will be more careful when choosing his victims.”

 

Usagi asks, “More careful?”

 

Kirito says, “If the Legend Braves are trying to leapfrog their way to the ranks of the front-line players, they’re not going to those players for the scum. There’s no point trying to reach that rank if no one else trusts you.”

 

Asuna says, “So, I suppose they had no problems in stealing my sword since they didn’t classify me as one of the top players.”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Hold up! When I say front line players, I mean the organized players like Lind’s and Kibaou’s group. You can’t tell someone is like that unless you have some kind of visual identifier and I bet that Nezha didn’t think that I was a top player either.”

 

Asuna asks, annoyed, “Are you kidding me? Aren’t you getting ready to fight the next boss?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “I would like to, but if Lind or Kibaou say they don’t want me, that’s that. In fact, I feel that there is a high probability of happening…”

 

Asuna says, annoyed and interrupting, “I don’t know about Lind, but Kibaou has to understand how crucial your strength and knowledge are in defeating the boss in which the same goes for Usagi.”

 

Usagi asks, “Huh?”

 

Asuna says, “He is no fool. After that stunt with the field boss of this floor and how you barely managed to hold out against the first floor boss, Kibaou knows that you are strong players rivaling even Kirito or at least, that’s what I think. Personally, he said: ‘I still can’t get along with ya. I’m going to do things my own way to beat this game.’ If that’s his ultimate goal, he wouldn’t let his pretty pride get in the way of beating a floor boss. Like it or not, both you and Kirito are vital for the advancement in this death game.”

 

Usagi says, “You may have a point.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, let’s meet with Argo. I’m going to need to meet with her in a few minutes.”

 

Usagi says, “Same here.” Asuna nods her head and the three of them head off to meet with Argo. That evening, within an empty house within town, Asuna and Usagi are within the upper floor of the house with Asuna setting up a chair looking at the window of the house looking down at the plaza.

 

Asuna says, “This is a good angle.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “But don’t get too close.” Soon after, Kirito enters the room and takes out four steam buns from a bag in which he puts them on a nearby table.

 

Asuna asks, “What’s inside those?”

 

Kirito responds, “Don’t know. But since this is a cow-themed floor, so, I’d guess it’s probably beef? By the by, in western Japan, when they talked about steamed meat buns, they mean beef. However, in eastern Japan, the generic term is pork.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “That doesn’t give much information on what this is since we don’t know if this town is based on a Japanese town much less one based in Western Japan or Eastern Japan.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Good point.” Asuna removes her leather glove from her hand and took one of the four buns from the pile in which Kirito grabs one of his own.

 

Usagi asks, looking at Kirito and with a nervous tone, “Kirito, do you know what the food item’s name is?”

 

Kirito responds, “Oh, it’s…Taran Steamed Buns.”

 

Usagi yelps in panic and she yells out, “Asuna, wait…!!” However, Asuna’s strangled shriek hits the ears of Kirito and Usagi and they look to see Asuna with thick colored cream over her face and neck with the bun in her hand missing a bite. Usagi says, with a sigh, “The bun is filled with warm custard cream…and some kind of sweet-soul fruit…”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh…” Kirito then puts the bun that he took down and takes out a handkerchief to allow Usagi to wipe the cream off her face and neck in which he knows that Usagi is implying ‘personal experience’.

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “Sorry.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “No problem, Usagi. Next time that we do a stakeout, I’m going to cook my own food. I’d rather not have to eat something terrible like this.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Asuna…You need to use a cooking skill to make food and with a cooking skill of zero, you can’t make anything good unless you use very high quality items at best.”

 

Kirito gives a nervous twitch and Asuna says, with a shrug, “Guess I need to start working on it then.” Asuna then sees something out the window and she says, “Look.” Kirito and Usagi look to see a player heading to Nezha and his ‘shop’ in the plaza in which they see that this player is a male with metal armor and wearing a blue uniform showing that he is a member of Lind’s group, the future Dragon Knight’s Bridge guild. He removes his sword, which Kirito recognizes is a one-handed sword known as a Stout Brand with puts attack strength over speed, and the group figures that sword is good for Nezha’s weapon switching trick as any rare weapon.

 

Usagi asks Asuna, “Do you recognize him?”

 

Asuna replies, “I think that his name is Shivata.”

 

Kirito asks, “With a ‘V’? Not Shibata?”

 

Asuna retorts, “It was spelled ‘S-h-i-v-a-t-a’. Seems pretty clear to me.”

 

Kirito replies, “Understood.” As the three of them look on, they quickly realize that the male player, Shivata, asked for an upgrade since Nezha went for a bag of crafting materials.

 

Asuna says, “The left hand! Keep your eyes on the left hand!” The three of them focus on Nezha’s hand and looked on as Nezha seemed to move along the upgrade process in which when the red light from his forge flared, all three of them notice Nezha’s hand do something strange causing them to gasp. Soon after, they witness the blade of the Stout Brand in Nezha’s hand shatter into pieces. Later on, all three of them are looking at each other and Asuna asks, “What now?”

 

Usagi says, “We should tell Shivata about it, but…”

 

Kirito says, with a nod of understanding, “Shivata may not be satisfied with just confronting Nezha with the evidence and others he may have done this to may not be just satisfied with exposing him. There might be those that may…take this to the ‘ultimate conclusion’.”

 

Usagi yells out, nervously, “They can’t!”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Of course they can’t! That would be…!!”

 

Asuna shutters from what she is about to say and Kirito says, “I know. We can’t let that happen, but we can’t let this continue too.”

 

Usagi asks, “But how can we make them stop without having THAT kind of ‘punishment’ happening?”

 

Kirito responds, “That’s a good question, Usagi.” Kirito, Usagi, and Asuna start to discuss on the situation as a whole and how to resolve it without any death when Kirito gets a message from Argo in which he makes the message visible for Asuna and Usagi to see in which when they get to Nezha’s information, their eyes grow wide when they see certain information.

 

Usagi asks, “What?”

 

Asuna asks, “Does it mean that we were pronouncing it wrong?”

 

Usagi says, “Maybe it could a different version of that name…”

 

Kirito then says, “Oh…!!”

 

Usagi and Asuna look at Kirito and Usagi asks, “What is it Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “I get it now! I know how his weapon switching trick works!” Usagi’s and Asuna’s eyes grow wide and Kirito says, “We’ve got work to do. Or should I say, I’ve got work to do. I’m heading to the labyrinth.”

 

Usagi asks, confused, “What? Why?”

 

Kirito says, “I need to get my sword skill up.” Kirito gets to his feet and he says, “Follow me. I’ll explain on the way.” Kirito starts to head off with Asuna and Usagi following him with confused expressions on their faces through it can’t be seen on Usagi’s face due to the masks.

 

December 11, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Taran

 

In the eastern plaza of Taran, around 8:00 PM, Kirito is facing Nezha and holding out his Anneal Blade plus six in front of Nezha. However, Kirito is in disguise with a great helm and thick plate mail all over to disguise himself so Nezha won’t recognize him since Kirito knew that Nezha when he wore his bandanna disguise during Nezha’s attempt to steal Asuna’s Wind Fleuret. Hidden in the shadows are Asuna and Usagi to prepare for their moment and soon enough, Nezha performs the same ‘trick’ with Kirito’s Anneal Blade switching for the spent one that the player Rufiol had or a similar spent Anneal Blade which shatters when he tries to upgrade that spent Anneal Blade. Nezha prepares to apologize, but Kirito then reveals himself and used the same way that Nezha switched out Kirito’s Anneal Blade with a spent one in his player inventory: The Quick Change skill modification for players using the One-Handed Sword Skill.

 

FYI: Usually, regular method of changing weapons was a five step process and since that was the case, when you faced an enemy monster with a snatch ability, you are most likely going to take a hit, but with Quick Change, you are able to switch weapons in just two steps. With Quick Change, you specify which hand received which weapon when the icon was hit and even allow you to automatically pull the same type of weapon as the one you were equipping if you had a spare. And it is this fact that’s the heart of Nezha’s scheme. Despite the ownership rights haven’t changed, this kind of action is the same as a hand over situation that Kirito mentioned to Asuna and thus, making the weapon ‘equipped’ to Nezha allowing him to use Sword Skills and ‘modifications’ including Quick Change.

 

Knowing that he is exposed, Nezha says, weakly, “I suppose this isn’t something that a simple apology will atone for. It would be nice if I could return the swords I stole from all of those people…but I can’t. Nearly all of them were turned into money. The only thing that I can do now is…this!” Nezha then prepares to run in the direction of outside fields, but he doesn’t get far as Asuna leaps out of the window and into Nezha.

 

Asuna tells Nezha, “You won’t solve anything by dying.”

 

Nezha turns his face away from Asuna in shame, showing that he recognizes her, and Nezha says, “I decided from the start…that if someone discovered my friend, I’d die in atonement.”

 

Usagi’s voice booms, “Committing suicide?! That’s your answer! You aren’t atoning for anything! You are just running away!” Nezha looks at the source of the voice to see Usagi, in her white hooded cloak, is right besides Kirito and she says, “You might be betraying your customers by stealing those weapons, but you are betraying every player working to defeat this game to get everyone out alive! You just give up and you are spitting on their faces!”

 

Nezha says, amazed, “You are…!!”

 

Usagi says, “I see that you heard of me.”

 

Nezha says, “Well, who hasn’t? You are the ‘White Swordswoman’, Kayaba’s niece that he trapped in here with us and I heard stories from players that you have saved.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “So, they call me the ‘White Swordswoman’, huh?”

 

Nezha yells out, in a panic, “It’ll happen anyway! I’m such a slow, clumsy oaf, I’ll die eventually! Whatever I get killed by monsters and or kill myself, the only difference is whether it happens sooner or later!” Kirito gives a chuckle at those last words in which Asuna glares at him with Nezha having a hurt look on his face.

 

Kazuto tells Nezha, nervously, “Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It is just your words reminding me that’s exactly what this lady said just a week ago…”

 

Nezha asks, surprised, “Huh?” Nezha asks Asuna, “By the way, are you Asuna of the front liner fighters?”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “Huh? How did you know?”

 

Nezha replies, “Well, the fencer in hooded cape is pretty well-known. Not as well as the ‘White Swordsman’ since there are many players that told stories about her when she saved so many players from death…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, solemnly, “But not enough, Nezha…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi and Asuna, “It seems like your cloaks are starting to identify you two.”

 

Usagi says, annoyed and solemn tone in her tone, “Yeah, I kind of got that.”

 

Nezha asks, curiously, “So, Asuna-san said something like I did?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “She did. It happened after Usagi saved her. It was in the first floor labyrinth and I was doing my own thing when I found a player wearing an unusual white hooded cloak saving another player in a red hooded cloak from a group of Kobolds. I was kind of shocked to find that player in the white hooded cloak was female…Well, it was the fact that very few females ventured out of the Town of Beginnings and those that do that are in groups. I never expected any of them to remain solo and two at the same time. This female player handed the red hooded cloaked player to me and she took on the Kobolds by herself while I got her out of there. After I had gotten the red hooded player out of there, I learned she was a female player too and learned both of them were solo and never met each other until that day.” Kirito says, motioning to Asuna, “She told me something similar to what you said after I got her out of there and later on, I learned that the one really saved her life was none other than Kayaba’s niece…Which shocked and horrified me to no end that…monster…villain…fiend…that anyone would put a treasured family member in this situation and this horror.”

 

Asuna says, “Neither do I.” Asuna says, “To be honest, the feeling hasn’t disappeared at all. We’re only on the second floor and there are one hundred in total. However, I still remember that day. A day when a fellow girl player that was trapped in here, who didn’t know me at all, and risked her own life to save my own. She told me not to waste my life. While I’m not optimistic to say that I’m doing it to live and beat the game, but I’m not fighting to just die. I’m fighting for a reason.” Asuna tells Nezha, “You must have your own reason. Something that you ought to fight for. I mean, you left the Town of Beginnings on your own two feet didn’t you?”

 

Nezha responds, “It’s true. There was something…but it is gone now. It was gone before I even got here. That happened the day I brought this NervGear. When I…When I tried the first connection test, I got an FNC…”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “FNC?”

 

Usagi responds, “Full-Dive Nonconformity, Asuna. A Full-Dive machine is an extremely delicate machine that sends signals back and forth to the brain to cause it to move only your virtual avatar and not your body at the same time. And not everyone is different. It is like a fingerprint. It has to be finely tuned to work with each individual, but since they were mass producing the NervGear, they couldn’t spend ages in fine maintenance. In order to compensate, the NervGear had an automatic calibration system that went through a long and tedious connection test on first use.”

 

Kirito says, “Which is how the data to make our avatars look like our real selves on the day that we got trapped was gained.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Oh, yeah. I remember that.”

 

Kirito says, “I think that we should discuss it somewhere else a bit more private.” Usagi and Asuna nod their heads in agreement and after helping Nezha pack up his stuff, they moved into an empty house near the plaza to hear the rest of Nezha’s story. Asuna learns that FNC are rare in which one of the five senses isn’t ‘communicating’ with the NervGear properly or slight lag in communication between NervGear and the brain. Most cases, it was a slight obstacle, but a few times that it made people unable to Full-Dive at all. However, in Nezha, the FNC must have not be extreme enough not to allow him to Full-Dive. However, Usagi, Asuna, and Kirito learn that Nezha’s FNC could be fatal in SAO since he can’t judge distance and that was beyond bad for SAO since the game, for the most part, didn’t have distance weapons like bows for example. The ability to judge how far your weapon would reach and how far the monster is away from you made the difference in the world.

 

Soon after, Kirito revealed on how he figured out Nezha’s weapon switching trick with Quick Change skill mod since Nezha’s name was based on Prince Nata or Nataku, the boy god in the Ming period fantasy novel, Fengshen Yanyi, who used various magical weapons and flew through the sky on two wheels. Knowing that Nezha came here to be a warrior and not a crafter inspired Kirito to realize the secret of Nezha’s trick. After that Nezha explained how the Legend Braves group came together in another VR game before SAO and how he tried to use Throwing Knives skill to cut as a fighter, but gave up due to the finite number of knives that one can carry and Nezha blamed himself for the group’s slow start through Kirito, mentally, believes that it was due to him and the other former beta testers racing off and leaving everyone else behind.

 

Then Nezha revealed that after he took up crafting, a mysterious person wearing a black hooded poncho revealed the trick to them and asked for nothing in return which made Asuna, Usagi, and Kirito very suspicious. He also revealed that while the Braves weren’t up to the scam at first, but man in the black hooded poncho managed to convince them with his ‘smooth talking’ convince them otherwise in which when Nezha did the trick for the first time, the Braves couldn’t help to want to take this further.

 

When Nezha is done, Usagi, Asuna, and Kirito look at each other and Usagi thinks in her mind, concerned, “I don’t like this. This guy gave away the way to perform this scam without anything in return? It is like he knew that…that…”

 

Kirito then asks Nezha, “Nezha?” When Nezha, his avatar’s cheeks soaked with virtual tears, looks at Kirito, Kirito asks, “What’s your level?”

 

Nezha replies, “I’m level ten.”

 

Kirito asks, “Then you have got only three skill slots. What are you using?”

 

Nezha says, “One-Handed Weapon Crafting, Inventory Expansion, and Throwing Knives…”

 

Kirito responds, “I see. If I told you that I had a weapon you could use, would you be prepared to give up on crafting? On your Blacksmithing skill?”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Usagi, I’m going to need a favor.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay.” Soon after, Kirito takes something out of his inventory causing Asuna’s, Usagi’s, and Nezha’s eyes to widen when they see it.

 

December 14, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two

 

Heading towards the area where the quest to gain the Extra Skill, Martial Arts, is contained, Usagi is walking along and checking her massages.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “By now, Kirito, Asuna, and the raid group should be at the boss’ chamber. I should be with them, but I need to make sure that Nezha will be okay and not do anything…drastic. However, he really seems to want to make up for going along with this scam. I just hope that this plan goes through despite me not knowing what it really is with Kirito ‘forcing’ Nezha to become a fighter and give up his blacksmithing.”

 

As she approaches the area with the cabin and the large boulders, Nezha’s voice booms, “White Swordsman-san!” Usagi then looks to see Nezha running up to her, but he is dressed very differently now.

 

Nezha is now wearing a bronze breastplate, gauntlets of the same material, an open faced helmet, and in his two hands, there is a thick bladed circular throwing weapon with a leather grip. This is a Chakram, a weapon belonging to the throwing knives, but unlike Chakrams from ancient India, this one can be used like a set of brass knuckles as well as a throwing weapon. That meant that this weapon couldn’t be handled with just Throwing Knives Sword Skill alone, you also needed the Martial Arts Extra Skill as well.

 

Usagi says, seeing Nezha’s face, “Oh! You did it!”

 

Nezha says, with a nod, “Yes, I just finished the quest!”

 

Usagi responds, “It must have been hard work.”

 

Nezha replies, with a nod, “Yes, it was. I’m amazed that you were able to finish it in just one day and night.”

 

Usagi replies, nervously, “Well…I had a lot of ‘stuff’ to ‘vent’.” Nezha, getting what Usagi is implying, just nods his head in understanding.

 

Just then a familiar female voice says, “Hey!” Usagi and Nezha look to see Argo coming up to them.

 

Usagi says, “Hey, Argo.”

 

Argo tells Usagi, “We’ve got big trouble!”

 

Usagi asks, concerned, “What’s wrong?”

 

Argo says, “I just completed some quests and I got some information on the boss. It has been changed from the beta!”

 

Usagi then remembers what happened at the battle with the first floor boss and she asks, “What’s the change?”

 

Argo says, “Originally, there was two bosses, but now, there are THREE!”

 

Usagi and Nezha gasp and Usagi asks, shocked, “What?”

 

Argo replies, “Yep! His name is Asterios the Taurus King and he has a lightning breath attack that could stun if not inflict a paralyze effect if and when it hits!”

 

Usagi says, seriously, “We need to go now!”

 

Argo retorts, “No joke, girlfriend! I need you to get me there and fast!”

 

Usagi says, “Let’s go!” Immediately, they head off with Argo and Nezha following with Nezha trying his best to keep up. As they are running out towards the dungeon, Usagi asks Argo, “Do you know the weakness of the new boss?”

 

Argo says, with a grin, “Sure do!” When Argo says something to Usagi, her eyes, hidden by the cloak, widen.

 

Usagi tells Nezha, “Nezha, you are about to get your big chance to help out in a battle. We’re going to need big time.” Nezha gives off a confused look, but nods his head as the three of them race off for the floor labyrinth to get to the others before this new information to the second floor boss or should I see BOSSES could cause a disaster.

 

December 14, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor Two, Second Floor Boss Room

 

Just outside of the second floor boss room, Usagi, Argo, and Nezha are racing towards the open door. They managed to get there through the labyrinth quickly with a combination of sheath and power with Nezha’s long range attacks and Usagi’s and Argo’s Hiding Skill to avoid mobs in which Usagi’s combat centered abilities to break through others in a hurry.

 

Argo tells Usagi, with a smile, “You have been working out!” Usagi doesn’t reply as the three of them look into the chamber to see a shocking sight in which they see a black titan of a minotaur with a crown on its head: Asterios the Taurus King. However, what was more shocking was the massive boss was preparing to attack a group of paralyzed players including Kirito and Asuna.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, in a panic, “Kirito! Asuna!” Usagi quickly gets herself focused and she tells Nezha, “Nezha, you know what to do!”

 

Nezha responds, with a nod, “R-Right!” The Chakram in his hand glows as he activates a Sword Skill and he lets it fly in which it hits the massive boss in the crown area, its weak point, causing it to roar out in pain and stop the attack. Everyone then sees Argo, Nezha, and Usagi and plenty of them are shocked especially Nezha’s comrades in the Legend Braves, who were part of this boss raid group.

 

Usagi tells Nezha, “Keep doing exactly what Argo told you!”

 

Nezha says, “You got it! You help the others!” Usagi and Argo head off while Nezha continues to fight the monster knowing exactly when to dodge its breath attack while Usagi immediately administers potions to Asuna and Kirito to cure them of their paralyzing debuff.

 

Kirito says, “You made it.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “No kidding. We rushed here when Argo found out the information about the changes to the boss from the beta.”

 

Kirito asks, “Argo found out?”

 

Usagi says, “She took some quests and got some information on the boss in which she learned about the overgrown piece of beef, his attack, and his weak spot.”

 

As Asuna looks to see Nezha using his new weapon against the boss, she says, “The crown.”

 

Usagi says, “Bingo.” Usagi then gets out more paralyzing potions and helps other members of the raid group that were paralyzed back to their feet while Argo goes to Lind and Kibaou in which she gives them the information on Asterios to them. Despite the near fatal setback, Lind and Kibaou decide to continue on with Nezha joining in the fight with his use of the Chakram, able to hit the boss monster on its weak point, vital to the whole battle. However, one of the other players, traumatized by what just happened, also ‘bows out’ in which Usagi quickly takes his place to help. With Nezha’s help, the floor boss was beaten and Kirito, who had already gotten the Last Attack bonus from Colonel Nato and General Baran, the floor boss of the second floor during the beta, had managed to get the Last Attack bonus from Asterios as well. After the ‘Congratulations’ sign is seen in the room and the voice heard, the raid group celebrates the achievement.

 

Agil goes up to Usagi, Asuna, and Kirito and he says, “Your teamwork is great as always and girl, you really know how to give a helping hand, but this victory doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to him.” Agil, Usagi, Asuna, and Kirito then look at Nezha, who is standing alone on the far side while looking where the boss was before it shattered into hundreds of data pixel to signal its destruction.

 

Usagi asks, looking around, “Where did Argo?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “I’m not surprised.” Kirito then motions for Usagi and Asuna to follow him and they do so to meet with Nezha in which they talk with him. However, a group of several players came up and Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi noticed that Shivata, a member of Lind’s group that Nezha had stolen from, come over to them.

 

Usagi thinks, nervously, “Uh oh.”

 

Shivata says, “You’re the blacksmith who was working in Urbus and Taran just a few days ago, aren’t you?”

 

Nezha says, “Yes…”

 

Shivata asks, “Why did you switch to a fighter? And how’d you get that rare weapon? It is a drop-only item, isn’t it? Did you make that much money from smith work?” Nezha then admitted his crime and bow down in front of Shivata in which Nezha put the blame on himself and didn’t mention the Legend Braves at all in which all of the anger and rage of both Lind’s and Kibaou’s group of players shout out in rage with Lind confronting Nezha, but then a skinny dagger wielding member of Kibaou’s group screamed out that a person died due to Nezha stealing his weapon forcing him to use a cheap weapon. In which those words caused other players accusing Nezha to be a PK: Player Killer. And a ‘Player Killer’ in SAO is murderer since if you die in the game, you die in real life because the NervGear kills you nearly instantly after your avatar ‘dies’ in the game.

 

Thinking quickly, Usagi asks the member of Kibaou’s group, “Who was the player?”

 

Everyone focuses on her and Kirito asks, “Usagi?”

 

Usagi asks the member of Kibaou’s group that said Nezha’s actions caused the death of a player, in an accusing tone, “Who was that player that died because of Nezha-san?”

 

The player responds, angrily, “Are you protecting that PK?”

 

Usagi responds, plainly, “I’m not defending his actions. I’m just saying for a fact that Nezha did steal rare weapons and equipment for other players. In fact, Kirito and I were the ones that found this out.” Plenty of the other players gasp and Usagi gives a look to Kirito to say ‘I’m sorry’ through Kirito can’t see her face due to her hood over her head/face in which Usagi says, “We investigated Nezha-san ourselves and when we figured out how he did it, we forced him to stop by making him give up his blacksmithing and take up a combat role. During our investigation, we didn’t hear anything about a player dying from the loss of a weapon. You said that you know the truth and that means that you know the player’s name or someone that knows the player’s name.” Kirito realizes that Usagi is telling the truth for the most part, but finding out that no one died due them Nezha taking their weapon is a bluff. However, her bluff worked when everyone focused on that player and he knew that he was on the ‘hot seat’.

 

The player doesn’t say a word for a few moments and he says, nervously, “Actually…it was only a rumor that I heard…I don’t know the name…” Kibaou didn’t like that and he glares down at the player with a very menacing look.

 

Lind then says, “While the proof of death is GREATLY in question, it doesn’t take back that it is established fact that this player stole for other hard working players. You might have forced him to stop him for doing any more harm to more players, but he has already harmed a lot of players from his actions as Shivata can attest. And while it is GREATLY in question that anyone died from his action, it is possible that other players could have died or while GREATLY in doubt, there is a chance that this ‘claim’ is true. You and Kirito have done well into stopping this scam, but what can you suggest in him paying them back with nothing to pay those players?” Usagi gives a nervous look because she didn’t have an answer at all, but then the Legend Braves comes over and bow with Nezha in which they admit their part in the scam. Soon after, they gave away their equipment to be sold in order to make the money back for those that the Legend Braves scammed in which they held an action in the recently cleared boss room with Lind asking Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna to deliver news of the victory by leaving the labyrinth in which they couldn’t send messages even in a recently cleared boss room and head to the next floor.

 

Asuna asks, “Well, it seems like this case of fraud is going to wrap up safely. What do you suppose Nezha and the Braves are going to do next?”

 

Kirito says, “Depends on them. They can’t prevent the tale of the Braves’ shady behavior from spreading around the front line.”

 

Usagi says, “I’m sure that they will be back.”

 

Asuna says, “I hope so.” Asuna tells Usagi, “By the way, Usagi, you did great.”

 

Usagi says, “I really…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “You did great, Usagi. You really helped save Nezha’s life.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, solemnly, “And failed so many others…But I’m glad to know that Nezha’s life will be getting better…at least a little.” Usagi says, “However, I’m worried.”

 

Kirito asks, “About that guy in the black poncho?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah.”

 

Kirito says, “I know what you are thinking and I think that you are right. I think that he wanted Nezha to get caught and for him to get killed as a ‘punishment’ for his crime.”

 

Asuna asks, concerned, “By why?”

 

Kirito replies, with a sigh, “I don’t know and I don’t even want to think about my theories…because I might be right about them.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Same here, Kirito. Because I’m getting the same feeling.”

 

Asuna asks, changing the subject, “Anyway, what happened to the boss’ last attack bonus?”

 

Asuna looks at Usagi while Kirito gets nervous and Usagi says, “I didn’t get the prompt.”

 

Asuna asks, looking at Kirito, “Now that I think about it, didn’t you get the LA on Colonel Nato and General Baran? You didn’t get the king too, did you…?”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh, hey! There’s the exist!”

 

Kirito races off and Asuna yells out, running after him, “Oh no, you don’t! You did win it, didn’t you? What did he drop? Tell me!” Usagi giggles under her hood as she follows Kirito and Asuna as they head for a pair of thick and large doors decorated with a relief that shows two swordsmen facing off among gnarled old trees with the left one being dark-skinned and the right one being pale skinned, but both of them had the same features of being slender and fragile with elf-like ears.

 

The End…For Now

 

Well, that’s the end of the first of the Progressive stories and believe me, it was a biggie! I’m sorry for summarizing some of the events that happened in Progressive Novel 1, but I didn’t want to go into over explanation of stuff and ruining the story in large, folks. You know the first part where Usagi/Serena meets Argo for the first time was part of the flashback in Shadow of Aincrad fanfiction story that I did and I always wanted to expand on that in which I believe that I was quite successful on doing. Anyway, please tell me what you think and read and review, but no flames please! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!