Chapter Text
{Prelude}
|[January 6th, 2026. Early Morning.]|
"Long time no see!" She utters, greeting me with the smile I've always remembered her by , on the edge of our special place where we once first met.
And that's... that.
I haven't read a romantic novel before. Never had an interest in them before, movies and dramas are usually my go-to for romance. Either that, or manga and anime. I never thought that words can capture the feeling of love that well, I guess it just depends on the writer. Oh right... I was so into the book I forgot I was walking, whoops.
A step and another, I walked through the grassy grounds of the 22nd floor. The large and dark forests surrounded all of my sight, seconded only to the large blue lake next to me. Ah, beautiful. I haven't walked slowly beside the lakeside here in a while, not since SAO.
Well, it's not like I'm just walking around here for no reason at all. That'll be a great waste of time, and energy... Brain energy, I guess. The nice log cabin up there, not too far away and picture perfect at my sight. It's where the two legends themselves lives and or, lived. Kirito and Asuna. Thought I might say hello to them as they're online.
I waltzed on the stone steps near the entrance, making small clacking noises under. Inside, at the couch I saw him. The Black Swordsman. God, that's cheesy as hell. He's sitting down with his casual shirt and shorts on, trying not to fall asleep. To the left in the kitchen, The Lightning Flash. Why do they still stick with these names... The Undine was making what looks like tea, and she's already putting the hot liquid inside the cups. Perfect.
I knocked the wooden frame of the door, leaning slightly on my own arm.
The two noticed, their eyes peaked at my direction and they put up a grin.
"Ah! Long time no see, Shiki!" Asuna exclaimed as she walks to the door.
Shiki. That's been my username since back then. Just stick your names together, and shabang! That's what I thought when making that up... At least it sounds decent, I've been called as that for years now.
"How's things, y'all?"
I walked inside, greeted by the... Goodness gracious! That smell is amazing! If something smells this great, it must taste awesome. Well, it's tea. But, I digress!
"That smell is amazing, how'd you do that?!" I ask boldly.
"Aha~ It's nothing special!" She answered.
"Dang, you're right. That smell is amazing." The black-haired boy on the back followed.
Asuna lead me to the couch near Kirito, and so I sat. It's been ages since I've taken a nice detailed look inside this place, mostly because I was busy minding my own stuff.
"So, Shiki. What's up with you?" Kirito asked.
"Oh, you know. Business and fighting mostly. Been finding a bunch of loot and selling them, killing literally any monster and enemy I could see, aaand sometimes getting my own ass kicked."
"Ahaha! The usual huh?" He chuckles.
"What? It's not like you haven't gotten your ass kicked once!"
"Once or twice, but never to a monster! That would bring shame to my name!"
"Yeah, yeah says the guy who speedran through levels by going for dungeons all the time."
"Hey, what can I say? I'm just built different man."
Pssh. Built different huh? Let's see that in a fair duel! I mean, we have fought before. I've lost to him once, and HE'S lost to ME once. I guess we're built different. And yeah, that duel was a long time ago. Probably when New Aincrad was just added, and all his friends came along and played ALO too. Heck, speaking of friends! I'm one of em.
"Now, now. What's this about being built different? You two look almost the same to me!"
Asuna walked in and joined us, all while putting the tea cups for the three of us. I took one and held it carefully, taking it all in and smelling the tea first. Hmm... That's just- yeah. Yep. Wordless. At last, I took a sip. Ooh... Immaculate.
"Besides Kirito being slightly shorter than you, longer hair, and your different race in the game you two are like brothers!"
"Yeah, I'm honestly more attractive than this guy to be honest." I joke sarcastically.
"Oh, yeah? So where's your girl then? Oh wait, you don't have one!" He punches back.
Asuna giggled. "Ahaha! That's Kirito for you!"
"Yeah, yeah. I admit defeat!"
Kirito laughs, but him being him... He gets back to talking about the game.
"But, you're a real fighter you know? Ever since... That, you chose to fight more." He paused, "Why did you choose the Undines instead of like, a salamander?"
Ah, right. I've been playing the game for a while that I even forgot my race.
"Well, I know that he's a supporter right?" Asuna followed, "I'm an Undine, but I can still pick a fight!"
"Speed, support, aggression. That's my playstyle. The only three stats I focus on are just strength, agility, and intelligence. That for, high damage, super speed, and support buffs for myself or teammates."
"Oh, right! You helped cleared a bunch of floors in the updates!" Asuna clapped her hands, "I remember reading about it, they called you the... 'Godspeed Tank'!"
Godspeed Tank, huh? Not bad.
And yeah... I cleared 4 floors prior to the 24th. Was a lot of fun supporting humongous crowds of people while also fighting alongside them, my legs starts to cramp just reminiscing about it. How many parties were there... 6? 7? Honestly, who knows with that much people.
"Aww... That's nice, but am I really a tank? I mean, I never use heavy armour and I always fancy running around everyone."
"Well, running around and absorbing damage for the party definitely makes you a Tank."
"Eh... Makes sense. Honestly, I never notice I'm actually taking damage until I decide to heal. Plus, I'm too caught up in attacking."
The boy with black hair nodded, he sipped some tea and followed.
"Your attacks with a longsword is honestly amazing, and I remember you using a double handed broadsword too!"
"Yeah, I was looking for a bigger damage and more oomph. But it ended up slowing me by 1.0, so I stuck with the longsword!"
"What!?" They both shouted, "Only 1.0!?"
"Ye- yeah... What of it?"
"That's not that much difference! And that's coming from me!" Kirito exclaimed.
"Well, the weight and size of it threw me off. But it was a nice change of pace."
"Wow..." Asuna awed as her tea slightly spill on the table in front of us.
Kirito brushed his chin, "Well, longswords can still be considered a two-handed sword. Only if your strength stat is high enough, you can kind of jank the system and hold it like a normal one-handed sword."
"True. And that's what I'm doing right now!" I follow.
"Hee... You two are such gamers." Asuna chuckles, "If you're really that strong, why not try and prove it?"
My attention diverted to the fellow Undine, "Prove? And why's that?"
"It'll be interesting to watch how you fight these days!" She smiles, "We haven't seen you in action in so long, just the thought of it brings us thrill!"
"Thrill, huh?" Kirito sighs.
"Aww, come on Kirito. I know you would love to watch!" She stares at the Spriggan, "Right~?"
"Uh- yeah, I guess?"
Proving, huh? It's not like I have a grudge on anyone, neither I'm in need of approval of my strength. But it sure is nice to have people that actually acknowledge you...
"Yeah... I don't have any enemies. Not to my knowing, anyway." I leaned back on the chair.
"No need!" The Undine clapped, "Have you heard about Zekken?"
Zekken... An interesting title, it's catchy, cool, and honestly impressive.
...Wait, is that even a word? Zekken... What the hell does that even mean?
"Nope. What's a Zekken?"
"Not a what, but a who!" She answers, "I heard this Zekken person has been challenging players in duels for this past week. At the 24th floor, there's a remote island with a large tree resembling the world tree itself. People go there to watch the duels everyday I heard! They say that 60 players has challenged them, and all of them lost!"
"Phew..." I blowed a whistle. Goddamn, 60 players? 60 different accounts came up to him and lost, sheesh... Talk about assorting dominance.
"Aaand... One of them is right next to me!" She points to her left, at the boy in black.
"What?!" I jumped.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want." Kirito lazily exclaimed.
Of course, I laughed my ass off. What. The. Actual. Hell. Kirito, the almighty Black Swordsman lost? Well, all bets are off here. Whoever that Zekken person is, they sure are a whole different beast.
"Someone other than me actually beat you? Is this a joke?" I still laugh, "Cause if it is, it's a good one Asuna!"
"I swear, it's not! Zekken really beat him!"
My stomach felt like it was having a heck of a time, so I forced myself to stop. Still, can't believe that our lord and savior got his ass kicked by some random player.
"What about you, Asuna?" I ask, "I know you're one hell of a fighter! I mean, they don't call you Berserker Healer for a reason!"
"Ah, I'm not that good!" She waves her hands, "And please, stop calling me that! It's embarassing!"
"Why not, Asuna? I know you cooked up that OSS of yours for over a month." Kirito followed.
"Wait, a month?"
The couple's attention directly shifted at my eyes, glaring menacingly.
"I did it a week after the update released."
"W- WHAAAAAT?!?!?!" They scream.
I blocked my ears, closing out the loud noise.
"A- a week? Are you some sort of madman?!" Asuna utters, her mouth wide open. "It took me sweat and blood to even get the basics! Well... not actual blood, but still!"
"Ho- How many hits is it?! Tell me! Tell me now!" Kirito shook my shoulders as he squealed.
"Te- ten..."
"TEN?!?!?!" They scream again, "THAT'S ALMOST AS MUCH AS ZEKKEN'S!!!"
My head shook from the mix of screams and the shaking The Black Swordsman gave me. I steadied my eyes again and readjusted my neck, taking a deep sigh after.
"It's not really that hard for a sword skill spammer like me, besides..." I took another breath, "An OSS is just another trick up my sleeve."
"You, my friend must be punished for the heresy you just uttered!" Kirito softly shouts, "Man, you're being to low on yourself. Now I know that It'll be a real treat to see you going against Zekken!"
"Really? I'm not that great in one-on-one fights, especially with a player with such great feats like Zekken..."
"Come on, man. You practically spend half your life in here! Stop being humble and let out some pride in your strength, Shiki."
"Strength doesn't matter in here, Kirito. I thought I've told you that before."
"Really, man? Stop being all philosophical and just fight!"
I sigh, all this man's life is just gaming. If he can't fight he'll give out his own child to see a good fight... Wait, he has one doesn't he? Pfff. Yeah OK, I give up. I stood up and raised the both of my hands, leaving the couple's porch.
"Wait, if you're going to fight Zekken they're not online at this hour! They're only on at 3 PM!" The spriggan shouts.
"Who says I'm fighting!" I shout as my steps were becoming farther from the house, "I'll think about it! And if I'm not there Asuna will probably take it!"
"Wah?! Me?!" She points at herself.
I waltzed out of the log cabin's area, back to the chilly breeze of the lakeside path. I don't have to prove anything! I'm already strong the way I am now! Hah! Ha...
...
...
...
It's not about strength, that doesn't have any meaning in this virtual world. But proving my strength is a way to prove my oneself to others... Those duels must be packed with people.
... Maybe I can make some new friends?
...
...
...
Maybe.
{Continues in the next chapter!}