December 29, 2022.
8:08 PM.
BLINK & BRINK Tavern, Karluin City, 5th Floor of Aincrad.
Charlie and Asuna sat side by side. A delicious meal was served on the table, while the view outside showcased buildings made of dark stone blocks, illuminating the bustling city filled with chaotic life.
"Don't you think what you're doing is a bit cruel, Charlie?"
"Asuna, what do you mean? I don't follow."
"It's about you defeating every Floor Boss! Because of you, the beta testers are getting blamed for things they didn't do."
Now, beta testers had lost their informational advantage since many of SAO's mechanics differed from the closed beta. In other words, beta testers and regular players were on equal footing.
Seeing the beta testers struggling, Asuna felt a twinge of sympathy.
"That's true. But it's not like anyone would die in the Raid Team while fighting a Floor Boss, right?"
"…"
Asuna wasn't convinced. Charlie had let her gain experience fighting Floor Bosses, but in the end, soloing a Floor Boss was impossible.
Asuna now understood why Raid Teams were formed to tackle Floor Bosses. Charlie was an anomaly, able to defeat them effortlessly on his own.
Charlie gave a faint smile, his eyes scanning the lively crowd before asking Asuna, "Think about it, Asuna: how many casualties have there been in Aincrad so far?"
"At least two thousand people have died. Mostly on the lower floors…"
"Exactly. And how many of those deaths happened while fighting Floor Bosses?"
"Well, you get it. Every time I take down a Floor Boss solo, I'm not just saving you all time—I'm eliminating the risk of death."
Unable to counter Charlie's logic, Asuna pouted.
"That's true, but you know, Charlie? Guys who argue so well with women usually aren't that popular."
Chuckling softly, Charlie replied with a fact, "No offense, Asuna, but I already have a girlfriend. Plus, I hang out with women more than men."
That wasn't a lie.
In his second life in the Danmachi World, Charlie had interacted with many beautiful women like Aishia, Est, Goddess Astraea, Goddess Aphrodite, Aiz, and Anna.
On the other hand, he had no male acquaintances he could call friends.
"Hmph, don't you dare play with women's feelings, let alone cheat. You don't want to end up stabbed in the back by your own girlfriend if she turns out to be a yandere."
"Aiz isn't a yandere. Besides, in a fantasy world, polygamy is pretty common. Of course, I have no intention of two-timing."
Charlie didn't take Asuna's warning too seriously.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After finishing dinner, the two planned to spend their free time strolling around.
"There's something over there."
Catching a glint between the floor tiles, Asuna stood up from her chair and approached the shiny object. Picking it up, she found it was a coin and examined it curiously, flipping it over.
"What's this? Did someone drop it?"
Turning back to her seat, she showed the coin to Charlie.
Charlie glanced at it. "No, that's a relic. The 5th Floor is themed around ancient ruins. You can find relics like this randomly around here. In a day or two, players from the lower floors will come up, and the whole city will turn into a relic-hunting festival."
Charlie had learned this from overhearing players' conversations while wandering the city.
"Hmm~"
Asuna's eyes scanned the room carefully. Soon, she spotted another glint.
"There's another one!" she exclaimed excitedly, rushing to grab it.
"Are you getting addicted to finding relics, Asuna? You're like a dragon hoarding treasure." Charlie teased, amused by her enthusiasm.
"A dragon? Have you ever seen a real dragon, Charlie?"
"Yup. Not just seen one—I killed one."
"Wow, doesn't that make you a Dragon Slayer?"
"Pretty much."
"That's incredible…"
Asuna didn't doubt Charlie's words for a second. She knew he wasn't the type to brag.
No matter the world, dragons were always symbols of immense power and destruction. In myths and legends, they were terrifying treasure guardians, sky-ruling kings who burned kingdoms with their fiery breath, or wise entities living for thousands of years.
Defeating a dragon was a feat only heroes in fairy tales could achieve, something nearly impossible for ordinary humans.
The idea that Charlie had not only seen but killed one placed him on an entirely different level in Asuna's mind.
"By the way, Asuna, when players find relics, they get a buff. Since I'm not a player, those buffs don't work for me."
"Buffs? Oh, you're right."
Reminded by Charlie, Asuna glanced at her HP bar in the top left corner. A small glowing coin icon appeared next to it, indicating an active buff effect.
"Coins or gems that drop will glow. It's a useful buff—"
"Gems?"
Before Charlie could finish explaining the information he'd gathered, Asuna interrupted, her eyes sparkling.
She suddenly darted toward Charlie, closing the distance so much that their warm breaths were almost tangible.
"How long do these buff effects last?" she asked eagerly, her voice slightly higher than usual.
Asuna's sudden enthusiasm caught Charlie off guard.
(Every woman loves gems, no matter their age. The allure of gems is universal.)
(And now, in this virtual world, the appeal of gems as relics that provide gameplay advantages doesn't diminish their intrinsic charm. Gems are still gems, an irresistible temptation for women.)
"I want to hunt for relics too!"
Asuna decided her next plan, her eyes still shining with newfound excitement.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The 5th Floor of Aincrad, with its architecture themed around ancient ruins, was bathed in the dim glow of chandeliers and wall torches, giving it a mysterious air, as if every corner hid secrets from the past.
Asuna roamed the bustling city streets, ignoring the crowds of passing players. Her focus was solely on one thing: the faint glimmers that might be hidden between stone crevices, under worn wooden benches, or amidst piles of rubble in narrow alleys. Her gaze swept over every detail, not letting a single possibility slip by.
Charlie followed behind, completely uninterested in relic hunting. To him, they were just small items granting temporary buffs. But seeing how excited Asuna was, he found it entertaining. It was oddly satisfying to watch her immerse herself in such a simple activity.
Asuna passed by rows of lively stalls, her attention glued to the ground. She caught a faint reflection behind a towering merchant's basket. Bending down quickly, her nimble fingers grabbed it before anyone else noticed. A small smile curved her lips.
Soon after, at an old stone archway covered in moss, she spotted a bright blue glint. It was a small, possibly worn sapphire, nestled in a cracked wall. Asuna approached carefully, climbing a bit to reach it. Her success brought another smile.
The hunt continued. From under a bench near a dried-up fountain, she found a rusty locket. On the windowsill of an empty house, she discovered an ancient nail emitting a faint glow. Each find was a small surprise, adding to her relic collection.
Asuna savored every moment, feeling the thrill of an explorer uncovering hidden treasures amidst the bustling city.
Meanwhile, Charlie trailed behind, watching her with the occasional smile, amused by the pure joy radiating from Asuna.