December 24, 2023, Christmas Eve.
Tiny snowflakes drifted down from the sky of Aincrad.
Though this virtual snow carried no real chill, it imbued the steel floating city with a touch of human softness and warmth.
[49th Floor Main City, Fluvian]
Shops lining the streets were adorned with garlands woven from glowing plants, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread and ale. Many players had temporarily set aside their quests and leveling, gathering under the massive Christmas tree in the central square, hands clasped, making what might be their last wishes in this life.
Chen Mo walked alone through the bustling crowd.
He had hidden the glow effects of all his equipment; the "Midnight Coat," a symbol of absolute power, now reined in all its killing intent, appearing as a finely made black overcoat.
Even so, wherever he passed, surrounding players would instinctively give way, as if pushed aside by an invisible aura, clearing a path for him.
That was his exclusive domain.
It was the pressure etched deep into his soul after slaying dozens of Floor Bosses.
Chen Mo paid no mind to these reactions; his attention was entirely focused on the display window of a dessert shop by the roadside.
"Cheesecake... Argo seems to like this."
He murmured softly and pushed the door open.
A moment later, he contentedly stuffed a large pile of packaged food into his backpack, having spent a negligible fraction of the astronomical sum of ke'er displayed in his inventory.
At least, it was negligible to Chen Mo.
The agreed meeting point was under the Christmas tree.
When he arrived, he spotted the familiar figure at a glance.
Argo stood with her hands behind her back, gazing up at the giant Christmas tree, her small nose slightly red from the cold. The three whisker-like markings on her face made her look like a curious cat that had blended into the crowd, fascinated by everything.
Chen Mo lightened his steps, walking silently behind her.
"Making a wish?"
A clear, cool voice sounded in her ear, startling Argo. She spun around abruptly, and seeing it was Chen Mo, she immediately put her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks.
"Why do you walk so silently! You almost scared me to death, meow!"
She glared at him fiercely, then slowly backed him onto a nearby bench, propping her hands on the backrest, trapping him between herself and the bench, and scrutinizing him from above.
A scent, a mix of a girl's natural fragrance and a faint sweetness, wafted towards him.
"Tell me! Where's my Christmas present?"
Her eyes were cunning, carrying a hint of a merchant's shrewdness and a girl's playful innocence.
Chen Mo looked at her pretty face, so close to him, and his heart inexplicably skipped a beat before quickly returning to normal.
"Hey, hey... we're so familiar with each other, you don't need to pull your info broker tricks on me anymore, right? I think... I should have some special privileges?"
"Hmph, don't even think about it!"
Argo's chin jutted out proudly.
"Even brothers settle accounts clearly! I'm counting on getting some good stuff for the holidays from your backpack, you richest bumpkin in all of SAO!"
"Aren't those precious ingredients I gave you 'getting' something?" Chen Mo felt a headache coming on.
"That's different!" Argo argued, full of conviction. "You gave those to me voluntarily! As a reputable merchant, I only collect what I'm owed! Gifts are gifts, and payment is payment; they can't be mixed up, meow!"
Arguing with a woman was less effective than simply surrendering.
Chen Mo gave up resisting.
"Fine... your present, how could I forget it."
He opened his backpack interface, and under Argo's expectant gaze, he retrieved the "gift" he had prepared.
It was an irregularly shaped object, clumsily wrapped in simple paper, and larger than Argo herself.
"Wait... wait a minute..."
Argo's smile froze on her face as she watched the enormous object appear before her, and then... under the force of gravity, slowly tilt and collapse towards her.
"Ah--!"
After a short shriek, the world fell silent.
Chen Mo looked at Argo, who was pinned under the present, with only her small legs flailing outside, and gave an embarrassed chuckle.
A few seconds later, Argo scrambled out of the pile of presents, hair disheveled and cream from a cake smeared on her face.
She glared at the innocent-looking Chen Mo, her small face flushed crimson.
"You absolutely did that on purpose!"
She rushed over, raising her tiny fists, but only gently thumped Chen Mo's chest, without any real force.
After Argo, still blushing, carefully put all the food and drinks, one by one, into her own backpack, she finally mumbled softly.
"This year's Christmas Boss... spawns on the 35th Floor, under the withered pine tree deep in the Lost Forest."
She paused, then looked up at Chen Mo.
"But you probably already knew that, didn't you?"
"I had a hunch."
Chen Mo's gaze fell on the cream on her lips. He reached out and gently wiped it away with his thumb.
The warm, soft touch of his fingertip made Argo's body instantly stiffen, and her cheeks rapidly heated up.
Just as the atmosphere grew tender, Chen Mo suddenly spoke, his voice as calm as if discussing the weather.
"Argo, what do you think about revival ITEMs?"
"What... what do I think about them..."
Argo's thoughts were interrupted by his sudden question. She instinctively switched back to merchant mode and rolled her eyes playfully.
"They're, of course, unique and super rare ITEMs that can sell for lots and lots of money!"
"You idiot cat, only thinking about money."
Chen Mo stood up and naturally took her hand.
The warmth from his palm made Argo's heart skip a beat.
"Huh? You... you're going to..."
Argo looked at him in surprise, her voice even stuttering a little, "Are we... are we finally going to party together, meow?"
"Didn't you always worry about me?"
Chen Mo pulled her along, walking towards the teleportation gate.
"I'll take you with me this time. But remember, stay behind me the entire time. If anything feels wrong, use a teleportation crystal to leave immediately, understood?"
His tone was uncompromising, yet it carried an unprecedented concern.
Argo smiled playfully, the whisker markings on her face seeming to come alive.
"Got it, got it. With you around, what do I have to be afraid of, Lord Shadow?"
"Don't call me such a chuuni name!"
"Okay, Lord Chen Mo."
"Hey, hey..."
The snow fell heavier, landing on their shoulders.
Argo, holding Chen Mo's hand, felt the incredibly reassuring warmth transmitted from his strong palm, and her heart felt warm.
The world feared him like a ghost or a god.
Yet, they didn't know that these hands, which had torn through countless floors and made all guilds tremble.
Could also be so warm.