Chapter 2 Journey's first step
I absently opened my eyes. The morning sun was obscured by a cloudy sky. Still, I opened my Player Menu and looked at the clock. Noon. I slowly sat up, rubbing my face
planting my legs beside the bed.
Another night of restless sleep. That's three nights in a row. I'd take it over the nightmare I had on night two, but it still sucked.
I sat up and cradled my head. The room was pristine, despite how much I tried to trash it. Damn Immortal Objects…
I went away from the bed and to the bathroom, which was designed like a modern Japanese-styled bathroom complete with a tiled floor, toilet, shower…the whole works. I
that it's not appropriate with the medieval style and approximate time period, but hey, so is the giant floating fucking castle. I'd probably lose my mind even further if I ha
deal with chamber pots.
I went to the sink and washed my face. The sensation of water hitting my hands and face was a bit different because SAO's engine didn't or couldn't completely simulate t
feeling of water, but it felt refreshing nonetheless. While I regretted spending quite a bit renting this room at first, I'm sure that other cheaper inns don't have the same
accommodations.
I dried myself with a towel and looked at my face in the reflection. A small, square face. Round, black eyes and a flat nose. Short black hair combed from left to right. An a
perfect recreation.
My stomach let out a slight grumbling noise. I pulled out a piece of black bread and ate it. SAO replicated hunger through slight sensations and cravings, and it also replica
feeling of being full. Maybe that's why they included a piece of bread even at the start of the game, to showcase this immersion.
And let me tell you, this black bread was dry, bland, and hard. Like a freaking 2-day old piece of well-done steak.
I sighed and set out of my room, slowly wandering the streets of the Town of Beginnings.
Cue Music: Bloodborne Soundtrack – Hunter's Dream
When I first logged in, this city seemed so vibrant. There was a lot of energy in the air and everyone was excited and just happy to be here. Now, it was a lot less pleasant
Players still roamed the streets, but not as much as launch day. Instead of the general excitement, it was replaced by denial, desperation, and apathy. Some players walke
purpose as they perused the item and equipment shops, desperation and anxiety in their bodies as they geared up to test their luck outside the city gates.
Others shambled slowly, in an almost mechanical fashion. They glanced around with a look of apathy and grim acceptance. They accepted their situation, but part of them
I wonder if I fit in this category?
Finally, a few players walked with a spring in their steps and a smile on their faces, with some even greeting me. Some of them seemed sincere as they tried to stay strong
despite being trapped in this death game. The rest…I could see the look of madness in their eyes. They were so far gone in trying to ignore everything that they'd probably
out if I said the wrong thing.
I think I've seen enough. I turned to a narrow pathway to the side, up a flight of stairs, and to my favorite spot – a small resting area that consisted of a bench on one sid
small fountain in the middle, and a tree on the other side. I found this spot yesterday, and since it was away from all the noise, it was a perfect place to waste away.
I sauntered over to the bench and sat. I looked down and sighed, ruminating over recent events.
I'm really trapped in here, huh? No way of escaping, other than the monumental task of completing all 100 Floors. It'll take months, years…is it even possible?
Dad…mom…nee-chan…
Will I ever see you again…?
My musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. I looked up and saw a child running around, dragging a kite behind him. He giggled as he ran around the resting a
making quite the ruckus. He didn't have a player cursor – meaning he was an NPC – and he was oblivious to my presence as well how much noise he was making.
A few moments later, his kite got caught on the branches of the tree. Since he was holding the other end, he was yanked back and he fell on his coccyx. His face twisted a
started crying. "WAAAAAHHH!"
Ugh…wow. The moment I wind up somewhere I like, something like this just breaks the peace and quiet.
I searched around if the kid's parent was around. Nothing. His high-pitched cries were piercing my brain, and he looked like he wasn't stopping soon.
Alright. Better handle this sooner rather than later.
I walked closer to the kid. I looked at him before I sighed and climbed the tree. I reached up and was able to retrieve the kite, but I fell and slammed the back of my head
ground. "Ugh..here." I grunted as I handed him his kite.
"Thank you!" He replied as he took his kite back.
"Lionel! There you are!" A male voice called out. I turned and saw an affluent-looking middle-aged man with a pencil moustache and a slight beer belly. Another NPC. "Are
alright?"
"Papa!" The boy ran and the man's leg. "This person helped me get my kite!"
"Did you say thank you?"
"I did!"
"Good." He turned to me as I was sitting up. "Thank you for helping him. Here. My wife is a cheesemaker, so I know that it will be delicious." As soon as he was done talki
received a notification saying that I acquired a block of mozzarella cheese. He turned back to his son and reached his hand out to him. His son giggled, and they went awa
I sighed and cradled my head. While I felt hurt and lightheaded from impact, I observed the two as they left.
…dad…
"Haah…shit…" I picked myself off the ground and felt a wave of nausea as I stood. I sauntered over and laid on the bench.
I felt my consciousness drift, and I closed my eyes for a second.
Browse Just In Community Forum Bet Story Search
Anime/Manga (/anime/) Sword Art Online (/anime/Sword-Art-Online/)
+ -
I opened my eyes, and my surroundings changed. I was still sitting on a bench, but my legs weren't quite long enough to reach the ground. I smiled as I swung my legs a
hummed. I heard someone call my name and I looked to the side. Mom and dad were on the car, calling for me. I grinned and started to stand, excited to go home and pla
new Mario Party 10 game.
As I stood up from the bench, something got caught in my eyes, and I blinked. When I looked up, my surroundings changed once again. I stood, all alone, in a black void,
darkness stretching as far as the eye could see. I looked down and realized that I was back in my current form.
Suddenly, glowing red orbs started to appear from the darkness. They were eyes, and the darkness obscured them. The orbs became larger – no, they became closer. As t
came closer, I saw their forms which were wreathed in dark smoke. I tried to back away, but I realized that I was surrounded.
They lunged.
I closed my eyes and screamed.
My eyes shot open and I abruptly sat up. I was back in the resting area of the starting city. The streets were dyed orange as the sun slowly set, and even though I could fe
calm afternoon breeze, my body felt hot. It felt like I when I had a fever – my body was hot, but my hands and feet felt ice cold.
I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to compose myself. Eventually, I calmed down and sighed.
Well, at least they aren't here to deal with this shit. That thought brought a bit of comfort to my mind.
I stood up and exited the resting area. But before I headed back to the inn, there was one more spot that I wanted to visit.
I walked toward the southern side of the city. The other 3 sides were covered with thick stone walls. This side was also the edge of the floating castle.
After a few minutes of walking, I arrived at the spot – a recreational area that overlooked the edge of Aincrad. There was no one else nearby, just the simulated night sky.
I approached the railing and bent my head downwards, absently looking down. From where I stood, it was a damn long way down.
This was the spot where a player named Arvin killed himself. A few hours after Kayaba Akihiko made his declaration, Arvin tested the theory. He refused to believe his wor
jumped off this ledge. He fell, and the Monument of Life crossed his name out.
The first official player death. For all intents and purposes, he doesn't exist in SAO anymore. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing…nobody knows.
I climbed the railing and stood on it, all while not taking my eyes off the edge. Have you ever stood atop at the edge of a high place and looked down? I've done that a cou
times in real life. All those times, I felt two things. First is fear. I get cold feet, my knees would shake, my breath would quicken, my mind would call me stupid and I'll mov
away from the edge. Second is curiosity. I was morbidly drawn into the edge, something inside me beckoning me to take another step, telling me that something's good is
waiting for me.
Strangely, as I peeked at the edge of the first floor of this virtual prison, I wasn't feeling fear, just the morbid curiosity. Will I really die in real life if I die here? Or will I jus
up in the real world, away from this place and be reunited with my parents and my sister, the supposed "death" nothing more than a sick social experiment? A single step,
action requiring so little effort, had the possibility of answering all my questions.
"..."
I wonder if he really got out of it.
"...heh." I let out a chuckle as I stepped down from the ledge, away from the edge. Who am I kidding? I'm too much of a coward to test that theory.
I stumbled my way back to my room and laid on my bed. I tossed and turned, not really able to rest. Three days ago, I thought that it was a dream come true. Then I wat
powerless, as the dream turned into a nightmare right in front of my eyes.
I draped my arm over my eyes and sighed. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
Haahh…what the hell am I doing?
End Music
I opened my eyes. Sunlight shone through my apartment window. Still sleepy, I opened my Player Menu and looked at the clock. It's early in the morning. I let out a yawn
stretched, rubbing my face while planting my legs beside the bed.
For the first time since I came here, I actually had a pleasant night's sleep. As a result, I felt calm and refreshed. I took a shower in the bathroom before I sat back on my
crossing my arms as I thought of what I should do next.
The longer I stay here, the more I felt like I was dying on the inside. I don't want to give up. I want to live. I need to live. There's a lot of things I'll lose if I die. And I'll be
damned if I died thinking that it's all just a joke.
And even if I died out there, I least I tried.
Steeling my resolve, I read the Beginner Guidebook I got for free in the shop. I then equipped my spear, shield, and new skill, and left my room to start getting stronger.
According to the guidebook, there's a village called Horunka is near here. I've decided to make my way there, fighting monsters and leveling up on the way. Hopefully, I'll
strong enough to not feel helpless.
While the fields outside of the city walls were littered by dangerous monsters, I should at least try and fight my way out of this mess. Staying here is breaking my mind. I
get away from this place and do something, anything before I decide that suicide is the best option.
My stomach suddenly rumbled. I remembered the cheese I got and brought out. I opened its cloth coverings and was greeted with a pristine roll of mozzarella, about as b
hotdog bun.
And I bit into it like there was no tomorrow. No bread, or anything.
Just mozzarella in my face. In my mouth. In my belly.
Mmm…delicious.
After a few more bites, I finished eating the cheese and felt my hunger subside. And with that, I nodded to myself and exited the room. I stopped at an item shop and rest
some of my potions and checking my equipment. I earned quite a bit last-hitting those two wolves. Afterwards, I checked that I have all my stuff equipped properly.
While I mused about, I realized that I'll be going at this alone. I looked around, but there were almost no players hanging around the path I'm taking, and the ones that w
there were just walking around aimlessly, eyes downcast and lifeless. Figures.
Alright, solo play it is. While I might be able to convince the more adventurous players, they need motivation of their own if they were to survive outside these walls. Also,
want to get other people in danger because of my stupid goal.
I stopped and leaned on a wall, drawing my guidebook out and reading it again. Good news is that the pathway leading to Horunka had no mobs that deal status effects.
According to the book, status effects like Paralysis, while manageable with a party, is drastically harder to survive if stricken alone. Hooray for me. The bad news is that th
littered with monsters. No matter. Slow and steady. I've already experienced their attack pattern. That said, too many players died to them. I just need to be careful to no
surrounded and lure them one at a time. Too bad there's no QTE prompt to get them off instantly when they're on top of you.
Satisfied, I put my guidebook away and picked up the pace, checking my equipment menu again. After that, I continued on, lost in my thoughts. I'm really gonna do this,
Be stronger and finish the game? Well, what else is there to do? Despite the horrible circumstances, SAO is a game, a game that tests your abilities as much as real life, a
more importantly, has a distinct ending.
I've never thought of video games as just video games. Hell, I've been playing video games even before I learned to write. While it's insignificant to some people, I treat v
games with as much investment as real-life struggles. And, like all the video games I've played, I will do my best to learn its mechanics, level up to ridiculous amounts and my damn good ending.
When I got to the main road, I could see the exit. There was really nobody there, except for a small, young girl. She wore what I would guess to be the female version of t
Starter Equipment, and had her hair tied in pigtails with two red ribbons on each side of her head. She doesn't seem to have any weapons equipped. She looked out of it,
hazel eyes peering into the virtual morning sky.
I felt bad for her. I'm terrible at gauging someone's age, but she looked like she a bit younger than me. Someone that young shouldn't experience something like this. Gra
was already playing a lot of pretty messed up video games behind my parents' back when I was even younger than her, but I didn't have to worry about dying. However, t
feeling of pity changed into curiosity and awe once I got a good look at her face. Her expression, while dull with sadness, was alive with determination and resolve.
I considered talking to her, but I don't want to stay here any longer. Plus, I'm not really into flirting right now. I don't know what to say to her and I certainly don't want to
her involved in my selfish goal. She's gonna be fine. I hope. The least I could do for her right now is to be strong enough to help clear the game. I picked up the pace and
past her, checking my equipment.
Eventually, I arrived near the exit. In the next moment, I'll be heading out for the first time in four days. So, the best thing I can do right now is to…check my stuff again.
checking my equipment and stuff for who knows how many times now, I ventured outside the Town, and into the field.
My adventure starts now.
Chapter End
A/N: Alright, that's another chapter done. I'm pretty satisfied with how I did this chapter.
First off, thank you very much for the views. I was sick when I uploaded Chapter 1, and seeing that within 12 hours someone already favorited and followed my story. It m
me feel really good. And after that, within a day, 20 people already read it. Again, thank you very, very much.
As for the girl – you know who that is. It's in the summary.
Next up, fight scene!
That's all for now. Thank you very much, and have a good o