Sword Art Online: Side Stories

"Seem rather modest, too. That's a good quality."

Waving her arm she gestured them over then pointed to the town. "I'm hungry so I'll be getting some food. You're free to join me if you like."

 

Sioto's hand lngered over a window, which signified the various levels that had been unlocked. His finger hovered over the icon stating 'level 42' and his breath came in short gasps.
"Gah! What do I do?!" He muttered, clenching his fist in anger, "This is stupid! I can't even get myself to go to another level...sure, I might die...but what's it worth staying here, when people are dying, just so we can leave?!"
Sioto, never truly getting a chance to be social, often had outbursts like these....which again attracted the attention of various people. Sioto shook his head, the Teleport window still hanging there, as if begging him to make a choice.

 

[/url]
Back in the real world, if she was caught with a boy sleeping in the same home as her, let alone room, she would have been killed by her mother. That was a while back however. She had gotten older with all the time spent in SAO. She could make her own decisions. And it was only for one night. It was the logical thing to do. It wouldn't be wise to let him journey back alone. "Alright. Now with that extra col we earned, I was able to buy the shop as well as a home that sits on the second story." She finished her food as well as waited for Masaru to finish his, then they would be off.

They arrived at the shop. There were still some folk who tried to bug her about forging a weapon or her music talent as well as autograph. She had to deny them. Like usual, she was pulling Masaru to the house the entire way through. They headed up the stairs to enter the newly refurbished house. "Well, its not much, but it will do much more than my old place." The walls were a dark purple and the floor made out of a mahogany-like color wood. A table sat in the middle of the Hexagon shaped room. The door they came from was in the back. If one were to just enter, 3 doors could be seen in front of them. To the left was the kitchen, stockpiled with food. Her cooking was not as great as some, but she was learning. To the right was a room filled with some games. It was a place to relax. It had pool as well as some other fun activities, just for special guests that visited anyway, The room in front, which is the one Star entered, was the Bedroom. A large bed sat there as well as some small lamps. The biggest feature was the window that she opened. The view was amazing. You could tell you were in a flower paradise at this height. "Sorry, but I only have one bed. I hope its not awkward at all if we share it." If her mother heard that, it would most likely be her neck. "We head off at dawn."

 

Masaru had finished eatting and was lead by Star to her new shop and pulled through the crowds and deny their requests and the interor was quite nice in respect, his home wasn't as fancy as his Col was spent on weapons and armour or items, all he ahd was a normal house with a kitchen, wooden table and chair and bed.

"It's better than what I'm used to." He noted the other rooms and the room Star entered was the bedroom, but there was a small snag, she said there was just the one bed and they'd have to share it, but he honestly doubted the floor or kitchen chair was suitable accomdation for sleeping even if this were virtual reality. "No helping it I suppose." He agreed with her rather calmly.

The day he thought he'd share a bed with a girl was not on his mind at the time during this game or anywhere else, sure, he and his sister slept together when they were little but that was a different thing altogther, here it was two grown people and more so, she was an idol that people dream about being in bed with and would kill for the chance but Masaru didn't see it this way, it was just honest surprise and the nerve to remain calm throughout it all.

 

Star sat on the bed. She opened up her menu to display the map of the 51st floor. It was here that they would find the ore. "We need to discuss the plan for tomorrow." The next day was not going to be easy. Many lost their lives going to this volcano. "Okay, so there is a cave entrance that leads to the inside of the volcano. The area around the volcano is surrounded by monsters that are engulfed in flames." They were easy however. The fire wasn't very hot nor did they have a high level. "The real concern is the two monsters on the inside. They are said to be Golems. They are similar to the creatures outside but with much higher stats. That is all I know." She then pointed to a small island in the middle of the volcano. "That is where the ore will spawn."

 

After a long time finding a spot and getting all the materials together, she managed to open up a tailoring store on the 40th town floor. "I'd prefer it higher...but this should do." She kinda had a small feeling of regret since it did take almost all of her money and usually only high leveled players buy in-town clothing and/or fashion clothing. Well...sometimes you gotta take risks. She pressed a few buttons on her screen as she paid an extra sum of money to advertise her store, called Clothed Dreams. "It's a bit late...but I guess I'll keep it open for a few hours I guess." She sat behind the counter, opening up her store.

 

Masaru nodded, it was a dangerous Sidequest but the reward must be a quite the nice benefit plus, the normal spawning monsters weren't much of a threat to say the least, but the golems sound like a bit of a unknown factor, it woudl depend what kidn they were, big bulky ones or ones that favoured lightness and any special abilites they'll have or switching phases witha different weapon or such, as ina desperation move., the Absorbption Slash Skill would of helped out greatly here if he got hit and redoubled that damage to them but that wasn't a option anymore.

"Plus I'd have to change my strategy to utilize this new Skill, mos l ikely, I'll test it on a minor monster and see what it's capable of." he thought to himself, but night was soon approachin, plus they needed a smuch sleep as possible to completely focus on the task for tomorrow, especially if this quest claimed lives.

 

Kaito thought about her offer of food. The only thing he had was a drink so why not. "I'll go."

"I think I'll pass." Fang replied. He turned to Hayden upon hearing he request. "So what about the guild do you want to know?"

 

A smile appeared and she nodded at Hayden's words. "Of course. Have fun you two."

After waving bye the female turned and walked off, figuring that anyone who wished to come along would follow or catch up later. And thus she ended up at a place in town with wooden floors and circular tables. It was brightly lit with flowers adorning the pearl white walls.

Scarlet spoke to the NPC behind the counter, obtaining a sandwich and water for her item menu. Once seated these things were called upon and sat on the table before her. It was a simple dish but once she started digging it she found the food quite pleasurable. It had a sweet tang to it, satisfying her stomach.

"Ha, virtual food being so good..." she mumbled, realizing that her body was probably being fed with a tube. Now that couldn't be tasty.

 

Shiina opened the Warp Gate menu, selecting a lower level and stepped through. The second she took a step forwards though, she ran into someone. "Ouch! Oh...I-I'm sorry!" She rubbed her nose and looked up at the boy debating on apparently where he'd warp to. Mina and Kuro barked at her sides, regaining her attention. "I know...you want this, don't you?" Selecting and holding out a dog treat, Shiina fed half to each wolf and let them lick her hands.

 

Scarlet was right as Kaito soon came to the same place she was at. He went to the NPC and got himself a sandwich. With that done, he went over to where Scarlet was sitting. "Thanks for the offer." He said when he got there.

 

She smiled at Kaito before taking a sip of water. Once she put the glass down she decided they should talk, finding only topics of the guild and its enemies. "We don't expect you to fight any PKs you know, not starting out since most aren't ready right away. So at the start of things there's simple quests given and jobs to give money and supplies to those who are unable to fight on the front lines as well as merchants and blacksmiths. Is this okay with you?"

 

Kaito nodded. "Yeah. I probably still have a lot to learn before I'm ready to take on a PK." True all that stuff did seem like extra work, but he was in no position to complain. Especially after seeing what she can do.

 

Her mouth opened to reply but before words could be formed a message pop up caught her attention. "Well, seems like you'll have a bit of action starting off after all," she said before finishing her meal as quickly as possible, "there's some border arguments on a lower floor. You up for this?"

She then stood all the while sending Fang a message asking for him to come and see if Hayden will be up for it as well.

 

"Ah~~~ That was good~~!" Ittoki stretched his arms above his head as the pair walked out of Piyo Cafe.

"Yeah..." Kuroi said, "Natsuki's a pretty good cook." He smiled.

Ittoki noticed that smile, even though it was for a fleeting moment. He spun on his heels to face Kuroi. "Uwooh! You smiled!"

"N-No, I didn't..." Kuroi frowned, his cheeks growing warm.

"Liar." Ittoki turned back around. "So~ Where should we go now?"

And at that moment, a notice popped up into Ittoki's field of vision. It seemed that Kuroi received the same notice. Scanning the notice quickly, the two found that there was a new store that opened up on Floor 40 called Clothed Dreams.

"Clothed... Dreams...?" Kuroi said under his breath.

"OOOHHH~~~!! Let's go check it out~~!" Ittoki pulled on Kuroi's arm, dragging his friend to the warp portal.

--------------

Ittoki and Kuroi arrived at the store. They opened the door and stepped inside.

 

As Kaito finished the sandwich, he looked up to see the message popped up before Scarlet. Fortunately his curiosity was quelled as she explained what was on it. "Sure." He replied.

Fang was walking with Hayden when he received the message from Scarlet. "Looks like you'll be getting some action after all." He sent his response saying he would go along. "Ready for it?"

 

Mya was just about to doze off after sitting for a while before she heard the door opening. "Ah good evening-" She then realized the face of one of them. "Oh look who it is! Welcome Ittoki! This must be your friend! What brings you two here on a late evening?"

 

"Ehh? It's Mi-chan~~!" Ittoki noticed the store owner who was sitting at the counter, "It's been a while!!" She asked why they were there at that time. "Oh, we just got your ad notice and decided to stop by." Ittoki answered her. He leaned his arms onto the counter, "So, what do you sell?"

 

She laughed. "I thought I told you to drop that name. I'm surprised you still remember it after almost 2 years...oh anyways, here I sell clothes meant for your fashion part of your armor set. Usually, It's not very profitable since fashion clothing is expensive and only high leveled characters usually buy them. Not to mention the materials are quite hard to get. But since you're my first customer, I'll let you have one whole set of clothes for free!"