(As of this point, signups are closed to newcomers. People who have already signed up are free to make a second character if they would like, though.)

 

December 7, 2022

 

A small village near the boss tower on Aincrad's first floor was now bustling. A meeting was to be held in a few days, and many of the strongest players in SAO had gathered to prepare. Players gathered around the town to chat, trade items, exchange stories, and form new parties. Seeing this could almost make someone forget that everyone in the castle was currently trapped in a death game... However, these players had arrived in order to finally make an effort to end the unnecessary deaths.

 

Within the town, players were mostly populating the areas in the marketplaces. The streets near various stores were packed with the highest level players in the game, all trading tips and buying new supplies. A new quest had been discovered being offered by the town blacksmith, and many players were crowded around his store as a result. The circular, open-air meeting ground in the center of town was also crowded with players who were trying to form parties, hear rumors about new quests, and a group of mischievous teenage boys trying to flirt with the girls they met. Regardless of where they were, players could hear voices echoing off of the buildings and structures throughout the village.

 

Keimei was lying down on a bench in a small park on the edge of the town, staring up at the sky. She wasn't like most of the other people in town. She hadn't managed to form a party yet. She was all alone. She sighed, staring at the ceiling high above her head. I should probably go do a quest soon... I need to keep up with my training so I can go on the boss raid. I'm not going to let that chance slip by. She thought to herself, although she didn't really move. She was too busy lost in her own thoughts to do so. I wonder if I'll ever end up in a party...? It seems like everyone else is in one at this point. I doubt I can keep going solo for much longer...

Puawai raised an eyebrow towards Abisk when he claimed not to be the Abisk. "Okay, sure. Whatever. And I know for a fact I was worse than he was, so don't even patronize me." The Sunny Monk replied to Abisk. Then Aether came in. "See! You were lying to me meanie face!" She cried to him, not really upset at all. She turned to Aether. "Why is he lying to me Miss Demon Lord? I think he is insecure." She said, and while she was talking to Aether, it seemed her words were a playful tease aimed towards Abisk.

~~~~

Ryonne nodded. "Yes, the no-crime zone will keep you safe. Just like how this is all a game." He countered, his logic effective. Ryonne glanced back towards the forest he was heading towards, then back to Shirai. He sighed, then looked back to the new person. "It would be safest to stick together since we're both headed the same way. What do you think about maybe working out a deal? I'll give you the money I find if you give me the ingredients you find." Ryonne proposed. He wasn't against teamwork like some of the other players around here, and was very open to the idea. Joining a guild eventually would be pleasant too.

"What sort of ingredients?" Shirai asked. He had to know what to look for. He gauged Ryonne up, trying to detail exactly what Ryonne's apparent profession was. With the limited skill slots players had, few bothered to do any hobby or profession-type skills into their list. Most just fell back onto full combat mode.

"Metals? Foodstuffs? Or just grab anything I see?"

 

Shirai himself was fairly interested in the prospect of Col. It was hard to come by so early on in the game, so the more cash he was given, the better. If it was worth finding some random mushrooms, he'd do it.

 ((Well its a good thing Aether is mostly uncaring.))"Abisk."Interruptions, interruptions. Aether was again back, looking as monotone and bleak as ever. Her shiny katana seemed to glint in the sunlight, and she zoned out everyone else. She had, although, figured out that Abisk was denying his title. Whatever. She was uncaring. Most called her the quiet bitch, the lonely swordswoman. When she had shown her stripes and continually dualed Abisk to standstills, she was given her own title - Demon Lord.Mainly because she was an antisocial bitch...and so far, only Abisk had proven to be on her level, or even above it...but Aether had never met Puawai."That quest from the blacksmith is going to have players swarming the forest within minutes. You should get going before you're stuck surrounded by people who can barely lift their blade."

 

Puawai raised an eyebrow towards Abisk when he claimed not to be the Abisk. "Okay, sure. Whatever. And I know for a fact I was worse than he was, so don't even patronize me." The Sunny Monk replied to Abisk. Then Aether came in. "See! You were lying to me meanie face!" She cried to him, not really upset at all. She turned to Aether. "Why is he lying to me Miss Demon Lord? I think he is insecure." She said, and while she was talking to Aether, it seemed her words were a playful tease aimed towards Abisk.~~~~Ryonne nodded. "Yes, the no-crime zone will keep you safe. Just like how this is all a game." He countered, his logic effective. Ryonne glanced back towards the forest he was heading towards, then back to Shirai. He sighed, then looked back to the new person. "It would be safest to stick together since we're both headed the same way. What do you think about maybe working out a deal? I'll give you the money I find if you give me the ingredients you find." Ryonne proposed. He wasn't against teamwork like some of the other players around here, and was very open to the idea. Joining a guild eventually would be pleasant too.

Abisk sighed, falling to the ground. "Why can't I just catch a break today...?" he asked himself. "Alright, thanks, Aether." He sighed, refusing to call her by her supposed title. He felt her title was more of an insult than anything, it wasn't befitting of an equal to him. "Just keep quiet, OK? No one knows my face or name here, and I would like to keep it that way." He then looked over to the shop. walking over to it, he entered, gathered some supplies, and looked over at his team. "Come along, you two." He said, sighing, he looked over to Aether. "IIf you want to, join us. I remember that in those woods that there are a few monsters that drop some choice rings for this level. Heaven's knows I might need your help in this..."

Edited April 1, 201510 yr by Guest

She didn't even seem sorry. She just shrugged. "She was a beta. You can't hide from those you excelled in. At a glance she knows I am Aether, the Demon Lord." Her face seemed emotionless...but a flicker in her eyes said something else. "Hiding from those who were in the Beta is useless. But hiding from everyone else is easy...uses they take a too close look at your armor...my sword...whatever Puawai got for being a Beta." She watched Abisk go gather supplies, and finally offer her a chance to join them.

"I have nothing to do." She replied. "You may lead."

Edited April 1, 201510 yr by Sabre Lily

Aether turned to Puawai."...Sunny Monk." She was as monotone as ever. "Wrong Abisk. The Abisk I crossed blades with was taller. This poser can barely kill a boar without dying." She turned and finally, really noticed Keimei. "Red hair. Must be a Weasely." she looked at the three with indifference. "Stupid meeting should happen already..." the girl muttered.

(Couldn't have posted this an INSTANT faster, couldn't you...)

(Couldn't have posted this an INSTANT faster, couldn't you...)

((Hey, I can't control a little old lady who needs her Marlboro lights. I'm trying to post while at work, what more do you want from me?! I'll edit though.))

((Hey, I can't control a little old lady who needs her Marlboro lights. I'm trying to post while at work, what more do you want from me?! I'll edit though.))

(I know it's not your fault, I'm just giving you a bit of a hard time.)

(I know it's not your fault, I'm just giving you a bit of a hard time.)

((Yeah, yeah. Editted.))

Making friends wasn’t something he was used to, not for the 175cm tall Alistair. Just for the fact that he didn’t had any real friends, and talking them over a chat was easier than face to face. But he had to form a party eventually, he convinced himself. He had gone on solo for a long time, leveling up, grinding, but the raid against the first floor boss would begin soon, and unless you were in a party, you wouldn’t be allowed to go, for safety reasons. “(How am I supposed to make friends and a party in a matter of a day?)” Alistair sighed to himself as he walked around the busy streets, dodging people and mumbling apologies as he bumped into people walking the opposite way. Before he could rest however, a wonderful melody caught his attention throughout the talk of the people. Focusing on the melody, he followed it all the way to a young man who was playing his lute. “(So pretty!)” Alistair thought as he approached to him and started to clap. “Bravo~”

 

Glenn just finished his song and received a clap.

"Uhh ... Thanks I guess. It's not really that good tho." He stopped his little concert and bowed as was his usual reflex. He had to look upwards to speak however as his height wasn't really something to brag about. Alistair looked like a giant to him ... ok that's exaggerating but it kinda looked that way.

"Glenn Maestro at your service. You may have heard of me from the beta test tho I wasn't really well known." He started but then examined The man a bit closer.

"Forgive the mention but You're going towards the floor boss aren't you? ... I can only think of two scenarios. One is that you are on your way to a party meeting or something and the other that you don't have a party." He said with a number of hand gestures. He put his lute away meanwhile pulling his hood over his head as a bunch suspiciously resembling his former party say: "we're gonna kill that cook"

After the event Noriyuki  Went on completing quests like nobody's business but did start to fell lonely after some time. He tried to talk to some people but they either where too busy or where still in a sort of trauma from what happend. Walking around in the town Noriyuki gave out a huge Sigh and said for the 100th time: ''Guess i'll do another quest again''.

"Well your guesses are right on the spot, Glenn Maestro. I'm looking for a party to join in hopes of helping with the floor boss." Alistair confirmed as he pointed at himself. "My name is Alistair. Not a beta tester such as yourself, but I think I may be able to hold my ground." He then tilted his head to the side. "Do you happen to be in a party by any chance then? Being a beta tester you would have an advantage over the ninety percent of the players." He paused, clapping his hands together. "If so, you don't happen to have a spare space for one more party member?"

"Well your guesses are right on the spot, Glenn Maestro. I'm looking for a party to join in hopes of helping with the floor boss." Alistair confirmed as he pointed at himself. "My name is Alistair. Not a beta tester such as yourself, but I think I may be able to hold my ground." He then tilted his head to the side. "Do you happen to be in a party by any chance then? Being a beta tester you would have an advantage over the ninety percent of the players." He paused, clapping his hands together. "If so, you don't happen to have a spare space for one more party member?"

 

That caught the musician off guard. Yet again the situation stayed the same:

1. meet a person who seems nice

2. form party with that person

3. work as a housewife for that person

4. person shows his true colors and ... yea

So the reaction he gave was:

"Sure why not... Thing Is I honestly don't have much combat skills. I can wave a spear around pretty well and I guess I can do the basic combos but in all honesty ... I suck at fighting." He frowned for a second but shook it off.

"I can do other stuff doe." For a second it seemed almost imperative he give an example.

"I cook and I can play the lute and uh ... That's about it ..." the depression made him think again 'I'm still useless aren't I?' Then he sent the friend request before the party request as was sort of his trademark.

Alistair chuckled. “Any and all abilities are useful. Until all one hundred floors are cleared, this game will be our home. We will have to mentally sustain ourselves in all aspects…cooking is a great skill to have, I can’t cook at all!” Alistair said cheerfully. He had yet to truly know the full evils of the world outside his room. He accepted the friend request and the party request with a smile. “Alright, we’re officially in a party.” Alistair said before pausing. “Well a small party at least. Maybe we’ll meet more people along the way. How far did you get through the beta, by the way?” Alistair asked curious of his new friend.

She didn't even seem sorry. She just shrugged. "She was a beta. You can't hide from those you excelled in. At a glance she knows I am Aether, the Demon Lord." Her face seemed emotionless...but a flicker in her eyes said something else. "Hiding from those who were in the Beta is useless. But hiding from everyone else is easy...uses they take a too close look at your armor...my sword...whatever Puawai got for being a Beta." She watched Abisk go gather supplies, and finally offer her a chance to join them."I have nothing to do." She replied. "You may lead."

"My gear you can get off of the official site for normal players, and it can be recolored like this back in Town of Beginings, it just dosent normally have such a light weight stat or higher durability, but only someone with the Appraisal skill could find such a thing out." Abisk explained. He looked at his "team". "At least we have one compitent player..." he told himself, taking a look at the equipment they had, he shrugged, equipping the new lightweight shield he obtained, and began walking towards the forest where the quest item was held.

"The fact your armor is common doesn't change your username..." Puawai muttered. Then she brightened up again, and began to skip alongside Abisk towards the forest. She whistled a soft little tune, not one that would be too easily recognized. She was glad to get a party, she had been getting lonely. Being a solo player was cool and all, but the real fun came from banding together with others. Even if they didn't like you very much. Not to mention it was safer for all of them. Even the most cautious of players can get stuck in a bad situation, and if there isn't anybody around, things would get dirty even faster.

~~~~

Ryonne started to say that he just needed food, but then stopped. It would be more productive if he got some other materials too. Sure he couldn't use it, but he might be able to get some nice weapons or trade it for some other nice items. "Yeah, any loot drops except healing items and equipment. Those you can keep. In exchange I'll give you the cash that I get from killing these monsters. Keep an eye out for some red mushrooms and boar meat though. Sound good?" Ryonne detailed.

Keimei was speechless. Three beta testers... And I only really had to ask one of them. Today really is my lucky day. She grinned. "Alright, let's go fight some monsters!" She exclaimed, and followed Abisk happily.

 

Eventually, the four made it to the forest. Keimei opened her quest menu. As long as one of the members in the party had begun the quest, the others could participate as well. "Let's see... This says that we need to recover a missing ring for the blacksmith. Sounds like a pretty generic quest... As long as it gets us a reward, I guess it's worth it." She said, then began to scan their environment. "Any clue about where this thing could be...?" She asked the others, hoping for an answer. "You already completed the quest, right, Aether? Do you remember what we need to do?"

Aether nodded, then pointed in a direction. She remained silent though, not really telling them anything else. She was a bit too quiet, maybe, but her body tense, eyes scanning. She seemed ready for damn near anything right now.

Aether nodded, then pointed in a direction. She remained silent though, not really telling them anything else. She was a bit too quiet, maybe, but her body tense, eyes scanning. She seemed ready for damn near anything right now.

"You said there is an ambush, are we talking hostile NPC's or monsters?" Abisk asked, following Aether's directions, he began walking towards a place that made him feel slightly on edge.

"You said there is an ambush, are we talking hostile NPC's or monsters?" Abisk asked, following Aether's directions, he began walking towards a place that made him feel slightly on edge.

"NPCs. Besides small ones, you're not facing any major monsters. It's a recover a stolen item quest, and the thrives are just over there. Nothing too hard for the legendary Silent Swordsman, Sunny Monk, and their new sidekick the Redhead Wonder."

"NPCs. Besides small ones, you're not facing any major monsters. It's a recover a stolen item quest, and the thrives are just over there. Nothing too hard for the legendary Silent Swordsman, Sunny Monk, and their new sidekick the Redhead Wonder."

"I could have taken care of this one at level three if it's that easy." Abisk remarked. "Why put such an easy quest like this near the Dungeon? Especially with such a lackluster reward...?" He asked himself, intending to walk. He drew his sword, looking at his team, he motioned for them to be very quiet. even if the Sneak skill wasn't on any of their rosters, enemies could still hear general loud sounds, so better to go in aoft, even if their is an ambush, kill them quickly and quietly, then go for the target.

Alistair chuckled. “Any and all abilities are useful. Until all one hundred floors are cleared, this game will be our home. We will have to mentally sustain ourselves in all aspects…cooking is a great skill to have, I can’t cook at all!” Alistair said cheerfully. He had yet to truly know the full evils of the world outside his room. He accepted the friend request and the party request with a smile. “Alright, we’re officially in a party.” Alistair said before pausing. “Well a small party at least. Maybe we’ll meet more people along the way. How far did you get through the beta, by the way?” Alistair asked curious of his new friend.

 

"Around floor 50 or so. I forgot the number. I think it was 54. And that's about it." Said Glenn whilst quickly checking his teammates level.

"so what kind of player are you anyway? A tank, heavy hitter, support etc? I'm kinda support so don't expect much." He continued. Getting an idea of each others capabilities was probably the best thing to do. If all goes well then it should let them get through the boss with no major difficulties. The meeting should start soon and it's doubtful that either of them would get the last hit bonus ... unless a miracle happens that is. First things first. Supplies, party load outs and the meeting.

Alistair had to think about it for a second before answering. “I am…” He paused, before smiling. “A tank!...I think. Yeah. Tank.” Alistair said. He took out his hands from his pockets, showing off his claw gauntlets. “I fight with these. I’ll also Howl to attract enemies to myself to give others a chance to heal and recover. I can pick locked chests and stuff. I also have Straining, so I can hear sounds from further away. That’s how I manage to narrow down your music by the way!” Alistair said as he got his hands away. “That’s all I know.” He looked around. “If we’re going to be part of the teams that encounter the boss, we should get going before the meeting starts without us, no?”

"You've got yourself a deal," Shirai said with a grin. Damn, with the two of them, they'd make short work of the low-level mobs. That's twice the amount of mob killing, which means twice the usual Col. Shirai was starting to like this deal, since all he had to do was keep an eye on any drops and hand them off to this guy...so as long as he doesn't get anything rare, like a sword or something. That...he might keep for himself.

"So, when shall we embark?"

"I could have taken care of this one at level three if it's that easy." Abisk remarked. "Why put such an easy quest like this near the Dungeon? Especially with such a lackluster reward...?" He asked himself, intending to walk. He drew his sword, looking at his team, he motioned for them to be very quiet. even if the Sneak skill wasn't on any of their rosters, enemies could still hear general loud sounds, so better to go in aoft, even if their is an ambush, kill them quickly and quietly, then go for the target.

Aether shrugged. "Who knows, Abisk. Possibly, they decided that a few easy quests to help us level up for he boss was a good idea. Who knows...who knows."

Aether shrugged. "Who knows, Abisk. Possibly, they decided that a few easy quests to help us level up for he boss was a good idea. Who knows...who knows."

"Well, this in mind... I could just solo the mission real quick and get the EXP and items. Unless you want to join in, or our new..." He pondered the word a moment. "... teammates want some action?"