Teleport Gate Plaza, Town of Floria, 47th Floor of Aincrad.
Ripples of glowing light shimmered through the massive gate as players came and went.
When the white light finally faded, a floor bursting with vibrant flowers came into view. Kai turned to look behind him.
Through the dazzling light, Silica emerged, now wearing the armor Kai had given her earlier—light green armor, dark red boots, a black sheathed short sword on her waist, and a silver-white wing-shaped pendant swaying gently on her chest.
As the teleport system notification sounded, Silica slowly opened her eyes. The morning sunlight streamed through the flower garden, casting a dreamlike glow that filled her vision.
"Wow…!"
It was the first time she had seen such a breathtaking view in SAO. She couldn't help but cheer.
The teleport gate was in the center of the plaza, with four narrow paths extending out in a cross-shape. These led to a circular outer path, and the vast area in between was filled with blooming, seasonless flowers.
The stunning scenery completely captivated Silica's girlish heart.
As she marveled at the floral sea, she tilted her head toward the black-clad swordsman leading the way and asked, "Mr. Kai, is this where you usually stay?"
"Usually?" He glanced back at the girl walking half a step behind and answered honestly, "Normally I'm around the front-line floors, but I recently bought property here, so I'll probably be staying on this floor for a while."
"That's amazing…"
Hearing that he had purchased a house here, Silica widened her eyes in awe.
Most players just stayed at inns. Even some small-to-mid guilds couldn't afford their own base. Only elite or near-elite guilds could consider buying real estate. As for individuals, it was even rarer.
Even putting aside the money, certain prime locations required players to complete tough quests just to unlock the option to buy.
So in the year and a half since SAO launched, barely anyone had heard of players owning a house.
"It's not that impressive. I just don't spend money often, since I'm usually grinding in the dungeon zones. So I saved up quite a lot of Cor."
Kai wasn't being modest. When Floría's central property went up for sale, it came with a task: "Wealth and Splendor." To qualify to buy the house, a player had to have at least 20 million Cor.
Kai happened to be one of the few wealthy players who met the requirement.
Money really can make the world go round...
Leading Silica through the streets, vibrant flowers bloomed on all sides. Delicate yet persistent roots pierced through stone, clinging to roads, walls, and even shop signs—truly worthy of the name "Garden Floor."
Trailing behind him, Silica admired the flowers she'd never seen on other floors. She looked up at the black swordsman's broad back.
He was well over 180 cm, shoulders broad but not bulky—rather, lean and refined, like forged steel.
From her half-step-behind view, she could see his profile. His features were average, yet his presence was commanding. His deep black eyes were sharper than blades, carrying a constant quiet intensity.
Despite being a top-level player, he had saved her from the drunk ape the day before, then helped her try to revive Pina.
What a mysterious man...
Unable to understand his thoughts or motives, Silica finally asked, "Mr. Kai, what kind of person are you in the real world?"
"Me?" He paused, then said, "Just an average guy. Go to work, handle tasks, eat with coworkers, chat a bit, and the day's pretty much done."
In truth, he'd just check the company task board, take on jobs, complete them, eat with the team, and chat about the mission...
"Eh? Doesn't feel like that at all."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the feeling you give off," she said, gesturing with her hands. "You don't seem like an office worker."
That's because I'm not.
Smirking slightly, Kai turned his head. "Then what do I seem like to you?"
"Umm…"
She couldn't think of a profession that matched him—his sharpness, decisiveness, and cold edge even in moments of kindness.
"Alright, don't overthink it."
As Silica struggled to find words, Kai stopped.
In front of him was a large silver-white arch wrapped in blooming white flowers. Beyond it stretched green hills that vanished into the horizon.
"Silica, we're heading into the training zone. Ready?"
She almost bumped into him but quickly nodded and drew her short sword.
"Yes, ready!"
"Let's go."
He strode into the wilds.
The stone road turned to red bricks. Kai walked casually down the center, his long sword gleaming in the sun.
Behind him, Silica's breathing quickened, fingers tightening on her sword. Though equipped with strong gear, the 47th floor felt overwhelming.
But that fear vanished just minutes later.
"Wahhhh! What is that? Gross!"
Their first monster appeared: a giant carnivorous plant, covered in squirming green vines like tentacles, shaped like a monstrous pitcher plant, easily three times the size of a grown man.
It screamed, oozing transparent slime, lashing its vines at Silica.
"Eek! Nooo!"
Just as she screamed, a blue sword light slashed across the monster's body, instantly draining its HP.
BOOM!
It exploded into particles.
Silica stared, stunned, then turned to look at the swordsman who had casually swung his blade.
"Don't just stand there. Let's keep going."
As he walked past her, he gently ruffled her hair.
No matter how many monsters appeared—one or ten, hideous or strange—Kai danced through the battlefield like a butterfly, his sword flashing behind him.
Silica began holstering her weapon altogether. Even if she was far from him and surrounded, he'd always arrive the moment danger approached.
Eventually, they reached the summit of Hill of Memories.
"This is it."
Kai landed gracefully, sheathing his sword and walking toward a glowing white stone over a meter tall.
"This… is the item that can revive Pina?"
"Yes. The Pneuma Flower."
He stood beside it quietly.
Following suit, Silica stared at the stone, where a thin sprout emerged, blooming into a luminous, pearl-like flower.
"Ah…"
She gasped, covering her mouth, eyes wide.
Ching—
The flower fully bloomed, dripping light from its center.
Like witnessing a miracle.
Kai gently tapped the flower, opening its info window:
[Pneuma Flower]
"This is it," he smiled. "You have to pick it yourself. Only the tamer can harvest it. Pour the liquid from the center onto the 'Heart' and Pina will revive."
"Okay…"
Silica hesitated, but remembering Pina, she plucked the flower. The stem dissolved like ice, leaving the blossom in her hand.
She placed it in her inventory, face full of excitement.
Seeing her eager expression, Kai handed her a blue crystal.
"If you can't wait, use this."
It was a Teleport Crystal.
"This… really?"
She hesitated, but desire overtook reason.
"You decide. It's yours now."
He tossed it to her.
"Th-thank you…"
Catching it, Silica bowed deeply and shouted the command:
"Teleport, activate!"
A portal of blue light opened.
Before stepping through, she turned back.
"Go on," said Kai.
---
Kai gave the girl a gentle smile and waved his hand, but didn't take a single step forward.
Moments later, the pale blue corridor behind her faded. At the summit of Hill of Memories, only Kai remained.
The warm smile on his face gradually turned cold. He lowered his right hand and placed his palm on the hilt of the [Azure Rose +3], fingers slowly closing.
"Don't disappoint me, small fry…"