The bright exclamation mark above the blacksmith's head shimmered in Ryuto's vision. Without hesitation, he tapped Accept.
[Hidden Quest Acquired]
Title: Obtain Muxin Ore
Difficulty: S-Rank
Description:Muxin Ore is a legendary material born only when a tree grows directly atop an ore vein, absorbing its minerals for over a century. When wood and metal finally fuse, a Muxin Ore of unmatched quality is formed. One such vein is said to lie deep within the Ore Valley, east of the Town of Beginnings. Bring it back, and the blacksmith will forge for you a peerless weapon—free of charge.
Ryuto scanned the quest window, smirking faintly, then turned to leave the shop. As he walked, his eyes flicked to the map—already plotting the fastest route east—when he bumped into someone.
"Ah—sorry, sorry!"
"It's all right."
The voice was distinctly feminine. Ryuto looked up and froze for a fraction of a second. The familiar dark red hooded cloak, the light brown hair peeking out beneath it, the refined posture… and that voice.
Asuna.
The Asuna.
Memories from watching the anime flashed in his mind—her beauty, quiet strength, and gentle demeanor. For just a moment, Ryuto found himself staring, lost in thought.
"Um… is there something on my face?"
Her tone was polite but cool.
Ryuto shook his head quickly. "Oh, no—it's nothing. Really, sorry for bumping into you."
"It's fine," Asuna replied curtly. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Ryuto scratched his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Guess she doesn't think much of me… shame. This face deserved better odds.
"Forget it," he muttered. "Focus. Route to Ore Valley, prep supplies today, leave tomorrow. Plenty of mobs along the way—good for leveling. Two birds, one stone."
He booked the cheapest inn room he could find and settled in for the night.
Morning sunlight bathed the cobblestone streets in a golden glow, turning the Town of Beginnings into something out of a gilded fairytale. Ryuto stepped out, stretched, and drew in the crisp air.
A pair of sparrows perched nearby startled at his movement—one darting into the air, the other following close behind until both disappeared into the distance.
After breakfast, he purchased a steel-tipped spear to complement his iron sword. Thanks to his Weapon Master skill, he could wield both with equal proficiency. Once supplies were packed and his gear double-checked, he set out toward the east.
"Today's another step forward," he murmured.
Four Days Later – Forest of the Mist
With the shattering sound of pixels breaking apart, the last enemy fell. Ryuto planted his spear into the ground and sheathed his sword before pulling up his status window.
Player: Ryuto
Level: 7
HP: 1,987 / 2,052
Status: Normal
Skill: Weapon Master (Lv. 1) — Current proficiencies: Sword, Spear (2/2 weapon slots)
Col: 13,552
He eyed his HP bar, debating whether to use a potion. Each one restored 200 HP but cost 200 Col—hardly worth it for a scratch. Before he could decide, the sound of an explosion and the flash of a Sword Skill lit up the forest in the distance.
Ryuto pocketed the potion and sprinted toward the noise.
A short distance away, a Treant monster burst apart in a shower of wood splinters, spraying venom in all directions. The liquid struck nearby Treants, pulling their aggro toward a single player—Asuna.
She bit her lip, frustration and panic mixing in her chest. The shock from Kayaba's death game announcement had left her reeling in those first days, but she had pushed herself to venture into the field. She wanted to fight, to level up, to survive.
But she was unprepared. No beta experience. No solid party. Just her and a borrowed rapier skill set.
And now, she had wandered into a high-level zone.
One-on-one, she could barely win against these monsters. But now… three of them were closing in, their bark-covered bodies creaking as they advanced.
Is this it? she thought bitterly. Five days in, and I'm going to die here?
Her heart clenched. No. I won't give up. I don't want to die here. I want to live—to make it to the end and return to the real world.
She tightened her grip on the rapier, eyes flicking between the Treants. If she could take one down quickly, she might break through.
A faint glow enveloped her blade. She dashed forward, triggering her Sword Skill.
Thrusting Sword Skill — Meteor Pierce
The rapier blazed with light, propelling her forward like a shooting star. The point struck true, piercing deep into the nearest Treant.
But even as she withdrew, another monster lashed out—a vine snapping toward her chest like a whip. Asuna cut the skill short and dropped low, the vine slicing the air just above her head.
However, Asuna was already within striking distance. The rapier in her hand gleamed as the familiar guiding light of a Sword Skill traced along its edge.
Thrusting Sword Skill — Parallel Stab (Two-hit Combo)
Her body moved like clockwork—two precise thrusts landing in quick succession. The Treant let out a guttural groan, its bark splitting where the steel had pierced.
But the counter came fast. A thick vine whipped down from above, aiming straight for her face. Asuna twisted her body sideways, her movement fluid and light, slipping past the strike like a fish through water. She stepped to the Treant's flank, her blade already gathering the pale-blue aura of another skill.
Linear — Single-hit Basic Thrust
She could see its HP bar—low enough that one more clean hit might end it. Relief loosened the knot in her chest, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
That's when the first vine, having recoiled from her earlier attack, swept in from the side—forcing her back toward the other two Treants.
Straightening her stance, Asuna exhaled sharply. Three enemies, closing in. Her grip tightened on the hilt, but her chest felt heavy.
Father… Mother… Brother… I'll never see you again.
I'm so scared. There's no one here I can talk to, no one I can lean on. Every second in this world is suffocating. Every bit of courage I scrape together… disappears the moment night falls.
I've tried so hard to survive. But… maybe I can't anymore.
The thought froze in her mind—until she caught movement in her peripheral vision. Two dark shapes streaked toward her, one just ahead of the other.
With a sound like a blade cutting air, the first figure intercepted the incoming vines, severing them mid-swing.
A loud crack rang out as that same figure drove a heavy strike into the Treant Asuna had wounded, its HP shattering like glass.
The second figure closed the distance, breaking through the treeline. Silver hair caught the light as he moved—his crimson eyes scanning the battlefield with sharp precision. The boy's spear traced arcs of light in the air as he ducked, rolled, and slipped between the Treants' attacks.
In one smooth motion, he vaulted past a low vine sweep, landing directly in front of Asuna. Spear leveled, his stance was calm, almost casual, but unshakable—like a mountain standing against the wind.
"It's not good form to gang up on someone," he said lightly. "How about you pick on me instead?"
Without looking back, he tossed something over his shoulder. A glass vial arced through the air and landed neatly in Asuna's hand.
Item Acquired: Healing Potion (Large)
Asuna's gaze lingered on him. Tall, slender, silver hair rippling faintly in the breeze—his presence radiated a quiet steadiness that seeped into her frayed nerves.
And for the first time since entering this death game… she felt her fear ease.
The feelings of a girl, after all, are always a little like poetry.