One week later

Sorano's POV
     Seven days after the first floor boss fight, we found the second floor boss room and planned a raid against the Taurus General. In the beta test, Taurus was a rank general, but now I think there is going to be something more. After the first floor boss I assumed that their will be some change in the boss from the beta.

     Although there's no guild system until a third floor quest is finished, there were large parties that considered themselves "guilds." Some of these so called "guilds" are the Dragon Knights, the Aincrad Liberation Squad, and the Legend Braves. The first two guilds were made to carry out Diavel's last wishes. They always argue about who is actually doing what Diavel wanted. They also despise Kirito and I. But they will tolerate us when Asuna is around.

     The Legend Braves were made of players with low skill levels and high level equipment. Apparently they were involved with a scam. The reason they had enough money to buy and upgrade their equipment was because they sold other players' weapons. Their blacksmith, Nezha, faked the destruction of people's weapons and gave them to the guild to sell. The people who found out them were Kirito and Asuna. They got involved after Nezha tried to scam Asuna. Both of them messaged me for information on what methods he could have used to pull off the scam. I sent replies with different ways that he could have done it. When he was caught I met up them to hear Nezha's explanation. Apparently he got a Full-Dive Nonconformity, meaning he had a malfunction with the NerveGear and one of his five senses wasn't working properly. His FNC was a problem with his sight. He has no depth perception. When I heard this I felt pity for him. I wanted to help him.

"Nezha, What's your level?" I asked.

He answered with tears in his eyes, "... I'm level 10."

"Then you've got only three skill slots. What skills do you have?"

"One-handed Weapon Crafting, Inventory Expansion... and Throwing Knives."

"Hai (Okay). If I told you that I had a weapon you could use... would you be prepared to give up on you Blacksmith skill?"

Three days later

The raid party met in front of the boss room. I partied with Kirito and Asuna, who is on a quest with Nezha. Since I receive the LA weapons from the first floor boss fight, I traded my one-handed sword skill for a unique skill that allowed me to use both my dagger and my sword. I also leveled up to 21 and had five skill slots. Right now, the skills I have are my unique skill, Throwing Knives skill, Acrobatics skill, Cooking skill, and, the one Asuna and Nezha are trying to get, the Marital Arts skill. Even though I got new weapons, I usually use the sword I got from the Town of Beginnings so I don't attract too much attention.

     Kirito turned to me with a sigh. "Do you think they're gonna make it in time for the boss battle?"
I shrugged, "I don't know it is a hard quest to beat in three days. Though, I did finish in two." He smiled and patted my head, "Well, let's hope they are as lucky as you."

~Flashback~

     I lead everyone to a tunnel that led to where the quest for the martial arts skill was. On the way, everyone was silent. To break the silence, Nezha asked a question.

     "So who is the couple? Kirito and Asuna? Or Kirito and Selene?"

     Kirito, Asuna, and I stop.

     "What?!" We screamed in unison.

     Nezha explained, "Well, he always with one of you. But lately he's been with Asuna. Someone even said that upon visiting Kirito-san's inn room late one night a completely nude Asuna-san emerged from the bath. That person also said that Kirito and Selene slept together."

     We all were shocked. I was surprised that someone knew about that. And that Kirito saw Asuna naked! The only people who knew about me and Kirito's first night in the game were me, Kirito, and... We all look at Argo, who tagged along with us. She was smiling sheepishly.

     "Kirito..." I say through gritted teeth, "Did you actually see Asuna naked?" He looked unsure on how to answer this question. I already knew the answer.

     "Pervert," I muttered.

     "Ooh, Kirito. You made Selene mad..." Nezha teased.

     "I'm not two-timing! I'm not even dating them!" Kirito exclaimed.

     "Yeah, that's right!" Asuna said to back him up.

     "I don't even see him that way. He's just my first friend who's like a brother to me." I explained. That was the last anyone said about that topic.

     When we reached the other end there was a clearing with large boulders scattered around. When we reached the middle of the clearing an old man greeted us.

     "Do you wish to join my school children? If you clear my trials I shall bequeath unto you martial arts, the core of this style."

     Nezha accepted the quest. And after some teasing from the peverted, old man, Asuna accepted it too. I handed Nezha the weapon he would be using after he learned the skill. And the old man took both Nezha's and Asuna's weapons.

     "You must break the rock and attempt this trial bare-handed. Use your fists... your feet... even your head, if you must! Until you split this boulder you may not descend the mountain. And thus you must bare the sign of your trial."

     The old man painted whiskers on both their faces.

     "That sign will not vanish until you break this rock and complete your training. I have faith in your potential, my apprentices."

     Asuna was regretting her decision to take on this quest. "Is there a way to cancel it?"

     I sighed, "No there—"

     "What were you thinking?!" Kirito yelled in Asuna's face. "This took me three days! The group's going to reach the boss chamber in just two days! They're not going to wait for you! Weren't we supposed to team up for the next boss?!"

     She wore a shocked expression. Then she replied, "I don't remember making any promises."

     "Fine be that way. I'll level-grind... get the LA bonus and rub it in your face afterwards." He said to try to make her jealous.

     Asuna wore a smug look, "Is that so? Sure you and Selene won't be excluded from the group without my intervention on my behalf?"

     Kirito's eyes shifted towards me. I was looking at them fight with a worried face. He had a slightly defeated look. "That's right. In fact, that's one of your greatest qualities, in my opinion. The self-obsessed Lind (leader of the Dragon Knights) and narrow-minded Kiabou (leader of the Aincrad Liberation Squad) don't have what it takes to lead the frontline players. But you... No. Forget that for now. I'm leaving. Let's go Selene."

     I reluctantly left Asuna in the clearing.

~End of flashback~

     After saying that Kirito was like an older brother, he started to treat me like a little sister. I kinda felt disappointed after I said that. But right now, I was enjoying him patting my head.

     "Was it okay to leave Asuna like that?" I questioned.

     "Huh? Her? She'll be fine. Don't worry."

~Time Skip~

     We were almost done with the Taurus General when I had a weird feeling.

     "Ano... (Umm...) Kirito?"

     "Hai?"

     "The first floor boss was a 'lord' right?"

     "What does that have to do with—"

     "So why would the second floor boss be demoted to a 'General'?"

     A loud moo sounded in the large boss room. A new boss showed up. Asterius the Taurus King. While everyone stared at it in shock, I took action.

     "Kirito! Teams G and H finish off the colonel! Just attack!"

     They sprang into action and defeated the colonel. Once they did the king started to attack. It breathed in and shot a breath attack. The players who were hit by the ray became paralyzed. From this point on Kirito took command of the troops.

     "Team H, take the paralyzed to safety! If you're a power type, try to carry two at once! Team G, this way! We're going to take down the General Baran ourselves! Follow me!"

     I didn't join Kirito in attacking the general because I saw the king about to attack. I ran up and used my Celestial Dagger as a throwing knife. The blade was a dark grey metal, with a gold crescent moon separating the blade from the dark blue handle. It hit him in the side. At the same time, the doors opened at Asuna came running in. She used her new Martial Arts skill and landed next to me.

     "Nice timing, Asuna."

     "Thanks."

     We evaded the king as hit tried to grab us. My dagger was still stuck in the side of the Taurus king so I summoned it back in my hand. That is another skill that came with my sword and dagger. I threw it again when the king tried to attack Asuna. After that I summoned it back and sheathed it. I unsheathed my Sword of Artemis. The blade was an icy blue-grey color. It also hade a gold crescent moon separating the blade from its light grey handle. I used a sword skill and slashed at the Taurus King's attempts to hit me. While it was attacking me, he quickly turned and hit Asuna. She flew across the room, and was left with less than 20% of her HP.

     I ran to her rescue and the king was about to unleash his breath attack again. I knew I wasn't going to avoid the breath attack so I tried to at least get Asuna out of the way. When he unleashed the paralysis breath, I closed my eyes. I felt someone push into Asuna and I and we all skidded across the floor. I opened my eyes to see Kirito. I tried to move but we were all paralyzed.

     "Baka (Idiot)." I said to Kirito.

     Asuna questioned him, "Why did you do that?"

     He was panting. "I don't know." Then he smiled.

     The Taurus King was about to attack when something flew at him. It circled back to the entrance.

     "A chakram! Nezha!" I saw him standing at the door.

     "Gomen (Sorry) I'm late." He walked in. "Someone take these three to safety! Minna (Everyone), focus all your strength on the general! I deal with the king!"

     They all listened to Nezha's orders and they were able to defeat the general. Everyone then started to attack the king. My HP was regenerated and so was Asuna and Kirito's. The last HP bar on the king was already on the red zone. I stood up.

     "If you aren't done healing, I'm going for the LA bonus." I smirked at them.

     Asuna got up. "No way am I letting you get it again."

     "Hey, don't forget about me." Kirito interjected.

     We all looked at each other.

     "Ready?"

     "Always."

     "Let's go."

     And we all ran to the boss.

~Time skip~

     We defeated the boss and now the doors to the stairs are open. I headed towards the stairs leading to one of my favorite floors. Kirito was behind me talking to Asuna. I was happily skipping along ignoring their conversation.

      "Why is Selene so happy?" Asuna asked Kirito.

     Kirito looked at Asuna with wide eyes. "She didn't tell you?"

     "Tell me what?"

     I butted in their conversation. "That the third floor is the realm of elves."

     After that she understood. "That's your favorite floor isn't it? The one you desig—"

     I ran and covered her mouth when my hands. I glared at her. "Don't. Say. Anything." I whispered. Kirito looked at us with a confused face. I turned around and saw gigantic double doors with drawings of elves. 'The floor that has my favorite quest and a friend,' I thought. Stepping forward I opened the doors.

     'I'm back, Kizmel.'

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Hallo! Sorry if this chapter is a bit confusing. I was kinda writing this in a rush. Comment if you would like for me to edit this to make it better and more understandable. But you guys were waiting for another chapter. Thanks for putting up with my laziness. Hope you enjoyed it. Byes!