Akiri, along with Sora and Koharu, are currently in the middle of a clearing in «Horunka Woods», killing a group of «Little Nepents» that were scattered around in the area.

Seeing one that was a little more separated from the group, Akiri ran over towards it, closing the distance before using the sword skill «Vertical Arc», lowering its HP down significantly, almost to 20%, due to the difference in levels.

Akiri: Switch!

He shouts before getting out of the way.

Sora: Okay!

Sora comes in and performs the «Pre-Motion» for the sword skill, «Horizontal» and his sword glows a soft blue colour. Letting the system assist take over, his body moves and slashes the monster horizontally, killing it as it bursts into polygons.

Akiri: Good work

Sora: Thanks

Meanwhile, Koharu, who were covering their backs, saw a Nepent trying to attack from behind. She ran up to it and uses the single hit sword skill «Curve», a similar skill to «Horizontal» which is a horizontal slash, the difference being that «Curve» is performed significantly quicker, but doesn't have as much range.

Koharu: Switch!

Akiri quickly went over to her. Seeing that Koharu had dealt enough damage, he finished it off with «Rage Spike».

Akiri: Nice one, Koharu. Onto the next one

After a while, they had eventually settled in on a comfortable routine. Akiri goes in to lower their HP just enough so that Sora could finish them off only with a single hit sword skill, while Koharu covered their backs from any potential monsters that may come from behind.

One after another, they reduced their prey into polygon fragments.

(Timeskip)

Over an hour had passed since they had started their hunt. Although, close to over a hundred and fifty «Little Nepents» have been taken down by them already, not a single «Little Nepent's Ovule» have been dropped by any of the monsters killed.

With an exhausted sigh, Sora and Koharu sat down against a tree, catching their breaths.

Koharu: So... Tired...

Sora: Why... Is it... So hard to find...?

They said, in between short and ragged breaths and Akiri just let out a chuckle as he walks over to them.

Akiri: Tired, huh?

Sora: Yeah...

Koharu: I don't even understand how virtual bodies could get tired...

Akiri: Well, it isn't physical exhaustion you're feeling. What you're feeling is mental fatigue. Even though your real body isn't moving, your mind is still awake, processing every bit of information in this world

Sora: And we can even feel hunger here, even though our real body is probably being well-fed

Akiri: Yeah. The hunger we feel is just that; a feeling. The NerveGear only fools our brain into thinking that we are hungry

Sora: We won't take damage if we don't eat or drink for too long, right?

Akiri: Nah, your HP won't go down. All you feel is just discomfort. You could try to ignore the feeling, but sometimes it could be a distraction and would break your focus in the middle of a fight. So I suggest keeping some food items with you if you're planning to be out for long

Sora: I guess Kayaba Akihiko really wanted to make this world feel as realistic as possible, huh?

Akiri: Yeah

He said before finally sitting down on the grass.

As the two boys were conversing, Koharu had fallen asleep with her head resting on Sora's shoulder. Akiri noticed Sora's cheeks turning slightly red, and he just let out a chuckle at the sight.

Akiri: You two are pretty close, huh?

Sora: Yeah. Yeah, we are

Seeing the smirk on Akiri's face, Sora finally realized what he actually meant by "close".

Sora: I-I mean, no, we're just friends!

He stuttered on his words as he denied, making Akiri chuckle again.

Akiri: No need to explain. Just seeing at your reaction, I know what's going on. Being attracted to another person is just part of human nature

He teased, making Sora blush even more.

Sora: It's not what you're thinking, I swear!

He denied it again, but immediately went silent once he saw that Koharu was stirring in her sleep, probably disturbed by the loud noise.

Sora: It's not what you're thinking

He said in a much lower voice, not wanting to wake her up.

Akiri: Really?

Sora: Yes. I'm positive

Akiri saw that his face still had a red tint to it, but decided to let go of the matter.

Akiri: Alright, if you say so... But, if you do have even a slight feeling towards her, I advise you make your feeling known... Before it is too late... Don't make the same mistake I did...

He said while looking down saddened.

Sora: What do you mean?

Akiri: I have someone I like, back in the real world... I have this feeling for her for a long time already. But now, it's not guaranteed that I could make it out of here alive to tell her my feelings... To confess to her...

He explained as his fists tightened up.

Akiri: I'm fighting not just to survive, I'm fighting so that I could go back to her. I'm fighting so that I could see that smile of hers again...

He then looks at Sora with a serious expression on his face.

Akiri: That is why I fight... What are you fighting for, Sora? Or who...?

Sora: ...

He stayed silent as he looked down on the grass he is sitting on, seriously contemplating on what Akiri said. His gaze naturally fell towards Koharu's sleeping face, the sunlight shone just enough to make her fair skin have a slight glow to it.

Soon after, he saw her eyelids fluttering open. It seems that she is finally awake from her short nap. She rubs the sleep off her eyes before stretching her arms with a yawn.

Akiri: Hey, you're finally awake

Koharu: Did I fall asleep? I'm so sorry...

She sincerely apologized, feeling a bit guilty.

Akiri: That's alright. Me and Sora here were just talking about some stuff

Koharu: Hm? What were you two talking about?

Sora turns away with his cheeks red, getting nervous as he frantically searching for an answer to her question. Luckily, Akiri managed to save him.

Akiri: Oh, nothing. Just some boy talk, isn't that right, Sora?

He said with a wink.

Sora: Huh? Oh, y-yeah. Just some boy stuff...

Koharu had the look of confusion, mostly because of Sora's unusual reaction. However, before she could point it out, Akiri had gotten up on his feet.

Akiri: On your feet, guys. Not much more to go until the item drops, so you could get a proper rest until then

Although with slight hesitation, the two got back up and they went to work once more while Akiri unsheathes his blade.

Although, before he could engage an enemy, he once again got an unnerving feeling that they were being watched. He quickly looks around the area, and just like last time, he saw that no one else is nearby.

Sora: Akiri? What's the matter?

Akiri: I swear, there's someone here watching us...

After looking around some more, he lets go of the matter. He and Sora then went on to kill the other monsters that are just spawning in, with Koharu closely following them from behind, covering them.

A few minutes have passed when suddenly, after killing another one of the monsters, it let out a slightly different sounding death shriek before bursting into polygons.

They saw a fist-sized ball, shining faintly, tumble out from its insides as Sora looks at it, seemingly in disbelief.

Sora: Wait, is that...?

Akiri: Yup. Go ahead

Sora bent his body over, picking up the gleaming sphere with his left hand.

Sora: Little Nepent's Ovule! I finally got it!

Koharu: Congrats, Sora!

Akiri: Yeah, congrats. It took me and my friend way longer than that to get even one

Sora nodded with a smile as he opens his menu and places the item straight into his inventory.

Sora: So, that's it? We're going back, now?

Akiri: Yup. You only need one to complete the quest

Sora: Finally!

He shouted with an exhausted groan.

As they were about to leave, an explosive sound shook the forest at a monstrous volume, coming from nearby. They immediately looked around, frightened by the sudden blast.

Koharu: What was that? An explosion?

Akiri's eyes widened at the familiar distinct sound, which he had heard only once before. His fear has been realized as they noticed vague green fumes appearing in the air and that queer stench reaching their nose.

Akiri: We have to go, now!

He shouted as he started running with Sora and Koharu following behind, confused at Akiri's sudden panicking.

Sora: What's going on?! What was that?

Akiri: Those damn fumes again! Monsters are attracted to it. We need to get out of here, quickly!

They kept on running, but suddenly, they were stopped by a «Large Nepent», blocking their way.

They tried turning to the right, but that path was also blocked by a group of «Little Nepents». Looking around the area, they find themselves completely surrounded by enemy monsters.

Akiri: Shit

Akiri immediately unsheathed his sword and got into a defensive stance while Sora did the same. Koharu also grabbed her dagger, ready to defend herself.

Sora: What the...?

Koharu: No way... So many...

Looking around the surrounding area, Akiri could count over thirty enemy monsters.

Sora: What now?

Akiri: Get ready to fight, you two

Sora: Do we use the same strategy as before?

Akiri: No, there's too many of them. That strategy takes too much time even to kill a single monster. If we use it here, we would get overrun

Koharu: So what do we do?

Akiri: We would have to split up. I can take care of them on my own. You two would need to pair up with each other. Think you could handle it?

Sora: Yeah

Koharu: We'll do our best!

Akiri: Right. I'll take the ones on the left, there's more of them there. You two focus on the right. Be careful, and watch your backs

Sora/Koharu: Right!

The two shouted, but Akiri could hear a hint of nervousness and hesitation in their voice.

The three then started fighting off the Nepents which were coming in from all sides. Akiri made quick work of them due to the massive difference in level while Sora and Koharu were holding their own, working together in synergy.

Akiri tried to take most of the Nepents by himself to make it easier for Sora and Koharu to pick off the other monsters.

Akiri: How are you guys holding up?

He asked as he rolled out of the way of an acid spray and used the sword skill «Slant» to finish off one of the Nepents.

Sora: We're doing fine!

Sora replied as he used the sword skill «Horizontal Arc» on a Nepent before getting out of the way so that Koharu could come in and finish it off with «Curve».

Koharu: Y-yeah! We're fine!

Despite their words, Akiri could tell that they are getting afraid, so he picked up the pace, speeding up his strikes and slashes, making more riskier moves to kill the Nepents at a faster rate. But that came at a cost of him taking a lot more damage, making his HP drop down almost to the red.

He carefully estimated the number of damage he could endure. He should be fine taking a few hits here and there, in the hopes of reducing the time to kill a single monster, even if it's just a few milliseconds. But if he were to accidentally slip up and took more damage than intended, he would undoubtedly die. But that is a risk he is willing to take.

The battle kept on going, with the three of them fighting the endlessly appearing Nepents with combinations of different «Sword Skills», reducing the numbers of their foes, one by one.

Player: Help! Help!!!

A pleading voice was suddenly heard and they looked to see that it is a male hooded player, who is fighting off a swarm of «Little Nepents» using a two-handed spear.

Koharu: We have to help him!

Koharu and Sora quickly ran towards the player, in hopes of saving him. Akiri then saw one of the Nepent charging up an acid attack, aiming straight towards Koharu.

Akiri: Wait!

Akiri rushes towards Koharu and tackles her out of the way, narrowly avoiding a deadly launch of acid, though not without taking a bit of damage.

Akiri: We have to focus on ourselves

Koharu: B-but...

As she was about to object, six more Nepents appeared and started surrounding them.

Akiri: Just a little more left. After this, we can help him

Koharu just nodded and both she and Sora got into a stance, ready to fight once again.

Akiri immediately rushes towards the first «Little Nepents» he sees and went in with the sword skill «Rage Spike» before rolling to the side to narrowly avoid a counterattack. Two quick slashes to its side finishes it off and he went to engage another one.

Not far from Akiri, Sora is slowly backing away from an approaching Nepent. As soon as the monsters got into range, Sora activated the sword skill «Horizontal Arc». Without being told anything, Koharu already knew that it was her cue to go in and she finished it off with the three-hit sword skill, «Slice».

Player: AAAAAAHHH!!!

A terrified scream was heard as they were fighting, followed by the familiar sound of shattering glass soon after, despite them not killing a single monster. It could have only meant one thing; the player that was pleading for help had, finally perished, and that the scream they heard was his final cry.

Sora and Koharu were left completely silent, wide-eyed as they had witnessed the death of a player, the death of a person. To be exact, his HP went to zero, and his virtual body was scattered into tiny polygons.

Koharu: N-no way...

Was the only words that she could mutter.

The two just stood there stationary, still frozen in shock of what had transpired. Akiri then swiftly brought down the remaining three Nepents in the next ten seconds, and the battle was over.

Akiri: You guys okay?

Sora: We're fine...

Koharu: Yeah...

They replied as they were catching their breath.

Looking at his health bar, Akiri saw that his HP is dangerously low. Almost to 5%. He then opened his inventory to grab two of the bigger sized healing potions he had stored before going over to where Sora and Koharu is.

Akiri: Here. This will max out your HP

He gave one of them each. Sora and Koharu gave their thanks before using the healing item and sure enough, their HP recovers instantly to maximum. Akiri had to use two of the item to fill up his HP bar since he had taken more damage and also because his maximum HP is higher than theirs.

Koharu: That was so scary...

Sora: Yeah... We're lucky to have Akiri with us...

After that, the three naturally turned towards where the player was, a worn-out two-handed spear laid fallen on the ground. With a sympathetic look, Akiri walked over towards them and placed a hand on Koharu's shoulder.

Akiri: There's nothing we could've done. Don't blame yourselves

The two could only nod silently.

Akiri: And besides... I think I know why he is here

His words caught their attention as they turned their heads towards him.

Sora: What do you mean?

Akiri: He was the one who tried to Monster PK us. And he's probably the one responsible for yesterday's hornet attack as well

Koharu: W-what?

Akiri: That explosion we heard. That's what happens when someone destroys the seed of a Nepent. The only one close enough to have had destroyed that seed, was that player

Sora: If he knew that destroying it would attract monsters, why didn't he run away?

Akiri: He probably thought he could hide from them using the hiding skill, but against monsters that rely on senses aside from sight, it's not very effective. I've seen someone who made the same mistake. It didn't end well for him either...

Sora: So he planned to wait until we die to the monsters... Then as soon as things calmed down, steal our loot...

Akiri nodded, confirming his assumption.

Akiri: My guess that had probably been following you for a while. He saw that you were attempting the quest, and that you also have lots of healing items stocked up, which makes you a prime target

Koharu: No way... How could anyone do that...?

Akiri: He got desperate. People are willing to do anything when they're desperate. It's human nature. Just one push could drive someone to do all kinds of horrible stuff. Don't ever underestimate what these guys are willing to do to achieve their goal

Sora and Koharu just stayed silent, both are now deep in thoughts as Akiri went over and grabbed the player's spear before stabbing it deep into the ground.

Akiri: Items left on the ground will have their durability drop slowly and they'll disappear, but this should be able to serve as a gravestone marker for a few hours

After paying his respects, he then got back up and heads back to where Sora and Koharu is.

Akiri: We should probably be getting back

He said and Sora and Koharu nodded silently before following him back to «Horunka Village»

(Timeskip)

After a quiet return to «Horunka Village», the three made walked straight back towards quest NPC's home.

As they entered, the NPC woman is once again seen in the kitchen, with something simmering on the stove as always. Floating above her head was the golden exclamation mark that indicated a quest in progress.

Stepping up to her, Sora opened his inventory and took out a sphere faintly shining light green; the «Little Nepent's Ovule» and handed it over.

The woman's face lit up as she saw the ovule and she accepted it. As she speaks on with words of gratitude, the quest log at the left of Sora's vision updated.

Gently putting the ovule into the pot, she walked over to a large chest placed at the far corner of the room, and opened its lid. From inside, she quietly took out a long sword in a black scabbard. Returning to them, she held out the sword with both hands, along with words of gratitude once again.

Sora: Thank you

He thanked and the woman smiled at him and nodded before getting back to her pot.

The quest completion message floated in front of him as the bonus experience points were added, levelling him up.

Akiri: That's it for the quest. That sword is good enough to be used all the way to the third floor, or maybe even the fourth floor if you could get some good upgrades for it

He said as they went outside the house as Sora inspecting his newly acquired «Anneal Blade» with a grateful smile on his face.

Sora: Thank you, Akiri. You did so much for us

Koharu: Yeah. How could we repay you?

He turned to look at them before giving his answer.

Akiri: Stay alive

The two looked at him, surprised at his unexpected answer. Seeing their reactions, Akiri chuckled as he smiled at them.

Akiri: I want to see you two make it through to the hundredth floor. Promise me that, and you'll be free from your debt

Sora: Right!

Koharu: We'll do our best!

Akiri smiled, seeing the determination in their eyes. He looked up to the watchtower to see that it is nearing sunset, meaning that it's time for him to leave.

Akiri: Well. I better get going before it gets dark

Sora: You're leaving?

Akiri: Yeah. I'll be heading to Tolbana. It's the nearest town to this floor's Labyrinth

Koharu: You're going to the Labyrinth?

Akiri: Yup. Me and my friend had already made plans. After we meet up, we're heading straight to the Labyrinth

Sora: So I guess this is where we part ways. I still have to help Koharu gain some more EXP to level up

Sora said and Akiri just nodded in reply.

Akiri: Take care of each other

Sora: We will

Akiri nodded.

Akiri: Till we meet again, Sora, Koharu

He then turned around and was about to take a step forwards, but he suddenly stopped before turning back towards Sora.

Akiri: Oh, and Sora?

Sora: Yeah?

Akiri: Think about what I said, okay?

He said with a wink. And with that, he waved goodbye to them and they returned the gesture as he walks away.

A few minutes of walking later, he had suddenly got a message and he opened his menu to see who sent it.

Akiri: (thoughts) Argo? What does she want this time...?

Turns out, that the message is from the famous information broker Argo, telling him to meet her at the «Western Forest». Deciding that he could stop by and take a small detour, he agreed and made his way towards the mentioned location.