Hey guys! Here it is! Another update! For those who like Silica, this is the chapter you've been waiting for! Anyway, the hero skill Shoto acquired is not a special skill only he can get, everyone else can get it too, its just never occure to them and they don't know how, Shoto will also achieves his goals with hard work, with or without the hero skill. But still, thanks for reading and reviewing.

Thank you all! I'm so happy! *Sob* *Sob* Anyway, if anyone of you have question, please ask away! Now then, let us begin!

(Opening Theme)

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XXX

"So? What do you think Kazu?" A young Shoto/Saito asked a young Kirito. "This is the newest RPG this years, its pretty cool."

"Wow..." Kirito/Kazuto said in awe at the very realistic graphic. "It look so real."

Saito shrugged. "Yeah, but we still play it on the game console, I wish there was some kind of game where we enter the game! Wouldn't it be fun?"

Kazuto scratched his head. "But there isn't any game like that."

"I know that, anyway, we should make you an account for this game!"

"But I don't have the game."

"Its fine, you can have mine."

"But-"

"Pfft, I have a copy, my dad bought me two just in case I lost one." Saito said. "Now, let's make you an account." Saito said as he opened the game official page and signed Kazuto up. "Alright, what name will you use?"

"Uhm... I dunno... Kaze?"

"Kaze? Too simple, besides, I name mine Shoto! Let's see...Oh! How about, Kirito! its from your name! Kirigaya Kazuto! Kirito!"

"Hm... It is pretty cool."

"See? I knew you'd like it."

"Young master? I'm coming in." An elderly voice outside said, then the door open and reveal an older figure wearing a butler uniform. "I bring cheeseburgers."

"Alright! Cheeseburgers!" Saito said pumping his fist in the air. "Oh yeah, Robert, from now one, Kazu name will be Kirito! So call him that!"

"But young master, it is not polite to change someone else name." Robert said.

"I-its fine Robert-san, beside, the name is pretty cool." Kazuto, now Kirito said.

Robert went silent for a bit before smiling. "Then, I shall address you as such, master Kirito."

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Floor 35: Mische

Drakengard Inn

Shoto opened his eyes, blinked and stood up. He looked around the room, not noticing anything strange. "Dreaming about the past again... Man, its making me miss my home even more." Shoto then got off the bed, wearing only a red muscle shirt and black pants. Shoto opened his menu and equipped his usual clothing, then he looked outside. "Time to eat lunch."

Downstairs, Shoto are eating a large amount of food, one of the reasons he picked this inn, they had buffets. "Its not as best as cheeseburgers, but it's good enough." Shoto said eating his third helping in the last 9 minutes.

"Hey Shoto." Shoto looked towards the stairs and saw Kirito descending the stairs.

"Yo, rest well?" Shoto said between bites.

Kirito shook his head at his friend's antics. "One well-done steak please!" Kirito said to the nearest waitter and sat down in front of Shoto.

"So what's our agenda today?" Shoto asked, finally done eating.

"We're still looking for the 'Titan's Hand' guild, I received info about the leader activity around here."

Shoto nodded. "Alright then, should we split up?" Kirito nodded. "Alright, but at least we'll eat first, another helping please!" Shoto said to the waiter.

Kirito sighed, but agreed to his blond friend anyway, knowing disagreeing about food with him is futile.

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XXX

Floor 35: Forest of Wandering

"Damn, Damn, DAMN!" Shoto cursed out loud. 

After he and Kirito were done eating lunch, the two of them headed out towards the area where Kirito's informant said the leader of Titans Hand usual hunting ground was located, which was revealed to be a forest, which was pretty big, and so, Shoto and Kirito split up to increase the search area and meet up at town when night came, and since night already came, Shoto was heading toward the town.

"Damn it... Why the heck is this forest so big!? I mean, I know it's a forest but still..." Shoto whined to himself. "And why does-Huh?" Shoto stopped talking as he heard a grunt of pain. "Is someone in trouble?" Shoto quickly moved towards the voice's location.

After running for a minute to the place, he saw a young female with brown hair tied into twin pig tails and a pair of red eyes. The girl wore a yellow long coat with two iron shoulder guards, brown gloves, and matching brown boots. And the girl appeared to be hugging a small white wind dragon that seemed to be dying, if the light surrounding it was any indication. Also, she seemed to be surrounded by one of the area's strongest monsters, Drunken Ape, there were three of them and the girl looked to be tired and distressed already.

"-Pina!" The girl cried out to the small dragon that shattered and turned into a feather, Shoto cursed as he saw the danger and rushed in, all three apes were already behind the girl, and one of them raised its weapon, a wooden club or something, and prepared to bash the girl as she looked behind her in fear.

But before the ape could attack, all of them went still, then shattered, behind them was Shoto, sword drawn. The girl looked at him. "Pina..." She whispered as tears starting to fall, she then looked at the feather that the small dragon turned into and picked it up. "Pina... Don't leave me alone... Pina!" The girl said as she started to cry.

Shoto walked closer, sheathing his blade. He scratched his head, not knowing what to do and said. "I... I'm sorry." Shoto began. "I wasn't able to save your friend."

"No..." The girl shook her head. "I was being stupid, I was stupid to think I could make it through the forest on my own..." The girl looked at Shoto with teary eyes. "Thank you for saving me."

Shoto looked away, his hands clench into fists, knowing what it felt like to lose a friend... And knowing someone else felt that pain and you couldn't do anything about just... 'There must be something! Come on think! I think I've heard a rumor about pet monsters... Oh yeah!' "Uhm... Does that feather happen to have an item name?" Shoto asked crouching down.

The girl blinked, then touched the item and the name bar appeared.

Pina's Heart.

The girl looked stunned for a moment, and started crying again, making Shoto panic more. "Ah! No... Uhm... Don't cry! I-I heard a rumor that if a pet monster's heart still here, we can revive her!" The girl looked at Shoto. "Since Pina's heart is here, you can still revive her!"

"Really?" The girl looked hopefully to Shoto.

Shoto nodded and grinned. "I think it's on the south side of floor 47, there's a field dungeon called the Hill of Memories, I heard there's a flower that blooms at the top that can revive a pet."

The girl smiled, but then her smile dropped. "Floor 47..."

Shoto scratched his head. "Well, I'd go get the flower for you, but the flower won't bloom if the pet's owner isn't there."

The girl looked at Shoto again. "That information is enough, if I work hard to raise my level, then someday..."

Shoto looked down. "I'm sorry... They can only be revived after three days after death if I'm not mistaken."

The girl looked shocked. "No... Its my fault... I'm so sorry, Pina."

Shoto stood up. "Don't worry, you have three days." He then opened his item menu and took out something. "I'll go with you."

"Eh?" The girl looked at Shoto in surprise.

"Here." Shoto then gave the girl a small bowl. "Drink it, its good."

The girl took the small bowl hesitantly. "Why are you helping me?"

Shoto looked at her in confusion. "What? Isn't it normal for people to help those in need?" The girl blinked. "Anyways, drink it."

The girl looked inside the bowl and spotted a golden liquid inside it. "What is this?"

"Just drink it."

The girl hesitantly took a sip from the bowl, then her eyes widen. "W-what is this? Its sweet and has this warm feeling when its reach your throat..." The girl tried to open the item info window, which only resulted in showing '?'.

"It's a secret." Shoto winked at her.

The girl blinked and smiled. "Thank you... Uhm, I'm sure this isn't anywhere near enough to pay..." The girl opened her menu and opened the money transfer. Before she could finish, Shoto stopped her.

"No, its okay, I'm not doing this for money." Shoto said since he and Kirito already had too much money. "I'm just trying to help you."

The girl looked at him, then remembered something. "Ah! Uhm, I'm Silica." She introduced herself offering her hand. remembering they didn't know each other.

Shoto smiled and took her hand. "I'm Shoto, its nice to meet you. And don't you dare call me 'San' or 'Sama', it makes me feel old. Anyway, let's go to town first, its dark and I need to meet my friend there, he can help us."

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XXX

Floor 35: Mische

The two had arrived at the town, which by now was filled with lights since it was night time. Silica and Shoto were walking in the light filled street in peace, with Shoto glaring at a basket filled with bananas at some store a minute ago, other than that nothing else was wrong. Silica kinda enjoying the walk.

"Oh! Its Silica-chan!" Silica stopped hearing her name being call and Shoto stopped as well, Two male ran towards her, one of them had brown hair and the other had red hair. "You're late! We were worried."

"Uh... uhm..." Silica backing away slightly.

"Let's party up sometime! We can go wherever you want!" The red hair one said.

"That's very kind of you... but..." Silica look at Shoto standing beside her. Then she immediately grabbed his arm, resulting in a surprise and slightly blushing Shoto. "I'll be in a party with him for a while. The two male glared at Shoto, which caused the blond to glare back. "I'm sorry." Sillica said as she draggeed Shoto away from the two.

"What's with those two?" Shoto asked, still glaring at the duo.

"I'm very sorry about that."

"Your fans or something?" 

"No... They just want me around as a mascot." Silica looked sad. "But I got full of myself when they began to call me..." She stopped walking. "Dragon Tamer Silica..." She said as a tear fell from her eye.

"Don't worry." Silica looked at Shoto. "People make mistakes, and we'll save your partner for sure!" Shoto grinned, placing his hand on the girl's head.

Silica smiled and nodded. "Right!"

Shoto nodded. "Before that, come with me for a sec."

Shoto began walking with Silica following, the blond then entered an alleyway, "Uhm... Shoto... what are we doing here?" Silica asked, her heart beating fast, going alone to a dark alley with a boy was a little...

"Just follow me." Shoto walked deeper and stopped at a door which he begin pounding. "Hey gramps! Open up!" After a few seconds, the door opened and an elderly man walked out.

"Oh ho! If it isn't the brat, what can I do for you?" The old man asked.

"Could we come in first? I want to buy something." The old man frowned but nodded and let the two in.

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Old Tiger Shop

Silica was quite impressed, the store was dusty, but there was a lots of weapons and armor.

"So what's it gonna be?" The old man asked.

"A full set of your best armor for her." Shoto said, pointing his thumb at Silica behind him.

The old man raised an eyebrow, before he then walked closer to the girl. "Ho... She yer girlfriend or something?"

Shoto and Silica's faces went red. "G-Girlfriend!? No! She's just a friend!" Shoto said with a red face. Silica only looked away.

"Sure sure, and I can fly."

"Just shut up and make the damn armor!" Shoto said in an angry tone.

The old man putted his hands up in a surrendering gesture. "Fine, fine. It'll be done in the morning, so pick it up then."

Shoto nodded and exited the store, followed by Silica.

Outside, Shoto and Silica continued the walk towards the inn where Shoto's friend was supposed to be. "Sorry about that, old man Hans is just an annoying guy."

Silica nodded. "Its okay, but why are you giving me armor?"

"You're gonna need it if we're going to the hill, and it calms me down knowing you're gonna be with well protected."

Silica only stayed silent, enjoying the calm night and light filled street.

"Hey Shoto, where do you live?" Silica asked, breaking the silent.

"On floor 50, it's kinda far so maybe I'll just stay here." Shoto answered.

"Really? The cheese cake here is really good!"

"Oh, if it isn't Silica-san." Shoto and Silica looked towards the person who was calling. It was a red haired woman wearing black armor and carrying a spear, beside her were three men, two who wore full armor and one of them wore  green clothing, and was waving his hand at Silica. Silica looked away from the woman. "You made it out of the forest, I'm relieved."

"You okay?" Shoto asked Silica quietly.

"Yeah, I'm alright." Silica answered with a force smile.

"Oh? What happened to that lizard?" The woman asked. "Could something..."

"Pina died." Silica answer. "But I'm definitely bringing her back!"

"Hee... Then you're going to the Hill of Memories..." The women said. "But at your level, will you be able to do it?" Hearing that, Silica looked at the ground. 

"Pardon me, but do you two know each other?" Shoto asked as he stepped between Silica and the woman. His tone was pitched slightly lower than normal. The three young men immediately shrank from his presence- something about this new player seemed really familiar to them.

"Why, yes, actually," the woman said, continuing her smile. "Up until this morning, we were all in a party together. But dear little Silica decided to run off on her own, and I've been wondering how she was all day!"

"Oh, cut the crap!" Shoto snorted. "If you were really concerned, why was it that a stranger found her instead of her own teammates? Were you more afraid of the forest than a little girl?"

The other woman's eyes widened as her mind registered the insults, and she dropped her pleasant demeanor. "Listen here, you little-"

"Say it, lady. I dare you." Shoto gritted his teeth and glared at her, causing the woman to bare her teeth as well.

"Rosalia, can't we just go?" One of her teammates eyed Shoto nervously. He noticed that the blonde fighting the urge to reach for his sword on his back.

But before anything could happen, someone called out to Shoto.

"Shoto! There you are!" Kirito said as he jogged closer. " I was going to search for-Hm?" Kirito then noticed the red hair woman. "... Whose this?"

"No one, let's go." Shoto said as he begin to walk away with Silica, followed by Kirito, who was still kinda confused, due to not knowing what was going on.

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Drakengard Inn

"... I see. I understand now." Kirito said, right now the three of them were sitting at a table, with Shoto and Silica telling Kirito the whole summary. "It's so like Shoto to just help anyone." Kirito said with a sigh.

"Why is she so mean?" Silica asked, looking at her drink.

"Is SAO your first MMO?" Kirito asked the girl.

"Yes."

"In any online game, a lot of people's personalities change." Kirito explained.

"Yeah, some enjoy playing as outright villains." Shoto said.

"And some as hero." Kirito said looking at Shoto who smiled sheepishly. "Our players indicator are green right?" Silica looked at both Shoto and Kirito. "If you commit a crime, the indicator will turn orange. The worst criminals, 'Player Killers', those who've killed someone, are known as red players."

Silica looked at Kirito in surprise. "You mean murderers?"

Shoto nodded. "In any other games, they could've had fun while role-playing as the bad guys, however, Sword Art Online is different..." Silica's face showed she knew what Shoto meant. "This game isn't really a game at all..." Shoto said in anger clenching his glass.

"Shoto..." Silica said in worry.

Shoto then realized he made Silica worried. "Ah! I'm sorry..."

Silica shook her head. "Shoto! You're a good person!" Silica then, to Shoto and Kirito's surprise, stood up and put her hands on Shoto's. "You saved me!" Kirito nodded in agreement.

Shoto blinked, then smiled. "Heh, It seem likes you're the one who cheered me up instead the other way around." Then Shoto unconsciously put on his charming grin. "Thanks, Silica."

Silica's face went red as she quickly draw back her hands. "Ah! O-our food is late! E-excuse me, our food hasn't arrived yet..."

Shoto and Kirito looked at each other in confusion. Long live the dense duo! Yay!

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XXX

Silica's Room

Silica sighed as she lie down on her bed, after the discussion, the three of them decided to rest for the night, and Kirito was kind enough to rent her a room, even though it wasn't necessary, but she appreciated it. Silica right now was only in her underwear as she tried to sleep.

But every time she closed her eyes, an individual face kept on appearing. "If I told him I want to talk a little more, would he laugh at me?" Then a knock on the door cut her line of thought.

"Silica? Are you still awake?" Shoto's voice was heard outside the door.

"S-Shoto!?" Silica immediately sat up.

"We forgot that we had more to tell you about floor 27... Want to go over it tomorow?" Shoto said from outside.

"Now is fine! I was just thnking about that..." Silica got off the bed and jogged over to open the door, but when her hand touched the door knob, she realizeed she was still in her underwear.

After a quick change later, Silica was now wearing a light green pajama shirt and her hair was tied into twin tails again, both Shoto and Kirito were inside her room, setting up chairs and a table beside her bed where she was sitting. 'That was so close...' Silica thought with a red face.

"Hm? Silica is there something wrong?" Shoto asked Silica, who stayed silent the whole time.

"No! Nothing's wrong!" Silica quickly answered, then she realized Kirito put a golden bowl shape item on the table. "What's that item, Kirito-san?"

"Its called a mirage sphere." Kirito then pushed a purple button on the top of the item. Then the golden bowl top started to fly above and project a hologram of Aincard.

"Its so pretty!" Silica said.

"Here." Kirito touched one of the floor of Aincard. "This is floor 47's town area." Then he touch a part of floor 47 area. "And this is the Hill of Memories, so we'll be following this route-" Then Shoto suddenly stood up and looked at the door.

"Hey what-" Before Kirito could finish, Shoto dashed towards the door and threw it opened.

"Who's there!?" Shoto said as he looked around, but he could only hear someone running downstairs.

"That's..." Kirito said as he and Silica walked towards Shoto.

"What was that?" Silica asked.

"They heard us." Kirito answered.

"But unless you knocked, you can't hear through a door..." Silica said as the three of them re-entered the room.

"Its different if your listening skill is high enough, but few people invested the time raising it." Shoto explained.

"Why would they want to listen on us?" Silica asked.

Kirito and Shoto looked each other, then back at the door.

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XXX

Floor 47: Floria

Today was the day where they were gonna go and help Silica revive Pina, after the three of them visited 'Old Tiger Shop' to get Silica's armor, with Shoto and the old man fighting again for a few minutes, they all finally got to floor 47 via town teleportation.

When Silica opened her eyes, she was greeted by a wide field filled with all kind of flowers and some tree's. "Uwaaahh..." Silica said in awe at the beautiful scenery. "It's like a dream." Silica said, she now wore a red coat with a silver breast-plate, a mini skirt inside, and long black boots.

"This floor is known as the 'flower garden', the entire floor is covered in flowers." Kirito explained.

Silica then proceeded to walk and look around, she crouched down to look at a flower then she spoted a ladybug which flew away with Silica following the bug with her eyes, she then noticed the area filled with couples. 'This is...' Silica thought as she noticed couples gathering romantically, it seemed like this place was a hot dating place. With that noticed, Silica's face went red.

"Silica?" Shoto asked as he walked closer.

"Ah! S-sorry to keep you waiting!" Silica said as she stood up and begin to dust off the dust on her clothes and tidy her hair.

"What's wrong?" Shoto asked.

"Ah, nothing, nothing at all." Silica answered.

"Let's go you two." Kirito said after Shoto confirmed Silica's condition.

"Okay, let's go Silica." Shoto said as he followed Kirito.

Silica blinked, then nodded and smiled. "Right." She said as she followed Shoto.

After a couple of minutes walking, the three of them arrive at a bridge. "Here, take this." Kirito said as he took out something and showed it to Silica.

"What's this?" Silica asked inspecting the blue crystal on Kirito's hand.

"If something unexpected happens, and I or Shoto tell you to warp out, use this crystal to jump to any town." Kirito said.

"But..." Silica hesitated.

"Promise us." Shoto said with a hard stare.

Silica went silent for a second before she nodded. "All right." She said as she took the crystal from Kirito's hand.

"Oh yeah, before I forgot, here." Shoto said as he took out a short sword from his inventory. "Take this, its one of my old weapons, but it should be worth a good five or six levels." Shoto said as he gave the sword to Silica, which the girl took with hesitation. The sword had silver guard and handle that was covered by a red bandage, and it had a red scabbard.

"Thank you." Silica said as she changed her weapon.

"Okay, let's get going." Kirito said as he took the lead. "This path leads to the Hill of Memories."

Silica looked towards where Kirito was heading and saw a hill at the edge of the map.

"Hey come on." Silica snapped back to reality as she was called by Shoto who walked ahead, albeit slower.

Silica then quickly jogged to catch up, which when she did Shoto returned to his normal walking, with Kirito ahead of them taking point. The three of them walked in silent, then Silica remembered the golden soup like thing Shoto gave to her yesterday. "Uhm... Shoto-" But before she could finish, she was cut off by a vein like thing grabbing her legs. "Ah? Kyaaaaaa!" Silica screamed in surprise as a venus plant monster grabbed her legs and raised her up side down, making Silica hold her skirt, she then looked at the monster, which the monster opened its mouth, much to her horror. "Kyaaaaa!" Silica screamed swinging her sword wildly.

"Calm down Silica!" Kirito yelled. "Its really weak."

Shoto took out his throwing knives just in case.

"S-Shoto! Kirito-san! Help me!" Silica said swinging her sword blindly still holding her skirt. "Don't look! But save me!"

Kirito smiled awkwardly while covering some of his eyes. "That's impossible..."

Shoto looked away, but peeked a little. "Damn that perverted old man! Did he REALLY need to make a mini skirt for her armor?"

"S-stupid thing..." Silica said in angered as she had enough of being hung up side down. "That's enough!" Silica said as she cut one of the plant tentacle holding her, then as the plant monster staggered in pain, she cut the other tentacle holding her as she fell towards the monster, Silica then activated one of her skills, 'Thurst'. "Hyaah!" She cried out as she impaled her short sword intoo the plant monster, destroying it.

After Silica landed, she looked towards the two boys. "Did you two see?"

Kirito, now fully covering his eyes, repiled. "No, I didn't."

Shoto still looked away, blushing a little. "No..." 'Pink...' Shoto thought as he ACCIDENTALLY saw her panties when Silica was aiming at the plant's tentacle.

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XXX

After the incident, the three of them continued on. "Uhm... Kirito-san, can I ask you why you agreed to help me?" Silica ask.

Kirito blinked as he looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Well... I know Shoto's motives, but what are yours?"

"Well..." Kirito seemed to think what to say. "Maybe because you look like my little sister?"

Silica blinked at that, and Shoto laughed. "Oh yeah, I forgot, you're a siscon."

With that comment, both Kirito and Silica stopped walking. "What?! I am not a siscon!" Kirito denied.

"Yeah sure, didn't you ask me to help you beat up that one punk that made a moved on Sugu?"

"T-That was ages ago! Stop bringing it up!"

Silica watched the two interact, even though they were arguing, it seemed there was no ill will towards each other. "Uhm... Kirito-san, I know its impolite to ask about the real world. But what's your sister like?" Silica asked nervously. "I-If you don't mind..."

Shoto and Kirito looked each other, Kirito sighed before he continue walking, followed by the two. "I called her my little sister, but she's actually my cousin." Silica looked at Kirito in surprise.

"Who you could also marry." Shoto interrupted, earning him a death glare from Kirito, if looks could kill then Kirito's glare could wipe out an entire town.

"We grew up together, so I don't think she knows." Kirito continued. "Maybe that's why... I've been distancing myself from her."

"Because you love her the way a man and women does." Shoto said, earning another glare.

"Our grandfather's really strict." Kirito said. "When I was eight, he made us attend a local kendo dojo, I sometimes skipped, thanks to Shoto." Shoto looked away, whistling innocently. "I stopped after two years, my grandfather beat the hell out me for that."

"That's terrible..." Silica said. Shoto looked away, remembering that day.

"That's when my sister said, she'd put a lot effort into it for both of us." Kirito said. "She worked really hard after that, and made it to the nationals."

"That's amazing!" Silica said impressd, but she noticed Kirito's hard face.

"But I always felt bad about it, like maybe she would rather have been doing something else." Kirito looked at Silica with a pain smile. "That maybe she secretly hold it against me, so its possible that by me helping you, it feels like a way to atone to my sister." Kirito looked away. "I'm sorry."

"I don't think your sister hates you, you can't work that hard towards someone you don't like." Silica said trying to cheer Kirito up. "I'm sure she really loves kendo!"

Kirito smiled at Silica. "Thanks for the reassuring, I'm sure you're right, I hope so."

"Sorry to break this happy moment, but we've got company." Shoto said pointing towards two plant monsters.

Kirito nodded as he unsheathed his sword. "All right, Silica, I'm going to weaken the monsters, you finish them off."

Silica nod. "Right."

"All right, let's go!"

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XXX

After the encounter, the three of them met some more ahead, which they easily defeated, and Silica also gained a level after their monsters encounters.

"That was easy!" Silica said. "Yosh! Now I will do my best again!"

"Don't get too pump up now, someone here always got into trouble because of it." Kirito said clearly talking about Shoto.

"Hey!" Shoto protested. "Its not my fault that banana peel was on the road!"

Silica nodded, though a little confused about the banana peel, she took a step forward and to the trio's surprise, the ground around her glowed purple, and a purple cucumber like monster appeared as Silica was trap in its mouth that was filled with a lots of tongue like things. "Shoto! Kirito-san! Help!" Silica said but was cut off as one of the tentacle licked her.

*Slash*

*Slash*

Both Kirito and Shoto slashed the monster, destroying it and freeing Silica.

"It seems like the monsters in this area attracted to you Silica." Shoto said. "Maybe it's because you're cute?"

Silica blushed red, and Shoto as dense as he could be, don't seem to notice it.

"Let's go you two." Kirito said snapping Silica back to reality, though she still blushed a little.

After walking a few minutes, they finally arrived at the destination. "The flower of revival is here?" Silica asked.

Kirito nodded. "Yeah, if I remember correctly..." Kirito pointed towards an altar of some sort.

The three of them walked towards it, jogged for Silica. After Silica arrived at the altar, the small altar glowed and a beautiful white flower bloomed from it. The three of them watched it in awe.

"Take it." Shoto said to Silica, who nodded and took the flower.

Pneuma Flower.

"This will bring Pina back, right?" Silica asked.

Shoto nodded. "Yeah, sure will." Shoto said with a thumb up.

"I'm so glad..."

"Hey, there are lots of strong monsters here, let's revive here after we get back to town." Kirito said. "I'm sure she'd prefer it that way."

Silica nodded. "Yeah!"

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XXX

After the long walk back they finally arrive at the bridge. Suddenly Shoto's face hardened before he placed his hand on his blade. Noticing this, Kirito put a hand on Silica, signaling her to stop.

"Shoto? Kirito-san?"

"Whoever's behind those trees, come out." Kirito said towards the line of trees across the bridge.

Then came out a red hair woman carrying a spear from one of the trees, she was the same red haired woman the trio encountered last night.

"Rosalia-san?" Silica said in surprise.

"If you can see through my hiding skill, your detection skill must be quite high swordman." Rosalia said. "It appears you managed to get the 'Pneuma Flower', congratulations. Now hand it over."

"W-what are you talking about?" Silica asked.

"That isn't going to happen Rosalia." Shoto said as he move in front of Silica.

"That's right Rosalia-san, or should I say, leader of the orange guild, 'Titan's hand." Kirito said, shocking the other two.

Rosalia looked surprise. "Heee..."

"But she's green!" Silica said.

"Its a simple trick." Kirito explained. "The green members lead them to where the orange players are waiting."

"So it was one of your friends listening to us last night?" Shoto asked.

"So the reason we were in the same party for two weeks..." Silica said placing the events.

Rosalia smirked. "That's right, I was assessing it's strength while waiting for them to earn money from adventures." She said as she licked her lips.

Silica backed away in fright.

"You were the prey I was most anticipating, it was a shame that you left." Rosalia said as she hugged her spear. "But then you said you were getting a rare item." She let the spear go. "You knew all that and still went with her anyway, are you an idiot? Or did she actually seduce you?"

"Neither of the above, it's because my friend's going to help her AND, we've been looking for you." Kirito said.

"What are you talking about?" Rosalia asked.

"Ten days ago, you attacked a guild called the 'Silver Flags', four people died, except but the leader." Kirito said.

"Oh... The one with no money..." She said remembering.

"Their leader went from the warp points to the front lines, from morning until night, begging someone to avenge them, but he didn't want you killed." Kirito continued. "He wanted someone to jail you, do you understand how he felt?"

"Nope." Rosalia answered. "What kind of idiot takes this seriously? There's no proof killing someone here means they die in real life. Anyway, shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself?" She said as she snapped her fingers and more players came out behind the trees.

"K-Kirito-san, Shoto, there are too many!" Silica said backing away as she looked at the eight players that were ready to fight. "We should run!"

"Its alright." Shoto said reassuring her. "We're not letting them touch you."

"He's right, until we tell you to run, just keep the crystal ready, stay put and watch."

"Hey Kirito, mind if I take them all?" Shoto asked.

"Not at all."

"Thanks, cause I'm getting really tired of that woman's crap." Shoto said as he walk forward.

"Huh? W-wait Shoto! Kirito-san! Why are you letting him go alone?" Silica asked.

"Trust me, he'll be fine." Kirito said with a smile.

"Wait a minute... Shoto? Kirito?" One of Titans hand member said. "Orange clothes...Blonde hair..." The man watched as Shoto unsheathed his sword. "A unique sword style... That can't be... The Yellow Fang... Then the black clothes one must be the Black Swordman!"

"Rosalia-san, these two are the duo beaters that tag teamed the frontlines... They're the Moonlit Black Cats from the lead groups!" The other member said.

"The lead group?" Silica asked.

Kirito only smiled as he watched how it would turn up.

Rosalia snorted derisively. "Why would a guild from the front lines be down here? Besides, there's only three of them, one of which is a little girl. I think it's safe to say that you all have this one under control."

"You really want to bet on that?" Shoto said with a wolfish smile plastered on his face. "Tell you what; you can have the first shot. Want to see how that turns out?"

The Titan's Hand cronies eyed the two young man nervously. Though Shoto looked calm, his eyes had the look of a wild animal that was barely restraining itself in the anticipation of a hunt. 

"Shut up!" Rosalia snapped. "You're outnumbered four to one, and you're inviting us to attack?! Kill him already!" She shouted the last part at her minions, who were galvanized into action by the loud words.

"Die!" One of the members cried out as they all attacked Shoto, who only stood still and recieved the attack.

Silica put a hand on her short sword. "I... I have to help Shoto..." She was cut off as a hand pat her head, she looked towards Kirito who smiled reassuring at her.

"Don't worry, he's fine, take a look at Shoto's health bar." Kirito said.

Silica then looked at Shoto's health bar, which seemed to be decreasing a little and increasing again. "What the..." She whispered confused.

After a few minutes, all the attacker stop attacking and pant tiredly, with Shoto standing there looking quite bored. "Man, you guys are out of shape."

"What are you doing?!" Rosalia ask in anger. "Kill him."

The attackers looked at each other hesitantly. "About 420 or so in 10 seconds..." Shoto said gaining all of their attention. "That's the total damage you seven can do to me. Heck, my wounds heal faster than you could make them." Rosalia gritted her teeth. "Heh. You guys may think you got me all figured out, but there's one thing you didn't know. I'm level 78, I have 15,000 HP, my natural regeneration heals 650 points every 10 seconds." Shoto explained. "We can stand here all day and you'd never beat me."

"Is that even possible?" One of the attackers ask.

"It is." Shoto answered. "High enough points and you're invisible, MMO'S that used level system are unfair that way. It's kinda like how the hero shows up and beats the bad guys...except this one is fresh out of mercy." Shoto whispered the last part in a eerie tone.

"Shoto, catch." Kirito said throwing a crystal towards the blond, which he caught with ease.

"This is..." Shoto said looking at the crystal.

"Our client spent his entire fortune to buy this warp crystal, it's set to take you all to prison." Kirito explained.

"And you're all going there!" Shoto said glaring at them.

Rosalia took a stance. "I'm green, so if you hurt me" Rosalia was cut off as Kirito disappeared and appeared in front of Rosalia sword drawn to her neck.

"Just so we're clear, we're tag team players, one or two days playing while orange means nothing to me, and Shoto won't mind hanging around orange players a day or two." Kirito said narrowing his eyes.

Rosalia didn't respond as she let her weapon go. But then all of a sudden. "AAACHOOO!" a large sneeze was heard and everyone looked towards the source, Shoto who was wiping his nose. "Bless you." One of the stupefied attackers said.

"Ah thanks, uh, sorry Kirito, go on, don't mind me."

------------------------

XXX

Floor 35: Mische

Draknegard Inn

Silica's Room.

The three of them were now inside Silica's room, looking forward for to Pina's resurrection and to discuss what happened.

"Sorry Silica, I ended up using you as a bait." Kirito said. "And sorry not telling you everything Shoto."

Shoto rubbed his head. "Its okay I guess... but why didn't you tell us?"

"Because you would've disagreed about putting someone else's life to bait Rosalia, and Silica might've got scared if I told her who we are." Kirito answered.

Silica shook her head. "You two are good people, so I wouldn't be scared." She then looked down. "So you two are leaving huh?"

Kirito nodded and Shoto looked away. "Yes, we've been away from the front line for 5 days... We need to get back."

Silica gripped her hands together. "T-the lead groups is amazing... I could never be one, even if I tried for years."

"Nonsense." Shoto said looking at Silica. "Levels are just numbers, strength is an illusion, there is something more important." Silica looked at Shoto. "Our hearts are what's important, no matter where we are, our hearts will never falter." Then Shoto smiled at Silica. "When this is over, let us all meet at the real world."

Silica blinked and smiled. "Yes, let's."

"Let's revive Pina." Kirito said.

Silica nodded. "Yes!" Silica then opened her inventory and took out 'Pina's Heart' which floated on the table she put it at, then she took out the flower. Pina, I'll talk to you lot's and lots okay?' The she looked at both Kirito and Shoto who both nodded at her. "About my adventure today..." The she put the flower on top of the feather, which the flower let a lone water drop that came down from the flower to the feather, which the feather glowed. "About the one day In my life that I had two big brothers..'

To be continued...

(Ending Theme)

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Finally done! Hope you guys liked the chapter. Next chapter will be Asuna's return, so look forward to it!!!

 Anyway, see ya soon!