It is currently the next day. It is about the time that they promised to meet up and Leafa walked into the inn to see that Kirito and Akiri have just logged in.

Kirito then notices Leafa approaching them.

Kirito: Hey, you're early

Leafa: No, I just got here. I was out shopping

Akiri: And speaking of shopping...

He and Kirito look at their avatar.

Akiri: We're probably gonna need better gear than this

Kirito: Yeah

Leafa: Then, let's go to the weapons shop. How much money do you guys have?

Akiri and Kirito opened their menu to see the amount of money they have.

Kirito: This "Yuld" stuff is money, right?

Leafa: Yeah

Akiri: Looks like we have more than the starter amount. Probably thanks to those guys we killed yesterday

Kirito: Hey, we're leaving, Yui

Yui then came out of his pocket, yawning and stretching her arms.

Yui: Okay

They then started to make their way to the weapons store to buy Akiri and Kirito's gear.

(Timeskip)

(A/N: Akiri's new outfit and sword, "Dragon's Bane" for the remainder of the Fairy Dance arc)

After touring around the city for a while, the three of them are now following Leafa to the central tower.

Kirito: Why are we going to the tower?

Leafa: When flying long distances, you start from the top of the tower. It gives you extra altitude to start with

Akiri: I see. So you'll get some extra distance when flying. Who knew jumping off a roof could be so useful?

Leafa then pushes the two of them from behind.

Leafa: Come on, get going. I want to make it through the forest before dark

Akiri: We get it, you don't have to push us

They then entered the tower to see that it was crowded with different players.

As they were about to enter an elevator in the middle of the tower, they suddenly heard a voice calling out.

???: Leafa

They turned their heads to see a man with green hair, along with two other guys.

Leafa: Hello, Sigurd

Sigurd: Are you planning on leaving the party?

The man known as Sigurd asked her.

Leafa: Yeah, I guess so

Sigurd: Don't you understand how that will inconvenience the other members?

Leafa: You promised I could join only when I had time, and that I could leave whenever I wanted

Sigurd: But you're already a well-known member of our party. If you leave without a reason, it will damage our reputation

Leafa just kept silent as she couldn't say anything.

Akiri: She's not an item, you know...

Akiri spoke up, joining the conversation.

Sigurd: What did you say?

Akiri took a step forward and walks up to Sigurd.

Akiri: Guild members aren't items that you can equip whenever you want. Even if you're their leader

Sigurd: You shut your mouth, filthy Salamander!

He says as he puts his hand on the handle of his sword.

Akiri: Or what? You're going to kill me?

That pisses him off as he got his sword out and pointed it at Akiri, but he didn't even flinch.

Akiri: That's a cute sword. Did your husband give it to you?

Sigurd got even more pissed off as he was about to attack Akiri, but one of his guildmates then went over and stopped him.

Player: This isn't the time, Sigurd-san. If we kill someone who can't fight back in front of all these people...

Sigurd: Who cares! He's a Salamander!

He shouts as he swings his sword vertically towards Akiri, but he had already predicted the move and he sidesteps to the right, completely avoiding the attack as the others look at him in shock.

Akiri: Too slow

Sigurd: How dare you?!

Enraged, Sigurd went for another attack, but Akiri dodges it again. Sigurd kept on swing his sword while Akiri just easily avoids all of his attacks with a bored look on his face.

Sigurd: Why, you! I'll kill you!

Player: That's enough, Sigurd-san. You're making us look bad

He then looked around and saw that the other players were looking at them.

With a scoff, he puts his sword back in its sheath.

Sigurd: Once you're outside, run and hide, Leafa. If you betray me, it won't be long before you regret it

With that, they walked away.

Akiri: What a bunch of wankers

Leafa: I'm sorry I got you involved in something so petty

Akiri: I got myself involved. You have nothing to apologize for

Kirito: But are you okay with this? Abandoning your own territory...

Leafa didn't say anything and just pushed them into the elevator. They then were taken to the top of the tower.

The two of them were amazed at the view, being so high above the clouds.

Kirito: This is an amazing view. We're so close to the sky

Akiri: It's like I can reach out and touch it

Leafa: Right? Whenever I see this sky, it makes everything else feels small

Akiri: You still haven't answered Kirito's question. Are you okay with leaving your territory?

Leafa: To be honest, I always meant to leave this place

Akiri: But it feels like I made you leave on bad terms

Leafa: There wasn't any other way I could have left. If anything, I should thank you

???: Leafa-chan!

They heard a voice shouting and they looked behind to see that it was Recon, exiting the elevator.

Leafa: Oh, Recon

Recon: I can't believe you!

He ran over and stood in front of them.

Recon: You could've at least said something before you left!

Leafa: Sorry, I forgot

Recon: Leafa-chan, they said you quit the party

Leafa: At least halfway on the spur of the moment... What will you do?

Recon: What else could I do?

He unsheathes his dagger and held it high.

Recon: My sword belongs to you alone

Leafa: I don't really need it, though

Akiri: Ouch

Recon: W-well, so I'll be going with you. Or I'd like to. But something's bothering me

Leafa: What is it?

Recon: I can't prove anything yet, but I want to look into some things, so I'll stay in Sigurd's party

He then looked at Kirito and Akiri

Recon: Akiri-san, Kirito-san. She has a habit of flying into trouble, so be careful

Kirito: Y-yeah, got it

Recon: And just so we're clear, she's my-

His sentence was cut off when Leafa quickly steps on his foot to shut him up and he held it in pain.

Leafa: We'll probably be in the neutral zone for a while. Send me a message if you need anything

She then activated her wings and flew off as Akiri and Kirito followed behind her.

(Timeskip)

As they were making their way towards the World Tree, they had to take out some monsters along the way. After sometime later, they decided to rest up and take a break at a clearing in the forest.

Leafa: Tired?

Akiri: Nope

Kirito: Not yet

Leafa: You're pretty tough. But our journey in the sky is at an end for a while

Kirito: Huh? Why?

Leafa: You see that mountain, right?

She asked as she points towards a massive snowy mountain.

Leafa: It's above the altitude limit. So to pass it, you have to go through the caves. It's the toughest part of the trip between Sylph territory and Alne, or so I've heard. I've never been past this point either

Kirito: Really...?

Akiri: Caves, huh? Are they long?

Leafa: Yup. Supposedly, we can rest at a neutral mining town midway

Akiri: Then there's probably gonna be high-level monsters along the way as well

Leafa: Yeah. Do you two still have time for today?

Akiri and Kirito opened their menu and looked at the real-world time.

Kirito: It's 7:00 PM in the real world, huh? I can keep going for a while

Akiri: Me too

Leafa: Then we should keep going. We can rotate out here

Kirito: Rotate?

She nodded.

Leafa: We each log out and rest, while the other watches. We can't log out instantly in a neutral area

Akiri: I see

Leafa: So you log out, while the other guards your empty avatar

Kirito: Got it. Then, you go first

Leafa: Okay, thanks. See you in about, twenty minutes

She said as she opens her menu and logs out.

Kirito: So, what do you think, Akiri?

Kirito asked him as Akiri crosses his arms.

Akiri: Hmm... If we keep on our current pace, we should arrive at Alne tomorrow morning at earliest, and tomorrow evening at latest

Kirito: I see... Tomorrow morning, huh...?

Akiri: Yeah

He saw that Kirito had a troubled expression on his face as he was still having doubts.

Akiri: We'll make it, Kirito

Kirito: You think so?

Akiri: I know so. As long as you keep your cool and stay focused, you can do anything

Kirito had a small smile on his face as he heard that as it had lifted his spirits.

Kirito: Yeah, you're right. We'll make it

Akiri: That's better. Can't have the Black Swordsman be distracted now, can we?

Kirito chuckled.

Kirito: You always know what to say do you, Crimson Swordsman?

Akiri: Eh, I try my best

The two of them smiled as they both fist-bumped.

A short while later, Leafa logged back in to see that Akiri is leaning against a tree while Kirito lying on the ground,

Leafa: I'm back. See any monsters?

Kirito: Welcome back, It was quiet

She then noticed Kirito having a red stick in his mouth.

Leafa: What's that?

Kirito: I bought a bunch at an item shop before we left Sylvain. An NPC said it's only made there

Leafa: I've never heard of it

Akiri: Probably for the best

Leafa: What do you mean?

Kirito: Here

Kirito tosses one to Leafa and she hesitantly tried it.

Akiri: I wouldn't do that if I were you...

As soon as she puts it in her mouth, her eyes completely widened as she coughs it out.

Akiri: Told you

Kirito: Okay, it's my turn now. Keep me safe

Leafa: Okay, bye...

She said while still coughing and Kirito logs out. She then noticed that Akiri is still there.

Leafa: You're not gonna log out?

Akiri: I wasn't planning to, but on second thought, maybe I could go for a short while

Leafa: Go ahead. I'll keep watch

Akiri: Thanks. I'll be going then

He opens his menu and went to log out.

As he opens his eyes, he saw that he is back in the real world, lying on his bed. He took off his NerveGear and went towards the dining hall.

As he reached the dining table, he saw that food had already been prepared.

Alexander: I was getting worried you won't be coming for dinner

He looks behind him to see Alexander walking into the room.

Akiri: Yeah, just for a short while. I'll be going back in soon after dinner

Alexander: Very well. Remember not to overwork yourself

He said before walking off and Akiri began eating his dinner.

(Timeskip)

Akiri logs back in to see that Kirito had already logged in and is waiting for him.

Kirito: Good, you're up

Leafa: Then let's get going

Akiri: Yeah. Let's go

The three of them then activated their wings and began to lift off, but Akiri didn't move and looked behind him and the others noticed this.

Leafa: Is something wrong, Akiri?

Akiri didn't say anything and kept on looking around with narrowed eyes.

Kirito: You feel it too, don't you?

Akiri: Yeah...

Leafa: Feel what?

Akiri: We're being watched. Yui, are there any players nearby?

Yui came out of Kirito's pocket and flew over to him.

Yui: No, I'm not detecting anyone, Uncle

Leafa: Maybe there's a tracer on us

Akiri: Tracer?

Kirito: What's that?

Leafa: It's a kind of magic. It takes the form of a small animal or insect and tells the caster the target's position

Kirito: Can't you get rid of it?

Leafa: If you can find it, you can. But if the caster's magic skill is high, it can be farther away from the target. It'd be nearly impossible to find it in a field like this

Kirito: I see... It could just be our imagination

Akiri: No. I'm certain that someone is watching us

Kirito: Still. Trying to search for the tracer could take a long time

Akiri: Yeah, you're right. Let's get going

With that, they flew off towards the caves. And like Akiri said, there is something following them. A bright red light and it was revealed to be a bat, tailing them.