Chapter 29: The Second Time Staying Together at the Inn
As the cyan-colored word "CONGRATULATIONS" exploded in the void, the boss of the 18th floor shattered into countless polygonal fragments, scattering everywhere.
Cheers erupted from all directions, filling the entire space.
At some point, frontline players had started being called the "Clearer Team."
Their recent activities had been astonishing; their pace of progress seemed like it was on triple speed, constantly breaking the record for cleared floors.
It had been about six months since SAO first launched.
However, there was some bad news: aside from the ever-troublesome Liberation Squad members who stirred up trouble, even the "Divine Dragon Union" guys had recently begun causing disturbances.
But these incidents were overshadowed by the rapid advance of the Clearer Team.
After the transfer gate on the 19th floor was activated, Asuna and Lizbeth immediately returned to the lower floors.
Hachiman's hand froze mid-reach, and the black-clad swordsman chuckled, just as he turned his deadpan eyes toward him.
"I've noticed, Hachiman, there hasn't been a single NPC on the streets since earlier."
"Yeah, it's a surprisingly peaceful environment."
At Hachiman's words, Kirito suddenly turned around.
"Hachiman's been revealing his true nature more and more lately, no longer hiding it."
"I've always been this way."
Kirito showed an amused expression and continued:
"Actually, I also prefer towns that are this quiet."
"Right, solo players tend to be like that."
"Yeah, true."
The two chatted while recording the locations of quest NPCs and other information, continuing their exploration of the town.
Kirito solemnly drew the system interface in the air, and they stuffed every nook and cranny of the town into the system data.
"I'm starting to understand why some people like ruins."
"Oh? Kirito feels the same way?"
"Yeah, exploring deserted streets makes me inexplicably excited."
"Ah, wait a moment, I'll check the facilities of that inn."
"Checking again if there's a bathroom, right?"
"Idiot, what are you saying! That's just part of a normal inspection!"
'Damn, I covered it up so perfectly, how did he find out?'
"Alright, alright."
After roughly touring the main areas of the town, they decided to scout several possible hunting grounds in the wild.
After testing some monsters in various spots, gaining a rough understanding of item drops and experience points, they agreed to meet again the next morning and then dispersed.
At dusk, Hachiman checked into the inn with a bathroom he had found earlier.
While soaking in the bathtub, he suddenly remembered something and opened his friend list, sending a bathroom review report with coordinates to an information dealer who was editing a strategy guide.
The next morning, Hachiman completed checkout at the last minute and met with the others as scheduled to exchange information.
Since the experience from the closed beta no longer applied, quickly and accurately gathering information and publishing the guidebook early had become critical.
As usual, Asuna purchased information about inns with baths from Argo and seemed intent on booking one immediately.
Argo remained busy and soon left.
The three decided to use that inn as a base to head straight into the wild.
"What a quiet town."
"Yeah, not even an NPC around."
"But progress in the clearing has been smooth recently."
"Yeah, that's nice too."
"Feels like it's going too fast though."
"Hachiman-kun, is there a problem with going fast?"
"Well, it's generally good, but if we keep pushing without thoroughly investigating each floor, important information might be buried forever."
"Like hidden quests or special items."
"That's certainly possible."
"Maybe we should regularly revisit previous floors."
"I agree."
With fewer players around, the three continued leveling up, wandering various places in the wild.
The whole atmosphere was filled with loneliness—probably the design concept for this floor. After visiting a few spots, dusk fell and they decided to return to the town.
"But even though there's no time limit in the game, once it gets dark, you just instinctively want to go home."
"That's a habit at our age."
"True."
"Kirito, where are you staying?"
"My previous inn still has time left on the rental, so I'm staying there for now."
"I'm staying at the newly booked inn. Hachiman, you stayed here last night, right?"
"Ah... I wasn't satisfied with the room last night, so I'll just find another."
"Oh."
After parting ways, Hachiman wandered aimlessly looking for lodging when he noticed several players sneaking into the suspicious shop he had seen yesterday.
"There are no NPCs nearby... they must be players after all..."
Sensing danger, Hachiman activated the 'Stealth' skill in his system skill bar and quietly approached the shop.
Peeking inside, he saw three men.
'That's Joe... and another... from the Divine Dragon Union.'
The other man was a Divine Dragon Union member who had recently been in conflict with Joe.
'They're actually working together? And that cloaked guy... the one who brainwashed Nezha's group must be this guy.'
A chill ran down Hachiman's spine. Some conspiracy was unfolding in secret.
'I should ask Argo to investigate... no, it might be dangerous.'
I'll have to be extra careful myself. That cloaked guy feels very dangerous, though I can't explain why, but he's definitely suspicious.
Hachiman etched what he saw deeply into his memory, quietly left, and resumed searching for an inn.
Suddenly, he received a message from Asuna asking him to come to the inn she had booked.
'Is something up?'
Not wanting to keep her waiting, Hachiman hurried to Asuna's inn.
"What's going on?"
"Ah... um, I just wanted to chat. Have you found a place to stay tonight?"
"Not yet, still looking."
"I see."
Asuna seemed relieved at his reply, but Hachiman pretended not to notice and continued the conversation.
"So what do you want to talk about? Something bothering you?"
"No, but this town is so quiet."
"Yeah."
In the aimless chatting, Asuna's ambiguous attitude confused Hachiman.
If this were an ordinary guy, he'd be wary of being confessed to. But Hachiman lacked that sense, thinking she just wanted to talk. Just as he was about to say goodbye—
"It's getting late, I'm going to find a place to stay."
"Ah... it's still early, and there's no curfew," Asuna grabbed her robe collar tightly, her nails turning white.
"Well, that's true..."
"Ugh—"
"So you do have worries? I'll keep it a secret."
"...There's a ghost..."
"Hmm? I didn't hear that."
Even with normal hearing, Hachiman couldn't catch that whisper.
"A ghost is so scary! This empty town has ghosts!"
Asuna cried out in a choking voice, and Hachiman even saw tears sparkling in her eyes.
He blinked his eyes, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
"Ah, I get it now. You're not afraid of bugs but scared of this."
"That's different!" She grabbed a velvet cushion and threw it at him, her hairband slipping off, revealing reddened ear tips. "Anyway... anyway, the double room has a dividing curtain! The bathtub's big enough for two! I-I mean, we can bathe separately!"
"We finally booked the inn and don't want to waste it. Changing places is troublesome, and it's creepy outside, so I want you to stay together with me, Hachiman!"
Asuna rapidly finished explaining.
"O-okay, sorry, but sharing a room with the opposite sex..."
"Didn't we do that before?"
"That's true... sigh, alright, is there a folding screen?"
"Yeah, it's ready."
"That's really thoughtful."
"Sorry, I just suddenly felt too scared while bathing because it was so quiet."
"It's okay."
After climbing into bed, with the folding screen between them, Asuna chattered about the past few days' experiences.
Soon, her voice faded, and Hachiman closed his eyes.