SAO: Strawberry Bunny

Strawberry strode down the bustling streets of Urbus, the second-largest settlement on the 2nd Floor of Aincrad, her thoughts heavy with the recent events and the looming challenges ahead. She had just unlocked the second phase of the Dragon Huntsman's questline, and the mysterious Demon of the Mountains awaited her. But before she ventured into the dangerous territories deep within the mountains, she needed to prepare—specifically, she needed a weapon.

But there was a problem.

Her mind kept returning to the Phantom Petal Paths and the scythe required to access them. Her bonus reward from Fuzziel contained two of the dragon's scales, blood from Carsar, and Carsar's dragon core, and the idea of having a custom-made scythe had been stuck in her mind ever since. However, after visiting three blacksmiths, it became painfully clear that scythes were not common weapons, and not every blacksmith knew how to craft them.

Strawberry sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she walked past yet another crowded marketplace. "This is harder than I thought," she muttered under her breath. Urbus was a large town, with merchants, shops, and adventurers bustling around every corner, but despite its size, no one seemed capable of making the scythe she needed.

She had asked around, of course—visited various smithies that dotted the town—but each one had told her the same thing: they didn't have the knowledge or experience to forge such a unique weapon. Some had tried to convince her to choose a sword or spear instead, but Strawberry was determined. The scythe was part of her strategy for the battles ahead, and she wasn't willing to settle for less.

As she passed by a small fountain, lost in thought, a soft voice interrupted her.

"Excuse me, are you in need of assistance?"

Strawberry looked up, startled. Standing before her was a beautiful woman with long silver hair standing gracefully a few feet away. Her violet eyes gleamed with calm intelligence, and her poise suggested an air of sophistication that made her stand out amidst the bustle of the marketplace. She wore a flowing silver and white battle outfit that seemed both elegant and functional, perfectly suited to her refined appearance.

"I couldn't help but notice you've been visiting several smithies," the woman continued, her voice smooth and composed. "Are you looking for something specific?"

Strawberry blinked, caught off guard by the woman's perceptiveness. "Yeah, actually. I've been looking for a blacksmith who can craft a scythe, but no one seems to know how to make one."

The silver-haired woman's eyes flickered with interest as a small, knowing smile played on her lips. "A scythe is an unusual request. Most players opt for more conventional weapons, but a scythe... well, that certainly speaks to someone with a unique approach to combat."

Her words carried an air of curiosity, as though she was evaluating Strawberry's intentions without prying too deeply.

Strawberry, unsure how much to reveal, nodded cautiously. "I prefer something that complements my fighting style. I've already gathered some rare materials, but I can't find anyone who knows how to work with them."

The woman's smile widened ever so slightly, as though she found the challenge intriguing. "I see. In that case, I may know someone who can help you. There is a blacksmith named Kaelin—she specializes in crafting unique and rare weapons. She doesn't advertise her services widely, but her work is impeccable."

Strawberry's heart skipped with a mix of hope and relief. After days of searching, it sounded like this was exactly what she needed. "Really? Where can I find her?"

The silver-haired woman gestured gracefully toward a quiet street leading out of the plaza. "I'm actually on my way to visit her myself. If you'd like, you can accompany me. My name is Quinella, by the way."

"Strawberry," she replied, grateful for the offer. "Thanks, I'd appreciate the help."

With a gentle nod, Quinella began leading the way, her every movement deliberate and poised. Her elegance was striking, making her seem almost out of place among the rough-and-tumble atmosphere of the marketplace. As they walked, Strawberry couldn't help but feel a sense of quiet confidence radiating from Quinella, as though she was always in control of the world around her.

The bustling streets of Urbus gradually faded into quieter, narrower alleyways, where fewer players gathered. The buildings became older, more weathered, and it was clear they were heading toward a part of the town most adventurers didn't frequent.

As they walked, Quinella glanced at Strawberry with mild curiosity. "A scythe is an unusual choice. What made you decide on such a weapon?"

Strawberry hesitated for a moment, not wanting to reveal too much about the Phantom Petal Paths, the martial arts style she had worked hard to master. Instead, she kept her answer vague. "It suits my fighting style. I like the reach and control it gives me."

Quinella raised an eyebrow, her violet eyes flickering with a deeper interest, but she didn't press further. "Interesting. Most players prefer the safety of a sword or shield, but it's refreshing to see someone embrace a more... unorthodox approach."

They turned a corner and stopped in front of a small, unassuming shop nestled between two larger buildings. The sign above the door featured a hammer and anvil, though the wood was weathered, the paint faded from years of use. It was clear that this forge wasn't widely advertised, but there was something about its simplicity that suggested craftsmanship over commercialism.

"This is Kaelin's Forge," Quinella said, motioning toward the entrance. "She's a bit rough around the edges, but if anyone can craft the scythe you're looking for, it's her."

Strawberry felt a surge of anticipation as they stepped inside the shop.

The moment they entered the forge, the heat and sound of metalwork enveloped them. The rhythmic clanging of hammer against anvil filled the space, accompanied by the faint crackling of a roaring fire. The air was thick with the smell of molten metal and burning coal, creating an atmosphere of intense, focused labor. Strawberry didn't like the heat.

Gah. I get that a smithy needs fire to work with, but damn, couldn't they make it so that the heat doesn't enter the rooms where customers are? I just got here and I'm already sweaty like crazy. 

The walls were lined with racks of weapons—swords, axes, shields—all meticulously crafted with intricate designs. Each piece seemed to tell a story of its own, the result of countless hours of work by a skilled hand.

At the center of the forge stood Kaelin, a dwarf girl with fiery red hair tied back in a messy bun. Her lean, muscular arms, covered in soot and grime, flexed as she pounded a glowing piece of metal into shape over the anvil. Despite her small stature, there was an undeniable strength in the way she worked, her movements precise and powerful.

"Oi, hold yer horses!" Kaelin called out without looking up, her voice sharp and full of energy. Her tone was snarky and unbothered, the kind of confidence that came from someone who knew their worth. "I'll be with ye in a minute."

Quinella chuckled softly beside Strawberry, her refined elegance contrasting with Kaelin's rough, no-nonsense demeanor. "As I mentioned, she's a bit direct," Quinella whispered with a small smile, her violet eyes glinting with amusement.

After a few more moments of intense hammering, Kaelin finally set her tools down and wiped the sweat from her brow. Her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief as she crossed her arms and turned to face her visitors.

"Well, well, if it ain't Lady Silver herself," Kaelin said with a grin, addressing Quinella. "What brings ye back to my humble forge today? Need another custom job?"

Quinella shook her head gracefully. "Not today, Kaelin. My friend here has a request. She's looking for something a little more... specialized."

Kaelin's eyes shifted to Strawberry, and she raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's this 'specialized' request?"

Strawberry stepped forward, feeling a little more confident after watching Kaelin's easy demeanor. "I'm looking for a scythe. A custom one. I've already gathered some rare materials, but I haven't been able to find anyone who knows how to make it."

At the mention of a scythe, Kaelin's expression changed. Her grin widened, and her eyes gleamed with interest. "A scythe, eh? Now that's a rare one. Not many folk come in askin' for somethin' like that." She cracked her knuckles, clearly excited by the challenge. "I can make it, sure, but I'll need to see what materials ye've got before we get started."

Strawberry nodded and began to reach for the rare materials she had gotten from her quest. But before she could present it, something caught her attention—Quinella had also reached into her inventory and pulled out a small, glowing gemstone. It emitted a soft orange light, identical to the Topaz Gemstones that Strawberry had collected during the Dragon Huntsman's quest.

Quinella held the gemstone up for Kaelin to see. "I've been meaning to ask you about this, Kaelin," she said, her tone still elegant and composed. "It looks important, but I haven't been able to determine its purpose."

Strawberry's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the gemstone in Quinella's hand. She has one too? Her mind raced with questions, but she remained silent, watching as Kaelin inspected the gemstone.

The dwarf furrowed her brow as she turned the gem over in her hand, inspecting it closely. "Aye, this is a rare one," she muttered, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Looks like it's tied to the dragon folk. Where'd ye get it?"

Quinella's expression remained composed as she answered. "I found it during a quest some time ago. I've been trying to understand its significance ever since."

Strawberry's mind whirled. Was Quinella also on the Dragon Huntsman's trail? The coincidence was too great to ignore, but she decided to hold off on her questions for now. There was no need to reveal too much, especially when she didn't yet understand Quinella's involvement.

Kaelin handed the gemstone back to Quinella, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Well, if ye find out more about it, come back and tell me. But enough about that—let's get to work on this scythe."

Strawberry handed over the materials.

Kaelin's expression, one of mild curiosity at first, shifted to one of genuine excitement as she held the scales and core up to the light. Her green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she examined the shimmering scales and the core's pulsating energy.

"Well now," Kaelin said, her voice rich with appreciation. "Ye didn't tell me ye had such rare materials on hand." She turned to Strawberry, her usual snark softening slightly as she grinned. "A dragon's core? Scales? And blood too? Aye, I can make ye a scythe with these, alright. And not just any scythe—this one will have a touch of magic and fire, I reckon."

Strawberry smiled, a weight lifting off her shoulders. She had been waiting to find the right blacksmith for this, and now it seemed her persistence was paying off.

Thank the Gods of Strawberry shortcakes; I did not want to continue searching for another blacksmith.

Kaelin rubbed her hands together eagerly, already visualizing the final product. "It'll take some time though. Forging a weapon with materials like this is no small task. I'll need two days, minimum."

"Two days?" Strawberry asked, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. "Alright, that works. I can wait."

Kaelin wiped her hands on her apron, her smirk returning. "Good. When ye come back, you'll have a scythe worthy of a dragon slayer."

Strawberry nodded, grateful for the blacksmith's enthusiasm and expertise. "I'm looking forward to it."

With that settled, Kaelin went back to her work, clearly excited by the challenge of crafting such a rare weapon. As Strawberry and Quinella stepped outside the forge, the heat from the furnace faded, replaced by the cool afternoon breeze of Urbus.

Strawberry sighed in relief, knowing her new weapon was in good hands. But two days was a long time to wait, and with the Demon of the Mountains quest still looming over her, she knew it would be hard to sit still. Quinella, walking beside her, seemed to sense her restlessness.

"You have some time to kill," Quinella said softly, her violet eyes studying Strawberry's expression. "Perhaps you'd like to take a walk with me? There's a place I frequent where we can relax, and you can tell me more about this quest you're on. You haven't said it, but I figured it was safe to assume on account of your reaction when I took out the stone."

Strawberry glanced over at Quinella, surprised by the invitation. The elegant woman had been nothing but helpful so far, but there was something about her calm, poised demeanor that made Strawberry curious.

And her eyes. Why do I feel like I saw them before?

Sighing, she nodded. After everything they had seen at Kaelin's forge—especially Quinella's own gemstone—she figured it might be time to compare notes.

"Yeah, that sounds good," Strawberry agreed. "There's a lot going on, and I could use a break."