Sword Art Online: Another Reality

Chapter 17: Rondo of a scam.

-Early Evening. 2nd Floor Labyrinth-

5:30PM.

Through the winding corridors of the second-floor labyrinth, three figures dashed at breakneck speed. 

In front. A black-haired male, along with a brown-haired female led the charge.

The black haired male had used his «Annual Blade» cleaving cleanly through the neck of a Minotaur clean in half.

"Switch!"

The shout reverberated from the black-haired the third member of their party—A male with similar black hair as the first.

Using the dissipating corpse of the Minotaur that was about to burst into light fragments as a springboard, he jumped forward.

With a powerful gust of wind, he lunged and beheaded the remaining two minotaur by the back of the first one. 

As he did. He landed gracefully back on the floor.

"And. That's a wrap."

Sharia said as he sheathed his longsword, additionally, with a satisfied stretch of his body.

"Geez. What's with that speed of yours?"

Kirito grumbled from behind, ruffling his hair as Asuna offered a wry smile at Sharia too.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sharia gave with a non-committal look towards Kirito as if oblivious to what the Black Swordsman was saying. 

No,… rather…. maybe he simply became a speed freak.

[Sharia. Lv 17]

[Agility: 82]

[Strength: 55]

[Stamina: 53]

[Blacksmithing: 1]

[One-handed Sword: 1 (99+)]

[Two-handed Sword: 1]

[Katana: 1]

[Rapier: 1]

"I mostly invest in AGI though. I'd prefer more speed for faster, weak or strong damage output rather than the other way around."

Sharia said so, his hands on his chin thoughtfully, eyes closed as he thought about it.

He'd always been a fan of fast attacks rather than brute strength or balancing his stats.

"But is that how SAO's system works though?"

Asuna asked as they began to walk the other way, out the labyrinth. 

Kirito, on the other hand, hearing Asuna's complaint shook his head.

"From what I see. Sharia's build is similar to yours, Asuna, but his damage output is way higher. It doesn't make sense…"

Kirito mumbled under his breath, shooting glares of suspicion at Sharia who looked back with a slightly confused expression.

"Whatever could you be talking about?"

"Feigning ignorance, huh? Then what about that stun on the first-floor boss? How'd you pull that off?"

In the end. No matter how much Kirito thought about it. He couldn't wrap his head around Sharia as a whole.

While he did respect his strength. At the same time, it was more like he was curious.

That longsword of his—

Unless Sharia had an unusual encounter on the first floor. Then it'd make sense.

If it weren't the longsword. Then, it should be a skill that produces a stun effect.

"I almost died. On the first floor. That is. I survived simply; maybe that's why I've grown this strong."

Sharia had said that while still walking, Kirito and Asuna froze in their tracks.

'So. It's like I thought.'

Kirito thought, composing himself while Asuna still looked shocked.

Sensing that they had stopped following behind. Sharia turned to them.

"What's up? Why are you both standing there gawking at me?"

Asuna and Kirito slowly came back too with a sigh. Why were they worried about someone like him?

They too had passed through that stage. Although it was different for the three of them. But still—

"What other plans do you have after this?"

Sharia asked as the labyrinth's exit was slowly coming into view.

"Well. I plan on dragging this person to somewhere he had recommended to me."

Asuna said with a not so cheery smile as she pointed at Kirito who was the "this person" she was referring too.

Whoa. Their relationship has already progressed that far.

Sharia couldn't help but think so. If he was in the progressive timeline. Then yes. Their relationship did develop this early.

Though it was more subtle, to where it developed. Sharia didn't really know.

"Is that so? I do have somewhere to go and was planning on calling it quits for the day. Do we leave now?

Sharia said that, giving Kirito a pointed glance, but the dunce just blinked at the signal.

'This n—'

Though a little frustrated. He simply ruffled his hair with a sigh.

"Well then, I'll be heading off."

Sharia said so as he separated from the two. After he had said that, he had practically run off to face another agenda. 

Well... originally—

He didn't really have anything planned. At least that is what he'd have loved to think, not until he had seen this—

[Inbox]

[Private Message]

○ [Argo: Shar-kun. You might wanna hear of this.]

[Attachment.jpg.]

Argo had messaged the already idle Sharia. With his speed, it didn't take long for him to exit the second-floor labyrinth.

Due to him affecting a lot of things. Progression of the second floor has progressed more than its normal route.

Plus with Sharia's Guild, which was still hidden and hadn't revealed themselves, though not that the supposed Guildmaster is aware a Guild is in creation for him.

What had been attached to the message Argo had sent him was a location. And not just any location.

Was this a meet-up with her? Of course not!

'Saying I should monitor that Blacksmith… Has she already gotten info on him? That's fast.'

Sharia thought as he dashed past the plains of the second floor. And in no less than thirty minutes. He had arrived back at Urbus..

More specifically. To the eastern plaza of Urbus.

It was getting late as it was now 6:13 PM. 

The only souls left were a few players standing around the NPC shop stalls that opened only at night and two or three couples seated on benches.

"Go explode."

Of course, Sharia had said that to the few couples around. Not that he had any interest in relationships for now. 

But seeing them enjoying themselves while players like him were on the front lines every day made him want to crash out.

However, he wasn't here to hate on them. No. No. No.

Rather. His target was in the northeast corner, his small anvil and display case sitting atop the vendor's carpet. 

This was who he came to see: the blacksmith, likely the very first committed crafter since the start of SAO. 

And also, the very blacksmith he had invested in.

"I had Argo investigate him, and sure enough, he's fishy, huh?"

Sharia leaned against the back of a wall close to him as he watched the blacksmith who goes by the name Nehza.

As he and Argo had discussed—

-Weird flashback sound effect-

[Inbox]

[Private Message]

○ [Argo: Shar-kun. Remember the person you had said to investigate.]

○ [Sharia: What about him?]

○ [Argo: No. It'd be interesting for you to see it yourself up close. Head over to this location and trail him if possible. That's if you're curious.]

○ [Argo: I'll meet up with you over there in a bit, so don't be long. Or you'll miss it.]

-More weird flash forward to the present sound effect-

That summarised their discussion. And Sharia had concluded. Nezha was involved in some sort of scam.

At least that was what Argo had noted of the young man to be involved with.

Another player had approached the blacksmith Nezha to get their blade enhanced. But again. However, unlike before—

Their weapon broke.

It was when they had put the weapon into their makeshift furnace to hammer it. That was when it broke.

The player attempting to try their luck dropped down to the ground while the blacksmith looked apologetic while offering him a significant amount of "Cor" for compensation.

"His expression… He looks genuinely pained, or maybe it's just me…"

And again….

"Back then… that light, don't tell me he's destroying those weapons on purpose. Oo–"

As Sharia said that. He felt something press against his back. Despite this being a virtual world, somehow, he could smell the scent of flowers.

Naturally, he didn't need to look back to know who it was.

"You're half wrong, half right, Shar-kun~"

Argo said with a smile before getting off his back, looking at the blacksmith from their hidden spot.

Focusing on the blacksmith rather than the information broker, Sharia continued.

"So. What's the deal with that? Tell me, are there people trying to sabotage front line players?"

Sharia asked rather nonchalantly which took Argo aback, but the information broker quickly shrugged it off.

"Not quite, Shar-kun. Unfortunately, you might have to wait here for a while to get your answer. At least, till you get to their base, that is."

Argo said that meaningfully as she sat on a box nearby, crossing her leg as she looked up at the sky.

Hearing her words, Sharia leaned back again on the wall as he let out a mutter.

"Their base, huh? It seems I didn't make the wrong call then. I was right in picking him, though I had merely done that on a whim."

"You think?"

Argo brought her head down, looking at him, blinking her eyes. Though she parted open her mouth, she resisted the urge.

Currently, as they speak, certain fanatics are tirelessly exploring the labyrinth, doing menial side quests, and a whole bunch of other things.

All for him alone.

Even a little of the information network under Argo herself had already been dedicated to finding information for Sharia while she supplies it.

Without knowing it himself. Sharia had become quite the big deal, a difference from what Kirito had achieved. And this began from saving one person where they were destined to die.

"Haah. I really wish I could say it. But I guess it's not today…."

Argo said that making Sharia look at her cluelessly, but even if he gives her that face, she's not about to spill it.

"He'll be closing in the next two; that will be your chance. Unluckily for you, I'm a busy person and cannot accompany you for now."

Sharia shot her a knowing look.

"Don't worry. You've helped me enough."

As he said that, Argo gave back a smile, putting on her hoodie as she seemingly disappeared from place.

Even with his stats and level, he couldn't sense her presence anymore. 

Perhaps, if he were to engage her in a fight, he'd be able to adapt to her stealth, but that was not today. Maybe never.

-System Skill-

[Extra Skill: Martial Art: 50]

-Outside System Skill-

[One-handed Sword Mastery Proficiency (Lv 5): 349,392/1,000,000]

[Block Counter (Lv 4): 68,089/100,000]

Compulsory. Read Author's Thoughts.