"Impossible! An S-Class ingredient!?"
"What!? You're joking—show me, now!"
As Kirito explained it, he had stumbled upon an incredibly rare monster known as a "Ragout Rabbit" while returning from the labyrinth. The item it dropped, "Ragout Rabbit Meat," was a legendary delicacy—the highest tier of S-Class ingredients in the world of Sword Art Online.
However, in a world where NPCs provided most of the food, any player wishing to cook for themselves needed a specific skill. If Kirito or I—lacking that skill—tried to do anything with the meat, we would inevitably end up with a burnt or rotten mess.
Naturally, Kirito turned to Asuna. To our surprise, she had mastered the "Cooking" skill just last week, which was one of the three most popular sub-skills in the game.
With her, this precious ingredient was in safe hands. Kirito asked her to cook it in exchange for a share. Initially, they planned to split it between the two of them, but they eventually invited Alice and me to join. It served as a token of thanks and an apology for the earlier trouble with the guards.
Kirito clearly looked unhappy about his shrinking portion, but he couldn't refuse the chef. Asuna was likely the only person in Aincrad capable of preparing S-Class ingredients. And so, we were allowed to join the feast.
Meanwhile, Agil—who would have bought the meat if Asuna hadn't shown up—asked for "just a tiny taste." His request met a flat refusal. We couldn't afford to diminish the portions any further, so we settled for promising him a full report on how it tasted.
The time had come to eat the S-Class meal, but one problem remained.
"So, where do you plan to cook? Kirito's room definitely doesn't have the tools or the right atmosphere."
"Oh... that's true."
"Fine. Out of respect for the ingredient, I suppose I could offer my private room for this occasion. Just this once."
"Then... I'm counting on you."
"Now that that's settled, you two are dismissed for the day. Thank you for your work."
"Lady Asuna! How can you bring such suspicious people to your home!?"
The guild guards were persistent. Despite Alice and me being there, they refused to back down.
"In this world, we don't fully know anyone's true identity. I've met Kirito in boss battles many times, and more importantly, his skills are reliable. His level is likely ten higher than yours, Kuradeel."
"I am inferior to someone like him? Ah, I see. You're one of those 'Beaters' then!?"
When Kuradeel realized Kirito might be a Beater—one of the beta testers who exploited their knowledge for personal gain—his tone grew sharper.
"Lady Asuna, these people are scum who care for no one but themselves! If they are planning something suspicious—"
"In other words, are you suggesting that the Vice-Commander of the Knights of the Blood, the elite guild of the Clearing Group, is inferior to a common solo player? Is that what you mean, Kuradeel?"
Alice's stern words silenced Kuradeel. He looked visibly shaken.
"N-no. I didn't mean that at all...!"
"I understand your concern for Asuna's safety, but you must watch your words and actions."
"B-but staying with a Beater will ruin your reputation and—"
"In any case, go home now. That is an order from your Vice-Commander."
Since Asuna invoked her official authority, Kuradeel had no choice but to obey. He stopped following us.
The scene shifted to Floor 61, "Selmburg." As we walked through the fortified city streets bathed in the sunset, we stopped briefly to buy some supplies before Asuna led us to her home.
"Please, come in."
"E-excuse us..."
We entered her home with a hint of nerves. The place featured various elegant furniture and accessories. When Kirito asked how much she spent on the interior design, we shuddered at her answer: "About four million Col."
Even as solo players, we belonged to the Clearing Group. Being on the front lines naturally brought in a lot of money. However, for people like Kirito and me, the idea of decorating a place to sleep never even crossed our minds. We spent money as soon as we got it unless we were saving for a specific goal.
If we wanted to furnish a place like Asuna's, we would have to camp in the labyrinth for an entire month without a break.
"I'm going to change. Sit wherever you like."
Asuna went into the inner room. While Kirito sat cautiously on the sofa, Alice took off her dark blue cloak.
"Why have you two been so restless since we got here?"
"Unfortunately, for guys like us, entering a girl's room requires as much resolve as preparing for a boss battle."
"Alice, you seem used to this place. Have you visited before?"
"Yes. At Asuna's invitation, we've eaten together several times."
Apparently, she had even stayed over a few times. Asuna returned wearing casual home clothes, and it was finally time to face the legendary S-Class ingredient.
When Asuna opened her menu, a large piece of raw meat appeared on a silver tray. The contrast between the red and pink in the "Ragout Rabbit Meat" was as beautiful as high-end wagyu. It stimulated our appetites to the limit before she even started cooking.
"Alright, what kind of dish do you want? Any specific requests?"
"I'll leave it to the chef's judgment."
"Me too."
"And me. Everything Asuna cooks is delicious."
After a brief thought, she decided to make a stew to match the name "Ragout." Once she chose the dish, Asuna summoned and prepared the ingredients, slicing them with fluid skill. Even though cooking in the game was different from reality—you simply tapped the knife on the ingredients to cut them—the sight was refreshing to those of us who lacked cooking experience in both SAO and the real world.
"There are actually more complex steps, but cooking in this game is simplified to the point of being a bit boring."
She placed the chopped ingredients into the pot and put it in the oven. Asuna used the remaining time to whip up side dishes with incredible speed, then pulled the finished stew out and set it on the table.
The moment she confidently lifted the lid, all our stomachs growled in unison.
"Let's eat!"
We began by tasting the stew, the star of the night.
"D-delicious... so good!"
"Yeah. The meat is amazing, obviously, but the stew itself is incredible. You could successfully open a restaurant at this level."
"You're exaggerating—but this dish really is good. I'm surprised myself. A single ingredient can change the flavor this much."
"I could eat this every day... but it's a shame it requires an S-Class ingredient."
"Should we try waiting in the field for a while to find another one?"
"Now that I know how it tastes, I wouldn't mind, but it's truly difficult..."
The reason S-Class ingredients were so prestigious was the difficulty of obtaining them. The probability of encountering that monster was incredibly low. Kirito's luck must have peaked when he found it.
"By the way, you two seemed to be in a party today. Did something happen?"
"Actually, it's a long story, but—"
Asuna explained the day's events. After hearing the story, Kirito smiled bitterly with understanding.
"That's impressive. You drew with Mitsuki in your first match? Alice's skills are the real deal then."
"Oh yes, I wanted to ask you about that too. How was Mitsuki-kun during the beta?"
"I'm interested to know as well."
"You won't hear anything very exciting..."
At the girls' urging, Kirito reached into his memories.
"Well... what I remember most is the dueling. Since this guy mastered that fighting style, he hasn't lost a single PvP match. Everyone who faced him ended up frustrated. After a while, people just started refusing to duel him altogether."
"I think I understand why. That style relies entirely on Mitsuki-kun's observation skills and reaction time, doesn't it? Did you learn something in the real world? Kendo, perhaps?"
Kirito smiled slightly at Asuna's question. Meanwhile, I answered.
"No, I never had any training or lessons."
"Then, did you apprentice under someone during the beta?"
"There wasn't enough time for that in the beta. It's a self-taught style—I can't even call it a 'style' in the literal sense. It's more like random street fighting."
Upon hearing my answer, both Asuna and Alice were speechless.
"See? When that's the answer, you can't help but feel it's unfair, right? That's why everyone refused to duel him."
"In other words, you don't fight based on refined martial arts rules, but purely by instinct...?"
"Yeah, you could say that. It feels like a child swinging a stick. Haven't you had that experience? Picking up a tree branch and swinging it randomly."
"Are you saying my sword drew with child's play...?"
"You're overthinking it. Even if I boast about relying on instinct, my foundation is counter-attacking. And my style can be exposed, just as you did. More importantly, there are very few cases where I actually use it."
During the beta, everyone dueled for fun. Now that Sword Art Online had turned into a death game, the focus was on fighting monsters, not players. Facing Alice today was my first duel since the beta days.
As we talked, we realized we had finished all the food. We surrendered to a sense of satisfaction while drinking post-meal tea.
"I have a strange feeling. Sometimes I feel like we've lived in this world for a very long time... don't you feel that way too?"
"Yes. I've also started having days where I don't remember anything about the real world."
I felt exactly what Kirito felt. Two years ago, we were racing against time to escape this castle, doing our best to level up without rest. But since the beginning of this year, the days where we felt too lazy to clear the floors of our own accord began to increase.
Compared to the first year of SAO, the number of players dedicating their lives to clearing—and their enthusiasm for it—had undoubtedly dropped. Even the front-line players, whose numbers should have increased, currently totaled no more than five hundred.
"Everyone is starting to adapt. To this world, and to this reality."
"Any unusual circumstance becomes a normal reality over the years... that's true."
"But I want to go back. There are still many things I haven't done in reality."
"You're right. If possible, let's try to clear this floor this month to put some fire back into the Clearing Group. Otherwise, the merchants and craftsmen supporting us will get angry."
"Alice, what's wrong?"
Alice seemed deep in thought and had been silent for a while. She responded to my voice quietly.
"No. It's nothing. Aside from that, do you two intend to join a guild?"
I exchanged a brief look with Kirito at Alice's serious question.
"I know you're called 'Beaters' as a mockery, and I know you deliberately stay out of groups. But..."
"Since we passed the 70th floor, I feel the monster AI in the field has started becoming irregular."
Asuna finished the thought. It was something we had noticed as well. Usually, solo players like us relied on baiting and manipulating the monster AI because it moved in simple routines. Recently, however, instances occurred where this baiting failed.
"Solo fighting has its limits when dealing with emergencies. Even escaping with a Teleport Crystal isn't guaranteed now."
It had already been confirmed that some dungeons and labyrinth areas contained "Crystal-Free Zones"—traps that nullified all crystals. This meant losing the ability to use a Teleport Crystal, which was the ultimate lifeline in emergencies.
"We take enough safety precautions. Besides... in our case, party members are often more of a burden than a help."
I tried to push away a scene that suddenly flashed in my mind. I nodded in agreement with Kirito's words. In the next moment, a knife and fork were pointed toward us.
The owners of these tools—Asuna and Alice—had eyes gleaming with a look that said, "Are you implying we lack skill?" Even though that wasn't what we meant.
"Alright, I get it. You two are exceptions. But I still don't want to join a guild."
"Then... let the four of us form a party again after all this time."
Asuna said this and sent a party invite to the three of us. Alice accepted first, then Kirito, who gave in. As I was about to accept...
"..."
My hand stopped in front of the window as if frozen. Once again, "that scene" played in my mind.
"Mitsuki?"
"Ah—yeah. It's nothing. I guess I'm just a bit nervous because I haven't partied with anyone outside of boss battles in a long time."
I took a quiet, deep breath and made my decision, pressing the "OK" button. The party formation was complete. Three additional HP bars appeared in the upper left of my vision, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then, let's start working together tomorrow. We meet at 9:00 AM sharp at the Teleport Plaza on Floor 74."
We thanked Asuna and left her home. Kirito headed to a tool shop to buy some items, so I walked alone with Alice toward the Teleport Gate.
"So, you haven't told Asuna yet."
"I don't want to make her worry unnecessarily."
Alice had no memories of reality. I thought she might have shared her secret with Asuna, but from her reaction during our dinner conversation about the real world, it seemed that wasn't the case.
"Everyone is strong. Asuna, Kirito, and you too. You have things you want to achieve in your original world, and for that, you fight without giving up, don't you?"
"Isn't it the same for you, Alice?"
"Who knows... from the beginning, I was only good at fighting. If that saves many people, then it's unavoidable. I don't oppose seeking to end the game. But..."
Alice stopped suddenly, and I turned to her.
"At the same time, a part of me feels comfortable in this world—in these days I spend with you. I fear that once the game is cleared, these days will end too... and that makes me sad."
"Alice..."
I understood exactly what she meant. The human relationships built in a VR world, where we can meet, talk, and touch, feel very special. For those of us forced to live here, this world has become our other reality—perhaps our only reality now. For Alice, who has no real-world memories, it is even more profound.
If this reality is destroyed—if this floating castle disappears upon clearing the game—it means many of the stories and bonds woven here might go to waste. That is what she fears.
"It won't be the end."
"What...?"
"Even if the game ends and this world disappears, the fact that we were comrades won't vanish. We can meet in reality too if we want, most likely."
"Can we really?"
"Well, Alice looks like the daughter of a prestigious family, so in that sense, it might be a bit difficult."
"Hehe... and you look like a mischievous son who exhausts his parents with his pranks."
"Yeah, that's not entirely far from the truth."
Alice laughed lightly, then said:
"Mitsuki."
"What is it?"
"Will you make me one promise? So that I can fight in this world without hesitation."
"A promise that important—is it enough to make it with me?"
"I want it to be with you. Because you were the first person to lend me a hand in this world."
Alice's smile as she said that was so bright it seemed to glow even on the dark night path. It made me instinctively look away.
"Fine, if you want it to be me, that's okay. So, what is the promise?"
"Let's see... first, let's start by meeting in the real world."
"That sounds like the first step to coming out of a shut-in's room."
"I made it suitable for your level, so you should thank me."
Honestly, if the time comes to meet a girl as beautiful as Alice in reality, it might go beyond mere nerves. I should probably thank her for being considerate.
"And after that, we'll have tea together, go shopping... oh, and it might be fun to duel in reality too."
"Wait, wasn't it one promise?"
"Thinking about it, one promise isn't enough. It's okay, let's consider all these things as one combined promise."
"You're quite greedy..."
"A little greed is good motivation. What about you?"
"Me?"
"Something you want to achieve in the original world—the reason you fight in this world."
"My reason, huh..."
Thinking about it, I was fighting to return to the original world, but I never thought about what I would do after I returned. The most I thought about was returning to my previous life.
I'm not proud of it, but I have few friends. I spent my time outside school in games and manga, things I could immerse myself in alone. Therefore, my reason might be "to find out the sequel to that manga" or "to see if there's a new release for that game," but what a shallow reason. Risking my life for a manga sequel sounds stupid.
So, what about this world? Are the things I gained here suitable as a reason to fight?
While I dove into my memories, I reached one specific memory. It was right after defeating the First Floor boss.
I laughed at myself, wondering if this was an exaggerated reason. I told myself it was enough.
"Mitsuki...?"
"Yeah. I have a reason to fight. And it's similar to yours, Alice."
I thought my answer was too brief, but Alice said:
"Is that so... similar to mine. I'm happy then."
She said that while smiling with obvious joy.
"This is the reason—"
When we cleared the first floor, and just before the battle with the 60th-floor boss—I didn't want to see you crying.
I can't remove all sadness, but at least, I'll do my best so you feel just a little bit less of it.
I want Alice to smile, in this world and in reality.
And for that, I will fight without breaking.
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