Sword Art Online Reprised

Chapter 4- Floor 4

Chapter 4- Floor 4

After my talk with Rachel I went back and found Liam in the hall outside our room.

"This is the cheapest room they had sir, but there is only one bed..."

"You take the bed. I prefer the floor." I interrupted.

"But... since your the..."

"No arguing. Just take the bed"

"O...OK"

I laid myself on the floor facing the doorway pretending to be asleep as everything that occurred during that day played again through my head. The sudden appearance of my long lost girlfriend, the realization that already people have started being driven to murder throughout this game, and my decision to keep Ruthis alive as my assistant. I opened my menu and noticed that I had two new friend requests as well. Rachel and Derrick. I hesitated over Rachel. I knew she was a trustworthy person but I just couldn't risk it. So I reluctantly refused. For Derrick though it was the three hundred and twenty third time he had sent me a request. With the speed that only practiced hands could obtain his request was denied. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I awoke to the soft light shining peacefully through the window. I looked towards the bed to see Liam still sound asleep. So I left a note saying to meet me in the woods on floor 4 and headed out the back of the inn. Before heading into the forest I noticed my supplies were running slightly low so I stopped at the shop in town and stocked up on teleport crystals and potions. 

I chose the same stretch of woods that I rescued Rachel and the young girl the night before to see if I could find any indication that the red guild was still in the area. I saw several areas that had the trees removed to allow for clearings. One of which had a campfire that was still activated. I approached cautiously and deactivated it and from directly in front of me I heard a group advancing from the edge of the woods. I glance up to see roughly twenty people brandishing a wide variety of weapons walking towards me. Before they get too close I quickly rifled through several of their basic information. In the three I was able to check I saw they averaged around level 26 and if that was to be assumed for the rest of them then I might be in trouble here. They stopped about fifteen meters away from me and the man in the center spoke.

"You must be the guy who took out my squad last night. Pretty strong for just a little guy."

"I'm surprised you all chose to stay after that. I managed to take out five of you after all."

"Yeah five of my best." He said with a scowl. "Pretty impressive."

While he was talking my sixth sense kicked in and I could tell Liam was watching from the edge of the trees. I slightly gestured for him to stay put while not taking my eyes off the group.

"If those were your best then do you really think you could take me?"

"Possibly with all twenty-three of us but instead I'd like to offer you a deal."

"And what could I possibly want from you?" I ask disgusted.

"Money. I'll pay you to protect me." He said with a smirk. "You seem pretty competent."

"You think that after I wiped out one of your squads for doing what they were doing then I would just join you? How stupid are you?" I asked with a laugh.

"There will come a day when you regret that decision Mr. Wolf." He said signaling the men behind him to leave. "Enjoy your peace for now."

Once they all left I motioned for Liam to come over to me. "Why did you ask me to stay in the trees?" He asked curiously.

"I figured at least one of them would have recognized you. Besides, I had the entire situation under control."

"What do you mean 'under control' there were twenty of them. How on earth was that under control?"

"They were within my detection range. Only 3 of them were over half my level, and even that was just barely. I would have been able to handle them."

"Even then twenty people is a lot to handle. I think you need a partner to help..."

"No. That's just another person to keep my eyes on. The fewer distractions the better." I replied as I walked past him back towards the main walkway.

"But.. but what if you can't..."

"I'll deal with it." I snap. When I see him flinch at the suddenness of my retort I soften my voice slightly. "Trust me a bit Liam. I can handle myself."

"I guess. Just make sure you don't do anything too stupid. My sister would kill me if you died."

"If I die I'll make sure it's for something important. I calculate every move I make. Eventually I'll let you know my thought process. But not yet."

As I finished saying this I turned and began making my way further into the forest.

"Where are we going now?" I heard Liam ask.

"I saw a dungeon last night while dragging you back to town. I want to go check it out."

"A DUNGEON?!?!" Liam responded in shock. "You think you will survive in there alone?"

"I won't be alone. I've got you to watch my back." I stated simply.

"You do remember that you took..."
He stopped as a sword suddenly impacted the ground in front of him.

"I believe this was the sword you used last night. It's always nice to have a weapon you are comfortable with." I said thoughtfully as I continued towards the dungeon entrance.

"But... you said you weren't going to give me a weapon until you could trust me..."

"That's true. Did you want me to take it back?" I ask curiously.

"No, no it's fine. I'll trust your judgement." He said while he took several practice swings with his sword. The beginnings of a smile appearing on his face.