Aincrads' Shade (SAO/ Male Reader)

The Beginning of the Tragedy

Speaking: "words"

Text/DM: <words>

Direct Thoughts: "words"

Wrath Speech (this will be explained later): "Words"

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3rd POV

In a small room with a computer desk in the corner, a boy sat at his desk. He typed feverishly at his keyboard, discussing something with a friend.

Y/n: <Dude, I'm telling you this game is going to be sick! You gotta buy it with me.>

???: <I can't man. I almost have enough for that apartment. I'll buy it after, I promise.>

Y/n: <How long do think it will be?>

???: <I'd say... Gimmie a month.>

Y/n: <K. I guess I could power level you when that time rolls around.>

???: <Ty for understanding. ttyl.>

Y/n: <Cya.>

Y/n shut off his PC and laid down on his bed. He stuck the NerveGear on his head and waited. he closed his eyes and said the two words that would start the most harrowing two years of his life.

Y/n: "Link start!"

There was a splash of color, a feeling of movement, then silence. he slowly opened his eyes to see himself in a town square. there were blue flashes as others joined in. he looked down at his hands to see fingerless gloves. He was wearing a simple F/c long sleeve tunic with a leather chest piece.

Y/n: "This is it... I'm here!"

Y/n POV

I was like a kid in a candy store! For as long as I could remember, I adored blade and sorcery type games. First thing on the list, check the menu. I examined the type of EXP system the game had to see a menu very similar to some of my favorite games, but way more in-depth. Skill EXP could be spent on stats individually, the cost getting higher each time you level the same skill. Some stats dictated weapon scaling, speed, health, carry weight, and the other essentials. But others dictated health regen, skill cooldown, and things for crafting. On top of that, there was an overall player level. This had a separate EXP bar that helped with what type of gear and skills one could have equipped.

Y/n: "A love child between Blizzard and From Software. Perfect."

Step two, find a weapon. Following the signs led me to a bazaar with some NPC vendors. After examining the depth of my wallet, I wandered over to the weapon shop to see a wide selection. there were many different polearms. Dane axes, spears, glaives, and many others I didn't even know how to pronounce. There were also daggers, maces, hand axes, and many others. But what had my full attention were the swords. There were blades from every culture and time here. I scanned the racks until I saw something that took my breath away. A longsword. I grabbed it, got in my stance, and swung it a couple of times. It felt like an actual longsword. Not a heavy clumsy brick of metal that movies and shows depicted them to be. It was a sword that was made for two hands, but light enough for one hand as well. I purchased the weapon and began to walk away. Suddenly, I felt someone tug on the back of my shirt.

???: "Excuse me, sir? You seem like you know what you're doing, can you help me pick out a weapon?"

I turned around to see who needed assistance to see a girl with light blue eyes and matching hair.

Y/n: "That depends... what are you trying to go for in a build? Strength? Dex? somewhere in between?"

She seemed confused by my questions, so she was probably a first-timer.