Sword Art Online - Midnight Assassin - Vol.1

Chapter 13

I hid behind a large tree trunk and observed the battle. There were a few bodies lying around, probably dead, just didn't perish to make the scene more realistic I guess. I didn't make too much research on the internet about the elf quest since I wanted to enjoy the storyline as I stream but looking at how the situation took a bad turn, there's not much to be enjoyed.

I turned back my attention to the situation at hand and observed the two elves. Both of them had the quest starter symbol beside their yellow cursor. I know the basic information about the two elf factions; the dark elf Lyusula and the forest elf Kales'Oh. The dark elf seems to be heavily wounded while the forest elf almost look uninjured except for some bruises.

It seem obvious who I'd help if I were to help one of them. While siding with the dark elf might look like a cringe plot of saving a damsel in distress, siding with the forest elf would look cowardly for attacking someone heavily injured.

I grabbed the hilt of my dagger as I silently moved between trees to get behind the forest elf. It was easy to stay hidden since all the trunks here were so wide and large. When I arrived at the spot I had aimed for, I unsheathed my dagger and hold it like a fruit knife. The moment their sword clashed once again, I swiftly moved from behind the tree, my hiding skill turned off automatically from sudden movement as I grabbed the forest elf's collar from behind and the hand holding the dagger quickly moved from sideways, cutting his head clean off his neck.

That was easy..? I wondered, a bit surprised since his cursor changed to a very dark crimson the moment I pulled on his collar.

The dark elf showed a surprised and hostile expression as she leaped backwards, her hand gripping her sword and shield tighter than ever. I laxed my expression and put my dagger back into its sheath before putting my hands up. "I have nothing against you." I spoke up in a normal tone.

"From the way you took the life of my enemy, I do not see a reason to believe that you are not an insane person." She replied back with a tense voice. I raised an eyebrow, my eyes slightly wide as I continued to stare harmlessly at her.

"...I would've killed you along if I really am though." I half-whispered, but the volume was enough to be captured by the dark elf.

"..." She didn't utter a word and for a few moments, we both stayed in the same pose. After a while, the dark elf finally moved as she slowly lowered her weapons. At the sight of her quest marker changed from ! to ?, I tilted my head slightly and smiled.

"...since you did saved me, I shall at least show you my gratitude. Thank you." She spoke up as sheathed her sword and lower her shield to her side. She bowed slightly and awkwardly before moving away from me with caution.

I followed her casually and turned towards me with hidden hostility in her eyes. "Why are you attempting to follow me?" She hissed. I simply stood still, my eyes blinked in curiosity.

"Am I not supposed to?" How am I supposed to start the quest then? I wondered the second question silently as I stared at her with an eased expression to lower her guard. She stared back at me and slightly frowned. "Do you wish for me to give you a reward for saving me?"

"Not really..." I scratched my cheek with a finger and tried to think of what to be said in order to trigger the quest. In the situation of SAO currently, I don't really want to be roleplaying but I guess sometimes, it's just a must?

I sighed in resignation and looked at the dark elf. "...I wish to help with your situation."

...

A long, heavy silence filled the forest air. I started to wonder in a curious flustering, did I not say it loud enough? Was what I said not in the list to trigger her reply? What exactly do I say to trigger the quest? Argo, help!