Sword Art Online: The Requiem

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four

Floor 59-Danac

Gen and Ace’s House

June 25, 2052

Many months have passed since we cleared many floors above floor 75. The guild has improved so much lately but our levels never did. The Guild sent out party consisting of 300 people which will explore the Floor 99. The guild has placed 2nd rank on the guild standing ever since when this guild called “Sword Art Online Elite Players” has got the 1st rank. It is said that the HP of the Guild Leader of the SAO Elite Players never reached the Yellow Zone so I am forming a hypothesis that he is very strong and his level is almost to Lv. 98. It’s been a shot to Regie since he’s our guild leader. Ervien, Juvielyn, Ferdinand and Fernand became the guild leaders of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th top ranked guilds. As of the GM’s Announcement and to the Monument of Life, about 2000 people are still alive in the game. There’s a new feature called “The Fallen” in our Panel. It is installed by the GM to let us know if our friend that is listed on the friends list died. About 11 of my original 46 classmates are still alive in the game.

“So when will we get back to the front lines, bes?” Ace asked as he reads a virtual newspaper on the table.

“As soon as they cleared the Floor 99 Dungeon. We’ll be the ones leading the attack group on floor 100  so we better get ourselves ready.” I replied.

“What if we died?” He asked.

“We won’t. I’m not a piece in the GM’s Stupid Games.” I replied.

“I just can’t afford to think like that.” He said.

“A game where you can die is too easy. Especially if it’s your first.” I said and smiled.

I was just preparing our meal when Celine came.  Together with her are Regie, Juvielyn, Ervien, Fernand, Bea, Lovely, Lianne, Maricris, Red, Ferdinand and Paula.   We were surprised to see everyone.

“What brings you here?” I tried to smile.

“Since we’re the last ones who are remaining, maybe we can have a little celebration?” says Fernand.

“Celebration for what?” asked Ace.

“Maybe for the people who died.” Says Juvielyn.

“Ahhh. The tone of sarcasm in the air.” Says Regie and stifles a laugh.

Celine and I headed for the Kitchen and got out our supplies.

“Frog Meat?” I asked.

“Ragout rabbit Meat.” She replied.

“Veggies?”

“Nah. I prefer Shrooms.”

“What about the sauce?”

“I can mix it.”

We added a little here, stir something there, chop everything and cooked fast since the others are waiting. I could hear their laughs and conversations; Their exchange of Corny jokes and stories. Will we survive anyways? We have six days and we haven’t reach floor 100 yet. I tried to focus and we cooked the food. We served everyone by serving on their plates and laying the pot on the center of the table. It was a feast and we exchanged storied about our travels. Soon after, Juvielyn and Ervien agreed to have a truce between the Black Heroes and the White Knights Guild for the sake of survival.

“Only six days left, guys.” Says Ace, suddenly.

“July One.” Says Regie.

“We haven’t cleared the floor 99 yet. We’ll never reach floor 100.” Says Paula.

“We will.” I said. “I believe in the party.”

“But Gen, what will happen if we reach floor 99? We won’t find the Scarlet Jade Castle  in five days.” Says Ervien.

“Stop being a Dumbass and Deal with it.” I said.

Everyone laughed. We finished our meal and went outside to lie back on the veranda where people are out in the streets and doing their daily work.

“It’s a good season today, huh? “ I asked.

“Yeah. We’re just waiting here.” Says Regie.

“Waiting for them to clear the floor.” Added Celine.

“And hanging out on a-----“

Regie was cut off by his Panel. We all received a message on our panel.

As of Today, June 25, 2052 at exactly 3:00 PM, a Party has cleared Floor 99. Initiating Force Teleportation of all the remaining players to Scarlet Jade Castle.

Just as we closed the message, I held hands with Regie, Celine and Ace as a blinding light encapsulates us, making everything vanish in sight.