Chapter 16: First and Last Day on Floor 2 [Part 1]

[Third Person Pov]

Inside a luxurious working office, designed in a old-styled manner, with a mix of black ebony wood and pink ivory wood, that was dividing the color the very own facility was completely filled with; the color white.

A brown-haired man could be seen sitting on a chair, his arms on the table.

He looked with an apathetic gaze at the tablet in front of him.

He has been replaying it for quite the amount of time, seeing the extraordinary thing his son did. 

Saving a human life...?

What a joke. 

It was simply so he could control the person and use him for his own advantage later on. 

In that regard, they were the same. 

Feeling amused in his thought, a sudden knock could be heard.

"Come in."

A black haired man, at the same age of him, entered the room. 

"Tsukishiro."

The voice of Atsuomi Ayanokoji was as usual, apathetic. 

"What brings you here?"

He knew very well, that this man in front of him, could not be trusted.

The reason he worked with him in the first place together, is because of his political rival, Kijima. 

Currently, he's the Prime Minster, for the third time. He's in his office for eight years already and has been elected, this year, too. 

Presumably, it won't stop, for another couple of years.

Unlike most of the other politicians, he's at a fairly young age, still, in comparison.

And so, will it stay, for the time being.

He's at the age of sixty-four, younger than most current politicians. 

Well liked by the public, by the media, by partially everyone. 

Aside from him, naturally.

To change Japan, either he, or his son, have to become the Prime Minister.

For his son, the least age he could start would be 25, but that's another matter for the time. 

The problem with Kijima is, he won't give up his position.

Ever since eight years ago, when Naoe made that decision, with the withdrawal of not participating for the office of the Prime Minister, he could not help but clench his teeth. 

That single decision of that old man, who regarded his project, his life, the White Room, as a simple piece of a blank of paper that should stop, because Kijima has become aware of it, lead to the reason, for him to quit politics.

There was no other choice, aside from that. 

For a long time, he was regarded as Naoe's hidden 'weapon', but ever since that time, he left the limelight of politics, it's wasn't like that, anymore. 

His political career...?

Lost.

He was forced to quit. 

His loyalty...?

Gone. 

And the White Room...?

It was being told to shut down.

The White Room...

His life work...

It was regarded as a blank piece of paper by Naoe... 

The frustration he felt at that time, he clearly remembered it well. 

Of course, he ignored the warning, until he had no choice, three years ago, which lasted till his son enrolled in ANHS.

But the issue with Naoe slowly disappeared, and now, the issue with him, it's gone. 

Tsukishiro, the man in front of him, who worked for Naoe and him, was primarily someone whom you could call a double spy. 

Depending on which party benefits him the most, he'll align himself with them. More than ever before, he's affiliated with Kijima. 

The reason he in the first place complied with his request, of becoming the Acting Chairman of the School, is because of his son, Kiyotaka. 

Kijima has also laid his eyes on him. 

But that didn't bother him that much. 

"It's been a long time, since I've been here, in this facility. Isn't it quite nice to see a familiar face? Usually, we would keep contact per phone."

"The last time I was here, was when, exactly? I'm not quite sure. When you decided to involve me in that plan of your's, regarding your son."

"Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, the Masterpiece. But for such a rumored masterpiece, he's quite in the dire condition."

"Don't you think, that fate can be really cruel? Naoe-sensei was also barely kept alive. But since two weeks, he isn't around with us, anymore. It's quite unfortunate, wouldn't you agree...?"

"He introduced the two of us, after all, twenty-one years ago, four year's, before your son was born."

With a smile, he looked at him. 

Naoe, who was the one in charge of the ruling party of Japan died last month, of old age.

In short, the essential reason that held him off from his political career these eight years, is gone, now. 

But Tsukishiro wasn't after that, naturally. As someone who's working as a double spy, he's after gaining information.

Atsuomi Ayanokoji's next step.

"But you've done quite the things, recently."

"Indeed."

With an amusing expression he put the newspaper right in front of his desk, facing him. 

[Father of the Hero, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka]

"This is not limited there. Countless of articles like this are to be seen, everywhere. You've gained quite the influence and public attention, lately, Sensei."

"Is that why you're here?"

"I'm just wondering..."

"... Are you planning on joining politics again?"

With a cold gaze Tsukishiro looked at him. 

"Do you expect to answer this question?"

"Of course not, Sensei."

Even though these two were around the same age, Tsukishiro was speaking formally with Ayanokoji Atsuomi.

He was quite the influential man after all. 

"However, Kijima-sensei does not like hearing of these small bothersome things, lately. Your influence has grown quite well and you might be able to achieve it this time, easily, don't you think?"

"Joining the House of the Representatives? Indeed, it should be possible this time. But this isn't the reason why you're telling me this, Tsukishiro. How about you come to the point and avoid this relentlessly long chat."

Atsuomi Ayanokoji said, with an indifferent look towards Tsukishiro. He in return smiled eerily. 

"Like Father, like son, they say. Your son indeed has the same eyes like you, Ayanokoji-sensei."

A smirk formed on Tsukishiro's face, who looked at Atsuomi Ayanokoji. 

"We know each other quite long, don't we? It's now almost 21 years, Ayanokoji-sensei. Naoe-sensei introduced us back then, when we both were beginners. In that essence, we do share quite the bond, won't you say?"

"It'd be unfortunate..."

"If I had to something unnecessarily."

"Did Kijima order you that? After Naoe died, he ignored the existence of the White Room, essentially. Is he that afraid now? Since ANHS has taken quite the damage, he's in quite the difficult position now."

"No, not at all. I would simply like to prevent this, in any case. And regarding your question whether Kijima-sensei is afraid, I'm afraid you're mistaken."

"It surely is true, that Kijima-sensei took quite the damage with happened to ANHS, but he has been just recently reelected as the Prime Minister again."

"ANHS will continue in the next year again, and Kijima-sensei intends to use your son to showcase the abilities of the ANHS Student's. Just like you, he's also taking advantage of that." 

"Although, it surely is unfortunate that one of his main operations has failed a bit. But he believes... that the students will even grow further through this experience."

"How ridiculous. ANHS is just an operation for him to obtain power and popularity in the eyes of the politicians and the public."

"Indeed. I cannot quite deny that. But it's also not entirely accurate either. When Kijima-sensei introduced ANHS to the world, it was like that, once."

"However, Kijima-sensei has some other operations, too, in his palms. Nonetheless to say, he has placed quite the expectations on the ANHS students."

Tsukishiro, who was working as a double spy, for both Ayanokoji Atsuomi and Prime Minister Kijima, did his best possible to keep his relation with the other party very well. 

"I'll excuse myself then, Ayanokoji-sensei. It'll be difficult to speak personally like this again."

"Go ahead, Tsukishiro. I hope the next time we meet will be nothing unpleasant." 

Tsukishiro nodded, leaving Ayanokoji Atsuomi in his room completely alone.

"I've no intention of stopping now. I'm even more influential than I ever was. It's all thanks to you, Kiyotaka."

"Stopping now...?!" 

"How ridiculous!"

"I would be a fool if I were to not use this chance!"

"A real fool!"

-- 

[Ayanokoji Pov]

As Kirito was now being declared as a 'Beater' by everyone, he had made his way towards the second floor.

From behind, I saw Asuna following him.

"Horikita, Lux, I'll also go to the second floor."

"Ayanokoji... I promise next time.. I won't become a drag."

"Me neither, Ayanokoji."

"Sure, but please promise me to stay alive, under any circumstances..."

I can't afford to lose valuable material that could help me in the future to advance to the different kind of floors. I have to be ready for any situation to happen. I should also soon contact Sakayanagi again...

I heard that she has chosen [Brewing] as her Skill, which is there to make various of different potions.

She also has opened several stores, if I heard it right from Ichinose. 

Sooner or later I'll visit it.

But for now, I should get leveling up as my priority. I intend to clear the second floor boss by myself this time.

So the sooner I know where it is, the better.

However, I should also ask Argo and Kirito for the second floor quests.

If there are limited quests, I should use them to the best extent, to gain resources, Cor's and EXP.

However, I don't think these quests could give me all too much EXP.

That being said, I got a couple of items from Illfang. They don't have any use for me, so I might as well sell them later.

Under a different merchant name naturally.

I don't intend to reveal that I was fighting in the Boss Fight too, since the items description clearly are stating that they were only obtainable from the Boss Fight.

--

Walking the Staircase from the first floor towards the second floor up, I couldn't help but look in slight astonishment as I looked at it.

"So that's the second floor, huh? Only 98 remaining to go..."

[Kei: Kiyotaka, is everything okay with you? You were fighting that large Boss Monster, weren't you?]

Huh...?

How does she know that...

Did Horikita...?

No, she isn't the type to do that.

Then that means... 

Kayaba must have done something.

[Ayanokoji: Kei, how do you know that information? I don't think Horikita told you that.]

[Kei: She didn't. There was a symbol suddenly appearing out of nowhere. The moment I clicked at it, I could suddenly see the Boss Fight happening. It was live, wasn't it? You just fought the Boss, right?]

As I thought, huh? So Kayaba made the Boss Fight public to everyone else. If he did that in-game, did he also do it in real life.

Real Life...?

One month inside this game and I'm already taking some of Kirito's saying habit's. 

[Ayanokoji: I see. I'll be back late.]

With that, I walked further towards Kirito and Asuna, who were looking at the second floor. "Ah, Ayanokoji, have you also decided to explore the second floor?"

"Kind of. I want to head towards the town first. What about you two?"

"Me too. I'll have to repair my swords. After that, I'll be accepting some quests."

"Any unique one's?"

"Unique? Not that I'm aware of. I know other quests from the Beta that I can tell you about though."

I nodded my head, while the three of us were on our way to the town on the second floor. "I see. Thank you, Kirito. I appreciate it."

"No worries. If you ever need something, just message me. I know a lot of this death game. Until the 10th floor that is. Everything after that... is far beyond my comprehension."

"Did you notice anything in particular when fighting the bosses in the Beta?"

He nods his head slightly. "When I was fighting the Fifth Floor Boss, it was on another difficulty. The Bosses on Floor 2 and 4 weren't that hard, but the difficulty sure had increased a bit on the Fifth one."

I see... If the Floor Bosses were to increase their difficulty within each Five Floors from now on, I have to be even more careful now. However, I have to take a calculated risk.

I shouldn't try on holding myself back in the future.

The Katana...

I should begin on using it slowly and level its proficiency.

As for my other weapon, after I reached the weapon proficiency of [500/1.000], it also seems to stay that way now.

Well, I can still use it for future boss battles, which is good.

I don't intend to reveal myself as a Katana User for now.

Reaching the town, we parted there. 

I thought for a moment and began contacting Argo. She was also a BetaPlayer, so she might know something Kirito didn't catch on yet.

[Ayanokoji: Argo, I'm in need of information. Is there any unique quest in Floor 2, that is different than the other one's?]

[Argo: Hm, Ay-bou, I know one. But it costs a bit. 2.000 Cor's, that's my price or you could use your Free-Coupon, ya know]

[Ayanokoji: The Cor's are transferred. So what is the quest?]

[Argo: Haha, you're a good customer, Ay-bou. During my time in the Beta, I found on the southern edge of floor 2 on a high mountain, really high mountain, the highest in that area, an NPC residing in a hut. He gives you a Unique Quest, to unlock an [Extra Skill]. It's the Skill [Martial Arts]. But he wants from you to split a 2 meter high and 1.5 meter wide mountain with your two palms. Until today, I don't have any idea how to do that. Also, almost forget that, until ya complete the quest, you'll have whiskers, permanently. Can't wash them away. I tried that in the Beta.]

[Ayanokoji: Thanks, Argo.]

[Argo: Gladly. Take care, Ay-bou.]

"Well, I guess I'll be heading there immediately."

[Ayanokoji:]

[Level 23: 366,130/386,400]

"Mountains, here I come."

It's also the first time that I'm going on top of a mountain.

How surprising.

Things that I could never do before will now be possible in a virtual reality. 

As much as I trust 'that man' on trying to preserve my body, I should still nonetheless try to complete this game within a year, if possible.

My body is becoming weaker and weaker, and it'll take a bit of time getting it back to my original state.

I guess after this game is finished I'll head back towards the White Room again.

For now however, these thoughts are completely irrelevant.

I should firstly clear this quest today, then afterwards search for the Labyrinth, and I might as well decide on taking it on alone.

Argo said it's on top of the mountain on the southern edge.

Urbus, the city I'm going from was likewise with the exit of the first floor on the northern side, so it'll be quite the long way.

Hah... Kirito told me the second floor was roughly as large as the first one, in other words, it's as big as Saitama.

It'll be quite the long way, even if I were to run. I should turn my real stats on again.

With that, I at least should take only up to three to four hours to arrive there.

--

Once I had a proper distance away from the town Urbus, which happened to be about 5 Kilometers, I decided to equip myself with a robe and a mask, that I bought long time ago.

Ever since I have gotten the [Extra Skill: Katana], I contemplated very much whether to use it or not.

In the end, I did not for the time being.

However, I'll do so now.

When I arrived in the town I could see a couple of people teleporting in the town Urbus, so apparently it seems like you can teleport yourself from Floor 1 to 2.

It makes my way towards home far more easier. But it makes things more problematic.

Luckily, I do have this Mask. 

Without it, I might have contemplated whether to return back and buy myself one.

But... the problem with this Mask is that it's not aesthetically quite pleasing, so I'll buy myself a Mask that covers my entire face, not just my eyes...

Or can you make one yourself perhaps, too...?

Giving an NPC an order for it...?

I'll have to see.

But I don't plan on avoiding the fight on the second floor.

I'll clear it myself... and since my merchant name which sold the Map Data's is called [X] I might as well get myself a mask with the logo [X] on it. 

[Menu:]

[Skill:]

[Extra Skill: Katana]

[Do you want to equip this Skill?]

[Yes] [No]

I pressed the button [Yes] on my interface, agreeing to equip this as my new Skill.

Suddenly, the sword scabbard on my back disappeared and one next to my hip appeared.

I began to equip the only Katana I had: The [Nozarashi], an [Ultimately Rare] weapon according to its description that only exists one time in this game. 

This weapon does grant me quite the couple of advantages currently, as the improvement of the Stats, but there will be a decent amount of better Katana's in the later following Floors.

I need to obtain a couple of materials to enhance it, while I am at it.

I don't know how often I can enhance it currently with the Floor 2 Materials, but one-time is possible, at the very least. 

But I certainly have to find an NPC not within the town, because wielding a Katana would attract to much attention.

When the time comes where a couple of other player's do unlock the Katana Skill, I'll also reveal the information of myself wielding it. 

After all, I have the curved sword, as my weapon, so it's possible for me, to change between them. 

"Well... I hope I clear the floor today..." I frowned hoping my way to the mountains wouldn't take too long.

Also... I should avoid showing my [Martial Arts] Skill in the Boss Fight, since it'll make Argo suspicious of my identity. 

If she were to try and sell this information...

It'd become quite troublesome...

Then again... I doubt she'd like to mess with someone who can take an entire floor boss on themselves, so even if, she wouldn't tell anyone, logically speaking.

Although Humans can act illogical so it might be something I'd have to be prepared too...

No... what am I even thinking about... 

Releasing a deep sigh I walked further in the large floor that would take me quite a while to arrive. 

An hour...?

Two hours...?

I wasn't entirely sure, but it surely would take a while. 

Although I surely could discover one or two things in this floor. 

Mooooow

"Huh?"

I looked straight ahead of me, seeing a four feet cow running at me with a green name tag coming towards my direction. 

When I faced back then Monsters where my level wasn't this high, the color of the names of the Monsters were different.

In-between yellow or even red, at the beginning.

If that doesn't say you anything, in short, they told you, how much difficulty you'd have with fighting these monsters.

I wasn't in danger, even in the slightest bit. Besides, I was eagerly trying to find something out so I decided to take the hit straight.

[Health: 5,600/5,900]

"Well, it definitely does deal a bit of damage, apparently. And the cow is quite fast, too, with her attack. Is this perhaps not a common Monster in the second floor, then?"

"But it seems like I'm not getting any recoil now, huh? It surely is a surprise. So a weaker Monster cannot do this, then, I assume. Perhaps my logic of the game is also a bit wrong, but as far as I'm concerned, this seems more likely."

"Then again, I'm not one who's an expert in these things, so I'm rather clueless. Anyway, I should cut you in slice with my Katana."

"I was eagerly testing this out. The description on this skill has me left wondering whether I can do this on these Monsters, too. Let's see..."

"Ukifune!"

If you want to trigger a sword skill, you have to first take the proper stance. Once done, the Cardinal System will recognize your stance, which means in equivalence, the Sword Skill will be executed automatically.

As of now, so far, there exists no method of canceling a sword skill, once executed. So if you face an enemy of a caliber higher than your's, it'll become quite risky.

Nonetheless, sword skills are an essential part of this game, so not doing them, would be also quite stupid. Then again, I did not need to use them, currently, due to my extraordinary high stats that no one could match.

In that essence, I could equip, if I had one, another Katana in my other hand.

But in equivalence, it's going to be an [Irregular Equip] with which you cannot use sword skills, something essential in this game. 

Still, even if I had, I wouldn't equip a second Katana, since I was taught in the martial arts of the Katana; Iaido, with one single Katana.

There was no benefit for me either with it, currently, even if my stats are high. I also have more Skill Slots than anyone else, currently. 

Once you started the game, you had 3 Skill Slots available.

Two of them could be placed in anything, once unlocked, and the other one had to be used for the weapon, you'd use, so in technicality, user's tend to say they have two skills, without counting the additional skill slot that is taken away the weapon. 

At Level 6 I unlocked another Skill Slot, and at Level 12, too. 

At Level 18 however, I did not. Instead, when I crossed Level 20, I got another additional one. 

I was the player with the most Skill Slots, but I knew Kirito was at Level 13, with just one Skill Slot less, despite being ten levels beneath me.

So far... is it going to be a difference of eight levels until I can unlock the next Skill Slot, or is a multitude higher than that...?

I couldn't tell, so far.

Then again, I don't think it was something really important, so I hadn't asked Kirito when you'd unlock the next Skill Slots. 

He knew me as someone who had been at Level 10, so I would ask him when we meet next time again.

As of now, I had six Skills, with one of them being the Katana Skill.

[Skills:] 

[Extra Skill: Katana (New)] - [1/1,000] 

[Sword Skills:]

[Ukifune (New)] - [1/1,000]

That was one of the first two skills I had unlocked. It was the first sword skill on one of the sides of the sword tree skillset.

As far as the description of this skill goes, it sounded quite interesting. 

[Ukifune (Floating Boat):]

[Description:«Ukifune» consists of a single, left to right diagonal slash with a katana. The direct blow of the skill sends its target flying high into the air.]

There was another Sword Skill for this precise skill in the Skill tree, but I could only see that it was locked.

[Tsumujiguruma (Locked)]:

[Requirement to Unlock:] - [25/1,000]

Other things were not being shown so far such as the Description of the Sword Skill, but I would unlock this week, since it wouldn't take quite long to reach the proficiency of the Katana to [50/1,000].

But I'd assume this sword skill is a 360 degree attack, in some way, just based on this name, since it meant translated Whirling Whirlwind.

Of course this didn't have to mean anything. 

I might be wrong with it. 

Then again, I didn't believe that at all. 

This however, should take longer to level up the proficiency, unlike the one-handed curved sword. 

The one-handed curved sword had an easier way to level up the proficiency too in comparison to the other weapons for the FairPlay of the game, since those who used it, would be far behind the other players, as they'd unlock the Katana late.

To prevent that of making these player's too far behind, [Argus] and Kayaba made it like this, seemingly. 

Otherwise, I would have taken a bit longer, probably. 

I'd say... good player's who use the curved one-handed sword... will take three to four months, from now on, at least, to unlock the Katana.

I had it unlocked after twenty-four days, but I didn't use it, until now.

It was quite hard, after all, since everyone was clearing the labyrinth floors and everyone else was farming everywhere, which left me hardly with space to use it.

Besides... 

I was under the assumption I'd lose my proficiency for the one-handed curved sword, but I didn't, surprisingly. 

Right now, however...

I wonder...

How long Ryūen will take to unlock the Katana Skill...

I should meet some of the people of my school after I have cleared this floor...

Essentially with her, however. 

Sakayanagi Arisu.

She might become a useful ally. Essentially, since she's intending of making herself a monopoly with her [Brewing] Skill for potions. 

It's just a month over, I'm aware of that, but perhaps, she might have unlocked something useful so far, in this time span of a month. 

Different healing potions or something else, such as Invisible Potions. 

She might as well have some other useful offers, since I'm unaware what the rest of her class does.

But she isn't the only one I should visit. 

I should also make sure to visit Ryūen, Ichinose and Horikita, too, as well as Miyabi Nagumo.

I wonder what he does...

Do the people in his year resent him now...?

I'm not up to date with him, but I'll contact him soon, too...

Kei said she meet somewhere Asahina Nazuna, Nagumo's closest spokesperson, and had befriended her in SAO.

Shrugging my sudden curious thoughts off, I looked back at the Monster that barely could do me any damage, standing in front of me.

The Cardinal System took control over my body, slashing the Monster diagonally left to right with the Sword Skill [Ukifune].

"If I kill you do I get any Milk? If so, Kei can make me some Ice Cream, Yogurt, or some Cake, perhaps," Muttering this beneath my breath, I looked at the Monster called [Trembling Cow], that flied upwards through my diagonal attack, with no literal HP Loss. 

It was a Level 10 Cow, yet it was this disappointing right now, flying towards a very nearby tree. 

"Then again, it's good to know that I can do this. The Katana surely has quite the precious skill in the beginning already."

"The other Sword Skill, despite taking more time, should also be quite well, based on its description."

I looked at the Monster that flied towards the nearby tree, wondering myself about something.

Would the Monster Cow die once it falls on the ground...?

I couldn't say for sure, but I observed it simply, as it was on its way to plunge against the tree, then falling onto the ground. 

Crack

"Huh...?" A bit surprised, I noticed how the cow took the tree with it. 

"So the tree's are not some [Invincible Objects]...?"

As to why I suspected it, everything on the City was an [Invincible Object] so I assumed this must have been the case, too.

Then again, I never really walked back then towards a tree, hitting it with my sword, since it was just a waste of time.

Bam

Landing on the ground, I could see the [Trembling Cow] having a yellow health bar.

Apparently, this attack took her a bit of damage. Although my attack of plunging her to the air dealt no real damage at all.

The Sword Skill said it already, but I expected it at least to a bit more higher than just a small HP Bar. 

But...

"That's also quite the valuable information."

Moooow

"Well... it seems like I'm going to use my other sword skill, now..."

"Tsujikaze!"

This sword skill was different than the prior one. It looked promising, but could also become quite troublesome, due to its cooldown. 

[Skills:]

[Sprint:] - [213/1,000] 

[Searching:] - [193/1,000:] 

[Parry:] - [93/1,000]

[Tracking:] - [121/1,000]

[Night Vision:] - [132/1,000]

[Extra Skill: Katana (New)] - [1/1,000] 

[Sword Skills:]

[Ukifune (New)] - [1/1,000]

[Tsujikaze (New)] - [1/1,000]

[Description: «Tsujikaze» is a straight, long-ranged, Iai-type skill. After a short period of "charging", the user executes a diagonal slash from bottom-left to top-right at such a speed that it is impossible for the human eye to keep track of the sword.]

[The skill is activated by lowering a katana-type weapon to the user's left hip. The skill takes some time before it activates, which is the only time that the opponent has to prepare a counter-attack, as the skill is too fast once it initiates.]

[Skill Duration: 6 Seconds]

[Cooldown: 1 Minute]

Six seconds were a long time.

Anyone could counter-attack you within that time frame, thus making this sword skill in vain, or making preparations of blocking it, with the shield. 

Whether the shield would withstand it was arguable, 

In that sense, it would be better to have a party, since your party member would attract the Monster's attention while you are charging this sword skill. 

Under normal circumstances, that is. 

For me, a party was useless, pretty much, in my current state. 

There was only one reason why I had let myself be hit by this four meter cow. It was to see whether I'd be repulsed by the Monster's attack.

This wasn't the case, quite in surprise. But I assume, it's because of my higher level in comparison to that Level 13 Monster. 

After all, I was 10 Levels above it. There was no way it'd even deal me any actual serious damage. 

Then again, 300 HP was quite much for the people here, so they'd have to be quite careful, since the Cow is quite fast and agile, too. 

I just happened to be faster. 

Moooow

The Monster called [Trembling Cow] sprinted towards me, while I waited for the seconds of duration I had to wait. 

As the four feet Cow approached me faster and faster, I stood still, waiting for my Katana to be fully charged by the Cardinal System to unleash the Sword Skill. 

Second by second the Monster came closer, until it was not even ten meters away from me.

"Unfortunately, you're running towards your death's door."

Knowing that the Monster in front of me did not understand me, coming closer and closer, until five meters were between us, I noticed how the Cardinal System helped me with the sword skill, instantly killing the Monster.

[You earned 120 EXP]

[You earned 160 Cor's]

[You earned 2 Trembling Cow's Meat]

[You earned 1 Trembling Cow's Milk]

Seeing on my inventory the milk bottle appearing, I smiled, slightly. 

"I've come one step closer of making Ice Cream."

Utilizing the milk bottle in my hand, I wondered whether I should taste a slip of it.

I adorned it, looking at it from every side, wondering what beautiful creations Kei could do now for a minute, thinking of every dessert and dish that was possible. 

Roar

A loud roar was echoing from behind, right next to the trees, in my surprise. My eyes turned back, but then looked at my left hand, noticing what unforgiving thing this Monster just had done right now. 

The Milk Bottle I was just holding on my left hand...

It was destroyed by the loud roar of the Monster, shattering itself right in front of my eyes in hundred's of pieces...

Looking at it's name... I felt a bit surprised, but also, resentful.

The name of this Monster was [Trembling Ox], which happened to be just two feet tall, in comparison to the four feet Cow I just had faced. 

"Was the Cow I just had faced a bit of a rarer Monster...?"

Knowing what possible implications that would mean, I felt more resentful than I already did.

If that was really true... I'd obtain Milk less likelier... and thus... be unable to eat various kinds of desserts if the Cow didn't spawn very frequently...

"Tsujikaze!"

The Monster ran towards me, but unfortunately, I slashed it in half, before it came even close to me. 

[You earned 68 EXP]

[You earned 74 Cor's]

[You earned 1 Trembling Ox's Meat]

[You earned 1 Trembling Ox's Leather]

Looking down on the ground I stayed optimistically, of encountering several Trembling Cow's while I was on my way for the Martial Arts Quest, which was also the case, as I met four of them, but none of them, dropped the Milk, after the first encounter.

Instead... the amount of Trembling Ox's I encountered couldn't be a coincidence anymore.

Everywhere I went, there was one.

In total, I've killed today, 211 Trembling Ox's, 5 Trembling Cow's and 74 Windwasps. 

In the end, through them, I'm nearer to Level 24 now. 

"Still... I've reached my location." 

"After so long..."

"And I think I know how to absolve this quest..."

--

A/N: And this concludes the chapter.

To be entirely honest, I just wrote this chapter on a whim. In that essence, I'm not sure whether to continue this fanfic or not.

Still I decided to publish it, kinda.

Hopefully, you liked it.

Well, anyway, that'll be all.

Goodbye.