Resting?

--- Akira ---

If there's something I realized from playing this game, it's that no matter how strong your body is, or how determined you are toward your goal, when your soul is tired, you can't do shit about it. You just need to rest.

The cool breeze carried the scent of the lake, mingling with the earthy aroma of the coniferous forest around me.

I leaned back against a sturdy tree trunk, letting the gentle wind wash over me.

In the distance, the soothing sound of a waterfall added a serene backdrop to the landscape, which looked like it just came out of a painting.

The 22nd Floor was just that beautiful, with deep forests, vast grass plains, and numerous lakes dotting the terrain.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the fatigue that had been building up in my soul being soothed a little.

Despite my desire to push forward like a relentless machine, I realized that sometimes, it was better to enjoy the beauty around me and rest.

The allure of this floor had seduced me into taking things a bit slower than usual.

We had reached the 22nd Floor barely six hours ago.

It had taken us roughly three and a half weeks to clear all the Floor bosses in our path. If the Bosses had been easier, we would've cleared them much faster.

The good news is that after gathering extensive data, I concluded that only the Floor Bosses were ridiculously more powerful. The quests issued only changed a bit compared to what I knew, with the Field Bosses and normal monsters all being within reason. If not for that, we might still be stuck around the 10th floor.

Anyway, the point is that I really pushed both of us to the absolute limit. But now, in this moment of peace, I couldn't help but appreciate the tranquility this floor offered.

Don't misunderstand, though.

I was taking a moment to rest, but at the same time, I wasn't worried about anyone else clearing the boss before us.

Even though this floor was known to be incredibly easy, that's not the case right now. Who knows how strong this Floor Boss will be? I don't trust the information I know about it one bit.

But most importantly, the level difference between our party, the [Withered Rose], and the rest of the players was massive.

[Status]

[Name: Haru]

[Level: 13(1%) ➔ 39(93%)]

[STR: 24 ➔ 77]

[AGI: 14 ➔ 39]

[Skills:

Spear(Lv. 11(39%)) ➔ (Lv. 35(17%)),

Threefold Piercer(Lv. 7(23%)) ➔ (Lv. 29(97%)),

Fighting Spirit(Lv. 1(0%)) ➔ (Lv. 52(11%)),

Burst Speed(Lv.1(0%)) ➔ (Lv. 32(22%))

]

[You have 2 ➔ 4 ➔ 2 Skill Slots left]

I had warned everyone that they needed to prepare more than they thought possible if they wanted a chance to defeat the bosses themselves.

That warning was only received by the minority, and among them, only a very small amount of players were able to somewhat catch up.

'Kirito should be around level 30 at the moment.'

After all, there was only so much he could do alone.

No, rather than that, it's incredible that he could push to such a high level in the first place.

"Wow, so you know how to enjoy yourself as well. I must say I'm impressed."

Asuna's voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. She was joking, her tone light-hearted.

I couldn't help but retort with a smirk, "Even I need a break sometimes. I'm still human!"

More like a perfect one!

...Not like I could tell her that.

She laughed softly and sat on the ground next to me.

We exchanged a few more playful jabs, somewhat easing the built-up tension that always lingered in our thoughts.

I opened one eye to look at her, noticing how her gaze had shifted to the expansive lake before us. Her eyes were filled with a mix of emotions as she spoke,

"All those sensations we feel, the sense of comfort we have...It's no different from reality."

I nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. The breeze, the scent of the lake, the distant sound of the waterfall—it all felt so real.

Even my mind, which was at an higher state compared to a normal human, was easily fooled into accepting this is all real, after all.

But before she could get too lost in that thought, I stood up, done with my rest.

I stretched, feeling my muscles awaken, and looked over the beautiful scenery one last time.

"This might feel like heaven to you, Asuna. But you must burn one concept on your skin to never forget. This is merely a game. The more we stay in this 'heaven', the more of a hell we'll experience once we're out of here."

My expression was cold, but I wasn't trying to hurt her or was particularly against her way of thinking.

She wasn't the type to lose herself, but I had to be sure. Also, it's not like only she needed this reminder.

Asuna nodded, her eyes meeting mine with a steely determination.

"At first, I thought you were a little too crazy over clearing this game, but now I understand."

...I deadpanned, but she ignored me.

"This isn't life as a human, but as a mere toy of someone else with a little too high of a God Complex."

Her words were cold, but there was a truth to them that resonated deeply.

I snickered a little.

My influence on her had been a bit too strong. The Asuna I first met would have never uttered such words out loud.

But oh well, even though I felt a bit guilty about 'hardening' her personality, I knew it was all for the greater good. It was a useful mindset to have both in game and in life.

I glanced back at the path ahead, then at Asuna. "Ready to keep climbing this hellish place?"

The Floor Boss had been waiting a little too much, if you ask me.

She smiled, a determined glint in her eyes. "Always."

That's why I chose you as my party member. 

---

Author's Note:

Please vote on my discord on my poll as to how I should show Akira's Skills in SAO. 

Since he won't have too many skills, I was thinking of doing it in the style you've seen in this chap.

Tell me if it sucks, I'll change it if that's the case.

As you might have guessed, we'll go a lil bit slower for a few chapters, because this mid-arc is a bridge between the final arc and the starting one. We'll build up the situation a bit more so that everything will be clearer once we reach that point.

You might have guessed, but yes. This Trial will be really short. 

I expect to hit the 30th chapter mark for this one and nothing more(I said it)