December 30, 2024
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
Figuring today might be a good day to follow up with Sinon on her training after giving her a few days to rest from our last session, I walked out of my room and went towards hers, stopping short of the door and knocking on it.
"Hey Sinon? Are you in there? I was wondering if you were free to do some more training today?"
Sinon- Come on in Kazzu. I'm just getting the rest of my gear sorted out.
The door to her room would unlock and I would step inside, seeing her close her menu and check the appearance of her gear before looking my way and nodding her head.
Sinon- I'm ready for training whenever you are.
"Alright then. Let's head out to the field and get started."
December 30, 2024
Floor 80: Sage Proceeding Vale
We would spend an hour or two grinding out the enemies in the area consisting of Giant Scorpions, Termites, Tarantula's and Undead Skeleton Pawns. Each enemy taken out gave me a better grasp on how Sinon would communicate in combat and how she generally assessed a battlefield. After a while, I saw her start to slow down and took her over to a safe location.
"Ok. I think that will do it for today."
Sinon- You sure? I can still keep going.
"At the very least take a break. We've been destroying so many enemies, that I feel like they'll come back as skeletons themselves."
Sinon- Weren't some of the enemies skeletons anyway?
"I meant the non-boney type enemies..."
That earned a small chuckle from Sinon as she tucked her weapon away and stretched. I would do the same and start organizing the materials we had earned.
Sinon- By the way, Kazzu, I wanted to ask you about skill types if you wouldn't mind?
"Not at all Sinon. Judging by your level, you should have a few skill slots under your belt. If you haven't done anything with them, you can learn a variety of skills."
Sinon- Well I've already learned a few. Mind if I show you?
As she said that, I would look around the area with my Search skill to see if anyone was close by or eavesdropping on our conversation.
Sinon- Um... Kazzu?
"Sorry, just want to make sure we are alone. Usually it's not a good idea to show your status screen to other players. If other players knew what your level, HP, skills, items or other stats, it could give them a huge advantage over you. They could use it to sell to info brokers for money or use it against you in combat. It's even worse if the player decided to be a Player Killer."
Sinon- Well... you're not a Player Killer. And we aren't going to duel...
"I know, I'm just speaking in general. The only information I know about you is based on the party system. I'm only aware of your Health, Level and Sword Skill progression. If you feel comfortable, let's see what you're working with here."
Sinon nodded and inched her way over to me as she opened her screen. I took a very thorough look at her stats to see how best to figure out where she belonged in the Assault Army.
Sinon, Level 70
HP: 17500/17500
Dagger: 550/1000
One Handed Sword: 0/1000
Scimitar: 0/1000
Rapier: 0/1000
Mace: 0/1000
Two Handed Axe: 0/1000
Two Handed Spear: 0/1000
Katana: 0/1000
Two handed Sword: 0/1000
All seemed to be in order until I got to her skills. I peered over them a bit and noticed a few that caught my eye.
"Interesting. You've picked up the "Precise Movement" and "Aiming Assistance" skill..."
Sinon- Yea... why? Should I have learned something else?
"No, it's just these skills are pretty unusual. They normally don't appear on the skill list unless you're specifically going for them. Not to mention they are pretty advanced."
Sinon- That's good right? That means they'll come in use?
"I wouldn't know from experience. I was only grinding all of the skills out before to earn my gauntlets skill so I'm not really an expert."
Sinon- But you made the game, didn't you?
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I know how the skills work by using them, only their purpose. That's why... wait... what the..."
Sinon- What? What is it?
"This skill... "Sniping"... I've never seen it before... in fact, I'm 100% positive I never added this skill to the game."
Sinon- I don't know anything about it either. It wasn't on my skills list yesterday.
Could this be another case of the game glitching out? Just like with the Hollow Area and Strea? If that's the case maybe we could use this skill to our advantage...
"I'm not assuming anything but maybe it was through our training today that made it possible for you to learn the skill. That or the game is having another minor glitch."
Sinon appeared lost in thought for a moment, looking at the newly discovered skill with a worried expression.
Sinon- So this sniping thing... that means shooting guns, right?
"No. At least not in this case. There are no guns in this game. The only ranged weapons we have available are things that are thrown like boomerangs. I tried to implement more ranged options like bows and arrows, but my father insisted we keep ranged to a minimum, despite the fact that enemies use them all the time."
Sinon- So would anything bad happen if I unlocked and learned the skill?
"More than likely. If anything, it might open the way to a quest or a shop that sells ranged weapons. Who knows, maybe some things got reimplemented into the game."
Without a second thought, Sinon grabbed the skill for herself. It didn't seem like anything had changed so maybe it was a unique skill only for her. Either way, I was still very interested to see where this would go.
"How about we go back to town and see if there's anything we can find on this new skill. Maybe check the shops to see if they have something for you."
Sinon- Good idea.
December 30, 2024
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
Sinon- I stand corrected... Kazzu, we've been to all of the weapon shops in the area. Not even the shady dealers were selling anything interesting for this skill... so where are we going?
"There's just one more place I want to check. It's the Antique Shop. They sometimes have all sorts of stuff there that relate to skills, quests, etc. So, if they don't have something for you, then perhaps the skill is just bugged."
Sinon- You seem really invested in this skill, almost as if it's your own. Not that I'm complaining...
"Well, it's not every day that you come across someone with the capability to unlock their own unique skill. Only Kirito, Ashtry and I have those unique skills so I'm excited to see where yours ends up."
Sinon would lighten up as her face gave me a small smile.
Sinon- Ok... I guess I'm pretty excited to learn about this new skill too...
"See? I knew you were. Come on, it's not much further from here."
We would duck past a few alleys and ended up in a different part of the shopping district, where a small little shop would stand. I look across the street and notice that it wasn't that far from Strea's place.
Huh... interesting...
Sinon- Are you sure this place is even open Kazzu?
Getting snapped out of my thoughts, I look at Sinon and wave my hand nonchalantly.
"I know it may not look like it but it's open 24/7. Look, there's the shopkeeper."
I pointed over at a grey bearded hooded fellow who was running the shop. He noticed us talking about him and was polite when we approached.
Antique Shop Owner- Good day.
Sinon- I hope you know there is no way I'd ever come here by myself...
"Oh relax... besides, these are the kinds of places you need to go if you want the best items!"
Sinon- I guess but everything they've got here got now seems pretty useless to me... wait... what's that over there...? Looks pretty rare to me.
I looked over to see something locked up in a display case, but I couldn't tell what was inside. I looked over at the shopkeeper and flagged him down.
"Excuse me sir, could you tell us what's in that case?"
Antique Shop Owner- Oh that? It's just a bow. I just so happened to get my hands on it a few days ago. An unusual item but useless I'm afraid.
Jackpot! The skill must have either just been unlocked a few days ago or it really was when the game glitched out. Either way this is progress.
Sinon- Would you mind if I hold it sir?
Antique Shop Owner- Of course. Let me grab it for you.
He walked over to the case, unlocked it and grabbed the bow before bringing it over and presenting it to Sinon.
It's a really nice design that's for sure...
Sinon would grab the weapon and hold it firmly in her hand, raising it like she was aiming and pulling the drawstring back. She would keep tension on it for a while before letting the string snap back into place as if she were firing an arrow.
Sinon- This feels right. I feel like I could use this.
"Say no more. Let's buy it!"
Antique Shop Owner- Buying it? Alright then, here's the price.
He sent the trading menu our way and we both went wide eyed, looking back at the owner in disbelief.
"What the hell?"
Sinon- One million Col?
"I thought you said it was useless?"
Antique Shop Owner- I thought it was too...
He gave us both a sneer and we both looked at each other in defeat.
Clever old bastard...
After I bought the bow for Sinon, we quickly left the shop before anything "useless" caught our eyes. I let out a small sigh as I put my hands in my pockets.
Sinon- I'm sorry... if there's anything I could do for you...
"Don't worry about it."
Sinon- Are you sure? I don't like being in debt...
"You don't owe me anything Sinon. Seriously, don't worry about it. Even though the item was a bit of a rip off, I'm more interested to see how it works and if it'll help us with clearing floors then who am I to complain?"
Sinon would smile and hold the bow as she nudged me in the shoulder.
Sinon- Thank you Kazzu. I'll consider it a gift then. But after all of that, I'm starved. Let's go get something to eat. It'll be my treat.
"You know you don't have to do that Sinon. Even after that investment to your bow, I have quite a bit of money for myself. I wouldn't be able to keep my equipment in the best shape if I didn't."
Sinon- I know but still, I want to treat you to a meal after everything you've done for me. Not just because of the bow.
"Well... alright then... thank you Sinon."
She would smile and grab my hand, leading me to a nearby restaurant with some rather fancy looking tables. It luckily wasn't too crowded either.
"Whoa... where did you find a place like this Sinon?"
Sinon- Without your help, some of the field monsters are still a little too strong for me, so I've been spending a lot of time in town... I've scoped out all sorts of cool looking spots.
"Really? I think you and Silica should hang out sometime. She's been doing some quests and side jobs here in town as well. Maybe she could help you figure out which ones are the most rewarding."
As long as she doesn't mention the cafe that she works at where she has a maid outfit...
Sinon- Alright. I'll try to talk to her when I get the chance. There are so many nice shops in this game, I can see why people get obsessed with them.
"Do you enjoy places like this one then Sinon? Out in the real world?"
Sinon- You could say that. Something about this place just gives off a really relaxing atmosphere, you know?
"It might be a bit too fancy for me, but I understand where you're coming from."
Sinon- Now go ahead and order anything you'd like. Why not try the apple tart?
Wait was this a dessert shop? It looks like a 4-5 star restaurant... looks can be deceiving I guess.
"I'll take you up on that."
A few minutes would pass where me and Sinon would just talk about anything until our food arrived. The dessert looked mouthwatering to me.
"Wow... it does look pretty good..."
Sinon- I've personally come here lots of times just for this specific dish.
She would smile before trailing off and holding her hands together, looking down for a moment before looking back up at me.
Sinon- You know... it's pretty weird to be in a cafe with someone I've never met in real life. I mean, sure, I've heard about you but never thought I would meet you.
"Sorry? I think?"
Sinon- No, it's not a bad thing. I guess it's just what it's like inside of a game. It's like a dream. It just doesn't feel real at all...
"Well... we might be inside of a game, but this isn't a dream. We're both alive, you and me, in this very moment. Everything inside of Sword Art Online is real. Every action... every memory... even this moment right here. It's all real... at least to me it is."
Sinon- Kazzu...
We would both look at each other for a bit before we both smiled and returned to our dishes. A few seconds of silence would pass before Sinon broke it.
Sinon- Hey Kazzu?
"Yes?"
Sinon- Do you think... if we get out of here... it might be possible to... maybe... go to a coffee shop in real life?
"Well... I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility. There might be a few obstacles from here to there but... if we can, I think it would be nice to meet you in person."
We both smiled at each other, and I could see that Sinon's face really brightened up as I confirmed our future meet up, without noticing, however, that she snuck her fork over to my food and took a quick bite.
"Hey!"
I reached over and snagged a bite of her dessert as well to call it even. We would share a laugh as we continued to eat.
Sinon the Sniper huh...? Has a nice ring to it.