SAO - A New Matrix

-X-

[Lisbeth's POV]

He is gone.

I was left inside an inn bar, alone with my thoughts.

This was the craziest day of my life, and frankly can't imagine something even closer to happening to me in the future. From here, all next in my existence should be child's play.

What to do, is the thing. I took a sip from the fruity extract. Might as well start leveling up the blacksmithing skill. My right hand was itching to take action already.

Initially, I had picked two skills: «One-Handed Mace» and «Blade Throwing». However, after discussing my choices with Neo, he suggested that I reconsider my second skill. He emphasized the importance of having a skill that enhances my combat effectiveness in battle, rather than relying solely on ranged attacks. Taking his advice to heart, I decided to swap «Blade Throwing» for «Parry». This adjustment not only provided me with a significant defensive boost, but also made it practical for me to wield a shield in my offhand in the future. If I choose to fight in the fields as a solo, I would need a support skill like «Searching» to keep up the grinding after or join a party to maximize my performance as a tank (Neo's opinion).This would enable me to efficiently gather resources and sustain my efforts in the long run.

The problem is that it will take some time before I can join any group. Many players are still in shock about the reality of our situation—We are in a death game and there's nothing we can do than wait or fight our way out. It will take several days before the first groups are formed to start our work from there (Once more, Neo's theory).

Therefore, the safe call would be to complete the quest "Weapons of the Forge: One-Handed Weapon", and replace «Parry» with any other skill that provides me with usefulness in my work line. I plan to tackle some easy delivery quests, stockpile materials, and start a blacksmithing business. By laying this groundwork, I hope to create a sustainable playthrough that can evolve and grow as the situation develops and as more players become willing to cooperate.

I can make the snowball from here.

I got the information, I got a guide (through message), and a path that was at my very grasp. Just executed it and everything should be fine.

But I am not fine. I'm reeaaaally not. An unknown anxiety has taken over me, and I don't know why.

I started compulsively sipping my juice to cool off.

Mmmmmh.

Ok, back to work now.

Because the delivery quests will take some time, the best move would be to go with «Sprint» and then replace it if I have no use of it anymore. Sounds logical?...yes, it does. Ok, let's go with it!

My hand right hand was over the «Parry» skill menu, ready to replace it. Three movements and it's done.

What's wrong with me? It's decided. I must do this or lay down in the streets as a deadbeat. I definitely don't want that. Just move one finger and be done with this!

...

Kuh!

...

Aaaaah! Whyyyyyy? I can't move! Is this another bad joke by that crazy dev?!

It's because he chose this skill for me.

The answer was short, still made me almost jump scared. My eyes were wide.

I...don't want to replace it, that's why, I realized. Once I finish my drink, this...this is the only thing left from him.

Come on girl, get a grip! You just know him for about 2 hours tops. Have you been smitten by a man in such a short time?! You're not that easy, so keep your head leveled up and do what you must!

But I don't want to.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I take a big sip, lifting the tankard over my head. I violently hit the object against the table once it was empty.

...

I get it.

It was brief, but the little moments I had with Neo, brought a warmth that has been imprinted in my body and soul already. Therefore, I'm not going to sit down in this town and make weapons for everyone...I mean, I kinda want it, but I also want to make them for him. Support his adventure, not from the commodity of a safe haven, but by forging his weapons right when he needs them. Even if it's risky.

I don't want to erase what connects me with him, therefore I can't replace «Parry».

My hand isn't itching because is eager to work, but to seek the contact that was there: The hand of the person that escorted me here. Even my shoulder was starting to feel lonely after a brief contact.

And I'm getting up because I don't want this to end. I want to be at his side because he is the first real thing I have found.

...

...

I had never run so desperately in my life, my heart racing and breath coming in ragged gasps, as if I were sprinting through a dense forest rather than in a MMO Server. Exhaustion could take hold and weight on you even within the confines of this new virtual realm.

Reaching the northwest gate, I leaned against the cold stone wall. I scanned the area, my eyes darting in search of my subject, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety swirling in my gut.

"I didn't expect your message." A figure emerged from the shadows, his presence spreading an infectious confidence. "Very bold from you," the boy said, a hint of surprise lacing his tone.

"Thanks," I straightened, attempting to regain my composure as my heart steadied. "Forgive me for stopping you halfway," meeting Neo's intense gaze head-on.

"I didn't make it too far anyway." He shrugged, the movement casual yet dismissive. "But are you sure about this?" his eyes narrowed slightly as if warning me of a storm ahead. "The dangers...the fact I will push you to accomplish certain things...you might regret it if-"

"I will not." My voice cut through the air with a conviction I hoped belied my anxiety. "You were right. That drink made me feel better...but also clear all my doubts-"

I held his gaze, trying to project an iron-clad resolve. "-I am in," I replied.

The American man looked at me with an inquiring eye, as if trying to fathom something I wasn't sure.

Neo approached until stood in my very front, a look of deep concern etched on his face. His brow furrowed, and the seriousness hung heavily in the air. "I'm a mere man who is after an apparent unending quest," he began, his tone grave and deliberate. "I had nothing to assure your safety...we could both die." The black-haired foreigner emphasized the last words, his voice imbued with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

I understood the weight of his message. He's making sure that I'm not under the pretense of 'It will be fine because I have full protection from a Beta tester'. Whatever path he was leading, it was fraught with danger, even for him.

"I know you're scared," he continued, his gaze steady, searching mine for understanding. "We all are. That's why I need to make sure: are you truly OK with all of this?" He urged me to confront my fears.

The answer to that question was obvious: Of course fu*ing not, god*amnit!

I want to scream, lash out at everything and everyone. Overflow the nearby with profanities and foul language.

I hate this! I hate the nonsensical way we are trapped. I hate that if a good amount of days pass and nothing changes, we must abandon all hope of being rescued from the outside world. But overall, I hate this sense of weakness, the feeling of being so little and having no control!

"You're in control of your own life, remember?"

His voice resonated within me.

That's it. When I first met him, and even after, he never lost his temper. I mean, he's not shaken by this tragedy, focused on adapting and overcoming. How can you be like that? I'm almost sure Neo is younger than me, but his maturity and calm demeanor don't reflect his age one bit. That resolve can only come from a soldier that doesn't matter what, it will crawl if it must to achieve absolute victory. It comes from a man of power and the certainty of success. A man based not on delusions, but facts and the actions taken upon them.

If the creator of SAO didn't reveal all our characters, I would believe the Westerner to be a 25-year-old playing a role or such. Right now, I want a piece of that attitude...a way to survive this hellish game...to overthrow this inescapable anxiety.

"I'm not okay..." I decided to play with the truth. "But I will be, in time. Especially if I'm with you."

...

Waah, that was so embarrassing. But I can't hesitate in my answer or he might reject me.

Neo raised an eyebrow, looking surprised by my rebut.

That sounded like a confession, wasn't it? No! I didn't plan it like this! No, wait, I mean...ugh!

Forget the refusal from his group, this could label me as an easy lay!

"Very well, then." He chuckled slightly after a few seconds. That is good, right? Probably knows I paraphrased him. "As I said before; My name is Neo from America. I hope we are compelled to work together from now on." He offered me a handshake, a classic gesture of greetings from Westerners. "Ah, sorry. Forgot in Japan you don't-"

I caught his hand just before he pulled it away. "I-it's not a problem!" I even put my other hand over his, giving a hard grip to squeeze as much warmth as possible. "I'm Lisbeth! There is still much I don't know, so please be patient until I become a competent blacksmith!" I can't help but shout, even when we're mere inches away from each other. Gosh, he's going to think I am a weirdo or something. Please don't. I'm sorr-

"It's a deal," his voice smooth and confident, as he flashed a smile that could disarm anyone. The brilliant hues of the sunset bathed his face in a glow, making it seem as if the very light was merging with him. "A pleasure to meet you again, miss Lisbeth." It looked so sincere, so...real.

I can't see myself in a mirror, but I don't need it to know I'm a chaotic whirlwind of crimson from chin to forehead, nose to ear. It's almost laughable, and yet there I was, with the audacity to take a screenshot from my viewpoint by blind impulse!

Waaaaaaaaaaah! The shamelessness!

...I'm done. Just day one in a death game and I already fell for the first guy who showed me kindness. It's so silly, so utterly nonsensical, yet my heart didn't mind these overflooding feelings one bit.

I don't care anymore...

From today onwards, the sun's heat is in the palm of my hand.

*End of Tutorial*