February 23, 2023. 4:30 PM — City of Orly, Floor 19

  Orly rose before them like a European postcard come to life inside Aincrad: light-colored fa?ades, slanted rooftops, and an air of quiet sophistication unlike anything they had seen so far. Even Yuiha—who could find beauty in any corner—seemed more captivated than usual.

  —It's... huge —murmured Silver, eyeing the plaza filled with elegantly dressed NPCs.

  —It's beautiful —added Yuiha, her smile seeming perfectly suited to this city.

  They hadn't taken ten steps when they heard it.

  —Excuse me... could you help me?

  A small girl, blonde braids, enormous blue eyes. They had seen countless NPCs throughout their journey, but the charm of this one sat on an entirely different tier. They hadn't triggered any interaction, yet she was there, looking at them with a sweetness so precise it bordered on dangerous.

  —Do you need something? —asked Yuiha, leaning slightly toward her.

  The girl performed a flawless curtsy.

  —I lost my pet. Her name is Sugar Princess. Could you bring her back?

  A quest window popped up before Silver. Instinctively, he looked for the decline option...

  He frowned.

  There was only one option.

  [Accept]

  —What...? —Silver tried moving the cursor, but the girl's sparkling eyes pierced straight through him. With a sigh of defeat, he accepted.

  The quest activated.

  —You didn't stand a chance —laughed Yuiha.

  —One day the system's going to do this with a quest that actually wants me dead...

  The map pointed to a location about ten minutes away. They crossed wide prairies and a clear stream. Silver mentally prepared to find a puppy. Or a kitten. Maybe a bird.

  But then they saw Sugar Princess.

  A pristine white pony, rosy mane, almond eyes... and the attitude of an offended empress.

  Silver stopped.

  —... Are you kidding me?

  Yuiha burst into laughter, unable to hold it in. The pony stared at Silver with an expression that could only mean:

  "Incompetent commoner."

  Silver narrowed his eyes.

  —This animal is judging me.

  The pony snorted. Haughty. Disdainful. Sovereign.

  Yuiha nearly doubled over.

  —Don't... don't exaggerate, Silver...

  —No. It's mocking me —he insisted—. Look at it. It knows things.

  Sugar Princess turned her head with aristocratic flair, as though granting them an audience.

  Yuiha almost sat down from laughing.

  They escorted Sugar Princess back to town, fending off a few plant monsters that tried to approach the pony. Silver felt a strong urge to let them take the animal, but Yuiha's glare forced him to complete the quest properly.

  They finished without incident. The girl reappeared, hugged the pony, and handed over the reward.

  [You receive 1 col]

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Silver opened and closed his hand, incredulous.

  —One. Just one. Why do I feel like that pony walked away with a profit?

  Sugar Princess glanced back at him.

  Defiant.

  Yuiha couldn't stop laughing.

  When the girl and pony vanished, Silver asked after several silent steps:

  —... Quest animals are AI, right?

  —Hm? No. They work like non-aggro monsters. They don't think. They just follow patterns.

  Silver stopped.

  —Then explain why that pony acted like I was unworthy of existing in its presence.

  Yuiha laughed more... but then paused, thoughtful.

  —Mm... I think I understand what you mean.

  —What?

  —Once, I felt something similar with Heif-chan.

  —Who?

  —A cow from Floor 1. I named her that.

  —I don't know that quest...

  Yuiha looked at him with a mischievous smile that immediately dismantled him.

  —Then let's go. I'll introduce you.

  Silver sighed, defeated by fate—and by her.

  He took her hand without hesitation.

  —Let's go.

  They walked toward the portal as the sun filtered between Orly's rooftops.

  And somewhere in the city, Sugar Princess snorted with absolute disdain, as if declaring that this would not be the last time she crossed paths with that unfortunate mortal named Silver.

  * * * * *

  February 23, 2023. 6:03 PM — Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  The portal returned them to the green, humble landscape of the first floor. No European charm. No golden lights. Just a simple, familiar world. Silver breathed in deeply. Here, he always felt more like himself.

  —The quest is called The Heifer Strikes Back, right? —asked Silver, scrolling through the menu—. Why do I feel I'm going to regret this?

  —It's fun —assured Yuiha—. Though... well, Heif-chan is special.

  —Special like the pony?

  Yuiha laughed.

  —Heif-chan doesn't judge anyone. But she's stubborn.

  —Great. At least she won't look at me like I'm trying to steal her family inheritance.

  They followed the path until a small barn came into view. An elderly NPC stepped out, hands covered in flour and expression desperate.

  —My cow ran away again. Could you bring her back?

  Yuiha accepted before Silver could even sigh.

  The radar showed several red points farther apart than usual.

  —Why Heif-chan? —asked Silver.

  —Because one ear droops —explained Yuiha—. And it sounds cute.

  —Yeah... definitely cuter than Sugar Princess.

  A moo echoed nearby. Yuiha pointed toward the hill.

  —There she is!

  Heif-chan stood perfectly still, surrounded by aggressive boars.

  Silver adjusted his shield.

  —Finally. Something that makes sense.

  The boars charged. Silver stepped forward, drew back his arm, and thrust the shield forward with force.

  —?Shield Bash!

  The impact cracked like metal slamming against a wall. One boar went flying. Another burst into pixels with an almost offended squeal.

  Yuiha clapped.

  —Great! One more on the left!

  Silver turned, charged again, and muttered:

  —Always wanted to do this without Miwa yelling "Idiot, fight properly!"

  One boar tried to reach Yuiha, but she dispatched it with two precise slashes. Her new coral blade flashed pink.

  —Heif-chan, you can come down now! —called Yuiha.

  The cow stared at her.

  ...and didn't move.

  Silver crossed his arms.

  —Is she ignoring you?

  —No. She's thinking.

  —Thinking what? How to escape a fourth time?

  Yuiha puffed her cheeks. Heif-chan took a single step... then nudged Yuiha with her muzzle, as if indicating the path.

  —See? She's adorable.

  Silver wasn't convinced.

  They returned to the barn. The NPC hugged the cow as if she had returned from war and rewarded them with a few col and a jar of cream.

  Silver stared at it.

  —Could've died, but at least I have... cream.

  —Don't exaggerate —said Yuiha—. With your current vitality, not even a hundred boars could kill you even if they tried for a whole week.

  Silver looked betrayed.

  —So cruel. You could've just said I'm your hero...

  Yuiha tried to hold back a laugh. Failed. She doubled over laughing.

  —Thank you for coming with me. Really. —she said, wiping tears.

  Silver watched her for a few seconds.

  —Always.

  She lowered her gaze, smiling.

  —Then... shall we go back to Floor 19?

  Silver stored his shield and naturally extended his hand.

  —Come on. Before Heif-chan decides to follow us.

  Yuiha took his hand.

  They walked together toward the village as the first-floor sun dipped behind the hills.