Night fell quietly over the fields, the sky stretching endlessly above me, filled with stars that seemed far brighter than anything I had ever seen in my old world. I lay on a thick tree branch, my back resting against the rough bark as I turned a piece of roasted boar meat over a small fire I had carefully built. The crackling flames cast faint shadows that danced along the leaves, and the cool night breeze brushed against my face, carrying the distant sounds of creatures moving in the darkness. For a moment, everything felt still, peaceful even, but my mind refused to rest. I stared at the stars, gripping the meat in my hand without taking a bite, my thoughts racing. This wasn't just another day. This was my life now, my mission, my only path forward if I wanted to return, if I wanted to see Hannah again. The System hovered faintly at the edge of my vision, reminding me of my objectives, of the ticking clock that would not wait for hesitation.
exhaled slowly, my breath visible in the cool air. There were choices to make. I could rush toward my objective, find Asuna immediately, and attempt to complete the quest before time ran out. Or I could prepare myself, grow stronger, sharpen my skills so that when the time came, I wouldn't fail. Failure wasn't just failure anymore. It meant harder quests, greater dangers, a longer path back to the life I wanted. I clenched my fist slightly, my gaze hardening as I stared up at the sky. I had already died once. I wasn't going to rush blindly into another mistake. I needed strength. I needed control. I needed to become someone who could stand beside legends like Kirito and Asuna, not someone who would slow them down.
"I'll train," I muttered to myself, my voice quiet but firm. "I'll get stronger first."
The decision settled in my chest like iron. The next few days blurred together in a relentless cycle of battle and growth. I pushed myself harder than I ever had before, venturing into increasingly dangerous areas, climbing through the floors, entering dungeons that most players avoided unless they were in parties. Floors fifty through sixty became my battlefield. Monsters lunged at me from the shadows, bosses towered over me with overwhelming power, but I didn't stop. Each fight sharpened my instincts. Each mistake burned into my memory. My dual blades moved faster, smoother, more precise. I learned to read movement, to anticipate attacks, to trust my body. My level climbed steadily until I reached seventy, my breathing steady even after long battles, my hands no longer trembling when I faced enemies that would have once terrified me.
But even as my strength grew, the System remained merciless. When I opened the quest window one night, my heart tightened.
Fifteen days left.
I clicked my tongue softly, frustration flickering in my chest. Training alone wouldn't complete the quest. I needed information. I needed to find Asuna. The next day, I shifted my focus, traveling from village to village, speaking to players and NPCs alike, gathering whatever clues I could. Most people either didn't know or refused to talk, but eventually, the trail led me to Lindarth, a bustling town known for its skilled craftsmen.
The moment I stepped into the blacksmith district, the scent of heated metal and burning coal filled my lungs. My eyes scanned the shops until one caught my attention. Inside stood a girl with pink hair, tied back casually, wearing a dark red top beneath a white apron. She moved with confidence, her hands steady as she worked on a blade.
Lisbeth.
I stepped inside, and she immediately glanced at me, her eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing me. "What do you need?" she asked, her tone guarded.
"I'm looking for someone," I replied, keeping my voice calm. "Asuna."
Her expression shifted instantly, suspicion flashing across her face. "Why would I tell you that?"
I expected that. I took a small breath. "Because I can help you."
She crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced.
"Help me how?"
I didn't hesitate. "Crystallite ingot."
The moment I said it, her eyes widened slightly. She tried to hide it, but I saw the flicker of interest. "You know about that?" she asked carefully.
"I know where to get it," I said. "And I can bring it back."
She hesitated, clearly weighing her options before finally nodding. "Fine. Western mountains. But don't underestimate what's guarding it."
I didn't need to ask. I already knew.
As I left Lindarth and made my way toward the western mountains, the temperature dropped steadily. The green fields disappeared, replaced by snow-covered terrain that stretched endlessly before me. Each step crunched beneath my boots as the cold air bit into my skin. The wind grew stronger the higher I climbed, eventually turning into a full blizzard that reduced visibility to almost nothing. My breath came out in heavy clouds, my body tensing as I pushed forward.
Then I saw it.
A massive shadow moved through the storm above me.
I stopped instantly, my grip tightening around my blades. A low, echoing roar cut through the wind, sending a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold. Then, without warning, beams of light rained down from above, slamming into the ground around me. I dashed forward, diving behind an ice pillar just as one struck where I had been standing.
The storm shifted, and through the swirling snow, it descended.
The White Wyrm.
Its massive body glistened like shards of ice, its ruby-red eyes locking onto me with deadly intent. Its wings stretched wide, beating against the air as it let out another roar that shook the mountains themselves.
My heart pounded, but I didn't hesitate.
I drew both blades.
The dragon lunged, its claws slicing through the air. I dodged to the side, my body moving on instinct, then jumped forward, using the momentum to launch myself upward. My blades struck its jaw, sparks flying as metal clashed against hardened scales. The impact sent me back, but I landed smoothly, sliding across the snow.
The dragon roared and took to the sky, its wings beating violently as the blizzard intensified. Snow blinded my vision, the cold biting into my skin. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to think. I remembered its patterns. I remembered everything.
When it flew high and spread its wings, it would unleash a blizzard.
When it opened its jaws with that distinct sound, it would use its breath attack.
I moved just as it inhaled, rolling to the side as a wave of freezing gas shot past me, freezing the ground instantly. I dashed forward, activating my dual wielding skill, my blades moving faster than ever before. I struck its legs repeatedly, targeting the joints, forcing it to land.
The moment it touched the ground, I didn't give it a chance.
I rushed in, my blades flashing, striking over and over, each hit chipping away at its health. The dragon roared, slashing wildly, but I dodged, weaved, countered. My body moved like it had been trained for this moment, every motion precise, every attack calculated.
Then I saw the opening.
It reared back, preparing another breath attack.
I sprinted forward.
My blades crossed, then struck in perfect sync, one piercing into its neck while the other slashed downward. The dragon let out a deafening roar as cracks spread across its body.
"Finish it!" I shouted, driving both blades deeper.
With one final strike, the White Wyrm shattered into fragments of light.
Silence fell.
I stood there, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling as the System chimed softly.
Item obtained: Crystallite Ingot.
I stared at it in my hand, a small smile forming despite my exhaustion. I had done it. Alone.
When I returned to Lindarth, the sun was beginning to set. The moment I stepped into Lisbeth's shop, she looked up, clearly not expecting me so soon.
"Welcome back—" she began, but stopped as I tossed the ingot onto the counter.
Her eyes widened in shock. "You… you actually—"
Before she could finish, the door opened.
"Oh, Lisbeth, can you craft this for me? I brought some ore."
The voice froze me in place.
I turned slowly.
There she was.
Asuna.
Her long chestnut hair framed her face perfectly, her hazel eyes sharp yet calm, her uniform marking her as a member of the Knights of the Blood Oath. For a moment, I forgot everything else.
Lisbeth pointed at me. "Asuna, this guy's been looking all over for you."
Asuna's gaze shifted to me, her expression cautious. "Why are you looking for me? Do you know me?"
I shook my head. "No… but I want to help you. With the boss on floor seventy-four. With Kirito."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense."
I stayed silent for a moment before exhaling softly. "Maybe it doesn't. But I'm serious."
She didn't respond, clearly unconvinced.
I turned back toward the door. "Thanks, Lisbeth."
And as I stepped out into the fading light, I clenched my fists.
Twelve days left.
No matter what, I would complete this quest.
Even if I had to prove it the hard way.