"Come on, come on, come on!" Io Amaya Erendiz muttered under her breath, weaving through the dense throng of pedestrians flooding the streets of New York City.
The night air wrapped around her like a familiar embrace—cool, crisp, electric with the city's energy. She had always loved the night. There was something about it that made everything feel sharper, more alive. The hum of neon signs, the rhythmic patter of footsteps on wet pavement, the distant wail of a siren—it all felt like a secret world, one she belonged to more than the glaring daylight of routine and responsibility.
She inhaled deeply, the faint scent of rain lingering in the air, mingling with roasted chestnuts from a street vendor and the exhaust of a passing cab. Even as she dodged past businesspeople heading home and tourists still milling about, the night made everything feel... possible. And tonight, especially, was full of possibility.
Because tonight was the night—the long-awaited launch of Sword Art Online, the most anticipated VRMMORPG in history.
For months, she'd been tormented by teasers and gameplay leaks from lucky beta testers. Every frame of the breathtaking promotional video had burned into her mind, a tantalizing glimpse into a world she couldn't yet touch. It had been agony waiting for this moment. Who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to dangle something so groundbreaking in front of players and then make them wait months to actually play it? Argus, that's who.
Her heart pounded as she sprinted toward her condo complex, a sleek high-rise nestled among the city's illuminated skyline. Streetlights reflected in the glass facade, twinkling like stars she could never see in the New York sky. Not that I mind, she thought. The city at night is its own kind of galaxy.
Just as the lobby elevator doors were about to slide shut, she launched herself forward, slipping inside at the last second.
"Phew," she exhaled, leaning against the cool metal wall as she punched in her floor number.
She caught a glimpse of an elderly woman in the corner of her eye, who was staring at her with blatant disapproval. What? Like you've never seen someone excited before? Io rolled her eyes. Lady, you've got a weird, scraggly-looking cat thing stuffed in your purse. Who are you to judge my heavy breathing?
The elevator dinged, and she shot out the moment the doors parted, racing down the dimly lit hallway. Her keycard trembled slightly in her grip as she scanned it over the sensor. The lock clicked, and she pushed the door open, stepping into the familiar warmth of her home.
Her condo was modest but comfortable, paid for with a mix of her earnings as an assistant at her uncle's medical firm and the inheritance left behind by her late parents. Despite the means to afford something more extravagant, she preferred a cozy atmosphere over an opulent display. She kept it immaculately tidy—clutter stressed her out. Not that it mattered much anyway; a cleaning lady stopped by once a month to maintain the place.
Io barely spared a glance at the minimalist decor as she made a beeline for the living room, flopping onto her plush, L-shaped light-gray couch. The only light in the room came from the soft glow of the cityscape through the window and the blue digital clock on the wall. The night was silent, but not empty—it was alive in its own way. The occasional honk of a taxi, muffled voices from the street below, the distant drone of a subway train. It was a lullaby she had known her entire life.
Her fingers dove into her bag, retrieving the gleaming game case with Sword Art Online printed in elegant, futuristic font.
Her pulse quickened as she inserted the game into her NerveGear, the revolutionary full-dive device that made this experience possible.
A quick glance at the clock told her it was 11:55 PM. Perfect timing. A grin stretched across her face.
This is it.
Settling back against the couch, she lifted the NerveGear over her head and slipped it on, feeling the familiar snug fit against her temples. The system whirred to life, running its standard calibration process. As data streamed across her vision in a bright blue interface, she watched the progress bar creep forward.
Almost there… almost…
12:00 AM.
The moment had arrived.
She took a deep breath, letting the cool air of the night settle in her lungs one last time before she left this world behind. A rush of exhilaration surged through her veins. Her lips curled into a whisper, the words leaving her mouth with a reverence reserved for sacred rituals.
"Link Start."
The world around her vanished.
A cascade of shimmering, rainbow-like lights enveloped her consciousness, pulling her into the digital unknown. It was a sensation unlike anything else—a fleeting moment of weightlessness, of transition, before the vibrant, hyper-detailed world of Sword Art Online materialized before her.
The character creation screen appeared in front of her, offering an array of customization options. Wasting no time, she navigated the menus with precision, adjusting her avatar's long black hair to a striking midnight-blue and tweaking her dark blue eyes to match but adding silver undertones. For her username, she typed in "Night-Rain," the same alias she had used for years. No reason to change now.
Satisfied with her selections, she hovered over the confirmation button.
"Alright," she murmured to herself, excitement bubbling in her chest.
With a decisive click, the world of Sword Art Online unfolded around her.
She had arrived.
The moment Night-Rain—Io's in-game persona—stepped foot into Sword Art Online, a shiver of awe coursed through her. She turned slowly, taking in the sheer realism of the world before her. It was breathtaking.
The Town of Beginnings stretched wide before her, a vast city resting on the southern edge of the floating castle known as Aincrad. The metropolis spanned nearly a kilometer in diameter, its stone-paved streets bustling with players—newcomers like herself—who were just as mesmerized by their surroundings. The soft golden glow of lanterns illuminated the alleyways, while the grand teleport gate stood in the central plaza, humming faintly with magical energy.
The inns were cheap and cramped, the taverns loud and lively, and the open-air markets overflowed with goods, though much of it was low-quality starter equipment. Merchants called out to passing players, advertising potions, weapons, and armor, while blacksmiths hammered away at their forges, sending showers of sparks into the air.
Night-Rain wandered through the streets for few minutes, her silver-blue hair catching the light as she took it all in. She barely had time to process her excitement before a voice called out.
"You there! Stop, please!"
A man strode toward her with long, purposeful steps, dressed in an elegant burgundy coat with gold embroidery. His crisp white gloves suggested wealth, and a polished monocle gleamed over his right eye. The distinguished mustache curled impeccably at the ends.
"Pardon me, but I am in need of some assistance, and you appear quite capable."
Capable? Night-Rain glanced down at herself. Her basic starter gear—a plain tunic, worn leather boots, and a simple sword strapped to her waist—hardly screamed "competent adventurer." But, well, that was NPC logic for you.
The man heaved a quick sigh, adjusting his monocle. "My name is Dorian, and I am the mayor of this fine town. A rather unfortunate predicament has come upon me. You see, I issued a small loan to a member of our community several months ago. The time has come to collect it, and, ah…"
He trailed off, looking genuinely flustered as he ran his fingers systematically over his mustache.
"…I've forgotten to whom I loaned the money."
Night-Rain blinked. Seriously?
"Terribly embarrassing, I know, but I am a very busy man. Keeping track of every single transaction is simply impossible—I'm sure you understand."
Oh, I definitely don't, Night-Rain thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
With a practiced wave of his gloved hand, Dorian continued. "Should you be willing to track down the recipient of the loan and collect the col, I would be eternally grateful. Just… perhaps keep this between us? No need for anyone to know about this minor lapse in memory."
A soft ding echoed in her ears as a quest prompt appeared before her:
---
[Congratulations! You have unlocked the beginner Quest-line: "The First Few Lessons."]
Do you wish to start the quest: [The First Lesson]?
☐ Yes
☐ No
---
Night-Rain smirked. Might as well get started.
She mentally selected Yes, and Dorian's mustache twitched upward in what she assumed was an attempt at a grateful smile.
"Excellent! I knew I could count on you!" He clapped his hands together, then leaned in slightly. "I suggest beginning your search with Zackariah, the alchemist. He often does projects for the town, so it may very well have been him who borrowed the money."
A map materialized in front of her, displaying the route to Zackariah's shop.
With a new sense of intrigue, Night-Rain followed the glowing path indicator on her HUD, winding through the cobblestone streets. As she approached the shop, the strong scent of herbs, burning incense, and something distinctly… earthy filled the air.
Pushing open the wooden door, she stepped inside.
Shelves lined the walls, overflowing with glass vials filled with swirling liquids of vibrant colors—some glowing softly, others emitting faint wisps of smoke. Dried herbs hung from the ceiling, their fragrant aromas mingling into a strange yet oddly pleasant concoction.
Behind the cluttered wooden counter stood an elderly man with a long, snow-white beard, his eyes alight with concentration as he peered into a bubbling cauldron filled with a rich purple liquid.
"Oh, hello," he greeted absently, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he glanced up from his work. "Here for an order? I'm afraid I'm quite swamped at the moment." He gestured toward a long parchment filled with scribbled notes, his brow furrowing. "I have an overwhelming number of requests to fulfill, and unfortunately, I'm running dangerously low on ingredients."
Just as he sighed, a flicker of realization crossed his face, and his expression shifted.
"Wait! You could be of assistance! A resourceful adventurer like yourself might be able to gather some much-needed supplies for me." He straightened, his tone growing more animated. "If you venture outside the city walls and bring back the necessary materials—flowers, herbs, rare woods, anything useful—I would be most grateful! And, in return, I'd even teach you how to craft potions yourself!"
Night-Rain's HUD flickered again, signaling another quest offer.
---
[Side Quest Unlocked: Alchemical Pursuits]
Gather the required ingredients for Zachariah to learn the basics of alchemy.
☐ Accept
☐ Decline
---
Her lips curled into a grin.
Two quests right off the bat? This was shaping up to be a pretty great start.
Mentally clicking confirm, Night-Rain headed out into the wilds of Floor One to gather the necessary components.
The Plains stretched over much of the floor, starting from just outside the walls of the Town of Beginnings. Many low-leveled players spent their time farming the weakest monsters in these areas. The grasslands contained many different attractions, such as ponds, caves, and incredible views of the sky itself. Floating chunks of land provided varying elevations for hunting opportunities
Night-Rain honestly had no idea what kind of herbs she was supposed to gather and the quest didn't give any details like that, so she just decided to just pick any that caught her eye.
After an hour of gathering random herbs, her inventory was finally full, so she decided to head back.
After successfully crafting the potions, Zackariah holds them up, examining Night-Rain's work. "You did a fantastic job," he finally declares, offering you the items. "Now, was there anything else?" Once Night-Rain explained her real reason for visiting, Zackariah chuckled and shook his head. "Leave it to Dorian to forget something so important. No, I'm afraid it wasn't me that borrowed the col. You might try Lyle, the blacksmith. I've seen him talking with the mayor frequently the past month or so, and he's just up the road. I wish you luck!"
Quest Rewards:
450 Experience Points.
500 Col.
Five crafting materials.
An assortment of potions.
Her gaze flicked over the descriptions.
T1 Uncommon Health Potion – Restores 5% of maximum HP.T1 Uncommon Damage Potion – Grants +1 DMG for an entire thread.T1 Uncommon Overhealth Potion – Increases maximum HP by 5% for a thread.T1 Health Potion – Quality varies based on crafting results.
Level Up!
"Not bad for an hour's work," she mused.
Just as she finished inspecting her haul, a new quest prompt illuminated her HUD:
[Quest-line Update]
Congratulations! You have unlocked: [The Second Lesson], the next part of the quest-line [The First Few Lessons].
Do you accept the quest [The Second Lesson]?
☐ Accept
☐ Decline
Night-Rain barely hesitated before selecting Accept. With a final nod to Zackariah, she turned and left the alchemist's shop.
"🌀"
A steady, rhythmic clang echoed through the dimly lit forge as Night-Rain entered. The air was thick with the scent of burning coal and hot metal, the warmth from the open furnace prickling against her skin. Sparks flew as a heavy hammer came down against a glowing piece of steel, shaping it with precision.
Behind the anvil stood a man who looked like he had been forged from iron himself. Unlike Zackariah, who had a kindly air despite his absentmindedness, Lyle exuded an aura of sheer no-nonsense irritation. His long, graying beard did little to soften the deep-set scowl on his weathered face.
He barely spared Night-Rain a glance before gruffly stating, "I'm busy."
Night-Rain blinked. Well, that's a warm welcome.
"Um, hello! I'm Night-Rain. Zackariah thought you might be able to help me with something—about the mayor's loan—"
Lyle cut her off with an impatient wave of his hand, his rough palm calloused from years of wielding tools. "I don't do anything without payment," he growled. "If you want my help, prove you're worth my time. Go kill a few of those pesky boarlets roaming outside the city walls. Their tusks are useful. They're weak, so even you shouldn't have trouble."
Wow. Rude.
A new Quest Alert popped up in front of her.
[Quest Alert: Tusks for the Forge]
Defeat (3) Boarlets
Bonus Quest: [Defeat Mama Boar]
☐ Accept
☐ Decline
Night-Rain let out a dramatic sigh but selected Accept. As she exited the forge, she muttered, "Such a rude NPC… They look so real, too. Damn."
Rather than walk the entire way to the next city, she opted for the quicker route—hiring a horse-drawn carriage. She climbed into the covered transport along with a handful of other travelers, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against stone lulling some of them into light conversation, while others sat quietly.
After a smooth ride, the carriage came to a halt just outside the gates of Tolbana, a walled city known for its striking white-walled windmill towers. Though significantly smaller than the Town of Beginnings, it still boasted an array of NPC-run inns, eateries, and market stalls. The Fountain Square, at the heart of the town, was particularly lively—players gathered around the grand central fountain, forming parties, trading, or simply taking a break from adventuring.
Night-Rain, however, had no time to explore. She immediately set out for the wilds surrounding the city, unsheathing her starter sword as she entered the wilds.
Night-Rain took a deep breath, steadying herself.
Time to grind.
At first, the combat mechanics were clunky. The NerveGear perfectly simulated movement, but it took effort to synchronize her actions with the game's physics. Her swings were either too slow or too early. Her footwork was sloppy. The first boarlet she attacked even managed to nip her ankle, making her curse under her breath.
But she was a fast learner.
After about an hour of fighting, she was moving more naturally, her attacks clean and precise. The satisfying chime of experience gained rang in her ears as she took down her thirtieth boarlet, sending a rain of dissolving pixels into the air.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Breathing heavily, she bent down to inspect the spoils of her latest kill when something unusual caught her eye.
Nestled in the grass was a tiny glass vial, its surface shimmering in the sunlight.
Night-Rain reached for it, turning the vial in her fingers, studying the vibrantly colored liquid inside. What is this? Before she could inspect further—
A shadow loomed over her.
By the time she turned, it was almost too late.
A deafening roar shook the ground. Night-Rain barely managed to duck and roll to the side as a massive shape barreled past her, kicking up a cloud of dust.
She sprang to her feet, gripping her sword tightly as her opponent turned to face her.
It was huge, nearly twice the size of the boarlets she had been fighting. Its coarse, dark brown fur bristled along its muscular body, marked with faint, lighter stripes. Thick curved tusks jutted out from its lower jaw, glinting dangerously in the light.
Its narrow, furious eyes locked onto her, filled with a predatory intensity. The shaggy mane running from its forehead down its back bristled as it pawed the ground, preparing for another charge.
Night-Rain quickly activated Identify, and the information flashed before her.
[Mama Boar]
HP: 60/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1
(HP – Health Points | DMG – Damage | MIT – Mitigation | EVA – Evasion)
Night-Rain exhaled through her nose. "Well, that's not good."
With a furious snort, the Mama Boar charged again.
This time, Night-Rain was ready.
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword, her feet shifting into a defensive stance.
She sidestepped, pivoting smoothly, and with a sharp breath, swung her sword downward in a diagonal arc, aiming for its exposed flank.
Her blade bit into the boar's thick hide, a flash of blue pixels erupting from the wound as damage numbers hovered in the air.
-12 HP
The Mama Boar shrieked in pain, stumbling from the impact, but it quickly recovered, kicking back with its hind legs.
"Crap—"
Night-Rain raised her sword just in time, blocking the kick, but the force sent her skidding backward, her boots digging furrows into the dirt. A sliver of her HP bar dipped from the shockwave alone.
She steadied herself, breathing heavily.
"Okay… I get it now."
The boar was relentless, but it had a predictable rhythm—a charge, a pause, an attack. If she could stay out of range and exploit its sluggish turning, she had a shot at taking it down.
Her fingers twitched on the hilt of her sword as she eyed her surroundings. The terrain was uneven, littered with small boulders and patches of wild grass. If she could maneuver the boar into one of those rocky areas, it might slow down just enough for her to finish it off.
The Mama Boar roared again, its nostrils flaring, steam rising from its body like it was ready to bulldoze her into the ground.
"Come on then," she muttered, taking a slow step back, luring it into position.
The boar charged again, this time even faster.
Night-Rain waited until the last possible second—until she could practically see the rage in its beady eyes—and then she leapt onto a nearby boulder, using it as a springboard.
Her body twisted in midair, her silver-blue hair whipping behind her, as she brought her sword down in a spinning slash—
CRITICAL HIT!
-15 HP
She landed with a sharp roll, her sword humming with energy from the attack. The boar staggered, its health dipping to half.
One more good hit should do it.
But the Mama Boar wasn't done yet.
Its entire body shimmered, a red glow pulsing along its form.
ENRAGED MODE ACTIVATED!
Night-Rain's eyes widened as her HUD flashed a warning.
"Oh hell—"
The boar roared, its speed doubling as it came barreling toward her, its tusks aiming straight for her chest.
She had nowhere to dodge.
With no other choice, Night-Rain planted her feet and activated her first sword skill.
[Vertical Arc] Unlocked!
Her blade glowed blue, vibrating with raw power as she lifted it high above her head.
Just as the boar lunged, she swung down with all her strength, meeting the charge head-on.
CLASH!
Her blade struck true, splitting the air with a sharp shockwave. The impact sent both her and the boar sliding backward, dust and sparks flying as their attacks clashed.
For a moment, silence.
Then—
CRITICAL FINISH!
The Mama Boar froze mid-motion, a bright blue fissure forming across its body before it shattered into thousands of light particles, dissolving into the air.
A victorious chime rang through Night-Rain's ears as her quest log updated.
[Bonus Quest Completed: Defeat Mama Boar]
+750 XP
+800 Col
+Boar Hide Cloak (T1 Armor, +2 MIT)
+Rare Item Drop: Enchanted Tusks
Level Up!
Night-Rain let out a long breath, watching as her HP bar steadily regenerated.
"Damn," she muttered, shaking the tension from her hands. "That was intense."
Then, with a triumphant grin, she stretched her arms above her head.
"Alright, Lyle, you grumpy old man—hope you appreciate these tusks."
With that, she turned on her heel and started back toward horse-drawn carriage so she could get back to the Town of Beginnings and the blacksmith's shop, leaving the scattered blue pixels of the fallen boss dissipating in the wind behind her.