December 11, 2022. 5:12 PM – Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Winter had settled over Aincrad. Even though the Town of Beginnings had gentler winds, the chill still slipped through the cobblestone streets. Houses and shops displayed green and red garlands, while magical lanterns cast warm lights that gave the illusion of a real Christmas.

  The seasonal event had been announced the day before: new decorations and special quests that offered festive items. Most players ignored them; their priority was climbing the floors and escaping this nightmare. But a few, like Yuiha, clung to such details to make the holidays a little more bearable.

  Before checking for new quests, she had to repair her sword. She pushed open the blacksmith's door, the bell above ringing softly to announce her arrival.

  —Oh, Yuiha! —the blacksmith, a dark-skinned, kind man, greeted—. What brings you here today?

  —I need my sword repaired —she replied, averting her eyes with slight embarrassment.

  The man grinned and called toward the workshop.

  —Liz! You've got a visitor again!

  —Don't tell me it's Yuiha again! —came a teasing voice, followed by laughter.

  Liz stepped out from the back, short chestnut hair framing her face, wearing an exaggerated look of exhaustion.

  —Got any other customers willing to let you break their weapons? —Yuiha shot back, raising a brow.

  —Ooooh, someone's in a mood. What happened this time?

  —A Swamp Kobold hit the hilt and damaged it —she said, handing the sword over.

  Liz twirled it in her hands with the ease of someone already comfortable as a smith. She held it up to the light, tested a few swings, then pulled up the status window.

  —You do know this is the third time you've brought it in this week, right?

  —I know... I just had bad luck.

  —It's not bad luck, it's bad quality —Liz tapped her forehead with a finger—. You're probably the only one in Aincrad still using the starter gear. You're lucky it isn't permanently broken.

  Yuiha shrugged. She knew Liz was right, but she couldn't afford to buy a new weapon.

  —Don't give me that look —Liz scolded, though her voice carried warmth—. I know you'd rather save col for the orphanage. But what will you do the day your sword truly breaks? Or worse, if it fails in the middle of a fight?

  —I trust my agility. I can run even from a wolf pack —Yuiha answered with a mischievous grin.

  —Argh, you're impossible! —Liz rolled her eyes, carrying the blade into the workshop—. I'll fix it... but you really should get a new one. Or at least let some boy gift you one. I know more than a few who ask about you in town.

  Yuiha only frowned, and Liz chuckled, satisfied at having struck a nerve, before disappearing into the workshop.

  A while later, Liz returned with the repaired sword. The bell above rang again as someone else entered. Yuiha looked up—and froze when she saw Silver. He too stiffened at recognizing her, then tried to cover it with a fake cough.

  —Well, if it isn't our savior —Liz teased from behind the counter.

  Silver tilted his head, genuinely confused.

  —Do we know each other?

  —Ooooh! —Liz spread her arms in mock drama—. I might be forgettable, but looks like Yuiha isn't.

  Silver stared for a few seconds, then answered with a sincerity that surprised even him.

  —She helped me in my worst moment, when we first got trapped here.

  —Of course... just like half the town. That's why half the world's in love with her —Liz said, crossing her arms, savoring the reaction.

  Silver opened his mouth... but nothing came out. For once, the man who always had a quick retort was struck silent.

  —Lizbeth! —Yuiha protested, cheeks flushed—. That's enough nonsense. Don't listen to her —she told Silver, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear without realizing.

  Liz caught the gesture, her grin widening. Silver, on his part, only scratched the back of his neck nervously.

  —Mmmhmm... —Liz hummed, clearly enjoying herself—. So, what brings you here?

  Silver handed over his sword for repairs. Liz inspected it as she had Yuiha's and vanished into the workshop.

  —Give me mine, I'm leaving —Yuiha said, holding out her hand.

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  —Oh, wait, I forgot something —Liz winked and walked off with both swords.

  Yuiha stared wide-eyed, muttering under her breath, left alone with Silver. Silence thickened between them, almost tangible.

  —Do you always come here? —he asked at last.

  —Yes. Liz always fixes my weapon. What about you?

  —Second time. I used to swap swords often... now I prefer to keep this one.

  —I see. And why are you still on the first floor? The advanced players are already on the second.

  Silver hesitated. He couldn't tell her about the Warden's Covenant quest that required him to go solo.

  —I've been doing quests —he finally said.

  —From the Christmas event? —she asked eagerly.

  —No... equipment quests. Though I did stumble onto a Christmas one by accident.

  Yuiha's honey-colored eyes lit up.

  —Really? What kind of quest? What did it give?

  Silver was caught off guard—she wasn't asking about strong gear, but about a "useless" mission. Still, that look disarmed him.

  —It starts in Tolbana. An innkeeper asks for hill mushrooms, near the ruins. When you deliver them, you get col, exp... and this little bag of brown powder.

  He opened his inventory and handed her the pouch. Yuiha dipped a finger, tasted it... and her eyes glowed.

  —Chocolate!

  Silver barely had time to smile before she seized his hands in hers.

  —Please, help me find that quest!

  Time stopped. For Silver, those seconds stretched into eternity and vanished in an instant. His heartbeat thundered louder than the blacksmith's shop.

  —Well, well... —Liz's teasing voice made them both jump as if caught stealing.

  Yuiha snatched her sword, whispering softly.

  —Thanks...

  Silver reacted moments later, grabbed his blade almost blindly, and paid mechanically. They hurried out, leaving Liz behind with a grin that shone brighter than any Christmas lantern.

  Outside, the cold had deepened. Silver, who had raised both vitality and strength, hardly noticed—but Yuiha, focused on agility, felt it sharply. She wrapped herself in the thin starter cloak, which did little. He silently watched her trying to hide her shivers.

  —Can we go to Tolbana now? —Yuiha asked.

  —Even with the teleport gate, we won't finish today. Better to start early tomorrow.

  —I'd still like to at least trigger the quest.

  Silver studied her closely. He'd understand if it were for some useful item. But chocolate?

  —May I ask why you're so interested? Do you love Christmas that much?

  —Not exactly —she answered, wondering if she should be honest. After a second, she continued—. Have you heard about the orphanage in the cathedral?

  —Orphanage? Is that part of an event?

  —No. There are small children trapped in the game. They must've connected using their parents' or siblings' NerveGear. Seven of them live in the cathedral with Sasha, a player who's caring for them until we're rescued.

  He stared at her in silence. He'd never heard of it. Probably most players hadn't. But that Yuiha knew... felt natural. If anyone in Aincrad cared about others, it was her.

  —Those children are suffering —she went on—. Christmas is the perfect chance to give them some joy. That's why every single holiday event item matters.

  —All right. We'll go to Tolbana now.

  Silver looked into her eyes and saw how much it meant to her. If this was a way to repay even a fraction of the debt he owed her, he'd gladly do it. Together, they stepped into the teleport gate.

  The light wrapped them, and in a blink they were in Tolbana's square, where red and green lanterns glowed against the winter night.

  —Come on, it's the small inn by the wall —Silver said.

  They walked side by side in silence. Yuiha rubbed her hands inside her cloak to fight the chill, but her shy smile never left, as if no wind could erase it. Silver stole glances at her; there was something about her—a mix of tenderness and determination—that completely disarmed him.

  Inside the inn, Silver pointed her to the back table. An elderly man looked up, eyes kind, as if he'd waited all day for someone to enter.

  —Could you help me? —he asked when Yuiha approached—. I'm this inn's cook. I want to prepare a special stew for New Year's Eve. I just need hill mushrooms... but I'm too old to climb out there.

  —Of course! Leave it to me! —she answered without hesitation.

  [Quest "Tastes of Home" started. Collect 10 Hill Mushrooms]

  Yuiha turned, satisfied, just as Silver joined her at the counter.

  —You're taking the quest too? —she asked, surprised.

  —Of course. If I'm coming with you, might as well. Besides... when it comes to kids, you can never have too much chocolate —he said with a wink.

  She looked at him for a long second, and the smile that bloomed was so sincere Silver felt the cold vanish.

  —Thank you —she whispered.

  —Tomorrow, nine o'clock? —he asked.

  —Make it eight —she replied firmly. She booked a room upstairs, cape swaying lightly as she disappeared beyond the railing.

  Silver stood alone for a moment, staring at the empty stairs. He smiled to himself, paid for his own room, and as he climbed, his mind wasn't on the quest, or the dangers of this world... only on the warm smile that had left him utterly speechless.