CHAPTER 11.1 - NPC

***Dark Elf Base***

After a couple of minutes of walking they finally arrived at the dark elf base located in the south, the big wooden double door open and they come in they saw a lot of elves greet them. The whole place was surrounded by the big trees that serve protection to them. Asuna look at the big ancient camping tent made in nylon, cotton, and polyester

"Hey Kirito, we saw early that they have wings but it disappeared? How does that is happening? And the elf doesn't wing right?" Asuna asks

"I was confused too, in the Beta Test they don't have wings but I guess they change their appearance, and also they do sort of upgrade because in Beta the NPC can only understand Yes or No, but here is very different they understand us," Kirito said "They look like similar to us in terms in physical appearance except the big ears and wings, I'm thinking if Akihiko Kayaba add feelings to them" Kirito made a conclusion

"Feelings? So we did the right decision early in avoiding making her sacrifice" Asuna said. Kirito nod

They interred the biggest tent here and meet the dark elf commander; Kirito and Asuna were given rewards and new equipment for the safe return of the knight and the jade key. They both chose stat-boosting rings, then the commander initiated the second quest of the campaign and the group left the tent.

"I hope you will help with the next task, now that I think of it, I have not yet heard your name" the women elf ask

"My name is Kirito and this is Asuna"

"Well then, my name is Emilia one of the knights of the Dark Elf" She formally introduced "I will guide you to your tent, it might be cramped but I trust you do night mind being together?" Emilia smiled

"O-kay-! What?" Asuna and Kirito said and looked at each other. They enter one of the camp tents "Are we supposed to spend the night here?" Asuna said while looking around inside the tent there is no bed just straw on the ground and a little lamp but five people can fit here

"Together?" Kirito added

"No! Absolutely no! That's riskier than camping out in the wild" Asuna covered herself

"Ouch," Kirito said "If you want to sleep outside then go, just be careful with the ghost," Kirito said and Asuna pulled her dagger "He-He"

"I apologize for this, we do not have enough tents for house guess. As this is a military camp, we have a few amenities here but you may use this tent as you wish" Emilia said "You can get food at the dining tent whenever you are hungry" Kirito's eyes shine hearing that "There is also a simple bathing that you may use"

"Wow, you have a bath!" Asuna's face becomes bright after hearing the word 'Bath'

"It's mixed bathing, and it's a tent so no lock no doors" Asuna looked at Kirito after hearing that and she remembered the incident earlier when the elf's come

It's already night and they were already done eating they found their way on the bath

"Wow! It's a real bath" Asuna was amazed when she entered the bath tent there is a big wooden bathtub in the middle and at the table, you can see different herbs that you can mix in the water and there is a cloud of smoke coming from the tub indication that is a warm water "Stand guard and no funny business" Asuna said "If you dare peep again" Asuna' death glare

"I won't! I value my life" Kirito said and sit outside the tent bath

Asuna removed her sword, and then she removed all of her clothes. She put some herbs in the tub and started to soak inside "AHHH It's so relaxing" She closed her eyes

"That sound.." Kirito heard the sound of removing clothes, to removing her undergarments "She changed to the bathing reset?! How seriously she takes her bath?" Kirito tried to cover his ears but because of the stat-boosting rings that the commander gives to them, his hearing skills sharpen. After the glorious bath Asuna approach Kirito who was stiff sitting on the ground

"Thanks for standing guard. Are you cold?" Asuna ask him when she saw his face

"This skill was torture," he said

"If I said you could sleep in the tent, would that make you feel better?" Asuna said

"For real?" Kirito can't believe what he heard from Asuna

"Yeah, go take a bath I'll wait for you" Asuna pushed Kirito inside the bath.

***Inside the Camp Tent***

Kirito lay on the straw that was now covered with floppy fur "Phew!" Asuna kicks him to move on another side "Ugh.."

"That's your spot," Asuna said "And this is the boarding, right here" She make an imaginary line using her rapier

"And if I invade the border?" Kirito asked. Asuna took the wind fleuret on her said and look at Kirito with a 'Better avoid that happen to look or you will be dead' "W-What I didn't say anything He-He"

"Hey, you can't sleep either Kirito-Kun?" Asuna asked him they are lying there for almost an hour but they are still not visited by drowsiness

"Oh, you too?"

"Hey, Kirito I was thinking if this quest is so important, why are we the only ones doing it? Is it that there is only one or two-player can take this quest?" Asuna asks

"No you don't get it, just because we're doing it now doesn't mean other parties can't come along and try it later"

"What? But Emilia is here with us? And we beat the forest elf night, didn't we?" Asuna was confused

"With quest like this, they're not like beating floors. The quest progress isn't shared across all parties in the game" Kirito faced Asuna "The fact that we defeated the forest knight doesn't mean that the game preserves the state for later parties" When there are other parties who want to try the quest there is a new NPC Forest elf Knight that will appear

"Then what will happen to Emilia?"

"Nothing happens. When the other player tried the quest both NPC forest elf knight and Dark elf knight will appear, and whatever happens to them it doesn't affect one another" Kirito explains "It was like a molding clay they can make a lot of NPC characters to help the players in this quest. And by the way, this entire camp is the same way it's only for us"

"Oh, that's how it works?"

"Yeah, then don't worry in the Beta Test no parties succeeded in keeping the forest elf knight alive," Kirito said

"Don't worry? Are you kidding me? If what you're saying was true then doesn't mean the forest knight has to die every one someone starts this quest?" Asuna suddenly feel sorry for the forest elf that will be assigned in the quest

"But that's what it means to be an NPC. It's been that way for decades, since the start of RPG's"

"Oh wait! Doesn't mean if we go back there we can start the quest all over again?" Asuna said

"Unfortunately, this is not a repeatable quest. This was our only chance" Kirito sight "We should keep that mind that there are NPC's and not get too attached, remember that Asuna" Kirito faced Asuna and he saw her already fall asleep. He gently touches Asuna's face