CHAPTER 26.2 - Relics

"I'm guessing, they're underground.." Kirito pointed to the ground

"Underground?" Asuna look at the ground, where Kirito pointed

"Under here.." Kirito tap the ground and smiled "Lies, a huge dungeon. The higher levels don't spawn any enemies, so it's the best place to farm relics" Asuna confused looking at him "To be honest, all the Relics above the ground can't amount to the tiniest that's below"

"Huh?" Asuna feels guilty of hoarding the Relics on the Teleport Gate plaza

"That's why you don't have to feel guilty about this" Kirito said "Let's go get this appraised"

"HUH?!" Asuna's face darkens hearing that information "You should have told me earlier!!!" Asuna punched Kirito's face

"Aww.." Kirito said in pain

"But, I'm still glad that no other people are hurt because of us" Asuna smiled. She had breathed a sigh of release before of this

"Y-Yeah.."

***Honkai Exchange Shop***

After hunting relics, the two sold the majority of their loot. They came inside the Honkai Exchange shop

"Welcome.." The NPC's store owner greeted them

"You said the loser will pay for dinner right?" Asuna smirk at him reminding Kirito of their deal "Can you win against the necklace and ring?"

"Who knows, I've got the bracelet and other treasures too" After the appraisal was completed they look at the total of the relic, Kiriot got 3280 total and Asuna got 3220 total

"Yosh! It's my win!" Kirito laugh

"If only he didn't steal that away from me I would've won.." Asuna said "Ah!" Asuna suddenly remembered something and bring it out on her items "This! I got this at the restaurant" She handed to the owner shop the two gold coins that she found in the shop "If I add this, let's see.."

"What did you say? W-Wait!" Kirito tried to stop her. After adding the two coins Asuna got a total of 3330 by adding 110

"That's means.." Kirito's sad face changed from happy to sad "I lose.."

"As promised, tonight's dinner is on you" Asuna giggled and make a peace sign

"The money I earn from those Relics will fly out the window.." Kirito said

"Candle power?" Kirito and Asuna got rings for the exchange of the relics

"That's a convenient item, why don't you try equipping it.." Kirito showed his hands on her "Look, I've got rings on both hands" Kirito had rings on both hands. On his right hand was the Sigil of Lyusula and on his left was the exchanged item from the relics. Asuna look at it

"Oh.. That's what we received from Viscount Yofilis.." Asuna equipped it

"Now then, before we begin clearing the 5th floor why don't we do a full maintenance on our weapons?" Kirito suggested "I need a new sword too"

"Hey, Kirito-Kun, if we return to the Viscount on the 4th floor, won't we receive weapons for a reward?" Asuna said

"Ah! Your right! Let's go collect our reward then." When they arrived at the 4th floor of Rovia's town they were thinking about how they can go to the Dark Elves Castle

"How we can seal if we don't have a gondola?" Asuna said, and then suddenly Argo came up

"Want to ride.." Argo said she was in the gondola

"Argo-San!" Asuna shock she didn't expect that she will see Argo on the 4th floor, while they are sailing Kirito explains that he ask Argo to rent her gondola and after claiming the reward for the quest they came back to the Karluin, and Argo separated to them

***Inside the room of Asuna's Inn***

"Yes, plus 7!! His warehouse sure holds lots of good stuff!" Kirito hugged his new sword; Yofilis offer anything that they want in return for helping the Dark Elves and Kirito choose a sword

"You're like a little kid.." Asuna takes a sip of her tea

"Look who's talking" Kirito started teasing Asuna "When you your wind fleuret back you were overcome with emotions" Asuna pouted remembering that scene "As a gamer, the happiest moment is when you enhance your weapons"

"Not from clearing the game?" Asuna look at her ring "But I was really impressed during my Farner rapier days" She smiled remembering when she upgrade her rapier, and after a couple of seconds her forehead furrowed slightly "I'm a little bit sad that we didn't get meet Emilia but.."

"Didn't Viscount mention it?" Kirito looks at her and is about to stand up "You'll meet Emilia the 5th floor's fort. Oh! Before I forgot what reward did you get from Viscount?"

"It's top-secret, you will see soon" Asuna laugh

"Okay let's clear up quest like mad tomorrow" Kirito opened the door and about to leave Asuna's room "Have a rest, goodnight Asuna"

"Goodnight Kirito-Kun" When Kirito leaves she check the reward that Viscount Yofilis "I didn't expect that he will give me this kind of reward, but I very thankful" Asuna laid on her bed and felt tired when she about to turn off the lights she received a message from Kouki it says that she needs to be careful while on the dungeon, she is not sure about Kouki that fact that there is a possible chance that he was a spy from Akihiko Kayaba knowing that he is an AI. However, she can't deny that Kouki was helping her and not only her but a lot of players such as Lisbeth and Liten "I think I can trust him, he saved my life when we encounter the Boss of the dungeon he save me even there is a big possibility that he will be plugged to delete.." She murmured and reply to Kouki.

***The Next day***

"Raining?.." When they got out of the inn they were immediately greeted by the strong wind and a downpour of rain. Asuna felt disappointed

"This is rare.." Kirito look at the dark clouds

"Let's take shelter from the rain first" Asuna suggested

"But where.." Kirito doesn't like the idea of wasting time "We've already eaten breakfast we also finished up what we wanted to do in town yesterday too"

"I don't care as long as there's a roof above my head!" Asuna shouted she doesn't wasn't to get wet, they were now walking and she used the hood of her cloak to cover her head from the rain

"Let's start the quest"

"While it's raining?" Asuna was following her

"It's fine there'll be a roof" A few moments they stop at the entrance of the dungeon it looks like a cave made of ruins "This is?.." Asuna was looking at the entrance of the dungeon it looks like the pillars of it will fall in just a push

"Yesterday, I mention to you about this route, right?"

"You're saying there's quest here?" Asuna tried to look inside but she can't see anything because it was too dark inside

"Oh, yeah, a whole bunch" Kirito explains like an excited boy receiving his favorite toys. He check the quest guide "Little lost Jenny, Searching for a lost pet by a girl and the next one was The tasteless collector, collect certain relics and the last one was thirty-Year-Lament the evil spirits that are roaming around.."

"Nyet!!" Asuna shouted after hearing the last quest and covered Kirito's mouth

"What was that?.." Kirito ask

"It's no, in Russian.." Asuna's face was pale

"Why did you say no?"

"Because.. Err.." Asuna was afraid when she heard the word spirits "I don't want spoilers Hehe" Asuna was still sweating hoping that Kirito will believe her

"Ahh I see, good point," Kirito said agreeing to her. Asuna sigh in relief "I won't spoil you, so I'll leave it to you"