CHAPTER 33.1 - Doubt

"Yup, you remember only players can get skills here in Sword art online?. I'm only AI so I can't get that" Kouki smiled

"Then.. How to get it?" Asuna ask

"During Beta testing the only way to achieve the unique skills was to get it through the quest" Kouki act like he was thinking deep "However, I can't see on my database the unique skills, which is weird.."

"So meaning the unique skills thing changed?" Asuna was confused "Why did the game master suddenly change it?"

"I think because of me.." Kouki become more serious

"Because of you? Hmm.. Maybe that's one of the reasons why you're not plugged to delete here.." Asuna made her conclusions "Do you think the reason why you are trapped here is because of that? The fact that Akihiko Kayaba changed the setting for unique skills so there is no reason to delete you?"

"Yeah maybe your right, my existence here can't affect the unique skills. However, I was confused about where it is now?" Kouki closed his eyes "Hmm.. I can't see any of those in my data and even the other floor quest I can't access it"

"But you should know that right?" Asuna was more confused "Do you think you are removed as quest guarding program?" Kouki take a deep breath a looked at her

"To be honest after our encounter with the hidden dungeon monster I can't access the entire quest" Kouki bowed his head "Even if I tried to send codes it was always denied"

"I-I'm sorry Kouki-Kun, it's because of me if you didn't save me these things would not happen" Asuna's hazel eyes started watery, she feel bad for he's situation "I-If I had not been stubborn and agreed to leave with Lisbeth this would not be happening.. I-I'm sorry K-Kouki-K-Kun" She sniff and started rubbing her eyes

"I-I'm n-not!" Kouki stood up and started panicking "H-Hey! A-Asuna-San don't cry.. It's not your fault I'm not blaming you" Kouki pat her head while his other hand scratched his head and make an awkward laugh "It's my choice even you're not with me there, I will still do the same Haha" Because of that warm pat on Asuna's head and Kouki's laugh she stared at Kouki and her eyes was swallowed and her cheeks were red, She sniffs.

"W-what are we going to do now?" Asuna asks him

"I was thinking if this is-" Kouki paused for a moment "If this is planned.."

"What do you mean planned?" Asuna's frowned

"The game master-planned this setup to me. However what is the reason?" Kouki dumbfounded "Anyway let's drop this issue, why are you wandering here around alone where's your partner?" Kouki tried to change the topic he knew it would be better for Asuna if she didn't get involved in his problem. He successfully changed what they were talking about

"Ohh yeah we are planning to make a party and raid the fifth floor Boss," Asuna said "And I wonder if you can come to us?"

"I like too but I can't, that was a danger zone for me. I'm not allowed to enter the Boss chamber" Kouki smiled "I tried to enter the Boss chamber during Beta testing but there is a static shield blocking the entrance of the Boss chamber. I'm sorry Asuna"

"Is that so.. Don't worry I understand" Asuna said

"But I thought you are with the clearing group right? Why are you making another party for the Boss raid?" Kouki frown

"The PK-Gang are planning to destroy the relationship between the two big clearing guilds, when I lost in catacomb I heard that the two-member of PK-Gang are planning to make chaos between Aincrad Liberation Squad and Dragon Knights Brigade" Asuna explain while Kouki was listening attentively, "The PK-Gang told the Aincrad Liberation Squad about the last hit bonus because of that the Aincrad Liberation Squad are planning to raid the fifth floor Boss secretly"

"I see.." Kouki nod and his face become serious "But raiding the fifth floor Boss is not easy in fact the clearing floor players are not enough to defeat the Boss"

"W-What?" Asuna was startled "You mean we don't have any chance to defeat the Boss?"

"Even making scars is not difficult to make, for sure you all die"

"Then how we can defeat the floor Boss?" Asuna scared faced looked at Kouki and she started shaking because of fear. If she hadn't talked to Kouki she wouldn't have known they would be doomed

"However if you can recruit a lot of players so maybe there is a chance but it's still difficult. So you need to make a wise plan to defeat the Boss" Kouki smiled meaningfully "I can help you recruit other players"

"Really?!" Asuna's faces lighten

"Give me a sec I will send a message to them" While Kouki sending a message to other players recruiting them Asuna decided to contact Argo and tell her what information she got to Kouki "Done! Let's just wait for the confirmation"

"Is the floor Boss are different in Beta Testing?" Asuna asks "Wait how did you know that we can't defeat the floor Boss if you can't even take steps on the floor Boss chamber?" Asuna feel suspicious of Kouki, she carefully studies Kouki's reaction

"A-Ah?" Kouki act like he didn't hear Asuna "Let's go I know a placed that you will like" Kouki smiled and Asuna followed him. While walking she was thinking that he is hiding something. They arrived at the Blink and Brink restaurant "Hey Asuna this is the placed that I know you will like" He smiled at her and she read aloud the sign on the front top of the restaurant

"Kouki-Kun you know that I have already been here" Asuna knows that Kouki knows that all players when arriving on the fifth floor this place, is the first one that they visit because of the buff. He feels more suspicious

"What?! You already came here? I thought you are not yet" Kouki laugh while scratching his head "Let's go inside" Asuna sighed and followed him inside

"Goodmorning!" The waitress greeted them. Kouki approached the waitress and he whispered something so Asuna tried to listen to their conversation using her skills but she cannot

"Hey! Asuna! Let's go!" Kouki smiled and Asuna returned the smile too and followed them, they entered a room and she was amazed when she saw the whole room

"Woahhh! I didn't know that this room exist here inside of restaurant" Asuna turn her head, the whole room was surrounded by snow you can't even see the floor because of the snow that covered it and there is a gazebo that placed in front of the pond that was already frozen and the pine trees were covered with the snow too "Where does the snow come from? Don't tell me it's on the ceiling?" Asuna look at the ceiling but it was dark and only the light on the post light illuminate the room "How come there is a park here?"

"You like it?" Kouki started to walk on the gazebo near the pond and Asuna followed him "Here" Kouki handed a white cloak to her and she accept it. Kouki was looking at the sky so Asuna look at it too, a cold breeze blew so she tightens her grip on her cloak and hide her hands. A long silence prevailed between them and a couple of minutes Asuna broke it with a question

"You are not just an AI who guarding all quests, right?" Asuna diverted her gaze on him however Kouki still looking at the dark sky

"To be honest.." Kouki took a deep breath