The Beginner’s Guide

A little while after returning to The Roasted Boar Tavern, Night-Rain found herself standing in the kitchen, gripping the wooden stirring spoon so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The warm glow of the hearthfire cast flickering shadows across the tidy space. Pots bubbled over open flames, the aroma of fresh herbs and seared meat filling the air. The faint scent of bread baking in the oven made her stomach growl, but she barely noticed.

She was too nervous.

This was her first time using SAO's cooking mechanics, and every fiber of her being was holding its breath.

She glanced down at the bowl in front of her. The stew she had just made—a mix of fresh venison, wild mushrooms, and fragrant herbs—looked fine. The broth had thickened nicely, the meat was tender, and the mushrooms had absorbed the savory juices, making the dish smell incredible.

But was it edible?

Was it actually good?

A bead of sweat dripped down her temple as she stared at the dish.

In the real world, outside of Sword Art Online, she had always cooked for herself.

Living alone meant doing her own grocery shopping, meal planning, and making sure she didn't starve.

Her uncle—when he visited—would always compliment her cooking, saying it was great. But…

"Wasn't he just being biased?"

What if she wasn't actually good at this?

What if her in-game cooking turned out to be just as lifeless and bland as the food she had suffered through before?

Her fingers tightened around the spoon, heart hammering as she turned toward Maggie, the tavern owner.

The older woman smiled warmly, taking the offered wooden bowl with gentle hands.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here."

Night-Rain held her breath as Maggie lifted the spoon to her lips, blowing softly before taking a slow, deliberate bite.

The kitchen fell silent.

Maggie's eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, she simply sat there, savoring the taste.

Then—

A low, pleased hum vibrated from her throat.

A smile spread across her face, her cheeks practically glowing with delight.

Night-Rain stared.

Then Maggie's eyes snapped open, bright with excitement.

"Keep this up," she declared, grinning from ear to ear, "and you're going to put me out of business!"

Night-Rain felt her entire body sag with relief, her anxiety melting away in an instant.

Ding!

[Congratulations, you have cleared the "Earning a Living" quest]

Quest Rewards: 

300 Experience Points

[Cook] Profession

Successfully Crafted Item

Standard [Cook] Shop

(5) Materials

[Bonus reward for crafting a meal Maggie Spatulin honestly enjoyed]:

(3) Recipes of Maggie Spatulin

A slow grin crept onto her lips as she glanced back down at the bowl of steaming stew.

"Guess I won't be starving after all."

After receiving her bonus reward from Maggie, Night-Rain wasted no time planning her next move.

The inns were nice—comfortable, warm, and convenient—but deep down, she knew that true survival in this world meant learning to fend for herself beyond the safety of town walls.

If she was going to make it to the top of Aincrad, she needed to master the fundamentals:

Combat Proficiency – Fighting was one thing, but real combat experience meant training under unpredictable conditions—not just scripted duels or dungeon runs.

Wilderness Awareness – Living out in the open meant honing her surroundings, detecting danger faster, and learning how to handle unexpected threats.

Unlocking New Skills – Many skills in Sword Art Online were tied to actions, not just leveling. If she spent time hunting, gathering, and surviving in the wild, she might just unlock new survival-based abilities.

Camping out in the wilderness would test her abilities in ways staying at an inn never could.

So, first step?

🔹 Find a store that sells camping gear.

The market district of the Town of Beginnings was as lively as ever.

Stalls lined the stone-paved roads, vendors calling out to players advertising their goods. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, roasting meat skewers, and the faint metallic tang of polished weapons being displayed for sale.

Night-Rain wove through the crowds, ignoring the players haggling over gear and consumables as she searched for a shop that sold survival equipment.

After a few minutes, her eyes landed on a wooden storefront with a sign carved in the shape of a tent.

🔹 [Explorer's Respite – Camping & Survival Gear]

"Perfect."

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.

The interior smelled of leather and pine, and the walls were lined with hunting knives, rope coils, bedrolls, and compact rations. Wooden crates held basic cooking utensils, while a display case near the counter showcased sturdy camping lanterns and fire-starting kits.

Behind the counter stood a tall, rugged NPC merchant, his sleeves rolled up, revealing scarred forearms. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and he looked like he had lived through every outdoor adventure possible.

He greeted her with a gruff nod, arms crossed.

"You looking to set up camp in the wilds, traveler?"

Night-Rain smirked, placing her hands on her hips.

"That obvious?"

The merchant chuckled, gesturing toward the gear on display.

"You wouldn't be the first. Smart choice, if you ask me. Relying on inns all the time makes a person soft. What're you looking for?"

Night-Rain glanced around, considering her options.

Some time later she left the merchant's shop with:

Basic Bedroll

Flint & Steel Firestarter Kit

Small Cooking Pot

Field Rations (3 Days' Worth)

Lightweight Tent (1-Person)

It was a good start for now.

With her camping gear secured, Night-Rain headed toward the town gates, feeling somewhat relieved about leaving society. She was a natural loner at most times. She was antisocial and didn't enjoy interacting with people for long.

The wilds were dangerous, sure.

But that's what made them the best place to train and recharge.

As Night-Rain approached the gates, she noticed a small group of players sitting on a low stone wall, their heads bent over identical brown books.

She frowned slightly, watching as they flipped through the pages with intense focus.

She had been seeing that same book everywhere since launch day.

At first, she assumed it was just an optional guide, something only the overly cautious players would bother reading.

But now?

Now she was curious.

Curiosity won.

With a small sigh, she changed direction and approached the trio, stopping a few feet away.

"Excuse me."

The three players looked up from their reading, surprised by the sudden interruption.

Night-Rain gestured to the book in their hands.

"What's that book you're reading? I've seen a lot of others with it, and I was wondering if it was important."

The girl sitting between the two boys was the first to respond, her short chestnut-brown hair swaying slightly as she smiled politely.

"Oh, this?"

She lifted the book slightly, tilting it so Night-Rain could see the gold-embossed title on the cover:

[Beginner's Guide to Aincrad]

"It's the guidebook from the item shop," the girl explained. "The beta testers provided it to us newbies to help us get started."

Night-Rain's pretty blue eyes widened slightly.

A guide written by beta testers?

That meant inside knowledge—potential tips, hidden mechanics, and useful information from players who had already explored Aincrad before launch.

The girl continued, still smiling.

"It's free, too, if you're interested in getting one for yourself."

Night-Rain's entire body stiffened.

Wait.

Free?

Her mind blanked for a second, then crashed back down with a single realization.

She had completely forgotten about the item shop.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Her hand smacked against her forehead, frustration bubbling inside her.

How had she overlooked something so obvious?

She had been so focused on weapons, armor, camping gear, and survival skills that she never even checked for general resources—and here was a free guidebook that could have saved her a ton of trouble.

Night-Rain let out a sharp exhale, shaking her head.

"Right. Yeah. I should probably go grab one of those."

The girl chuckled softly, while one of the boys—a blonde player with a short sword strapped to his back—grinned.

"Yeah, might help you avoid running into trouble out there."

Night-Rain rolled her eyes, already turning back toward the marketplace.

Night-Rain made her way back through the market district, mentally kicking herself for forgetting such an obvious resource.

'All this time, running around, buying gear, setting up my plans for the next month… and I missed a free guide that could've made this way easier?'

It wasn't just frustrating—it was downright embarrassing.

She passed by weapon stalls, where a group of players were excitedly examining swords. Further ahead, someone was haggling over a health potion with a disinterested-looking NPC vendor.

She ignored them all, laser-focused on her goal.

The item shop was tucked between a potion vendor and a blacksmith's forge, its wooden sign swaying slightly in the breeze. Unlike the louder, more chaotic stalls, this place was calm and orderly, shelves stocked with various player essentials—from small trinkets to repair kits and extra potions.

Behind the polished wooden counter stood an NPC—a middle-aged shopkeeper with neatly combed brown hair and a round belly, his expression friendly but businesslike.

As Night-Rain stepped inside, he looked up with a practiced smile.

"Ah, a new adventurer!" he greeted, rubbing his hands together. "What can I do for you today? Looking for a good deal?"

Night-Rain waved a hand dismissively.

"I just need a copy of the beginner's guide."

The shopkeeper chuckled, already reaching under the counter.

"Ahh, good choice, good choice. You wouldn't believe how many players didn't pick this up on the first day and ended up completely lost."

Night-Rain bit back a groan as he handed her the book.

"Yeah, imagine that."

[Beginner's Guide to Aincrad]

Stepping out of the shop, Night-Rain found a quiet spot against the outer wall of a nearby building, flipping open the brown leather-bound book.

A soft chime played as the system recognized her accessing the guide, and her HUD lit up with new entries.

[Beginner's Guide Unlocked!]

🔹 Section 1: Understanding the UI & Skill Progression (Hidden skill interactions, XP gains, and leveling tips.)

🔹 Section 2: Weapon Mastery & Combat Tips (How to efficiently train weapon skills and movement techniques.)

🔹 Section 3: Monster Behavior & AI (Common patterns, weaknesses, and rare enemy spawn triggers.)

🔹 Section 4: Hidden Features & Beta Secrets (Locations of hidden quests, unmarked NPCs, and special items on Floor 1.)

🔹 Section 5: Crafting, Gathering, & Economy (The best ways to earn Col outside of combat.)

Night-Rain's eyes widened slightly, impressed.

"Damn. This is actually pretty useful."

She skimmed through the pages, absorbing snippets of key information.

Parrying against stronger enemies grants faster weapon skill progression.

Some creatures have specific "trigger conditions" that can force rare spawns.

There's an unmarked NPC in a forest cabin who teaches advanced tracking skills.

Rare herbs grow near cave entrances at sunrise.

Night-Rain grinned to herself, closing the book with a satisfying snap.

"Alright. That was definitely worth the detour."

With the guide secured in her inventory, she turned back toward the town gates.

"Let's try this one more time."

)💎(

The altitude was brutal, each step feeling heavier as Night-Rain climbed higher up the mountainous terrain. The air grew thinner, making her movements sluggish, but she welcomed the challenge.

The trade-off was worth it.

Up here, away from the distractions of town and other players, she could train in peace, honing her swordsmanship, endurance, and instincts without constant interruptions.

This wasn't just about leveling up—it was about pushing herself to the limit.

As she climbed, she couldn't help but glance at the scattered ledges jutting out along the cliff-face.

According to player rumors, these natural platforms had once been used for duels—a place where only the most skilled warriors dared to fight.

A single misstep meant falling to certain death, making these battles more about strategy and precision than brute strength.

A true test of mastery.

Night-Rain nodded to herself, gripping the sheath of her sword tighter.

"Sounds perfect for a month of training."

Before she could even begin her ascent, she had to traverse the wilderness at the base of the mountain.

The forest stretched wide, a tangled mass of ancient trees, their twisted roots breaking through the rocky ground. Golden fields of tall grass swayed beyond the treeline, but the wilderness was anything but peaceful.

Her newly acquired Beta Tester's Guidebook had already proven its worth, warning her of danger zones where monsters frequently ambushed travelers.

Thanks to it, she was able to avoid unnecessary fights.

But that didn't mean she was left alone.

She had lost count of how many times dire wolves had lunged at her from the shadows, their glowing yellow eyes locking onto her the moment she stepped too close to their territory.

They were fast, their lean, muscular bodies built for ambushes.

She dodged, countered, and struck, her Tealeaf Blade flashing in the dim forest light.

Each encounter was a lesson in stamina manaNight-Rainent—how long could she keep fighting before exhaustion slowed her down?

But despite their ferocity, Night-Rain had to admit…

They were kind of cute.

Their thick, wild fur, the way their ears twitched when stalking prey, even the way some of them tilted their heads when she feinted an attack—it almost made her feel guilty for cutting them down.

Almost.

By the time she reached the mountain path, her legs ached, and her lungs burned from the effort.

The trail was steep and unforgiving, winding precariously along rugged cliffs that dropped into misty abysses below.

She could feel the air growing thinner, making each step feel like she was wading through water—just as the guidebook had warned.

She refused to slow down.

She pushed forward, determined to reach her training grounds before nightfall.

The world around her shifted as the sun dipped lower, casting the vast plains below in golden hues.

The sky transformed into a masterpiece of color—pinks, oranges, and deep purples painting the horizon, the last remnants of daylight glowing against the snowy peaks ahead.

It was breathtaking.

Night-Rain finally came to a halt, resting a hand against a jagged rock as she took in the view.

For a moment, she just stood there, watching the world below bathe in the dying light of the sun.

A soft breeze rolled through, whispering against the cliffs, as if the mountain itself was welcoming her.

Then, she let out a slow breath, pulling up her HUD map.

'The sun is about to set soon,' she thought to herself.

'I should start setting up camp.'

With renewed focus, she turned away from the scenic view and began searching for a safe spot to settle in for the night.

Night-Rain's breath came out in misty puffs as she moved through the chilling evening air, searching for a safe place to rest.

Not too far ahead, nestled between jagged rocks, she spotted a dark opening in the mountainside.

A cave.

'Perfect.'

She didn't enter right away.

A shelter like this was great, but it could just as easily be occupied—by monsters, NPC hermits, or even other players who had gotten the same idea.

Gripping the hilt of her Tealeaf Blade, she cautiously stepped inside, her boots crunching lightly over the loose stone floor.

The air inside was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of stone and lichen. Faint droplets of water dripped from stalactites, echoing softly against the cavern walls.

The space was deeper than expected, but not too large—just enough to comfortably fit a fire, some supplies, and a sleeping area.

She checked for tracks, listening carefully for any sign of movement.

Nothing.

No footprints, no scratch marks, no monsters lurking in the shadows.

'Looks like I've got this place to myself.'

Satisfied, she set her pack down near the entrance, her muscles aching from the long climb.

The temperature had dropped drastically as night fell, a sharp contrast to the day's golden warmth.

Night-Rain had always loved the cold, but something about the mountain climate felt different.

It wasn't a gentle chill—it was biting, seeping into her bones even through her leather armor. The air was thin and crisp, carrying an almost unnatural stillness, as if the mountain itself was testing her resilience.

'No way I'm freezing up here.'

She pulled out her Flint & Steel Firestarter Kit, gathering dry twigs and a few pieces of wood she had collected earlier from the forest below.

After a few strikes, sparks danced in the darkness, catching onto the kindling until a small flame flickered to life.

The warm glow spread across the cavern walls, chasing away the shadows and filling the space with a faint, comforting crackle.

She stretched her hands toward the growing fire, letting the heat seep into her chilled fingers.

With warmth finally settling into her limbs, Night-Rain decided it was time to eat.

She dug through her inventory, pulling out:

Freshly butchered Dire Wolf meat (from earlier battles in the forest)

Wild mushrooms and herbs (gathered along the way)

A small cooking pot (bought from the market before leaving town)

A waterskin (half-full, enough for a stew base)

Placing the pot over the fire, she poured in some water, letting it heat up while she cut the meat into bite-sized chunks.

The Beta Tester's Guidebook had mentioned that Dire Wolf meat was edible, but had a strong, gamy flavor. To soften the taste, she added mushrooms and crushed herbs, stirring it all together.

The aroma of cooking meat soon filled the cave, blending with the earthy scent of the mountain.

She sat back, letting it simmer, watching as the flames danced around the pot.

"Not bad for my first night out here."

While the stew cooked, Night-Rain took the opportunity to earn the meditation skill.

She had read about it in the guidebook, and it seemed like a useful ability—boosting focus, stamina recovery, and possibly even unlocking mental resistance skills.

Crossing her legs, she closed her eyes, resting her palms on her knees.

She focused on her breathing, feeling the rise and fall of her chest, the subtle rhythm of the world around her.

The wind outside howled softly through the mountains.

The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls.

Her heartbeat steadied.

For the first time since arriving in Aincrad, she felt…

Still.

No chaos.

No crowded towns.

No uncertain alliances.

Just herself, the wilds, and the quiet strength of the mountain.

A system notification appeared in the corner of her vision.

[Meditation Skill Unlocked – Rank 1]

Night-Rain smiled slightly.

'Well, that's progress.'

With the stew ready, the fire warm, and her first skill unlocked, she leaned back against the cave wall, taking in the silent vastness of the night outside.

---

Should I continue with this story?

Yes

No

Finish with Chaos's Daughter: Sweet But Psycho first