Chapter 659: Silica, the damsel in distress
Aincrad, 35th floor, the Forest of Wandering.
Unlike the winter forest view from the past, this season brings new things to the map. The forest looked green and even though the weather isn’t that great, the trees flourish in a beautiful emerald-green blush. If one ignored the monsters roaming here, this place would make a great place to host a picnic.
However, a couple of players ruined the scenery with their squabbling.
“What are you talking about?...”
A party of five consisting of two female players and three female players were arguing. Specifically, the two female players are bickering with the three male players standing at the side, looking unsure about how to resolve this situation.
With curly red hair, a charming and curvy female player snorted at the other female player while looking at her own item tab.
“You have the lizard healing for you, you don’t need items like recovery crystals, right?”
A petite and cute girl protested. She had her light brow hair tied into twintails with baubles. She had a flying lizard that looked like a miniature dragon hovering by her side. She’s probably a girl who will grow up to become a stunning beauty, for now, she’s probably the cutest girl you can find among the female players in SAO.
Her eyes were burning with indignation.
“You’re the one who doesn’t need it! You’re not even a frontline member, why would a rear-support need a healing crystal?”
“Of course!”
The curvy player sneered.
“I am not a certain teenage idol named Silica, I don’t have male players supplying me with healing crystals.”
The lass named Silica looked a bit pacified but she’s not pleased with her explanation.
The other three male players in their party were apparently too afraid to chime in. One of them stepped out as he advised the curvy woman.
“Rosalia-san, Silica, you two...”
“I know!”
Silica closed her item tab and she told the charming woman off.
“Fine, I don’t want the items anymore. I don’t want to party with you guys anymore!”
Silica snapped back at Rosalia.
“There are many other players who want to team up with me. I can survive just fine without you guys!”
Silica ignored the party as she left. She walked towards the outer region of the forest with her dragon in tow.
The woman named Rosalia licked her lips with a suspicious glint flashing in her eyes. Her smile hinted that she’s up to no good. She was looking at Silica like a field boss ready for juicing. She couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into her.
Silica didn’t understand the implications of leaving the safety of her own party.
Soon, dusk fell and by the time they were done sorting out their debacle, night came.
When Silica finally realized it, it was already night. There were scary noises coming from monsters in this dark and cold forest. Silica couldn’t help but be afraid.
She rubbed the dragon on her head and she quickened her pace. She wanted to get out of this forest as soon as possible, she didn’t want to run into monsters after all.
Then, heavy footsteps entered her ear. She wanted to change direction when she saw the owner of those heavy footsteps.
With an oversized wooden club in its hand, a gorilla with the shape of a beer-bottle emerged from behind a tree. It is easily 2 meters in height. The monster looked at Silica with a pair of hostile eyes. Silica couldn’t help but step back in fright.
Silica bit down on her lips as she turned around to run for the other direction. However, another gorilla blocked her off.
To her right, left, and front, there were gorillas gathering from every direction. Soon, her back was up against a giant tree.
Mew mew
The little dragon on top of her head growled back at the monsters around Silica. It wanted to do anything in its power to protect its master. Unlike pets that had simplistic AI, this one had high intelligence. The Dragon called Silica back into reality.
She breathed in and she took out the dagger strapped to her waist. She continued looking for a way out as her gaze darted between the three gorillas in her way.
One of the gorillas got bored of waiting. It roared and lumbered towards Silica. It smashed down its oversized club without holding back just because the opponent is a cute girl.
Silica dodged in the nick of time with a timely jump. She evaded the gorilla by flashing past its flank. The club hit the ground and dust flew up. The ground even shook from the powerful pounding. Silica reckons that she can only sustain three hits like this before it’s game over for her.
Boom
Silica couldn’t dodge the next attack, she got sent flying through the air by another wooden club.
Bam
Silica fell onto the floor with her HP Gauge immediately depleted into the yellow zone.
She stood up in a panic while another club came for her.
Boom
The club fell without hitting her since she dodged narrowly again. The two other gorillas struck again. She only managed to evade one attack, she continued retreating.
She looked at the 3 gorillas while panting hard. She clenched so hard on her dagger that her palm’s starting to hurt. Her head didn’t register the pain because her thoughts are in a disarray.
If I don’t leave soon...
Mew
The little dragon spat out an iridescent cloud that covered Silica in a brief while. Healing her by 33%.
Silica reached into her pouch and she immediately freaked out when she noticed something.
There are no healing crystals left on her.
Roar
She continued inching back as the gorillas approached her. One of the gorillas stomped towards her.
The gorilla swung its club without caring what the panicking Silica thought.
This hit would empty her HP gauge for sure.
Bam
The little dragon blocked the attack for Silica. Its HP bar got reduced to 0 in almost an instant. It fell to the ground with a dull thud.
“Pina!”
Silica can’t believe that her pet chose to sacrifice itself for her. She hugged Pina in an embrace without minding the gorillas approaching her.