December 23, 2025
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
20 FLOORS REMAINING
80 floors down, 20 more to go. Even making it this far was nothing short of a miracle. We had all trained and prepared so hard to make it to this point and yet there was still so much more to go. But at the moment, we were celebrating with a buffet of food and a plethora of drinks.
Klien- Is everyone here? Great, then let's get this "Congratulations on Reaching the 80th Floor" party started! I can't believe it's been two whole years since I first started my quest to become one of this game's most elite players.
Lisbeth- No one wants to hear your reminiscing, Klein. Shut up and make a toast already.
Klein- Ouch, Liz! You just lost yourself the chance to hear a story for the ages. Anyway... let's raise a glass, people! Cheers!
Everyone- Cheers!
Klein- Yo Kazzu! Congrats to us making it to the 80th floor!
"Yeah, congrats to you too Klein."
Klein- Has it been two years since me, you and Kirito first met...? It brings a tear to the eye just thinking how far we've come, and we're still going strong!
"It's a miracle that we're still in one piece."
Klein- And we're not going anywhere yet, pal! Let's breeze through the next 20 floors, whaddya say?
"I couldn't agree more dude."
Lisbeth- Kazzu! You enjoying yourself?
"Hey, Liz. Yeah, I'm having a great time. And I've got to say the food makes it more worth it for me."
Lisbeth- That'd be because our expert chefs Asuna & Ashtry pulled out all the stops to make it! They've outdone herself this time.
Klein- So you and Kirito are feasting on this delicious stuff every day, Kazzu?! It must be good to be you two!
Kirito- I don't eat like this every day! Asuna is a busy person too.
Klein- I'd be the most content guy in the world if I could eat this every day. I guess I'll just have to have my fill of it for today, though!
"Just remember to leave some for other people."
Agil- Hey Kazzu, over here. Wanna try some of my food?
"Agil. Did you make that?"
Agil- Yeah, and it's delicious if I say so myself. You can count on that.
I looked down at what the famed shopkeeper had made for our banquet and my eyes went wide as I looked up at him with shock.
"Whoa! Is that a... pizza?!"
Agil- Well, I used only ingredients you can find in this world, you see, so I'll leave you to decide whether it passes the pizza flavor test. But Asuna helped me out, so I bet it's about as good as it gets round here.
"Okay, well here goes..."
Before I could take a slice and bite into the good-looking cheesy goodness before my eyes, Agil threw his hands up in a panic.
Agil- Wait! One more thing. Actually... you should know that I've added a little twist to the pizza to "spice" things up. One of the slices has something super-hot mixed into the toppings.
Kazzu- You did what?!
Agil- I wasn't brave enough to try it myself, so who knows how hot the thing is? It's all good though. We're inside the safe zone, so you can't die.
"Are you sure about that? The fact you have to bring that up worries me..."
Klein- It sounds like a blast to me! I wanna see who gets the "lucky" slice.
Leafa- Which one do you think is the spicy one?
Silica- Hmm... I don't know if I want to eat it now...
Asuna- I was there when he was making it, and I'm pretty sure he used enough powder to knock a goblin out...
Sinon- Why didn't you stop him...?
Asuna- I wouldn't dare spoil another chef's fun.
Lisbeth- Think of it like testing your luck. Whoever gets the spicy slice is the luckiest!
"I don't think that's what "lucky" means Lizzie...
Klein- So if the person who gets the slice is the luckiest, they should get something. How about if they can command anyone, they want to do something?
Lisbeth- Is that all you think about? Getting people to act out your freaky fantasies?
Klein- Hey! I'm not saying they have to make the person do weird things! I think you're the one with the dirty mind, Liz! They could make the person cook their favorite dish or search for a rare item. There's lots of normal stuff!
Leafa- I could ask them to come shopping with me.
Silica- Yeah, there are lots of things they could ask.
Ashtry- Okay. There are 12 pieces, so there's a 1 in 12 chance of getting it.
Yui- Who's going to participate?
Klein- Obviously I'm in!
Silica- And me!
Strea- Ooooo! Ooooo! Me me me!
Leafa- Hmm... Me too!
Lisbeth- Okay, I guess I'll take a slice.
Sinon- You can count me in too.
Asuna- I'm going to give it a try too!
Ashtry- Count me in. I have a few ideas on what I can demand from one of you.
Yui- I want to try too!
Kiyo- Me too!!!
Asuna- Yui, you too?!
Kirito- It's okay. Yui loves spicy things. Don't you?
Yui- Um... Yeah!
Asuna- The last time you tried to eat something hot your face turned into all kinds of weird shapes, Yui...
Ashtry- And Kiyo are you sure you want to try it? I don't want you hurting yourself...
Kiyo- I'll be ok Mama! I really wanna play too!
"I'm going to take a slice then. I want to see just how hot the slice is."
Kirito- I'll join too. Maybe then me and Kazzu can either have a duel or complete the Hollow Area together.
Agil- Well, if you get it, you're not going to be disappointed with how much I added. In fact, you'll be literally floored by its power.
Klein- You heard the guy, everybody. Let's pick our slices.
We all agreed and picked our slice of the pizza. I let everyone go before me so that I was left with the last slice located at the top of the circle. I picked it up and got ready to bite.
Klien- Everyone have a slice? Ok then... We'll all take a big bite at the same time. If you get the super-spicy slice, you get to choose someone to do your bidding. Got it? Let's chow down, people!
We all took a big bite all at the same time. I chewed my piece and didn't feel the spice but instead on how good the pizza was.
Guess that means I'm out. So who got it?
I looked around the room and noticed the disappointed faces of most of my friends, all upset that they didn't get the spicy slice but yet somehow happy that they didn't as well. Until, of course, I had my answer as to who the lucky winner was.
Klien- AAAGH! ARGH! S-S-SO SPICY! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! SOMEONE GET ME A HOSE! Oh no... my head feels like it's splitting in two... WATER! WATER! SOMEONE BRING ME SOME WATER!
"Wait a second! I'll get you some!"
Just how hot was that slice!?
Klein- Holy mother of... Oh no... What now? My tongue... my thung! Ith ith thil there? I canth thalk!
Agil- HAHAHAHA! Nice reaction, Klein!
Kirito- Agil! You've created a monster!
"Here you go, Klein. Some water."
Klien wasted no time snatching the thing away from my hand and guzzling it down in one sitting. He gasped for air as he let out a sigh of relief, finally free from the spiced-up pizza slice.
Klein- Thank you. Wow, did I need that!
Silica- I was almost disappointed at not getting the spicy slice until I saw Klein's reaction.
Leafa- Yeah. That was a close one.
Klein- I can safely say that was not my finest moment. But I'm the winner! And now let's get the real game started! Let's see, let's see... who's going to be the lucky person who gets to do my bidding, hm?
Lisbeth- Could we... could we be in for some real trouble here...?
Asuna- It'll be fine... right? He's not going to make us do anything he wouldn't do himself... right?
Klein- Choices, choices. So many pretty faces to choose from!
Sinon- I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Klein, but I think your "thirst" for lauding it over us all has already been "quenched."
Klein- I'm confused...
Sinon- Kazzu just brought you a glass of water, didn't he? He did as you commanded, right?
The sudden dread in the room changed immediately to one of hope and uplifting joy as a majority of the group looked at Klein with their faces lit back up.
Klein- Wait a second! That doesn't count!
Silica- Sinon's right. You ordered Kirito to do something, and he obeyed.
Ashtry- Exactly. The game's over, Klein.
Klein- What...? But I haven't... it can't be... this isn't how it was supposed to end...
Lisbeth- You should be glad! It worked like a charm, didn't it? Kazzu did exactly as you said.
Klein- This isn't fair! I had to eat that damn super-spicy slice for... for... a glass of water?! Come on, Kazzu. Say something!
"Look, I'm just happy I did a good job in bringing you that glass of water just like you ordered me to, Klein."
I smirked and gave him a small devilish chuckle as he now looked at me defeated.
Klein- You too?!
Agil- This is what you get for having ulterior motives, kid...
Klein- I wasn't going to do any harm, you guys know that... I had something really fun in mind.
Agil- Put it this way... your idea of "fun" is their idea of "get me the hell outta here!"
Klein- I think I must be cursed...