One message and fifteen minutes later, I found myself on my knees looking up at a very angry face with painted whiskers twitching.

“What was the one thing I told ya I was going to keep ya from doing?” Argo asked in a terse tone.

“You were keeping me from throwing my life away by running into danger that was beyond me.” I replied while staring at the ground.

“And what didjya do immediately after I told ya that?” she pressed further.

“I… ran off to fight a field boss that was more than twice my level…” I replied my shoulders sinking lower. Argo was usually laid back and unflappable. I had never seen her angry before. Having now experienced her anger firsthand I hoped to never see it again.

“Umm Argo?” Kara hesitantly raised her hand seeming to take pity on me for this unexpected predicament. “I admit he was a total idiot for what he did, but he did save my life, so maybe don’t be too angry at him?”

Argo let out a long sigh before raising her arms in exasperation.

“You’re lucky I managed to find some high level players willing to come down and save your butts last minute like that!” she scolded. “Do ya realize that was the second day in a row I’ve had to get those six to save a client’s hide? I can’t afford to keep calling in favours like this! Big sis Argo’s gonna end up spending more than she makes!”

“I’m sorry!” I shouted bowing my head as low as I could. “It… it was wrong of me to make you worry like that. You do so much to look out for me and I truly appreciate it!”

Argo reeled back taken off guard by my apology. “I… I didn’t…” Argo let out another sigh before laying a hand on my shoulder.

“Just get up.” She exclaimed. “I ain’t that angry at ya. Big sis Argo just likes to look out for her clients. Besides, ya can’t go dying until ya pay off that tab ya wracked up with me ya hear?”

“Heh heh… right…” I replied sheepishly. Apparently she hadn’t been joking about that. I got back up to my feet. Argo’s mischievous expression had returned as she giggled in her usual nasally manner.

“So? Whatchya call ole Argo back down here for?” she asked. “It can’t just be because you wanted to apologize, though I’d be flattered if it was. I wasn’t expectin to see you two together being all buddy buddy either I’ve gotta admit.”

“We need your help on something.” Kara spoke up before I could reply. “What experience do you have with coming up with unique combat styles and taking advantage of game mechanics?”

Argo raised an inquisitive eyebrow as we proceeded to explain the events that took place in the the Briar Nightmare battle. Argo, being the only player in Aincrad who knew the truth of my background, sent me smug sidelong glances whenever Kara told of the desperate excuses I had given to explain my behavior, but otherwise she listened attentively. When Kara had finished the explanation, Argo shook her head in disbelief.

“You’re never gonna cease catching me off guard and making me worry are ya Ma-bou?” Argo exclaimed. “I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved that there ain’t more players like ya here.”

Argo leaned back for a second to ponder all the details we had told her. “Ya say you were using your dagger skills to maneuver your body midair.” Argo pondered. “In other words, the more sword skills you can activate, the more options you’ll have to maneuver with. What skills do you currently have equipped?”

I opened my menu and checked out my skill slots. “I just unlocked a fifth slot a little while ago.” I explained. “My current skills are one handed daggers, hiding, sneaking, acrobatics, and trap disarming was my most recent addition.”

Argo nodded as I closed my menu again. Whatever she was thinking about she seemed to be at odds as to whether she should tell me or not.

“I have an idea that should help you out, but I first need to make sure that you definitely intend to fully commit to this crazy fight style of yours. Realize if you want my help in this you’re gonna have to replace at least two of your skills.”

My chest tightened as I knew exactly which skills Argo was referring to. I knew that my anxiety wouldn’t let me rely on my stealth or hiding skills ever again, but I had spent so much time leveling them up that the thought of just throwing away all that progress was a little upsetting. Closing my eyes I remembered the sick feeling I had felt when I watched helplessly as I was unable to do anything to help Sterra and Stern fight against the Briar Nightmare. Finding a new sense of determination I turned to Argo with a nod.

“I’m sure.” I replied. To this, Argo gave me a pained smile.

“Alright then.” She nodded. From the sound of her voice, she seemed a little disappointed with my choice, but she wasn’t about to withhold any information.

“First I want ya to replace one of your skills with the sprint ability. This should pair well with your acrobatics allowing ya to get close fast and dodge quickly.”

Opening my menu again I selected the sneak ability as the first skill to replace. Unlike hiding, which was most effective against players, sneak gave me an edge of monsters. If I was going to change my fighting styles, this would guarantee there was no turning back.

“Are you sure you wish to remove this skill? Removing skills from skill slots will reset all progress for the skill to zero.” The warning message appeared. I hesitated for a moment as my hand shook uncertainly. With a deep breath I pressed the accept button and all my progress from the previous months was gone forever. Searching through skill selection menu, I found and the selected the sprint skill to add in its place.

“Okay, it’s done.” I sighed, feeling more exhausted than I should have. “What’s the next skill I need to add?”

“For that, you and I are gonna have to go on a bit of a trip.” Argo smiled.

I nervously followed as Argo led me to the teleport gate in the center of the plaza. Argo reached up to interact with the gate when she paused.

“Sorry red.” Argo called out turning to Kara who had been following us. “What I’m about to show Ma-bou here is some top rate premium secret information. I’m technically breaking my own promise by giving it out at all. I’m making an exception in this case, but he’s the only one I’m allowing to come.”

Kara was a bit put out that she wouldn’t be allowed to follow us but she didn’t press the issue.

“I’ll send ya a message when we’re ready for ya!” Argo called back with a wave. “Though just to warn ya it might take a few days!”

Argo led me up the stairs to the teleport plaza. “We’ll be going to the second level.” She explained fiddling with the gate’s interface. Argo immediately vanished in a flash of light, but I was left standing there for a moment.

It had been a little over three months since I had first entered Sword Art Online, though it felt like it had been a life time. In that entire time I had never dared go to another floor. The first floor had become familiar to me. I knew where everything was. I knew where to go and where not to go. I knew every monster and their quirks.

If I activated this teleporter I would be facing an unfamiliar floor with foes and traps I had never experienced before just like the first day I logged in. The thought was terrifying.

“No use regretting that now…” I thought to myself activating the gate. As I walked into the teleport gate, the Town of Beginnings vanished from around me as my world was engulfed in a white light.