Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

"Want some?" Ren asked, rummaging through his inventory before pulling out another round sandwich, its golden crust still steaming.

He offered it toward Ago.

"I'm not good at comforting people... and honestly, no one ever taught me how. But every time I feel like crap... I eat something."

He spoke softly, as if recalling a version of himself from weeks ago. "A full belly... sometimes that's all it takes to forget things for a while."

Ago glanced at the sandwich, shrugged, and took it without hesitation. She bit into it hard, like she was trying to chew up all the frustration stuck in her throat.

"...This damn game is always like this." She muttered between chews, her nose tinged with a sigh. "Just when you think people are finally starting to understand each other... someone ruins everything again."

Ren sat silently, occasionally glancing at the misty forest canopy above. A pale light filtered through the haze. The space felt unusually quiet, just insects chirping and the crisp crunch of bread being eaten.

Ago swallowed, wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, then exhaled.

"I just got out of a strategy meeting. Took up the whole morning. And you know what?"

"They couldn't agree on anything?" Ren guessed.

"Exactly." She scoffed, but without amusement. "They refused to let Kirito join any guild. One side's the Aincrad Liberation Squad, Kibaou's in charge, same loudmouth as ever, barking like he's ready to bite someone."

"The other side is the Dragon Knights Brigade, led by Lind. More polite, but no better. Both sides are scared Kirito would tip the power balance if he joined the other."

Ren furrowed his brows. He had expected this, Kirito was too strong, and too isolated.

"What about forming a third guild?" he asked.

Ago shrugged. "Some people threw the idea out, but it's all talk. You know how it is, everyone's got big plans, but no one wants to go fetch the item required to form a guild."

"That thing's not easy to get. I've been digging for info since we reached this floor, and still haven't found a solid lead."

She sighed and squeezed the rest of her sandwich, as if wringing out her frustration.

"What about Asuna?" Ren asked, his voice low.

"She hasn't joined any guild," Ago replied instantly. "She's been with Kirito since Floor Two. You can't separate them now. And no one dares interfere with that duo."

Ren slowly nodded, his eyes dropping down, lost in thought.

"They've... been together the whole time?" he asked again, this time softer.

"Yeah." Ago narrowed her eyes at him, clearly picking up on something, but she didn't press it. "Agil and his group haven't joined any guild either. They're staying neutral. Maybe they're smarter than we think."

A pause stretched between them.

"I'm tired." Ago said suddenly, leaning back against the bench, tilting her head up to take a deep breath. "I'm supposed to be an information broker. And yet when the most important things are happening, I don't see any of it coming."

Ren didn't respond. He just pulled out another sandwich from his inventory and placed it beside her on the bench, saying nothing.

Ago let out a soft laugh, this time calmer, more drained.

"You know, during that meeting, I looked around and realized something: the higher we climb, the more people care about keeping their seats than killing bosses."

"And when Kirito stood up to speak, not a single person looked him in the eye. Not a single one."

Ren remained silent. He stared at the leftover sandwich in his hand, gently squeezing the crust until the filling oozed out.

"You could've met Kirito and Asuna. Too bad, they left the settlement about thirty minutes ago."

"At least there was one thing everyone agreed on," Ago added, her voice tinged with relief after so much venting. "They're planning to focus on clearing the area boss, the one guarding the labyrinth entrance to this floor's final boss."

Ren listened silently. He knew that kind of boss well: not strong enough to demand full force, but dangerous enough to wipe a team that wasn't ready. A true gatekeeper.

"In a few days, once they gather enough people and prep properly, the battle will begin." Ago turned to face him, her gaze sharp, almost piercing. "Are you coming?"

Ren didn't answer immediately. He lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the now-cold sandwich. A breeze ruffled his hair. Finally, he shook his head.

"My level's still too low..." His voice was somber. "I wouldn't be much help."

Ago frowned. "What level are you?"

"Lv.10... Why?" His tone was flat.

Ago stared at him for a few seconds, as if doubting what she just heard.

"You're serious? About just... hanging around on Floor One for the past few weeks, eating and sleeping?" Her voice was part disbelief, part irritation. "I'm at level 14..."

Ren gave a small shrug, not denying it. "I needed time to... stabilize a few things."

"Stabilize?" Ago let out a dry laugh, humorless and brittle. "You know what we were doing while you were 'stabilizing'? Dungeon crawling, dodging traps, killing hordes of giant spiders, scraping for every bit of life-saving intel."

She leaned back again, staring up into the mist-covered treetops. Then let out a long, slow breath.

"You're strong, Ren. I've known that for a while now. Even if you don't want to admit it. But this isn't just about strength anymore. The longer you stay out of the loop, the harder it'll be to get back in."

Ren looked down at his hand. The leather glove was slightly scuffed, marks left from a recent skirmish. He clenched his fist gently.

"I know."

"But you're in luck," Ago said, wiping her hands and resting her chin on one, giving Ren a mischievous look. "I know a few hunting grounds and quest routes with high rewards… Friendly prices, of course. Especially for an old acquaintance."

Ren tilted his head slightly. A breeze blew past, lifting the strands of hair that had fallen across his forehead.

For a moment, the tiredness on his face vanished. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile, subtle, but there was something deeper behind his eyes, something both sharp and knowing.

"I think you're the lucky one," he said, voice soft as mist but steady.

Ago blinked. "Hm?"

Without another word, Ren opened his inventory, scrolled swiftly through a few items, and pulled out a short dagger, its curved blade slightly jagged, but the hilt was intricately carved.

A rare drop at low floors, the kind of item most players would keep to sell at a high price.

Ren held it out in front of Ago, at eye level.

"Found it today. After taking down a Dusk-Lurker."

Ago's eyes flickered as she stared at the weapon, as if noticing something out of place. She took the dagger, turned it in her hand, her thumb brushing the faint patterns carved along the hilt.

"Lurker Dagger, huh... This type doesn't usually drop on Floor Three." Her voice dropped. "It has a chance to inflict poison... and that safe enhancement rate, crazy."

Ren didn't reply. He simply stood up, brushed the dust off his belt, and looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Let's call it... a 'friendly price,' yeah?"

Ago kept staring at the dagger, silent. Her eyes narrowed, lost in a brief moment of thought.

The space between them held still, congealing into a quiet pause filled only by the wind rustling through the forest.

Then she chuckled, softly, almost bitter. "But I'm not exactly the combat type, you know. This dagger..." she lifted it, "...won't be of much use to me."

Ren remained quiet.

Ago exhaled, setting the dagger beside her like it weighed more than it should. "Still... it's not bad to have something that reminds you others might be thinking of you once in a while."

"I don't need money," Ren said, his voice calm.

At that, Ago's eyes lit up slightly. But before she could say a word, he continued:

"Discounted rates on intel... permanently."

Ago squinted, her face scrunching up like she'd just been swindled.

"You're not even gonna let me pretend to haggle first? At least let me enjoy the illusion for a few seconds."

Ren shrugged. "I think I just did."

"You're shameless." She crossed her arms, eyeing him as if reassessing him from scratch. "Why not just rob me outright?"

"Too much trouble." Ren replied, deadpan.

Ago rested her chin on her palm, clicking her tongue. "Fine... Three. Three free tips. Just three."

"The first three?"

"You want to test if I can take that dagger back by force, huh?"

Ren smirked faintly, barely audible. "I trust you don't need it that badly."

Ago laughed. "You're a pain, you know that? But fine, deal. Discount for you... next time you come find me. From now on, you're a regular."

"I didn't say I'd come back," Ren said.

"Oh, you will," she winked. "People like you who try to keep their distance... always end up being the most loyal customers."

Nothing else was said. But somewhere in the wind and the rustling leaves, something had shifted. Nothing loud or clear, but it was real. A quiet agreement. A hint of trust, subtle and fragile.

"By the way... how's your stealth rate these days?" Ren asked, tone somewhere between curiosity and teasing.

Ago gave him a sideways glance. "About 76%. Pretty solid. Why?"

Ren nodded. "Mine's... around 70%."

"What?" Ago leaned forward, disbelief plain in her eyes. "No way... You haven't even mastered that skill as well as I have!"

"True." Ren answered, then pulled his cloak aside to reveal the inner fabric ashen gray with a faint silver lining. "Thanks to this. Cloak gives +10% to stealth effectiveness, and another +50% while stationary. Rare drop."

Ago stared, wide-eyed. One second. Two...

Then she jumped up like she'd been stabbed by a needle, nearly knocking over her chair. "Sell it to me! I'll pay anything! Name your price!"

Ren remained seated, lips curled in amusement.

"I'm serious! I need that thing! I could sneak into tombs without wasting a single smoke bomb! I'll even split the profits with you!"

"Unfortunately, I need it too," Ren replied, patting the cloak lightly as if to reassure it. "It suits me just fine."

Ago bit her lip, flopped back down into her seat, and tapped her fingers against the table. "Bastard... Hiding loot like that and not even listing it."

"I don't need that much money right now."

"Ugh. If I'd known, I'd have bargained harder earlier."

"Too late," Ren said, glancing up at the sky. "A deal is a deal."

Ago growled, then burst out laughing. "Alright, you cheapskate. But if next time you find something that good and don't call me first, I'm jacking up the price on every piece of intel you ask for."

Ren smiled faintly. "I might give it to you. But I don't need money... I need a better sword than this one..."