Abyss of the Shrine Maiden

Searching For Keys, Part Two

Koharu picks it up and hands it to Jaymes. “That’s two.”

“Yeah. Let’s see...the third one belongs to a researcher, correct?”

“That’s what the log says. Wasn’t the first area a research site? Maybe that person’s ghost is there.”

“Yeah. I’ll update the others, it seems like Leafa and Klein have joined Kirito. Liz, everyone, take a short break, then we’ll teleport back to the Seldona Laboratory.”

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Magmatite Research Site

Upon returning to the Magmatite Research Site from the path between it and Seldona Laboratory, the seven quickly find the chief researcher’s bones, but instead of a flame, they’re met with a reaper. After a short, intense fight, Koharu lowers her blade as the angry spirit of the researcher finally stops attacking the group and calms down. As the reaper returns to the ghostly green flame, Jaymes gestures for Koharu to follow him as they cautiously approach the flame. “He’s black in ghostly form. Let’s see if he can hear us now. But keep your dagger ready.”

“Okay.”

“We could not control...the Magmamite,” the ghost of Chief Crisbergh begins to say as the pair comes close. “I have to find a way… I must… I must unlock the secret before another calamity occurs. My job only distracts me from my task. This stupid key… I’ll cast it into that warehouse!”

Once the ghost seems to be done talking, Koharu faces Jaymes, the boy’s face already pondering. “What is this Magmatite, and what sort of power does it have? Why would that researcher hide his key?”

“We know from the first scientist that it was a valuable resource to the people here. But if we want answers, we’ll have to find his key and keep progressing.”

“Just like the good old days, huh?”

“Heh, right… Everyone, let’s split up and search the area for a warehouse--ruined or not--with the key inside. Whoever finds it first gets a prize.”

Strea gasps. “Oh, oh, what’s the prize?”

The red swordsman shrugs and walks away, holding Koharu’s shoulder. “Find it first, find out.”

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Five minutes later

Koharu honestly feels bad for the other girls, not because they lost, but that they lost so quickly. The key is literally by Jaymes’ foot, but instead of picking it up and advancing the quest, he ignores it for now and sits in the ruins by the region's teleport gate. Koharu and Jaymes teleported to the Magmatite Research Site’s gate and after five minutes, found the key.

“This is, without a doubt, the chief researcher’s key.”

“Aren’t you going to collect it?”

“No, not yet. It wouldn’t be fun if this was over so quickly.”

Koharu frowns. “Your idea of fun is making girls run in circles for a key they won’t find on the prospect of a prize given by you? One of those girls is your ex-girlfriend who still loves you, another is an AI who loves you almost unconditionally, and two others who have strong feelings towards you. The only one who probably doesn’t care for such a reward is Silica unless she uses you to try to sway Kirito to her.”