Silica! A Girl in Peril!...

Aincrad, Floor 35—the Lost Forest...

Unlike the Lost Forest's previous blanket of snow, the forest in this season could not exactly be called beautiful, but it had the feel of woodland at night. The surrounding trees were lush and green, brimming with life. Setting aside the monsters within, the Lost Forest was now even a fine place for a picnic.

Unfortunately, in one corner, several people arguing ruined the peaceful, tranquil atmosphere...

"What kind of nonsense is that...?"

A party of five had gathered together: two female players and three male players. At that moment, the three male players stood off to one side, looking somewhat at a loss, while the two female players faced each other. Clearly, they were the ones arguing.

A tall female player with curly red hair and a somewhat seductive appearance stared at the item window before her, her mouth never stopping. "You have that lizard to heal you anyway, so you don't need healing crystals, right?..." Standing before the tall female player was a petite, incredibly cute girl. Her blond hair was tied into two small twin tails with red ribbons, and perched atop her head was a tiny lizard shaped like a Western dragon. Even compared with some of the top female players in SAO, she was no less attractive. More importantly, she was adorable.

Yet the red eyes of this exceptionally cute girl were filled with indignation.

"You're the one who doesn't need them! You don't even go to the front lines, so why do you need crystals?..."

"Of course I do!" The tall female player replied in a taunting voice. "I'm not like the idol girl Silica, who has men to heal her!"

The petite girl called Silica suddenly raised her head and looked at the person before her. Though her