Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

The morning sunlight stretched across the chimneys, which had been billowing smoke since early dawn.

Chasing away the cold and solitude of the night.

The crisp chirping of birds pulled Ren from his wonderful sleep.

He stretched lightly on the soft inn bed. Stepping out from beneath the blanket, the cool air jolted him fully awake.

Ren sat up, his eyes still a little drowsy from the rare deep sleep. His body felt much lighter than in the past days, no longer burdened by exhaustion or restlessness after a sleepless night.

Stretching his arms, he let the warm sunlight filtering through the small window brush against his skin.

Outside, the town was already bustling, the shouts of merchants, the clatter of horse hooves against cobblestone, and somewhere in the distance, the sound of weapons clashing as players trained from the early morning.

A new day had begun.

Ren rose to his feet, feeling the warm blanket slip from his shoulders as he stepped off the bed.

The cool morning air brushed against his skin, sending a slight shiver down his spine.

But this was not the lonely chill of wandering the streets at night or the oppressive cold of a dungeon's depths. It was a refreshing kind of cold, signaling a new beginning.

Today… he would move forward.

His gaze shifted to the corner of the room, where his spear still rested. Ren had found a weapon more suited to him, but he still didn't have enough money to buy a sword.

He also had to repay Klein the money he owed. But there was something warm beating in his chest, something glowing faintly in his heart.

The lingering feeling from last night, the sensation of a weapon not as a burden, but as an extension of himself.

Ren's lips curved slightly, a faint gleam of anticipation in his eyes.

Today… would be a good day.

Under the gentle light of dawn, Ren descended the inn's staircase. The rich aroma of toasted bread and hot meat stew filled the air, banishing the lingering chill of the night.

The inn's common room was livelier than usual. A group of players had gathered around a long table near the window, chatting excitedly about their hunting plans for the day.

At the center of the table, Klein lounged comfortably with one arm resting on the back of his chair. His mouth was stuffed with smoked meat, yet he still talked incessantly about their next hunting ground.

Across from him sat Dynamm, chewing on a piece of bread while tapping his fork against the table, chiming in with an enthusiastic tone.

"Hey, listen, how about we make a bet today? Whoever kills the most boars gets free drinks tonight!" Dynamm grinned, his eyes sparkling as if he had already won.

"I'm not interested in your childish games," Issin shrugged, taking a sip from a wooden mug.

Setting his drink down, his voice remained calm but carried a hint of strictness. "We're hunting to earn money and train, not to mess around."

"Geez, Issin, you're always so stiff!" Dynamm shook his head but still casually pushed a warm piece of bread toward him. "Here, eat up. You'll need the energy to swing your sword later."

Sitting beside Issin, Dale silently sliced a piece of roast meat with surprising precision, an action that contrasted sharply with his towering build.

When he noticed Ren approaching, he only glanced up slightly, but the small smile on his lips showed that he had acknowledged him.

"Ren, are you coming with us to hunt today?" Dale asked, his deep voice calm and pleasant.

Ren pulled out a chair and sat down, accepting a plate of food from the innkeeper. He glanced at the group before nodding lightly. "Yeah, I'll go with you."

Klein smiled in satisfaction, but his gaze quickly flickered toward the spear leaning against Ren's chair.

"Still carrying the spear?" Klein asked, making no attempt to hide his sharp observation.

Ren fell silent for a moment. His grip on the spear's shaft tightened slightly as memories of last night resurfaced, the sword he had tried, the one that felt more natural than anything else.

But changing weapons wasn't easy. He had been using a spear since he entered this game. He wasn't good at it, but it was all he had.

"I... I'm not sure yet," Ren admitted, his eyes reflecting hesitation and a touch of unease.

"No need to rush." Dale nodded, cutting another piece of meat with the same meticulousness as before.

"But if the spear doesn't feel right, don't force yourself."

Issin also gave a slight nod. "What matters most is choosing what suits you. A weapon isn't just a tool, it's a reflection of your fighting style."

"Exactly! Like me....I started with an axe, but I could barely lift it! After switching to a sword and shield, everything felt way smoother!"

Dynamm burst into laughter, rubbing his chin smugly. "Hey, if Ren switches to a sword, do you think he could beat you, Ryoutarou?"

"You little..." Klein immediately reached over and smacked Dynamm on the back, making him nearly choke on his bread.

"Cough!" Dynamm wheezed, hastily setting down his spoon before leaning back and crossing his arms, feigning nonchalance.

"A single dude who's worked an office job for 22 years and never had a girlfriend."

Klein's brow twitched. "What the hell…! Just because you know how to flirt doesn't mean you're better, you brat."

Dale chuckled quietly, amused but saying nothing. Issin only clicked his tongue, shaking his head as if he had seen this exchange too many times before.

Ren sat nearby, silent but with a faint smirk on his lips.

He wasn't great at joining in on these lively conversations, but at least he no longer felt out of place.

At the very least, this time, he wasn't facing everything alone.

Breakfast continued in a cheerful atmosphere.

Outside, the golden morning light filtered through the window, casting long streaks across the dark wooden table.

A new day had begun, and for the first time in a while, the heavy weight in Ren's chest felt a little lighter.

The Hunt Begins

After breakfast, the group quickly gathered in front of the inn.

Ren tightened the strap of his spear across his back, feeling its familiar weight settle against him.

He still didn't have a sword. Even though last night's swordplay had felt far more natural than wielding a spear, for now, he didn't have enough money for a new weapon.

So today, he would continue fighting with what he had.

Dynamm stretched, letting out a long yawn before slapping Klein on the back. "Hey, boss! Where are we hunting today? More boars?"

Klein swatted his hand away and shook his head. "No, we're going a bit further. The usual hunting grounds are getting too crowded, if we stay there, we won't gain much EXP."

"Just imagine 10,000 players crammed into one tiny dungeon, fighting over a few monsters..." Klein stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"So, we're heading deeper into the forest?" Dale asked, his voice steady but with a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "The monsters there are getting stronger."

"That's what makes it interesting!" Dynamm grinned, clasping his hands behind his head with an air of confidence. "Come on, we're all experienced by now! No way we're scared of some low-level monsters, right?"

Dale merely glanced at him silently before continuing to check his equipment.

His movements were meticulous, every leather strap, every expensive healing potion was carefully inspected. 

Issin strapped his sword back onto his waist, his steady voice reminding them, "If we're going deeper, we need to be well-prepared. Don't get careless." 

Ren stood silently beside them, observing. He hadn't fully blended into the atmosphere of the group yet, but at the very least, he felt more at ease. 

No one distanced themselves from him or treated him with hostility. 

Klein clapped his hands together, signaling, "Alright, is everyone ready? Let's move out!" 

The sun had risen higher by the time the group stepped onto the vast, endless grasslands. 

Tall grass, reaching up to their waists, swayed gently in the breeze, carrying a rustling sound, whispering tales of the unknown. 

Beneath the thick layers of grass, countless unseen eyes were watching them. 

Klein led the way, his gaze sharp as he scanned their surroundings. "Stay alert, everyone. This is Dire Wolf hunting territory. But don't forget..." 

"The snakes, too," Dale added slowly, gripping the hilt of his sword. "They're not as strong as the wolves, but they're fast and agile. Their scales are pretty tough." 

"That's why you don't want them coiling around your legs," Issin warned, his voice low as his hand rested on his sword. "Once they wrap around you, they'll squeeze their prey until it stops moving." 

Ren listened, tightening his grip on his spear. He knew that if one of those snakes coiled around him, dealing with it quickly would be difficult given the length of his weapon. 

Dynamm snapped his fingers with a smirk. "Aren't those snakes still weaker than the Dire Wolves? What's there to worry about?" 

"The first to get cocky is usually the first to die," Klein shot Dynamm a sharp look, though he didn't seem truly angry. 

Suddenly, the grass ahead rustled violently. A low growl echoed through the air. 

Klein immediately raised his hand in a signal. "Prepare for battle!" 

Just as the words left his mouth, a Dire Wolf burst out from the tall grass, its glowing red eyes flashing in the sunlight. 

Its fangs gleamed as it snarled, razor-sharp claws slicing through the air with incredible speed. 

Dale was the first to react. He sidestepped swiftly, lowering his stance before swinging his sword. 

A streak of light slashed through the wolf's body, and a string of red damage numbers appeared above it. But it wasn't down yet. 

"Don't let it call for the pack!" Issin warned. 

Ren gripped his spear tightly, feeling his heartbeat quicken. This was his first time fighting a Dire Wolf. Even though his level had risen, his stats had improved, and his armor was in good condition, fighting these creatures was never easy. 

The battle had begun.