"...Hahhh...."

Unconsciously, a sigh escapes from Rein's mouth.

(...Let this world burn to hell for all I care.)

Now that's something dangerous to thought of in the middle of a peaceful era.

Actually, scratch that.

In the world of SAO, there's no such things as peaceful era but only a safe area to protect oneself. If you step outside of the city, monsters will be bouncing at every angle and the player killers will be staring their preys deliciously for hours to rob them clean.

Sure, if one considers that, it isn't strange for him to think like that. Rather, it is something most players dearly wished for.

....if the reason is truly mentioned above.

"Fufu, honey you are so beautiful today."

"Ara, that sounds like I'm usually ugly all the time?"

"Of course not! In my eyes, you are always the prettiest girl!"

On one side, a lovey-dovey couple is commenting on each other with the sweetest lines they could think.

On the other side,

"H-honey!? what are you doing!"

"C'mon~~ isn't it fine? It's not like you hate it."

"S-still, Not in the public place..!"

"I can't hold it, you know. You are just damn too attractive."

A pair of a lover is openly doing the action of love touching here and there blatantly without caring the others' eyes.

SAO, 47th floor.

In this floor, colorful flowers are blooming everywhere in the garden. Due to that, it's the perfect place for lovebirds enjoying the date fully. Everyone here has their faces brightened with full of happiness and love floating in the air.

Except for one lonely man.

"Haahhh...."

After exerting a sigh god-knows how many times, Rein laments his fate for looking at this scenery for one whole hour.

If he wants to describe his current feeling, it's like a dog in hunger is looking the bowl filled with its favorite pet food but only able to look at it far away.

Yesterday, after discussing with Silica regarding the death of her pet, Rein told her the solution to revive it. Simply, she just needs to use an item called "Pneuma's Flower" spawning in this floor to resurrect Pina.

But there's a catch.

"....Damn it all. Should I just drag Kirito?"

Her level is a tad too low to cope on the monsters on this floor.

In all honesty, at least she is way better than the 'losers' and 'handicapped' ones who can only complain about their rotten luck on the first floor.

However, she doesn't have the capability, skills nor the stats to get the flower. Hell, if she was strong, she won't be having the predicament of losing her comrade, no?

So, Rein decided to accompany her. Since he's the one that saved her, then he should take responsibility until the end.

Which led to this sad situation.

While looking at the couples who are fulfilling their life even in this damned world, Rein can only curse them inside his head.

(Just go to hell, all of you.....)

His face is truly priceless to look at. It couldn't be more twisted than now.

Such a waste for his handsome face.

...Then, while filling the happy place with negative aura, the awaited person has finally come.

"Rein-san! Sorry for the long wait!"

His date has finally come to brighten his day.

*****

"Uhmm....why do you look so sad just a while ago?"

In the field, Silica and Rein are heading toward their goal with ease. After all, the strongest human that can challenge the god is protecting her, so there's no obstacle that can stop them.

Maybe that's why Silica could have the leisure to ask a question without being wary of the surrounding.

Responding to her question, Rein only shakes his head horizontally while wearing a bitter face.

"...Nothing much. Just being jealous of those fricking-- *cough* happy couple."

(....Did he really curse just now?)

Looking at his mood and 'tragedy' in the city, Silica can only tilt her head, wondering why does this man be in a foul mood.

Objectively, without her biased point of view, this man has everything of what does player...nay, what a man wants to have.

Skills? He's the top-ranked rivaling the strongest.

Money? He could swim on a pool of gold tens of meters deep if he could materialize it.

Appearance? Nobody will dare to say the first if he says the second.

So, how does a man like that could ever get trouble in finding a partner? Rather, even if he just stays quiet like a mute, girls will still come flocking to him due to being attracted to his charisma and charm.

Noticing her face full of question marks, Rein could only give a wry smile.

(...Right. I'm just too damn stubborn.)

Of course, he in his previous life also knew about his overwhelming 'cheaty' stat given by God. He could live a life without being troubled about money ever again while having a goddess on his side.

But well, he just threw it into the dump, only keeping a small portion of the money for chasing his small dream without any certainties to be successful. If any other person knows his circumstance, they will curse at him three days and three nights without stopping.

That just showed how ridiculous his action was.

But human never moves based on logic only. Even him, who is calm-headed at all times have moments where he does things based on his emotion.

Once, his so-called "winner on life" future almost turned to scrap due to one setback. At that point, it makes him gave up on everything and feel miserable to be alive.

But due to one girl, it gave him strength and hope to stand up again.

If life is like a fairy tale, then the next probable action of his would be proposing to her, vowing to be her other half for the rest of their lives.

Alas, life is not a drama to him, but a shitty nightmare with lots of ups and down.

"Hahhh...."

In the end, it didn't go as he wished for.

He didn't know the meeting with 'her' was a good thing for him or not.

It's because of her that makes him a bachelor for his entire life. Moreover, He doesn't consider making a harem nor finding a lover in this life either.

(If I didn't meet 'her', will I be free on this suffering?)

What a ridiculous notion, he thought.

There's no such thing of if story. What has already passed will never be returned for eternity. No matter how long he lamented and wished of having a second chance, such luxury wasn't given to him.

Besides, what will be his fate if he didn't meet her?

Being a single cog of one big machine? A slave for his parents' profit? A life of hell where you could trust no one?

No matter what it was, it's just like a dead end with no bright future to hope for.

So, he could only embrace this 'present' only.

But till today... If he could...

"Rein-san?"

Seeing his depressed face, Silica called his name worriedly which snapped out his muddled thought.

(Right, now is not the time for daydreaming. A moment's of carelessness is the biggest enemy.)

"Sorry, Silica. Let's fasten our pace a bit. Just a little more, then we reach our goal."

"Ah, yes."

For Silica's problem, it could be solved just with one flower.

But for his suffering?

Will there truly be a salvation for him?

"What a crappy life I have....."

Nobody, even him has the answers for that.