Maverick, Koharu, Asuna, and Kirito make it to the fourth floor.

Koharu: According to Maverick, during the beta Floor 4, was an arid, sandy canyon but...

Asuna: But look, this is definitely no desert. It's more like a lake.

Maverick: It's not just that, either. The roads are different too. What's going on?

Kirito: The great Maverick was wrong?

Maverick: Watch it, Kirito.

Asuna: Well, we better tell Argo. We need to tell her to let everyone know that we cleared Floor 3.

Koharu sends Argo a message.

Koharu: Okay, I sent Argo everything she'd probably want. I hope it helps...

Maverick: There is one thing that she wants that you won't give. I'm sure it has. Argo only asks for help from those she truly trusts. I sent in all I had too. Now then, what's next...

Asuna: Oh jeez, just look at you. So excited to see a new place you can hardly stand still, huh Maverick?

Maverick: What? No way! It's just, we top players are obligated to look into huge changes like this.

Kirito: Nothing is stopping you.

Maverick: Oh come on! Don't treat me like some little kid on a field trip. Still, regardless of how I feel about this new area, we really do need to do a survey of it. Might find info on the next boss.

Asuna: Yeah, there were new quests on Floors 2 and 3 that gave us info we didn't get in the beta.

Maverick: Exactly. And since this Floor is completely different now, everything we found out in the beta is probably no use here. We'll probably run into different monsters than back in the beta, too. So let's get a feel for the area here, first. Time to split up.

Kirito: That's my cue. See you, guys.

Kirito leaves.

Koharu/Asuna: Let's go, Maverick!

Maverick: I'll shield you if I walk in front.

Koharu: We don't need a human shield! Let's just work together, okay?

Maverick: Geez. Just trying to be nice.

Koharu: Hey, Maverick, look at that.

A girl looks confused.

???: Aghh...This is all wrong. What am I gonna do?

Maverick, Koharu, and Asuna walk over.

Koharu: Hey, are you okay? You don't look to well...Are you feeling all right?

???: Huh? Oh. No no no, you see...I wanted to get out here to collect new materials before everyone else, but the terrain is totally different to what I'd heard.

Koharu: Yeah, we were thrown off by that too. Apparently it was nothing like this during the beta.

???: Right? I came out here prepped to hide and battle from the alcoves in the canyon side, but that won't help me here now. Oh well, guess I just gotta make do with what I've got. Hey, wait a minute. You three are frontrunners aren't you?

Koharu: Frontrunners...? Were we running for something.

Asuna slaps herself in the face.

???: No, I mean, you are part of the team trying to beat the game right? I can tell just by your gear! It's written all over you.

Maverick: I've beat all the Floor bosses.

???: No kidding! This must be my lucky day. Can I ask your names?

Maverick: Maverick.

Koharu: Koharu.

Asuna: Asuna.

Lisbeth: Gotcha! I'll make a nice mental not of that. I'm Lisbeth. Nice to meet you three. I might not look it, but I actually run my own trade. We're still on the lower floors so it's not much, but I can forge weapons and armor.

Koharu: You make your own weapons? That's so cool!

Asuna: Does everything surprise her?

Lisbeth: Hehe! Yeah, and I'm not half bad either. But there are certain things you need when forging items, you see. No matter how much I level my crafting skills, without the tight material to work with, I can't make anything...Having a stock of quality material is key to keeping my wares at their best.

Koharu: Just like real life...

Lisbeth: I guess that way the stats take precedence over the skill of the craftsmen might make it even harder than in real life. Anyway, so I'm looking for high grade material to make new weapons, which is why I came to this Floor. And well, I have a favor to ask...

Maverick: You want us to get some?

Lisbeth: Exactly! You're quick on the uptake, huh. You three wouldn't happen to be material farming pros, would you?

Maverick: A loudmouth dude asks us a lot.

Koharu: Kibaou can be pretty forceful...

Lisbeth: Sounds like you got put through a lot. I guess even you frontrunners have to deal with that sort of stuff, huh...Relax, though. I'll make sure you're well rewarded.

Maverick: Count us in.

Asuna: We were just talking about checking this area out a bit anyway. We can just do this as we go.

Lisbeth: Really? That'd be a huge help! If you can get me some Scattle Crab and Dorsalin Tadpole materials. I should be able to make something. Can you get me 15 Tin Shell from Scattle Crab first and bring them to me? I'll find some way to get everything else I need. I might be a blacksmith, but I can still handle myself in battle.

Koharu: Are you sure?

Lisbeth: Yeah, no sweat. Everyone on this Floor is hunting small fry to get upgrade material anyway. I should be able to scrape by no matter what party I join up with. Anyway, good luck!

The group splits up. Maverick has a smile on his face.

Asuna: Why are you so happy?

Maverick: Doing stuff for cute girls is always fun!

Koharu and Asuna elbow Maverick.

Maverick: Ow!