The Blue-Eyed Demon
Kirito: "Ready you two? Here we go." We both nodded and we all pushed the door open with our weapons ready
When we opened the door and it was pitched black inside. We entered the room and waited to see what was waiting inside
Kirito: "There's nothing in here..." He started walking further in
Asuna: "Wait."
Kirito: "It'll be fine as long as I don't go too far. Besides, if we don't even see the boss, we won't be able to strategize how to beat it
Hikari: "I mean you have a point but... This is a boss we're talking about."
Asuna: "Huh?"
Just then Blue flames lit up the room and it revealed to be The Gleam Eyes
Kirito: "Uh..."
Hikari: "Oh boy..."
The Gleam eyes then lift up its giant sword then screams
Asuna&Hikari&Kirito: "HUAAAAAAAAHHHHGH!"
We all screamed and bolted out of the boss room
Once we ran far away from the boss room we all took a rest and sat down
Asuna: "We're going to have a tough time beating that."
Hikari: "No kidding and that large sword is going to be annoying to deal with."
Kirito: "Yeah. From a glance, its only weapon is that large sword, but it probably has special abilities too."
Asuna: "Our best bet would be to gather strong vanguard and switch frequently."
Kirito: "I'd suggest gathering at least ten shield wielders."
Asuna: "Shield wielders, huh?" She gives Kirito a suspicious look
Kirito: "Wh-What is it?"
Asuna: "You're hiding something aren't you?
Kirito: "Where'd that come from"
Asuna: "I mean, it's strange. The greatest merit of using a one-handed sword is being able to use a shield, isn't it? However, I've never seen you using a shield even once. In my case, the speed of my rapier would drop, and some people don't use them because of their fashion sense."
Kirito: "B-But what about Hikari she doesn't use a shield as well."
Hikari: "Don't drag me into this the reason I don't use a shield is that it messes up my attack patterns and not only that my movement speed would drop. In your case it's strange and also you haven't been using the sword that Lis made either."
Kirito: "B-But didn't she make your dagger?"
Hikari: "Unlike you, I used her dagger she made and I switch in being a sword user or a dagger user."
Kirito: "Umm..."
Asuna&Hikari: "Very suspicious..." We both stared at him and Kirito was getting nervous
...
Asuna: "Well, whatever. Asking about your skills would be impolite of us." and he sighed in relief
Hikari: 'Obviously it's because he has the duel-wielding skill.'
Asuna: "Anyways. it's gotten pretty late, so let's have lunch." She then goes to her inventory and takes out a picnic box
Kirito: "What?! I-Is it handmade?"
Asuna: "Yep."
Hikari: "Why do you care if it's handmade or not?
Kirito: "Uhh well..."
Hikari: "Nevermind..." He likes her cooking
Asuna: "Make sure you two take off your gloves before eating."
Kirito: "O-Okay."
Hikari: "Wait you made one for me as well?"
Asuna: "Yep I made enough for all three of us so help yourself."
Hikari: "Well I won't say no to free food." I then remove my fingerless gloves and gladly take one of the sandwiches in the picnic box
Kirito and I then bite down the sandwiches she made and it was delicious
Kirito: "Delicious!"
Hikari: "Mhm it's really good Asuna." I don't have an amazing reaction like Kirito because I make this kind of food on a daily basis
Kirito: "But really, what's this flavor?"
Asuna: "It's the result of a year of training and experimentation." she then showed us the different kinds of recipes she made
Hikari: 'It took me 6 months... and I have a lot more than what she has...'
Asuna: "I made this by figuring out the interactions between the hundred or so flavorings in Aincrad, and analyzing their effects on the taste simulation engine's parameters."
She then takes out what looks like a sauce
Asuna: "This is a mix of Grogwa Seed, Shubul Leaf, and Carim water." She then pours a bit on Kiritos hand and he taste it
Kirito: "It tastes like mayonnaise."
Asuna: "And this one's Abilpa Bean, Sag Leaf, and Oorafish bones." She then pours a bit on my hand and I first smelled the sauce I then drink it
Hikari: "This is soy sauce. I remember adding this to many of the food I cooked when I first made it."
Kirito: "Eh?! Really?! Let me taste." He then takes a bit of the Soy Sauce and he instantly freezes on how good it was
Asuna: "Eh? You cook as well Hikari?" She was surprised by the information she heard
Hikari: "Mhm I maxed mine out after we ate dinner at your house. and I also have the Baking skill as well at the maxed level."
Asuna: "Really? Can you perhaps give me some tips on baking?"
Hikari: "Sure Asuna." We then exchanged smiles and Asuna get back on the subject
Asuna: "Thank you Hikari but yes I made the sandwich's sauce with that."
Kirito: "Amazing. It's perfect! If you sold this, you could make a fortune!"
Asuna: "Y-You think so?"
Kirito: "Ah... Actually, never mind that."
Asuna: "Huh? Wh-Why?"
...
...
...
Kirito: "I'd hate for my portion to be sold off."
Hikari: "Really?" I deadpanned at him and Asuna sighs
Asuna: "Thinking with your stomach? Jeez..." She then muttered something that Kirito couldn't hear but I could
Asuna: "If I feel like it, I'll make it for you again." I smirked
The three of us heard some people going through the dungeon and we stood up to see a familiar face
Klein: "Oh man, I'm beat."
Fuurinkazan Member 1: "Let's take a break."
Fuurinkazan Member 2: "We finally made it."
Fuurinkazan Member 3: " Sounds good."
Fuurinkazan Member 4: "How about ov-" They stopped when they all see us
Klein: "Oh, If it ain't Hikari and Kirito! It's been a while."
Hikari: "It has been a while since we've seen each other."
Kirito: "So you're still alive, Klein?"
Klein: "I see you're bad with words as usual Kirito. Huh? What's going on? Why is a solo player like you with two girls" He then spots Asuna
Klein: "H-Huh?" He froze when he saw her
Hikari: 'Same old Klein.'
Kirito: "Um... I'm sure you know each other from he boss fights, But I'll introduce you anyways."
Kirito: "He's Klein from the guild, Fuurinkazan. And she's Asuna from the Knights of the Blood." Asuna then bows a bit but Klein wasn't moving
Kirito: "Hey, say something." Kirito was waving his hand in front of Klein but no response
Hikari: "I think he's broken." After a few seconds Klein straightened his body and put his hand out
Klein: "G-G-Good afternoon! K-Klein, 24 years old, single, looking for a girlfr-" Before he could finish Kirito punched him in the gut and was knocked to the floor, and Asuna was surprised at his actions
Hikari: 'Poor Klein...'
Fuurinkazan Members: "Leader!" they then surrounded Kirito and he tries to protect Asuna from them but...
Fuurinkazan Members: "A-Aren't you Asuna-san?!" They then started trying to talk to her but Kirito was holding them back
Fuurinkazan Member 2: "I've always wanted to meet you!"
Fuurinkazan Member 4: "Hey quit pushing!"
Hikari: 'And this why I love being flat.' It was fun watching it from the sidelines
Kirito: "W-Well, they're not bad guys. so aside from their leader's face..." Klein then stomps on Kiritos foot
Kirito: "Ow! You..."
Klein: "Heheh, call it payback."
Kirito: "K-Klein!"
Asuna then looks at me to ask me what's happening right now but I shrugged
Klein: "What about my face? You little..." Asuna started chuckling then they stopped
Klein then brings Kirito to his shoulder
Klein: "So what's going on, Kirito?"
Kirito: "Uh, well..."
Asuna: "Good afternoon. I'm just partying with these two for a while. Nice to meet you."
Fuurinkazan Guild&Klein: "HUH?!"
Klein: "Even Hikari?! Kirito, you!"
Hikari: 'So there are guys who are attracted to me great...'
Kirito: "Wait, let me explain." We all then heard loud footsteps coming in our direction
Asuna: "Kirito-kun." We all then looked at the groups who is just coming here
Kirito: "They're... Members of the Army?"
Klein: "What's the giant, reigning guild of the 1st Floor doing here?"
Asuna: "Ever since they suffered major losses while clearing the 25th Floor, They began to prioritize strengthening their organization over clearing, and stopped coming to the front lines.
Hikari: "Yeah they pretty much just keep increasing their numbers rather than increasing their own power."
Kobatz: "At ease!" the rest of the army sat down in exhaustion and he walked toward to speak with Kirito
Kobatz: "I am Lt. Colonel Kovats of the Aincrad Liberation Army"
Kirito: "I'm Kirito, a solo player."
Kobatz: "Have you lot already cleared the area beyond here too?"
Kirito: "Yeah, we've mapped up to the boss room."
Kovats: "Hmph, well then, I'd like you to provide us with that map data." Klein and Asuna got surprised by this
Klein: "You want it for free?! Are you saying that knowing how tough mapping is?!"
Kobatz: "We distribute information and resources equally to all players and maintain order amongst the people."
Hikari: 'I doubt that.'
Kobatz: "In regards to freeing everyone from this world, we unceasingly fight to make it happen as soon as possible!"
Hikari: 'Seriously? They never participated in any of the boss raids after Floor 25th and they say they unceasingly fight? Are you kidding me right now?'
Kobatz: "And thus, it's naturally your duty to cooperate with us!"
Asuna: "You know..."
Klein: "Damn bloke..."
Kirito: "Calm down. We were planning to distribute the data freely once we got back to town anyway. I don't mind."
Klein: "Hey, come on. That's being a bit too nice. Kirito." He then sent the map to Kobatz
Kirito: "I have no intention of profiting off of map data.
Kobatz: "Hmph, thank you for your cooperation." He then started walking back to his group
Kirito: "If you're planning on fighting the boss, you'd better not."
Kobatz: "I will be the one to decide that." Kirito tried to warn him
Kirito: "The three of us took a look inside the boss room earlier and it's not an enemy you can take on with those numbers! Besides, your troops aren't looking so well."
Kobatz: "My men are not so weak that they'd give up so readily! All of you! On your feet at once!" The tired Army men then stood up and started walking to the boss room
Klein: "Are they gonna be okay? Those guys..."
Hikari: "Maybe they will go back once they reach the boss room."
Asuna: "Yeah I doubt they'll head straight to the boss."
Kirito: "How about we at least keep an eye on them?" We all then looked at each other and we agreed and Klein smiled at him
Kirito: "I wonder who's the nice guy here." He and the other members of the Fuurinkazan guild started walking to the boss room
Hikari: "Who knows..." I start to walk slowly to hear their conversation
Asuna: "Let's get going."
Klein: "Uh... Um... Asuna-san. Uh, the thing is... he's bad with words, often awkward, and not to mention, obsessed with fighting. Regardless, please look after Kirito." Klein then bows to us
Asuna: "Got it. I'll take good care of him." I smiled when she said that
~Couple of minutes later~
We were fighting the remaining monsters that spawned in it took us a while but we were now near the boss room
Klein: "The only thing past here is the boss room, right? Maybe they already went back using their items?" We all pulled out weapons away
Hikari: "I don't think so Klein, What if they are in the Boss room?"
Kirito: "You have a point..."
Army Member: "Agggghhhh!"
Kirito: "Hikari!, Asuna!"
Asuna: "Yeah."
Hikari: "On it." The three of us dashed to the boss room
Klein: "Hey!" He tried to follow us but was blocked the upcoming monsters spawning
Army Member: "Agggghhhhhh!"
Asuna: "Idiots!" The three of us saw the door opened meaning they went inside
Kirito: "Hey. you guys okay?!" When we reached the boss room we saw that all of the Army members were tired and exhausted and The Gleam Eyes was just attacking them
Kirito: "What are you doing?! Use your teleport crystals already!"
Army Member 3: "We can't! Th-The crystals won't work! AGHH!"
Asuna: "But the previous boss rooms never trapped players like that..."
Hikari: 'Damnit... It's just like that time..."
Kobatz: "Those of us in the Liberation Army shall never retreat! Fight! With all your might!"
Hikari: "You idiot! Get out of there now!" I tried to move but
ERROR ERROR ERROR
Hikari: 'Of course...' Klein came in
Klein: "Hey, what's going on?" He then stopped when he saw what was going on
Kirito: "Teleport crystals don't work in there. If we raid the room, we might be able to let them escape, but..."
Klein: "Isn't there something they can do?" I kept breathing was getting louder
Hikari: 'it's happening again...'
Kobatz: "All of you! Charge!"
Kirito: "Stop!"
The boss then does a breath attack that stuns everybody after that the boss powered up its sword and destroys their formation and lastly slices Kobatz making him fly into the air and onto us
Kirito: "Hey. get a hold of yourself!" His helmet broke and he was tearing up
Kobatz: "Impossible..." was all he said before he shattered
Asuna: "No way..."
Army Member 4: "AGGHHH!!!"
Asuna: "Huh?"
The boss lifted up its sword aiming to kill the remaining Army soldiers
Asuna: "No... Just no... Anymore is..." She was reaching for her rapier
The boss then swung its sword
Army Member 4: "AHHHHH!"
Asuna: "NO!" She dashed inside the boss room to try and save them
Kirito: "Asuna!"
Hikari: "Damnit! Alright fine!"
Klein: "Don't blame me for what happens!" We all went in the boss room
Asuna stabs the boss five times at the back but it barely did anything and the boss hit her rapier making Asuna lose focus and gets hit in the face knocking her back
The boss then swung it's sword to Asuna but Kirito uses his sword to change its directory
Kirito: "Hikari get Asuna out!"
Hikari: "You got it!." I then grabbed Asuna and pulled her away while Klein and the rest of the Fuurinkazan guild helps the Army soldiers to get back
Klein: "You okay? Alright, let's go." The boss was going to use another breath attack but was interrupted by Kirito slicing it's back making it turn around and they initiate the fight
Hikari: 'Just a little bit more, you can do it Kirito.'
Although the two were fighting the amount of power is already one-sided
Kirito: "Ngh!" I looked at his HP and it's already draining by the second
Asuna: "Kirito-kun!"
Klein: "Kirito!" He manage to deflect it but the boss instantly swung its sword at him but luckily he dodged
Hikari: 'I know he's thinking about using it...'
He then looks at everybody
The Army: "AGHHH!"
He then looks at me and I nodded to him signaling him to do it
The boss took its chance to attack Kirito while he wasn't focusing but he barely blocked it
Kirito: "Asuna! Hikari! Klein! Please, keep it occupied for just ten seconds!"
Klein: "O-Okay!"
Hikari: 'Alright let's do this.' The three of us rushed the boss to buy Kirito some time
Klein: "HUAAAAAGH!!!" He blocked one of the attacks with his katana but was pushed away by the second attack
Hikari: 'My turn.' The boss then swung its sword at me but I jumped over it and sliced its neck with my dagger then jumped back
Hikari: "Asuna! Switch!"
Asuna: "Okay!" Asuna then dodges one of its attacks and charges her rapier
Kirito: "All right, I'm good!" Asuna then parried its attack
Kirito: "Switch!" She jumped back and Kirito went in and a sudden attack made the boss flinched
Asuna and Klein were shocked to see this while I smirked
Hikari: 'There it is... The dual-wielding skill.'
The boss then attacks Kirito but was blocked by his two swords
Kirito: "Starburst... Stream." He then attacks the boss multiple times leaving no time for it to react
Klein: "Wh-What the hell is that skill?" Kirito still continues to attack him in turn gets hurt by the boss
Hikari: 'He isn't even blocking the boss attacks.' His HP is going down
Kirito continues to keep attacking the boss even faster while ignoring the damage he's been getting
Hikari: 'This is going to be close.'
The boss then grabs one of Kiritos swords and they both use their final attack
Kirito: "HUUUUUAAAAAAAGH!!!!"
...
...
...
*SHATTER*
The boss shattered
Hikari: 'He did it...'
Kirito: "Is it... over?
"Congratulations!!"
Hikari: 'My god that was close even if I knew he was going to be fine it's still nerve-wracking...' I looked at Kiritos HP and he had 1% of it
We then see Kirito drop down to the ground from exhaustion
Hikari: 'At least it's over.' The torches in the room weren't lit anymore and Asuna then ran over to Kirito
Asuna: "Kirito-kun! Come on, Kirito-kun!" Kirito opened his eyes and sees a teared up Asuna
Kirito: "Ouch..." Kirito then inspects his surroundings
Kirito: "How long was I out for?"
Asuna: "Only for a few seconds. You idiot! That was reckless." She then hugged Kirito
Kirito: "If you hold me too tightly, my HP will get depleted." He smiled at her
Klein then walks over to him to tell the news
Klein: "Kovats and two other men died."
Kirito: "This is the first time there've been casualties during a boss raid since the 67th Floor."
Klein: "Could you even call it a raid?"
Hikari: "Of course not Kovatz was stupid to think they would be able to beat the boss with just twelve people although he didn't need to die like that..."
Klein: "Yeah if you die, there's no point to it all." Klein then shook off the situation and goes to back his old self
Klein: "That aside, what was that earlier?"
Kirito: "Do I have to tell?"
Hikari: "I think we all deserve to know what was it you did Kirito."
...
Kirito: "It's the Extra Skill: Dual Wielding." Everybody other than me was shocked by this
Klein: "What're the condition to obtain it?"
Kirito: "If I knew. I'd have told everyone." Klein then checks the Information brokers' list to find nothing
Klein: "It's not even on the information brokers' list. Which means it's exclusive to you... It's a Unique Skill. Jeez, that's not fair, Kirito. How could you keep such an amazing skill a secret?"
Hikari: "I think he didn't have a choice but to keep it a secret isn't that right Kirito?" He nodded
Kirito: "Around six months ago, when I opened my skill window, I found Dual Wielding Skill there. But if it became known that I had such a skill..."
Klein: "Net gamers are prone to jealousy, after all. I'm a good guy, so me aside, it wouldn't be unlikely for people to envy you."
Hikari: "Mhm people would definitely be jealous of you to get such a neat skill."
Klein: "And also..." He smirks at Kirito
Klein: "Well, think of that hardship as a part of life and keep on fighting, young one."
Kirito: "It's not like that." he denies it
Hikari: "Oh really now? Well, it doesn't look the same to us." I chuckled I then stretch my arms
Klein: "All right, you wanna go and activate the Teleport Gate?"
Kirito: "No, I'll leave it to you. I can't even move a finger right now."
Klein: "I see. Be careful on your way back.' He started to walk but stopped
Klein: "Um... Kirito. When you ran in to save the Army guys..."
Kirito: "What about it?"
Klein: "I... How should I put this... I was glad." He was wiping his tear
Hikari: "Aww is Klein crying?"
Klein: "No! I just get something in my eye is all. Anyway, that's all. See you later!" He started walking again
Hikari: "Welp I should probably go as well. See you two." I started to walk to activate the Teleport Gate when Kirito called me
Kirito: "Wait Hikari." I turned to him
Hikari: "What is it?"
Kirito: "Can you stay for a while?" What?
Hikari: "But umm..." I see Asuna still hugging Kirito
Hikari: "Should I really stick around here? When you two are like that?" I pointed out
Kirito: "It's fine besides... The party wouldn't be complete without you." I sighed
Hikari: "Alright fine..." I then leaned on a pillar waiting for Asuna to recover a bit
...
...
...
Hikari: 'Okay this is taking too long.'
I tilted my head to Kirito to do something about Asuna and he nodded
Kirito: "Hey, Asuna." But she hugged him tighter
Hikari: 'This is getting weird...'
Asuna: "I was scared. I don't know what I'd do if you died."
Kirito: "What are you saying? You're the one who ran in first."
...
Asuna: "I'm going to take a leave from my guild for a while."
Kirito: "T-Take a leave for what?"
Hikari: "Get it into your head Kirito. have you forgotten the reason why we were here in the first place?"
Kirito: "Ah..." His eyes widened and he realize why she said that and he sighed
Kirito: "All right." And she nodded while still hugging him
Hikari: 'God I feel like a third wheel right now.' I sighed
Hikari: 'Welp now it's time to see what's in store tomorrow.'
October 19th, 2024 - 50th Floor: Algade
After the boss was killed Kirito sent me a friend request and I accepted since it won't do much harm well...
I was wrong...
The instant I woke I got a message from Kirito telling me if he can stay in my room for the day
I agreed and when he came a bunch of players was right behind him so I told him to go to Agils shop to hide there and he begged me to come with him I refused and he had no choice but to drag me to Agils shop
And now here I am helping Lis with her stuff while Agil was reading today's news and Kirito was sitting looking annoyed
Agil: "The Army's great warriors were annihilated by a blue demon. And the one who single-handedly defeated it was a dual-wielder utilizing a 50-hit combo. This really got blown out of proportion." He laughs
Kirito: "There's a limit to how much a story can be embellished. Because of that, I've been stalked by swordsmen and information brokers all day, so I can't even stay in my room anymore."
Lisbeth: "Aren't you just reaping what you sowed?" I was helping her carry her stuff since I did say I would come and help her if she needs it
Lisbeth: "Since you spilled the beans despite saying it's our little secret." She smirked
Hikari: "Well she is right though Kirito you did this to yourself. Oh Lis where do you want me to put this?" I was carrying a box filled with different weapons
Lisbeth: "Just over there. I'm sorry for making you do this Hikari I didn't want you to do all these things." She then pointed it at a table and I laid the box there
Hikari: "No problem I did say if you need some help you can come and tell me." I gave her a thumbs up and smiled at her
What I didn't notice when I did that she was flushed a bit
Kirito: "Seems like I'm not the only one who is fighting as well."
Hikari: "Eh?" Lis then shakes it off and returns to her old self
We all the heard somebody coming in and it was Asuna she was out of breath as well when she came in.
Hikari: "What's wrong Asuna?"
Asuna: "What should we do? Hikari, Kirito-kun! This is terrible!" Eh? Why did she include me?
October 19th, 2024 - 55th Floor: Grandum
Hikari: 'Seriously?' I was again dragged by Kirito to come and see what's up with Asuna's situation
Heathcliff: "I believe this is our first time meeting outside of a boss fight. isn't it, Hikari-kun Kirito-kun?" Again with the san?
Kirito: "No the three of us spoke before during the 67th Floor's boss raid conference, Commander Heathcliff."
Heathcliff: "That was a difficult battle. We nearly suffered casualties then. Despite being hailed as the top guilds, our strength is always barely sufficient. Even so, you're trying to take away one of our precious and vital members."
Hikari: 'I'd rather not say anything since he is the strongest player right now I should probably not get involved right now.'
Kirito: "If she's precious, you should take more care in selecting escorts."
Heathcliff: "I apologize for any trouble that Kuradeel has caused you three. But regardless, we can't just say, "Oh, I understand" after having our vice-commander taken away."
Hikari: 'I mean he has a point... I can't really argue with that since taking the most vital members even just for a few days would really cause some disorder in the guild. If this was a normal game it would be fine but since it isn't...'
Heathcliff: "Let me make a deal for you Kirito, if you still insist, win her with your sword--your dual wielding. If you defeat me in a duel, we will relinquish Asuna-kun to you. But should you lose, you must join the Knight of the Blood." Me and Asuna looked at Kirito for an answer
Kirito: "Very well. If you want to let our swords do the talking, I have no problems with that. Let's settle this with a duel."
Hikari: 'Ahaha... This isn't going to end well.'