Crimson Bloodthirst
Heathcliff: "Kirito-kun, 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 Knights of the Blood." Me and Asuna waited for Kiritos response
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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: 'Oh boy... This isn't going to end well.'
Heathcliff: "Splendid. Hikari-kun this deal of mine extends to you too."
Hikari: "Eh? Me?" I pointed to myself
Heathcliff: "I've seen your skills before and your smarts could very well even surpass Asuna-kun over here. If you beat me in a duel you can name any price you want but if you lose you must also join the Knights of the Blood." This time the other two were waiting for my answer
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Hikari: "Sorry but I respectfully decline your offer I'd rather stay being a solo player just for a little while."
Heathcliff: "That is a pity but if that is what you want then so be it I won't push any further. Now then Kirito-kun let's get started with our duel of ours."
Hikari: 'Yeah sure have a duel with the creator of the game not only is it one-sided but I don't have a special skill like Kirito and Heathcliff. I may be good but I am not THAT good.' I then face Asuna
Hikari: "Sorry Asuna but I know Heathcliff is stronger than me so I rather pick my battles that I can win."
Asuna: "No it's okay Hikari all I'm worried about now is the upcoming duel."
October 20th, 2024 - 75th Floor: Corina
KOB Member: "Hurry, the good seats are almost sold out!"
The three of us were inside the arena for Kirito to get ready for his duel
Asuna: "Jeez, you stupid, reckless idiot! Why did you accept his challenge?"
Hikari: "I have to agree with her Kirito. At this point, you'd just accept any battles if someone asks you to."
Kirito: "Hey I'm not that addicted to battling!" I deadpanned at him
Hikari: 'Really?'
Kirito: "And I'm sorry! I'm sorry. I just took his bait without thinking."
Asuna: "When I saw your Duel Wielding before, I thought your strength was on a completely different level."
Hikari: "But that's nothing compared to Heathcliff's Unique Skill..."
Kirito: "Well we have seen it first-hand several times. The technique that boasts both attack and defense, Sacred Sword. His offensive power is high, but it's his defense that's particularly astounding."
Asuna: "There isn't a soul that's seen the commander's HP drop to the yellow zone. That invincibility practically breaks the game's balance."
Hikari: "It's also the reason why I declined his offer, I don't have a Unique Skill like you Kirito. and my attacks won't even matter if his shield keeps blocking my attacks and not only that like Asuna said I doubt I would make his HP drop to the yellow zone."
Hikari: 'And he is the creator as well so no way am I fighting him.'
Asuna: "So what are you gonna do? If you lose, then forget my leave, you'll be forced to join the Knights of the Blood." Kirito then stood up
Kirito: "Well, I don't plan to go down without a fight." I sighed
Hikari: "You're always like that... Good luck out there Kirito."
Kirito: "Thanks."
I and Asuna were watching Kirito and Heathcliff preparing their duel and the crowd is going wild
Heathcliff: "My apologies, Kirito-kun. I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
Kirito: "I'll be taking a cut of the earnings."
Heathcliff: "No. After our match, you'll be a member of our guild. I'll have you consider this to be a mission. It's a shame Hikari-kun declined my offer but you will do." He then sends a duel request to Kirito and he accepts
Hikari: 'Anybody with a brain would decline that offer...'
Asuna: "Do you think Kirito would win against the commander?" She asks me
Hikari: "Well if Kirito has enough speed he might have a chance of beating him. Although his defense is astounding to the point Kirito needs to figure out a way to deal with his shield." I then looked over to her and her face is filled with a worried expression
Hikari: 'I shouldn't have said that.'
Hikari: "Don't worry it's Kirito we're talking about I'm sure he'll find a way to beat him."
Asuna: "Yeah... Maybe you're right." Her worried expression has now faded away
Hikari: 'I'm sorry for lying to you Asuna but he has no chance of beating Heathcliff...' I sighed
Hikari: 'Looks like the battle is going to start.'
AN: I'm bad at writing fight scenes I would write if it involves Hikari but since it's just Kirito and Heathcliff it's not really worth it... So i highly suggest you all need to watch the anime
October 22nd, 2024 - Floor: Algade
After Kirito lost the duel we went to Algade so he can try his new outfit which consist of a white-red color scheme
Kirito: "D-Didn't I ask for a plain-looking outfit?"
Asuna: "That's one of the simplest outfits we have."
Hikari: "It doesn't suit him at all..." It's the complete opposite of his original outfit
Asuna: "Oh hush he looks great in it." Kirito sighed and fell on the bed being depressed
Kirito: "A guild, huh?"
Asuna: "Looks like I got you dragged into all of this."
Hikari: "You think? Although it's not your fault. It's this guy right here who accepted the duel without thinking."
Kirito: "I know... But I guess it's one of those times I was about to hit the limits of solo plays anyways."
Asuna: "If that's how you see it, I'm glad."
Hikari: "Great... Now I'm the only solo player in this game now."
Kirito: "Sorry Hikari."
Hikari: "It's fine you were just protecting Asuna so I don't mind."
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Asuna: "Say, Hikari, Kirito-kun." We both looked at her
Asuna: "Can you two tell me something? Why do you two avoid guilds--and people?"
We just looked away
Hikari: 'Ugh... Why did she have to include me?'
Asuna: "Kirito-kun I'm sure it's not just because you're a beta tester or possess a Unique Skill right? And Hikari is it really the only reason is that you just prefer to be alone? I mean both of you guys are really kind, after all."
Hikari: 'I can't tell her my real reason to be alone I'll just have to use Kirito's reason."
Hikari: "If you really want to know, alright." Kirito sighed then we both nods at each other
Kirito: "It was a long time ago. Over a year ago, I think. The both of us used to be in a guild."
Kirito: "The two of us included, it was just a small group of seven. We were called the Moonlit Black Cats."
Hikari: "The both of us were actually in a lot higher level than them. I was invited by Kirito to join the guild because he needed my help."
Kirito: "I thought they would've retracted their offer told them my real level. And I invited Hikari to join the guild because I couldn't get used to it. So we both lied about our level and we joined the guild."
Kirito: "Back then, the homey atmosphere around them became something I longed for."
Hikari: "It really was such a fun guild to be in but... Good things won't last forever."
Kirito: "One day..." The two of us remembered the incident that happened and Asuna widened her eyes when she clicked things together
Kirito: "It isn't Hikari's fault but mine I only dragged her into my problems... I'm responsible for all of their deaths. If I hadn't hidden the fact I was a beater, they would have heeded my warning about the traps."
Hikari: 'You're wrong Kirito I knew from the start and...I...' I sighed
Kirito: "The one who killed them all, including Sachi, was me..."
Hikari: "..." He started shaking from the guilt and I looked at Asuna
...
I tilted my head to Asuna to go and comfort Kirito and she nodded
She stood up and turned Kiritos face to her
Asuna: "I won't die. After all, I'm the one who's protecting you." I gave Kirito a thumbs up also saying that I'll be supporting him no matter what and Asuna hugged him
Kirito was about to do the same but stopped
Hikari: 'My ship is almost there.' I smiled at the two
October 23rd, 2024 - 55th Floor: Grandum
Hikari: "Asuna can you tell me why am I here in your guild?" I thought I could go grind but Asuna told me to come with them
Asuna: "Remember back 74th Floor? You said you could teach me how to bake right?"
Hikari: "I did say that but why here? Aren't I not allowed to be in someone else guild?"
Asuna: "Don't worry I told the commander and he is fine with it."
Hikari: 'What? How is he fine with that?' I shook my head
Kirito: "Hey if you two are baking do you two mind if I do a taste test?"
Asuna: "You just want to eat the food don't you?"
Kirito: "Yes..."
Hikari: "At least your honest." I mean I would do the same as well if it involves free food
The three of us kept talking when someone went inside the room
Godfree: "Is Kirito-kun here?"
Kirito: "Is there something wrong?"
Godfree: "No I just want to tell you that you will be having training."
Kirito: "Training?"
Godfree: "That's right. You'll be joining me in a forming party of three in order to clear the dungeon on this floor."
Asuna: "Wait, Godfree. Kirito-kun is with me-"
Hikari: "I mean you don't have a choice but to agree with him right Godfree?"
Asuna: "W-What?"
Godfree: "She's right. Even if you're the vice commander, it'd be problematic for you to ignore regulations. And besides, he's a new member, so as forward commander, I need to see the extent of his abilities."
Asuna: "S-Someone of your level would be a pushover for Kirito-kun!" Me and Kirito looked at each other and we sighed
Hikari: "I mean you are right but it's more of a way for him to get more information on his skills and not just because he has a duel-wielding skill."
Godfree: "Are you really a solo player? You seem like you know how a guild works."
Hikari: "I've seen how guilds do their things in different games before so it's not really a much of a surprise people will question me on if I'm really a solo player or not."
Godfree: "Interesting anyway, in half an hour, we'll assemble at the town's west gate!" He ends off with an enthusiastic cheer then walks out of the room
...
Asuna sighs in defeat
Asuna: "Why didn't you help me Hikari?"
Hikari: "I know how much you want to be with him but there's really nothing you can do but follow the rules, anyway once his training is over he will be free." She then sighs again
Asuna: "Just when I thought the three of us can hang out together..." Kirito then pats her head
Kirito: "I'll be back before you know it."
Asuna: "Okay. Take care."
Kirito: "Hikari can you do me a favor and hang out with Asuna while I'm gone?"
Hikari: "Sure." Kirito then goes out to meet Godfree
Hikari: "Well then Asuna let's get started on baking." Asuna smiled
Asuna: "Right!"
Hikari: 'Relax it's Asuna she's great at cooking so it wouldn't be that hard right?"
~Time Skip~
Hikari: 'Or not...'
Hikari: "Uhh..." I'm speechless at the mess she made
Asuna: "I'm sorry."
Hikari: "Don't worry it was just ten attempts I'm sure you can do it."
Hikari: 'I guess this is what happens when she uses A-class ingredients when her baking skill is so low.'
Asuna: "Are you sure you don't mind teaching me? I feel like I've wasted your time."
Hikari: "No don't say that. Besides, it's a new experience teaching someone how to bake. Let's just start with the basic alright?"
Asuna: "Okay!" She says with a determined face
~Time Skip~
Hikari: "You did it!" She finally baked a simple cupcake after 8 more attempts
Hikari: "Now onto the taste test." I grabbed the cupcake and took a bite out of it and Asuna stares at me to see how I think of it
Asuna: "So how does it taste?"
Hikari: "Great! Not bad for a beginner."
Asuna: "Really?! Thank goodness."
Hikari: "Mhm nice job Asuna maybe Kirito will like this."
Asuna: "You think so?"
Hikari: "I know so. I mean you've been giving great food haven't you?"
Asuna: "I suppose so..." She then bows at me
Asuna: "Thank you for teaching me."
Hikari: "Ahh it's no problem anyway now that you know the basics you can progress slowly."
Hikari: 'It took us 18 attempts to just bake a simple cupcake...'
Hikari: "Oh right. I have to go now."
Asuna: "Really where?"
Hikari: "I just need to restock on the materials I needed anyway you should wait for Kirito here."
Asuna: "Oh... Okay, see you later Hikari." I then went out to gather some materials
Floor 20: Hill of Offering - Teleportation Gate
After a bunch of grinding, I finally got the stuff I needed so I decided to check up on Asuna since in a couple of hours Kuradeel is going to betray Godfree and tries to kill Kirito
???: "Please help us!" Somebody ran toward me screaming for help
turns out it was one of the Army members
Hikari: "What's happened?"
Army Member 1: "We were ambushed by monsters and I barely escape please help me save the other!"
Hikari: 'What? aren't they in a good enough level to fight these monsters?'
...
Hikari: "Lead me to them."
Floor 20: Hill of Offering Twilight Forest
The Army member led me to the location and once we reached the location...
Hikari: "Are you sure it's here? There's nothing over here."
I was going to ask the Army member more questions when suddenly a dagger was thrown at me but I dodged it in time
Army Member 1: "Tch you just had to dodge huh?"
Hikari: "What?"
Just then five people came out 2 were the other Army Members and the other three were Laughing Coffin members
Hikari: "Why are they here?" I readied my dagger
Army Member 1: "You are an idiot." He swung his sword at me but I again dodge
Hikari: "I see now... So you guys are trying to kill me."
Army Member 1: "Bingo!"
Hikari: "Really and you hired those guys as well?"
Army Member 1: "Well of course consider this as payback from Kibaou."
Hikari: "Kibaou? What the hell did I do to him?"
Army Member 1: "Nothing. He just wants to get rid of the players who were in the beta."
Hikari: 'Are you serious he still believes I'm a beta tester?'
Army Member 1: "Any way you guys can get her now our job is done." The three laughing coffin members readied their weapons but what I didn't expect was
*STAB* *STAB* *STAB*
Army Member 1: "W-What?" The three stabbed the Army members
Army Member 2: "H-Hey this wasn't part of the plan!"
Army Member 3: "Y-Yeah what are you three doing!?"
They all then started laughing which put fear on them
LC 1: "You seriously think we would listen to you guys? Boy, you three are idiots."
LC 2: "Now then what should we do with them?"
LC 3: "That's obvious we kill them!"
Army Member 1: "Y-Your joking right?"
LC 1: "Yeah yeah but first we should deal with her." They then rushed toward me
Hikari: 'One longsword, one mace, and one dagger user. Alright, let's do this.'
One of them swung their sword at me but I backstepped in time but a mace user hitted me in the side launching me into the tree
Hikari: "Ouch... That actually hurts." One of them tries to thrust their dagger at me but I jumped off in time
LC 2: "You can't keep dodging forever."
Hikari: "Try me." I then blocked the sword and kicked one of them back just in time to move out the way when one of them tries to hit me with it's mace
LC 3: "Got you!" He stabbed me in the stomach with his poisoned dagger
Hikari: "Ngh!?"
LC 3: "You're done..."
...
I smirked and I didn't notice this but my blue eyes started changing to the color red
Hikari: "Or am I?"
LC 3: "What!?" I thrust my dagger into the side of his head
LC 3: "B-But ho-" I pushed it harder without making him finish his sentence
*SHATTER*
Hikari: "One down two to go."
LC 1: "But how did you not get the paralysis effect?"
Hikari: "Simple I drank a potion to resist paralysis before coming to this place." I then switch out to my sword
LC 2: "Y-You knew?"
Hikari: "Of course I knew this is one of the most common ways to get killed by an ambush. I have to say for a bunch of killers you guys are truly a bunch of fools."
LC 1: "You! What did you say!?" He swung his sword at me but I deflected it and thrust my sword into his chest
Hikari: "You guys aren't leaving this place alive." I then swung my sword upwards cutting his upper body in half
*SHATTER*
Hikari: "And then there was one." I then took a step forward and he flinched
Hikari: "What's wrong you scared?" I smirked and he was pissed then rush toward me
LC 2: "Take this!" He swung his mace at me
Hikari: "Seriously? It's like your seeking for death." I sidestep then slice his head off his body
*SHATTER*
I sighed on how quickly it ended
Hikari: "Well that was boring."
Army Member 1: "You killed them! Now please help us!." I looked at the paralyzed men and I smirked
I then walked toward him
Army Member 1: "W-What are you doing?"
Hikari: "Oh nothing... Just doing you a favor."
Army Member 1: "W-What?"
Hikari: "I'm just going to make you take a rest that will..."
*STAB*
I stabbed his head
Hikari: "That would last forever!"
Army Member 1: "Y-Yo-"
*SHATTER*
Once he shattered my indicator turned orange
Army Member 3: "Y-You killed him..."
Army Member 2: "You murderer!"
I turned my face to them and they say my eyes were glowing red and I had a smile on my face
I then started walking to the two
Army Member 3: "W-What are you going to do to us?"
Army Member 2: "A-Are you going to kill us?"
Hikari: "Oh no, I wouldn't do that If I did my indicator would turn red and I don't want that."
The two had signs of relief
Hikari: "But... I have another idea~"
Army Member 2: "What?" I took out a corridor crystal and used it. It then spawned a gate that leads to the 74th Floor and the specific area I picked had a lot of monsters roaming around
Hikari: "Instead of me doing it. I'll let them finish the job for me."
Army Member 3: "Y-You can't do this!"
Hikari: "Oh really now?" I started dragging their bodies close to the gate
Army Member 2: "Please stop! I-I don't want to die!"
Hikari: "Too late~" I threw their bodies through the gate and the monster around the area starts attacking them
Army Member 3: "NOOOO-" The gate closes
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Hikari: "Hehehe..."
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Hikari: "AHAHAHAHA!!"
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Hikari: "Who knew killing people had given me this much fun!?" I then started walking to the teleport gate while laughing to myself
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However, I was too distracted that I didn't know a pair of red eyes were watching me
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???: "Interesting..." The person smirked
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Once I calmed down my eyes slowly turned back to the bluish color
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Hikari: 'Huh... The heck did I just do?' I looked at my curser
Hikari: " Well great..... Now, what do I do now?" I started thinking about how to remove my orange indicator
Hikari: "I know there's a recovery quest to revert my indicator back to green but I heard it's always annoying to do and its difficulty will depend on what crime it is. Since I killed a player I bet it's going to be really annoying." I sighed but then I saw a traveling merchant with a quest icon above its head
Hikari: "Alrighty right on time." I then walked to the traveler and he gave me a quest to get fifty swords since he needs them to sell money for his family
Hikari: 'Are you serious? Why can I not just give him Col? No wonder why these quests are annoying.' I sighed and tell the traveler to wait so that I can craft the swords he needs and he agreed
~Time Skip~
I spent about 1-2 hours crafting the swords he needs and he thanks me for giving him these swords and hopes that there will be enough Col to give them to his family I sighed and told the man he could have some of my Col
I gave him 100k Col and he was shocked by this and tells me he doesn't need this much col and I told him it's fine and that I have more he reluctantly gets the money and thanks me again and I saw him crying
Traveler: "Thank you... So much..."
Hikari: "Don't worry about it now you can't keep your family waiting right? You should go now."
He bows and he went on his way and a screen popped up that I completed the quest and my indicator turned back to green I sighed since I need to grind again for the materials to craft weapons
Hikari: 'Well that was a pain but... I guess it was worth it.'
I then got a message from Asuna
Hikari: "Oh right I forgot she's on my friend's list."
I opened the message and it says "Please come to the 55th Floor, please hurry." that's all it said
Hikari: "Welp looks like it's starting and just right when I completed the quest." I then dash to the teleport gate and teleport to the 55th Floor
55th Floor: Before the Dungeon
As soon as I am on the 55th Floor I see Asuna running I then chase her after a few seconds I caught up to her and she notices me
Hikari: "What happened Asuna?"
Asuna: "Something happened with Kirito and Godfree."
Hikari: "Do you know where Kirito is?."
Asuna: "Yes I was tracking him then I saw Godfree's marker disappear so I'm really worried about him."
Hikari: "Why didn't you say so? Let's go." We both dashed to the location where Kirito is in
After a few seconds we heard a familiar voice nearby
Kuradeel: "Die, Die, DIE!"
Hikari: "We need to hurry." She nodded and we both dash at full speed
Asuna ready her rapier to prepare a sword skill and dashed right by me
Once Asuna reached Kirito she hit Kuradeel with a sword skill and launched him into a wall she then took out a health potion to restore Kirito's health
Asuna: "Heal!" His health was now at max
Asuna: "I made it... I made it! Thank God... I made it." She finally calmed herself down and I just reached the place
Asuna: "While I was monitoring your location on the map, Godfree's marker disappeared, So I thought something must've happened... You're alive... You're alive, aren't you, Kirito-kun?"
Hikari: "He's alive Asuna right Kirito?" Kirito sighs
Kirito: "Yeah, I am." At the same time, Kuradeel was just getting up and Asuna glares at him I started to get my dagger out buy Asuna stopped me
Asuna: "I'll deal with him Hikari. Please stay with Kirito in the meantime I'll finish this quickly." I nodded and she took out her rapier to deal with Kuradeel and let's just say Kuradeel was nervous
Kuradeel: "A-Asuna-sama, this is just training. Yes, we had a small accident while training-" She then cut his cheek
Kuradeel: "Damn!" He swung his sword but Asuna dodged it without much effort and starts leaving cuts on his body and Kuradeel was scared for his life and his HP draining
He then drops his sword and put his hands up with her rapier right on his face
Kuradeel: "O-Okay, I understand!" He kneels down
Kuradeel: "I'm sorry! I'll leave the guild! I'll never appear before you ever again! So please!"
Asuna grabs her rapier and prepares to stab Kuradeel but
Kuradeel: "I don't want to die!" She stops when he heard that and hesitates
Kuradeel smirks and grabs his sword and deflecting her rapier leaving it out of her hands
Kuradeel: "You're too naive, Vice Commander!" He was going to slash Asuna while I was going to interfere Kirito dashed right past me and block his sword with his own body
His hand was sliced off and shattered into pieces leaving Kirito in a bleeding state
He then powers up his fist and punched right through Kuradeels chest draining his HP to zero
He was going to shatter not before saying to Kirito
Kuradeel: "You damn murderer."
*SHATTER*
Kirito then kneels down and Asuna starts walking towards him
Asuna: "I'm sorry. This... This is all my fault, isn't it?" She kneels down and starts crying and Kirito looks back at her
Kirito: "Asuna..."
Asuna: "I'm sorry. I... w-won't bother you... ever again." She keeps crying till Kirito grabbed her shoulder and...
Asuna: "H-Huh?"
He kissed her
Hikari: 'Oh yeah I-I forgot about this.' I turned my head in the other direction till they were done
After a couple of seconds, Kirito bows his head to Asuna
Kirito: "My life is yours, Asuna. So I'll live for your sake. Until the very end, let's be together!"
Asuna: "Likewise... I'll protect you, no matter what. From now until all of eternity. So..."
Kirito: "Regardless of what may come, I will send you back... to the real world. Asuna. Today... Tonight, I want to be with you." Asuna blushed but with a smile, she nodded
Hikari: 'I should go this is getting too weird for me to be here.' I then started walking when Asuna called me
Asuna: "Hikari... Do you want to have dinner with us?"
Hikari: "Huh? B-But..." I looked at Kirito and he just nods and sighed
Hikari: "Alright..."
61st Floor: Selmburg
After having a nice meal I then excused myself to Asuna and Kirito that I need to go
Hikari: "Thanks for inviting me to dinner Asuna but I'll be going now see you two."
Asuna: "Oh okay then goodbye Hikari."
I then went near to Kirito and whispered to his ear
Hikari: "Good luck Kirito you need it." He flinched
Kirito: "Y-Yeah thank you." I chuckled and went outside of Asuna's house
Hikari: "Alright what's on the to-do list here. Grind for materials? Check. Store up on items? Check. And upgrading my gear? Check. Looks like I'm done for today, time to head to the Inn."
When I was just about to walk I heard Asuna
Asuna: "Y-Y-You... BAKA!!!"
*SLAP*
Hikari: 'That must've hurt a lot I feel sorry for Kirito but he did deserve it for not clarifying what he meant. But he is going to be married to Asuna shortly.' I chuckled to myself and walked back to the Inn.