Chapter 11

As I weaved I then punched Kirito on the left side as he jerked a bit, quickly trying to follow up with a right hook. He ducked as he thrusted his sword at me, I moved back as took a firm stance. One minute hit as both of us were at medium yellow health. The both of us gained a temporary <> buff as Kirito hit me first, grazing my cheek as it dropped my health a bit more than before.

I threw punches as Kirito dodged the punches and swung back as retaliation as I moved back, but just as I took a couple steps back Kirito rushed in, being more aggressive this time. Sh*t I need space to use the skill! I raised up my guard as I blocked a swing but took considerable chip damage. I watched as I saw him swing horizontally, I ducked under it and threw a right straight at his abdomen. He took the hit head on as he forced himself to swallow down that pain and continue fighting, the clean hit to his abdomen made his health drop to low yellow first.

Two or three more clean hits and the fights over!

I took two steps back as 30 seconds remained, I then began blocking more as I kept trying to back up while taking hits. I weaved and jumped back this time finally getting the space I needed. My gloves then glowed as I ran in, Just like before Kirito ran in, this time he was a bit faster. He thrusted first as I moved to the right, stomping my foot down and throwing a full powered counter punch. I threw the punch as he was able to move away from it just in time, I was astonished as the slight speed difference made it possible.

I felt the recoil from using it as my health dropped considerably for missing it, dropping me to low red. I looked over at Kirito as he swung his sword almost instantly, landing underneath my armpit going upwards. he then slashed diagonally upwards as I stumbled back and landed on my back, my health dropping to zero then going back to full health.

The battle ended right at 5 seconds, the crowd cheering as I sighed, laying on the floor and looking at the sky. A hand then popped up in my view as I looked over, Kirito lends his hand out to me as I grabbed his hand as I got up with his assistance. "Good fight Kirin, I guess that breaks our tie." He said casually.

"Well we'll see if we have to fight again."

"Haha, I'll win again."

"You wish."

The both of us chuckled as I walked over to pick up my sword and put it in my inventory. I then headed out of the coliseum as I walked through the opened doors. It closed right behind me as I sighed, sitting down on a bench as I took a breather.

I swiped down and checked messages, clicking Toru's name and seeing if she responded. There was no response. I teared up slightly as I wiped it from my eyes trying to not show myself being vulnerable.

"She hasn't gotten back to you yet has she?"

Sato said as he just arrived to check on me, "No..." I replied doubting the possibility. "I'm sure there will be something that will bring you both together." Sato said as he sat down beside me, I swiped away my menu. After 10 minutes of comforting me and letting me vent, Sato eventually left as I left the coliseum shortly after.

I rented out an Inn room as I lay down on the bed, not wanting to get back up this time. As more time passed (About 3 hours) word would eventually spread about Kirito's recruitment into KoB. Although I wasn't too fond on that idea, I sat up and sent Kirito a smug but friendly congratulations text. What I got was a "Go f*ck yourself, but thanks anyways." reply.

I looked at the clock, seeing it was past noon. I got up as I didn't bother looking for a new mask now that everyone knows my face. I looked at my messages as I notice one message in particular, a message going by the name of "Saiko". This Saiko player sent me an urgent message, saying "Laughing Coffin Members were seen on Floor 65, I'll send you the coordinates.".

I quickly got up as I ran out of the Inn and headed towards the teleport pad, teleporting up to Floor 65, our most recent floor being floor 69. When I was on the telepad of floor 65, I looked around as I checked the message again, seeing the coordinates as they led outside of the safe zone. Now or never... I checked once more before closing my menu and heading out of the safe zone. The coordinates led to a ruined castle.

This is where it is...? This feels like an Ambush...

I looked at it as I equipped <>, entering where the closed gate would be as I looked around, seeing the vast array of destroyed buildings and rubble, almost as if I got here after some battle or war. I hate how the theme and aesthetic makes me believe I've gotten here too late... I shrugged as I saw a person hiding.

I tilted my head in confusion as I walked over towards them as I tapped their shoulder. They jumped a bit as I covered their mouth, seeing it was a girl. "Shh..." I said as I looked around and lets go of her mouth. "are you Saiko?" I whispered, not to alert anyone eavesdropping as they nodded. Of course it's a girl... I sighed as I asked, "where are they?" being quite direct with her. She pointed to the castle ahead as I nodded and began heading towards the castle, unsheathing my sword.

Suspicious nevertheless...in 3...2...1...

I then heard slight footsteps as it got closer, ducking underneath Saiko's attempt to hit me with a tipped weapon, I then swept her feet and grabbed her head, slamming it to the rocky ground as her health dropped a bit. I put my knee on her back as I kept her head on the floor. "Not going to work on me. Now, where is everyone else..." I said rather monotonic.