Here is another chapter for this story. I'll keep the introduction short so without more words that are being typed, here is Chapter 4

January 3rd, 2024

Enemies. A bell sound filled the room, continuing to ring with no end in sight. The room being painted with the color of blood. Through a game like this, blood wouldn't be spilled through any forms of wounds or cuts. Despite this, the meaning wasn't any different. The group of players fighting to stay alive while being annihilated one by one. Only two players were having it easy. Everyone else was having their Health dropping while these two were able to cruise on by with the attacks. The person experiencing this was looking left and right seeing the players turning into fragments of data disappearing. He was being more frantic and aggressive, attacking the never-ending horde of monsters that continued to spawn. One by one, more and more, the same effect happened. The red-head was keeping up but that wasn't important to him.

Time passed and what was originally seven players turned into three. The remaining trio couldn't catch a break, each one being overwhelmed by the constant rampage of the monsters that attacked. The teen tried to get near the blue hair girl, trying to save her. She couldn't face off against them, not at her level. Being surrounded her best bet was to block but even so, it wasn't enough. She was struck by a hand, clawing through her back and all he could see was her health dropping to the last pixel until it was gone. He saw her face that was smiling despite that she was practically dead and she to become pieces of data.

The boy experiencing the dream woke up quickly panting and grabbing the sheets hard. He placed his hand on his head trying to calm himself down. 'Another nightmare.' That was his original thought as soon he had got up and realized what actually happened. Prior to this weird and recurring dream, he hadn't dreamed in the time he spent playing this hell they called Sword Art Online. After his breathing returned to normal and his heart was beating calmly, the boy stood up looking outside the window to see that it was almost noon. He was never a morning person. The nightmare wouldn't leave his subconscious, as it played again and again on the night of Christmas Eve.

"Nightmare before Christmas huh?" He said out loud before thinking back to when it had started. He opened up a menu on his screen, going through his inventory before selecting his regular clothing. After a short moment, he took one last look in the mirror that came with the room, eyeing himself. His spiky orange hair and dark blue eyes is what stood out the most in his reflection. His eyes seeming distant and away from others that made contact with his. He left the inn shortly as he took a small break from the front lines to gain items from monsters and event only missions. Also to get a peace of mind from being around other players personally.

As he passed through the town seeing the players move by some looking serious while others accustomed to the game and moving happily. He looked up gently seeing how sunny it was and the lack of clouds in the sky. He had a specific spot in mind. One that he had found and what seemed to be a spot no other players had decided to inhabit every time he had went. He made his way to his destination, a nearby hill that seemed to be abandoned at the moment with no players around. The orange haired teen sat down trying to get through what happened in the dream and his personal feelings of what he had witnessed.

He had a friend, Kirito, but after what he said rudely, he didn't think he could look at him the same way. Imagining what he would say after hearing what comments he gave about his former 'friends,' practically killing them for bringing said group to such a high level dungeon. Especially when they didn't know what was coming to them, for either side. Was it Karma that was trying to get back at him for not helping the Guild? He did thought as to why he was shown these dreams. To add, the perspective of Kirito. He truly knew how it must have felt to witness it in real time.

"Just like that time. That horrible day." Neku had his knees crossed against each other as he stared with an empty gaze from where he was sitting.

The lesson was over but the class did not. Girls were talking among themselves about trivial matters while guys were making plans for later on as to eat or play some sports. The sound filled the room before an even louder sound screamed throughout the school. The bell rang, voices of students cheering and yelling that the day was over. A certain boy stood still in his seat waiting for the noise to tone down and evacuate the room.

He never really thought of the evacuating students as pests but over time talking about useless things made him think so. He soon stood up once he was sure he could move freely and not needing to worry about being blocked at the door or the hallway. He exited and walked around the hallways slowly not in a rush. He stopped his movement the moment he had spotted someone that he could call his own. A friend of his that could rival him. He smiled being a total opposite of who he was.

"Hey" Neku said to him, waving for him to come near. The brown haired boy turned around hearing the teen's voice. The boy held his belongings on his back with one hand while having the other completely free. A natural way to hold someone's items and is seen often in schools. He walked towards him before he stood close to him showing a grin .The boy wasn't all that much taller than Neku, not having a scar and having hazel irises. He slowly stood out from the rest due to his unnatural stare at people.

"What's up Neku? School's over. Thought it'd never end." The boy that stood in front of Neku gave off a smirk but the way he showed it was as if giving off a feel of calmness. Almost a way as for others to be themselves around him instead of acting like a stranger or shy.

"Yeah. I paid attention and all but it felt as though the clock couldn't move any slower. Just happy that classes ended." Neku's friend then started to move around his belongings with his hand remembering something crucial.

"I have to head home quickly. The teacher decided to hand everyone in the class an essay that's due tomorrow. Should've heard how the rest of the class reacted." His statement gained a chuckle from the orange haired boy. He almost forgot something crucial.

"Hey wait." The brown haired boy turned around to face Neku. The orange haired boy nearly forgot to ask him. "Want to meet up in the mural. You know, the usual spot?" Neku's friend could only smile and gave a thumbs up with his eyes closed.

"Definitely." After hearing this, Neku's friend walked until he was out of sight. The teen himself soon exited the building, passing by people chatting about the newest technology or about the newest fashion trends. Shibuya was definitely a growing city for anything. Clothes, idols, food. Talking to others was another major thing. Neku didn't see the good that came out of these things. He wanted to do what he felt was right then what society deemed right. His friend also felt the same way. It would be the way they became friends over time. The ability to talk to each other over anything and still be interested in the conversation was something that intrigued Neku. He never felt the same with others. It was almost a two halves of a whole. They complemented one another.

Neku soon made his way to his home, leaving his school related items on his bed and now felt free of the normal day by day fatigue that school usually places on him. He was intelligent but being stuck in class repeating the same thing, felt like hell. He checked the time and before long had exited his room, slowly making his way out the door leaving after locking it securely. He moved through the streets but didn't want to hear anyone. He put on his limited edition CAT Designed headphones playing anything after putting it on shuffle. Oh, how Neku adored CAT. Their design and everything they would do ranging from art to music and even technology, hence the headphones was just amazing work for someone to do. Neku could only think and ponder as to how one person can do this.

Slowly but surely, he made his way to the back streets of Udagawa, moving up the steps and there it was, the mural of CAT. A graffiti of CAT's mascot which ironically was a cat and was filled with a wonderful blend of colors ranging from the rainbow was placed on the wall. Neku felt calm remembering the first time he saw this. He wouldn't have known if his friend from earlier didn't show him the mural. He placed his hand on it wishing he could meet the creator.

"Like that'll ever happen." After a short chuckle at the slim chance of the latter actually happening, Neku waited. He waited for what seemed to be hours. He checked his phone sighing to himself. "What's taking him so long? He's never late." His friend wasn't one to be late for anything. So it only made him curious and slightly worried. He sent a text to him asking if he was still coming and if everything was alright. After nearly two hours had passed, the spiky haired teen couldn't stay any longer. He didn't even gain a response. He started to walk away, rain starting to fall gently. He took one last glance at the graffiti of CAT before continuing to move. He soon made his way back to his home, hoping to talk to him tomorrow to ask what had happened.

He wasn't given the chance. Later through the day he had heard of the fatal accident. His friend that he could call his own and be actually real, open up to and be honest, was dead. Hearing what had happened was as if a boulder smashed through frail glass. The sheer truth of what had happened struck him hard. He couldn't believe it. It only gave him further trauma when said friend died on the way to the mural. Neku felt guilty and blamed himself. The idea that he was the one to blame for what had occurred struck him. His friend had no intention of going to the mural prior to his question. He was the one that had brought it up. If he hadn't said anything, would he still be alive? Neku's psyche went from a slightly optimistic and shy teenager to a pessimistic anti-social loner. He gave up on the world around him. Only thing that he needed was himself and his personal values. Everyone's opinions were useless to him. He carried this with the idea of CAT'S motto.

Do what you want, how you want, when you want.

Neku gave a sigh never having felt so pathetic in his life before. It still felt as though he had killed him. His only true friend. He met Kirito and he also felt like he could open up to him. Being able to share the idea to live on their own, fight for themselves. So when Kirito decided to help that guild, it only caused Neku to feel like an outcast. He couldn't function properly with that group. So cheerful and being in the lower ranks. Neku wanted to live. To exit out of a game he hadn't even signed up to play. Neku soon stood up from the ground, deciding that he spent enough time reminiscing about what happened when this game started and where he was now. He could understand Kirito's pain though, through that dream. It felt so realistic as if he lived through it.

"Killing someone without doing it intentionally. I know that feeling. Such a guilty emotion that comes with it." Neku recounted his feelings, slowly walking away from the town and only stopped when he was deep in the forest. Being by himself gave him freedom, the ability to do as he please and not on the whim of others. He got a great grasp at this game and finally could do whatever pleased him. As he made his way with his sword in hand he stopped seeing a fellow player fighting a chain of enemies at once. Neku's face grew into shock just from what the player looked like. Brown hair, hazel irises while keeping the same height to add. Was this some type of prank? A sick joke? A coincidence that after remembering him, someone would show up that would retain the same appearance. His thought process broke when he heard the teen in question speak which further made him wonder what's going on.

"Come on, I'll take all of you on." the teen shouted readying his blade not bothering to use a shield as part of his strategy. Neku could see his health dwindling in the yellow range and with how the enemies were inching closer, he'd needed to do something fast to help him out. Neku moved in quick and his weapon glowed brightly as he used a skill, Vulcan uppercut, to damage and push the enemies back. Sending the group of wolves and bears back was only for stalling. He turned around to look at him.

"You alright?" He asked him quickly before turning around not wanting to get hit with his guard down.

"Y-yeah. Thanks." He stood next to him regaining his composure at the sudden entrance of this player. He soon had a grin creep up on his face that caused Neku to look from the corner of his eyes. "Let's take them down." He charged ahead with Neku trailing closely.

After defeating the monsters quickly and leveling up the two went back to town but Neku was silent while the boy was being cheerful and laid back. The urge to ask him something was killing him. The chance of this happening was slim to none. Was this meant to happen? Meeting someone that is similar to someone that had previously died? Neku broke the silence with a question.

"What's your name?" The boy stopped his movements and turned around.

"Huh? Sorry, was thinking about something. What did you say?" He stood still waiting for Neku to repeat himself.

"What's your name? Can you hear me now?" He seemed to be calm when he said it but he needed to know the answer. To have the same name of his friend that had died would make him go crazy. He was the sole reason he started to hate the world. It'd be a shock to the system if this player was really alive. If this player that stood next to him was to have the same name, he might just lose his sanity.

"Oh. I thought you could see my name on the top screen. Depends what your asking. Username. Real name. Which would you prefer." He kept this feeling of gung-ho around him. The aura of being able to be who you really are around him without gaining criticism for it.

"Your real name. Tell me honestly please." He looked up at him. At this point only this player stood out. Nothing else mattered. He needed the answer.

"Oh. Even though we just met wanting to know my personal info? Well, my username is Kyou. My real name is Kyo Fukusaku. Does that answer your question?" Neku's facial expression was one of shock but also a mixture of relief to hear that the name he had heard didn't match his actual friend's name. He also felt bittersweet that this wasn't his true friend. Almost making him happy to talk to someone instead of using them.

For once he had hoped he was lying. Why would he lie though? His tone and personality made it clear that he had no reason to lie or give a sense of doubt. He stopped thinking when Kyo started moving towards the teleporter. Neku, instead of ditching him and moving on his own felt as though he should follow him or ask him some questions. The boy in question to turn around.

"To the first floor. Why you ask?" Neku could only wonder what he had planned when they were already on such a high level.

"Why? What are you going to gain out of heading to the first floor?" The boy sighed scratching the back of his head before sighing.

"I might be high leveled and all, but I want to help those that are still stuck on the first floor. Give them that extra push." He emphasized it by pretending that he was actually pushing with his hands. Neku blinked shortly before noticing he was going to continue. "I gain from this by seeing once inexperience and hopeless players become strong and being able to fend for their own. No one should be stuck rotting away on the first level. Don't you think?" He turned wanting for Neku's reaction. The spiky haired teenager gave it some thought wondering that this wasn't much of a personal gain at first and only later on will he see the significance of this. Kyou decided to move on not needing Neku's answer. "Well, I'll be heading, I sent you a friend request. Maybe we can level up together some time?" He sent him one last grin before his body vanished in a white light. Neku looked down at the ground.

"For once, I can really relate to someone. Even if he really isn't like him, the fact that they're so similar makes it feel as if he's alive again. Though helping others, wanting to see them become better over time?" He thought it over as he checked his screen seeing the rare and unfamiliar sound of a friend request. He stared at it shortly before agreeing to it. The teen glanced at his surroundings and moved towards a nearby inn. He couldn't help but play those words over.

I gain from this by seeing players becoming strong and moving up in the ranks. No one should be stuck rotting away on the first level.

Neku slowly entered the inn and ordered a drink. He was definitely going to stay away from the front lines as he played this situation over in his head. He sighed slumping in his seat as the thought tuned out and didn't came back in his head. He slowly started drink the item he bought before looking deep into the liquid that was held with the cup.

"What's going to happen now?"

And that's about it. Decided to make it short and sweet for now giving it a personal adventure for Neku. Hoped you enjoyed reading.