Disclaimer: I don't own anything in relation to sword art online or any other character that belong to other fanfics (all info found on their respective wikias)
" "– talking
' '-thoughts
" "-A.I. talking (not going to be used a lot)
Chapter 6 The Black Swordsman, The Blood Red Vigil and the White Assassin
Date: 16 February 2024 Location: within SAO's core nexus
The front lines are currently on the 55th floor, my key members are the ones leading the assault, everyone one else is training within a dungeon in groups of 6-10.
A small guild named The Silver Flags attacked recently by the members of the Titan's Hand, an orange guild. 4 members of the guild are killed by them and only the leader managed to survive.
The leader of said guild has been requesting for someone to bring give his friends justice, me, faux and kirito has taken request to deal with titan's hand but faux wants them dead, kirito wants justice and will more likely sent them to the 1st floor black iron castle, while I probably just let them rot in my prison, at this point it's a competition on who get titan's hand first and I hope for their sake that kirito finds them before I do.
-5 days later-
Location: 20th floor Sunshine forest
I am currently with Hei at the PKKer meeting with faux about a few meters away from me, he is currently having a conversation with Andrei about love of all things.
There are currently 10 hooded figures here, all of which are some of the top PKKers within SAO, among said 10, 4 of which held silent yet supreme authority over everyone else.
Those are…
#4. Medium armor, offend type, AGI type, scythe user: TYRANT kill count: 22
#3. Light armor, Assassin type, unique equipment set, Dagger and wire user: Hei, The Contractor kill count: 30
#2. No armor, Assassin type, Strength type, unique skill user, Dagger and shield user: Faux, kill count: 44
And….
#1. Heavy armor, Swordsman type, unique equipment set, Dual sword wielder: Dredd, Dreaded vigilante kill count: 70
No sane person would talk back to the top PKKers.
"That enough you two, the meeting is starting." A man started with about 10 people behind him
The 10 new comers wore dark armor with an "I" as their emblem. They are members of the Inquisition , a weak mediocre non-front line guild that help with tracking down PKers. Officially there are only 30 people in said guild but unofficially there are hundreds non-PKKers supporting them.
At the center of them, was a businessman spear user: username LaCroix Real name: Sebastian La Croix (vampire the masquerade bloodlines reference) kill count: 1
But there was 1 of the last people never expected to come this meeting, Argo entered from behind LaCroix.
"Yo! I didn't expect to see you here whatsup?" faux ask nonchalantly
"I was paid to be here by LaCroix, *turns to Andrei* so…." Argo replied
Andrei shrugs "Sorry Argo, we were interrupted before I could ask."
Argo sighs "No…its fine…..There always a next time."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Faux ask as I chuckle as I realized what they are talking about
"O nothing." Argo said as she sits down on the grass "….Weird girl…" faux said as he sits beside her
"Ahem...Let us begin meeting then, as all of you might know, PKing have been on rise as of late, reports show that the numbers of PKer has risen to triple digits, effectively dwarfing us." LaCroix said like a true businessman
"And worse yet, there been News that there is a new PKing guild out there now called laughing coffin." LaCroix said
For the 2 first timers (Argo and Andrei), the news is pretty grave. PKers alone are a pain to deal with but a whole guild of them would be a nightmare, but the two soon realized which side was more dangerous.
Every PKKer except me and Hei are smiling.
And not just any smile…..their smiles were so full of glee, that most would think that they are on the wrong side.
Even the calm LaCroix had a twisted smile.
I can see Argo tugging faux's sleeve, I can see some trace of fear in her eyes
"Faux…..Why are you all smiling?" Argo ask as Andrei also looked at him for answers but unlike Argo, Andrei is quite calm, though given his profession in real life, it only natural.
Faux then proceed to pat Argo on the head as he says "I assume that you thought of a PK guild as a disaster for us, right?" Argo nods
"Though true….an organized enemy is harder to destroy than a splintered group….however, there is also a downside to an organization." Faux said
"And that is?" Argo asks
"An organization is both a shield and a death trap. A chain of command allows quick information sharing and efficient personnel management but on the other hand, if you break 1 part of the chain especially the head of the chain, the entire organization will collapse." I finished what faux was trying to say
Argo says with confusion "I don't get …what's your point here?"
"the point is simple, just like us PKKers, they have to gather at some point and share info amongst each other, if you make one part of the chain fear you, you make everyone else do the same." Faux said
"But still an organized enemy is very dangerous, yes? I see no reason for your happiness." Andrei said
"Hmph, Andrei I thought you would understand, which would you prefer as hunter while hunting prey, would you hunt a weak defenseless prey or a well-organized strong prey?" I said as I give him a twisted smile
As if listening to our conversation, LaCroix continued "Rejoice my friends, our prey has become much more abundant, Nothing is more satisfying than watching a powerful prey get completely annihilated."
It was then that realization hit them, PKKers don't want justice, they want vengeance.
-A few minutes later-
The meeting proceeded as usual.
Under LaCroix orders, Argo gave everyone a copy of a detailed report of the current known PKers. This included their fighting style, current home base and down to their gender orientation, granted I already know all of them and some that Argo doesn't know about but that may give away that I been capturing PKers and orange players with my guild and keeping them within my jail, well at least I didn't kill them.
LaCroix also gave the usual summary of what has happened since their last meeting 3 weeks ago, the summary normally comprises of the usual who-killed-who, along with other major noteworthy events.
And of course both mine and Faux's incident were noteworthy.
"A couple of days ago, the 49th and 50th floor were cleared only a single day between each other, but an interesting rumor has circulated for the 49th floor, apparently it was cleared by only one person. Do you know about this faux?" LaCroix said as he looks at Faux, soon all eyes were focused on him
"Argo…..we are so going to talk about this later." Faux whispered to Argo as I just chuckle
"Yeah I heard about it a few times what about it?" Faux says as I contemplate whether or not to interfere
"Well….According to the rumors, you were the one who pull it off." LaCroix said seriously
I decide to type a message to Faux, a few seconds later a message pop up from faux screen saying "should I say something?" After he read the message he looks at me and shrugs his shoulders
"Yep he did defeat the 49th floor boss, what about it? Shouldn't that strike more fear into the heart of PKers that our '2nd best' PKKer defeated a floor boss on his own?" I said as I cross my arms and look at all of them
"Well that is true….ok I will just stop right there for faux, but I wanted to ask you Dredd why did you join the vigils? After out of all of us I would think that killing all of the PKers not capturing them would be for you?" LaCroix asked me seriously as I narrow my eyes at him
"Why not?" I ask him
"Excuse me?" LaCroix said slightly confused
"Ok let me ask you this LaCroix, where do you think all my captured souls go after we capture them?" I ask LaCroix
"I would assume you sent them to the Black iron castle…." LaCroix said as a smile appear on my face
"Nope, my base has a…well not so secret jail cell now since Hei is in my guild but I sent food down there depends on what they did, if they are orange criminals I give them, once a week, if they are PKers or informants for PKers they get food once a month, and they get food immediately if they give me info."
I said as hei gives me a concerned look as I continue "O by the way, the only people I recruit into the Vigils now are people with no problems attacking PKers and capturing them, and I have recruited quite a few PKKers that wants to be part of my guild so yeah anyone wanna join?" I ask as I look around the room.
"No? Well that's ok now if you would excuse me I need to go and do my job." I said as both I and hei pulls out teleport crystals and leave the area
-A few minutes later-At their base
"I take it that you wanna talk to me about what I said earlier huh." I said as I pour myself a new ice cool glass of brandy
"Was it true?" hei ask as he pours himself a glass of brandy
"Yep, I wouldn't lying when I said it but the more…..light heart members shouldn't know about it, all the PKKers I have recruited know about it but don't disagree with my ways." I said as I drink a bit of the brandy
"Well…I can't really judge you after all I have done, and what you do it's justice in a way for all they've done…." Hei said as he drinks his glass of brandy
"Yeah well….you were given the name Contractor for a reason Hei after all your skills of traversing any terrain and your professional kills are what gave you your name." I said as I made sure no one heard that
"Yeah well your skill at dealing with any enemy is why you got your name Dredd, after all from what I heard all no one ever survives your encounter." Hei said as he drinks all of his brandy in 1 gulp
"Well this was a nice chat and all but I believe it's time for me to go and help train some of the others, goodbye Dredd." Hei said as he leaves the room
"Yeah goodbye Hei, see ya later." I said as I drink down my glass and leave as I teleport to where Sera and her original group
-A few seconds later-
I got called by Sera and the others to deal with a secret dungeon on the 55th floor, apparently the mobs inside are humanoid creatures that are wearing Black dragon armor. (Dark souls 2 reference)
I have just arrived outside the dungeon with Sera and company as they prepare to enter, according to her the reason why we are the only ones going to enter the dungeon is because she didn't want any deaths for our guild.
"Well how about we do this!" Wilhelm said as everyone equip their weapons
"Why not I guess." I said as I pull out my swords
"And here we go!" He said as we enter the dungeon
The moment we enter the dungeon, 4 Dragon Knight spawn about a few feet away from us wielding a sword and shield, dual wielding war axes and 1 with a large 2 handed axe, the moment they detected us, they shouted a 3 word chant and as an aura of a dragon appear on their armor around them. (Skyrim' Dragon Aspect shout reference)
'*sigh* this is going to take a while….' I thought as I charge at the 4 dragon knights
-20 minutes later-
After about 20 different types of dragon knights ranging from big to small, melee to range, to magic and shouts to elements, and about 20 small dragons we finally reached the boss room.
"Well that was tiring…..i really hope the loot is good to make us use up so much of our time and energy…." Levi said as he fap his arms a bit
"O come on Levi, the loot we already got from the dragon knight are their cool and powerful weapons and armor, so today was a good day." Felicia said as she equips her new light Dragonscale armor (Skyrim) and dragon claws.
"Yep, this new armor is fantastic much better than our old ones." Wilhelm said as he equips her new Dragonplate armor, a new Dragon slayer sword and a new Dragonscale shield all of which are better than his original set of equipment. (Skyrim)
"Yeah this new equipment is pretty strong and pretty expensive if we plan to sell any of because you know about every one of the mob drops are either the armor and weapons or materials to make them." Jed said as he equips the full set of Black Dragon armor and his new Dragonslayer.(berserk reference)
"Well I have to admit, I haven't got a new decent bow in ages." Sera said as she equips Dragonbone Bow and Dragonbone Arrow. (Skyrim)
"Well whatever after all if we wanted to recreate this type of armor, we would need a very high level blacksmith, but we can discuss that later…right now, let's do this!" I said as I open the boss room door
The moment we enter the room, we realized that it was a big open area, (only just smaller than the Skull reaper boss chamber) it was then we realized what the boss was.
It was then 2 names appear on the screen, The Dragonborn and Alduin the World Eater , it was then we saw our enemy, a heavily armored man riding on top a dragon, the man had 1 health bar while the dragon had 4.
'well shit, of course father had the nerve to do this….god these 2 were supposed to be the 100th floor field boss and my personal guard…well no use crying over spilled milk let's get this show on the road.' I thought as I pull out my swords and start running toward the two.
"FUS RO DA!" the Dragonborn shouted as the force of his shout stuns me for a few seconds while the others start their attack.
Sera start firing her arrows into Alduin's eyes and at the Dragonborn, while Felicia started to throw daggers at Alduin as she climb on his back and start clawing at him.
Wilhelm is distracting Alduin while Levi, Jeb and Saeoko attack his sides while I have a dual with the Dragonborn.
'Goddamn…this guy is just as strong as I programmed him when I was originally in control….damn it kayaba…..this will take a while…' I thought as continue trading blows with the Dragonborn.
-Several minutes later-
"Goddamn it, this guy is strong…." Wilhelm said as he blocks another on of Alduin's attack
"You don't say Wilhelm….." Levi said as they slowly cut down Alduin's HP
"HELL'S SABER!" "FO KRAH DIIN! (Frost breath)" both of attacks connected with each other cancelling them out
Everyone is pretty much fatigued at this point, Alduin and Dragonborn's HP are pretty much at 25% each, this is one tough battle…..it was then when both of their HP reached 20% everything changed.
The Dragonborn then used Dragon Aspect while Alduin used Soul Fog, because of his fog our HP and stamina are slowly decreasing, at this rate someone going to die.
'hmm….this fog is really thick….maybe….' I thought as I start keying in the code
"Everyone stand back, HELL'S SABER!" I shouted as my blade grows red with red-ish flames coming out of it
"Codename: Hellfire" I whispers as my attack tripled in damage as I hit both Dragonborn and Alduin with my fire strike.
It was at the point the fog cleared and both Alduin and the Dragonborn's HP hit 0, I was at the point of collapsing when I see Alduin's remains were starting to get absorbed by the Dragonborn.
"Well shit….i almost forgot about this…." I said to myself as Felicia collapses from exhaustion while everyone else looks like they are about to collapses too
The moment The Dragonborn consumed Alduin's soul, he started to walk toward me as i get into an attack stands, but the Dragonborn instead of attacking me, he drops his weapons and says while extending his hand for a handshake.
"Thank you travelers, you saved me from being Alduin's tool of destruction." He then gives me a key and continue saying
"This is a key to all the rewards i have collected during my lifetime and now it's yours, I have but 1 request…..end my life and end my eternal suffering….you who will replace me….dragon slayer….." the Dragonborn said as he knees in front of me wanting a warrior's dead.
"I shall give you a warrior's dead Dragonborn, I shall see you in Sovngarde comrade…." I said as I decapitate him as he dissolves into particles.
"….and….gonna pass out now….Dredd out…." I said as collapses on the ground, even though I don't feel fatigue, I have to make me look a bit human.
-A few minutes later-
When I open my eyes after I passed out, I didn't expect the first thing I noticed was that I was face first in a pair of breast, i decided to just pretend to still be unconscious.
"Hey Felicia what are you doing!" I can hear Sera voice in the background shouting at Felicia
"O come on sis, he's a nice guy just my type." I can just feel Felicia smiling
"But he is like 10 years older than you!" i have to try my best to hide my chuckle
"Yeah but when has that stopped anyone, and besides what happens in the virtual world stays in the virtual world." I just have to stay quiet….you know what I can't stay quiet anymore.
"Well thanks for your praise but I rather not be a pedophile." I said smiling as my head suddenly dropped to the floor.
"YOU HEARD EVERYTHING WE SAID!" Felicia said blushing as she covers her private part like I'm some pervert as i look at her weirdly.
"hehehe, ah…..yep….and now this is awkward….ok how about we never speak of this again since it only the 3 of us…wait where are the others?"
"O the others left because you had the key and you were unconscious so we decided that the others can go back first while we wait for you." Sera already forgotten the conversation we had earlier.
"Alright we may as well get this done with it's about night time soon." I said as I started to the center of the chambers as I spot a small keyhole in the middle.
I then put the key into the hole and turn it, the floor suddenly started to move.
It was then that 4 large chest emerge from the ground and open up with a petrified dragon egg emerging from the center, each of the chest contains different things, one full of col, one full of potions and crystals, one with weapons and one with armor.
"Well we need to carry all this stuff back…..well start packing ladies." I said as I start to grab as many things I can.
-A few minutes later-
After about a few minutes of getting all of the items back to base it was already night time so I decided to sleep, I wonder how the others are doing.
-2 day later-Time: 8am
The reason why I am in the forest where Gawain died today is because Faux called me to help him as he got a message from his target about meeting him.
I'm currently providing backup in a tree outside the entrance of a cave he just went in, I can see 4 players with him, I am pretty sure that they are the small yet skilled PK guild called Quartet, I'm more than sure that Faux can deal with all of them, my job is that if any escape him I deal with them.
I pretty sure that faux's unique skill, Liuxing Chui/ Jormungand can deal with all of them but I know for a fact that Flandre isn't here.
'Hehehe I just hear the chain now….it was a skill that me and kayaba develop with scorpion from mortal kombat in mind and I think Faux is using it pretty well….' I thought as I see 2 individual leave the cave.
I then throw 2 paralysis dagger at them , and then jump off the tree.
"Hey Faux you done with the 2?" I shout into the cave as faux walks out swinging his chain as he hit both of the 2 players in the head killing them.
"Well that was waste of time…" I said as I take back my daggers
"Well I better go meet kirito, I got a rumor that the person he's with a loil beast tamer and that the leader of titan's hand are going after her….you can come if you want….." I said as I pull out my teleport crystal
"Nah if he is traveling with a little girl than she doesn't need to see the slaughter I would cause if I go there…" faux said as his chain turned back into his shield
"Well in that case I will be seeing you then….good luck with the hunt my friend." I said as I teleport to 47th Floor's «Hill of Memories».
-Several minutes later-
From what I have observed the beast tamer, Silica sure is cute. From what kirito told me, he is helping her get her died tamed dragon, Pina the Pneuma Flower in order to revive it.
It too bad kirito didn't know that I had a few of them growing in my fortress, I could have given her some, and I'm sure that later after this I will use some on that petrified egg to get a pet dragon.
I decided to use my cloak of shadows, to wait for them, the moment kirito and silica reached the bridge kirito finally detected titan's hand.
"Whoever's behind those trees, come out." Kirito said as he stops silica from going forward while Rosalia walks out from the trees
"Rosalia?" silica said with a hint of disbelieve
"If you can see through my hiding skill, your detection skill must be high, swordsman." Rosalia said as she walks out from the trees
"It appears that you manage to get the Pneuma flower, congratulation….now hand it over." Rosalia with a fake smile
"What are you talking about?" silica ask from beside kirito
"That isn't going to happen, Rosalia...or should I say leader of the orange guild, titan's hand." Kirito said
"But she's green." Silica said to kirito
"It's a simple trick really, the green members find the target and lead them to where the orange players are waiting….that was one of your friends listening to us last night, right?" Kirito said as they just stand there
"Then, the reason why we were in the same party for 2 weeks…" silica said as she piece it together
"That's right, I was assessing its strength, while waiting for them to earn their money from their adventure….you were the prey I was most anticipating, it was unfortunate that you left, but then you said you were getting a rare item." Rosalia said as she licks her lips
"However, you knew all that, but went with her anyway, are you an idiot? Or did she actually really seduce you?" Rosalia said as she moves her spear
"No, neither of the above, I've also been searching for you, Rosalia." Kirito said as my patience is starting to fail, if they don't do something I will
"What are you talking about?"
"10 days ago, you attacked a guild called the sliver fangs, four people, all but the leader died."
"Oh, the ones with no money…"
"The leader went from the warp point to the front lines, from morning until night, begging someone to avenge them, but he didn't want you killed, he wanted someone to jail you, can you understand how he felt?"
"Nope…what kind of idiot would take this seriously? there's no proof that killing someone here means they die in real life, anyway, shouldn't you be more concerned for yourselves?" Rosalia said as she snaps her finger, then 7 guys that were hiding behind the trees emerge from them and walked to Rosalia.
"Kirito, there are too many! We should run!" silica said as kirito move to pat her while saying "it's alright, until I tell you to run, just keep the crystal ready, stay put and watch."
"Okay…but…kirito!" silica shouted, the moment silica said his name the Orange players realized that he was the solo player known as the black swordsman.
"Someone from the lead group wouldn't be down here! Go get him! And take everything he owns!" Rosalia shout as I decide it's time to make my appearance.
The orange players charge at kirito not noticing I was behind all of them, so I decide why not give all of them a cheat shot as I throw at them my special teleport daggers.
It was only then that they all realized my presence as kirito shouted "Dredd stop!" he must think I'm going to kill them, which would be a better choice than rotting in my jail but whatever.
"Dredd?" "The Dreaded vigilante?" "O god" were some of what the orange players said before my daggers hit them and transport them to my prison.
"What?" Rosalia said as I look her dead in the eye.
"This is impossible! Normal throwing dagger can't 1-hit kill players, they just can't!" Rosalia shouted at me as I throw a special poison dagger into her stomach, it was then the pain started to set in as my special made dagger cancels the pain absorber as a burning feeling started to flow through your veins kind of like real life poisons.
"Feel that Rosalia? That's the feeling of all the people you've hurt….I'll see you later." I said as I pull out my poison dagger and teleport her to my prison while kirito sheaths his sword.
"Dredd, the deal was that titan's hand was to be sent to prison!" kirito shouted at me
"Yep, I know those were teleport daggers I personally made, I'm sure that they are rotting in prison now." I said calmly as I leave
"Hey kirito, remember if you need anything just give me a PM, and use protection!" I shouted as Kirito's face started to turn red while silica look at us weirdly
'you sure know how to act capture the hearts of pretty much everyone kirito….well I'll see ya when I see ya.' I thought as I teleport back to base.
Another day, another batch of criminals detained and the world of SAO keeps on moving.
End of chapter 6
