I don't own anything except my OC.
Chapter 9:
The boss was huge, it was intimidating, it was scary. And so that's why me and Kirito ran as fast as we could when the boss started to attack us.
I had the urge to scream but, that wouldn't fit me at all.
We rested a bit after we were a fair distance away from the room.
"That's going to be hard to beat" I said a little tired from the long run.
"Yeah, it looks like it's only wielding a broadsword, but I'll bet it has special attacks too. We'll be needing to assemble the tank players and have them switch often, and we need about 10 shields-man." He analysed.
"It's quite suspicious you know, the biggest advantage of using a one-handed sword is that you get to hold a shield, but I've never seen you use one." I carried on "For me, I use close combat as well even when I'm holding my sword so carrying a shield is not that appealing to me"
"On top of that, you made Liz go through a lot of trouble to make a sword but then you don't even use it"
He turned to face the other way, not looking at me in the face.
"Tch, whatever. I also have my own secret." I muttered.
"Anyway, let's have eat now, I tried my best to make you lunch Kirito~"
What's with the look of disgust on his face?!
"Just joking, I got Asuna to make something for you" I said as I took out a burger for him and a bento for me.
"Did she make both of them?"
"No, I made the bento"
He suddenly snatched it out of my hands along with the chopsticks, so that the burger was only thing left in my hands.
"What are you doing?" I asked. "It's going to taste disgusting"
"Disgusting or not, since you made it, then I'll eat it. You even said that you tried your hardest"
"Eh!?" Is he serious?!
My face heated up in embarrassment.
"W-Whatever! Do what you want"
I took a bite of Asuna's perfectly made burger, It's amazing how she could create these flavours!
We got up to start moving when I saw a person appear in front of us, followed by a group of guys behind him. Since they were unexpected, Kirito had touched the sword on his back while I got into a fighting stance.
They all seemed exhausted and were complaining.
"Man, I'm tired"
"Finally, let's sit down here and-"
That's when they noticed us. The leader seemed to be in absolute joy when he saw Kirito.
"Ooh, Kirito! It's been too long!"
"Still alive and kicking, huh, Klein"
"I see you're still not much for warm welcomes"
From what I can tell, he and Kirito seemed to be acquaintances.
"Huh? What the hell's a solo player like you doing with a girl-"
He stopped midway and was just staring at me.
"You probably recognize him from the boss battles, but I'll introduce you anyway: He's Klein, from Guild Fuurinkazan. And she's Saki, one of the Knights of Blood"
"Glad to meet you" I didn't say it in a particularly nice tone but it wasn't in a rude way either. Out of habit of meeting new people, I had a glare on my face.
"Hey, say something. You lagging or what?"
Kirito waved his hand in front of Kleins face.
It took a while, but he finally responded, his movements were sharp when he bowed towards me.
"I-I'm Klein, 24, single and looking fo-"
A punch was perfectly aimed at it his gut before he could finish. It was so funny, it was like they were a comedy act or something.
"Leader!" Kleins team-mates shouted. They stood in a semi-circle in front of us, I looked at Kirito and it looked like he was going to protect me if necessary judging by the stance he took.
Turns out, they weren't a threat at all.
""Aren't you Saki-san?!""
"Look at her glare! It's rumoured that if you stare at her so long, her freezing cold glare will turn you to ice!"
"And even enemies would be stopped in their tracks just being in her presence!"
Wow, how far can rumours go?
"W-Well, they aren't bad people, despite how their leader might look" Kirito said as he held them off from getting close to me.
He showed a face of pain for a second, lifting his foot after Klein put his weight on it.
"Hey!" "Hahaha! Payback" Klein laughed.
"What was that about my looks?"
They were nice people, I could tell. So I tried to be nice, but maybe that didn't work as well as I expected.
"H-Hello! I'm S-Saki and I'm partying with Kirito for a while! I-It's nice to meet you!" I think that came out as a squeak...
It was quiet. I swear you could hear cricket chirping.
"Kirito, you lucky...!"
"Hey, wait!"
They were interrupted by loud footsteps of many soldiers, all wearing the same armour except the one in front who I assumed to be the leader.
"Is that... The Front?" Kirito asked.
"That's the giant guild that took over the 1st Floor. What are they doing up here?" Klein continued.
"From what I know, they lost a lot of people clearing the 25th Floor. They got more focused on strengthening their guild than clearing the game, so they stopped coming to the front lines." I answered.
"At ease!" The leader shouted.
Everyone in the group collapsed to the ground, how long did they walk without taking a break?
"I am Lieutenant Colonel Kovats of the Aincrad Liberation Front" He introduced.
"I'm Kirito, a solo player" He responded.
"Have you people covered the area ahead?"
"Yes, we've mapped the route up to the boss room"
He held out his hand "Then I'd like you to hand over your mapping data"
"What? You want him to just give it away?!" Klein argued. "Do you even know how much trouble it is to map stuff out?"
"We distribute information and resources equally to all players, maintain order, and fight to liberate all players from this world as soon as possible! It is your duty to cooperate with us!"
"Wha-" Klein was about to speak again but I cut in.
"What are you going to do with it? I've looked into the boss room already and personally, I don't think your group stands a chance against it right now with them being exhausted. Also-"
Kirito was already sending the file over.
"I appreciate your cooperation" The Lieutenant said before walking away and commanding his team.
Hey!
"All of you, up on your feet!"
They all obeyed, even though they were obviously tired.
"Why did you hand it over?!" I asked Kirito.
"I would've released it to the public when we got back to town anyway"
"Will those guys be okay?" Klein wondered.
"Let's go look just to make sure" Kirito suggested.
I glanced at the others and their grins told me the answer already.
Me and Klein were a little behind them when we started to move off.
"Oh, uh Saki-san... Now see... Kirito may be bad with words, cold, and a battle-crazed dumbass, but please take care of him all the same." He bowed politely.
You sure know how to insult him don't you Klein.
"I'll do my best" I said bowing back.
I'm getting sick of fighting now... That's what I thought after defeating yet another enemy.
"It's just the boss-room ahead right? They probably used their items to go back" Klein said.
We all started to relax, but then a blood-curdling scream could be heard.
"Saki! Let's go!"
Just as me and Kirito ran, more enemies spawned around the others so they couldn't follow us.
Another scream filled the area as we got closer.
The huge door was open and in view, but we stopped just outside the room.
"Hey! Are you alright?!"
No-one answered, they were all struggling to just stand up, breathing heavily. The boss took another strike at them, with amazing speed and power.
"What are you doing?! Hurry up and use your teleport crystals!" Kirito ordered.
"We can't! The crystals aren't working!"
"This is the first time, a boss room doesn't let us teleport..." I whispered.
I should go help them, that's what my heart says.
"The Liberation Front do not know the meaning of the word 'retreat'! Fight! Keep fighting!" The Lieutenant shouted loudly, it was as if he had no fear of losing his own men.
Hearing rapid footsteps behind me, I saw that Klein caught up to us.
"What's going on?"
"The teleportation crystals don't work in there, if we rush in and attack, we might be able to open up an escape route, but..." Kirito trailed off.
"Can't we do something for them?" Klein asked worriedly.
A look of pain was across Kirito face, as if he was remembering something terrible.
"Everyone, charge!"
"Stop!" I shouted as loud as I could, but it still didn't reach their ears.
The boss screeched, blinding red flames came out of its mouth causing smoke appear around the warriors and then continuing with a swing of its sword. The big impact was loud echoing in the large room.
All members were knocked to the ground mercilessly, the Lieutenant was thrown all the way towards us.
"Hey!" Kirito ran in. "Hang in there!"
The Lieutenant's HP was gone, with a look of disbelief he whispered "This is impossible"
That was it, he shattered into many pieces.
Opening a window, I took out my trusty sword.
"Saki?!"
Kirito tried to grab my arm and stop me but it was too late, I was off running and swinging my sword at the boss.
After I managed to strike at it a few times, it knocked me away bringing me to the ground. Trying to finish me off with his weapon, I saw his arm get closer and closer, I didn't close my eyes or anything, just watched it as it came to hit me.
Of course, it never did, because Kirito jumped in at the last second to protect me.
"Fall back!"
I did as told. It seems Klein and his guild were helping the soldiers escape too. Now, Kirito was one on one with the boss, there was a huge size difference but he was still able to block the hits that came his way although struggling.
His HP was rapidly going down as he fought. The Gleameyes swung its weapon towards Kirito and his HP depleted once more.
"Saki! Klein! Keep it busy for ten seconds! Please!"
"Roger!"
"I got it!"
We answered together.
Ten seconds wasn't long, Klein went in first but was knocked away soon after. When I went in, I could withstand more attacks since my sword didn't rely on speed like Kleins katana and was much heavier.
"I'm done! Switch!"
As soon as I jumped back, I saw Kirito coming forward charging at the boss straight away. With the sword in his right hand he blocked the boss's attack, then he reached behind his back with his left hand to grab the handle of a new sword.
The demon's HP reduced noticeably as the first hit registered.
Roaring, the boss attempted another downward strike. With Kirito completely blocking it with his two swords, breaking free of his defence, he went onto offence launching a combo attack.
"What the hell is that skill?!" Klein said shocked.
Again and again, he struck the demon's midsection with his right and left swords.
I programmed these skills, but always thought that my father took them out since I couldn't find them even as I levelled up. I'm pretty sure, that Kirito was the only one who could wield two swords at once. The reason? I have no idea whatsoever.
I knew of this already, so I wasn't shocked. That's why a shocked expression wasn't on my face at all, but that might have been a big mistake.
He started getting way faster, until the boss captured one of his swords in its hand. Kirito didn't stop though, he pierced the other sword into the demon's chest.
Kirito stopped screaming, but the boss was roaring with its head towards the ceiling as massive breaths steamed out of its nose and mouth.
The Gleameyes shattered into countless blue shards. It's finished.
The words 'Congratulations!' appeared in white just like it did before when we defeated a boss. I checked Kirito's HP bar only to see a tiny speck of red left, that stupid guy nearly killed himself out there!
Hearing something fall on the ground, I saw that Kirito had collapsed, all that must have drained his power a lot...
"Wake up already! Kirito!"
Oh look at that, he actually did.
"Ow..." He said touching his head.
"How long was I out for?"
"Just a few seconds, but making me worried like that... How unacceptable!"
I punched him lightly on the shoulder.
"Any-more, and you'll make my HP disappear" He said jokingly.
I stuffed a potion into his mouth and waited for his HP to recover.
"Kovats and two others died" I heard Klein's voice behind me.
"We haven't had any deaths from a boss raid since the 67th floor" Kirito replied.
"How can you call this a raid? That dumbass Kovats! What's the point if you get yourself killed?" He shook his head "Anyway, what the hell was that, man?"
"...Do I really have to explain?"
"Of course! I've never seen anything like that!"
"It's an extra skill, Dual Blades" Kirito said turning his head sideways.
"H-How did you unlock it?!" Klein asked enthusiastically.
"If I knew, it would already be public knowledge"
"I don't see it in the info-brokers' skill lists" Klein said while scrolling through something. "So it's a unique skill that only you can use? Geez, I thought we were friends, Kirito! How could you keep quiet about such an awesome technique?"
"About half a year ago, Dual Blades appeared in my skill window out of the blue. But if people find out that I have this skill..." He explained.
"Hmm, online gamers can get really jealous. I'm a pretty good guy and all but I can't deny being envious"
I'm impressed he can be so honest.
"You coming with us to activate the transport gate?"
"Nah, you guys do it, I'm exhausted" Kirito declined.
"I see, take care on your way back" Klein replied.
As he walked away he said a few last words to Kirito, "You know, when you went in to save those Front guys... It uh... well... It made me happy. Any-way, see you later!"
He left leaving me and Kirito alone. He made sure Klein was out of sight before talking to me.
"Hey Saki, before when you said you had your own secret..."
So he heard that after all.
"...I'm quite sure, that I've figured it out... Rin"
Eh?
"W-What are you saying?" I stuttered, this was bad.
"What's special about the 47th floor?"
"The entire floor has beautiful flowers growing on it, and has the «Hill of Memories» which is a field dungeon where people find Pneuma Flowers to revive their fallen pets."
I had answered the question the second he asked it, I didn't stop and think about it at all. I just said the whole sentence without hesitating.
"Now, a normal player wouldn't really be-able to say all that would they? But maybe some-one who programmed this game could, in addition, you don't even have a pet"
DAMN! This is bad, really bad.
"Is that all?" I asked, there's no way that that was all he's got.
"Of course not, I saw with my own eyes that you didn't look one bit surprised about my unique skill Dual Blades, I'm positive that I've never shown you that technique or even used it in your presence, yet after being in this game for such a long time, anyone should've been surprised at my hidden skill"
"From what I know, Kayaba Akihiko also has a daughter named Kayaba Rin. That's who I suspect you are, you also responded to the name Rin just before as if you were flustered about it"
He was way smarter than I thought he was.
Should I run? I mean, he's going to detest me now right?
I started running back the way we came from, but Kirito pulled me into a hug from behind to stop me. I didn't notice it before but I was shaking a little bit.
"But that doesn't mean I think you're a bad person" He said calmly. "You're dead set on clearing this game, that means you feel guilty about making this game? Plus, you might be emotionless sometimes but you're still a nice person inside aren't you, Rin"
"Because of me, everyone's experienced something horrible" All my negative emotions are taking over as I thought of all the bad things in this world, am I going to break now?
"But some also experienced good things as well"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm happy, that I met you Rin"
"DON'T SAY EMBARRASSING STUFF LIKE THAT!"
I turned around and buried my head in his chest.
"Oi, are you crying?"
"No..."
"Then why's my coat getting wet?"
"It's raining"
"It doesn't rain in a boss room, baaka"
I'm also happy, that I got to meet you Kirito. But there's no way you're gonna hear me say that.
I hurried torwards Agil's shop. Me and Kirito had planned to party together for the rest of this game so I had a talk with the KoB's leader Heathcliff requesting to let me leave. I didn't consider myself that much of a valuable player to them so I was surprised when he declined.
As to why he's in Agil's shop? It's because of the rumour going around of his hidden skill Dual Blades. It seems like he was bombarded with info brokers and was chased out of his own home.
"Hey Kirito! I need your help!" I explained everything to him, after which we decided to go confront Heathcliff again.
Before, I was very uncomfortable as I expected but since Kirito's with me now, I have to be more confident!
55th Floor, Grandum.
"Is this the first time we've talked outside a boss raid, Kirito-kun?"
"No, we spoke a little at the 67th Floor planning meeting, commander Heathcliff"
We were now talking with my leader, no, more like Kirito was talking with my leader. I was just standing beside him if not behind him, looks like I couldn't be confident after all.
"That was a difficult battle indeed. We were close to losing men ourselves, we're known as the top guild, but we're always short of capable fighters. Yet you intend to take away one of our most strongest players."
"I'll still be fighting on the front lines, this is no time to be thinking about some reputation!" I practically squeaked out.
But he continued on as if I didn't say anything at all.
"Kirito-kun, if you want her, use your swords-your duel wielding- to take her from us. If you win, you may leave with Saki. But if you lose...you will join the Knights of Blood."
He addressed me without any honorifics?
"Very well, if you'd like to settle this through our swords, I have no objections. Let's duel." Kirito firmly answered.
EH?!
