Chapter Nine: The Boss Battle Part II

"He feinted?" Gabriel asked, a kobold guard sword was stabbed directly through his stomach and he looked down at it. The blade just barely scratched Kirito. "This... actually kind of hurts." Gabriel grumbled and pulled the blade out of his chest. His health was gradually decreasing but he healed faster than he was losing health. The benefits of being an insanely higher level than these kobolds.

"Keita!" Gabriel shouted, and his little brother slashed the Kobold wielding the sword. It exploded in pixelated light. He could easily win one on one vs. these Kobolds, but against them all. Their DPS was far higher than his, and they'd do more damage to him than he could regenerate overall. He was most worried about the others who'd been injured. "Diabel! What's the status of the injured!?" Gabriel demanded as he gripped the handle of his scythe and took a few steps away from Kirito.

"I uh- they... alive!"

"How alive, damn it!" He charged his scythe and made activated crescent moon as more Kobolds gathered to surround him. The were all instantly chopped completely in half, a semi-circle.

"They're all red, but trying to avoid the Kobolds and damage." He grunted.

"Call everyone off!"

"What?! We can't abandon the mission now! We almost killed it!" Diabel completely disregarded what Gabriel said and charged towards the boss... completely alone. He charged his sword skill but as the boss changed stances, Diabel was sliced completely in half, red pixel blood went everywhere, and Gabriel winced as Diabel exploded in a mass of white. Without uttering a single word.

"Everyone! Get back... and get out of my way!" Gabriel growled, and everyone complied instantly. He then turned his head to Asuna and Keita. "Keep an eye on him." Gabriel mumbled quietly and charged his scythe. "Soul Reave." He whispered and then he was gone, the boss suddenly exploded into a ball of light. Gabriel stood where the boss used to be, and unequipped his scythe then crossed his arms. He put a pin on the anger and hatred he was feeling.

He turned a head to Keita, Asuna and Kirito. Two of them were standing and watching, while Kirito just laid there. Gabriel just let out a deep sigh as the item list came up. Last-Attack bonus was some sort of coat. Blue and Black. It'd look better on Kirito, there was also a sword with pretty good stats.

Keita looked at Gabriel and started sobbing. Gabriel smiled slightly as he walked back towards his little brother then ruffled his hair. "Somebody died, Oniichan!" He cried even harder then hugged Gabriel.

"Yes... somebody did die, and he didn't follow my instructions... he died trying to beat the boss... and it's my fault for not being more clear about it." He said in an empty voice. Keita didn't like it when he talked like that.

"No! That's not true!" Keita tried to protest but he couldn't find any reason why it wasn't... accidents happen.

"It'll be fine... I swear on my life that I won't let anybody else die... that's why I'm going to form a guild..." Gabriel smiled, he picked that thought out of his hypothetical recycle bin after all (Chap. 3).

Keita looked at him, and his expression brightened slightly, but he knew that they failed to save them all, which is what Gabriel was trying to do... this was the first time Gabriel ever failed to do something. "I never thought you'd actually decide to..." Keita's eyes were wide.

"I want you to head back and keep on leveling up for now. I'll invite you both to the guild once it happens." Gabriel mumbled and patted Keita on the shoulder then slung Kirito over his own. He started walking towards the entrance to the next floor and then waved a hand at Keita and Asuna. They'd be fine. "You'll see me again Keita!" He stated and brought up the friends list, then send a request to Keita, Asuna, and the dark-skinned guy, Agil.

"Wait! Wait right the hell there!" A man shouted at Gabriel.

"It's your fault Diabel's dead now, right?! Well then... you should be brought to justice for facilitating his death." The man stated, but Gabriel just continued walking. He didn't need to pay attention to this man, not now or ever. If you ignored it, it will go away. It wasn't working. He was angry.

"Kill another to justify the death of one?" Gabriel asked and just laughed... he continued to walk... his eyebrow started twitching.