One Punch-Gamer: Chains of Fate

by SaintInfernalNeos

[Sequel of OPG] Time is running out. While the Fate of everything he holds dear is about to be destroyed, Kirito finds himself trapped in a strange and bizarre land. Can he, and his unlikely new allies, survive in a world where everyone but him has Superpowers? Or will the Chains of his Fate crush him before he can recover that crucial part of himself which he has lost...?

12. Chapter 8: What Defines a Hero

Hello once again, people! Merry late Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

First of all, forgive me for the big delay on this chapter. This last month of the year ended up being way more hectic than I imagined, and that without even taking the festivities into account, hence why my writing-speed was reduced to less than a crawl. Let's hope 2019 goes better, eh?

Well, with that said, I will leave you all with this new chapter! Bit by bit, we get closer and closer to the turning point of this story…also, Alicization's anime just arrived to the Central Cathedral sub-arc, which means it already surpassed this fic :P! Hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am!

Also, as always, remember that help with filling this story's TvTropes' page is always appreciated!

Disclaimer: Neither SAO nor One Punch Man belong to me. I only use the plot of one and the idea of the other for my amusement and everyone's enjoyment!

---

Chapter 8: What Defines a Hero

It was just another day, no different from any that had taken place before.

Young Sortiliena Serlut at least seemed to think so, the young teenager walking through the outskirts of Centoria's southern section, admiring both the Immortal Wall and the Subterraneans that manned and watched over the city.

One day, she too would be a protector of the world. In just a few years, she would go to the Swordsmanship Academy, the pride of the capital, and learn to master her family's style. No matter what others say, she would do her best to prove she could rise above all challenges with the Serlut Style.

And if she could go far enough…she may even be able to become an Integrity Knight! One of the world's greatest protectors! Sure, it seemed like a distant and impossible dream, but, with enough effort, she could…!

The explosion took everyone on the street by surprise, but Sortiliena, felt every day of her life from then onwards, that it shook her the most out of everyone. Especially because, while everyone around her screamed and ran in the opposite direction, she was the only one that turned to look with shock at the smoke coming from what, at that distance, she judged to be one of the outer walls of Central Cathedral.

Subterraneans rushed past her, shouting for the people to clear the streets, and, in the distance, she almost swore she heard the roar of an Integrity Knight's dragon.

The young Serlut Heiress never knew what drove her to run towards the commotion instead of away from it. Sure, she wasn't directly disobeying the Taboo Index because the Subterraneans hadn't directly ordered her to not get close, but it was still against common sense.

She still ran through the quickly emptying streets, though, almost as if feeling a 'call' coming from the distance, like something was trying to reach out and she just happened to be someone able to answer said call…

Screams, as she rounded a corner, made her stop dead in her tracks, though. Shocked, Sortiliena saw a boy around her age screaming and shaking, his body convulsing as he looked positively ill all of a sudden.

Three Subterraneans were surrounding him with cautious steps, the closest one reaching out as if to restrain him…

With a scream, the boy's body changed, his skin darkening until it was gray and rough-looking, like dry leather, and his face and head morphing as he backhanded the subterranean against a wall in a fit of pain.

Wide-eyed, the young noble girl saw as a horn emerged over where his nose had been, his panicked eyes (Was one of them bleeding? With weird symbols appearing on it…?) the only part of him that still looked human, even as they helplessly zeroed on Sortiliena…

"Cursed One!"

"It took down #567! Don't let it escape!"

Without warning, both defenders of Centoria jumped upon the changed kid, even as the words registered on the girl's head…and started beating him up.

He resisted, of course, the now rhino-boy trying to lash out in self-defense, crying out in pain, for help, for his parents…

That last plea was what snapped her out of her horror-frozen state. Eyes shooting towards a piece of broken wood on the ground, Sortiliena grabbed it and reared her hand back, aiming towards the 'Protectors' beating up that innocent boy.

"Leave him alo…!"

Pain. A horrible an otherworldly pain shot right through her right eye, paralyzing her body just as the two Subterraneans stopped and turned to her in shock and confusion.

What was this?

-SYSTEM ALERT-

"A young girl?!"

"Those clothes…she must be from some noble family!"

What was this thing in her eye…?!

-CODE: 871-

"What do we do?!"

"You dispose of the Cursed One, I will take her out of here. Protection of Centoria's inhabitants is a priority."

No…no, that couldn't be right…

If so, why were they dismissing that boy's life? Why couldn't they see how scared he was? Why weren't they trying to help him now that he had been 'Cursed'…?

Why…?

Why couldn't she do anything about it?! WHAT WAS THIS THING IN HER RIGHT EYE?!

-The Axiom Church is absolute. The Taboo Index is absolute. Disobedience is forbidden. It is forbidden to all.-

Releasing just a wordless scream instead of the last thought, just as the first Subterranean walked towards her…Sortiliena Serlut was keenly aware of when the wall behind her exploded, the eyes of both the 'protectors' and the Cursed kid widening in shock and horror.

As if the 'spell' keeping her in place had broken, the noble girl turned around and came face to face with, she knew immediately, what had caused the commotion which drew her there in the first place.

Massive, probably as big as a Subterranean. Black, a color of the deepest darkness. A white mane purer than the most virgin snow. Red eyes that stared into the deepest part of her soul. Supported on eight sturdy legs finished in iron-like hooves.

The horse…no, the ancient beast stared deep into the teenager's eyes, unleashing an unholy sound that shook everyone on the street.

However…only Sortiliena was able to hear what it truly was saying.

'Fluctlight with Potential detected. Untainted by Cycle. Requesting access to your Life'.

"Wha-what…?"

'I have Power. I shall grant it to you. I need a vessel to fulfill the mission SHE released me for'.

"I don't…understand…!"

'Power to right the wrongs that led you to oppose the Seal of the Right Eye. Do you want that power? In exchange…I will take your Humanity'.

For a moment, the young girl fell silent, even as everything around her seemed to go incredibly slow, the Subterraneans screaming, the Cursed boy's faint shouting…

"…do it."

The words came terrifyingly easy to the noble girl's mouth.

After all…what was a concept as abstract as 'Humanity' compared to the injustice she had just witnessed? And to be completely powerless to stop it?

Those were the last thoughts of Sortiliena Serlut as a 'human being'.

'Acknowledged'.

With another violent sound, the massive beast almost roaring, it turned into a burning mass of darkness, which burned itself through and into the girl's right eye.

Her scream could be heard through the entire section of Centoria she was in, even as her body was engulfed in warped energy, the two Subterraneans watching frozen in shock even as reinforcements that had been following the creature started to arrive, confused…

Sortiliena stood up, nothing but an empty and bloody socket where her eye had been, and the uncanny wrong feeling of something eating a part of her from the inside out filling her.

With a roar of Will that was not her own, a belt burned itself into reality around her waist, fitting her like a glove as she turned around to stare at the boy she hadn't been able to help earlier.

'Assimilation Complete. Activate Command Phrase'.

The belt started singing. And for the first time, a single word escaped the noble's mouth.

"Henshin."

Reality was Overwritten as she felt her own self be destroyed. And then…

Powerful. Taller. Better. Faster. Stronger. Unstoppable.

FREE.

That was all that the being that replaced Sortiliena Serlut felt as it surged forward, easily crushing the two Subterraneans, her fists and legs suddenly seeming to have the weight of a castle's wall behind them. As she grabbed the scared rhino-boy and jumped forward, soaring higher than the street's buildings, easily evading the attacking reinforcements. As a smaller horse of changed colors and fewer legs appeared at her side and she rode atop it as if she had been able to do so all her life, shouting for the boy to hang on tight, even as they careened through the open southern doors. As they rode into the wilderness with the Subterraneans hot on their trail, reaching the shadows of trees…and vanishing.

When everything had become clear once again, the horse was huffing and its Rider realized she was now deep within unknown woods and Centoria had all but vanished in the distance. Taking deep and shaky breaths as everything that had happened caught up with her, the 'masked' being turned the insect-like eyes of her 'helmet' towards the scared boy hanging from her.

"Are you…okay?"

"I…I am. Yo-you saved me, thank you!"

"No problem…I'm…my name is Sortiliena. What's yours?"

"Go-Gorgolosso…a-and you're a hero, Sortiliena-san!"

Hero. That was the first time anyone called her that.

She certainly didn't feel like one later that night, as the horrifying realization of how easily and how many guardians of the city she had killed came to her…and that she didn't care at all.

They were doing something wrong, after all. Trying to kill the boy for being different, for something he had no control over…why should she feel bad about them?

It was at that moment that she fully realized the implications of what lacking 'humanity' meant. With shaky breaths, she had asked the voice in her head a new question.

"What…what are you?"

'…Unit's designation is Fluctlight #4807. Codename Sleipnir'.

"Then…what am I, Sleipnir?"

'…Unit's changed state named by the maker as Valkyrie. Overall codename seems to be 'Kamen Rider'. Unit does not possess further information unrelated to its main mission.'

A word in Sacred Tongue and one in Common Tongue. As if wanting to make a statement of something. 'One who rides with a mask'. Kamen Rider Valkyrie.

Sortiliena didn't know what any of that meant…but…

"What is your mission, Sleipnir?"

'I must find someone. Then, I must take this someone back to the Maker…so that they can kill her',

Insane. Nonsensical. Crazy.

Despite all the words that fit such a statement…the former noble realized she didn't really feel like that at all.

In fact, she felt…terrifyingly calm. And focused.

Not Human…

"Then…I will help you in exchange for your power, as agreed."

'…acknowledged'.

From there on, things were hard…but Sortiliena Serlut had found a new purpose in her life.

First it was just protecting Gorgolosso, even when he became more than capable to do it himself thanks to growing into his new powers. His 'Curse'.

Then, it became something more focused after they found a boy with some bizarrely powerful weapon instead of an arm, running away from Subterraneans. Apparently, he had killed a monster out of control and gained his 'power', but then fought back when they had tried to capture him after the deed. Uolo, his name was.

That's when it became clear…there were many people out there like them. People that needed help, who were chased by things outside their control, but had no power to stop such from taking place.

So she would protect them. She would save them and make sure they could live on.

Gorgolosso and Uolo followed her, and together they fought. They called her a Hero. Something that she always thought strange, for all she could do was killing others to save those she protected. Those that the world had rejected.

In time, they arrived at Eastabarieth. Land of nobody for a few years now, because almost everyone had fled deeper into Centoria after the world started going insane, nobody wanting to be in the same place where the Eastern Gate, the only thing dividing the Human World and the Dark Territory that weren't the mountains, was.

They settled there. Constructed a 'home', so to speak. And she kept protecting them, always watching out, ready to take any stragglers that came close enough, to help them survive in any way she could…

What struck her as strange, though, was how Sleipnir never complained. Even as she never actually focused on helping him with his mission.

As if the beast was content with just letting her use his power, despite its heavy cost, just waiting for something…

It did not matter to her, though. In the end, until her Life inevitably ran out, her new inhuman life had only one purpose.

She wasn't Sortiliena anymore. She was the Rider. She was the Valkyrie.

And she would protect those that the world had forsaken, until the bitter end…

---

22nd Day of the 11th Month of the Human Empire Calendar, 379. Outside 'The Pit', Eastabarieth. Morning…

Kirito actually had to blink a couple times to remind himself that this was not a dream. Which was hilarious given how all the madness and impossible things he had seen in his life and since waking up in the Underworld had been.

"Stop he…AGH!"

"So fast, sheGRK!"

"Ho-how is she shrugging off the-?!"

Suddenly, a distant memory came back to the black-haired boy's mind. Of a random moment in that dark 'limbo' of time in his life between discovering he was adopted and watching One Punch-Man with Sugu.

As a child that was way too 'mature' for his age, he remembered stumbling upon some random facts about old television characters and scoffing upon reading them.

Like anyone would believe a bunch of guys dressed up in spandex suits were supposed to have several tons of power behind their punches, and over three times that in their kicks, run faster than most animals and jump higher than his house's height just in their Base Forms!

Now, though…as he looked at the armored figure slicing apart the Subterranean Horde with ease, evading their attacks and nonchalantly shrugging off their glancing blows…

What was it they said about seeing and believing again…?

Two of the creatures emerged from the earth, hoping to catch her unaware, from her blind spot. The whip blade could only get one, even as the other let a fist that could easily turn a human skull into pulp fly, aimed straight for her chest…

A much smaller fist met it head on, flesh, muscle, and bone shattering as if they were glass even as the white demon tore through her enemies.

More jumped on, more were cut apart. More tried to counterattack, more were crushed. Finally, some tried to retreat…only to lose their heads when doing so.

Her armor now stained red, the Valkyrie stood proud, never once taking a step back, like some demonic warrior that even the monsters serving this world's God could not oppose.

"Kirito, snap out of it! Incoming!"

Eugeo's voice brought the gamer back to reality, his gaze shifting in time to see his blond friend slamming his axe into the face of a Subterranean, another one jumping at him, seeking to either capture or crush him.

Painfully slow, in his eyes, but that also was a reminder of how weak he was now. Even as he dodged the humanoid being's attack, it was just by a hairbreadth, even when back then he would have had no problem completely avoiding or even tanking such a hit. And when his fist crashed straight into the Subterranean's chest, it simply sent it flying a few meters back, out of breath and probably with a few broken bones…but nothing more.

His fist tingled, showing the strain that such a hit had caused, the effort it had taken him, the proof of how REAL this insane world was.

Here, his fists were nothing more than…

"Eugeo, we need to go!" shouted Kirito while gritting his teeth. "We can't deal with all of them before Blondie comes out and kills us!"

"Yeah, we're working on that!" replied the undead while spinning around, slamming his sword on the ground as he let his Will roar through it. "Enhance Armament!"

Frost expanded in every direction, encasing the feet of every Subterranean around them before they could even blink, vines of ice snaring their bodies as they tried to struggle and break free from their prison.

"…okay…that new trick is cool."

"LIENA! Are you done charging?! We need to go!" screamed Eugeo while struggling to keep up his Incarnation high enough, some of the humanoid beings already starting to break free…

"…I am now! Sleipnir!"

The black-haired boy barely could stop himself from squealing in shock when a six-legged horse seemingly materialized from thin air before him, the beast huffing and looking at him with its six eyes…before it froze, animalistic gaze meeting surprised black eyes for an instant.

'…I have found you'.

"What?"

Releasing a battle cry, the so-called Sleipnir moved forward and, with a mighty heave, threw the caped hero into the air, the gamer screaming and barely holding on its back as he fell when it began running again. Cursing about uncaring animals, Eugeo jumped and hung tightly from its side when it passed him without slowing down, the ice around them finally breaking apart.

The Valkyrie didn't even spare a look for the staggering and unfreezing Subterraneans before masterfully jumping atop her ride again, gripping tightly on reins that came seemingly from nowhere, the scarce shadows around them growing in intensity as their enemies surrounded them…

And then they vanished without a trace, swallowed by the shadows in a flash of light, leaving behind nothing but a bunch of shocked and outraged prison guards.

---

Raios Antinous, former 3rd Class Noble and possessor of the 'Divine Curse' known as 'Fist Fighter Djinn', last thoughts were that…there was no way such a beautiful sight could be so terribly deadly.

He thought he had the upper hand. That with the small 'army' he had amassed by freeing the prisoners of five floors no one could stop them. There were almost 80 of them, with powers of all kinds and many of them quite strong! Hell, there were even a few 'Demons' like him too! All the Subterraneans that had tried to stop them had fallen hopelessly!

And then…the Golden Knight showed up. From nowhere, like she had somehow teleported into their midst just as he was riling everyone up to head to the surface and escape.

She simply stood there, in the middle of their chaotic group, freezing everyone from the shock and calmly asking them to surrender and go back to their cells.

Obviously, he had shouted the order to attack, with a rather animalistic scream. She was just one, after all. No matter how strong she was, there was no way she could take all of them at the same time. Even if she managed to injure or kill a few, the rest would be able to take advantage of the opening and finish her…right?

In his mind, her next action was almost gently slow, but, in reality, it was fast as a flash. Raios saw the golden blade leave its sheath. He saw the knight raise it before her helmet, even as the first claws and beams of hatred were a few seconds away from hitting her. He heard speak two words…

"Release Recollection."

…and everyone died.

That's what it seemed for the former noble, at least. One moment, they were about to end the Golden Knight's Life…and then blood was flying everywhere, limbs being separated from their bodies, flesh being sliced and screams of horror and agony filling the air.

Petals. So many petals…endless, beautiful, golden petals…

Petals that somehow cut through flesh tougher than rocks or carapaces harder than steel as if they were made of wet paper. That punched through bodies with the force of a giant's fist.

And all the while, a blur of golden 'flew' between them, guiding the petals at a speed that none of them could understand, like some sort of hellish saw moving faster than one could blink.

Not even a minute. That's how long it took for the girl…no, for the living death-bringer to annihilate them all.

During his last moments, even as blood poured from his countless wounds and he felt his very Life dropping to 0, Raios Antinous saw the golden specter stop amidst her personal scene of carnage, and how the 'petals' danced around her as she raised an empty hilt, letting them reform into her golden blade. Then, he dedicated one last thought to his bizarre/annoying prison-mate and the pale boy that had come to rescue him, thinking how they no doubt had died too at the hands of the monster disguised as a knight.

Then, he died, his Fluctlight being erased from the computer known as Light Cube Cluster shortly after.

Looking down at her blood-stained blade, Alice Synthesis 30 felt terribly empty. Staring around at the corpses of the criminals she had just slain, nothing but a deep hollowness filled her, despite having just fulfilled her appointed duty.

"…you could have just surrendered…you would have lived…you wouldn't…GAH!"

Falling to one knee, the blonde girl growled, his empty hand moving to rest over her helmet-covered face, wondering why she felt a throbbing pain there. And also…

"This is wrong. You know it, deep inside you…because we're not so different."

Alice froze, feeling the distant whisper filled with sadness and pity, coming from just behind her.

"I am…an Integrity Knight. I'm a protector of the Human World…" growled the Golden Knight while forcing herself to stand again. "You're not real…my duty is…clear."

"…then why are you feeling like this right now? And more importantly…why have you forgotten that you had to get to Kirito?"

Those last words managed to make Alice snap out of her strange delirium, eyes wide as she suddenly remembered why she had headed back into the prison in the first place.

"The criminal…Kirito! I have to…if they killed him, then…dammit!" screamed the blonde girl before blurring out of sight, speeding down towards The Pit's innermost sections without even looking back.

If she had, maybe she would have seen the ghostly visage of a blonde little girl looking at her with sadness, before vanishing as if she had never been there.

And as far as everyone was concerned, she had never been…

---

Once upon a time, Selka Zuberg's greatest worry had been waking up in the morning without having had any 'dreams'. She almost missed such times.

However, there was still an unbreakable determination within her as she sat with her back against a tree, eyes fixed deep within the crystal ball in her lap, even as screams and shouts raged around her.

Snarling, a Subterranean managed to break free of the skirmish, heading right for her with his fist raised menacingly, aiming to run her head into paste…

Not even looking up, the tea-haired girl moved her head slightly to the side, evading the lethal blow by inches and letting it slam 'harmlessly' against the tree behind her, blowing a good chunk of its bark away.

Before he had finished realizing he had missed, the humanoid monster lost his head, a beam of raw destruction, though in a much smaller scale than what had damaged the prison earlier, erasing it from existence.

"So-sorry, Selka! I let him get past…!"

"Three more incoming! From underground. Don't get distracted, girls." answered the young Seer without even blinking. "And it's not a problem, Ronye."

The blue-eyed girl couldn't even properly think of how to answer that before the aforementioned three new Subterraneans emerged from the earth around them. However, Selka's warning hadn't been wasted, and a roaring blur with long red hair tore through them easily enough, grabbing the last one and throwing him like a giant bowling ball towards the few enemies that were still standing.

"She's right, Ronye, we can't let ourselves get distracted!" shouted Tiese while her cape fluttered behind her, seeing a last couple of the humanoid creatures standing ready to fight. "Kuh…they know they can't win, but they keep coming! They must be stalling for time!"

Idly hearing the words within her 'meditative state', Selka acknowledged the truth within them. After all, their original role on the plan had only been to have Ronye fire a big enough blast against 'The Pit', from a safe distance, to startle everyone inside and draw the Subterraneans' attention, allowing Sortiliena to close in and cause even more chaos that Eugeo would use to get inside 'relatively undetected'.

They hadn't expected that the prison guards would be more than ready and numerous enough to actually track down Ronye to where she had fired from, forcing the Cursed girl to shoot another massive blast in the hope of scaring them (And accidentally hitting the massive prison again when doing so).

It hadn't worked, even if it had killed quite a few of them, so Tiese had been forced to step in and engage the Subterraneans on melee while her closest friend provided covering fire.

Truly…Selka couldn't help but admire how far the two fugitives had gone during the months since they had found them lost in a Norlangarth forest. First because of the circumstances, then because of what life threw their way…and then for a purpose. The same one for which she had cast away her fears and poured everything she had into controlling her Blessing as well as they did with their Curses, no matter how many times it backfired and caused her pain or to lose a noticeable quantity of her Life.

Tiese wanted to be better so that she could help Eugeo not to blame himself for everything. Ronye, much like her, wanted to get back their dear companion, friend…that had allowed them to survive that fateful day in the first place, no matter what.

And today was the day when all of that was finally put to test. Which was why, when she finally saw something other than 'Chains' when looking in a certain 'direction' within her crystal ball, Selka's eyes widened to the limit and she shot to her feet, completely out of her trance-like state, tears gathering at the edge of her vision.

Before the other two girls could ask why, though, the shadows of the trees behind the last remaining Subterraneans warped and a 'roaring' horse galloped out of them, crushing one of the prison guards with a mighty tackle.

Then, a figure half-jumped, half-fell from the side of the steed, screaming as he spun in mid-air and punched the final Subterranean on the head with all the strength he could muster, violently slamming the creature into the ground.

…and then he kept rolling out of control and ended up face-down on the dirt, legs, and arms sprawled.

Even so, despite how sad a sight that had been, despite how wobbly he looked as he stood up again, despite his almost 'dumbstruck' look when he finally caught sight of them…Selka could still have sworn she heard some overly dramatic and strange music on the background as he straightened and gave them an awkward smile.

"Hey there, you three. Long time no see, uh?"

The tea-haired girl was already running and all but throwing her arms around the shocked Kirito before he could even finish his sentence, small sobs rocking her body as she felt relief and happiness flood her in an instant.

"So glad…you dummy…why did you do that…idiot…"

"…yeah, I'm an idiot." sighed the gamer before caressing the young girl's head with a guilty look, even as Sortiliena and Eugeo rode to their side. "Forgive me for worrying you, Selka."

"It's not…I'm not…I'm just glad you're okay." finally declared the Seer while giving him the brightest smile she could muster, the tears in her face somehow making it shine more.

Kirito couldn't come up with an answer before hesitant shuffling was noticeable from his side, turning around to see the 'dirty' form or Ronye playing with the edge of her cape, looking from Selka to him before hugging his side, not saying anything but looking immensely relieved too.

"…it's good to see you safe and sound, Kirito-san." spoke Tiese with a small smile once it was obvious her embarrassed friend wasn't gonna say anything.

On the background, Eugeo snorted as he jumped off Sleipnir's back, though the smile on his face was undeniable. Still atop her mighty steed, the Valkyrie chuckled, the oddness of hearing such sound coming from the terrifying warrior actually making the gamer shiver.

"…likewise, Tiese." answered the black-haired boy while making a point to not look towards the Rider as she marched past him. "Not to sound rude or anything, but…we need to move, now. I'm sure we're still close to the prison and we will be dead if we don't get out of here soon."

The sheer seriousness on his words snapped everyone back on track, any cheerful mood vanishing as the two girls holding him let go and nodded, their faces grim but determined, Selka turning around to gaze into her Crystal Ball while Ronye nodded to Tiese, her hands shining ablaze with power as she gazed into the tree line around them and the redhead vampiress jumped at the opposite side, keeping watch on it.

Not a trace of the scared/hesitant/nervous girls he met months ago remained.

It looked like a lot of things had changed while he was trapped in that cell. Not unexpected, but…still a bit shocking for him.

"How long until you can 'jump' again, Liena?" asked Eugeo as he walked to Kirito's side, offering a small vial with liquid to the caped boy, who took it gratefully and drank greedily of what he hoped was some kind of refreshing drink.

"Just a few seconds, that last one was very short and with just 2 extra-passengers so Sleipnir isn't tired at all." answered the Rider without looking away from the gamer's back, as if noticing he was making a point to not look at her. "Is something wrong, Kirito-kun?"

"…as a matter of fact, there is." commented Kirito while turning around, gaining a small look from everyone else at his words, the Valkyrie almost seeming to smile as she waited for…"Shouldn't a Sleipnir have 8 legs?"

Out of everything 'Sortiliena' had been expecting him to say, that clearly wasn't part of it, given how she recoiled in utter shock, her gaze shooting from the now blinking boy to her steed (Was he grinning?! Horses shouldn't be able to do that!), completely caught off guard.

"How…how do you know that?!"

"Uh…I was right? That isn't even his Final Form? Cool…" mumbled the gamer while gaining a thoughtful look. "As for how…well, I'm from another world, and…there are a lot of weird things there, for your world's standards."

"Another…world?" asked the Rider while her gaze moved over the rest of the present people, who were now looking away embarrassedly/guiltily. "None of your friends mentioned that."

"Well, can you blame them?" shrugged Kirito with a small smirk. "Who would take something like that seriously, even with everything that's going crazy around here?"

"…fair point. But that's still no reason to withhold key information in such a dangerous mi…"

"She's coming. You need to go, quick."

Head snapping around at the unknown voice, the caped boy was suddenly on guard, ignoring the other's confused looks as he tried to find out from where it had come from.

Yet, despite how close it had sounded, there was no one on sight, nor had Ronye or Tiese informed of anything abnormal appearing around them. At that point, though, the words that the mysterious voice had said finally registered, fear gripping his heart as he turned around and grabbed the shoulder/pauldrons of the Valkyrie, any hesitation he had felt towards the blood-stained armored young woman forgotten.

"We have to go, NOW!"

"What?! Hey, why…?!"

"No time to argue! There is an Integrity Knight in the prison that will kill us all before we can even blink and she's about to come!" shouted the clearly distressed gamer, Eugeo tensing at his words while the rest got alarmed looks. "Whatever you did before, do it again now!"

"…okay, but we will have to walk for a bit after the Shadow Jump. I would have needed like half a minute more to get us straight back to base, but you don't seem to be joking." Acknowledged the Rider before getting back on her horse in one quick jump, Kirito following when he saw everyone gathering around and touching the amused-looking animal. "Hand tight and get ready, you all!" "Also, what's so funny, Sleipnir?"

'Finally found him. He's the one I was sent to find'.

Just as the shadows seemed to be overwhelmed by a bright light that took them away, the being in which Sortiliena Serlut had transformed fully registered those words, her helmet's insect-like eyes moving towards the black-haired 'Hero' with utter shock.

Then, the group was gone, nothing but silence remaining in their place.

And not a moment too soon, because, a few seconds later, the form of a fully armored Golden Knight blurred into existence in that same spot with thunderous force, her head moving left and right, but not seeing any trace of the ones that, she now knew, had taken her prisoner.

Releasing a scream of frustrated rage, Alice Synthesis Thirty blurred out of sight again, feeling utterly defeated for the first time in her life…

---

Dead-looking trees. Old and beaten expanses of dirt. Barely any plant life growing for several kilometers…or Kilolu, as they called them in that world.

Kirito had to admit, despite how terribly depressing the area around them looked compared to the one that had surrounded the prison he had been in, he wouldn't change it for anything in the world…well, except maybe being back in the real world with his family.

However, walking there, free from a cell within a dark hallway, with his otherworldly friends around him…it truly made him feel more alive than he had in months. Hell, even Eugeo's teasing about how his clothes looked like crap or constantly having to reassure Selka and Ronye that he was fine, wasn't horribly starving or needed help to, walk put a smile on his face.

…he really could do without the ominous 'Dark Kamen Rider' nonchalantly trotting along with them, though, her gaze and that of her horse never leaving his form despite supposedly being the ones leading the group. Seriously, kids (And many adults) could fanboy over them all the time, but having an actual tall figure in armor stained by the blood of enemies you had personally seen her slaughter staring at you with her big insect-like eyes for over 20 minutes was quite unnerving. It was only thanks to the fact that he never went out of practice on putting his 'Saitama Face' that he hid his nervousness from her and his friends. If anything, he had to wonder what kind of things they had seen or been through during the last months for them to not react at all to the Valkyrie's unwavering gaze.

Or…maybe they were just too focused on him to notice/care? It was a nice thought, and a quick look at their faces as their meaningless but warmth interactions continued made him realize it was probably that. Even Tiese, who had barely exchanged some polite words with him, looked happy and cheerful, as if the mood surrounding the other three was contagious or she fully shared it simply by seeing Ronye happy. And…was she looking at Eugeo too? Huh, that was certainly inte…

"We're here." jumping slightly at being abruptly dragged from his inner musings, the caped boy turned to look as the Rider dismounted and took a few steps forward past the group, finally taking her eyes off him. "Get ready, you know this is a bit bumpy…well, guess Kirito-san wouldn't know, but…"

"Ehm, Sortiliena-san…?" Selka's question made the Valkyrie turn to look at her, askance evident in her gesture despite the total lack of visible facial features. "You still are…you know?"

"…oh." simply muttered the Rider before looking down at her hands, ignoring Sleipnir's snort at her realization. "Yes, you're right…forgive me for that."

Then, her hand slid down towards the belt around her waist, which seemed to be basically part of the armor in that form, Kirito's sharp eyes noticing a brief hesitation in her hands before she gripped the center and slid it slightly to downwards.

"Ride out!" sang the strange artifact in perfect English, before a flash of unnatural Will let the World return to its natural state, Sortiliena Serlut appearing once again where the Valkyrie had been, a gasp escaping her as she shook her head several times under the slightly worried gazes of the group, though the others seemed quite used to it.

Only the black-haired boy was able to see the quick flash of something in her eyes before she straightened and smiled awkwardly at them, gesturing towards the seemingly empty wasteland behind her.

"Anyway…let's go, shall we?"

Before the gamer could even think of asking what she was talking about, the ponytailed girl turned around and walked through nothing, vanishing from view.

Blinking several times at the sight, Kirito was only slightly startled when the rest followed cue, Eugeo giving him a bemused look before gesturing forward and also vanishing from view, Selka pulling his hand as she urged him to follow.

None of them saw the strange, mechanic eye of a small creature floating nearby, behind a dead tree, staring silently as they 'vanished' from view…

For a moment, just the otherworldly boy stepped through the apparent 'nothingness'…the young man gasped, feeling as if the world had gone upside down, backward and on fire all at the same time.

Then, he was breathing again and blinking in surprise as he stared down a large cavern with what looked like ruins scattered all around, tunnels leading deeper into the surprisingly massive underground compound visible all around.

And then, there were the 'people'.

All around, the wide-eyed gamer could see many 'bizarre creatures' walking around. Sure, there were a few 'human-looking' ones, but all of them seemed to have one thing in common: None of them looked quite 'normal'.

On a corner, a clearly uncomfortable girl with snakes in her head and sharp fangs talked with what looked like a gorilla dressed up as a 'Che Guevara' rip-off…and that was just as tall as a little boy.

Near a corner, what looked like a humanoid mouse with way too much muscle was trying to move some fallen pieces of an old wall, being helped by a…humanoid being with an honest to Gods showerhead instead of a head. And with clamps for hands.

Then, there was what looked like…a giant humanoid catfish, with muscular human arms and legs, carrying a couple of children with horns and scales while apparently telling them something funny. While an oversized and cartoonish hedgehog walked beside them, telling them not to mess around with a stern face.

'Monsters'. Or, as One Punch-Man called them, 'Mysterious Beings', all around creatures of chaos and destruction…except that, they weren't.

It was just…people, normal people walking around and trying to live, apparently, that just so happened to have been turned into horrible-looking monsters.

This place…it was…

"This is the place you talked about. The refuge for 'Cursed Ones'." whispered Kirito while looking at Tiese and Ronye, who were staring around the place with fondness/relief, as if having come back with everyone safe had lifted a huge burden from their shoulders. "You really managed to find this sanctuary…which makes you the famous Rider of Eastabarieth, right?"

"I'm flattered at being recognized, but I have always thought most of those 'legends' about me are exaggerated. Still, yes. Welcome to our humble home." amusedly commented Sortiliena while gesturing dramatically towards the underground refuge. "I would offer you a guided tour, but I fear you may not appreciate that much…it seems you're quite wary of me, eh?"

"Huh?"

"You have been trying to avoid looking at or directly addressing me, for the whole time we were walking back here. I have lived through enough things to notice that, boy." her smile never once dropping, the 'infamous' Rider leaned against a wall, clearly amused. "Don't worry, I'm not offended, just curious…is it because of what you saw? Because of what I did to those that kept you imprisoned?"

"Wait, Liena-san, that's not fa…!" started to say Selka before the caped boy raised a hand and stopped her, his eyes now fully fixed on the ponytailed young woman.

"…you didn't even blink when killing them, that's true…but I don't have any right to call you out or fear you for that. After all, I don't know if they told you, but I did way worse back in the Immortal Wall." his face suddenly morphing into a strange smirk, the gamer's next words once again caught the surprised girl off-guard. "Besides, I would have only freaked out if you had finished them off with a kick."

"A…a kick?" asked Sortiliena while looking completely lost, a quick look towards the other four having them shrug in equal confusion. "What?"

"Uhm…you know? Rider Kick? Signature Move? Final Attack Ride?" slowly realizing how the ponytailed girl effectively seemed to have no idea what he was talking about, Kirito suddenly blushed slightly and looked away, clearly embarrassed. "So-sorry, as I said before…another world. There are some…stories, you could say, about people with armors similar to yours, so I thought…forget it."

"I-it's no problem, really…" mumbled Sortiliena with what she hoped looked like a reassuring smile, even as she mentally was barely holding back from shouting. "Sleipnir, what the hell is he talking about?! And why did those two phrases he said in Sacred Tongue made my head tingle in such a familiar way?!"

'…searching…found. This Unit has detected hidden databanks within our abilities that match the descriptions given by unit Kirito. Chances of him not being who I was looking for have been reduced to almost 0…'

"Wait, are you telling me he knows more about YOUR powers than you do?! Just who the hell is this boy…and how crazy is that world he comes from that they have stories about beings with your powers…?!"

As she mused about the ramifications of her internal conversation, the Rider didn't seem to notice as a tall and menacing-looking shadow approached behind her and towered over the group, Kirito tending all of a sudden…before blinking in surprise at the kind look on the creature's face.

It wasn't every day that you saw a giant rhino-man wearing clothes that were clearly straining to fit him wave at you and appearing as harmless as an old and bored cat.

"Liena, Ronye-chan, Tiese-chan, Selka-chan, Eugeo…you're back safe and sound. I'm glad." Calmly spoke the…young man (Judging by the voice, he couldn't be much older than Sortiliena at least) that the caped boy realized had been 'Cursed' by the powers of the Disaster Level-Demon 'Rhino Wrestler'. "And…you must be Kirito-kun, right? I'm happy to see you're okay. They have told us a lot about you…"

"Uhm…thanks for that, mister…?"

"Gorgolosso. Gorgolosso Baltoh." smiled the rhino-man while shaking the offered hand, making Kirito wince slightly at the inhuman strength he possessed.

"Gorg. It's good to be back and see you have kept the place running." grinned Sortiliena while softly elbowing into Gorgolosso's thick…hide? Skin? "I know I can't count on Uolo doing the same."

"He's…not that bad. Just a bit…too hotheaded sometimes." replied the cursed young man with a small sigh, before smiling kindly at them. "Let's get you all something to eat and then get you cleaned, okay? You're all probably exhausted and starving."

"Thanks, Gorgolosso-san!"

"That would be appreciated…"

"…I have blood all over my hair…"

"Don't overdo it, big guy, we can take care of ourselves." chuckled Eugeo while lightly punching the rhino-man's side, the smile he got in return showing that the rhino-man was familiar enough with the undead for that to happen frequently. "You're right, though, I bet my partner here is dying for eating something decent, am I right?"

"To be honest…yeah, I do. Say whatever you want about the Axiom Church's resources, but they certainly don't seem to put much into prison food." chuckled the gamer with a bitter smile. "I would kill for a nice stew, any kind of fried meat…and Gods, I would punch an army for some ice-cream."

Idly realizing Selka and Ronye seemed to have started to run off in a certain direction, followed by an amused Tiese, as soon as he had mentioned stew, Kirito found himself under the confused stares of the 3 remaining Underworldians, the two older ones exchanged an equally uncomprehending look.

"Uhm, partner…what's ice-cream?" asked Eugeo when it was clear his friend didn't get their confusion. "It's a meal from your world?"

"You…don't have ice-cream here? In this world? At all?" at the shrugs coming from the green-eyed boy, and the equally apologetic/confused looks from Sortiliena and Gorgolosso, the caped boy just took a long, deep breath. "I…see. Thinking back on it, maybe I should have asked back during the first months we were traveling through Norlangarth, but I guess…too distracted by…and then everything that…"

"Ehm…Kirito? Are you…okay?" questioned the nervous undead upon his otherworldly companion's dead-eyed look, something that not even the months inside the prison had managed to cause, given what he saw before.

"Yes…I'm fine. Can I…can I have a place to rest, please? I…need to sit down for a bit…"

"Su-sure, there is my room, you can stay there until we get you a place for yourself to sleep…this way."

Silently seeing the two friends walking away, two of the three 'leaders' of the secret society of 'rejected ones' looked at each other, one looked clearly puzzled and the other filled with disbelief.

"…maybe this ice-crom thing is some very important delicatessen where he comes from?" offered the rhino-man with a thoughtful look. "Either that or it has some important sentimental value for him?"

"That…may be it. I don't really know much about him beyond what we asked for the operation and what they mentioned sometimes." mumbled the Rider while looking at the distancing backs of both boys.

Even so, as she heard Sleipnir mumbling about his mission once again within her mind, Sortiliena couldn't help but think that perhaps it would do her good to know more about his motivations and attitude.

Hmm, did those girls head for the kitchens straight away? Maybe she could still catch them and create some idle conversation to get them talking about him without looking too suspicious. At least two of them seemed quite enamored with him, after all.

Unseen by everyone, though…a small creature crawled over the wall, then onto the ceiling, apparently having been with the group without them realizing, somehow.

Finally arriving at a corner where it could watch almost every part of the 'main cavern', the small spider 'spoke' once again, with a voice way too soft and feminine for a creature like it, seemingly to no one.

"They rescued him, mother."

Far away, in a place that wasn't really connected to any space, a petite figure in scholar clothes opened her eyes, a cup of tea slowly getting colder before her as she stared at her reflection on the liquid's surface.

"Then…it's almost time for us to move. Get ready and continue keeping an eye on them, especially on your ward…anything could happen now."

Eight small eyes closed for a moment, before opening once again with a determination that seemed way too human for the small arachnid.

"I will, mother. When the time comes…I shall release the blade, if there is no other choice."

With those words, the spider crawled away seeking to hide once again close to the one she had been assigned to protect.

Back in the silent library, the sage known as Cardinal finally drank her tea.

It tasted unusually sweet, but that was fine for her…

---

Kirito had to admit something: For what basically amounted to a group of pariahs and rejects of civilization hiding underground (And behind some sort of bizarre 'portal'), they had surprisingly comfy rooms, even if a bit Spartan. Also, apparently access to supplies to freely make some nice stew with meat and vegetables, which he had all but devoured in a few minutes under the amused looks of Eugeo and Tiese and the happy ones of Ronye and Selka, who had apparently prepared the meal. He had praised both girls for it before asking the group about the place and their situation.

Apparently, someone with a very specific Curse was the one that had created the 'invisible field' that hid the entrance to the strange underground lair, and most of it had been constructed by the combined efforts of several of the oldest/strongest 'refugees'. Sortiliena, Gorgolosso and someone else were apparently the de facto leaders and had organized the whole thing as best as they could.

They relied mostly on things they had stolen to survive, or in supplies they got from Subterranean patrols, plus hunting whatever they could in the forests a few Kilolu from there. Ironically, now they knew that most of the supplies they stole had actually been meant to go to The Pit, so in a roundabout way they weren't really taking away resources from innocent people at least.

He had just been in the middle of hearing something particularly interesting about Ronye learning how to better control her powers then the door to the room had opened, all eyes moving towards it and seeing a familiar ponytailed girl standing there with crossed arms, a slightly troubled expression on her face.

"Kirito-kun? I need you to come with me, for a meeting with those of us in charge…alone."

"…sure, Sortiliena-san." replied the black-haired boy while standing up, silencing the protests that his friends had started and making them look at him wide-eyed. "It's fine guys, everyone here is trustworthy, right? It's only normal they would want to meet me after all the ruckus you all made to save me, I don't mind."

"…okay, but don't take too long, we still have a lot of catching up to do, okay?" grinned Eugeo while patting his back, though the gamer didn't miss the worried undercurrent on his voice, nor how he gave the Rider a significant look as he walked after her, everyone else's gaze also fixed on the two.

"So…how do you like the place?" questioned Sortiliena as they made their way through the long if narrow corridors that went through the lair like veins, sometimes passing someone or another that looked more bizarre than the last person. "You getting used to it?"

"It's…comfy, in a way. I have only been a few hours here, though, so I can't say for certain." casually commented Kirito while waving at what looked like a walking carnivore plant, who politely returned the gesture. "Still, thanks for your concern, Sortiliena-san."

"Heh, just call me Liena, everyone who can does. I know my full name is a mouthful for most people." Chuckled the ponytailed girl with clear amusement, though her face quickly turned more solemn as they arrived before a closed door. "Here."

Only with the smallest hint of nervousness, the caped boy entered the room, keenly aware of how the Rider closed it behind them. His gaze was more focused on what was around him, though.

It was a slightly spacious room, mostly circular in shape, with a big table in the center and several smaller ones around. Judging by the papers and small books filling them, the gamer assumed it was probably some sort of planning/meeting room. The sight of several maps of the 'Human World' on the walls and what looked like drawings of some creatures only added to it.

Then, there were the people inside. One he already knew, the rhino-man called Gorgolosso giving him a small nod. Then, there was a young woman, probably no older than 25 or something, sitting in one of the smallest tables, looking at him but still holding several papers. And then, resting against the main table, there was the frowning visage of a boy slightly older than him who had a…gatling gun instead of an arm?!

"Holy shit, A-Class Rank 8, Death Gatling?! Are you kidding me?! That may seem lame compared to some other superpowers around, but having a weapon like that in a world of mostly swords and primitive weapons is too OP!" mentally screamed Kirito before raising an eyebrow at the clear hostility the other boy was radiating. "Is there a problem, mister…?"

"Uolo. Uolo Levantein." curtly answered the young man while fully standing up, letting the boy see the black cloak he wore over what looked like a dark uniform. "And I can be blunt? You don't really look worth it…not having risked Liena's life, or that of those four prodigies that call you their friend. What makes you so special?"

"Hey, Uolo, that's…!"

"Well, I couldn't really tell you, Uolo-san. Beyond my determination to always help out those I care for to the best of my abilities, I don't think I'm much…" interrupted the caped boy without missing a beat, Sortiliena falling silent and looking at him in surprise. "Then again, you're the one with a gatling gun instead of half his forearm, so you would probably be biased no matter what I tell you."

"…are you mocking me?" demanded the young man as his eyes narrowed, a sudden 'pressure' suddenly radiating from him and seemingly trying to crush the gamer…

"No, not really. I honestly think that's insanely cool." nonchalantly replied Kirito with a small smile, shocking everyone present with the calm answer. "…probably insanely uncomfortable when needing to eat or clean yourself, though."

For a second, there was nothing but surprised silence…before Uolo exploded into a loud barking laugh, the young man suddenly relaxed and 'disconnecting' his arm from the massive gun that replaced it, standing up and grinning widely towards the now blinking caped boy.

"Heh, I like you, kid! And you're right, I hate carrying that thing most of the time, so I usually only have it on when we need to go out for supplies or something." laughed the now one-armed leader as he sat on his chair.

"Must you put so much unnecessary effort on those 'tests' of yours, Uolo-kun? That was entirely a waste of time." Commented the young woman that had been silent until then as she returned her attention to the papers she was analyzing. "I could have told you he was someone trustworthy the moment he stepped into the room."

"Maybe, Azurica-san, but if you always used your Curse for such petty reasons then we would feel as if we're overworking you." chuckled Uolo before waving it off, ignoring the woman's annoyed sigh and Sortiliena's glare before looking once again towards the now also amused Kirito. "Now then, Liena here has told me you come from 'another world', and that you know a lot of weird things. Including how this weapon of mine is called, despite only the ones in this room having ever been told. Adding to that how you're the only person ever we know of that has been inside The Pit and escaped…care to exchange some information with us?"

"…I would love, Uolo-san." replied the caped boy with a smirk. "Before that, though…you wouldn't happen to have some clothing lying around that's similar to mine, right? This is almost falling apart…and maybe a spare cape too?"

Even as he received more laughter, a disbelieving look, and a smile as answer for his question…the gamer felt that, for the first time in a long time, everything was looking bright for his immediate future and hopes of getting out of that world.

…he still almost jumped out of his skin when Azurica casually made a book shoot from the nearest table to her hands, not even once looking up from her work.

Yeah…it was going to take some time to get so blatantly used to the fact that everyone around had actual superpowers…

---

Central Cathedral was quite loud that night, or at least the lower levels were, as several members of the church, from priests to apprentices and minor officials, tried to keep up with the many reports that came in and the conflicting and worrying news arriving.

Near the very top of the white tower, however, a certain group of powerful knights had gathered once again, mostly in 'silence', though missing a few noticeable members.

"So…it's just us here this time? Even when something as terrible has just happened?!" asked Eldrie's frustrated form as he looked around the mostly empty room, only himself, Deusolbert and Fanatio being present this time. "Those damn criminals just made a fool of Alice-sama, especially that damn Rider! Why isn't everyone here now?!"

"Terrible timing mostly, it seems." mumbled the fully armored knight with a clearly annoyed tone. "Scheta is outside the southern gate since yesterday night, doing something to her Subterraneans stationed there. Renri is patrolling the city, Bercouli-sama left for a quick inspection of the West Gorge after some reports about weird monsters, and I have no idea where those 2 brats are…"

"Still, this is a most troubling matter. To think they could have a force powerful enough to siege The Pit and rescue a prisoner…the mere notion is absurd, yet it happened." commented Deusolbert while frowning behind his helmet. "No one could have expected they would join forces with that damned Rider either…they went from a group of fugitives to a serious threat without anyone realizing."

"Then that's all the more reason for us Integrity Knights to have reacted faster! We can't allow such dangerous elements to roam free!" shouted the whip-user with a burning fervor, something almost seeming to glint on his handsome but enraged face. "We need to move immediately and…!"

"And do what exactly, Synthesis Thirty-One?" demanded Fanatio with a cold voice, a single light shining for a moment from within her helmet. "The Rider and her followers have evaded us for years now. Even if we could all afford to simply rush out to try and solve little Alice's mess, we would be wasting time by running without any direction."

"Wha…?! Even if you're the second in command of the Order, to talk in such a way of Alice-sama is…!"

"Ohohoh, would, munch, you stop bickering like children, Integrity Knights? Munch, besides, today is your lucky day!"

As one, the animosity filling the room evaporated as it was replaced by annoyance and a smidge of disgust, even as the fat and round form of Chudelkin made his way into the room from seemingly nowhere, carelessly throwing his 'snacks' on his mouth as always.

"Chief Elder…you arrived earlier than expected." started Deusolbert once it became clear none of the other two was going to address the clownish man first.

"Well, that's because I bring you joyous news, munch!" cheered the Chief Elder while almost jumping in place, his face twisting into a disgusting smirk. "You should rejoice! After all, Synthesis Thirty's failure in accomplishing her mission has actually given us a prize we could have never dreamed of!"

"Wait…you mean…?" started Fanatio with clear shock, even as Eldrie barely held back his tongue from insulting their 'superior' for what he had said about Alice.

"Indeed, just as you are thinking, Synthesis Two! Synthesis Twenty-Eight had one of her dear 'creations' keeping an eye on The Pit for 'research purposes', and it managed to follow those fools when the damn Rider took them away!" laughed Chudelkin while shaking like a blob of jelly in the process, an almost manic tone to his laughter. "Thanks to that, we have finally found where she and all her little pests hide!"

"Those are…excellent news, Chief Elder!" declared Deusolbert while raising a closed fist. "Should we move right now, then? It's capturing the Rider a priority?"

When his answer was only crazed laughter, a chilling sensation traveled down the backs of the present knights, even as the clownish man looked back at them with apparent amusement.

"Oh no, not at all, Synthesis Seven, wrong on both accounts. You see, only one of you will lead a special raid against them, one that shall take advantage of what Synthesis Twelve is doing to Subterranean Squads 34 through 45. This…is a Total Extermination Quest, by direct order of Her Excellency herself! And the priority target is the prisoner Synthesis Thirty failed to deliver! The 'Anomaly' known as Kirito!"

At his words, the knight of the stun rods took a step back, clearly puzzled. The one whose armor hid something she wanted no one to see just crossed her arms, deep in thought.

The one with the whip, however, took an eager step forward, almost vibrant in his walk towards the Chief Elder.

"Perfect! Then let ME, lead this raid, Chief Elder Chudelkin! I shall restore Alice-sama's honor by ending that criminal!"

"…very well, Synthesis Thirty-One! You have my blessing and that of Her Highness! Go forth and make the Axiom Church's will a reality!" proclaimed Chudelkin while raising his hands in an over-dramatic way. "Don't leave any of those filthy enemies of the Human World alive!"

Nodding with almost feral resolution, Eldrie walked away, past his fellow knights and towards a wall, only for it to open and raw darkness to engulf him, probably leading him towards the Dragon's Nest, down in the 30th Floor.

Then, almost carelessly, the clownish man turned towards Fanatio, the female knight already having a feeling she wasn't going to like what he said.

"Synthesis Two…you have been ordered to take your subordinates and go back up Synthesis Thirty right now." confirmed her fears the Chief Elder with a strangely annoyed look. "The sooner you can meet up with and aid her, the better."

"And what has the amazing Alice-chan screwed-up even further that she cannot solve it for herself?" scathingly asked the fully armored knight, only to receive a dark chuckle in return.

"…the Disaster Level-Dragon we kept on the lowest level of The Pit to 'dispose' of the unruliest prisoners escaped because of what the criminals did to the structure." both remaining Integrity Knights froze and looked with utter shock and rising horror towards the now chuckling clown as he all but skipped away. "You better hurry and back her up before she acts recklessly and tries to confront it alone. After all, even with all her talent and power, she's no match for that cursed 'living water'…"

Meanwhile, Eldrie Synthesis Twelve was already mounting on his loyal dragon Takiguri, ready to head towards where Scheta was apparently 'preparing' some special Subterraneans, when he stopped and frowning, looking at the winged figure landing before him.

"…what do you want, Renri?"

"I…failed my duties last time. I shamed myself and the Order by underestimating those criminals…I must rectify this mistake." solemnly spoke the Twenty-Seventh Knight before looking straight towards the whip-user from behind his bird-shaped helmet. "Let me accompany you and redeem myself by aiding you in this task!"

Total silence flowed between both knights for a moment…before Eldrie's face morphed into an affable smile, his teeth almost seeming to shine under the moonlight.

"Of course, Synthesis Twenty-Seven. Just remember, though…I will be the one to slay the one called Kirito."

And so, as a dragon and a Cursed Knight took flight towards the horizon, Lunaria's light illuminating everything with an almost depressing shade…[DESTINY] looked down at the cracking 'board', his spot at the edge of Reality now almost surrounded completely by never-ending Chains.

It was almost time for the last stage of this sick 'game' to be set-up…

---

…

…STARTING…

…OPENING PRIVATE LOG.

…Fluctlight Unit #4807 has made contact with its Primary Objective. Proceeding to prepare Symbiotic Fluctlight (#100006) to carry out Mission 001. The…One Punch-Gamer…must be brought-tothe…main6unit5for4des-des-truc-truc3tion2of1…XXXXXH000-!

…ADMINISTRATOR PRESENCE DETECTED.

ERASING LOG. SHUTTING DOWN…

…

…

…bring him…quick…before it's too late…

---

Next…

Power isn't something that everyone has…

Sortiliena:…why? Why do you even…keep fighting like that?

Chuckling as he painfully stood up before the armored Valkyrie, the caped boy cleaned some blood from his mouth.

Kirito: Because…I have a reason to keep letting my fists fly, Rider-san…

It's not a Blessing…but a Burden.

Eugeo: Where did they come from?! What…what are those things?!

As if seeking to answer him, a massive fist, bigger than him and the two young girls behind him combined, tore through the side of the hallway, seeking to crush everyone inside.

Eldrie: Keep at it, Subterraneans. No criminal shall escape this place alive!

And while those who want it almost never get it, those who never ask for it…

Tearing itself from the destroyed head of the dead Subterranean, the massive spider looked down at her shaking ward with its 8 yellowish eyes, before reaching Nowhere and bringing out something, stuck to the tip of its foremost right leg by its tip.

A sheathed blade, its hilt carved like intertwined roots, releasing a pressure like nothing they had seen could.

Charlotte: There is only one reason you were allowed to come this far. So now…use it, child. Use it and deliver Judgement on the puppets of Fate…

…are almost always the ones burdened with it…

An edge blacker than the night reflected a face that held fear and shame…but also an unshakable determination.

Among the chaotic fight raging all around…two words echoed like an absolute sentence.

?:…Enhance Armament.

For better or for worse.

At the edge of Reality, [DESTINY] reached into the board, his hand settling over a specific piece as black roots grew from it in all direction, declaring a single, damming truth…

[DESTINY]:…Pawn Promotes to Queen…and cracks.

Next time on 'One Punch-Gamer: Chains of Fate':

Chapter 9: Unforgiving Night Sky

---

Author's Notes: Maaan, it's done now! Hell yeah!

Finishing this chapter after everything this month felt like quite a treat, let me tell you, especially because we're almost at the point where the story starts speeding up!

This chapter, we saw some more of Liena-sempai's mysteriously familiar 'power' and her changed origins in this OPM-warped Underworld. Also some more UDW-native characters with their own warped backgrounds. More details will come next chapter, though, together with a shocking twist…also, more Integrity Knights! Because we never can have enough of the totally-not-Bleach-inspired super warriors :P

Also, just to clarify to those that are anime-only and still reading this, I will continue using some of the fan-translated names of the UDW characters for this story just to not create confusion because I'm just too used to them, but I will use the 'official translations' in any new story onwards to not create further chaos (Things like Volo instead of Uolo, Ronie instead of Ronye, Vecta instead of Vector…even if I think that last one's official Romanization sounds too silly and non-menacing compared to the last one). Hope that clarifies things!

And now, I leave you all with today's RWBY Omake, so you can have some fun! Enjoy!

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Capes and Roses 8

Panting for breath, Ruby Rose tightened her grip on the shaft of her beloved scythe, hiding behind a tree as she exchanged a glance with Blake, the cat Faunus hiding on the branches of another tree not far from hers.

A quick nod was all that the black-haired girl needed, following her leader's lead and jumping like a missile towards the lonely figure standing nonchalantly in the middle of the forest's clearing, Gambol Shroud lashing out towards his exposed back.

Even so, the seemingly unimpressive boy in the silly-looking custom seemed to blur in pace turning around with more than enough time to stare and lazily raising an open palm in Blake's incoming direction, the Faunus knowing from experience that the strike would send her back flying effortlessly and more than likely take a good chunk of her already very low Aura with it.

That's why, at the last second, the girl's body 'blinked' one side, leaving nothing but a perfect copy of herself made of ice in her place. A neat trick that she was able to pull off by combining her semblance with Elemental Dust Rounds (Courtesy of Weiss) loaded into her weapon.

And yet, despite how sudden and unexpected the movement had been, Kirito effortlessly jumped above the incoming ice clone, his knee raised for the wide-eyed Blake's stomach to ram straight into it.

Ruby shot from her hiding spot at that moment, a flying storm of rose petals hiding a deadly edge within, aiming for the now airborne boy's exposed neck…only for his hand to lash out at the last second, catch Crescent Rose's edge between his fingers and spin the squeaking leader of Team RWBY against her teammate, sending both of them flying and then casually dropping the weapon on the ground, letting it collapse back into its 'closed' setting.

Before it had even finished falling, a shield and a war hammer were flying through the air at unholy speeds, aiming to pin him from two different directions, even as several shots of all kinds were fired from all around him, even as a black glyph manifested itself just under his feet, just as a vibrant aura engulfed the weapons heading for his head, doubling their speed.

Yang and Ren shooting at him with their weapons. Nora and Pyrrha launching their own while the latter's Semblance amplified their speed at the last second. And Weiss using a Gravity Dust Glyph to pin him down. All in all, it was a perfect and shocking efficient strategy, revealing how Ruby and Blake's entire attack had actually been a feint. Given Jaune had only had like 5 minutes to plan it all, and how about an hour ago the knowledge of abilities between teams (And even amongst their own teammates) had been abysmally low, it was nothing short of brilliant. Against any other single enemy, it would have probably meant certain victory or, at the very least, that they were struck once, which was the only objective of this 'exercise'.

The Heroic Spirit, though, simply spun in place, the glyph under him shattering like cheap glass as he caught both weapons and spun them in the exact trajectory so that they intercepted all the shots that had come at him, before finishing his spin by throwing Magnhild and Akoúo back where they came from, the shouts as Pyrrha and Nora as they were hit by their own weapons and subsequently crashed onto Weiss and Ren+Jaune (Respectively) filling the clearing.

Then, he easily sidestepped Yang's following angry attack, executing a textbook karate move on the shocked and momentarily red-eyed blonde, slamming her face-first on the dirt.

"…okay, I think that's more than enough for today. We can stop now." nonchalantly declared the Caped Hero with a sheepish smile, receiving many groans in response and a muffled cry from the brawler he had half-buried on the ground.

A few minutes later, the combined members of Teams RWBY and JNPR were sitting at the edge of the clearing, exchanging depressed talk, encouraging words, frustrated comments or, in Yang's case, annoyingly removing small branches and leaves from her hair.

Watching it all with a resigned look, Ruby walked to where her dear weapon had fallen, giving the thoughtful Kirito a sheepish smile.

"So…how badly did we do?"

"Hmm? What are you talking about? You were great." quickly answered the Heroic Spirit while flashing her a gentle smile. "Much better than I thought you would, in fact."

"…we didn't even scratch you." deadpanned the red-clad girl with a dry tone.

"Yeah, but I wasn't really expecting any of you to in this first try…hell, you actually came close with that last stunt, it was really unexpected how quickly you came up with such a complex team-tactic." praised the Caped Hero as he scratched the side of his head. "You certainly improved leaps and bounds in no time."

"Heheh, well…guess we never had tried to push ourselves so far before…" sheepishly laughed Ruby while looking away.

While they all certainly had trained hard in their own way to reach the place they were at, never before had their limits been tested as much as their 'training' with Kirito had done in just a little more than an hour.

Even Pyrrha and Yang had quickly grown shocked and frustrated when their best attempts to get at the black-haired 'boy' had proved to be beyond pointless (And usually ending with them flying away and/or crashing against a tree). Eventually, they had been forced to push teamwork tactics (Something that they, shamefully, had put very little effort into developing so far) to the limit, and even to fully share information that they didn't know about each other.

Blake's particular ability to make her shadow clones elemental had earned her a small scowl from Weiss, saying that she could have asked her for some dust to carry in case of emergencies before. Knowing that Ren that the ability to mute emotions with his Semblance, or that Pyrrha's basically let her control metal like some sort of wizard, had been a surprising realization even for most of Team JNPR.

Yet, the constant 'threat' of the Caped Hero looming over them had made them accept and take the new revelations into account very fast, and Jaune had proved that, despite his lack of talent in combat, had a tactical mind that the leader of Team RWBY envied, developing several rough tactics for them to use in conjunction in just a few minutes.

"Even so…I think we could have done better if we had just prepared in certain aspects I never thought of beforehand." sighed Ruby while looking back at the rest of her friends, just as Yang unleashed one of her infamous puns and made everyone groan. "Guess we will have a lot to talk about this weekend…"

"Most likely. You…well, being blunt, Ruby, you become as defenseless as a big kitty if someone takes your weapon away. Weiss is the closest thing to a glass cannon in your team I have seen for people with an 'Aura' that lets them survive crippling falls, while Yang…she really needs to not let her anger blind her in a fight. It may be part of what her Semblance uses to make her stronger, but…" looking away, the Caped Hero suddenly seemed lost in thought. "Blind rage is never a good thing to fight with."

"…talking from experience? Did you ever meet someone like Yang?" asked the dark-haired girl with a curious look, also knowing about her sister's anger-problems (Especially if they involved her hair), but obviously not being suicidal enough to point it out.

For his part, the Heroic Spirit closed his eyes and…

Rage. Pain. Hate. Nothing mattered, nor the world breaking around him, nor the screams or shouts of those running from them. None of it mattered, even as his fists lashed out again and again against the abomination calling itself God, the only thing in his mind to make her pay for what she had done…

"…you could say that." chuckled Kirito while looking back at Team RWBY's leader, making her blink at how sad his eyes suddenly looked. "Besides, even if her rage allows her to 'power-up', it won't do her much good if she's alone against someone stronger and/or more skilled than her. In fact, it could be fatal if she's not careful…"

"I-I see…" mumbled Ruby with a hint of worry in her voice as she looked away, unsure of what to do because of her social awkwardness but knowing that her first friend was suddenly sad because of something she had said…until a cheerful idea struck her, making the dark-haired girl turn to look at him quickly. "Hey, Kirito, wanna go to Vale and grab some sweets? We could go around and see the sights too! After all, you're not from around here!"

"Uh? Sweets?" the Heroic Spirit was about to comment on how he didn't really NEED to eat (Or sleep) at all, but the memory of a certain tasty dessert made him pause, combined with the reminder that he hadn't really even tried to eat anything since he was summoned to Remnant, given that he had no money and didn't want to go around stealing food he didn't really need…"Sure, why not? It will be a nice way to relax after the training. Also, we can talk about ways to improve your Team's strategies and give you some pointers for unarmed combat…"

"Great! Just let me get cleaned up and I will see you in the Bullhead's docks in an hour!" cheered the young girl before turning towards her friends. "Guys, me and Kirito are going to Vale for the evening, okay? I will see you at the dorms later!"

And with that said, she was gone in a storm of rose petals, before Kirito could even tell her that he could just wait in Vale proper as he didn't need to ride a Bullhead to get there, the Caped Hero sighing with amused resignation before blurring out of sight after a quick goodbye to the other Beacon students.

For their part…while Team JNPR was blinking towards where the two had been in confusion and surprise, the 3 other members of Team RWBY were frozen on the spot, Yang wide-eyed and open-mouthed while Blake seemed to be having troubles deciding which direction to look at (Either where her leader or the strange 'Hero' had vanished to), and Weiss had just the most disbelief-filled look of her entire life.

"Did…did my little sister just ask a guy on a date?!" half-shouted the blonde brawler with a mix of horror and pride (?) in her voice.

"That's…not what happened at all. She just asked him to go alone together to Vale and get some sweets, then go walk around and waste time talking…hardly what I would call a date." commented Weiss while trying to shake off her shock.

"…what exactly do you understand for a date?" deadpanned Blake while finally looking back to her friends, though there was a weird tone to her voice. "Still…"

"As her big sister, I need to sp…I mean, make sure that crazy guy doesn't take advantage of her!" declared Yang while standing up, receiving blank looks from everyone. "Weisscream, Blake, follow me, we need to look out for our team leader!"

"…is she serious?" asked Pyrrha with a nervous look, even as the other 2 members of Team RWBY stood up with a sigh.

"Looks like it…we better follow her to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."

"Yes. No other reason at all."

The following silence amongst Team JNPR as they saw the two girls walking away was broken by Jaune making a simple declaration.

"I'm so glad we're the normal team."

He completely missed the disbelieving look Ren send this way.

Sometime later, a certain pair was walking through Vale's streets while enjoying an ice-cream cone each, content smiles on their faces as they slowly ate their icy treats.

"This is great! Why didn't anyone tell me there was cookie-flavored ice-cream?!" demanded Ruby as she took another lick of her cold dessert, a look of bliss on her face as she did so.

"Ice-cream is mankind's greatest invention, no matter which universe." proudly declared Kirito as he licked his own, ignoring the exasperated sighs (And one nod of understanding) he could perceive through his connection to his family back at the Throne. "So, where do we go first?"

"Oh, oh, there are tons of great places here! The ammo and weapons shop should be getting new catalogs for parts today, then there is this awesome place that sells comics, and even a new arcade!"

"An arcade? I don't know, Ruby, I wouldn't want to humiliate you twice in the same day…"

"Eh? Is that a challenge?! Do you actually think you're better than me at videogames?!" receiving only challenging smirk in response, a burning fire seemed to ignite within the Huntress-in-training's silver eyes, dramatically pointing towards her friend (With the ice-cream-free hand, of course). "That's it, you're on! Prepare to taste defeat, Kirito!"

Stal…that is, keeping a watchful eye from them from afar, the other 3 members of Team RWBY were looking at them with varying degrees of…well, something.

"What the hell…? They're, like, two total dorks having the time of their life!" commented Yang with obvious disbelief.

"They certainly seem at ease doing such quaint things…I guess that's…good?" added Weiss with obvious doubt, looking at the pair and biting her lips.

"…it's hard to believe someone like him can enjoy such things, but…" interrupting herself before even finishing her words, Blake dragged her two teammates into the alley they were just passing by, stopping their protest with a sharp look. "Shh! He turned around and almost saw us!"

"Something the matter, Kirito?"

"Huh…nothing, I just can't help but think someone is watching us…"

"Really? Heh, maybe is that crow up there in the street light?"

"…now that you say it, I do feel as if that crow has been looking at us with a lot of intensity…"

"Kirito, please, it's just a crow! Nothing but a silly bird!"

"Never underestimate a crow, Ruby. You never know when they will actually be messengers of the Gods. Or a druid's alternate form. Or the Eldritch pets of a creepy parallel version of yourself that doesn't have any right to be so nice…"

"…what?"

"No-nothing, I just…have been through way too much shit in my life. So…arcade?"

"Oh yeah! YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"

And even as the two unlikely friends walked away, the three stalking girls let out a sigh of relief and a certain red-eyed crow narrowed his eyes and flew after the formers, the peaceful days of Remnant kept passing, slowly coming to an end…

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Author's Notes 2: There is a surprising amount of silly yet simple things for Ruby and Kiritama to bond over, when I look back on things. Also, a reminder that things in RWBY quickly start getting progressively more serious all the way to vol3's ending…

And yup, Kirito has seen some shit, but hey, it's not as if he has any reason to suspect of that silly random bird, right?

Until next time, this is Saint, signing off! Happy New Year to all my dear readers!