14th Error: Alliance?
Regret meant disappointment of what failure oneself had done.
And that's what Akina has been feeling for the past few minutes after traveling— or going out slash on a date slash 'flirty date' with her acquaintance she was somewhat interested in.
Interest in the meaning of 'wanting to befriend better'.
Not that negative regret or anything, she was just uncomfortable being a hindrance towards the boy, possibly younger than her, for being an unwanted companion.
"Ano..." She started, hesitance spotted anywhere in her voice. "I could cancel this date—thing... if you have something to do, it's not like I'm going to keep pushing myself on having fun as well."
Kirito, the boy, smiles, as if he's not considering anything she was saying. Although he was somewhat astounded by the coincidence and the identity of his mysterious 'date'. He could relate to it. He also got a detailed description from the Rat (with some triple numbers for extra information) on why she needs a cheer up. With the name of the problem censored, to not talk to the one who has fallen in this game.
That person has been an important friend to Akina, so Kirito could understand completely. In fact, he's happy to do it, but it's easier said than done no matter how you look at it.
"Nope, lets go have fun, I mean, I already knew you for a day or two. It won't be so awkward."
Akina was taken aback by his bluntness. "Is t-that so?"
"Mhm. We've arrived here too." He gestured towards the entrance of the single door, somewhat middle-class but it gives you soothing aura, she didn't mind one bit.
"Woa." She whistled jokingly when he opened the door and directed her. It seem like he understood gentlemen courtesy. "You seem like you're experienced." She teased.
"The way you talk reminds me a lot of Argo, did you learn that from her?"
They started off nervously, but now they're entirely fine. Their small reunion gave a heartwarming happiness to Akina knowing her friend was still living good. The catch up with each other, teasing each other now and then.
Kirito paused when they ran out of things to tell each other. In the first place, neither of them were sociable of a person. Akina noticed he quieted down, she opened her moth to ask what's wrong but suddenly he asked her.
"I'm really sorry... about what happened to your friend." He whispered.
Akina wanted to smile. Although he barely knew her, but she could tell his honesty smitten her.
"Don't be. Although half of... What happened was actually my fault, but I have avenged her— despair." She bit back what she said on the last sentence. She wasn't going to let him knew of it. About what her hands did.
"Is that so..." He muttered.
After we finished our little break, we thanked the waiter— although unnecessary, it was being polite.
I stretch my hand upwards, my eyes started to feel heavy from the after-eating effect.
I glance to check on Kirito, he was catching up and fast-walking towards my side.
"Thanks for the meal." I said.
"You're welcome." he smiled then walks, I followed him. I started to realize, where are we heading...?
"Are we going to the dungeon?" I ask.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot."
are you even interested...
as if reading my mind, on cue he said, "I wasn't really interested about it since Argo told us about it for free..." he empasized the free, I chuckled at his sass.
"I did thought about it", I said out. "She could have set it all up." he murmured. "could."
If you think about it, the more you know that Argo, the more everything clicked. Everything I asks, even as a friend, requires some money. "Do you really think...?"
"I don't know." he admitted, "How about we go to the dungeon?" he suddenly suggested.
I thought for a moment. That's what I need to refresh my mind. And that's not a bad idea at all.
Signs of sun hasn't came even until mid afternoon. The sky was clouded and dark, is rain even possible? I begin to walk solwly towards the dungeon with Kirito, he was tapping back at the screen. "Who? is it Argo?" I asked, not wanting to sound nosy but he's been swapping on his screen since the last few minutes.
"no." he answered shortly, then closes his window. "Looks like we're here."
"Ah yeah." I nodded in agreement.
We began to enter the large horizon seperating both section of the Aincrad floor. The freezing temperature warmed after we stepped inside the dungeon, as if a hidden heater was located above the separator.
"Ahhh." He moaned as warmth entered his body. I chuckled at his childish action. "You're like a kid."
"Its was cold." Kirito laughed, scratching his cheek sheepishly. I followed his laugh. "Where were you in here?" I asked.
"probably far from here." he pointed an showed me his map.
it covers 60/100 percent. Mine was almost close, only few percent lower uncompleted. "What's that?" I pointed at a funny circle-ish shaped not far from a corner.
"I haven't looked deeper. Only passing through."
"Maybe it has rare quest or treasure chest?" I asked.
"Might be a trap too."
I shrugged. It could be. but I refuse to acknowledge negativity. But being on alarm won't hurt so I walk past his shoulder.
"H-hey, where are you heading?"
"Where else?" I mocked.
Several seconds later, taps of shoes could be heard, I glanced and was stunned. "You're coming?"
"We're going out, of course I'm going to follow you. I can't have someone dying on me after we part."
suddenly I laughed. Laughed. I was laughing. "A-Akina?"
"I-It was nothing." I stuttered. "Me? dying?" I laughed. "I can't do that."
"But we don't know what will happen." He reasoned, sweatdropping at my unexpected laugh.
I halted on my track, gazing at kirito with seriousness, and smiled. He stopped in place. "Then, I'll help you up when you're scared. I'll be the one helping you. You won't die, I won't let the same thing like 'her' happen to you."
for a second, Kirito could hear a thump in his chest.
Matte polished surface was first stepped by a black haired swordsman. His hand reached out for the hilt of his Queen's sword placed on his back. readying his correct sword's style.
"Kirito, there's no sign of monsters, something's off."
He stilled. hand fixing the hold of his hilt. Both of the one-hand long sword holder has their concentration on its edge. They hand entered on the circle of Kirito's advanced map.
Although he was a player of the closed beta, Kirito could tell that the map was reconstructed by none other than Kayaba Akihiko.
A deep menacing growl was heard behind both of them. Teal furred creature appeared right before them. It's eyes was glowing yellow and it's four legs were shaking aggressively. The presence of both player brought hostility towards the bleak-slanted eyes. It was ready to fling. either to one of them.
"We gotta run." Kirito said.
"Why? we can fight it." The 4 meter beast glowered at us deeper, fighting would lead to danger.
"No, its a monster meant for group players, not soloists." He argued and took a slow step back. but too late, the creature has advanced towards Akina's line of sight. "RUN!" He screamed on top of his lungs.
It's step was sloppy, but it has benefit of wide ranged feet, it was a disadvantage for the two.
Akina bolted, almost running past Kirito, but her step hasn't touch the bare solid floor. She was stepping on the air.
A HOLE?
Air left her face, oxygen almost completely ran from her face. Akina went whiter than white.
"WHAT?"
"ITS A TRAP!" Kirito shouted. They were too late. Everything flashed before their eyes. she couldn't smell anything from the lowest part of the deep trap.
Akina felt a hurl of agony swept her. she was falling, deeper. she was falling. She could die. No. Not yet. Not now. Not because of her someone have to die too. She won't die. She refuse to.
She regain the gears in her mind immediately. "Kirito! hold on!" With her lightning fast speed, her feet bent upwards, her black cloak blowing intensely over her. She forcefully leash her hand to grab his left ankle. her other hand efficiently reaching out to grab her equipped sword.
She buried the leaf-green metal deep into the coal layer surrounding them.
If they were in real life, breathing would be next to impossible as they fell. She was thankful for the fact they aren't in the other side for once.
Aside that, the durability of a dungeon structure wasn't unlimited nor infinite. It was burnable, destroyable, and it is not impossible to break. However, it was an exceptionally difficult task. The durability has almost 3 zeros following the first digit. For starters, both of them wouldn't stand on its lower half of beating the strength.
Although, the girl between the two has the real experience of actually breaking the structure unto pieces.
her rational mind started to deplete, panic wore her, she teared the wall with the blade ruthlessly. Her hand was receiving the toll, arms were jolting, her eyes wide and she could partially feel her hand shredding. Heat on her hand to her scalp, weighing her like one ton placed abruptly above her muscles. Its worse than how she rip Sora to half. Her hand felt like ripped into pieces. The cold air was eroding her skin and eyes watering at the pressure. Why isn't the pain absorber working properly? She grimaced at her fortune.
Her sword finally at its end, it cracked as its pieces evaporate into blue to colorless shapes.
"HOLD!"
She was aiming for it. Sacrifice a sword for a life. Akina's hand placed itself to the 5 diameter coal built. Her left hand still strongly trapping Kirito's ankle. Her right hand traced onto the hard wall. It felt decades.
Their fall was fluid. Almost flawless and unhurt. Kirito landed on his back. Akina landed on her side. Her whole right arm felt dead. Or she couldn't feel anything.
The ex-beta felt his sweat flowing on his back. His hand shivered in dismay. Tremor has overtook his mind for a few shocking seconds. He gulped to feel his neck able to move, although shivering in the progress. He's alive. He faintly felt his eyelids flutter in uncertain manner. He's alive, he's still breathing. He hasn't broken into pieces.
Kirito looked over his shoulder. He find his savior alive. 'What did she...'
Suddenly, a cough was resounded. He viewed her health with concern. Kirito examine her HP finding it a quarter full. His was half full.
He summons his menu to operate a crystal. Only to find he has no control over it. "What?" His eyes repeatedly rereading 4 words stacked into a statement. He diverts his attention to Akina.
'Unable to operate system'
"What does this mean?" He tried to swap his hand again. None.
He took Akina's small palm, and twitched at the freezing contact. He swore she was like an ice. "Is she even okay?" His hand ran over her icy forehead, she was still frowning in her unconscious state.
He took the chance to swap her hand, he shouldn't have invade her private menu, but there's not much of a choice. He was able to open it, but opting anything was impossible as well.
'Malfunction?'
Impossible.
He tilted his head upwards. He was sure the fall reached more than 20 meters. Possibly more than 30 meters.
How does he even survive the impact? This trap was a sure death. Above his head, he saw a dot of light where he was from. He collected his sword which fell from his hand and return it to its respective place.
Her head was laying... Is she on bed? It hurts like hell. Did her head hit with something?
"Ow..." Her bad hand trailed upwards to reach for the sore spot around her neck.
"Ah! Akina!" A hand held her shoulder subtly, large broad palm. She realized. Its the black swordsman's distant voice.
"Was I out?" Akina gently rubbed her hands, it was stinging. Although it doesn't hurt, but her skill were too low to support her hand. It felt dead, crumbled under pressure of direct friction with hard material. Only her reality's senses was compatible to the moment she attempt to adjust to the unstable situation with her right arm.
She tried to move her hand normally. Tried.
"Yeah, for a minute." He answered. "How the heck do you..." He paused then pointed up. "Do that? It seemed ethereal." He pressed his lips into a straight thin line.
Akina bit her lip. Such question is to be expected. "Luck... I guess... Hahahah." She smiled wryly.
"No."
"Eh?"
"Last time you said it was also a luck, but I don't believe it."
She smiled at him. Almost astonishing. His deduction skill was bizarre. No one has past her the mask she quipped beside Rui.
Although Akina seem to not believe what Kirito said, but it does make sense.
"Is that so? Maybe I believe that I can." Akina's word is fairly true, although part of her believe so, the number of syringes injected to her veins that will never let her efforts fail was something undeniable. It was a curse. A human that never fails is unreal. The cursed liquids are polishing her strength unnaturally, inhuman. Everything she do is always right. It sickens her. Part of her heart wished someone will recognize her ability. Yet another part of her wished she fails, even if it was only once.
Afterwards, they were trying to distinguish what was happening to their menu, to no avail.
"What should we do?" The male soloist asked, rather troubled.
"We should walk forward." She blurted without thinking.
"You have no weapon on you."
"I'll do hand to hand?" She asked sheepishly.
"Haaahh... Suit yourself." Finally Kirito stood up and left the stoned floor. Akina shrugged.
Soon, their walk was soundless. None of them dared to look at each other's face. Now what do they do?
The walk was almost forward, it was steep and dark. There were not supposed to be beings alive here. Each step leads Akina into mindless trance.
Darkness loomed over them yet with their high Mightvision skill, they could easily track any sign of danger. But there were no computer lives yet.
Akina pierced the silence. "Will this path end?"
"Perhaps." He mused.
Akina hummed in response. Her hand tucked onto her skinny jean's pocket.
"When you were unconscious for a minute, I figured this area was supposedly dead, its way underneath the ground." He stated. His eyebrows tighten to an unserious looking frown, his large eyes blinking solemnly. "And the floor dungeon we mostly discovered does produce stairs upwards and downwards, very likable we might find a way out, and maybe the floor boss."
"I see..." Akina nodded in understanding.
"But this is a very steep passage. Would we find any—" welcomed breeze warmed her face so quickly she halted mid-sentence to enjoy the pleasant wind. Her eyes darted at the source of blowing element from their tiny ceiling. "Exit?" She ran quickly to the tender sound she heard like a hummingbird. Her eyes scrutinizing at a plethora of holes. "Lend me your sword." She said, and gestured him to come forward.
He removed the manual straps off from his shoulder and unslung the harness off his chest. He extended his arm to give the deep blue-colored sword to Akina.
She took it from his hand while traveling her other clothed hand towards the cold solid stone. "Hey, Kirito."
"What?"
"I'll use your sword a little, yeah?"
"Can you do it to get us both out of here?"
She chuckled. "Sure."
A bang followed with a trail of glowing trace crinkled Kirito's ears as he winced at the strong noise approximately 15 centimeters close to his hearing faculty.
"What did you do!?" His cool demeanor fell facing at both dungeon pieces and his poor weapon.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't give me such innocent face!" He pointed at her.
"But you said it was okay!"
"But I never said it was okay to break it! I love that sword!"
"What's with the buts! I got us out of here and look at the hole I made big enough for both of us to fit in! Thankfully you're skinny or I will have to smash your lovely sword on the wall once more!"
"Hey I'm manly! I have... Muscles! Here check it out."
"No, put away your armpits!"
"I'm not giving any armpits!"
"You are shoving me your armpit!"
-/-
The girl was lost on her train of ponderation on their walk, their pace were still constant so far. Her opposite, was glaring maliciously at her, but he has no heart to yell at girls. And he was glad to find a way out of the deadly trap.
Their bickering was soon ended with Akina's pout and Kirito was too tired to even bother. But his sword's durability decreased rather immensely.
When they checked their map, surprisingly, their percent of completion ascended to a great number, reaching 95 in only an hour of their journey.
Kirito has never-ending unquestioned questions kept for the cat-eyed girl.
Akina blinked as she stared at her optioned menu. It has been bugging her when she accessed her menu. While she was a great player as well a computer examiner, her mind has contain almost all of important and unimportant codes of programming. Although she has an experience with those connected with programming, she never understood the double digits and tags written on her current menu screen. She was glad to be able to summon her sword the first thing after their menu came back alive, but only discovering it disabled few seconds thereafter.
Akina eyed the black-dressed boy after he exchanged his sword, the fault was partly hers. His screen was supposedly fine.
She felt thrill from within. She felt doubtful, horrified. She lost control over her own menu. Would she be able to perform a swordskill?
What if she get noticed by an assistant of Kayaba Akihiko? And that someone willing to tell him?
No, her head shook.
A sound of faint blade clashing and sword skills activating were not left unheard by both of players in black.
They glanced at each other restlessly, before nodding. And ran towards the familiar clangs.
"There's quite some number up ahead."
"Is it a group?" She asked.
Kirito wanted to deny the possibility but he could tell by the number of players' presence before he clicked his tongue. "or guild."
"How do they even reach here?"
"Maybe they were too stingy to share us their map." Kirito dashed further. They were nearing. "This way."
They rounded few corners, they spot them not far. To reduce panic and hostility, they hid. Kirito and Akina slammed their backs behind the wall separating them. Kirito peered through and caught a glimpse of red and white before pulling back his head.
"What did you see?"
"More than 40 men in red and white." He answered, mumbling and shushing her uncontrolled voice.
"Must be a guild." She affirmed his suspicion.
Few minutes they listened to sound of blades impacting. Akina waits as she continue to ponder about the rare glitch.
The noise died down afterwards. Causing Akina to straighten up considerably.
"Are they moving?" Akina's voice tickled his ear.
"No."
"They're too quiet."
"That's weird—"
"Whoever behind those pillars, identify yourself!"
Both soloist went silent. Akina's heart went thumping wild at the deep raspy voice. Kirito seemed to notice her nervousness and clasp her shaking palm. "Its okay." He smiled.
"We are no harm!" Kirito shouted. He stepped upfront from the wall dividing both group, hands on the air.
The men, grey haired with quite age, possibly his early 20's lowered his sword as he felt no threat from both green players.
Akina went to Kirito's backside, a little further from the formatted group. She pulled back her hood to conceal her appearance. Put of curiosity, she peered from his shoulder. She saw the leader, with outstanding armor and weaponry.
Her eyes went past over few players and noticed two women— girls among them. One having her glare past both of them, the other seemed to widen her eyes. The girl's lips part. "Kirito-kun?"
Eh?
"Asuna!?" Kirito pointed towards the wide-eyed girl.
"Is he your friend, Asuna-kun?" The grey haired paladin asked, with no real emotion.
"Ah yes, a friend." She nodded politely at her leader, glancing back at Kirito's and the stranger's form.
The tension decrease on a great extent, Akina seem to back away from the crowd and Kirito grabbed her wrist and kindly pulling her with him to this 'Asuna' girl.
But as the title suggest, ≪Beater≫ was not to be taken lightly. The amount of mass which personally knew the ≪Beater≫'s outer appearance was those who experienced the first ever conducted Boss battle. He was differed from the very start and became the self-centered selfish player, as people judged. It intoxicates. He did it for the sake of other ex-Beta Tester's behalf. Even if some of them did not come to appreciate his doing. They were blocked by unease of his indirect speech meant for their sake. Light murmurs started to develop among them. Kirito lightly clicked his tongue when he noticed.
The swordsman glanced back towards the girl. He did thought it was an invading of her pricacy, although nt until it was a ha. Akina gave him a questioning glare as he smirked. As if his look said, 'make-friends' mockingly.
She gulped at his horrendous intent. She tried to pull away, yet it seemed Kirito's pull limps her feet to jelly.
"Asuna, long time." He greeted casually, surprising Akina at his relaxed manner towards his beautiful acquaintance.
Yes, beautiful.
Her hazel reflecting eyes, with gentle smile over her plush lips, her cheekbones are so pretty. Her long lashes seem to kiss her lids as she blink perfectly. Her hair? Oh, it sways beautifully like a silk. Everytime she spun her head her hair followed swiftly behind her. Her chestnut colored hair matched her eye color uniformly. She was a girl of any man's dream.
"Kirito-kun." She smiled generally as she greeted. "Who's that person?" She gestured nicely at Akina's timid figure.
"A-ah... N-nice to meet you." She bowed before quick trotting behind Kirito. He glanced at her mockingly, again. She bit her tongue in embarrassment and annoyance. Akina pinched his hand, sadly, the pain drifted away unknowingly to him.
"Nice to meet you as well." Asuna marched forward with no tentative, she reached her hand out for a shake, Akina took it with her sweating palm.
"Do you happen to abuse your friendship with her?" Her motherly voice leaking.
"Ha? No." He denied."I think she's nowhere near comfortable with your over friendliness by looming all over her. Hey Akina! Do something or she will think I'm the bad guy! Don't act shy! Hey! Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
"I-Its not my fault I c-can barely talk with so many people being around!" She stuttered, glancing away to no one's face.
"Akina is it?" Asuna cuts in. "I'm Asuna and I recently joined Knights of The Blood." Her lips curved upwards. The look was so sincere its so blinding! she's so pretty when she smile! Wee she's shining!
"Y-yes, sorry for my rudeness. I'm Akina... A solo player."
"Oh? Really?" Asuna bent her head a little to see her face. Akina noticed her behavior and backed away, paling at their height difference.
'I'm 6 centimeters shorter!'
"Sorry! I didn't mean to pry." Asuna smiled apologetically and Akina hurriedly nodded at her.
Asuna's guild seem to collect their energy with a rest, the grim atmosphere were still lingering. Their members from the beginning decreased one person, and they currently has 47 players to advance. Soundlessly, Asuna and Kirito sits tiredly and creates a small circle between Akina, Kirito and the female member of KOB herself.
"How is your map doing, Asuna?"
Asuna opened her menu with a pinch from two of her fingers. Closing it after finished. "Fine, I guess." She sighed and grabbed her food, she continued. "How do you get here? I thought our guild was the first ones to arrive this low."
Akina and Kirito cannot deny her statement.
"W-we got here, accidentally." Akina bravely came up with a reason. "And a shortcut." She declared towards Asuna with a pretentious nod.
"There's such thing as shortcut?" She wowed at both solo's bewildering discovery.
"But its gone already! Its likely for one use." Kirito reasoned out, not bothering to think carefully.
Asuna exhaled in disappointment, again. Her index finger rimmed over her liquid container.
"After this all, how about I treat you guys to a meal?" She piped up, calling both of players from their short thoughts. Kirito and Akina shared glances before pointing at their own faces.
"Yes, Both of you. I want to know Akina-san better! And Kirito-kun too."
Akina laughed mirthlessly, inwardly. She straighten herself and dusting her cloak to leave yet her shoulder was pulled back by another hand clad in black. "Stay."
"B-But—" "No buts, Akina."
A sigh.
Akina and Kirito followed the KOB guild on their journey finishing their map.
For safety reason, Asuna assured the Commander's trust for both soloists and invited them to their planned boss battle. Engaging the Floor Boss without the maximal player capacity for each floor won't do any better. And with two slots to fill, it was one of many coincidence the duo have met. What is the god of this world playing?
Akina continued to pretend swiping on her screen. The error is no joke, she wasn't able to press anything on her priority window. Her access was blocked and what she had on hand was only a sword and a healing crystal. Her teleporting crystals was stored on her menu inventory. Her HP was full through time.
Accessing maps, data, items were put of question for the current moment. Akina furrowed her eyebrows worriedly.
This situation was far dangerous than she expected it to be.
While the group came here to prepare for boss battle. The tact they formed was flawless— said Asuna. Not that she doubted the hazel-eyed girl, Akina wanted to befriend her. However, she thought they won't be able to interact normally due to her 'inevitable lack of communicating skill with more than a person'. The players surrounding them was not a bad scaled players, although not more powerful than herself both in virtual strength and mental preparation.
"Ne, Kirito, are we really going to fight the boss?" Akina breathed.
"Is it too much for you?" He asked a little bit surprised.
"No, in fact, I'm very much prepared. I was just... thrilled and anxious." Akina admitted out loud heavily, her facade fell with such blunt confession. Especially when she's about to say a flirtatious line. "But I forgot to bring my teleporting crystal. Can I... Borrow one?" She exhales quickly as her eyes avoided contact. Kirito caught what she said nevertheless.
"Heh? Still careless as ever." Kirito said wryly. "Alright I'll lend you one." He took out a single blue object blue object from his cashmere coat.
"T-thanks, I won't forget to repay you later."
"No need." He pats her shoulder.
For several seconds, the girl felt her heart thumped in contrast of her normal heartbeat.
Odd...
TBC—
A/N: I wrote this from my phone so... Excuse major typos w