C. 10 First fight.

[Tensura Ost 7. Leisurely]

Tempest dungeon.

A well known maze of mystics and wonders for its infamous difficulty. The very origin of 'city of dungeon', the start of many great named adventurer earning their title from all over the world. Began from this one place.

The biggest tree on the forest that bore fruits of future young heroes of next generations. Telling their tale of triumph after defeating many monster while clearing every obstacle on their paths, exploring floors after floors with their peers and comrades. Nurturing them to be able to overcome the adversity coming towards them that they must overcome.

With all sort of Events revolved around the hardest, deadliest and most flourished maze in the whole entire land.

The bard would always sang a new tale of his song of young ones who started their journey in the monster country, and today. Kirito and Eugeo will finally have their very own of legend to sang for younger generations in far future.


As the sun rises in the skies, two young man proceed their way in the city street to their destination as they exchanging their story to one another, as they finally decided to try Tempest dungeon for themselves on this lovely weekend.

Rimuru said the two of them have to try the labyrinth from time to time to practice their battle skills they've acquired from the time they come to this world more effectively.

Nothing can beat experience in term of learning their own limits and progressing their growth. Sure, they trained and using their own skill on a daily basis, but one must always hone their abilities no matter how far they had gone today. As well a golden opportunity for both of the swordsman to experience fighting side by side in place crawling with enemies they must defeat.

The black swordsman and the blue knight are currently in the front of the Labyrinth entrance gate which was located underneath the Tempest grand stadium, lots of adventurer can be seen this time of week as they conversing and whispering in secrets as they made their way to the entry counter. The two almost reach their destination until they overheard a certain murmur beside them.

"Hey... Isn't that?..."

"?..."

"Hm?..."

Both of them have a sharp hearing sense because of their firsthand lesson to stay vigilant no matter what, so they can heard the gossip that took place not so far from where entrance are before passing them. One by the obvious former skill that he re-obtained, while the other enhancing his hearing abilities with his mana control to sharpen his sense.

"Him?"

"Yeah, that's the kid who immediately promoted into B rank on the other day."

"What-!? Is it that even possible?!"

"ShhH! They can hear you!"

"Whatever, they can't overheard us at this range. What about it?"

"Sigh… According to the people inside the guild on the other day he entered, they claimed he able to defeat many demon spiders all by himself. They're rumours about his origin, but some actually managed to bought the silk from those greedy merchants and shady dealers when they fighting for his loot, they said the quality is fresh and one of the best this month suppliers for cloth merchandise."

"Eh!? That black haired youngster!?"

"ShhhH! LiKe I SAid! Keep your voices down!" A guy with a greataxe elbowed his loud teammates who's still gawked at Kirito who's pretending didn't hearing their gossip about him and turned his gaze away at the other directions.

"Wait… Does that mean, that other one beside him is as strong as he is?..."

"Possibly, he sure dressed well for a newcomer. Plus that blue sword definitely made from the blacksmith this city made."

"Aw man I'm jealous… I need to save more coins to upgrade my plate mail and that fella there already have a custom made weapon…"

"Kinda weird to see youngster like them in this place lately, they must short on money, this place won't cost us our lives if we're failed after all. Most are from Tempest themself or veterans, worse is a battle junkie who's stupid enough to solo this damn hard labyrinth by himself. The annual tournament just ended last month, so it's to early for training fighting monsters. "

"Says guy who got snared and fall into a trapdoor on his first day claimed he would clear all the floor by himself."

"Shut up! I want to see them try!"

"Now now, don't be like that, I mean all citizen here is strong enough to do that. So we better step up our pace as well shall we?" Many people start to discuss more open now that both of them leave their hearing range as the two walk to the Queues on the Labyrinth entrance.

"Ahahaha... We appeared here just today, and were already made some weird rumors right from the get go..." Kirito scratched his left cheek as dry laugher escaped his mouth.

"Well... I did want to try what Rimuru san recommend us for entering this Dungeon, but for you to being this infamous right away among the Adventurer like this..." Eugeo frowned.

"That one was a blunder on my part, but in my defense I was only doing my business till someone spread shady rumors about me, I mean this also happened after I managed to draw against Uolo senpai back then."

"I can't blame you that much back then, but that's still your fault." He flatly reply as he directed his half hearted glared at him.

"Urk… Sorry, that aside... It's been awhile we had ourselves some tag team battle, let alone in academy... The only time we truly fighting side by side was at that tower where we found how Rotten Axiom church is." Kirito speaks as Eugeo following beside him to change the topic, albeit a little hard to swallow one.

The blue uniformed swordsman only able to sigh in exasperation, he cannot exactly refute or recomply his statement, they had been through alot. But getting into another world altogether? Is another thing after another.

"True, but it's not even a week and I already have nostalgic feelings about that Battle. Let alone we never graduated properly aren't we?" Eugeo adding his sentiment as he also feel the same feeling as kirito did.

"Yeah... No degree and instead we thrown right into society right from the get go while skipping a year, and now both of us must master the skill we acquired at this world so that we can save Alice and the rest of the citizens in underworld." He hummed and put his hands behind his head.

"... Yeah, I forgot. You're a human from that side." Giving a sad look, Eugeo feel sad about the fact his best friend is actually not from the same place he was born. He tried to keep the thought away, but it always creep back after that day he told him about Aincrad.

"...What's wrong?"

"It's…. Sigh, it's nothing really. I just wondered if life just that weird as those book I read in my free time, or because I'm nothing more than what you said as mere one of many creations those people at your world created just to be an 'Alice'? Honestly, I don't know." He gaze upward at the ceiling and the smile of the girl he loved dearly appearing in his mind.

"What~ your~ talking~ aBoUT!? *PLAK!*" But Kirito suddenly slapped his back.

"Owch!? What was that for!?"

"You worried too much about the things that was out from your control!" The guy in black wrapped his hand on his shoulder and rubbed his chin at his best friend cheek.

"Even with all that story, all three of us will be reunited once again. That's what matters in the end remember!? You're still the inflexible honour student I known for years! We can worry that later! So don't be so down the gutter! We have our saviour saved our ass when were in pinch and she would gladly help us too in the future! So chill out and take one step at time! I'm also missed jumping deer honey pies you know?" Eugeo had a perplexed look at the sudden smile he give at him. Which prompt him to do the same.

"Yeah right, you mean yours right? Talk about being reckless all the time."

"Oof... Do you been learning how to throw a good comeback? Or you take that one from my book? I'm so proud of my little student nonetheless."

"Heh, I must learn and adapt to your banter for last two years."

"Hahaha! If you can say that then I bet this would be a cinch for you right?"

"You bet, I just hoped you also ready and pray I don't take your position as the stronger one."

"Hoho? Is that a challenge?~" The two continue to their exchange before laughed at each other shit eating grin. Inviting other onlookers gaze towards their directions before the two fistbumped and Enter the place.

"Yosh!~ Then I'm going to score more than you down there!~"

"OK. But you better not storming on your own down there!" He recovered and jab back at his comments. Merrily walking towards the entrance for good after earning their bracelet.

"Right back at you. Don't space out Okay!?" Kirito send another comeback with his usual grin.

Although he stopped on his step and his eyes widened sudden realization dawned upon him as the two descending down the stairs.

"Oh... I forgot. This also a perfect time to teach you some tag team moves Aincrad style specialized user should have. You gonna love it."

"hm?"

[Music stop*]


"Kirito! switch now!"

*slat!* Eugeo Slashed the enemy in front of him with a horizontal swipe with 'Blue Rose' on his left hand after he spun to the left and kicked the ground with his left leg, his weapon met with its foe chest as he spun above his party member head.

"Got it!" The other soon thrust with vigour and send the poor soul tumbling back and hit the wall, with faint blue glow danced on his sword as he turned the other way around. Supporting his friend who blocked an overhead slash before kicked his attacker with a side kick to its head to destroy the deadlock before he rushed over to assist him.

As the two of them hit the 3rd floor, the monster starting to swarming around more frequently as the two tag team yet again prove how much they trusted each other on any situations they come across, both of them might still new into this world as a reincarnated otherworlder. But the moves they have are considered advanced for most fighter of their age in Tempest. Throwing reincarnator and those with unique skill made for battle out from the equation.

As kirito cut down another kobold monster on his right after he spun a corkscrew spin in the air as his sword glow blue yet for the fourth time in the battle, Eugeo took the chance to take down another monster on his left with a downright stab coated in blue light before his partner finished another sword skill gracefully behind him.

The monster hit the cold ground after the fatal blow take their life away and leave them as nothing more than black ash of their remain as the two swordsman sheathed their weapon and grinned at each other before high fived their result of teamwork.

The two have a really good balance as an explorer and fighter in team, especially in small place like closed hallway and cavern terrain areas.

Kirito keep tracks of the traps they encountered along the way with his danger sensing and searching skill back in Aincrad was bringed over to Tempest, as well his experience of dungeon crawling aren't so foreign to him after literal years of doing it back as MMORPG player, while Eugeo being the guide of his fast catching up and light the passageway with his [illuminate] light based magic he made.

They're a little worried from the fact that they can die down here in the dungeon. One of the adventurer did spoke truth, the traps were meant to took trespasser instantly and quite the fatal result if one weren't on their lucky day at best.

Even if they can avoid it with the so called "bracelets of revival" that handed out in the labyrinth counter for 2 silver coins and free for first timers. Stupefied is one of the accurate description of what they heard the first time they heard about this miraculous charm item when they heard the maze for the first time inside Rimuru office.

No, flabbergasted might be the best word, after all. You can avoided one of the worst fear of every living creature for 2 piece of silver coins, same effort as a week working at local groceries as a clerk. There's no ramification from being greedy inside a place where all it does when your body cannot handle the strain of damage will send you back where you came from. A basic rule that one certain game should have for a retryable gameplay feature before released to mass was huffed under the breath of certain black warrior.

Made specially by the Dungeon Master that Rule the Entire Labyrinth aside. Nevertheless, the two still have a bleak images of dying by monster inside of this dark place, whether to be chopped or mowed to death, but they had get used to fighting for real if they wanted to survive.

Especially those that resemble close to human but have clear distinction of one another which they must get used to. For one of them, he can say how much Irony he had to go through all over again in span of single day.

Eugeo basically still considered haven't take a human life for real regardless of his resolution if he must pushed his hesitation aside, he's still hesitant to actually deliver the finishing blow or not. Kirito on the other hand, still rather stiff or not. Haven't back to his top condition overall. He claimed he never really trained his real world body that much as he is in VR world, he still having a little backlash reaction from the [sword skill] he use.

Not much, but muscle ache are the worst when they gave up on you at most dire conditions. Underworld generally put his soul into the world, not his real body. Especially when Incarnation and when he believed he able to pull the stunt he always does is possible even with minimal capability normal civilian of that citizen able to pull off.

Especially charged [Vorpal Strike] like when he uses 'Night sky' incarnation ability, and skill such as [howling octave] would put his endurance to the test, which was considered as advanced skill that was hard to pull off without system assist feature. Kirito basically had a long way to go for himself because he must try and test all the [sword skill] he remembered and teach Eugeo at the same time as he must also gain some muscle memory in the progress.

yet all in all, They still show some promising progress as the two goes fighting side by side as if they're twins.

.

.

[Tensura ost 10. Within Temptation]

After awhile. They're finally able to reach the 11th floor not long after they stumbled to their first boss battle without that much trouble. Although Eugeo must resort to his magic because they must get creative to circle the floor boss defenses, Kirito able to dealt the final blow before the monster able to take his head off if not for his instant counter with [Snake bite].

After it, the aura of the labyrinth changes yet again for them, the monster became more dangerous and vicious along the way as they venture deeper towards the dungeon hallway, and the trap they encounter itself becoming the true enemy, it was a good thing that Kirito have danger sensing skill as well Night vision to aid him.

*Slip, Buaaak!*

"Guaakkhh!?"

*Bruag!*

"Ah- You okay there!?"

Kinda.

See. If a trap don't meant a danger to the user life, then the danger sensing skill won't be activated regardless the type if they don't have the urge or intention to injure like a living being have or plain harmless motion mechanism, if the said owner of skill were completely caught off guard. Then they can't blame the skill they have either, after all, a skill meant to detect danger facing with item or person without it basically useless.

The trap was meant to harm, it was a dangerous object flew right to his face, so the skill should be activated there.

But the pain he received spoke otherwise. Traps are traps, but a tile that triggers a spring shouldn't be considered as one right? So of course, a harmless one with a glove attached to it shouldn't be categorized as one either if the thing weren't meant to kill but for a mischievous prank instead.

Kirito finally know and understand how much Rimuru likes to other troll people since he literally got hit with a boxing glove right on his nose. This craftyness can't be none other than the strongest slime way of venting its boredom.

"kuugh... I swear I would pay her back for this later!"

"hey… You need first aid?..."

Other than that.

They also collect some of the crystal drop that the monster drop as they encountered more of them before the two found a wooden chest in a secret room at the crossroad to the left storing 3 mithril daggers inside of it in top condition as if it was just been made there.

Not as good as Eugeo "Blue rose" and Kirito "Night sky wing" if they must compare it to their respective weapon. But they can sell on the shop later for extra cash down the line. Extra income is always welcomed for traveler

[Music stop*]

Speaking of sword.

"Hey, Kirito" Eugeo asked.

"hm?*chew chew" What is it?~" both of them are in the middle of a break on level 13th, kirito munched his meat sandwich as he turn his face to Eugeo who have a curious expression.

"Where both of your sword gone to? I know that you use dual wielding as your main style. Why you stick to one hand style now?" Eugeo pointed out the fact that bothered him as he swallowed his lunch while raising a brow.

"...*chew chew*..." Kirito goes silent for a bit, deep in thought for coming up for a good explanation of what he go through on the first week of his life here before he swallowed his food whole and continued.

"You're sharp alright...*nyam*"

"All I know that wasn't normal steel sword either. The shape are not this country mass produced ones I know."

"Long story.*Gulp* Few days ago, I go into a blacksmith shop Rimuru recommended to me, and I acquainted to the crafter who upgraded some of my stuffs. He have even better skills than Mister Sadore, please don't tell him I said that."

"Fine, I won't. So? What the blacksmith give you?" He show a neutral expression, but he hid a smirk on breaking that promise if he have to.

"Well, I have this idea to make myself a brand new sword with all of the demon crystals and the metal most weapon here made from, I had collected some when I got transported here for the first time when I told you about the cave. So after some discussion, I decided to mix the two and the by product is what you see from the time we've been bumbling around here for awhile."

"I see… ...? Wait?... New sword? Really?" Eugeo got confused all the sudden. Him?

A new sword? He did caught a glimpse of his blade, but he can't see clearly due Kirito moved like a blur with the light effect masked the sword feature from the crossguard till the tip of the weapon. Let alone there's so much blur in his movement as he releases his [Sword skill] in dark places and his weapon color help the camouflage.

"Ah..." kirito then summon his Upgraded partner.

*Vung…* The sword materialize atop of his palm, the glass like aura that dances above his hand soon took form of pitch black longsword with white outline and grew wings acting as the crossguard ornament. Not counting the obvious Diamond shaped crystal rest on the center of the sword.

"?! Wha-What is this!? This blade is totally different from the Night sky sword!" Eugeo can't hide his amazement and take a good look at his partner weapon. They been fighting a while, but kirito keep slashing his enemies with precision and incredible speed masking his sword form inside the dim lighting earth formation.

Since he's always restored his blade back into his storage after the enemies is defeated, Eugeo barely caught his new weapon on his hand when he vanished the object into white mana wisp that dances around him.

"'Night sky wing' is this guy name. This sword is the success product from melting my old longsword and 'Night sky' together with high quality demon steel and ores I have founded when I woke up in that cave I told you about." Kirito smiled beamingly at his best friend as he showed him his new blade, and he already tested it on a nearby plain before the two of them come to this labyrinth. After all. A equipment on par with best rare loot in ALO lore and mechanics is a must get for his gamer instinct.

Before Eugeo answer his happy remark, he gazed downward at what his partner said about his sword before sadness creep to his expression.

"ah… So... you melt it down huh?" Eugeo looked dejected, guess he's pretty bummed that the sword he named before he passed away was changed. Afterall, the name mean a lot for him that remind him of his friend he really know the best.

"Eh, don't worry. This guy is still new. But it's still a refinement of the that demon tree stick that both of us cut down."

"..."

"What's up?"

"No. It's nothing…."

"Aw come on, don't be like that. This fella is my weapon, but it still can't replace the memory of Night sky, the reminded of our start back when it began in rulid. Heck, your naming is better than mine." He quipped before elbowed his partner.

"kirito..."

"Come on! Don't be such downer! Also, we might get yourself a new sword here!" Suddenly kirito sound so happy as he delivers the sudden news into his friend while vanishing his sword.

"Eh?! I don't think I need new weapons so soon?!" Eugeo refusing the offer he gave him, but kirito gave him a big mischievous grin instead.

"What? I'll teach you how to dual wield like me!"

"HAA-!?" He let out a surprised yelp when kirito wrapped his hand around his shoulder again. Almost not registering his exclamation on what might be strongest bombshell he gave him since the two of them know each other.

"Blue rose may not need any maintenance soon with how much you still taking it with great care! You got the form right from the get go, so you just need to feel and train your reaction time to be the same like me! This isn't Our world! So There's no such limitation to four consecutive hit with object authority level! You can master dual wielding since it's just Aincrad style with two swords like me! I'll teach you the basic if you wanted to!"

"..."

'Learning… Dual wielding... Style?...' The sudden chance and realization rang in his mind before his mouth soon sprout into a smirk.

"...Pfft… What's with that?... So you will teach me the real Aincrad style now?" Eugeo make a comeback with a smile on his face when he stands up.

He know that it was no use to argue with Kirito, he was a guy that can pull off almost anything, he doubt that he can use this 'unique skill' of his best friend had mastered. But if he said that he can pull it off just fine, than he also can do it too. He still have many space left to grow, to chase him. Both as swordsman and a friend who he can count on.

"hahaha! You haven't learned enough to be able to use your masters ultimate skill back then!

Also... to be fair, I really can't use the Dual Wield from the get go if I really wanted to. The higher the object grade, the higher the hit count will be. And you know how heavy 'Blue Rose' is when we barely have enough strength to use it at Gigas Cedar back then… And dual wield have more than 6 to 12 consecutive hits per skill." He stands up and fix his coat from the dust where he just sat while laughing sheepishly.

"That's why I never used it because the skill consist even more than 4 consecutive hit as basic skill release. I mean the the whole fiasco I dueled with Uolo senpai back then because I tried to use more than 4 hit move when testing 'Night sky'." Kirito casually explained how his Unique skill work while he stretching his arms to lose some of his stiffness on his shoulders.

"So that's the whole story... Yeah no wonder you did try to wield mine with your left hand back then..." Eugeo then look at him in the eyes after dawned with realization. And sudden annoyance.

"Sorry... Sorry for having you getting chewed with my stupidity for cracking the floor at the academy back then."


Both of them now are in floor 22 after defeating a Bear boss on 20th floor as Kirito jumped to side to kicked the wall and wall jumped his way out to his enemy from above with diagonal slash.

That was their real first boss fight ever since they entered the labyrinth, the tenth floor was still a practice match for their level. As the two goes deeper and encountering more monster along the way, they have to use more magic and sword skill technique at their disposal, not noticing that they were watched by the dungeon master of that labyrinth.

Behind the monitors and the technology under the deepest part of the dungeon itself, the clear blue layer spread flat on the interior of the room able to give her a clear view of her own territory, the person behind it only stare with unreadable face. Ramiris. The Fairy Queen, One of the Octagram demon lord who govern the entire labyrinth of Tempest. The look on her eyes were a mix of impassive and scrutiny of discerning her current visitor of her domain.

She chew a chip potato with dignity of a ruler (Actually as a kid seeing their morning cartoon near TV show, but whatever…*) while she gazing at the big monitor while flying above her chair to analyse how much the two young man been doing since morning.

She interested in the two because they able to beat The ice bear on their first try. The monster which was spawned recently from her latest experiment and quite the monster for newcomers. Veldora were also there, nodding in amusement seeing how both of the young swordsman fighting side by side after finished Reading his manga beside the brown fairy.

"This two doesn't seems to be your usual adventurer..." Ramiris keep looking at them without a tone of interest on her voice. But how intent she looked at the screen spoke otherwise.

"Hooh?~ What are your thoughts then?"

"Dunno? They're more decent than most idiots who never paid attention to the airtight room, also they pretty fast to disable the traps for the explosion room in middle of floor 17 before meeting that bear."

"Humu!... They're not so strong if being compared into Hakurou techniques or brute force like those Diablo lackeys, but they around the same level of those holy knight back then…"

"You think so sensei?~ I think this two just your regular above the standard kids~*sip*" Ramiris shoot Veldora deduction before take a sip of her black tea.

"You're right, the vibe is different… No?... Those self proclaimed hero? The two did feel close to that caliber." As veldora muttered, Beretta the doll pour both of them some black tea for refill.

As she sip down her tea again, Ramiris then tweaks some data from Tempest database, and found both of the young man identity. She saw that one of them is registered in the guild membership, and just joined around weeks ago.

"Kirigaya Kazuto... Huh, His name is pretty obvious from where he came from. His rank is B level stratum, his achievements is still none so far. He did defeat some demon spiders and arc serpent all by himself... He can use basic magic spell, yet His mana reading isn't so high like a normal magician on human standard, but he had the skill to cover his shortcoming. The other one... is not registered but he did show some promising move like him. Oh nice backflip dodge."

"Quite, a B ranker and a mysterious adventure huh?... Kuhahaha! Looks like we got ourselves some new challenger in this dungeon! They still have a long road ahead of them. But, this great me can see! That they haven't unleashed their full power! They're still have the power to even match some of our rank in far future!"

"BFFFFTTT!?"

Ramiris spurt her tea in shock before her face color leave her cheek, Beretta soon cleaned her mess with no trouble or grumbling whatsoever before giving her a refill while she start to rampant on the sudden statement of her master Veldora blurted out after choking wildly.

"Wahahaha! My ultimate skill is the peak of analisis magic! This much is nothing! So I can know literally everything if I put my mind into it. But saying everything right from the get go is boring, so be patient."

"AGh mou! Sensei that just unfair!~"

"Now now~ Rather than sulking like that, this two are pretty interesting. For now let's upped their ante instead and observe how they would overcome our power as the true ruler of this domain shall we?~"

"You mean show them what this place can do to them?"

"Sure, but that sound boring. So let's upped the difficulty in secret shall we?~ After all, we are researcher, so we must know the limit of our visitor to adjust the hardness of our awesomeness to our level.~"

"Ho~ As Expected from sensei! What do you have in mind?~"

As the two making a sinister plan after Ramiris calmed down and resumed why her labyrinth is basically unstoppable, the workers In the labyrinth let out a dry laugh at their superior evil planning scheme in the background and decided to continue their work playing Innocence, although shinji and Vesta indeed wary for the prank that they wanted to pull on the two, they also getting excited as they see both of the young lads now descending into floor 23.


[Tensura ost 21. Fight.] Let's spice it up!*

*Blaaar!*

"KUGH-!... Hey Eugeo! you know some basic buffs or strengthening magic at your disposal!? Better yet! Can you kill this thing in one hit!?"

*Zrat!*

"Don't ask the impossible! I can't use that much of firepower into fire magic! This place as sturdy as it is! *zrat!* I can't limit our grounding if I destroy the floor where we move by accident!"

*Duar!*

"Okay fine! Any buffs then!?"

"I already cast it! *zraat! x2* But don't forget to flank its side! This monster shell is really hard!"

*Duaar!* Eugeo jump from the monster stomp and regroup with his partner who also finished to aggro it to the very end of closed hallway.

"You go around it! I will bait him to chase me again! So try to find its weaknesses in the meantime!" The giant turtle they fought rushing towards them with incredible speed, forgetting what kind of species it should be.

"Don't do that! This dungeon passageway is too narrow for wide attack move! It's difficult to move around that far when you keeping it under your control!"

"What!? You want to get squished into a flat pancake!?"

"Goaaaar!"

"Gugh-! Try keep it busy for 7 seconds then! I will cast some magic net to block his movement!"

"Make it 5! Synchronize it with me!"

"Fine go!"

*Pttiiuu…* kirito blasted off when he kicked the ground hard, he moves faster and reappear 10 meters from where he stands with his [Sprint] skill. Before vanished yet again in black blur and positioning himself under the massive turtle under belly and flanked on of its front legs before rampaging his sword skill under the monster softer parts.

Leaving an after image of himself in his wake as he keep running under the oversized crystalised tortoise to confuse the walking fortress to limit its movement and followed him instead his partner on the opposite end of the hallway.

Like a free runner, He made a hard turn on the narrow corridor by running zigzag with earth debris falling towards him from the monster steps knock all sort of ground on its path, while making a layout flip in the air and jumped off from the ceiling to the floor in a blur with his [Sprint]. Kirito sticked himself to the ceiling and crouched back on the floor labyrinth after he flipped backwards to dodge another crash of the monster hit the wall with small quake followed soon after to made the black warrior lose his balance.

Eugeo then constructed some net using his mana and then charge his sword with speed buff after fired it to the monster upper body.

"Kirito now! Switch!"

"Switch!"

*Saat! X4*

3 seconds had already passed with three slash fired by both swordsman to furthering the giant shelled monster after the net enveloped the hardest part of the walking giant.

Kirito run into a trap door deliberately soon after, activating the pit hole underneath him to his advantage with his body spun in air before breaking his momentum with a roll and land on the opposite end of the trap hole. Pinching the turtle inside the pit and roared in anger while his black boots skidded on flat surface and made protest sound for his stunt.

*sraaat!*

"Booaaaa-!"

"Eat this!"

*syaaat! X7* The time feel stopped and the space just split in its trail.

Eugeo cast [speed boost] magic to his own body and spun like a blue tornado as he making fresh scar all over the turtle body with 'Blue rose', with the trail of light interconnected with one another in air and travelled all over the monster body. With the blue lightning afterimages he creates from excessive mana he running through his mana circuits to add his velocity in the air...

"It's over!"

*sraat!* The turtle neck finally severed cleanly from its body, Eugeo delivers a final blow with [slant] from above after his body changed from a blur. Both of them finishes their sword dances in a flash with Kirito fired space attribute shot towards the monster head.

"Nice!"

"Good work!"

[music stop*]

Both of them fistbumped with each other and then proceed to dismantle the turtle after Kirito take his dismantling knife from his inventory. If the skill they have can be brought over into the other side. Then it'll be wise for them to store some precious materials for crafting and item supplies for human empire later for the upcoming preparation of the upcoming War.

"We already beat many monsters in this dungeon, but somehow I still feel good like when we entered the Dungeon..."

"Yeah, usually when running around like that really cut down our life points when we were fighting that goblin the northern cave."

"Yeah but now? We're in a dungeon that govern by a slime that can destroy the world If she really wants to… With all of the beast here are outright have the capability to think and teamwork and stupidly strong if we don't have skill like this" Kirito look toward the remain of the turtle corpses as he drop a sweat on his head. If he fired sarcasm, then he was. Considering the statement he made.

"yeah... But seeing so many hobgoblin and monster here, I somehow feel guilty for thinking that monster are all hideous creatures." As Eugeo store the valuable parts to his inventory as well, he muttered his feelings about the invasion that will come sooner or later.

His partner didn't say anything and hummed, It's rather understandable. He never saw the world outside Rulid when still being a Lumberjack, so this kind of experience despite having a grand adventure with kirito for two years later still can't match his current predicament of so called 'ended up in another world and must go back to prepare for the worst.'

After some shenanigans when cutting the precious parts and Drop. They're finally finished their extraction of the monster and look at each other.

"Then? Should we continue?..."

"Hm… I Think it's enough for today… Let's go home."

"You sure?"

"Hey, I'm more experienced than you on this, trust me. If were continuing after this. Something would come at us full force. So better prepare and restocked our supplies, I use my last low potions when pinched by that red scorpion."

"Roger…" With that done, they agreed to call it a day since how late it is.

"Well, I think we must cracked this? Its... kind of a waste to do so..." Eugeo rummage his pockets before while frowning when taking out a small crystal shaped like sun ornaments but have a crescent shape instead with blue color hue. The object called as 'exit charm' which also given for free for first timers. The clerk said this item was accustomed to the season in Tempest, at summer. the shape would represent sun, and fall as maple leaf and so on and so on. The item created because not all Adventurer able to keep up with the attraction if all they can do is weeks of Tumbling around and run out of provision, even though there's an inn inside. Some rather enjoyed fresh air instead cave mood all over the dungeon.

Once again, the former survivor exhaled a tired breath in secret at the sight of similar Item that he know so well despite the two have different physical form. Thinking deeply about it, it was truly a nostalgia trip. Exploring a dungeon to improve his metaphorical level and skill with sword and partying up with a friend to defeat monster to have both fun and memories.

If Rimuru was pulling the strings as he had suspected, then it was a definite low blow from the blue haired Demon lord he felt grateful and annoyed at its decision to told them to go here.

"Kirito?"

"Nah, it's nothing. This crystal just look pretty like you said. Come on. Lets go."

"Oh."

*Krack Shiing….* As the light soon burst from the blue stones, both of their bodies transforming and becoming light particles and transferred on the city grounds after a light nausea hit them. Blinked several times as they arrived at the entrance in one piece with the stones also vanished with the light that took them back to the surface to represent them the show above the ground.

"woah... it's already Night time..."

"Guess were having time of our life down there huh?..."

"Yeah. And the skies here is also beautiful as the human empire and Rulid are..." Both of them watched the night skies with the stars glistering in afar as the trails of glow making a spectacles in the calm night.

The sound of light flicker in town and the smells of alcohol can be sniffed from the nearby tavern they walk pass by that evening. As both partway to their own home in this city that saved them, physically and mentally.


Last Sunday was fun.

Our inventory goes from empty beside our respective weapon soon filled with all sort of item and object we stored inside for later use and to be sold, it almost limit our mana reserve that I almost can't use magic at all, I must think about making magic bag while at it...

While refreshing myself in bathroom I try to make a solution for the storage problem. The academy bathroom is rather small, but it's feel really pleasant with its small shower and sitting toilet with flush button, and how this place really reflecting personal space.

I never saw a bathroom this luxurious, but I guess this is a normal view for kirito and Rimuru old world. This campus had a big libraries after all, so probably I can make it as long I can get the permit for using the lab…

Soon I came out all steamed up and feel fresh after pouring the fresh brewed coffee to my mug.

I don't think I will like this bitter and nice fragrance beverage. But as I drink it, its bring me calms in my mind, I think I should switch back to tea later on…

While readying myself, I take my glasses and step out from my room and take my research book.

*step step.*

As I walk from my room and then into the dorms hall, My eyes scout some male students Starts to bickering with each other. From their uniform, they're freshman and senior student with clear difference in opinion on how they almost yelled at one another.

... Should I interfere?... but I'm an outsider, joining them only would made the matter worse, I should refrain myself from doing so…

"...?" But as I step down on the stairs, all their gaze now shifted on me…

Why are they're looking me like that?

I think something around that line, one of the nobles who bicker with them saw me with disgruntled growl and then go away with his clique after clicked his tongue.

"Hm?"What just happened?

"Just what with hi- AH! Professor Eugeo! Good morning!"

"Ah morning" I replied their greeting.

…..

Eh? Professor?...

"Professor where you going today?"

"Professor can you teach me some of the magic theories that you performed from the other day when you duel Edgar?"

"Sensei can you help me with my homework?"

"Ahaha,,,"

Many of them really like me huh... Wait? I'm officially a professor here now?!

"Come on we on the dorm hall, tone it down... There's still people who aren't morning person up there at first day of week. Also I'm not an official teacher in this academy. I'm just here just for studying and just so happened helping others when I can help, so you can stop with that title." I didn't lie, I Did attend some sorcery class, but I rather read the book myself rather than attending one.

Plus Rimuru said I can do thing with my own pace. Attending class when I barely know anyone late in the curriculum doesn't feel fine however...

"But your explanation is much better than most of the teachers here! They only taking the theory and weird term and not use the theory in the field like you did with your research topics! And they didn't even try to listen to our problems like you!" One of the birdman race tell me his opinion.

"Even with literacy… I don't understand why we must understand how to use paperwork? I thought merchant who only need to understand how that work? Even on the other wednesday months ago, one of art department complained about how paperwork is related to sculpting project."

"hahah... Give them a rest, being a teacher isn't easy… And I think you asking too much for person that tried to work in this campus..." I made a dry laugh to ease my own nervousness of their honesity.

"And they're really old! I'm surprised that you doesn't look old Sensei!" One of them suddenly tell me that. Owch...

"Yeah! Just how old are you anyway! I know some of the older student are around thirties like with the orcs and the beast tribe!"

"Hm! You didn't looked old at all! Almost the same as us."

"... Well... Technically I'm still 20 you know?... Like I said I'm not a professor so you guys can stop calling me one."

Also, I think I will do some research later if I can borrow the lab...

""EEEEH-!?""

"Sensei you're so young!"

"That's why... Stop calling me sensei..."

"Nu uh! Sensei teach me how to use my thermal skill that help me finished my science homework much easier! So I'm calling Sensei as Sensei!"

"Right!?"

""Right!""

"Ahaha…" Ho boy... Now I get why kirito always use the window back then. Dealing with this much spirit all the time is exhausting. All the students around this dorm around 15-17 years old, I wonder If called professor by them is alright?

Also, can I use his trick to escape troublesome thing by using the window?


.

.

.

Wow… I can't believed that I get the permit that easily so soon, but I have to teach some students at gym class in return. Hahaha... I like reading better, other than Sword practicing. I'm not really good at agile maneuvers like Kirito are. He always said I was better in term of pure strength however.

Dungeon raid yesterday aside, I hope that I can teach this kids something.

.

.

Wait... Did I truly just became an official teacher at this Campus?...

The class I take care today is a mixed between of monsters and human that looked younger than the monsters. 10 boys and girl each. And there's also some Nobles in the mix. I recognize several from this morning bickering.

I'm feeling a tad worried because I don't know if I'm qualified to teach them. Being taught and one who do it is totally different… I'm glad Tiese is talented...

I don't want Edgar tragedy happened again. Also, what's with the crowd?...

Hey! Get back to your class already! As if I could shout like that...

"ummm... Well. Nice to meet you guys, my name is Eugeo. Under some circumstances, I will teach today gym classes. Mr Robert have urgent meeting to hold so I became his substitute today. I still have some lacking experience but I will try my best. Let's get along."

"Hmph…. Some teacher you are..."

Ah... Here goes...

"hey! that's rude!"

"Shut up peasant. Last Match from the other day is also a fluke!" Many students start to whispering with each other in secrets with shots after shots was fired. Looks like I'm not that well received in the nobles cliques… Some things never changed...

Well, No one is perfect.

"Umm... Can you tell where I'm wrong? I don't want to make you guys feel uncomfortable if I was not qualified to be one here." As the students who just complained about me stepping forward. Ignoring the young goblins and other student in afar denial about my humble capability. His hair is light yellow, I can smell citrus from his head as well. his uniform is rather fancy from the other students with the tailored collar and lower. All of them in gym uniform, but this guy wear a normal uniform with four behind him.

"My name is Alexander shiagra. The first born of the shiagra family, it's successor."

Ah... So like that.

"I guess I will make this quick... You don't like me Right?" I don't think I should hide my facial expression now.

Many of them stared at my direction now.

"Hmph… I don't like how noble like us lose to a peasants like you. Edgar is one of the best students here and one of my friend I put high in my standard despite his shortcoming, you beat him single handedly is nothing other than pure nonsense for us. So-"

"Get to the chase, you want to beat me in duel for the last time I won against him." I don't like false courtesy or small talk.

Especially when his word already blandly says that he doesn't like me. And I suppose he do this because he liked Edgar or something too.

"... Heh." He smirked.

"very well. The rules is simple. We use this wooden sword and the rule is to disarm each other. There's 5 of us you need to beat, if you lose you must stay out of the academy."

.

.

I wouldn't be surprised anymore…

"very well... Also If I win I hope you guys can get along with other kid. Especially to one you just diss this morning." I take a wooden sword as I said that word...

"...And even if I lose here, there's also people with higher authority than me on staff circle. so don't think kicking me out will be enough to satisfy your expectations. You still need to be disciplined on courtesy lesson." I cut and dry continue my speech and let them grip their own wooden sword.

With Alex eyes slanted at me in disgust.

... It began.


...

Seriously this school level is way too low… No wait, their generation in overall?...

Is Rimuru even trying to raise the battle standards?... Tempest is not weak, all 5 of them are mix of human, tiger and lizardman. They did show some promise with their raw skill to adapt as teen in their adolescent.

I know I'm one of ten best in swordcraft academy... But for real?... I know that I experience battle first hand didn't even count as handicap here. Also 2 of them are girls for Stacia sake!

All four of them lying on the floor with their body slumped from exhaustion of my relentless counter move. I tried to hold back when they use their combination attack against me. All the sudden when I'm fighting Alex, he ordered all 4 of them to jumped out from nowhere and attacked me with team pattern slash.

Good thing I didn't counter them out by reflex. They do have good affinity with simultaneous back and forth strategy while keeping me on guard for short period of time. If Kirito not tell me the basic of switch and analyse my foes habit, then probably they will get me for good.

"B-Bastard... You really... going all out?"

"No. I didn't even attempt to attack you gu-"

"Silence!"

Look here. You ask me there, so don't cut me if you want to hear my explanation. I thought Nobles supposed to have manners taught to them...

"Sigh..." Probably They think I was cheating with my magic. Storage considered as one because of its space property. Many students now cheered on me as the four kids that just attacked just before, looking at me with full grudge in their eyes.

"... It can be helped."

"Wha…."

"Stay still."

*Shing!*

"!?" Soon I buff Alex with lesser Defense, speed, and power enhancing buffs after I extend my left hand forward while he still kneeling down from out of breath. It's still on low tier spells category, but I think he can get some oomph from it. I don't have that many spare mana either with my pool Is filled with all sort of materials from last dungeon clearing.

""What!?"" Many students gasped as Alex shining figure shining with mana aura.

It's not so powerful though...

"What you do!? Wait... Is this?..."

"yeah, I buffed you up. What about it?" I swing the wooden sword to rotate in air with my right arms in before it fall to my palm again.

"wha-?"

"if you dead cause I try a little harder, then it's still my fault for not holding back enough." I change tone of voice as I placed the sword on my left hand, I released my some of my mana to the wooden blade and use my haki to make Alex know that I wouldn't hold back now.

*Shiiiuuut!* And close the gap less than a milliseconds. I make a quick thrust after thrust after I send my left hand to support my right and cleave through the air like an Sacreds Arts Arrow.

"Grrk!?" He shivered before he can understand what will hit him.

*bak!*

"Goaaahk!?" Alex late to react and now blowed away 10 meter from where he just stand.

*Shaaar!*

"Kyaaaa!"

"uuugh!" The wind violently blow toward other student from the shockwave of my blow. Four of the students that slumped on the ground regaining their eye function after the gust stopped. Alex doesn't take any damage, let alone scratch from that tumble and rolled on the floor before he stopped dead in his track. Others start to think what kind of magic I have buffed on Alex.

*Traak! X5* But I don't let him recover, and keep aiming at his weapon on his hand while not giving him any room to breath. I keep cornering him but keep my attacking on minimum force.

*Shiiu! Tak! duak!* He did tried to counter attack me, alas he too full of himself and fall for a simple feint when I quickly changed my trajectory. The nobles were left speechless with my actions with Alex sword slowly broke from our spar. "What are... You?" Alex can't hold it as his feet became unsteady and now his sitting on ground with his breath all haggard and uneven from quick succession in speed exchanging blow. Many saw my fighting style and take notes secretly.

…..

I guess I need to be hurry learning 'dual blades' styles from kirito. Well I don't use Aincrad style... But just in case...

And before I sheath the sword back, I answered Alex question.

"How do I put it?... just an swordsman that had regrets and haven't atone it yet." I answered that without thinking much into my answer. I still can't forgive myself for actually fall for Quinella Traps. Let alone being so useless as Cardinal were hurt right in front of me while she laughed like a total insane person. Many students that sees me sheathed my wooden sword to my side grouped into three. Those with pitying eye, with the rest is either can't take it in, or still stunned by my performance at the sparring that just take place inside the hall.

Ha… I guess I still can't forget Alice afterall.

"..."

"hey. it's all in the past. I'm just a person who sended here by Rimuru who on whim recommends the school to me. I don't have any reason not to train my swordsmanship and understanding. I'm not a teacher, but I will teach you guys everything I know so far and how the world works, based on my experience and chooses your own path without regrets." As I take Alex hand and help him stand up. I look around the rest as they seems to had a hard time coming up with a reply.

Well...

"then...

.

Uh… wait… Are?...

.

What should I teach again?" I wryly smile and ask them while scratching my cheek in embarrassment.

""SENSEI YOU JUST DESTROY THE MOOD YOU JUST BUILD NOW!""

Eh!? What did I do wrong?!


AN:another day another chap released, how's it going guys?...

Sigh...

Alright I deep down fast, if you think something. Yes, kirito summoned 'Night sky wing' like what emiya or noct did(I regret nothing making it that way).

And I use normal calendar date system to made my life easier cause one, I don't know if slime did have Monday Tuesday and so on on their date system (I should've watch again but I don't have the data to watch the old episode for streaming and I forgot the word novel and haven't read it after a long time). Two, it'll made some of the stuff easy to the plot I'm making. And like always I made random folks from nowhere to ease my life when writing these scene like at end, If you don't like it. I apologize for this move because I don't have any Ideas lately with how much typos and unclear sentence I wrote. And I'm going to use it for several times too because Like I said, I don't have the quality stellar writer have.

And... with the MOST SADDEST THING... THIS SH*T HAD GONE! WHY THE F*CK SAO AND OREGAIRU WAS DELAYED?! THIS IS UNFAIR! THE F*-*& PANDEMIC CAN THROW THEMSELVES OFF THE DAMN FLYING CASTLE AND DIE INTO +$&! I COULDN'T CARE LESS IF THE DAYS ADDED FOR PRECAUTIONS! BE VIGILANT!? SCREW YOU! WE DESERVES TO GET OUT TO BUY SOME STUFF CAUSE WE NEED IT! I DON'T HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO GET HANDCUFFED BY COPS WHEN I DRANK SOME SODA IN STREET AFTER BUYING SOME GROCERIES ALONG THE WAY! MORE SO!

THAT THIS TWO ANIME IS THE ONE I LOOKING FORWARD SO MUCH AFTER HEAVEN FEEL MOVIE! HOW COME I MUST ENDURE ALL OF THIS IF ALL THIS THINGS NEVER STOPPED RIGHT?! BE PATIENT!? SURE! BUT BE REASONABLE TOO! THEY'RE MANY MORE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE THAN ME AND THEY ATE MORE LESS THAN WHAT I BUY TOO! SO JUST GET THE VACCINE AND SAFE WORD YOU SAFE TO WALK AROUND AGAIN!

WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IN ALL OF THIS?! JUST GIVE US A GOOD NEWS ABOUT ALL OF THIS BE DONE ALREADY! THIS STUPID PIECE OF- * incoherent swearing*

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*Still swearing*

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EeehTo... dear readers. Sorry for interrupting this AN and please forgive the author unrestrained rage. This is kirito speaking from the that time we got reincarnated together, yes. Uh... After the rather... Unfortuna-

*NO IT WAS NOT UNFORTUNATE! IT WAS WORSE! WHY DID THAT STUPID- *back to swearing*

Cough, as you can see... Sky is in rather hectic state and not in good state to have a normal conversation. And his speech is rather not appropriate to wrote here because how much hate it was filled in there. So I must partake on his behalf today instead. So I'll do the speaking for this part. If some of you expect Fairytail update, I must bring you news this is the newest writing he can wrote this month for the time being, the reason he decides to post this one instead... Well... As you see behind me.

Alright, some of the anime this season is delayed because of covid 19 warning and how much it spread that been hitting Japan as well. And as an author and fan of SAO. It's rather an... unfortunate incident to know for him. Many fans already know how sad it is, but I believe we must worry more about the animators and the voice actor health who've been working in this state of emergency. Even the population of my own country is also on worrying state.

I already take a peek on his files and he already wrote many notes and stuff for both of the story he's been working on lately, but I noticed some of his class were pretty ragged because of today state, so I won't divulge into it. And... Another announcement for his behalf, fairy tail story is on several days tops for fixing some sentence while adding some details about the latest version of the manga, another chapter is under work. If he's in rather good state later down the line... it should be released this month fastest, but I believe he must calm down first.

Before I wrap this up. I wanted to convey his thanks to user wolf if you read this AN, he's still raging behind me however, he should be the one who thanked you for this story new chapter. But well...

Once again, I apologize for his sudden unholy wrath. Eugeo with Zeref san currently is calming him down behind us, I requested Rimuru San to not joined in because I believe it would only flare up the matter even worse, I must really wrap this one up before he goes on rampage again.

Thank you for reading this story and support for keeping this story on going, as the person who were the main reason why the author decided to create this. I hoped some of you can keep encourage him to stay positive, and please do your best to stay healthy and limit from going out as much as possible unless it was truly needed.

This is kirito and I'll see you later.