Okay, another chapter...
I thought this one would be rather short, but guess what? It's the longest one so far! *sighs*
Anyway, the chapter title is basically a continuation of the previous one. I'd say it's fitting since the chapter takes up exactly where the last one ended.
Due to one of Asuna's decisions, four members of the Assault Team died, and now Akinym demands that Asuna explains herself.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sword Art Online Re:Hollow Fragment or Sword Art Online in general.
When Akinym approached them, the girls at the table instinctively backed away a little, albeit to different degrees. For instance, Asuna was startled at first, but knowing that his anger was probably directed at her and that she should face it, she tried her best to remain calm.
Kirito, on the other hand, was standing up, getting ready to step in if anything would happen. His protective instincts took priority over his instinct to avoid danger/trouble at that moment.
Akinym: What did you DO?!
Asuna: Akinym-san… I assume you've heard about what happened in the boss battle?
Akinym: Oh, I have! I don't know what exactly I expected, but to think that you'd go through with this… ridiculous idea!
Asuna [slightly determinedly]: I've made a decision, and I've seen it through.
Kirito [sternly]: That's right! It was a decision you prompted, so if you want to blame anyone for what happened, for all the deaths and the pain it caused, you better blame yourself!
Akinym's expression became even angrier (that turned out to be possible), and a trace of disgust found its way into it as well.
Akinym: Are you seriously blaming me for the consequences of your illogical decision?! God, you think of this as conveniently as possible, don't you? Everything so you can think better of yourself. High morals and fighting like a righteous, glorious knight… Do you think that this is what the players need? A hero, a beacon of hope or something like that?
Kirito [upset]: Stop blabbering that nonsense! I'm not a hero or anything, but I have something to fight for, and I won't let you make light of that!
Akinym: Well, at least there's something we can agree on!
Agil came to them. After all, they were making quite a ruckus in his restaurant. He didn't like the fact that Akinym bothered Asuna now of all times. No matter what Agil thought of Akinym's criticism, he didn't think that now was a good time to voice it.
Agil [sternly]: Hey, you better keep it down! I don't want fights here, and you better don't bother my other customers! It's bad for the business, you know?
Akinym looked around the restaurant for a moment. His first thought was that this conversation was much more important than giving a few people some peace and quiet.
However, he realised quickly that he should react differently. The other players at the restaurant were all members of small parties who had recently come to the upper floors or owners of small player-run shops. They might be the perfect audience.
Akinym stepped up. While still addressing Kirito and Asuna, he actually spoke to the other people in the room.
Akinym: Why, actually? I'd say these people might like to hear that! After all, it's their concern as well. You've made the morally right decision after all, haven't you? I'm sure they will appreciate it!
Kirito and Agil would've tried to stop him, but it was already too late. Akinym would say what he wanted to say, and pretty much every other customer was all ears by now.
Akinym: They'll certainly appreciate how you've decided not to use information from an intel quest in a floor boss battle, and how this decision has led to the deaths of four people!
Kirito: And you sacrificed three people to get that information! What did you think Asuna would do?!
Akinym: These "people" were, by the way, NPCs! I "sacrificed" a few lines of code in order to solve a problem that had troubled the Assault Team for weeks.
Asuna: Akinym-san, we've talked about this already, and I don't think that just repeating everything will solve anything. I don't have anything to say to the other people here right now, not without a good chance to let them know everything that happened and why, but I have to say something to you: All I wished for was that you would've waited for the Assault Team to find a better solution, maybe one week. That's all.
Akinym: Your belief in this "better solution" surprises me. What is it even based on? [slightly exasperatedly] Ugh, it's not that important anyway! [calmly] Asuna-san, the point is that even if you had found this "better" solution, it would've taken… let's go with your guess and say a week!
Asuna [slightly worriedly]: What is so bad about that? Akinym-san, if you could just accept this world with the good things it has to offer, not just the bad things, I'm sure you wouldn't mind spending one more week in this world instead of the real one anymore.
Whatever reaction Asuna had expected, it wasn't Akinym sighing in exasperation, yet this was what happened. He thought about something for a moment.
Akinym: Asuna-san, I wasn't sure if this was really your only concern, but since it seems that way, let me also tell you something I couldn't tell you before. You're basically saying it's okay to "exchange" one day in the real world for one day in SAO?
Asuna [calmly]: I'm not saying we should give up on clearing this game, or that we should prolong it without reason. Regardless, my answer is yes. Yes, this world also has something to offer, and I don't mind spending a bit longer here if it means that I can avoid sacrificing something important.
Akinym [mutters, slightly dejectedly]: So this is your answer after all… [says aloud, calmly] Have you ever considered that every day in the real world that you "pay" for that, every day the time in this world will cost you, will cost not just you that day in the real world? More than that, that this day could cost someone else out there not just one day in the real world, but every day they have left?
Asuna's eyes widened in surprise. The answer caught her off-guard, and the same applied to Kirito and her other friends. Even Agil and the other customers in the room seemed at least a bit surprised.
Akinym: Have you heard the latest death toll report? It came out these days.
Asuna needed a moment to figure out what Akinym was talking about. Right, there was this report The Army issued every few months. They counted the number of surviving players on the Monument of Life and announced it.
She had received the report, but hadn't really paid attention to it yet. She had been too occupied with other issues. Thus, Asuna shook her head hesitantly.
Akinym: There are less than six thousand people left alive.
The exact number on the report happened to be 5,879. The casualties since the last report had been unusually high. The main reason was the reveal that Heathcliff happened to be Kayaba Akihiko. Knowing that one of the most important bearers of hope in the game was actually the mastermind behind it, a lot of players had lost all hope and had either committed suicide or gone on a rampage and got killed by monsters after they had recklessly thrown themselves into danger.
Akinym: I suppose you can guess how many people must have died since the last one. How many of them died in front of you, Asuna-san? How many of these people have you seen? Yet they were there. Your actions affect not just the Assault Team, they affect people everywhere in Aincrad. If you "exchange" one week in the real world for another one here, this week could be the one when people die somewhere in this game. It doesn't even matter how many. Just one person who could've been saved if the game had been cleared sooner is enough. It's just a pointless death.
That took a moment to sink in. Asuna wasn't sure what to answer. She had thought that she had known what had bothered Akinym about searching for a solution for the Arboreal Fear issue a bit longer, but now it seemed that she had been wrong.
Akinym [slightly sternly]: I hope you'll keep that in mind from now on! It's not too late to learn from that mistake. For instance, all these unnecessary breaks should be stopped. [annoyed] Freezing all activity for more than a week… Ridiculous! All that pointless playing around should be stopped, too! We're in a war, not an amusement park! [slightly sternly] Taking regular breaks to rest up is important to guarantee maximum productivity, but that should be all!
Asuna needed a moment to think about how to reply, but in the end, Kirito beat her to the punch… in an unexpectedly infuriated manner.
Kirito: So, what exactly is your point? That the way things are handled isn't in the best interest of the players? Do you have any idea how hard every member of the Assault Team works to save everyone, how hard Asuna works?! I don't care if you were a member of the Assault Team once, you have no idea what fighting on the frontlines is like right now!
Akinym: What? Are you saying you're trying to clear this game for everyone, not just [points at the girls at the table] your own little fan club?
Kirito: What the hell are you talking about?! Of course I'm fighting for everyone!
Akinym: Well, then why don't you tell me when was the last time you thought of one of those people!?
Akinym pointed at the other customers in the room. Kirito turned to them and wanted to tell Akinym off because of what he had said when he realised something.
Who were all those people?
Kirito looked around the restaurant, taking a look at all the people, but he didn't recognise anyone. Who were they? What did they do every day? How long had they even been on the upper floors? He couldn't answer any of these questions.
When fighting to clear a floor, Kirito often thought about the people he had encountered in SAO. He liked to think that his fights and struggles had a meaning because it was to free all of them, all the people in SAO. Even if he couldn't directly help them, not even his friends like Silica, Lisbeth, Leafa and Sinon, who needed to rely on someone else, he was still doing the right thing by fighting on the right front.
Now it occurred to him that the people he actually wanted to help were merely a fraction of the remaining players. He wondered if he could really say that he was fighting to help all players if he hardly thought about anyone but a selected few people.
Akinym: See? That's why you are the one who is not qualified to talk about what's best for the players. You may be strongest player, but that doesn't mean as much as you might think! You don't think about anyone but your own friends! Even when you talked to me about my work, you've only ever asked about [nods towards the girls' table] those four, never about anyone else. Face it: There are thousands of players in SAO, and all of them deserve the same amount of consideration, so decisions should be made based on what they really need.
Akinym turned towards Asuna again.
Akinym: Normally, it wouldn't be up to me to say anything about your personal relationships, Asuna-san, but I wish you'd at least recognise bad influence when it wields two swords in front of you!
Lisbeth [slightly upset]: Hey, you don't have to get personal, okay?!
Asuna [upset]: That is right! I'd prefer it if you'd at least not talk like that about Kirito-kun! If you have a problem with my decision… [slightly dejectedly] so be it.
Akinym [slightly upset]: What do you mean, "so be it"?! Asuna-san, let me get this straight: [sternly] You are the leader of the Assault Team, and as a leader, you have to make the right decisions! The necessary decisions! Something like morality is mere luxury in a war, so at least you can't afford it! Even if nobody else is willing to give up on "what makes them human" or however they phrase it, it's the leader's job to do that in their place! Simply because it has to be done for the greater good! It doesn't matter what others think… They'll think that you're cruel, heartless, inhuman… [slightly dejectedly] hollow… [slightly sternly] None of that matters because someone has to make the decisions nobody else wants to make, and thus take on everything that comes with it!
Asuna looked to the ground. She had to channel every shred of self-control she had to stop herself from shaking. It was as if everything that she was burdened with recently and especially today was crashing down on her at once.
She took a look at Silica, who still held Pina in her arms.
Asuna: I… can't do that. I have things I believe in, and I can't give up on that.
Akinym's expression shifted step by step from an expectant glare to surprise, disappointment and eventually to anger.
Akinym [with suppressed anger]: This is just… unbelievable! What did I ever see in you?! Is this even about him? [angrily] You're not a leader, you have nothing that it takes! [very annoyed] You're just a weak little girl!
At this point, Akinym would've received massive backtalk from almost everyone, but Kirito was the fastest one.
Kirito [very angrily]: Hey, watch it! How the hell do you think you're talking about her!?
He basically lunged at Akinym and grabbed him by the collar. Akinym needed a moment to react to that.
Kirito: I'll also tell you something! I'm SICK AND TIRED of people trying to tell Asuna what she should do or what she should be like, so you better stop that this instant, or…
Kirito was about to throw a punch at Akinym, but by now, Akinym had regained his composure.
He grabbed and twisted Kirito's arm, so he let go of Akinym's jacket. After that, Akinym used his Acrobatics skill for a backflip while still holding Kirito's arm, so he was entrained by the movement.
When Akinym let go, Kirito flew easily two metres through the air before crashing onto the ground and rolling around another metre. Meanwhile, Akinym landed normally thanks to the system assistant.
Frankly, Akinym's defense was a complete and utter overreaction, but let's say that Kirito wasn't the only one who was fed up with the issue.
Akinym looked at Kirito with a deprecating expression while most of the girls at the table, especially Asuna and Yui, hurried over to him to make sure that he was alright.
Akinym: Or what? Will you challenge me to another pointless duel?!
Agil [sternly]: Hey, I don't want people to get violent here, got it? So you better stop that!
Akinym: Oh, thank you very much for telling me that!
Agil suppressed a dissatisfied groan, but Akinym still noticed that he couldn't expect any agreement here.
Although… He took another look around, observing the various customers. They seemed to be… confused, but also interested. A lot of the more interested people appeared to be looking at Akinym.
Akinym thought about the situation. He had made a plan for this occasion, and it seemed to be time to execute that plan. This could still work.
He looked at Asuna again, who was kneeling on the ground next to Kirito.
Akinym [quietly, desperately]: Why can't you see it?! If you're not willing to make sacrifices, you're only going to cause more suffering… Forget about sacrificing people, you're not even willing to sacrifice your own conscience!
Akinym clutched his face, which was showing nothing but anguish right now as the picture of a marshy forest and two figures returned to his mind.
Akinym: If you had been there, you wouldn't have chosen, either! No, worse than that, you would've chosen not to help her!
Akinym grabbed something from his pouch. Kirito, who had regained his composure quickly, was the first one to notice that it was a Teleport Crystal.
Akinym: I have to protect the Assault Team from that! And all players as well!
Kirito grabbed a throwing pick quickly. He aimed at the crystal in Akinym's hand and threw his weapon.
Sure, he couldn't do anything to Akinym in the safe zone, but the impact could still knock the crystal out of his hands if the projectile hit the crystal first. Kirito had no intention to let Akinym leave before they had settled this issue.
Akinym, however, saw something like that coming, reacted swiftly and shielded the crystal with his free hand, so the throwing pick bounced just off.
Akinym [determinedly]: Teleport Rykas!
Just like that, Akinym was engulfed in a bright blue light and disappeared.
Kirito got up and paced around frantically for a moment, trying to think about something he could do. He decided to chase after Akinym, so he wanted to rush out of the building and to the teleport gate. He even considered using a teleport crystal himself for a second, but it seemed to be a waste.
Rykas… That was a small settlement with a teleport stone on the 79th floor. At the very least, he knew where to go.
However, Leafa stopped him.
Leafa: Wait a moment! Where are even going?
Kirito: Where?! Rykas, of course! The things he said… I'll not let that slide!
They tried to argue with Kirito for a moment, but to no avail, at least at first.
Sinon [slightly exasperatedly]: Calm down for a moment, Kirito! You're probably not going to find him where he went anyway.
Kirito [surprised]: Huh? What are you talking about?
Sinon [calmly]: It's a trick Akinym-san told me in case I'm followed and want to lose someone. After using the teleport gate or a crystal, teleport again as soon as possible from the destination, and repeat it several times before heading to your final destination from a small, remote town.
Kirito thought about it for a moment. It made sense. This might also be why Akinym had used a valuable crystal. He had wanted to get away quickly in order to leave to an unknown location before they could trace him.
Trace him…
Kirito [slightly excitedly]: I got it! Check your friend list for his location! Some of you have him on that list, right?
Lisbeth: Oh, yeah, you're right! Wait a moment…
Lisbeth opened her menu and went to the friend list, searching for Akinym. However, she suddenly looked quite surprised and a bit worried before checking the entire list again.
Lisbeth: He's not there!
The others who had Akinym on their friend list tried the same, but they couldn't find him either.
Kirito [slightly contemplatively]: That's… He deleted his friend list? I guess that's what happened. And so fast…
Kirito came to the conclusion that Akinym had probably planned something like that. He knew exactly what he was doing, and that was a really bad sign…
All of this was planned. Kirito remembered their duel, which also seemed to be something Akinym had made plans for. In the duel, Kirito had managed to adapt, but what about now? Akinym had obviously planned something that he could only do if they weren't after him, and this thought worried Kirito quite a bit. Just what was he going to do?
A week had passed, and at the very least, Kirito and the others had an idea as to what Akinym had planned for this occasion by now. They held a meeting at Agil's inn to discuss that. Everyone was there, even Klein had come. Well, the issue concerned him, too, so it wasn't actually surprising that he was there.
Long story short, the Assault Team was on strike. The DDA had officially announced what Asuna and the KoB had decided before the boss battle on the 83rd floor, and after learning the truth – even the entire truth – most of the other Assault Team members had reacted with shock and a certain lack of understanding.
Basically, they complained either about Asuna making that decision in the first place or about the decision being made without them even knowing about it. The motivation seemed to differ from party to party. For instance, those who lost someone in that boss battle simply acted out of grief.
Now they refused to cooperate in clearing the floors. The KoB alone couldn't do much, so they were stuck yet again.
On top of that, a "player in completely grey gear" had begun to randomly approach all the small parties among the Assault Team and tried to convince them that Asuna wasn't suited to lead them and that the way the Assault Team was led had to change. Judging from what was going on, he was quite successful.
Two days ago, the DDA officially demanded that Asuna and the KoB stepped down as the leading party of the Assault Team. They were trying to take over, and the future of the Assault Team was completely uncertain at this point.
Leafa [worriedly]: It's… looking pretty bad, isn't it?
Lisbeth: No chance that you can keep going like this?
Asuna [slightly dejectedly]: The KoB isn't that strong, Liz. Maybe we can gather all the intel and make it to the boss room, but doing all that alone would take long, and I don't think we can defeat the floor boss – let alone all those who are yet to come – by ourselves. At least not without casualties.
Klein: Yeah, don't underestimate how hard such a boss battle is! Let a veteran tell you this: The Knights of the Blood Oath are crazy strong, but beating a floor boss usually takes a lot more than just a couple elite players. Hence why the whole Assault Team has to work together.
Asuna: Klein-san is right. Besides, I think you overestimate how good the guild is doing right now. Even among our own ranks, not all members are happy about the… current leadership. Max-san is currently leading an internal conference with the members in question and the other sub-leaders to deal with it. But… [doubtfully] Even if we can overcome the internal problems, we're not strong enough to beat the remaining floor bosses without the help of the rest of the Assault Team. We've observed the performance of the other parties to gauge their relative strength, and according to our estimation, KoB contributes roughly twenty-five per cent of the Assault Team's total combat power. The DDA, on the other hand, contributes about forty per cent now, so…
Silica [surprised]: Really?! They are actually stronger than your guild, even though you have players like you and Kirito-san?
Asuna: Sure, we have the stronger players, especially if you leave out the DDA's elite unit. However, they have much higher numbers, and that's an advantage in many situations, especially when exploring a new floor, farming new equipment and items and so on. They could simply outpace us.
Sinon [doubtfully]: But they can't beat the game on their own, can they? I mean, they still have less than half of the Assault Team's combat strength according to what you've said.
Asuna: You're right. We assume that it takes about sixty per cent of the current Assault Team's combined strength to beat the floor bosses as they are now. Trying to do it with less than that would risk too many lives, that's the general consensus. Both we and the DDA could proceed without the other party as long as enough of the smaller clearing guilds help us, though.
A moment of silence followed. The reason wasn't so much that nobody knew what to say. It was just that Asuna looked so discouraged and tired that everyone was worried to say something to make things worse.
It was Yui who took the initiative. She stood up, walked over to Asuna's chair and put a hand on her left arm.
Yui [worriedly]: You're very concerned about what will happen, aren't you, Mama? [slightly reassuringly] Maybe you should just ask the others here for help if you don't know what to do.
Asuna was a bit surprised by Yui's "offer". She looked around, and the others looked at her with expressions that showed concern, but also willingness to help and support her.
Kirito [softly]: You know, Yui is right, Asuna. I… [slightly awkwardly] I've noticed that something seemed to be on your mind for a while now, but I couldn't really say what it is, so… If you'd say what it is…
Asuna smiled as she watched Kirito scratch his cheek with an expression that showed clearly that he had no idea how to bring across what he wanted to say.
Asuna [softly]: Thank you… all of you. [slightly worriedly] You know, it all started right after we arrived at the seventy-sixth floor. The raid party had suffered severe losses, and the system error only made things worse, but the worst thing was the betrayal of the Commander. So many people had put their hopes in him as their leader, but he turned out to be… It was especially bad within the KoB itself… All of our members felt betrayed, as if all their struggles and fights as a part of the guild had suddenly become meaningless. [slightly determinedly] However, I wanted to believe. Not in the Commander, but in what had made me join the guild in the first place: my determination to clear this game and get back to the real world! No matter what has happened, I still believe in what the KoB actually stands for. So as its vice-commander, I decided to step up and take matters in my hands. It… wasn't so different from before anyway.
Asuna thought about what taking that responsibility had actually been like. Well, dealing with most of the everyday matters of the KoB had indeed not been new to her, but it still felt differently. She actually felt in charge now, and that feeling had been weighing heavily on her ever since.
Asuna [slightly worriedly]: It wasn't just the guild, though. Every player on the upper floors was unsure what to do, so I felt that I had to step up and take care of the Assault Team as a whole, to make sure that our mission could continue. I… [flatly] had to be strong. Yes, that's what I felt. [worriedly, slightly dejectedly] The players have looked differently at the Knights of Blood Oath ever since the reveal. Many people think that the Commander founded the guild with the hidden intention to sabotage our efforts to escape, so they don't trust us. I… [slightly shakily] had to fight for every decision I've made. I had to be strong. I had to be strong to be accepted as the leader, otherwise we'd fall apart. [dejectedly] Just like now. It was just a matter of time until something like this would happen… Maybe I wasn't the right person to deal with all this after all.
Kirito [worriedly]: Asuna… I… [dejectedly] I'm sorry that I've never noticed how much you were burdened with. I… should've noticed. I'm sorry.
Asuna [worriedly, hastily]: Please don't feel bad about it! [slightly dejectedly] I guess it's also my fault for never saying anything…
Agil [slightly reassuringly]: Well, true that! Don't be so damn hard on yourself, Asuna, trying to shoulder all that responsibility yourself! We are a team, working together to beat this game, aren't we?! Have a little trust in the others and rely on them some more, okay?
Klein: Yeah, absolutely! Screw the DDA, I know that you will make the right call when it counts! You can count on Fuurinkazan to back you up anytime!
Lisbeth [determinedly]: Sure thing, and don't forget about us! [insecurely] I… You know, I want to apologise that… that I didn't back you up last week when… [slightly upset] that guy started trash-talking you like that! [insecurely] It was just… not so easy…
Lisbeth thought about that time. She had wanted to back Asuna up, but when she had seen how angry Akinym was, it had reminded her of their training sessions. He had always scared her when he had been like that, and when Lisbeth had seen him basically fuming, she just hadn't been able to say anything. She had barely managed to utter an objection at one point.
Lisbeth [determinedly, slightly upset]: But you know what? I'm done with this guy! And I don't care about those Divine Dragon Douchebags, either! You can count on me!
Leafa [determinedly]: Y-yeah, same here!
Silica [determinedly]: You can count on me... and Pina, too!
Pina chirped eagerly to voice its approval.
Sinon [slightly reassuringly]: Well, I guess that makes us one big team standing behind you, huh?
Asuna looked around, taking a look at everyone and their determined yet friendly expressions. She could hardly believe how easily and matter-of-factly they voiced their will to support her. And here she thought she was the one who had to be strong for their sake…
She had the feeling that a heavy burden was lifted off her shoulders after speaking about all this, and seeing everyone around her supporting her like that… It felt so elevating.
Yui [slightly cheerfully]: Isn't it better that way, Mama? It's always better if everyone works together, isn't it?
Asuna smiled at her and nodded.
Kirito [softly]: Yui is right, Asuna. You don't have to shoulder all that by yourself! You're still the leader the Assault Team needs even if you struggle every now and then. [angrily] Unlike what some people claim…
Kirito clenched his fist as he stared at it. To be fair, he was deep in thought anyway.
He could handle Akinym thinking poorly of him. That was something he had got used to a long time ago. He wasn't happy about it, but one more person like that wouldn't cause him to break down or anything.
No, what really agitated him was all the trouble Akinym had caused Asuna. As it turned out, Asuna had already more than enough to deal with, and all on her own at that. Not to mention that she seemed to have self-doubts… for a while already, actually. And now, Akinym had thrown the thought that had lingered in her mind all that time directly at her: that she didn't have what it takes to lead the Assault Team.
If it wasn't for him, they could've dealt better with Arboreal Fear. The boss battle on the 83rd floor would've ended without issues, and the Assault Team wouldn't be on strike now, demanding Asuna to step down as their leader… and he was even out there, fueling that conflict and telling people God-knows-what about Asuna!
Kirito was dead set on it: He would make Akinym take back what he had said about her and apologise to her.
Kirito [determinedly]: We still have to resolve that current conflict, and to do that, we have to find the one who started it!
Argo [cheerfully]: Eh? Someone just gave my cue?
Everyone turned to the entrance. Argo stood in the doorway with her usual cheeky smile.
Kirito [happily]: Argo, good that you could make it! Yeah, you're right on cue! Found anything useful?
Argo: Plenty, Kii-bou! Whatever ya wanna know 'bout the situation, I got ya covered!
Argo entered the inn. To everyone's surprise, another player appeared from around the corner and followed her inside. Argo didn't seem concerned, so their guess was that she had brought that person here.
Asuna took a close look at the player, a male teenager with light armor. She was sure that she had seen him somewhere, but that didn't mean much right now – she had seen most players on the upper floors already.
It dawned on her when she saw the insignia on his armor: He was a member of the DDA. Not a high-ranking one, though. Asuna was sure that she had seen him among the trainees the DDA had brought to the upper floors a few months ago. Judging from that, he wasn't here as an official representative.
Asuna [sternly, slightly suspiciously]: May I ask who you are? You are with the DDA, aren't you? What leads you here?
The DDA member seemed a bit grumpy and reluctant. He took short, begrudging looks at some of the people here, especially Kirito, before turning towards Asuna.
DDA Member: My name's not important, and I'd rather you don't know who I am. Truth be told, I probably get kicked out of the Alliance when they find out what I'm doing here.
Sinon [suspiciously]: In that case, why would we trust you anyway? If you're with the DDA, you're basically an opponent of Asuna and the KoB, aren't you?
The DDA member gave Sinon a slightly interested look for a moment. When he turned away again, he put on a small smile.
DDA Member: Well, I guess. [looks at Asuna, seriously] I'm gonna be honest here: I'll stand up for the criticism against you, Asuna-san! I believe in the policy of the Alliance to save resources for the elite of players to clear this game and free all of us as safely, efficiently and quickly as possible. [slightly angrily] But…
The DDA member looked at the ground. He clenched his fists, Kirito could've sworn that he was shaking a little with suppressed rage.
DDA Member: If the DDA seriously benefits from… from him of all people, I don't wanna be a part of it anymore!
This certainly piqued everyone's interest.
Asuna [determinedly]: By "him", you mean Akinym-san, don't you? Please tell us what you know!
DDA Member [clicks his tongue]: I'd rather not speak of him, but I guess that's what I'm here for. So, basically, two days ago, one of our teams was approached by the Hollow Instructor. He offered them advice on how our guild might take control over the Assault Team. The leader of that unit was intrigued, so he led him to the council, and they heard him out. The low-ranking members don't know all about it, but apparently, the Hollow Instructor told our leaders about the displeasure at the current leadership many people among small clearing guilds have, and that we could seize control if enough of them support us. Now the leaders have issued the command that we go out and "help them" in order to convince them to support the Alliance.
Kirito didn't like the sound of that. He had suspected that Akinym supported the DDA now in some shape or form. There was one thing that didn't sit right with him, though.
Kirito: May I ask you something? Why does this bother you? You've already said that you don't want Asuna to lead the Assault Team any longer, so you should actually be on board with this plan. Why are you so against it just because Akinym suggested it?
DDA Member [upset]: Because it's for the wrong reason!
The DDA member himself was startled by his sudden outburst. He took a deep breath to regain his composure.
DDA Member [determinedly]: I'm with the DDA because I believe that what we do is for the best of all players! [slightly angrily] But this guy… He only wants what's best for him! Teaching other players… More like making others fight for him! He stays behind in safe areas, doing nothing but ordering around mid-level players, while others do the dangerous job on the frontlines! He's just a coward who even left the Assault Team so he doesn't have to take on dangerous opponents anymore! All that just so that he gets out of this place as fast as possible.
Agil [slightly taken aback]: Easy there! What makes you so sure?
DDA Member [grumpily]: I was one of his "students". It was long before I joined the Alliance, at the end of March last year, to be precise. I and my teammates from back then – we were four people in total – thought that he could help us when he offered us lessons, so we agreed. Hell… [upset] Yeah, hell, that's what it was like with him! He wouldn't let anyone talk back even slightly, he pointed out every little mistake, he even ran rings around us time and time again, just so he could tell us what we did wrong! And his policy… Don't get me even started! It was all about efficiency! He even advised us to leave others to die under certain circumstances!
Silica, Lisbeth, Leafa and Sinon could understand the sentiment. Some of them gulped, others just averted their gaze for a moment.
DDA Member [slightly grumpily]: Well, he gave us good info, though, so we swallowed that treatment. The training would be over before long, and after that, we would never have to deal with that guy again! [sternly] But one day, he really went too far! [slightly sternly] There was this group of orange players, bandits I guess. Frankly, you don't have to look shocked, they were just a pitiful bunch. Just four people. I guess most of their guild had got wiped out or captured already. Their equipment was in bad shape, and they were suffering from malnutrition debuffs, you get the picture. They were still attacking us, though. I guess out of desperation. We had received lessons how to defend ourselves, and to be honest, we actually were grateful for those lessons for the first time because we could fend them off. [resentfully] I was sure we could've just disarmed and captured them eventually, but all of a sudden, he went completely crazy! One of the orange players broke through our defense line, and he lunged at him. [shocked] He… He just attacked him mercilessly, wordlessly, just strike after strike… We thought he'd stop, but he kept going until he had killed that player!
This story was greeted with varying levels of shock, although one person in the room was actually more surprised than shocked.
DDA Member: And after that… Oh, boy! He looked at the remaining orange players with a cold, merciless stare and pointed his spear at them. He seriously asked them who should be next! When he started to walk towards them, they immediately surrendered out of dread and despair. This… [angrily] This guy is a coldblooded murderer! Even if that was an orange player, this person he killed was still a human! Back then, we realised how fucked up that guy really is, so we stopped this "training" immediately! Since then, I've heard stories from his other students, and all of them had similar stories to tell. He puts his trainees through hellish training just so they can fight in his place, and he even knowingly puts them into danger just so they learn the "right" reactions! I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Kirito and his friends let this story sink in for a moment.
Lisbeth [worriedly]: I… can see that happening. I mean, I guess I believe you. He… did some messed up stuff.
DDA Member [slightly surprised]: Oh? I guess you've also been his "students", haven't you? Yeah, my condolences! [looks at Silica, Leafa and Sinon] Maybe you, too?
Leafa: Y-yeah…
Silica [timidly]: Yes. It's a bit scary… to think about it after hearing all that.
Sinon [hesitantly]: B-but… Are you sure… that you know the full story? About why he did that? All that?
DDA Member [slightly upset]: What? Do you think that he told you the truth when he said that he does his "job" to strengthen the Assault Team? To do his best to help as many players as possible? He told you something like that, didn't he? Yeah, think about it for a moment! I'd say you're too smart to believe that! He just tried to trick you! Do you seriously think a frigging killer like that thinks of others?! Why do you think they call him "Hollow Instructor"?! That guy is heartless, with no shred of sympathy for others! There's nothing within him other than his desire to get out of this game. All in all, he's just hollow!
This pretty much answered all questions. The DDA member gave Kirito and Asuna all the details he knew – not much, by the way.
DDA Member: Anyway, I better get going. And seriously: Don't tell anyone you know that from me!
With that, he left without another word.
Kirito: Well, that was a heavy story… Anyway, I guess we know now who's behind the DDA's plan to take over the Assault Team. Argo, what do you have on that matter?
Argo: Well, lot of stuff 'bout what people from the small clearin' guilds told me. Pretty much backs the story of the fella right now up. The day after he vanished from the inn here, he started to randomly approach them, tryin' to convince them that A-chan isn't the right leader for them. Did poorly the first day, but the second day… much better.
Argo explained to them that Akinym had talked with several small guilds about their concerns. He had heard them out at first, nothing more, nothing less. A day or so later, he would approach them again and suggest solutions for some of their problems, using either elaborate planning or all the information he had gathered in the past.
More than that, he argued that they could do much better if there were certain changes in the way the Assault Team was led, and he suggested to support the DDA as the other major faction in the Assault Team might be the better choice to make these changes happen.
Akinym managed to exert enough influence on these players to cause the current strike. While it wasn't exclusively his doing, he was a major contributor as he had convinced many people not to accept the KoB's leadership any longer.
Kirito [worriedly]: That's bad! If this goes on, the Assault Team will either be stuck for who-knows-how-long or fall into the hands of the DDA, and I don't really trust them to lead the assault. [upset] Dammit, what is Akinym thinking?!
Agil [calmly]: Hey, Kirito, can I ask you something? Do you really think it's his fault that this is happening?
Kirito [surprised]: Huh? I mean… [slightly upset] What do you think?! First he causes this ruckus on the eighty-third floor, then he tries to set the whole Assault Team against Asuna!
Kirito (and not just him) was quite surprised when Agil, who had been standing there with folded arms the entire time, just shook his head calmly.
Agil: Get that idea out of your head! What happened in that boss battle is the trigger of our current problems, but not the actual root. Think about it! Akinym can talk to people about their problems, blaming them on Asuna all he likes, but they need to have those problems in the first place. He's not making them up, there are actual problems. The only reason he gets through to all the guild leaders is because he knows how to use that. You've heard Argo's story, he backs up what he says with sound arguments. He couldn't do that if he was just making stuff up.
Klein [worriedly]: Yeah… I mean, there are times when I think that Fuurinkazan is just another minor player in the eyes of everybody else, and it kinda sucks…
Lisbeth [slightly annoyed]: And what exactly happened to "you can count on Fuurinkazan"?
Klein [defensively]: Oi, oi, don't get me wrong! I'm still supporting Asuna because I trust her. [dejectedly] It's just… Sometimes I wish you'd consult me on the current matters, you know? Like with the missing intel in the last boss battle! I would've supported you, Asuna, but I wish you'd told me about it beforehand. I get the feeling that I'm just not important enough in your eyes.
Asuna [dejectedly]: Klein-san… I'm sorry. I… had no idea…
Agil: You know, I think Klein is on to something here. I've heard more than enough people talk about it. You try your best to lead the charge, Asuna, but many leaders of small guilds and parties are more concerned about keeping their own team safe and well. They just have interests you might not even know about. A lot of them are against your decision not to use all the intel in the last boss battle, but not because it backfired. They are not on board with your reasoning, either. They've never been. A lot of players here don't actually care about the NPCs. If nothing else, they have more important concerns. It's not like Akinym didn't have a point. You shouldn't forget that just because you have a different opinion, no matter how passionate you are about it. It's just that he shouldn't make that mistake, either.
Argo: Good point, Agil! Ya know how a lot of players don't trust the KoB to begin with, not after Heathcliff turned out to be that nutjob who got us into this mess to begin with. Folks think he might not be the only "traitor" in the KoB, 'n that duel ya had with him, Kii-bou, seems a bit fishy to some people. They think the whole thing was fake so ya can look like a brave hero, 'n A-chan stays in charge without people askin' too many questions.
Kirito sighed. Yeah, there was that issue, too.
Kirito: To be honest, we really don't need those rumors right now, do we? It's just extra trouble. And I bet Akinym has it easy using them against us…
Argo [chuckles]: Well, fun fact: He doesn't!
This took Kirito and the others a bit by surprise.
Argo: Ya heard me! Accordin' to what people told me, Akinym didn't mention those rumors himself a single time. Well, some of the fellas he talked with did, but turns out he actually tried to talk them out of it. I'll spare ya the details, but it was basically stuff 'bout whether these rumors ain't the kinda stuff ya'd expect from some high school drama.
Kirito: I see… Anyway, I still think we need to find Akinym if we want to resolve this crisis. Regardless of how he did it, he plays a major role in everything that's happening right now. I don't think we can deal with this mess while he continues to stir things up. Did you find out anything about where we can find him?
Argo [slightly worriedly]: Well, it's tough, Kii-bou. He pops up randomly here 'n there, 'n nobody knows where he'll be next. He also doesn't show up in towns anymore, so there's that. No clue where he actually stays the night or anythin'.
Kirito: I see. Argo, I know you have your principles about that, but please let me know everything – everything, you hear – what you know about him. What info he bought from you, and anything you can find out about his background. I… feel like we'll need it.
Kirito thought about what the DDA member had told him. It made sense, and Kirito doubted that he had lied.
It wasn't just Silica, Lisbeth, Leafa and Sinon… Akinym had a questionable stance on teaching his students caution and such. By know, Kirito had heard another story from one of Akinym's other trainee groups.
In that group, there was a player who had tended to run ahead into dangerous situations. Akinym had brought that group to the trap training dungeon on the 76th floor, and he had led that particular player straight into a trapdoor.
When the player had fallen into another room full of monsters, Akinym had told the rest of the party to stay behind while he had jumped after the trapped player. He had told him that this was an anti-crystal area, so he had to fight his way through the monsters to escape and survive.
However, there had been too many foes. The player had almost died by the time Akinym had revealed that this particular room actually wasn't an anti-crystal area, so they could escape using Teleport Crystals.
Much like with Sinon on the 81st floor, it had been a lesson to teach that player what real life-threatening danger felt like. The lesson had worked, but the player in question and his teammates were disturbed how nonchalantly Akinym had used such a trick.
Regardless, Kirito couldn't shake off this uneasy feeling. For some reason, he kept thinking about what Akinym had said about the whole "Beater" story. He had called it irrational and thoughtless… Kirito wondered why he couldn't take his mind off this.
Argo: Well, this is serious business, Kii-bou, so I'll do it! Can't do my job if the whole Assault Team ain't doin' anythin', can I?
...and you'll get to see what Argo uncovers in the next chapter. Well the next two chapters, to be precise.
I'm not sure if the name "Rykas" is actually already taken by a different settlement in Aincrad, and there actually aren't minor towns in HF anyway. Anyway, I've made this "small settlement" up for the sake of this story.
The obligatory imaginary cookie goes to whoever figures out who reacted with surprise rather than shock to the reveal that Akinym killed someone. Once again, it's actually not that hard. ;)
By the way, I'm not sure if I mentioned this in one of my side stories, but I'll keep certain Japanese expressions like Agil's "yare, yare" or Klein's "oi". I think it just fits them too much, and the expressions kind of lose their vibe in translation.
I'd like to mention that there will be a side story that will take place in the evening on the day of the last part of this chapter. It will be about Kirito and Asuna's thoughts on the current issue and Akinym. However, I'll try a little "experiment", so I'll post this chapter after I'm done with this sub-arc to provide that information afterwards, not beforehand.
Little Preview: Kirito manages to trace Akinym and confronts him inside a dungeon. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly...