—A/N—

This story is a work of fiction, and has nothing to do with real life event, nor does it have anything to do with the original storyline.

—End—

K1M70, now known as Kimiko, led Kazuto to the mercenary guild. On the way there, Kimiko asked Kazuto—

"Hey. So, why are you dressed like that?"

(Well, that's something natural to ask. Since I'm wearing a fantasy outfit in a sci-fi world)

Kazuto thought for a moment before answering.

"That's because I don't have anything else to wear"

"I see"

With only that brief exchange, the both of them arrived at the guild building without further interaction. Without hesitation, the both of them enters and immediately went straight towards what seems to be a receptionist desk.

"Welcome. How may I help you"

The receptionist greeted with a monotonic voice, as if she's a machine.

"I would like to register as a mercenary please"

"Certainly. Wait a moment please"

The receptionist said that and begin preparing a bunch of equipments.

"Please fill this in. After you're done, please put your hand here for a fingerprint scan"

"Alright"

Kazuto did as told and fill in the registration form that was given. After that, he placed his hand on a tablet for his scan. After he's done, Kazuto is then given an explanation for the guild's policy. In general, the guild basically accepts request from clients, and then the request was assigned to the mercenary. If the contents of the request is fulfilled, the mercenary is then given their payments. There are ranks to determine the mercenary's prowess, the higher the rank, the more you get payed.

"That would be all. Your first assignment will be given to you tomorrow at 9.30 A.M. the content of the assignment will be displayed on this holo-card, so be sure not to lose it. And lastly, if you finished your mission, be sure to report it here where you'll be given your payment"

After the receptionist said that, she then handed Kazuto a futuristic card colored black. Kazuto's identity is installed into the card. The content of a quest will be displayed like a hologram from the card. The card also has the function to store credits.

"Would you like anything else?"

"I would like to exchange these"

"Certainly. Wait a moment please"

Kazuto brought out a bag filled with gold coins. The coin's currency is Col, but that means nothing in this country. That's why, that currency is nothing more than a chunk of gold, which can be exchanged with money.

The bag is filled with 100 Col, which it then exchanged into 1,000 credits. The credits are placed into his guild account, where he can access it at any time with the holo-card.

"Would you like anything else?"

"No. That would be all"

"Thank you. Have a safe day"

After Kazuto was finished with his registration, he then walks away and approaches Kimiko, who was waiting nearby.

"So? Finished with your business?"

"That's right. What should we do now?"

"We should separate. I still have something to do. If you're looking for a lodging, then go to the one across the street"

"Alright. See you later"

"Ah. See you later"

After their farewell, Kazuto then make his way across the street to book a lodging. The lodging costs 100 credits per night, and Kazuto booked a room for 5, so that leaves him with 500 credits to spare.

After he collapsed onto the bed in his room, he began to reminiscence about that day. The day where he and his people fought the last fight on Aincrad. The day where he became a hero. The day when she died.

"Asuna..."

Kazuto muttered the name of his beloved. After he and many others confronted Aincrad itself, out of 100 warriors, 95 met their demise. One of them was Asuna, Kazuto's loved one. As he was reminiscent of that day, the day soon fall into the night.

—XXXXX—

Elsewhere, in the realm of Asgard. A girl is staring into the skies with some impatience. She is a Valkyrie, an elite warrior under the command of Odin. The girl was accepted as a Valkyrie thanks to her heroic deeds. She fought for her people's freedom, until eventually she died in battle. However, through Odin's intervention, she was reincarnated into the body of an Aesir. And now, said girl is serving in the most elite forces in Asgard. The girl has light brown colored hair and a pair of eyes with the same color. The girl's name is—

"Asuna"

"Hm?"

At the sudden voice, the girl, Asuna, reacted to the sudden visitor.

"Lady Freyja, how may I help you?"

"I was just worried about how you're doing. That's all"

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern"

"Don't be so stiff with the formality. And, how are you adjusting yourself here in Asgard?"

"I'm fine. Everyone here is really nice"

"That's glad to hear"

After that, Asuna wanders her thought elsewhere, as if something is bothering her. Of course, Freyja also notices this and begins to ask out of concern.

"Are you still missing him?"

"...yes"

"Well, just like we talked. You'll meet him soon enough, just like I promised"

"Is it the convergence?"

"That's right. An event where all nine realms are aligned together. It's both beautiful and terrifying"

Freyja said that as she was reminded of the previous events. On the first convergence, all nine realms were confused, and their first instinct is to attack. And on the second convergence, instead of war, all nine realms interacts to one another, creating bonds. While some are still insistence on starting a war.

At the thought of her meeting her loved ones once again, Asuna couldn't be helped but worry if it would go well.

"Although I asked this a dozen of times already but, will it really go well?"

"Of course it is. I'm sure that with your love towards him, it will cause a chance encounter. I'm the goddess of love after all"

"I see. You're right"

At this, Asuna is relieved. At least, if the goddess of love said so herself.

"Though~ the only issue here is if there's no competition"

"Eh?"

"After all~ you said it yourself that this boy is quite the chick magnet~"

"Eeeh!!?"

At this sudden teasing coming from the goddess of love herself, Asuna now has something else to worry about. After a few minor small talk, mostly Freyja repeatedly teasing Asuna, Asuna departs to her work with patrolling.

After she was gone, Freyja begins to talk.

"I know you're there. It's not polite to eavesdrop at a lady's conversation"

"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help myself"

At Freyja's words, a new figure emerges. He showed up as if appearing out of thin air. He looks to be a young man at the latter half of his teens. He has a short black hair with some long hair to the side and a pair of black eyes. His face could be considered handsome. He wears clothing that could be considered gaudy with a design from an English nobleman with some black overcoat.

"So? What do you want...Loki?"

The man's identity is Loki, a god of mischief. He is known throughout the nine realms as someone troublesome. Although, that's only him when he was young. He proclaimed that he is no longer that kind of god.

"You don't have to be wary with me. I don't plan on doing anything"

"You're worried about her, aren't you?"

"Nothing goes pass you does it"

At Loki's resignation, Freyja continue to further inquire him.

"So? What is it that you're worried about?"

"Well. It seems that a group of people are making some suspicious moves"

"What groups of people?"

"Don't know. But it has something to do with that girl's boyfriend"

"You mean the one called Kirigaya Kazuto?"

"Yes. I suspect that he had made an encounter with them. When the convergence start, I'm sure they'll make their moves"

"Any leads that you can follow?"

"Just one"

Loki said that as he showed an image of a logo using illusion magic. The logo has a design of a coffin with a smiling face on top, a skeleton arm is also visible peeking out of the gap of the coffin.

"Be sure to be wary of anyone wearing this logo on their body"

"What are you going to do?"

"To plug some 'leaks'"

Loki them vanished from sight after leaving behind those words. When he said 'leaks', Freyja knows that that is his word for spies. At the events that has yet to come, Freyja can't help but mumbles—

"Looks like there's a calm before the storm"

And thus another day ended, and only one more day until the convergence arrives.

—[A/N]—

Loki has Kirito's beta test appearance. So technically he is a Kirito.

—End—