October 17, 2024 Floor 74: Dungeon
Kirito and I were clearing a dungeon for the first time in a long time. It is also the first time that I have gotten a chance to wear the new gear I have. My outfit was a tight dark red shirt with black straps to hold my knives, wire, and needles across my chest. Black cargo pants tucked into my boots. Black elbow-length fingerless gloves with my ring on my finger. Some of it had grey accents to add more color and my two saw-back swords were strapped on my back. With two knives on each of my legs. I had half of my hair tied back with a black and silver lace ribbon leaving my bangs in my face. Of course, I also wore my metal mask.
From the updates that I have gotten from Kirito, Asuna has started talking to him again. Only she keeps it very professional and never makes eye contact with him. I have told him to just be himself and that the ball is in her court now so let her do as she pleases without crossing the line.
In the last three months, I have gotten the chance to meet Silica (the dragon tamer) and Lizbeth (the blacksmith). I didn't talk to them with my voice though I did communicate with them. I have also convinced Kirito to help set up weekly dinners with everyone. So every Friday I cooked a lot of food and Kirito would invite Lizbeth, Silica, and Klein. I also invited the Moonlit black cats, Agil, and Argo. We would all sit down, eat and talk. It was nice to hear so many voices in the house. Even though Kirito would say it was annoying, I knew he liked how lively everything was.
I was reflecting on the past three months when I finished fighting the lizardman. The sound of glass shattering brought me out of my musings and for a second my heart stopped then I realized that the clashing of swords was still going and that the pixels came from my opponent.
'It wasn't Kirito.' I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
I stood by waiting for Kirito to finish. As his Lizardman pixelated I finally said something.
"It's been almost two years." My voice echoed softly in the dungeon.
"Two years huh." He grabbed my hand as he turned to leave the dungeon.
…
We were in the forest when I saw two white things out of the corner of my eye. Without thinking I throw two needles hitting the objects in the head. They pixelate then I hear Kirito throw two needles at one white rabbit.
I read what I got only to realize that it was an S-class object.
"Looks like we have enough for tonight's dinner," Kirito says reading the items from over my shoulder.
"Would you mind if I invited someone else for dinner tonight?" I asked him as I grabbed his hand.
"No, who do you want to invite?"
"You'll see."
…
I decided to make a roast, meat pie, and stir fry with the proper sides.
I was mixing the stir fry when I got a message.
'She's coming. - Agil'
I smiled before getting back to cooking.
Minutes later Knocks started to come from the front door before voices followed. Argo, Lizbeth, and Silica walked into the kitchen.
"Hey, Artemis! Kirito said that dinner this week was going to be good. What is it?" Silica asked, hopping up onto the counter.
I let her look at the S-class item. All of them started to grin and drool mumbling about something. I let them before putting them to work setting the table. I finish the food and set it on the table when Argo comments on the two empty seats.
"Artemis said she wanted to invite someone so I guess she sent Agil to get them," Kirito answered.
Agil's seat was on the end of the table while the other one was next to me. The order was to my right Kirito, Klein, Argo, Keita, Tetsuo, Agil, Sasamaru, Ducker, Silica, Lizbeth, empty seat, and me. The table was a big round table so everyone had room. When the door was opened again I heard a gasp and I saw how uncomfortable Liz and Kirito were when they saw the person with Agil. I get up from my seat to greet the new person.
Agil passed me to go sit in his seat. Standing in the living room was Asuna in casual clothes. Honestly, she was very pretty. If you were to compare us Asuna would be the go-too girl. She wore colorful cute clothes and her pretty amber eyes and long reddish-brown hair made her look better than me with my black hair and dark grey almost black eyes. She was taller than me and more…uh 'developed' than my thirteen-year-old body.
The first thing I did was put my right hand out. She hesitated before gently putting her hand in mine. I latched on immediately and dragged her to the table pushing her gently into her chair before sitting in mine next to her. She honestly looked confused about why she was there until I reached out with my left hand to start serving her food. I could feel her eyes on me and the way she stiffened up. Everyone followed my example and started serving themselves. Klein was nice enough to eat the stew he grabbed.
"This is so good!" You could practically see the stars in his eyes.
Everyone also took bites and comments soon filled the silent table.
"This is amazing Artemis!"
"I'm in heaven."
"This was worth the time I set aside for this."
"Delicious!"
"This is S-class meat!"
"No, this is Artemis's amazing cooking!"
"Yeah, she could make any old meat taste just as good!"
"This is S-class meat! No way could she make something else taste just as good."
"Whatever you hater!"
"Hater?! Why you…"
Soon it was just as lively as any other Friday dinner.
"This is good. Thank you for inviting me." Asuna said from beside me after taking a bite from the roast she served herself.
I ruffled her hair before sneaking food under my mask when no one was looking.
'What a good day.' I thought to myself as Kirito was dragged into the girls vs boys debate.
…
We went back to the dungeon later that week with the others.
"Kirito annihilated my 'Bodyguard'! He even had the gall to say he cheated and tried to get in a cheap shot." Asuna talked about the duel Kirito participated in for her.
"I can't believe that creep was just waiting outside of your house. What if he went into your house and watched you sleep?" Lizbeth brought up.
"He didn't. I have a notification that tells me when the doors or windows are open." Asuna said though you could see her shiver.
As the girls continued to talk I spotted a Boss door further up. I signal to Kirito after getting his attention.
"Quiet guys. Get your teleport crystals out Artemis saw a Boss room up ahead we're going to have to check it out. Be prepared." Kirito and both got our crystals out walking at the head of the group.
When we get there I look at him before pushing the doors open. We walked in the first couple of feet before standing in a defensive position while everyone else got into position behind us. The lights come on and the Boss is shown as a Minutar with a snake tail and a huge sword. It was called The Gleam Eyes with four health bars.
The thing moves to attack with its huge sword.
"Retreat! Now!" Kirito yells as we run away from the Boss. We don't stop running till we make it as far as everyone could go.
"That one's going to be tough to beat," Asuna says as we all sit in one of the safe zones.
I took count of who was there. Agil, Silica, Lizbeth, Klein, Asuna, Kirito, and me. All here and accounted for.
"You're right, I saw that it only had that one big sword and I'm pretty sure it has special attacks too." Kirito sat next to me as he caught his breath.
"We're going to have to put tanks in the front row and keep switching out just to wear it down," Klein said from his place next to Lizbeth.
"It wouldn't hurt to have about ten shield wielders as well," Agil commented.
"Shield users huh." Asuna said, looking at Kirito.
"What? What's wrong?" Kirito asked, leaning closer to me.
"You are. You're hiding something aren't you?" Silica took Asuna's side.
"What are you talking about?" Kirito asked, leaning away from them more.
"I just realized that the biggest advantage of using a one-handed sword was using a one-handed shield. But I don't think I have ever seen you use one. Asuna doesn't use a shield because it would slow her down. Others like Klein don't because they think it looks dumb. Also, why aren't you using the sword Liz made you?" Agil commented while getting closer with every sentence.
They stared at each other for a while seeing who would back down first. I ended it by sending a message to Kirito.
"Artemis says that we should head back and notify the others about the boss room. We need to get started on preparations for the battle. Oh, and before we left she brought lunch." Kirito repeats.
I bring out the sandwiches that I made before passing them out. Soon after everyone was done we heard the marching sounds of an army. Looking to one of the entrances to the safe zone, tired men came through. A man covered in armor with a red sash came toward us while the others collapsed.
"I'm with the Ancraid Liberation Army lieutenant colonel Corvox." The man sounded just like a soldier.
"I'm Kirito and this is my partner Artemis." Kirito gestured to me as I took a step forward.
"Right, have you cleared the area up ahead?" The man got right down to business.
"Yeah. We also have a map with directions to the Boss Room." Kirito added on for no reason.
"Right, we'll hand over that map and we will be on our way." The man held out his hand.
"What! Do–" I held up my hand interrupting Klein.
I stepped forward pulling up my map and sharing it with the rude man.
"Artemis is being too nice to him," Liz commented behind me.
"It doesn't matter we were going public with the map when we got out anyway," Kirito said as I finished sharing the data.
"Thanks for cooperating." The rude man walked away.
"By the way, if you're planning on taking on the Boss I wouldn't recommend it." The man stopped at what Kirito said.
"That is my decision to make." The man just dismissed the warning.
"Hey, I just took a look inside that room pal. And you can't beat it let alone scratch it with all of your soldiers out of commission like they are now." Kirito yelled at the man.
"Nonsense my men don't quit until I tell them to. On your feet let's get moving." The men got up and started to move to the boss's room.
"We need to follow them. If he is pushing them this far even though he already has a map and first-hand information then there is no doubt that he will try to take on the Boss." Kirito read from my text box.
Everyone agreed to follow the group.
"Artemis, I have a favor to ask. He can be hard to talk to and he's a loner addicted to combat but he's a good guy. Take care of him will you?" Klein asked as we lingered.
'I'm already married to the nitwit, aren't I. This isn't a favor I was going to do it for free.' I messaged him before catching up with the others.
…
We had just finished the last monster before the Boss room when a scream rang out.
"Clean up guys," Kirito said before him, Asuna, and I took off towards the boss room.
"Idiots." Asuna said as we neared the open door.
"Hey, you guys okay?" Kirito yelled out.
We saw the Boss striking at the exhausted and low-on-health guys.
"Why are you just standing there use your teleport crystals already!" Kirito yelled out.
"We can't, they aren't working!" One of the men said before getting blasted away.
"I've never heard of a trap like this being in a Boss room before." Asuna commented.
I knew that Kirito was thinking of Sachi and the room she died in.
"The Aincrad Liberation Army doesn't know the word retreat. Come on keep fighting!" The rude man said once again.
I stopped paying attention to what Kirito and the others were saying after they got here. I kept my eyes on the Boss figuring out his moves trying to predict the next one. The Boss was fast and didn't make any unnecessary moves. Then it tossed the Lieutenant guy at us. Kirito went up to him and kneeled as he burst into pixels.
I moved running towards the Boss as he moved to attack again. I made deep slashes with my swords then dodged the fist it threw at me. I landed on the ground ready to prairie the next strike when Kirito changed its course so it missed me by a couple of inches. The others grabbed the soldiers that couldn't move and moved them out of the way as we distracted them.
Kirito took it head-on while I blocked or parried the Bosses attacks so Kirito didn't take that much damage. I attacked it when it hit Kirito's back. I could see him freeze as he contemplated using his special skill.
"I need ten seconds to keep him off of me," Kirito said.
I ran past Asuna and Klein as they went to attack the Boss to get to Kirito. As he equipped his skill I used a healing potion on him to get him out of the lower green to make his bar full. I took one before equipping my long swords.
For the second it took for Kirito to use his second sword I jumped in to keep the Boss from recovering. I moved when Kirito started his sequence. I attacked the Bosses back when it went to attack Kirito in between his pauses. I jumped to the front when they got faster, blocking a pairing when Kirito tried to take the openings the attacks left. I used both of my swords to block the last strike as Kirito landed the finishing blow.
"Is it…over," Kirito asked quietly before falling back.
I caught him dropping my swords in the process and checked his health bar silently glad that I used a healing potion on him during those ten seconds as I took in the sliver of red left. He passed out from exhaustion for a few seconds before coming too. I asked that the others give the men some potions just enough to get them back into the green.
"How long was I out?" Kirito asked not moving from my arms.
"Just a few seconds," Agil answered.
"Corvox and two men were the only ones that didn't make it. By the way, Kirito, what did you do just now?" Liz asked not letting Kirito dwell on the deaths.
"Dual Wielding. Artemis has the skill as well although how we got it was different." Kirito answered.
"How so?" Silica asked as she came over to heal us.
"Well Artemis got hers from a quest that she did on the first floor. It was a one-time quest since it hasn't shown back up since. As for me…well my skill just popped up. I have been training with Artemis to adjust my technique to work with two swords." Kirito smiled at Silica as she healed us.
"If some gamers knew you two had that skill then a lot of them would be angry that the floor clearing beaters got unique skills." Asuna commented.
"It's not like we care though," Klein said as he helped us up.
"Well, we're going home. You guys can go on to the next floor." Kirito said as we walked home disbanding the party before we left.
"Take care and get some rest." Everyone yelled.
…
October 19, 2024 Floor 50: Algade
"A blue demon had annihilated a big squad of army guys. And a fifty-hit combo from a dual wielder who took out the boss by himself. I can't believe what a big deal they are making out of this thing." Agil laughed at Kirito's misfortune.
"Yeah, it's blowing up right in my face. A butt load of swordsmen and info brokers showed up at my old place this morning. I'm so glad I moved but what I don't get is why it was only me in this article. Why wasn't Artemis on it as well?" Kirito glared in my direction.
"Yeah well, that is your fault. The reason that Artemis isn't in the article was that she had a skill that made it seem like she didn't exist so as you fought it only looked like you were fighting and you didn't notice that it was on because you were in the default zone the whole time. The default zone is where the skill stops working." Liz commented as Kirito went back to glaring at me.
I ignored his annoying glare and focused on the labored breathing and running headed our way. A few seconds later Asuna came running into the room out of breath.
"We have a big problem." Asuna said with tears in her eyes.
Before I knew it Kirito was at the Knights of the Blood Oath headquarters while I was waiting at home.
'Don't do something stupid Kirito.' I thought as Liz and Silica tried to distract me.
Two hours later Kirito and Asuna come in the front door. Asuna hesitates at the door and refuses to look me in the eye.
"They believed I was trying to take her from them. So I agreed to duel with the Commander for her freedom." Kirito announced.
I rest my head in my hands and sigh as I curse my husband's (so weird to think that) hero complex.
…
October 20, 2024 Floor 75: Collinia
The next day the group travels to the 75th floor to watch the match. We were luckily early enough to get the seats closest to the ground.
"Kirito is such an idiot! I know he's strong but to go against the leader of the Blood Oaths? What was he thinking?" Liz yelled to no one.
"It's the Hero Complex. I believe in Kirito but it's not going to be an easy match. Heathcliff owns the Divine Blade. It maximizes attack and defense power. His attack is strong, but that defense is incredible. Rumor has it that his HP bar has never gone yellow." Agil said.
The others keep talking but only one thing is on my mind.
'Kirito is going to lose.'
Even as the battle started and everyone around me started cheering, that was the only thing on my mind as I watched Kirito. My breath caught as I saw it. I didn't move as Kirito sat on the ground after he lost.
'He's not a player.' I thought as I replayed the last two moves of the battle.
…
I didn't talk to Kirito as he changed into his new uniform.
"You saw it. Right?" He asked as he looked at himself in the mirror.
The red and white looked wrong on him even though it was the same cut as his black uniform.
"I did," I answered before leaving our bedroom.
I didn't say anything else as we waited till he was supposed to leave.
"Did I do something to upset you?" Kirito asked as we sat in the living room.
"No, I'm just thinking," I answered just as a knock came from the front door.
I waved at Asuna as Kirito opened the door. Kirito briefly said goodbye as left the house. I felt a brief sting of jealousy as they left in matching clothes side by side. I shake my head before changing out of my sweatshirt and jeans into my combat clothes.
For the next two days, I go grinding in the 75th dungeon while Kirito is with the knights.
…
October 23, 2024 Floor 55: Dungeon Entrance
After getting a message from Asuna about what Kirito was doing today I decided to go pay him a visit and see how he was doing. Following the marker, on the map, I come upon a disgusting sight.
"Listen…Our party was attacked by a large gang of criminal players out in the field! Though you both fought hard, you were slain. It was just me against all of them, and somehow I courageously and single-handedly fought them all off!" A man was hacking away at a paralyzed player and Kirito was on a rock near also paralyzed.
Having enough I turn on my assassin's skills and sneak up on the maniac. Stabbing him with one of my needles that had poison on it I knocked him away from the injured player and cuffed his hands and feet together.
Grabbing the antidote crystal I toss it close to the injured player's hands before taking my leave. I stay close to the small group keeping an eye on the maniac as the player gives Kirito an antidote crystal and Kirito hands him a healing potion. I trail them as they go back to the guild hall.
Once they're inside I teleport to the entrance of the 75th Dungeon and start grinding again till the early mornings of the next day.
…
October 24, 2024 Floor 22
The sun hadn't even come out yet when I walked in the back door of our home.
"Have you been grinding since you saved us?" Kirito asks as he gets up from his place on the couch.
"Yeah, I just got to level 99." Switching my gear for my sleeping clothes I lift the cloth mask over the bottom half of my face keeping my head away from Kirito.
"Asuna is going with me today to help get me out of the guild after that disaster. Where also going to try to get her a leave of absence so she can go exploring with the Silica and Liz." He stretches as he follows me to our room.
"That's good you look horrible in any colors besides black." I laugh as he pushes me.
"Hey, Kirito?"
"What is it?" I turn to face him as he lies on top of the covers.
"Is it weird that it's been two years and we haven't aged a day?" He continues to look up at the ceiling. "I'm fifteen now but I still look thirteen. Huh, I got married when I was fourteen and you were fifteen right? Our families would have never let us do this IRL. We would never have done this if we were in the real world."
"Go to sleep Arty." He turns away from me facing the wall.
Slipping under the covers I pull them up to my chin as I turn away to look out the window watching the stars give way to the sun.
