Chapter 10: The New Armor and Attempt.
Koyero's P.O.V
I can't believe that I couldn't save her in time… I was supposed to be a hero… Silica-chan… I was currently in the HQ of Knights of Blood with Kirito, Asuna, Hozume, Yumi and Deira. Klein's not here… I wonder where he is… he usually tried to pull a joke. The only one truly missing is her… I was caught in thought as all of them were cut by a certain friend named Kirito. He's my friend… right? Kirito gave a look of reassurance and I gave a thumbs-up but he knew that I was still blaming myself.
Hozume was sharpening his one-handed katana while giving yawns once in a while, I wonder why. Yumi seemed to be planning with Asuna with that big map on the desk. Deira was actually lecturing some of the other members about Smithing… To be honest I want to learn some Smithing… so I can make a blade that can make digital blood splatter everywhere…Anyway she seemed to be fitting in quickly. All I want to know is, is she trying to impress me? Or is she trying to really lecture them? I obviously shouldn't ask her… The door opened immediately and I quickly turned my head towards that direction. It was just Klein… I thought it could be Silica-chan…
"Sorry I'm late! I did some training with my friends." Klein panted like he just ran like 5 km which he may have done. "It's fine, you didn't really have to join us, you're not really in this guild." I muttered. "Thud." Kirito shouldered me. "Kid, it's not your fault. He's level 93 so you have a small chance even if you do…" Klein warned me. "He's right. Kirito and I were almost defeated in an extra dungeon in Floor 1…" Asuna suddenly looked saddened. "…" Kirito looked down. 'Poor Yui… I understand them… she's their child in Sword Art Online after all…' I said to myself. "Yeah… The past can't be changed, you know." Hozume still looked weary… did he pull an all-nighter? "I know but I could've prevented this from happening in the first place!" I became angry, shouting at them.
"Pfft…" Yumi stepped up. "What are you waiting for then, Koyero?" Deira chuckled slightly and unsheathed her sword, holding her sword at right and sheathe at left. "Umm… What's going on?" I scratched my head while looking at Kirito and Asuna. "It was their idea. Not mine…" Kirito answered. "But!" I protested. "Just because their girls they aren't weak!" Asuna glared. "It's not that… I just… don't think I should hurt girls!" I made a lame excuse. "Thud!" Yumi used Embracer on me. "Oww… Kuso!" I held my stomach in pain. "Want to find out if girls are weak or not?" Yumi had a dark aura. "Senpai…" Deira had a freaky looking aura as well. I looked at the others.
"Sorry kid… no objections." Klein looked pitied. "This should do a number on him…" Kirito whispered but I heard it. "Ahem… I can hear that…" I coughed. "We shall start then." Yumi sent a message of duel. "I'll take this one… What do you think?" I asked them as I pointed at a choice. "Sounds good…" Deira nodded and went to her position. "Start!" A random member waved a flag. "Weird…" I mumbled as I barely dodged a hit from Deira. The way to win in the duel we're having is the lowest HP in 3 minutes loses. I'm in a handicap so that means I have to fight both of them… What did I get myself into?! I'm just Level 85 but my opponents are a Level 81 and Level 90! I'm dead…
They were extremely synchronized, whenever I try to hit one of them, The one I hit blocks with a shield if she's Yumi and a sheathe when its Deira. After that the other person sneakily slashes with their blades at me. I managed to give some hits but I couldn't stop holding back my attacks since… they were women… I don't want to hurt a woman! Kirito was watching the fight with Asuna while Klein was reading a book like he didn't really want to watch me fight… or he hates seeing women get hurt too.
"Stop holding back…" Deira jumped towards me making me try to back away. "Or else…" I felt a pain on my legs; Yumi staggered me with her shield after slashing. "This…" Deira said as her sword glowed and she slashed me. "What was that?!" I was blinded by her hit while feeling even more pain. "Here!" Yumi backed away after going to me. "3…2…1…" Yumi counted as the pain got worse. "Gomenosai… senpai…" Deira bowed. "Grr… it's not over yet!" I growled as I used Phantom Charge but they easily dodged. "You really need a new move…" Asuna called from the audience. "Gomen but I have to agree…" Hozume was bored by my move. "Yeah…" Kirito silently stated. That was it! Time was up. I lost… with red HP and they won at early yellow…
"You don't really need new weapons or armor… what you need are new moves…" Yumi patted my back in an apologetic manner. "Indeed…" Hozume came to us with a now sharpened katana. How long did you do that?" I asked. "Oh… about an hour?" He tilted his head making all of us facepalm except himself. "That means you need to train for just one move before you could even save her." Kirito said. "Who's training me then?" I was cut by a certain person. "I will…" Deira volunteered. "I don't…" Klein was interrupted by me. "Hai!" I accepted.
Silica's P.O.V
I woke up in an area with no one to be seen. All I saw was a plate of fruits, probably for the food, and a glass of water. I reached for my dagger but it wasn't there. My clothing/armor was still on me which is a relief but how could I fight now without my dagger? I checked my inventory if any of my weapons were still there but there was nothing at all. Like I was saying, I was currently being held hostage in a cell probably in the hideout of Scarlet Temptation in the unknown Floor 79. When I walked towards the cell door it opened automatically. What's going on? I continued on my way until a certain silver haired player approached me. It was Ku… That guy who popped Pina's bubble.
"Hello there, what made you go out?" He bowed politely. "Why are you acting like that?" I shifted my gaze to him. "Hmm? What are you talking about? You know prisoners shouldn't be harassed right? Even if we're a red guild doesn't mean we'll be like that to prisoners." Ku fixed his hair and walked off. "Things just get weirder and weirder…" I sighed and continued walking around hoping to find an escape route.
After a few minutes of searching, it seems I'm in a dungeon made especially for hostages. There were no holes or anything. It was just a vast isolated room… The dining room was a small area, the center of the room had some kind of pattern but I can't put my finger on it… Ku was the one guarding and I have no idea of what to do… They obviously took my crystals as well. I went back in my cell to try to plan something… Why did I not think of this sooner?! I opened the menu and attempted to message but it failed… I'm all alone in this… A member of the guild went in my cell. He has wood colored brown hair and darkish green eyes and a smirk on his face.
"What do you want?" I questioned him. "I have a name you know…" He muttered. "Fine… what 'is' your name?" I felt uninterested. "My player name is Vukso. I'm here to help." He whispered to me. "What do you mean by that? You mean something like jailbreak?" I began to listen. "So now you're listening? Anyway… there's a secret for that pattern on the floor and I'll teach you about it." He explained. "Why are you telling me all this anyway?" I stood up. "Want the information or not?" He crossed his arms. "Hai…" I answered with no other choice. "It'll cost you though… My services are never for free." He showed his palm. "How does… 400 sound? Pay that much and I just might help now." He negotiated. "Fine… just wait…" I sighed as I traded him the payment. "Good! Follow me, Ku just finished his shift and now it's mine." He led me to the center of the room.
"What are you anyway?" I finally asked. "Part of Scarlet Temptation, what else?" He chuckled. "There's more to that, tell me…" I protested. "What gives you the right to say that to me, huh?!" He became aggravated. "I'm your client, you 'must' tell me." I argued. "Fine… I shall say it but only this once! I am part of Scarlet Temptation but I am also part of that guild of mercenaries. I chose Scarlet Temptation to be one of my guilds just because I can get some easy money by helping our prisoners escape. I am one of the few most hired mercenaries in SAO." He whispered to me. "I see…" I understood. "Yeah." He began moving the floor. "How are you-?" I was rudely interrupted by a shoulder. "Shh… they will hear you… This floor is like a puzzle. You solve it, it opens." He said as a secret door appeared below us. We then went in that secret door.
The area we just went into was a room full of the confiscated weapons and crystals. My dagger was just on that table and so were my crystals… I went to the table and grabbed my items back. I equipped my dagger and rubbed the dust off it, what did they do to make it this dusty? I looked at Vukso and he nodded.
"Take the things you need, quickly! We don't have much time." He ordered and I rushed to the table to search. 'This should do…' I thought as I got some crystals (not counting teleport crystals since there are none) and another dagger… just in case. "Okay then, ready to go?" He told me. "Ready." I nodded. "This way…" He led me. After a few twists and turns through multiple corridors I finally saw some light. Vukso stretched and yawned then turned to me.
"I guess I'll be leaving the Scarlet Temptation now. My one year contract has ended just about 10 seconds ago. Got any leads for work?" He smirked and looked at me. "You 'could' join The Knights of Blood but I'm not sure if they'll let you in…" I informed him. "Sure they will… I'll be going now. My work here is done. All I had to do for you was help you go out right? Farewell." He walked away but I stopped him. "Arigato." I smiled. "That's rare, a client that thanks me…" He smiled back. "Anyway I sent you a map for this area and I marked the safest route to go to in going to the teleportation area. We'll be in touch next time… if we're still both alive…" He stated and left for real this time.
I was walking in the route that he told me to walk in. He was right, this route is safe unless you count the random monster that appears in the bushes but they didn't really notice me. I finally arrived at a town. It was a vast area full of NPC houses. I tried messaging again but it didn't work… I checked why and it was revealed that they messed with my messages. They made me unable to send messages for a week... maybe they made me spam or something… I was about to go to the teleportation area but I was prevented by Ku and Ze who were right in front of me.
"That traitor…" Ze looked pissed. "I wouldn't call him traitor… he 'is' a mercenary and his contract just ended a few minutes ago…" Ku disagreed. 'Where should I run?!' I thought as I tensed up. "Anyway why not we take you back prisoner… forcefully?" Ze smirked. "Gomen but I too was ordered to take you back…" Ku shoved me hard and made me out of the safety area. "Not again…" I was in despair as they were about to use the paralyzing crystal on me until someone landed a hit on both of them. "Vukso?" I looked at him in confusion. "Just run would ya?" He unsheathed his weapon revealing it to be a normal greatsword. "Oh, are you sure Vukso? You may get hurt! Even if you're Level 91!" Ze slashed at him but Vukso sidestepped and slashed at his back making Ze fall on the ground.
"Client, or should I say Silica, run already!" He ordered once more, I nodded and began running. "Come at me already! You better fight me before you even pass me…" Vukso wielded his greatsword valiantly and clashed with Ku and Ze.
Where am I supposed to run now? I can't even stand up to Ku and Ze so how could I even protect myself against these monsters? This is going to be some hard days… The only information I got was that they were planning to fight Floor 79 boss soon… but I have to worry about how to get back home without conflict. I didn't get any teleport crystals since there weren't any crystals on that table… so what now? I ran towards an inn that was shown in the map that Vukso gave me.
Koyero's P.O.V
Deira led me to a forest in Floor 77. That was the only area in the floor that didn't look all gloomy and lifeless like those hooded NPCs. She turned to me signalling that this area was going to be the training grounds. Deira recently became Level 82 while we were making our way here. What I wonder is why do I always train with people in forests? Anyway Deira unsheathed her weapon and used the same move she used on me on a skeletal knight. A skeleton in a forest? I don't know either.
"Deira, I haven't asked you about that move yet. What is the name of it?" I smiled innocently. "I call it Radiant Blade… It is a move that blinds the opponent for a second and gives the victim damage over time for 5 seconds… It can also be used to summon 5 other blades. It is like your Blademake but in a weaker version…" She answered while sheathing her weapon. "Oh cool! So will you teach me?!" I was excited. "If your willpower's like that, I guess I could teach you the way on how to use it…" She agreed and we went deeper into the forest. "When are we going to fight?" I poked her. "Just wait till we arrive at the 'true' training grounds…" She continued walking towards our destination.
When we were in our area I saw loads of players in the place. Some were sparring, some were just chatting and some were even drinking. I gave a look of doubt at Deira but she led me to a room and pressed a button. A secret passage opened making us both go in. She pressed a button once more when we went in and the passage closed. She looked at me with the 'get ready to train' face. I nodded and she started lecturing me… that's new…
"Why are you lecturing me?! I thought we were going to train!" I stopped her from lecturing me. "You wanted to learn about Radiant Blade… am I correct?" She muttered. "Yes, I want to learn it!" I saluted. "Try this armor on first… I recently made it for myself…" She requested me as she gave me a piece of armor. "Seems easy…" I equipped the armor. It was so light! "How is it?" She questioned. "Bacon!" I had another mood swing... "Bacon?" She looked at me in curiosity. "Gomen… I have mood swings… Anyway this armor's good if you're trying to get something light." I smiled. "Hmm… should do…" She disarmed me. "Shall we begin for real now?" She equipped her armor. "Finally! A rematch!" I wielded my Zweihander. "Not too inaccurate this time, ok…?" She wielded her sword and sheathe. "Here I come then… Radiant… Blade…" Her sword began glowing and she swiped at me but I evaded.
"Watch the form and way to attack…" Deira parried my sword and hit my stomach with her sword sheathe. "Oww… Hai!" I charged at her. "Predictable…" She prepared to block. "Not!" I jumped high in the air and activated Chaotic mode. "Good move… I don't even know about that one yet…" She praised me. "Not enough to surprise me though…" She threw her sheathe directly at my head. "Shoot…" I returned back to myself. "See… do not even think that any move can get past your opponent… Change your tactics… If this was a real battle you would've gotten defeated by now…" Deira grabbed her sword sheathe that she just threw.
"Stop being a show-off! Would ya?!" I was enraged. "There… just come at me now…" She taunted. "You asked for it!" I ran towards her. "Pitiful…" She pitied me and flipped away. "Would you just show me?!" I shouted. "Fine… don't be too hasty with it though… it takes away a big portion of stamina…" Deira readied her move and slashed me with blinding speed. "Kuso…" I couldn't see anything and I felt the damage over time thing doing its job. "I showed you multiple times the form and execution… now try hitting me with Radiant Blade… I can handle it… don't worry…" Deira commanded me. "Fine… I'll try but… please don't get hurt…" I gave a saddened look. "Kawaii…" I heard her mumble. "Now here it comes… Radiant! Blade!" I announced and my Zweihander started to glow. "That's the way… Keep going…" She blinked and got ready for the blow. "Hyaa!" I slashed at her with my best hit… with a twist! "Good hit…" She complimented while panting.
"Yeah… you were right… it does do a number on the user…" I felt all my stamina seeping out. "Everything has a downside…" Deira looked pained upon saying that. "Umm…" I patted her shoulder. "Senpai…" She looked at me with grief. "W-What is it?" I backed away by instinct. "I…" She stopped her sentence. "You what?" I gulped. "Love you…" She muttered. "Go-Gomen… but my love is for Silica-chan only… I love her…" I declined her sudden confession. "... I understand…" She muttered. "But…" She glowed with a dark aura. "Silica is now my rival…" She said in a cold tone. "Ok…?" I tilted my head.
She nodded and we both went out of the training room. We went out of the place and teleported back to HQ. At the exact same time when we teleported back, I received a message. Curious, I opened the message. It was from someone named Vukso… Who the heck is Vukso? I read it anyway even if I don't even trust this guy. Deira was at my left and she nodded then I read the message.
"Hello, my client's boyfriend. I just wanted you to know that Silica is currently running and hiding from the members of Scarlet Temptation while I am currently looking for her… the other information is that they defeated the Floor 79 boss with 5 casualties. When the scouts tried peeking at the Floor 80 room, they couldn't move and go out. They were pulled in with no trace. It seems like Floor 80 is going to be a big pickle… I am Vukso, part of the Mercenary guild and I was informed that Knights of Blood was an interesting guild so I decided to apply… I didn't… yet but I shall soon. Finally… I am just right beside you." The message stated. "Right beside me? What does he mean?" I mumbled. "Literally…" He answered from my right. "Ahh!" I was surprised and accidentally used Embracer on him. "Ouch… should've expected this…" He groaned in pain. "That was freaking scary!" I complained. "Didn't even flinch…" Deira disagreed. "Yeah, you didn't have to punch me…" Vukso glared.
"You made me shocked! That's why!" I argued. "Not my fault that you're easy to scare!" He shouted back. "Too bad!" I continued. "Stop fighting…" Deira hit our heads with her sword sheathe. "Gaah! You people are nuts!" He rubbed his head. "Ohh… I love nuts…" I smiled. "I'll just apply…" He marched off. "People these days… right Deira?" I poked her. "No comment…" She sighed. "Aww… Deira!" I followed. "Come with me… I'll teach you one more thing…" She walked away and I followed.
Extra Scene: Koyero takes up Smithing!
Koyero's P.O.V
Well I followed Deira to her workshop in Floor 77 where she said that she'll teach me something. She led me in and I saw loads of awesome weapons and armor! Even a Zweihander! She looked at me with a weak smile and sat on her table. What 'was' she going to teach me? All I know is that this is her workshop filled with things that you would need for battling.
"What did you bring me here for anyway?" I broke the silence. "Well… you have a choice if you want to continue or not…" She offered me. "I would like to continue so what is it?" I questioned her. "…I shall teach you about Smithing… a good player should know how to craft at least one thing…" Deira explained. "Can I craft a weapon of vast destruction?!" I felt actually excited. "Yes… you could… if your Smithing skill is high enough…" She nodded. "How much is your Smithing skill then? Mines just a big zero." I made a sign that says zero. "I have the maximum already…" She answered back. "Wow…" I was awed. "Yeah…" She sharpened one of the blades that looked dull.
"So… when do we start?" I tilted my head to the left. "You can start by trying to player-make any weapon you want… but due to your low skill in this… it'll be best if you think small not too big…" She answered. "Hai!" I saluted. "Here's a hammer then…" She gave lent me a hammer then I got it. "Okay think small… think small… WAR AXE! No! Umm… knife? No! Zweihander! Yes, Zweihander!" I hammered on a normal piece of steel then it resulted to a weird looking knife instead. "Aww…" I pouted since it wasn't a Zweihander. "Interesting… you made a knife… with the enchantment of… +1 accuracy… good enough for a newbie…" Deira placed her finger on her chin. "Umm… Arigato? I guess." I smiled. "You can have that hammer… I have lots of them… 143… I think…" She said before I gave it back. "Sure…" I placed it in my inventory.
"Let's try again… but this time… we'll sharpen that old sword over there." She pointed at an old-looking broadsword. "Hai!" I got the sharpening tool and began. "Be careful though… If your strokes are too hard you might-" She was interrupted by the harsh screech by the blade and damage on the blade. "Make noise and damage it…" She finished. "Gomenosai, Deira-san…" I did the 'puppy eyes'. "Don't give me that look…" She turned away filled with embarrassment. "Can I try again?" I questioned. "Sure… try the-" She was interrupted once more. "Cool… what if I touch that thing outside?" I ran out of the workshop and ran towards the mysterious mechanism. "Don't touch it or you'll-!" The mechanism exploded right at me when I slipped and accidentally hit it. "Explode…" She sighed. "I'm a terrible Blacksmith…" I admitted. "No you aren't… all you need is more… discipline…" She gave an emo look.
"It's getting late… I'll just go to my house…" I began walking off. "Wait…" She stopped me. "Did you build that house?" She suddenly asked. "Ahh… Yeah?" I said. "You could… be a great Blacksmith believe me…" She gave a sincere kind look for once. "I'm still with Silica-chan though!" I shouted out happily. "…" Deira responded. "I hate that girl so much… she makes my blood boil…" She muttered in a demonic tone. "Nanidai?" I face palmed. "Just leave… I have work to do…" She stormed off back to her workshop angrily. "Women… why are they always mad when I talk? Am I really that scary?" I mumbled and walked to the nearby town.
At least I learned something. I learned how to Smith but just a bit. I really want to make a Zweihander of vast destruction… and chop off heads with it… Kuso… I hate these mood swings! Anyway as I got back to the house I continued to try and craft something. All I kept making were daggers and knives… what is the difference between daggers and knives anyway? I smiled at my work but my skill in this thing is still 1.2/1000. I have a long way to go… The highest skill I have is Two-handed Zweihander tied with Bargaining. Yes, I am a good Bargainer… I remember that time I made a deal for this new Armor I got… I got it from Deira when I said I wanted new armor… It's practically the same with my old one though so… cool…
End of Chapter 10
Author's Note: I'm sorry for not updating fast, I was very busy these days so forgive me for this… I will try to update faster. Anyways thanks for reading minna!
Next Chapter: Bring it on!