Chapter 36: Demise.

How does it feel to finally be in equal terms with a forgotten brother? It feels kind of so-so. He hasn't helped me when I was still a runaway so how can I even trust him completely at this point? My reunion with my self-proclaimed brother isn't really all that important. It only compromises of him speaking in a saddened tone whilst hugging me. His desperate apology seemed sincere, hence the reason why I buried the hatchet. It was the hatchet that signifies my resentment to him.

Other than that, all the other events didn't really bestow any importance to me. The only important thing in my mind right now is the report of «Azure Sky». Their report stated something about conquering «Floor 84- Maarthundal».

With that report known, Figo warned me about Floor 85 could possibly be another horror-themed floor… Asuna would surely not like this…

Once I heard rumors about the roaming boss appearing in the dreaded «Floor 76», I had to defeat it and pillage whatever it had! My borrowed companion, Havuki contacted me recently. It had something to do with a rare item called «Murky Demise».

«Murky Demise» is an offensive type weapon which can be used to reveal occult-themed monsters and make them appear like something else. The transformed monster will have the same attacks and reach so it wouldn't be that much of a threat in either version. Unless it's the boss, we can breathe easy with our two trump cards fighting with us and with «Murky Demise».

I had to meet up with my mercenary friend, Havuki though. I borrowed him from Figo and in exchange, Deira decided to go with him in his expedition. I needed to get my hands on that rare item! For the sake of our future expeditions, venturing «Floor 84» is needed. Figo says that the next 2 floors are possibly horror-themed so I made this one of my priorities.

Enough of all of this, I'll get to the point.

I knew that Asuna-san does not do well in occult-themed floors so I redirected my priorities to acquire a rumored item. With Havuki's side of the job done, I have to meet up with him at «Floor 76» so that we could confront this wandering boss!

I found out my true unique skill though… It's called, «Chaotic Phantom» which is actually the true form of my skill. It is a skill which can be activated only for 3 minutes and it has a recharge time of 10 minutes before it is made usable again. From the examination Tadaiku did to me (which is not important), the skill actually combines two skills. With this form in play, my offensive abilities reach an extreme level while my defenses stoop slightly lower. My speed increases only a few percent as well.

Anyways, I had to go to Floor 76 as soon as I can. From where I am, I need to make my way there. As a loyal member of «Knights of The Blood», I must be concerned for the welfare of my senior members. Kirito and Asuna are two players who have always looked out for me but I can say that Kirito was the one who did more. Without him, I never would have passed the first few floors. I still have no idea why they hated him!

My location was «Floor 1» so it was easy to head to that «Teleportation Gate». As soon as I arrived there, I muttered, "Floor 76- Deserted Mazuruzo."

I felt my body disperse into digital particles as the teleportation was beginning to take place. I'll be meeting my friend; the «Silent Mercenary» at the village so I can be sure that he'll be there waiting. He's the one who obtained information from the famous information broker so we should be ready for whatever's coming.

After a few seconds, I noticed that the deserted atmosphere seems to have disappeared around the area. Unlike from before, there were players around. Even new stands are here! They were player stands and not one of those typical NPC stands.

"It would seem that you have finally arrived, Koyero…" That signature monotone voice could be heard from behind me and I knew who it was.

"Why hello there, my mercenary friend! Are we ready for—" I paused as soon as I saw a familiar face beside him. I-I thought that I just asked him to gain information, not gain a party member! "Is that…"

"Yes, it is the well-known information broker, «Argo the Rat»… She will be assisting us in our cause for today. Is my intuition right? You two do know each other right?" His bandana really did cover his lower face so I couldn't really see if he was chuckling or being plain teasing… "The more the merrier right?"

Argo in the same party as us? This could be bad… I still remember all those mood swings I had while I was with her. There was funny story for that but I should leave that for another time. To be frank, I don't really know if she still has any grudge against me for all my random antics.

«Azura» isn't something we should be unaware about though. It has been a wandering boss ever since SAO started. Kirito-san told me about it being one of the rarer bosses which keep changing its drops. We needed the information from Argo just so we could be updated with its newly updated abilities. So far, the new drop may prove useful. Aside from «Murky Demise», «Toxic Fangs» can really help in refining! Likewise, it can also be made into a powerful poison weapon.

"Teamed up with «Moody Vanquisher»? This really is going to be a unique day…" Argo snickered upon saying that, earning a pout from me. "As soon as we're done with this mission you're both attending to, I'll leave the party and you both better not spread rumors about this… especially you." She glanced at me.

"What are you accusing me for?! I'm not as random as before, you know. Also, please stop calling me that name! I really do not like that nickname all of you players gave me…" I crossed my arms.

"Less talk, more action. I know you want to disband this party as soon as possible… Am I right, Argo?" Havuki really does look like a closet pervert for a weird reason… Seriously, who would be like that all the time without having some kind of fetish?

"At least there's one bright one in this party… It would have been better if Kii-bou was here though. He's probably the only one that can help him contain all that randomness!" Argo was the first one to walk away, followed by me and Havuki.

Of course, Argo knew this floor like the back of her hand. She is an information broker and she comes from the Beta so I know that she memorizes the possible travelling routes in almost all floors. Although due to the updates, many things changed but all the bosses we fought had some relation to the Beta (which Havuki suggests).

Unlike some other players, I don't really get the reason for all the discrimination for all the Beta players. Yes, they have advantages but their people wanting to get out of the game as well! Kirito-san took all the blame for it by giving himself the nickname, «Beater» just so that they wouldn't do the same to other testers like Argo or Havuki. Among all players, Kirito-san truly is someone I want to be like…

Back to reality. Like the previous expedition for this floor, the scenery changes instantly from a forest to a desert once we make accumulated a number of travelling time. Previously, there was a giant turtle monster here before but now it's gone. This was the second floor where I had a chance for the frontlines and where I discovered the extra skill, «Blademake».

The sand felt deeper and my boots felt heavier which each passing step we all took. «Azura» should be around here somewhere but as the title suggests, wandering boss really does mean wandering boss. My Zweihander's name changed as well. It is named «Pillaging Arbite». It's actually pretty similar to its predecessor but it is more sturdy and powerful.

Am I helping Asuna like this just for some favors from the guild and a possible promotion? No, I'm doing this out of my free will because I know she needs it. Yes, I may be determined to get a better position but she is my friend. Positions are nothing compared to that… I also may be somewhat irritating and unpredictable but I'm a human too. I feel the same as everyone else…

Scared and worried…

I glanced at my comrades as we were traversing this wasteland and gave a small smile for myself. I never really had friends in school before but now I see all of them as important people.

All I hope for is our successful acquisition of that rare item… I don't want any casualties to happen but I know that Argo and Havuki were both experienced in terms of eluding a possible dangerous situation. «Azura» may just be a field boss, but it is an extremely poisonous type best monster. If it manages to bite us or whip us with its tail, that will manage to instantly poison us and deliver severe damage to any defense…

After a few minutes more of travelling on these deep sands, I spotted something which could possibly be that one monster we were looking for. It could be a scorpion but I'm pretty sure that was it. Argo should know though… Maybe I should tell her about this little thing I spotted, just yards from our current location.

My hand was on Argo's shoulder which made her back away almost as quick as Kirito. Our eyes met but hers showed signs of defense. "I'm not going to hurt you, Argo! I just want to say what I have just spotted!"

Her look didn't give any signs of trust to me so I had to be cautious. She doesn't trust me one bit! She even admitted that last time! "I will trust your sight for this once… Havuki and I haven't really seen a glimpse of it just yet for now."

My bandana-equipped friend nudged Argo a bit which earned a slight protest from her but it ended up with silence after a while. "Having no trust amongst each other will not make a successful team… we must trust each other for the time being. That is the only thing a team needs, you know. As the acting party leader, I will not let either one of you be abandoned in that battle…"

This big powerhouse really is actually a huge softie! Previously, he wasn't at all interested in protecting some random player like me but now, his sincere urge to protect could be seen… His powerful weapon is called the «Scythe of Trust». From what I heard, he made Lisbeth craft him a weapon since his old one was now in new hands. The real weapon name is actually «Redemption».

After that short debate between the three of us, we headed to that thing I spotted. As I suggested, it really was quite far from where we were. How much time it took to just make it there? Maybe around 5 minutes was needed to go there but that's my estimation and I don't think I'm right. Argo had complete mistrust for me but Havuki was the complete opposite. Finally, we arrived at the area I suspected «Azura» was roosting in.

I never would have guessed that I would be right anyway. Usually, I get a mistake and it may be something else but this time…

It is «Azura»!

That humanoid creature really was a sight to see! Its head really did look like some horrible bedhead you get in mornings! Fortunately, it didn't seem to notice us passing by its sight. Its eyes gleam a harsh red light and its fangs has some kind of smeared fluid on it (possibly decorative blood). My expectation also was fully correct! The claws looked extremely lethal and sharpened to the limit! Argo's info about its claws was accurate and you can bet on it!

With my distance close to the both of them, I slowly whispered, "Ready to get down with this beast? You both know I am!" With that said, they gave a small nod in unison to signify their understanding. I unsheathed my signature weapon and went in position. I'm supposed to be the first line attacker for the time being… just the way I like it!

With all the decisions made, we started to approach the monster, the one who had the rare drop. «Azura» better watch out for me! As soon as we reached about 5 feet towards it, that triggered its aggression to increase for territorial defense or something.

Yeah, you know what I'll do in a situation like this. What did you expect? I'm reckless after all! I quickly started charging at my opponent like the old days which earned a sigh from my comrade. I'm not the same suicidal player though… I am now somewhat analytic and somewhat adept in countering counters or parries.

The system has finally made this monster make the first move which made the both of us charge right at each other. I pulled my blade back, spread it openly in front of me and continued my momentum. This resulted to a blue shine to occur. My classical skill, «Phantom Charge»!

With the «Pre-motion» stage done, I felt my body going with the flow due to the system. My skill has activated! With amazing speed, I instantly pierce through my opponent like it wasn't there to begin with. This caused massive damage to the wandering boss. Bosses have extremely high HP, specifically extra HP bars to deplete. This one had the usual 4 life bars but that move depleted one whole bar! It must be an extra critical hit… My critical rate is high.

Of course, there was always a catch for a powerful move. The «Post-motion» stage started taking place which made me immobilized to recharge from that move. Too bad for me, «Azura» saw this opportunity… With my defenseless state in place, that boss instantly jabbed that poisonous tail right through me!

Words to describe this painful feeling I'm having right now? That's easy! I didn't feel pain since this «Painkiller» feature disables real pain and just leaves some sensation. I could feel my HP slowly depleting though. I was just hanging on its tail but I had an extremely great idea!

As the worrisome face of Havuki could be seen from the distance, I lifted up my Zweihander. My HP was almost at the yellow part so I had to make this one hit count! With one swift chop, I mutilated its tail, hence removing its ability to poison us with its tail. I dropped on the ground with a loud thump and the shrieking bellow from «Azura» echoed around the area. Before it could attack me again, I rolled away with my Zweihander sheathed and yelled the word out.

"Switch!"

Next Chapter: Maarthundal