#10 – March 5, 2024

I don't know why, but I had an itch to explore the 50th floor again, even though it's been cleared for a while now. Maybe it was because I wanted to level up again, or maybe it was because I wanted a place to kill time. Either way, since I still use an apartment in Algade, it was quick and easy for me to access the battle grounds around the city. Hell, I wanted to be so secluded that I just told the guild that I was investigating some rumors of a rare item there.

Anyways, I started off by slashing away at various enemies that I can't say I remember the names of. During all the battling, I surprisingly leveled up to level 74, not that I was too surprised. The thing was that I had been level 73 yesterday, so it just struck me as odd. For the next hour after that, I saw nothing. No enemies, no players grinding, no nothing. Just an empty field. It was strange, sure, but again I expected this when I started this anyways, so it's not like I was shocked at the sight.

As hours ticked by, the sun finally began to set, and since for some stupid reason I left my teleport crystals at home, I could either head home in total darkness or find a place to hole up, so I decided to find someplace to crash, which I knew was going to be a challenge; it's not like you can find a house in the middle of nowhere as easily as in the movies. Like before, a lack of enemies made the field feel empty, and to be honest, that started to make things boring. And as I expected, there was not a house in sight, so I needed to find SOMEWHERE to stay. And at that point, I was like "To hell with it" and collapsed onto the soft grassy field, which was actually comfier than I expected.

However, the moment didn't last, as at that moment, I heard footsteps rustling; they were far away, I knew that thanks to my listening skill, but I needed to move and hide. Unfortunately for me, like everything else, there was a lack of hiding spots, if any at all. So of course, my only option was to run, which was easier said than done for someone who doesn't have terribly good agility. For once, I was angry that I was built for battle. After what felt like an hour, I started to fell drowsy, so I started slowing down; and that was when I had another "To hell with it" moment and decided to defend myself in case these guys were enemies.

Fortunately, there was only three of them, and as it turned out, they were members of the notorious Laughing Coffin, and I guess my appearance scared them into running away, because they took off like bats away from my position. It was a relief, but at the same time, I wasn't worried about anyone fighting me. At that moment, I realized that I needed to let my guild know I was fine. I turned around, pulled up my menu, and messaged both Heathcliff and Asuna about my position and my stupid mistake of leaving my crystals behind.

As I hit send, I hear a voice behind me say, "One move, and you're dead." I stiffened up, and for the first time I felt like sweating. I didn't recognize the voice, but it sure wasn't friendly.

"Who the hell are you?" I asked.

"I have many names among my assossiates," he started, "but you may simply call me PoH."

"PoH? What kind of name is that?"

"Why are you so demanding, Mr. Haiyamoto?"

"H-How do you…"

"You forget how popular you are among the clearers. You probably assume people like Kirito and Asuna the Flash and so on are the most popular."

"O-Of course. They're the ones everyone knows about. But what do you want with me?"

"Easy: you're a hostage."

"Excuse me, you pansy? Remember who I am?"

PoH responded by holding his weapon to my neck, which to me resembles a giant knife, but I wasn't too sure.

"Of course I do," he continued. "In fact, I know an awful lot about you, from your giant of a weapon to your significance in the KoB."

"W-What the hell?" I was beginning to sweat bullets at that point.

"Hell. What would you know about Hell?"

"This game is pure Hell."

"Far from it, but everyone seems to compare this game to Hell."

"And how, may I ask, would you know what Hell is like?"

"I don't. However, I do think of myself as a representation of Hell itself."

"Seriously?"

"Dead serious."

"…" I was left speechless for the longest time as a light breeze blew through the field.

"Now, who were you messaging a moment ago?" he asked.

"My guild leaders," I replied. PoH then held his knife even closer to my neck, and at this point a few tears flew off my eyes. "B-B-But don't get the wrong idea! I didn't tell them ANYTHING about your little group that scouted me out, or you for that matter."

"Good boy," he responded as he took his empty hand and began to pat my head. "What's the story about your hair? Natural?"

"O-Of course. Why wouldn't it?"

"Grey hair just doesn't seem to fit you. I guess you could say you're better than it."

"Why all this small talk? Aren't you going to kill me?" PoH then, for no reason, lowered his weapon and circled around to face me. He was wearing a hood, so I didn't see much of his face, but his eyes looked as if he was peering into my soul, and I stood completely still as if he were a gorgon turning me to stone.

"I could, couldn't I?" he asked. "I mean, a few slices from Mate Chopper would take you out easy."

"Mate Chopper? Is that the name of your little knife?"

"It's actually a dagger, and yes, this is my trusty weapon." He then held it back up to my neck. "And I'm not afraid to use it, either." I gulped down spit that accumulated in my mouth.

"W-What do you want?" I asked.

"I want you to come with me," PoH replied.

"Why the hell would I do that?"

"Like I said, I know who you are and many of your abilities. And it's because of those abilities that I think you would be helpful in my guild."

"Y-You mean the Laughing Coffin?"

"Bravo, detective. You get it then?"

"I do, but I would have to decline that offer."

PoH's smile melted away. "I figured as much, but I'm afraid you don't have much choice in the matter now. Even if you tried to escape, I have a few of my own allies that would try to kill you on sight."

"I could get away."

"Even with your fatigue?" I clamped my mouth shut.

"Thought so. Now then…"

"Haiya?" a voice shouted from the distance. It was kind of hard to hear, but I knew it was Asuna due to her cute nickname for me.

"Damn it," PoH swore. "I can't have HER interfering with my plans." After looking out in the distance, he turned to me.

"You got lucky," he continued, "but know this: I will be back. And next time, you won't be able to escape as easily as you are now. Get the picture?" I simply nodded. He then patted my head once more.

"Good boy," he added. "Well then, the show must go on." He took his blade from my neck and returned to the direction he came from. I turned around and saw that there was no sight of PoH or his goons. Relieved, I collapsed to my knees, and although I felt no physical sweat, I felt like my heart skipped a beat several times. This man, this PoH, had a chance to kill me, but instead he let me go. No health taken. No items stolen. All he left behind was a shell of a man with shaken nerves. And at last, Asuna reached me, kneeling by my side.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "Are you hurt?"

"No," I replied. "But I think I just had the biggest 'Oh shit' moment of my life."

"Goodness," she replied. "Well, you're safe now. We'll just teleport back to town and you can tell me, and Heathcliff, everything in the morning."

"Thanks." I replied. In another instant, I felt a slap to my face.

"Oww," I shouted. "What was that for?"

"A rare item? Was that the best lie you had?"

I just smiled. "You saw through that, huh?" And as the blue shine of the teleport crystal covered the two of us, I had a sudden epiphany: the jaws of death could strike at any moment, no matter how prepared I am, so this means I should probably stay away from as many empty fields as I can.

Hey guys. Welcome, as always, to the end of this chapter. Now if you follow me as an author (and why wouldn't you unless you're trying to hurt my feelings), you've probably noticed that I've updated all of my fanfics with a new chapter. This wasn't by chance, either, because this was the point; if you're following me, then you are now aware of my four other fanfic series, and I just wanted to make sure all of my series were updated to accommodate all my fans.

How have you followers been? Like my Gran Turismo fanfic, I have neglected to update this fanfic in such a long time, and I do apologize for this. I really do want to update this fanfic more than I have, but I find that this one takes a little more tedious research in order for it to fit into the SAO timeline (weird thing considering this is an AU fanfic, but whatever). Also, the comment I made about sticking to canon more often was just me being melodramatic at best. Sticking to canon makes it easier, but that's not what fanfics are about. It's about being creative with the universe you're messing around with. And as you can see, the past few chapters have been me being more creative than usual.

Whew, that got a little deep. In any case, special thanks to Redleafs12 for giving me the kick in the noggin I needed for not only continuing, but also for realizing how bland I may have started the fanfic depending on who you may be. One more thing before I go, I will update this fanfic quicker than this past time, but it is one of my lowest priorities to my more viewed, more reviewed fanfics, so it's up to you whether or not this one is made higher priority, so please leave positive reviews or constructive criticism so I can make this one better for you, the reader.

And with ALLLLLL that said, read on!

-rjm324