Dungeon Oratoria Online

by asdf1asdf1

DOO is the first game to be created in a long awaited category, a VRMMORPG. Follow Kirito and co as they seek to clear out the depths of the dungeon located beneath the city Orario. However, this game is no mere entertainment, it's a real world, where death in the dungeon means death for your body. The only way they can escape the game is to clear the bottom floor of the dungeon.

10. Chapter 9

Authors' Note:

Hello,

Please enjoy the next chapter as things start to speed up again.

For some reason I find myself somewhat disappointed in this chapter. Hopefully you still enjoy it.

Chapter ten may be delayed.

Thanks again to those of you whom continue to read.

Later,

-asdf

---

Chapter 9 – Freya's Test

Babel's highest floor:

"But Freya you can't!"

"What did you say child?"

The words aren't cool, or spoken with any particular venom, but they still freeze the other person in their tracks.

"I-I mean, he's already done great things. What more could you possibly want?"

Swirling around the wine in her glass, Freya appeared completely undisturbed by the questioning. "It's the event you mention that actually makes this all the more necessary."

"W-what?" Stunned the gray-haired girl could not understand the divine will of the silver-haired goddess whom she pestered.

"At the end of the fight, he wielded such power at the mere suggestion of suffering to his friends… What would happen if he saw them bleed in front of him, hmm?"

"But that's…"

"It's only him you care about yes?" Freya placated her with a smile. "Fret not, he will come away from tomorrow in one piece. I can't promise the same for the others."

"Please don't." The words are quiet, but completely audible in the room empty except for the two of them.

"Excuse me?" Finally putting the glass down, Freya turned her gaze on the girl in front of him. "I don't believe you're in a position to make demands of me Syr."

"B-but, if you hurt them, it will hurt him!" Panting the waitress summoned up all of her courage to reject the will of a goddess.

"He'll recover," Freya assured her, "and when he does, he'll be stronger than ever."

Denied Syr stared at the luxurious carpet blanketing the floor.

Turning back around, Freya walked away from the girl, assuming her will would be followed.

"Why?"

The word stopped the goddess in her tracks.

"Why is he so important to you?"

A lilting laugh echoed through the room. The sound was beautiful to make anyone fall in love with its owner.

"Because he may be special enough to join my collection," Freya replied like she was talking to an idiot. "You should be happy for him Syr, for if he succeeds, he will learn my love and be eternally happy."

"I need resources first."

"Take what you need," Freya waves her hand uncaring.

Shivering Syr left without a dismissal. A bad idea when dealing with this goddess, but she was one of the few whom could get away with it. This summons had taken her excitement and twisted it into a cold fear. For she knew that after next Friday's outing, nothing would be same.

Muttering her final words, large tears formed in her eyes, "I'm sorry… Kirito."

---

Kirito:

Walking towards the dungeon, I felt the hole in stomach keenly. The dull throb was a building pain that I couldn't fully dismiss. Having no money, no doubt Hestia would be feeling it as well. That would be the objective of today's venture into the dungeon. Make enough money so that I can stockpile some non-perishable food. Something I really should have done a long time ago. Only now was it coming back to bite me.

Walking towards Babel, my stomach protests loudly as I force myself past the benevolent mistress. I'm not going to beg Syr for food, especially before they're open. Sighing deeply, I plod past the inviting storefront, my pain seemingly double, what it has before the temptation.

"Kirito!"

Turning around, it's the voice I determined myself not to beg for food. "Syr?"

"Are you on your way to the dungeon?"

Nodding mutely, I'm confused. What was she doing out here? It's not strange that they'd greet me, but she should be finishing preparing for the morning breakfast rush.

"W-well, I was thinking…"

"Umm, yes?"

"Well… here you go!" Ducking her head, Syr presented an object she'd been hiding behind her.

"A basket?" Looking at it in confusion, it seems to be just that. A simple woven with a matching lid and handle. A picnic basket.

"I thought I could make you lunch each day to bring into the dungeon…" Syr explains, still not looking at me. "After all, Adventurers work up quite the appetite.

"Syr…" Breathing name of my saving angel, my mouth starts to water just thinking about the food that must reside in that basket.

"So, you'll take it?" Looking up at me with hopeful eyes, I can finally see Syr's face. Her cheeks are a mottled red.

"Of course!" Smiling broadly, I have no doubt I'd be even more embarrassed than her if I hadn't been so hungry.

Grabbing the basket, our fingers collide briefly as I reach out to take the basket. Pulling lightly on it, Syr doesn't relinquish her grip.

"Hey Kirito…"

"Y-yes Syr?" I stutter back. The expectancy in her voice is worrying.

"You're excited about Friday, right?"

"Uhh… Yeah, of course I am."

Eyes drooping in disappointment, Syr let's go of the basket. My words hadn't convinced her in the slightest.

"Do you want to cancel it?"

Pausing I try to read Syr's intentions. However, I can't figure it out. Does she want me to cancel or does she just think that I don't want to go?

"N-no, I want to do it!" I insist. "After a week in the dungeon I'll need a break."

"Okay!" Syr replies, some of her good mood returning. "Oh, and Kirito, that lunch is a promise alright. I'll have one ready every day, so make sure you come get it, alright?"

Smiling, I nod my understanding.

Blushing again, Syr dashes back into the restaurant.

Tilting my head back, I look at the morning sky. I really should be on my way to the dungeon. Yet, I need some time to process this new event. Syr is the third girl I've promised I won't die in the dungeon. First was Hestia, then Eina, and now her. Chuckling lightly, I struggle to comprehend how life could have changed this quickly for me.

Turning towards the dungeon, I do feel some excitement rise up in me. While currently being the poorest familia in Orario, Friday should be fun, the girls will make sure of that.

---

Babel:

"YOU!" Pointing her finger right in Kirito's face, an irate Argo's chest heaved heavily.

"Uh oh."

"Yeah, uh oh!" Argo yelled at him. "I spent an hour standing here feeling stupid as I waited for you to show up. After you didn't show up, I figured something must have happened. After all, surely you wouldn't just leave me standing in front of the dungeon entrance waiting for you, right?"

"It's well ah…"

"Shut up!" Argo commanded. "So, there I am, running around Orario, pulling my hair out searching for you, fearing the worst. When, in a flash of inspiration, I track down Miach's store, and what do I hear? That you, are out on a date with your goddess!"

Argo's roars have drawn the glances of many passing adventurers. Shuffling from foot-to-foot Kirito has no answer to her claims.

"I just figured, you'd realize I wasn't coming and do your own thing, you know?"

Kirito barely got his eyes back up to Argo's face before a resounding smack echoed through the chamber.

Stumbling backwards a step, Kirito fell down. Sitting there stunned, he merely stared at Argo with one hand to his cheek.

"I was so worried, and you…" Choking up, Argo stared at the floor, her words a whisper. "You didn't care about me."

"T-that's not true!" Kirito protested lamely. But he felt the truth of it in his heart. For when push came to shove, he'd chosen Hestia's happiness over informing Argo of his plans.

"Argo! Kirito…?" Trailing over questioningly, an excited Asuna approached the duo. Eyes scanning back and forth, the previous smile she'd been wearing disappeared smoothly from her face. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Argo spat wiping her face with her arm. "Kii-bou's being an idiot, nothing new. If it's just the three of us, we should get going."

"Argo…" Murmuring sympathetically, Asuna placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I'm fine alright, let's go." Ripping out of the contact, Argo began pacing towards the entrance to Babel.

"Wait!" Calling out the forgotten two members ran to catch up. Panting Rain and Philia began apologizing for their tardiness. "Nahza needed some help cleaning bottles this morning. Couldn't really refuse with how much more popular it's becoming lately."

"That's great news!" Asuna smiled happily. "I should remind my familia about your store since it's so close to our familia home."

"I'm sure Miach would be thrilled to hear that," Rain smiled.

"Yes, thank you Asuna!" Philia adds on.

"S-since everyone is here…" Sitting on the floor still, Kirito shrank slightly under the sharp gazes of the four women. Hunching in his shoulders, Kirito tried to remind himself he was giving them good news. "This Friday, Syr has invited us all to go shopping." Leaving it at that, Kirito wasn't comfortable calling it an apology.

Strangely, none of the girls immediately reply. Kirito can still feel Argo's glare from the side, but that's it. The other three have retreated into a pensive state. "Shopping again?" Rain asked. "Isn't there anything else to do in this city?"

"W-well, Syr hasn't gone," Kirito explains nervously.

"So, it's like that," Rain chuckles. "Well, I had fun last time, so sure! Where and when are we meeting?"

"I'll uh, get that information and tell you tomorrow," Kirito sighs in relief. Glad that at least one of them is on board with Syr's plan.

"Guess we should move on to the dungeon then?" Philia asks while stretching the immobility from her body.

"Agreed," Asuna nods strongly. "We can finish the ninth today, right Argo?"

"No, the girl grumbles. "Didn't get to go yesterday or it would be."

As one, the other three girls glare at the source of Argo's anger. "What did you do to her Kirito?"

"Is that an imprint of a hand on your cheek?"

Ignoring them, Kirito stood up and walked over to Argo. "I'm sorry. I know I should have considered your feelings better and I didn't. I'm still new to this… uh…" Trailing off Kirito's eyes flicked side to side as realized how embarrassing his next words were.

"Maybe if you finish that sentence, I'll forgive you," Argo told him cruelly, a wicked smile on her face.

Glancing even more nervously around the crowded room, Kirito was keenly aware of the three other girls glaring at him. Silently pleading mercy, Kirito knew he deserved this punishment. Not telling Argo yesterday had been downright cruel. Especially when he had the chance to do just that.

Sighing, Kirito met the girl's sparkling brown eyes. Staring straight into them, he forced the words. "I'm not used to having people care about me. I forgot that you'd worry about me if I didn't show up."

"Hehe, now wasn't that easy, Kii-bou?" Reaching up the diminutive fox girl rubbed his head as an older sister may.

"You forgot her yesterday?" Jumping into the conversation, Asuna looked a second away from strangling the black-haired boy.

Taking a nervous step back, Kirito raised his hands to defend himself form the onslaught. "I-its not… I!"

Cutting him off, Argo took over. "Oh, it was horrible Aa-chan!" she embellishes. "No warning, no letter. I stood here for hours, frantic that something had happened. And then… I discovered he was on a date with his goddess!"

Argo's cruel tale was followed by a wink and sticking her tongue out at him. Recognizing the gesture from Syr, Kirito understood that Argo had forgiven him… Assuming he survived the wrath of the other three of course.

"You incompetent!"

"A date!?"

"How'd it go?"

Philia and Rain's curiosity far outstripped Asuna's anger at me for abandoning Argo.

Deciding to focus on that saving aspect, Kirito answered honestly. "Not bad until all of our familia's savings were stolen."

"EH!?" This time all four girls mirrored the same disbelief.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Asuna muttered consolatory. Her words mixed with the guilt of the rich.

"It's alright," Kirito dismisses with a shrug. "We'll manag…" Trailing off, Kirito's gaze instead locked in on a party and tracked them as they descended into Babel.

"What?" following his gaze, the others just caught the edge of the forms as they disappeared down the staircase to the first floor.

"Do you know them?" Asuna asks curiously.

"Yes," Kirito admitted. Pointing at Rain and Philia, he continues, "I met them yesterday at the blue pharmacy."

"Oh," Philia exclaims, "are they Take-Mikazuchi familia?"

Nodding, Kirito confirms her questions.

"Hehe, I think they've replaced you as Nazha's favorite customer," Rain teased.

"Well they remembered the blue papillon wings," Kirito sulked. "Of course, she's going to like them."

"As riveting as this is," Argo sighs, "can we enter the dungeon? It's gotta be half past nine already."

Forming up, our party enters the dungeon, whole again.

---

Orario's Shopping District:

"You stole my money, didn't you?"

"No sir, I don't know what you're talking about!"

Pleading with the adventurer, the Prum waiter did his best to defuse the situation.

"You piece of shit Prum!" Howling his frustrations, the adventurers fist collided solidly with the waiter's face.

Falling to the ground with a sickening crunch, the waiter screamed in agony. Nose shattered; blood poured unrelenting down his face.

Feeling a twinge of remorse that an innocent had been caught up in her machinations, the human boy walked unnoticed from the store. Drawing few to no glances, the dirty human boy looked exactly like any other of the miscreants that plagued the streets of Orario. Often the offspring of Adventurers and whatever partner they can find, the children are left to fend for themselves when the adventurer fails to return from the dungeon.

Despite being different from all the other humans running around the street, the explanation fit for her as well. Wearing it as a mask, it allowed her to pass unseen through throngs of people. Supporter role temporarily forgotten due to the risks created in the last assignment, she resigned herself to picking pockets.

The memories of yesterday still plaguing her mind. Shakmi Varna, level three. She had been moments away from disaster. No doubt her slight of hand was inferior to the perception of a level three adventurer and would have led to her immediate arrest.

Shaking off the chills of that, she decided to get right back into it. The feeble amount she'd gotten off the third-rate adventurers brought into question whether they truly deserved the title.

The boy from yesterday though, at least that had been a decent haul. He would have had more earlier in the day no doubt. Unfortunately, he had no gear worth pursuing on him. Without any, becoming his supporter wasn't worthwhile.

Sighing, the girl found a secluded alleyway to relax. Looking at the bright noon sky, her heart felt heavy in her chest. The constant thefts were weighing on her. For so long now she's labored under the impossible task of producing enough money to buy her way out of her familia. To finally be free.

Yet, even now, closer to that goal than ever, she saw no light at the end of the tunnel. That couple wouldn't want her back, and she didn't want to go back. She'd be free to leave Orario, but go where? Do what? Her only skills her knowledge of the dungeon and how to steal things.

Sighing in defeat, she leaned her head against the cool brick wall of the bordering building. Dreaming of a bright white light to guide her, she fell into an uneasy midday nap.

---

Kirito:

Breathing the air in deeply through my nose, a large smile rises to my lips. The craggily grass snaps under the hobnails of my boots. In the distance, pale rock walls rise to form an impassable barrier. Dotting the landscape is a series of trees with a limited number of branches. The ones that do radiate out are just for show anyway. For it's the first of the dungeon's armaments, a nature weapon. Wielded by the first large category monster, the Orc.

Taking my first steps onto the tenth floor, I feel rejuvenated. The weights of the past week fall off as I cross the empty desolate landscape. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm making progress again. Approaching the next plateau. As my status continues to rise, so does that tempting achievement, level two.

Steadying myself with a couple deep breaths I push the goal from my mind. I need at least another week to gain experience on the tenth through twelfth. Looking around at the empty landscape, I see a couple groups of adventurers preparing to keep fighting. All native adventurers no doubt.

As the only room without the perpetual fog, it acts as staging point for parties getting ready to brave the depths of the floor. It also makes it so that the chances of being able to fight here are next to zero. Which means braving the mists and having to worry about ambushes and getting separated.

"Rain and Philia, I want you two to stay close, this floor is unlike anything you've experienced so far."

"What about Asuna?" Rain fires back. "Shouldn't she be the one most at risk?"

"True…" I agree reluctantly. Ducking my head, I can feel the glare I knew would come. "But she's been through here before. I trust her to stay close."

"How you want to work the floor Kii-bou?" Argo asked, a hint of nerves entering her voice.

Pausing, I consider the words. I think I'm strong enough to deal with the enemies on this floor solo, but that's also tainted with confidence from floor nine and my experiences form the beta. The freshest of which are from when I was level two and soared quickly through these floors headed for the thirteenth and deeper.

"I'll take point on any Orcs," I decide slowly. "I don't want anyone else fighting them until they get accustomed to their movements. If you can Argo, try to get the drop on any Imp gangs that come."

"Got it," the girl agrees.

Nerves rising to overpower excitement I scan over my party one last time. I'd forgotten Eina's advice again. Just because you can easily kill the monsters on one floor doesn't mean you can descend lower and expect to thrive. The differences between the ninth and the tenth were immense. Everyone in this party, including me, had only a minor safety net with which to survive. If we get dropped on by a monster party, or surrounded by Orcs…

Mind going a million miles, the nerves start to morph into full blown panic. I'm a fool for thinking I can lead people into the dungeon.

"It's alright Kirito," Asuna assures me with that angelic smile of hers. "We can do this."

"Yeah," Argo grumbles. "I worked overtime in order to finish my guide in time to join you today."

Nodding, I accept the words. Argo had been a surprise, since technically our contract ended yesterday on the Monday.

"Let's finish this floor on Thursday then and celebrate on Friday!" Trying to restore some of the vigor to my voice, it ends up cracking at the end. Flushing from my failure, I turn around to go deeper into the dungeon.

From behind me rings out the giggles of four girls. Glad I have my back to them; I feel my cheeks burn even brighter. Strangely though, the knot of fear has faded. Almost as if the their beautiful, discordant, peals of mirth had washed it away. Deciding I must be insane, I lead them out of the first room and into the mist.

Like the magic fog that it is, all laughter instantly dies. Turning my head to briefly check their conditions, I see that they're all wearing a steely expression now. No doubt my own expression matches theirs. Even at my strongest in the beta I could never clear these floors calmly. The mental effect of not being able to see your surroundings is just as powerful as the actual blinding effect.

Just then, the mist in front of me swirls. From it steps the lesser of the two evils on the tenth floor, imps. Drawing my longsword, I scowl as more of the annoying creatures enter vision.

"Flank them Argo."

Command given; I approach slowly. Moving to meet me, the five spread out in a semicircle. Controlling the shaking in my hand, I let them come to me. This isn't the first time I've seen a scene like this. In the beta, I'd been by myself. Getting cocky, I had allowed the seven imps to surround me. After doing so, they had torn me to shreds, my wild swings doing nothing to deter them.

This would be nothing like that time though. Just as the imps started to get comfortable in their victory, their excited shrieks piecing my ears, Argo struck. Sliding in from the mist like a wraith, the first imp was dead before it detected her.

Shrieking like banshees, the remaining four were stunned by the change. Not letting them regroup, I struck. The two fartherest from Argo went down under one powerful strike.

Having lost their numbers advantage in a blink of an eye, the two left start backpedaling.

"May we?"

Eyes shining, Rain appear eager to test herself against the tenth-floor creatures. Nodding my approval, Rain and Philia enter a two-vs-two duel under my sharp gaze.

"May as well do this," Grumbling, Asuna collected the bodies of the fallen imps and extracted their stones.

Splitting my gaze between the two different groups, it was strangely Asuna's actions that impressed me the most. The deft hands of the water mage moved swiftly and with no hesitation as she performed her tasks flawlessly.

On the other hand, Rain and Philia struggled to close out their duel. Despite the way Argo and I made them look, imps are far smarter than any monster they've encountered before. Hunting as a pack, they encircle their prey and bring them down with numbers, only striking when they see a clear opening.

Currently, the two girls were swinging forwards at the creatures. Rather than charging them back, the imps were sidestepping the strikes and responding in kind when they could. Rain's opponent was on the verge of death, multiple long bloody lines crisscrossing its skin from strikes it couldn't fully evade. Philia's, however, was going more even. Bearing only a single knife, she was struggling against the nimble creature.

"Gotcha!" Exclaiming proudly, Rain finally landed the decisive blow on her foe. Distracted by the death of its comrade, the imp lets out a piercing cry as it falls to its death. Not missing the opening, Philia puts its distress to a quick end.

"They were so much faster than monsters on the upper floors!" Philia complained.

"They are," I agree with a faint smile. "They're the reason the guild recommends a rating of C for this floor. If your agility isn't at least that high, these things run circles around you."

Shivering slightly under my words, Philia hides her discomfort by kneeling and extracting the imp's stone.

"May I try against the next ones Kirito?"

Meeting Asuna's eyes I realize that its less of a question and more of a command. The flinty look in her eyes speaks to how unhappy she is playing supporter to the four of us.

Nodding my agreement, I ask her about her experience, "did you fight any on your way down?"

"No," Asuna rebukes with a shake of her head. "Didn't have time for anything more than stone collection."

"I see… Well, be careful."

Nodding confidently, Asuna's pose is full of determination and a drive to prove herself. To me, herself, or someone else though I'm not sure though.

"GRARGH!"

Cold sweat condensing on my back, our party tilts their head to the left. To the source of the noise. Without even seeing the creature, I know its identity, an Orc. Nothing else on this floor could produce such a powerful cry.

Sniffing at the air, the green monstrosity enters view. Little more than a black silhouette at first, it finally solidifies into the monster I remember. That same sick green skin and disproportioned body. In its right hand it wields a most unfortunate item, a nature weapon. Grimacing slightly at the sight, the images of all the times that curved black wood ended my life rush back to me.

Glancing at my party members, I see the expected emotion, fear. Even Asuna and Argo whom have seen these creatures before are struggling to swallow it.

Of course they are. I berate myself. Any sane person would feel fear when they see a creature intent on killing them and possessing the power to do so.

Steeling myself, I leave the shackles of fear behind me. It's much too early to get scared off now. The person I want to reach is far beyond these creatures after all.

Pacing forward, I leave my sword at my side, a mirror to the orc. Like David versus Goliath, the thing stands almost doublee my height. Just over a metre and a half against three. Walking a steady pace, the distance between us closed rapidly.

Within ten metres, the beast lets out another roar. Not content at the pace we've been going, it breaks into a sprint; club raised above its head.

With barely a second to react, I don't bother trying to meet the swing. The task is far beyond the strength I possess. Throwing myself to the side, I enter an awkward roll, my various pieces of equipment slowing me.

With a dull roar, the weapon strikes the ground and sends out a plume of dirt. The strike is powerful enough that I can feel the vibrations from over a metre away. Steadying myself, I lose my chance to counterattack.

Unrelenting in its assault, the orc brings the weapon straight from the ground into a crash course for my head. Not expecting the quick response, my step backwards is barely enough to keep me alive. Passing barely a hairsbreadth from the tip of my nose, I'm left unscathed for now.

Berating myself for sloppiness, I retreat another couple of steps and prep my sword in a high stance. The Orc is a powerful fighter, but with my superior agility it should be a trivial task to defeat it in one on one combat. As if to mock me, the mist swirls again to admit another combatant.

Nose low to the ground, the armored creature seems to have just noticed us. Raising its sharp red eyes, this thing wants to kill us just as much as the orc does.

"Hard Armored!"

Screaming the name of the new creature, fresh fear takes place. One monster that I thought we wouldn't encounter until much later. The Hard Armored is the next evolution from the killer ants. Giving up on the pack mentality, Hard Armoreds excel at being nigh unkillable. The overlapping scales that line its back are impenetrable to our weapons.

Snorting, the Armored prepares its signature attack.

"Look out!" Crying out in fear, all I can do is hope Argo will guide them to success. Backpedaling I barely dodge another swing from the Orc while the Armored holds my attention.

Curling into a ball, the Armored rolls forward. Becoming a ball of armour. The consensus in the beta is that they're invincible against everything except magic in this state.

Growling at the Orc, I need to finish this quickly. Holding my impatience back, I let it prepare another swing.

Now!

Yelling internally, I roll under the horizontal swipe. With the Orc turning from the momentum in the swing, I'm practically behind it. Small smile touching my lips, it's finally my turn to attack.

Grabbing my sword handle with both hands, I put my weight behind the swing. Passing easily through the back of its knee, the blade grinds to a halt against the Orc's bones. Ignoring the things guttural cries of pain, I grit my teeth and keep pushing. With one more herculean effort, my blade slides out.

Behind me the two parts of the Orc crash to the ground. The still squirming torso and the silent, bleeding lower leg stump. Feeling no remorse for the giant creature, I end it with one last swing.

"Kirito!"

Flinching back to my party, my face goes blank. The four girls are hemmed in against the wall. Weapons out they each face a separate target. Unnoticed by me, two bad bats and another four imps had spawned and started preying on the girls. This in addition to the Hard Armored whom was gearing up for another charge.

Pausing momentarily, I judged where needed my attention most urgently. Currently, Rain and Philia were trying to hold the imps off while Asuna stabbed at the circling bats. Argo meanwhile was trying to help both and simultaneously keep and eye on the Armored. That's what I need to deal with.

Leaning forward, I sprint at the Armadillo-like creature. Focused fully on the four girls, it had finally found a spot it was comfortable charging from.

Reaching it just in time, I silently leap into the air. Holding my breath, I'd made as little noise on my charge over to avoid alerting it. Pausing in the air above the creature, my efforts were rewarded. Even now it stood oblivious.

Plunging my sword down with two hands, I pray the strike is enough. Colliding solidly, the impact jars my teeth. The screech of steel on carapace informs me of my failure. Sliding uselessly along the armour, I feel a change in the sensation. Reaching some sort of edge, the sword suddenly plunges straight down two feet, impaling the creature.

Armored killed, I sit there a moment on its dead back, legs straddling the creature. Looking closely at its shell, I finally see what I should have known. Since it required the ability to roll into a circle, the plates on its back aren't one piece. They move and have miniscule gaps between them. A potential avenue one may use to strike the soft flesh beneath.

"Ha!" Crying out fiercely, Asuna's rapier leaves afterimages in its wake and it stabs forward. The motion impaling one of the bad bats upon the weapon.

"Nice one Aa-chan!" Congratulating the mage, Argo rushes forward, feeling the change in the battle. Faster than the imps can react, Argo impales one with her claws. Having broken the stalemate, Philia and Rain quickly finish up the remaining imps.

"Watch out!" Crying my warning, none of them notice the final bad bat, descending on them.

"Screee!"

The piercing noise is unbearable and I'm over ten metres from it. At point blank range, the bad bats cry is disorientating and makes any physical motion difficult. None of them having a high defense stat, all four of the girls fall to their knees.

Cursing I dash towards the ecstatic bat. Not noticing my approach, the languid creature, slowly descends on its helpless prey. Mouth opening, razor sharp teeth descend towards Asuna's vulnerable shoulder.

"You wish!" Screaming my defiance, the bat barely looks up in time to see its death. Pausing there, sword outstretched, its dead body crumpling to the ground, I feel the exertion take its toll. Breaths coming hard, I barely find the energy to wipe off my blade between pants.

Argo's the first of the girls to get up. The other three follow slowly.

"That sucked."

Nodding along, Argo had summed up our first real battle on the tenth floor perfectly. After all of my confidence on the ninth, it was humbling to get beaten down so quickly. Taking a moment to stretch, I feel my lost stamina recover rapidly. I could take far more punishment than this before my body quit on me.

Looking at the girls, I'm not sure if the same holds true for them. Besides Argo, they all have bags under their eyes. An effect from the bats, it will be slow to fade. Besides that, they're panting heavily; unused to such continual effort. Until now they'd only fought against isolated enemies, not needing to keep up the insane level of focus that combat requires for any stretch of time.

"Are you alright?"

The question is meaningless. They obviously aren't, but it's one I'm expected to ask. Surprisingly, I get tired nods in response. As the last dregs of the bad bats cry expires, their eyes gradually sharpen into a focused expression.

"My status is going through the roof tonight!" Rain replied, managing to add a chipper tone to her words.

Impressed that even after that she's able to stay upbeat I nod.

"Further in then?" With a unanimous consensus, I lead out party of five deeper through the swirling mists of the tenth floor.

---

Asuna:

Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I give my image one final critique. Doing so helps take my mind off what comes next. There's no way the upcoming day won't be filled with embarrassing and awkward moments. Despite that… I'm looking forward to it.

The last time I got to relax was a week ago when I stayed overnight on the eighteenth floor with my familia. While it had been fun, this was my first time taking a day off since then. After that it was long days in the dungeon. Yesterday in particular had been brutal. After eleven long hours in the dungeon we finally surfaced, exhausted but content. The tenth floor was cleared.

It's a feat that deserves celebration. Eavesdropping on Lind, his party was just getting comfortable traversing the eighth. We had built up an entire two floor buffer. While I certainly couldn't take credit for the accomplishment, my status was ballooning like crazy recently. Adventuring while fighting strong enemies had been Loki's explanation. Combined with the amount that the floor produced, and my growth was through the roof. With that thought in mind, my eyes naturally gravitate toward the sheet I received from Loki last night with my new status.

Asuna

Level One

Strength: F 488 → E 516 Defense: F 465 → F 492 Utility: D 626 → D 666 Agility: D 690 → C 730 Magic: C 790 → B 820

Magic:

Vannforlengelse: Shoots water in the direction of the User's choice. Shape and force of the water is chosen by the user. Volume and power scale with level.

Skills:

Flashing Penetrator: Increases the user's speed when dashing towards enemies.

While it looks good…

How far am I behind Kirito though?

I had no doubts that while he was still far ahead of me, my status was growing quicker. His face always took on a pained expression when I talked with Rain and Philia about how fast we were all growing.

The ringing bell breaks me from my reverie. Smoothing my aqua dress one last time, I turn for the door. Not the special one Loki gave me, this one is casual clothing. Returning from the raid I opened my closet to find an assortment of new clothes with a note from Loki stuck to them.

'These are to remind you that there is more to life than the dungeon.'

Loki

Smiling wryly, I fully acknowledged those words after this past week. I really needed a fun day to unwind.

Exiting the manor, I'm hit by the morning sun just breaking over the walls of Orario. Due to the height of the walls, dawn had come over an hour ago. Holding up one hand to block the piercing rays, I sigh. While the day is sure to be fun, the chances of it unwinding me are slim to none.

Walking slowly along the street, my stomach rumbles hungrily. On a typical dungeon day, I'd have eaten over an hour ago. However, our first stop of the day was breakfast at the benevolent mistress. What a way to start out the day.

Exhaling a big sigh leaves my lips. Strangely I find myself missing the girls from my family. Going out to see the same people I do every day felt a little more like a chore than the fun excursion it should be.

Trying to convince myself that today is different. Without the strain of staying alive, maybe it will be. Plodding along, I take in the sights that I rarely see. On a street almost devoid of adventurers, the commoners rush around performing their daily tasks. I see a repair crew fixing a stores roof. A little further down, a mercantile family delivering a carriage full of goods.

Nerves fading, some excitement re-enters my gait. I'd somehow forgotten how much fun last time had been. Even if the conclusion had been less than stellar, I'd enjoyed it. Confident that today would not descend into violence, I'd left my staff and rapier behind.

"Privyet, Asuna!"

"Hey!"

Turning around, I see Rain and Philia approaching me at a jog. "Hey," replying with a smile, I'd forgotten that Miach's store would lead them along the same path. Slowing down, I fall in line beside them.

"Excited?" Philia probes, with an inquiring gaze.

"I suppose." Keeping my voice neutral, I try and come off as nonchalant.

Nodding to my words, Rain adds her thoughts. "I know what you mean. It should be fun, but at the same time…"

"It's going to be really strange?" Philia finishes.

Nodding again, I can fully understand their emotions. It's going to be an odd assortment of people, that's for sure.

"You ready?"

Without noticing, all three of us had come to a halt looking at the store's dilapidated front. Swallowing one last time, I begin walking towards the entrance.

Caught off guard by my sudden movements, Rain and Philia flank me like an honor guard. Ascending the stairs, I open the door in one fluid motion, not allowing myself to hesitate.

Glancing around the room, I quickly find Kirito and Hestia. Sitting across from each other at a six-person table, they look strange in the almost empty restaurant. Saving their public image, I lead our three-man group over to them. Taking advantage of my position at the lead of our group, I walk around to the far side where Kirito sits against the wall. Pulling out the middle of the three chairs I seat myself beside him.

"Hey," turning to greet me, Kirito's smile is soft. Like me, he's left his armour behind today. However, he brought his sword with him.

"Grr…" On the other side, Hestia is far less receptive to my presence. Looking back and forth between Kirito and I, she seems to be jealous that she hadn't chosen the spot beside him.

Vindictiveness rising, I lay a hand on Kirito's arm. "It was so nice of you to invite us to this."

Keeping my gaze on Kirito's reddening face, I can feel Hestia's anger without looking at her.

"Actually…" Kirito winces, as if the words are hurting him, "Syr is the one that deserves your thanks."

"Oh…" Unable to come up with a response, I remember now being told that. That Syr wanted to apologize to us all.

"Privyet."

"Hello."

Speaking their traditional greetings, Rain and Philia greet the seated occupants.

"Yo!" Barely a second later, Argo walks in through the door and approaches out table. "Looks like I'm the last one, eh?"

Walking around to my side, Argo takes the final chair.

"Ah, good. Everyone is here." Entering the front room from the back, Syr carries four large trays in her arms. "Eat up! We have a long day ahead of us!"

Placing the trays on the table, it's a struggle to prevent drool from dipping. Kirito wasn't trying, his bright eyes indicating that he has forgotten everything except for the food in front of him.

Leaving once the trays are placed, Syr moves to the back of the restaurant rather than the kitchen. Deciding its not an issue, I turn to the food. Appearing to be the consensus, words are few and far between as the plates are steadily devoured.

"So, everyone is enjoying it?" Returning after a short minute, Syr smiles at us. "I better hurry up or I won't get any!" Declaring her intentions, Syr pulls up a chair from a nearby table.

Almost as one, our gazes rotate and settle upon her. No longer wearing a waitress uniform, the girl has donned a cute white dress with a matching hat that rests behind her currently.

"W-what?" Blushing under our gazes, the gray-haired waitress averts her eyes. Ripping my eyes from her, I instead focus on Kirito. His eyes remain fixed on Syr, mouth half open in a stupor.

Anger flaring, I use my superior location to jab an elbow into his ribs.

"Grugh! Gurg!" Grunting once from my blow, Kirito lets out a second sound as Hestia's leg shoots out and connects with his shin.

As Kirito gargles in pain, I feel a brief flash of remorse at my actions. Forgetting my strength, no doubt it caused a lot of pain.

"Eh? Is something wrong Kirito? You can keep staring if you want."

Bowing my head, I flush in embarrassment and anger. How was Syr able to say that line!? Having been turned into the bad guy, there's nothing I can do but finish the food on my plate. Already the games and manipulations for Kirito's attention are starting. Picking at the food that's turned sour in my stomach; I wish I didn't have to participate.

---

Kirito:

"Are you thinking about buying those, Philia?"

Seeing the girl perusing a set of throwing knives, I inquire.

"Maybe," she admits reluctantly. "I've just been thinking about how range is really an issue in our party. I'm just worried I'll be really bad at them."

"Probably," I agree with a small smile. Clarifying before Philia could get sulky, "what I mean is that everyone is bad at first. You are right though; we could do with some range."

"Thanks," Philia replies, chewing over my words. "I'll think it over a little more."

"Alright." Rubbing her head quickly, I head over to the others. Taking a rather different approach than when it was just five, the seven of us had broken into smaller groups but migrated stores together. Taking up the job as go-between, I frequented both and just checked on their progress. Currently in a low-grade weapons store, the girls browsed the racks with a keen eye, hoping for an upgrade. The only two whom didn't seem all that interested in the store were Hestia and Syr.

Neither of them being adventurers, they passed uncaring eyes over the racks. Standing together in awkward silence, the tension between the two made the other customers give them a wide berth. Sighing, I enter the warzone.

"Hey, sorry this stop isn't as interesting for you." Smiling broadly, I hope to dissolve some of their tension.

"Oh, it's quite alright," Syr starts with a pretty smile. She looks downright adorable in that dress. "As an adventurer its only fitting that you take care of your gear. If something in here will save your life, then by all means, consider it my gift."

"Syr…" Mouthing the girls name, I feel my cheeks heat up slightly. She really is so kind. Even if she hides it behind her masks. "Thank you."

Clenching her teeth, Hestia furtively glanced back and forth between us. Searching for something to say, nothing came to her. "As long as your happy Kirito, so am I."

Frowning slightly, I turn to my goddess. "Well the same is true for me. I came over here because the two of you are obviously not enjoying yourselves."

"Hehe, I get a lot of enjoyment merely watching people," Syr started, "but hearing how much you desire my happiness is an amazing feeling."

Glaring at the gray-haired girl, Hestia worked her mouth soundlessly. Any words now would feel like a cheap mimic of Syr's.

"A-alright," I smile. "I'll be back shortly; I just want to check some items out."

Walking away from them, I ignore Hestia's Tsk of disgust and Syr's happy giggle. Why do they have to make everything a competition?

After only a couple hours I'm tired of putting out fires between the two of them. Especially because every time it ends with Syr wearing an innocent expression while Hestia storms around in a childish rage. Knowing Syr, I doubt they are all Hestia's fault, but Syr's manipulative abilities are far too high for Hestia to win an argument against her.

Looking at rows of shields, I try to take my mind off the unpleasantries. Unconsciously, my hand reaches out and feels the cool rim of one of them. Although it's edged in metal, the center of the circular shield is a strange wood. A dark hue bordering on black, it's none I'm familiar with. For some reason I find myself slightly drawn to it. Part of that reason, no doubt, is due my deficiencies as a leader in the dungeon. I have no method in my current skillset that allows me to block monsters. The Hard Armoreds in particular have been devastating to my party simply because once they start rolling there's very little we can do.

"Did you find something Kirito?" Tilting her head questioningly, Asuna approaches from where she was looking at leather armour.

Glancing at the price, I let out a heavy sigh, "No, what about you?"

Frowning slightly in disbelief, Asuna's eyes flick quickly back and forth between me and the shield. "No, nothing."

The bitter words hold the meaning we both recognize, but neither of us comment on. That none of this gear compares to what she can get for free from her familia.

"It seems like everyone is done," I comment, trying to keep things light. "Let's meet up and move on?"

"Sure…" Asuna agrees slowly, her eyes still darting between the shield and me.

"A-alright." Confused by her reluctance, I begin leading us back to the store front. Unfortunately, I hadn't found a better weapon. With the paltry funds I have available, it's no surprise. I wish I knew a blacksmith.

"Excuse me." Gracefully slipping around me, Asuna darts ahead to where the others are waiting.

"Huh?" Muttering my confusion, there's little I can do but continue on my way towards them. Gait slowing slightly, all six of them are now looking at me, after Asuna whispered something to them.

None of them look particularly thrilled with what Asuna said, except for Syr who beams widely at me. Another flurry of inaudible words and it appears like a consensus has been reached. "Y-yo…"

Returning to my traditional pathetic greeting, I can't come up with anything else after this unnerving exchange I've witnessed.

"Come on Kirito! Let's go on ahead!" Jumping in quickly, Rain grabs one of my arms and pulls me to the door.

"Umm, alright?" Allowing it to happen, I feel like this must have been some sort of consensus that the girls had reached. If It wasn't, Rain would have been jumped on already. Pouting, Hestia looks unhappy with the events, but isn't complaining.

"Yes! Let us depart!" Adding in her own awkward agreement, Philia takes my other arm.

Offering no resistance. I allow myself to get led from the store. Exiting, we stop suddenly only a short distance from the door. "So…?"

Ignoring my question, Rain and Philia look back towards the store where the others have remained. Keeping me faced firmly away, I can't see what's going on.

"Is this some sort of surprise?" Again, my question receives no answer. Merely a conflicted look shared by the two girls.

"Hehe, I told you I'd buy you anything you need, didn't I Kirito?"

Accompanying Syr's voice was the sound of the door opening again followed by approaching footsteps.

At this point my arms were released allowing me to turn fully around. There, held in Syr's arms, was the shield I admired.

Mouth flapping, no words come as I stare wide-eyed at the object. Even now its price flashes before my eyes. 100,000 valis. An overwhelming price to pay.

How did Syr have so much money?

Piercing my excitement and surprise, this one question springs to mind. While the Benovolent Mistress was undoubtedly popular, and must turn a tidy profit… It certainly didn't explain this. Especially with Syr making me lunches recently, she's spent an exorbitant amount of money on me.

She must detect my suspicion because she does her familiar head tilt. "Are you not happy with your gift?"

"N-no, I mean yes! It's amazing!" Not like I can say anything else when she puts her question like that. Taking the shield from her, I feel its weight for the first time. Its bulk speaks to how hard its surface is. With this I'll be able to absorb monster attacks for my party. More than its actual weight though, I feel the symbolic weight of the item.

Allowing Syr to buy this for me puts me far into her debt. I owed her every aid imaginable for this. Furthermore, and even more humbling, was that I accepted my role in my party. The fact that I was no longer a solo player who could fight how they choose, in complete disregard for everyone else. The tales Asuna told about how the upper adventurers could switch to different weapons flawlessly to adjust to changing enemies. If I wanted to join those ranks someday then I too would have to continue to update and expand my fighting repertoire.

"Now now, Syr," Asuna berates her with a big smile. "We're splitting the purchase four ways."

"That's right!" Argo agrees, making her presence known.

Glancing quickly at Hestia I understand the implications. Asuna would be picking up a quarter of the tab, so would Argo, and most likely Rain and Philia would split another quarter. Belonging to a poor familia where most of their earnings go towards paying off a debt, this isn't exactly surprising. However…

"Hmpf!"

Hestia seems upset that she can't contribute to the gift. Since practically all of her money is from what I make in the dungeon… She can't give them any without technically having me pay for my own gift. Not that I'd mind. I just couldn't afford to nonchalantly purchase something this expensive on my own.

"Well, thank you all for the present. I'll do my best to make the most out of it." Bowing slightly, this acceptance is all I can manage. I'm sure that the girls have some complicated system about their interactions and how this changes them, but that's beyond my ability to figure out.

---

South-East District:

"So where are we headed?" Hestia asked, her feet starting to drag from all the walking. After all, only her and Syr doesn't possess the falna of the others that increased their endurance.

Having left the shopping district a long time ago, Syr led them deeper and deeper into the south-east quadrant of Orario. The only remarkable landmark was a giant castle that they were slowly approaching. Its ominous spires hung tall over the district of Orario. Not on the same scale as Babel, it was still an obviously important building.

"Fret not," Syr consoles, "we're almost there, and trust me, it's well worth the wait."

At the back of the group, Kirito shivered as his instincts told him of even more danger ahead. But what else could Syr have planned?

"What is that castle?" Asking the question, Kirito wasn't sure if he really wanted to know the answer.

"Folkvangr…" Syr's quiet words are almost inaudible. "Ta da!" Spreading her arms, Syr displayed the front of the building where they were headed. All traces of her previous fear gone.

"Pool and water park by Grannus familia." The words were echoed by everyone except Syr.

A brief silence followed as they took it in. Almost as one they screamed, "A pool!?"

"I don't have a swimsuit!"

"I'm not prepared to be seen naked by men?"

Other such comments rang out. But Syr's waving arms finally silenced them. "I have it covered alright?" Reaching into her handbag, Syr pulled out a different outfit for everyone. Distributing them one-by-one, the girls looked suspiciously at the clothing they received.

Finally getting his, Kirito breathed a sigh of relief at the plain black fabric. It wasn't different from what he had back in his old life.

"W-where's the rest of it?" Asuna's question is barely audible, her weak voice filled with disbelief. As the others focused on the objects held in her hands, the reason became obvious. While the top was on the skimpier side, the bottom was practically nonexistent. Looking at it, it was hard to say what, if anything, it was supposed to cover.

Blushing Asuna looked at Kirito whom was staring wide eyed at the object she held in her hands. "Don't look at it!"

"Huh? B-but?"

"No!" Reacting impulsively, Asuna's head filled with images of Kirito seeing her in the clothes, forced her hand. Literally.

"Urgurk?" Gurgling in confusion, Kirito stumbled backwards a few steps before falling to the cobblestones. Asuna's hand was still outstretched from where she grabbed his face and pushed.

"Ah haha!" Breaking into raucous laughter, Syr was bent double from the hysterics. "I just thought it'd be funny to see how an elf would react to being told to wear amazon gear!"

Realization settled unto Asuna's face. Face heating even further, her worked in outrage at having been the butt of Syr's joke.

Joining in with Syr, the other girls have started laughing along with her.

"It's not funny!" Squealing her outrage, Asuna starts lightly beating on the source of her embarrassment, Syr. "Give me my real one!"

"Okay, okay!" relenting easily, Syr pulled another garment from her bag, then another, then another.

"Uhh…" Looking at the three different pieces, Asuna was flabbergasted by the outfit that couldn't be any further from the previous ones.

"It's elven," Syr confirms. There's an undergarment over which you can wear the pants and shirt if you so choose."

Nodding with comprehension, understanding set in for the watching participants. With the elves reluctance to show skin to any not in their family, it was the perfect outfit for them.

"I see…" Muttering stonily, Asuna still wasn't over the previous humiliation. Holding up the undergarment, the group whistled in appreciation. Whereas everyone else had received a bikini, Asuna's was a garment familiar to every Japanese student, a school swimsuit.

"Well time's wasting!" Syr declares. Leading the seven-person group into the building, the early afternoon sun bore witness to their actions.

---

Grannus' Pool:

"What is that you have there… Blurgh!" Unable to complete his question, Kirito found himself betrayed by his Goddess.

"Hehe!" Pulling the flower from behind her back, Hestia reveled in its surprise mechanic. Having been shown it by one the children in the pool, Hestia was having a field day showing it off to the unsuspecting Kirito and co.

"Watcha doing lying down Kii-bou?" Teasing the prone boy, Argo leaned over the still spluttering Kirito as he tried to remove the water from his mouth and eyes.

"Ah, uh nothing Argo." Averting his gaze, Kirito still struggled after more than an hour at the pool to look at the girls. His eyes couldn't help but track the one line of water as it trailed between Argo's breasts and left view behind the frilly yellow top. Argo in particular had been challenging. Her cute fox ears and tail just begged to be touched.

One thing had to be said for Syr's choices, to a tee they fit the girls both stylistically and size-wise. An impressive feat for a girl whom had barely met any of the people before.

"Want to do a slide with me?"

Trying to come across uncaring, the gleam in Argo's eyes spoke to the fun she was having. Also, to how much she wanted Kirito to join her.

"Of course," Kirito replied with an easy smile.

"Hey!" Hestia rebukes. "Our time still isn't up!"

Rolling her eyes, Argo seemed exasperated. "It's over in like ten seconds, what can you possibly do it that time?"

Moving over to where Kirito was just getting up, Hestia grabbed his armed and brought it between her voluptuous breasts. The amount of skin on skin contact heating both of their faces.

"Won't you ride the slide with me Kirito?" Hestia asked expectantly, face tilted up at Kirito hope in her eyes.

Mouth drying, Kirito went back and forth between a hopeful Hestia and an upset Argo. However, he had been quickly getting used to these ultimatums with no correct answer. For some reason they keep happening, where they want him to choose between one of the girls.

"Why don't we both go?"

At his answer both of the girls frown, but neither of them dispute it. Holding in his sigh, Kirito pulls his arm out before he gets lost in the sensation of Hestia's breasts. Kirito had learned that while picking both didn't make them particularly happy, it was the best alternative. Choosing one over the other just hurt of their feelings while choosing neither would hurt both.

Climbing the stairs to the top of a water slide, the magic stones pumping up the water are clearly visible. Smiling at the sight, Kirito reveled in the freedom that those two words brought to inventions in this world.

Waiting in the short line, the pool was occupied, but certainly not busy. Before long, the three of them were at the front, no attendant was present to tell them what they can and can't do. Safety here was entirely predicated on you.

"I'll sit in your lap!" Argo declares.

"Umm, okay?"

"No fair!" Hestia complains.

"Just pull up the rear," Argo shoots back.

Pulling Kirito to the edge of the slide, Argo slips in front of him, holding his arms around her. The sensation of Argo's long soft tail wiggling back and forth them was amazing. Closing his eyes, Kirito reveled in the sensation.

"Will do!" Replying happily, Hestia's eyes sparkle with a sudden understanding that the advantage her position gave her. "Here I come!"

Wrapping her legs around Kirito, the short appendages didn't even reach to his knees. Smirking her inevitable victory, Hestia wraps her arms around Kirito and brings her upper body against his.

"Eek!" Feeling the full impart of the flesh on his back, Kirito's back went ramrod straight. The sensation of Argo squirming body squirming in his arms faded as the well-endowed Goddess showed once again what differentiated the Deusdea from the children of the lower world.

"H-Hestia… P-please loosen… Y-your gri…" Doing his best to get out the words, Kirito's mind was currently being melted by the divine sensation.

Turning her head, Argo investigated why Kirito had stopped reacting to her machinations. Reaching a hand back, Argo found what she was looking for, Hestia's side. Smirking, Argo tightened her fingers.

The resulting squeal accomplished two things. First, Argo accomplished her goal and Hestia released Kirito as she recoiled in shock. Second, it started their descent down the slide.

"What are you two doing!?" Screaming in panic, Kirito tries to investigate what's happening around him as he's forced to lie down onto the water. Not letting Argo go, Hestia had grabbed her hand resulting in Argo getting pulled back on top of Kirito.

"Let go of me!"

"Don't do that!"

Screaming at each other, Kirito lost all ability to operate as the girls' struggles moved on top of his body.

"Just because your jealous!" With that line, Hestia gives Argo a two-handed shove.

Caught off guard by the action, Argo's superior status and clear advantage in a fight was nullified. "Huh?"

With unfortunate timing, the three of them went around a corner just as Argo was sent backwards.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Argo's shout fades out as she falls over the edge of the slide.

"Argo!" Shouting the name of the girl, Kirito finally has agency to work as the girls get off him. Reacting with the speed of a top-class level one adventurer, Kirito grabbed the edge of the slide and flung himself toward the falling Argo.

"Kirito!"

Alarmed by her child's departure, Hestia reached out and grabbed Kirito's foot.

"Huwah!"

Not noticing how Kirito was twisting his body, Hestia found herself ripped forward toward the edge as well. Without the strength of a falna, Kirito's foot was ripped from her grasp.

"Kirito!" Shouting his name yet again, panic filled Hestia's voice as she found herself beyond the edge.

"Uh oh." The world slowed before eyes. On one side, Argo fell a grumpy expression on her face, but no worry. Being an adventurer there was no doubt that she'd be able to absorb the fall into the water. Hestia was a different matter. Flailing wildly through the air, the goddess had no guarantees that she'd land safely.

Mind made up, Kirito reached out, and grabbed both. Argo's hand and Hestia's foot. The motion forced him to spread his arms to the maximum. Feeling his hands wrap securely around their respective targets, Kirito allowed himself a small smile of victory. Before inertia kicked in.

"Gah!" Yelling in surprise, Kirito found himself strained to support them. The momentum of their path carrying them together as Kirito adjusted their paths.

"Oof!" Colliding solidly at the bottom, neither of the girls enjoyed tasting knees and elbows burying into their bodies.

"Oh shit!" Having been forced forward, Kirito let out one last expletive before he was dragged down the slide. Having lost his foothold, the trio began an unorthodox descend, screams ripped out of the throats of all of them.

Like some strange performance, every eye in the pool traced their descent as they rounded the final circles, the girls' bodies almost parallel to the ground. Hestia's peircing shriek was impossible to ignore as she stared at the ground which would give her a oneway ticket back to Tenkai if Kirito's grip slipped.

Gritting his teeth Kirito didn't dare try to pull them in from such a precarious position. As the final turn finished, the unbelievable strain on his arms abated and gravity won the war of the forces. "Uh oh…"

Eyes widening in fear, Kirito located the final obstacle to their descent, the ground. Hestia and Argo would make contact with it long before the slide dropped them into the water.

"I'll be getting off here then." Giving him one final wink, Argo used her free hand to pinch Kirito's wrist, forcing him to drop her.

Breath hitching, Kirito could only watch as Argo dropped the final few metres onto unforgiving stone. Light on her feet, Argo tucked the landing into a roll and rose uninjured from the stunt.

"Kirito!" Crying out a third time, utter terror gripped Hestia's voice as she located that same cold rock hurtling right for her head.

"I've got you!" Grunting with effort, the strained words were all Kirito could get out. Heaving, Kirito used his now free right arm to give him the leverage he needs to force Hestia up. Overdoing it, his full strength is far more than is needed to merely pull the featherweight goddess up.

"Ahh!" Crying out, Hestia's body soared through the air, her ankle ripped from Kirito's surprised grasp. Velocity carrying her well into the pool, Hestia landed with a mighty crash.

"Glug!" Losing track of his own location, Kirito followed closely behind Hestia falling face first into the water just under the slide.

Forcing himself to pay attention, the events weren't finished yet. Kicking his legs, Kirito swam towards where Hestia made impact.

"Urgh…" Letting out one long pathetic note, Hestia floated lifelessly on her back, all energy expended.

"I got you goddess." Whispering to the forlorn deity, Kirito picked her up identically to how her carried her last week and set off for the chairs set around the edge of the pool for sun-tanning.

"Is she alright?" Meeting them on the edge of the water, Asuna looked on with concern, arms bared to the world as she forgot her top on the chair.

"I-I think so." Kirito replied nervously, hurrying over to the area the group had claimed as theirs.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," Argo grumped, showing up undetected.

"I know you can take it though," Kirito replies quickly, laying Hestia down on the chair.

Even now though as they clutter around her, Hestia doesn't wake from her stupor.

"What should we do?" Kirito asks nervously, eyes glancing around looking for suggestions.

"Maybe you should try mouth-to-mouth." The grumbled words clearly came from Hestia as she talked with the side of her mouth.

"Was that supposed to be ventriloquism?" Asking in amazement, Kirito didn't even consider how rude the words were.

Pouting, Hestia focused her lucid eyes on him. "I think I deserve whatever I ask for after your shenanigans!"

"His?" Argo all but screams. "If you had just gracefully accepted that your turn was over, none of this would have happened. But no, since Kirito's too nice to say no to you, you force yourself along with us."

Seething with anger, Argo's chest heaves from the pent-up emotions.

"Bah, you couldn't handle your defeat and had to sabotage me!" Hestia fires back, not missing a beat.

"The only thing you're useful for are those bags on your chest! Without them you'd be nothing, and even with them, you're not worthy to be Kirito's goddess!"

The words silence the group. No one says anything as disbelieving eyes dart back and forth between Argo and Hestia.

"I-I… Kirito is mine!" Hestia's fervent declaration does nothing to win her any fans among the spectators.

Glares fixed on each other, neither of them are willing to back down when Syr enters.

"Please both of you, stop fighting."

Almost as if it had been a command, six pairs of eyes fall upon her.

"It's time I reveal the true purpose of this excursion to you all."

"HUH?"

"Wait, why are you surprised Kirito?"

Coughing, Syr silenced the voices of confusion. "Kirito and I are eloping! Isn't that right darling?" Like magic, the previous fight was completely forgotten.

"D-darling?" Focusing on the wrong word, Kirito turns over the foreign word on endearment on his tongue.

"WHAT!?" Due to Kirito's lack of surprise at the statement, horror sinks in for the watching girls.

"But that doesn't…"

"Why?"

"Kirito…"

It was that final soft word that catches Kirito's attention. The whisper of heartbreak from Asuna and Hestia.

"Syr's just kidding… Seriously people."

Sighing deeply, Kirito shook his head while bringing up a hand to scratch it.

"Are we though?" Syr adds on with a wink. Forcing herself against Kirito, the two of them stood like a couple, Syr's cute bikini doing wonders for her figure.

"Yes!" Kirito shouts, bringing everything to a close.

"So… even if I begged you… You wouldn't run away with me?" Syr's upturned eyes focused in on Kirito with a deadly flame. The piercing gray eyes penetrating to Kirito's soul and laying bare the secrets hidden there.

"I-I have too many friends here. People count on me Syr… Sorry." Replying unevenly, Kirito knew it wasn't the response she wanted, but the question didn't make sense to Kirito.

Leave Orario?

And go where?

"Well then," Syr mumbles in disappointment. "You'll want to get stronger quickly. Strength is the only thing that will protect the ones you love."

The chilling words occupy the rest of Kirito's focus. Even as the others continue to scuttle and bicker around him, Kirito hears none of it. Syr's statement seemed less than a warning and more a portent of doom. That now he'd abandoned escape, he'd chosen his destiny, one he wasn't strong enough for.

---

Yukiko's Room:

"Are you sure this is okay?" Running her hand over the wall, Suguha couldn't help but be amazed at the wealth of this house.

"Of course," Yukiko confirmed nonchalantly. "My mother won't be home for hours. My dad isn't here, and the maid is busy in the kitchen making another expensive meal that will end up in the garbage unless you eat it."

"A-alright." Overwhelmed by the strange sights and new locale, Suguha tentatively sat on Yukiko's bed. Back fully straight, she looked uncomfortable even though the foam mattress was unbelievably soft.

"What's wrong?" Yukiko asked, tilting her head questioningly. "Please relax."

"I'm good." Suguha insisted. Despite her words, she didn't relax an inch.

"Hmm…" Saying no more, Yukiko snuck behind her. Crawling slowly across the maitress, the high-quality foam absorbed all traces of her passage leaving Suguha oblivious. "Gotcha!" Crying out in victory, Yukiko dug her hands into Suguha's sides.

"Eep!" The piercing shriek reverberated loudly through the room.

"Muwahaha!" Yukiko laughed with a maniac chuckle. "At last I can get my revenge!" Not giving the poor kendo practitioner a chance to recover from the surprise attack, Yukiko continued with her deadly tickle assault.

"No, please!" Pleading for mercy, Suguha was unable to fight back under the relentless assault. Her sensitive sides were a weakness that Kazuto had often exploited to full advantage when they were young.

"Never!" Replying with a giddy smile, Yukiko enjoyed torturing the girl whom had refused to relax.

"Ah ha!" As Yukiko bent over her, Suguha spotted her opportunity. With Yukiko's loose shirt falling down, her sides too were exposed. Somehow finding the energy, Suguha mounted her counterattack.

"Kyaa!" Shrieking, Yukiko's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected sensation. "No fair!"

"You started it!"

Finally giving up her assault, Yukiko lay panting beside Suguha. "I lost again."

"I think that was more of a draw," Suguha admits.

Tilting their heads, the two girls smile at each other; their black eyes twin mirrors.

Coughing awkwardly, Suguha breaks the eye contact. "So, why did you invite me here?"

"Maybe I just wanted to hang out with you."

Giving Yukiko a deadpanned look, Suguha didn't believe the girl for a minute.

"Fine," Yukiko sighs exasperatedly. "News is going to start in about fifteen minutes. Before it does, I thought it may be best if you hear it from me."

"Hear what…" Sitting up, Suguha focused completely on Yukiko's words. Her previous statement leaving a knot of anxiety in her stomach.

"It's not bad," Yukiko insists, joining Suguha in sitting up. "Hopefully… I mean, well, I may have leaked some information to the media."

"Leaked what…" Suguha's voice is weak. Unsure if the girl in front of her had just betrayed her.

"You know how I told you about the lower than expected download speeds?" Yukiko starts.

Nodding, Suguha doesn't trust her voice.

"I anonymously tipped the government about it." Shrugging, Yukiko tries to play it off as no big deal.

"Why?"

Blushing, Yukiko can't meet Suguha's gaze. "I think everything is fine in DOO, but before you enter… I just wanted to make sure…"

"You wanted to make sure it was safe to enter…" Suguha finishes quietly.

Nodding sheepishly, Yukiko sways awkwardly from side to side, completely unable to look at Suguha.

"Thank you." Leaning forward, Suguha draws the slimmer girl into a tight hug and whispers the words into her ear.

"I don't want to lose you too…" Yukiko's quiet words are muffled with tears.

For the first time, Suguha fully appreciates the consequence of her actions. Carrying through will leave not only Yukiko here alone, but her mother as well.

Mother already lost Kazuto to DOO, can I force her to lose another child?

"So that's why you'll return victorious? Right?"

Yukiko's voice is a soothing balm for my worry. Smiling, Suguha give her a large nod. "You won't even notice I'm gone."

"Alright." Wiping the last tears from her eyes, Yukiko grabs the remote and turns the TV on. Possessing a large ultra HD TV in her room, the two of them lounged comfortably on the bed while they waited for the breaking news to start.

"Coming to you live, recent reports indicate that RECT progress may be the ones responsible for the thousands of deaths caused by the video game, Dungeon Orario Online."

"Is that true?" Suguha's voice is weak from the headline.

"I-I don't think so…" Yukiko replied falteringly. "I mean, dad wouldn't…"

"Joining us today is Mr. Fumio whom heads RECT's internet division in collaboration with Toto internet and is responsible for ensuring the players have the necessary internet bandwidth, with which to play the game."

Looking far too excited for the grave matter he's discussing; the host turns toward his guest.

"Dad…" Yukiko's voice is filled with tears as she watches the man who raised her get interviewed about negligence leading to death.

"Now then, I have reports here that state that each of the players NerveGear's only have a download speed of 3 terrabytes per second, which is apparently only a little above the minimum required to connect to a game server, correct?"

"Yes," Fumio reluctantly admits.

"So, because of your unwillingness to increase the available data, the game must be nearly unplayable, is that correct?"

"No!" Fumio shouts. Arms gripping his chairs armrests, the man looks like he hasn't slept in weeks. "They have access to all the connection they could possibly want, they just don't use anymore," the man tried to explain.

"Right," the host answers disbelievingly.

"It's true!" Fumio insists. "We've even tried a direct connection to the server for a couple players. It makes no difference. We don't understand why it's so slow!"

"Oh…" Not having an immediate reply, this time the host seems convinced by the impassioned outburst. "Then do you know why it's so low?"

"No!" Fumio laments, hair in his hands. "We've been trying to discover the reason before it was leaked. It's like Kayaba was been optimizing the game to continue needing less and less speed to run it."

"What do you mean?" the host asks confused.

"That the speeds continued to drop for the first month of service. They started fluctuating around 10 TB/s which we expected. This value steadily fell before levelling off a week ago."

"I… I see." It was clear the host did no such thing. After the interview was over, more questions were posed than answers given.

"Do you think they'll cancel the reconnection period?" Suguha asks fearfully.

Pondering the question, Yukiko still stared at the mournfully at the ragged figure of her father. "I don't think so. There's no evidence that this has caused any problems. Plus, Kayaba controls the activation period, so it doesn't matter. You'll be able to join either way."

"I see…" Like the host, Suguha didn't understand much either. Only that strange events continued to abound around the game of death.

---

Kirito:

"Well, that was fun, right?" Stretching, my eyes were starting to close from exhaustion. After a long and hard day yesterday, the exertion of today had worn away the remainder of my reserves. Already the sun fades away into the last light of the day.

"Yeah, we should do this again!" Rain chimes in, somehow still chipper.

"So, my presence is acceptable?" Syr asks, her bearing returned to one of a waitress. Nonetheless, I can't help but get a chill whenever I look at her. No doubt I'll chew over her portent of doom for a good many days.

Containing my shiver, I wish I could talk to Eina. No doubt the half-elf with her infinite knowledge and patience would be able to dispel this child's fear from my mind.

"Of course," Philia tells Syr strongly. "It was unfortunate we got off on a bad foot, but I like you!"

"Thank you." Bowing her head, Syr blushes slightly from the compliments.

At the back of the group, Argo and Hestia walk, a five-foot buffer zone between them. Catching glances of each other out of the sides of their eyes, neither one speaks. Acting as a guard, or maybe babysitter, Asuna walks directly between them and slightly ahead.

Rubbing my eyes, I don't have the energy to fix that riff right now. I understand their anger at each other, but still. It's almost childish at this point.

"Huh?" Muttering softly, Syr stops walking, her eyes fixed down one of the adjoining alleyways.

"Is something wrong?" Posing the question, we've come to an awkward halt, waiting for Syr to resume so that we can all make our ways to our respective homes.

"I just thought I saw someone I knew." Syr dismisses with a wave of her hand. "I'm sure it's nothing."

Turning her back to the alley, Syr gives me a big smile.

I see it. The dart out. The figure wrapping their arm around Syr and pulling.

I'm moving before Syr's feet leave the ground. Hard on the tail of the kidnapper, I steadily close the distance on them. Barely sensing the impacts on the cobblestone, my boots send up sparks form the momentum of my travel.

"Huh?" Stopping abruptly, my hand reaches for my back and pulls. Without even a second to spare, I block the sword that's descended from the sky.

"Kirito!" Turning the corner, the other five girls arrive on the scene to see me locked in combat with a new assailant. Looking past him, I get one last glimpse of Syr before she's pulled down another corner. Her eyes are filled with fear, not for herself, but for me.

Determined to get her back, I glare at the man whose blade is crossed with mine. Face hidden behind a metal mask; I can't determine his identity. Even his armour and blade are nondescript, possessing no identification. On his face, a smirk appears.

Heart constricting with dread, I push off him, and dash toward the others. I'm too late though as another six attackers jump off the nearby rooftops and surround them.

As the slowest member, Hestia trails and is isolated at the back of the group. I can do nothing but stare as one of the assailants approach her.

"Get out of here, deity." Practically spitting the final word, the deep voice seems to hold a disgust towards her. Reaching out, the gauntleted hand grabs Hestia's arm and throws her away from where we came.

Although the fall must hurt, I breath a sigh of relief that at least Hestia will make it out.

"Go! Get help!" Roaring my intention at the dazed goddess, I reach my party members just as the encircling assailants arrive. With the man I initially crossed blades against arriving, it's seven on five. Not fair, but winnable.

"Umm, Kirito…"

Whipping my head towards Asuna's weak voice, I see her steadily backing into the wall, hands held in front of her.

"Oh…" Asuna doesn't have a weapon. I never even thought of it. "Here!" Whipping my shield off my back I give it to her in my last moments before combat is joined. Since I'm still not used to it, giving Asuna some protection is better than nothing.

"Urf!" Just getting my sword up in time, my arms shake as I absorb a heavy two-handed blow. The snarl on the man's face conveys his thoughts flawlessly. Keep your eyes on me!

Sliding out of the contest of strength, I whip my blade around quickly for a high blow. Pulling back his heavy blade the man is able to block. However, I've learned everything I need to know, I'm faster than him.

Feinting another high blow from the other side, I transition it into a new form of combat I'd been trying against imps. A kick. Inelegantly bringing my foot up, I connect strongly, albeit sloppily with his chest.

Caught off guard, the man stumbles backwards. Moving forward to capitalize on the advantage, I can taste the end of the battle. Putting one of them out of commission should force the attackers back. One of them.

Eyes widening with trepidation, I screech to a halt and rotate in one fluid motion. Right behind me, two more of them attack with spears. Executing a sloppy parry, I block one spear and divert the second. Rather than being run through, I do feel the cold of the spear head as it slices into my side. The man whom delivers it giving me a cold smile. My block would have been good enough if I was wearing armour. Without it I'm at a high chance of literally being bled to death. One small cut at a time. Sword primed; I can't move as the three of them surround me. Away from the wall and away from allies I can only hope that they'll win the four on four.

"What do you want?" My words are hard. A pulsing vein of anger rising up to fuel them. However, none of them reply. Continuing to circle and contain me, they make no motions to continue the fight.

Confusion rising, I can't understand their tactics. As I stall three of them, it makes the fight harder for their allies. As the seconds trick by with deliberate slowness, the ring of metal on metal finally draws my attention. One glance away from my opponents to how the other four are doing.

Not Good.

Three of the assailants have spears and the fourth wields a longsword and shield. The distance disparity between them and the girls is too much for them to overcome. Rain uses her longer weapons to deal with the shield user rather effectively. Asuna too, wields the shield with both hands to ward off one of the spears. It makes little difference though; the short weapons of Argo and Philia can't go head-to-head against the spears and are bleeding from where they've failed to dodge.

It seemed like they'd been waiting for this. "Well, your party members are in trouble. Aren't you going to save them?"

The words are taunting, but they have a strange curiosity in them. Like they'd been told I have the capacity to do so, but still doubted it.

Trying to calm my emotions, I close my eyes. Taking one deep breath, I focus on the small of my back, where my skill is transcribed. This is my first time actively trying to activate it. The power that will let me turn this situation around.

Like a strange echo, I can hear my voice ring about in my mind. 'What is your goal?'

'To save my friends.'

There is no further reply, but I feel the world shift slightly around me. My senses heightened further; time slows even more. The three circling me are loosely holding their weapons, thinking I'd given up.

Taking advantage of their arrogance, I dash hard left to where the swordsman currently treads. With his sword lowered, he's the ideal first target to get rid of.

"Huh?" Overwhelmed by my speed, my shoulder connects with him and drives him into the stone wall. With a sickening crunch, his head snaps back for a brutal impact with the unforgiving stone wall.

"What the hell?" Muttering expletives, the two spearmen prime their weapons in anticipation for my inevitable attack.

Ignoring their expectations, I charge a different direction. I go to where the haggard girls attempt to hold out on bloodstained stone.

Eyes focused on the closest spearman; I charge in low. Sword held out to the right; I focus on the haft of the spear. One well-placed blow to the wooden shaft will shatter it.

With one last powerful step, I put all my strength into swinging my sword. Even to my enhanced senses the blade is a blur. Far faster than I've ever swung my sword before.

"Ack!" Letting out a cry of surprise, the spearman notices my attack a fraction of a second before it connects. Loosening his front hand on the spear, my sword collides with the loosely held weapon. Rather than breaking, the weapon is thrown vertical and rips the man back a step.

Heart sinking, I drop back into place in front of Philia. Panting heavily, the girl's stomach is a mess of minor cuts and slashes.

"Who… Who are they?" I have no answer to Philia's weak question because I don't know either. With my sneak attack failing, all six of the members now encircle us.

"Is that the best you got?"

Again, it's that same spearman whom wounded me earlier who says the mocking the words. Nothing differentiated him from the others except the short cat ears poking up at the top of his head.

Lunging forward like lightning, I go for his chest. Just as fast he spins his spear and deflects the strike. Exposed to the other two, I take minor wounds getting back into position.

Level two.

There's no other explanation to describe the man's speed. Without my skill he could have dealt with me easily.

"You won't get away with that brat!" Loud voice roaring down the wide alleyway, every eye turns towards the hulking man that approaches with that giant sword. Unconcerned with formation of tactics, he releases a massive overhead strike. With the girls right behind me I'm forced to block it. Taking the strike cleanly, the strength is easier to deal with now that my skill is active.

Pushing his sword to the side, I respond with my own strike. Cancelling it halfway, I have to contend with the two spears once more. Growling, my building rage starts to cause red blotches to swim in my vision. Roaring at them I step onto the offensive.

Swing at the spearman, Kick at the swordsman, another swing. Forcing my body faster and faster, I begin to turn the tide. Unable to land any decisive blows, I force back the assailants. With the level two staying at the back I'm able to hold off five of the others on my own.

"Let's get out of here!" Making the call, Asuna uses the shield to push back their shield user creating a gap for us. No longer penned it, the battle lines begin to alter slightly as foot by foot we inch our way to the entrance.

Supported by Argo, Philia can barely walk. No one else is doing much better. Rain's swords hang by her side when she isn't using them. The dull gleam of exhaustion present in her eyes. Asuna's arms shake trying to maintain the shield in front of her.

"Enough!" Yelling at the berserk swordsman, the catman, pulls him from behind. The effect is comical as the giant man collapses helplessly to the ground.

As the fighting abates, I feel that uncontrollable rage fading, the priority of protecting the girls stopping me from rushing into battle. As it fades, so does all of my strength. I can still feel my active skill as it enhances my status. I've never had it on for this long before though. I'd forgotten the toll it takes on my body. It burned through my energy resources at a fearsome rate in order to turn the tide of unwinnable battles.

Giving me a large smile, the catman twirls his spear. "Running out of stamina boy?"

Not replying, my quick breaths and dripping sweat told him everything he needed to know.

"That was quite a power boost. Short lived though. As long as someone has a strategy to counter it, you're useless."

The words are biting. What's even worse is that there is no malice in them. As a professional adventurer, he deduced my skill and how to defeat it flawlessly. The humbling realization brought about another dark and foreboding understanding. We wouldn't be escaping from this. He stopped the fighting for no reason other than to talk to me and deal with me himself. Our slow pace towards the entrance of the alleyway simply wasn't enough. It would take too long.

"Keep going." Mind made up; I stopped my shuffle. Looking back in concern, as tired as they are, none of the girls want to leave me. "GO!" I command, roaring the word.

The girls resume their slow pace. No doubt they have faith that I have a trick up my sleeve to win this. Or that I'm delaying them before escaping alongside them. The sad truth is that neither of those are true. I'm already dead. All I can do now is help the girls survive.

Smiling weakly at my opponent, I beckon him forward with my left hand. All of my anger at them for hurting my friends has faded. Expended on useless strokes that did little more than leave potential bruises. All that's remaining to me is a foolish peace. That even though I failed to keep my promises, at least they'll live. And really, that's more than someone like me deserves.

"Very well." Accepting my challenge, the catman approaches on lithe strides. Still twirling his spear flawlessly in his hand.

Disconcerted by the mastery of his weapon, I go for a strike to his left-hand side, away from the spear. As if predicting my attack, he flawlessly deflects it before transitioning the point down into an attack.

Throwing my body back, I'm left with a long scratch down my cheek for my troubles. Without a moment to breath, I'm forced on the defensive. Within a span of a couple seconds, half a dozen deadly thrusts shoot out seeking blood. Doing my best to absorb and retaliate, my assault is woefully ineffective. Using the longer reach of his spear, he has me completely zoned from his body.

Gritting my teeth, I push down the rising fear. With my skill still running, I can sense my final fumes of energy start to fade. However, it isn't helping in this fight. I can sense my opponent's strength level. Him and I are very close. Status will not decide this duel, but technique.

"Giving up?" He asks with a smirk.

"Never." Trying to sound tough, the effort of getting the word out through my labored breathing was a herculean task. Taking the brief moment of relief, I check on the girls woefully slow progress. With a sinking heart I realize they've barely made it to the corner. All four of them are slowing down and struggling to move.

"Yeah, they aren't going anywhere," the catman informs me with a dry smile. "My ally puts a nasty little concoction on his spear. The paralysis takes a while, but already they can't talk and find it impossible to keep walking."

"What…?" I want to deny his words, call him a liar, but I can't. Once again, his words are spoken in a matter-of-fact tone. Everything that has happened here today has been done precisely according to his calculations. Swallowing I ready my sword, trying to fight off the blackness that encroaches on my vision and calls to me. I have one hope left now, that I can buy enough time for Hestia to show up. Putting my faith in my goddess, I join battle once more.

"Gah!" Reeling back after three quick blows, my shirt hangs in shreds around me. One long slash cutting it almost cleanly in two.

"Have you never fought against a spear before?" The catman's incredulous statement is the only reason I survive a little longer.

Growling, I fling myself forward in a lunge. Sword primed straight for his chest I change tactics. If the slashes are too easy for him to block, then I won't slash.

Rolling his eyes, the catman easy steps out of the way of the lunge. His body blurring, he leaves the haft of his spear planted firmly in the ground.

"Huh?" Caught off guard, I don't see his foot until it collides with my head. Sent flying, I feel my sword leave my hand as the hard ground gives me even more bruises.

Standing there, the catman waits for me to rise and fight him again.

Putting my hands against the ground, I push. Every part of my body burns in resistance as I do so. Managing to flip over onto my stomach, I prop myself up on my elbows. My vision is filled with the darkening stones as blood drips unending onto them.

Drawing up my legs, I attempt to stand. Half risen I fall over again as a fresh wave of pain assaults my body. Collapsing back to the ground, my skill fades with it. With no goal left to anchor it, it slides away from me like the morning mist. Mind filled with pain; I have no chance to regain it either.

"May I?" Walking over, the man with the two-handed sword is back. Even with my limited vision I can his large boots approaching.

"Hmm…" pausing in indecision, the catman looks further down the passageway to where undoubtedly the girls have collapsed.

"No…" Breathing my last line of energy, I latch onto the man's boot. Undoubtedly pathetic, it's all I can manage. Closing my eyes, I grip the leg with all the force I can muster. The beginning of tears threaten to fall through my closed lids.

"Hehe, well then, it's time for you to die boy!" A wild sadism in his voice, I can only hunch my shoulders and wait for the death blow. Disappointments heavy in my heart, I lived up to the name of my skill. The gilded hero exposed.

"No."

Following the one heavy word the sound of tearing metal. Titling my head, I wearily open my eyes to see half of a sword laying right reside me. It the man's two-handed blade. Or part of it.

"We have the information we need, don't bring an investigation down on her head."

With just those few words a feeling of deep remorse filled all of the assailants. It was as if the thought of inconveniencing this person was the worst sin in the world, whereas killing innocents was a minor thing.

"Let's go."

Again, the newcomer speaks and all of them listen.

"You got lucky boy." Spitting on my back, the man's rage is still present. Kicking my body away, I roll, and end face up. The red sky visible above me.

As the assailants leave, no joy fills me at being alive. Only a bone aching pain. Not from the injuries, but my failure.

I wasn't strong enough.

Again.

Body shaking a noise between a laugh and a sob leaves my body. The red sky blurs as fresh tears well-up and fall. Laying on the ground, beaten and broken, I cry. Huge ugly tears. The tears of a child. Within a minute Hestia arrives with Ganesha familia in tow, yet my sobs don't slow down.

I failed.

No, it wasn't the failure.

I gave up.

I gave up on Hestia and my friends. As soon as I realized I couldn't overpower my opponent I gave up on winning. I gave up on my promises, my future. The realization just induces a fresh wave of tears as Hestia holds me in her arms.