Chapter 5 – Back to the Dungeon
Standing in Nazha's shop we wait as she assembles the potions. "I can't say I'm real eager to repeat that whenever she needs more ingredients."
"Yes," Asuna agrees. She's still looking at me funny, but why I can't tell. Maybe Hestia will interpret for me later.
"It is troubling that it is such a rare resource," Miach agrees with a frown. "I guess we'll have to work with what we can."
"So, the monsters can breed, but they don't in the dungeon because…?"
Asuna's question is a good one, but it also has an obvious answer. "They get killed before they have time most likely."
"Oh," Frowning, Asuna's next question exceeds my expectations. "But what about the floors that haven't been reached yet?"
"Ah…" Scratching my head, I have no solid answer for that.
"The dungeon forbids it."
Miach's quiet answer catches us by surprise. Sharing a look with Asuna, we wait for further explanation.
"Forget me. I'm sure you'll figure it out on your way to the bottom."
Mouth open I gape at the god. Hestia also had a guilty look on your face. They knew. All the gods knew. Do they also know how deep it goes? Questions mounting, no answers seemed to be in sight.
"I've done it!" Tail swishing faster than I've ever seen, Nazha breaks into the room with her new concoctions. "A dual potion. It restores both body and mind."
"That's… very useful." Or it would be if I had magic. Not bitter about that at all.
"Hehe, how about buying some for your supporter?" Nazha winks at me.
"Wasn't that the quest reward?"
Freezing, Nazha chuckles. "I almost forgot about that. How silly of me."
She's trying to rip me off. It was mindboggling that Kayaba had created this. They all had their own personalities. Here's an NPC who tried to not give me a quest reward.
"Here." Taking the four vials, I give them to Asuna. "Thanks for coming today."
"Are you sure?" Asuna hesitated. "I mean, you did all the work."
"Yeah," I assure her with a smile. "After all, it's my job to look after my supporter." Ruffling her hair with my hand, I'm reminded of when I used to do it to my sister. Its been a long time since then.
Surprisingly, Asuna doesn't smack my hand away or anything. Her face does go red though, even her ears. "Idiot."
"Wow you two are so cute together. Maybe it's a season for new romances."
Nothing could have made me snatch my hand back faster than Nazha's comment. I could feel my back being slowly melted by Hestia's gaze.
"Haha, yes. Perhaps you'll meet a nice guy as well Nazha!"
He really is an idiot. All three of the girls bore holes into Miach with their eyes. More telling than any words.
"Is something wrong?"
Yupp. A total idiot.
"Oh, Kirito, I forgot to tell you something." Nazha informs me with a happy smile.
"Umm, yes?"
"There's another ingredient to these potions, Blue Papillion wings."
Whistling my eyes open in surprise. Blue Papillons are rare monsters that spawn exclusively on the seventh floor. I'd encountered only two of them total during the beta. None so far in the live version. Apparently, they are one of the more common rare monsters, but still rare.
"So, if you ever get some, I'll pay well for them, after all, that's my limiting ingredient right now."
Nodding slowly, no words come to mind. Only one practical way to find lots of Papillons comes to mind and its borderline suicide.
"We're back!" Entering the store are two girls. They must be the familia members that Miach recruited.
"Ah, Philia, Rain. Welcome back!"
Walking side by side, they looked like opposites. One has short hair bordering on the edge of brown and blonde with large, serious eyes. A prum. A very rare race, they are notable by their big eyes and slight frame. They weren't chosen since they are the weakest of the races. The only trait they had an advantage over others in was their ability to function as thieves. Most likely the girl had only stood about 4 foot before Kayaba restored everyone to their real-world dimensions. The other had long red hair and a constant smile. The makings of an idol if anyone is. Poking out through the strands of hair were two slightly tapered ears. Similar to Eina's, they marked the girl a half-elf. Both stood about my height. In short, they were both beautiful teenage girls for me to make a fool of myself in front of.
"Quite the pretty girls you picked up Miach. Well, me and Kirito will be leaving now." Hestia spoke quickly.
"Kirito and I," Asuna mumbled under her breath, just quiet enough to avoid the ears of the goddess.
Snorting with derision, I couldn't contain it. The comment was just so Asuna. Flinging a hand over my mouth, it was too late. Every eye was on me. Waving awkwardly, I shoot the girls, a tentative, "yo."
I could practically hear the eye roll from Asuna.
"Um hey," Giving a tentative smile, the blonde one greeted me.
"Privyet, I'm Rain!"
Yupp, definitely an idol. No one else could be that chipper in a game of death. Also, that greeting, was that Russian?
Bowing my head slightly to both of them, I walk past them to exit the building.
"Hey, Kirito…"
Miach's hesitant voice makes me want to cry. I'm about to get roped into another quest where I'm forced to navigate treacherous social interactions, aren't I?
Removing my hand from the door, I turn around. I can't really run away; Hestia is my goddess after all. "Yes?"
Based on Miach's wince and Hestia's glare, I didn't do a good enough job hiding my displeasure. Oh well.
"Well, Philia and Rain both attended that training camp that Ganesha familia hosted. However, I would be more comfortable if someone could give them a rundown of fighting in the dungeon."
At their god's words, both girls went red. However, neither of them disputes their god's words.
Surprisingly, I felt sympathy for them, or maybe it was guilt. After all, I haven't done anything to aid the new players. Despite wanting to help, there were a couple of large hurdles to overcome. Mainly my promise to Argo. Bringing three supporters to the eighth floor would only serve to decrease our amount earned. Also, somehow, I felt that Argo wouldn't take kindly to me showing up tomorrow with two more girls in tow.
"What floor are you currently going to?" Asuna asked. Buying me time to come up with a solution.
"The fifth," Rain confessed. "Although we're struggling against the opponents on that floor."
"It's the only one we can find enemies on," Philia complained.
"W-well, I could potentially join you for a week."
Shocked. Everyone, including me, stared at Asuna. It was true, the supporter contract could be canceled at any time, with my approval. Since she specified a week, that indicated that she'd be looking to rejoin my party after I was done helping Argo. It all made sense; the only issue was whether Asuna could actually help them become adventurers.
As if she could sense my thoughts, Asuna looked over at me. Saying nothing, her eyes are determined. "I can do this Kirito."
Continuing to match her gaze, I wonder where her confidence came from. She'd been fighting for less time than them by all accounts. Her resolute gaze spoke to her determination. I wouldn't be able to stop her. "I'll see you next Monday then. Good luck."
Nodding my head, I leave the store. I need space to think.
"Kirito! Hey, Kirito!"
Space was the one thing I never seemed to get these days. Slowing down, I let Hestia catch up to me.
"Hehe, that was a pretty harsh dumping your supporter gave you, eh?"
Glancing at Hestia, I continue walking. It wasn't really surprising she hadn't understood. She had the freedom to do whatever she felt like doing.
"If Asuna needs to do this, then I won't stop her."
"Hmpf."
Hestia seemed upset that I didn't care more about Asuna leaving me to help Philia and Rain. "Since it's still early, I'm going to go talk to my advisor. See ya."
The dismissal was somewhat rude, but after spending all day with Hestia and her antics, I needed a break. Even if that was getting yelled at by Eina. It was only around 5 pm, she should still be there.
Stomping off on her own, Hestia didn't look happy. Sighing yet again, I could only helplessly shake my head. Now I've made a mess of my relationship with her. This is why I play video games in the first point. To avoid relationships. Practically growling I stalk down the street towards the guild headquarters. Maybe Asuna leaving hurt more than I admitted.
"Kirito! Thank goodness you are alright."
The relief in Eina's voice hurt more than any anger could have. When had I last come? Wednesday, probably. Too long.
Giving her an awkward smile, I have no reply.
"You look like you need a box."
"That would be nice," I agree with a small smile.
Sitting across form her in the private box, I found myself at a loss for words. There were so many things I could say, but where to start. I also wanted to go over the eighth floor again.
"Why don't I go pull out the information on the eighth and ninth floors again?" Eina offered. "If at any time you want to talk about anything else, feel free."
Nodding gratefully, I breath a sigh of relief. Even if she is sometimes strict, I owe this girl a massive debt. No matter what, she listens to me.
"So, you've gone down to the seventh?"
Rain was doing the questioning while Philia listened. Yesterday, it had seemed so easy to imagine myself teaching them about the horrors of the dungeon. Today though, the absence of Kirito felt pronounced. I had no security today; if something goes wrong, I will die.
Not trusting my throat, I nod in response to Rain's question.
"So, that Kirito boy is pretty cute huh. Are you guys a thing?"
"W-w-why would you think something like that?" Stumbling, I practically screech the stuttering reply. My face feels hot as well. When did I become such a child that I couldn't even answer a perfectly normal question?
"Aww," Rain sighed in disappointment, "I was hoping he was available. I would have liked to wrap him around my finger."
"He isn't a toy!" Snapping at the girl, I instantly regret my words. Why hadn't I denied being in a relationship with him?
"My you're protective of him. Although I suppose you have to be with the pretty ones."
Gritting my teeth, anger flared. I need to shut down this relationship talk now.
"We have a monster coming." The only one still paying attention to their surroundings, Philia points out the approaching Kobold.
Blushing again, I let myself get so distracted that I didn't even notice. Making no motion to fight the enemy, I wave Rain ahead. Let's see how she performs in a fight.
Walking forward without hesitation, Rain reaches her hands down to her waist and draws her dual swords in one clean motion. Lighter than the blade Kirito uses, Rain's swords are designed to be dual-wielded. The narrow steel blades shone in the faint light. I was no expert on weapon strength, but I put them around the level of Kirito's old blade. Below both mine and his in quality. That made sense though. A poor familia like Miach's couldn't afford something spectacular.
Loki could though.
The thought was humbling. Kirito was right to question my ability to do this. I had been given everything on a silver platter and thought myself worthy to help.
Twirling out of the lunge, Rain's left sword caught the Kobold on its shoulder. Angering the creature, it leaps at the girl.
Caught off guard, the parry is substandard. Suffering mild damage, Rain quickly responds by burying her right blade in the Kobold's mouth.
Biting my lip, I really had nothing to say to help the girl. Practice was likely all she needed. Kirito would be able to help them.
Unable to take the defeat laying down, I focus. I've seen top players fight. I know what it can look like. Besides having more practice, what did Kirito do differently?
"Your movements."
"Huh?"
"You waste a lot of movement when fighting. If you can minimize the time you use on wasted effort, you'll see improvement."
Tilting her head, Rain stared back at me. "I... I think I understand. Can you show me what you mean?"
Surprised to get no backlash, I still got myself stuck. Although, the lack of backlash isn't all that surprising considering they've probably almost died a couple times.
"I'll do my best." Not promising anything, I walk at the front of our formation. On the edge of the fifth, we finally encounter another monster. Recently born, from the shards of rock on the floor, a Frog Shooter is my opponent.
Planting my staff on the ground, I draw my rapier. Closing the distance, I pause three metres away. Drawing one deep breath I slowly release it. As I do, I focus all my attention on the fight. As I do, it feels like my senses are heightened. The sound of the rock crunching under my boots. The taste of the stale air in the dungeon. The feel of the stifling heat pressing down on me.
Assuming my stance, I dash forward. And… Now! Raising my rapier, a sharp impact numbs my hand. I blocked the tongue with my rapier!
Smiling my success, I dive forward. The frog barely has time to widen its eyes in fear before my rapier penetrates it.
With one last pathetic croak, the corpse slides off the end of my blade. Wiping the blood off on its body, I turn back to the girls.
"So…"
"…fast."
Finishing each others' sentences the girls are stunned. Eyes wide, mouths hanging, I feel the thrill of victory rush through me. I can do this! I can catch up.
"I think I get it now," Rain conceded. "I've been wildly swinging when I need to anticipate and counter. Thanks, Asuna."
Smiling broadly at me, I can only return it weakly. If that's what her instincts are telling her, then I'm sure its right.
"I guess the next one's mine?" Philia mumbled. "I don't know how to follow that though."
"Oh, well just do your best."
The words sound lame even to me. Philia, nonetheless, nods resolutely in response. Descending to the fifth floor we look for more monsters to fight.
"Damn these moths." Coughing loudly, Argo voiced her displeasure with the Purple Moths that we've been dealing with since the seventh floor. The difference is how much more prominent the enemy is on the eighth.
"Oh, they aren't so bad," I shoot back teasingly. Slicing one of said moths with my sword, I easily stay out of range of its poison spores.
Glaring at me, Argo tries to bring down another with hit and run maneuvers. Finally, taking is down, Argo dissolved into another coughing fit. Subsiding in a couple of seconds, Argo downed an antidote. "Bloody showoff."
"Hey, we can go half on consumables." I suggest with a shrug.
Pausing, Argo considers my face to gauge how serious I am. "While I appreciate it, no. You're the one helping me as it is."
"Alright," Shrugging nonchalantly, I finish extracting the stones and move on through the eighth floor. Ideally, we'll finish the eighth on Wednesday, leaving four days for mapping the ninth. Despite the Eighth and Ninth floors being bigger than the seventh, and having technically stronger enemies, they would be quicker to finish. This is because they're part of the Killer Ant floors. All three of the floors have Killer Ants as the main threat. Annoying, but it means that once one adapts to the seventh, the eighth and ninth are less of a barrier. The next wall is the tenth. Everything you think you know about the dungeon changes on the tenth; large monsters appear, Imps swarm using coordinated movements to hunt you, and visibility becomes an issue.
That's a problem for next week, however. Right now, we need to make a surface run. With no designated supporter, our carry limit has been drastically reduced.
"If I didn't want the money so much, I'd say we're better off breaking the small stuff."
Laughing along with Argo, I partially agree. It's really annoying not having an inventory. On top of that, the magic stones are heavy. The super dense stones weigh far more than their appearance suggests. Because of this though, the packs are never completely full when we return to the surface. In this way, the larger magic stones returned far more money versus weight.
Grumbling slightly over the unfairness of it all, I ask Argo a question. "How hard do you think it will be to hire supporters?"
"Is this about those 'expeditions' your theorizing about?"
Nodding, I sneak a glance at an exasperated Argo. I'd told her about the quest yesterday. Mainly about the most important information, the monsters. Not as strong as things I'd seen in the beta, I'd asked Nazha about them. Called Bloodsauruses, they spawn on floor thirty in the dungeon. This bone-chilling number revealed one undeniable fact. It would be impossible to reach the thirtieth floor and return in one day. Even just doing the seventeenth and back is hard enough. Argo didn't want to think about it.
Maybe the thought of surviving long enough to enter those floors was too scary. Considering as its Argo, the more likely explanation was that she had already figured out a plan and would sell it when people were trying to figure it out. Whatever the reason, it made me no less sure of my answer. It was why the hierarchy was in place. The gods that used to possess large powerful familias were the ones with large houses and tons of resources. Why none of these powerful adventurers are still around will most likely get revealed with time.
Finally, settling into the world, I stretch, confident in my assumptions. Walking along the hallways of the sixth floor, I encounter a most unpleasant acquaintance, "Lind."
"You!" Brows drawing together in a frown, his eyes glance between Argo and me. "So, you still hold this girl captive eh?"
"Move aside pretty boy," Argo spoke. Pushing Lind lightly in the chest, he stumbled back. "Let's go Kii-bou."
Nodding politely at the flabbergasted Lind and co, I catch up to Argo. "What was that?"
Sniffing, Argo took her time answering. "I relived his suspicions of you. By taking charge it made me seem like the leader."
"I-I guess it did." Mumbling my agreement, I reassess the info broker. She had a perfect opportunity to blackmail me. I'd have been forced to agree to her demands. No doubt she would have done something like that in the beta. In fact, she had done similar things. The amount of hush money I had to pay for that one incident…
Shaking my head quickly I disperse the thoughts. It hardly matters anymore. All that matters now is that Argo was apparently adjusting to this world of death.
"Do you really have so little faith in me Kii-bou? You saved my life and keep doing me favors. I'm not heartless."
Wincing, I realize Argo easily read my reaction. She tried to keep her voice light, but I could sense the pain in it. Hanging my head, I had no reply. There was nothing I could say now. There were things I should say; an apology, thanks.
When no reply came, Argo turned back to the front and kept walking. I did my best to block out the evident hurt in her eyes.
"Eh!? Twice?"
The shock in Philia's voice elicited another blush from me. After we had gotten settled in our hunting routine, they started pestering me.
About Kirito.
Again.
I'd forgotten exactly how much saving he'd done until I was forced to repeat the events of the last week.
"So, it's just the two of you then?" Rain's crimson irises sparkled with humour.
Shaking my head, I deny the statement. "We've been… Well really he's been working with another girl to help her map the floors."
"Oh competition! So how do you plan on winning him then? Though with your looks that shouldn't be hard."
"Its not like that!" Despite protesting Philia's words, wasn't it? Did I not commit myself to becoming his equal? To become strong enough to save him?
"Oh, and here I thought he was kind of cute," Philia whined, Oh well, I'm sure I'll find someone else."
Didn't Rain say much the same thing!?
Chuckling lightly, I try to focus my thoughts on the present. Sitting in a room on the fifth floor, I eat lunch with the girls.
The dark room casts an aura of malevolence. A seemingly inescapable gaze of malice that peers down on me. Thankfully the conversation helps to chase it away with laughter.
"This Kirito fellow is strong yes?"
Rain's question brought my thoughts back to the very man I was trying to forget about. No doubt he was making easy progress through the eighth floor. Not trusting my voice, I nod in answer. Strong beyond reckoning. The only tool I had was magic with which to match him.
"We should get him to help out then." Philia cut in.
"No!"
My vehement denial catches them off guard.
"Ah, sorry. What I mean is that he's busy. He doesn't have time to help."
Glancing at each other, Philia and Rain broke out into superstitious chuckles.
"I do like you, Asuna," Philia spoke slowly, "but I also don't want to get killed by your hubris as you try and prove something to him."
"I'm not… It's not like that. I mean I won't!" Babbling incoherently, I slam my mouth shut.
The looks from the girls are impossible to stomach. Concentrating on the hard bread, I bite into it with vigor. Anything to escape the relentless teasing.
After my first fight with the Frog Shooter, the girls had slowly become less impressed with me. As the battles increased it became evident that besides magic, my only state higher or equal to theirs is my agility. It's my skill that allows me to surpass them in terms of speed when attacking.
Nevertheless, they still found my advice helpful, or at least I think they did. They fought better than they had at the beginning.
"Did something change?"
Rain's question was quiet and serious. Two things the girl wasn't, ever.
Focusing, my ears finally told me what I should have noticed far earlier, the dungeon had fallen silent.
"We need to leave, now."
Whispering I try to impart the urgency of the words into the other two girls. They'd spent more time than me in the dungeon, but they hadn't been exposed to the same experiences. I knew exactly how quickly death could come to those unprepared in the dungeon. How quickly everything could change.
It was Kirito's favorite proverb. If something unexpected happens, run.
Gathering my stuff quickly, I gesture for the others to hurry up as well. Putting my bag on my back, I ready my staff and leave the room to peer into the corridor, empty.
Motioning for them to follow, I set off in the direction of the fourth floor at a cautious jog. Each step I do my best to mute its noise. The only noise as we shuffle along is our breathing and panting from the exertion. For once they've fallen silent.
Halting abruptly, the girls stumble a few steps ahead of me before halting as well. Holding up a finger I halt their questions. Rude but there's no time for explanations.
"Footsteps."
Answering their unspoken questions, the noise finally solidifies into an identifiable source. Holding our position, a group of men turn the corner.
The one in front is clearly the leader. A human male, his hair is a vibrant blue only a few shades darker than mine. Wearing a full suit of polished armour complete with shield and longsword, he certainly looks impressive.
"You there, ladies! Have you seen a Wall Shadow lately?"
What a strange question. Frowning, I answer. "Not for over half an hour, we were eating lunch until the dungeon fell silent."
"You had enough sense to leave, that's good." The man confirms with an easy nod. "I would suggest continuing with that plan, this Wall Shadow is something special. We've seen the remnants of its work spread across the walls."
No need to ask what he meant by that. Eyeing Rain and Philia, I see their faces are white sheets. Giving their arms a squeeze to comfort them, I hope I look better.
"Do you have any leads on where it is?"
Shaking his head, a glimpse of sorrow shadowed the man's eyes. "We've checked from the entrance to the fourth to here, so that will be clear. We ran into some members from Magni familia who are doing the other half."
"Aargh!"
The scream permeated the hallway and kept going. It was close.
"You should leave now!"
Shouting that last warning, the unknown man continued past to trace the source.
Tightening my grip on my staff, indecision warred within me. What should I do? On one hand, I knew my magic would slaughter a Wall Shadow regardless of its power. On the other, I need to protect Rain and Philia.
"We're helping, right?" Philia asked. The determination on her face was clear. This girl was too kind.
"If your undecided just think about what Kirito would do," Rain teases with a warm smile.
How these girls stay positive in this place is beyond me. But they're right. I can't abandon those in need. Afterall, Kirito didn't abandon me.
"Let's do this."
Nodding our determination, the three of us set out after the rapidly vanishing party.
It was time for an adventure.
"Do you want to eat lunch up here?"
"Huh? Umm, sorry, could you repeat that?" Replying sheepishly, I duck my head to avoid that inevitable hard glare I'd receive. I'd done it again.
I'd zoned out instead of paying attention to Argo. Every time my thoughts went to the same place, Asuna. Would she be alright on her own?
Gritting her teeth, Argo replied slowly, emphasizing every word. "I asked if you wanted to eat lunch on the surface since we're here at lunch time."
"Oh, yeah that sounds good."
"Jesus Kirito, you aren't her mother or guardian or whatever you're imagining yourself as. You need to realize that she's free to run off and die if she wants to."
"It's not that," I protest weakly as I follow Argo to one of the taverns surrounding Babel. One of the best places to set up a business I muse silently. "It's that she's headed to the fifth floor, and I'm not sure what it was, but it felt different."
Rolling her eyes, Argo clearly didn't believe me. "So, what's the difference?"
"That's the thing, I'm not sure." Frowning slightly, I bring back the memories of the floor we trudged through barely twenty minutes ago.
At first glance everything had been the same. But there was a feeling. A wrongness. Beyond that it was impossible to qualify.
"I probably just imagined it as you say." Admitting defeat to Argo, I follow the smug girl to the restaurant.
Casting one final glance back at Babel, I send a silent prayer.
Come back alive, please.
"There it is men! Spread out and trap it!"
Arriving at the room just behind the party of six, I skid to a halt. Taking point, the blue-haired leader approached the creature, shield raised before him. Spreading out around him the other five moved to flank the creature.
Simply standing there, the Wall Shadow let's the body in its claws fall to the ground.
No, part of a body.
My refined elven eyes brought every gory detail of the scene into stunning clarity. The Head lolled to the side, glazed eyes looking into mine unseeing. A trickle of blood dripped from the mouth and wetted the rocks below. Ruined armour had been torn apart with ease by sharp claws. Below the waist… nothing. Truncated at the thighs. A thick trail of blood belayed the adventurers attempt to crawl away.
It was horrible.
A scene of untold violence.
But it's also my life now.
Swallowing the bile rising in my throat, I focus on the problem. The monster. Nothing but a dumb replaceable creature, spawning endlessly from these unforgiving walls.
This is what I risked everyday now.
This would have been my fate twice now if Kirito wasn't there.
Slowly the circle of adventurers tightens the circle of steel around the creature. Ready to put the beast down once and for all.
Standing straight I stamp my staff into the ground, ready to cast at a moments notice should something go awry.
The Wall Shadow seemed to be in no rush. Unmoving, it awaits its fate. Slowly, the silver disk composing its face contorted into a different shape. A smile.
Placing its hands on the ground, an unearthly reverberation seemed to echo through the dungeon. Shaking the walls, the party stopped, pausing in their decision. Wary at this new development.
Crack!
Not just once, but again and again until the whole chamber was nothing but a cacophony of rock breaking.
Mouth opening in awe I stare at the crumbling chamber. It didn't seem possible, but it was.
The Wall Shadow had just called down one of the dungeon's meanest tricks, a monster party.
"Ah, my leg!"
Staring at the limping adventures, my heart caught in my throat. It was just a coincidence, wasn't it?
Going to move past the mixed party of healthy and injured adventures one of them stopped me.
"If you're thinking about going to the fifth floor, don't. Some crazy Wall Shadow is killing everyone."
Face blanching, terror starts to overwhelm me. That's where Asuna is. I should have stopped when I went through. I should have trusted the feeling.
"Hey it's alright kid!" The man comforts me. "Ganesha familia's finest Diavel is there! He'll deal with it lickety split."
"Kii-bou…"
Argo's gentle words did nothing to comfort me. Ignoring both of them, I sprint into the dungeon.
The familiar passageways hold no meaning for me. Dashing through them, I witness shocked faces of the parties still farming the upper floors. Kicking off a wall I push myself faster. Down and down again. To the one I abandoned.
Cracking his knuckles, the deity stared intensely at the floor beneath his feet. Sitting on a throne beneath the guild, the deity's eyebrows flexed in concentration.
"Why is the dungeon acting up so much?"
The deep question had no answer. For there was no longer an advisor to aid the deity in such matters. All he could do is scrunch his eyebrows and focus his immense will into the dungeon.
Calming it, controlling it.
Nonetheless, it wasn't enough.
Even the upper floors were producing irregularities now.
They'd run out of time.
Standing, the deity looked like an ancient boulder. Rising only rarely, he'd enforced his will over the dungeon for nigh on a millennium now. Yet, he felt his task here coming to an end. That wasn't surprising really, he mused. After all, his arrival had sparked the beginning of a new era. And now, another era had started, the age of world walkers.
Dismissing the thoughts, the ancient deity began to ascend the stairs out of his sunken throne room. It was time for a denatus.
Hordes of Goblins.
Legions of Kobolds.
Masses of Dungeon Crawlers.
An army of Frog Shooters.
The only salvation was no Wall Shadows, the boss of the fifth floor.
It was the perfect trap. Drawing them into a circle around it before surrounding them. Creating a threat on both sides.
"Kill it now!"
Diavel's order was a sound one; deal with the Wall Shadow in the center before the spawns could extract themselves from the walls and approach.
Unfortunately, the Wall Shadow had other ideas. Picking up the remnants of the adventurer's body, it threw it at the rearmost flanker.
With the adventurer knocked back from the impact, the Wall Shadow slipped into the gap created. A flawless escape.
"Run!"
My cry was too late though. With them focused on killing the Wall Shadow it was too late. The monsters had pried themselves from the rubble and were ready to fight.
"Hold fast! We're still fine."
The words sounded brave. They sounded like a leader's. But they were hollow inside. They shook. They held no meaning and did nothing to encourage the men following him.
What can I do?
Freezing at the entrance the words flashed through my mind. I could feel Philia and Rain, standing beside me, paralyzed by fear.
Unbidden, the face of the swordsman rose to my mind. That's right, there's only one thing I need to do, sing.
"Rise and flow. I am the Master of Water, servant of Neptune.
Rise and obey. Destroy those who obstruct."
The change was immediate. The men who looked ready to give up and prepare to die were filled with vigor. But perhaps more importantly, was the monsters' reactions. Heads rotating, the creatures ready to ignore me, standing slightly outside the room, now recognized me as the biggest target.
No matter what, I will finish this cast. Holding myself to this promise, I carry on.
"By my will, I give you life. By your will, I wield it.
Chosen not given, I call. Answer my prayer and heed your duty."
Screaming their anger, the monsters rush me.
"Like we'd let you!" Moving in front of me, Philia and Rain absorb the charge. Taking multiple wounds, the girls are able to hold their positions in front of me. Monster after monster throw themselves at the wall they've created, but none get through.
"Move towards the elf!"
Orders given, the men fighting tooth and nail to simply survive start to move. Keeping formation, the circle inches its way slowly but surely towards me.
"Wash away the rabble and purify the streets.
Put out the fires and drown the nonbelievers."
There was only a little bit of the chant left. It will work! They'll get out. I'll save them!
Exhilaration at an all time high I continue the chant.
"Blessed of the Undine.
My name is Necksa!"
"Done!" Calling out my victory, I wait for the men to finish the last few metres to where I wait. Covered with injuries, the once proud suits of armour are now beaten, battered, and bloodsoaked.
"Kruu!"
Having stood idle at the far end of the cavern for most of the fight, the Wall Shadow burst into action. Skirting around the edge of the hard-pressed warriors, it sped towards one person, me.
Grabbing a Dungeon Crawler on its way past, it flings it at Philia. Stumbling from the impact, Philia provides no resistance as the Wall Shadow bowls her over.
Gritting my teeth, I prepare for impact. Any movement could disrupt my spell and induce ignis fatuus.
I can do this!
Clenching my stomach at the last moment, the wind is blown out of me by the claws. But more than that, a sharp pain. They pierced my armour and entered my stomach.
Gasping pitifully, I feel the magic hover on the edge of my grasp. I'm a second away from exploding pitifully, accomplishing nothing.
"No!" Rain's scream was accompanied by a sword slash. Passing right next to me, the blade drives the Wall Shadow back away from me.
The blue-haired leader shows up, delivering a well-timed strike, pushing it even further into the cavern.
"Vannforlengelse!"
Unable to hold it any longer, I cast my magic. Not the typical daggers but spinning disks. Designed to tear through anything they encounter.
Pouring all the mind I can into it, wave after wave of water tears through the cavern.
Survive that!
Falling to my knees, I pant roughly. Reaching my hand back, I fumble for my potion holster. Finding it, my numb fingers struggle to grasp the smooth glass tube.
Finally extracting it, I down the entire double potion in one smooth gulp.
"Amazing…"
"You were incredible Asuna!" Rain's proclamation is accompanied by a fierce hug. Despite being covered in wounds herself, Rain was as chipper as always.
"Sorry…"
Pushing herself up, Philia's in an even worse condition. Having only one dagger to defend herself, the girl had struggled against the waves of monsters. Then the Wall Shadow itself attacked her.
Mustering my strength, I use my staff as leverage to stand up. A groan leaks past my lips. Even with the potion, I'm still drained.
"Kruu…"
Face blanching, all nine of us focus intently into the chamber of death. Shattering most of the magic stones, a carpet of wet ash coats the floor. From amid this, a figure slowly rises.
Dripping blood and water, the Wall Shadow analyses us. Releasing its strange noise once again, the creature turns around and stumbles towards the far exit.
"It's alive…"
The sorrow on the blue-haired man's face is unmistakable.
After giving myself a few more seconds to interpret what just happened, mine joins his. None of us are strong enough to pursue it. That means it will live and heal. Although the walls here are shattered and unable to spawn monsters for quite awhile more, that's not true for the whole floor.
All it has to do is find a new cavern and repeat its trick. Even severely injured it could kill hundreds of adventurers.
Bowing my head, tears fall from my eyes. The only solace I could offer the innocent.
After all my determination, all my power, only one thought is left behind.
I failed.
Skidding to a halt, the first passageway of the fifth floor branched. Whipping my head back and forth I search for any sign that something is wrong. Despite an eerie silence indicating a lack of monsters, nothing.
Gritting my teeth, I try to focus, surely there must be some indication!
"Kii-bou! Wait up!"
Not bothering to turn around, I wait for Argo to catch up. Knowing the layouts of these floors as good if not better than me, there was no way I could lose her.
Forcing myself to wait, Argo finally skid to a halt what felt like an eternity later. Tapping my fingers impatiently, I wait for the panting figure to recover.
"Which way?" The words are needlessly harsh, but I can't help it. Asuna can't die. She simply can't. Why, I don't know. But my heart continues to scream that one fact at me, Asuna can't die.
Focusing, Argo turned first one way, then the other. "There. Panicked footfalls that way."
Not waiting for the complete statement, I take off down the right passage. Skidding around a corner, I can hear Argo's angry noises from 5 metres back.
Cloak swirling around me, I finally pick up the noises that Argo had heard. Drawing my sword in one motion, I throw myself off the wall to confront their source.
"Whoa!"
Eyes widening, I run into an enormous man. Standing just over six feet, I come to the oddest conclusion, he's a dwarf. Standing well outside the typical height dimension for a dwarf, this must be his real-life height that he was forced into, distorting his chosen race.
"You should leave friend. Something bad is haunting this floor right now."
With his deep baritone and imposing great axe, the man made a tremendous first impression. However, I had no time to be impressed.
"Where is it!?"
The force of my shout blew them back a couple of feet. Not receiving an answer, I try again.
"Where is the Wall Shadow!?"
"Calm down Kii-bou before they wet themselves."
Arriving on the scene, no one can quite embarrass a group of fully-grown men like Argo.
Flushing, the leader stepped back up. "Look this thing isn't a toy for you to hunt. It's very dangerous and has killed entire groups of people!"
"And I'm going to kill it." My voice is as controlled as I can make. Shaking with anger, I ask once more. "Where. Is. It?"
Frowning, the dwarf spreads his hands in defeat. "Look man, we don't know. Ganesha Familia asked us of Magni familia to look after this side of the floor evacuating everyone we come across. So, it's probably on the other side of the fifth."
Not bothering with a thanks, I whip around and sprint back down the passage. So much wasted time.
"Hey wait!"
Groaning I roll my eyes. Great, now I have another party of hangers-on.
Slowing slightly so as to not lose them, I pause briefly at every intersection to judge the noise.
Growing frustrated, minutes pass as I make my way methodically through the floor.
Another fail. Wait…
Cocking my ear to the side, I focus down one tunnel. Is that shuffling?
Hope rising slightly, I take off. One more corner and…
"Monster party…"
Not just a regular one, this one is huge. I'd seen larger in the beta, but never on a floor this high. Maybe on the twelfth, but not really until the middle floors. There are probably thirty monsters in this cavern.
Clenching my sword, my knuckles turn white from the force applied. The source of the shuffling is standing in the middle of the room. Walking badly, black blood poured from it. More than that though, small rivulets of water also flow from its body.
There is no water on the fifth floor. The most likely explanation is the one I'm looking for, Asuna.
Anger, no rage consumes me. Not at this thing, but at myself. I should never have let her out of my sight.
She would be the one to lead us home, I can feel it. But now… I let her die with no one protecting her.
Roaring my helplessness at the world, I charge.
"Kii-bou!" Losing the boy slightly, Argo picked up his path again when she heard the clash of metal and roars of pain. Sliding to a graceful stop, Argo's mouth dropped.
A hurricane of steel.
Black blood flew and monsters fell.
The hordes attacked again and again, but every time they met armour or blade. None struck flesh.
Argo had seen Kirito wade through Killer Ants, a far more fearsome opponent than anything here, but still. The raw numbers were overwhelming, and slowly shrinking. This wasn't something an adventurer who struggles on floor eight could accomplish. This looked like someone on the edge of level two. Someone with a near maxed status.
A Frog Shooter tongue deflected off the back of a gauntlet. A Kobold impaled in the same breath. Moving flawlessly, the technique was mind-numbing. Following through on the momentum, Kirito's foot came up, breaking a goblin's neck.
Foe after foe, Kirito fell them all with relative ease. They threw numbers at him, and Kirito responded not just with status, but skill and technique. Every move was carefully planned.
He moved to put Kobolds in front of Frog Shooters to block their tongues. He dodged Dungeon crawlers inciting collisions. None of the monsters had been born more than a minute ago. They had no practice, experience, or formation.
And when it came down to it, numbers weren't enough.
Panting, the red in my vision slowly cleared.
Only one foe was left, the Wall Shadow. Fleeing down the far passage I follow.
"Kii-bou wait! Drink a potion!"
"Huh?"
Blinking with confusion I turn around. Argo is racing towards me. Behind her stands that dwarf and his familia members.
Stumbling slightly, I take the potion with shaking fingers. Downing it in a couple of gulps, I return the empty glass vial to Argo.
"Thanks."
Nodding quickly, I turn to pursue the Wall Shadow. I doubt my ability to fight through another Monster Party, but it needs to die.
"Wait up swordsman!" the dwarf calls. "Your strength is undoubtable but let us help you with this one."
Nodding again, I have no further reply. If they want to come that's on them. I have a monster to kill.
Stumbling back along the hallway, the monster felt a new emotion rise in it, fear. Even when it was pelted by the blades of water that tore through the monsters it used as a shield, it never felt like this.
Trapped.
The dungeon is its mother. The dungeon provides for it. But it ran out of resources. Two monster parties in close proximity on a floor so high was nearly impossible for the dungeon. Only the call of one of its beloved children had allowed the dungeon to pull off such a feat, but to no avail. On one side, powerful magic. On the other, that thing.
The black eyes had penetrated it to its core. That monster party had been eviscerated by the powerful swordsman. How had this happened?
No matter how the thing thought, no reliable method of escape presented itself. So, stumbling through the passage, its slowly healing body prepared itself to force its way through the magic. If it was fast…
Pausing at the corner, the monster surveyed the situation. All nine were still there and injured.
Mouth splitting into a grin, another emotion started to replace the fear, hope.
"Eh? So, you're the Diavel?" Rain asked interestedly. Of the six of Ganesha familia's members, he was the only one still standing. The other five were sitting nursing their injuries.
"Ah yes, that's me." The man answers with an embarrassed nod.
Giving him a onceover I'm fairly sure I understand what's going through him. He's embarrassed he failed to kill the monster. He's the man who tried to put everyone trapped in this game on his back. Give them the hope and experience to escape the game.
"You were in the beta test, right?" Philia asks. Obviously interested in the man as well.
Nodding again in response, the flush in his cheeks gets even more pronounced.
Muffling my snort of laughter, I'm surprised by how dense the girls are. Unless they're trying to embarrass him, I reason. All of their questions point to his increased experience over everyone else, and yet he failed in his task.
"Who would you say was the strongest beta tester?" I'm surprised to notice that the question came from me. I'm unlikely to know whoever he says, and yet… I'm curious.
Do I really think he'll say Kirito?
I think a part of me does.
Reeling in surprise, the flush in Diavel's cheeks fades as he contemplates my question.
A strange look comes over Diavel's face. "You know, I don't think I'd have had an answer for you if I hadn't logged in that final day."
Pausing, Diavel contemplates how to best word the story. Leaning against the wall, he talks slowly at first, but gains momentum.
"When I logged in on the final day of the beta, the deepest I'd gone was the fifteenth floor. I knew the top players were down to the seventeenth and therefore felt discouraged. Whenever my party ventured into the middle floors, we inevitably fell victim to the hellhounds that roam there."
At his words a flash of fear crosses his face and that of the Ganesha members listening as well.
The reason is clear, these hellhounds they fear is an obstacle they'll have to deal with again. This time, dying is fatal.
"Anyway, when we went to dungeon that day, we were hoping to reach the sixteenth before servers closed, but we encountered a massive party at the dungeon entrance. I knew one of the members there and our party got roped into this raid. To get as far through the dungeon as we could."
Nostalgia colours Diavel's words. Head tilted back his eyes were glazed over unseeing. No doubt he only saw the events of that day.
"We crushed the top floors. Unpausing we went at a fast walk barely slowing through the first twelve floors. Pausing at the entrance to floor thirteen, the troubles began. You see, the middle floors are different compared to top ones. More traps, more monsters, more ways to die."
Voice hardening slightly, Diavel scanned the audience. No doubt not wanted to scare the listeners.
When I wave him on, he continues.
"We started with maybe 80, 90 people. When we reached the seventeenth, we were down to about 40. Most of that was the sixteenth itself. We ran into a monster party… Composed solely of Minotaurs. The fighting was long and brutal."
Minotaur… I'd heard the name before form Argo and Kirito. It was obviously a reference to the Greek myth of Theseus. Were the half-bull monsters really that tough?
"Anyway, after that, the seventeenth wasn't that bad. Anyone left was a solid fighter who knew how to deal with these floors. And me, I suppose."
Diavel adds with a self-deprecating smile.
"My usual party had all fallen at that time. Alone I continued to the depths of the seventeenth floor. There, we encountered it…"
"The Goliath, right?" Chiming in, my voice breaks the aura Diavel had created.
Stunned for a moment Diavel nods. "So, you've heard about it before then?"
"Just the name. And that the raid you're talking about failed."
"Failed is too mild a term," Diavel disagrees with a shake of his head. "The Gods have a term for that room, the Great Wall of Sorrows."
Shaking his head slowly, Diavel once again got lost in the memories of that day.
"Most of the raid stood there stunned, unbelieving what our eyes told us. The Great wall of Crystal stood flawlessly, shimmering without a scratch. And there, on the end of the massive cavern stood the floor boss, the monster rex, Goliath."
Snorting with dark humour, Diavel paused for a moment to put together the end of the story.
"Standing up, it let out a noise. A howl I suppose you'd call it. Just as we're trying to figure out a way to attack it, monsters came in from the back. Every part of the seventeenth floor we left alive seemed to come through those tunnels to attack us."
Shivering slightly from the image, I notice Philia out of the corner of my eye. Extending my hand, I rub the poor girls back.
Getting to the end of his tale, Diavel reaches the climax.
"Nonetheless, we fought back. Staying behind the more experienced members, I stayed alive despite the people falling around me. During this time, I'd forgotten about the floor boss, too focused on the mobs that it had called to it. When I looked back over at it, near the end of my life and the raid, I was stunned. One figure stood against it. Dressed in all black, it weaved around the giant fists, replying with strikes that left little more than scratches. Without him, the raid would have been decimated in minutes."
Oh. My. God. Dressed all in black. It must have been…
"After dying I respawned and had two hours to find out that person's identity. Tracking down a player who I'd seen chatting with him, all I got was a name, Kirito. I saw someone whom I think is he in guild headquarters once. At least I hope it was. Something tells me we'll need him in order to beat this game."
Not saying anything, I schooled my face into a mask of neutrality. I felt the gazes of Philia and Rain locked onto me, but I couldn't reply to them. Kirito's identity was a secret for him to reveal, not me. Thankfully, the girls say nothing lapsing into silence.
"No follow-up questions?"
Diavel sounds a little surprised, rightfully so I must agree. After-all, we had been pestering him with questions.
"Thank you for the story, that was quite an experience you had."
Chuckling lightly, Diavel nods his head in agreement. "Yes, it was. To be honest, I'm still unsure if I'm cut out to lead our forces here but I'll do my best to form a cohesive unit. I think with around one hundred people, twenty more on fighting monsters, twenty more on the boss, and twenty more on reserve, the fight would have been doable."
"Yes…" Agreeing out of habit, I press Diavel for a more concrete answer. "Was there anything in particular about this Kirito fellow that made you think he was better than everyone else?"
Pausing Diavel seemed to consider the question. "Besides what he was doing for around ten minutes." Diavel scoffs, "I think it was the way he moved. Everyone else, it was like we weren't optimally using our status. Whereas he… He moved efficiently. I think that was what made him stand out so much in my mind."
The words were eerily similar to what I had said to Rain and Philia. Was that only earlier today? It fells like a lifetime ago.
Done with the conversation, I turn my gaze to the cavern that was still splattered with blood. After my spell, there wasn't enough left of the adventurer to identify him with. We really should move on from this place of death. We need to reach the fourth floor before more monsters beset us. Of us, only Diavel and I are still in fighting condition.
About to suggest just that, a waver catches the corner of my eye. Pausing, I focus on the source. The corner past the cavern. Deciding nothing is there, I stand up and stretch. My muscles protest the movement, but there's no time to waste. Already the walls are starting to heal the broken stone.
"Kruu!"
The cry brings my hand to my hip. Drawing my sword, I turn towards the noise. Running at a sprint across the cavern, the Wall Shadow is back. Already I can tell that injuries I inflicted are starting to heal. It's come back to finish what it started.
"Get behind me!"
Roaring Diavel leaps in front of me. Shield and sword at the ready, Diavel faces down the monster.
The first collision, claws meet shield producing a shower of sparks. Already the winner is clear as Diavel's shield is violently thrown back.
The second impact, Diavel's counter swing is parried by the claws. This time, its closer. With Diavel having the momentum, the trade is more even. However, the victor is already determined.
Throwing its deadly claws forward, the combatants make one, then two more collisions. Weathering the onslaught, Diavel is thrown to his knees. Panting heavily, the would-be knight is overcome by this adversary. Raising its right hand, the Wall Shadow prepares to deliver the death blow.
"No!"
Screaming my defiance, I charge. Faster than Diavel, faster than even the Wall Shadow, my rapier shoots out. Aiming at only one target I lunge.
It was Kirito's first lesson for me. If you ever encounter a foe greater than yourself, or an opponent that needs to die quickly, aim for its center. For in the middle of the chest of every monster lurks its magic stone. If you puncture that, you win. No exceptions.
Reeling back, the Wall Shadow abandons its attack. Left hand still raised, the monster catches the blade between its claws, stopping it from puncturing deep.
Stopping my attack, I stand over Diavel as the monster evaluates its new injury. If I have to guess, the wound isn't even an inch deep. I was nowhere close to killing it.
"We'll help you Asuna." Standing shakily, the still injured Rain and Philia guard my sides as they too face off against this foe that's beyond any of us.
"No," Diavel pants, wearily climbing to his feet. "We need your magic to beat it. Fall back and let us hold."
"No." My voice rings out strongly through the hallway. "I'm the only one with physical strength left. I'll deal with this."
After all, I have an idol to catch. If he could stand against a foe numerous times stronger than this, then I have to do this. Curling my hand tighter against my rapier, I prepare myself for battle.
Jabbing quickly, I put every ounce of speed my skill gave me into the strike.
Bringing its claws up in defense, my blade skirted off them and into its flesh, leaving an imperceptible wound.
With the creature falling back, elation consumes me. With my skill I'm faster than it! In no other category do I come close, but in a forward line, I can do this!
One thrust, then a second, a third… I repeat the same motion again and again. Aiming for different areas of its body I kept the forward momentum going.
Confidence growing, I harry the already tired creature. Slowly more cuts and scratches accumulate on it.
With a shriek the monster rolls out of the way.
Finally, unable to thrust at it, I send a slash at its exposed body. Halfway through I realize my mistake. Compared to my previous skill driven thrusts, the slash moves like molasses.
Roaring its victory, the monster sends its right claws to intercept the thin blade. With a metallic screech, the blade is sent skyward.
Barely able to maintain my grasp on the sword, I stagger back a couple of steps. My arm feels almost dislocated from the blow. This is my first time experiencing the strength of this monster.
Standing with extreme leisure, the creature prepares my death swing. Bringing its left arm back, the overhead blow is telegraphed and easy to read. It doesn't matter though. I have no defense against it.
"Rargh!"
Roaring their defiance, Rain and Philia throw themselves in front of the descending claws.
No!
The thought doesn't reach them though. My own personal heroes.
Raising their three combined blades against the unstoppable force, I prepare myself for the death of my friends.
"Scree!"
The metallic screech is unbearable. Despite my fears, the triple defense of the girls slows the inevitable claws. Pushing the crossed blades down, they hold for one second, two, a third…
"Kruu!"
Howling its distinctive cry, the monster redoubles its efforts and disperses the defense set up against it. Falling back, Rain and Philia sprawl to the ground on either side of me.
"Yargh!"
Roaring my defiance, I send my rapier forward. Arm still stuck in its post-swing motion; the monster is vulnerable.
Snapping its right arm up into a guard, it protects its core, the magic stone. Smirking at it, I adjust the tip the sword. I was never aiming at its core; it guards it too well. Instead my sword collides solidly with its left shoulder.
Penetrating deeply, the rapier strikes something hard lurking beneath the inky black skin.
"Kruu!"
Roaring in pain, the monster reels back away from me.
Seeking to follow it, I retract my blade.
"Ahh!"
Stumbling slightly, my right arm falls limply to my side. My hand barely maintains the force to hold my rapier. My shoulder isn't working. First the impact with the claws, and then this lunge has overworked it.
Glancing fearfully at the Wall Shadow I wait for inevitable fatal counter. However, it seems busy nursing its shoulder. Trying to flex its left arm, it hangs by its side, doing nothing.
It seems both of us are down to one arm… This only favors it though. Grabbing my rapier with my left arm, even lifting it in front of me is awkward.
"Can't allow a bunch of girls to save us, can we?"
Trying to rally his troops, a bruised Diavel leads his bleeding soldiers into position in front of me. Of the five that are able to stand, Only Diavel and one other look at all ready to fight. The other three are one strong gust away from toppling over.
Raising their swords in a determined posture, the five men approach the Wall Shadow with determined faces.
Suddenly turning, the Wall Shadow gazes down the tunnel it came from. Focusing my ears there as well, I hear it. The sound of metal boots crashing against the stone floor. Help.
Relief flooding through me, I allow myself a smile. We're saved.
"KRUU!"
Screeching at the top of its lungs, the monster flings itself at Diavel's line with reckless abandon. Abandoning all of the experience and poise it had previously battled with, the Wall Shadow rips at the line like a true monster.
Accruing countless injures, the Wall Shadow succeeds. It broke through the line.
As the last person standing between it and freedom, I see the difference in its gaze. Where before it was searching for our deaths, now it's only concerned with escape.
Raising my rapier in defiance, I have one chance to stop it. I can't stand back and let it charge me. I have to use every bit of momentum and force that my skill provides me with.
Trying to emulate my posture with my left hand, I bring it back to my cheek. Pausing one second, I shoot forward.
Faster!
Faster!
The only trait I could beat it with. I wasn't more skilled. I wasn't stronger. I wasn't more agile. This straightforward rush is all I have.
"Yargh!"
Out of my mouth I realize my dreams, my ambitions. To stand by his side. To be worthy. For that reason, I fight.
Skidding around the corner, my eyes open in disbelief. Men sprawled on the ground, and behind them… her.
The strike is sloppy, its unbalanced. It's perfect.
Caught in an embrace with the shadow, both participants in the duel fall down.
Dashing into the room, my heart isn't beating.
Please be alive.
Only that one thought left, I ignore the downed monster. It's dead.
Rushing to the azure-haired elf, I hold her limp body in my arms.
"Asuna! Asuna!" Yelling the name of the injured life, my frantic heart calms slightly as I see her eyes flap in response.
Opening slightly, those chestnut irises meet mine. The last part of her that belongs to the old world.
"Kirito?" Her voice is slow and stiff, heavy with exhaustion.
"I'm here now."
Smiling beautifully, she focuses on my face. "I did it this time Kirito. I didn't need to be saved."
Gripping her body tighter to me, I fight back the rising tears. "That's right Asuna. You saved them this time."
Smiling happily, she laid her head against me and passed out.
Sitting there holding her, the fear of the previous minutes starts to fade. It was unlikely to ever completely go away though. Examining her body more closely, my breath hitches.
There, just above her left breast, a claw. Left behind from the Wall Shadow it had buried itself a good three inches into her body.
Swallowing, I try to restrict the fear starting to rise again.
"Argo…"
Reacting quickly to my voice, Argo leaves behind the wounded she'd been looking at before.
Similar to me, her breath hitches when she sees the claw.
"What should we…?" Voice stuttering out pathetically, I look at Argo in desperation. She's the famous info broker. Surely, she knows something.
Biting her lip, Argo is slow to respond. "If this was the real world, I'd say to leave it in. Here however, it may be better to take it out. Afterall, we can pour potion in the injury."
"Alright." Fishing through my holster, I remove three potions. If this wasn't enough…
Popping open the first, I hold it over the claw as I grab it. Forcing myself to move slowly, I inch the claw out millimetre by millimetre.
Around the claw, fresh red blood wells to the surface. Pausing the extraction, I pour some of the potion around the edges. Unsure if I'm doing more good than bad, I continue the extraction.
After about a minute, I reach a change in the sensation. The claw has narrowed enough that it simply falls the rest of the way out of the wound. Setting it on the ground, I pour the rest of the first potion in the wound. Quickly popping a second, it follows. The third, I drain half into the decent looking wound and the other half into Asuna's mouth.
The second time I've done that.
Smiling at the strange experience I discard the third vial and look intently at Asuna's face. Maybe I'm just hoping for it, but I think some of the color has started to return.
"We should bring her… them back to the surface." Quickly correcting my statement, I remember the other injured laying around the room. Thankfully, none of them seem dead.
"Agreed," the large dwarf chimes in with his deep baritone. "However, we're going to run short on people to clear the monsters."
Shaking my head, I shoot him down. "I don't know what that thing was, but the dungeon must be nearly out of resources. I'd be surprised if we actually encountered a monster."
"Well," the dwarf consented, "Be that as it may, we're still a person short, nine of them and eight of us."
Frowning, I don't have an answer for that.
"Only eight Agil," One of them coughs. Standing up slowly, its evident the act is hard for the man. "And thank you Magni familia for covering the other side."
"No problem Diavel," The giant dwarf, Agil I suppose, dismisses with a wave of his hand. "Anyway, we better get going."
Nodding, I scoop Asuna up easily into my arms. Her body seems like it's made of pillows. Soft and light.
With copious grunting, everyone else except Diavel, who can barely stand as it is, picks up one of the fallen adventurers.
"Rain… Philia…" Breathing their names I'm shocked at their conditions. Both girls appear to be totally unresponsive.
Guilt hammering me, I realize I completely ignored the two girls. Every bit of my focus had been on Asuna. They could have been bleeding out on the ground beside me and I wouldn't have noticed.
"So, you are him then? The Kirito?"
"Huh?" Turning my head, I lock gazes with the wounded man Agil had called Diavel. That blue hair, the determined eyes… I was horrible with people, but even I am able to recall the encounter on the second day of the game.
There was no doubt about it, looking at him again now, I do know him.
"The one who fought the Goliath in the raid. On the final day of the beta. That was you, right?"
Nodding mutely, his words jog my memory. That's how I knew him. The same raid he just mentioned. A totally different look, but those same hard eyes, filled with determination even as he bled out in an unwinnable fight.
At my nod, his face transforms. Mouth widening, Diavel lets a hearty laugh. Completely out-of-place in the dungeon and based on his party's condition.
"That's… That's fantastic!" Chuckling widely, Diavel had every conscious eye on him. "I tried so hard these weeks to be the hope the people need. But again and again, I failed. This last one was my worst. Without Asuna there, I'd be dead right now. But with you here, you can lead us! You can save us!"
The words are impassioned with a hope bordering on lunacy. This man had given it all but found himself unworthy when pitted against the dungeon. However…
"I'm afraid I can't be Diavel."
"What!? How- How can you say that!?"
Smiling at the distraught man, I shake the elf in my arms slightly. "Because she will be. Like she led you to victory today, she will lead us all home. I'm sure of that."
Ignoring the reactions of the others, I stare down at her unconscious face, the edges of a smile still lingering there. Like how Diavel had put his faith in me, I put mine in her. At this point she had barely a week of dungeon experience, and yet I'm sure. Whatever support or help or guidance she needs, I'll be there to provide it for her.
Our contract may say that she's my supporter, but in my heart, I could feel the truth of it. I'm her supporter.
"So, you used your skill again?" Hestia asks from her usual position perched on my back. "And, you also saved Loki's girl again… Can't believe the fainting act really works that well."
"It's not like th- Ow!"
Yelling from the needle stab, Hesita's toneless "Oops" does nothing to stop the sharp pain that quickly fades.
"On a more serious matter though…"
Getting off my back, Hestia sits beside me on the bed so that she can talk to my face.
"More serious?" I thought such an irregular monster was pretty serious business.
"That's right," Hestia agrees with a nod. "While you were having fun in the dungeon, this came."
Grabbing a sheet of paper from her bosom, Hestia proffers it to me. Trying to keep a straight face, I scan the document.
"All Gods and Goddesses of Orario are hereby called to the meeting hall on the 30th floor of Babel tower at nine in the morning for an emergency denatus to discuss the ban of the native adventurers…"
Trailing off, my mind is picking over the multiple new pieces of information that I know nothing about.
"What ban?"
Tilting her head, Hestia looks at me like I'm an idiot. "The children of this world have a temporary ban on them preventing them from entering the dungeon. This was done so you guys could adapt to the dungeon before they flooded it."
"I… I see." In the beta I'd never questioned why no NPC adventurers entered the dungeon. With so much changing for release though…
"So, that's where I'll be tomorrow morning," Hestia informs me while stretching. "This may mark the end of your days with Loki's child." She adds on with an evil grin.
Averting my eyes, I'm unable to say anything. I want Asuna in my party, and I'm sure she feels the same way, but if her goddess forbids it, then there's very little we can do.
"Anyhow, here's your status. Congratulations on getting to C!"
Taking my sheet with shaking fingers I scan the lines of text. I'd known it was coming but reaching such a milestone always felt good.
Kirito
Level One
Strength: E 488 → D 502 Defense: F 368 → F 382 Utility: E 440 → E 454 Agility: D 580 → C 600 Magic: I 0 → I 0
Magic:
()
Skills:
Gilded Hero – Grants the user abilities surpassing their limit in times of great desperation or need. Particularly when aligned with a righteous goal.
My status had spiked hard this past week. I was well on my way to shattering my six-week level up of the beta. The reason was killer ants. The hundreds upon hundreds of killer ants that I'd slaughtered to clear the seventh floor.
But now I was at C… the magical milestone. It was pretty well confirmed that an adventurer could only level up after their status hit an average of C. I still had a ways to go before I hit that. However, this also meant I was nearing the end of achievable growth. Ideally, the highest a status could reach was S 999. But getting there…
My highest stat was a low A when I levelled up in the beta. It was very probable that it would take another three weeks to bring my status to that plane and level up. Especially being unable to recklessly fling myself into the middle floors, it would be slow.
"Eh? Is something wrong? I thought you were looking forward to this?"
My Goddess' voice interrupts my brooding. "I was, I mean I am. Guess I'm just contemplating how much is left in front of me."
"Hehe true!" Hestia agrees in a happy voice. "But you should be happy. You've conquered the newbie killer floors!"
Snorting at the comment, I can't help but smile at my always beaming goddess. The constant support she provides is amazing. Reaching across the bed, I play with the bells in her hair. My present for her.
"Also, the newbie killer floors are the seventh to the ninth," I correct her. "Still not done with them yet."
Shrugging her shoulders Hestia seems unconcerned with the minor detail. "You basically are. Besides with your agility at C, you can outrun anything on those floors now."
Sighing at the diminutive woman, I don't bother to correct her because she's technically right. But being forced to run on those floors would be very bad indeed.
"Oh, I'll join you on your way to Babel tomorrow," I inform Hestia.
"Eh? Going back into the dungeon I suppose."
Shaking my head, a slight blush rises to my cheeks. "I'm going to the armory, and uh my friends are at the infirmary there."
"Friends huh?"
Based on the look on Hestia's face she knows exactly who I'm talking about.
"Remember Kirito, you shouldn't concern yourself with girls outside the familia!"
"So, if one were to join…"
"Never happening."
Without blinking Hestia shuts me down.
"Are you ever going to recruit more members?"
"I'm thinking about it!" Hestia chirps regaining her previous humour. "But for now… I like it just being to the two of us."
Chuckling weakly, I rub my goddess' hair.
So do I, Hestia. So do I.
"Well Ouranos, what's with the time reduction?" the sharp question comes from Asuna's vermillion-haired goddess Loki. The irascible Trickster leans on her elbow supporting her head in her hand. "I'll barely be able to recall the rest of my familia."
The entire denatus chamber is packed, but everything revolves around three occupants.
The one who called it, the giant deity known as Ouranos.
Across from him sit two Goddesses who possess the strongest familias left in Orario, Loki and Freya. The others look on from higher benches offering a sly comment now and then, but otherwise saying nothing.
The reason is simple. In the grand scheme of things, they don't really matter.
Orario is run officially by the guild. As head of the guild, Ouranos controls all matters political and economical.
But the guild doesn't have any adventurers. Thus, the true power of Orario, the center of the world, rests solely with the twin Goddesses facing across from him.
"Peace Loki." The deep rumble of the Supreme God silences the room. Like an ancient statue, Ouranos moves seldom and talks less. "I must tell you all what transpired in the dungeon yesterday."
Narrowing her eyes, Loki said nothing. She'd stopped by the infirmary this morning and heard it from Asuna. To put it simply, Loki was fuming. Her children were all precious to her. To her children she may come off as a prankster and uncaring, but she couldn't hide her true feelings in front of the gods. She loved all her children deeply. For such an atrocity to spawn on the upper floors was nothing short of terrifying.
"My prayers have become less and less effective at suppressing the dungeon. It longs to release its children to the surface again. To beat back humanity."
The words are chilling. As a unified collective the Gods and Goddesses reel back in their seats in dismay.
"The reason for this is simple though." Ouranos continues immediately to assuage the fear. "The dungeon no longer has to invest enough resources in spawning monsters. It can use this additional energy to overcome my prayers."
"So, a mission to kill Goliath?" A voice in the back shouts.
"No! Amphisbaena!" A second contradicts.
"I suppose Udeaus is too risky?" A third asks.
"Silence." Ouranos orders. "The dungeon will be opened for all adventurers in three days, the Friday. On that day Loki, Freya, and Ganesha familia will participate in a triple familia mission to supress Goliath. Furthermore, the guild will buy all Magic Stones and drop items from floors nineteen and lower at cost for the next week. Are there any questions?"
The Giant's authoritative voice had kept the room quiet while he talked. As he fell silent, a loud buzz droned through the room.
As Monster Rexes required a great amount of energy to respawn, the logical option was indeed to kill the Goliath. It was the second that really threw the deities for a loop. Buying all stones from floors nineteen and lower at the rate the guild sells them at.
This ensured that a great number of adventurers would flood those floors. Basically, any who could actually venture that deep.
Of the hundreds of Gods present, only a handful understood the deeper implications of the reason why.
For when adventurers went that deep, the common practice was to make runs from the eighteenth floor. This common practice gave the adventurers a safe spot to rest without having to venture to the surface. On the eighteenth floor they'd sell their drops for the day: all but the rarest. Then they'd venture back in the next with empty packs. Using this technique, the party could make far more far quicker than returning to the surface every time.
With this new rule though, the adventurers would return to the surface with each haul. With Magic Stone's selling at probably time and a half what they would normally, it made it worthwhile. Therefore, each party would kill less monsters. On the trade-off of drawing more parties down there, it wouldn't increase the number of monsters killed by any noticeable amount. The main draw here then would be for the adventurers and the payoff they'd receive.
This whole conversation passes between Freya and Loki at a glance. Deciding it wasn't worth arguing over, the Goddesses stay silent.
"One last thing." Ouranos' deep voice halted the ongoing conversations and whispers. "The second summoning is a go."
Around the meeting hall, hardly a peep was heard. More adventurers from another world to throw into the dungeon.
"When?"
One of the few brave enough to speak, the silver-haired goddess appeared bored as she twirled her hair in her fingers.
"A month from Saturday."
With that resolved, the denatus concluded. Really there was nothing to talk about that hadn't already been discussed before the first group was summoned.
"Huh? Me?"
Stuttering from the impart of the question, I stare at my goddess, Loki, uncomprehendingly.
"Yes you." Loki confirms rolling her eyes at me.
Staggering slightly, I sit on my bed, holding my head in my hands. I hadn't ventured into the dungeon today. Instead, Rain, Philia, Argo and I had forced Kirito to take us shopping. Now that had been an interesting experience…
Coming back to my room, I'd been looking forward to having a bath and going to bed. However, Loki had been here waiting for me. Dropping a bomb on me, I couldn't quite process her words.
"On Friday, you will act as supporter to one of our parties for the Goliath raid."
Repeating the words, I held my head in my hands. Goliath. This unimaginable creature that had crushed the raid on the last day of the beta. In three days, I was supposed to join a party in killing this thing.
Giggling at my expression, Loki clarifies. "There won't be a lot of risk to this Asu-tan. I'll make sure the familia members protect you. Plus, Freya and Ganesha will have people. You won't get within ten feet of a monster. Plus, there are some hidden surprises in this dress of yours!"
Yes… the new dress that hung draped on my bed. The aqua blue was transfixing. Its shimmering material was breathtaking.
Caressing it, Loki's face changed into one of sorrow. "Its old owner didn't get nearly enough use out of it…"
"I'll follow your orders… My goddess."
Exchanging a slight smile, Loki left me with my thoughts for the night.
Chewing his nails, it was just one more of Sugou's unpleasant habits. In front of him were the conditions Kayaba had put out for more people entering the game.
The time period for new connections will run May 6th, 2023 from 13:00-17:30 as per the live server connection time slot.
The maximum possible number of new connections will be the lesser between 2000 and the amount required to bring the number of active connections to 10,000.
Any new connection will first be surveyed for a completely functioning NerveGear (including battery capabilities). Failure to establish that the unit is fully operational will result in being unable to connect.
In the event of continued high death counts (50/day average for the course of two weeks), an additional reconnection period may be added.
The document was ridiculously straightforward. Yet, its contents were challenging to grasp, even for a pragmatist like Sugou. All it said was that Kayaba would be topping up his victim pool on the sixth of May and that the number of living victims wouldn't exceed ten thousand. The final addendum was even more curious, it stated that if Kayaba thought more people were necessary, he'd put in another reconnection time.
Glancing at the clock, it slowly ticked past midnight, signifying the passage from Tuesday to Wednesday. After Wednesday, came Thursday: media day.
Wiping his brow from the accumulating sweat, Sugou was glad he wasn't the one in charge of delivering that nasty interview. But, as one of the people in charge of the servers, he was sure to get a load of work dumped on him.
They hadn't been sitting still in the time since learning of Kayaba's mad plan and telling the media. An anonymous poll had been put out on the internet. The question: If given the chance to enter DOO with the same conditions as the players, would you?
The results had astounded Sugou, over 30% of people had answered yes. In the comment section to explain their answers, the reasons had varied. No chance of fulfillment here, but there… chance of glory, adventure, live out dreams to become a blacksmith, etc. Whether the people were delusional for wanting to enter the world, or Sugou was for not understanding why they wanted to, he didn't know.
One thing seemed clear though: that Kikouka character's plan would work. Rather than ask trained soldiers to join, they'd simply send out an online form asking for volunteers to enter the game. No doubt it would be met with backlash, but they had the resources already in place to support ten thousand trapped victims. Plus, if they extended the application to people outside Japan with the prerequisite that they spoke Japanese, they'd receive an unending list of people to throw at the game.
It seemed counterproductive to Sugou. Just give up on the ten thousand trapped and let the world grieve their lose and move on. If this scenario of sending more people in continued for years, then far more than ten thousand may die before the game is beaten.
However, Sugou was one of the biggest supporters for Kikouka's plan, along with Yuuki Shouzou. The reason was simple: Asuna's survival. The more people whom were thrown into the game to help, the better the chance would be that it would be cleared faster, and that Asuna would survive it.
Snorting, Sugou clears the languid thoughts from his mind. Closing the document, he downs the last of his wine and heads for bed.
Author's note:
Another chapter come and gone. Hopefully you all enjoyed it!
Anyway, next 'chapter' is going to be held completely outside the dungeon to give our heroes a rest!
Isn't that fun?
Afterall, events in Orario continue to escalate.
Thanks once again for all the support.
I'll catch you next week, maybe.
-asdf