SAO: in your time.
Hello welcome to another chapter of In your time it's been a hot minute hasn't it well for those who've waited I'm back… enjoy.
Also seeing as there has been inconsistencies in the fic im gonna give you guys a table so it's easier
[ is First person Text boxes] Aka Yui's player index characters etc
{skill system/pop up}
It's been two days since the defeat of the 7th floor boss and Heathcliff the leader of The Knights of the blood oath was looking at a report by Godfree about Laughing Coffin
Heathcliff looked up to Godfree "and your sure these are accurate?" He asked
Godfree nodded "yes sir."
"Very well… you may go," he said
"What are your standing orders Sir?" Godfree asked
"There are none…" Heathcliff said
Godfree nodded and left leaving Heathcliff alone.
He huffed "all of this because of a goddamn glitch…" He said as he flicked down his hand again while his menu was open, to reveal his admin menu. It allowed him to track all players on all floors.
His hunt for laughing coffin would begin here.
There were several things about studying physiology that he had learned one players tended to group in several different locations.
1, cities and towns, that was a given they were built for them in mind,
2, dungeons and quest locations, again built for the players in mind,
3, nooks and crannies of little detail. For the players oriented for details they could hold clues on upcoming boss fights or a weakness of the floor.
Kayaba had memorized every floor plan every layout, so there was one group of people that confused him in there placement.
Floor 7. in the middle of the woods outside of the labyrinth over 50 players were just hanging out.
These wernt clearers or mid levelers looking for scraps either. Because he's kept an eye on them they never moved to the next floor until after the boss.
Kayaba had a feeling these players were Laughing coffin but he couldn't tell exactly, he'd need to figure it out himself,
Heathcliff closed the menu and sighed looking up to the ceiling
The digital crusaders arrived on the second floor anyone who doesn't have Unarmed strikes that is.
Klein, Furrenkazen and the rest of them arrived outside the shack and were underwhelmed by its presence.
"Is this the place?" Klein asked
"Argo says it is." Replied Dale.
"Alright let's get this over with." Yuna said
"Yeah the sooner we get this the sooner we can kick it to Laughing coffin." Nautilus said walking in
The rest followed.
At the same time Kirito sat in the guild hall sighing Asuna next to him looking over everything,
"So what's the new plan?" Asuna asked
"Well it's a bit early but I think the first instance of the Moonlit Black Cats I'm going to see them and maybe recruited them," Kirito said
"Wait, you say the Moonlit black cats?" Argo asked
Kirito turned to him "You know of them?"
Argo nodded "they came to me a few days ago asking for the best locations to level up and get themselves geared up to go to the front lines."
"Where did you send them?" Kirito asked
"Somewhere on this floor hold on…" Argo said.
Argo gave him the information and Kirito nodded before heading to the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Asuna asked
"I'll be back." He said
Asuna nodded but was still tense.
On the 6th floor Keita and the rest of the Cats were crawling through a mud level dungeon,
Kirito had found there location almost instantly. As he hid behind the corner keeping tabs on the situation,
"Ok guys we only got a few more floors to go." He said
"Guys are you sure about this?" Satchi asked looking around
"Yeah come on Satchi it'll be fine." Tetsuio said
"Ok…" Satchi said as they pushed forward.
Kirito watched them leave before shadowing them.
Tte next few encounters went smoothly enough but he noticed Satchi would always flinch and stumble back when they should be using the reach of the weapon to hit the enemy from farther back. Forcing her teammates to save her.
After that last encounter Keita ordered everyone to drink potions.
'Listen they're fine they aren't in danger, get home again.' Kiritio thought
As they did that however another band of enemies came up on them.
They started to fall back being on the defensive,
And an enemy was lunging at Satchi and disarmed her of her weapon. As she screamed
"Satchi!" Keita yelled
Kirito reacted rushing forward and attacking the enemy from behind killing it shattering it into glass.
Kirito looked up at them as The black cats looked stunned
"RUN!" Kirito yelled as he single handedly held them off.
He parried several sword slashes and cut at others while he was forced back
"Is that?" Satchi gasped Keita nodded
"I don't believe it!" Ducker gasped
"I said run!" Kirito yelled as he killed another Enemy.
Finally snapping themselves out of there daze, the black cats ran out, Kirito not too far behind them.
They didn't stop running until they reached the safe zone.
"That…that was close." Satchi panted as Kirito held a potion out to her.
"Here." He said allowing Satchi to take it.
"Thanks." Satchi said
"What is Kirito of the Crusaders doing here?" Keita asked.
Kirito looked over "well your trying to level yourself up to get to the front lines…why wouldn't I check on your progress?" He asked
He looked to see everyone seemingly accepted that answer.
"Well how about this, can anyone tell me what you did wrong in that last encounter?"
"Well it was an ambush and they acted quickly, quicker before we could get into formation." Keita said
Kirito nodded. "That's some of it." He said
Satchi looked down "we didn't do anything wrong, not inherently, the failure was because of me."
Kirito looked over to Satchi as did everyone else, the rest of the black cats looked like deers in headlights while Kirito seemed unsurprised.
"I'm not cut out for this kind of thing guys." She admitted, to be honest, I never really wanted to leave town." She said
Kirito sighed "but you can get better." He said
"Satchi, I'm sorry I pushed you into going through with this.." Keita said reaching over to him
"No Keita, it's all of our faults, we all have apart in this." Ducker said
"You've got a lot of work to do, and a lot of progress to make." Kirito said
"I'll walk you back to town and get you guys set up." Kirito said
"Wait!" Satchi said making them all turn
"Just because I said I didn't want to leave town back then doesn't mean I want to return. No I'm willing to see this though, I want to push to complete this game. We have to!" She said
"Satchi." Keita said inspired by her words.
Kirito was lightly clapping.
"Bravo, Good on you, taking your fear and driving it into passion for others." I knew I was right about you guys, if you make it to the top you'll go far." Kirito said
Keita blushed and looked away from the prase.
"Of course it will be easier on you guys if you have a mentor." Kirito said
They blinked and looked at him.
"Wait you mean?"
"Why not?" I'm always one to help out new or struggling players. What better way to get you guys ready for the front lines by teaching you what I know?" Kirito said
"What do you guys think?" Keita asked when a loud roar was heard from deeper into the dungeon
"Let's shelf this conversation for later, I don't like that sound, let's get back to town and then we can talk."
"you guys know all about me but I don't know anything about you guys…" Kirito said
By the time they were done he had enough to build a physiological profile on themselves and the group as a whole.
Sachi was a petite girl with shoulder-length black hair and a small mole right under the corner of her right eye. She wore a light blue tunic with a chestguard, a knee-length short skirt and grayish boots. In battle, her weapon was a two-handed long spear. Although she temporarily tried out wielding a sword and shield to help Tetsuo tank monsters, she eventually had to switch back to using a spear due to her fear of fighting monsters at close range. But her determination to get better and get everyone out set her apart.
Keita had short brown hair and brown eyes and was dressed in light, brown clothing with a metal chestguard, metal shoulder armor on both his shoulders, metal bracers on both of his arms. He also wore black, fingerless gloves that extended to his forearm and dark boots. Keita's trousers are of a paler shade of brown than his top. Keita's weapon of choice was a two-handed staff. Keita was a person who put the welfare of his guild above everything else and was described as a hopeful and forward type person, whose dreams were to be on the frontlines of SAO, helping to clear the game.
Sasamaru had brown, curly hair and green eyes. He was mostly dressed in light, green clothing with light metal armor plates on his chest and his left shoulder. Sasamaru also wore brown, leather gauntlets, dark boots and a blue cap. Sasamaru's weapon of choice was a spear. Sasamaru was an easy-going and a cheerful person. Always stood up for what was right,
Tetsuo was a mace user and the only front line attacker in his guild's formation. Besides his mace, he also used a small kite shield in his left hand. He wore a set of black armor, consisting of a chest and shoulder plates. Underneath the armor, he wore a purple tunic. Tetsuo was a cheerful and easy going person. But more light hearted and more focused on clearing the game than anything else.
Ducker wore a dark yellow cloak, yellow top with a light metal chestplate, brown pants and boots, black fingerless gloves, and a gray beanie. Ducker had blue eyes and dark yellow hair. Ducker's weapon of choice was a dagger. Ducker was an outgoing and playful person who once jokingly grabbed Keita from behind to get his attention.
All and all not far apart from there original counterparts and Kiritos impression they'd fit in his guild was still spot on.
They arrived in town and found the spot where The moonlit black cats were holding up there guild base
"Huh this is where you guys are?" Kirito asked as they reached the inn The moonlit black cats used.
"Yeah why?" Keita asked
Kirito looked up and read the name
BLINK & BRINK Inn.
"Well nothing." Kirito said as he stepped in
"Oh hey Asuna." Kirito said turning around.
"Hey Kirito." She said giving Kirito a kiss. As she walked past.
The cats stood in shock as they saw both The lighting flash and the black swordsmen interacting.
Kirito looked over "I think we just confirmed stuff for the shippers.
Asuna groaned "great."
"Welp not to say I told you so but it kinda was already there, Aa-Chan." Argo said popping up from no where.
"Oh hey guys!" Argo said waving to the black cats
"Hey Argo." Keita said
"So how are you guys doing?"
"Very good, we were fortunate to run into Kirito otherwise we might not be here." Keita said
"No I think you'd be fine, besides you guys know what you did wrong." Kirito said
"That's good, Kirito can we talk?" Argo said
Kirito looked over at Argo and followed "you guys get settlered." He said as he went to talk to Argo.
"Ok Argo what's up?" He asked
"I could say the same thing with you! Kirito those guys are not ready for the front lines." Argo hissed
"Argo what are you talking about they only need a few levels."
"Kirito we both know that there's a big difference between just a few levels and taking down a floor boss. I'm telling you they aren't ready." Argo insisted
Kirito looked at her "Argo, they are, trust me."
Argo sighed "look I don't exactly know what's going on but I can infer, so I'm just going to say this, Kirito, sometimes it's better to let the past stay dead." Argo said as she walked away.
Kirito stood frozen thinking, his body trembling, he punched the wall making {Immortal Object} pop up.
Kirito sighed 'they were ready and capable for this. They were. He had to believe… he wouldn't let them die again.
The next few weeks they went to training the moonlit black cats. While the rest of the guild was getting unarmed combat. Eventually they returned and Kirito felt confident in the black cats to send them off to grind their own levels.
"We'll be back before midnight." Keita said as he left the guild hall.
Kirito collapsed into the sofa.
Everyone looked over at him
"I've never seen him act like this before." Klein said
Dale shook his head.
Asuna came over to him
"Are you okay?" She asked
"Yeah." Kirito said
Asuna nodded "I'm thinking of telling them." She said
Kirito nodded "well you know I'll always be beside you." Kirito said.
Asuna nodded and she stood up
"Can everyone come here please?" Asuna called.
Everyone in the guild nodded and walked into the living room where they sat on the couches and chairs.
Asuna sighed "honestly this is a long time coming, I should have said this before but we had more important things to discuss." Asuna said
"Let it be clear we are not asking anyone to expose there names if they don't want to we fully understand." Kirito said
Everyone nodded
"My name is Asuna Yuuki, as we discussed before I'm not 14 more like 25 or is it, 39… whatever not important, what is important is that my full name is Asuna Yuuki, but and I'm sure you can guess that should everything go to plan my name would be changed to Asuna Kitigaya."
Lisbeth gasped
"Wait then that means that!" She said
Asuna sighed
"Yes Lis, Kazuto and I were engaged IRL." She said
"Oh my god!" Lis gasped
"So wait what happened?"
Asuna looked over as did everyone else and noticed Kirito had visibly withered on the couch.
'Jeez he looks so depressed.'
Asuna went to him
"Kirito…Kirito look at me…" Asuna said
Kirito looked up and everyone noted the red puffy eyes.
They embraced but they could all hear the ragged breath Kirito was recovering from.
Ok, really tough subject.
Asuna pulled away
"Do you want me to tell it to them?" She asked
Kirito shook his head "no it was my fault anyway." He said standing up before she could respond
Argo however caught a look from Asuna, 'oh boy mommy and daddy are gonna have a talk once the kids are in bed.'
"The year was 2029." Kirito said
It was supposed to be a happy day, nothing was to go wrong, I had popped the Question to Asuna, we were engaged to be married at the end of the month."
We were driving home from the church as we did the practice. It was late at night,
We were close to home, smiling, laughing,
Then out of no where a man jumped out into the street." Kirito said as he trembled as his ears echoed the screeching of tires the crashing crunch of aluminum, and the shattering of glass.
"The man fled on foot, never to be seen again, I held Asuna in my arms."
"We hit a pole. My side too the blunt of it unfortunately." Asuna said
"By the time the ambulance got there…she was dead." Kirito cried
Asuna walked up to him and placed a hand around him holding him.
"It's ok…" she whispered.
Everyone stayed silent for them.
"Do you want me to finish the rest?"
Kirito sighed but reluctantly nodded.
"Ok you go upstairs and settle for bed I'll be in a minute." She said
Argo looked outside and yep it was nighttime how did that happen?
Asuna spoke again drawing everyone's attention.
"I'm not sure how it happened but when I woke up I was an infant in the hospital, looking up to my mother and father." Asuna said
"Wait so you lived your entire life…a second time?" Klein asked
Asuna nodded
"Why?" Agil asked
Asuna looked at Agil with a knowing smile Agil caught on and nodded in understanding
"Because of him." Asuna said for everyone else in the room.
"Kirito, changed my life, not just in here but outside as well, after I met him I was far more happier and more confident in myself."
"And when I came back… the only think that kept me going sometimes was that I'd be able to see him." She said
Agil stands up. "Well I guess I'll go next." He said
"Everyone in Andrew Gilbert Mills." Agil said "am 27."
"Shinozaki Rika" Lisbeth said
"Tsuboi Ryōtarō." Klein went
"Sawashiro Miyuki" Vox said speaking for the first time
"Taketatsu Ayana" She-rah said giving her name
"Hirata Hiroaki" Fulken said
"Matsuoka Yoshitsugu." Zeta, said
"Shimazaki Nobunaga." Isengard, said
One by one each gave their names to each other and began to adamantly talk amongst themselves.
Asuna smiled as she headed upstairs to Kazuto's room.
Asuna knocked on the door
"It's open." Kirito said from inside
Asuna opened the door and walked in
"Hey Asuna." Kirito said.
"Hello Kazuto." Asuna said closing the door.
Kirito flipped around as Asuna sat on the bed.
"We have something to talk about." Asuna said
Kazuto turned to look at her
"During the talk about what happened in the past, you said it was your fault for the crash." She said in a huff
"Well because I-."
"No!" Asuna barked
"No, Kazuto listen to me, you are not at fault for the accident, nor were you at fault for my death. We both know who did it and we will deal with him when we get out." Asuna argued she stepped forward and put her hands on his cheeks.
"Please, I hate when you eat yourself up like this." She said
Kirito looked down again as Asuna stood up
"Ok Asuna, it's just, I always feel like I could've swerved farther or pushed the break a little harder." Kirito admitted
"Maybe you could've, but I don't blame you." She said
Kirito looks up and his mind caught onto the fact that she was in her underwear getting ready for bed.
He blushed for a moment before he realized where he was, and began to change for bed as well.
Finally they laid down in bed Asuna had her head near his neck as kazuto had his arm around her. He just stared up into the ceiling thinking.
(Play song If everyone cared: Nickleback.)
Asuna watched out the window from there room they had a good view of the clear starry sky and Asuna could see shooting stars as well.
Kirito sighed as he held Asuna tighter trying to remember she was there. Thinking about the future, the one they will have together.
Kirito slowly drifted off thinking muttering to himself to remember
"I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm Alive."
And for the first night he dreamt happy thoughts. Even if the tears still ran down his face.
He dreamt Himself and Asuna were in the church getting married Agil doing the ceremony, his friends and family in the audience.
In the back corner Asuna's mother sat quietly while the rest of her family clapped, She did too albeit softly.
Kirito and Asuna go for an impassioned kiss and finish with Kazuto sweeping Asuna off her feet.
Kirito spins Asuna out of the church as the doors flew open to a bright sunny day the sunlight reflected off Asuna's perfect face.
Kirito could watch her face forever…
That night they dove into ALO and as they flew off towards the big city all the players shined bright with there races colors bouncing off of the dark sky.
Kirito smiles as everyone waved at them there news getting married was major news in the VRMMO community.
Asuna reaches out her hand to Kirito
Kirito looks at the hand for a second deciding, and Kirito takes as they began to dance with one another in the sky above the city.
A massive after party was held in the servers of ALO everyone online was enjoying the festivities.
As Klein landed near Leafa trying to impress her but ends up falling and making a fool of himself as Leafa, Recon, and Liz end up laughing at him.
Kirito and Asuna just spin around for a while as they look each other in the eyes and go in for a kiss.
Before they met a leaf blows past as they are back on the ground hosting a massive party in Airncrad in there ALO bodies as they celebrated beating all 100 floors
Kirito looks around the house on floor 22 and sees all the sleeping knights cured of their cancer.
A few days later in the real world Kirito and Asuna were outside having a picnic, at night the time when originally he gave Asuna the promise ring.
Oh how far away that felt now.
Kirito looked at Asuna as she looked at him and down at there held hands.
It felt right.
Asuna schootched up next to him and laid her head onto him just as she had done before bed.
Kazuto smiled and tilted his head and landed a kiss on top of her head making Asuna grin from underneath.
Kazuto looked up at the Stars, he felt content.
A few years later Kazuto is working on what appears to be a robotic skeleton of a leg, welding pieces together he looks up to look at his monitor to see the avatar of his daughter Yui on the screen.
Yui grinned at Kazuto who grinned back at her before going back to work.
All the time Asuna was in the other room watching it go down.
Cut to above as we see Yui in her purple sweater with the flower on it as she opens her eyes for the first time.
She looks around and sits up and at the foot of her bed, is her Mama and Papa, Grinning at her. Yui launches herself at her parents as they embrace together as a shared family.
The family Kazuto was fighting for.
The next day Kirito gets up refreshed and ready for action.
He comes down to see everyone waiting for him
"Morning everyone." He said
"Morning." They all said back.
Kirito noticed that everyone was looking at him.
"Am I missing something?" Kirito asked
"No…we're just wondering what the plan is with Laughing coffin?" Klein asked
Kirito Sighed, "right, that shit." He cursed as he sat down,
"We need to be extremely careful now, while yes the rest of the clearers know about LC they need to focus on getting as far into the game as possible, we will keep LC occupied protecting and guarding up and coming mid guilds that could potentially join the front lines." Kirito said
Asuna looked at her messages "Kirito, Kibaou wants to talk to you privately." She said
Kirito looked at her confused
"Very well tell him to meet me in town by the fountain, Asuna I'll let you organize our next raid on Laughing coffin." He said standing up
Asuna nodded
Kirito got up "I'll see what he wants, you guys get a ready to move out we want to be fast and swift against these guys and not give them any indication we're coming." Kirito said
"Got it boss!" Klein said which was echoed by Orlando,
"There's some rounded I'll look into about laughing coffin activity on this floor I'll get back to you in an hour." Argo said.
Everyone nodded as the Rat left the Guild hall.
"Keita… I suggest you guys continue to level up, your almost ready for the front lines but not yet." Asuna said
The moonlit black cats nodded and they left to go level.
As the rest of the guild went about there day.
Kirito waited by the fountain for Kiboau and fortunately he didn't have to wait long.
"Kirito." Kibaou said approaching him
"Yes? what is it?" Kirito asked
"It has come to my attention that a few days ago several of my men went out into the field and have yet to check in." He said
"Yet to check in?" Kirito asked
Kiabou nodded "I contacted them several times and they have yet to respond. They were responding to a case of Laughing coffin in the woods of floor 2. I sent a squad and they just vanished." He said
"Do you think they've been killed?"
"No that's the strange part there names are not greyed out in my contact, but I can't locate them on the map, for now I've considered them MIA." Kiabou said
"Are they anyone who is in charge of the potion fields?" Kirito asked
"Thankfully not, but I'm still worried I've ordered all my men to have a minimum check in after each encounter, as well as every 24 hours." Kiabou said
Kirito nodded "thanks for informing me. Do you want me to check it out?"
"If you don't mind, I'll go with you if you would like?" Kiabou asked
"I think I'll be fine," Kirito said as he went to investigate the missing persons case.
Back at the guild hall Asuna got a message from Argh confirming her suspicions.
Asuna sighed as she then got a message from Kirito about a missing persons case on floor 2.
Asuna agreed to Kirito to check it out. Now she had to deal with Laughing coffin.
Immediately her demeanor changed to a no nonsense person. To anyone else it would be strange, but Kirito knew it well. It was Asuna from her time as Vice commander in the knights of the blood oath.
Asuna stepped out of her room which had doubled as her and Kirito's Guild office as of late as she addressed everyone.
"Alright listen up, we have a target on this floor and we can deal a crippling blow to the Laughing coffin early on, but it's gonna be risky." Asuna said
"Klein, please don't take this the wrong way but I'd like you and your guild to sit this one out." Asuna said
"What would you like us to do then Asuna?" Klein asked
"There are more players on this floor that are at risk of being attacked by Laughing coffin when we do this strike…" Asuna said
"We'll protect them, don't worry." Dale said
Asuna nodded
"Then that just leaves the Legends Braves, I'm going to brief you guys on the mission please follow me to the room." Asuns said
"Alright listen up. On this floor in the a cave system north of town there is a L.C base. And in that base is what we believe to be an Alchemist bench where they use to make there poisons. If this is true then your priority mission is to sneak into the compound and sabotage the alchemist bench," Asuna said
"Where is the bench located?" Beowulf asked
"We have no idea The compound is on this floor however the enemies are a part of a quest 2 floors up, as is the start of the quest as well there is no map data available on it either, so it will be dangerous but not overtly so. Keep your wits about you. I do remember there are two entrances to it so it's likely that L.C is using one or the other as a shipping hub to move the poisonous to agents in the field." She said
"Any questions?" Asuna asked
"Yeah, how do we destroy the bench?" Orlando asked
"Yes, the bench is ranked as {Immortal Object} if you were to normally take a swing at it. However there is a way, a nullification potion that if poured into the vat on the bench will destroy the bench making it unusable," Asuna said
"How are we going about this?" Orlando asked
"That's the thing, a full party guild such as the Legends Braves will be spotted as soon as you get close, you'll gonna have to have your two best stealth fighters slip in and sabotage the bench and slip out. The rest of you will remain in the rear in case they get in hot water." Asuna said
Orlando nodded "alright who here has the highest stealth skill?"
It's decided that Beowulf and Gilgamesh will be the ones to infiltrate the compound.
"Very good in that case you two go see Liz about your gear for this mission," Asuna said
"Good luck everyone, come back home." Asuna said. Handing Beowulf and Gilgamesh an order for Liz.
Gilgamesh and Beowulf arrived as Lisbeth's blacksmith as she heard the door open "hello boys what can I do for you?"
They slid the order across the desk silently
Liz looked at it and immediately got serious.
"Follow me." She said as she walked back further into.l the shop.
{play OST Halo Reach: From the vault}
The two men followed Lis as she lead them behind to where the workshop was and a shed next to it she threw open the doors and revealed a fucking armory.
Swords, Axes, Staffs, spears, knives, throwing picks and the upgraded Throwing knives, in bandoliers of 50, hung on the wall while below there were 10 drawers each with other weapons and tools that Lisbeth could make and might be useful against fighting Laughing coffin.
"Let's see. Two vials of sleeping poison each," Lisbeth said as she pulled out 2 small glass bottles with a Light blue liquid inside.
" 50 throwing knives each." She said as she took off two belts and handed them over.
"Two stealth daggers, a grappling hook, and 2 Heavy Duty gambasion." Lisbeth said as she laid all of that on the table.
"Those garments will add +5 to your sneak skill." Lisbeth said
"Gauntlets of the thief." Lisbeth said as she gave them a set of gauntlets with a hidden lockpicking kit inside a hidden flap.
"They give you +6 to lockpicking and guaranteed success on novice ranked locks." Lisbeth said
"Boots of sneaking. +5 to sneak and give's you the muffled perk." Lisbeth explained
"What's the [muffled] perk do again?" Beowulf asked
"So long as your not detected by line of sight while sneaking no one can hear your footsteps." She said
"What do we have for offensive capabilities?" Gilgamesh asked
"The daggers have the [assassin] perk." Lis said
"Backstabs are lethal." Beowulf nodded
"What's are the last items?" Lisbeth asked turning back to the storage shelf
"Um 1 vial of Toxic Nullifier, 4 potions of nullify toxin." Gilgamesh said
Lisbeth nodded "that's standard." She said grabbing the vials that Agil prepared.
"And 2 Cloaks of invisibility and Rings of cosmetic's and mask of Poison resistance." Beowulf said reading the last item
That made Lisbeth freeze.
"Jeez, Asuna you're going all out." She said, shaking her head as she grabbed the two cloaks.
"Don your gear over there." It will take me a day or two to build that kit again,
"We'll take care of it." Both of them said as they walked into the changing room and equipped the gear on
As they left they looked at each other "dude these suits look like we're fucking Nightingales." Beowulf said
"What is it with you and retro games man, almost nobody gets your reference's." Gilgamesh said
However they did in fact look like nightingales from
Elder scrolls: Skyrim the only difference is that they also had a belt of throwing knives across there chest
"Put your rings on and you will change into your standard leveling gear. It's an illusion so your still just as sneaky." Lisbeth said
The two nodded and put there rings on and sighed as there standard armor appered on them.
"How much do we owe?" Gilgamesh asked
"It's off guild funds, don't worry," Lisbeth said waving the paper in the air.
"Boys do me a favor, make sure you come back alive. It will be hell to craft that suit again for someone new." She said
The two nodded "well be careful. Thanks Liz." Beowulf said as they left.
Lisbeth sighed "now to start making 2 more sets." She sighed. As she begun hammering,
It had taken a while but finally the two were in position
Outside the compound Beowulf and Gilgamesh sat in the bushes overlooking the cave.
"Are we ready?" Gilgamesh asked
Beowulf nodded as he sent a message to the rest of his guild.
"Alright let's go." They said as they activated their invisible skill and vanished.
On floor 2 Kirito appeared in the main teleport hub of the floor, as he looked around his cloak of midnight contracting with the white marbled stone of the city around him.
"Alright where did Kiabou say that his men went missing again?" He said as he checked his notes
"The forest north of the city…ok…" Kirito said as he began to set out.
He eventually found a spot in the north forest likely to be the spot where the men went missing.
Kirito Activated his tracking skill and noticed several pairs of footsteps led into the forest.
Carefully Kirito entered the forest being on guard ready to defend himself if it came to it.
He kept walking but he didn't find any evidence of missing troopers,
He kept looking and eventually he found something.
A dropped dagger.
Kirito went to pick it up and spun around when he heard a twig snap.
There he saw an Laughing coffin member an orange player.
"Ooh looks like someone else wandered into our nest." He cackled
Kirito said nothing opting to instead draw his sword.
Still the cackling didn't stop.
"Get him!" The assassin roared as 3 more flew out of the woods at different angles.
Kirito narrowed his eyes and acted in a split second hearing the one on his left being the closest he spun around as parried the lunging blade slapping it down creating a shower of sparks
Then in an instant he was gone as the other two ran up to where Kirito had been.
"Where did he go?!" One of them said
They never got a response as there head rolled onto the grass and shattered.
"Oh fuck!" The assassins cursed seeing there teammate die in a single hit.
Kirito turned to them. His eyes now closed off steel.
No remorse.
Hunt, death, kill!
Kirito noticed that even after all this time, no matter how long it was, he always felt the most comfortable locking blades against an opponent who was wanting to kill him.
Against his friends and allies in a training duel or stuff yeah he was incredible, having 45 years of on and off experience would do that but even if SAO felt like a second skin to him. Well what was he talking about, he was for all intents and purposes a child soldier, always had been. He hated to admit it but it was something he revels in.
His psychoses, wasn't because of the trauma of losing Asuna, not that he played it off as such, no it was an inner beast within him sense he had first killed Kayaba the last go around.
What did they call it? 'High functioning psychopath?' Something like that, the only thing preventing him from going off the deep end was Asuna and his firends.
'Not that it really helped me.' Kirito grunted to himself as he parried another strike
He looked at his opponent who looked to be shitting himself as Kirito mindlessly strode forward. His buddy long dead, when that happened Kirito didn't know nor remember,
'What would my life be like had SAO had not been a death game. What if we had been trapped but we respawned upon death… would it have been the same?'
'No.' Kirito reckoned 'no it wouldn't have been,' he said he looked up and found himself choke holding the last laughing coffin assassin as he was pounding on Kirito's arm to try to release him.
"Tell me where the men you lead here are." Kirito heard his voice say but he didn't remember the voice nor remember his mouth move.
The assassin dragged his feet across the ground and pointed wildly before his neck went limp
Kirito dropped his and his body shattered before it hit the ground as he kept walking deeper into the forest.
On the fifth floor Beowulf and Gilgamesh had snuck into the cave undetected. It was shockingly easy as well. As Beowulf was now crouched over a lock and began picking it
They got in and surprisingly got to the bench which was slap in the middle of the room boxes upon boxes were around it, showing that it was a major shipping hub.
"Come on let's destroy this bench and get out of here." Beowulf said
Gilgamesh nodded as they approached the alchemist bench. They heard the door open forcing the two to hide in the shadows while the men approached
"I'm telling you Johnny that we're ahead of schedule!" Someone said
"That means nothing, The boss wants results." Johnny Black said coming fully into view.
Both of the digital crusaders were shocked and looked at each other Black wasn't supposed to be here.
'Do we kill them?' Beowulf sent a message to Gilgamesh who shook his head
'Negative we need orders.' He said as he sent a message to Asuna.
Gil: inside L.C base had a hiccup J.B is here how-copy?
A few moments later Asuna responded
A: was not supposed to be there your not suited to engage him Fall back repeat fall back.
Beo: Madam we can kill him here and now and poison the supply.
A: your lives are not worth the risk pull back now! Forget the mission we can go in another day, get out before he spots-
"Where not alone." Johnny said
Beo: To late, preparing to engage.
A: fuck good luck boys get an opening and escape.
The two crusaders looked at each other while 's assistant ran off.
"Look I know you're there… come out and we'll make it nice and easy." Johnny said
No response
Johnny sighed "very well the hard way it is." He said as he clicked his fingers and they heard the door shut
Then from the walls smoke began to fill the room.
"I must commend your effort to sneak up on us. Not a single alarm. Even PoH would be impressed.
"But there's a reason why you're always on the backfoot with our plans." Black said
"I can see you up there, but I'll be nice. You come down and fight me and I'll give you a quick death." He said
Beowulf lunged from his hiding spot behind Black and tackled him to the floor
"Ugh!" Johnny grunted
Gilgamesh took the opportunity to rush for the bench and pour the concoction into the vat on the bench making the bench explode.
"No!" Johnny roared as he tried to get up but Beowulf kicked him in the head.
The two nodded and ran off fleeing into the secret tunnel where they arrived in a depo of wagons
"Come on let's take one." Beowulf said
"No you take one and I'll take one they'll have to go for both of us and we chip into their resources pool." Gilgamesh said
Beowulf nodded as they both stole a carriage each and rode off just in time as more Laughing coffin members Burst out and starting throwing knives and picks at the fleeing carriage's.
Johnny black hobbled into the room cursing
"Damn, I expected them to try to assassinate me, not destroy my workshop. I'll have To find a new bench." Johnny said
"What about the inventory?"
"Untouched. We can start exporting it to the upper floors soon."
"Very good, contact Titans hand, tell them I want there skill set." Johnny said
"What about the Boss?" One of the members said
"PoH will be updated about this but it doesn't interfere with our plans. It's XaXa's turn to strike now."
"Do we have any idea as to who our attacker was?"
"It's obvious, only one group would have the balls to attack us outright." Johnny black said
Back on floor 2 Kirito arrived at an open clearing and found 5 people stripped of there gear and tied up.
'Ah shit.' Kirito hissed as he freed the prisoners.
"Kirito thank god!" The leader of the squad said
"Please tell me you have backup equipment?" Kirito asked
"Second rate but it will do in a pinch." The commander said
Kirito nodded "return to HQ and inform Kibaou what happened who were your attackers." Kirito said
"That's just it. There was only one." The commander said
"Who? Give me a name." Kirito asked
"XaXa." The commander said.
(Eoc)