Dungeon Oratoria Online

by asdf1asdf1

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

37. Chapter 34

Author's note:

Well, this took awhile. Far longer than I would have hoped, but I didn't dedicate much time to writing. Rythym of War also took me longer to finish than I expected.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with this chapter, I think it sets some things up, even if I wasn't able to include every perspective I would have wanted to.

I know I said I wouldn't write chapters of this length again, but there was never a good stopping point. Soo... enjoy I guess.

-asdf

PS. Napping is the true superpower of great adventurers ;)

---

Chapter 34: Chaos in the Tree; Tragedy in the city

Philia:

After returning from the nineteenth floor, everyone was supposed to rest and prepare for the next day. Strea and Yui had volunteered to take first watch, claiming they weren't tired. Leaving it to them, Kirito had accepted and gone to sleep. The level ones, Lili and Bell quickly followed Kirito into the land of dreams. Taking their signals from Kirito, Sachi and Mikoto had stretched out sleeping rolls and attempted to sleep. Philia knew they were struggling more with the order due to the periodic shifts from their bedrolls.

The surprise to her was Rain. After accepting an offer to take second watch with Kirito and give third to Sachi and Mikoto, Rain had passed out. Her breathing was even enough that Philia suspected she had managed sleep not long after Kirito. Philia was surprised at that based on how little they had done today. It had been more taxing on the supporters than any of the level two adventurers.

It made Kirito's strange ability to fall asleep instantly even more baffling. Philia knew she certainly couldn't do it.

While she was trying, they all were… the offset clock of the eighteenth floor wasn't helping. Rather than the twenty-four clock of the world's sun, the dungeon's eighteenth floor crystal operated on an eighteen-hour cycle. Unlike the last time they were here, the cycles had desynchronized. Therefore, the girls were huddled in a circle, 'sleeping'. After having given up on the endeavor, they had started talking.

"Eh? You guys did what without me?" Leaning forward, Philia alternated her intense stare between Lisbeth, Silica, and Leafa. The three girls shifting awkwardly under her gaze.

After asking after the new weapons Silica and Leafa were using, Philia had heard the truth. How they went treasure hunting without her! The thought was outrageous.

"W-We were just looking for ore, it was no big deal…" Leafa laughed uneasily.

"Y-Yeah," Silica added on nervously. "Nothing extravagant."

"Urgh," Philia complained. "We live in different houses and suddenly don't exist. First Kirito tries to exclude us, and then you don't even invite me for something that literally all of my skills are designed for!"

"W-What are you talking about?" Lisbeth asked nervously.

Philia relented on the glaring to answer the question. "My advanced ability is literally called treasure hunter. It… Well, I'm not sure what it does to be honest. A-Anyway, my magic, Astral eyes, allows me to detect the flow of energy. I can see metal deposits through rock."

"Gurgh!?"

Lisbeth made a strange choking sound upon hearing the description.

Smiling at the stricken smith, Philia drove the point home. "I can also see flaws in things because of this. So, if a weapon has a weak point, I can target it."

"Ha…" The blacksmith's demeanor changed from excitement to terror. Philia knew that this ability was literally a craftsmen's worst fear. The ability to point out every single error that they made during construction.

Smirking at her, Philia dug the thorn in further. "I also have a skill… Sword breaker, that when I target a weapon, I'm more likely to be able to break it."

"Ha…" At this point, the blacksmith looked borderline terrified of Philia. A girl whose abilities appeared to revolve around causing misery to people like her. "D-Do you know exactly what your advanced ability does? I haven't heard about it."

Allowing the blacksmith to change the subject, Philia had no qualms about revealing what should have been secret details to these girls. Assuming their feelings were even a fraction of what hers are for Kirito, they'd never talk about it to outsiders. "Hmm, well, it's been almost two months now since I've levelled up, and I'm still not sure. Sometimes I get… Err, how do I explain this… Inklings?"

"I-Inklings?" Leafa muttered in confusion.

"Like, tingling?" Silica asked for confirmation.

"…As if something is guiding you." Lisbeth spoke quietly.

"Yeah, exactly!" Philia nodded to the final clarification. "Like I know if I go that way, I may find something. However… It's pretty nebulous. Sometimes I think I'm just making it up…"

"That's wrong!" Lisbeth declared adamantly. Staring hard at Philia, she was taken aback by the fire in this girl's soul. She hadn't had much interaction with the blacksmith before this and had never witnessed this passion. "You need to trust your instincts!"

"Err… O-Okay?"

Looking down at her lap, the blacksmith smiled gently at her right hand. "When I got the forge ability, I thought my ability to make weapons would magically get better."

"It is a world of magic," Philia agreed drily. Contrary to her words though, she leaned forward, hanging unto every word in the story.

"But it didn't. It frustrated me to no end. Then, when my Goddess tried to teach me how to forge magic swords, I was awful at it. I think she was starting to regret saying that she'd pay for the metal with all I wasted. What allowed me to make that blade…"

"By that blade, do you mean…?" Leafa asked earnestly.

"Yes, the one that saved you on the seventeenth floor." Philia struggled not to shiver at the memory. That day had been horrible for a myriad of reasons. "Hephaestus told me something. If you don't believe in you can do it, you never will."

"Huh? What does that…"

"If you don't believe your ability does anything, it never will."

"!?" Philia froze under the words. She was pretty sure she was older than this girl, by a little at least, had survived for more harrowing experiences, yet she felt like a child. Her eyes were filled with a burning passion that Philia could scarcely begin to understand.

Leaning her head back, she sighed into the bright sky. "Believe in myself, eh? I wonder why that's so hard…" Muttering the second sentence, Philia looked back down at the blacksmith with a scrutinizing gaze. "I must say, you're pretty interesting. However… Are you just doing this to get closer to Kirito?"

"E-EH!? W-Why would you say something like that! I'm here for myself, myself I say!"

"Uh huh," Philia questioned the suspicious girl. "Is that why you paid at least 10x the amount for the help the girls gave you? Free labor on weapons for a single day of work?"

"W-Well, I really needed someone's help, so…"

"You know Liz, we aren't going to get mad at you if you're honest," Leafa teased.

"That's right!" Silica added on with a nod. "Even if… Even if Kirito hasn't reciprocated my feelings, I know that when I can stand beside him in battle as an equal, he will!"

It's so unfair they get to live in the same house as him.

Grumbling to herself, Philia's eye popped open at the realization. "Hey… you two. Do you ever… Sneak into Kirito's room at night?"

"W-What are you saying!?"

"T-That's so inappropriate…"

Staring passively, Philia kept her mixed emotions under wraps. Lifting a hand, she played with a lock of her hair. The dirty-blond strands still relatively clean despite the day in the dungeon. "What about the other one, Strea?"

"W-Wait does she…"

"N-No, I think Yui makes sure she doesn't since Hestia forbid it."

"Hmm, good point."

What a waste!

This time, it was impossible for Philia to stop this thought from rampaging through her mind. Kirito's bed was empty every night, when it could be filled with Philia. She still fantasized about the one chance they got every now and then. The way he had looked at her… The way he had made her feel…

"Umm, are you drooling?"

"Huh?" Shaken from her reverie, Philia found all three girls staring at her askance. "Haha…" Trying to play it off with a weak laugh, Philia knew her fake smile wasn't doing much either.

"I don't know why… But I suddenly got scared for Onii-chan."

"I agree, Kirito was definitely in danger."

"My weapons can't protect him from this threat though…"

How cruel. Philia rubbed her head awkwardly to avoid the gazes of the girls staring at her like she was a monster. "Anyway, Lisbeth, what's with this 'you' business? If you're planning on joining Kirito's harem, you should call me Philia."

"S-Sure, Philia. Call me Liz. A-And I never said I wanted to join his… his… thingy."

"You'll all have to get used to calling it what it is at some point." Philia shrugged. "His Goddess can try to stop him for now, but there will come a time when it won't work anymore." Philia's heart went out to all three of the girls as they stared saddened at the ground. Hands finding something to pick at or play with as a distraction.

"I-I know what I want." Leafa spoke slowly. "But… How are you so nonchalant about it?"

"How…?" Philia leaned back once again. On her elbows, her hands played with the strands of grass that grew beneath her. Leafa's question was an easy one. However… "It's… a bit embarrassing."

Facing down three unwavering stares, Philia knew that 'embarrassing' wouldn't save her from answering. Sighing, she summed it up quickly and bluntly. "If Kirito only chose a single partner, I would never have a chance, none of you would." Staring at each person, Philia tried to ram that point home. As they blanched, she continued. "So, knowing I occupy a piece of his heart, and a place in his thoughts… It makes me happy. That I get to experience the love I want, even if I have to share it. I would take this any day over trying to forget about him, attempting to move on, wondering if I'd ever be good enough for someone."

Silence followed Philia's words. None of the girls were able to generate a reply. The heavy speech had dampened the mood and reminded them that it was the middle of the night.

"Aaahhhh…"

Before someone could think about striking up another conversation, a yawn interrupted them. Kirito was blinking slowly, his arms beginning to move as well. In a couple more seconds, the boy was fully conscious.

While Philia examined Kirito's wake-up routine, the boy examined them in turn. As he did, his mouth turned into a frown. "It's time to change watch already, you should have slept. Rain, you're awake already, yeah?"

"…Yes." The girl responded after a brief pause. There was no hint of morning drowsiness in her voice. Philia could tell that she'd been listening to their conversation. Philia could only pray that Kirito hadn't.

"Oh, Kirito, you're awake!"

"Amazing Papa!"

"Maybe this is the true power of upper-class adventurers?" Liz suggested with a smirk.

The comment sent a ripple of laughter through the girls. Kirito stared at them in shock and a little embarrassment.

Smiling, the boy put a finger over his lips to silence the girls returning from guard duty. "You all need to sleep. I…" Watching Kirito, Philia struggled not to sigh longingly at his expression. How cute he looked; his eyebrows bunched tomorrow in consternation. "I feel like something is going to happen."

Smirking at him, Philia watched a faint tinge of red came over his cheeks. She knew that Kirito did his best to always look like a leader. Hopefully, he would realize on this expedition that he didn't need to. The rest of them can help. Honestly, she was surprised he agreed to let Strea and Yui take the first watch.

Staring at Rain's retreating back for a moment, Philia wondered if something was bothering the girl. She had been strangely quiet. Especially for the person Kirito had designated as his second-in-command in the case he could no longer issue orders.

Deciding to take Kirito's advice, Philia rolled unto her back and closed her eyes. Blocking out the light of the crystal above with her eyelids, Philia found sleep readily. Thoughts slipping away, her final one was a small worry. Wondering if Kirito's premonition was correct. What would tomorrow bring? What would the dungeon throw at them?

---

Asuna:

Wrapping her cloak tighter around herself, Asuna wished she wasn't getting so used to it. Moving in the dead of night, wearing darker colors to blend in. The scent of human blood. But the worst was the burning. The scent of burning hair and skin that clogged her sensitive nostrils.

How many nights in a row has it been?

How many since she last got a full sleep?

Asuna couldn't answer either of those questions. All she could do was remain perched on the rooftop where she waited. An informant should be along shortly. Just as the thought crossed her mind, her ears picked up on a soft patter of feet. Not bothering to turn and look, she recognized the now familiar rhythm.

They sounded heavy upon the roof and uncertain. Since they were level one, Asuna guessed it made sense. She wondered if her steps were that unsure when she was level one. No, hers were probably worse.

"The target is confirmed. They're using Ishtar familia's absence as an excuse to attack one of their prominent establishments."

"Thank you." Speaking the words softly, Asuna lifted her gaze to the residence across the street. In the dead of night, the maze was fully illuminated and packed. Dense masses of men and women mixed together. Every so often a pair or more disappearing into a private room.

"I'm supposed to ask… What's your plan?"

Surprised by the question, Asuna turned around to frown at the messenger. Based on the masculine tone, Asuna had always assumed they were male. With the full black cloak, they wore, Asuna had never seen their face. The question was out of character. When they had first met, she had tried to ask questions, but never got more than a few mumbled words in reply. Not even a name.

"Whose order is that?"

"Hmm? W-Well, it's Phineas', I mean Finn's."

Nodding, Asuna was satisfied with the answer. "I'll use my magic. Tell Phineas to stay back and mind his business. He's no use to us dead by a stray explosion."

"…I'll be sure to relay the message."

With more faint squeaks, the messenger left the roof. Reaching for a hidden pouch, Asuna examined a magic stone clock. The devices were essential for managing widespread operations with no form of instantaneous long-range communication.

Two minutes remaining.

Asuna sighed and took the last few seconds available to her to look toward Babel. Part of her was glad that Kirito had left on an expedition today. Even the dungeon would have to be safer than the craziness that was consuming the city. The dance last evening had been like a dream. A brief reprieve where things made sense. Jealous goddesses, love.

Touching her cheeks, Asuna felt the giddy smile and heat that had suffused her face. All too quickly, however, it faded as the reality of today flooded back in. She had a job to do. Jumping from the roof, Asuna began her chant. This would not be pretty; it would not be fair.

It would be what these 'Evilus' members deserved.

"Rise and flow. I am the Master of Water, servant of Neptune.

"Rise and obey. Destroy those who obstruct."

Asuna darted across the ground, her magic circle tight around her. She was keeping her magic energy as low as possible. Having them sense her coming would be disastrous.

"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."

The screaming had just begun. Apparently, they were after the money that Ishtar familia had stockpiled in this building. People apparently paid well to live out the night of their dreams. Speeding up marginally, Asuna darted around the confused people that were beginning to flee in panic.

"Wash away the rabble and purify the streets.

"Put out the fires and drown the nonbelievers"

The magic thrummed through her like a live wire. Each word sent another pulse that increased the intensity of the magical energy. She could feel it inside her, begging to be released.

"Blessed of the Undine.

"My name is Necksa!"

With the chant finished, Asuna came to a halt. To her, the street had finally ceased making noise. The startled eyes of the masked assailants. Each one finally realizing why the buildings protections were so low. Everyone in it had been evacuated earlier. For exactly this reason.

Vannforlengelse!"

Out of thin air, the water materialized with a shimmer. Each one forming the exact same shape. Not a sword, or spear as Asuna was oft to do. Not even the circular saws that she sometimes resorted to. This time, she formed each one into a stake.

Each shimmering blue object was a little longer than her forearm. One end narrowed to a deadly point. To eradicate evil, there was nothing better in her mind.

Loosing the magical energy, Asuna shut her eyes. She couldn't witness the horror she had unleashed. Her heart protesting her own cowardice. How many of the people she was killing were just children? People led astray by the dark god's words?

The whole ordeal barely lasted ten seconds. No one had time to beg for mercy or making wailing speeches. Only screams of terror, and then silence. Her magic was the perfect counter for their tactics. They needed a spark to begin the explosion of the stone. The water prevented that.

No fire, for once. Only a few dozen more murders for Asuna to carry. Collapsing to her knees, she kept her eyes closed against the stream of tears that threatened to break free.

"I hate this…"

"By the gods… You actually did it. I'll begin the cleanup operation."

Asuna recognized Phineas' voice and his light tough on her shoulder but didn't comment. The searing pain in her chest refused to fade.

"Are you… crying for them?"

This time, the voice was jarring enough for Asuna to stop momentarily. It was the messenger again. He must have followed Phineas here. "Of course I am. They are… I mean…" Taking a deep breath, Asuna struggled to speak the proper words. "I killed them."

"But… they die knowing they are reunited with their loved ones. So…"

"!?" For the first time, Asuna was stunned enough to turn and look at the man. Even now, he kept his hood up, so she could see little but the black of his pupils reflecting the streetlight. "You honestly believe that?"

"I mean… That is their god's promise, isn't it?"

Shaking her head, Asuna looked back at her knees. She was surprised someone actually believed those promises. "He won't keep them. Thanatos lies to get people to follow him. Even a god can't do everything."

The man didn't reply. For another minute, Asuna struggled to control her emotions. At last, she braced herself with her staff and rose. Her hands were still shaking, but her face was composed. "I'm going to help Phineas, good work today. Only four more left…"

"Yes, the night of the full moon." The man agreed, his voice carrying a strange tone with it. "Everything will be over."

"Yes, this nightmare will finally end…" Striding forward, the conversation had already faded from Asuna's mind.

---

Kirito:

"GRUUUGH!"

"KREEE!"

"More, huh?" Grumbling to himself, Kirito forced his brain to continue functioning. They were proceeding along the main path of the nineteenth floor slowly. After getting an early start to beat any rush of adventurers, they had encountered fight after fight. The forewarning from the day before was making itself felt today.

If it was just the monsters, Kirito wouldn't mind as much. It was the variety of attacks that were pelting them. Again and again, he was forced to think. All he wanted to do was mindlessly dive into the midst of his foes and use his hard-won skills to cut them down.

"This too much for you, Kirito?"

"Don't quit on me now, Onii-chan!"

As his front line berated him, Kirito scoffed. "I'm just getting warmed up!" Giving no warning prior to his actions, Kirito dove forward. In an instant the battle boars that were threatening the front lines were bowled over. Where he went, death followed. Swift and instantaneous, his greatsword could not be stopped by any defense the monsters possessed.

This is what he had been looking for! The sheer exhilaration of crossing blades and coming out on top. For a moment, he actually wished the monsters were stronger. That they were better with their weapons to give him a challenge. That fleeting desire to cross swords with a worthy opponent vanished. It fled as soon as Kirito saw two phoenix-like monsters appear above their heads. Firebirds. In the large open spaces of the nineteenth floor, they possessed unrivaled command of the skies. They also possessed the most dangerous weapon on the nineteenth floor: fire.

"Kirito!" The piercing shout was from Lili, reminding him not to overextend.

"Yeah, yeah," grumbling Kirito leapt back right beside Leafa. "I'll take over here, you get up there and cut those things down before we're wading through an ocean of fire."

"On it!" Leafa responded immediately.

Taking up position beside Strea, Kirito was forced to play defense. He couldn't let a monster through to the backline that was focused on the skies above. They had found themselves at a junction on a rock walkway when monsters had rushed them from both directions. With cliffs on both sides, the flying monsters were having a field day. It turned out even the mad beetles could climb the vertical slopes on their own. That left them with no choice but to hold the path with a bare minimum of people while the others tried to handle the aerial assault.

If it had stayed that way, Kirito was confident they would come out victorious. Sachi and Mikoto had proved their value ten times over with their proficiency using a bow. Philia and Rain appeared to be easily handling the other branch as well. It was the firebirds that changed everything. Vines, mushrooms, and foliage coated the pathway. One errant blast of fire could have them fighting in a plume of black smoke.

Taking a step back, Kirito cut down a bolt form a gun libellula aimed at Leafa. Returning forward, he cut down a mad beetle in front of him before retreating and cutting one off the side of the cliff. Each swing precise and deadly. Even as he fought, Kirito reminisced about the cave labyrinth above. When the fights were far more two-dimensional. Swing your sword at the thing in front of you.

He had entered the next 'level' of the game and didn't like what he found. Versatility, adaptability, and above all, strategy reigned supreme here. Kirito had excess strength and agility that went to waste on each attack. Yet, there wasn't enough of an excess for him to overcome the advantage that wings gave these creatures.

"Lady of the sky!"

Shouting the name of her magic, a gust of wind rushed over Kirito. Smirking, Kirito fended off the monsters as he watched his sister go to work. The surprise on the monsters' faces before they were cut down was priceless. Each and every one of the flying monsters froze in shock before being mercilessly cut down with a single blow. If Kirito squinted, he could see a flowing shield of air coating her weapon. It was her skill, harbinger of wind, at work. Used with her magic, they made a fearsome combination.

With them claiming control of the skies, the fight turned quickly. The Gun Libellulas could no longer hamper the front lines and threaten the back. Freed from playing defense, Kirito jumped forward once again. His greatsword shattering a hastily raised nature shield in one moment, before disembowelling the monster in the next.

"Hehe, now this is more like it!"

"You bet!" Kirito replied, to Strea's statement. The two of them fighting side-by-side on the narrow walkway. With another swing of the giant blade, the column of monsters finally broke. The Mad beetles retreating over the edges to safety, the large-category monsters tripping over themselves to flee. "And there's the lady of the fight!"

Raising a fist, Kirito gave Leafa a congratulatory fist bump as she settled gracefully back unto the ground.

"Agreed," Lili analyzed sharply. "That magic will aid us against a variety of enemies, as well as scouting dangerous terrain."

"You don't have to analyze everything," Bell reminded her in a low voice. "Just say good job."

"T-That's beside the point! Go pick up magic stones!" Following her own advice, Lili pulled Bell and Yui away to gather the drops they had earned from the fight. Unfortunately, a large number of them had fallen from the edge of the cliff. Continuing to fight here would reduce the amount of money they made.

"How long can you hold your magic?" Kirito asked interested. Something, he realized, he should have found out before the expedition. As well as the other questions floating through his mind. Is it less mind to turn it off and reactivate it, or hold it? How fast can she fly? How much can she carry?

"Not sure," Leafa shrugged, rolling her right shoulder. "It will decrease the more I use my skill, that's for sure."

"Got it. Then try to conserve mind until we need it."

"So, don't use them until you say?" Leafa grumped.

"Not at all," Kirito rejected with a soft smile. Stepping up beside her, he ruffled her golden hair that was fading back to black. "I just don't want you pushing yourself too hard."

"O-Okay."

Giving his sister one last smile, Kirito strode forward and looked further down the path they were taking. The branch to the right curved down to the base of the cliff they were on. Following it would loop around to the North-East side of the floor where the stairs to the twentieth floor were. For now, though, they were taking the left path that stayed high. It curved back and forth between a cave system and walking on top of the right path. Eventually, the path split off further North-West. At that point, they would take another path to connect back to the twentieth floor. It was longer than the right path, but also safer according to the guild. Kirito could see why. Walking in a valley, trapped between walls was just asking for monsters to bombard you from all directions.

"Done." Lili informed him shortly.

"Got it, Let's keep moving then." Taking up a fairly swift pace, Kirito could tell everyone was ready to be done with the cliffs. While they would be back again, next time it would only be a drop on one side. As the path wound west, it expanded in width. The ground on the left side rising up to meet it.

A hundred metres later, they entered the first of the cave systems. While the roof was still high enough for flying monsters to be a nuisance, it was far more restrictive than the open cavern that was the rest of the nineteenth floor.

"Grrrr…"

The growling noise began as soon as they stepped into the more dimly lit interior. "Looks like we have company," Kirito commented lightly. "Silica, Rain, Philia, take point on this fight."

"Got it!"

Kirito ignored the sullen glares he received from the girls he had stopped from fighting. They'd get over it. Kirito was sure they would find enough excelia for all of them. If he was being honest, his anxiety was increasing steadily as time went on. For some reason, a foreboding feeling was hanging over him that something was going to happen. He knew it was all superstition, no one could sense something bad coming. Yet, at the same time, Kirito couldn't dispel it for some reason.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, Kirito watched the adventurers clash with the monsters. The humanoid beasts were extremely familiar to Kirito: Lizardmen. Possessing blood red scales and a reptilian head, they were monsters included in almost every MMO. It was fascinating to see the beasts rendered in real-life. How their bright white claws shimmered with tearing power. The murderous intent in their slitted eyes. Each one possessed a sword and shield, given to them by the dungeon. Landform weapons. The sword was the stalk of a flower-like growth and the shield the top.

The initial collision was even. All three girls blocking the attack from their respective opponent. From there, the battles shifted in two directions. Philia and Rain showed off their expertise by quickly gaining an advantage. Their techniques vastly superior to their opponents' uncoordinated flailing.

Silica, meanwhile, was getting pushed back. The lizardman had the upper hand when it came to strength. Perhaps knowing that took the life out of Silica's attacks as she focused on defense. Her few thrusts deflected weakly off its shield. Step-by step, it was driving her back.

"You're all good Silica. Just calm down."

"G-Got it!" Leaping back and away form the monster, Silica's posture became more aggressive. At the same time, Rain and Philia dispatched their opponents.

"Bless my blade, keeper of sword skills!

"Fade Edge!"

The ultra-short chant coated Silica's blade in a bright blue light of energy. Kirito smirked as he took in the dazzling sight. This fight was over.

"GROAH!" Roaring its displeasure at the girl for retreating, the lizardman, brought its arm back for a devastating attack. The power in it would kill if the blow connected.

"HYAH!" Matching its roar, Silica darted forward, the full speed of her cat person race on display. Her agility surpassing the lizardman's expectations. Her blade passed under its shield and hit its side. Passing through the ribs, the scales offered no resistance to the magically enhanced strike.

"Groah?" Groaning weakly in confusion, the lizardman staggered another step. It never even got to bring its blade down to attack. Stumbling around, it tried to locate Silica who had darted around it again. This time, her blade was deadly as it found the back of its neck.

Still confused about how the battle changed so quickly, the monster collapsed to the ground in a heap. Meanwhile, Rain and Philia had engaged the next round of enemies. More Lizardmen mixed in with mad beetles. The Miach familia girls worked so seamlessly together, that none of the monsters could approach. It was an exquisite dance of skill that Kirito loved watching.

With Mikoto and Sachi adding some long-range support and Bell throwing in a firebolt for good measure, the one-sided brawl drew to a close. It was as Kirito thought, the more experience they got on this floor, the more one-sided the battles were becoming.

As they collected the stones and prepared to keep moving, the sensation returned. Almost staggering from the near painful tightening in his stomach, Kirito paused. If he didn't delay now, it was going to happen.

"Why aren't we moving?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Err… Hey, our margin of safety… it's pretty high on this floor, right?" Seeking confirmation, Kirito didn't want to give in to his paranoia. There was literally nothing out of place on the floor.

"Yes," Lili sighed, taking over the role of his intelligence officer. "Only multiple mistakes or an irregular should pose a threat."

"…Got it." Taking another step forward, Kirito led his party on through the cave system. Before long, true to Lili's word, the path winded back until they were overlooking the cliff once again. The path twenty metres below was where the right branch would have taken them. Walking up to it, Kirito was glad the sensation had disappeared entirely as soon as he had made his decision. Looking down at the floor, Kirito saw another party taking the route.

No, expedition. There were more than twenty people in the party. At least six supporters with massive backpacks, and two wheeled carts that people dragged. One of which was being fiercely guarded by four adventurers.

Focusing his enhanced eyes on the leader of this group, Kirito's blood ran cold. He knew them. He had talked to her the night before last. Aisha 'Antianeira' Belka. Level four leader of Ishtar familia. Almost as if she could sense his gaze, her face lifted until her eyes met his. She said something to her party, the gray-haired second in command that he had fought earlier also turning to stare at him.

"Run."

"What? What are you talking about?"

The confusion of his party was meaningless. Kirito knew now that he wasn't paranoid. Not every threat in the dungeon comes from monsters. "RUN!"

In response to his scream, Aisha lifted her hand behind her shoulder, and then shifted. The action little more than a blur to Kirito's eyes. Moments after, the whole cliffside shuddered under a tremendous impact.

Eyes bulging, Kirito gaped at Aisha's long wooden weapon that she had buried halfway up to its hilt into the side of the cliff. Following after it, Aisha bounded off the ground, off the wall, and grabbed its handle; ten metres off the ground. Flipping herself on top of the blade Aisha bent her legs and jumped again. Her jump was just enough to clear the edge of the cliff. With no pomp, she landed gracefully on the upper path.

"What a monster…" Cursing the level four adventurer quietly, Kirito drew the greatsword and assumed a fighting stance. It was clear what she had come here for. If Kirito one advantage, it was the weapon discrepancy. She had used hers to climb the mountain, and no longer possessed anything else.

It didn't make Kirito feel any better about his prospects in this fight. Taking a risk, Kirito glanced toward the rest of his familia. They were milling in confusion at the entrance to the cave they had just exited. "GO!" Roaring at them again, did nothing to get them moving.

"Eh? Don't trust them to help you, Mr. Black Knight? Or could it be… You just want to be alone with me…?"

Not rising to the bait, Kirito circled until his back was between her and his familia. "What do you want Aisha? Return to your familia."

"Hmm, no thanks!"

"!?" Instincts were all that saved him from the first attack. Aisha's strike was fierce and swift. Somehow, as she jumped forward, she raised her heel above her head, and brought it back down. Dodging backwards and away from the impact, Kirito was still rocked by the shockwaves and shards of rock.

"GO!" Having no more time to think about the others, Kirito yelled his command one final time and attacked. Suddenly, despite having no issues swinging it all day, the greatsword felt unwieldy in Kirito's hands. The path it carved through the air was pitifully slow compared to Aisha's movements.

As he predicted, Aisha simply smirked at his attack. Ducking, she elbowed the flat of the blade, sending it spinning off its path. Transitioning into her next move with sublime grace, her foot came up and lashed out at Kirito's head.

With significant effort, Kirito felt his nerves begin to overheat as his reflexes struggled to keep up with the level four adventurer. His right gauntlet, one of his few pieces of metal, shuddered under the force of her kick.

This was why Aisha felt no need to wear armour. Her skin was already stronger than most metal anyway. The realization was sobering.

Unable to just give up, Kirito transitioned into another offensive stance. Twisting his torso, the blown away blade shifted into a vertical slice. Once again, however, Aisha was simply toying with him. Her body danced away from the slash, before spinning back with mesmerizing movements. The veiled fabric surrounding her legs moving in tantalizing patterns. It was more dance than combat style.

As the fight raged, it became more and more one-sided. Aisha's exquisite, unique style overpowering Kirito even with the weapon disparity. The fight taking the two of them further and further away from his familia. Kirito realized that his training with Mikoto and Sachi was the only reason he was still alive at all.

"Gurgh!" Finally taking his first direct blow, Kirito's body bent double as he was blasted back. His body somersaulting across the hard stone floor. Lowering a hand, he finally slowed to a halt, more than ten metres away. He knew that distance was nothing compared to the speed of a first-class adventurer.

Aisha's eyes had blood in them as she leapt into the air. The showy move was extravagant and opened chances for counterattacks. In an even fight.

As it was, Kirito was struggling to regain his feet. His level three status proving ineffectual against her.

"Shit!" This time, it wasn't Kirito, but Aisha, whose face tightened in concentration and minor panic. From out of nowhere, another figure blurred into being. Intercepting Aisha's slowly falling form, the newcomer landed a punch into her side, sending her tumbling to the ground, far away from Kirito.

"Here." The gruff voice of the newcomer declared. Reaching a hand over their shoulder, the figure tossed one of two swords they carried to Aisha.

"Huh, what is this pup? Spoiling my fun?"

"No, Antianeira, it would simply be disappointing to kill you when you don't even have a weapon."

"I'll leave the two of you to it then," muttering under his breath, Kirito tried to dash away, but the newcomer's eyes stopped him. Frozen in place by the glare, Kirito couldn't believe this was happening. Ulfric 'Lágr Ulfr' Brögsson. The man who was crowned the strongest in Orario. "How did this happen?"

Groaning out loud, Kirito prepared for battle. His chances of winning, next to zero. Survivng? Slightly higher. For some reason, Kirito felt a smile growing on his face as the three of them dashed forward at the same time.

---

Rain:

"W-What was that!?"

"We need to save Kirito!"

Clenching her hand, Rain didn't say anything as confusion continued to reign throughout the party. Even Lili and Bell were just standing there stunned at the unexpected development. The party had retreated a couple metres into the cave above the cliff. Even going that far had been nothing more than sheer instinct from getting yelled at repeatedly.

"Can we even help?" Mikoto muttered, her voice low and depressed. "Honestly… I couldn't track the fight at all."

"Urgh… Either way… I won't abandon Onii-chan!"

Leafa's declaration set off another round of arguing. None of them were thinking rationally. Rain felt like she'd been bathed in icy water. Her whole body was cold and unresponsive. Her usual friendly smile was nowhere to be seen. Finally, the panicked yelling got to her.

"Shut up!" Glaring at each person in turn, silence finally fell over them all. "We follow Kirito's orders and retreat to the eighteenth floor."

"H-How can you say that!?"

"No way!"

Glancing away from them, Rain wasn't able to avoid one stare: Philia's. They had grown so close during the more than four months they'd been together at this point. Rain practically considered her a sister. No one knew her better, even Kirito. She couldn't remember how many nights they had laid awake sharing secrets long after they should have gone to sleep.

In that stare contained all of Philia's confusion and disbelief that Rain would choose to abandon Kirito at this time. Turning to face her, Rain spoke loud enough for everyone, but the words themselves were directed at Philia.

"Kirito wanted us to leave, and I respect his order. I admit…" Struggling to get the words out, Rain choked for a moment. "If he… If he doesn't return, I'll blame myself for the rest of my life."

"Then why…?"

"However!" Rain spoke harshly, cutting off the question. "If I lose one of you because we don't leave. I'll still blame myself forever! I believe in Kirito. Therefore, we leave."

Rain panted heavily, the speech taking a physical toll on her body. Glancing around the room, Rain saw a lot of embarrassed faces. Each person struggling to weigh their safety against Kirito's orders. Not giving them any longer to think about it, Rain spoke again. "Let's start moving."

Leading by example, the column began to move. Slowly at first, but with stuttering steps, they finally entered a moderate walk.

"Uff!"

Reacting to the noise, Rain turned around to look back at the cliff they had departed from. They were over 50 metres away, but the sight still caused chills to run down Rain's spine. Another amazon was clambering up the edge.

The amazon had silver hair and a fearless smile. Her good looks were undeniable. When it came to armour, she was dressed like the rest of her a race: she wasn't. The only pieces of metal she carried coated her hands. Thickened gauntlets designed for punching that Rain had recently learnt the word for, cestus. The amazon's top was a single stripe of white fabric that coiled around her neck and looped over her breasts. It seemed designed more for how easy it would be to take off, rather than practicality. Mase even more startling that someone would wear it into the dungeon.

"RUN!"

Screaming, Rain's word drew the gaze of the woman climbing up. With a fearless smile, she began to job toward them. "Hmm, seems like Aisha drew the Black Knight off somewhere, huh? Why don't we play in the meantime? Five minutes should be more than enough time."

"It's that gray-haired amazon again…" Lili spat out. At this point, the party had broken into a full sprint. However, the distance between the two groups was slowly closing. The amazon didn't even look harried as she closed in, the distance disappearing quickly.

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Grr…" Growling, Rain exchanged glances with Philia. At the same time, both of them nodded and turned around. Rain dashed in first, her dual swords flying at the women. Now that she approached, Rain could see strange specks flying around her. The particles swirled and vanished at seemingly random intervals.

Not letting it distract her, Rain unleashed her most deadly attack. Her right sword coming in low before cutting up, instantly followed her left coming in from a high angle. "Wha-?"

Rain's eyes bulged as the woman's form blurred. Both blades struck air. Philia's follow-up also hit nothing, the amazon not trapped as she should have been.

"Try harder than that?"

From behind!?

Whirling, Rain began to panic, her blades coming up in a defensive cross in front of her. "Krii!" With an ear-splitting shriek, the swords stopped a cestus-enhanced punch. A small shard from one blade splitting off. Her weapons were unlikely to survive another attack.

Reeling and off balance, Rain waited for the attack that would end her life. Her arms felt like she'd tried to stop a boulder from falling.

"Tch!"

With dual clanking noises, the amazon deflected two arrows. Missiles that Rain could barely track. It was merely another example of how far above her this woman existed.

"Ready yet? Try to survive a bit longer!"

"Grr…" There was nothing Rain could do but grit her teeth and assume a fighting stance. She doubted that she could even track the woman's movements. For some reason, she had designated Rain as her primary target, even as the others circled her warily.

"Here I come!"

Preceding her attack with a shout, Rain still almost missed it. The floor cracked under her as she charged toward Rain. Utilizing a trick Nazha had taught her, Rain forced her legs to go limp. Collapsing to the ground, the showy kick passed over her head and kept going. Rain jumped to her feet and away from where the amazon had landed. Rather than a follow-up attack, the amazon was still near the wall, her leg stuck at waist height. She had kicked the wall so hard, her foot had gotten embedded in solid rock.

"Keep moving." Rain decided on the spot. Listening silently for once, everyone began sprinting away. Their pace was harshly limited by the presence of the three level ones. For some reason, Bell appeared to be in good shape, but Lili and Yui were struggling to keep up.

To take her mind off her apprehension at their speed, Rain thought about the amazon's attack. It was strange how badly she overshot Rain. And her expression was one of surprise before Rain had taken off running. Almost as if her body didn't move the way she had anticipated. But what could create such a vast power differential?

Suddenly, Rain remembered a scene that she tried to forget. Crowded on all sides by attackers in black. Kirito fighting desperately as his skill drained his mind. It was reminiscent. Power beyond what the user was accustomed to.

"Ah, damn it. Been too long since I've used that damn fox's magic!"

!?

Instincts flaring, Rain barely had time to duck before another kick went soaring over her head. Rolling backwards, Rain's life flashed before her eyes as a fist passed a hairsbreadth away. She had no doubt that sheer luck had kept her alive.

"Not bad girl! You're quick for a level two!"

"Don't screw with us!"

Unexpectedly, the blacksmith Lisbeth jumped forward. Rain's cry got stuck in her throat as she brought her arm down. The amazon didn't look bothered at all as she raised a casual hand to catch the blow.

Kling!

"Huh?"

With a sound more appropriate to breaking glass, the weapon in her hand shattered. The short knife blew apart, releasing a gale of icy wind. Most of it directed straight at the amazon who had taken the attack. Raising an arm in front of her face, Rain hid from the wind that textured her skin. Lowering her arm after a moment, she gaped in amazement at the icy statue occupying the tunnel. The blast radius was narrow. In exchange, by releasing the entirety of the magic sword's power at the same time, the blacksmith had created an extremely strong effect.

For a price.

"U-Urgh!"

"L-Liz!" Screaming, Silica came and supported the girl.

"I-It won't hold for long. Let's get out of here!" The blacksmith spoke hoarsely.

Swallowing, Rain nodded once in appreciation of the girl's guts. Her entire right arm was frozen solid. The pain must have been immense as her face went white with shock. The sacrifice had delayed the amazon beautifully. Rain didn't doubt though, even with Lisbeth's pain, that it wouldn't stop her. Through some means, she appeared to be wielding a status on par with a level four adventurer.

Five minutes.

That fox's magic.

Phrases flitting through her mind, Rain looked back once in wonder, as the ice statue disappeared around a corner. She had heard Kirito's explanation, but could that Renart's magic really do this? Also, did they really risk bringing her to the dungeon? Knowing she had only questions and no answers, Rain brought up the rear as their party advanced through the dungeon.

In a short while, they finally escaped the tunnels. Retracing their steps, the path began to narrow as the ground on their right fell away, leaving them between two drops. Just as they were approaching the branch, they encountered another party. A group of at least twenty adventurers blocked the path completely, having an animated discussion.

"A-Apollo familia?" Lili's shocked voice drew the adventurer's attention.

"I can't believe the information was correct," an elf replied in a daze.

Frowning, Rain pushed her way to the front. "We're in a bit of a hurry. Step aside so that we can pass." Rain put as much force and authority into her voice as she could muster. After being separated from Kirito, and then attacked by a freakishly strong amazon, she was in no mood to play games.

"Absolutely," the elf answered in a sly tone. His greasy smile suggesting he would do nothing of the sort. "Just hand over the boy."

"…Huh? Kirito isn't even…" Tracking his finger, Rain remembered they had a second male with them: Bell. The boy in question had a stupefied look on his face. As if he couldn't believe the demand either.

"Our lord Apollo has declared that he wants the two boys in Hestia familia to become his. One is here and Hyacinthus will fetch the other."

"W-What the hell do you think you're-!"

Boom!

With a loud explosion, the ground seemed to shatter. Shivering, Rain knew exactly what had happened. They'd been caught. Barely caring about Apollo familia for the minute, she turned to stare at the Amazonian woman.

She was in rough condition. The cestus that had taken the brunt of the attack had completely shattered due to the cold. Likewise, her skin was covered in lacerations from pulling herself free of the ice. The damage stretched to her clothes, which could hardly be called battle appropriate. The right strap had been cut as well, revealing one moderately sized breast. The silver-haired amazon seemed to have no care for her state of undress. Her eyes were murderously locked onto Lisbeth.

"I'm going to rearrange your face blacksmith!" As she spoke, the last of the sparks surrounding her vanished. Whatever effect had been powering her was now gone.

"Well, this seems interesting," the elf spoke again. "Amazoness. If you aid us in capturing this boy here-"

"Shut up!" She roared. "I don't give a single fuck what you pricks want." With that, the stalemate broke. The amazon lunging past people to reach Liz. The attempts to stop her proving ineffective.

"Stay away!" Crying out in a high voice, Yui stepped in front of Liz raising her shield in defense. The little girl making a pitiful sight before the raging amazon.

"Little girls don't belong in the dungeon!" With a side kick, the amazon avoided the shield and went to strike Yui's head. The attack was completely uncalled for against a little girl.

"Huh?" To everyone's amazement, it didn't matter. Shield or no shield, the purple barrier spawned into place. Appearing suddenly, the forcefield stopped the roundhouse kick midway.

The amazon's shock upon seeing her attack blocked vanished in a moment. "Gragh!" Screaming, the amazon applied force, her heel starting to grate against the purple energy. Yui's face tightened with concentration. Lifting the shield to meet the heel, she shoved back. The mystical energy of a level one against the full power of a level three adventurer.

"Screw… You!" With one final yell, the amazon pushed forward. Rain saw the moment the tide changed. Yui's eyes clouded over with uncertainty. In that second, the barrier shattered.

"Gah!" Letting out a yell, Yui's body was blown backward. Straight away from the kick's direction: off the cliff. The amazon as well was repelled from the breaking force. Her body ending up off the far side.

Not caring about the amazon, Rain focused on the flailing girl. Her words flashed through her mind again. If one of you didn't make it back, I'd never forgive myself.

"Yui!" Shouting the girl's name, Rain dove off the cliff after her. Grabbing the girl's body, Rain held her close. Making sure her body was tucked comfortably against hers. With that done, Rain waited for impact.

Praying her level two status would be enough, Rain's vision first went red, then black, as her body folded under the force of the fall.

---

Bell:

"W-What…"

Gaping in confusion, Bell was struggling to understand what was happening. Why were they fighting? Why were people attacking them?

Their party had been a dozen not ten minutes ago. First their leader, Kirito, had been attacked by an amazon that Bell assumed was the captain of Ishtar familia. A few minutes after, another crazy strong amazon had climbed the cliff as well and decided to attack them when she hadn't found Kirito or the other amazon. In stopping her, their blacksmith, Lisbeth, was injured. Now, they had lost Rain, their second-in-command, and Yui, the girl everyone treated as a daughter.

"Well, that was random. Anyway, hand over the boy."

Freezing up, Bell stared at the unknown elf. He had never seen him before in his life. Apollo familia, Lili had called them. The one's that had put on the banquet of the gods two nights ago. "Why do you want me?"

Having had enough of everything, Bell stepped up and asked them himself. His whole body was burning with indignation at his powerless.

"Me?" The elf smirked. "Nothing. However… It seems lord Apollo has taken a fancy of you. As a result, we will be bringing you back to join our familia."

What!?

"L-Lord Apollo is… Interested in me?"

"You don't understand…" The Elf smirked, his mouth changing into a vicious expression. "When Lord Apollo wants to add someone to his familia, he does. Whether they want to or not."

Bell's gaze drifted off the elf and behind him to where the men of his unit flanked him. There, he found two women, both wearing conflicted expression. Even further behind them, raised slightly on a stray boulder was a Prum glaring at him. After a moment, Bell realized he had seen him before.

The day he had arrived in Orario, that prum had been egged on by some other adventurers to fight him. Barely paying attention, Bell had taken him out with a single kick. Now, Bell doubted despite his new powers, the fight wouldn't go nearly as well. Fighting on this narrow path was a hopeless situation, they were too badly outnumbered.

"Will you surrender and come peacefully?" The Elf asked, it sounded like a final warning.

"I…"

"Never!" On the verge of accepting, Bell was shocked by the voice that came from perhaps the most unexpected of the group, Mikoto. She wasn't even a member of his familia, but her face was hardened with determination.

"Very well, attack."

"Lady of the sky!"

Somehow, without anyone noticing, Leafa finished her magic's trigger. Diving off the path, she headed straight for where Yui and Rain fell. Five down, seven left.

Trying not to be negative, Bell dropped the large backpack off his shoulders. Drawing his dagger, he barely lifted it in time to deflect a cudgel bearing down on him.

So strong!

Attempting to fight against the burly adventurer opposite him felt like he was going up against an Orc. The strength buckled his arms, forcing Bell to leap swiftly backwards. With strength like that, he had to be level two.

"Hrng, you got some shifty feet for a level one, boy."

"Ha…" Panting, Bell shook his right arm quickly to bring some sensation back. Beside him, Mikoto was fighting against two more adventurers. One thing working in their favour was how narrow the ledge was. The enemy adventurers were getting visibly upset at their inability to make any progress.

Of course, that's when the monsters showed up. A massive swarm buzzing loudly, as if reminding everyone what the primary threat of the dungeon is supposed to be.

"You've got to be kidding me…" Bell couldn't pinpoint the voice. All he knew is that they echoed his sentiment perfectly.

"B and C squad, stay back and keep the monsters off A!" A feminine voice gave rapid orders to the Apollo quad, adjusting perfectly to the shifting circumstances.

Meanwhile… "R-Rain…"

"Y-Yui… I knew she shoudn't have come."

"I'm so scared…"

Their expedition group was in shambles. The only ones still functioning besides Bell were Mikoto and Lili. The latter was biting her lip in frustration at her lack of power.

Currently, Bell had to face off against a single level two adventurer, while Mikoto fought two more. Even if they both won, they'd have another three to fight immediately after.

"Sachi, get your bow out and begin firing at monsters! Strea, snap out of it and take Bell's spot! Everyone else, get a grip!"

Lili's screamed words were having little effect. The events were simply too surprising for most of them to react. Kirito had never appointed a third in command. Logically, it probably would have fallen to Philia as the next most senior adventurer. In this case, however, she was staring over the edge of the cliff at where Rain had fallen through the canopy below. It was impossible to tell how far the drop was.

"Hehe, you're all mine boy!"

"Grr!" Gritting his teeth, Bell once again pitted the Hestia knife against the crude cudgel. In terms of weapon quality, Bell's was multiple tiers higher. That did nothing to overcome the vast disparity in their statuses. Even more so since Bell couldn't utilize his speed in such tight corridors.

"HIyah!"

"Gah!"

In a blink, Mikoto came to Bell's rescue, somehow repelling her two opponents long enough to launch a lightning quick jab at the one attacking Bell. "Don't lose faith yet, Sir Bell! These people are nothing compared to Sir Kirito!"

"G-Got it!" Moved by the kunoichi's words, Bell darted forward and went on the offense for the first time. His knife struck like a viper, imitating the stab Mikoto had taken with her spear.

"Guh!" Recovering quickly, the man smacked aside the dagger with a contemptuous backhand. His gauntlet taking a long scratch in the exchange. "Just accept the blessing boy."

"What?" Surprised by the growled words, Bell's next strike slipped and hit air.

"I had Apollo's favour once, about a decade ago. Didn't get my status up quickly enough, began aging. Once I lost my youth, I lost his favour."

"That just proves," Bell growled back. "Exactly why I don't want to join your familia!"

"Huh?"

Sending the man reeling with a pair of well-timed blows, Bell kept the pressure up. Stabbing and slicing, Bell didn't try to add any kicks in. Against his armoured foe, they would be ineffective.

"Favoured for your looks. Set aside when you age. Your god treats you like playthings!"

Bell's rage fueled his attacks. He couldn't forgive deities like that. Part of Bell blamed their indolence for his family's demise. Maybe if deities had been more focused on aiding their members instead of pursuing idle fancies, the great reckoning may never have happened.

"Gah!" Swinging his cudgel horizontally, it was an effort to fend Bell off rather than an attack. Ducking under it, Bell came up for the decisive blow, the fear in his foe's eyes driving him on.

He was doing it!

He was going to defeat a level two adventurer!

"Heh!"

!? Eyes bulging, Bell tried to throw himself to the side. The man's other hand was coming up to grab him. Bell felt his fingers run over his clothes before the cool metal slid off. Breathing a sigh of relief, Bell tried to plant his right foot and got his second surprise. His foot never made contact with the ground.

"Waaaah!" Crying out in fear, Bell's arms swung uselessly as he threatened to fall off the cliff. If he did, it wasn't only the fall he would have to worry about it. The monsters would ensure he died before making contact.

Reaching out a desperate left hand, his fingers tore against the sharp rocky edge. "Hrngh…" Groaning from the pain, Bell's body swayed dangerously, threatening to dislodge his fingers. As his body moved, two libellula spikes buried themselves into the rock he had been in front of moments before.

"Bell!" Unable to reply to Lili's frantic scream, Bell used his left foot to hook unto the spike buried in the rock. With a foothold, Bell threw himself back unto flat ground.

"Got ya!"

"Uh oh." Blanching in concern, Bell felt a meaty hand wrap itself around his collar. Using his breastplate as a lever, Bell found himself airborne. "Ahhh!" Crying out yet again, Bell lost all perspective as the air and sky mixed endlessly. "Grugh!" Crashing roughly unto the ground, all air was expelled from his lungs from the collision.

"Ah, so you were captured. I am… Sorry about this."

"Huh?" Bell had just enough time to focus his eyes as a baton descended. Crashing into his temple, his vision instantly faded to black. The last he heard was the feminine voice speak one more time.

"Here, C squad, get him to the surface."

---

Kirito:

Again and again, in a horrible cacophony, metal swords, swung at superhuman speeds, clashed against each other. The sound must have carried over most of the floor, gigantic clanging sounds, repeating over five times a second. Once, Kirito caught a glimpse of a bugbear. Moments later it sprinted the opposite direction from them.

Kirito was half convinced he was only alive because the two level fours spent more time attacking each other than him. As their battle raged, the landscape changed. They had entered another tunnel before emerging by a cliff. Leaping down that led them into a jungle section, filled with gigantic mushrooms. The dark fungi monsters were too slow to react and became the first casualties of the fight. The air, now filled with left-over spores was completely ignored by the other two adventurers. Each one confident in their resistance level to stay healthy.

Kirito didn't know how long the combat had stayed like this. Once arriving in the clearing, their perpetual momentum had halted. As if each participant agreed that this was a good spot to fight. Locked into the fight with no way out, Kirito's senses had accelerated to their limit. Multiple times each second, he faced death. Every attack too powerful to fully stop, Kirito was forced to dodge and deflect. Guiding the impossibly fast attacks away from his body.

More than once, a supersonic sword would trail blood. It was always Kirito's. The slashes tearing through his sturdy coat and touching skin which was blasted away by the force of the swords.

Despite that, Kirito still felt strong. His breathing was level and exhaustion had yet to sink in. The injuries so far were minor enough that a single health potion would restore him to normal.

At a seemingly random moment, the tense equilibrium the fight had entered shattered. Completely disrupting the flow, Ulfric swung his sword in a giant circle. Batting aside Kirito's with barely any resistance, it landed a solid blow on Aisha's attack as well. A moment later, her sword was repelled, leaving her pushed off balance. Taking a hand off his sword, Ulfric's giant fist made contact with Aisha's cheek, sending the amazon rolling.

Kirito jumped back at the moment, unwilling to try the giant warrior in single combat. Having done so, the combat reached a temporary end. Ulfric glanced between the two people that were staring him down.

Grumbling, he spoke for the first time in minutes "So, this is your limit Antianeira…"

"Stop looking down on me, dog!" Roaring, she stood up from her crouched position, eyes blazing with fury, ready for another round.

"Stop, adventurers!" The voice was loud and carried well through the ambience. With it, a note of majesty and command. Kirito wished he could give orders half as well. As Ulfric and Aisha turned to glare at whoever had interrupted them, Kirito took their lead and looked as well.

It's him!

Struggling not to gape, Kirito had only bad memories of the man. He was almost exactly as he remembered last time. Long, brown hair that appeared tinged very slightly red ran down past his shoulders in a ponytail. Piercing grey eyes and an ornate longsword that hung at his waist. Unlike last time, he was wearing more armour now. An entire set of plate that he moved easily in.

"Hey look, Apollo's boy toy." Aisha smirked.

"Leave, Phoebus, this doesn't concern you." Ulfric added on in his grumbling voice.

Unintimidated, the newcomer took another step forward, forming a perfect square. His gaze rested upon Kirito in the far corner. Staring into those eyes, Kirito felt pure hatred leveled toward him.

"This does concern me actually. My God desires I bring that boy to him, so I shall. Help me do so and you'll be rewarded."

"Ha!"

"Coward."

Hearing two different denials from the other adventurers, the man's face mottled with rage. "Are you too stupid to understand!? I said that-"

"You'll pay," Aisha interrupted, "we got that. You just haven't realized…"

"Money means nothing." Ulfric finished, readying his blade once more. "Draw your weapon, favoured child of the sun."

"Y-You can't be…" Was as far as he got before Ulfric's blow took him hard in the side. There was a trail of broken armour leading to where his body was sprawled on the grass. "How. Dare. You!"

Lip bloodied, face muddied, the once immaculate leader looked completely different now. That condescending air of an untouchable warrior had been shattered. Looking at him now, Kirito struggled to remember why he had been so intimidated by him the first time they had met. Compared to the other two in this clearing, he truly was nothing special.

"Gragh!" Roaring, the newcomer drew a magnificent weapon from the sheath on this hip. It was a long blade, its length undulating like a snake. For all its majesty though, Kirito questioned its inherent durability. Like its wielder, it seemed to favour appearance over practicality.

As the man clashed with Ulfric, Kirito wondered if he could get away. This may be the opportunity that…

"Not so fast, boy! I haven't finished my test!"

Test!?

"Urgh!" Raising his sword, Kirito struggled to hold off Aisha's opening swing. She had held back. Probably intentionally since he hadn't been looking at her. Gritting his teeth, Kirito had no choice but to enter the duel of blades once more. Losing ground with each step, Kirito found himself getting forced closer and closer to the other two's conflict.

Ulfric's feet didn't move as he received blow after blow. None of the newcomer's attacks were strong enough to shift his positioning. He hadn't fought them like this before. Almost as if he was waiting for…

Shit!

Figuring it out too late, Kirito was unable to dash away from Aisha. Her superior agility sending him flying into the middle of the other two. Ulfric at the same time leapt back. The result was Kirito facing off against the newcomer while the level fours watched from opposite sides, an amused expression on their faces.

"Fine, don't help," the man muttered, his eyes still burning from the indignities cast upon him. "I'll capture you myself!" Glaring at Kirito, the last line was for his benefit.

'Kreee!'

With a shrill cry, the sound of metal scraping on metal once again consumed the environment. Kirito's arms shook under the strain of keeping his sword aloft. There was no denying it, this man was level three. He had accumulated multiple years of battle experience to reach this point.

"Why?" Spitting the word, Kirito glared at his foe harshly. As the fight raged on, his anxiety increased. Strangely, not for his own safety. It was the familia he left behind that worried him. His instincts were screaming at him to go back and find them.

"You stole his favour!" The man spat back, his rage renewing in his eyes. Kirito could almost see the coals burning there. "He has barely slept since the party, waxing on about the two of you standing together: one dark, one light. Both suiting his fancies…"

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Grumbling, Kirito couldn't make heads-or-tails of the man's deranged words. Each one coated with so much venom it was hard to understand the statements.

"My god wants you two! You are all he cares about now! I'd kill you if he hadn't explicitly forbidden it…"

Kirito blinked in confusion. The force between their blades had relented as the man continued to mutter angrily about his god's interests. It was frustrating hearing an explanation but not understanding it.

"This is boring."

"Agreed."

Feeling a chill run up his spine, Kirito stopped resisting the man's attack. Rolling backwards and away, he barely dodged an attack from the dull side of a greatsword. The man as well took an attack from behind on one of his bracers. The metallic armour breaking from the force of the blow.

As combat began again, Kirito's every nerve activated. His body pulsed with energy as the four of them interchanged places. The large blade became more of a hindrance than an asset as Kirito's situation changed rapidly. One second, he'd be forced to fend off three attacks at the same time, others, they were attacking each other and letting him recover.

To Kirito at least, it was impossible to determine who was going to get focused next. He merely did his best to weather the hundreds of attacks that were thrown his way. His own attacks were spacing swings, designed to force the attackers back rather than trying to deal damage.

Other than himself, the other level three was taking the brunt of damage as well. His perfect aura had been completely shredded at this point - along with most of his armour. Kirito had no right to judge though. His brand-new blade was chipped in a dozen places. That was the lesser of the issues, however. He had avoided taking many direct blows, but he still had dozens of minor lacerations. His thick leather coat doing little to stop the power of level four attacks.

"W-What the hell are you two doing!?"

Continuing to scream at them, no one answered the man's increasingly frantic cries. Growing bolder, Kirito tried a swing at him. The first time he had dared ignore the two-level fours.

"Gah!"

The horizontal slash repelled the glowing red blade. Chasing after his retreating form, Kirito kept swinging. All fear had burned away long ago, leaving only excitement and tense nerves. Following up the first attack with a pair of heavy slashes, Kirito drove the man back at a pace he would have struggled to run in the real world.

"I don't care what your god wants. You will leave here and never bother my familia again!" Growling the words, Kirito knew the level fours had heard, but didn't care. They were simply following their own desires as adventurers. This man was the one he needed to get rid of currently.

"Never, you whelp!" Crying out, the man's figure blurred a little. Off balance from the relentless pursuit, Kirito's attack slipped past his form as he shifted to the side.

Taking a pommel to the face, Kirito bounced along the ground, recovering slowly as his vision faded in and out. Trying to blink past the pain, Kirito felt a hot sensation from his nose. Running down to his lip, Kirito tasted his own blood. Spitting it out, he glared at the man. His ragged, panting form inspired no emotion except anger.

Gripping the hilt, Kirito stood back up, ready to bring this duel to an end for good. In a way where Apollo familia would never bother them again.

"Oi, Aisha! You alright!?"

"Lena?"

Emerging from a ticket some twenty metres away, a group of ten or so amazons entered. All of them from the expedition party that Aisha had ditched earlier.

Did we really travel that far?

Trying to piece together the images in his mind, Kirito realized that they had in fact fought their way across over two kilometres of terrain. Taking a route that had put them almost exactly in front of where Aisha's expedition needed to travel to reach the twentieth floor. They were only a short jaunt from the main route.

"Hmm… I had been hoping this would be more enjoyable."

"Shut up dog and run away." Aisha spat at him. Despite her harsh words though, she wore a small smile as she tossed the weapon back to him, nodding once sharply as a sign of thanks. When she met with the amazons, they huddled around her and left together. Ulfric as well, while Kirito had been distracted, had vanished.

"Ha… Finally… Without them… You have no chance against me!"

Taking a defensive posture, Kirito waited warily for the man to attack. Strangely, the coming of the amazons and departure of the level fours gave him time to cool down. He didn't want to kill this man, even if he was threatening their familia. It was their god that was the problem.

This calmness allowed Kirito to assess their conditions. His status was remarkably even with the man's. No large difference in either agility or strength. Kirito was confused, why he was the one breathing calmer. Kirito had been getting beaten on by the two level fours for minutes before the newcomer had shown up. His arms still trembled from the impacts. Despite that, Kirito assessed that he could out last him.

"Gragh!"

Screaming like a banshee, the man attacked again. Wild, yet precise, his red blade seemed to leave a trail behind it, like it burned with the wrath of the sun. Despite the ferocity, Kirito directed each strike harmlessly past him. Giving up room on each blow, Kirito steadily retreated, a small smirk growing on his lips.

"What the hell is so funny!?"

"You," Kirito answered calmly, his voice composed. "You are at war with yourself."

"W-What?" Stuttering, the man's next attack didn't even need to be blocked as it soared past him. Instead of counterattacking, Kirito stepped back again to allow the next attack to soar harmlessly past.

"Your god wants me, but you hate me. You want to kill me, but aren't allowed. With your offer getting rejected, you know you have no chance by yourself.

"Tell me. Did you ditch your familia on purpose so you'd have an excuse when you failed? Or were you just hoping to end this in a draw and have me succumb to monsters?"

"S-Shut up!" Despite his rage, the attacks were decreasing in volume. Each one was strong and fast, but he couldn't find the strength to weave them together like before.

Leaping easily out of his range, Kirito rested his blade on his shoulder. "This fight is done."

"No… I'll… Kidnap…"

"Sure. Well, bye!" Interrupting him, Kirito raised a hand and darted after where the amazons disappeared. Moving at a quick clip, Kirito was still far below his max speed but felt no danger. His beleaguered opponent should have no chance of catching him.

Arriving at a fork in the road, Kirito took the right branch. From his vague memory of Lili's maps, this should take him back to where he last saw his party. Turning his thoughts to them, Kirito said a silent prayer for their safety.

---

Yui:

"Urgh…" The cute sound slipped out from between Yui's lips. A moment later, her eyes fluttered open. Groaning, she tried to raise a hand to her head. As she lifted her arm, she gasped as pain assaulted her body. It came from three prominent locations: her knees, the middle of her back, and her neck. Of the three, her neck felt the worst. Holding a hand to it, Yui gritted her teeth against the strange sensation that she had managed to avoid until today.

Yesterday had produced echoes of pain for the first time Yui remembered. The strange, sluggish feeling was called exhaustion, or so she'd been told. This was entirely different. An acute sensation that told her how badly her body was damaged. Worse than the pain, however, was the blow to her heart. Kirito had been right to doubt her ability to come on this trip. She'd endangered herself and exposed Rain to danger at the same time.

Rain!

The name sent a fear coursing through Yui. It wasn't her first time experiencing it, but never to this degree. Yui felt her whole body begin to shake as she rolled over onto her knees. The almost debilitating pain had faded to nearly nonexistence while she searched for Rain. The girl wasn't hard to find. Her red hair was fanned out around her head, making a stark contrast to the rock and greenery.

"Rain!"

Screaming her name, Yui stumbled to her feet and tried walking the short distance to where the girl was laying. As she did, Yui stopped as her boots crunched over something on the ground. Yui paled at the broken bits of rock and metal that were mixed together.

Collapsing to her knees, Yui's face hovered closely above Rain's. Her cheeks had lost the rosy touch that Yui was accustomed to. It was now deathly pale. To add onto the horror, Yui watched as a small trickle of blood worked its way from the corner of Rain's mouth and down toward the floor.

Reaching out to shake her, Yui paused.

Was this the right thing to do?

"I-I don't know what to do…" As she talked, Yui's breaths sped up. This situation was beyond her understanding. Yui had envisioned a fun trip with everyone where Yui got to watch as they showed off killing monsters. All she was supposed to do was carry a bag.

Carry a bag.

"T-That's right!" Remembering the pouch that Kirito had made her carry, Yui reached to her side and fumbled with the drawstring top. Slotted into individual holes were a variety of vials. Pulling one out, Yui almost cried to see the bottom shattered. The liquid poured out the bottom long ago.

Praying for one of them to be intact, Yui pulled them out one by one. Over half of the vials had been broken. Of the half that didn't break, half of those were regular potions. That left two hi-potions, one mind potion, and one of Miach familia's speciality, the dual potion.

Taking a hi-potion, Yui struggled with trembling fingers to unstopper it. "Come on!" Growling, she yanked it off with another tug. The excessive motion spilling the top centimetre.

Unconcerned, Yui poured the rest down Rain's throat. Hoping it would work, Yui stared uncertainly down at the girl. As she watched, a few minor scrapes began to repair themselves. A bit of life returning to Rain's cheeks.

"Urgh…"

"Rain! Rain!" Collapsing unto the girl's chest, Yui's hands formed knots with the salamander wool coating her body.

"Y-Yui…? You survived? That's good…"

"R-Rain?" Lifting her head back up, Yui stared uncertainly at Rain's face. Her eyes were still closed, but a contented smile hovered on her lips. "C-Can you get up?"

"No. My legs won't move."

"W-What? I-I have another hi-potion! J-Just give me a minute!"

"You got it…"

Fueled by the contentment in Rain's voice, Yui refused to let it end this way. Moving down to her legs, Yui paused, usure of what to do here. Looking at them, Yui could now tell that the bits of metal had come from Rain's boots and greaves. The entire contraption made to protect the lower leg had shattered upon impact. The very floor itself had given way under the stability of a level two adventurer's body.

Thankfully, Yui couldn't see any horrendous wounds. It seemed like Rain's body had taken the impact fairly well, even if it had buckled at the end. Being more careful with this hi-potion, Yui dropped it sparingly up both legs.

"My knees," Rain spoke softly.

"G-Got it!" Glad to hear some motivation from the girl, Yui moved the application higher and gave each knee a healthy dose. Leaving behind only a small amount at the very bottom, Yui took a worried glance back at Rain's face.

"Ahh…"

Hearing Rain's relieved sound, Yui's mood skyrocketed. "You're all better now?"

"Yeah… Well, no. Can I have the rest of that?"

"Sure!" Despite the somewhat negative answer, Yui still felt far better about things now. Rain would be up and moving in no time, and then the two of them could meet back with everyone!

"Grrr…"

"Huh?" Turning around, Yui quaked as a pair of red eyes emerged from the nearby foliage. She'd seen a bugbear before, but this was the first time they had frightened her. Why had she never noticed how long its claws are? How sharp its fangs are? "S-Stay back!"

Holding up a hand, Yui didn't know what to do. Her instincts commanded her to flee, but if she did that…

Taking another look back at Rain, Yui understood that no help would be coming from her for the moment. Her body was making slow, small motions. It would be at least another minute before Rain could fight anything.

The bugbear, of course, refused to wait that long. Its growl turned into a roar as it charged. Having lost her shield, Yui closed her eyes and spread her hands out. Making herself an easy target.

Please skill!

Begging the mystical protection she didn't understand, Yui's eyes snapped open just as the monster released its attack. The arm blurring at speeds beyond her reaction time.

'Ting!'

Once again, that magical noise rang out. Purple hexagons, tessellated into half of a sphere protected her body. "You won't touch her!"

Crying out her determination, Yui stared down the monster that looked at her in confusion. Halting its ineffective attack, the bugbear brought both arms above its head and threw them back down. All ten claws fully extended and ready to eviscerate her.

"Urgh!" Grunting from the impact, Yui stood firm as the barrier rose once again. This time, the bugbear refused to back down. The bugbear used its height and weight to press down upon Yui's protection. This time, Yui finally understood what was happening. She didn't feel the force with her body, but her mind.

Each second was draining more and more of her reserves to keep it going. Instinctively, Yui knew this was the same thing that was used to power magic spells. She didn't have any of those, this skill was the sole unique thing about her status.

Last time, she had failed. The shield had broken because Yui had let herself get intimidated by the ferocity in the amazon's eyes. This time, Yui would not fail Rain. Gritting her teeth, Yui entered the contest of endurance, understanding for the first time, what the others meant when they said adventure.

"Yui, run. Leave me."

"Never!" Refusing to back down, Yui weathered blow after blow from a frustrated Bugbear. Its powerful claws had dulled themselves on her shield, yet it continued to smack at her. Its simple mind refusing to comprehend that the small girl in front of it was stopping all of its attacks.

Even as she glared at it, Yui grabbed the mind potion that she'd returned to the pouch. This time, the stopper came off easily and Yui downed it in one gulp.

"GRAGH!" The drinking appeared to have frustrated the Bugbear. Its eyes wide with indignation that its opponent thought so little of it that they could drink and fight.

As its next attack proved ineffective, it stumbled back half a step. Confusion warring with rage. Feeling confidence return as her mental energy began to recharge, Yui threw the glass vial at the beast. Hoping the action would chase it away.

Somehow, getting lucky maybe, the vial broke on its face, a small shard leaving a cut. Not even a cut, a singular drop of blood welling to the surface before it coagulated.

"Uh oh." Face paling, Yui realized her mistake too late. Block attacks from any creature that they have not attacked. In a word, her skill wouldn't work. As the claws came for, Yui could feel it. No protection would come for her now.

"Gra!?"

"Hmm?" Muttering in confusion, Yui stared disbelievingly at the monster. It had stopped, but why? The answer appeared before her eyes a second later as its outstretched arm fell away from its body. At the same moment, Yui finally saw the sword embedded in its chest.

"Thank god you two are alright!" Leafa muttered, aligning on the ground.

Two?

Turning around, Yui gave Rain a dazzling smile. She was halfway up, an arm still extended from where she had thrown her weapon to impale the bugbear. "Thank you, mama Rain, mama Leafa!"

Running over to first Rain, Yui gave the prone girl a large hug before darting to Leafa and wrapping her in an embrace as well. The contact helping to chase away the fear of death that loomed in her eyes.

"As much as I'd like to stay and help, it's bad up there. Apollo familia is attacking to try and kidnap Bell for some reason."

"Urgh," Rain groaned, finally forcing herself to her feet. It was impossible to miss her face blanching as a wave of pain flowed through her. "Go, take Yui and fly back up."

"What about you?" Leafa questioned. "You aren't in very good-"

"Go!" Rain repeated, gesturing back at the sky. "I'm not one hundred percent, but I'll be fine."

Leafa wavered again, her gaze torn between the red-haired woman with an unusually serious expression and the faint sounds of combat and yelling drifting down to them through the canopy they crashed through.

"Promise me you'll survive."

"I promise," Rain assured her with a smile. "Dosvedanya!" Waving with her traditional Russian parting, Rain sauntered away, breaking into a light job, marred by a slight limp.

"Urgh, that woman… Let's go, Yui."

"Yes mama! And, umm… Thanks for saving me."

"The two of you were doing well enough on your own it seemed." Giving the small girl one more smile, Leafa wrapped her arms around Yui and took off into the air. Or tried to.

Looking around, Yui was confused by their slow ascent. Leafa had always flown so beautifully through the air that Yui had braced herself for high speeds.

"So… hard!" Leafa grunted, their climbing speed restricted to under two metres a second. About the speed of a quick walk. "Why do you feel so heavy!?"

"Uhh… Sorry?" Yui apologized instinctively. She also got the feeling she should be offended. Apparently, weight was a sensitive issue.

"Let me just…"

"Eep!" Letting out a sharp squeal, Yui wasn't prepared to quickly get thrown over Leafa's shoulders. The scenery changing quickly, Yui was left staring at the ground. Notably, their speed picked up a little. A few seconds later, they flew past a hovering Gun libellula and landed roughly.

Before Yui could even tumble to the ground, she felt strong hands grasp her shoulders and pull. Philia's distraught face filled her entire view.

"Rain!? She… She's alright, yeah?"

"Y-Yes!" Yui nodded urgently.

Philia slumped forward, relief and a hint of guilt marring her expressions. Opening her mouth, Philia told them the reason for the second. "They got Bell. He's being taken back to the surface by a small squad."

"W-What!?"

"Poor Bell…" Murmuring the boy's name, Yui looked longingly to where the adventurers still clashed sparingly. The Apollo members doing little more than preventing them from chasing after for Bell.

---

Asuna:

The dining room of Twilight Manor had a lively air to it. Even if it was a little forced. The way people joked and then moments later the smiles slipped. Asuna sat in a corner of the room, on one of the long benches. She had been barely eating until now. Grabbing something small in passing at a stall when she could find the time.

In fact, that's what Asuna would have done today as well until Loki ordered her to eat a proper meal in the main hall. At this point, half the familia had come by to congratulate her.

No deaths, not even an injury.

A large Evilus faction wiped out.

A few survivors that had produced valuable information upon questioning.

These three successes led to the festive mood. Even if it was still dulled by the absences from their first disastrous encounter. From then on, they had been able to adjust their strategy to avoid Evilus' methods. The main one being, Asuna's magic. The water magic countered essentially every tactic Evilus had been using. Tonight had been the perfect showcase of that.

Blearily looking up from her meal, Asuna realized this meant she had spent another night without sleeping. The early morning had passed, leaving the sun high above the horizon. As she blinked into the light, Asuna felt someone slide unto the bench beside her. Supressing a groan, Asuna turned to stare at the person.

"Expecting another thank you?"

"Mirel…" Asuna breathed, glad to see the fellow mage. "And honestly…" Looking around to make sure no one was close enough to offend, Asuna continued, "please don't."

"Don't worry. I will say though… I'm sorry. This burden shouldn't be yours to bear."

Flinching, the words hit Asuna hard. Veiling her face with her hair, it was a struggle not to break down. "It's… fine. This is what I can do."

"Still," Mirel insisted, "sometimes I think the leaders look at your level too often and forget how new you are. We shouldn't be forcing you to do this."

"They asked, I accepted." Asuna answered hoarsely. Staring at the table, the food she had eaten felt like lead in her stomach. A ball she was moments away from disgorging. In her eyes, she saw not the plate and utensils but bodies. Blood infused water rolling away in rivulets.

The perfect holes her 'stakes' had left in the bodies. One had been a woman, no older than Asuna. Her head was stuck to the wooden side of the building from the force of the collision. These gruesome murders were what her familia was 'thanking her' for. Even now, Asuna was longing to crawl into a bath. To try and cleanse her body. She couldn't understand why there was no blood on her. Why no one else could see it.

"I'm going to ask the leaders to take you off the big raid."

Panicking, Asuna blinked away the scene from last night to stare at Mirel aghast. "No! I need to be there."

"No, what you need, is time to heal. Can I tell you a story?"

"I suppose…" Still glaring sullenly at the beautiful elf, Asuna waited for her tale.

"It was quite a few years ago at this point. I was barely level two at the time. My usual party for prowling the dungeon is mostly gone by now, but we had a good time.

"Reveling in my power, I used my magic with little thought for my surroundings. You've seen it right? My first spell? Conjures flowers of flame that bloom at specified locations. Anyway, we were in the colossal tree labyrinth…"

Asuna winced, having a feeling she knew what was coming next.

"Based on your expression, I think you know what I'm going to say. Facing hordes of insect monsters, I cast the spell once, and then again as more kept coming. I didn't even see the smoke or flames. My attention fixed solely on the burning monsters and cheers of my party. I was so proud. So happy I could be of service to adventurers with so much more experience."

Asuna couldn't pull her gaze off Mirel's red eyes. The irises, like liquid ruby were swimming with sorrow and barely repressed pain.

"When we collected the magic stones and cleaned up the battlefield, we noticed a cave a little way away. My spell had burned a line to it, encroaching on the entrance that still smoldered. On the other side, we found the bodies.

Not a scorch mark on them, but dead all the same. Smoke inhalation. Destroyed their lungs quickly. Most of the plants in there are poisonous, and I released it as deadly fumes right into the dead-end cave they were hiding in. Five adventurers dead due to my carelessness."

Asuna wanted to argue but struggled to find the words. "B-But, that wasn't your fault! You didn't know there was a cave there, or that people were inside!"

"Didn't know? Or didn't care enough to look first? Even now, I'm still unsure. What I do know, is that my party was right. They forced me to sit out for an entire month. I did nothing more strenuous than read during that time."

"Read!?" Asuna raged. "Is that supposed to make this easier?"

"Of course not," Mirel scoffed. "You know, I still transfer money monthly to that familia. They didn't blame me. They told me I didn't have to send the money. But I do it anyway. To assuage my own guilt."

"And does that help?"

"Not really. What it does do though, is remind me."

"About what?" Asuna asked hesitantly.

"That as mages, we wield incredible power. It is our job to use it responsibly. I'm worried for you, Asuna. I don't want you to push through until you're numb to killing. Please, just let us find another way to do the final raid."

"I…" Pausing, Asuna could almost see the branching path ahead of her. Mirel stood down one. Following that path would lead to her familia and friends risking their lives. More deaths, bodies piled up for Asuna to stride upon. The gratitude in her familia's eyes turning to scorn, blaming her for not protecting them.

Down the other path, Asuna stared into a pair of black eyes. Kirito. Usually so soft, they had hardened into obsidian orbs. His face had assumed a stony expression. Without a word he turned around and strolled away from Asuna. His coattails flaring.

I want to make everyone happy.

That was his motto. It rang through Asuna's ears again. A dirge of blood coated Kirito, irreversibly staining him red. All of it though, came from his enemies. The hooded forms of Evilus mercilessly cut down. Behind him stood his familia, eyes filled with wonder, not seeing the blood he waded through to ensure their survival. He would do it in her position, Asuna knew he would.

This was Asuna's choice. To preserve herself or her familia. When she considered it like this, there was no choice.

"Sorry Mirel. But I'm taking part in that raid."

"…Is there anything I can say to change your mind?"

"No." Asuna replied coldly.

"I'm still going to voice my displeasure to Loki."

"As long as that is all you do, you have that right."

It appeared like Asuna's chilly answers finally defeated Mirel. Closing her eyes, the other elf sighed heavily. "The raid will be the night of the full moon. Don't forget to look at its beauty at least once, alright?"

"…"

Receiving no answer, Mirel placed a hand on Asuna's shoulder before taking off.

Alone again, Asuna collapsed in on herself. Shoulders shaking, she tried to banish the dead faces that were always haunting her.

---

Philia:

"Leafa, please go! You have to save Bell!"

"Y-Yes, I'm on it!"

Listening to the conversation, Philia pulled away from Yui, leaving her instead to an anxious Strea. Turning on Leafa, Philia made her selfish demand.

"Take me with you."

"Umm… Even carrying Yui was really hard. I-I'm not saying that you're heavy or anything, but!"

"I don't care!" Philia demanded sharply. Clenching her fist, Philia swore she would redeem her moment of weakness. How she had collapsed upon losing Rain. The others still needed her. Because of her failings, Bell had been kidnapped. "Do your best to provide upward momentum. With my strength and agility, we should be able to clear them."

"I see…" Mumbling, Leafa's eyes were slightly unfocused as she stared toward where Apollo familia was only half fighting them. It felt more like they were stalling for something than actual combat. Something more than Bell getting further away. They needed to act now.

Seeing Leafa this way, Philia realized that she wasn't the only person here that had lost someone they cared about. She was doing her best to act strong in the face of Kirito's absence. Reaching out a hand, Philia gave her a comforting smile. "He'll be fine. Let's make sure Bell is when he gets back."

"…Right! Hold on tight…"

Raising her arms above her head, Philia clasped forearms with Leafa, who hovered above her head. They made for an awkward pairing. With Silica and Strea holding off the monsters behind them, and Sachi and Mikoto holding off Apollo familia, they had a clear runway.

"Give em hell, guys!" Sending them a parting smile, Liz waved with her left arm, her right one, while freed of ice, was clenched awkwardly to her body.

"Will do! We. Are. Off!"

At the final word, Philia braced herself to lose contact with the ground. Instead, she felt maybe half her weight get pulled upward, leaving her in a position where she could still run.

Digging her toes into the ground, she did just that. Three large strides before kicking off. As she pushed off, she felt the pull on her arms slacken slightly before increasing again. They rose, and then rose some more. Philia's feet were waving at least five metres above the ground as they cruised over the surprised faces of Apollo familia.

"Going back down," Leafa informed her with a grunt.

"That's fine. Fly ahead and try and find Bell. I'll do my best to hold them off if they catch me."

"Got it!"

The conversation ended abruptly as the ground quickly drew closer. The landing was soft considering the height Philia had fallen from. Drawing her short sword, Philia kept running. Despite her agility being higher than Leafa's, the golden-haired fairy was rapidly leaving her in the dust through the power of her wings.

"Grr, this sucks." Moaning at her lack of ability, Philia cast a quick glance back. Once again, it seemed like Apollo familia had reacted swiftly to the unprecedented change. Their commander knew how to give orders. Half of the group had peeled off and was attempting to run Philia down. Right now, Philia had a bit of an advantage. That would change as soon as…

"Grargh!"

"…That happens." Sighing, Philia darted around the bugbear's wild strike. She knew it was only a matter of time before monsters attacked her. Using her superior agility, Philia darted behind the monster. Once there, a single swing of her blade took out the back of its knee. With the tendons cut, it crashed to the ground.

Leaving the injured monster alive, Philia kept running for the staircase back to the eighteenth floor. Her best bet was if she could catch up to them on the seventeenth where monsters don't spawn. Rivera should protect them.

Until Apollo familia bribes them.

Trying to stay optimistic, Philia shook her head quickly to clear the thought. There wasn't time to waste on being negative. Kirito would survive, Rain would survive, and Leafa and she would bring Bell back. Everything would work out.

"Gragh!"

"Urgh!" Groaning, Philia barely managed to block the lizardman's attack. A vicious slice of its nature weapon sword. "I don't have time for you!"

Letting it win the strength contest, Philia darted to the side and swiped at the nature weapon. Connecting with the thin section that transitioned from the 'hilt' to the 'blade' of the flower stalk, Philia watched with glee as the weapon broke into two separate pieces.

"Oh man, I love watching that happen." Giggling to herself, Philia darted past the confused lizard, hoping it would slow down the Apollo familia forces some more.

"I am sorry about this."

"Huh?" Not prepared for the words, Philia barely had time to raise her shortsword before a weapon collided with it. She found herself facing a rather stunning woman. She had a proud face, her eyes gleamed like twin topaz's, setting off the burgundy hair that was chopped short.

As Philia stared at her, the voice clicked. This was their commander that was giving the orders. She was also incredibly strong. Risking a glance backward, Philia estimated she had ten seconds to shake her before the rest of Apollo familia caught up.

"Do you surrender?" The woman asked, stepping out of the contest. Staring at her weapon, Philia almost confused it with a baton. It was a similar length to Philia's own sword but lacked the distinctive blade.

That would be hard to break.

Confused by the thought that floated through her mind, Philia didn't answer the woman's question. As her valuable seconds ticked by, the woman spoke again.

"Look, I am sorry about this. But it will be easier if you just let it happen. Apollo will never let them go."

The words rattled Philia, but she tried to not let it show. Looking at this woman, and quickly back at the others pursuing them, she could see it. The similarities. Each person had a youthful appearance. Particularly the men had more feminine appearances. Clean-shaven, big eyes. Apollo had a type, and both Bell and Kirito fit it to a tee.

"What's that over there!" Pointing over the woman's shoulder, Philia darted off down the path. Somehow, the woman fell for it, thankfully. Philia doubted she'd have been able to get away if it wasn't for that.

Within a few seconds, Philia heard the pounding of feet behind her and had to accept the harsh fact of the situation. She was the slower one of the two. "You level three or something?" Philia complained out loud. She knew the woman wasn't, but didn't like admitting she was the slower of the two.

Agility was the one and only stat that was better than Rain's. Philia felt like it had reached a point where the level two's that could outrun her were extremely limited.

"I'm not," the woman surprisingly answered. "I just have a… Never mind. Will you surrender now?"

"Uhh…" Muttering, Philia was surprised by how much she liked this woman. She seemed very down to earth and easy to get along with. She didn't want to get into a death match with her. "Oh, look, a purple lizardman!"

"Surely you jest!"

Smirking, Philia felt herself pull away again as the woman slowed to follow Philia's finger. Yet, the gap did her no good without a more permanent solution for getting away. It was unlikely the age-old trick would work a third time.

"Urgh, can you stop that! Lying in battle is dishonourable!"

"Honour?" Philia shouted back, feeling a hint of anger. "What honour is there in attacking a familia on an expedition? On kidnapping one of their members!?"

"Urgh!"

Philia's words appear to have done something as the woman's feet hesitated for a second. A clear conflict inside.

"I don't want to do this!" She shouted back, her words almost pleading. "Apollo hunted me and my friend mercilessly, from city to city. Once he finally got us though… He wasn't a bad god. So, while I hate doing this, I can ensure you that they will be well cared for."

Finding a narrow stone archway, Philia skidded to a halt and turned around. Her blue eyes were blazing with anger. "You think I give a fuck about that!?"

"W-What?"

Preparing her weapon, Philia readied herself to fight. She didn't know why it had taken her until now to realize. Leafa would need more time to get Bell away from the other group. Time that Philia would provide with her body. "Your god could have gone about this properly! Wrote letters beseeching them. Asking for a price for trading them to his familia. But no! You attack us in the dungeon without provocation!"

"I-I…"

On the front foot now, Philia glared at them while the rest of her group slowed to a halt behind the woman. Perhaps confused why she wasn't attacking. "You're a piece of shit, you know that? Rather than trying to change the god's behaviour that caused you so much pain, you enable it! You've abandoned your morals and hide behind excuses! So, screw you! Screw you all! I'll surrender when I'm dead."

Philia wasn't exactly sure where the impassioned words came from. Her heart beat erratically as she panted from exertion. A mixture of the sprint and speech.

On the other side, the woman didn't reply. Her mouth gaped slightly, her regal features crumbling as uncertainty consumed her. As her weapon fell to her side, the rest of her familia surged forward.

Their faces were mottled red with rage. The insults too much for them to take. Smirking, Philia used her final seconds to attempt her risky strategy. It had failed last time she attempted it, but Philia had improved since then.

More importantly, she knew that this was her moment. The time for her to prove she wasn't just hanging onto Kirito's scraps and living in Rain's shadow.

"Grant me the power to see beyond this plane.

"I reject secrecy and swear myself to the art of discovery.

"Astral eyes!"

The chant finished moments before the lead member cut her in half with a large two-handed sword. He was a half-dwarf. Despite his thick stature, she could see the remnants of the beauty that his god favoured. So vain.

Cursing the deity she had never met, Philia's arm blurred with speed. The blade moving at a speed beyond any that Philia had achieved before. Her opponent was a level two as well, yet his eyes widened with surprise.

There!

With her magic activated, Philia could see it clearly. The spot where the blue lines converged and swirled. An imperfection. With a loud crack, his blade burst apart. The large weapon unable to bear a direct hit powered by Philia's skill to its weak point.

"W-What the hell was… Ahh!"

Cutting off his confusion, Philia punched the man in the mouth. She may not have the same proficiency with martial arts as the Take members, but man did that feel good.

After that, they approached more cautiously. Calling over a supporter and changing out swords for longer spears. Tsking, Philia backed up another step into the archway itself. Here, the max that could reliably get at her was two. The only advantage Philia had was that the woman still hadn't recovered. No doubt, she would have a plan cooked up in seconds to dispose of Philia.

"Hragh!"

The lunge from the spear wielder was slow. Rolling her eyes at the level one, Philia cut off the head of the spear with an afterthought. No number of level ones would be getting past her.

With a second weapon destroyed, the adventurers began to circle even more cautiously. Talking in hushed whispers about what they should do. Every single one of them casting glances at the woman in their center. Then back at Philia, as if scared of something.

They don't know what my magic does!

Realizing suddenly, Philia smiled broadly at the adventurers. The whole world that was cloaked in blue lines was extremely disorientating. They didn't know that though. All they had seen was Philia finish a chant and then blow away a powerful level two adventurer.

"Well, would you all like to surrender?" Taunting them, Philia hoped the words would confuse them even more. This fight would be less about status and skill, then it would be about morale and confidence. With their leader currently out of the fight, Philia was on the verge of victory, even with eight unharmed adventurers staring her down.

"Shut up witch! That was a curse, wasn't it!? You cursed Daphne?"

"I-Is that what happened?" A timid girl asked, a beautiful staff twirling between her delicate fingers.

"I didn't curse her!" Philia admitted, wondering if she was making a mistake. "She's just stunned because she realized that going along with someone else's atrocities makes you just as bad as they are. That goes for all of you as well."

"Bah!" The half-dwarf spat, his mangled nose still spewing blood. "Apollo is an amazing god! If he wants those boys, he's getting them! Also, Cassandra, why haven't ya healed me yet!?"

"R-Right away!"

Before Philia's eyes, she watched her chances of winning this fight slip away.

"Heavenly light, once rejected. Merciful arms that save my shallow self.

"Rescue my miserable companions in place of my words that cannot reach them."

This is why none of the adventurers looked more than mildly annoyed. They had infinite chances to attack her as long as they avoided a fatal hit.

"Oh sunlight, may you beat back ruin!

"Soullight!"

The light bathed the dwarf in its soft green embrace. All too swiftly, he looked good as new. Only the old, dried blood spoke of his past injury.

"You two, simultaneous attacks. No need to wait for Daphne to come to."

"Got it!"

Revitalized, the adventurers stalked forward with renewed intent. Unwilling to just sit and wait as they prodded her to death, Philia picked one of the spearmen and rushed him. The catman's thrust was quick. Parrying the primary thrust, Philia felt the spear point dig into her shoulder slowing her movement. Still, she managed to avoid the other thrust and get inside the catman's reach.

Bringing her sword down, Philia left a narrow slice across his chest as he jumped back. In danger of overextending, Philia was forced to do the same. The trade was about even. And every even trade was a loss for her. Parrying another thrust from the other adventurer attacking her, a human, Philia bit her lip. The catman was back in position as well.

Despite the initial rush of confidence she had felt, Philia felt the grip of imminent defeat. There was no way for her to emerge victorious in this encounter.

It will never work if you don't believe in yourself.

In a rush, Lisbeth's words came back to Philia. That's right. Philia was down being a second rate adventurer. Apollo familia was not getting past this point!

I'm doing my best, so please save Bell Leafa!

Sending a prayer to the absent girl, Philia prepared to hold on against the tide of adventurers solo. As she did, a single event changed her ability to do so.

One of the members, with a cruel smile, raised a hand and began chanting. Rolling her eyes, Philia began the unfair encounter.

---

Bell:

Waking up slowly, Bell winced as his head pounded sharply. Every second, a sharp spike of pain shot through him from his temple where he was hit. Clenching his teeth against it, Bell was slow to pick up on his situation. He was being carried by someone. Each step jerked and rattled him. Bell was unable to do anything about it either, since his hands were securely fastened behind his back and his feet were lashed together.

"Hey, the boy's awake! Should we knock him out again?"

"Don't bother," a gruff voice answered. "He can't do anything. We'll just muzzle him when we get to more populated areas, so he doesn't give us away."

"Alright, you're in charge here. But… Are we sure that Hermes familia will do this? Provide a distraction so we can get him out of Babel unseen?"

"They will." The deep voice answered again. "Lissos confirmed the transaction this morning. They wait upon our signal."

"Awesome!"

Hermes again.

The name made Bell's blood boil. He would never forgive the deity for his interference in forcing Bell to become an adventurer. Even if he had been right about this being where he belonged.

As his vision slowly cleared, Bell's stomach sank. The loose rock floor was not where he should be. They had already entered the cave labyrinth.

"Ha, this really was too easy! Can't believe we spent so long planning!" The gruff voice boomed loudly. Bell was understanding that this man was the leader.

The one that talked about knocking him out again spoke up. Their voice containing a hint of a falsetto. "Well, what about Hyacinthus? We still don't know if he captured the familia captain."

"Come on, its Hyacinthus! You think that hyped up Black knight stands a chance against Phoebus Apollo?"

"Good point… But there was that crazy amazon, and why was he split from the others in the first point?"

"Bah, stop thinking too hard Geer, it doesn't suit you."

"Yeah sure, whatever you say…"

As their conversation continued on, Bell felt something warning him. A small instinct, like a pinging in his head. He felt like a rabbit seeing the shadow of a bird. He needed to run now. Braving their displeasure, Bell gave voice to his feelings. "I-I think we need to leave."

"Oh, you can talk, can you? Drop him."

"Urgh!" Groaning, Bell picked his face off the rock that he had landed on. Squirming, he rolled over so that he could stare at the leader of this party. It also gave Bell the time to look over the rest of them. There were only seven members in total, all male. Besides the leader, Bell wasn't impressed by any of the others. If he was being honest, Bell thought he was a match for a lot of the people here.

"Now, listen here pipsqueak!" Taking a step forward, the leader had arranged himself so that they were all in a semicircle facing him. His torso was covered with burnished plate, a large shield resting comfortably in his left arm. The only unarmored portion was his head. As if he was showing off his face for some reason. If Bell was being honest, the Boaz adventurer was… what was the word? Prettier? Than Bell expected. Despite the deep voice and imposing figure, he still had baby fat in his cheeks and large blue eyes.

"I am in command here. In a few days most likely, or whenever we get around to kidnapping your goddess, you will be converted into Apollo familia. For now though, you are our prisoner. So, obey orders and we won't have to hurt you."

Mustering his courage, Bell spoke again, his instincts still screaming loudly. "W-We really should leave! Something is coming!"

"Something, eh? I'm level two, there's nothing on this gods forsaken floor that can even scratch my shield! Not even a mino…"

The man's words cut off silently, and no one filled in the gap. For they were looking past him, to where a shadow had appeared from a side tunnel.

Too late, it is already here.

Bell's body was shaking like a leaf. Nightmares were a common occurrence for the boy who had endured so much tragedy. Often, a shadowy monster, the epitome of evil, came and killed everyone he had ever loved. It was happening again. Not to people he cared about, but it was happening.

"Graaagh!"

"Huh? W-What is…"

For a second, and final, time, the man's words were cut off. Staring in horror, Bell watched aghast as his head rolled to a stop in front of his feet. Soon after, the body of the second-tier adventurer crashed to the ground, the heavy armour useless against attacks that don't strike it.

"Grooo!" Proclaiming its victory, a beast of a monster trumpeted, a bloody nature weapon held easily in its massive right hand. The lord of the seventeenth floor, a minotaur. Its body was already covered in blood from an earlier encounter. This thing wasn't normal, Bell could tell right away.

His mind was frozen at the sudden death, but thankfully, his instincts took over. Scooting back along the ground, Bell grabbed a fallen knife and began working at his bonds. It was tricky to cut them from this position. The angle wasn't right, and… there!

Hands freed, Bell started to work on his feet. As he did, his face blanched as he considered the implications of his capture. Hand going to his side, he sighed in relief upon finding the Hestia knife. The weapon was far too precious to lose.

With his feet freed, Bell sprang to his feet and prepared to run away. He was already a few steps in when he looked back at the encounter. Little had changed. The Apollo familia members were standing stunned. Disbelief and shock mixing as they stared at their leader's corpse. However, the minotaur wasn't subject to the same paralysis.

Stepping forward, it swung at an adventurer who hadn't moved. The axe made a sickly noise as it crunched armour beneath it. The man's greatsword tumbling from his hands as he crashed into the wall, his neck emitting a sick snapping noise as his head collided after.

"Gruu?" Pausing, the minotaur stared at the weapon on the ground. Then, it looked back at the decrepit thing in its hand. The nature weapon had seen a lot of combat. Too much combat as a chunk of stone chipped off and fell to the ground.

As it looked back at the sword, Bell could have sworn the beast smiled. A disturbing expression on a monster. Discarding the axe, it grabbed the hilt of the sword. It was an unholy sight. A monster born with the powers of the dungeon was scary enough. Armed with the ingenuity of humanities smith made them exponentially more terrifying. Now, armed with even more destructive power, the adventurers cowed before it.

"T-This can't be happening!"

"N-No, how could…"

"GRRUUUUU!" Bellowing its uncontested victory, the minotaur raised its new weapon above its head. As if to test its new capabilities, it lined up another adventurer, preparing to cut them in two.

"EYAH!" As the fear in their voice struck Bell, something snapped.

"Firebolt!"

"Gra!?"

"Firebolt, Firebolt!"

Raising his hand, Bell unleashed two more shots at the bull monster. As the smoke faded, they achieved about as much as Bell was expecting. Mild singing of the thick hide. The beast winced slightly from the pain but was otherwise uninhibited.

Stepping forward, Bell wielded his knife in a backhanded stance. Knees bent; Bell made himself the primary target. The adventurer who was about to fall victim to the bull monster scurrying backwards on all fours.

"W-Why? We kidnapped you!"

Bell struggled to formulate an answer to that as he stared down his death. His choice had condemned him to a quick end against a monster far stronger than him.

"Because, despite all this squabbling… Monsters are still enemies of humanity! I refuse to sit by and watch someone die at their hands!"

Bell had no idea if his words meant anything to them. They'd probably call him an idiot. Bell knew he was an idiot. This was irrational, but it was what he believed. It didn't matter who they were, if they were in trouble because of a monster, he would fight. Even with no chance of success.

"S-Sure, good luck!" With that, the man that Bell had saved stood up and sprinted away from the minotaur. In a few seconds, the rest followed. The minotaur didn't appear to care. It was still gazing at Bell, as if sizing up how much of a threat the boy was.

It soon decided: not much.

"Grah!" Sounding more bored than anything, the minotaur swung the blade in a single lazy, horizontal arc. Completely untrained, the weapon had no skill or precision behind it. What it did have, was ferocious power.

Raising the Hestia knife as an instinctive answer, Bell didn't understand his mistake until too late. Getting blown backwards, Bell felt skin and clothes get shredded upon the sharp rocks that coated the ground.

Head groggy, Bell blearily blinked away the trail of blood that was working its way into his left eye. His whole right arm was numb from the collision.

"Why am I still so stupid?"

Cursing himself, Bell pulled his beaten body off the ground. How many times had he made this mistake now? He apparently needed a teacher to beat these lessons mercilessly into him. But Bell didn't have that luxury.

"I really should have brought that blade…" Sizing up his opponent, Bell got a brief breather as the monster looked at him in confusion. As if not understanding how such a small person survived a single attack.

With a first-tier blade, Bell may have had a chance at killing this thing. While the Hestia knife was strong. It was powered by Bell's status. That restricted its destructive capabilities to that of a level one.

"Gruuu!" Roaring, the minotaur charged in to finish the fight.

"Firebolt!" Using it as a distraction, Bell aimed at its head and dove to the side. Even many metres away, he could fell the earth tremble from the monstrous impact the sword made.

I have a chance!

Between the smoke obscuring its vision and the cloud of dust, Bell forced himself forward. His unyielding determination allowing him to approach the insane beast he found himself facing.

"Hiyah!" Driving the knife forward, Bell's eyes bulged as the leg he was aiming for moved. With a show of dexterity, the beast jumped to the side, completely avoiding the knife strike.

Hair on the back his neck standing up, Bell dove forward. With barely a fingerbreadth to spare, the large blade passed over his head. Rolling to his feet, Bell was forced to leap backwards again as another slash approached him.

With seemingly endless endurance, their dance continued. The minotaur, recklessly swinging with abandon. Bell, forced on the defensive, unable to approach. This fight would only end one way.

That inevitability closed in on Bell as seconds slowly crept past. He was constantly milliseconds from death.

Flee.

I need to flee!

With every dodge, the feeling grew stronger. Apollo familia was safe. This minotaur wouldn't kill anyone else. Bell should run away. He'd done enough.

Have you?

Bell jolted as the voice rang clearly through his head. One he was very familiar with: his own. Everything else about it was wrong, however. The tone was harsh, the words clipped and jaded. He'd never talked like that, had he?

I thought we had sworn to kill all monsters?

Bell's hand that carried the Hestia knife shook as memories assaulted him. He had talked like this to Hermes, to Kirito that first time. Probably to Lili as well before she had managed to cheer him up. Bell's whole body was cold as the realization set in. This voice he was hearing was the real him. Not the naïve child, but the scarred and jaded man.

This was his destiny, to exterminate all monsters. He couldn't run now. Not for any grand ideal, but simply because the beast before him deserved death.

Suddenly, a flash of warmth clamed his right hand. Risking a quick glance, Bell stared in confusion at the Hestia knife. The hieroglyphs on it flashing with a brief violet light, as if trying to assure him.

Wasn't there something more you were aspiring to, Bell?

"Goddess?" Mumbling in confusion, Bell was sure he had heard Hestia in his mind. The miniature goddess flashing him a giant thumbs-up. "That's right… I… I wanted to save everyone…"

The words hit Bell hard. Wincing, he had already failed. Two adventurers dead before his eyes because he wasn't strong enough. That ideal is impossible. Only pain and failure waited if Bell tried to pursue it. It was so much easier to close his eyes and kill monsters.

You knew it was impossible going in.

But it wasn't so painful then! Bell raged back to his goddess' calm voice. As Bell felt her presence fade, he was finally alone. The entirety of the two conversations taking only several seconds. During which the minotaur had sized Bell up again, unconcerned about finishing him quickly.

Facing the beast awkwardly, Bell was left stuck at an impasse. A black flame and a white light beckoning in his mind. He couldn't choose. He didn't know what to do.

"Ahh! Main path again. Let's retreat to the eighteenth floor."

"For sure… Who could have expected a minotaur to be that strong!"

"Hey, someone is here!"

With a group of four beaten adventurers walking in from a narrow connecting corridor, any choice Bell had fled. "What are you doing? RUN!"

"Huh? Oh, watch out for a crazy strong… m-minotaur!? I-It's here!?"

"Shit!"

Groaning, Bell brandished his knife as the minotaur glared at the adventurers making a commotion. "Firebolt!" The bright streak of light focused the bull monster's attention back on him. Once again, the magic proved ineffectual at defeating the beast. While handy, his magic was useless as a finishing blow.

"Groagh!" Roaring, the minotaur leapt forward with another overhand blow. Rolling to the side, Bell once again was pelleted by a rain of rock fragments. More cloth tearing, more rivulets of blood.

Not letting that stop him, Bell felt his two paths coexist for a brief time. Saving people, killing monsters, it didn't matter right now. All Bell had to focus on was killing an unkillable monster.

Trying a brief jab, Bell's efforts were deemed futile again as the minotaur danced backwards. Their agility was similar, but Bell was laughably far behind in every other aspect.

As the minotaur replied, it was Bell's turn to dash back. As he did, the minotaur glared at him angrily; Bell could understand why. Neither of them had dealt any notable damage to each other. A large reason why was that the minotaur had no skill with its sword, only overflowing power.

"Uhh, s-shouldn't we help him?"

"F that! It's against the rules to steal someone else's prey, let's go!"

"Are you sure? But, ah!"

Bell wanted to roll his eyes at the brief exchange. However, as the adventurers began to depart, they were alone again. This time though, the adventurers were departing far slower. One of them must have suffered an injury to their leg.

"GROOAAHH!"

"HYAH!"

Answering the beast's cry, Bell dashed forward into the swing. Some strands of his white hair went flying through the air. Stepping inside the strike, Bell finally had his first real chance to attack.

Ching!

With an ominous noise, the thrust of the Hestia knife skirted off the minotaur's iron hide. Its cutting edge penetrating less than half the knife's width, leaving behind a barely perceptible line of blood.

Unable to rue his failure or try a second attack, Bell continued forward, trying to escape the minotaur's range before…

"Shit!"

Swearing, Bell twisted his body, holding the Hestia knife in a two-handed grip in front of him. The collision of blades released a booming noise that sounded barely metallic. Already off-balance, Bell's body was blown backwards, somersaulting out of control. His back barely missed a wall and the death sentence that it would have spelt.

Body trembling from the impact, Bell stepped quickly back into the cavern. He couldn't let the monster pin him in a tight corridor.

This time, as Bell resumed his stance, he felt a strong emotion coursing through him. Not the fear from before, but anger. For the second time in two days, Bell was making amateurish mistakes.

He should be better than this!

I've seen some of the best swordsmen fight!

Not just in the blinding blur of high-level combat, but in slow, status-locked duels as well. People with god-like capabilities, attempting to understand how Albert, a man without a falna, could have possibly taken an eye from the strongest monster to ever exist.

Their duels were in commemoration of that heroic feat. If one of them were here with Bell's status, they would wipe the floor with this minotaur, disparity in statuses be damned.

That's right, it isn't that the monster is unkillable, I simply lack the skill to do it.

Humiliation eating at him, Bell re-entered the dance as the minotaur charged yet again. Now, Bell's mind whirred, attempting to piece together any strategy that may allow him to take victory. Several possibilities came to mind, but all of them were stupid. For not the first time, Bell found himself envying Lili. No doubt if the Prum girl was here, she would coach Bell on what to do while making sassy remarks about it not being a supporter's job.

"Grugh!" The frustrated noise brought a small smirk to Bell's lips. It helped alleviate his frustration a tiny bit to know that the monster was upset as well.

The fight raged on, Bell baiting out attacks and attempting to rush in for a hit. Each time, the minotaur dodging and striking back. Seeing the minotaur retreat for at least the fifth time, Bell finally noticed.

Why is it scared of my knife?

Bell couldn't figure that part out. He hadn't even dealt a proper blow to the minotaur. His one chance, the angle was off. Yet, as the fight continued, Bell felt less like the cornered prey.

Winning was possible.

Winning was necessary.

Fixing those thoughts firmly in his mind, Bell tried his first stupid strategy. Waiting for the Minotaur to attempt another vertical slash, Bell rushed in. Holding his knife in only hand, Bell lifted his left out before him.

Holding his breath, Bell felt his hand go numb as the unstoppable blade collided with his small knife. He didn't need to stop it. Only… There!

Getting pushed slightly to the left, Bell felt rather than saw the minotaur's blade slide to his right. A clean deflection. Inside the minotaur's reach, Bell had no option for attacking with the dagger. Even fully raised, his left rand didn't reach the minotaur's head.

"Firebolt, firebolt, firebolt!"

Calling on his magic, blasted the beast's face from point blank three separate times. The legend of Albert had given him an idea.

"Graagh!"

For the first time, the minotaur's roar had a note of discernable pain in it. As the smoke cleared, Bell got some satisfaction watching the beast hold its left hand over its eye. The remaining solitary red orb glared at him with bottomless rage.

"Thank you," Whispering to the myths, Bell understood the fight was far from done, but if he could replicate the feat…

As the thought crossed his mind, the minotaur attacked again. Ruthless slashes, back and forth with the sword. Each step driving Bell further and further into a corner. Bell's biggest issue was the change in style. The minotaur had changed to one-handed wielding. Each strike was slower and less controlled, but Bell couldn't utilize that to his advantage. This left the other arm free and primed to stop Bell.

"Grr…" Growling, Bell took a glancing blow to the shoulder as he dodged too slowly. The light tap breaking through his standard issue armour. The only piece still holding together was the slightly more expensive chest protector Lili had made him get.

One swing, then a second.

Continuing to bide for time, Bell found that he had run out. His back collided with the solid rock wall. Raising his knife pathetically in front of him, Bell's mind froze from the unexpected situation. Everything had changed so fast, and he was still racing to catch up.

"Kree!" With a shrill cry, a third combatant announced their presence, a dungeon worm. Its purple length undulating out of the rock above. Pausing to glance up at it, Bell knew this was the end. There was no way he could…

"GROO!"

Roaring with fury, the minotaur blanked all of Bell's thoughts with a single action. Plunging its sword forward, it impaled the worm to the wall. Then, with a practiced motion, it ripped open the skin and stuck its hand inside. It came away with a shiny purple shard.

Eyes softening, the minotaur lapped up the rock with its long, reddish tongue, a shiver of delight running down its body.

While disgusted, it did give Bell an opportunity to free himself from his trapped position. He was so stunned by the sight that it wasn't until a moment after, that Bell realized he had a perfect chance to finish the fight. To drive his knife into the beast's chest and shatter the magic stone within. The only 'weak point' that the beast had according to that one book.

Bell had found a second on his own already, its eyes. He would need a third to have a chance at victory. Bell could feel the effects from repeated casts of his magic. He wasn't too far away from total mental shutdown.

"GROOO!"

Somehow, the howl was even louder and more oppressive by far. The stone giving the monster a boost beyond its normal capabilities. Locking onto Bell, the minotaur shot forward, a hair faster than it had been.

Ducking, Bell barely dodged the one-handed attack. If it was still using both hands, it would have killed him. His status was now too low to rely on dodging. Each swing would have to be deflected.

Left, right, above.

Swing after swing, Bell answered. Eyes fixed on his opponent's; memories raced through his mind. Every fight, every challenge he had overcame to reach this point.

Particularly, the last time he should have died. The strange beast that Bell had slain with his father's blade. Falnaless, Bell had defeated a great beast.

"I'm not going to lose to an overgrown cow!"

Thoughts of fleeing had receded as his twinned goals combined and pushed him on.

Every collision of swords released another array of sparks. More than the sparks, it was the oppressive soundwaves. The blades were both well made, neither one willing to bend to the other. As their surfaces clashed together, they screeched and made a horrible racket. Anyone within half a kilometre could track them easily.

Darting forward and back, Bell had stopped giving up ground. The two of them raged back and forth in the middle of the room. Each intersection of blades, another moment Bell got to live.

Both of them were panting heavily, yet if anything, the speed picked up. Bell's movements becoming crisper and more precise as time continued. What started as Bell almost dying every attack turned into an even exchange. Openings exploited as Bell's strikes began to draw blood.

Each attack paid for with his own as the minotaur began throwing in more rabid attacks. Kicks and punches that Bell couldn't fully avoid.

Deflecting a blow from the upper right, Bell's eyes widened at the kick chained to it. Unable to let the chance pass, Bell pushed through. "Gah!" Gasping from the hit, Bell left the fingers on his left hand break.

Even with the sharp pain, Bell's feet didn't waver. Diving in, Bell dealt the blow that would change the fight. Upon the minotaur's outstretched leg, Bell buried his blade.

"GRAAA!"

Coming out of a roll, Bell faced the downed beast with a smile. The minotaur had collapsed upon all fours. Its right leg no longer able to support its weight. Dropping its sword, the minotaur reached awkwardly with its overgrown hands to the knife hilt in the back of its knee.

Seizing the small chance, Bell dashed forward. He could see victory. That long shining blade, chipped from the fight, but still in good shape. Seeing the killing blow as Bell smote the monster down with the blade, he took his eyes off the minotaur.

"Graoh!"

"Huh?" Muttering, Bell realized his mistake too late. His body rotated just in time so that the massive fist hit his chest plate.

Crack!

With an ominous noise, Bell's body bent double over the massive appendage. The strength of the blow incomparable to the ones he had taken before.

"Gah!" Hitting the ground, Bell's body exploded in pain. He ricocheted three metres off the ground. Rotating slowly, Bell landed face down in the dirt.

His whole body was in the bind of pain. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't move.

"I… lost?"

Muttering painfully, Bell spit out some blood and moved his eyes up toward the beast. It had managed to extract the knife and reclaim its sword. Stalking toward him, it had the look of victory in its sole left eye.

It staggered painfully from the wound to its leg, and its body was covered in shallow cuts and burns but… Bell had lost.

"Hrng?" Making a peculiar noise, the minotaur glanced down the passage to the eighteenth floor. Then with another angry glance at Bell, it did the last thing he expected. It turned around and left. Staggering slowly, it still managed to disappear into darkness within a few seconds.

"Bell!? Bell!?"

"L-Leafa?" Muttering the girl's name, Bell struggled to focus on the flying fairy.

"Oh god, your injuries, just hold on for a moment!"

"Yeah… sure." As understanding that he was safe flooded him, Bell felt his childish side start to take over. Gods, he hurt. His whole body was covered with wounds. But one hurt far more than the others: he had lost.

Bell couldn't stop the tears as he buried his face into the sharp rocks. He had a chance to prove himself and had failed.

"Is something wrong?" Leafa questioned urgently. "I'm amazed you are still alive. The Apollo members said that you were fighting a minotaur that killed a level two member of their familia."

Bell couldn't answer. He had encountered another obstacle on his way to his goal and came up short. Marred by failure, Bell cried as Leafa dealt with his injuries.

Midori:

Sitting in a chair, Midori Kirigaya typed quickly on her laptop. The words poured onto the page as she assembled her next big scoop. Something about sitting in the hospital room with her two children was soothing.

Kazuto was beside her, propped in a wheelchair. While he still needed caring for by the nurses, he was now more mobile. Midori had gotten permission to take him on walks of the hospital grounds, hoping that the sun would help with his pale complexion.

Laying on the hospital bed was her daughter Suguha. She was still held captive by a black box on her head. However, her son's condition gave Midori hope that it wouldn't be forever. At least with the Nerve Gear off, they wouldn't be under immediate threat of dying. Then, maybe with a couple of technological advances…

There would come a day they were all reunited. Midori firmly believed that. Perhaps that was why she had no issues continuing to work.

A sharp rap at the door distracted her.

"Who is it?"

"Case victims rescue force Kikuoka Seijirou. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Kirigaya."

"Huh?" Shooting from her chair, Midori snapped her laptop shut and gaped at the man. There was no way as a journalist she didn't know who this man was. She doubted anyone following the DOO incident didn't know him. This man was personally responsible in spearheading the proposal that got the second wave of participants ratified.

The effects of which was still sweeping the world. No one knew what it meant. Would more people get to join at some point? Midori realized now that there would be no end of participants. So many people yearned for a chance to see another world with their own two eyes.

"I see I've been recognized," Kikuoka acknowledged with a small smile.

For such an innocent looking man, Midori found herself afraid. Even more so, as his eyes locked unto Kazuto. Without asking permission he strolled up to him and bent to eye level, staring into Kazuto's sightless eyes.

"I heard you were there when it happened. The Nerve Gear shut off?"

"That's right…"

"I have a proposal to you."

"What?" Midori questioned. Only her manners stopped her from saying no without even hearing it. Still, her discomfort must have shown through in her voice as Kikuoka gave her a small smile.

"I want you to write the piece that we will publish about victims escaping the Nerve Gear."

"…What?" Repeating the word, Midori was shocked. Thinking about it now, she really shouldn't be.

"He is one of two reported so far. Soon, word will get out to the public. What better way to break it than a piece from the victim's own mother?"

"…And what would I say?"

Kikuoka didn't answer right away. He went back to looking at Kazuto. Even going so far as clasping his hand. "Just the truth that the world needs to recognize. Kayaba no longer was control of the prison he invented. It is time for us to take advantage of this."

"Huh?"

Kikuoka's motions became more exaggerated. A passion sparking within him. "All we need to do is get around some of the Nerve Gear's faulty issues, particularly the death surge as I call it. Then we have access to another world! Think of the possibilities, how much we can learn! We could use it to test AI… Err, forget that part."

Hands shaking, Midori blinked in confusion. Gulping in terror, Midori struggled to find her voice. "I... Will have to respectfully decline."

"…Very well. I know some other men that want to see Kayaba's legacy collapsed. Good day Ms. Kirigaya."

"G-Good day…" As soon as the door closed, she collapsed back into her chair. "Something is very, very wrong with that man." Midori wouldn't have trusted him to butter toast. Now, he was the one in charge of her daughter's safety, and maybe still her son's. "Is there nothing I can do?"

Muttering about her helplessness, Midori's gaze fell upon her laptop. The answer was obvious. There was only thing a journalist could do in this situation: write.