My journey through the high floors of Aincrad was coming to an end. Soon I will have to return to my clients on the lower floors to bargain. Yeah, my life is completely different from theirs.

While many people are only thinking about how to raise the level or survive in this world, and others are doing a variety of things that they like or need, at this time I am doing everything at once. I have to collect the latest available or even inaccessible information, constantly check various rumors about unexpected events, be aware of the movement of completely different guilds, especially those that are dangerous to others, and I also have to upgrade my level, characteristics and skills at an alarming rate in order not to lag far behind those who are fighting on the front line. And you can also add to this the fact that from time to time I come across filthy clients that I have to deal with.

My path to the safe zone is still quite far, but there is no big problem with that. I'll go back there first, replenish my supplies, and then teleport down a few floors. However, behind these thoughts I was caught by someone's screams. I tensed slightly, preparing for battle, then walked a little forward, and then looked out from behind a natural stone wall.

There's something going on right where I'm looking. Three guys in the white and red uniform of the strongest guild are worried about something. I can't see any monsters nearby, and I couldn't find any other players either. Then what are all these screams about? Damn drunks again? Could you at least find a more convenient place to do this…

Although, when I was about to remove my claws, I suddenly noticed that something was going on there. One of these guys is standing right above the other. Well, it would seem that there is nothing terrible in this, but the next second he uses a sword to pierce his ally. What the hell is this?! A traitor? Or is he just that drunk?! Although this isn't so similar to the latter, considering how accurately and sharply he managed to strike at the guy lying almost motionless. It was then that I managed to notice a barely noticeable yellow-black paralysis icon.

Damn..! Since that third dude is also lying down, then he probably has paralysis too. And then what should I do? Tell them there's a traitor in their guild? I can write a message to Heathcliff or some others I have contact with right now. But even Aa-chan or the other Knights of Blood won't be able to get here as fast as they need to. Should I intervene in such a case..?

This question has tormented me more than once and more than twice in the last almost two years. I sometimes witnessed unpleasant events in the game that I didn't want to see at all. Sometimes it was watching other players die. Yes, I could put up with it when it happened because of suicides or monsters, traps on the floors. In this case, my heart ached, but I found the strength to close my eyes so that I could open them later with more determination. However, when the players kill each other… In a typical MMORPG, this is absolutely normal, even necessary. Here, this leads to a real death, which is why all participants instantly become real killers.

And now the latter is happening. Moreover, while I was thinking so hard, one of those two poor devils had already stopped screaming in pain, but only disintegrated into glowing tetrahedra. It's a pity for this guy, he hardly deserved this... fuck ..! Damn, and why do I upgrade my skills, weapons, clothes and characteristics if I can't do anything in such situations..!

Disgusted with myself, I decided to wait until it was over before moving on. At the same time, I'll find out who this traitor is, but for now I'll just write a message to their guild. I could only hear faintly discernible strange screams, which had something familiar in them. My attentive gaze darted once more to what was happening, but my fingers stopped in the air, not having typed the message to be sent to the end.

– Did I just hear...?

At first it seemed to me, but after that I realized for sure that one of these two was shouting a name I knew. I stepped forward a little, slightly peering out from my hiding place to accurately examine everything that was happening. There's no one else around, just those two. But then why did I hear his name? And why... why does that guy on earth look so familiar..?

I almost couldn't believe my eyes when the sword stuck into his shoulder. At first I thought I was imagining it, although soon my heart stopped when I got even closer. It's him..! What the hell?!

– Kiri-bou…

And he's paralyzed right now, unable to move and losing HP by the second. What the hell is inaction?! What was I even thinking about?! No fucking way, that won't do!

– Die forever, Kirito!

– NO!

– Argh..! What the...?!

At the moment, I closed the distance with these two, after which my claws immediately struck. Unfortunately, even the vulnerable exposed neck did not allow me to take all his health points, but only allowed him to stagger to the side, holding his hand on the fresh glowing wound. Ugh, he has a pretty ugly appearance. Well, that's just by the way.

– Argo..?

His voice is so weak, he can barely move himself. Honestly, if I had hesitated even for a second, things could have been damn bad. His HP level is already in the red zone, one hit would be enough to end his life.

– Hold on, Ki-bou.

I immediately opened my inventory and took out the best and fastest health potion. Even if I can watch other players die with a sick heart, I still can never let my friends die. These are completely different cases.

Ki-bou is my friend, we've known each other since the beta-test, so there's definitely a strong bond between us. Moreover, he has already saved my ass several times. Damn, he even took the blame for all those who participated in the beta-test almost from the very beginning. If it wasn't for him, it could have been me or Diavel. Although the last one died in battle, so it's just me.

– Argo… I'm so glad you're here.

– Be quiet for a while, Ki-bou. Wait a little bit.

He started talking a little more actively when his health recovered dramatically. Phew, he's safe now. I'm lucky I made it. Damn, I'm making sure once again that I'm not investing all my points in dexterity for nothing. That's a damn useful characteristic.

– Fuck you, damn rat!

When I just managed to apply the debuff paralysis crystal on him, I was immediately attacked by this scumbag, whom I had already forgotten about. His sharp blade bumped into my exposed claws, but this jerk's strength is higher than mine, so it's hard for me to block such a direct blow for long. I was too worried about Ki-bou, which made me lose my vigilance..!

– …

– Huh..?

– Fuck your motheragh..!

He screamed as a sword belonging to the guy next to me stabbed him in the stomach. Without hesitation, Ki-bou delivered a precise and powerful blow, forcing this guy to recoil from us and fall to one knee. It is unlikely that he will be able to fight now. For a second, Ki-bou's gaze shifted to me before his eyes widened and his face twisted in anger for some reason. However, soon I barely had time to see how fast he was moving, after which, in one move, he managed to chop the bastard in two halves before he could even get to his feet.

Ki-bou…

– I'm sorry, Argo.

That guy broke up into glowing game particles. Ha…

– What..?

What are you apologizing for?

You only killed the bastard who wanted to kill us.

I mean, it still can't be called the right thing, but…

– Here you go.

– Hm..?

He distracted me from certain thoughts and handed me an HP recovery potion. Hm? Why would I need that? Although he must have caught my questioning look, because he soon decided to explain what was going on.

– You have a cut on your cheek. Right here.

He gently poked his right cheek, showing this by his example. I touched my own cheek, following this guy's gaze.

– Hm?

It's true. I hadn't noticed. My HP level barely moved from that blow, so I didn't pay much attention to it. However, Ki-bou gave me a whole potion for something so trivial. Wait… Was he so angry because of me..?

– It's... it's okay. But thanks, I'll take this potion for myself.

I took it rather as a gift from him. Well, or at least it can be called a payment for his salvation. Or compensation for the damage due to the fact that I spent my potion earlier.

– Thank you, Argo. If it wasn't for you…

I put my index finger to his lips, which made him unable to continue saying the obvious things. His cheeks turned red a little. Cute.

– Shhh, don't talk about it, Ki-bou. You're alive, and that's the main thing.

When I took my finger away from his lips, he smiled back at me gently. Damn, he's pretty cute when he does that. To think what would have happened if I had lost him…

I would never forgive that. The guy who tried to kill him, I would have found him and made him suffer over and over and even over again, and then... then I don't know. Maybe I would have killed him, maybe not… Although most of all, I would not forgive myself for this. I'd blame myself for not being around or something, even if it was damn stupid.

But still, I'm here, I was able to save him. Thank Eris…

I allowed myself to relax a little and took one small step forward, closing the distance between us. In the end, my arms spread apart by themselves, after which I hugged this silly boy with one light movement, and he didn't even move, just let out something like a squeak. Ha, so who's the rat now?

– Argo..?

– …

I didn't find the strength to answer him, although, apparently, it is not required. He still didn't say anything else about my name. Although I can feel his warmth, he is so close that I even like it. I can't get rid of the feeling that I have something besides friendship for this dummy, but…

But I think I love him.

And soon he hugged me back without saying a word. Well, that's fine with me too.

– By the way, why did you change your style? Did you stop liking the black colors?

– Not at all. It's a long story.

– I'll be glad to hear it.

– 10000 Col.

– Baka.

However, despite my own words, I smiled at him. Such a stupid Ki-bou. And I hope he stays as nice as ever.