Anime: Sword Art Online

(Y/n)'s POV

The beast stood before me in a vibrantly narcissistic manner, its fangs protruding out from its foul mouth. The slime-like grease stuck to its slippery body, making it look slightly more like a joke.

Although classed as a somewhat high level monster, it would be nothing against me. Something of such monstrosity would be nothing against me.

The hooked scythes felt light in my hands. A small breeze blew past, ruffling my hair and the creature's unruly fur on its head. I walked towards the monster, ignoring the shouts of all the onlookers.

They were unimportant, not necessary for my fight. I didn't need help, I was fine by myself. I stood, unsurprised by its sudden attack. It missed me and would prove to be nothing more than its lack in aiming.

I slashed at its arm just as it was about to lift it up and climbed onto its lumpy body. It wasn't as fast as I expected, which was disappointing. The grease made it hard to move around. Damn, this would make it easier for the creature to catch me.

I swung my blades around, turning in a circular motion that was similar to a tornado. Its slimy body seemed to lack the tough durability it had feigned before but its stamina was still considerably high.

The beast's hand found my body before tightening its grip. I was thrown across the field but immediately got back up. This was nothing.

I charged towards it and aimed my hooked scythes at its gruesome head. One shot, one kill. I couldn't miss this. I didn't want to use this skill for such a disgusting monster but I had no choice if I wanted to hurry it up.

"Raging Despair," I muttered.

This was the name of the move I had gained on one of the lower levels of Aincrad. It was my skill and no one else's. I wanted to live up its immense precision and strength.

My scythes combined into a flurry of dark energy before chasing the monster. It couldn't avoid my skill. This fight...was over. I caught my blades as they returned to me.

"She's...so strong..."

"Onee-chan, thank you so much!"

The little boy ran up to me and gave me a loving hug despite the cries of everyone else telling him to stay away. A sense of nostalgia took over as I hesitantly pulled the boy away.

"Onee...chan?"

"I'm dangerous."

"That stuff doesn't matter to me. My mum and I appreciate your help."

"...I see."

I turned around and began walking down the street but stopped at the sound of his voice.

"What's your name?"

"...just call me Yuuki."

~Nighttime~

I sat on a deserted bench, waiting for the night to end. Travelling when it was so dark was dangerous. I couldn't risk it when I've already spent so long trapped in this game.

"Hey."

I eyed the boy as he sat beside me and handed me a sandwich. He noticed that I wasn't taking it so just placed it in my hand. I held it, not sure whether it was safe to eat.

"It's not poisoned," he explained.

"Who are you? Why did you approach me?"

"Well, I saw your fight earlier."

"And?"

"You're pretty strong. Want to team up?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"...I'm fine by myself."

"Hmm...I'm Kirito."

"Nice to know."

"You're really unsocial."

"So?"

"*sigh* Whatever. My friend asked if you could join us but it seems that you're not interested."

"About time you realised that."

"But that doesn't mean that I'm giving up."

"Ugh..."

"What's your name?"

"...Yuuki..."

"Courage? Why that?"

"Because it was my twin brother's nickname for me..."

"You have a twin? That's cool. Do you two look alike?"

"Yeah but he had an incurable sickness."

"Had?"

I glared at him. Could he not take the hint? Everyday without him was painful and excruciatingly hard. I clenched my fists. Dammit...I spoke too much.

I took a bite out of the sandwich, trying to hold back tears. Why now of all times?! I downed the whole thing in under two minutes before standing up.

"I'm leaving."

"W-wait!"

"What is it now?"

"I'm sorry for asking. I didn't mean to-"

"Then leave me alone."

"Hey, come on. Let me show you something."

I couldn't help but sigh. He gestured for me to follow him, which I reluctantly did. I pulled the hood tighter and walked behind him. I raised an eyebrow as he turned around to look at me.

"What?"

"It feels weird if you walk behind me," he stated.

I walked beside him before looking at him. He grinned in response to my stoic expression. To be honest, I was still a little suspicious of this Kirito. The fact that he approached me because of his friends seemed...off.

"What was it that you wanted to show me?"

"The fact that I'm not a bad guy? You're still tense," he replied as we walked quietly.

"Of course I am. You're a suspicious person."

"That...doesn't sound good."

"Of course it doesn't."

"I-"

"What's the real reason? Why did you want to talk to me?"

"...I've never seen a skill like yours."

"That's because it's mine."

"Can I see it again?"

"Why? You're not planning to steal it, are you?"

"*laughs* You honestly can't trust anyone, can you?"

I ignored him and ran towards the large, open plaza before activating my skill. The tree in front of us dispersed into nothing. Just as I was about to leave, I sensed Kirito charging towards me.

I blocked his sword, somewhat surprised by his sudden attack. I might've let my guard down too much. This was unacceptable. I couldn't face anyone like this.

"That was so cool," Kirito exclaimed.

"Why did you attack me?"

"I wanted to test you to see how strong you are."

"..."

"Let's be friends. We'll be able to climb up the floors faster and finally defeat this unbeatable game."

"...how do I know you won't betray me?"

"Betray you? Is that why you work alone?"

"My so-called best friend left me to die so what's to stop me from thinking you'll do the same?"

"I promise I won't."

"She told me the same thing and in the end, left me to save her own damn skin."

"I won't betray my friends. Who do you take me for?"

"A sketchy moron."

"*nervous laugh* I guess I didn't make a very good first impression."

"...what did I seem like to you?"

"A lonely and depressed teenager."

"Heh...of course."

He just smiled cheekily before putting his sword away. I hung my scythes back and held out my hand. He shook it with a confused expression.

"That's what my brother and I used to do. Don't judge."

"I'm judging."

"...idiot."