March 6, 2024

Floor 56: Pani

In a cave near the village of Pani, all the Assault Team have gathered me and Moonlit Black Cats to discuss the field boss. Everyone was around a stone table with a map on top of it.

Among them I see Asuna who was dressed in red and white clothing, symbolizing that she is in the "Knights of the Blood Oath" she slammed her hand on the table.

Asuna: Lure it to the village. That's how we get the boss.

A wave of murmurs broke out in the crowd.

U/n: Are you serious? We can't do that! The boss will just go after the villagers.

Asuna: Yes, that's the idea. And while the boss is busy killing NPCs, we can attack it and kill it.

U/n: They're not just objects. They're different than rocks and trees! They're--

Asuna: You think they're alive? Really?

U/n: I do.

Asuna: In this game, they Are just objects, and unlike us, if they are killed, they can always respawn.

U/n: Regardless, I'm not cool with that plan.

Asuna: I'm running this operation, okay? In case you forgot, I'm still Second- in-command of the "Knights of the Blood Oath." You'll obey my orders, like it or not.

I say nothing as she just stares at me.

A few minutes later the meeting is over as everyone exists the cave. Walking out I sigh.

Agil: Hey.

I look back and saw Agil and to my surprise Kirito and Sachi walked towards me.

Agil: What's with you guys?

U/n: Huh?

Agil: You and the Second-in-command--

They stop right in front of me.

Agil: You're always getting into it, and not in a good way.

I shrug.

U/n: I guess we just don't see eye to eye, Agil.

(Flashback)

U/n: Your amazing Asuna, you can become powerful enough here on your own. But if the day comes when someone you trust invites you to join a guild, don't turn it down.

(Flashback End)

U/n: She took my advice, but who would've figured she'll join the top guild and become a Floor-clearing Bad-ass?

Kirito: Yeah would've known.

I looked at Kirito and Sachi and smiled.

U/n: Looks like the Moonlit Black Cats made it to the front lines congratulations.

Kirito: Took some time, but yeah we got here.

I notice that Kirito and Sachi were holding hands. What surprised me the most is the rings that are on their fingers.

U/n: Wait a minute. Did you two get married?!

They both started blushing. I laughed.

U/n: Oh my god! You two did get married. How come you didn't tell me?

Kirito: I wanted it to be a surprise.

U/n: Well considered me surprised Kirito. But seriously I'm happy for the two of you. And kinda jealous.

Kirito walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

Kirito: I'm sure you'll find someone special, just gotta keep looking.

Agil: Maybe that person will be Asuna.

Agil joked.

U/n: Oh, ha ha. Yeah right, she hates my guts. Ain't no way that's happening.

Agil shrugged his shoulders. He was about to speak but I cut him off.

U/n: As much as I love to keep this conversation going, I got leveling to do. See ya.

I wave my hand as they did the same.

(Timeskip)

April 11, 2024

Floor 59: Danac

I was laying underneath a tree enjoying the nice weather outside. I had my eyes closed as I listened to the birds in the area. I heard the sound of footsteps.

Asuna: What are you doing?

Opening my eyes I stare up and saw Asuna who was looking down on me and not looking to happy.

U/n: What's it look like I'm doing? I'm laying down on the ground.

Asuna: Everyone in the Assault Team's working their butts off to clear the dungeon, and where do I find you? Out here, taking a nap. Even if you're a solo player, you should take this more--

U/n: This is Aincrad's nicest season. Today's weather is at its optimal setting.

Asuna: Huh?

U/n: I ain't wasting this nice weather to work on a day like this.

Asuna: Whatever. I can't believe you. Do you understand what's going on? Every day here is another one lost in the real world.

U/n: True, but currently we're not in the real world, are we? We're alive in Aincrad.

She stares at me slightly surprised. I felt a breeze in the air as the grass around me moved.

U/n: See? Doesn't that breeze feel good? And the sun?

I sigh contentedly.

Asuna: Oh, come on. The weather is always the same here.

U/n:*Yawns* If you tried laying down for a little bit, you'd understand what I'm saying.

Closing my eyes, I immediately took a nap.

(Timeskip)

I got up and yawned as I stretched my arms.

Looking down I gasp, laying down next to me was Asuna who had fallen asleep on the grass.

Player1: Damn, would you look at that?

I turn to the voice and say three players a couple of feet away from me and Asuna.

Player1: Taking a nap in the middle of the day.

Player2: Some people sure got it easy.

Player3:*Chuckling* couple of lazy losers, man.

I look back at Asuns sleeping form.

U/n: I can't believe she fell asleep.

I started rubbing my eyes.

U/n: If I had a marker, I would soooo draw cat whiskers on your face right about now.

(Timeskip)

I was sitting on top of a small stone wall watching the sunset. Just then I heard a sneeze behind me.

Turning around I saw Asuna moving ever so slightly. A few seconds later she sits up and looks around. I chuckle as I noticed the drool on her face. She notices me and looks at me. She gasps.

Asuna: What? Uh, uh...

U/n: Hey sleepy head. Did you have a good--

She immediately stands and went to grab her rapier. I grabbed a twig right next to me and jumped over the wall hiding behind it while holding up my twig.

U/n: Don't make me use this! I'll do it! I swear!

She inhales sharply.

Asuna: You get one meal.

U/n: Come again?

Asuna: One meal--

She fully stands up.

Asuna: All you can eat, my treat. Then we'll be even, deal?

U/n: Y-Yeah.

(Timeskip)

We were sitting in a restaurant filled with other people. We sat in silence at our table. I can hear some people talking about us.

Player4: That's Asuna from the "Knight of the Blood Oath."

Player5: Really?

Player6: Yeah, they call her the Lightning Flash.

Player7: Whose the shady looking guy with white hair?

I ignored them.

Asuna: Well, anyway...

I brought my attention to Asuna.

Asuna: Thank you for today.

U/n: Why?

Asuna: For keeping an eye on me me.

U/n: Oh, right. No problem.

Asuna: The towns are supposed to be safe zones, and unless you've agreed to a duel, a player can't attack or kill you. But when your asleep, you're vulnerable.

U/n: Yeah. Now we've got player killers who can cheat the duel system. Duels are normally a test of strength, not a fight to the death. But even if you duel in the safe zone, your Hp is still gonna drop based on the damage you take.

Asuna: All a sleep P.K.er has to do is manipulate a sleeping player's finger to click on the "Okay" button-- the duel begins like normal. But the sleep P.K.er is doing all of the attacking. God knows how many times it's happened.

I noticed her fingers twitching.

Asuna: So, anyway, thank you.

U/n: No problem, anytime. Well, you'll do the same for me. Probably.

We sat in silence once. Just then we a woman screams. We both gasp and jumped out of our seats.

Running outside we both saw a player hanging by the bell tower with a red sword impaled in his stomach.

A crowd below him started gasping in horror.

U/n: Hurry up and pull it out!

He stares at me and started to pull it.

Asuna: I'll cut him down. You catch him.

U/n: Got it.

Ran towards him to get underneath him.

U/n: Hang in there! Help's on the way.

He starts groaning and screaming.

U/n: Asuna isn't gonna make it in time.

I grabbed my sword and was about to use "Over Drive" to get him down, but I was too late. His body exploded into pixels as the sword that impaled him hit the ground.

U/n:(Thoughts) The only way he could have died in a safe zone is if he was beaten in a duel.

I turn to crowd.

U/n: Everyone! Look for the player with the "Winner" icon!

Doing so everyone looked around.

Asuna: There's no one here! The room's empty!

Asuna called out to me from above.

I looked around as well and tried to find the Winner icon but had no luck.

(Timeskip)

Me and Asuna were up in the tower looking at the scene of the murder. Both of us staring at the rope that held the player. While I held the weapon that killed the player.

U/n: Any idea how this could have happened?

Asuna: Well, there is always the obvious-- there was a duel, and the other guy impaled the victim with that spear. Then he put a noose around his neck and pushed him out of the window. Wouldn't you say that's about right?

U/n: It's the most logical conclusion. But I couldn't find the "Winner" icon on anyone.

Asuna: It Had to be a duel-- it's a safe zone, and a player died. A duel is the only thing it could have been.

I could hear the crowd murmuring below us.

Asuna: Or maybe not. Either way, we can't ignore this.

U/n: Yeah, we can't.

Asuna: As it is, a player takes huge risks going outside a safe zone, but if someone's found a way to P.K. Inside, no one's going to be safe in the towns, either.

I nodded my head.

U/n: Yeah, you're right.

Asuna: I guess we won't be going back to the front lines anytime soon.

She walks towards me and holds out her hand.

Asuna: Listen, you're going to work with me until we solve this thing. Until we do, there won't be any time for napping, okay?

I took her hand and started shaking it.

U/n: Sure, but you're the one who was napping.

She gasps and squeezed my hand hard as she can.

U/n: OW!

I pulled my hand back immediately and looked at it.

U/n: THAT REALLY HURT!

Asuna: Hmph!

She walks downstairs. I follow suit.

We made it to the streets and saw a crowd around the doorway.

U/n: Listen up--

I addressed to the crowd.

U/n: did anyone of you say what happened before that player died? If so, please speak up.

The crowd started murmuring. A purple haired girl walked forward and approached us.

Asuna: Sorry. I can imagine how frightened you are. Could you tell us your name?

Yoruko: Sure. My name is Yoruko.

U/n: Was that you? The one who screamed?

Yoruko: Uh, uh-huh. I-I knew him. His name was kains, and the two of us used to belong to the same guild.

She looked down in sadness.

Yoruko: Anyway, we came here together today. We were going to have dinner somewhere in town. But we got separated in the plaza. I looked around for him, and then I saw him hanging from that balcony, and...

She puts her hands over her mouth and started crying. Asuna put her hand on her back and started rubbing it.

Asuna: Was there anyone else up there?

Yoruko: For a second there-- I'm not sure-- but I think I did see someone standing behind Kains.

Asuna: And this person, had you seem them before?

She shakes her head.

U/n: I know this hard for you, but think back and try to remember-- could there be someone, Anyone, with the reason to kill him?

She shakes her head.

(Timeskip)

Yoruko: Thank you for walking me back. Sorry if it's out of your way.

We walk Yoruko to an inn after the incident.

Asuna: No worries. But we'd like to talk to you again tomorrow if your feeling up to it.

Yoruko: Okay.

She bows to us and walked inside her room closing the door.

U/n: What's next?

Asuna: Simple-- we follow the only solid clue we have. If we can find out where that spear came from, it might lead us straight to the killer.

U/n: We're gonna need someone with an appraisal skill. It's pretty obvious you don't have one.

Asuna: No I don't, and neither do you.

She stops.

Asuna: Oh, and by the way, try not to be so rude when you're speaking to me.

U/n: Oh. Okay. Uh, do you want me to call you Miss next time?

She huffs.

U/n: Second-in-command?

She gives me one of her signature stares.

U/n: Lightning Flash?

She sighs.

Asuna: Oh, nevermind. Call me Asuna.

U/n: Can do. Back to the appraisal skill, know anyone who has it?

Asuna: Hmm. I got a friend who does. She's a weapon merchant. But she's really busy these days, so I don't think she'll have time to help us.

U/n: No worries. I know someone, an item merchant. He might be able to help us.

(Timeskip)

We both walk the streets on Floor 50. We stop at a shady looking shop. The door opens and a player walks out holding a spear looking displeased. He sighs

Agil: Thanks, my man. Come back anytime.

He grumbles.

I walked in after he got out of the way.

U/n: Still running all the suckers down with those hard deals of yours I see.

Agil: No way-- U/n!

I walk over to the counter.

Agil: Buy cheap and sell cheap-- that's my motto. I'm a business man. You know that.

U/n: That "Selling Cheap" part's a lie though.

We fist pump each other.

Agil: Don't go slandering my good name, brother.

He notices Asuna behind me and gasps in shock. He grabs my neck and pulls me behind his counter.

U/n: Ack!

Agil: What the hell has gotten into you?! You're supposed to be a solo player, man! What are you doing hanging around with Asuna?! I thought you guys hated each other's guts, straight up!

I could hear Asuna chuckling nervously behind us.

Agil: What's the deal?!

(Timeskip)

We sat in the back of Agil's shop.

Agil: His Hp dropped to zero in a safe zone? You sure it wasn't a duel?

U/n: No one saw the "Winner" icon.

Asuna: And we can also rule out the murder being a sleep P.K. He was walking with Yoruko before it happened.

U/n: And his death was to convenient to be a random duel. Whomever killed him had this planned out. We're pretty sure of that. And then there's this.

I gestured to the sword on the table we were all sitting at.

Agil: Hmm.

Agil picks it up and inspects it.

Agil: A player named this.

U/n: Really?

Asuna: Who was it? Can you tell us who made it?