54 Chapter 54: ....Can I say No to this? No? Ah, fine then.

-???-

".....This is fuck*d up."

Humanity always has two sides.

One who bathes in light, while another hide in darkness. No matter where do they live, what age it will be, this concept will never able to be erased.

Much less, to humanity consisting of 'good' and 'bad' side at the same time.

...But well, sometimes one side can be too large, shaping the world according to their wants.

Laughing Coffin.

Every single player in Aincrad probably agrees on the fact that this guild is the most dastardly guild formed in SAO history.

You name it, they do it.

Killing is of course, but torturing player to the limit is one of the common traits shared among all members of this guild. Adding salt to the wound, they even do it while laughing jovially, which is disgusting.

In a sense, they are 'failed' product who can't blend into human society properly even by wearing a mask.

So, when one certain lunatic scientist invites them to a new playground that could release all of their pent-up desire, it was..... refreshing.

Just like a kid who finds a Toyland paradise, they 'play' it to the fullest. Sure, there may be some 'adults' who stop them, but who cares? They could still suppress them or just outright dash away in a speed of sound.

....Until one as*hole ruin all of the party.

"....Haaahhh...."

"...You okay Boss?"

"Can you even say that while knowing the situation we are in, you dolthead?"

"...Soz."

Really, when they first started this game is 'real' sense, they thought it will be their second world for the rest of their lives. It can even be interpreted as certainty.

Who can't blame them?

On the first day, just how many players drop out from this hell hole? Hundreds of people? If it's counted on the minimum standard, then yes. Of course, this statistic hasn't included the number of players who chose suicide since it will triple the numbers.

After all, asking a community with most members who lack 'proper' skill to climb up this dang tower is just surpassing insane, reaching to the realm of impossible.

Much less, when they only have one life only with no safe line called 'new game'.

Adding the last touch, forcing them to beat the sh*t of the game master on the last floor?

No way.

There is 99.99% percent of them failing even without speculating it deeply.

So these guys could enjoy the game in a twisted way.

.....And now, it is on the brink of collapsing.

Every single one of them, grit their teeth oh-so-badly thinking the reason for this depressing situation.

(....That shi*ty bastard! Why can't he just die!!)

These days, they couldn't rampage freely anymore. If someone asks why then it's because they will be killed immediately, that is.

The Silver Star, Rein.

Indeed, that man is always at the center of attention. Either in clearing the floors or on the person itself, players never end their unlimited interest to this single player.

Some said, he is the hope itself. Some said, he is the hero who leads them out from this game.

....As for Laughing Coffin, he is a bast*rd.

Not only that guy never stops on progressing in this world, but he also does it in an extremely fast pace.

That only is already depressing news, but now he even has the audacity to lead the army to exterminate them on the name of purging evil.

On a contract with Diavel, Rein also makes one agreement.

Exterminate the red players at all times with him.

Which means, either Diavel wished it or not, Rein could 'borrow' his guild members to do subjugation criminal guilds. Plus, he also threatened the three guilds involved on Christmas Eve if they don't want their reputation to get a hit.

Then what do you think it will happen if all these big shots gathered on one purpose only?

"....Fu*k."

It was one clean swoop.

They may be pro on killing players, but when facing veterans who faced the battlefield at all times, it's hopeless.

It's not battle already. A massacre is more appropriate to describe it.

In a few weeks only, about 80 percent off criminal guild had been disbanded, arrested or executed on spot. Of course, that numbers also include them too.

And it is still increasing until this moment.

Most front clearing guilds worry about the ultimate purpose will be slowed down, but no. That man could still clear the floor on schedule with his ridiculous solo clear on floor boss.

(.....In the end, it's that guy.)

So they need to think of a plan. If it goes this way, then they will be extinct. Not on figurative speech, but on literal sense.

"....Boys, there's no playtime anymore."

"....."

"From this moment on, all of us have to think something to give a big 'Fu*k you' to that as*hole. If not, then just give up and die right now."

What a sad opening to start a strategic meeting.

But nobody opposed to their boss' words. All of them have heard, understand, and experience that man's strength.

So every one of them, without exception use their heads to the fullest to royally screw him for good.

And they certainly have a chance for that in the near future.

....But at the same time.

It could be their demise as well.

********

Well then, how about the current state of the person himself?

Does he feel scared? Does he feel pressured? Or, is he in the middle of desperation?

No, not really.

Instead, he is feeling....flabbergasted on how 'wondrous' this scene he's currently facing.

"LIKE. I. SAID!!"

BAM!!

(Ah, the table isn't broken, right? Fuuhh... luckily there's a non-destruction option in it.)

"We need to act as soon as possible to stop him! If not, who knows what happen to my dear friend!!"

"....You say that, but aren't you just being worrying too much? It's him, we are talking about, you know?"

"And precisely because it's HIM I'm feeling worried! Can you absolutely be sure my friend won't be affected by his 'poison fang' !?"

"...Well if you put it that way, I can't give a rebuttal."

"RIGHT!!"

Now, for bystanders, this situation will be very confusing. But, there's always proper reasoning behind any case.

Well... this one is just particularly.....funny?

2 hours ago, Kirito suddenly asked Rein, Agil, and Sachi out of the blue to recommend one-handed sword that is on par with his current weapon, Elucidator.

Two of them immediately shake their heads and glare at him for asking a ridiculous request. In their hearts, "You think a weapon on the same level of a boss monster drop can be found just because you ask?"

Besides, they also even wondered, why does he even need an extra weapon if his main one is already that excellent? Having a spare is good and all, but will there be a situation where his sword be broken in half?

Probably not.

But Rein immediately recognized his predicament so he recommended one blacksmith that could respond to his quest.

So, Kirito immediately thanked him and dashed away to the place.

But there's a tiny, ve~~~~ry small problem.

You see, the blacksmith that Rein recommended is 'coincidentally' one of Asuna's best friend in here and even in the real world too.

Of course, that blacksmith is a woman, young girl to boot.

Some person may wonder why the hell a woman would even be involved on sweat filling job. But hey, no need to be sexist on a person's job, right?

Anyway, the reason Asuna is making a huge fuss in this middle of a nice afternoon while (probably?) disturbing neighbors around Rein's house is because of Kirito's....trait.

(...Pfft, kind of funny if I think about it, huh?)

The thing is, no matter what the outsider Rein do, involving with Kirito's life or not, his ultimate buff of being the protagonist won't just disappear like that. Nay.

Kirito can be a bit awkward with people. But being friends with him, then you get a reliable man on your friend list.

Sadly, being 'reliable' could have many different meanings interpreted depending on the person itself.

Asuna herself personally experience just how that gamer junkie act toward girls, alright. She doesn't mean to condemn him. She respects and treats him as a fellow friend who could be trusted for her back.

But as a girl herself, then she could flatly say "No way."

Seriously, that boy could be so natural on fluttering maiden's heart just like on the back of his hand without much effort. Excluding the heroines, there are quite several girls who become his fan or admirer. Compared to Rein himself, it might not be much but it is an enviable situation that could make bachelor like Klein tears of blood.

Worse, combining his cute boyish look with a bit of airheadedness, then nightmare it is.

Even she and Sachi herself sometimes talk on his back, "Is he really that dense?"

If it's a girl that she doesn't know then fine. She's not that boorish to pick on his nose nor cared much about it.

But for her acquaintance? Much more her best friend?

Now that is a different story.

"....So, what do you want to do then? Since two and half hour already passed, can it already be said as too late?"

"On whose fault do you think that is!?"

"Of course it's Kirito's fault."

"Y-you are not wrong but!!! Ahhh! Why is it her out of all blacksmiths !!?"

"Because she's one of the best?"

"Kuh!!"

When Rein pointed that out calmly and flatly, even Asuna can only close her mouth grudgingly.

He has a point. Rather, two points.

Firstly, he just recommends that blacksmith because he trusts the person's morality and skills. Secondly, whether Kirito successfully flirts or not, it is truly not his problem.

....Well, if he is asked whether he doesn't do it on purpose or not, then he may need to lie a bit. Because he does want to see Kirito being flustered on choosing which 'flowers', which is cute to him.

(Ahem. Good luck my friend! You could do it!)

What a weird guy he is. Well, too bad for Kirito for having a friend like this.

But, Rein has one misunderstanding.

It is valid if the heroines truly like Kirito just like in original, which is not anymore.

It has been derailed already. By a whole lot, to boot.

Well, they say ignorance is bliss, so he could keep his small delusion.

Anyway, back to the main point.

Since it already reached this far, Asuna could not stop Kirito on the encounter with her friend.

So, she changes her approach immediately. She opens her friend list to track the location of Kirito with the minimap shown. Then, when she found out the location given, she faces toward her guild master.

"Guild master, I need you to accompany right at this moment! At least take responsibility for your words!!"

(....*sigh* I couldn't say no with her temper, alright. Geez.)

With a bitter smile, he responds back to the girl.

"....Alright. What do you want to do?"

With a determined expression just like going to war, Asuna declares with utmost confidence.

"We are going to stalk them!!"

.

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...

....

.....

(Can I say no to this?)

Nope, he can't.