16 Chapter 15 - Laughing Coffin

It was just a room of Asuna, Kirito, and me.

"D-didn't I request something less flashy?" said Kirito.

"It's one of the far less flashy ones. It looks great on you!" responded Asuna.

"I mean... couldn't I get something like Zhong Yuan's?" asked Kirito

My outfit was simple. I was wearing simply gray clothing with a coat purely white with the word "KoB" in red in the back. Kirito distressed, simply jumped to his bed and covered his eyes.

"A guild, huh?"

"I didn't mean to drag you into this."

"No, it's a good chance. I was reaching the limits of what a solo player can do."

"That does make me feel better, but... Hey, Kirito-kun... I want you to tell me why you avoid guilds...and other people." asked Asuna seriously. I, without care, just stood in the corner of the room.

"It isn't just because you're a beta tester or have a unique skill, right? You're a nice person."

Being silent for a while, Kirito speaks up.

"It was a long time ago. Over a year ago... I did join a guild, just one time. The guild was tiny, only five other members. It was called the Moonlit Black Cats. To be honest, their levels were far lower than mine. So I though if I'd told them my true level, they would have reconsider. But I hid it and joined their guild. The way they all seemed so comfortable together was something I coveted."

"And they all died." I acted up.

Kirito was looking down, in grief while Asuna was in shock.

"What happened?" Asuna asked. And Kirito recalled her the story of how the guild died. In this state of depression, Asuna went up to Kirito and said.

"I'm not going to die because... I'm the one who will protect you." And Asuna hugged Kirito.

'Fucking Kirito!' I yelled in my head and went out of the room.

***

"Training?" (Kirito)

"That's right. You'll form a party of with me and two others and we'll clear the dungeon here on the 55th floor." (Godfree)

"Wait Godfree... Kirito and I will-" (Asuna)

"Even as the second-in-command, you can't ignore the rules." (Zhong Yuan)

Coming in abruptly, I interrupted Asuna.

"Come on Kirito, we are waiting for you." (Zhong Yuan)

And I left.

*****

Kirito was walking out of the Knights of Blood Headquarters and saw Godfree and me. His face was all fine until he saw Godfree pull out Kuradeel into view.

"What is this?"

"From now on, we're all part of the same guild. I though it would be a good time to move past this."

Kuradeel then goes to apologize to Kirito and bows, with Kirito feeling suspicous. Then, Godfree asks us to give him all the crystals to see how we'll react to dangerous situations. Kuradeel goes up first, and Kirito goes next, but before he does.

"Keep one of your crystals for safety." I whispered.

Kirito, unsure, follows my suggestion and we head of to the entrance of the 55th floor.

***

Kuradeel passes bottles to me, Godfree, and Kirito, and Godfree being as carefree as he can drinks it while Kirito follows up. I knew what was going to happen so before that, I prepare an antidote and drink it with the water. Kirito, drinking, notices Kuradeel smirking and throws the bottle into the sky. Both Kirito and Godfree get paralyzed and laid down, under their convulsions. I just acted as being paralyzed and laid down too. Getting up, Kuradeel starts laughing uncontrollably.

"Wh-what is this? Kuradeel, weren't you the one who brought this water?" (Godfree)

"Hurry up and use the antidote!" (Kirito)

Kuradeel, notices and kicks the crystal off Godfree's hand while I secretly get up and prepare my needles.

I whisper, "Cripple."

And I threw two needles straight into both of his elbows.

"What's the meaning of this Kuradeel?"

Kuradeel, shaken, starts panicking and tries to run away. I just get two more needles and send them to his ankles. He trips and I walk to Kirito, feeding him an antidote.

"Kuradeel, you better start talking or I'll remove everything you have, including your clothes."

Kuradeel shrieking, I start removing his top and pants and tied him up like those S/M manga where your feet and hands are tied together.

"Kirito and Godfree, are you guys okay?"

"That guys shaved off some of my health with his kick, but I'm fine." (Godfree)

"I'm fine too." (Kirito)

"Okay. Now Kuradeel, will you please let me know what this sign on you arm mean?" And I pointed to the Laughing Coffin insignia.

"Laughing Coffin..." both Kirito and Godfree answer.

"Where are the remaining members?" I asked.

"I don't know! All I know is that a spy and hostaged girl is free and that their guild leader is free! I met him during Kirito and Guild Leader's duel!"

"Do you have any of his contacts or know where to find him?" (Zhong Yuan)

"I don't know, but I know he is acting low near the lower levels!" (Kuradeel)

"That's all I need." (Zhong Yuan)

I take out my katana from my sheath and chopped his head off clean.

"Why did you do that!" (Kirito)

"Anyone who tries to kill me should know the repercussions..."

While Kirito stood shocked, I took my leave and I teleported away using a crystal.

Next goal: Killing PoH