Dungeon Oratoria Online

Chapter 7

Preface:

Hello all!

Consider chapters seven and eight as two halves of one chapter if you would. It was simply too long for me to put it all in one.

Also, there are like two? massive exposition dumps coming your way in this chapter.

So, action is a bit slow in these chapters, and it's very Asuna focused, but I believe the chapters after that will become far more exciting :)

See ya,

PS. I've added whose POV each section is in with their name or location in italics and underlined.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Chapter 7 – Ditched for a Raid

Asuna:

"You're… I mean…" Kirito's voice was weak.

That was to be expected though. It was hard to believe that someone like me, who struggled to fight on the fifth floor would be doing something like this. Another joy of a big familia I suppose.

Unsure if I'd see him today, I went to the dungeon at the usual time. Waiting in the lobby when I'd arrived was everyone from yesterday: Argo, rain, and Philia. But no Kirito. Standing there in a heavy silence, we waited as the clock slowly ticked towards nine o'clock.

"Hey guys." Greeting us with a weak smile, he was here.

"Kirito…"

"Hey Kii-bou."

"Privyet Kirito-kun!"

"Heya!"

Four different yet synonymous greetings.

"Sorry I was late, the Ganesha familia girl showed up again to apologize."

That comment sobered all of us up pretty quickly. That woman was… formidable.

"I find it hard to believe Hestia let you come?" Philia's question helps to put the conversation back on rails.

Laughing weakly, Kirito scratches his head. "She was extremely against the idea, but I had to. Monday was little more than a half day and yesterday I didn't go in at all. If I don't get back on the grind, I'll start to fall behind!"

Giving him a mild glare, I let it go. I feel it too, that urge to keep pushing. Even though Monday had been an arduous event, my body was recovered and ready to keep getting stronger.

"There is um, something I should tell you all." My words bring everyone's gazes to me. Staying that way, they wait patiently for me to finish my revelation. "On Friday, as I'm sure your Deities told you, the guild is allowing the native adventurers back into the dungeon. That same day, a raid is planned to supress the Goliath. I'll be going along as a supporter for Loki familia on that day."

In the background, continuous sounds rang out, oblivious to our conversation. But in the circle, silence prevailed. It was as if someone had pushed the mute button on a group call.

"You're… I mean…"

"That's super risky Asuna! Why would your goddess do that to you!?" Unlike Kirito, Rain's voice rings out loud and clear.