The Exploiter (A Sword Art Online Fanfic)

Chapter 18:Heatcliff

The guards formed two lines to keep the crowd away from us as we entered into the camp. All around us, people started at me and kirito, some angry, some disinterested, but a select few whose friends I had probably hurt looked at me in visceral fear, as if the guards lining the camp wouldn't keep me away from them.

We quickly walked to the largest camp in the tent, which probably belonged to heathcliff. Two large guards stopped kirito as he tried to enter along with me. One of them pulled him aside and started to whisper in his ear.

I looked away, trying to give them some privacy before my curiosity overtook me. I activated my searching skill, and leaned in to eavesdrop.

"-another player killing in the town. This one's a bit more weird, though. Heathcliff has already sent his second in command there.But he thinks she could use your help."

Kirito seemed to pause for  a moment, and then came up to me and grabbed my arm." I'll see you soon. Try to stay out of trouble."

I opened my mouth to say something snarky, but after seeing his serious face, I stopped. These player killings had been probably going on for some time now, but kirito wasn't the type to get used to people dying.

After I waved him off, I stepped though the folds of the tent and closed the flaps. As if on cue, a man rose from his chair to greet me. I quickly averted my eyes to the ground and kneeled before him. This man was going to judge me. It wouldn't hurt to butter him up.

The man gestured for me to get up, and as I saw his face, I felt a strange familiarity. It was like I was seeing an old friend or an actor I just half remembered. The man's features had a strangely pulled appearance, like he was purposely altered to appear approachable.

I shook the feeling off. It was time to put on my charms to save myself, not to look like an idiot. However, before I could open my mouth, the man began a speech, almost as if it was pre-rehearsed.

"Most of the red players I meet are irredeemably evil. Some kill each other for profit, some for fun. Most of them I just send to black iron palace to be imprisoned until someone beats the game. You, however, are a rarity-someone with a hope for redemption." 

I inclined my head." Is that a compliment?"

Heathcliff continued on as if I hadn't interrupted him." You are not a killer, but you harm others as if it is a mere inconvenience for you." He sighed, and crashed into his chair, his grandiose gone." If I was thinking only about myself, I'd have you executed because you don't look like you want to stay in prison. But I am a leader, and I must take care of my people. So if you can be used in a way in which others cannot, I'm all ears. Tell me why I shouldn't execute you."

I stared at him dumbfounded. What was supposed to be a fight for survival had turned into a job interview.

"I, uh, well, I can cook?"I smiled, attempting some humor to win heathcliff over. He instead glazed at me with a look that made me want to  die. I combed my mind for anything of use I could offer.

"Unique skills." I blurted out. Heathcliff looked at me as if he was seeing me in a new light." I learned more about them recently. And I think I know how to acquire one."

Heathcliff gestured for me to continue." Your holy shield skill, and all the other weapon skills that seem unique, I think I know the criteria for getting one. If you obtain a certain title, like your  <<Living legend>> or kirito's <<Black Swordsman>>, I think the system awards you with such a skill."

Heathcliff looked like he wanted to interrupt, but he decided against it.

"I think if I can get a system assigned name for a great feat of skill, then I can get a unique skill." I paused to let this sink in before continuing.

"I heard the red guild laughing coffin is giving you a lot of trouble. And I think that one way to get a unique skill is to kill the most umber of red players. We both get what we want, you solve a problem and I get a way to beat the game."

Heathcliff looked at me as if I was mad, and then he grinned and extended his hand. I took it in my own, and shook it, taking the first step on my bloody path.

Author's Note:

We've reached 1K views! Yay! In honor of that, I've decided to think about including romance in the story. Vote if you want romance or not down below using your comments.

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