SWORD ART ONLINE (SAO)

Chapter 7: Betrayal and Resolve

 The next morning, Kirito stood in front of the labyrinth entrance on the 27th floor, his breath visible in the crisp air. He paced anxiously, scanning the surroundings for any sign of the Moonlight Black Cats. The labyrinth loomed before him, a dark, foreboding structure that seemed to whisper of the dangers within. His thoughts were interrupted as the familiar figures of Keita and his guild members approached. They greeted Kirito warmly, and he nodded in return.

"Thanks for coming, everyone," Kirito said. "I'm glad we could meet up. Let's get this done."

Keita, looking a bit uneasy, gave a nod. "We're grateful for your help. We've been searching for this rare item for a while now. We really need the money from it to repay our debt."

Kirito's curiosity was piqued. "Debt? How serious is it?"

Keita glanced at his guild members, then sighed. "It's substantial. We borrowed a lot to equip ourselves properly for the game, and now we're struggling to keep up with the payments. This item could really help us out."

Kirito nodded, understanding the urgency. The group entered the labyrinth, and the eerie silence was almost unnerving. The twisting corridors and dim lighting created a sense of foreboding. Kirito's senses were on high alert as they moved deeper into the labyrinth.

Hours seemed to pass without encountering a single monster, which only heightened Kirito's suspicion. "This feels off," he murmured to himself, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

As they approached the room with the treasure chest, Kirito halted the group. "Wait," he said, raising his hand. "Something doesn't feel right. There should be monsters around. This might be a trap."

Keita and the others exchanged worried glances. "What do you suggest?" Keita asked, his voice tense.

"Let's take a cautious approach," Kirito proposed. "Only one of us should enter the room to check the chest. If it's a trap, we don't want all of us to be caught."

The Moonlight Black Cats members huddled together, discussing the plan. Their close bonds were evident in their animated conversation. Keita's face was etched with concern. "We can't just sacrifice one of us. We're like family."

Kirito, observing their camaraderie, understood the gravity of the situation. "I'll go," he said firmly. "I don't mind taking the risk. I'll check it out."

The guild members hesitated. Sachi's eyes were filled with worry. "Are you sure, Kirito?"

Kirito nodded. "Yes. I'll be fine. Just make sure to stay on guard."

Reluctantly, the guild members agreed. Before Kirito entered the room, he and the Moonlight Black Cats exchanged friend requests. Keita, with a look of both gratitude and apprehension, said, "Good luck. We'll be here, waiting for you."

With a final nod, Kirito stepped into the room. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. He approached the treasure chest cautiously, his senses alert for any sign of danger. As he reached for the chest, a blinding red light filled the room. The door slammed shut behind him, sealing him inside.

Panic surged through Kirito as monsters began to materialize from the shadows, surrounding him on all sides. His heart raced as he drew his sword and prepared for battle. The monsters closed in, their eyes glowing menacingly in the dim light.

Outside the room, Keita and the rest of the guild watched with growing concern. "We need to stay put," Keita said, trying to stay calm. "Kirito's in there alone. We can't risk going in ourselves."

Then they noticed monsters respawning around the corners of the labyrinth. They checked the map which revealed that the number of red dots started to increase along the way they came in. Ducker, visibly nervous, made a sudden decision. "I'm not staying here. I don't want to die." He activated a special rare item and fled, leaving the group behind.

The remaining members of the Moonlight Black Cats were left in shock. "We need to get out of here," Keita said urgently. "If the monsters are coming from all directions, we'll be overrun."

Reluctantly, the group made their way out of the labyrinth. Their health bars were critically low, and their spirits were even lower. Once outside, they gathered at a safe location to heal.

The tension was palpable as they rested. The mood was somber, with everyone feeling the weight of their decision. Keita turned to his guild members, frustration evident in his voice. "Ducker shouldn't have left. We lost Kirito, and now he's probably dead." They were so mad at Ducker's selfish behavior and betrayal. At the same time, they were so sad for Kirito as well. They all feel responsible for his death.

Back in the labyrinth, Kirito fought with relentless determination. He used every skill at his disposal—sword techniques, dual blades, and battle healing—to fend off the monsters. Each victory was hard-won, and his health bar was constantly under threat. Despite the odds, Kirito refused to give up. He pushed through exhaustion, focusing on surviving the onslaught.

Hours later, Kirito emerged from the labyrinth, battered but victorious. His health was restored thanks to his healing ability, but his heart sank when he realized the Moonlight Black Cats were nowhere to be seen. He was hoping that they would wait for him, but there was no sign of them.

The betrayal cut deeper than any monster's strike. Kirito felt a profound sense of loneliness and disappointment. He had risked his life for them, only to be abandoned when he needed them most. With a heavy heart, he was determined to continue his journey despite the harsh reality of his situation.

As the bright light of the new floor enveloped him, Kirito looked back one last time, hoping for any sign of acknowledgment or redemption. But the labyrinth remained silent, a stark reminder of the harshness of Aincrad.