Sword Art Online: The Victorian Kingpin

Chapter 1: Encounter

February 28, 2024
Floor 24
11.00 a.m.
"Shit, never thought I'd run into them!",

Asuna thought as she ran through the snowy forest as three figures in cloaks chased after her, letting out their sadistic cackle.

"You can run but you can't hide, little girl!", the one with the cleaver-like axe laughed.

"Run all you want, it just makes it more fun!", the one wielding a broadsword continued.

"Do us a favor and let us kill you fast and quietly.", the sword user added, before all three laughed.

"Damn, these psychotic Laughing Coffin members!"

After running for awhile, the girl stopped to catch her breath. She looked around and realised that the three figures were nowhere near.

"That's strange! My detection skill should have picked up their presences up from 10 meters away.", she breathed heavily.

"Maybe they got tired and have given up!".

But as she start to feel relieved, she heard some sound coming from behind her. She jumped back and hovered her over her rapier.

"Who's there? Show yourself!", she shouted.

A tall figure with brownish-back hair then appeared, walking towards her. He was wearing a black Victorian-style leather trench coat. He seems to be dragging something, which she realised there were the ones chasing her. She stood there in shock.

"W-what did you-", she asked in shock.

"Don't worry. I've only paralyzed them.", the man replied while rubbing his neck.

"Anyway, do you have any teleport crystals to spare?", the man asked.

"Why?"

"I didn't think I would be finding these creeps up here. They usually attack at the lower floor."

"Your point...", Asuna asked impatiently.

"Basiclly, I'll be taking them to my guild and make them spill about their hideout."

Asuna then grew suspicious and ask, "Why not I take them off your hand? I am the sub-leader of-"

"Knights of Blood, I can tell by your uniform. I rather not have their guild going for a mass-murder on your guild."

Angered, she closed in on him and refuted, "You think we're weak? The Knights of Blood is one of the strongest guild in Aincrad."

The man seems unfazed and said,
"For those pre-programmed monsters, your guild is the best.."

He then lifted the three psychos with one hand and continued, "but, these monsters can think constantly, changing from one style of attack to another at random. Think you can take these evolving monsters head-on?"

Asuna was speechless. What he said was true. The difference gap between the monsters with A.I. and them are as vast as the ocean.

"Besides, my gang has been fighting them for a while, so don't worry."

He then turns and walked away as he raise the crystal and chants, "Teleport to 20th Floor!"

"Wait-", Asuna called out to him, soon blue light engulf him and the LC members, and they were gone.

"I didn't get to say thank you."