Sword Art Online: The Duo Factors

Chapter 16: Reunion.

Year 2024, October 19th. Aincrad Standard Time, 09:00. Floor 50, Algade.

In the next day after the boss fight in Floor 74, Kirito was hiding out in Agil's shop. The owner reads the exaggerating scripts on the newspaper.

Agil: "The Legendary Oathkeeper had saved an Army Squadron before the Blue Demon starts its annihilation. But it was suppressed by a player who wielded Dual Swords that deals 50 slash combos on the boss." I can't believe what a big deal they're making it out in this day! Haha!

He laughs out..

Kirito: Yeah, it's going up right on my face.. A buttloads of Swordsmen and info brokers showed up at my place this morning. Now I needed a new pad because they know where I live.

Lisbeth teases him while she is helping Agil out with the items.

Lisbeth: Yeah well, that's sorta kind of your own fault. You said it was gonna be our little secret, but you went and blab to everyone~ Hehe.

She smirks.. He feels unease at all. But he takes a glance at Oathkeeper who is resting on the bed.

Kirito: I guess Lai won't know about this, for now..

Agil: Yeah.. And how's Koharu doing?

Lisbeth: She's doing okay on the Front Lines with the Moonlit Black Cats, you know.. Back to her normal self. But deep down inside her, she's still traumatized about losing him.

Kirito: Yeah.. We're talking about Lai. Not just another player.. He really means a lot to her. And she placed as the most important person to him.

Agil crosses his arms..

Agil: He's a real deal hero.. I'm sure many things had changed to a better way by his influence. I can clearly tell that since there's no Player Killing has ever happened around in Aincrad.

Kirito: But what about the ones who got killed by him?

They both silent as he mentions the deaths.

Agil: ...

Lisbeth: Kirito.. Now's not the time to concern about the deaths. I mean, he had to. Right?

He agrees with Lisbeth..

Agil: Liz's right. He had to.. Or else murder would have happened in real life too. Besides, it's damn impossible to be pacifist all the time in this death game.

Lai: Ugh...

Kirito: Huh?

Three of them just noticed him awakes from his long sleep. He places a hand onto his head.

Lai: ...Where am I?

Kirito: You're in Agil's shop. We had took down the Boss in Floor 74. Koharu should be back any-

He stops Kirito from finishing his sentence and replies with harsh tone.

Lai: Tell her to leave me alone..

Kirito: Huh? What are you saying?

Lisbeth: Yeah! She's not your toy or something! This is not how you treat a girl!

He slams the table, mercilessly shutting them up. They both respond with a shock. He glares and points at Kirito.

Lai: I saw what she was about to do! Don't you try covering it all and hide from me, Kirito!!

Kirito: You..! You saw it all!?

Then, Agil cuts in..

Agil: Calm down, man! This isn't gonna solve anything, Lai!