Sword Art Online : Akari's Story [Discontinued]

Chapter 7: What a Stubborn Lady!

The fallen leaves under my feet crunched as I stepped on them in a rush. Small beads of sweat slid down my forehead as the wind quickly carried them away.

Besides my own panting, I couldn't hear any other sounds that creeped to my ears. A faint feeling of dismay and panic swirled inside me. A similar emotion to when I was almost killed by a wolf.

My feet took me to wherever possible, even to the depths of the forest. As long as that thing chasing after me would long be gone.

I dodged trees and roots that could possibly trip me from my marathon. Occasionally, I would look back to see if I had lost the dark silhouette that was going after me. But to my disappointment, it was still there, maintaining the same distance.

Right now it is daylight, but I couldn't feel the warmth of the sun as the tall swarming green of the trees served as an umbrella for me. I was running right under the shadows of the trees.

I looked back over my shoulder again, staring at my prepator, but I couldn't guess what expression it had right now. But at that moment, I regretted making that move.

"Ah-!"

I felt a hard solid object hit my leg. As soon as I confirmed the impact, I covered my head and face as I fell to the ground. A throbbing pain came from my ankle, but because of the system it didn't hurt as much as it should in real life. I looked down and saw that it was a tree root that had stopped me in my tracks.

Fearfully, taking a glance, I saw the shadow creptfully moving fast like a ninja. Sensing the danger, I panicked and backed away as soon as I got up.

I decided to stop running away and so put my legs to a halt. I equipped my sword and faced the shadow with fire burning in my eyes.

"I'm not gonna run anymore!"

I shouted. I heard a small laugh as a response from the silhouette.

My enemy was also holding a sword, but one with greater quality. It stepped lightly on the ground, as if it was a rabbit that hopped softly. I could only see mirages from it as it effortlessly made its way to me. Within a second, I deliberately clashed swords with it. I clenched my teeth and held my breath from overwhelming nervousness.

Because of the speed that couldn't keep up with the figure, the debris of dirt rose like smoke and surrounded us both, defeaning the sight from my eyes. We continued clashing swords in an intense battle. I felt it's overwhelming power every time our attacks collided. I was clearly on the losing streak but I still coudn't give up.

I decided to put all my strength into the next slash of my sword. But then, I was suddenly pushed back. I didn't realize that my opponent thought of the same thing and pushed me with all its strength. I lost my grip on the sword and it went flying into the air.

I fell to the ground with a loud "thud!" My eyes glared at the silhouette, then without a second thought I quickly took out my second weapon that was hiding in my boot. A dagger.

But before I could even get up, it leaped over me and snatched away the small knife, as well as, locking both of my hands above my head to restrain my movements. I struggled but I couldn't get out of its strong grip.

I gnarled at him, to the boy whose face was just inches from mine. His name was Gin. And right now, he was wearing a smug smile. I could almost just smell the fresh mint of his breath.

"Surrender." He said with a slight chuckle.

"No." I stuck out my tongue like a child.

"You know you can't beat me." He ignored my offensive action and continued on.