The Seventh Case

Chapter 15

2 Months Later

Asuna was viciously biting her nails as she stood in front of the gate of the floor's boss. Kazuto chuckled on seeing her irritated and agitated expression.

"Easy for you to laugh. I am the one who has to act as your bait. I think I am going to retract my words, Kazuto-kun", she frowned at her fiance who slyly feigned ignorance.

"Just because I said I am even ready to give you my own life does NOT mean that it is the only thing you HAVE to ask from me", she snapped, repeatedly jabbing him in his sternum with her index finger. Kazuto was unfazed at her miniature outburst and smiled in response aggravation her even further.

"Even if you were in some problem, do you think I would let something happen to you?", Kazuto asked, raising his eyebrows and Asuna nodded her head with a frown on her face.

"That hurt", he smiled, rubbing his heart with his closed fist and Asuna immediately crashed into him.

"My gut tells me something wrong is going to happen in this battle. I truly hope I am wrong, but what if.."

Kazuto immediately silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"If something goes bad on your side, I have your back. If something goes bad on mine...", he dragged, waiting for her to finish and she smiled in response.

"I'll be the one protecting you", she replied cupping his cheeks. Kazuto gripped her hands with his own and for possibly the thousandth time, he was lost in the sea of her hazel eyes. Using the chance in a vain attempt to tilt his feelings towards herself, Asuna slowly leaned into a kiss.

She internally smiled when she felt him momentarily falter. Her internal smile widened and she could almost feel Stacia's sexual drive begin to take over her.

Instantly, Kazuto shot up and turned to his left. Heathcliff and the others were teleporting to the spot and Asuna stepped away from him, cursing her bad luck.

"I ALMOST HAD HIM!!! WHO IS THAT?", Stacia roared inside Asuna's head and she could feel the older woman turn the gears of her manipulative brain.

"I assume everyone is prepared?", Heathcliff asked everyone, adjusting his shield. A lot of roars and grunts were heard. Heathcliff gave a nod of respect to Kazuto and placed his hand on the door as he was obviously the leader of the clearing team.

The door opened, revealing a nine headed water monster. The monster sneered at them and took a defensive position immediately.

<<The Hydra>>

Message:

A small hand to you. This is a replica of the same mythical hydra from the Greek mythology. If you are aware, then you know how to kill it. How you do so is none of my concern. If you do not know, you should invest your time in the history of other countries. Ignorance can often result in a grave ending.

"What is this? He has never sent us a message before. Why is he doing it now?", Coper yelled at the message. Heathcliff sighed and tapped his shield.

"Forget his message. To those of you who do not know, the Hydra will have to be killed in a peculiar way. The middle head spews fire while the rest do not. When beheaded, the stump should be immediately burnt with fire, preferably the fire of the central head making it our last victim. If we are not fast, two heads will grow in the place of one and that is obviously not a desirable task", Heathcliff explained as he scanned the crowd for doubtful expressions.

"They are progressing too fast. Give me a small hand. Keep Kirito alive, but if desired and if required, kill the spare. That should give him the drive to meet me"