Sword Art Online: Regeneration (Uprising)

25: Epilogue

The first thing I felt slowly coming back into my senses was what felt like my hand, slowly stretched out. Clamped by another hand. My sight returns to a complete vision and it was Asuna-sensei, wrapped her hand around mine, already asleep sat next to my bed.

I turn the other side and Yui was there, snoring gently. I caressed the side of her head and carefully slipped out of Asuna-sensei's grip.

Both of them. Were people I did treasure and who I have left to trust in this shitty world. But at my state right now, my skills won't be enough to protect both from harm. I could barely manage to save Yui, losing my best friend in the process, let alone my sensei.

     Asugaya. Dead because I couldn't protect him either, Yuuki as well.

     There was only one way to protect them. I would have to leave them for a while. I had to be really high leveled before coming back, I was only at my low eighties, and grinding was going to be harder now now that most mobs are barely even level 20.

     With nothing on me but my white gakuran and black pants. Not even a sword. I had to start from scratch.

     It would be best that they didn't know I'm leaving. They'll only want me to stay and I can't grow if I'll only rely on them. I felt like I was slacking off the work. I needed to keep improving and working. I had to. I promised Atsuo I would.

     I got off the bed and carefully put the blanket over Yui. She was almost like a little sister. She would never leave my side nor Atsuo's. Naive for an artificial intelligence but sweet and kind. She must've gotten that from uncle Kirito then.

     I open my menu settings and looked at my friend's list. Not including Yui, Asuna was the only person able to fight.

     There was an option in the list to become invisible towards friends. They cannot track you down in maps or find out your status, they simply only saw your name and level.

      Do you wish to activate invisibility?

     Yes<<<

     No

     I turn back at them.

     "All this time, you always looked after me." I felt a tear fall down, "Thank you."

     "I'll come back soon," I put both my arms around them, "Asuna-sensei, Yui."

     I remembered the paper Atsuo told me to hand that moment. I placed on the bedside table and left the cabin. Not even knowing when I'll return.

I went to the teleport gate and left them.

"Jigoku is dead." A hooded figure with a metal mask steely announced

The user rips it off and unveiled a man with thin brown hair, and a sharp complexion. A deadly face.

"Deathgun was merely a tool for confusion. I am Vassago Cassals." He smirks, "PoH of Sword Art Online, Leader of the most feared guild then. And the most feared guild now."

He looks at all of his allies, who wore the same hooded cloaks, even through them, he could see the bloodlust they all had. Their wishes to become the strongest and the ones set freed.

But only then, they didn't know they were tools as well. Laughing Coffin members were nothing of importance to Vassago.

"All I need is to kill Lightning Flash and her successor. This woman has slipped through my hands numerous of times. And then after her, everyone else."

He looks behind him, "With our new member, we can accomplish that."

"He is on par, if not, over the abilities of her."

The shorter player unveils themselves and looks coldly at everyone, "Isn't that true?"

A light brown hair boy, a missing left eye, and his remaining eye darkly looking at everyone in the guild. Slowly his blank face turned to the maniacal smile almost as of Laughing Coffin have when they have the urge to kill.

"Atsuo Kirigaya?"

Atsuo laughs, "Yes..."

Atsuo, always had a thought in his mind. Ever since the boiling hatred towards someone had sparked. He wanted them dead, no, killed by his hands.

He put his hand on his missing eye, saying his intents in his own mind, "I will kill you, Raito Asada."

He could picture it, a sword to her chest and her pleading to be spared. He smiled more and his laughs grew louder echoing the whole room.

"She must die by me. Only I can kill the child of Solus."

     [End of Volume 2]

Volume 3: Regeneration (Subverting)