From Swordsman to Assassin

Chapter 3: The Brotherhood of Assassins

Floor 1, Starting City October 18th, 2024

The next morning, Kirito is waiting at the teleporter in Starting City when Asuna runs into him and the two fall to the ground with Asuna on top. Their faces were so close that they were able to feel the other's breath licking their lips. Asuna quickly got off him, blushing heavily. Kirito was the same.

"S-Sorry!" Asuna stuttered slightly.

"I-It's fine," Kirito replied, turning his red face from her. "W-We should get going."

Asuna nodded, not trusting her voice.

"You hungry?" Kirito asks after some time walking.

Asuna stared at him, making him a little nervous, before she eagerly stuttered, "Y-Yes!"

The two saw a cafe nearby and walked in before ordering food. As they were waiting, Asuna avoided eye contact with the swordsman.

Deciding that making conversation would end the awkwardness between the two caused by the incident from earlier, Kirito asked, "So you come here often?"

"No, not really," Asuna replied. The air between them permeated with awkward tension.

They went back to silence. Their breakfast came not long after and they soon ate it before Kirito paid for the bill and once that was done, the two rushed out.

As they were walking towards the teleporter, Asuna got a message from Heathcliff.

"What is it?" Kirito asked as his partner stopped walking to read the message.

"Heathcliff wants me to go after a guild that has been kidnapping kids and using them as bait against monsters and bosses," Asuna whispered as her mouth was covered with a hand and the tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes. "How could someone do such a thing!"

"Evil people," Kirito replied before sending his own message to his Guild Leader. Not even a minute later, he received a reply. One that made his eyes go wide. "My Guild Leader wants to meet you."

"Wait, what?" Asuna looked at Kirito with wide eyes. "Why would your Guild Leader want to meet me?"

"Says he has a "proposition for you"," Kirito told her before exiting his menu. "And he has granted me permission to tell you what we really do."

Asuna just looked at him confused.

"Looks like we are going to Floor 5 then," Kirito stated. "You ready?"

"Yeah," Asuna nodded.

Floor 5, Karluin October 18, 2024

When they teleported to Karluin, Asuna looked around confused.

"Why is your guild here?" she asked him. The two began to walk to the northside of town towards the ruins there.

"To hide in plain sight, Asuna," Kirito replied. He then opened up his menu and equipped a few things.

Asuna's eyes widened at the sight of his weapons.

"Y-You're the..." Asuna couldn't finish her sentence.

"Yes," Kirito replied. "I am the Black Assassin. I will explain more when we get to the Guild. Don't worry, I won't be killing you. If I did, I'd be killed myself and you aren't one of our targets."

"Targets?" Asuna asked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see," Kirito replied, before flicking his wrists and two blades slid out from his sleeves. He then inserted the blades into the wall to his right and a secret entrance opened up. He motioned for Asuna to follow. After walking a bit, the two find themselves in front of a door that looks like something for a prison cell.