Chapter 35: This Kirito is Seriously Problematic
Swish!
The blue steel longsword traced a faint blue arc as five poisonous lizards dissolved into data fragments.
Hachiman shook his tingling wrist and glanced sideways at his partner, who was wiping down his black longsword.
"Did the sun just rise from the west today? The lone wolf of the guild actually invited someone to level up?"
Kirito sheathed his sword back into the leather scabbard on his back, his black coat dusted with a few leaves.
"Well, I haven't attended the frontline meetings for two weeks straight. If I don't level up now, Argo's going to draw a turtle next to my name in the strategy handbook."
He suddenly winked at Hachiman. "Also, Asuna's been with the Knights of the Blood lately. Someone's back is looking pretty lonely."
"Huh?" Hachiman almost choked on his water. "Don't just add extra backstory for lone players! If anything, having no one dragging you down is—"
"Hachiman, your ears are as red as your earlobes."
"That's just normal blood flow after a battle!"
"Haha, but I haven't gone all out in a while either."
'Hmm? What does Kirito mean by "a while"? Could it be he's never gone full power in the guild? Though having a standout player in an intermediate guild would definitely cause trouble...'
As they prepared to take a short break, rustling came from the bushes behind them. Hachiman noticed a group approaching.
"Kirito, someone's coming."
As they sat drinking water, the group arrived, and Kirito recognized one face and awkwardly greeted him.
"Yo, Klein, long time no see."
Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream burst out, "Kirito aaaah—!"
A man with a fiery red mohawk barreled into Kirito's arms like a cannonball, followed by six players of various appearances crawling out of the bushes.
"Klein..." Kirito struggled to lift his head from the other's grasp, "I can't breathe."
After introductions, everyone recalled having met in the initial town at the game start.
Hachiman and Asuna's reputation in the guild was well known; some even considered themselves fans of the pair.
"So you're the guy with all the coordination problems."
Klein's expression instantly froze.
Kirito suddenly coughed violently, and the members of Fuurinkazan all turned around to suppress their laughter.
"Hachiman! Little brother!" Klein drew his sword. "Looks like you need to witness the vice president of Fuurinkazan's—uhm, strenght!"
Kirito stuffed bread into his wide-open mouth. "Don't turn red-named out here in the wild." Then he glanced at Hachiman and winked, "But Hachiman's swordsmanship coaching is pricey, so this is a rare chance."
Half an hour later, after Klein had been knocked into the mud for the 15th time by Hachiman's parry technique, he finally lay flat on his back in defeat.
"I'm done! Are all you Clearer guys monsters or what?"
His mud-caked fingers trembled as he pointed at Kirito.
"This guy used to barely teach even the diagonal slash properly..."
"That's because Kirito nowadays—" Hachiman dragged out the words, watching the swordsman's suddenly stiff back — "probably hasn't even shown half his strength in his own guild. After all, he's got to take care of the average players..."
"Hachiman!"
"Getting all worked up, huh."
As the sun set in the west, Klein stuffed rare-material brews — only made by master brewers — into both their arms.
"Every 15th of the month we soak in the hot springs on the 27th floor, you're always welcome!"
He patted Hachiman's shoulder, winking.
"Bringing Miss Asuna is cool too~"
"Asuna and I aren't—"
"I get it, I get it, it's like how Kirito and I have a purely platonic comrade relationship!"
Later, seeing Kirito reveal a rare look of reluctance, Hachiman felt grateful for friends.
They resumed hunting until they leveled up and ended the day's activities.
.
.
.
Two weeks later, the frontline had advanced to the 28th floor, but Kirito hadn't appeared since the 25th-floor boss fight.
Though some worried, his strength made others less concerned.
Recently, Asuna was busy too, living in the guild dorms, teaming up for hunts and meetings. Guild life was pretty much like that, and Hachiman and Asuna gradually grew distant.
One day, Hachiman sneaked into the 26th-floor labyrinth and spotted a figure fighting in the mid-levels.
"Is that Kirito? Hey Kirito!"
No response. Upon closer observation, Kirito's state seemed off — like he was fighting recklessly, as if seeking death.
After wiping out the enemies, he suddenly collapsed. Hachiman quickly carried him back home.
Along the way, the unconscious Kirito murmured, "…Sachi… sorry…"
After waking, Kirito asked, "Where is this?"
"My place. You passed out in the labyrinth."
"Hungry?"
"..."
Hachiman silently cooked soup. After drinking, Kirito grimaced.
"Tastes awful."
"Shut up! Since Asuna's not here lately, there's no good ingredients."
"Haha..."
"...Not going to ask why?"
"Not interested."
"Is that so."
After a long silence, Kirito finally spoke.
"Hachiman, aren't you lonely when Asuna's not around?"
"No way! I can contact her anytime I want, though I don't."
"'Can contact anytime' huh..."
That night, after several days in the labyrinth, Kirito finally slept in a warm bed.
The next morning, Kirito was back to normal and poked at the map on Hachiman's wall, raising an eyebrow.
"You actually found this hidden house? No way you used some forbidden NPC affinity bug, right?"
"This is the info network for single players — but it's also thanks to daily good deeds."
Watching Kirito regain his energy, Hachiman said:
"And don't think about skipping the lodging fees."
"...Got it. Won't think about dying again until I pay it off."
"Oh."
At parting, Kirito said:
"If I see Asuna, I'll tell her you're lonely enough to cry."
"Hey!"
'Though I don't know when Kirito's emotional scars will heal, at least he's past the worst.'
And so, Kirito returned to the frontline battlefield.