Sword Art Online: Another Reality

Chapter 32: Provocation.

-Meanwhile, in front of the Forest Elf Camp-

"What did you mean you wouldn't allow us to complete the quest? Yer may have the little monster on yer side, but he's not here with ya!"

"Oh? If you think we are helpless without Lord Sharia, you're greatly mistaken."

Kibaou and Diabel were arguing, each flanked by groups of players. The players beside them had their hands hovering near the hilts of their swords.

And while other players might have felt a little nervous, for Diabel and Kibaou, it was nothing more than a ruse—an excuse.

Diabel had simply asked Kibaou to cooperate with him. However—

'Wow. His acting is good.'

Diabel had failed to realise Kibaou's greed. 

Even though Sharia had informed Kibaou beforehand, the situation was almost amusing since Kibaou still believed Morte's words.

[That player's guild definitely already has information about the Third Floor Boss. However, their aim isn't that. Their aim is to monopolize the EXP gains and rewards from this quest.]

That alone was enough to rile up Kibaou.

And while he couldn't confront Sharia about it—since he knew what kind of freak the teenager was—he had no doubt this had to be Diabel's doing.

"Yer already possess the information about the Third Floor Boss, but yer trying to monopolize the entire Third Floor. You're using that little monster. Despicable!"

"Monopolize? How so? The hunting grounds and Spider Queen's Nest are enough, are they not? So how can you claim we are monopolizing the entire floor?"

Both Kibaou and Diabel bickered back and forth, with Diabel buying just enough time for the rest.

"They already have "that player," don't they?"

"Yeah, and apparently, the requirements for joining their guild are high; they have lots of high-level players."

"Yes. Yes. That's not fair!"

The players behind Kibaou too had started to rile up the rest, who had now firmly gripped their weapons.

"How dare you say that? Then shouldn't you blame yourself for not being strong enough?

"To disrespect Lord Sharia's name like that deserves death a thousandfold."

Even without Diabel speaking, his escort knights had already taken it to heart and also gripped their weapons.

'This is going into territories I didn't intend. But it works either way, however—'

Diabel thought before he pointed at Kibaou.

"I can't let that comment about "him" pass like that."

He couldn't particularly draw his sword against his fellow human being unless they drew theirs first; hence he did this.

"Hmph. Although I respected yer before, those days are now long over. Without Lind or that little monster, are yer sure you can take me on?"

Kibaou's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and just as he did.

CLANG!

A heavy clash of swords grabbed their attention.

They all simultaneously looked to the left.

Two figures burst out from a tent, tearing it apart as they engaged in a sword fight.

It was a male and a female figure.

The male—a forest elf—thrust his sword forward, baiting the female, a dark elf, to block it.

However, when she did, the male forest elf pulled back his sword before thrusting it again.

"Kuh!"

However, luckily, she was able to avoid a fatal hit in time, but her breastplate was chipped by that attack.

"Haah. Sadly, to look as ever, my old nemesis, listening to the sound of the Pagoda Knights, just like a weak girl like you sent to the front lines in hopes only to fall."

The male forest elf said with such sneer and disdain, as his expression contorted into something unbefitting of a forest elf.

However, the Dark Elf, Kizmel, barely responded as she covered her torn breastplate while keeping her guard up.

"What? Not going to say anything? Then, that little sister, if I borrow the regret because I killed her, will you have something to say then?"

The male then asked again, but Kizmel merely let out a scoff.

"...You don't have to."

"Hmm?"

As she did, she got into her stance, her right and left legs apart.

In tandem, her left arm to the back and her right in front, holding her sword in an upright position.

"Because, recently, I have found someone full of prospects, that person will surely bring the Pagoda Knights prosperity."

"Well, well, can I have a greeting someday?"

Of course the male had brushed it off, and even if such a person exists, more oil to the flames.

"Well, I do want to introduce her now, but let's see…."

"At times like this, what should I call it… Ah yes, I remember now."

Kizmel narrowed her gaze at him, swiping her finger horizontally through the air as she said—

"Switch."

"Huh? What are you talking…."

The male forest elf raised an eyebrow, but immediately as Kizmel had said that—

"......About…?"

He was blown by a gust of wind, his body forming a crescent shape.

Something had just hit him, and upon closer look, it was a brown-haired fencer.

The fencer had lodged her rapier into his side and, with a twist of her hand, she completely blew him away, sending him crashing into a far away tent.

"Fuuu."

Asuna exhaled, landing gracefully with her rapier poised.

Then she called out—

"Hey Kizmel! Is it true that I have potential?"

Her eyes sparkled as she asked, but Kizmel simply gave her a deadpan gaze before replying.

"Yeah… a lot…"

-Meanwhile-

Kirito, after diverting Morte's attention, came to a clearing.

Forests on both sides of a narrow clearing with a stream flowing down the narrow clearing.

Both were also engaged in a furious clash as both now locked swords.

CLANG!

"To think you'd be stronger than I gave you credit for…"

He muttered, not before being sent flying back by Kirito.

That player was able to block most of his chain combo, albeit with some difficulty.

"Heh. Not bad. You should attend the next boss battle."

Kirito said without a change in expression, while his opponent wasn't in a better state.

The player let out a laugh before getting up.

"To receive such praise... However, the weight when hitting from the same sword."

"Creating a combo chain, not even a single slit. The accuracy of Sword Skill, proficiency, and boost technique."

"I can say as expected from one of the greatest damage dealers of the attack group."

Morte said that with a smile, but Kirito, on the other hand, wasn't having even the littlest of curling of his lip.

"Compared to a normal person, there won't be any expectation."

"Our tester star, Kirito-san, with this standard, honestly thinks that's too bad."

Certainly, Kirito could have been that player—a true solo who avoided everyone else and continued alone.

Far stronger, leaps ahead of anyone in this virtual world.

Sharia, however, was a different case altogether.

For Kirito, the reason was probably…

"That girl, right? She's the reason why you—Sensei—are currently like this."

"What a pity. Both you and "he," using your sword and your strength to protect people."

"Ah. Don't tell me that girl is using you as a means to survive. Haah, what a pity."

Morte continued to taunt him saying things like that along that line, and at that point, Kirito snapped with silent rage.

"Oh my~"

Morte smiled as he felt the killing intent Kirito was looking at him with.