Hey guys! I'm back with another update, and I hope you enjoy! In this chapter we'll get to see a bit more of Shoto's, so hopefully you guys are interested in this new chapter.

(Opening Theme)

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Floor 56: Lady

In a cave near the village of Pani, the frontline players, including Shoto and Kirito were gathered to discuss about the boss field they could not beat. Players of all kinds, which were members of the frontline guilds, or in the case of Shoto and Kirito, two-man guild players, were around the round table, discussing a possible solution.

Among the players there is a young woman in white and red clothing, symbolizing her standing as a member of the guild 'Knights of the Blood Oath'. She slammed her hand onto the table. "Lure to the village." She suggested. "That's how we'll get the boss."

Everyone looked at her in surprise because of her plan, while another wave of murmurs broke up among the crowd.

"W-wait a minute!" Kirito objected "If you do that, the villagers-"

"That's the idea." The Vice Commander of the Knights of the Blood said. "While the boss is killing NPC'S, we'll go in for the kill."

"They're not just in NPC's!" Kirito said, disagreeing with the idea. "NPC's are not just 3D objects like trees and rocks, they're-"

"Alive? Is that it?" The woman looked at the solo-ingduo. "They're just objects, even if they're killed, they'll just respawn." The young woman, Asuna, said.

Shoto glared heatedly at her, then slammed his hand on the table, and yelled loudly at her "Are you that heartless, woman!" Even if they're just animated objects you can not just use them like some replaceable items! "

"But they are." Asuna answered coldly.

"No, they are not!" Shoto disagreed, remembering all the NPC's he had met, especially Claire. "That is the dumbest plan I've ever heard of, and I will not be apart of it."

Everyone went silent, knowing how dangerous Shoto and Kirito could be when provoked, but Asuna kept up her glare. "And Asuna, Vice Commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath, will oversee this operation." She said with full authority. "You will all follow my command" Kirito and Shoto just glared at her, while the blonde was clenching his fists.

"Let's get one thing straight, Miss Almighty." Shoto said, gaining everyone's attention. "You command the Blood Oath Knights, not the Moonlit Black Cats. So do not let the authority go to your head."

Silence, that's all that was in the cave. Some of the players had their jaws unhinged while others had gone into shock. Asuna, the Vice Commander of the Blood Oath Knights was just verbally bitch-slapped by Moonlit Black Cats' Yellow Fang, Shoto.

Shoto had just unknowingly gained a new title from the men of the crowd, 'Iron Balls Shoto'.

Asuna on the other hand looked ready to commit murder, but before anything could happen, Klein spoke up. 

"All right, I think we'll need to do another week of grinding in that case. Let's meet back here next week to compare notes. Any arguments?" He shot a look at both the Black Cats and Asuna while he spoke.

Fortunately, everyone agreed to leave peacefully, and the meeting cavern cleared out with relative quiet.

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XXX

After the meeting came to an end, Shoto and Kirito walked away, followed by the players in gray cloaks.

"Hey, you two." Both Kirito and Shoto looked back at the person who addressed them. It was Agil, who had a frown on his face. "Another fight huh?"

"Agil ..." Kirito said.

"Why are you two and the second in command always at each other's throats?" Agil asked.

Shoto folded his arms. "Hmph, probably because she's a witch." Shoto said childishly.

Kirito shook his head at his blond partner's antics. "We just do not seem to click," Kirito shrugged. "I remember telling her that she'd been better off joining a guild, but I never thought she would take my advice so far as to become a floor-clearing badass."

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XXX

Floor 59: Danac

In the peaceful town of Danac, which was surrounded with a wide field of green, our two heroes take their down time resting under a tree.

"You know Shoto, this peaceful time reminds me of when you, me and Suguha played at the hill near the city's outskirts" Kirito told his blond friend while both he and Shoto were laying down in the tree's shade.

"Yeah... It was just the three of us against the world. And nothing could stop us at the time." Shoto said, remembering the past.

"Except my grandpa."

"Except your grandpa and the bananas."

The two went silent for a few minutes. "Hey Shoto, don't tell me you're still traumatized about that incident." No response. "Shoto?" Kirito looked beside him and found the blond sleeping. "Well, I guess its been a long day." With that said, Kirito closed his eyes and went to sleep.

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XXX

"What are you two doing?"

Kirito opened his eyes hearing the voice. He looked at the source of the voice, which turned out to be Asuna. "What? Oh, it's you." Kirito asked/stated, and then went back to sleep, or at least tried to, while Shoto seemed to be undisturbed.

"The other lead groups are working hard, trying to clear the dungeon. Why are you two out here taking a nap?" Asuna asked "Even if you two are duo players, you need to be serious."

"It's Aincard's nicest season." Kirito said. "And today is its nicest weather setting."

"Huh?"

"Entering a dungeon at a time like this is a waste." Kirito explained. "Even Shoto would agree with me."

"Do you two not understand? Every moment we waste here is one moment we've lost in the real world." Asuna explained.

"But right now we're alive here, in Aincard." Kirito said.

Asuna was startled at his answer, and then she felt it, the wind.

"See?" Kirito said. "The wind and sunlight feel so good."

"Do they?" Asuna asked. "There's nothing special about the weather."

"If you lie down for a bit you'll understand, just look at Shoto, sleeping like a champ." Kirito said.

Asuna looked around the serene area, birds chirping and trees dancing in tune with the wind. Then she looked at the duo's peaceful faces.

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XXX

Shoto sat up, yawning. He looked around and spotted a sight to behold, Kirito and Asuna were sleeping side by side. Shoto cursed that this world didn't have any camera-like item. Or maybe there was? Perhaps he would look into it later. Deciding to prank his friend, he shook his friend. "Yo Ki, wake up."

Kirito stirred for a few seconds, then he opened his eyes only to see Asuna's face WAY too close to his. "What the?!" Kirito exclaimed in surprise as he quickly stood up.

"Hahahahahaha!" Shoto laughed at his friend's expense "You should see your face, Kirito! It's priceless!"

A tick mark appeared on Kirito's head. "Are you done?"

"Hahahaha~!"

"Alright! I get it!"

Shoto lifted up his hand at his friend's annoyed face, "Wait. Wait. I still have more... Haha... Okay, I'm done."

"Good for you." Kirito replied unamused before as he glanced down at Asuna's sleeping face. "Geez, she drills us about taking naps and then does it herself. Such a weird girl."

"Some people are just so carefree, huh guys?" Both Moonlit Black Cats turned their heads towards the unfamiliar voice to see three armored Players walking by with one shaking his head as he continued to talk. "Nice to know there are those that can take things so easily."

As the three Players continued to walk down the path leading back into the Town, Kirito and Shoto looked at each other briefly before turning their attention back to the snoozing Asuna and silently stared at her for a few seconds... until Shoto pulled out a black marker from his coat with a snicker while Kirito only shook his head at his friend's actions, though a very small grin could be seen on his face.

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XXX

Evening

While the boys were waiting for Asuna to wake up, they decided to play a game of cards, where Shoto kept winning and only lost once to Kirito. "Got any threes?"

"Achoo!" The boys looked back at Asuna who sneezed and started to wake up. She sat up and looked around sleepily, drooling slightly and with a few blades of grass stuck on her face. Shoto couldn't help but snicker lightly at the drawings he left on her face involving a star over her right eye, a monocle over her left eye, and a French curly mustache above her lip.

Blinking once when she started to realize where she was, Asuna looked at the two boys in surprise, as they were playing cards. "W-what..."

"Morning," Kirito started with a smile on his face, which was mostly because it was all he could do to not laugh at the drawings on Asuna's face combined with the grass and drool.

"So did you enjoy your-" Shoto was the next one to speak, only to stop as Asuna quickly rose to her feet and grabbed the hilt to the rapier strapped to her waist. "AH!?"

Asuna slowly drew her blade as she glared at the two of them, both now hiding behind the stone fence with scared looks. "Tell me what you did, right now, and maybe, I'll let you live!"

"I drew doodles on your face!" The quick reply came from the fearful Shoto as Kirito nodded his head.

Asuna quietly stopped pulling on her rapier's hilt, "... What?"

"I drew a few doodles on your face, because I thought it would be funny and it was!" Shoto answered fully, this time sticking his head out fully this time.

"Is... that all?" Asuna questioned as she sheathed the exposed parts of her blade before standing up straight, "And nothing else?"

Despite the confusion in her question, the edge in her voice was obvious to both swordsmen. Kirito was the one to answer this time, "Of course. You were asleep. We couldn't really do anything else, so we waited here for you to wake up."

Clenching her fists tightly at the embarrassing fact that both boys had seen her fall asleep despite her earlier scolding of them doing the same thing. Asuna took a small breath as she tried to calm herself, saying only two words to Kirito and Shoto. "... One meal."

"Huh?"" Both Kirito and Shoto uttered at the same time.

"One meal! I'll buy you two one meal of any kind." Asuna said looking away, blushing lightly. "Then we'll be even, okay?"

Kirito and Shoto just looked at each other.

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XXX

Floor 57: Martin

Restaurant

"..."

"..."

"..."

All three of them were now in an awkward silence. Their presence, and the fact that they were famous, gained them the attention of every player in the reastaurant.

"That's Asuna, from the Knights of the Blood Oath."

"That's the lightning fast..."

"Who's the guy in black and the guy in orange?"

"Hey, I know them. Those guys are the Moonlit Black Cats!"

"Seriously?! The famed Two-Player team guild that has been helping out the Players on all the Floors!?"

"It's like we're some sort of celebrities..." Shoto said.

"We are, in a sense, well Asuna is anyway." Kirito said.

"Really?"

"Well, anyway..." Asuna cut off the conversation, her face was cleaned up and all of Shoto's doodles were gone. "Thanks for today."

"Hm?"

"For watching over me today." Asuna explained.

"Ah, no problem." Kirito said.

"That's what heroes are for!" Shoto said with a thumbs up and a smile.

"The town is a safe area, so no one can attack another player or kill you." Asuna began. "But it's different when you're asleep."

Kirito nodded. "Yes, sleep PK's, the dirty trick that uses the duel system. Normally duels are just a test of strength, but during a duel HP can go down even in a safe area."

"So you can challenge an sleeping player and use their own finger to press the OK button." Shoto continued.

"And you just have to keep attacking... It has happened before so, thank you, both of you." Asuna said honestly.

"Ah... You're welcome." Kirito said, rubbing his head.

"It was nothing." Shoto said. "We look out for each other."

But before they could continue their conversation, a scream cut them off. All three quickly stood up and sprinted to where the screaming was coming from, Shoto reluctantly since his food wasn't finished yet.

In the town hall, an audience was gathering, watching a sight to behold, a male player was hanging by the bell tower and a red sword impaled in his stomach.

"Really!? A human piñata!?" Shoto exclaimed.

"Hurry and pull it out!" Kirito shouted from down below as he and his two companions ran to the foot of the bell tower, his voice catching the man's attention as he looked down at Kirito before he started to attempt at removing the sword.

"We need to cut him down before he gets killed!" Asuna snapped.

"He won't die, the town is a safe zone," Shoto reminded her. "Probably hurts like a bitch too, but he's not going die from it." He then looked up at the man. "Hey man! When you pop, could you try to send some candy over this way? I wanna a Kit-Kat!"

"SHOTO!!!" Kirito and Asuna yelled indignantly.

Shoto held his hands up. "Alright, Alright. I'm sorry."

"You two stay down here and catch him!" Asuna ordered while entering the bell tower to climb up.

"Got it." The two answered at the same time while running towards the falling player.

"Hold on!" Shoto yelled.

The player moaned in pain, signaling he couldn't take it any longer.

"Damn it! Shoto! Throw your knife and cut the rope!" Kirito ordered.

Shoto quickly took out his throwing knives, he aimed but didn't throw them.

"What are you waiting for? Throw it!"

"I can't! It's too high and there's a chance I might hit the player instead!" Shoto said in panic.

"Just throw it!" Kirito yelled urgently.

"Hyah!" Shoto cried out throwing his knife at the rope, but since the player was so high Shoto's accuracy wasn't enough and he missed. "Damn!" Shoto prepared to throw another one, but the player shattered into pieces, halting his action.

Kirito and the other players watched in horror as the red sword that impaled the player fell down to the ground.

'A duel is the only way to kill someone in a safe zone... That means...' "Everyone! Look for the duel winner notification!" Kirito said.

"There's no one inside!" Asuna yelled from the bell tower just arriving to the top.

Shoto looked around, but he didn't see any winner notification among the murmuring crowds.

-------------------------

XXX

After the event, the three of them went to inspect the top floor of the bell tower where the rope was tied to a pole.

"Just what is this?" Kirito asked, holding the red blade/spear thing in his hand.

"The obvious conclusion is that the challenger impaled the victim with that spear, put a noose around his neck, and pushed him out of the window." Asuna said.

"If only the tower was shorter, maybe I could have..." Shoto said in grief.

"What's done is done." Asuna said. "It wasn't your fault."

"That's right, another important fact is that no one had the winner message." Kirito informed.

"What? That's impossible." Asuna said. "The only way to hurt someone in a safe area is via duel."

"Either way, we can't ignore this!" Shoto said. "Whoever did this, needs a good ol' fashion ass-kicking!"

"That's right, if someone found a way to PK within safe area, it will be dangerous inside town as well as outside." Asuna said.

"You're right." Kirito agreed.

"We'll have to leave the frontline for now, but we have no choice." Asuna said as she walked towards the duo. "And I need help from both of you to solve this. And just to be clear, there won't be anytime for a nap."

"Okay, but you're the one who was napping." Kirito accused.

"And you were drooling too." Shoto said joining in, wrong choice.

Asuna quickly grabbed both Shoto's and Kirito's hands.

""Huh-Gyahhh!"" The cry of pain of the duo startled the birds on the tower roof.

-----------------------

XXX

After the discussion, the three of them headed back downstairs, where the crowds of players and NCP's were waiting. "Excuse me, did anyone see the whole thing? If so, please speak up." Kirito called out.

The crowds began to murmur again, then out of the crowd a purple haired female character in blue clothing walked towards them.

"Sorry, I know you just had a frightening experience, what's your name?" Asuna asked.

"M-my name is Yoruko..." The girl, Yoruko, answered.

"Was that scream that disturbed my lunch time yours?" Shoto said getting a punch from Asuna.

"Y-yes..." The girl answered, ignoring the lunch comment. "I just came here to eat dinner, with the man who was killed." She said looking down. "His name was Kains, we used to be in the same guild." Tears started to fall. "But we got seperated in the plaza, I looked around, and I saw him hanging by the bell tower window..." Then she started to cry.

Asuna hugged her to comfort her. "Did you see anyone else?"

"It was just for a second, but I thought I saw someone behind Kains." She answered.

The three of them looked at each other and nodded. "Did that person look familiar?"

The girl thought for a sec, then shook her head. "No..."

"I hate to ask this... Do you know anyone who would want to kill Kains?" Kirito asked.

Yoruko shook her head as a no. But Shoto noticed Yoruko's eyes widen for a second in horror.

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XXX

Yamahyas Lodge

Night

"Thank you for walking me here." Yoruko said.

"Don't mention it." Shoto said with a thumbs up.

Yoruko giggled. "We can talk more tomorrow." Asuna said.

Yoruko bowed her head, then entered her room, closing the door.

"So, now what?" Kirito asked.

"Let's review what we know." Asuna suggested.

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XXX

Town Center

"Let's see...We heard a scream, ran outside to the square, and saw the victim being hung from the tower with the sword already in place. Later, Yolko said that she thought she saw somebody in a dark cloak walking away into the tower. So the most likely occurrence is that the victor of the duel used a crystal to make his or her escape." Shoto said as he, Kirito and Asuna walked through the town.

"If we know where that spear came from, it might lead us to the perpetrator." Asuna said.

"Then we need someone with an appraisal skill." Kirito said.

"You two don't..." Asuna started.

"Don't have one obviously." Kirito said.

"Yup, I can track things, but can't analyze stuff." Shoto said.

"Then can you track the spear owner?" Asuna asked.

"Nope, I can't track people by weapons, if you had a piece of hair or clothing he or she used, then I could track them." Shoto explained.

"Hey, must you two address me so curtly?" Asuna asked.

Shoto and Kirito looked at each other. "Uhm... Uh...Maybe so... Miss then?" Kirito asked. Asuna just glared at them.

"Vice-commander?" Shoto asked, receiving a glare.

"Lightning-Flash?" Kirito asked, also receiving a glare.

"Wicked Witch?" Shoto asked with a grin, receiving a punch from her.

Asuna sighed. "Just call me Asuna."

"R-roger." Kirito said nervously, not wishing to feel her wrath.

"Ugh... Okay..." Shoto said in acceptance, moaning in pain and rubbing his arm.

"Anyway, do you have any friend that has an appraisal skill?" Kirito asked her.

"A weapons merchant friend has it, but this is their busiest time, so it might take a while." Asuna said.

"I see, then let's ask an item merchant we know." Kirito suggested.

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XXX

Floor 50: Arcade

"Hey Kirito, do we have a friend who has anappraisal skill that lives here?" Shoto asked.

"We do, you just don't remember." Kirito answered.

The three of them walked through an alley to where Kirito and Shoto's friend lived.

"Hey, this place is-"Before Shoto could finish the door to the weapons/items shop opened as a player carrying a spear came out.

"Thank you! Come again!" The owner from inside the place yelled.

The three of them then entered the place. "It seems you are as greedy as ever." Kirito said.

The owner, who turned out to be Agil, greeted him. "Hey Kirito, look what the cat the dragged in. Buy cheap, sell cheap, that's my motto." Agil said.

"I don't know about the second part." Shoto commented entering the store.

"Hey, Shoto." Agil greeted. "Don't go slandering my good name." Then Asuna entered the store, Agil in response quickly grabbed both Shoto and Kirito over the counter. "Wh-what happened Kirito, Shoto?" Egilasked, eyes wide in shock. "You both are part of the Black Cats, so WHAT are you two doing here with Asuna? I thought you didn't get along!"Agil said, since Asuna IS one of the most desirable girls (as few as they were since the big reveal of the true appearances of the players) in the game AND she didn't really get along with the duo.

And the mentioned desirable girl was just smiling awkwardly since she could hear him.

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XXX

"Someone's HP dropped to zero in a safe zone?!" Agil exclaimed/asked in surprise after they told him what happened. "And it wasn't a duel?"

"No one saw a winner message." Kirito said.

"If he was walking with Yoruko right before, then it's not sleep walking." Asuna said.

"The method is too involved for some random duel. We can assume it was a premeditated PK." Kirito said. "And so, we come to this." Kirito continued, looking at the red blade/spear weapon on the table.

Egil took the spear/blade, and examined it. "It's a player made weapon."

"Really?" Kirito asked hopeful.

Then Asuna asked. "Who made it?"

"Grimrock... Never heard of them..." Egil answered. "Not any top-ranked blacksmith, I can tell you that much. And there's nothing particularly unusual about the weapon."

"But it should still be a clue." Asuna said.

Kirito nodded. "Tell us the item name too."

"Let's see... 'Guilty Thorn' is its listed name." Egil answered, giving it back to Kirito.

"Guilty Thorn..." Kirito whispered its name while looking at the weapon. "Okay..." Kirito said preparing to impale the sword into his hand.

"Wait, stop!" Asuna said stopping him by holding his hand.

"Why?"

"Why do you think? Are you stupid? That weapon's already killed someone!"

"But we can't be sure unless we try."

"That's crazy! Don't do it! Shoto say something!" Asuna said looking at the silent blond. "Shoto!"

"ZZZzzzzz...."

Shoto responded with snoring, it appears that from the very start of the discussion he was already asleep. A tick mark appeared on Asuna's head as she drop kicked Shoto, resulting in a yelp of pain from the blond.

"Owowow! What the hell was that for!?" Shoto exclaimed, holding his head.

"That's for being an idiot! And you!" Asuna yelled as she took the spear/blade away from Kirito's hands. "Agil can keep a hold of it." She said, giving it to Agil.

"Huh? Uh, sure." Egil intelligently responded.

Asuna glared at the two boys.

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XXX

Floor 57: Martin

Restaurant

The three of them were inside the empty restaurant with Yoruko. "Yoruko, have you ever heard of the name Grimrock?" Asuna asked.

A surprised look appeared on her face before she answered. "Yes. He was once a member of the guild Kains and I were once in."

Kirito, Asuna, and Shoto looked each other and nodded "When we had the spear stuck in Kains' chest appraised, we found out that it was made by Grimrock." Kirito said.

Yoruko looked very surprised as she covered her mouth, in apparent shock.

"Can you think of any reason why that would be?" Kirito asked.

Yoruko nodded. "Yes, I can. I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you yesterday, I wanted to forget it, it was something I don't really want to remember, however, I'll tell you. What destroyed our guild" After she said that, rain started pouring outside.

"Our guild's name was 'Golden Apple'. Six months ago, a rare monster we defeated dropped a ring that raised agility by 20. We were divided to whether use it for the guild, or sell it and split the earnings. But in the end, we put it by vote. The favor went 5-3 in favor of selling it, our leader, Griselda was going to stay overnight at a large town on the city front line to sell it to a broker. However, she never came back. Later, we learned that she died, I still don't know why."

"No one would leave a safe zone with that kind of rare item. Which means, a sleep PK?" Kirito asked.

"But, six months ago that method hadn't been spread yet." Shoto said.

Kirito started thinking about it "But it's hard to think of it as a coincidence. Whoever attacked her must be a player who knew about the ring." Kirito said. "In other words..."

"One of the other seven members of 'Golden Apple'..." Yoruko said.

"The most suspicious one would be the ones who opposed selling it." Kirito said.

"You mean they attacked Griselda to get the ring before it was sold?" Asuna asked.

"Probably" Kirito then looked at Yoruko. "Who's Grimrock?"

"He was Griselda-san's husband, just within the game naturally." Yoruko answered. "Griselda was a powerful swordswoman, pretty, and smart. Grimrock was a kind man who always smiled. They made a great couple, and they got along well. If he was the one responsible for the murder, he must be after the three who opposed selling the ring. Two of the three were Kains and I".

The three of them looked at Yoruko, surprised. "Then who's the other one?" Shoto asked.

"A tank named Schimdt, I heard he's on the frontline now, with the 'Holy Dragon Alliance'." Yoruko answered.

"Schimdt..." Kirito said thinking. "I've heard that name..."

Asuna looked at Kirito. "He leads the Holy Dragon Alliance's defense forces." Asuna informed him "He's a big lance user."

"Oh! Him" Kirito said, remembering the person.

"Hmm... I don't remember." Shoto said.

"That's because you're rarely interested in remembering random people's faces." Kirito said calmly.

"Hey!"

"Ah, you know Schimdt?" Yoruko asked surprised.

"Well, I saw him a few times while clearing bosses." Kirito answered.

"Could you let me talk to him?" Yoruko asked "He probably hasn't heard of what occurred. And what happened to Kains could happen to him."

"Let's call Schimdt." Asuna said. "I know someone from the Holy Dragon Alliance, if we go to their HQ, we probably could talk to him."

"But first we should take Yoruko to an inn." Kirito suggested "Yoruko, don't leave the inn until we return. Shoto, can you guard her?"

Shoto shrugged. "Yeah sure, why not?"

Kirito nodded "Okay, Shoto will be in the area, if you need something just mail him."

Yoruko nodded "All right."

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XXX

After leaving Yoruko in Shoto's care, both Kirito and Asuna started walking towards the Dragon Alliance HQ, both still discussing about the murder.

"How do you think the murder was carried out?" Asuna asked.

"I can only think of three possibilities..." Kirito answered "The first one is a fair duel, the second one is through an exploit that combines known methods."

"Yes, I can see that, and the third one?"

"Some skill we don't know about, which can bypass safe areas or possibly an item." Kirito answered again, but then shook his head. "No, the third one is impossible."

"Why?"

"It's unfair, I kind of hate to admit it, but SAO's rules are essentialy fair. I can't imagine allowing murder in safe areas." Kirito said.

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XXX

The tapping sound of Schimdt's foot was the only sound currently present in the room. All of them were inside an inn room to discuss what had happened so far.

Schimdt stopped tapping his foot "Is it true that Kains was killed with Grimlock's weapon?" He asked.

"It is." Yoruko answered.

Schimdt looked at her in horror. "Why would Kains be killed after all this time?" He asked, standing up. "Did he... Did he steal the ring? Was he the one who killed Griselda?" He asked in panic while sitting down. "Is Grimlock's plan to kill all three of us, who opposed selling the ring? Is he after you and me?" 

"It could be another member." Yoruko said. "And Grimlock-san just made them the spear." She stopped for a few seconds. "Or maybe, its Griselda's revenge..."

""Huh?"" Both Schimdt and Shoto looked at her, Shoto just because of the possible ghost part.

"Only ghosts can kill someone inside a safe zone."

Schimdt and Shoto looked at her in horror, while both Kirito and Asuna looked at each other in surprise.

"I stayed awake all night..." Yoruko stood up. "Thinking...that in the end all of us killed her!" She screamed histerically "When the ring dropped, we shouldn't have voted... We should have just done what she wanted!" Yoruko kept screaming as she backed away towards the window.

The others looked at her, surprised by her outburst. "Grimlock was the only one who said we should just let Griselda decide." Yoruko continued "So he has the right to take revenge for Griselda on all of us."

Schimdt was shaking in fear. "You're kidding me... You're kidding me... After all this time! Six whole months... why now?" He then stood up. "You're okay with this Yoruko? You're okay with being killed like this?" He stopped as Kirito took a hold of his hand, stopping him.

But the unexpected happened, Yoruko's eyes widened, then she stumbled back and turned around, to everyone's horror, a knife was embedded in her back. She then stumbled again, backwards this time, and fell through the window.

"Yoruko!" Kirito cried out as he and Shoto quickly dashed towards her, but it was too late. Her body hit the ground and she shattered into a million pieces. Both Shoto and Kirito looked down at the sight with shock plastered on their faces.

"Kirito? Shoto?" Asuna asked as she moved closer to the window. "Is Yolko okay?"

"Well, I'm not a doctor," Shoto said when Kirito didn't reply. "But I don't like her chances."

To be continued...

(Ending Theme)

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