You ready? I'm going to open it.
There's nothing in here.
Wait!
It's okay. I won't go in too far.
We're have to at least take a look at him
if we want to come up with a strategy.
That's true, but...
The Blue-Eyed Demon
That looks like a tough one.
Yeah.
At first glance, it looks like its only weapon is that huge sword,
but I'm willing to bet it's got some special attacks up its sleeve.
All we can do is gather people from the front lines and keep switching.
Would be nice if we had about ten people with shields.
Shields, huh?
What?
You're hiding something, aren't you?
What's gotten into you?
I mean, it's weird.
The whole point of using a one-hander is to use a shield with it.
But I haven't ever seen you use one.
It would slow down a rapier user like me,
and some people might feel like a shield wouldn't fit with their style.
And you aren't even using the sword Liz forged for you.
So suspicious...
Well, whatever!
It's rude to harass people about their skill choices.
I know it's kind of late, but how about lunch?
Is... Is it something you made?
Yep. Gloves off first, though.
S-Sure!
Here! All yours.
It's delicious!
But how do you make it taste so good?
A year's worth of studying and practice.
To make this, I analyzed the effects of more than a hundred spices
to see how the taste reproduction engine handled each one.
Try tasting glogwa seeds and shuble seeds together.
It's mayonnaise...
Now, let's have abilpa beans, sagu leafs and oola fish bones.
This taste is so familiar...
It's soy sauce!
This is how I made the sauce for the sandwiches.
Amazing! It's perfect!
If you started selling them, you'd get rich!
Y-You think so?
No, actually, it's a terrible idea.
W-Why?
Then I wouldn't get to have any.
You're so selfish...
I'll make more later if I feel like it.
Damn, what a day...
We finally made it!
Let's get some rest—
Whoa, Kirito!
It's been so long, man!
You're still alive, Klein?
You're still as rude as ever!
Oh, what do we have here?
You're always solo, why would you have a girl with you...
Seems like you already know each other from clearing bosses, but let me introduce you anyway.
This is Klein from Fuurinkazan.
This is Asuna from Knights of the Blood.
Hey, say something...
Are you lagging?
N-Nice t-to meet you! I-I'm Klein, 24, single, looking for a girlfr—
Leader!
Wow, it's Asuna!
I'm so happy to finally meet you!
Well, they're not bad guys...
Despite what their leader looks like...
What...
Heh, payback!
You idiot...
What's going on, Kirito?
Well...
Nice to meet you.
We're just partying for a little while.
Kirito, explain!
Wait!
Kirito!
Is that The Army?
What's that zerg guild that occupies the first floor doing here?
Ever since they've suffered heavy losses when clearing the 25th floor,
they've been focusing more on strengthening their organization
instead of fighting in the front lines.
Rest!
I'm Lt. Col. Corbatz from the Aincrad Liberation Army.
I'm Kirito. Soloer.
Have you ventured any further than this?
Yes, we've mapped out the area up to the boss room.
I'd like to have the map data.
You want it for free?
Do you know how hard it is to map out an area?
We divide information and resources equally to all,
maintain order, and fight to free players from this world as soon as possible!
That's why you should cooperate with us!
Oh, really?!
Don't—
It's okay, I planned to make it public anyway after we got back to the city.
No big deal.
You're being way too nice, Kirito!
I'm not the kind to trade map data.
I appreciate your cooperation.
If you're thinking of fighting the boss, don't bother.
That's for me to decide.
We checked the boss room earlier!
It's not something you can handle with so few people!
Look, your men are exhausted!
My men aren't weak enough to give up from something so trivial!
Men! Stand up already!
Are they going to be all right?
Whatever, I doubt they'd try to fight it the first time they saw it...
Let's have a look anyway.
Who's the nice guy now?
Uh, well...
Asuna, um...
Kirito's not so good with words and he's a crazy fighter,
but please take good care of him.
Sure, I'll do just that.
Only the boss room is left...
Did they use some item to go home?
Asuna!
Hey!
Idiots!
Hey, are you okay?!
What are you doing?! Hurry up and use your teleport crystals!
We can't! They don't work!
But there's never been a trap like this in a boss room before...
The Liberation Army will never suffer the shame of retreat!
Fight! We must fight on!
You fool!
What's going on?
Crystals don't work in there.
If we rush in, we might be able to open up a path for them...
Can't we do something?
Men! Attack!
Stop!
Hey, are you okay?!
This can't be happening...
No...
No... I...
No!
Asuna!
Oh, whatever!
Fall back!
Are you okay?
Sorry...
At this rate...
Kirito...!
Kirito!
Do I have to use that?
But...
Damn, I don't have time to think about it!
Asuna, Klein, please hold it off for just ten seconds!
Roger!
Okay, I'm ready!
Switch!
Star Burst Stream.
What the hell is this?!
Faster!
Even faster!
It's over... right?
Kirito! Kirito, wake up!
Ouch...
How long have I been out?
Just a few seconds...
Stupid! That was far too reckless!
My HP might hit zero if you hug me too hard.
Corbatz and two others died.
We haven't lost a man in a boss fight since the 67th floor.
How can you even call this a fight? Bloody retards!
What good are you if you're dead?!
But holy crap, man, what was that just now?
Do I really have to tell you?
Of course! I've never seen anything like it!
It's an extra skill. Dual Blades.
How do you activate it?
If I knew, I'd tell you.
It's not even on the info brokers' list...
So it's just yours? A unique skill?
You're so antisocial, Kirito!
Why would you keep quiet about such an awesome skill?
About six months ago, Dual Blades just showed up in my skill window.
But if anyone found out I had this ability...
Online gamers are an envious bunch.
I'm a pretty virtuous guy,
but I can see why they'd be jealous.
But well,
just consider hardship as another part of training and keep working hard, kiddo.
Oh, please...
Are you going to activate the next portal?
No, you can do it.
I'm exhausted.
Okay. Get back safely.
Umm... Kirito?
When you jumped in to help the Army guys...
What about it?
How should I put it? I was happy.
Anyway, see you around.
Hey, Asuna...
I was so scared...
What would I do if you died?
What are you talking about? You were the one who jumped in first.
I'm going to take a break from the guild.
Take a break for what?
Did you forget already? I said I'd party with you.
All right.
October 19th 2024 Floor 50, Algade
The blue demon that killed an entire Army squad
was taken down by one guy's dual-bladed fifty-slash combo.
You made the news!
That's way too exaggerated.
And I've been getting chased around all morning by swordsmen and info brokers as a result.
I don't want to hear it, I had to make a break for it too.
You said it was our little secret, and then you blew your own cover.
What do we do now, Kirito?
This is completely out of hand!
October 19th 2024 Floor 55, Grandzam
Is this the first time we've met away from the front lines, Kirito?
No, we had talked briefly during the strategic meeting for clearing the 67th floor,
Commander Heathcliff.
That was a hard fight indeed.
We barely even made it.
I know people call us the top guild, but our forces are at their limits.
And here you are, trying to draw away one of our most important players.
If she's that important to you, you could at least choose her bodyguards.
I should apologize for the trouble that Kuradeel caused.
But even then, we won't just sit back and watch you walk away with one of our vice commanders.
Kirito, fight me with your swords. Both of them.
If you win, you can take Asuna with you.
But if you lose, you must join the Knights of the Blood.
Fine with me.
I'm better at using swords than words.
Let's end this with a duel.
Next time: Seeing Red