The corridor outside the boss room was eerily silent, the dim light flickering from the torches along the walls casting long shadows that danced across the stone floor. I had followed Asuna quietly, keeping my distance, careful not to reveal myself too soon. Every step I took was calculated, my dual blades sheathed at my sides as I observed her movements, her confident stride, and the way her eyes scanned the area like a predator assessing its environment. Then, just ahead, Kirito appeared, leaning casually against a wall, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his dark hair falling over his eyes as if he didn't even notice the world around him. My breath caught in my throat as I muttered softly under my breath, "That's Kirito. I guess this quest will be done. Two birds with one stone." The thought made my pulse quicken. He was the legendary Black Swordsman, the player who had become a myth in every corner of Sword Art Online, and now I was here, in the same space as him. I had no illusions about how insane it was, how impossible it might have seemed if I had watched this from my apartment in the real world, but now it was real, and my only choice was to act. Asuna approached him, and I could hear the exchange, the way her voice carried with urgency, explaining who I was, or at least trying to justify my presence. Kirito's response was quiet at first, a murmur that I caught just barely, "That guy… something's off with him." I smiled slightly under my mask of caution, knowing that the legend himself was already analyzing me, evaluating whether I was friend, foe, or a distraction, and part of me thrilled at the thought.
The tense calm of the corridor shattered suddenly. Horrific screams erupted from further down the hall—the anguished, panicked cries of soldiers belonging to the Aincrad Liberation Force. Their shouts reverberated through the stone passageways, filled with desperation and fear as they ran blindly toward the massive doors that led into the lair of The Gleam Eyes. I moved closer, careful to stay in the shadows, and saw the chaos firsthand. The commander, Corvatz, had led his exhausted men straight into a trap, ignoring the warnings that had been shouted to him. Teleport Crystals in their hands glowed faintly, then fizzled as if the world itself rejected them. The soldiers were trapped, locked in the anti-crystal zone that rendered their last-ditch escape devices useless. I clenched my fists, feeling the familiar surge of adrenaline and fear, knowing that without intervention, the entire unit would be slaughtered by the massive, looming boss waiting behind those doors. My eyes flicked to Asuna, who stood rigid, her rapier Lambent Light glinting as her determination solidified into movement. I knew she wouldn't hesitate. She had always carried the weight of others on her shoulders.
As expected, she didn't wait for Kirito to form a strategy. With a determined cry, Asuna charged forward, her form blurring with speed, aiming to intercept the boss before it could strike a helpless soldier. I watched her parry a massive swing from The Gleam Eyes, feeling my chest tighten at the sheer display of skill, only for her to be overwhelmed by the boss's physical strength. The greatsword of the beast came down in a swing that would have certainly ended her life, and I reacted without thinking. In an instant, I was there, moving faster than my eyes could track, placing myself between Asuna and the fatal blow. Pain exploded across my arms and shoulders from the impact, staggering me, but I steadied myself, taking a deep breath as I muttered under my breath, "This is it… don't fail now." Asuna blinked, stunned, her body recovering from the shock, and Klein appeared moments later, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. Kirito was already moving toward Asuna, concern written across his face as he prepared to act, but I stepped forward, raising my voice so only Kirito could hear, "Hey, Kirito. I think you shouldn't hold back anymore. Just use your unique skill, like me." His eyes widened in disbelief, almost as if he was weighing the madness of the situation. "You know my skill?" he asked incredulously, and I nodded, feeling the corners of my mouth twitch with a mixture of amusement and determination.
Kirito let out a sigh that carried the weight of both exasperation and resignation before opening his menu. The air around him seemed to crackle with energy as he summoned his second sword, the Dark Repulser, equipping it with the precision of someone who had mastered the mechanics of the game but never dared to use them together. And then it happened—dual-wielding. The impossible skill that had been the hallmark of only the Black Swordsman became tangible before everyone's eyes. Sparks of light shimmered along the edge of his blades as he launched into the high-level 16-hit combo, Starburst Stream. The air itself seemed to warp as silver and black streaks collided with the immense form of The Gleam Eyes, trading blows with a speed that left even my trained eyes struggling to follow. I moved in tandem, careful not to obstruct Kirito, using my own skill, Solar Flare Rush, to land a series of precise strikes on the boss, forcing openings that Kirito could exploit. The two of us danced around the monstrous beast, our blades slicing through scales and meat alike, the deafening roar of the boss mixing with the clash of metal.
Time seemed to slow and accelerate simultaneously. The boss swung, breathed, and struck, but between our dual-wielding assaults, openings appeared where none had existed before. I landed a calculated slash across the leg joint, weakening its stance, and Kirito reacted instantly, his Starburst Stream a flurry of motion that turned the corridor into a storm of steel. Each strike pushed the boss back, forcing it to stagger under the combined might of our blades. For a moment, I saw Kirito falter; his health was reduced to barely half after taking a heavy hit, and I realized that despite the legend, even he was not invincible. I exchanged a glance with him, both of us silently acknowledging the mutual respect forming in that instant. "Who are you, really?" he asked between attacks, panting slightly, his eyes sharp as they searched mine. "You know my name… Asuna's as well. What's your objective?"
I exhaled, feeling the rhythm of battle and purpose in my veins, and I answered honestly, "Like I said—I wanted to help you defeat this boss." And in that moment, the screen flickered into my view: Third Quest Complete. Relief surged briefly, only to be tempered by the awareness that the Fourth Quest had yet to complete. Kirito's gaze fell back on me, cautious yet curious, while Klein's voice called out from behind, "Hey kid, nice to see you again." I nodded to him. "Hello, Mr. Klein," I said, acknowledging his presence and the small but significant bond formed from our previous encounter in the lower floors. Kirito's curiosity spiked as he asked, "Do you know him?" Klein explained quickly, recounting the incident with the spiders, and I couldn't help but grin internally. He was right—I had faced death and survived, and now I was here, standing in front of the legendary duo.
"I'm a fan," I admitted openly, raising my voice slightly so everyone could hear. "Kirito—you're the Black Swordsman after all." The Aincard Liberation Force around us froze, their mouths agape at my declaration. To them, it was inconceivable that someone so young, a level seventy player they had never seen before, could claim kinship to the legend. Kirito, however, smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting in acknowledgment of the truth. "Okay… you know me. What's your name?" he asked, genuine curiosity piercing the tension of the battle's aftermath. "I'm Johnrhey," I replied firmly, "level seventy player."
The screen flickered again, confirming the completion of the fourth quest. A deep sense of relief washed over me. For the first time in this world, I felt the weight of accomplishment, the sense that my preparation and risk had culminated in a tangible victory. Kirito's voice broke through my thoughts. "Hey… can I add you as a friend?" Asuna's voice followed shortly after, her tone warm yet teasing. My eyes widened, caught between the urge to accept and the reality of my situation. "Uh… sorry," I said softly, shaking my head. "This is only the last time we see each other anyway." The shock on their faces was immediate, Kirito's brow furrowing and Asuna's expression turning contemplative. "Is something going to happen to you?" he asked, concern lacing every syllable. I shook my head calmly. "Nothing will happen to me. I just want to stop conquering other floors for now. I need to relax."
Understanding passed silently between them. "We won't push any further, then," Asuna said, her voice carrying empathy and acceptance. I bowed respectfully, a gesture of gratitude and farewell, and waved goodbye, calling out a final piece of advice. "Be careful of Kuradeel!" Their faces twisted with confusion, "What does that mean?" they murmured, but before they could react further, I disappeared, melding into the shadows along the wall, unseen and unheard. The chill of the corridor brushed against my skin as I whispered to myself, "Time to go to the next world." A black portal opened before me, swirling with inky shadows and threads of violet light. Without hesitation, I stepped into it, leaving behind the legends, the battles, and the world I had just touched. Ahead lay another universe, another challenge, and the relentless march toward my ultimate goal—the chance to reclaim the life I had lost, to see Hannah once more, and to prove that even a good-for-nothing boy from another world could carve his name into the annals of multiple realities.