Last extra one for a while. Aincrad Extra - Dragon Danger · 12:47am Jul 25th, 2020
Excerpt From Episode Episode 59 - Coming Tuesday! (Maybe have to push it back a day or two due to being on the road.)
Bladescape and Doombunny were sitting in a charred tree on Floor 52. They were relaxing and enjoying the yellow frosted cupcakes with pink butterfly sprinkles after training Doombunny's Fencer Skill for several hours. It was a well deserved rest. A pack of the black wolves had found them and was snapping and snarling, waiting for them to come down. Colorra was coiled around a branch, ready to drop and destroy them. But for now, it didn't matter.
Bladescape's Search Skill notified her something had broken the passive field she had set up while they took their break. She looked in the direction of the breech. It took a moment for her eyes to catch the single player, dressed in black and well disguised in the ash landscape. She was behind in registering everything as he closed the distance with a speed that would make Thunderborne nervous. Kirito ran a wolf through and then easily killed each of them as they turned to tear their new target apart. It was a ferocious speed she had seen multiple times when Kirito was defending other players in a boss fight. There was no mercy because they were shown none by this "game."
He looked up at them. "Are you guys alright? Why are you in a tree? Why didn't your tele-" Kirito finally recognized them and their armor, and he wasn't happy. "Wait! What are you doing up there. There is no way you guys were in trouble."
Bladescape dropped out of the tree, leaving Doombunny sitting up there, kicking her dangling legs a bit for fun. Her sweet, soft side was being portrayed, outside the bandanna tied around her forehead which made her look fierce. Bladescape held up the picnic basket to Kirito.
"Cupcake?" She offered. "AFCK baked them fresh this morning. I've seen your face trying one. You liked it."
Kirito casually reached in and pulled one out. He took a bite and shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a guy. A growing boy needs his food. And her cupcakes are divine. But, that still doesn't answer the question of why you were up in that tree with the wolves trying to tear your legs off."
"I'm with Doombunny, helping her train. She speed kills the wolves, leveling up really fast. She did it solo for a bit, but it is better when I am with her. It's the best way to work on her Fencer skill-"
"Right," Kirito interrupted. "The double daggers she had in the last boss fight."
"Yes," Bladescape nodded. "It is her first defensive skill. Anyway, we take breaks in the trees, and if a group is below us, Colorra drops out of the tree and destroys them. She is a tree snake after all.
"However, that doesn't explain you. The assistance was appreciated, especially your reaction to make sure we were safe, without knowing who we were. But you are a solo player, and the ashen wastes of Floor 52 is one the most dangerous places to be alone. Doombunny at least had Colorra for backup when she did this alone. But you don't have any form of backup."
Kirito sheathed his black sword on his back. His words were somber and once again had a frosty edge to them. "Why I am here doesn't matter. Just as long as you are safe. That is all that matters."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't make any sense," Bladescape prodded. "This place has no substantial grinding spots, unless you are Doombunny. But otherwise, it's ash and black dragons." As soon as Bladescape said it, she knew why he was there. "So why are you after black dragons. And alone."
Kirito sighed. "I need a new coat. Ashley is making me one of black dragon hide."
Bladescape's smile was more of a smirk. "Oh, changing up your look are we?"
"No," Kirito flatly replied. "Same look. Same jacket, just a different material to make it better and stronger for the next set of Floors."
"Not a bad choice," Bladescape admitted. "And your all black look has grown on me. But those dragons are no joke. They often are not alone. You need backup. Get Klein and Fuurinkazan out with you at least. I'm sure they would be glad to help. Or wait a few days and I can have a party of Wondercolts to join your side. Don't be stupid about this. I would know. I almost died trying to get the materials for my armor. It's not worth it."
"That was Laughing Coffin. It's a big difference between them and a few dragons."
"Wrong!" Bladescape snipped. She had been ready for him to make that mistake. "I almost died fighting the Dagannoths. They were my real problem, and my prideful mistake. Especially when their flag boss showed up. I should have had at least Astro with me. The swamp didn't allow for a full party. But we can put together a full party to back you up. So let's do that."
"I'm not you," Kirito replied. It was a cold stab. "I can handle it."
"Like hell you can!" Bladescape argued back. "I've seen you fight. Yeah, you are good, but there are things a solo player can't do. Or shouldn't. Black dragons are one of them. Soloing a dungeon is different than soloing a single, overpowered creature. You can take the materials you need if we get them. I don't care. We need you alive, because whether others like it or not, you are a great swordsman who we need in order to make it out of this hell. You are a staple on the front lines and losing you will hurt our momentum, and our morale."
Bladescape crossed her arms, getting really serious. "And if you disappeared while trying to get the black dragon hides, I would blame myself."
Kirito stared Bladescape down. Bladescape felt like he was trying to pierce her soul with his eyes. He was out of words, so he tried to break her down in a clash of wills.
"Incoming!" Doombunny exclaimed, jumping down out of the tree. She pointed into the sky. "We have been spotted by a dragon. Three is a crowd which is why no one else comes with us. Even if Bladescape does not have the Hide Skill, we go unnoticed. Mostly because we stay south. But that one has a long targeting range!"
The contest of wills was over. There was a good chance Doombunny would have to run, but Bladescape had no intention of leaving Kirito exposed. She would show him why he should use a party for this task.
Hell Yeah, Sunset finally gets to truly confront Kirito. Get her anger towards him for getting more front line boss drops than her. And her anger over trying to be a hardcore lone wolf, who wants friends, but is too stubborn to say it. Like she was.
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I started this chapter ages ago, perfecting it slowly. i should probably call this the "Assisting Arc" or something. Either way, this is a fun one i developed a long time ago and have been waiting weeks to release! But then i added in more and more, all good stuff, but its been a long time coming. i am so excited for this.
oooooh nice!