I'm currently in the back of the Colosseum with Asuna, preparing my first with Heathcliff. Asuna puts her hands on her hips and leans forward to me.

Asuna: My god, you're such an idiot! How could you agree to a duel?!

I throw my hands up defensively.

U/n: Whoa! Calm down! I'm sorry! It's not like I had any other choice!

Asuna: The other day, when you used your Dual-Welding skill. I've never seen anything like that before. The thing is, the Commander has his own unique skill, too.

U/n: I know. I've seen it a couple of times. The Divine Blade. It maximizes his offense and defense, his attack is strong, but his defense is incredible.

Asuna: No one's ever seen the Commander's Hp bar dip down into the yellow zone before. His invincibility is way beyond the normal game balance!

U/n: I know.

Asuna: What if you lose? I don't care if I don't get my leave of absence. I care about you having to join The Knights Of The Blood Oath.

I stood up.

U/n: I don't plan going down without a fight.

I take a deep breath and looked over at the gate where the arena is.

U/n: Here goes nothing.

I made my way to the gate and at the arena. Looking back at the entrance, I see Asuna staring at me looking worried. I turned around and made my way to Heathcliff.

I could hear the crowd cheering loudly.

Heathcliff: I'm sorry about this, U/n. I didn't think this would be such a big deal. This is crazy.

He looks at the spectators who were cheering.

U/n: When this is over. Maybe I can get a cut of the tickets?

Heathcliff: No. But when we're finished, you'll become an official member of the guild. I'll consider this your first mission.

He sends me a duel request, I press the button and accepted it. As the count down went down.I drew my swords from my back.

As Heathcliff drew his sword from his shield.

We both stared at each other as we wait for the timer to hit zero. When the count down hit zero, I immediately rushed him. I thrust my sword forward attempting to hit him, but he just blocks it. I unleashed a barrage of attacks.

But Heathcliff just blocks all of them.

Heathcliff faked me out by trying to shield bash me, but he went for a thrust instead. I quickly blocked the attack and jumped back. We both rushed each other, I tried to slash him but he hits me with the tip of his shield.

U/n: Ahhhh! My Spleen!

He pushed me back and I fell backwards and landed on my feet. I looked forward and saw Heathcliff rushing me. We trade blows and I jumped back and charged the sword skill "Vorpal Strike" and lunged at him, but he blocked the attack. He moves to the side and I went behind him due to my momentum.

Heathcliff: Your reaction time is very impressive.

U/n: So is your defense.

I could hear the spectators cheering.

Once again we both rushed each other and our swords clash and we continued to trade blows with one another.

I did another barrage of attacks and Heathcliff blocked it as well.

U/n:(Thoughts) Not yet. Give it time!

I continued with the barrage of attacks and in the middle of it Heathcliff thrusts his sword forward and I quickly deflected it, but it still managed to cut the right side of my face. I still continued the barrage of attacks.

I thrust my sword forward and finally was able to land a hit on him. Heathcliff looked at me surprised and narrowed his eyes.

Now's my chance! I quickly used the sword skill "Star Burst Stream" and slashed at Heathcliff shield. Eventually I managed to break through.

When his guard was broken I went to slash him.

U/n: You're done!

My sword was inches away from him, at that moment I saw Heathcliff's shield move way too quick and blocked my attack.

My eyes widened in surprise. Heathcliff quickly hit me with his sword when I was caught off guard, lowering my Hp into yellow. I fell on the ground from the force of the attack and landed on my butt.

The winner icon appeared right above us say Heathcliff was the winner. The spectators all cheered loudly from his win.

I sat there stunned by what happened and by what I saw. I looked and saw Heathcliff looking down on me. He turned around and walked away leaving me alone in the arena.

Asuna comes running in the arena, I could see the concern all over her face. She kneels right next to me and places a hand on the right side of my face.

Asuna: Are you okay?

She said softly. I gave her a reassuring smile and placed my hand on top of hers.

U/n: Yeah. I'm okay, well besides my pride. Can't believe I lost though.

Asuna looked down saddened.

Asuna: I'm sorry, please forgive me.

U/n: This wasn't your fault. It's on me, I decided to do this.

I stood up causing Asuna to let go of my cheek.

U/n: C'mon. Let's get going, we need to get my new uniform.

Asuna: Okay.

Asuna stands up and we both walk to the entrance of the arena.

Asuna: We need to get you a uniform now, since your gonna be a part of the guild now.

U/n: Great. Can't wait to wear white and red.

I sigh. Just then a notification popped up in front of me, saying Heathcliff has invited you to join The Knights of the Blood Oath.

U/n: A deal's a deal's.

I press the accept button and joined the Knights of the Blood Oath.

Asuna puts her hand together.

Asuna: I'll go get you your uniform, I'll meet you over at Agil's shop.

I just nod. Asuna walks away from, I just stood there watching her walk futher and futher from me.

(Timeskip)

After Asuna left to get me a uniform I headed over to Agil shop and headed to the back.

I'm currently sitting on a bed, my thoughts keep going back to the fight. He moved his shield way too quick.

Kirito: Knock knock.

I looked up and saw Kirito standing at the doorway.

Kirito: Hey man. I saw the match, all of us did. Sorry to see that you lost. We were cheering you on, Sachi cheered the loudest out of all if us.

U/n: Did you see it?

Kirito looked at me confused.

Kirito: See what?

U/n: They way he moved his shield, it was way too quick. He shouldn't have been able to do that.

Kirito nodded in agreement.

Kirito: Yeah, I noticed that. But I thought I must've been seeing things. But you just confirmed it, got any idea what it was?

I shook my head.

U/n: No, he's hiding something, I'm sure of it.

Kirito looked around.

Kirito: Where's your girlfriend?

I raised an eyebrow at him.

U/n: My girlfriend?

Kirito: Yeah, where's Asuna.

U/n: First, She's not my girlfriend and Second, she's picking an uniform for me.

Kirito: I'm not convinced.

I looked at him annoyed.

U/n: Okay, love expert. What makes you think she's my girlfriend?

Kirito: Let's see. First, you guys bickered like an old married couple. Second, when you were unconscious yesterday, she practically was crying for you. She was scared that you might've died. And Third, you practically fought Heathcliff just so she can have time off from the guild.

I was about to retort but couldn't think of anything to say.

Kirito: C'mon U/n. It's clear that you both have feelings for each other.

I looked down and started to fiddle with my fingers.

U/n: I... never really dated anyone before. So I don't know how to approach it. Why are you interested in this?

Kirito walked towards me and sat down right next to me.

Kirito: I'm just returning the favor.

U/n: Favor?

I looked at him confused.

Kirito: Me and Sachi. The reason we're even together, was because of you.

U/n: I get it. You're trying to get me and Asuna together because you feel like you owe me.

Kirito: Yeah, it's all thanks to you.

U/n: Kirito, I--

Just then Asuna comes walking in with a smile on her face.

Asuna: I got the less flashy uniform for you, it's the best one that I can find.

She notices Kirito and tilts her head to the side.

Asuna: What's Kirito doing here?

U/n: He was just--

Kirito: I'm just catching up with my good pal.

He puts an arm around my neck and pulls me closer to him.

U/n: Y-Yeah, what he said.

Asuna looks at us suspiciously. She shrugs and walked over to us.

Asuna: So, Kirito. Wanna see what U/n new uniform.

Kirito: As much as I want to, I gotta get going. I have a little meeting with my guild.

Asuna: Okay, I understand. Guess I'll see you later then.

Kirito: Yeah, see you.

He walks out of the room leaving me alone with Asuna.

Asuna sits down on a stool and goes to her menu. She sends multiple equipment to me.

Asuna: There, those are the less flashy ones I could find.

I went straight to my menu and looked at the equipment she sent me. I equipped them and looked at down. It was just a red and white version of my previous equipment.

U/n: How is this less flashy?

Asuna: Sorry I tried. But at least now your nickname is more accurate.

I let out a deep sigh.

U/n: I don't know how people gave me the nickname "White Devil", I literally wear all black.

Asuna shrugs.

Asuna: Probably because of your white hair, people can't call you the "Black Swordsman" since that's already taken.

I sigh.

U/n: You have a point.

I laid my back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

U/n: I'm in a guild.

Asuna: It's all my fault isn't?

I shook my head.

U/n: Nothing about this is your fault, besides this is a good opportunity. As a solo player, I got as far as I can.

I sat up and looked at Asuna.

Asuna: That makes me feel a little better. Hey. U/n? Why do you avoid guilds? I hope you don't mind me asking. I mean, it's not because you're a Beta Tester or because you unique skills, is it?

I took a deep breath.

U/n: It was a long time ago. About a year or so. Until now, that was the only guild I was ever in. It was small. Including me, there was seven of us in it. They called themselves the Moonlit Black Cats.

Asuna looked at me surprised.

Asuna: Moonlit Black Cats, one of the top guilds in the front lines.

I nodded.

U/n: Me and Kirito both were in it, our levels were higher than their's, Kirito thought if we told them our true levels, they wouldn't let us in so we decided to keep it a secret. It was fun hanging out with them and I wanted to be a part of it. Then one day... we went to a dungeon level that's higher than them and they all nearly died. We got back to the guild and I was confronted by the leader, he told me I he knew I was a Beater. And so I took the blame and asked for them to let Kirito to stay in the guild. He liked a girl named Sachi who was in the guild so I didn't want to take that away from him. Ever since then I avoided guilds cause I'm afraid I might bring misery into it. That's why I avoid guilds. And I'm afraid to see anyone else die.

Asuna stands up and wordlessly walks over to me and sits down next to me. She gently cups the sides of my face with her hands and turned my head to face her.

Asuna: I'm not gonna die. Got that? I can die, because... I have to protect you.

She moves her hands to the back of my bed and pulls me in for a hug, my head rested near her neck.

I was about to hug her back but decided not to.

(Timeskip)

October 23, 2024

Floor 55: Grandzam

Me and Asuna were currently sitting in a room, we both stared at a player in front of us.

U/n: I got to train?

???: That's right. You, Me, and one other guy are gonna form a party. Then we're all gonna go clear the dungeon on this floor.

Asuna: Hold on, Godfrey! U/n and I are already in--

Godfrey: I can't do anything about it, ma'am. Besides, as Second-in-command, you know we can't ignore the rules. If he's gonna be joining us, then it's my job as commander of the front lines to take the kid out and evaluate his skills.

Asuna: But that's ridiculous! He doesn't need evaluation! He's stronger than you!

I sigh as I watch everything happening.

Godfrey: Kid, in 30 minutes, I want to see you at the western gate! OOH-AH!

He throws his fist in the air and turns around laughing. We could hear the door slam when he exits the room. Asuna let's out a big sigh.

Asuna: We finally had a chance to be alone.

I stood up from my seat and walked over to her. I placed my hand right on top of her head. Asuna looked up at me.

U/n: I won't be gone for long. I'll be back, think you can wait until then?

She nods her head.

Asuna: Just be careful.

U/n: I will.

I give her a smile and walked over to the door.

(Timeskip)

I begun crossing a bridge that leads to an open field. Ahead of me I see Godfrey, he grabbed someone around the corner and waved his hand at me.

Godfrey: Hey, kid! We're waiting for you!