Chapter 4: The Sun and Moon
His breathing became ragged as his heartbeat began to quicken. He stood directly in front of the building situated in the Slums that would soon be reduced to rubble and ruins. For now, it stood firm, inconspicuously at the end of a gloomy street.
There was no sign to say whether it was open or closed, just a thick wooden door looming over him on a dusty porch.
He knocked on the imposing door. The noise reverberated louder than his intention as it shot through the hollow wood.
There was no answer.
He proceeded to continue knocking, but this time, the sound was drowned out by the thunderous steps which could be heard approaching.
Kirito gulped in anxiousness as he readied himself for the unexpected.
The creaking door was swung open venomously as a cool draft blew in his face.
Kirito:「W-wha…」
Kirito looked up to meet the person standing before, his ghastly shadow arched over him, causing Kirito to stumble backwards and lose his footing on the steps.
Before him was a colossal figure, a neck thick as a stump and arms like huge logs. He lifted Kirito back to his feet from the top of his head with a single hand before drawing closer.
Kirito closed his eyes helplessly, expecting his head to be crushed in an instant by the harrowing figure. Realizing it was not so, he slowly relaxed his face and opened his eyes only to find a huge face closely squinting at his own.
His features were sloppy and wrinkled with thick grey eyebrows and rotted teeth. Beneath his tattered clothing, revealing much of his upper body, dark tanned skin was cast over a huge muscular frame.
???:「I don't recognise this one, who are you kid? ... Is this one of your people Lady?」
After a few moments of confusion, the huge figure released his grip and turned to walk back into the room.
As the giant figure cleared the view from the doorway, Kirito peered into the room. Before him, at the centre of the room, was a table with two people sitting across one another.
???:「Hmm… I can't say that he is, how strange. Who is this boy I wonder?」
The response came from a woman sitting at the table with her lustrous legs tied and elegant arms crossed below her large chest. Her revealing attire and promiscuous aura were complemented by her high toned and seductive voice.
She pressed two fingers against her tender lips before stroking her dark black hair whilst glared intently at Kirito; with eyes full of curiosity. Her whole presence was suffocating, like a Black Panther stalking a prey.
Kirito:「――」
A cool sweat trickled down his eyebrow as he struggled to escape her gaze.
Giant:「You lost your tongue or something boy?... Maybe that's why you wouldn't stop banging on my door and just give me the password already――」
???:「Hold on!」
As the Giant returned to his seat, irritably scratching his desolate scalp, Kirito's entrancement was suddenly broken by the high-pitched noise coming from across the black-haired woman.
A girl with short golden hair, a sharp snaggle-tooth and unrefined disposition shot out from her chair, pointing her finger rancorously towards Kirito.
Girl:「I know you! I bumped into you in the alleyway earlier today!... I see you've managed to get yourself out of that tight spot, well good for you, but ―― What the hell are you doing here!」
Kirito's timorous stature vanished instantly after recalling his last interaction with her, he felt rage overcome him as his eyes sank deeper into her jovial grinning.
Kirito:「YOU! You're the one who caused me to get beaten and bruised you damn brat! Why the hell are you here!」
Girl:「H-hkk―― WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A BRAT!!! DON'T ANSWER MY QUESTION WITH A QUESTION!」
Kirito:「Tch! ―― I'm not about to waste my time arguing with a little immature brat―」
Girl:「THAT'S IT! CALL ME BRAT ONE MORE TIME AND YOU DIE!!」
Seeing the girl that had used him as a stepping stone and left him in the dirt to get pounded into it sparked a streak of rage in his mind.
He realised however, a contest of who could shout loudest against the feisty girl was one battle Kirito couldn't win. Accepting this, he cleared his head to dismiss her unrefined yells, which only infuriated her even more.
Giant:「Calm down Felt… Are you forgetting we are in the middle of a business deal. Sorry about this Lady.」
The Giant spoke in a deflated voice, as though this were a common occurrence he was used to, before shifting his eyes to the extravagantly dressed woman sat adjacent to him who had been chuckling behind her covered mouth.
Black-haired woman:「Mhmhm… Oh? no need at all, it is quite amusing in fact. The question remains however, why is this boy here? Is he perhaps a competitor in this trade?」
All heads turned back to Kirito waiting for his response.
''Competitor? What is going on here… Wait is that――''
Kirito's eyes finally landed on the items placed on the table in front of them, on one side were a batch of silver coins and on the other was a strange item. It was black with a strange symbol, resembling something like a badge.
Kirito:「――The elf's stolen insignia?」
Black-haired woman:「Hmm?」
As Kirito mumbled those words in thought, the woman slightly leaned forward as a sinister smile drew across her face. Kirito's focus was absent from the onlookers as his mind edged closer in solving the enigma; which was this situation.
''——That's it! It all makes sense now. This is why the elf comes here in the first place, to take back her insignia, and that's probably why they end up fighting!''
His face lit up slightly as he felt he managed to grasp the situation. His attention soon turned to the 3 faces peering towards him, one with bitterness, one with soggy eyes and the final face with the sharp glint of piercing needles.
The memory of the guard who had rushed into the Royal Guard building suddenly burst into his mind.
''Guard:「a male Giant and young blonde girl are among the casualties—」''
Kirito's eyes scurried around the room as he felt his adrenaline rush through his veins. He saw the Giant, there was no mistaking that. The young blonde girl fell in line next; she must be the brat…
''So that leaves——''
As his eyes finally landed on the dark-haired woman, he noticed her slithery smile and insidious stare. A dark ominous aura emanated from her, Kirito felt it suffocate his lungs and burden his timid body. There was no doubt.
''It's her… She's the one —— she's the killer!''
Kirito's right hand began to shake, his sword hand, he quickly grabbed it with his other arm, but it was too late. The woman staring at him had already noticed it. Like a predator, it was as though she could smell the fear reeking from him.
Her sharp tongue whisked across her poisonous lips in anticipation. Only Kirito had noticed that the room was about to explode at any moment.
His next move would prove decisive, the difference between life and death.
Kirito always believed that there was a solution to any and every problem, no matter how hard it seemed. So, what was it?
''She wants that insignia, if she strikes her deal then she has no reason to kill anyone. The elf wants the insignia too but it's not worth her life. She hasn't arrived yet, which means I just have to stop her from coming here… Yes that's it! I just have to keep her away from this place until their trade is over!''
Kirito:「Ermm… I'm not here to trade. I just got lost is all... Well then, I'll be taking my leave and you can all return to your business.」
Black-haired woman:「——」
Blonde girl:「Tch」
Kirito slowly turned his shaken body as he proceeded to exit. Just before he took his first step, the pounding sound of a knock reverberated from the doorway and through the wooden floor up to his feet.
His breathing halted.
Old Giant:「Who the hell is it this time, two visitors out of nowhere, I've never been this busy in years.」
The door was flung open. The moonlight shone through the doorway and at it's centre stood an angel-like being.
Amethyst eyes of a Nebula, silky strands of silver hair dancing in the breeze under a hooded cape and snow-white skin which glittered like diamonds.
At the centre of her chest, a green crystal illuminated wondrously as a small cat-like creature floated above it with his arms crossed and blue retro reflective eyes glossing over them all.
Silver-haired elf:「I've come to take back what you stole. Give it back at once!」
Her image of celestial beauty deserved to be encased in the beam of light for all to admire. It was as though the moon itself had come down to their doorway.
The feeling reminded him of the first time he had seen the girl who had teamed up with him in the first boss fight in Aincrad. When their sights met it was as though he had seen the Sun rise in her hazel eyes.
The warm『Sun』was too distant to feel whilst the fragile『Moon』was too close to danger.
—— He had vowed to save them both.
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Kirito:「NO!!!」
Silver-haired elf:「Black Swo——
Kirito:「——Arghh!」
Kirito jumped forward in a giant leap as he crashed against the elf's body, bringing her tumbling down to the ground.
A sharp spinning object with immense speed grazed his back as he squealed in pain. The sting burnt his back agonisingly as he gritted down on his jaw.
The black-haired woman had launched into attack mode in an instant, kicking the table in front of her with great force; sending the blonde-haired girl opposite her crashing against the wall, before hurling her sharp weapon towards the elf.
Black-haired woman:「OH MY!! Amazing! I'm impressed! You've managed to read my attack and save this gi—— Hkk.」
Giant:「HOW DARE YOU HURT FELT!!! I'M GOING TO CRUSH YOU!」
Felt, the youthful girl with the ferocious snarl of an untamed Lion cub now lay motionless as her consciousness was rung out of her from the heavy impact of her head against the wall.
The Giant jumped into the array with immense power as he swung his huge club, reigning destruction in the room. The Panther like woman spun her body spectacularly, jumping to and from the ceiling and walls in a remarkable display of acrobatics whilst sharpening her fangs in ecstasy.
Black-haired woman:「Such wild manners. Not that I'm not happy to oblige your challenge, fighting a Giant is truly a rare delight. I will indulge in admiring your guts!」
Giant:「Sorry you got involved in this kid! I'm going to have to teach this wench a lesson she will never forget!」
Black-haired woman:「Ohh? Now that's no way to refer to woman such as myself, you senile old brute —— My name is Elsa Granhiert, but you might also know also me by my alias, the『Bowel Hunter』. I'm afraid today is the day you must all die, but not before I can appreciate the marvellous display of your colourful bowels.」
The woman with the dark purple eyes rose to her feet from the animalistic stance to present herself. As she spoke she stroked her bare chest seductively with her sharp short blade before culminating as it reached her belly.
Kirito's eyes twitched with pain as he looked back, still looming atop of the girl he had just shielded. It almost felt like he moved on natural instincts to defend her. His eyes looked on at the slithering woman with disgust as she effortlessly dodged the flurry of raging swings that tried to swat her life away.
The girl below him was silent, not daring to intrude the focus of the boy guarding her. It wasn't until she noticed the trickle of blood filter from his jacket to the wooden floor that she did.
Silver-haired elf:「You're hurt!」
Kirito was forcibly lifted up upright from below him, the shift in posture caused his head to feel light as the elf rushed to diagnose his injury.
Silver-haired elf:「Puck!」
Puck:「Understood Lea! I'll protect you while you patch him up!」
The feline spirit rushed ahead of them at the sound of its name. The glowing aura flashed spectacularly as countless ice crystals instantaneously formed; ready to be released at a moment's notice.
Kirito:「Don't worry about me, it's nothi——」
Silver-haired elf:「Don't be a numbskull by saying something so silly. I'm going to heal you! Please stay still.」
''What? Who even says that? —— W-wow.''
The elf shot that familiar worried look as she placed her hands gently upon his back. Gazing back at her face from the side of his own, he became mesmerized as her subtle cheeks glowed sublimely as green light refracted from the place her palms were rested.
Kirito was left enchanted at the sight whilst the searing pain on his back slowly subsided miraculously.
Kirito:「Thank——」
Felt:「O..ld man…——OLD MAN ROM!!!!!!!!!!」
Kirito's speech was abruptly interrupted as the waking blonde girl erupted in a painful wail.
The Old Giant had been kicking up a whirl wind in his burst of attacks, each with enough force to crumble a wall of bricks, but all of which were evaded by the nimble Panther that was the『Bowel Hunter』.
She had been strategically shifting her body under the looming frame of the Giant so that the Spirit couldn't launch his sharp shards of ice at her. The slithering serpent soon halted in her tracks and readjusted her body. A shift of stance that made it evident she was done playing with her prey and would now launch her attack.
The flash of Obsidian rushed past the Giant in a single leap just as he brought down his powerful club. They both stood paused like statues with their backs to each other.
That is when the blinking Felt released her scream.
A line soon encroached around the scalp of the Giant, as thick blood began profusely pouring over his face; drowning his features behind a curtain of red. His club fell to the ground with a powerful thud, before a flood of blood splattered across the room from his head.
Elsa:「MARVELOUS! That was truly an amazing display, I just can't wait for what grandeur you beautiful entrails will reveal. Kukuku~」
Puck:「You despicable fiend! You will pay for this with your life. Now shatter to a thousand pieces!」
Elsa:「——Oh?」
The crazed rave of the『Bowel Hunter』was like a howl of ecstasy. Her lustful demeanour towards spilling guts was frightening and nothing short of sadistic madness. Puck, the feline spirit, now released a darker aura. His face was smeared in viciousness and mean intentions.
Countless shards of ice shot straight at the woman, bombarding her position relentlessly until smoke covered the scene.
After the flurry of pure destruction, piercing through the wall at the end of the room entirely, the spirit sunk lower back to the palms of her companion.
Puck:「Lea, I think I've overdone it a little, I can't keep this form much longer. I'll have to go back for now.」
Silver-haired elf/Lea:「——Puck.」
Puck:「Remember Lea. If you need me, you can call on me in accordance with our contract and I will come.」
Lea:「Y-yeah. Sorry for pushing you so much again, please rest well Puck.」
The spirit gave a yawn before disappearing back into the glowing green crystal at the elf's chest.
Kirito:「——Is it over?」
The thick smoke of dust continued to rise from the rubble. The Giant was already dead, his eyes were lifeless as he lay motionless on his knees, drenched in his blood.
Such a powerful being, cut down for sport. She was truly a nightmare, even going by the abhorrent things Kirito had seen back in Aincrad, but even so there was no way someone could survive that fierce bombardment of——
Suddenly out of the smoke, a black silhouette leapt out like an animal, landing on all fours on the ceiling before closing in on Kirito's and the elf's position from above them.
The immense speed whistled in the wind like a howling beast, but the breeze flying towards them was suddenly dispelled by another.
Felt:「YOU BITCH!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!」
A flash of yellow sprang into action, crossing their array from the corner of their eyes, with a shining dagger held firmly at her waist; pointing it towards the『Bowel Hunter's』exposed stomach.
Elsa:「——Oh? Divine protection of wind I see, you truly are blessed by this world. Your insides should be particularly quaint. Come at me!」
The supersonic speeds rushing in his sights were too fast for Kirito to keep up with, the same couldn't be said for the girl beside him who had materialised a number of icicles and released them at the moving target, keeping her hot on her heels.
Elsa, having toyed with her assailants for long in enough, magnificently switched stances once more from evading to leaping directly at the yellow flash; painting her in red.
Her small frame crashed to the ground as her mouth began profusely drooling blood. The discharge of ice had turned the air cold and thick making it clear to see her last breath escape her lips. She too was now dead.
''What the hell am I doing damn it! I've done nothing but spectated this whole time and now two people are dead. I have to fight too——''
His resolve was quickly shattered by the lustful eyes shot towards him from atop the final table that remained unturned or unbroken in the room.
''She's not just an animal… she's a demon!''
This was unlike anything he had faced before in Aincrad, how could it be, this was ''real''; at least in a vague sense of the word. He was just ordinary『Kazuto Kirigaya』in this world, not Kirito, the『Black Swordsman』.
Kirito:「Damn you! She was just a——.」
Elsa:「A child, a kid, an innocent little girl? —— Yes. But what did you do about it? You let this little girl fight in your place whilst you just watched on from the side. How can you call yourself a man?... Pathetic.」
The woman with the blood-stained curved daggers, cast off her dark cape, revealing even more of her already exposed skin as she nimbly stepped down from the table. An evil grin, mirroring both disgust and pity emanated from her dark aura as she glared at him intently.
''Damn it. She got me; she's playing mind games with me right now. Am I that easy to read… tsk... She's right though, I am helpless against this. I'm so… weak! It's all my fault damn it!''
Kirito clicked his tongue in disgust as the feelings of self-shame began to resurface once more. He couldn't speak a single word back, he didn't have the words, he couldn't even muster the courage to feign a lie just to rebuff her. No one would believe him anyway.
Lea:「——You're wrong! None of this is his fault, it's yours! Don't try to make it seem otherwise. He shielded me from your unscrupulous tactics, I'd surely be dead if he didn't jump in my way. You'll pay for your crimes of hurting people. I'll stop you here and now before you kill anyone else.」
Kirito looked over to his side in surprise, her purple eyes seemed to be lit with a flame. It wasn't rage or wrath or something as sinister as that. It was pure resolve… resolve to not give up… resolve to protect… resolve to fight.
Kirito looked over to his other side, on the wall was a shield, beautifully embodied with a red and yellow Sigil, its size reached almost up to his neck.
He quickly grabbed it.
It was heavy, but it was definitely durable. It wasn't his choice of weapon, rather it was something Heathcliff had used; and effectively at that. Although it didn't settle well to mimic his fighting style, he couldn't let his pride intrude in a situation like this.
Lifting the shield with all his might, Kirito stepped forward.
Kirito:「I'll back you up!」
Standing side by side, the elf gave him a sturdy nod before locking her sights once more on the wild beast they had to subdue.
Elsa:「Ho-ho-ho… This truly feels as though we have reached the climax! Let's make this encounter one worth committing to memory!」
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End of chapter.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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