Chapter 33: Asuna's Determination
As the twilight dyed the brick walls of the 24th floor's main street red, Hachiman was crouching under the eaves of the blacksmith's shop, adjusting the newly acquired bracers.
A cold wind brushed his neck just as the sharp sound of hard-soled shoes striking the stone pavement came from behind.
"Isn't this Hachiman-kun, always going on about 'energy saving'?" "Mr. Shuu Kanzawa, long time no see."
The one who called out to Hachiman that day was Shuu Kanzawa from the Divine Dragon Alliance.
Hachiman's impression of him was of a gentle, rational type with no bad feelings at all.
"Kanzawa-san showing up here," Hachiman slowly stood up, "How's recruitment going for the Divine Dragon Alliance?" "Not going smoothly, as expected," Kanzawa said casually, cutting off the topic. "I see."
Perhaps disliking the heavy atmosphere, Kanzawa changed the subject.
"By the way, the Liberation Squad seems to be renaming themselves." "Changing their name at this point?" "It seems they're merging with a guild active in the lower floors. Kibaou is apparently stepping down as guild leader." "Who's the next leader?" "I heard it's someone called Thinker. The merged guild mainly supports non-combat personnel down below." "I see, so they're shifting toward a support-type guild." "That's what I thought, but the new name is reportedly Aincrad Liberation Army…" "Army? Judging by the merger, that's totally different from their original image," Hachiman almost choked on his spit. "Is that guy trying to push Kibaou's hot-blooded foolhardiness to the extreme?"
He casually placed a stone in his palm and threw it towards the distant road. "But I heard Vice Leader Kibaou held a cross shield to someone's throat and forced this change." "That really fits his style." "I thought Kibaou had become a lot more polished than at first." "I agree. This fact is really unfortunate." "Anyway, we have to rebuild our combat strength as soon as possible." "Yeah, let's both do our best." "Mm, looking forward to working with you."
The two fell silent simultaneously. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, and orderly footsteps of a patrol came from afar.
As the second patrol passed by, Kanzawa suddenly reached out and brushed a fallen leaf off Hachiman's shoulder. "I heard the Knights of the Blood are recruiting attackers?"
Hachiman's muscles tensed instantly—this information had just come from Argo this morning... "Don't get nervous," Kanzawa stepped back half a pace, raising both hands. The bandages slipping from his sleeves pricked Hachiman's eyes painfully. "Just a reminder—"
Before he could finish, a familiar shout came from the street corner.
"Asuna-chan! Emergency meow!"
The informant wearing mouse-ear hood dashed forward like a cannonball, followed by a breathless chestnut-haired girl.
Asuna's ginkgo pendant swung a golden arc while running.
Hachiman instinctively reached out to steady her.
"Heathcliff agreed to an interview!" Argo slammed into Hachiman's arms with a sudden stop, her claw-like nails digging painfully into his arm. "But the condition is that it must be before 8 PM tonight… Wow, your dark circles are worse than at the strategy meeting!"
Hachiman pushed away her wandering hands and turned to meet Asuna's hesitant expression.
Today, she had a rare high ponytail, and the ends of her hair were sprinkled with grass from training grounds.
"Let's get to the point," he forced his gaze to fix on the whisker sticker on Argo's nose, "That guy who claims to wield the 'Holy Sword'…" "He doesn't just claim," Argo lowered her voice suddenly, pulling out a video device from her pocket. "Yesterday, in the 25th floor maze, someone witnessed him blocking a full-power blow from the Minotaur lord with one hand."
As the footage played, Asuna gasped sharply.
The screen showed a man in a scarlet cloak holding a blocking stance. His HP bar was completely still.
Hachiman stared at the cross emblem on the armor and suddenly felt an electric chill down his neck.
"So, what's the problem?" "There's no strong attacker in the team." "I see."
"If we can introduce a suitable candidate, they're willing to join the boss raid." "But the only one I can think of is Kirito, and he…"
The only powerful attacker Hachiman knew was Kirito, but he couldn't ask him, who had already joined a guild and was progressing well.
Actually, there was another candidate, but Hachiman hadn't considered it at all.
"Can we poach someone from the Divine Dragon Alliance?" "That's impossible."
After deep thought, Hachiman concluded: (In the worst case, I'll have to take the lead myself.)
That evening, the ones who went to Heathcliff's residence were Hachiman, Argo, and… Asuna.
"Asuna doesn't have to come." "I want to go." "It's just a talk."
Asuna noticed Hachiman never planned to recommend her.
It wasn't out of kindness or lack of consideration, but more like a subconscious avoidance.
She made up her mind: if Hachiman was going to recommend himself, she would volunteer.
Since the Liberation Squad's destruction, Asuna always felt Hachiman was blaming himself, and if left unchecked, something bad would happen.
This was a turning point.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Heathcliff."
The moment Hachiman saw those eyes, he shuddered: 'They're like Kayaba Akihiko's, but he couldn't be involved in the game, right? Though it's hard to believe.'
"I'm Hachiman." "I'm Asuna."
"Honored to meet two celebrities from the strategy team. So, what brings you here?"
"To get straight to the point, Mr. Heathcliff. I'd like to serve as an attacker for the Knights of the Blood, who are short on attackers."
'As expected…' Asuna thought silently.
"You? Though inconspicuous, you are indeed a strong attacker, but I thought you'd recommend Asuna-san."
"Let Asuna join? Never thought about that."
Heathcliff examined the two: "It's not that you didn't think about it, but that you didn't want to. Asuna-san seems to understand."
His words hit Hachiman like a hammer. At that moment, Asuna stepped forward.
"Please consider Hachiman's proposal as nonexistent. I want to join the Knights of the Blood."
"Of course you're welcome, but are you sure?"
"This is my own decision."
"No!!"
Hachiman suddenly shouted, "Asuna cannot join! Let's forget today happened, let's go back."
"Hachiman-kun…"
"Wait. I understand you don't want to let go, but isn't that selfish?"
"Selfish? How is that selfish!"
"If not selfish, then what? You didn't even put Asuna on the candidate list, even though theoretically she's the best choice."
"That is…"
"And you ignored Asuna's own will."
In the silence, Asuna spoke:
"Hachiman-kun, I'm not deciding this to replace you.
Though I want you to stay free, and know you've been blaming yourself wanting to bear everything alone, this time it's unrelated—that's what I want to do.
Actually, I've long thought about joining a guild, but I was reluctant because I enjoyed being with everyone.
When I heard the news, I suddenly realized: it's time to stop relying on you, and choose my own path."
"Asuna…"
"Don't worry, I won't disappear. I'll still often come to the secret base anyway."
Looking at Asuna's smile, Hachiman said to Heathcliff: "Please… take good care of Asuna."
"Understood. I originally wanted you to be a strategist, but it seems you're better suited to operate freely. Change your mind anytime and find me."
Thus, Asuna joined the Knights of the Blood as vice-captain, and the strategy for the 25th floor was restarted.