Diavel: Lai... My friend.. Tell me... What is left to believe in, when you are.. Alone in a massive crime war started by everyone, every player who are all trapped in this death game.

Lai: Dia.. Diavel?

Diavel: When all that you are, all that you have done, is buried beneath the lies and the deceit of corrupt men.. Criminal players are ganging up the weak, sacrificing the innocent to satisfy their hunger for murders, wealth and fame. I will die in this wretched place... And the determination of setting things right is the only thing that keeps me alive, to atone my sins. They MUST be stopped, Lai..

Then he repeats the name of the three Leaders of the top Guilds..

Diavel: Kibaou... Lind... Heathcliff... All MUST stop...

Lai: Why...? Why would you entrusted me with this?

Diavel: We.. Are brothers, Lai... We.. Are the same... Their fates are all in our hands, they entrusted us to save them out from this death game.. With their very own lives..

Lai: Diavel...

The voice slowly quiet away as memories start playing itself..

Year 2023, January 1st. Aincrad Standard Time, 19:00. Floor 21, Lunite Village.

After just "barely" finished Floor 20 boss fight, he drops his Sword and sits on the ground.. Looking down as he is catching his breath..

Lai: *Huff* *Huff* I got here alone eventually.. It took me a whole hour.. 79 Floors to go..

???: You have to move on...

Lai: Huh?

He notices a "player" standing in front of him.. He slowly looks up, feeling familiar with the blue gears and avatar. He gasps.. Eyes widened in total shocked as his eyes finally meets The Devil.

Lai: Dia...! Diavel!?

Diavel: The pain... Is difficult, isn't it?

Lai: How did you survived the void!? I saw you fell down!! I remember that!

Diavel: ...

He replies back after a while of silent...

Diavel: ...I've been wandering in the dark.. Alone..

Lai: Huh?

Diavel: ...And no one would ever notice my "presence" this time...

Lai: Don't say that! I do notice you, Diavel! I'm just.. Never thought I would see you again..

Diavel: Because you need my help.. Right?

He buries his face while hugging his knees..

Lai: ...Yeah.. I don't trust the top guilds anymore.. They never changed since what happened in Floor 1!! They're still blaming us.. My friends.. My companions.. And... My partner.. Koharu... Then, there are criminal players are hurting the other players. And there's no way I can do about it.. I'm such a coward.. And a loser..

Hearing Lai just humiliated himself.. Diavel couldn't bear it and look away..

Diavel: ...

He drops a key item, Divine Necklace. It lands on both of Lai's hands..

Diavel: ..You'll need this... To activate the gate to the Dark Wasteland..

Lai: What for?

Diavel: There's a single-player quest. Talk to the Elder and they'll teleport you to the Dark Domain, along with a girl.. Your objective is to stop the entire Army of Darkness and defeat the Dark General, Vatendeth.. To put a stop to his Evil desires on conquering the floating castle in order to bring the light to someone that he's willing to sacrifice himself for... Dunkelis, the Goddess of the Darkness.

Lai: ...

The Devil reveals the reward details to him..

Diavel: The Rewards will be a powerful Sword from her, along with Dark General's Soul is resting inside the core. It can boost your power to a whole new level with just its stats. But you have to unlock the abilities on your own..

Lai: ..You think I can do it?

Diavel: Depends on how strong your willpower is. All of their lives are in your hand.. And I can help you along as well..

He suddenly goes excited..

Lai: Really!?

The Devil nods..

Diavel: Let's give our hope to everyone that they all will be saved from the world in the end..

Lai: Yeah!

Diavel: And I want you to know the moral of this single-player quest..

Lai: What is it?

Diavel: "The True Light comes from the Darkness". Please keep that in mind as well.

He nods with a bright grin as he recovers his confidence..

Lai: I will!

Year 2023, May 9th. Floor 20, Sunshine Forest.

Diavel just told him about the guild called Moonlit Black Cats.

Lai: Moonlit Black Cats? What's up with them?

Diavel: I'm interested with this guild. I've seen Leader has the potential.

Lai: Do you trust him?

Diavel: Maybe.. But as far as I concerned, he's doing good with his guildmates. And he's planning to join the Assault Team on the front lines.

Lai: So..?

Diavel: I want you to spy on them. I don't want anything that will happens to them.

Lai: Oh.. Okay..

Year 2023, May 17th. Aincrad Standard Time, 16:00. Floor 50, Algade.

As Lai is walking down the street alone with no other players around and only NPCs. He suddenly hears Diavel's voice from a far.

Diavel: Hey!

He turns around.. Seeing him panting after running.

Lai: ?

Diavel: I got a bad news.. Keita.. The Leader of the Moonlit Black Cats is about to attempt suicide by jumping off the railing.

Lai: What!? Isn't the Guild which Koharu and Kirito joined in?

Diavel: Yeah.. And we have to save him. But if you catch up to him before he jumps. The others will notice you.

He quickly takes out his Teleport Crystal as he is willing to take the risk.

Lai: Watch and learn..

He chuckles as he compliments..

Diavel: Quick thinking.. Lai..

Lai: Before I go.. What happened? Aren't they doing well yesterday?

Diavel: ...

He reveals the truth.

Diavel: Three of them.. Sasamaru, Ducker and Tetsuo. All died in a dungeon of the higher floors just a few hours ago..

Lai: What!? How!?

Diavel: Yeah.. We both didn't expect that..

Lai: I'm sorry...

Diavel: At least the Leader hasn't die yet. That means we still have a chance. But.. You have to take him under your care. He'll be a strong leader in the future.

He nods as he grits his teeth..

Lai: Yeah.. I will.

Year 2023, December 23th. Aincrad Standard Time, 20:00.

Diavel: You want a present?

Lai: Yeah! I mean.. It's almost Christmas, right?

Diavel: Heh..

He chuckles as he gives out the Quest detail.

Diavel: There's a secret quest at Floor 8. The Santa will come visit the Dark Elves. Kizmel will be your companion. Happy hunting.

Lai: Okay!

Year 2023, December 24th. Aincrad Standard Time, 20:00. Floor 49, Myujen Plaza..

During the event, Keita and Oathkeeper are exploring the event map in the district.

Keita: Where are we going?

Lai: Aren't you wanna reunite with Sachi? Isn't it why we here?

Keita: But I want to give her a surprise tho..

He pats his shoulder..

Lai: Easy there, lad. After I finish this..

He toggles the menu and inspects the Xmas Ring he was about give to Koharu as Christmas gift. Then, he combines the accessory with the Christmas wrapper.

Keita: What you doing?

Lai: ...

He walks forwards to the Christmas tree at the center of the town where the most crowded places with civilian players. As he places the gift after finished typing the description, he saw a present with his username on it.

Lai: Huh?

He taps the icon, received a gift sent by Koharu.. He smiles as he satisfied after just reading the description.

Lai: You didn't forget me at all.. Koharu..

Keita got curious on the gift.

Keita: Huh? What is it?

Lai: Nothing..

Keita: C'mon.. Just a peek, man. I promised I won't tell anyone!

He immediately keeps the gift and grabs his hand to drag him out from the town before Koharu could find him.

Keita: Wait! Where are we going this time!?

Lai: A Christmas surprise for Sachi. And you'll be the gift for her. I'm sure they're heading there for the Event boss..

Keita: Are you going to wrap me up as well?

He slaps him to snap him out from being misunderstanding.

Lai: Stop it! Get some help!

Keita: I'm just saying! ^^"

They both headed for the Event boss.

Aincrad Standard Time, 20:00. Floor 35, Forest Of Wandering.

As they travel through the forest, he just noticed Diavel was behind the tree that is beside him.

Diavel: Lai..

Lai: Oh, it's you..

Keita: Huh?

Diavel: Lai... It's bad.. The Holy Dragon Alliance are here around. You must stop them. The Furinkazan and your friends are in danger.

He nods..

Lai: I will...

Lai heads forward first.. Keita asks..

Keita: Who's that?

Lai: Nothing.. You should go on first. Do you still have the map?

He checks his inventory for the map.

Keita: Yeah.. I guess this is where we part our ways.

Lai: If you want to get to the Front Lines, you have to revive the guild. No matter what it costs..

He nods with a grin..

Keita: I will.. Thanks for all of this, Oathkeeper..

Lai: Alright, you go on to Sachi. I have something to deal with..

Keita: Okay.

Oathkeeper took his step ahead.. Keita mumbles..

Keita: That's strange... I don't see anyone but us..

Year 2024, February 14th. Aincrad Standard Time, 14:00. Floor 50, Town's Inn in Algade.

Lai: What!?

Diavel: The Orange Guild, Titan's hand. Just raid a guild called the Silver Flags.

Lai: How's the casualties..?

Diavel: All of them.. Died horribly.. Except for the Leader.

After just hearing it, he destroys the table with just one slam.

Lai: Where are they right now?

Diavel: Their Leader, Red hair, Spear User named Rosalia. Is in a party with several Solo Players. Using herself as a bait, then her Orange Players get their fish.

Lai: I'll get them..

Diavel: And what you gonna do with them?

He stops and replies back as he already planned out what to do..

Lai: What they had done to them..

February 24th. Aincrad Standard Time, 11:00. Floor 47, Hill Of Memories.

*Slash!* *Klack!* *Burst!*

After clearing the monsters, he notices the Mobs just got Koharu.

Lai: Koharu!!!

He charges his Dark General's Sword as he rushes forward to her aid. He slashes the monsters with a Huge Horizontal Slash. Instantly wiped out the mobs and he got her in his both arms, fragments floats on the air around them as Lai gazes at her cries..

Lai: ...

He toggles the menu to the Trade system. As he accepts the trade with the item he gave her as her Birthday gift, he slowly moves her finger to the Accept button as well. Storing the item to her inventory. Then, he wipes her tears and carries her in bridal style.

Lai: Time's running out..

He runs along the Red bricked path..

Timeskip...

After Koharu and Silica teleport away with Kirito, he killed all the members of Titan's hand, leaving the Leader alone.

Lai: I'm the Oathkeeper! And I'll be your Oblivion!!

Rosalia: No! Nooo!!!

He presses his thumbs to both of her eyes, crushing her eyeballs.

*Tush!* *Splat!*

Rosalia: AHHHHH!!!!!

He forcefully grabs her up by the hair who is unable to see the light with her permanent blindness.

Lai: Do you know there are two things called "Defloration" and "Mind break"?

Rosalia: What!?

He tore her armor and weapons, ripping all her gears and leaving her completely naked. She tries to cover her exposed skin.

Rosalia: Wha-!? What are you going to do to me!?

He places the Teleport Crystal on her hand. Laughing as he taunts..

Lai: Ohoho! It won't be me... Because I'm sending you to 18th Floor of hell that is worse than the Slave Market. Where all the mobs are gonna paint your body in white every single day. Teleport: Chamber Of Hell!

Rosalia: Don't-!!!!

He immediately cuts her sentence..

Lai: Goodbye..

He teleports her to Floor 18. After that, he left the scene like nothing happened.. He mumbles..

Lai: I'm storing for her... Not a corrupted woman like you..

After a month since that, her avatar and her soul had completely ruined and tainted by the Players and the Goblins. Drowning in a sea of white. As he came to visit the one he hated the most, he decided to watch the scene that every Goblins are raping Rosalia mercilessly, penetrating in every side of Rosalia without giving out any rest for her.

Rosalia: Guff! Muh!! Koff!!

As the mobs finally released themselves on her, Oathkeeper killed out the Goblins. Letting Rosalia alive, laying on a floor with white stain. As she finally takes a good look on him before meeting her end.

Rosalia: *sobs* You...

Lai: Stfu...

*Slash!*

He cuts her head off, her body burst into polygons. He grabs the hair and whispers to her head..

Lai: I wish this would last a year..

He pins the head on the ground and stomps on it, crushing her skull in the end as he grinds it. This time, the head burst into polygons and Oathkeeper continues to watch the fragments floating away before he let out a sigh of relief as he leaves.

Lai: ...

Diavel: Don't you think this is... Too extreme?

He stops..

Lai: She took away the innocent lives like it was nothing.. Why should I have mercy on her?

He agrees with him as he thinks about the lives been taken by her.

Diavel: You're right.. I'm The Devil after all. I'll treat her well.. Just like other Criminal Players.

Lai: ...

He continues to walk away..

Year 2024, April 10th.

He just received a murder case inside the Safe Zone.

Lai: Sleep PK this time.. They sure got a lot of guts..

Diavel: Abusing the Duel System... Manipulating one's finger while they're vulnerable or asleep.

Lai: Great.. How do we counter that?

Diavel: Just like they always do..

Lai: Paralysis, huh?

Diavel: And there's one thing you need to do.

Lai: Huh?

Diavel: The Leader of the Golden Apple, Griselda. Is about to stay in an Inn for a night. The Sleep PK is going to execute her tonight.

Lai: But aren't the doors always locked?

After a while, he just realizes something.

Lai: Oh.. Teleport Crystals..

Diavel: They have the coordinates of the room so you have to break through the door. Do you still have your pick-locking skill?

Lai: Yeah.. That bastard is not getting away with this..

Diavel: Save the Damsel first..

Lai: Yeah.. Yeah.. Now I feel like a sweeper.

In Griselda's room,

After hearing the fragments burst, he immediately storms inside the room, instantly grabbing the Killer's neck and throws him out through the window. Then, he drops the Revival item on her soul. All the fragments combine back to her avatar.

Lai: I made it in time..

Year 2024, October 20. Aincrad Standard Time, 13:00. Floor 75, Outside the Coliseums.

After the duel between Oathkeeper and Heathcliff which resulted as a draw, he went out from the Coliseum alone. The city was deserted as everyone was still in the Theater. This is when "The Devil" suddenly showed up to Oathkeeper.

Lai: ...What's the info this time?

Diavel: I suppose you still remember Kuradeel, right? The former member of the KoB guild just joined the Holy Dragon Alliance.

Lai: ...Which they hold a grudges against me.. What about him?

Diavel: That's right.. With them supporting him weapons and supplies, I believed he'll strike in anytime. But his target and the operation are unknown.

Lai: What do you mean?

Diavel: He could be aiming at any players just for a distraction. Then his men will target the one that has the closest relationship to you.

Lai: That means..

Diavel: The Lightning Flash... And the Black Swordsman. But the most possibility they could be aiming is her... The Angel Blade..

He replies back with cold tone.

Lai: And when..?

Diavel: Fortunately, it'll be the day after tomorrow... They're still amateurs of developing paralysis potion.

He nods as he understands..

Lai: I see..

Diavel: What're you going to do, Lai?

Lai: What you told me to do... Kill them all.. Before they can even start out.

The Devil shakes his head as he disagrees..

Diavel: Easy my friend.. Remember the limit? You knew what will happen if you kill one more.

Oathkeeper turns his sight to the Dark General's Sword equipped on his back. The core is still glowing brightly with dark pink even after that Duel. He notices his head turns away slightly, The Devil could feel his mind is in pain. But he holds it up.

Lai: ...

Diavel: Lai..

Lai: ..I need a moment...

Diavel: ...

He takes out the Music Box. Turning the Snow Globe for six spins. The soft music starts playing out, soothing him as the melody floods in his mind. After a short while, Oathkeeper asks as he keeps it back to his inventory.

Lai: So what's your plan?

Diavel: You got two choices.. Kill the Leader or Kuradeel. But either of them won't end well. For you..

Lai: Need you to say?

Diavel: I guess I have to trust you then.. Keep fighting, Lai..

He walks away until he disappears from his sight..

Lai: For everyone...

Slowly, he regains his consciousness...

Year 2024, October 23. Aincrad Standard Time, 10:00. Floor 55, KoB Headquarters..

He woke up and just realize he's in a room in KoB HQ.

Oathkeeper: Ugh...

He puts his hand on his head.. Then, he notices the Angel Blade is sleeping beside him.

Oathkeeper: ...

His eyes gaze at her face who is sleeping soundly.. When he is about to get out from the bed quietly..

Diavel: Leaving without saying anything? You're really not yourself today.

He notices The Devil is sitting on the bed that is on the other side from him. He mumbles...

Oathkeeper: What choice do I have?

Diavel: You're pushing yourself too much, Lai.. You're truly deserved a moment with her..

He replies back..

Oathkeeper: ...You're The Devil, Diavel..

Diavel: Well.. Can This Devil becomes The Cupid sometimes? I bet it'd be fun tho.

He adds with chuckles.. He replies back with a frown.

Oathkeeper: Buzz off...

Koharu: Huh...?

His voice just wakes the Angel up.. Diavel smiles on him before he goes to the door.

Diavel: See you again.. My friend..

Oathkeeper focuses on her, she wakes up with a silenced yawn.. Then, her first thing she sees is her partner who has woke up, still with his hood on.

Koharu: Lai..?

Oathkeeper: ...

He went silenced.. Doesn't know what to say or how to start out after he got blackout. She asks him..

Koharu: Are you really fine right now?

He nods..

Oathkeeper: Why you ask?

Koharu: About yesterday.. You suddenly had a duel with Heathcliff, remember?

Oathkeeper: Yes indeed.. Why?

Koharu: Are you still mad about the Duel? I can tell that you were upset that day.. I'm worried about you when you're not replying my messages..

He holds both of her hands.. Then, he pulls her into his hug.. Trying to apologize to her.

Oathkeeper: ...Do you hate me? After all I've done that is unacceptable for you..

She shakes her head, her face buries in his chest.

Koharu: No.. I don't want to answer that.. Kirito had told me everything about that day.. You did what you really can.. Is this why you avoided me?

Oathkeeper: Yes.. I can't let you witness such horrifying scene.. You're still pure, Koharu.. I don't want you to change by my tainted influence..

Koharu: But I just want to stay with you..

Oathkeeper: Are you even listening?

Koharu: And even a lot of things happened in these years. I won't change, I'm still the same Koharu you know. And.. I want to be strong as much as you do. Because we promised we'll get stronger, together.. Remember?

Oathkeeper: !!

He shocked as he couldn't believe that she is still keeping her Oath to each other from the very beginning. The memories of them adventuring throughout the world of Aincrad flood in and start replaying their moments. She cries silently in their hug.

Koharu: I thought I can be stronger than you someday.. But it all just my wishful thinking.

Then, she could hear him sob..

Koharu: Huh?

Tears start dripping down, his heart cracks as he holds his cries..

Oathkeeper: *sob* I'm sorry.. For abandoning you alone.. It was me who broke our promise..

Koharu: Lai..

His sobbing starts to escape from his breath.

Oathkeeper: I'm... Really sorry.... I shouldn't leave you all alone.. I shouldn't avoided you like this.. I shouldn't waste all the times and opportunities that we could spend to be together!

Koharu leans forward until their lips are finally get to meet each other. Both of their tears still streaming down through their cheeks. Like two stray cats are licking each other's wound, their pain are gradually disappear as time passes.. After a couple of minutes. They both break the kiss, catching their breath as they gaze at each other's eyes.. Blushing as their saliva still in connected. After a while.. Oathkeeper asks the Angel.

Oathkeeper: What flower did you picked?

Koharu: Huh?

Oathkeeper: Please.. I want to know..

Koharu: ... *Blush*

She toggles her menu, a Red Tulip appears on her palm. She looks at the flower as she represents out her feelings to him.

Koharu: My declaration of love, a perfect one. My affection towards you would never change.. What about yours?

He taps the item and a Crimson Red Rose appears in his palm, showing it in front of her. She gasps as she realizes its true meanings.

Koharu: This is..!

Oathkeeper: ..My desires for you, this represents the intense feelings of mine towards you. The most iconic flower to express my deep devotion for you.

Koharu: So.. You...

He confesses his feelings to her.

Oathkeeper: 愛してる, 小春...

After hearing it, her heart flings.. Koharu couldn't do but to hide her smile. She could feel her spirit is in heaven.

Koharu: *sob* ...I'm glad..!

Then, she confesses back happily..

Koharu: 愛してる, ライ!

After that, she hugs him back and kisses him happily.. She falls behind, letting him be on top of her.

Koharu: I'm glad we both made it this far.. To get to confess to each other.

Oathkeeper: ..Yeah.. I'm glad about that too..

They both lean in for a long, deep kiss as they devote to each other.. Diavel chuckles as he secretly watches them.

Diavel: ..Just like Vatendeth and Dunkelis.. I guess my Cupid job is done then..

His figure slowly disappears away from them, unnoticed at all.

End Of Chapter...