Y/N still kept watch over Issei. As promised, Rias Gremory had taken in the perverted boy. Y/N was glad to say the least. His friend wasn't dead, but the one thing he wished was his pervert side died with his human self.

Issei was now a revived devil. A pawn to be exact. Then again, Y/N had felt a strong magical power within his pervert friend of his. He thought that one of the reasons why Rias had brought Issei back to life was maybe because of his powerful sacred gear. He couldn't complain though. He was just glad his friend is alive. He followed the boy to his school, asking his friends whether he remembered his "girlfriend," Yuuma Amano. They didn't remember obviously as the Fallen Angel had cast a spell that made these people forget. Y/N didn't forget though. He knew of the magic used and had precast a spell that wouldn't allow him to forget those memories.

The day continued on and Issei had went back to where he was previously at with Y/N tailing behind, but to make sure he wasn't seen. While walking, Issei had something on his mind.

Issei: (thoughts) That couldn't have been real...right? Not only that, the guy that showed up. He seemed so familiar. His voice was familiar too. Who was that guy?

Issei was knocked out of his thoughts as a barrier was put up. Although Issei was a new devil, he didn't know much about magic. A Fallen Angel then came in. It was a gruff man in a trench coat with a stalker's hat. His name was Dohnaseek.

Y/N had done some odd jobs with him. One consisted of stealing a stray devil's tooth. It was an odd one that Y/N decided not to question. Before Dohnaseek could kill him, Y/N had decided to step in. But of course, Y/N had his hood on so Issei couldn't identify him.

Y/N: That's enough, Dohnaseek.

Dohnaseek: Ah, the Black Swordsman. What a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?

Y/N: Got a contract to eliminate this perverted stray devil. While normally I wouldn't accept a job with a low pay, this one was a pervert and I never really liked them.

Issei: (thoughts) Are you kidding me!? This guy is going to kill me all because I'm a pervert!?

Dohnaseek: My apologies. I didn't realize you had contract to kill this devil. I shall be going now. But first, (charges up light lance) I'll give him something to remember me by. (releases light lance)

Dohnaseek had left and Issei had been pierced by the light lance. Then again, most would run when they see this so called "Black Swordsman." Y/N had made a name for himself and rose to the top of the mercenary ranks. He was cunning and sly. Y/N could manipulate his way through, especially when the pay he's receiving isn't to his liking.

After Dohnaseek left, Y/N ran to Issei's side. Issei got a clear view of Y/N's face. but couldn't think of who it was. Issei knew he looked familiar. He couldn't put his mind to work as he was dying. Y/N on the other hand thought he could convince Dohnaseek to leave, hoping he'd spare him thanks to his standing as one of the top mercenaries.

Y/N saw the Gremory crest appear and knew that Rias's peerage was coming. He quickly left a note saying it was Dohnaseek. Though he didn't want Rias to get the wrong idea so he quickly left the scene and watched from afar. He watched as the Gremory girl had picked up Issei's dying body again. She ordered the rest of her peerage to return on home as well. Kiba stayed behind though. It had seemed if he had sensed Y/N. Y/N had remained in his spot, knowing if he moved Kiba could figure out where he was. Kiba was always smart. Y/N knew not to mess with him in a fight.

He patiently waited for the blonde swordsman to leave. He left after about fifteen minutes staring at the spot where Issei was dying. As he left, he muttered to himself.

Kiba: The Black Swordsman was here...I'll find you and get some answers.

Y/N: (thoughts) Until next time friend. It pains me thought to have to make you wait. You never really liked it when I was late for our duels. So forgive me, friend.

Y/N walked silently through the night. Walking towards his apartment. As he neared the bridge that was near the district he was going to, a vibration went off in his coat pocket. Y/N sighs to himself and pulled out his phone. He just wanted to go home and rest for the night.

He opened up the messages app and found an unknown number. One that he hasn't seen before.

???: 'I have a job for you.'

Y/N: 'If you want business, tell me you're name and the conditions of the job. The pay, target, everything.'

Rias: 'Rias Gremory, Black Swordsman.'

Y/N: 'To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Gremory?'

Rias: 'I want whoever sent that Fallen Angel to kill my pawn dead. Including that Fallen Angel that attacked him.'

Y/N: 'That'll be hard to figure out who. And I know who attacked him. His name's Dohnaseek. Name your price.'

Rias: '30,000 yen.'

(A/N): I don't how much yen is equal to one American dollar, but I'll find out soon. I'm not good with overseas currency.

Y/N: 'Deal. I'll accept the contract.'

Rias: 'Thank you.'

Y/N: 'It's a pleasure doing business with you. But, you better have my money. Leave it on the roof of Kuoh Academy. I'll message you when the contract's complete.'

Rias: 'I'll make sure it's sent to you.'

Y/N: 'Make sure you go there yourself. You can bring your queen, but as far as this. This conversation never happened.'

Rias: 'I'll keep that in mind.'

With a contract accepted, Y/N now had to track down Dohnaseek. That's if another contract wasn't offered to him. Nonetheless, Y/N went back home, tired from a long day of watching his friend. He just wanted to relax.

Timeskip-Next Day

It was the next day now and Y/N was watching Rias and Issei, tailing them to be specific. Since it was day, he couldn't exactly walk around as the Black Swordsman. While he could, it would just draw too much unwanted attention.

So he dressed up in his casual clothing with a cover name, Kazuto Kirigaya. While it may not seem original, it should throw people off his back should he be hunted down by church members if they found out he was alive.

(A/N): Again, I don't own Kirito or SAO in general. They belong to their respective owners.

As Y/N was walking by, he got looks from many girls. Sure he could consider himself quite handsome. Though he rarely had any form of masculinity, but nonetheless a girl could still call him attractive. He stood at around 5'7 or 172 cm tall. He had slightly-short, but neat black hair and eyes. He had a fair complexion in terms on skin tone. Though Y/N wasn't really self conscious about his physical appearance or how he looked. Always preferred to just look fine. Never really cared about looking good.

(A/N): Information above was found on the SAO wiki.

He even heard some nicknames as he passed by them. For example, "Dark Prince" or "Black Knight." This was mostly due to his clothing of choice which primarily consisted of black clothing or dark themed colors in general. Right now he was wearing a black v neck with some black pants and grey sneakers. He didn't want to wear his black coat (not the one of the Black Swordsman) as it would be too hot. Sure it was around the beginning of the new school year, but it was still hot and Japan didn't really have cold weather that much.

Y/N watched closely as the two, Rias and Issei, entered the school grounds. He sighs to himself and was about to leave until he was stopped by a raven lady. Two in fact. Both were wearing glasses, but the easily noticed difference was one had a larger chest size.

Y/N knew who these two were. He met them when he was taken to the Sitri household in the Underworld when Serafall had taken him in.

Sona: Care to tell me why you're trailing my friend and her pawn, "Mr. Kirigaya?"

Y/N: You know you can use my real name when it's just us, right?

Tsubaki: Well, you are considered dead. We wouldn't want to be revealing who you are to listening ears.

Y/N: Fair enough. As to answer you're question Sona, I was following Gremory and making sure Issei wasn't harmed.

Sona: And why do you feel the need to do so?

Y/N: I forgot I haven't told you my past. You can ask you're sister if you wish to know. Considering the two I was following has already entered the school grounds, I'm leaving their safety to you two.

Sona: Fair enough. But I have to ask...

Y/N: What is it?

Sona: Why didn't you join my sister's peerage that day? In fact, why don't you join anyone's peerage?

Tsubaki: Yes, that is something I would like to know.

Y/N: ...I'd rather work for my power and not just be blatantly given to me. 

Sona: I can respect that decision. But being a human can only get you so far.

Y/N: Well, I'd rather die as a human then.

Sona: But is that really how you want to go out? Leave your loved ones behind?

Y/N: ...Have a good day...Sona.

The black haired boy turns around and heads to a nearby street so he could go up to one of the roofs and watch over Issei going about his day. That question though...it echoed throughout his mind. She was right though. Being a human can only get him so far.

It was now near the end of the day. He watched as Kiba and Issei had exited out of the school building, making their way to the old school house.

Y/N: (thoughts) Must be heading over to Rias then. Guess she resides in the old school house.

Y/N waited for awhile. He was listening to LiSA, one of his favorite artists. The current song playing was Crossing Field. This was one of his personal favorites. He also liked the song ADAMAS. His phone then vibrated. He opened it up and it was a message. It was a contract to eliminate a stray devil. The bounty he was given was about 500 yen. Y/N did have enough money to keep him going for a while but a little more couldn't hurt.

He noticed that Issei leaving the school on a bicycle with a basket in front. In the basket were flyers or pamphlets.

Y/N: (thoughts) Must be starting his work as a new devil.

Y/N shook his head and descended the stairs that had led him to a roof that overlooked the school. He returned home and got into his coat and put his two swords on his back. He exited the apartment complex without being seen and made his way to the location of his target.

After completing his mission, he saw Issei traversing through the night, walking with the same bike. The sky then turned purple. Y/N knew what this meant. 

Y/N: A barrier, huh?

He notices a flash of light going off. A woman with blue hair and revealing clothing shows up. She had a charged spear of light in her hand and was about to toss it at Issei. Y/N wasn't going to let him die again so he puts on his hood and draws his blade.

The spear of light was released from the Fallen Angel's hand. Issei was about to get hit but heard the sounds of footsteps. He looked to his left to see the Black Swordsman charge in, deflecting the light spear. Y/N holds his blade up, ready for a fight.

???: The Black Swordsman, huh? What's a mercenary like you protecting this shell of a dead body?

Y/N: Sorry but, I can't have one of my client's followers just die right here.

???: Since when did you start working for the Gremory family?

Y/N: I take jobs from anyone. My employers right now just so happen to be the Gremory family.

???: I can see why Dohnaseek thinks highly of you. But you're nothing but a human!

The Fallen Angel charges up another light spear and tosses it at him with three more in succession. Y/N's sword then glows an orange color, using the Sword Skill he calls {Horizontal Square}. Swinging his blade four times, leaving a orange trail in a square motion, he cut all the spears in half.

Y/N: Tsk. Tsk. Is that all you got? I've cut magic faster than that.

???: Damn you!

The Fallen Angel charges up another and charges at Y/N and the two engage in a heated duel. She thrusts her spear forward with Y/N deflecting it to the side. His sword then glows a bright red, using {Vorpal Strike}. Y/N thrusts the enhanced blade forward, cutting a small sliver of the Fallen Angel's cheek. She backs up and puts a hand over the cut in pain.

???: (thoughts) Damn it! How can a simple enhanced sword do that much damage to me! It hurts!

Y/N doesn't relent and he jumps forward with his blade emitting a green color, utilizing the skill {Sonic Leap}. He charges forward with blinding speed, swinging his sword down, nearly cutting her arm off. Issei stood off to the side feeling useless. He then remembers Rias's words. Issei started to charge up his magical power into his left arm. A bright green light shined the area. The two that were fighting look back to see Issei standing there, clutching his left arm that now has a a red gauntlet.

Y/N: (thoughts) So that's his sacred gear?

???: A sacred gear!? Damn, gotta report back to Raynare. (looks to Y/N) Our duel isn't over Black Swordsman.

Y/N: Next time we meet, I won't hold back.

The Fallen Angel flees and the barrier dissipates. Y/N sighs of relief and sheathes his sword. He was about to walk away until Issei stops him.

Issei: Wait!

Y/N: (looks back) What is it?

Issei: Who are you!? You're face...I've seen it before!

Y/N: (thoughts) He's seen my face? Must have been when he was dying.

Y/N: I've never seen you in my life. Just don't get in my way next time.

Issei: Please! Who are you...?

Y/N: Don't know who you are. Leave me be.

Y/N walks off, leaving a bewildered and confused Issei to his thoughts. Issei picks up the bike and peddles back to Rias.

Meanwhile, In Raynare's hideout

Raynare: So you mean to tell me that the person a few days ago I tried to kill is still alive, Kalawarner?

Kalawarner: Yes, but he wasn't alone. He had the Black Swordsman with him.

Dohnaseek: (sigh) Are you an idiot?

Mittelt: What? What's so special about this human boy?

Raynare: Dohnaseek, you've worked with him. What's so special about him?

Dohnaseek: Despite being a human, he's one of the top mercenaries in the area.

Raynare: How so?

Dohnaseek: The only one capable of infusing magic into his swords or "Sword Skills" he calls them. He's also one of the most powerful sword wielder as I've seen him dual wield before. It's just...

Raynare: Just what?

Dohnaseek: No one's ever survived against him when he dual wields.

Raynare: Will he be a problem?

Dohnaseek: Hard to say. He'll take contracts from pretty much anyone. As long as the price is right.

Raynare: What kind of prices?

Dohnaseek: The highest I've seen him earn was about 60,000 yen. That was with one of my stray devil extermination missions I was with him. (looks to Kalawarner) The mistake you made was going up against him. He would've killed you.

Kalawarner: Tch. Whatever.

Raynare: So he won't be a problem so long as we pay him, correct?

Dohnaseek: You don't mean...?

Raynare: (giggles evilly) Oh but I do intend to do so.

With Y/N

Y/N walks back into his apartment with a bag of fast food. He just need something to eat real quick and gets a message from Dohnaseek.

Y/N: 'What do you want?'

Dohnaseek: 'Got a business proposition for ya.'

Y/N: 'What's the price?'

Dohnaseek: 'Come to our base and find out.'

Y/N sighs to himself as he just wanted to eat and relax. He exits his apartment again and makes his way to the location he was given, a broken down church. He enters inside and was immediately met with a knife to his neck.

???: (chuckles evilly) Well lookie here! The Black Swordsman himself! I wonder how much money I can get for killing you. Hehehe...

Raynare: Freed that's enough! I need him.

Freed: Awww, why do ya gotta ruin my fun. Whatever boss.

The stray priest now known as Freed retracts his knife and sits on a nearby pew. 

Raynare: Welcome, Black Swordsman.

Y/N: Cut to the chase. You're wasting my patience. What's it you want?

Raynare: Oooh direct. I like that. (licks fingers)

Y/N: Cut the crap, Raynare. Do you have a contract or what?

Raynare: (extends hand) I have a little business proposition to make. What do you say?

Y/N stares at the outstretched hand before glancing back up at Raynare. A wicked smile on her face. Y/N goes to open his mouth and was about to give his answer.