Currently, Akiri and Asuna are walking back to their homes after clearing the 25th floor.

Asuna: Too many lives were lost today... The ALS were almost wiped out...

Akiri: Yeah... And that was only the 25th floor boss. There are 75 more yet to be beaten.

Asuna: You think we can ever beat this game?

Akiri: I...

???: Excuse me

They looked behind them to see a tall man with gray hair.

???: You two are Akiri and Asuna right?

Akiri: Yeah, can we help you?

???: My name is Heathcliff. And I would like to invite you to my guild. The Knights of Blood

(Months later)

Currently, Akiri, Asuna and the other members of the Knights of Blood are at the 40th floor labyrinth, fighting a mid boss called the "Ruthless Warder Chief".

Akiri is attacking the boss with a flurry of slashes using his sword.

Akiri then jumped backwards as the boss was going to counter attack.

Asuna: Team B, Team C get ready to switch!

Team C: Roger!

Team B: Okay!

After a while later, the monster started to raise its weapon above its head and Asuna recognizes this to be the cue to give out the order.

Asuna: 3, 2, 1...

The boss then started to let out a monstrous roar.

Asuna: Now!

The boss's weapon was then met by Team C's sword skill. The other five also combined their single-strike sword skills. The sound of impact was heard throughout the passageway and the monster was taken aback. The six members of Team C were similarly pushed backwards.

While the monster is still in its backward-bent state, Asuna saw the opportunity to strike and went for it.

Asuna: Akiri, with me!

Akiri: Right behind you!

The both of them ran up to the monster and unleashed their sword skills at the boss's weak points. The first of its two HP bars was eliminated with a cracking effect, reaching the second one.

Asuna: Segro, Muldar, draw aggro at the front! Its attack pattern might change, so focus on defence! Akiri, Fultz, on me to the right. Sanza and Nautilus, spread out to the left!

Asuna's team then surrounded the creature while the large-built Sanza, gripping a cross-spear, broke into a run. But Nautilus,

the swordsman with a shield that was supposed to support him was nowhere to be found. Akiri saw that he hasn't moved from his position.

Akiri: Nautilus, what's wrong?!

Nautilus did not respond and stood completely still.

Akiri: Nautilus!

Asuna: Sanza! Retreat!

The boss then charged up an attack and sweeps its weapon towards the squads surrounding it.

Asuna: Area attack! Low guard!

The other members of the squad was able to block the attack, but the same could not be said for Sanza who supposed to have Nautilus protecting him with his shield.

As the weapon was headed straight towards the defensless spearman, someone rushes in and redirected the attack, saving the spearman's life. Akiri looked over and smirked as he saw a familiar face.

Akiri: (thoughts) Kirito

Kirito: I'll take over the left! You fall back and heal up!

Sanza then nodded and falls back to recover.

Akiri: Asuna, you're going to be okay here?

Asuna: Yeah, you reposition and join him

Akiri nodded and quickly made his way to Kirito.

Akiri: You're late to the party

Kirito just kept silent and Akiri looks at him confused.

Asuna: I am counting on you guys!

Akiri and Kirito looked towards Asuna and nodded before looking back at the mid boss.

Akiri: Let's do this!

The two tanks, Segro and Muldar then spoke to each other.

Segro: The both of them are here now

Muldar: Yeah. Even Akiri alone gave us the advantage in this fight. But with the both of them here, this fight is as good as ours

Both Akiri and Kirito started to attack the boss while the others looked at them in amazement as their swift and accurate movements as well as superhuman foresight, crushed almost all of the attacks the Ruthless Warder Chief let out.

The boss's HP rapidly whittled away and in less than a mere five minutes, the boss finally bursts into pixels. The others was left speechless as they saw the two swordsmen did what squads of fighters couldn't.

The others then let out cheers as the results screen pops out.

Akiri: Oh yeah!

Akiri then held his fist towards Kirito for a fist bump, but Kirito just kept silent and walked away, leaving Akiri confused.

Asuna: Recover your HP

Giving instructions to her fellow guild members in the area, she left the circle. She stepped up to Kirito who was further down the passageway, who was putting his sword away.

Asuna: I appreciate the support

Akiri: Yeah. Thanks for the help back there

Kirito: Oh well... I had to go through here anyway

Akiri notices that there is something off about his friend.

Asuna: You're still going further ahead?

Kirito: Yeah, since I want to find the boss room soon

Asuna: I see... be careful

Kirito: Thanks. You too

Kirito lightly waved his hand without giving a smile and begins to walk away.

Akiri: Kirito, wait!

Kirito turned around and look towards Akiri with an emotionless face.

Akiri: Hey, you okay? You seem a little, off. If there's anything I could do-

Kirito: I'm fine, Akiri...

He once again turned his back to them, and he walked away as his figure disappeared into the darkness of the passageway. Akiri was about to go after him, but was stopped by Asuna.

Asuna: Come on, Akiri. I need to have a word with Nautilus

Akiri just sighed and went with Asuna to find the swordsman. However, before they could find him, They heard a sharp voice from the group.

???: Hey, you, why didn't you Switch!?

They looked over to see that the voice belongs to Sanza and he was lifting Nautilus by the nape with his right hand. Akiri rushes in to separate the two players.

Akiri: Stop it!

Akiri made Sanza release his hand and Asuna stood before Nautilus.

Asuna: In the end, we defeated the monster and we have no intention of condemning you here

Asuna scolds Nautilus in a harsh tone while his eyes still casts downwards.

Asuna: But, for a party battle, the most important thing is tightly-knit cooperation. I need to hear the reason you were unable to act according to my instructions

Akiri then went in between her and Nautilus.

Akiri: Come on, cut the guy some slack. It all worked out in the end right?

Asuna: Because of him, we almost had a casualty

Nautilus then looked towards Asuna with a sad face.

Nautilus: Even I... tried to step forward

Once again casting his eyes down, staring at his own boots

Nautilus: But, my legs... just wouldn't move

Akiri then puts his hand on his shoulder and have him a gentle smile.

Akiri: It's okay. You have potential. All you need is a little more training and confidence

Nautilus then smiled a little at Akiri's kind words. Asuna then looked at her guildmates.

Asuna: We will now be returning to town for the day. Formation D number two. Do not let your guard down till we leave the Labyrinth

Akiri and the players who had finished recovering swiftly formed a line.

Asuna: Move out!

The group then began to carefully make their way through the labyrinth.

(Timeskip)

When they arrived at the main town of the 40th floor, Asuna disbands the party and went over to the teleport gate.

Akiri then walked up to Asuna.

Akiri: Hey, Asuna. I was wondering if we could go for something to eat today. We haven't hung out with each other for a while, so-

Asuna: Sorry, I have to make a report to the commander

Akiri: Well, we can go after you make the report

Asuna: I have something to do after that. Sorry Akiri, maybe next time

She then teleported away before he could say anything leaving Akiri alone. Akiri just sighed and walked away, saddened.

Akiri: (thoughts) You said that the last time...

His other guild mates then walked over to him.

Muldar: Hey, Akiri. Me and the boys here are going to go and do some grinding. Wanna come with us?

Akiri: *sigh* Sorry, I'm not in the mood today... I'm just gonna head home and get some rest...

Muldar: O-okay

Akiri then walked away and leaves the group looking worried for him.

Segro: He got turned down again, did he?

Muldar: Yeah, the both of them have been pretty distant lately. The vice commander have always been too busy to even talk to him. And you can tell that it's starting to have an effect on him

Fultz: I feel bad for him. It's obvious he likes her and wants to spend more time with her, but she's too busy trying to clear the game to even notice

They looked back to see Akiri walking away with his head down and his hands in his pockets.