(8 months later)

Currently, Asuna is walking through the forest when she suddenly heard a voice coming from a dark cave.

???: Help! Please, somebody help!

Asuna rushes over to the cave. When she got there, she saw that it was empty.

Asuna: What the?

(Elsewhere)

(A/N: Akiri's finalized outfit for the remainder of the Aincrad arc. Art made by me)

Currently, Akiri is walking up a mountain path on floor 58 along with a girl with pink hair wearing a red dress.

Akiri: (thoughts) It's been almost two years since this death game started. Where is Kayaba Akihiko hiding? Is he watching us through his TV in his living room while eating popcorn? Or could he be hiding in plain sight, as one of us. If so, who could he be hiding as? A red player? A solo player? A leader of a gui-

???: Hey, Akiri, how much farther? It feels like we've been walking for hours

He then looked at the pink haired girl.

Akiri: That's because we have. According to the info, the dragon should be near the peak of the tallest mountain on this floor

???: You don't even know if that info is true

Akiri: Relax, Liz. I got it from the top info broker

The girl known as Liz then looks at him.

Liz: I noticed that you haven't been wearing your KOB outfit. Isn't it mandatory that the guild members wear a white and red outfit?

Akiri: Well, white isn't exactly my colour, so I requested that I was excepted from this rule

As they went further up the mountain, Liz started shivering as the air was starting to get colder.

Akiri: You didn't bring a coat?

Liz: You didn't tell me that it was going to be this cold!

Akiri just sighed and pulled out a cloak. He gave it to Liz and she puts it on.

Liz: This reminds me of the time I go out to floor 55

Akiri: You went to floor 55? Alone?

Liz: I was with a guy. About two weeks ago he came in and told me he wanted the best sword I can make. So I told him that he needed to get a material from the dragon in floor 55 and that he needed a master blacksmith along with him.

After walking for a while longer, they eventually reached the top of the mountain.

Akiri: Okay, you're staying here until I killed that thing. Don't come out no matter what, understand?

Liz: Yeah, yeah. Sheesh, you sound just like the guy

Akiri just rolled his eyes and went further. The sky is then covered by dark clouds and sounds of thunder and lightning can be heard. He then started to hear a flapping sound that is getting louder every second until, A red dragon appears from the dark clouds as a flash lightning struck the ground

Akiri pulled out his sword and he rushes the dragon as the creature charged up an attack. Before he knew it, lightning then came out of its mouth, speeding towards Akiri. He avoids the attack by quickly sidestepping to the right. He then jumped up as slashes the monster.

While Akiri is fighting the monster, Liz watches in complete awe at his movement speed.

Liz: (thoughts) The speed of his movement is insane. Not only that, but every move he makes are so smooth and fluid. It's like he thought of every single move and step he makes.

But despite Akiri's speed, he is still struggling and was pushed back by the dragon.

Akiri: (thoughts) Damn. At this rate, I would have no choice but to use it. But Liz is here though...

The dragon then whips it's tail towards Akiri and he narrowly dodged it.

Akiri: (thoughts) Screw it

He jumped up and slashes one of its eyes and jumped as far from it as possible. He then opened his menu and went to the tab labelled "Skills"

Liz: (thoughts) What's he doing?

The dragon then charged up another lighting blast attack.

Liz: Akiri! Get out of the way!

The dragon opens its mouth and lighting came rushing towards Akiri. Liz then was blinded by the light as the attack hits.

Liz then opens her eyes to see a smoking crater where Akiri was and her eyes widened in shock.

Liz: No...

Suddenly, the dragon started to roar in pain and Liz quickly looked towards it to see one of the dragon's wings was cut off. She then saw a flash of red going through its other wing and it was sliced off as well. Liz then saw Akiri landed in front of the monster, holding his red sword and she was unable to believe what she is seeing.

Akiri then seemingly disappeared into thin air as he attacks the dragon with a flurry of powerful slashes while Liz's eyes could only see a red blur going all around the dragon.

Liz: (thoughts) I can't even follow his movements. It's like his speed stat has been increased. And based on the fact that the dragon's HP is going down more quickly, his attack has increased as well

Akiri then jumped high above the dragon and slashes it vertically as he was falling down, splitting the monster into two and making its HP drop down to zero. He then landed on the ground as the dragon bursts into pixels. A screen then pops up in front of him, showing him the item that was dropped by the dragon.

Akiri: "Steel Dragon Claw"

He then puts the item into his inventory and walked towards Liz who was looking at him wide eyed.

Liz: What was that?!

Akiri: What was what?

Liz: Don't play dumb with me. I saw your ass getting kicked by that dragon, and then suddenly, both your speed and attack magically went up ten fold!

Akiri: *sigh* Fine. But you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone about this.

Liz just nodded.

Akiri: It's a unique skill. "Dynamic Movement"...

Akiri then explains more about the skill to Liz as they were walking back to the blacksmith.

(Timeskip)

Once back at Liz's shop, the two of them went to the blacksmithing area.

Liz: So, a one-handed longsword, is it?

Akiri: Yep

Liz placed the steel dragon claw on the anvil and starts to strike it with her hammer. After a few minutes, it started to glow and forms into a crimson red longsword.

Liz: This sword is called "Lightbringer". This is the first time I've seen it, so I doubt that it is even in the info broker's codex. It boosts the player's speed and agility. Go ahead, give it a swing

Akiri picked it up and swung it around a few times and a smile quickly formed on his face.

Akiri: It's perfect. Thank you, Liz

Akiri smiles at her and she blushes a little.

Liz:O-of course. No problem

Akiri: Here. How much col do you-

Liz: No

Akiri: But-

Liz: No buts. I told you, you saved my life. That is a debt I can never repay. This is the least I can do

Akiri: *sigh* Okay, if you say so. But if you need anything, just tell me

Liz: Okay

Akiri just smiled at her and started to walk away.

Liz: Huh, that's weird

He turned around and looked towards Liz who is looking at her menu.

Liz: Me and Asuna agreed to meet up today. She is supposed to be here an hour ago

Akiri: Huh, she's not supposed to be on duty today. Maybe she's busy doing something else?

Liz: She told me she's free today. And even if she has something else to do, she would have told me in advance

He then narrows his eyes.

Akiri: That is weird...

Akiri then got a message from Heathcliff telling him to meet at the headquarters.

(Timeskip)

Akiri is at the Knights of Blood headquarters. He is currently in the room with Heathcliff, Godfree and the other high ranking members.

Akiri: Alright, Heathcliff. What's this about?

Heathcliff: We got word that our vice-commander have been kidnapped.

Akiri: What?! By who?

Heathcliff: The orange guild, Hands of Devil. She is currently being held at their headquarters on floor 30

Akiri's eyes widened at the statement and he clenches his fists tightly.

Akiri: Hands of Devil... The orange guild known for kidnapping and... harassing female players...

Godfree: Then we must save her! Gather a raid team and-

Akiri: No. I'll deal with them myself...

Godfree: Are you out of your mind? There are 16 of them and they are not low level players-

His sentence was cut short by Akiri slamming his hand on the table.

Akiri: I said... I'll deal with them myself

Heathcliff: I will allow it. Akiri, you are to go to floor 30 and send the guild to prison. Godfree, give him the teleport crystals

Godfree then gave Akiri 16 teleport crystals.

Godfree: These teleport crystals will automatically send them straight to prison. Good luck

Akiri just nodded and walked out of the room and makes his way to floor 30. Heathcliff and the other members in the room can sense an aura around Akiri as he leaves the room.

Heathcliff: ...

(Timeskip)

Akiri is currently walking towards the orange guild's headquarters which was an abandoned church in the middle of the forest.

He kicks the door open, startling all 16 of the guild members inside.

??? 1: Who the hell are you?

??? 2: Whoever this guy is, he must be looking for the girl

Then, the back door opens and a man walked out.

??? 3 What's going on here?

??? 4: We don't know, this guy just suddenly kicked the door open

??? 2: Wait, don't you think he looks familiar?

They all then looked at him for a few moments and their eyes widened.

??? 1: Black hair, blue eyes...

??? 2: Red coat... He's-

??? 4: He's The Crimson Swordsman! One of the two swordsman of the clearing group and a high ranking member of the KOB!

??? 1: I heard he's more powerful than that solo player in the frontlines

??? 3: Who cares who he is!

Akiri: Where is she?

??? 3: Oh, so you are looking for the girl

The man then smirked at him and begins to speak.

??? 3: After we're done with you we'll do all kinds of fun things to her.

The group started to laugh while Akiri just gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly.

??? 3: It's been a while since we've caught a beauty like her. So I think we'll keep her as long as possible instead of just killing her.

The man started to laugh hysterically and Akiri unsheathed his "Lightbringer".

??? 3: Take him! I want him alive and watch the girl suffer!

The players then all rushed Akiri at the same time while Akiri just stood still.

(Elsewhere)

Asuna wakes up to see that she is lying on the ground, held by chains. She looks around and saw that she is in a small ,dark, messy room. The door opens up and a man walked up to her.

???: Finally woke up, huh?

He then went to a table and grabbed a variety of objects as she looks towards him in fear.

???: I was the one who set up the trap. So I get to have fun for you first.

She saw that he has a creepy smile on his face and he began to take off his shirt.

Asuna: No! Please!

He then heard the sound of the main door slamming open.

???: The hell is going on out there?

He then went to the door and walked out of the room.

A few minutes later, The door started to open up and she closes her eyes to prepare for the worse.

???: Asuna?

But all she heard was a familiar voice. She slowly opened her eyes to see a blurry figure standing in front of the door.

Asuna: Kirito-kun?

The figure then walked over to her she saw it was Akiri instead.

Asuna: Oh, It's you...

Akiri took out his sword and destroyed the chains holding Asuna.

Akiri: Hey, are you okay?

Asuna: Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you

Akiri: Thank goodness. Let's get out of here

He then lifted her up and puts her arm around his shoulders. He walked Asuna out of the door to the main room. She then saw that it was empty.

Asuna: What happened to the rest of the guild members?

Akiri: ...

Asuna: Akiri?

Akiri: Prison. Teleported them there

Asuna: That's good. Must be pretty hard to get them all to surrender themselves

Akiri: Yeah... Took all of my teleport crystals to take them there...

Akiri walked out of the church, carrying Asuna under the crimson red sky as the sun sets.