Death Gun then starts to make a cross sign
while Sinon desperately trying to reach her
pistol at her back. After Death Gun finished
his ritual, he pulled out his handgun while Fallen's arm turned into a fusion cannon and
when Sinon saw it, she looked completely
horrified.

Sinon: A Black Star...Type 54....... That gun.
Why...? Why is it showing up here now? A cannon!? What is he!?

Death Gun then cocked the barrel back and
then pointed the handgun at Sinon while the Fusion cannon charged up as she looked at it completely and utterly terrified to the point that she can't even move a finger.

——-

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

——
Right now, Death Gun is standing over Sinon,
pointing his handgun at her and she continued to look at him completely terrified. Just as Death Gun and Fallen was about to shot Sinon, Sinon reminisced on how she thought, if she continued to watch Kitsune, as Kitsune smiling face appears on her mind.

Sinon: The meaning of strength...What it
means to fight. I thought I'd be able to keep
watching Kitsune to understand those things someday....I don't want to give up!!

Suddenly, Sinon heard a gunshot and she
closed her eyes in fear, but she didn't feel
anything or being shot at. When she opened
her eyes, she saw that Death Gun and Fallen shoulders have been shot.

Death Gun is then forced to retreat behind a
pillar as he pulls out his sniper and returning
fire at the person who shot him. Suddenly, a
grenade flew over and landed near Sinon as
her eyes widened in shock.

Sinon: A grenade?!

Death Gun and Fallen saw the grenade and retreated as they thought that it was an explosive grenade while Sinon also closed her eyes, but it was actually a smoke grenade. As the smoke started to cover the area sights including Sinon, suddenly, someone ran up to her and grabbed her sniper, and another person picked her up bridal style. Sinon opens her eyes and saw the person who carried her was Kitsune.

Kitsune: Sinon, sorry to keep you waiting.

Sinon: Kitsune..? That's enough. I just
slowing you down, so just leave me..

Kitsune: no!! I'm going to leave you behind!! You're my girlfriend!!

Kirito: Alright. Follow me!! Still salty about that!!

The three of them then started to run from
the area but suddenly they heard a gunshot
from behind them. They turned around and
saw Death Gun and Fallen chasing them. Kitsune quickly turned around and returned fire at Death Gun and Fallen with his gun, Ivory but Death Gun just rolled out of the way into cover as Kitsune one-handed his pistol Ivory and he kept both players at bay.

Kirito: I'll cover you. Go, Kitsine!

Kirito then gave Kitsune, Sinon's sniper as
he nodded and leave Kirito to deal with Death
Gun and he continues to run while carrying
Sinon bridal style. They continue to run until
they reached a parking lot with buggies and a
mechanical horse but there was a jeep next to the horse.

Kitsune: the jeep wasn't even in the anime/manga at all!!

Grimmjow: just forget about it!!

Sinon: The horse is no good. You can go off-
road, but it's too hard to use.

Kitsune: Alright.

Kitsune then walked up to the Jeep and put Sinon on the back seat and gave her, PGM
Ultima Ratio Hecate II Sniper.

After Kitsune paid the Jeep to rent, he then started up the Jeep. Just on time, Kirito arrived and take the other seat. Kitsune starts to drive as he turns around and looked at Sinon.

Kitsune: Sinon, destroy those horses with
your sniper!

Sinon: O-Okay. I'll give it a shot.

Sinon then aimed her sniper at the horse and
about to pull the trigger, but she couldn't for
some reason. She then looked at the sniper as
she was completely shocked.

Sinon: Huh? Why?

Kitsune: What's wrong, Sinon?

Sinon: I.. I can't do it... Why?! I can't pull the trigger!!

Kitsune along with Sinon then looked back
and saw Death Gun manage to catch on them.
As Sinon saw Death Gun, her memories of the
robber from back then resurfaced and she
saw the robber face on Death Gun's face.
Then, Kitsune pulled Sinon back to her seat,
snapped her out of her thoughts.

Kitsune: Sinon, hang on!

Kirsune then started to drove off from Death Gun and Fallen with Kirito getting ready as Sinon release a relief breath.

Sinon: Can we get away?

Kitsune and Kirito look behind them and
glared at the sight.

Kitsune: Damn it, we can't relax yet.

Sinon also looked back and saw Death Gun
and he was riding on the mechanical horse
that she couldn't destroy. She looked at it
completely shocked and horrified. More horrified as Fallen was flying towards them.

Fallen: come on!! You can do better than that!!

Sinon: How? He's gonna catch up... GO,
faster!

Sinon then held on to Kitsune shoulder tightly, as her face shown that she is completely terrified at this as just looking at Death Gun remind her of her past.

Sinon: Please, faster!

Kitsune then increased the speed, but Death Gun and Fallen were still right behind them. Death Gun then pulled out his handgun and aimed it at them but he wasn't aiming for Kitsune or Kirito, but Sinon.

The bullet line was on her face and she looked
terrified and moved her head to the right just
as the bullet flew past her head. She then
hugs Kitsune even tighter and even more
terrified.

Sinon: I'm scared...Help...Help me...

Kitsune then looked behind him and saw
how terrified Sinon was on how she held on
to him. He then looked back at Death Gun
who was getting closer to them and he looked
back at Sinon.

Kitsune: Sinon. Did you hear me, Sinon?!
Sinon, he'll catch up at this rate. You have to
shoot him.

Sinon: I can't!

Kirito: You don't have to hit him! Just distract
him for a while! If we don't do anything. he's
gonna catch up.

Sinon just continues to hugs Kitsune even
tighter, as she does not want to let him go.

Sinon: I can't. He's... He's.

Kitsune: Then you drive! I'll use your rifle instead!

Sinon: Hecate...It's a part of me....I'm the only one who can wield it..

Then Yami/Kitsune heard a voice.

????: he who protects the people shall wield the gear.

Yami: gear? What gear?

????: the Sacred Gear/Boosted Gear.

Yami: a boosted gear from DXD? Who are you?

Then a large dragon appeared. The energy coming from the dragon was much greater.

????: I'am Ryū No Megami which means Goddess of Dragons. I have been watching you since you arrived at the SAO Universe, partner.

Yami: I'm sensing your power is very high.

Ryu No Megami: yes my power is far greater than Great Red, Ophis and Trihexa.

Yami: plot armor!!

Ryu No Megami: you are worthy of using my power.

Yami: yeah but you're my partner, Ryuka, You're no tool, you're own being.

Ryuka:*chuckles* you can do it, Yami. Ryuka? I like that name.

He shakes his head and yells.

Kitsune: Kirito take the wheel!!

Kirito nodded as Kitsune got to Sinon as he speaks out.

Kitsune: Boosted Gear!! Awaken!!

Kirito and Sinon: HUH!?

Death Gun: so this is his power? This is...really making me nervous for the first time.

Fallen: dam!! That bastard has unlocked the Boosted Gear!! KILL THAT SON OF A BITCH!!

Sinon then picked up her sniper and tried to
aim it at Death Gun. She tried to pull the
trigger again, but she still couldn't pull it.

Sinon: I can't shoot...I can't do it...My finger
won't move. I...can't fight anymore....

Kitsune: Yes, you can. Everyone can fight. But it's up to you whether or not you choose the path.

Sinon just closes her eyes and lowers her
head, unable to fight anymore as she gotten scared of facing her past.

Sinon: If I have a choice, then I choose not to
fight...I don't want to suffer anymore...I just thought I could be stronger in this world, but that was only an illusion...

Kitsune reached back and grabbed Sinon's
hand to assist her in pulling the trigger as she
glanced at him, completely shocked at his
actions.

Kitsune: Then let me fight with you. One shot is enough, so, please...pull the trigger!

Kitsune then started to guide Sinon's finger
to the trigger.

Sinon: I can't! The jeep is shaking too much
for me to lock on..

Kitsune: Don't worry. That'll stop in five seconds. Two.. One... Now!

Kirito then drove up a ramp off a sign into the air, steadying Sinon's aim and she looked at Kitsune completely shocked.

Sinon: How can he stay calm in a situation like this? No,, It isn't that he's calm. He's just giving it all he has. He's continually chosen to fight with all his strength instead of making excuses. That's the source of his strength.

Realizing that Kitsune strength came from his attempts to do his best, to fight with his full ability despite his fear, He uses the new boosted gear and charges up the sniper rifle. Sinon was able to managed to fire a single shot, but the bullet misses the two targets slightly to the left.

Sinon: We missed...

But the bullet hit the fuel tank of a truck. triggering a large explosion which then exploded next to Death Gun and Fallen as they got caught in the blast and destroying the horse and damaging Fallen greatly.

——
(Skip)
After escaping Death Gun and Fallen, Kitsune, Kirito and Sinon then drove into the desert area. Sinon looks at her watch on the wrist and saw it was now 9:10 P.M. They then suddenly
stopped and looking around to find a hiding
spot.

Kirito: Oh, boy... there's no place to hide.

As Sinon looks around, she found a cave that
they could hide in, near their location.

Sinon: There's probably a cave over there.
The satellite scan will miss us if we're inside.

Kitsune: okay let's go there.

They then continue to drove off to the cave
and when they got there, they got off the
jeep. Kitsune and Kirito then stretch a bit.

Kitsune: okay, for now, let's stay put and
avoid the scan at all cost. I'm gonna summon a clone near the entrance and you two can go rest inside. If they're near our location, the clone will come over and inform us.

They nodded, Kitsune summoned the clone and "he" walked over to the entrance and sat down while taking out his binocular and look around.

Kitsune, Kirito, and Sinon then entered the cave and then they sat down deep inside the cave, to take a rest.

Kirito: He suddenly appeared next to you,
right? Does that mantle actually have the ability to make his invisible? Is that how he
avoided detection by the satellite?

Sinon: That's probably it. It's an ability called
Metamaterial Optic Distortion Camouflage.
We should be alright here. The ground is
rough sand, so even if he's invisible, he'll still
make a sound as he moves, and we'll see his
footsteps. He can't just appear right next to us
like last time.

Kirito: Right. Then we'd better keep an eye out for him.

Sinon: Say, Kitsune... Is there any chance that Death Gun and Fallen died in that explosion?

Kitsune: No. I caught a glimpse of him jumping off the robotic horse right before it blew up. I doubt he got away unscathed, but it shouldn't have been fatal. Fallen it damaged him greatly but I sense he has healing items to heal himself and he's more durable than Death Gun.

Sinon: oh...I see then.

Sinon then put down her sniper rifle beside
her on the left and she looks at Kitsune who
was sitting on her right while Kirito was on the other side.

Sinon: Back there at the Stadium, how were
you able to come to save me so quickly? You
were above the perimeter of the stadium, weren't you?

Kitsune: Well, I knew at the first glance that
we were wrong about Musketeer X being Death Gun.

Sinon: How?

Kirito: I mean, she was clearly a woman.

Sinon: Oh?

Kitsune: That's when I knew we'd missed
something big. By the way, her real name isn't
"Gunner X" it's "Musketeer X".

Kirito: After that Kitsune taken her out, he grabbed her rifle while I taken the smoke grenades. Kitsune senses you were in danger so we have to save you, we can't leave you behind.

Sinon: I should've been more careful.

She then hugged her knees.

Kitsune: You don't need to beat yourself up
over it. I didn't realize he was hiding, either.
If any of us change positions, I would've been hit with the stun bullet. And you would have
saved any of us. Right?

Sinon didn't say anything and just thought to
herself.

Sinon: I being consoled by my own rival/boyfriend He knows that I've fallen apart and lost my confidence..and is cheering me up like I'm a child.

She said in her mind while hugging her knees
tighter and dug her face in it. Kitsune looks at her as he worried about her.

Kitsune: Sinon, Look up.

She looks up and Kitsune gave her a kiss on the lips which shocked her.

Sinon: !!!!

He let go and kisses Kirito on the lips a bit more passion to the kiss as he pulls out to get some air.

Kitsune: Anyway, I'm going. You stay here
and rest. To be completely honest, I'd rather
have you log out, but you can't do that during
the tournament.

Sinon: Eh?

Sinon lift her head and looked over at Kitsune with a surprised look.

Sinon: You're going to fight alone? Against
Death Gun and Fallen?

Kitsune: No. I have my friend...Kirito here
with me so we gonna do it together. I have told you that I'am able to summon demons. Death
Gun, he's definitely strong. To be honest, Fallen is much more stronger than him. I can't risk losing you because you're my girlfriend.

Sinon: Kitsune, aren't you scared?

Kitsune: Yeah, of course, I'm scared. But
there one more thing that things that I'm
more scared and it was to lose someone
precious to me. This includes myself as my emotions can effect me so I have to be strong not just by strength but by will.

Sinon: Things you must to protect?

Kitsune: Yeah. In both within the virtual and real worlds.

Sinon: Then can't you just stay in this cave
and keep hiding? During the BoB, you can't
log out on your own. But as soon as it's just
use and another one, we can kill ourselves
and let that person win. That'll end the
tournament.

Kitsune: I get it. That's one option. But it's
not one that I can accept. If I leave him be
until the tournament ends, there's no telling
how many more people he'll point that gun at. I have to deal with him and Fallen.

Sinon: I see.

Sinon then looked down saddened.

Sinon: As I thought, you are strong.

After a few seconds of silents, Sinon finally
made up her mind.

Sinon: I won't run.

Kitsune then look at Sinon and smiles.

Kitsune: okay, try your best to survive after all we did promise to battle each other.

Sinon: yeah but back there, I was so scared. I was so scared of dying. I was weaker than I was five years ago. My screaming was pathetic...I'd
rather die than continue to live like that.

Kitsune: it's okay to be scared, it's part of us. There isn't anyone who isn't afraid of dying.

Sinon: I don't want to be scared. I'm sick of
living in fear. I won't ask you to come with
me. I can fight on my own, after all.

She said as she stands up and about to leave
but Kitsune grabbed her arm, preventing
her from doing something she'll regret.

Kitsune: So you're trying to tell me you're going to fight and die alone?

Sinon: Yeah. That's probably been my fate all
along.

Sinon tried to pull her hand from Kitsune grip, but he wouldn't let her go.

Sinon: Let go of me...I have to go.

Kitsune: You're wrong. It's impossible for a
person to die alone. I'm not letting you die by him or Fallen. We just started dating like a couple of hours ago, Sinon. I will not let you die!!

He said as he standup and face to face with
Sinon.

Kirito: When someone dies, the part of
them that lives inside someone else also dies.
And that goes for you. You already live inside
Kitsune my boyfriend, whether you like it or not.

Sinon: Well, I never asked to be a part of it.
Besides, my life's is no else's business but
mine..

Kitsune: Don't you see we've already made
that connection?! Look being scared is okay, you have to overcome that fear and being stronger than before!!

Sinon then gritted her teeth and then grabbed
Kitsune by the jacket and looked at him
completely furious and she had tears streaming down her face.

Sinon: If that's the case. In that case, protect
me for the rest of my life!!!!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

She screamed at Kitsune and Kirito, frustrated as even more, tears started to stream down her face and she started to hit Kitsune and Kirito in their chest and Kitsune just looked at her.

Sinon: You don't know anything about me!!!

Kitsune: you lost your family did you?

Sinon: You can't anything for me! So don't run your mouth like that!!!

She finished as she continues to hit the two boys on the chest.

Sinon: This is...This is my fight, not anyone
else's! Even if I lose and die, nobody has the
right to criticize me for it!!!

She said while crying on Kitsune chest. She then looks at his face and said.

Sinon: Or are you going to bear my burden
with me?! My...My...hand is a murderer's. Will you still hold onto it!!!

(Sinon's POV)(Flashback No Jutsu)

I felt like I was eleven again. The kids
surrounding me and keep saying, Murderer.
Murderer. Murderer. Murderer. The word
that is branded into my head.

Kid: Murderer!

Kid #2: Murderer!

Kid #3: You murderer!

Kid #4: Don't touch us, you murderer!

I looked down at my hands covered that was
covered in blood that is not mine. The hands
of a murderer.

Kid #5: you got blood all over us, Murderer!!

Kid #6: Murderer!!!

(Flashback end)
I then continue to punch Kitsune on his
chest while crying. He then tried to touch my
back but I slapped his hand.

Me: I hate you! I hate your guts! I really hate
you!

I stopped hitting Kitsune and sank into his
chest as I continued to cry.

Kitsune: I know. I know that you hate me.
And you free to hate me however you like.
But...I won't hate you. Don't worry. Don't worry, Sinon. I won't abandon you. Even if
your hand soak in blood, I'll hold onto it and
will never let you go. Even if the whole world
abandons you, I won't. I will be by your side..
Forever and ever eternally.

Hearing Kitsune words, my heart pounded, and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered. I then sunk to the floor and continued to cry.

(Nobody's P.O.V.)

Kitsune, Sinon and Kirito now sitting on the
ground with Sinon sleep at Kitsune's shoulder after her outburst. Sinon then slowly regained her composure.

Sinon: I hate everything about you...But let
me lay my head on you for a bit.

Kitsune didn't say anything and just look
sadly at Sinon. Sinon then laid her head on
Kitsune's lap.

Sinon: You know, I've...killed someone
before.

Kitsune and Kirito didn't say anything and then Kitsune speaks up.

Kitsune: I know because I've seen it before.

Sinon: oh I forgotten that Fallen said that and what you said.

Kirito: wait huh?

Kitsune: let her speak her story.

Sinon: Five years ago, someone tried to rob
the post office in a small town in Tohoku.
According to the news, the culprit died from
an accidental discharge of his gun. But the
truth is, I took the robber's gun from him.
and shot him to death?

Kirito: Five years ago?

Sinon: I was eleven at the time. Ever since
then, I throw up and faint any time I see so
much as see a gun. Seeing a gun makes me
recall the face of the man that I killed.... and
it's frightening. Absolutely terrifying.

Kirito: But..

Sinon: Right. In this world, it's different for
me. That's why I thought to myself, "If I
become the strongest in this world, I'll
surely... become stronger in the real world
too. I'll be able to leave that memory behind."
And yet, earlier... Back when Death Gun
attacked me, I was so afraid... I stopped being
"Sinon" and reverted back into the real me.

Sinon: Of course, I'm afraid of dying. But, the
thing is.. I'm just as afraid to keep living in
fear. If I keep running from Death Gun and
that memory without putting up a fight, I'm
sure I'll become even weaker than I was before. So... So.....I've.

Kirito: We've...killed someone, too.

That got Sinon too surprised at this.

Kitsune: Remember what I said before? I
know the guy in the mantle, Death Gun, from
a previous encounter in another game. That
game was...Sword Art Online.

Sinon then looked up at Kitsune and Kirito

Sinon: So you two really are..

Kitsune: Yeah. I'm one of the SAO survivors
along with Kirito.

Kirito: And Death Gun's another one. He was a red player and a member of the murderer's guild, Laughing Coffin. One day, a large force was gathered to haul them in and bring them to justice.

Kitsune: I and Kirito was part of the expedition. But the plan was leaked and they got jumped on us instead. In the ensuing chaos, I killed almost all of the members of Laughing Coffin members...with my own hand because I don't want anyone else to feel burden by killing a person so I'll take all the burden by
myself.

Sinon: So Death Gun was one of the players
in Laughing Coffin you fought that day?

Kitsune: Yes. He's got to be one of the
members who survived the battle and was
sent to prison. That's why... I have no choice
but to settle matters with him here. Here in
this world.

Sinon: what about Fallen?

Kirito: from what we've seen he's a ally of some sort. We never saw him in the game at all.

Kitsune: but he's more than anybody that I've witness before. We gotta take a rest before we continue.

They nodded and take some rest while switching out for lookout.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

End of Volume