Kitsune and Kirito now walked outside as
the scan started. Kitsune then activated his
terminal and saw no one near them.

Kirito: So, what's the current situation?

Kitsune: There's no one around here luckily.

Kitsune then looked around the map and
saw Yamikaze heading towards their location
and two others fighting in the city.

Kitsune: There are eight left including us
and Death Gun, Fallen and Sinon who don't show up on the scan.

Kitsune then looked at the map and saw the
two players had killed each other.

Kirito: They took each other out?

Kitsune: Okay... make seven left.

Kirito: Kitsune, there is something on my
mind.

Kitsune: What is it?

Kirito: It's that we can't find a player if we're
counting you and me along with Sinon, Fallen and Death Gun. There's one person missing
because we can see Yamikaze but there's still
one missing.

Kitsune: There are eight left including us
and Death Gun and Sinon who don't show up
on the scan.

Kitsune then looked at the map and saw the
two players had killed each other.

Kirito: They took each other out?

Kitsune: okay, then make that*giggles* six

Kirito: Kitsune, there is something on my
mind.

Kitsune: What is it?

Kirito: It's that we can't find a player if we're
counting you and me along with Sinon, Death Gun and Fallen. There's one person missing
because we can see Yamikaze but there's still
one missing.

Kitsune then closed his terminal and continue to hear what Kirito talking.

Kirito: Maybe Death Gun or Fallen killed someone else? Actually no, his partner's been waiting to kill Sinon. I don't know maybe I'm
overthinking this. I just feel like we're still
missing something.

Kitsune: Of course, we could just be overthinking things. Anyway, let's go back in
for now.

Kirito: Alright.

———-

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

———

After their discussions, Kitsune and Kirito walked back to the cave and saw Sinon putting something on her sniper scope. She then saw them walk in and spoke.

Sinon: How does it look?

Kitsune: There are six of us left. You, me, Kirito, Yamikaze...Death Gun, who doesn't show on the scan, and Fallen.

Sinon: Just six left... But it's already been an hour and forty-five minutes. Considering the last match ended in just two hours, we're basically matching the pace. It's still strange that nobody has done us in with a grenade.

Kirito: Yeah. Maybe as Death Gun and Fallen was wandering around looking for us, he ended up sniping everyone nearby with his rifle.

Sinon: If that's the case, the "max kills" award will undoubtedly be his. That aside, Yamikaze is the immediate threat. You two were the only survivor who showed up on his terminal, so he'll definitely come for you two.

Kirito: Is he strong?

Sinon: He was the runner-up last time. He runs a pure agility build and is even called "Run-Gun Demon".

Kirito: R-Run-G-Gun?

Kitsune: "Run and Gun". It's a combat style where you run, shoot, and run again. Basically, his battle style is like the both of us Kirito.

Kirito: Oh! Now I understand.

Sinon: That's right. He uses an ultra-lightweight SMG, the Calico M900A.

Sinon: Last time, he lost to XeXeeD's rare gun and armor and came in second, but some people say Yamikaze is the better player.

Kitsune: he's GGO's best player on the Japanese game server.

Sinon: Assuming your guesses is right, that'd mean I'm the only one that Death Gun can kill now, right? After all, his accomplices would have to be near my house.

Kitsune: In other words, that means there's no any risk of Yamikaze being murdered by Death Gun or Fallen.

Sinon: In that case, while I kinda hate to say this, but couldn't we-

Kitsune use him as a decoy? If Death Gun or Fallen shoots Yamikaze, we'll know where he is. And depending on how you look at it yes.

Kirito: You're so strong, Sinon.

Sinon: Not really. I'm just trying to think about it. I've always been good at ignoring the scary things in life after all.

Kitsune: you're pretty brave, Sinon. you just didn't want to believe it.

Sinon: What?

Kitsune: You're able to stay cool when you know that there's probably a guy sitting in your apartment waiting to kill you. That's one of the things that make me adored about you, Sinon.

As Kitsune said it with a smile and Sinon started blushing and twirling her hair with her finger.

Sinon: Well, that's because you know, you've helped me. Anyway, what did you think about my plan you two?

Kitsune: decent idea, but there's one thing that's bothering Kirito.

Kirito: Earlier, when we counted all the survivors and defeated players, it only added up to twenty-eight. Even counting Pale Rider, there still someone missing.

Sinon: Impossible! Are you implying Death Gun killed someone else after that? That's impossible! I mean his accomplice should be targeting me, right?

Kitsune: Yeah, that's definitely be the case. But when you think about it, something's off. Only 30 minutes has passed after Death Gun just shot Pale Rider before he started gunning for you.

Kirito: In other words, that means Pale Rider's home in real life is within thirty minutes away from yours, in the same prefecture. Isn't that a little too convenient?

Sinon: But that's the only possibility, isn't it?

Kirito: We can't be for sure that Death Gun only has two partners. If there' more than two, one might be waiting for you, while another player is killed. In other words, it's possible that Yamikaze is also Death Gun's target.

Hearing that, Sinon grips the barrel of her sniper tighter as the thought of Yamikaze being killed in the game and real-life possible.

Sinon: Th-That's... You're saying three or more people might be in on this horrific crime?

Kirito: There at least ten Laughing Coffin members that survived.

Kitsune: Maybe even more but I seriously doubt that every single one is involved, but we have no evidence that there's only one other person. One of them will be the last one I have to kill him during the war later, but I have to risk it.

Sinon: Just what's driving them to go so far to keep being player killers? They were finally released from that game of death, so why?

Kitsune: Probably the same reason that I and Kirito try to be a swordsman and you try to be a sniper.

Sinon: 1 called them player killers, but I take that back. In this game, there are many who PK. I was in a squadron like that. But PKs have their own pride and resolve. Killing someone with poison while they're full diving isn't PKing. It's just a cowardly crime. It's murder... That's why we can't afford to lose to people like that!

Kitsune: Yeah, that's right. We can't let them get away with this anymore. We defeat Death Gun and Fallen on the battlefield and make him and his partners pay. No matter how it ends, it ends tonight.

Kirito: Yeah!

Kitsune: That's right. I'm gonna protect Sinon and Kirito whatever it takes and defeat both Yamikaze, Death Gun and Fallen I won't let them take anyone else away from me... Never.

Sinon: I'll handle Yamikaze. I won't let Death Gun murder him. He's strong. Even you two won't be able to take him out in one hit. While you two fighting him, Death Gun will go after you.

Kitsune: yeah remember what I said

Sinon: I'm a sniper. If you act as my spotter and tell me the enemy's location, I'll handle Yamikaze and Death Gun while you can handle Fallen.

Kitsune: I see... Alright. Then I'll leave the sniping to you. But they must be getting close.
Let's get into position. Kirito and I will get on one buggy and head out while you take the other one and get set up.

Kirito: I'll get the buggy set up.

Kitsune: Alright.

Kirito jogged over to the buggy and Kitsune was about to follow but Sinon stopped him by grabbing his arm.

Sinon: Kitsune..

Kitsune: What?

Sinon: I just wanna say be careful out there, okay?

Kitsune smile and rubbed Sinon's head as she blushed and smile at this.

Kitsune: Don't worry. I'll be careful. You
too.

Sinon: Yeah. Good luck, partner.

Kitsune nodded his head then he and Sinon then fist bump each other.

Kitsune: hey if we win this how about we go out for bit?

Sinon: yeah I'll like that.

(Timeskip)
After getting into position, Kirito had driven the buggy with Kitsune behind him. They went to the middle of the desert and now stood in the middle of the desert.

Kirito: So, this is it huh?

Kitsune: Seems like that. Once this over, we will back to our usual day of fantasy games.

Kirito: Hey, Yami...

Kitsune: What?

Kirito:*blush* I'm really glad I became a boyfriend with you.

Kitsune: Me too, my swordsman.

On top of a hill just above the cave, Sinon watched through her rifle's scope as Kirito drove the buggy into the center of the desert with Kitsune in the back seat of the buggy.
As they arrived at the open area, both of them got off from the buggy and started to initialize their plan on luring Death Gun or Fallen and Yamikaze with Kitsune and Kirito as bait.

Sinon: Yamikaze is coming from the west, so if Death Gun's going to shoot, it'll probably be from the east. A shot from the head or heart is pretty much a guaranteed kill. Not to mention, he'll be sniping while made invisible by his cape.

She starts to sweat a bit and takes a deep breath.

Sinon: But if it's you. You, who were able to cut down even my bullet. I know you can dodge it, right Kitsune? My objective is to take out Yamikaze immediately. If I happen to miss, Kitsune or Kirito will be killed. And after that, Death Gun or Fallen will kill me. My very life is riding on this one-shot. Just like back then.  I remember that Kitsune is immortal, I always forget about that!!

She said in her mind as the memory of her past surfaced in her mind. She started to grip the pistol grip of her sniper tighter as this is a life or death situation, where she can't afford the mess it up.

Sinon remembers what Kitsune said.

Kitsune: But, Sinon... I think that necessary.
I needed to accept what killing them meant,
the weight, and to keep thinking. A person that told this orange haired person said it's about instinct.

Sinon: instinct...what does that mean?

????: you want to know about that?

She turns around to see a Kitsune but he's possessing white skin, a blue tongue, black nails and white hair. His eyes consist of black pupils, white irises, and black sclera.

Sinon: who are you?

Kitsune?: I'm his inner self, instinct heard that before.

Sinon: but what does it mean?

Hollow Kitsune: If their form, ability, and power is exactly the same, then why is it one becomes the king and controls the battle and the other one becomes the horse and carries the king? There's only one answer...instinct. Look at your weapon Hecate, she's screaming for you to be the queen, let your ability rise up, Sinon or you'll be weak.

He vanishes as Sinon looks at her sniper rifle.

Sinon: Hecate Il, please... Lend strength to my weak self. Give me the power to stand and walk forward once more!

(Meanwhile)
Back with Kitsune, he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on finding Death Gun and Fallen.  Kitsune then heard running footstep from the Southwest while Kirito is looking around him for Yamikaze or Death Gun.

Kitsune: To the southwest... This is Yamikaze. Sinon will stop Yamikaze for me. I trust you, Sinon.

Back with Sinon, she was tracking Yamikaze with her sniper scope but Yamikaze is going too fast for her to shoot him with her sniper rifle.

Sinon: He's fast! What should I do? Try to predict his movements and lead him, or fire at his feet, deliberately missing my first shot, and finish him off when he panics?

She was about to pull the trigger of her sniper but she doesn't pull it.

Sinon: No, Yamikaze should stop once
Kitsune's or Kirito's in his sights. I'll wait for the last moment. I'll hold out here. So you need to do the same as well. Kitsune, believe in me!!

Back with Kitsune, he continued to hear Yamikaze's footsteps get closer to him, but ignored him, trusting and knows that Sinon will take him out when she's ready and he continues to look out for Death Gun or Fallen. Kirito looks at Kitsune and decides to trust him and Sinon for this.

Kitsune: Concentrate... Feel... his bloodlust... Just like back then...

Kitsune continued to drown out all other sounds and concentrated on locating Death
Gun or Fallen

Kitsune: That's right. I noticed back then because I'd sensed their bloodlust. I know who attacked me first but who's Fallen? I can't sense him at all.

Back in SAO, there was the existence of <Outside Sword Skills> that were utilized by the Clearing Group. Among them was <Hypersense>, which allowed the player to sense the presence of another before actually seeing or hearing them, or their <Killing Intent>.

Due with Kitsune's knowledge of watching anime, he's able to sense anybody's life force and able to find him.

When Kitsune had brought up the subject with Yui earlier in the year, he theorized that players could sense the <Killing Intent> because the focus of the ambushing player on their target.

Kitsune: I remember seeing this during the anime lucky I understand how to do it

This would increase the status signals' access, slowing system processing and slightly delaying transmission to a detectable degree, which Yui admitted was might not be impossible.

Back in the present, as Kitsune cleared his mind to sense the <Killing Intent>, he remembered faintly about the night of the assault on Laughing Coffin, when he felt an ill feeling and turned around to see shadows moving towards them.

Kitsune remembered that the player who led the counterattack, and who might be Fallen. Death Gun is an Estoc user, a piercing-type weapon and that he reduced the player killer's hit points by half before the latter retreated and swore in a stuttering voice that he would kill him.

Fallen on the other hand might be a jack of all trades. So far he's able to turn his arm into Megatron's arm cannon and knows about this universe.

Death Gun: Kitsune... I'll be sure to kill you later. After that, I'l kill all your loved ones... One by one.

His eyes turned yellow and pink as his anger increased.

Kitsune: I'm not letting you get to them. I'll kill you and make your dumbass brother suffer. No mercy on you and the Laughing Coffin...

Suddenly, Kitsune sensed a painfully sharp, icy-cold sensation - a <Killing Intent> - behind him. Kitsune then opened his eyes and looked behind him but he saw nothing, but as he looks to the side, he saw a red glint of light - a <Bullet Line> - at Kirito's head.

Kitsune: Kirito, Watch out!!

Kitsune then pushed Kirito by moved his head out the way of a sniper bullet, which nearly took his head off and took off a strand of his hair.

The bullet flew past Kirito and hit a huge tower behind them, pierced a tower which collapsed near Yamikaze caused Yamikaze to stop running and Kitsune looked at him.

Kitsune: Yamikaze...

Kitsune then looked back and saw a prediction line. He then took out his photon sword and blocked the shot.

He then helps Kirito to stand up and both of them started to run towards the direction of the prediction line came from.

Kirito: There!

Kitsune and Kirito then went to rush down
Death Gun. At the same time, Sinon had located Yamikaze and decided to wait to snipe him until he slowed down to attack Kitsune and Kirito, as his current speed and shifting route made it extremely difficult to make a clear shot.

As Yamikaze had stopped running and hide behind a pillar, Sinon used this opportunity to snipe him, and she shot him through the chest killing him.

After handling Yamikaze, Sinon loaded another bullet into her sniper and turned around to help Kitsune and Kirito.

Sinon: Kitsune!! Kirito!!

Then she turned her attention back to Kitsune and Kirito, who was rushing towards Death Gun, Fallen or Sterben's position and using their swords to deflect all the bullets fired their way.

Sinon looked over and found Death Gun hiding beneath a cactus plant with him laying on the ground with his stomach on the ground as he continues to sniping Kitsune and Kirito.

Sinon: There he is!!

Sinon then pointed her sniper, Hecate II toward Death Gun, but, as she had already used up her no-Bullet Line shot, Death Gun was able to see her targeting him.

Sinon: he's sees me now!!

With Sinon's Bullet Lines now visible, Death Gun quickly reacted by turning his Silent Assassin and changed his target from Kitsune and Kirito to Sinon, so that she won't disturb his plan.

Then they both shot at each other at the same time as both their bullets crossed paths with each other, nearly touching one another on the way.

With Sinon moving her face to the side to watch the trajectories of the shots. Death Gun's bullet destroyed the Hecate's scope, but her bullet, in turn, destroyed the Silent Assassin's main body.

Sinon: now, it's all up to you two. Kitsune. Kirito.

Kitsune and Kirito continued to run towards
Death Gun who was looking towards them with his broken sniper.

Kitsune: You did it, Sinon. Now it's our turn!!

Kirito: Let me attack him first, Kitsune. You'll follow up, okay?

Kitsune: Got it.

Kitsune then slowed down and let Kirito attack first. As Kitsune was running, he noticed that Death Gun was holding a piece of his broken sniper and started to unsheathe something.

Kitsune: here it comes!!

Kirito: This ends now!

Kirito then imitates the Sword skill < <Vorpal Strike>> and lunged at Death Gun, but Death Gun evaded the attack by quickly sidestepped Kirito's attack and that got him to look at him completely shocked.

Kirito: what!?

Death Gun was then about to stabbed Kirito but Kitsune rushing at them and instantly stood between the two of them.

Kitsune: oh no you don't you bastard!!

Taking Kirito's stead, Kitsune bravely got stabbed in the right shoulder with the item from Death Gun's sniper instead of Kirito.

Kirito: Kitsune!!!

Kitsune: Damn it!

Death Gun: As expected of The Soul Reaper, to come and help your friend like usual.
Remember that, I tell you that I will kill you later. Now it time to keep that promise. It's showtime, Kitsune.

Kitsune: where is Fallen!? He's not with Death Gun?

Meanwhile, in the real world, Sachi, Asuna, Suguha, Yui, and Nurse Aki notice that Yami is now panting heavily and his heart rate was abnormally high. This caused one of the lights to burst and shattered.

Sachi, Asuna & Suguha: Yami!?

Yui: Papa?!

Asuna: What's happening to Kit-- Yami?

Aki: Don't worry. He's not in physical danger.
Though his heart rate started suddenly climbing.

Suguha: His heart rate?

Sachi: What in the world's going on?

Yui then pulled Sachi, Asuna and Suguha jacket to gaining their attention.

Yui: Mama, Asuna-san, Suguha-san, look at the PC panel on the wall.

Everyone looked over at the panel to the live feed on the Bullet of Bullet and they saw
Kitsune and Kirito facing off against Death
Gun.

Asuna: That's... Kitsune. And the other is...

Suguha: Onii-chan?!

Aki: So is that Yami and your brother's avatar being shown?

Suguha: Yeah. That's Onii-chan and Yami's avatar.

Sachi: They are in battle. I think that's why
Yami heart rate rose. Even his energy caused one of the lights to break.

Asuna then looked at the weapon Death Gun was holding.

Asuna: An estoc? It's him. One of the Laughing Coffin's leaders was a master with the estoc! His name... His name was...

She then looked below the avatar of Death
Gun and saw that the name <Sterben> was displayed.

Asuna: Ste... Steven?

Suguha: Did he misspell "Steven"?

Aki: No.

Yui: No, that's not it, Mama, Asuna, and Suguha-san.

Aki: It's German language. It's also used in medical terminology. "Sterben" is how it's read.

Sachi, Asuna & Suguha: Sterben?

Aki: It means "Death". It's a term used when hospital patients pass away.

Sachi, Asuna, Suguha, and Yui looked between Kitsune and Yami who were still breathing heavily with worried looks.

Sachi, Asuna & Suguha: Yami...

Yui: Papa...

Back in GGO, Kitsune and Kirito still facing off with Death Gun and they looked down at the weapon he was using.

Kirito: That's an rwally unusual weapon, or rather... I've never heard anything about metal type blades existing in GGO.

Death Gun: Looks like you should have studied more on the game, Black Swordsman. You can craft them using the Gun/Sword Maker skill. It can't be made to be any longer or heavier than this, though.

Kitsune: Thanks for the information but we can't make the blade that we like the most.

Death Gun: Still the same heroic guy and sword maniac as always, Soul Reaper. Do you still like blades with high strength requirements? Then that toy must be quite disappointing to you.

Kitsune: No. I'm quite like it. Besides, a sword is still a sword. If I can cut through your HP with it, it doesn't matter anyway.

Kirito: Yeah. It's not all that bad. I've always wanted to try using something like this, after all.

Death Gun: Quite confident, don't you two?
Think you can do it? You've breathed too much of the real world's rotten air. If the old you had seen that weak <<Vorpal Strike>>, he'd be disappointed. But, Soul Reaper, you still the same as the old you. I'm impressed that you still the same guy as before.

Kirito: Maybe your right... But that goes for you too.

Kitsune: Thanks for the compliment. But do you think you're still a member of Laughing Coffin?

Death Gun looked on his right wrist at his Laughing Coffin emblem and then back at
Kitsune and Kirito.

Death Gun: Oh? You two were to remember that much? I'm impressed. Then you two should already understand the difference between you two and me. I'm a real red player, but you aren't. Soul Reaper, you simply killed all of my members to survive and to save the others. I've praised you, Soul Reaper, to be brave while you, Kirito, you're a coward, who can't even kill me and had to get help from your friend over there.

Kirito gotten mad and he was going to attack but Kitsune stopped him as he shakes his head. He takes a deep breath and calms down.

Kitsune: Thanks for the praise. But you aren't a murderer anymore, either! We already know how you killed XeXeeD and the others. It wasn't the power of that black handgun, much less your own ability.

Death Gun: Then what was it? Tell me.

Kitsune: You used that optical camouflage mantle of yours to look at the addresses of BoB entrants at Governor's Office terminals.

Kirito: Your accomplices then infiltrated the victims' rooms and injected them with a drug the moment you shot them to stage freak deaths by heart failure.

Kitsune: That's the truth. The MIC has data on every SAO player's character name and real name. Once your old character name is uncovered, your real name, address, and modus operandi-- it'll all be exposed!

Kirito: Give it up already. Log out and turn yourself in!

Death Gun: I see. You have a fascinating imagination. But you aren't quite there. You won't be able to stop me. That's because there's absolutely no way you can remember my old name.

Kirito: What?

Kitsune pretends to not know about Death Gun as he already knew about him since he saw the anime.

Kitsune: How can you be so sure?

Death Gun: Hehehe... Kitsune, you've even forgotten the reason you've forgotten it. Listen. After that battle ended, I was about to give you my name. But you...

Past Kitsune: I neither want to know your name nor do I have reason to. I'm never going to see you again, after all.

Hearing that, Kitsune looked at Death Gun as he pretended he was shocked. He senses another life force and it was Fallen who arrived.

Fallen: You don't know our names That's why you can't remember it. We'll defeat you here, and you'll lie on the ground as I kill your boyfriend and your resent girlfriend.

Then Kitsune sees a vision of Kirito and Sinon getting killed. He sees Kirito getting stabbed by Death Gun's sword.

Kirito: GHAAAAAAA!!

Kitsune: Kirito!!

Sinon: Kitsune!! Save me!!

As she scream a bullet shot her head killing her instantly.

Kitsune: no, don't!!

Then he sees Eugeo fighting Fallen but Fallen was more powerful and hits Eugeo the same attack from the anime. He lays down with blood coming out.

Eugeo: Yami...I'm sorry...I couldn't be strong to join you...

Yami: Eugeo!!!

Eugeo: I wish I could join you to the real world and have a family with them. I wish we can be stronger together forever. Goodbye, Yami, my love, my kitsune, my hero....

Yami: Eugeo!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Then he opens his eyes as it was vision. Kirito and Sinon were okay, Eugeo wasn't fully completed until much later.

Fallen: Sting doesn't it? That is made of the best metal available you can get in this game. Apparently, it's armor plating from a space battleship.

Death Gun: many are down Only you, Kirito and that girl left--

Before he can finish his sentence, Kistune instantly stands in front of Death Gun and kicked him on the stomach.

Fallen: so he rages on...

Death Gun then skids about 10 meters and looked up at Kitsune, he saw that Kitsune is no longer joking around as sees a yellow aura surrounding him.

Kitsune: Don't you even dare get near to them!! I'll...I'll...I'LL KILL YOU ALL AND PROTECT THEM WITH MY POWERS!!

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

End of Volume