Chapter 38: Scars in the Heart — The Curtain Rises
The current frontline has advanced to the 46th floor.
Under the ice crystal dome of the "Frost Snow Corridor," two figures swiftly maneuvered through the labyrinth.
The black-haired swordsman's coat brushed over the frost-coated reliefs, suddenly stopping abruptly at a corner, his boots crushing the shards of ice scattered on the ground.
"Hey, Kirito." Hikigaya Hachiman's finger hovered over the translucent operation panel. "Was there an NPC stationed at supply point E7 before?"
"There was no mention of it in the system update logs." Kirito's breath condensed on his eyelashes as he spoke, giving his delicate face a touch of youthful innocence.
Hachiman tapped the frozen wall with his fingertip, causing ice crystals to fall down with a rustling sound. "Three days ago, that area was still vacant." Suddenly turning around, he added, "It's an event NPC."
As they split up, Hachiman glanced at the cold sweat seeping down Kirito's nape.
The footprints they left behind were quickly covered again by snow and ice, like some memories deliberately erased.
When the sun set, the two exchanged intelligence. Kirito held a tattered piece of parchment: "Christmas limited-time event, Fir trees in the Bewildered Forest, BOSS..."
Seeing Kirito's sudden change in expression, Hachiman suddenly remembered that this was the look Kirito had back when he went into a berserk state back then.
At this moment, Hachiman understood he couldn't persuade him anymore.
"A resurrection item." Hachiman seemed to hear his own Adam's apple roll. "The description says, 'A miracle that brings the deceased back to the living world.'"
"What do you want to do with it?" Hachiman asked, deliberately in a flippant tone.
"Hmm."
"Then Asuna and I will just..."
"Hachiman." Kirito suddenly interrupted him, his voice frighteningly heavy. "Can I act alone this time?"
Kirito stubbornly insisted on finishing this by himself. After a moment of silence, Hachiman agreed but put forward a condition.
When Hachiman said, "Pause the clearing and focus on leveling up," Kirito suddenly staggered back half a step, his lower back resting against an ice sculpture.
Hachiman pretended not to notice the sudden paleness on Kirito's face, continuing with a casual tone: "Also, don't forget you said you'd pay me lodging fees back then."
"You're the kind who never accepts thanks..." Kirito smiled bitterly as he wiped his sword's hilt.
"Of course." Hachiman turned toward the teleportation array, the hem of his coat sweeping over the icy shards on the ground. "After all, that idiot doesn't even have a house. Anyway, that's how it is. As long as you agree to that condition, I won't interfere."
'Of course, secretly I still will.'
"Understood, I agree."
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Two weeks later, with four days left until the Christmas event, the frontline had pushed to the 48th floor.
Following Hachiman's request, Kirito paused participating in the clearing to focus on raising his level to the max, currently fighting nonstop in the 47th floor's "Ant Valley."
Klein grabbed Hachiman's collar and pressed him against the damp rock wall; the one-eyed red-haired warrior's eye was bloodshot. "That guy hasn't rested for 72 hours straight! Are you really going to watch him burn out his nerves?"
Hachiman looked at the bulging veins on Klein's hand. "Three days ago, he solo-cleared the Poison Bee Queen's nest. By the way, you stepped into the army ants' egg-laying area."
The red-haired warrior jumped away as if electrocuted. Hachiman leaned against the rock, adjusting a potion vial, a purple-red toxic mist swirling between his fingers. "I need Fuurinkazan to stall the Divine Dragon Alliance on Christmas night."
"Huh? That pack of mad dogs can't possibly..."
"They've coveted the resurrection item for more than just a day or two." Hachiman suddenly threw the potion vial toward the rock ceiling.
Then Hachiman visited the Blood Alliance Knights headquarters.
Through Asuna's application, he arranged a meeting with Heathcliff. Currently, only Heathcliff and Asuna were in the room.
"So, what's the business?"
"I'm here to make a deal with you, Heathcliff."
"Go ahead."
"Take a look at this first."
"This is what Asuna obtained a few days ago, huh? So you gave it to her." Heathcliff said, noticing Asuna seemed to have kept this a secret, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"So?"
"I can provide one resurrection item to the Blood Alliance Knights, on the condition that Asuna be lent to me on Christmas night. Don't worry, it's not a runaway."
At the moment those words were said, Asuna's face instantly blushed deeply.
"Um... Hachiman-kun?"
"...That sudden love confession really caught me off guard."
"Huh? There's a crucial battle on Christmas night. Though it's uncertain if she'll be needed, Asuna's power might be."
"I see... The rumored resurrection item for the Christmas event."
Realizing the misunderstanding, Asuna's face grew even redder, but she still tried to stay calm and understand the conversation.
"Deal. It's a condition the Knights are eager for."
"Thanks, Heathcliff."
"Then, see you on the battlefield."
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In the preparation room on Christmas Eve, Hachiman spread the tactical map on Asuna's lap. The lily of the valley scent on the girl reminded him of the smell of disinfectant in the real world.
Hachiman explained the plan to Asuna: "This is the situation."
"Kirito-kun..."
"Yes, our mission is: Asuna waits at a certain teleportation portal at midnight, and upon my contact, we teleport to rendezvous and follow Kirito."
"Just following him?"
"No, if the situation is critical, we intervene immediately. Under no circumstances should that guy die."
"I understand, but Kirito-kun might get angry."
Hachiman stuffed twenty healing crystals into his tactical belt, then looked up, bumping into the honey-colored pupils of the girl. "Then you'll come apologize with me by kneeling down."
Asuna smiled at this Hachiman.
"Yeah! Let's apologize together!"
"The expected battlefield is the Bewildered Forest."
"Got it. I'll be fully armed and ready."
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On Christmas Day.
Just as expected, Kirito went deep into the Bewildered Forest. After confirming, Hachiman gathered Asuna and Fuurinkazan.
"As-Asuna-sama!" One of them screamed like a hardcore fan seeing their idol, but to their surprise, everyone else was the same.
"We're your fans!"
"Please shake our hands!"
"Shut up all of you!"
Startled, Asuna hid behind Hachiman as usual, clutching his coat hem—this habit seemed impossible to break.
"Follow the plan. Klein, keep the enemies busy."
"U-understood, but will they really come?"
"They absolutely will. Trust me."
Hachiman and Asuna tracked Kirito deeper into the forest.
"Hachiman-sama and Asuna-sama have a great relationship, huh."
"Still holding his coat hem."
"Damn, I'm so jealous!"
The tense atmosphere was broken by the appearance of Divine Dragon Alliance members through a teleportation portal.
These villains would do anything for profit; their markers had already turned orange.
"Fuurinkazan? Where's the black-clothed swordsman?"
"This way's blocked, bastards!"
"Ready to fight?"
"You think you can take us? Bring it on!"
'Totally going according to Hachiman's script... Never get him angry again.'
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The moonlight on Christmas Eve coated the Bewildered Forest with silvery frost. When Kirito's black clothes vanished into the fir tree shadows, Hachiman held Asuna's shoulder to stop her from chasing. "Wait a bit longer."
In the bushes where they were hiding, Asuna's hair brushed Hachiman's neck. Hachiman counted his heartbeat on his stopwatch until the first sound of clashing weapons came from the forest.
At midnight sharp, Heretic Nicholas appeared as expected.
When Kirito used up his last crystal, Nicholas's HP was also near depletion.
'The critical point... I really want him to finish this with his own hands.'
"Attack now?"
"Wait a little more."
When the gust from Nicholas blew off Hachiman's hood, he squinted at the sparks flying from Kirito colliding with the boss, then suddenly grabbed Asuna's wrist. "Now!"
But at that moment they rushed out, Kirito summoned all his strength and crushed Nicholas.
"Mind your own business." Kirito said hoarsely, sweat-soaked black hair sticking to his pale cheeks.
"But if you took another hit, it'd be over. Timing was just right."
When Kirito checked the dropped items and turned around, his face was full of helplessness.
They thought there was no resurrection item, but—
"Hachiman, this is for you. Thanks."
The handed-over Sacred Revival Crystal was the real resurrection item.
The description said it had to be used within ten seconds of the target's death.
Hachiman understood that meant before the neural connection device emits microwaves.
Disheartened.
"Was what I did... all meaningless?"
"That's for you to decide."
"...You've all been watching all along."
"Sorry about that... don't mind it."
Kirito silently left. When he reunited with Fuurinkazan, Klein had already successfully completed the blocking mission.
After disbanding, Asuna stayed at Hachiman's place. The two had a brief talk that night:
"Is Kirito-kun okay...?"
"We just have to trust him."
"...If I die, would Hachiman be like that too?"
"You won't die, Asuna. Absolutely won't. Neither will I. That's enough."
Hachiman's tone was especially resolute, like an undeniable fact, bringing Asuna an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
"Hmm..."
"Go to sleep. Use the bathroom however you want."
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The next day, they saw Kirito standing at the door, holding steaming hot breakfast.
The dark bruises under his eyes had faded a bit, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a long-missing smile.
"Next mission..." The black-clothed swordsman stuffed food into their laps, "It's on me."
Hachiman bit into the crispy crust; the sweetness exploded on his tongue.
Looking at the players laughing on the street, he suddenly hoped this false Christmas could last a bit longer.