Okotan bowed deeply to everyone while apologizing.
The tall DKB vice president, Hafner, stepped toward Okotan, clenched his fists, and said in an angry voice, "You really did something stupid! You almost caused a conflict between our two guilds! If the flag had shown up on your ALS side, we would've known who got it, and there's no way we could've stayed calm and negotiated with you!"
As he spoke, Hafner took step after step toward Okotan, then punched him in the stomach.
His leather-gloved fist hit the light metal armor with a clang, but didn't actually hurt Okotan—Hafner hadn't used any real force.
"But your dream itself isn't foolish," Hafner said as he withdrew his fist.
"While we were clearing the dungeon just now, I was thinking—despite being from different guilds, we still coordinated perfectly. Doesn't that prove how meaningless this guild division is? It'd be better to just merge the two big guilds. So… I'll forgive you this time."
Holding hands with Liten, Shivata also chimed in with a light-hearted air, "Me too."
The others smiled and forgave the deeply remorseful Okotan as well.
"…Thank you all so much!"
Okotan's hoarse voice echoed in everyone's ears, trembling slightly as it drifted into the air.
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Ten minutes later, the once-empty boss room now only had three people left: Kirito, Akimi, and Asuna.
As for Shivata and the others, they had already moved on to the sixth floor.
The reason the three stayed behind was because Kirito said he felt it was his responsibility to inform Kibaou and the others that the boss had already been defeated.
But to Akimi, it kind of felt like Kirito just wanted to rub it in their faces (insert dog head emoji).
It was already 8:40, and finally, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the direction of the stairs.
Three people walked into the room—they were likely part of ALS's scout team.
As soon as they entered, they immediately struck defensive poses, cautiously scanning their surroundings.
Leaning against the wall, Kirito greeted them. "Hello."
The three of them were startled and, in the blink of an eye, drew their weapons and aimed them in Kirito's direction.
But upon recognizing who it was, the one who seemed to be the leader stared in bewilderment and asked,
"B-Blackie?! What are you guys doing here? Where's the boss?"
"The boss?" Kirito shrugged and replied, "We took it down about ten minutes ago."
The three stood frozen for a few seconds, then shook their heads and headed down the stairs to call up the main force.
Soon enough, over twenty people poured into the boss room, led by Kibaou.
As the members—uniformly dressed in dark green outfits and draped in black metal armor—whispered among themselves in the back, the "Cactus Hair," Mr. Kibaou, stood with his arms crossed, silently facing off against Kirito.
"...Anyway!"
After a long silence, Kibaou suddenly raised his voice and said, "The boss has been defeated. Thanks for your effort. But unless some things are made clear, I won't be able to give an explanation to my comrades."
Kirito nodded and replied in agreement, "I understand. I'll cooperate."
"Good. First—there's no way the three of you took down the boss alone, right? Who were your teammates?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you that."
Hearing Kirito's answer, Kibaou raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
Instead, he asked another question:
"Second, you guys suddenly rushed over and took down the boss so quickly today—it couldn't have just been a coincidence, right? How did you know we were planning to fight the boss today?"
"…Sorry, I can't tell you that either."
Their conversation made Akimi let out a sudden snort of laughter.
Kibaou closed his eyes and clenched his fists.
After taking a few deep breaths, he said coldly, "Fine, those two questions aren't the most important. But this next one—you must answer. The boss was supposed to drop an item called the Guild Flag. Where is it?"
"I have it," Kirito replied.
As he spoke, Kirito retrieved the Guild Flag—officially named "Fg of Valor," the Flag of Valor—from his inventory and planted it on the floor.
That's right—under unanimous agreement, Kirito had been entrusted with the flag.
The moment the Guild Flag appeared, the ALS members all grew visibly restless, all except Kibaou, who remained calm.
He let out a cold snort and glared at Kirito.
"As expected of the number one cheater in the world—you got your hands on it so easily… But since you're unaffiliated with any guild, what exactly are you planning to do with it?"
Now, the negotiation had reached its most critical point.
Kirito spoke calmly, "Kibaou, I'm not saying I won't hand over the flag to you. But I have two conditions. Fulfilling just one of them will be enough."
Some ALS members thought Kirito was trying to extort them and began shouting in protest.
Kibaou frowned and said, "Let's hear it."
"First…" Kirito raised his right index finger, "If the same item drops again from future bosses, I'll give this flag to whichever guild doesn't already have one—free of charge."
Upon hearing this condition, disgruntled murmurs spread among the ALS members.
"When the hell would that even happen?!"
"Isn't that just wasting the item's effect?"
Kibaou raised his hand, signaling his companions to quiet down, then nodded at Kirito, indicating for him to state the second condition.
"Second," Kirito said slowly, "ALS and DKB merge to form an entirely new, unified guild. If that happens, I'll hand over the flag to you immediately and unconditionally."
The room fell silent at his words—but the silence didn't last long.
"There's no way that's happening!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Why would we merge with those arrogant so-called elites?!"
"Are you out of your mind?!"
As the ALS members erupted in angry shouts toward the group, a sharper and all-too-familiar voice rang out from the crowd:
"I get it now! These guys never intended to give up the Guild Flag. That's why they're making such unreasonable demands—so they can keep it for themselves!"
Akimi and the others had heard that voice plenty of times before.
On the first floor, it had accused Kirito of being a cheater.
On the second floor, it demanded Nezha's execution.
It had stirred up trouble on the third and fourth floors as well.
The voice belonged to a dagger user who always wore a leather mask—his face completely hidden.
Pointing at Akimi and the others, he shouted, "Guild Leader! Stop wasting time with them! There's only three of them—we could take that flag any time we want!"
As Akimi furrowed his brow, and just about ready to erupt, Kibaou finally spoke.
"Joe, are you suggesting we just take it by force?" Kibaou asked calmly.
"That's right. We've got the numbers, so why not—"
But before he could finish, Kibaou suddenly roared, "You bastard!" and grabbed Joe by the collar.
"It's true that information about the Guild Flag is important, but no matter how valuable an item is, raising your sword against another player to get it—that's a crime! Think carefully about what ALS stands for!"
With that, Kibaou shoved Joe away, then turned back toward Kirito and said:
"The condition you mentioned—applies to DKB as well, right?"
Kirito nodded.
"I see..." Kibaou sighed.
"Then you hold on to the flag for now. But honestly, the chances of a merger are slim."
After a brief silence, he turned to the ALS members and said, "Alright, let's head back. Good work, everyone," then turned toward the stairs.
"Ah, by the way…" Kirito reminded him, "The teleport gate on the sixth floor should be active now—it'll be faster if you return through there."
Kibaou paused for a second, then silently turned and headed toward the spiral staircase leading upward.
As he passed by Kirito and the others, he murmured so quietly it was barely audible:
"…Thanks."
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