"So, you specifically came here today just to resolve this matter?"
"Otherwise? You've met with PoH, and he proposed a plan targeting the Moonlit Black Cats, correct, Xilocart?"
"…Didn't expect you to have found that out—but I guess it's not strange—after all, I've heard you have a pretty good relationship with Argo…"
"Are you trying to change the subject?"
"No, I'm just stating the facts. To be honest with you, I did meet with PoH, and I did take some action against the Moonlit Black Cats in line with his plan—but compared to PoH's methods, my plan was much more… lenient."
"Lenient? By 'lenient' you mean letting your guild members constantly provoke and harass them without pause? If Kirito hadn't been there, their behavior would've been even worse, wouldn't it?"
"I think you're smart enough to understand what I mean—without Kirito, this conflict wouldn't have happened at all… And if I had actually followed PoH's plan, at least two members of the Moonlit Black Cats would've died."
"…With PoH involved, do you really think this conflict wouldn't have happened? You should be well aware of his past behavior—killing is just one of his ways of having fun."
"…I know. But I believe I can keep my subordinates under control—while I'll use any means necessary for the clear, that doesn't mean I'll casually take lives."
"Do you actually believe that yourself?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"…"
Sitting cross-legged on the ground in the safe zone of the Labyrinth Tower, Xilocart remained calm, leaving Akimi and the other two speechless.
This mature man with neatly parted black hair seemed to have no emotional fluctuations at all.
His words were always concise and to the point—as if saying more would just be a waste of time.
At that moment, he lightly patted away nonexistent dust from his silver-white shoulder armor and slowly stood up.
Around 1.8 meters tall, lean build, armor worn with precision, collar folded neatly… every detail faintly showed he was someone who valued efficiency above all else.
Just as Kirito was about to speak again, Xilocart lowered his gaze slightly to meet Kirito's eyes and said:
"You came here to settle this matter, didn't you? I'll give you a chance—let's make a bet. If you win, this whole thing will be wiped clean, and I'll even give you 300,000 col as compensation; if you lose, you'll hand over all your equipment and materials, return to the Town of Beginnings, and stop participating in the ongoing raid… including Akimi and Asuna. The bet will be on this floor's boss—the Last Attack on the 39th floor boss. Of course, you can also choose to just join the DDA to solve the problem. I can make you the leader of the clearing's frontline party right away."
Hearing Xilocart's words, the three of them all frowned—this was hardly a fair wager.
Three hundred thousand col might sound like a lot, but in comparison, it clearly didn't measure up.
Judging by their current gear alone, the value already exceeded one million col.
That wasn't even counting the large amount of rare materials they carried—materials that, at a conservative estimate, were worth over three million.
And if they let that shrewd merchant Argo handle the sale, the price could easily be driven up to more than six million col.
Akimi stepped forward slightly, narrowing his eyes.
"Xilocart, it's not even night yet—don't you think you're dreaming a little early?"
But faced with Akimi's rebuttal, Xilocart seemed almost absent-minded.
He was looking at the one-handed sword in his hand—loot from the 39th floor field boss—gently stroking the blade as he murmured under his breath:
"This world was never fair to begin with, was it?"
"I admit you're right about that, but—"
"But… since you think the wager isn't balanced, I'll raise the stakes a little. If you win, the DDA will do two things for you—anything at all, without conditions—so long as it's something that can be done within Aincrad. How about it? The bet should be fair now, shouldn't it?"
Before Akimi could finish speaking, Xilocart shot him a sidelong glance and cut in.
"…We have absolutely no reason to gamble with you," Kirito said, enunciating each word.
But Xilocart chuckled quietly, still gazing at his one-handed sword.
"No—you'll have no choice but to. I'll sweeten the wager a little more. I'll tell you PoH's plan. If I don't act, he'll carry it out himself. So—will you gamble, or will you watch your comrades die without knowing what's coming? Make your choice."
Then, as if to preempt their response, he added:
"And don't bother thinking of threatening me. I'm not afraid of such things."
With that, he left behind a parchment bearing the written terms of the wager, then stood and walked toward his guild members without so much as a backward glance.
"Let's go—keep exploring."
Watching Xilocart lead the DDA out of the safe zone, Akimi and the others stayed silent for a long moment.
The truth was, they had no choice but to accept the unequal wager—because they all knew PoH's methods: cunning, venomous, impossible to guard against.
"It's fine," Akimi said with forced nonchalance.
"It's just the Last Attack on a boss. How could our LA King Kirito possibly lose it?"
Kirito merely shot him an annoyed glare in return.
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