Lately, Hachiman had been focused on gathering intel, sitting out boss battles for a while. But on the seventy-third floor, the current frontline, information came together unusually quickly. Feeling the itch to fight, Hachiman decided to join the boss raid for the first time in ages.
"Hey, Hachiman! Been a minute, huh?"
"Yo, Klein. Yeah, I got some free time for once. Just in the mood, I guess."
Since the Laughing Coffin incident, Hachiman had kept his distance from the frontline raiders, fully committing to his behind-the-scenes role. As a result, only Kirito and Asuna among those present had seen his Achtfaust. Klein's eyes caught the unusual gear strapped to Hachiman's arm.
"Whoa, Hachiman, what's with that shield? When'd you switch up your fighting style?"
"Just trying something new."
"That's a weird-looking shield. What's it called?"
"Achtfaust."
"Faust… that's, uh, what again?"
"Means 'fist,' more or less."
"Huh? Looks like a shield to me!"
Similar conversations played out when Hachiman chatted with Egil and Nezha later.
(I got this thing a while back, but have I really been away from raids that long? Guess I'll join in more often…)
Hachiman fought conservatively, avoiding the Achtfaust's sliding mechanism for now. He figured it was better to reveal its full capabilities later, after sizing things up. The boss fight went off without a hitch, and as the group moved on to the next floor, Hachiman found himself talking with Heathcliff.
"Hachiman-kun, changed your fighting style while I wasn't looking?"
"Yeah, experimenting a bit."
"That's an unusual piece of equipment. What's its name?"
"Achtfaust."
"Quite the curious weapon."
"Guess so."
Something about the exchange felt off to Hachiman, but he was too tired to dwell on it. With the frontline now at the seventy-fourth floor, the end felt tantalizingly close, and the raiders' morale was sky-high.
A few days later, Kirito was in the Labyrinth Area of the seventy-fourth floor. Having just taken down a tough Lizard King, he decided it was time to head back. Strolling leisurely toward town, he caught a glimpse of something small and animal-like at the edge of his vision as he neared a forest.
(Is that… a Ragout Rabbit? First time I've seen one!)
Ragout Rabbits were incredibly rare monsters. They were lightning-fast and never attacked, making them nearly impossible to kill. Their meat, however, was classified as an S-grade ingredient, its value matching its rarity. Kirito quietly opened his inventory window and pulled out a throwing needle.
(Never thought this would come in handy.)
It was one of the weapons he'd collected as a hobby.
(Please, just hit…)
Entrusting his luck to the heavens, Kirito hurled the needle at the Ragout Rabbit. It missed, but the startled creature leaped into the air. Seizing the moment, Kirito slashed it mid-jump with his sword.
"Yes!"
Checking his storage, he confirmed the Ragout Rabbit's meat had dropped. Kirito couldn't help but pump his fist in triumph.
"Now… eat it or sell it? Guess I'll head to Egil's shop and figure it out."
Muttering to himself, Kirito made his way to Egil's store.
"No way… S-grade ingredient?!"
Egil, too, had never seen Ragout Rabbit meat before.
"Dude, what're we doing with this? Gotta eat it, right? Right?"
"Hmm, as much as I'd love to, I don't have the cooking skills to do this justice…"
Just then, Asuna appeared, accompanied by a bodyguard—likely a precaution taken by the Knights of the Blood since the Laughing Coffin incident.
"Hey, what's up with you two?"
"Asuna… oh!"
Kirito suddenly remembered Asuna's impressive cooking skills.
"Asuna, what's your cooking skill at now?"
"Maxed out."
"No way! Okay, check this out!"
"Oh, Ragout Rabbit meat."
Asuna's reaction was surprisingly calm.
"Dude, it's Ragout Rabbit! S-grade ingredient!"
"Yeah."
"Asuna, please, can you cook this? I've never tried it!"
"Sure, but how about we go to Hachiman-kun's place?"
"Really? Yes, please!"
Overcome with excitement, Kirito grabbed Asuna's hands. Her bodyguard, a man named Kuradeel, cleared his throat and glared at him.
"I'd heard someone's been pestering Asuna-sama for a while. So it's you."
"Huh?"
"Kuradeel, your duties end here for today."
"But, Asuna-sama!"
"I'll inform headquarters myself."
"…Understood."
Kuradeel left, visibly frustrated.
"Asuna, who was that guy?"
"The guild leader insisted I have a bodyguard, but he's always like that."
"Hachiman's not gonna like that, is he?"
"…You think so?"
"Well, Hachiman's got that personality, so maybe not, but that guy's hard to read. No idea what Hachiman might think deep down."
"Hachiman-kun doesn't show when something's bothering him…"
"Guess we'll see his reaction when we get there."
"Alright, let's go cook."
"Please and thank you!"
Egil, panicking, cut in.
"Hey, what about my share? Can't you make enough for four with one piece of meat?"
"Hmm, three's probably the max."
"Sorry, Egil, that's how it is. Catch you later!"
"Noooo!"
Leaving a distraught Egil behind, Kirito and Asuna headed to Hachiman's place. Hachiman happened to be relaxing at home that day.
"What's up?"
"Hachiman, I got my hands on some Ragout Rabbit meat, and Asuna's gonna cook it at your place."
They explained how they ended up there.
"Makes sense. I've got all my cooking gear here," Asuna said.
"When did you get all that…?" Hachiman muttered.
"No problem with me. Go for it."
"Egil really wanted to try it too, but one piece might not be enough for four."
"Got it. I've got plenty of Ragout Rabbit meat, so call Egil over."
"No way! S-grade ingredient, and you've got plenty?!"
Kirito was floored by Hachiman's casual remark.
"Yeah, I figured you might have some," Asuna said. "You've had it before, so I thought maybe…"
"You guys have eaten this before? No wonder Asuna was so chill."
"Yup, that's about it."
"Kirito, let Egil know."
"Yeah, he was practically in tears."
Egil must have closed his shop the second he got Kirito's message, because he arrived at breakneck speed. He'd never been to Hachiman's place and was wandering around the tower it was housed in until Kirito went down to guide him. Egil was stunned to learn it was a player home.
"Hachiman! Thank you!!!"
The moment he saw Hachiman, Egil bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
"Whoa, you wanted to try it that bad?"
"Hell yeah! I owe you big time, Hachiman! Also, this place is insane!"
Hachiman's mood visibly brightened at the praise for his home.
"Yeah, it's my pride and joy. You might not come by often, but here's a key. Drop by if you need me."
"Dude, thanks again!"
"Guess that makes Egil part of the Hachiman Family now," Kirito teased.
"When did I start a family…?"
"Whoa, for real? I'm honored, but does that mean I was an outsider before?"
"Nah, just never had the right moment to invite you."
"Dinner's almost ready!" Asuna called.
"Alright, you guys are getting a feast, so set the table already."
"Hell yeah!"
With Hachiman providing two pieces of meat, the four of them ate to their hearts' content.
"This is unreal…" Egil groaned.
"I could die happy right now…" Kirito muttered.
"Yeah, it's pretty damn good," Hachiman agreed.
"Thanks for the meal!" Asuna chirped.
"You and Asuna have eaten this a bunch of times?" Egil asked.
"Yeah, Hachiman-kun's always bringing it back," Asuna said.
"No way."
"When you're running around gathering intel, you spot those things now and then," Hachiman explained.
Afterward, the four lounged around, chatting to let their food settle. Asuna saw her chance and brought up the bodyguard issue with Hachiman.
"So, they've got you with a bodyguard now, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Makes sense. Probably safer that way."
Asuna was a bit thrown by Hachiman's calm response, but knowing him, she tried to read deeper into his reaction.
"If it keeps you safe, I'm all for it."
"That guy, though? Not sure I'd ever warm up to him," Kirito interjected.
"Maybe you should ask for someone else," he added.
"Yeah, honestly, I'm not a fan of him either," Asuna admitted.
"Must be a real piece of work to get on your bad side," Hachiman said. "Might be worth talking to Heathcliff about it. Want me to say something?"
Asuna caught a hint of irritation in his tone. Yup, he's definitely annoyed.
"Okay, I'll do that."
"Cool. It's getting late—wanna call it a night?"
"Sure."
"Tomorrow, I don't have any guild raids. Wanna do something?" Asuna asked.
"How about the Labyrinth Area? Kirito, Egil, you in?"
"Sorry, I've got shop stuff tomorrow," Egil said.
"I'm free," Kirito replied.
"Alright, let's meet at the teleport gate then."
"Sounds good."
"Cool."
"Thanks again, Hachiman! See you tomorrow!" Egil called.
"Later."
"I'll clean up and head out," Asuna said.
Kirito and Egil said their goodbyes and left. Asuna quickly tidied up the cooking gear and sat next to Hachiman.
"Hachiman-kun, what do you really think about the bodyguard thing?"
"It's probably necessary. As for the guy himself, I haven't met him, so I can't say much."
"Yeah, fair."
Asuna realized she wouldn't get more out of him and decided to call it a night, saying her goodbyes and heading home.
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