Warning: Some expressions may be unsettling to certain readers. Please proceed with caution.
"So, how's it feel, Sugou-san? Stealing Akihiko Kayaba's achievements and claiming them as your own?" Hachiman taunted.
"…" Sugou stayed silent.
"Without your 'ultimate magic,' you're nothing," Kirito added.
"You brat…" Sugou muttered.
"Maxed skills, ultimate weapon, yet you couldn't touch us," Hachiman said.
"Shut up! Insolent punk!" Sugou snapped.
"That's all you've got? Pathetic," Hachiman sighed.
"Wha…" Sugou faltered.
"Tell you what, land one hit on me, and you win," Hachiman offered.
"Don't mock me!" Sugou roared.
"You're a wreck and still think you can beat me?" Hachiman asked.
"Fine! One hit, and I'll let you off!" Sugou declared.
"You hear that?" Hachiman said to the others.
"Almost refreshing," Kirito chuckled.
"That was… something," Asuna said.
"If growing up means being like that, I don't wanna grow up!" Komachi exclaimed.
"Since Sugou-san's so gracious, I'll thank him," Hachiman said, bowing dramatically. "O great god, I'm honored. Thank you for accepting my humble proposal."
"Fool! You'll regret this!" Sugou shouted, swinging his sword with a smug grin.
Hachiman easily parried, causing Sugou to stumble. "Thought you could hit me now?"
"Why didn't it land? You weren't even looking!" Sugou cried.
"Your attack's predictable from that stance. Don't you get it? This is a game, not a playground," Hachiman said.
"I'll hit you next time!" Sugou vowed.
"I'm not into torture," Hachiman sighed. "Good thing this is just a game, or I'd hesitate to even hit you."
"Take this!" Sugou screamed, flailing wildly.
Hachiman parried every blow, bored. Komachi, impressed, turned to Kirito and Asuna. "Is that big brother's famous technique? Parrying everything for instant counters?"
"Yeah, that's Hachiman's style," Kirito confirmed.
"He usually equips a gimmicked shield, but not here," Asuna added.
"Getting countered on everything sounds awful…" Komachi said.
"He's not countering now, but he's probably fed up and ready to end it," Kirito predicted.
"Look, Hachiman-kun's yawning," Asuna pointed out.
"Big brother's bored…" Komachi noted.
"He won't let it slide," Kirito said.
"Time's up. Let's finish this," Hachiman declared.
Timing his move, Hachiman delivered a fierce counter, sending Sugou flying back, sprawling on the ground.
"Gaaah!" Sugou screamed.
"Done," Hachiman said, kicking [Excalibur] away and stepping on Sugou's stomach. With a surprisingly calm expression, he spoke. "Losing your left hand, in excruciating pain, yet still conscious? I respect your tenacity, just a bit."
"Of course! I'm a god!" Sugou gasped.
"Still on that? Without it, we might've been… no, never friends," Hachiman said. "But here's the deal: the government knows everything you've done. Once Asuna testifies, the police will storm Recto Progress."
"Damn you…" Sugou muttered.
"Appreciate the praise, but even without me, Kirito would've done it. Or another SAO survivor. You thought you were clever, but our two years weren't so cheap that you could toy with us."
"…"
"What's his punishment gonna be?" Hachiman asked, turning to the others.
"Hmm… not murder, maybe kidnapping minors?" Kirito mused.
"Huge fines, for sure, but the crime itself?" Asuna wondered.
"Current laws might not cover it," Komachi suggested.
"Fair. I'll leave that to Yomino-san," Hachiman said. "But to make sure he doesn't get funny ideas, let's drive the point home. Asuna, Komachi, cover your eyes and ears."
"Okay…" Asuna complied.
"What're you planning, big brother?" Komachi asked warily.
Once they complied, Hachiman stabbed Sugou's groin.
"GYAAAAH!" Sugou shrieked.
"Hachiman! Don't make me see that!" Kirito protested.
"Sorry, had to make sure he doesn't try anything with other women. My bad for dragging you into it," Hachiman apologized.
"That's gonna haunt me…" Kirito groaned.
"I'll treat you to something later," Hachiman promised.
"Deal!"
"Kirito, signal Asuna and Komachi it's safe," Hachiman said.
Kirito did, and the two, seeing Sugou twitching, guessed what happened but avoided the topic.
"Time for the finishing blow. Asuna, want it?" Hachiman asked.
"No, you do it. I don't want to see him anymore," Asuna replied.
"Got it," Hachiman said. "Sugou, you're at home, right? Police aren't there yet, so if you've got any conscience, turn yourself in. By the way, I'm logged in near Asuna's hospital, so don't try anything. And her room's full of cops anyway. Goodbye. Reflect on your stupidity in a cold cell."
Hachiman stabbed Sugou's left eye, aiming for a critical hit to drain his HP. As calculated, Sugou's HP vanished, and he logged out, disappearing. Instantly, a system message flashed across ALO: [Oberon has been defeated].
Everyone—survivors and fallen—cheered wildly.
"What's this message?" Kirito said.
"Didn't know it was set up like that," Asuna remarked.
"But now everyone below knows we won!" Komachi exclaimed.
"Our victory!" Hachiman declared.
"Yeah!" Kirito shouted.
"Go ahead, big sis, hug him!" Komachi urged.
"Thanks, Komachi-chan!" Asuna said, rushing to Hachiman, burying her tearful face in his chest.
Hachiman stroked her head, addressing the group. "Looking back, Sugou might've been a victim too, always compared to the genius Akihiko Kayaba, drowning in inferiority."
"Maybe, but his actions are unforgivable," Kirito said.
"I'm done with this kind of thing. Torturing people isn't my style," Hachiman said. "But if Asuna's ever in danger again, I'd do it all over."
"Sorry, Hachiman-kun…" Asuna said.
"You've got nothing to apologize for!" Komachi insisted.
"Exactly," Hachiman said. "Asuna, when you log out, report Sugou to the police. I'm near your hospital, so I'll see you soon. Wait just a bit longer."
"Okay… Thank you, Hachiman-kun, Kirito-kun, Komachi-chan," Asuna said.
"Let's log out!" Kirito said.
"I wanna visit big sis's hospital, but it's too late," Komachi sighed.
"I'll take you tomorrow, Komachi. Get some sleep," Hachiman said. "Kirito's pulling an all-nighter by his phone, though."
"Yeah, all night," Kirito confirmed.
"What's up?" Asuna asked.
"He's got a note with his name and number by Liz's bedside," Hachiman explained.
"Oh, got it," Asuna said.
"We'll plan Asuna's visit tomorrow," Hachiman said.
"I'll log out first and update Yukino-san and the others!" Komachi said.
"I need to explain to Leafa too. See you tomorrow!" Kirito added.
"I'll log out and talk to the police. Hachiman-kun, see you soon! Yui-chan, I'll visit again!" Asuna said.
"Yes, Mama, until next time!" Yui replied.
"Later," Hachiman said.
Asuna, Kirito, and Komachi logged out. Alone, Hachiman shouted skyward, "You're here, right, Akihiko-san?"
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?