Authors note:
Speaking: "…."
Thinking: '….'
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Two weeks later
Izuku is currently lying in bed slowly opening his eyes and walking up to the sound of one familiar man yelling. „ Stop coming into my bed at morning it's distracting!! „ Katsuki yelled outside Izukus room. ‚ What a great way to start my day' he thought sarcastically while getting up yawning and putting on some morning clothes.
Opening the door he saw his best friend katsuki having a woman in his arms bridal style. The woman has long flowing black hair and two black cat like ears poking out through the hair, she has warm green eyes with slitted pupils and was wearing a black nightgown with a black tail coming out.
„Morning Izuku, can you tell this big doofus to just accept the fact I want to cuddle him in the morning. No better anytime" the woman said with a playful pout on her face.
„ don't you dare say a word Izuku, or I'll kill you. This woman is my problem" the blue eyed boy commanded in a stern manner.
„ well good morning to you to Kaachan, Kurenai. Next time just have your couples quarreling in your room. Oh and we'll depart in an hour Kaachan, don't spend to much time on your fiancé" the green haired boy said half asleep before waking off to get breakfast hearing the the discussion get even more heated because of his comments.
„ see I told you you should just accept my proposal" „ and I told you I don't have time for a woman...."
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1 hour and 15 minutes later
Floor 36 (The Silver Forest)
{Starting door}
"What took you so long, Romeo?" the green-eyed man teased the silver-haired one, who had just come through the door with two black lipstick prints on his face and an angry expression.
"You know damn well why I'm late, you traitor of a rival!" Katsuki exclaimed angrily, walking past him without looking at Izuku.
"Well then, let's head to the dungeon we located yesterday and start clearing it," the green-eyed boy explained, before putting on his gear, which consisted of black pants and shoes, a dark green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a thin, straight grass-cutter sword in a black wooden sheath, inscribed with green letters that read 'Head Hunter.' The sword was located diagonally on his lower back.
The other man followed suit, equipping his gear as well. He now wore grey baggy pants and combat boots, along with a blue haori, left open in the front, revealing his chest, and a white tiger emblem on the back. His greatsword was strapped to his left hip, featuring a black grip wrapped in blue, with a grey sheath inscribed with the words 'Mountain Splitter.'
After walking for a while, the two men stood before a tall tower reaching into the sky, that was the dungeon. They only needed to reach the bottom to enter it, and then they would be free to climb. However, before they could reach the entrance, a couple of wandering traders approached them with some questions.
"Are you perhaps heading towards the dungeon?" an elder gentleman asked the two.
"Yeah, we are. What's it to you, geezer?" the silver-haired boy replied, slightly annoyed, eyeing the man sharply.
"Well, I'd advise you not to go there. You see, the entrance to the dungeon is in the territory of the Rukari tribe, and they're usually not very friendly with humans. Most clearers come back severely crippled, and others don't come back at all," the man said, a concerned look on his face.
"You said they're hostile to most humans, so is there any criteria to be accepted?" Izuku asked, trying to gather more information on the situation. Katsuki, catching on, also began listening carefully.
"Ah, no, not that I'm aware of. The reason I said that is because there was only one man they ever let through. I don't know why, but that's it. And as I've recently heard, he retired 10 years ago," the man answered truthfully.
"Oh, interesting. So, can you tell us how many have tried to climb the floors?" the green-haired man asked, thinking 'So, there have been others who tried to clear Aincrad. But 10 years ago, I wasn't even born yet. I wonder...'
"Hmm, so you're interested in the others, huh? Trying to find allies or scout out the competition? I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. You two are the first clearers to reach this floor in almost 8 years. This floor is usually considered the real test to see if someone is good enough to climb because of the Rukari," the man said, stroking his beard as if remembering a fond memory.
"Oh, so not many people climb these days, do they?"
"No, they don't. You know, I once tried to climb the floors myself, but I never had the guts to face the Rukari, so I became a merchant and started a life here on this floor. This companion by my side is actually my grandson, who will eventually inherit my business," the man said proudly, pointing to the young man beside him.
'So, that's how the humans of Aincrad come to live on different floors' Izuku thought, before asking another question to the old man. "So, about this man who was let through, do you perhaps know where he is now?"
"I see I can't talk you out of trying to clear this floor. Well, I hear he's living on the 22nd floor with his wife. I don't know his name, but the people on this floor called him the 'Black Swordsman.'"
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??? POV
22nd Floor (The Spruce Plain)
Log Cabin at the Lake
Knock knock
A sound came from the door, indicating someone was waiting behind it.
"Hm, Asuna, are you expecting someone?" a young man with short black hair and black eyes asked in the direction of the kitchen, setting down his tea cup. A woman, about the same height, with long chestnut hair and warm brown eyes, came into the room.
"No, I'm not expecting anyone, but could you check who it is regardless? Thanks, Kirito," the woman, now known as Asuna, said with a happy smile, watching her husband walk towards the door.
"I wonder who it could be," Kirito said aloud to himself, before opening the door to find two men who looked about ten years younger than him. One was smiling warmly, while the other had an angry scowl on his face.
"Um, yes, how can I help you?" the black-eyed man asked the two strangers on his porch.
"Are you the man known as the Black Swordsman?" the green-haired one asked genuinely.
Getting tense, Kirito raised his guard, fearing the worst. He replied, "And what if I am?"
"You don't have to be on guard. We're not here to pick a fight. We're just looking for your help in getting past the 36th floor, since we heard you're the only one who has been able to advance," the man replied, holding his hands up, showing that he had no intention of fighting.
"So, you're clearers? Haven't seen any of those in a while. What brings you here?" Kirito asked, leaning against the doorframe, his guard no longer as strict as before. However, before the men could answer, Asuna came from behind.
"Kirito, how many times have I told you not to be rude to our guests? Please come in, I'll get some tea ready," she said, letting the two men inside before disappearing into the kitchen and returning a bit later with four cups of tea. She set them down on the living room table and sat next to Kirito, across from the two men on the other couch.
After taking a sip of the tea prepared for him, the green-eyed man began, "I think we got off on the wrong foot, so let me introduce us properly. My name is Izuku, and the angry man beside me is Katsuki. We started climbing the floors about four and a half years ago, and today we were planning to enter the dungeon on the 36th floor. But we were warned by a merchant that there is a tribe of strong fighters near the dungeon, and the only one who made it safely through was you. So, we wanted to ask if you could give us any tips, perhaps?"
"I see. Then I apologize for earlier. When people come looking for the Black Swordsman, it's usually not for friendly business. I'm sure you can understand. I haven't heard of anyone climbing the floors lately, and I stopped myself after failing repeatedly to clear the 73rd floor. Anyway, the 36th floor, huh... brings back memories," Kirito said, looking up thoughtfully.
"So, how did you beat'em, Blacky? Tell us, so we can get it over with!" Katsuki exclaimed impatiently, before Izuku smacked the back of his head.
"Don't be rude, Kaachan. We're the guests. Please, don't mind him. But yes, we would very much like to know how you got past them," the green-haired man said, ignoring the death glare Katsuki was giving him.
"Well, I didn't really beat them. Truth be told, I don't think I could beat Thorin even now, despite how much stronger I've gotten. I befriended them, became pals, you know. But it was more luck than skill, honestly. The Rukari are a tribe of warriors who heavily use aura in their beliefs, rituals, and fights. I just got lucky that they liked my personality and were impressed that I could use aura, even if only a little back then," the black-haired man explained.
"Aura? What's that?" Izuku asked, confused.
"Huh, I thought you'd know since you have a strong aura radiating from you. But I suppose I can help some rookie clearers understand. Come on, follow me," Kirito requested before getting up and walking towards a wall where two beautiful sheathed swords rested. One was a purely black one-handed longsword with a dark blue tint, while the other was an elegant red-and-gold rapier adorned with red roses. Taking the latter, he gestured for the two men to follow him outside.
When everyone was outside, Kirito stood before both of them, drawing his sword to reveal a sleek black blade. Pointing it toward them, he said, "The best way to show you is to fight, so I'll spar with you for a bit. Arm yourselves."
Taking out his sword excitedly, Katsuki grinned and got into a stance. Following suit, Izuku grabbed the grip of his sword and got into position, his blade still sheathed.
Releasing some of his aura, Kirito boosted his strength a bit and dashed toward them. The two looked confused for a moment but quickly regained their composure. Then, to Kirito's shock, they released their own aura 'quite a considerable amount, with impressive control.'
Despite this, Kirito continued his assault. Focusing the black energy emanating from him toward his sword, he launched an attack at Katsuki, who blocked it with his own aura-enhanced blade. To Kirito's surprise however , Katsuki's aura shifted in an instant, seeping through his blade and stopping Kirito's sword from moving. "Awakened aura!" Kirito thought intensely before noticing Izuku coming at him, aiming for his lower back.
'They're good, but not good enough,' Kirito thought, before releasing his aura and forming it into a three-meter-tall Minotaur wielding a large cleaver-like weapon. Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the beast, Izuku was surprised and barely defended against its strike. Kirito then focused even more of his aura into his sword, negating the time-stopping effect of Katsuki's aura.
Jumping back, Kirito commanded the Minotaur to attack Katsuki through his thoughts. The beast's cleaver ignited in black flames, surrounding Katsuki. Glancing at Izuku, Kirito said, "If you ask me, you'll be just fine with Thorin. I'm sure he'll like you. But I'm sorry, I can't afford to lose this fight. System Call, Enhance Armament!" he shouted.
The sky darkened, and stars seemed to fall toward Kirito's sword, encasing it in black and purple energy. With a vertical slash, he sent an energy blade straight toward Izuku. Izuku blocked it but, in the process, his blade shattered. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Katsuki standing weaponless before the Minotaur, using only his bare hands.
Sheathing his sword, Kirito dismissed the beast and declared, "Alright, that'll be enough. Why didn't you say earlier that you could use both normal and awakened aura?"
The two men stood up and walked toward him, with Katsuki sheathing his sword. "Well, we didn't know what you meant by 'aura.' We've always called it Aincrad energy. But I guess it has a real name," Izuku explained sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Kirito chuckled lightly in response.
"Aincrad energy, huh? Well, it's not the worst name, I suppose. But anyway, back on topic: I think you should just go ahead and face Thorin. Don't be afraid, you've got more talent in handling aura than I did back then, and you're both awakened. I'm sure if you show them what you can do, they'll be happy to let you in," Kirito said reassuringly.
"Also, I wanted to ask, what was up with your sword? And what kind of sacred art was that at the end? And the Minotaur...?" Izuku began rambling but was cut off by Kirito.
"Easy there. I'll let Thorin explain everything about the weapons and aura. Just go to the gate and request a trial by Rukara. The rest will be easy for you," Kirito said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Alright, but you kind of broke my sword. Do you maybe have a replacement at OCA level 30 or so?" Izuku asked, a bit defeated, fiddling with his hands.
"Oh, sorry about that. I almost forgot," Kirito replied. He opened his inventory and searched through his swords for a minute before taking out a straight grass cutter with a black sheath. Handing it to Izuku, he stepped back.
Inspecting it, Izuku drew the blade and was surprised to see a sleek, black, double-edged sword. Swinging it a few times, he looked satisfied and checked its stats by opening the info screen.
"Let's see... The Kinetic Cutter. OCA level 35! Holy shit, I've never seen a weapon over level 30. It can absorb kinetic energy from strikes and release it by being hit again. This is crazy, I-I can't take something this good from you," Izuku said, shocked, while Katsuki looked over his shoulder in disbelief.
"It's alright. I've got better ones. Just take it. Oh, and give my regards to Thorin once you've passed," Kirito said before walking back to his wife. He gave her a kiss, and the two went back inside together.