I turn slowly. Sinon stands there, dagger to my throat, her expressionless eyes pitying.
Why's she here? She tailed me, suspicious, searching the area.
"No can do. These PKers need to die," I say.
"He can't fight back. This game allows crimes but ensures consequences. I don't want to lose you like this—not while we're a party," she says.
"Then kick me out. I'm going solo anyway."
"It's about odds. I can solo the northern dungeon, but you, an SAO returner, boost our chances."
"Killing him nets tons of EXP. You and Diavel got some already. One more kill, more EXP and Col. Gets you the 'strength' you want, right?"
"The 'strength' I seek isn't this. Not from scum like him," she says.
"Got it."
Her words ring true. I sigh, loosening my grip, ending the choke but keeping him pinned. His HP stops dropping. Sinon lowers her dagger, exhaustion in her face—worse than the mastermind's death game announcement.
"What now? Let him go free?" I ask.
"There's [Duke Barandoma's Dungeon] for criminals. Toss him there. Less EXP than PK, but you get a bounty based on their level and crimes," she says.
Her disgusted glare makes the spearman tremble. I get it—her look's terrifying.
Deal. I release him. Sinon swiftly binds his arms with chains from her storage.
"When'd you get chains?" I ask.
"With no ethics code, a girl sleeping with two guys is risky. For emergencies. Diavel knew," she says.
So, I wasn't trusted. Fair—I'm openly crude, but closet perverts are worse.
Sinon, hauling the bound spearman, smirks faintly, exhaling in relief.
"Thanks," she says.
"What? That's 'a snake from the bushes,'" I quip.
"It's 'a stick from the bushes.' I know you're joking. Thanks. You saved me twice, protecting us by killing. It's unpleasant, but I'm grateful."
I can't deny I meant to protect. I expected the red-haired whip woman to bite—she's a true killer. If not dealt with, she'll come for us… for me. But these two were amateurs, relying on ambushes. My "fishing" failed.
"Come on, move!" Sinon kicks the spearman forward.
I follow, chuckling bitterly, wondering how to explain the EXP surge to Diavel.
She watched from a rooftop overlooking the alley. Losing two pawns stings, but they're replaceable. Her beauty, charisma, and strength can recruit plenty.
"Data collected. Thoughts?" she asks, pulling a red-black rectangular crystal from her cleavage, chanting softly. It pulses with bubbles, like liquid.
"Hmm, too weak to bother monitoring," a voice replies.
"Sorry. Players haven't grown enough, so pawn quality's low. But I've found promising ones. Some rival the [Black Swordsman] in potential," she says.
Not great news. She braces for her "employer's" scolding, but he's oddly cheerful. He's enjoying this—players haven't even reached the stage. It's still auditions. Only raw strength and [Human Willpower] potential survive.
Her job: scout those potentials. Tough but well-paid.
"Kuri and Sinon are potentials, no doubt. They beat the Dark Rider. Should we eliminate them?" she asks.
"Sniping? No way, I won't break the game. That Dark Rider was a nerfed replica. Still, the original's fired up after losing. Tricky…" he muses.
"Sorry! I overstepped!" she panics.
Her employer's whims are dangerous. For "them," maybe not, but for a pawn like her, criticism means endless torture. Luckily, he doesn't pursue it. She relaxes.
"Continue data collection. Next?" she asks.
"Track the [Black Swordsman] and [Dragon Saint] simultaneously. Kayaba's behind them, hiding their locations. He's secured his rooks and bishops," he says.
"What about the [Black Swordsman]'s sister? As family, she's a potential," she suggests.
"Monitor her. No killing♪ If she's in danger, he'll show. Keep her in sight," he orders.
She narrows her eyes, disappointed. She owes the [Black Swordsman] and wants to twist his smug face with despair via his sister. For now, she suppresses it.
"So, that's the infamous [Wanderer]? A returner, glaring at me, but such a cute trap. God's capricious. Don't touch him—he's a rare pawn," he warns.
"I know. I'm not cocky enough to challenge the 'PKK specialist,'" she replies.
But he's prime recruitment material, she thinks bitterly. SAO's strongest? The [Black Swordsman] or Heathcliff. Deadliest? PoH, unanimously. Most feared? Maybe [The Flash]. But maddest? The [Wanderer]. No standout talent, cunning, or malice, but his small frame holds madness and tenacity rivaling her employer's. He could match the [Black Swordsman]'s threat. She'll keep that in mind.
"Get me good news. And dodge 'that' when it starts—it's indiscriminate," he says.
"Thank you. Farewell."
She sighs, knowing she must dispose of the captured pawn later. Her mask and [Crude White Powder] ensured he was too dazed to leak info, but caution's key. Busy days ahead. She tucks the crystal away, leaps from the roof, and vanishes into the crowd.
-------------------------
Note :
Skills
[Hidden Weapon]: Boosts hidden weapon performance. No sword skills, but high bonus damage to specific body parts, enhanced by this skill.
[Stealth]: Sneaking skill. Reduces encounter and detection rates. Less effective while moving.
[Magic Defense]: Defensive skill. Reduces magic attack damage.
Items
[Mace]: Iconic blunt weapon. Its heavy metal head crushes hard shells and damages through armor. Its weight makes one miss potentially fatal.
[Lost Kingdom Gold Coin]: Coin from a fallen kingdom, its worn surface barely showing a king's profile. Pure gold, valuable if sold, but melting it destroys its true worth.
[Black Witch's Candle]: Candle made through vile methods. Its black flame devours surrounding light, useless as a light source but valuable for its unique properties.