Hachiman and Asuna spent their days gathering info, distributing updated guidebooks, hunting with Lizbeth, and cooking, living fulfilling lives. Lizbeth often stayed at Asuna's inn, and Asuna enjoyed sharing her stories. Hachiman liked hearing Asuna's lively chatter. They were over-leveled for the boss, but Argo's intel suggested field bosses were already manageable, yet not enough players were ready for the floor boss. Adding their trio plus Lizbeth could locate the boss room, but rushing risked reckless players. They agreed to wait until others found it naturally.
"First attempts always take time. Next floors should go faster," Hachiman said.
"More serious issue, Har-bo. Boss info's scarce," Argo replied.
"What?"
"Quests usually reveal boss details, but there's almost nothing. Beta info exists, but changes make it unreliable. Suicidal to trust."
"Got new info?"
"Yeah, from an NPC yesterday. Need help investigating."
"Count us in. Liz too?"
"If she's okay with it."
"I'll ask."
The four headed to ruins east of Tolbana.
"What's the info?" Hachiman asked.
"Exiled Kobold king's aide hiding there," Argo said.
"Vague. Let's check it out."
They proceeded cautiously.
"I'll lead. Asuna, Liz, middle. Argo, rear guard."
"Shouldn't I lead?" Argo asked.
"Trust me. Stop—trap ahead."
Hachiman tossed a pebble, triggering a pitfall. The others stared, stunned.
"Always had a knack for spotting stuff and sensing eyes," he said.
"Like you see data differences," Argo marveled, inspecting the trap.
"I'd catch it closer, but early's better," she admitted.
"Monster, Har-bo…" Argo muttered.
"Amazing, Hachiman-kun…" Asuna said.
"Not human…" Liz added.
"Don't flatter me. I'll blush," Hachiman said, unfazed.
"Not praising!" Liz protested.
"Not quite," Argo teased.
"I am praising!" Asuna said.
"Fine, Asuna's my only ally. Let's move."
Hachiman neutralized every trap and ambush, leading them deeper. On day four, they reached an ornate door.
"Looks final. Peek inside?" Hachiman suggested.
"Careful, Hachiman-kun," Asuna warned.
"Just a glance."
He spotted a black Kobold. "One enemy, black Kobold, two HP bars. Smaller than field bosses. Possible reinforcements, so stay alert."
"Formation?" Asuna asked.
"I'll draw aggro. Argo and I switch, you and Liz switch. Backline watches for adds. Prep potions."
They entered. "Black Ruin Kobold Sentinel. Stronger minion of the floor boss," Argo noted.
"Good for gauging the boss," Asuna said.
"I'm nervous," Liz admitted.
"We've got you, Liz. Let's go," Hachiman said.
The enemy raised its sword. Hachiman slid under, striking its weighted leg with a sword skill, toppling it.
"Asuna, now!"
Asuna chained Linear strikes. The enemy flailed, grazing Hachiman, who parried, letting Asuna deal heavy damage. Argo and Liz switched in, Argo hitting and retreating, Liz striking safely from behind. Their teamwork was seamless.
"First bar's nearly gone. Adds might come now or at red HP. Argo, switch! Asuna, Liz, hold back until it's clear," Hachiman called.
He took point, others on alert. No adds appeared, so they resumed. As the HP hit red, three spotted enemies.
"Har-bo, two smaller ones, one HP bar each, from the front," Argo reported.
The Sentinel raged, attacks intensifying. As the trio hesitated, Hachiman shouted, "I'll hold it solo for now. You three handle the adds."
"Hachiman-kun, alone?" Asuna worried.
"I'll manage. No recklessness, promise."
"We'll hurry back!"
The adds were weak, and the trio dispatched them, rushing back. Hachiman was parrying perfectly, striking at key moments, denying the enemy any attack window. Switching with Argo, he collapsed, exhausted.
Asuna moved to him, but he waved her off. "I'm fine. Finish it."
"Sorry, we'll end it quick."
Minutes later, the Sentinel fell. They ran to Hachiman.
"You okay?" Asuna asked.
"No damage, I'm good."
"That was unreal," Argo said.
"How'd you do that?" Liz asked.
"Like spotting traps. Watch the enemy's body, hit when you sense a move. Stops their attack. Could've gone harder, but that'd break my promise to Asuna. Safety first."
He said it casually, but the skill awed them.
"You kept your promise," Asuna said.
"Didn't want your HP bars dropping, stressing you out. Couldn't risk you getting hurt," he said.
"You looked exhausted, no damage taken," Liz noted.
"Brain fatigue from hyper-focus. Fine during, but crashes after."
"Argo and I'll scout ahead. Asuna, stay with Har-bo," Liz said.
"Got it. Call if anything happens," Asuna replied.
Argo and Liz explored while Asuna watched Hachiman, concerned.
"Need a drink?" she asked.
"I'm good. Time for the good stuff."
Hachiman pulled out a drink. "What's that?" Asuna asked.
"Chiba's soul drink. Plenty left. Want some?"
"Sure."
He handed her one. "Cheers—sweet!!" she exclaimed.
"Too much?"
"No, I like it. Feels energizing."
"Glad you get it. Everyone else complained it's too sweet. Means a lot."
"It's sweet but good. Helps fatigue."
"Sugar's best for brain recovery."
After resting, they joined the exploration. A room held a chest full of potions, entrusted to Argo for anonymous distribution to boss fighters.
"Wall painting?" Hachiman asked.
"Confirms it," Argo said.
It depicted Illfang the Kobold Lord with twelve Ruin Kobold Sentinels and a box of unknown weapons.
"Boss with twelve minions? And it switches weapons?" Hachiman said.
"Seems so," Argo agreed.
Mission complete, they returned to Tolbana. Argo treated them to a small celebration. Hachiman resisted, but Asuna's puppy-dog eyes floored him. Days later, Argo reported the boss room's discovery, and two days after, the first boss strategy meeting was set in Tolbana's square.
Note: Where'd the lap pillow and indirect kiss flags go? 😅 Likely buried under Hachiman's cautious pragmatism and Asuna's focus on friendship over romance. The story's leaning hard into their bond and teamwork, not those tropes—yet!