"You can badmouth me all you want, but based on what I know of you, the fact that you came here personally means you want something from me.
So, if you make me unhappy, are you sure I'll still agree to help you?"
Hearing Seiya's words, Kirito froze.
Right—knowing Seiya's personality, if he got annoyed, getting his help would be nearly impossible.
From childhood to now, Kirito had been completely at his mercy. This time seemed to be no exception.
But then he thought—he'd already been outwitted by Seiya so many times before; one more time wouldn't make a difference.
With the resolve of a man who could bend and stretch when needed, Kirito forced an awkward smile. "Come on now, don't say that. We've been close friends since we were kids!
Mei-chan already told me earlier—how could my dear friend possibly be some perverted lolicon…"
"Cut the crap. Just tell me what you need this time."
Apparently irritated by Kirito's fake flattery—because honestly, he was terrible at it—Seiya interrupted before he could even finish.
Though Kirito had been embarrassed earlier when Seiya teased him for only showing up when he needed something, he quickly composed himself and got serious. "Actually, I came to ask if you'd join me in clearing a labyrinth."
Hearing that, Seiya blinked in surprise before asking seriously, "Did the clearing group find the next floor's boss room?
Usually Asuna contacts me about that—why are you here personally this time?"
Since the first-floor boss had been defeated half a year ago, morale among the players had soared.
In just six months, the "Clearing Group" formed by the top players had advanced all the way up to the thirtieth floor.
Seiya, Kirito, and Asuna were all part of that group, each widely known by their nicknames: "The Saint," "The Black Swordsman," and "The Flash."
Kirito preferred being a solo player.
Asuna had joined the top guild, the Knights of the Blood Oath, while Seiya usually stayed at his merchant guild's shop.
The three only met when fighting floor bosses together.
Asuna, now the vice-captain of the Blood Oath Knights, always contacted Seiya first when a new boss room was found, and Seiya would bring in Kirito afterward.
Asuna had invited both of them to join her guild multiple times, but they always declined with various excuses.
"This isn't about a floor boss," Kirito explained. "Just a regular labyrinth—around the twenty-eighth floor level."
Seiya, who thought this was a boss raid, looked puzzled. "If I'm not mistaken, you're around level 48 now, right?
With that level and your skill, you're asking me to help you explore the 28th floor? Are you kidding me?"
To Seiya, it sounded like Kirito was pulling his leg.
The 28th-floor labyrinth might be dangerous for average clearing group members, but for Kirito—who soloed higher-level monsters for breakfast—it was practically a walk in the park.
Kirito sighed, realizing he hadn't explained himself clearly enough. "Actually, it's not just the two of us. There are… others."
At first, Seiya thought he meant Asuna—but that didn't make sense either.
If Asuna were involved, there'd be no need to ask him at all.
"It's not Asuna," Kirito clarified. "It's a few players from a guild called 'Moonlit Black Cats.'
Their levels are pretty low, but they want to try exploring upper floors. I couldn't stop them, so I figured I'd bring you along—just in case."
Kirito then recounted everything that had happened.
In short, the solo player Kirito had accidentally met a few members of the Moonlit Black Cats and, moved by their camaraderie, ended up joining their guild.
He had concealed his true level and strength, afraid they would treat him differently if they knew who he really was.
After all, aside from Seiya, Kirito had never really had friends his own age. He genuinely enjoyed the warm, friendly atmosphere within that guild.
Seiya, however, instantly recognized the name "Moonlit Black Cats."
In the original story, they hadn't appeared for long—but it was that tragedy that led to Kirito walking the path of the true lone player.
What stood out most in Seiya's memory was a girl named Sachi—Kirito's first love, before Asuna ever appeared.
If he remembered correctly, Kirito and Sachi even shared a linked inventory page—something only in-game couples did.
If they'd gone one step further, they would've shared all their gear and money—the equivalent of getting married in-game.
"So basically," Seiya said flatly, "you came to ask me to play babysitter.
Didn't I warn you before? You're a damn guild disaster magnet. Every time you join a guild, something bad happens!"
And he wasn't exaggerating.
First, Kirito joined the Moonlit Black Cats—they got wiped out.
Later, Asuna invited him into the Blood Oath Knights—and it turned out the guild leader himself was Kayaba Akihiko, the final boss of the game!
Sure, the Blood Oath Knights weren't annihilated, but with the guild master being the ultimate villain, they were practically finished anyway.
(End of Chapter)