Afterward, Kirito created the Night Watch together with Klein and all five of his other friends.
The rules of the guild were simple: they would gather intelligence across SAO, act as the sharpest blade lurking in the darkness, and serve as the executioners for the Wing of Freedom.
They became the rules and laws that bound Sword Art Online itself, enforcing the will of the alliance and fiercest supporters of the Wing of Freedom.
What they did wasn't heroic in the typical sense, it was the dirty, bloody work done behind the scenes for the alliance.
But for now, they hadn't exposed that darker side to the world just yet.
Instead, they presented themselves as brokers and shields for weaker players.
[INITIATE_PATROL_PROTOCOL]
[SCANNING_LOCAL_CHAT_LOGS...]
[FLAGGING_SUSPECT_ACTORS...]
They often wandered around popular farming spots, sometimes going on killing sprees against monsters, leveling up with manic speed and brutal efficiency.
Many players witnessed the sheer power they unleashed firsthand.
Rumors quickly spread of the Black Swordsman, seen alongside six companions, slaughtering monsters like they were nothing more than chickens: fast, precise, and downright awe-inspiring.
[ANALYZING_RUMOR_NETWORK]
[AMPLIFYING: BLACK_SWORDSMAN_HEROIC]
[SUPPRESSING: NIGHT_WATCH_BRUTALITY]
Whenever other players wanted to join their ranks, Night Watch never refused anyone outright.
However, anyone who tried to exploit them or pull shady stunts thinking they could take advantage of the guild's reputation was dealt with instantly without hesitation.
[QUERYING_PLAYER_LOG: %TARGET_NAME%]
[VERIFYING_BACKGROUND...]
[RESULT: MALICIOUS_INTENT_CONFIRMED]
[AUTHORIZATION_GRANTED: LETHAL_FORCE]
When Night Watch struck down orange or red players, their own cursors stayed clean. In the eyes of the system, they were enforcers of order, not criminals.
Because to countless people, Night Watch was a shield for the weak.
Any players who were robbed, bullied, or ostracized found help from them, no matter the risk.
This was the true power of the masses and the community, the majority who made the rules, while the weak had little choice but to follow.
Night Watch gathered the faith and devotion of players drowning in despair from the death game, giving them hope and pointing them toward a brighter future.
[MONITORING_PUBLIC_SENTIMENT: WING_OF_FREEDOM]
[LOYALTY_INDEX: STEADY_INCREASE]
[FAITH_CORRELATION: HOPE_PROTOCOL_ACTIVE]
By now, there was hardly anyone left in the game who didn't know that Night Watch was led by Kirito, the founder of the Wing of Freedom, the sharpest blade of the alliance, the man everyone believed would someday lead them all to freedom.
More and more people kept joining Night Watch. Those who used to bully the weak or thought they could rob other players were forced to hide in the shadows, terrified to show their faces whenever Night Watch was on patrol.
Unlike many so-called heroes who refused to kill and only resorted to imprisonment, Night Watch wasn't afraid to spill blood, executing offenders ruthlessly and without apology.
Yet, despite the violence and the bodies left behind, countless players still praised them, worshipping them with almost religious devotion.
That was what made Night Watch so terrifying. They weren't just building a guild, they were building a cult.
When they arrived at Yuna's concert, the crowd immediately began murmuring and pointing.
"Is that Night Watch?"
"Look, that's the Black Swordsman!"
"Kirito!"
"Kirito!"
"Kirito!"
Most of the players in the audience couldn't help but scream his name as Kirito strode into the concert venue, approaching Yuna calmly.
Yuna stood onstage, staring at him with nervous eyes full of expectation.
However, the boy beside her was staring him down with a guarded expression, eyes sharp with suspicion and just a hint of hostility, like Kirito had strolled in to steal his girlfriend right in front of him.
Kirito chuckled inwardly but didn't bother to acknowledge the glare.
The boy didn't matter.
Yuna was who he'd come for.
She was the one he needed.
"Yuna-san," his voice clear and steady, "I think you already know why we're here. We've invited many guilds, pro players, and everyone in the alliance brave enough to fight the boss on the first floor to join us. But I think that's still not enough. Our goal isn't just freedom, it's making sure as few people die as possible."
He held out his hand slightly, palm open. "Wing of Freedom needs you, Yuna-san."
"I…I will try—" Yuna started, but the boy beside her cut in sharply.
"Don't be selfish, Black Swordsman. Yuna-san isn't a combat professional. How could she fight to clear the boss?"
"Nautilus…" Yuna's eyes lowered, her voice trailing off. She didn't know what to say.
Her childhood friend was right, she wasn't a fighter.
And she knew he only wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from risking her life.
Kirito finally turned his gaze on Nautilus, his expression unreadable.
There was no anger, no hostility, just a faint smile that somehow made Nautilus instinctively take a step back, suddenly feeling intimidated.
"She's not a bird you can keep caged, boy," Kirito said coolly. "Our name is Wing of Freedom. Our purpose is to be free. Even she's no exception. Even if we have to burn ourselves for our ideals, we fight for freedom."
He shifted his eyes back to Yuna. "Yuna-san, if you want to fight, for yourself, for everyone, and for your own freedom, you can come with us. Or you can stay behind, protected by us but caged by your own guilt and shame. Safe…but never truly free. It's your choice."
After speaking, Kirito turned on his heel and walked away, Klein and the rest of Night Watch following behind him.
"Boss…are you sure she'll come with us?" Klein asked, sounding doubtful.
"She will," Kirito replied without hesitation, his voice full of conviction.
Klein smirked slightly. He always teased Kirito by calling him "Boss" now, but Kirito didn't care. Everyone in the guild called him that these days.
"Sorry, Eiji…" Yuna murmured under her breath so quietly that only Nautilus could hear.
"Yuna…" Nautilus, whose real name in the real world was Eiji tried to call after her, wanting desperately to stop her from leaving. But no words came out of his mouth.
Yuna began walking, her steps firm and resolute.
What Kirito said had touched something deep inside her. She wanted freedom. She wanted to fight for what she believed in.
How could she let herself become a bird in a cage just because she was afraid of dying and willing to accept the charity of others?
It was impossible.
She wanted to be like them, to embrace freedom. So, without hesitation, she chased after them.
Hearing hurried footsteps behind them, Kirito smirked, though his face betrayed none of it.
Instead, he turned and regarded Yuna with a stern, serious expression.
"Congratulations, Yuna-san. You're one of us now."
"Thank you, Kirito-san. Thank you for accepting me." Yuna bowed deeply, genuine gratitude shining in her eyes.
She still couldn't quite believe that the most famous and strongest player in the game had come to see her in person, even though she was just an unknown singer in the Town of Beginnings.
The thought flattered her and made her trust Kirito all the more.
"No problem, Yuna-san," Kirito said firmly. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll burn the cage that's imprisoning us…and fly higher."
Yuna nodded, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'll do my best, Kirito-san."
She knew exactly what he meant. Tomorrow, he intended to attack the first-floor boss and lead the players onward to the second floor.
And this would be the true beginning of their freedom.
Knowing this, Yuna felt her steps grow lighter as she followed them.
A bright future was waiting for them and she looked forward to it with all her heart.
She only hoped she could contribute and help set everyone free from the death game that kept them trapped like birds in a cage.
The die was cast. There was no turning back.