The next morning, the three gathered at the teleport gate on the fifty-fifth floor.
"Let's make this good," Hachiman said.
"I'll be watching you closely," Godfrey replied.
"Before we start, Hachiman-san… I'm sorry about before. I've reflected on it," Kuradeel said, bowing.
Godfrey nodded approvingly, but Hachiman saw through the act.
(Trying to lower my guard, huh? Classic move.)
"Your courtesy is appreciated," Hachiman said. "I'd like to put it behind us. I also regret taking you down so quickly last time—might've embarrassed you. My bad."
(That should do it. A bit old-fashioned, but I slipped in a jab.)
Asuna, eavesdropping from her hiding spot, later described Hachiman's words as "politely picking a fight." Sure enough, Kuradeel twitched at the remark but kept a strained smile.
"Well, with that settled, let's go," Godfrey said.
"Got it," Hachiman replied.
The trio headed into the Labyrinth Area. Hachiman dispatched spawning mobs with lazy efficiency, a deliberate show for Kuradeel: You can't beat me head-on, so use that paralysis poison. The opportunity came when Godfrey suggested a break before entering the labyrinth proper.
"No objections, but my bad—I pulled out all my drinks along with my crystals," Hachiman said.
As Godfrey opened his mouth to respond, Kuradeel jumped in. "I've got extras. Want one, Godfrey-san?"
Godfrey, who'd been reaching for his own storage, paused and accepted Kuradeel's drink. Hachiman took one too, and they drank together. Kuradeel watched intently.
(Paralysis poison's not exactly a pleasant way to go, huh?)
The effect was instant. Paralysis cursors appeared above Hachiman and Godfrey's heads, and they collapsed.
(Showtime.)
"What… what's this?!" Godfrey shouted. "Kuradeel, you bastard, what did you do?!"
"What's going on, Kuradeel?!" Hachiman added, keeping his tone natural.
"Kuh… kuku… hya, hyahahahaha!" Kuradeel burst into manic laughter, reveling in the moment.
"What the hell, Kuradeel?!" Godfrey demanded.
"I've always hated you, Godfrey-san," Kuradeel sneered. "Weak as you are, always barking orders!"
He stabbed his sword into Godfrey. Hachiman, mentally apologizing to Godfrey, steered the conversation to draw a confession.
"Stop it, Kuradeel! Keep this up, and you'll end up like those Laughing Coffin lunatics!"
(Crap, too obvious?)
"Huh?" Kuradeel turned, glaring, and stabbed Hachiman next.
"What's wrong with that? They're the ones who taught me how to kill with paralysis poison!"
(Got him.)
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Godfrey shouted.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm a member of Laughing Coffin!" Kuradeel declared. "Well, ex-member, since they disbanded, but the spirit lives on!"
He removed his arm gear, revealing a Laughing Coffin tattoo.
"You…" Godfrey growled.
"Laughing Coffin?!" Hachiman exclaimed.
"That's right. When your raid team stormed our hideout, I was the one leaking info to my buddies," Kuradeel boasted.
"So it was you… damn it!" Godfrey cursed.
"Kuradeeeeel, you bastard!" Hachiman roared.
"Shut up, old man!" Kuradeel snapped, stomping on Godfrey's head.
"Stop, Kuradeel! What's your plan after this?!" Hachiman shouted.
Kuradeel grinned smugly. "Here's my script: the three of us were ambushed by a mob of PKers in the fifty-fifth floor. Two died, but I heroically fought them off and escaped, bringing back your gear to our dear sub-leader. She'll thank me, grieve, and I'll comfort her—then make her mine!"
"You…" Hachiman growled.
"Don't worry about her, Hachiman-san. I'll take good care of her," Kuradeel taunted.
"Damn it, Kuradeel! I'll do anything—just leave Asuna alone! Please!" Hachiman begged.
"Hyahahaha, pathetic, Hachiman-san! I'll kill you first, since you've been such a thorn in my side!"
Kuradeel loomed over Hachiman, ready to deliver the final blow.
"Beg for your life, Mr. Strategist! Not that it'll save you! I'll take your post and her protection too! Now die!"
"Idiot," Hachiman said.
In an instant, Hachiman used two crystal items he'd secretly held. His HP fully restored, and the paralysis cursor vanished. Before Kuradeel could react, Hachiman vanished from his sight and sent him flying with a single strike.
"What… how?!" Kuradeel stammered.
"You've been marked for a while now," Hachiman said. "Falling for such amateur acting—you're so pathetic it's embarrassing, Kuradeel."
"Damn it… then I'll take the old man hostage—"
"Hostage? What's that, Kuradeel?" Asuna's voice cut in.
Godfrey, already rescued by Asuna, glared at Kuradeel with fury.
"It's simple," Asuna said. "He's my husband. Wherever he is, I'm there too."
She flaunted the ring on her left hand.
"No… no way!" Kuradeel screamed.
"Face reality, Kuradeel," Hachiman said, stepping on him and holding his own ring in Kuradeel's face. "Didn't notice? I made sure it was visible, just to mess with you. What made you think you could ever take Asuna's side? That was never gonna happen."
"Even if Hachiman-kun died, it'd still never happen," Asuna added, standing beside Hachiman and hugging him tightly.
Both were visibly furious, piling on Kuradeel's humiliation. Feeling slightly better, Hachiman turned to Godfrey.
"You okay, Godfrey? Sorry for keeping the plan from you. Couldn't risk the enemy catching wind."
"No, Strategist, Sub-Leader—you're my saviors! Thank you!" Godfrey said.
"Does this mean you approve of Hachiman-kun now?" Asuna asked.
"Absolutely. My apologies for before," Godfrey said.
"Here's to working together," Hachiman said.
"Count on it! What about him?" Godfrey asked, nodding at Kuradeel.
"We're ready. Asuna, do it," Hachiman said.
"Got it."
Asuna activated a corridor crystal to the prison. Hachiman shoved Kuradeel inside.
"We won't meet again. Farewell forever, Kuradeel."
The crystal closed, and Kuradeel vanished from their lives. Just then, Kirito reported that the two suspected Laughing Coffin members had been captured and sent to the prison.
"Let's fill you in," Hachiman said.
"Please," Godfrey replied.
"It started when the Rat caught him scheming with some shady guys," Hachiman explained, omitting sensitive details.
"So you planned to root out a traitor before even joining? Impressive, Strategist!" Godfrey said.
"Uh, yeah, something like that," Hachiman said.
"I'm in awe!" Godfrey declared. "I'll treat you with respect from now on, Hachiman!"
"You're clearly older, so just call me Hachiman. No need for formalities."
"Alright, Hachiman! But I'll still show some respect."
"Fine, if it's just that…"
Asuna giggled. "Looks like Godfrey's on board. Makes me proud as your wife."
Godfrey, struck by the reminder, added, "Right, you two are married! Congratulations!"
"Thanks," Hachiman said.
"Thank you, Godfrey," Asuna added.
"You look great together. Makes me happy just seeing it," Godfrey said.
"Speaking of, I've got a request," Hachiman said.
"What's that?"
"We're newlyweds, right? I want to pamper Asuna a bit and take a short break. Could you back us up when we ask Heathcliff for some time off, just until the next boss fight?"
"That's love! Absolutely!" Godfrey said. "I've always thought the Sub-Leader works too hard. I'm happy to support this."
"Thanks, Godfrey," Asuna said.
"No problem. I want our Sub-Leader to be happy."
"Thanks, man," Hachiman added.
"Let's head to the guild leader and report," Godfrey said.
Back in town, the three stood before Heathcliff at headquarters.
"All three of you? Training done already?" Heathcliff asked.
"There's an important report, Guild Leader," Godfrey said.
"Go ahead."
Godfrey explained the events, and Heathcliff bowed to Hachiman. "I'm sorry. We should've investigated Kuradeel more thoroughly and disciplined him. One misstep, and you could've been in danger. My mistake."
"I appreciate that, but we acted on our own without reporting. Sorry about that," Hachiman said.
"I'm sorry too, Guild Leader," Asuna added.
"Well, you're both safe, and that's what matters. Let's make this public and close the matter," Heathcliff said.
"Sounds good. On another note, Heathcliff, I know it's not my place to ask after losing the duel, but…" Hachiman began.
"A leave of absence?" Heathcliff cut in.
"How'd you know?" Hachiman asked.
"You think I wouldn't notice those rings?" Heathcliff said with a smile.
"You saw that, huh…" Hachiman muttered.
Heathcliff had clearly picked up on their marriage.
"Just until the boss fight. Can we make it work?" Hachiman asked.
"Please, Guild Leader," Asuna added.
"I'm in favor, Guild Leader," Godfrey chimed in.
"I was already considering it, so of course," Heathcliff said. "I'm not that heartless. Congratulations, you two."
"Thanks," Hachiman said.
"Thank you, Guild Leader," Asuna added.
"Enjoy your honeymoon," Heathcliff said.
Though they knew he was likely their enemy, Hachiman and Asuna couldn't help but find him hard to hate. For Hachiman, memories of talking with Kayaba in the past surfaced, making it bittersweet. When the time came, he wouldn't hesitate, but for now, he'd accept the gesture gratefully. They left the headquarters, and soon after, the Kuradeel incident and their leave were officially announced.
Thus, Hachiman and Asuna began a brief but blissful honeymoon.
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