Meanwhile, at the concert, the players murmured among themselves in envious tones.
"Yuna-chan is so lucky. Even the Black Swordsman showed up personally to invite her."
"Yeah, she's really lucky." Most of the players nodded in agreement, not thinking there was anything wrong with the Black Swordsman taking Yuna-chan away.
All except Eiji.
There wasn't a single person in the game who didn't know about the Black Swordsman and his reputation as a savior.
He wasn't just someone who gave speeches, he actually got shit done.
He'd built a safe haven for the players, and because of him, people were no longer drowning in panic and despair but were starting to believe in the hope of a better tomorrow.
For the non-combatants, younger players, or even the elderly, it meant they could step back from the front lines and help out in other ways.
They worked as blacksmiths, craftsmen, chefs, builders, clerks, merchants, brokers, caretakers, and countless other roles.
The towns were no longer chaotic messes but had become organized and thriving communities.
It wasn't just the Night Watch patrolling the streets anymore; dozens of guilds with a conscience were stepping up to protect players and help maintain order.
All of them stood beneath the banner and badge of the Wings of Freedom.
No one walked around without that symbol pinned somewhere on their gear or clothes.
It had become a mark of trust among the players, a sign that you were one of them, someone who believed in freedom and survival.
Many pedestrians in the streets proudly wore the Wings of Freedom badge, even if they weren't formally in a guild.
It wasn't strictly about membership, it was about choosing to stand for freedom.
They didn't have to answer to anyone's orders but shared the same goal: to fight for the right to live free.
That's what the Wings of Freedom were all about.
Only one boy clenched his fists, his face twisted in anger and humiliation.
Eiji.
He was the boy who was supposed to be Yuna's fiancé, but another man had stolen her right out from under his nose, and he'd been powerless to stop it.
Because deep down, as a man, he knew better than anyone how other men thought.
There was no such thing as pure friendship between a man and a woman, especially not when the Black Swordsman had swept in with all that fanfare to personally invite Yuna.
Of course it would leave her flattered, her eyes shining with admiration for the Black Swordsman.
How could anyone believe they'd stay "just friends" with sparks like that flying between them?
Eiji knew he was too weak right now. And he hated it.
So he stayed silent, swallowing his bitterness, and turned to leave.
But a fierce determination burned in his eyes.
He would take Yuna back. He would make her see him as someone just as strong and admired as Kirito.
He would build his own powerful alliance, one that the players would respect and look up to.
He'd become the man she couldn't ignore.
For now, he needed to grind, get stronger, and let his actions speak louder than any words ever could.
...
"Yuna-san, can I come in?" Kirito knocked softly on the door of her inn room, his voice quiet in the dim hallway.
If it had been any other man showing up at her door in the middle of the night, Yuna would've thought he was a creep.
Even her fiancé, Eiji, had never dared to visit her so late or rather, she'd never allowed him to.
But Kirito was different.
His reputation and fame as the one who gave everyone hope for escaping the death game created by a mad, sociopathic developer made him someone people trusted instinctively.
So even Yuna didn't hesitate when she saw the notification in her menu asking for permission for Kirito to enter her room.
She tapped "Accept" without a second thought.
Without permission from the player renting a room, no one could barge in; Akihiko Kayaba, twisted as he was, had at least made sure his game didn't become a paradise for rapists and criminals who could just ignore the laws whenever they pleased.
As much of a sociopath as Akihiko was, he still held onto a certain idealism and he'd never allow anyone to turn his game into a filthy cesspool.
Kirito entered without any obstacle, his eyes scanning the room before his gaze paused on the single bed against the wall.
He furrowed his brows and chose to remain standing instead of sitting beside her.
Seeing this, Yuna shifted nervously on the bed and spoke up, her voice smaller than usual. "You can sit beside me, Kirito-kun."
Her face flushed pink as she realized it was the first time she'd ever boldly invited another man to sit so close.
Not even Eiji, her fiancé, had ever received this kind of treatment from her.
If Eiji knew about this, who knew how many green hats he'd have to wear, since Yuna couldn't help comparing him to Kirito deep in her heart.
But Kirito shook his head firmly. "I think that's not appropriate, Yuna-san. After all, you have a boyfriend waiting for you in the future. You should keep your distance from the opposite sex, even if it's me."
Hearing this, Yuna felt relief and disappointment tangled up inside her chest. "If that's so… then I'll take your advice to heart, Kirito-kun. But I don't think you're untrustworthy. I think Eiji would understand that you're not as bad as he sometimes thinks."
"So… what made you want to come here in the middle of the night, Kirito-kun?" she asked, unable to keep the curiosity from her voice.
"Tomorrow, I need your help, Yuna-san," Kirito said, his tone serious but kind. "I'm hoping you can help cheer the players up a little and sing for them. They really need some encouragement, some spiritual lift. Especially from a beautiful girl like you. I know a lot of the players would feel more motivated for sure."
"Can I really do that, Kirito-kun?" She lowered her head, twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers, her confidence wavering.
"You can," Kirito answered without hesitation, his voice firm.
Then he added gently, "But if you're not ready yet, you don't have to force yourself. You can wait until you feel comfortable, Yuna-san. There will be more chances."
"Thank you, Kirito-kun… Let me think about it. I'll tell you my decision tomorrow," Yuna murmured, feeling a little flattered by his compliment and secretly pleased at how much he believed in her.
"Then, goodnight, Yuna-san," Kirito said, giving her a small smile.
"Goodnight to you too, Kirito-kun," Yuna replied softly, her heart beating a little faster than normal.
After that, Kirito didn't linger any longer and quietly left the room.
Once she was alone again, Yuna lay back on her bed, her cheeks still burning.
How could you be so bold, inviting the opposite sex into your bed, Yuna?
The more she thought about it, the redder her face became, memories of Kirito's eyes and voice replaying in her mind.
She could feel herself slipping into all kinds of naughty thoughts if she kept dwelling on it, so she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force her mind elsewhere.
One sheep, two sheep… she counted silently, determined to clear her head and fall asleep quickly, so she could face a better tomorrow without feeling embarrassed.