It's been more than seven months since Sword Art Online died, and with the active efforts of players, although the number of casualties is rising, the floor is indeed being attacked.

And at this moment, a black-haired swordsman who had just completed the strategy of the sixty-ninth layer, as the deputy head of the strongest guild "Blood Alliance Knights", finally ushered in his short vacation and was invited to a party held by his few friends.

Maybe when he met that man in the second layer of the maze area "FieldBoss", his fate trajectory has completely changed.

At that time, he was struck by Heathcliff's calmness and toughness, and influenced by Diabeglu's commanding art, and he understood the limits of being a 'lone player' earlier.

It was also at that time that he was invited by Heathcliff.

Although he refused at first, but in the end, after the other party proposed the exchange of conditions for the "duel", he was a little shaken and agreed.

No one craves loneliness from the beginning, perhaps, the teenager just wants to give himself a reason.

But the real recognition must be the words that the other party said after the victory, right?

- 'Kirito, after clearing this game, the scenery you see after going to the 100th floor with your own strength must be unparalleled. ’

The man said so.

Then, the original lone player named "Kirito" joined the "Knights of the Blood Alliance".

……

- The 50th floor of "Ayn Grant", the main block "Argette".

Walking through the street, which can no longer be described as chaotic, Kirito came to a shop called "Akyl's Grocery Store".

Even if you are standing at the door, you can already hear the noise coming from inside, and it seems that a lively banquet is being held.

After a little rectification, the young swordsman pushed open the door and walked in.

About a dozen players were happily chatting and slapping around from time to time.

Although Kirito is not familiar with these people, their captains are all acquaintances and friends of his.

On the cargo container, a bald man with a strong figure and African skin color watched all this helplessly, but he didn't stop it.

After hearing the sound of the door opening, he turned his head and was the first to notice Kirito's arrival.

"Is it finally here this time? Our busy man, Deputy Captain. ”

Holding his arms, although the bald man said slightly sarcastic words in his mouth, his expression was very happy, obviously just a joke between friends.

“…… I'm sorry, Akyl, but you know how 'ruthless' our head is. ”

Shrugging his shoulders, Kirito smiled wryly.

People are forced out, he doesn't want to take care of the affairs of the group at all, and sometimes he is so busy that he even wants to be a lone player again.

"Haha! Mr. Heathcliff was going to cry when he said that. ”

Haha laughed, not to mention the question of whether Heathcliff would cry or not, the entire front-line team knew how much the leader of the Blood Alliance valued the young man in front of him, and it could be said that he completely regarded him as his right and left hand.

"Alas......"

Sighing with a wry smile again, Kirito was about to say something when he was interrupted by the shouting of a down-and-out samurai.

At the moment of the conversation just now, his arrival has been noticed by many people.

"Kirito ——!!!"

Standing up from the crowd with red turbans, Klein rushed out excitedly.

"You guy! Even if the group is busy, why don't you contact us! ”

Patting the young swordsman on the back, Klein said dissatisfiedly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know. ”

This is indeed his negligence, touching his back, a little embarrassed Kirito honestly admitted his mistake.

Maybe it's also because he doesn't have many people to communicate with in reality, and he doesn't know how to get along with friends.

"—Master!"

In another corner, the young man who had also noticed Kirito's arrival walked forward quickly and greeted him with some excitement.

"Keita? It's been a long time. ”

He looked at the visitor with some surprise, he didn't expect to see their team here.

"And ...... I've said it many times, but I've only brought you a few times, so I don't really need to care so much. ”

Being called 'Master' by someone who is probably older than himself.,It's embarrassing for Kirito.。

At the beginning, I just went to the middle and lower levels when I was dealing with the affairs of the group, and I happened to see the stiff and cooperative Keita in the wild.

Because the regimental uniform he was wearing was recognized by them and requested, he took them to level up, which was not a big deal in his opinion. The name of the guild, he remembers, seems to be called "Black Cat Regiment on a Moonlit Night"?

"There's no such thing! Without your cultivation, we would not have the strength to come to this level. ”

Said this cautiously, and it could be seen that he was genuinely grateful to Kirito.

“…… Speaking of which, it doesn't seem like I'm here? ”

Kirito, who had given up on the problem, glanced at Keita's team and noticed that a certain girl with a spear and a somewhat timid personality was not here.

"Ah...... Luckily, I was called away by your sister a few days ago. ”

When he said 'your sister', Keita couldn't help but show a wry smile, and Kirito also thought of something and nodded in understanding.

Because when Keita and the others wanted Yuki to become a shield swordsman and guard, because Kiritto also had little experience in this profession, and the other party was a girl, they thought of her sister's guild to see if they could give some advice.

Then he was 'scolded' by Naoba who came to the middle level.

- 'So many of you boys don't pick, and you let a girl go to the front guard?' ’

I was very angry to be questioned like this.

Although fortunately I have already explained the reason, it may be a matter of first impression, anyway, the girl will come to their guild to 'dig the wall' whenever she has the chance.

Luckily, I refused because we were classmates and friends in the computer research department of the same high school, but as time went on, the two girls became friends.

It's also a good thing for Yuki to be friends with the members of the legendary female gamers' guild.

At least that's what everyone in the group thinks, so that their 'suffering' is worth it.

……

"Huh? Kirito's sister?! ”

didn't react to anything else, and the expression of the down-and-out samurai who heard the word gradually became 'obscene'.

Of course, it's also possible that he laughed like that, but that's what it meant in Kirito's eyes.

"Speaking of which, why don't you always refuse to introduce your sister to me, Kirito!"

"Even if it's me! I wouldn't have any thoughts about a girl who was still in junior high school! ”

Expressing his dissatisfaction with righteous words, Klein leaned in front of Kirito and shouted.

“…… In a way, you don't have much credibility when it comes to picking up female NPCs. ”

"Why do you know this——!!! Don't say it so loudly!!! ”

Klein, whose face was flushed, shouted, why did he know about it?!

"Hahahaha-"

Looking at Klein, who was crouching down with his head covered, everyone in the room burst out laughing.

This should be the 'friendship' between boys.

（…… That's not bad. ）

Standing in the middle of everyone, the black-haired swordsman sighed heartily.