Chapter 2: The Black Swordsman

A wooden ceiling.

Kirito had been looking at it in the spot where he woke up ever since the unexpected meeting had been adjourned.

"Where is this, really?"

He muttered and sighed.

Ever since he woke up in this building, all he could do is to search his head for a certain memory that could confirm as to how he had ended up in this world; Elder Tales.

He remembered meeting up wih Sinon, the ice cold sniper from [Gun Gale Online] in Agil's, the battle gnome of [ALfheim Online], shop, [Dicey Cafe] to talk about the new events in GGO. Eventually, Asuna, the Lightning Flash of the old [Sword Art Online], also his girlfriend, had joined them and afterwards bid their own goodbyes.

And on that particular rainy day, he, Kirito, also the Beater of [SAO], had proposed to Asuna about his plan to go and study overseas and requested for her to come along. Asuna had smiled warmly and said...

... and what exactly had happened after that?

He felt like that all of those memories are only blurred images in the surface of the water especially [her] tender smile. He frowned and shook his head, shoving away that maddening thought.

Besides, there's a bigger problem as of now.

He was in another world, a none VR environment and apparently all of these events had happened nine years ago.

Elder Tales.

A 20 year MMORPG that is still on-going and has a wide array of servers across the world. Year 2018 when an unexpected phenomenon had occcured, shaking the fundamentals and players of the said game.

That event was called as [The Apocalypse].

Kirito caressed his now long hair and stared at his left hand. It had looked eerily the same from what he had in [real life], with those miniscule hairs jutting upwards and that small scar in his middle finger. He remembered getting that from an accident during his childhood. This confirms that this world wasn't a [Virtual Reality] because as far as he knew, there's no VR game that can precisely reproduce such detailed designs.

He can't comprehend how he had ended up having an avatar that looks like his GGO character and it didn't help that that appearance should represent his [real self], as to how the leader of the guild [Log Horizon] had explained to him.

Shiroe-san was the one that explained everything to him and he can't help but felt guilty for not stating the whole truth about himself as he himself wasn't sure but he knew that he wasn't from this timeline.

The particular setting of that phenomenon was from about nine years ago. That time he was still the young lad obeying his Grandfather's every words and unquestioningly reliving kendo, a fact that he didn't even deny and the time before he had immersed himself in the online community.

That may be the reason as to why he hadn't heard of the game Elder Tales.

He came from the year 2026. A yeat in which the [FullDive Technology] had put the gaming industry in a breakthrough, and the reason as to why he's reluctant to agree to what Shiroe-san hae explained to him.

Apparently he had to agree to the theory that this world was a completely different dimension and had sucked up 80,000 players across the world due to some third party interference and had somehow tangled him up in a quasi-quantum circuit time travel like what had happened to him during his part time job in Roppongi. At that time, he had met wn unknown avatar named [Silver Crow].

He heaved a sigh again and attempted to summon his Main men-, no, Status Screen from his HUD. Then within a second it finally showed up.

A complicated and complex menu greeted his line of sight. If Kirito was no different from a noob, he might be actually confused by the different designs of the different options and branches but since he's not, he was quite confident in navigating it since he had played similar MMOs before and it had actually resembles some of the VR games he had played recently.

Going back to his status screen, near the bottom is the [LOG OUT] button flashing on him. He tried to give it a try but as expected he was denied.

"Just like SAO, huh?"

He muttered and looked again. He couldn't help but be curious more so when he noticed something. According to it, he was a level 96 [Swashbuckler] with his race being [Human].

Wait-

(Level 96?!)

"Ehhhh?!"

He couldn't refrain himself from crying out loud.

He had never played [Elder Tales] before, but his status said otherwise. What surprised him more was that his skill branches had somehow had all their stats nearly maxed out, especially his [Dual Wielding].

(Dual Wielding?)

He couldn't help but felt a little dejavu.

He's sure that if it's Asuna, she may have found the right theory explaining this predicament, and a feeling of intense hopelessness struck him.

(Speaking of Asuna!)

He fiddled at his [Friend List]. There, he found the name he thought he'll never see again.

Asuna.

Her name was lit up, meaning she's also in this mystical world. Kirito couldn't help but felt the hope, that was once falling down, rise up within him again as he thought his other friends might be there as well, only to deflate even further as the only people listed in his menu was Asuna and a mysterious player ID named [Lyceris].

Regardless of that fact, he tried to contact Asuna through [telepathy], but he got no response, meaning that he couldn't reach her.

(Ahh, I wish I have the [Friend Locator] options like in [Aincrad]...)

Kirito thought with contempt.

And he couldn't help but wonder who this Lyceris person is, because as far as he knew, he got no recollection adding them into his friend list.

He was pulled out of his thoughts once he sensed another presence approaching him.

"Anno, Kirito-san..."

Kirito turned to see the guild leader of the place he was currently residing in, walking towards his spot with a face that can be compared to a mirror of utter seriousness and Kirito could almost see as to what is going to happen.

"Just Kirito is fine, Shiroe-san."

"Uhh, okay."

Shiroe took the spot across Kirito, sitting on the other couch. The atmosphere around them is tense and Kirito was thankful that Shiroe's guild seemed to have their own things, leaving the both of them alone.

"Kirito, can I ask you about something?"

"Err... okay."

Shiroe then fixed his glasses and looked directly at Kirito's eyes.

"You said you were a wandering swordsman, is that really true? Or is that only a reference of who are you role playing? And given that, you, a level 96 swashbuckler, how come you had such level but have poor equipment?"

Kirito fell silent.

He couldn't really answer the older man's barrage of questions as neither he himself had the right answers. He also understood that speaking too much may cause some irrelevance and may affect the current timeline and cause time discrepancy or paradigm or so he thought.

Right now, he must gather more information first, and avoid causing things to go haywire.

Necessarily, he must carefully thread his words and analytically assess his situation.

"That... erm, I don't really know myself." He scratched the back of his head. "The next thing I knew was that I wake up here..."

Shiroe's face remained completely serious.

"You're hiding something."

(He's sharp!)

Kirito could feel a cold sweat trickle down his face. He knew that he's at the end of the rope but he just can't tell the truth to the bespectacled man in his front... at least not for now, or at least not while he's uncertain against his own theory that he had an accidental time ship or that he can be sure that Asuna is really safe.

He averted his gaze and suddenly found he floor the most interesting thing in the area, contemplating on how he will divert the topic. Shiroe, on the other hand, kept on waiting for his answer.

Until Kirito break the ice, the two remained like that.

"Go on."

"Oh well, I think I know what use you'll do."

Shiroe said, something akin like a threat hanging onto the tone of his voice, and beckoned a confused Kirito to follow him.

Swashbuckler.

A rare type of melee fighter that can dual wield. Agile and fast, they can perform consecutive attacks using both hands as well as within a ranged spin attacks.

Based on physical attack power, they can match an Assassin; who has the strongest physical parameter, through multiple hits.

At such, [Precision] is the key of all Swashbucklers, and the best example is Chief Nyanta. Though seeing what in his front made him question his judgment.

After his brief conversation with Kirito, who seemed to be hidijg something important, Shiroe found a way as to how he will gather information and to confirm the younger boy's motive. Clearly, he wasn't from Minami as he was also beffudled at this sudden turn of events. But Shiroe could tell that Kirito knows of something completely valuable.

(It may be a way of finding a route back home too!)

Of course that said, Shiroe knew he was just being clingy to that thought and as said, confirming this requires a great deal.

Shiroe had led Kirito to the [Southern Forest] where mild level [Mandrakes] spawns over. Together with Minori, Tohya, Isuzu, Rundelhous, Akatsuki and Kirito, he organized them to build a party and start [farming] so he could observe the monsters' algorithm. But his [Guild Members] have known it otherwise. It's only a ploy to observe as to how Kirito would fare with them.

With borrowed items from Akatsuki and Naoutsugu, Kirito agreed to join them, given the minimal to no change at his equipment at all. Shiroe thought it was only modesty to not ruin his members' equipment but seeing Kirito looking serious, he quickly shrugged it away.

Kirito only borrowed two long one handed swords.

Shiroe, being the game veteran knew that Swashbucklers often use daggers per se, the lighter weapons the better. But Kirito chose otherwise and instead picked up Naotsugu's heavy one handed long sword together with Akatsuki's one handed kukhri.

And what's Shiroe was witnessing right now proves that Kirito is quite a fighter.

"Isuzu-san, please launch another [buff] within 100 seconds. Rudy-san, maintain long range attacks. Tohya, step back for a moment and I'll heal you. Akatsuki-senpai, Kirito-san, take cover!"

"HAI!"

In the side, Shiroe could see how Minori directed to others and maintain their statuses, a thing he always didz and it impresses him that one such like her is willing to follow his footsteps.

He watched the battle against 10 [Wild Mandrakes] and couldn't help but wonder as to how much lenght that younglings can go any further. Shiroe could only hope for the best.

He adjusted his glasses again as he saw he battle of a certain individual.

Kirito fought like a natural fighter. Swinging his swords as if they're weighless and executing consecutive attacks. It felt more than surreal as Shiroe could see how natural for hik to move like that.

(For him to move like that... Does he experience something like the Apocalypse in the past?!)

The Apocalypse brought out players across the [real world] to this place, Elder Tales and players manifested as [Adventurers], beings tht is far more superiour than a regular human. While that being true, players are still players, with little to no expertise in real life combat. Thus only relying on the game's, no, system assists over their body. Example is the announcing the attack, or to say, using the [keywords].

But witnessing Kirito fought is enough to confirm something and Shiroe is almost sure that Kirito, that enigmatic swordsman has more than say to this...

(It's as if he's really into it...)

True, Shiroe had witnessed this kind of fighting style among the guilds he had acquainted with. D.D.D, Black Sword Knights, West Wind Brigade and Silver Swords, all of them had tremendous fighting power and the stranger had proven to be among their battle prowess.

(Just who is this Kirito really?)

"Aa-chan?"

A light blue haired elf girl turned to see a raven haired woman. She had been staring at the sky while walking. They are heading to the East and all she could do for now was to join this peculiar party led by the woman in her front.

"What it is, Kanami-san?"

The woman, Kanami-san smiled warmly and answers her with vigor.

"Oh, it's nothing~"

"Hey, don't bother her with your half assed answer, Kanami! Answer her properly!" Reprimanded by a man in a one piece green suit who was apparently approaching them.

"Mou! You're no fun Froggy-nardo!"

"It's LEONARDO, dumbass!"

Bemusement filled the elf girl as she witnessed the exchange of the two of her fellow companions. Their other party members were a little far away from them but she's certain that the three was also enjoying themselves by watching them.

"Whatever~ I just wanna let Aa-chan knew that there's nothing to worry about Kiri-kun in the East Kura-kun had said so. Nee~ nee~" Kanami said with an exuberant energy that the girl couldn't help but smile gratefully.

"Hai!" she answered.

After another swing of [Linear] in his right hand sword, Kirito had dealt the finishing attack to the last of the mandrakes. Apparently the [spawning] rate in this area is pretty slow with monsters eventually popping eventually after 10 minutes of time. Thirty minutes had already passed since Shiroe had invited Kirito here, and at that time span, their party consisting of the beginners' group and a veteran Akatsuki together with Kirito had successfully warded off the aggro.

With Minori's directive, Kirito couldn't feel anything but amazement. Her leadership level is almost if not stronger than Asuna's, save for the fact that she lacked such aggressiveness, but still has her own efficientness.

"W-wow,"

"Isn't she? Shiroe-nii had taught her!" Tohya, their tank admitted proudly and Kirito gaped. That girl learned from the guild leader himself? Just how formidable this guild really is?!

"Anyway, you've got some nice moves there, Kirito-nii!" Tohya slapped him in the back and gave him a thumbs up, in which he responded with a small smile.

"Tohya! Kirito-san! Over here!" Minori waved at them and the both of them moved closer to the flock, Shiroe on the middle.

"Everyone, good work for today. That's all than let's head back." He directed them and with a knowing gaze towards Kirito, led them through the path.

This might be the chance, Kirito thought. What ever Shiroe had planned he knew that it had already fulfilled its purpose as Kirito could see. The chance of returning home was to be in this guild... the guild [Log Horizon] can be his only way as he could feel it.

"Anno..." Kirito called to them and everyone halted their footsteps to turn to his direction.

Kirito had never been in a guild. While it was true that he had joined the [Knights of the Blood Oath] before in SAO, he knew that he wasn't truly a member by heart. He was only forced and what makes for now is that he felt he had the same goal as the group in his front. So without turning back he decided.

"Please let me join you! Let me join Log Horizon!"

He said with pure conviction.

Everyone looked at each other and turned to their leader. Shiroe has an unreadable expression in his face and Kirito almost want to fidget under his calculating gaze.

Until Shiroe gave a sigh.

"I don't know what's on your mind but if that's what you wish and what everyone want to." He then looked at his members. All of them have a positive expression and Shiroe smiled at him.

"Well then, welcome to Log Horizon, Kirito."

"Wow! Kirito-nii, you're our comrade now!"

"Welcome, Kirito-san!"

"Let's work hard together nee!"

"If you want my advices just don't worry and let this amazing Rundelhous Code know."

"Let's do our best, Kouhai."

Tohya, Minori, Isuzu, Rundelhous/ Rudy, and Akatsuki gave him their regards and Kirito couldn't help but smile.

"Everyone, thank you." He bowed gratefully.

"Shiroe-san!"

The one who called their leader wasn't in their group. It's a girl with long black tresses and has elfin ears. She approached Shiroe and panted.

"Maryelle-san had told me to get you."

"Eh? Mary-nee did?"

Kirito tuned out their conversation as he transfixed his gaze at the girl.

(It couldn't be..!)

"...Yui?!"

[End of Chapter 2]

~Author's Notes~

Yukisu: Domo~ Yukisu desu and from now on I'll use his segment in my notes nee~

Lizbeth: Yea, yea, and why am I here ahain?

Yukisu: Ehh? I didn't tell you? Okay then, starting for now, you'll be my commentator Liz-chin~

Lizbeth: Hah?

Yukisu: *Ignores Liz* As what I did in my other xover fic [A Certain Invisible Shadow]. I'll do his to clarify the readers in any question they throw at me, gets?

Lizbeth: Souka... *thinks* Then get started! *bumps Yukisu in the head*

Yukisu: Owww~ *instantly recovers* Okay, to start off, I would like to thank: Scarred Seeker-san, Coronadomontes-san, genious7-san, Draco-san, reanseih-san, Dragonspirit996-san, Guest-san and AoiKishi-san for the last chapter's reviews as well as the other readers, favers and followers out there~

Don't worry, I'll try to type (not write because I'm using a netbook) and update soon too~

Lizbeth: What's with this script? * reads parchment* Please leave a review?