When a Monster becomes a Demon chapter 4

Tyler was one only two left standing, Himself and Kirito. The black cloaked guy holding his own with the red-clad demon.

"Well, Kirito, looks like we on carrying duty.,"

"Looks like it, But I bet the rest of Lorg's guild will get her and Svenity."

"yep, and I got Sakura and Asuna to look after."

"Sounds like a handful."

"They are, believe me. Specially that red-head there. She seems sweet and kind, but god help you if you piss her off."

"Scary enough to scare a demon?"

"Scary enough to beat a beater."

"Intense>"

"you're telling me! Seriously though. Beater? really?"

"yeah I know, I know, it sucks."

"I don't think you know why it sucks. So tell me, how often do you 'beat' things?"

"okay, now I hate it."

"amazed you didn't pick up on it sooner."

"Not everyone is a filthy minded person like you Gore."

"True, sadly true. But hey, it keeps things interesting."

"I'm sure it does."

The two warriors banged their mugs together before downing them,

"well, I'm glad there's another person like me in this deathgame Kirito."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for one, some else who wouldn't hesitate to make the hard choices, like that beater stunt. We'd have lost player trust that way. It takes a special kind of strength to self-ostracize yourself to save the group."

"I'm not as noble as you seem to think I am."

"And I'm not as nice a person as you think I am. I get it. It's why having you out there is reassuring in a weird way."

"to be clear, I don't swing that way."

"Neither do I jackass. You got skills, all I'm saying. And there's a place for you in my guild, should you want it."

"Thanks, I don't think it'd work to well. I get the feeling we'd try to kill eachother."

"That's fair. Hey, you'll get a kick outta this one, but I gto a saying"

"oh, lets here it"

"If you put two dudes with similar personalities in the same room and lock the door, they'll either be best friends, try to kill each other, or both."

"true that brother!"

"Damn straight!"

The two friends banged their mugs again. Sakura and Asuna asleep on the floor in each others arms, Lorg as snuggling into Svenity's chest. Tyler smiled at the girls,

"Kinda miss my camera right about now."

"okay, you have a deathwish."

"Ha! You don't know the half of it. Well, I gotta get the girls to the room, can you keep an eye on Lorg and Svenity till their guildmates get here?"

"Sure. Later Gore,"

"Catchya on the flipside Kirito,"

they brofisted and Tyler nudged Asuna, who stirred from her place on the floor,

"Wha-?"

"Come on, toots, bedtime, and the floor won't cut it."

She grumbled as she got up off the comfy floor, while Tyler cradled a softly snoring Sakura and brought the ladies to their room. The room had two beds, and Tyler laid Sakura in one. He was about to climb in beside her when Asuna stole his spot, a smug grin on her face,

"I get the furnace tonight!"

Tyler smiled as he pulled the blankets over the pair of girls, he gave Sakura goodnight kiss on her forehead,

"Take good care of her Asuna."

She replied by yawning and snuggling the smaller girl more tightly. Tyler then climbed into the spare bed and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He woke up when the sunlight hit his eyes. He went to sit up and felt a pressure on his arm, he looked to see that Sakura had snuck into his bed some point and was cradling his arm against her. He went to move his other arm and felt the same pressure and found that Asuna had as well. That was a surprise, but a welcome one as the redhead was quite pretty and very warm to snuggle with, if the heat coming off her was anything to go by. Tyler smiled as he retrieved his arm from the sleeping redhead and gently shook her awake. She blinked and saw him looking at her,

"Hey, G'morning. Time to wake up!"

She seemed to not understand when the reality of her situation slammed home. She went beat red, and was about to scream, but Tyler covered her mouth with his hand and glared at her intensely enough to silence her. She blinked and he withdrew his hand and nodded to Sakura sleeping on his other side. Asuna understood and mouth a quick Sorry and he nodded, not wanting to give the still sleeping cutie a early morning heart attack. Asuna reached over and stroked the small girl's pink hair fondly,

"You really care for her, don't you Tyler?"

Her use of his IRL name not lost on him, he merely smiled as he wrapped the precious girl in his arm. She grumbled in her sleep and snuggled closer to his side,

"that I do, Asuna. She's very precious to me. We're not related by blood, by we're as close as twins."

"She is truly wonderful."

"She truly is. And I will make sure she keeps her wonder."

"You're like the ultimate scary big brother to her. Its nice."

"And she's the ultimate sweet little sister. she makes my miserable existence bearable. And she is the reason I fight so goddamned hard."

Asuna smiled as he brushed a hair strand off her eyes.

"She's very lucky to have you."

"You as well. She is a very fortunate girl."

"that she is."

Tyler smiled and gave the small girl a light shake, she woke up instantly,

"Morning, time to move?"

"time for breakfast then yep. I want to hit that mountain range I spotted yesterday. I think I can find some decent ore there."

"M'kay"

The three then all got out of bed and readied for the day. They headed downstairs to find Kirito loading up on pancakes and sausage. Tyler went up behind the swordsman and gave him a heft backslap,

"yo, how's it hanging?"

Kirito jumped, nearly spilling his coffee,

"better then yours, what's up Gore."

"Lorg and Svenity get picked up?"

"Yep, their guild came and got them bout fifteen minutes after you headed up."

"good. Well, load up ladies, this'll most likely be the last time we eat in a restaurant for at least a month."

"Kay!"

"alright."

Asuna and Sakura took seats and got themselves a rather large breakfast of pancakes, bagels, milk for Sakura and Orange juice for Asuna, and some good old fashioned bacon. Tyler pulled out a map sphere. A large ball that showed the current floor, location on said floor and most details like rivers, mountains, roads, faded villages, except for the hidden sex villages of course, and forests. Tyler scrolled through various areas and dropped icon markers every now and then. Kirito watched him do so,

"What's the markers for?"

"Areas I want to hit in the next week or so. I have a pretty good nose for decent looting areas, rare mats, and really odd stuff. One time we found a mountain that I shit you not was a rock penis."

"seriously?"

"Seriously. Some of the shit in here really makes me wonder: Just how in the blue hell did they get passed ESRB with a mere M rating? I fucked like eight NPCs at that sex village, and Let me assure you, they spared no detail, regardless of how small."

Kirito choked on his drink at that one.

"Sex Village?"

"Yep."

"That's a thing?"

"ohhhhhh yeahhhhhh. It's still there if you wanna check it out. Show me your map and I'll highlight it for you."

"Are there more?"

"there's four to five per floor. But you have to find them, and they are very, VERY well hidden. But it's totally worth it. If you find it first, and beat the village leader, you become village chief. and set the rates of services, what kind of services are offered, get access to all services free of charge, and can basically, set up your own personal wet dream. It lasts for Two IRL months. When I went, I set up shop as chief and turned the place into a five-star spa for little Sakura. She gets pampered to death, while I drowned in racks."

"I will find one."

"Head up, the Village chief is the strongest monster after the floor boss. so plan accordingly. And they are exceedingly hard to find. We explore places most wouldn't dream of setting foot inside and we've only found the one."

"Challenge accepted."

"Good man!"

"Ahem."

"Ahem,"

Both girls were glaring daggers at the two boys, Kirito went white, Tyler just chuckled,

"What? Sakura, don't give me that look. You were in heaven last time. And Asuna? Chill out."

"pervert."

"Pig."

"I guess you don't want to be pampered next time we find one. Too bad."

Sakura was very quick to back track,

"Okay! I'm sorry, just joking!"

"Sakura!"

"Shut up! I want another spa day!"

Asuna merely hmphed at the betrayal of her fellow woman. Kirito nudged Tyler,

"you have a deathwish, dude."

"yeah what else is new?"

They then both chuckled. The trio finished their meals and headed out, saying a farewell to Kirito as they went. They left the town safezone set off for the far off range. They all ran, for it would level up stamina and agility, and would kill animals that crossed their path. The road they traveled on was padded dirt, and on either side of the thoroughfare was a lush green jungle, this part of the floor being near tropical. Tyler was thankful that humidity and heatstroke were not a thing in Brictally. Well, the humidity was not as bad as IRL, but it was still there. They moved along the road at a decent run, enjoying the peace it brought. Tyler was out in front, Asuna on his left with Sakura on his right. The three friends were chatting as they crossed hill and dale,

"Hey, nice shot Sakura! What'd you get?"

"uhh, a perfect squirrel carcass."

"those suck to collect. Nice."

"Thanks. Hey Asuna, did you upgrade any gear?"

"Not yet, my Rapier is still overleveled by two so I'm good. My armour could do with a refresh though."

"Hey, get Gore to make you a new set. His leatherworking just hit 250 last week, and last I checked, his smithing was.."

"200. I hit 200 the week before that."

"Really? It's that high?"

"Its not really that impressive. skill levels like that go up to a thousand, whereas attack skills don't max out at all."

"Really? that's hardcore."

"Damn right. If you max out a skill like smithing, then you have WAY too much free time on your hands. If I recall correctly, you get the right to open a shop when you hit skill level 100, and if you max it out, all you really get is a cape."

"that's it?"

"Lame!"

"its a troll for those who go that far. But you can't tell anyone. It's meant to be a surprise."

"you're evil."

"That's awesome!"

The trio reached a wide river by the time the sun was directly overhead. The mountains were considerably closer, so Tyler decided to call a fishing break. Sakura smiled as she pulled out rod and line. She cast her line into the slow-moving river, while Asuna started to build a fire. Tyler readied his Blacksteel longbow and a quiver of arrows.

"You guys can do some fishing, I'm gonna do some hunting."

"Kay!"

"Be careful."

"You too. remember what happened the LAST time we split like this."

The redhead hmphed, and Sakura giggled while Tyler headed off into the nearby woodland. Tyler was smiling as he moved through the trees like a creeping ghost. He had hit level 21 after that last boss raid and the killings of the attempted ambush party. His total kill count was around 25 now. He moved along a small rock formation, and dropped a large moose he snuck up on with a single shot to the heart. It shattered and he got a perfect moose pelt, some meat, and its large antlers. He was moving on when he found a solitary chest out in the woodland. he swapped to his sword, and approached cautiously,

"Okay, that's not suspicious at all."

The demon opened his massager and sent a quick heads up to the girls,

Hey, heads up, found a chest out here. Possible random event, or trap. I'm a set it off. watch yourselves.

He then went over and kicked it open and jumped back just before the now-tooth filled mouth snapped shut on his foot. The chest stood up and was now eleven feet tall, with green arms and legs, with the chjest itself filled with razor sharp teeth.

"Seriously? A rigged chest? Originality truly has died."

The chest gave a squeaky roar, like if some one blasted a rusty hinge through a megaphone. The creature jumped forward using its long limbs to scratch and grab. Tyler hopped backward and to the side, avoiding the headlong charge, only to get smashed by a hidden tail coming from the chesthead. He was flung backward into a large tree and lost a quarter of his health bar. He got back up and grabbed his sword.

"Okay, now I'm pissed."

He surged forward, and using his supreme agility skills and speed, threaded through the Chesthead's arms and spun a full circle with a glowing sword skill,

"Dragon Dance."

He finished his circle and braced his feet on the forest floor and leapt up two deliver a heavy two-handed shot to the things chesthead. it recoiled, the first of it's two health bars shattering. Tyler didn't let up, and went for it's spindly legs, slicing clean through one, and bringing the irritating enemy to the ground. Tyler was about to attack again when a thin green outline appeared and the creature regained it's severed limb and it's full health.

"Okay, regen. That's a decent trick."

This time the creatures limbs were a bright red instead of a puke green. Tyler then knew this was gonna be a slog. The creature was now twice as fast and twice as strong as it charged again. Tyler pivoted around a tree and the creature smashed into it, using the opportunity Tyler slashed the thing's tail a good five times, dealing double flanking damage. It's health bar dropped by a quarter. Tyler sighed, and readied a sword skill, he hopped back and surged forward with the blade in one hand. He then turned a front flip as he brought the sword down with a earthshaking smash.

"Dragon's hammer strike."

The ground cracked a little under the force of the attack, and the creatures health bar was depleted by another half. It was now inside it's last bar. Tyler was getting irritated. The chestthing roared and jumped into the sky, and came back down in a double-fisted smash of it's own. Tyler jumped out of the way, and the shockwave of the impact knocked in into a tree, breaking it. His health bar was now yellow, and still decreasing. Tyler got back to his feet, and his bar stopped depleting. It was now just above the red marker. He felt the urge to pop a potion. The first time this game he felt the need to pop a health potion. So he pulled a small restore and downed it and threw it at the chestbeast. It dodged and Tyler was right there to cleave it down the middle. The creature squealed, then tried to counterattack. But Tyler was done playing around. He charged up his other favorite move, a savage thrust, with a grip reversal and sadistic second strike. He launched the attack, and took the beasts' leg then spinning he jumped up and impaled the beast's chest jaw shut. The beast shuddered then shattered. Tyler stood up, panting. he got 6000DR, 100000EXP....and a mirror. Tyler sighed as he looked at the beasts name.: Pandora's box.

"Well, fuck. guess the mirrors come from these things. They REALLY need to get rid of them. I'll give this one to Asuna."

He popped a full restore and headed back to camp. The girls were sitting around the blazing fire Asuna had made, and both jumped up at his return.

"Hey, took you long enough."

"We felt the tremors from here. The hell happened?"

"I know what drops those mirrors now. Here, Redhead."

He tossed the mirror to Asuna who caught it with a shocked expression on her pretty face. She caught the precious object.

"why me?"

"Lets see how brave you family are when a demon's glaring at them. How long the broadcast last?"

"not sure, at least an hour. They ended it before the timer ran out."

"Then I have an hour to instill the nightmares. Anyone in you family we can trust?"

"My dad. I think. He would take my side sometimes."

"What is sometimes?"

"1 out of every five?"

"Then I'll terrify him too. Did he oppose the marriage?"

"I don't think he knew, or if he did, then he did nothing."

"Understood. So either he's an ignorant ass or a bastard ready to sell his daughter off to the highest bidder. Either way: He is officially on my shit list. Sakura, you ready for this?"

"Always."

"Good girl."

"Do it Asuna. Lets introduce your new favorite demon."

"right."

The trio went inside the tent and placed the mirror on the wall. Asuna put in a password and the mirror flared to life, taking up the whole side of the tent. There was a little static, as if searching for a signal, then the screen blinked and they were looking into a oddly large hospital room. Their view was limited, but they could makeout a very familiar red-haired form laid out on a wide bed, on the far side was a small girl in a similar bed with pink hair. Separating the two girls was a tall boy in the same state.

"What is this?"

"That's not the same room!"

"Looks like they did something right for once. Nice to get a look at the flesh and blood models."

The two girls looked at him with a look of utter shock, then turned back to the room, where they were laid out beside the motionless body of the demon.

"Wow, you look even scarier like that Gore."

"And you look even cuter Sakura. Asuna is prettier IRL though. I guess pixels is not a good look for you."

Asuna was not listening, she was trying to solve the puzzle before her. She was shaking, and Tyler guessed what was going through her mind.

"Don't worry, they can't touch me or Sakura."

"how can you be sure?"

"because I know who that blob inn the chair is. Watch this: HEY! THE MUFFINS ARE BURNING!"

The blob in the chair promptly fell over and the room was brought to life with a scream. Lights flew on and like fifteen people swarmed around the beds. Tyler sighed,

"hello, idiots, the screen."

The people turned to see Asuna, Sakura with a looming Tyler staring at them. Sakura's eyes started to fill with tears as she recognized a few of the gathered people, while Asuna was floored by a tall man with the same fire hair as hers next to Tyler's bed. Tyler was silently chuckling as the woman he'd scared half to death glared at him. Sakura was hysterical, sobbing heartbrokenly and Tyler had listened to enough of her cries,

"OI! Show some friggin backbone, kid."

He wacked her on the head and it brought her to her senses. She gave him a grateful look and was able to have a normal conversation again. He also gave Asuna a healthy wack as well. Her response was a bit more...lively,

"Hey, the Hell?"

"Get you head outta your ass. Lets get some answers."

Asuna nodded and turned back to the screen.

"Dad? Where's mom and Rick?"

"Rick? Jesus that IS a pedo name"

Her father stepped forward and knelt in front of the camera so they could see him better. Tyler was directly behind Asuna, his gaze like ice as he inspected the man. He was taller then Tyler, with Flame red hair, blue eyes, a pale complexion and a slender build. He gave a hefty sigh as he explained what had happened.

"Well, Sweetie. She's not your mother anymore. And Rick is not your 'fiancé' Anymore either. That scary boy was right. I am an ignorant bastard."

"Called it."

"Shut up!"

"I have my company to run, so I admit I never paid enough attention to what Shiro was doing. She had pretty much sold our little girl to the highest bidder, who happened to have connections with some Paris designer or some bullshit. After Gorell- I mean Tyler's threat and the fear it sparked in the doctors watching, they called me to get answers, since I had not been mentioned they felt I was a safe route. That's the first I heard of your engagement. Rick is thirty-five years old. you're only 16 for chirsts sake. Your mother had a marriage license for you already made and everything. Upon learning this I filed for immeadte divorce, called the police and pulled every string I could to have her rights pulled and her never to be allowed near you again. There's enough of us here now that there's always at least two people sitting with the three of you at all times. She can't touch you while you are in there. I promise. I even had you transferred to the same hospital room as that Demon, so he can look after you even after you all get back. If you want him to that is."

"I'mma stop you there, pal. I promised to look after Sakura. I do not recall making that same offer to Asuna as well. Making promises on my behalf is a VERY dangerous pass time."

The man shuddered as the demon confronted him.

"I'm sorry. You're right. And just as scary as the stories say you are. You both have to make the choice."

Just then a middle-aged man and woman tapped Asuna's dad on his shoulder and he let them take the center. Sakura squealed with delight.

"Mammi! Pappi! You're there too?"

The couple pressed their hands against the screen in a vain attempt to hug the little bundle of joy.

"Of course we are, Little Flower. We've been here since we heard. We are so sorry for what happened."

Sakura smiled,

"It's okay. It doesn't bother me anymore. They're not my family anymore."

Tyler placed his hand on her shoulder and she placed hers on his. She then faced her godparents.

"Mammi, Pappi, I'm going to stay with Tyler when we get out. I'm going to be his little sister. And if all of you don't want to die, then just do what he says. It'll hurt a lot less that way."

"oh, our Little Flower. We have good news. When you get out, as I know all three of you will, then you will live with him as his sister at his house. We already made arrangements with Asuna's father for the building as well. So know that you have a future outside that world."

"Made arrangements with her father? Okay, explain."

"yes, daddy. Please."

Her father cleared his throat,

"Since Tyler has been protecting you with his life for so long, and since his singular efforts brought my ex-wife's horrors to light, this is the very least I can do. If merely maintaining a home for them to return to is the limit of my gratitude, then I have failed. I will repay you somehow."

"I actually have an idea."

"OH?"

"Yes. get in contact with the update devs, and get the to remove the communication mirrors."

"I'm sorry what?"

"Did any of you watch our discussion on them from the other day?"

"We have not no. We must have been asleep. Hey, can we get the recording from last night? set it to about midnight."

"How long have you been recording us?"

"Three hours after the first death."

"I better get a copy. I want to relive that time at the village for a while>"

"Yeah, thanks for giving Sakura a spa day, but for the sake of your IRL groin, I wouldn't recommend a return visit."

"Hey Sakura. Lets hit the spa later today!"

"Yayyyyyyyyyyy! Pampering!"

Her godparents gave him a death glare, and Tyler froze their blood with his own. They then just sighed as they knew they couldn't hope to match this boy. The iRl people then turned to watch the discussions while Sakura sat in Tyler's lap. He wrapped the girl in his arms and just held her, as Asuna stared.

"Want one?"

She blushed, and looked away stammering

"N-no, I-i was just thinking how cute the two of you are together."

"She wants one."

"Totally."

Asuna's ears went bright red as she watched the people finish the recording. They came back and Asuna's father took up spokesmen duties again.

"Well, I agree. The mirrors would most certainly do far more harm then good. I'll get in contact with the dev team on updates, see if they can do anything."

"I don't think they can to be honest. That bastard Vonderland had said it was an integral part of SaS. So I doubt they can do anything. Oh, by the way. Have you launched a investigation into that Rick jackass?"

"Funny you should mention. He was arrested early yesterday morning when he tried to get in the room. The police found him with his pants down next to Little Sakura's bed. Sooo he's not gonna see the outside for a while."

"How far did he get?"

"He didn't touch any of you. The doctors promised us that."

"But he made it in the room?"

There was a dangerous look in his eyes, Sakura was shaking, and Asuna was as well.

"He did-"

"I'm going to break you when I get out."

every single person shivered in the 90 degree hospital room at his words. Tyler was gently stroking Sakura's hair as he glared at the man, her presence like the cat of a evil supervillain, only in this case she was the only thing restraining his rage. Asuna's father gulped visibly be trying to pacify the angry Demon.

"Look, I have armed security at this hospital. I own the place. We have family sitting with your bodies 24/7. It will not happen again. I promise."

"Asuna, If you want, you can stay with me and Sakura when we get out. God know I can protect you a hell of a lot better then they can. Your call."

Asuna then lay back and rested her red-haired head on his lap, right next to Sakura. She held her hand up and he took it, and Sakura did as well,

"Sure. Seems I only feel safe when you're around anyway."

"Sweet. Guess you get to keep your sister Sakura!"

Sakura hopped of Tyler's lap and hugged her new sister tightly squealing happily the whole time. Asuna's father sighed as he saw the glance shot his way, as if Tyler was daring him to say something. Wisely he did not. Sakura's godparents were smiling, and finally he did as well, the sight of their young ones new family very moving. The only one to not say anything then came forward.

"Hey, brat."

"What you want now?"

"You better take good care or those girls."

"I'll take better care of them then you did me. Then again, that's a pretty low bar."

His mother sighed,

"You're right. Which is why when you get out, you will stay where you were. You've grown more there in a measly four years then the 12 your spent with us. And keep that firecrotch happy. I want to retire early."

"retire from what, exactly? If anyone's getting on the gravy train it's me after all the hassle of keeping the chick alive."

"You do realize I can hear you, right?"

"Again, kinda hard not to, since ya know, same tent and all."

"I'm gonna shove this Rapier so far up your ass, you can be my new sword."

"Why go that far? I got a handle you can use anytime."

"I have to actually feel it in my hand for that to work ya know."

"Is that what your last boyfriend said to you? Yeesh, harsh. I mean, you're a board and all but still."

The families all couldn't believe their ears at the dirty banter.

"At least she got someone IRL, all you got were pixels!"

"true. but they were busty as hell! Must suck knowing that even a computer has better tits then both of you combined!"

"Must suck that A computer has a bigger cock!"

"Wow, Asuna, and here I thought you were a classy lady. Didn't know you paid a visit to such a place. How much it cost you?"

She flushed a deep crimson and replied with a shrill scream<

"I didn't pay a thing!"

"Wow, they must have been pretty desperate to show off if they paid you just to show off."

"They didn't pay me!"

"So you did it for free? Come on, have some self respect girl!"

Sakura was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe, and Asuna was nearly purple with rage as she lost the verbal chess match. Asuna's father was also laughing too, and Tyler's mother at that. He noticed.

"Hey, could you to please not like each other? Last thing I need to worry about is waking up to find out I banged my sister."

Little Sakura spoke a single word in such a disappointed voice,

"Damn."

Everyone lost it at Tyler's dumbstruck expression, even Asuna was dying of laughter. he was sitting there with his mouth still open and a hand raised in the air. He seemed to be the personification of File.Exe has stopped functioning. Little Sakura had a look of disappointment on her cute face. Tyler then turned to Asuna,

"Um, okay. I think we might be a bad influence on her."

Asuna was in tears, her father was in tears, his mother too, Sakura's godparents were also losing it in spite of themselves. Tyler sighed knowing he'd won the battle but lost the war. He let them have it, before asking Sakura's God parents a question. They had started to recover when he asked,

"Are her family still alive?"

The mood soured. Her godparents sighed but answered truthfully,

"yes, all of them are."

"Can you tell me where?"

"...."

Sakura spoke up,

"He'll find them eventually, so if you just tell him, it'll make his life easier."

"But Flower, Do you WANT to see them again?"

"I want him to kill them."

Silence. Sakura went on with an explanation,

"As long as they live, I won't get to have my big brother. When we get out, they'd fight our living together tooth and nail. So we'll remove them. Well, Tyler will. He's gonna kill them with or without your help. So lets hurry this up. we got a lot more important things to do."

Tyler rubbed Sakura's pink head,

"You know I'm not a hitman. But I will make an exception only this once. I promised to protect you. I also promised to find you IRL. I have accomplished this goal. Now I make a new one. I will remove any and all threats that seek to keep our family apart. So the ones who had abandoned you must vanish."

She hugged the demon,

"Thank you."

Tyler the faced the uncomfortably shifting couple.

"where are they?"

.....

"I said, WHERE ARE THEY?!!"

His sudden bellow startling everyone in the room. Still no answer.

"Fuck it, I'll find them myself. I know who to ask."

They both exchanged a look. Tyler was typing a message to Gabol to spread to the player base<

hey, Gabol. I need information on some players. They hurt Sakura. I need locations. They are: SAKIMOON, MIAKI, SHINRAME, and MYUKA. I'll owe you a favor and 100mDR if you can find them. Tell the player base They are enemies of the Demon Goreleech. That should be enough. I'm counting on you.

Tyler hit send and turned back to the couple.

"There, you won't have any blood on your precious hands. I should find them by weeks end. They'll die shortly after that."

The couple exchanged troubled looks, But Sakura gave a little squeal,

"They'll die! Yayyyyy! Then I can keep my brother! yippeeeee!"

Tyler smiled as he gave his precious little companion a large hug. Asuna, along with everyone else were more then a little disturbed, but seeing the girl's smile as she hugged him discouraged any form of argument. Tyler then noticed a timer on the screen ticking down from 120,

"Well, we got to roll. We got work to do. So enjoy the show. Ladies, say bye."

Sakura waved goodbye from her perch on his lap. Asuna also said farewell.

"Bye, Mammi, Byer Pappi!"

"Bye Daddy. I'll be fine."

"Later."

The screen went blank and the mirror shattered. Sakura then climbed out of his lap, and laid on her back in the tent. she went spread eagled and fell right asleep, drained from the emotional toil. Tyler merely opened his UI and started scroll through some mats for A new Rapier he had planned for Asuna. As for the fiery red head, she had drawn her weapon and was staring into the blade, as if for an answer to some internal question

"You okay?"

She kept staring at her sword,

"I don't know right now."

"Just to be clear, suicide is not an option in my tent."

She looked up shocked for a moment then sheathed her blade and laid back as well, staring at the tent roof.

"Get your marbles back, we ain't going anywhere for a bit."

She looked at the Demon,

"Is that alright?"

"You seem to have something to think about, sakura is completely drained, and I'm also drained from killing that chestbeast. We can kill a day or two here. We're safe enough here, the closest town is a good four day journey away. Plus I think we could use a day to get our heads back on straight."

Asuna sighed

"Okay"

"so that's the one they call Demon? he really is scary."

"Intimidating isn't he?"

"Yep, and did you see how Sakura clung to him? I think seperation would traumatize her."

"And be a death sentence for the rest of us. That kid scares me."

"Yep, but that's the kind of person required to save someone just by yelling at a screen. I will do everything in my power to make sure they stay together. he saved my Asuna when I should have. I can never do enough to show my gratitude. Ma'am you raised a splendid young man."

"i didn't raise him. He more or less raised himself. I had his sister a year later. I was eighteen when he was born. I just pray he never finds out she's in there too."

"Do they have problems?"

"He hates her more fiercely then nearly any other person, so if he finds her,"

"He'll kill her without question."

"or hesitation."

"Yep. You may think he's a splendid young man, but that little pink cutie hit the nail on the head. He is NOT a good person deep down. He is truly a monster. Remember that. And remember this: He is not trapped in there with the other players and monsters."

There was a collective shiver as the woman finished her statement,

"They are trapped in there with him."

Tyler was sorting through their unexpectedly large collection of pelts, furs, and hides. He was finding that a good majority of them were now useless. They couldn't even be used for cosmetic aesthetics either. The Boar hides were now useless, same with the entirety of the first floor animal hides. He looked to Asuna, who was still flat on her back lost in thought, and to little Sakura who was still unconscious. He sighed, and moved the items to a new sorting UI to be discussed properly as a team. He also needed to double check their own UI's and see fi the mats were totally useless. If so, then they would have to start collecting hard again. He then began double checking all their crafting mats. Asuna watched the boy as he went over their supplies. She saw his glance at her and ar Sakura, and the gears turning like he was thinking of something. Whatever it was, it most likely meant either another trip into the deep wilds, a trip to a very dangerous place, or a trip someplace completely random and out of the blue. She watched as he sighed then began to sift through the mountains of mats they had amassed. She ran over their conversation with the families again, and tried to process the fact that Shiro was no longer her mother. Tyler's threat had seen to that. On top of it, her parents had also divorced, and Rick was now a soon-to-be-convicted child molester. And her mother had tried to marry her off to him just to further her own career. She had known about the pedo's tastes, there's no way she didn't. So it just made the redhead want to cry that her own mother could be so selfishly cruel. Asuna had always known her mother's career was the most important thing in her life, even before her own daughter. She had been working even as she went into labor, and was making business deals from the recovery bed. The mother had paused long enough to give her daughter a name and passed her off to a wet nurse they hired to raise the girl. Asuna hadn't even met her mother till she was 4, and old enough to do things on her own, like model clothes for her mother. Her father had entrusted his daughter's welfare to his wife, and focused his energies on supporting them, even if they were very well off on Shiro's earnings alone. In fact, the income of one Parent alone was enough to afford extravagance, two just pushed them even further up the chain. Asuna was more of a living growing mannequin for her mother then an actual person. And now she was free of her altogether. And Tyler was the one to thank. He had dropped what he was doing and raced to her side when she had called for his help. He had known exactly what to do, from the very moment he started to ask her what happened to his intimidating response. He had saved her, again and again, without asking for a reward even once. Even offering to teach her his ways so she wouldn't have to depend on his strength so completely. He had been there, even after she had been so nasty to him the last time they had been face to face. He'd though of her with the first mirror, and the came to fix the damage it had caused. He had made a mistake and he fixed it. All for her. Then she had agreed to live with him and Sakura when they got out as a family. She hadn't even stopped to think about it, she just accepted his offer. She was the reminded of something she'd said to him as a joke once,

"If YOU'RE the one stalking me then at least I'd know I was safe."

His response flooded into her mind,

"You're under a guardian demon's wing. You and Little sakura."

It was more true that she had wanted to admit. He made her feel safe and protected in a way she had never felt before. She got up and hugged the boy as tightly as she could,

"Thank you."

"No problem."

He knew what she meant, and just stroked her long hair,

"I like your IRL hair better."

"Thanks. You looked just as scary."

"And Sakura was even cuter somehow."

"That she was."

"You okay now, Asuna?"

She pulled back and looked into his eyes, then she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, before siting back down.

"I am now."

"Glad to hear it. I hope you know I got your back. Always."

She smiled with such happiness, and with a teary look on her face, That Tyler felt butterflies in his stomach, a most strange sensation for the one called Demon. She then wiped her face and when she looked back at him, the fire in her eyes he admired so much was blazing merrily.

"So, what you working on?"

"I'm double checking our crafting mats. It seems that nearly everything from floor one is virtually useless to us now. I can't even make stuff look good anymore with it."

"That bad?"

"Yep, I was gonna ask to check you Invy too, and Sakura's. If the whole floor is useless, then we got a helluva lotta crap to sell. ANd a fuckton more grinding to do. I wanted to have a guild meeting and see if you have any uses for the mats before we sell them."

Asuna pulled her UI up and shoved it over to Tyler, who began scrolling,

"I think we can keep the foodstuffs, like meat and herbs. I was experimenting with the games spice generator back at Bloodoath, so I'd like to keep at it."

"What were you able to make?"

"I got as far as mayonnaise, then the orb showed up."

"Interesting. But I got a single question."

"OH?"

"Can you make Ketchup?"

"Ahh, yeaaahh. That was the very first thing I perfected."

"Asuna, Marry me."

She froze at the remark, it was clearly sarcasm, but it still caught her off guard as she had no response planned. She was silent for a few seconds as she regained herself, which raised a flag in his mind, he'd have to pay more attention if she was thinking along THOSE lines.

"I'm flattered, but I don't think I can marry someone who's only interested in my ketchup skills."

"Oof, there goes my first proposal, oh how will my heart recover?"

"What heart?"

"Fair point."

They laughed quietly, so as to not disturb Sakura. Asuna had been joking but, the thought of marrying the scary boy, which she would've laughed at, now was a far more reasonable request now that she had seen him fight for her like he had. She would have to sort her head out though, before she could ever hope to answer that question.

"So, how's it looking? Any mats we can save?"

"Not looking good."

"Alright. We'll double check with Sakura when she comes to. In the mean time get some rest Asuna. You look dead."

Asuna then felt just how drained she was, but she looked at the just as tired boy,

"What about you?"

He held a stamina potion up,

"I can go for another three days using these. You get some rest, I'll stand guard."

"Are you sure?"

"Did I stutter?"

She sighed and laid beside the slumbering Sakura. She knew he'd stand guard fro days if it came to it. So she just accepted it and snuggled the warm girl As she did so, a large soft skin blanket was draped over them, and She saw Tyler retake his spot against the tent pole.

"softie."

"G'night Asuna."

She drifted of to sleep under the watchful protection of the Demon.

Tyler smiled as she drifted off. She had been through a lot in a span of a few hours. He sighed and returned to his work. He was just finishing up his sorting of their mats when a message appear on his HUD, from Gabol.

Gore, I found them, they currently live in briyack on floor 4. From what I can gather, everybody hates them, their mean nasty and act like they're better then everyone else. It seems they heard about your relationship with Sakura and have been talking shit about you. Like calling you pedophile, and kidnapper. They smear mud on Sakura too, calling her a slut and whore and deserter. I don't know what you want with them and I don't want to. But if they suddenly were to disappear, I know no one would lose sleep. So that's all I got.

Thanks a lot Gabol. I owe you big time. Cash is in the orb. get yourself a better shop for when Sakura visits next.

Tyler loaded the 100mil into the gift orb and sent it on it's way with the message. As it teleported out, Sakura stirred, wakened by the light.

"Tyler?"

"Sorry, Saki, I didn't wake you did I?"

"Not really. What was that orb?"

he sighed, but told her, since he didn't keep secrets from her, nor did he lie to her.

"Gabol found your old family. I was sending him the reward. Apparently they been talking mad shit about us. You know what that means."

"They drew the Demon's gaze. Now they scream."

"Right. Are you okay with this? You know what will happen when I catch up to them."

"You'll kill them."

"Yeah, you okay with that?"

"I wanted to ask you to kill them for a while now, but I didn't want to make more work for you."

Tyler rested his head beside Sakura's and looked her in the eye,

"you can always ask me. For anything. Never assume you're making more work for me or that you're a burden. If it's something important to you, I will make it happen. Okay?"

He took her hand in his and she smiled,

"I guess I forgot that lesson. Its not all what you want, I get to have stuff too."

"As long as you truly want it, I will always help you get it."

She pressed his hand against her chest and he could feel her heartbeat, and cuddled his arm. She dozed back off like that. He smiled and laid beside her. He stayed like that for a good 7 hours, just listening to the girls soft breathing. He had got a response thanking him for the money, and a minor retort. Tyler had paid the large sum of money no mind, since they made so much more on a regular basis anyway. He had basically spent ten years salary to find a group to kill, all for the small sleeping girl on his arm. He was about to open a map screen and view the town of Briyack when Asuna woke up. She sat up yawning, she stretched and looked over to see Tyler scrolling on a map with one arm, his other firmly gripped by a still sleeping Sakura. She smiled and watched as he zoomed in on a town on the 4th floor called Briyack. He then started to memorize the town's layout. That only meant one thing.

"You found them?"

He looked to see the fiery redhead watching him,

"Yep. Sounds like they been saying some nasty things about sakura and me down those parts."

"You gonna pay a visit?"

"Yep. Them talking about me doesn't bother me. But they were especially cruel to Sakura. So the Demon has their scent."

"I don't think I've been to that town."

"I have. Once. I passed through in the beta when I first raided the dragon nest three days from there. I remember it being a beach town, so craft a swimsuit if you don't already have one."

"If I don't you'll make one for me?"

"If you ask nicely, and let me see your measurements, then I can make you something nice."

"Ha. Maybe, depends."

"on?"

"What materials were you going to use?"

"Well, I was thinking Fire dragon leather, with a chinchilla fur inside, and a ice drake wing membrane for the straps, and the scales of a sea king for waterproofing. The pattern would be a fiery red bikini top, with a red and white stripped bottom. Sound good?"

"Actually it sounds awesome. I'll let you see my measurements on one condition."

"This should be good, what is it?"

"Kill her family."

"Fair enough. Never thought you would condone premeditated murder like that but hey, progress in all it's forms."

"I want that girl to be happy, and I know firsthand what happens when you betrayed by someone you're supposed to trust."

"I hear that. Though to be honest, I already know your measurements."

She blushed hard,

"I've seen your UI remember? Quite a few times actually, I just never really cared. Seriously you can stop blushing now, you've seen my measurements and I never blushed or got flustered."

She just blushed harder as she remembered his own measurements which for some reason had stuck in her mind. As Tyler was about to have Asuna reopen her Ui so he could get her bikini right, Sakura woke up with a massive yawn.

"Mornin, Saki. Great timing."

"Mornin, why, what's up?"

"we're gonna go to the beach, so suit up!"

"Really?"

"Yep, we also have a family visit planned so I want you to wear that dragon cloak again, Asuna here, I made one for you too."

He tossed the distinctive girl a black leather cloak like the one they had worn to the meeting.

"I'll make your bikini when we get there. I'm sure we can find a nice hidden spot for you to try it on."

"He's making you a bikini? Lucky! Trust me, it'll feel better then anything you have ever worn."

"I can't wait to test him."

"Alright ladies, lets break camp and roll out."

The trio broke their camp and jumped to the main hub then made the leap to Briyack. They had thrown their hoods up to hide their faces and nameplates so their prey wouldn't escape. The seaside town of Briyack was a large beach resort in a huge semi circle on the shore. It hugged the white sandy beaches like a lip on teeth. The town was a large collection of wooden huts, and some were even floating on the water. The resort was a luxury getaway for the extremely wealthy players, so there was a rather stuck-up feel to the players living there. The cheapest house cost around 50mil DR, with the most expensive being 150mil DR. Tyler smiled as his party stepped of the teleporter platform. They got many sneering looks and snorts. Tyler paid them no heed, and instead began to track his prey. He walked up to a player wearing a solid gold armour set.

"Hey, I'm looking for a few Players, sakimoon, Shinrame, Myaki, and Myruki. Ring any bells?"

"Hmph I have nothing to say to peons."

"Really?"

Tyler grabbed the snob by his throat and lifted him off his feet with his left hand,

"How bout now?"

"They're at the restaurant! Don't hurt me!"

"Thanks for the info,"

Tyler tossed the guy over his shoulder like he was just a sack of potatoes. The guy flew a good thirty feet and splashed into a fountain. he came up to find the three hooded figures moving towards the restaurant.

"What the hell are they?"

Tyler and his friends found the ristorante in question and entered. It was an open air luxury sea0food restaurant catering to the extremely rich. The center was a circle grill with a Player making the meals while the guests watched. The decor was impeccable, clean wooden chairs made from redwood, cloths of the purest white, four sets of silverware per plate. A two inch thick carpet of crimson color. This particular restaurant was entirely player owned and run, so the wait staff were all people. That made Tyler's job that much easier. He asked Sakura to his right<

"Any familiar faces?"

"Not yet."

"Keep looking. If they're not here, well, we beat feet to find them."

"Can we get some food?"

"Business first, the you can get pampered, deal?"

"booo."

"boooo."

"You two are really spoiled you know?"

"Only cause you spoil us so well!"

"That so? well, I just remembered a large cave in the frozen north of flor six that was a rather large supply of crystalline ingots, and their guarded by frost slimes. Once we're done with the visit, we'll hit up. Since I spoiled you rotten, I got get you back to work!"

"Okay, fair point."

"we'll be good."

"That's better. Hey, that chicks got pink hair, you know her?"

"Yep, that's my sister Sakimoon, she is the favorite of the family, her boobs are big, she's nasty to everyone, and does whatever they want."

"Well, lets get them to start to sweat. Shame about the uniform though, I kinda dig the whole gothic Lolita thing."

"weeb."

"it is cute."

"well, at least someone here can appreciate the finer things. Asuna If you like I can make you one."

"No thank you. I think id' look better on Sakura anyway."

"We can play dress up later. And I agree>"

Sakura gave an indignant squeak at the now grinning duo. Her noise caught the ear from the pink haired lady picking up some dishes off the table. The unexpected sound causing her to drop the plate and it shattered on the with a loud crash. Seconds later a man in a chefs hat came out yelling,

"That's my dad. He thinks that if he didn't come up with the idea it sucks. He also regards me as a failure. That older pink haired lady behind him is my mother, she sees the world as it made for her and no one else. If she doesn't get her way, then she make sure no one else does. That guy with the blonde hair is my brother. he's like a combination of my mother and father, he is also the one who hit me with the hammer when the doors closed. Looks like that's everyone. Wanna introduce yourself Big Brother?"

Tyler did not respond and instead strode over to the now bickering group. They were screaming at the pink haired girl for breaking a single plate<

"That plates coming out of your pay!"

"I'm sorry! I thought I heard Sakura's voice in the dining room!"

"Why would that little whore be here? She hasn't sucked enough cocks to even dream of see inside here! You were just lazy! That bitch is off right now fuck-"

"You know, keep talking and your deaths will be just that much longer."

The nasty family stopped their bickering to see the cloaked figure approaching them, he stepped on a clean plate and shattered it as he reached them As this disaster the man in the hat started to scream at the clacked Demon, completely red in the face,

"Do you know how much that cost you penniless fuck? I will have you strung up and beaten to death just to recoup maybe a third of that plate@!"

"I'd love to see you try. Wouldn't you Asuna?"

Asuna threw her hood down and her long beautiful hair spilled out, her features stunning the ranting prick and his brood. She gave a disgusted look as she replied,

"I very much would. I doubt they could even scratch you. what do you think Sakura?"

This bombshell made the pink haired girl laugh with triumph, not comprehending what the name drop meant.

"She daddy? I told you I heard her voice!"

"Seriously, Sakimoon? You fucktards wouldn't even be able to TOUCH Gore, let alone actually scratch him."

Sakura threw her own hood down and unequipped it so her full outfit could be seen, Asuna did as well. There was a loud gasp at Asuna's radiant beauty, and a collective awwww at Sakura's sheer cuteness. The other patrons were enjoying the appearances of the two lovely ladies, until one guy realized something,

"Wait, If Sakura's here then that guy in the cloak.."

"Oh shit."

"DEMON"

"It's the Demon."

"The Demon is here."

The entire restaurant became filled with scared whispers. They only intensified when Tyler reached up slowly and grabbed his cloak and removed it with a flourish, it returning to his inventory with a flash. His now infamous red Jacket and iconic look marking him for who he was. The family of snobs were absolutely flabbergasted, until the pompous ass that was the father tried to ingratiate himself to the Demon,

"My apologies, sir. I thought you a mere peasant. Come let me serve our finest food, free as an apology for looking after our worthless failure of a daught-"smashhhhh

Tyler had hit the man in the chest and sent him into a large stone wall, cracking the stone withb the impact. The man slid down and his health bar dropped to the red. His family raced to his side. he tried to get up, only to freeze when The Demon drew his sword and began to approach him,

"Why?"

"You made my sister cry. You left her to die. You hit her with a hammer. You have been insulting her for far too long. You and them die this day."

His words slammed from his mouth like hammer on iron. The man raised his hand to try and protect himself. Realizing that was useless he shoved his wife at the approaching demon. She was hysterical at his betrayal and tried to swing a stool at the Sword-carrying monster, only to be cut in half ad shattered. Tyler stepped forward, as the family wailed, the now-widowed husband shoved his son forward this time, all to save his own life. His son had a small Warhammer and hit Tyler in the chest. Tyler stopped, looked down and looked at the terrified speechless boy.

"My sister hits harder."

"He beheaded the boy, shattering him. He resumed his death march. The last sister ran for the exit rather then be executed by the Demon, only for Sakura to appear before her and boot her back to her fate. Tyler slashed the girl and shattered her too. The man was sobbing begging for his life,

"Please great one! Spare me! I'll give you anything! The restaurant, all my money, everything, just please don't kill me!"

"I already have my everything."

He smashed the man's head with his boot. He shattered and the went over to the console that handled shop ownership. He then contacted Gabol.

Hey, I got a business proposition for you in Briyack. Hurry over and I'll show you."

This sounds interesting, be right there.

Tyler waited for the big guy, as he did so, he paid for the store damages, which caused the broken pieces to revert back to normal. Gabol arrived soon after and approached,

"Hey, Gore, what brings you to this stuck up place?"

"I found you I was looking for. Now this restaurant's up for grabs. I'll foot the upfront costs, and we can share profits. Sound good?"

the big man's eyes went wide as he considered his words. But then he also weighed the deal before him,

"Why would you want a stake in a place like this?"

"For the girls. I'm planning on setting up a temporary base of operations here. Until we hit floor 45 and I can get my house back of course. Plus, if you run this place, a greater number of players can enjoy the food. It supposed to be fully player run, but you can buy NPC's to staff the place. I'll pay for those too."

"So you're gonna drop a fortune on this place, just to give the ladies free access to the resort? I have to help now!"

"sweet."

Tyler transferred the required funds to Gabol, a full 200milDR, and he made the purchase. Tyler then smiled and he took his two friends to his favorite cabin he stayed in during the beta.

"Well. He found them>"

"Yep. He did."

The bodies of the family being hauled out on gurneys, the results of the demon's wrath.

"He killed them without hesitating, and them being defenseless. They were no threat to him, and yet."

"He went out of his way just to kill them. All because he doesn't want to lose Sakura."

"Yep, They wouldn't have been able to really to anything to stop them from being together, and yet he still killed them."

"He removed a potential threat before it could become a threat. That kids scary."

"Just how far is he willing to go for her?"

"I don't think we want that question answered."

"so this was my favorite cabin back in the beta. awesome right?"

The small hut was the furthest out from shore, a solid 200m. The waters surrounding the floating domicile were a beautiful shade of blue-green. The hut itself was an open concept with three levels. Two above sea level, and a rather large one set beneath the waves. The rooms above sea level included the baths, which were looked right out the side off the building at the sunset, a large kitchen fully stocked with anything you could want to cook with. Guests could order ingredients or bring their own. There was a large living area with a circular-style couch that one had to climb into, but was insanely comfy, a small massage parlor with customizable NPCs and services rendered, A large deck that wrapped around the hut from one side of the single wrap around dock to the other. The second floor was more of the first, but with better views of the oceans and beaches. But it was the floor underneath the waters that was truly special. The entire floor was encased in clearer the crystal glass, and the marine life would even swim right through the room as if still in the waves. The rooms all had this feature, even the bedrooms. which were underwater. Players could walk through the invisible barrier at will and swim, then return to the floor as dry as when they went out. All three floors were lit with magic crystals, and the colors could be altered from a central console, there was a massive firepit set in the center of the room, and could also be set to give off different scents, from burning pine, to the scent of baking cookies. The beds were large enough to hold five people easily, even though the official capacity was a mere four people. Tyler smirked as the girls minds were blown.

"Well, thoughts?"

Asuna turned and had stars in her eyes had such a place,

"Its beautiful!."

Sakura was right there with her.

"It's amazing! You stayed here during the beta?"

"Yeah. I mean, I designed it."

Their jaws dropped,

"How?"

"yeah?"

"There was a competition near the beginning to design a set of four player homes, a beach resort, a sex village, a city, and a boss. we got to bounce concepts for each category. I won the top spot in player homes, beach resort, and a boss. This resort is my idea, right down to that restaurant being player run. My name's also on a boss on floor 15. But my crown jewel is the player home up on 45. If you look at the all UI's in this resort, my name is the credited creator. It was kinda bullshit that I got chosen three times. I think I may or may not have been given preferential treatment due to my reputation as a monster. It's also kinda hilarious that I lost the sex village design competition."

Asuna was blown away by his dismissal of the achievements.

"What else did you come up with?"

"Well lets see. That idiots blood entrance was a boss intro, the anti milking system and area cooldown timers, that playerhome, this resort, two bosses, the challenge system, and I think that about covers it. At least those are the ideas they ran with, but they may have taken more. We've only made it to the sixth floor, and there's 150, so I bet they ripped a whole bunch more of my ideas off."

Sakura had heard this before, so she had wandered downstairs to the underwater section. She was instantly mesmerized by the fish swimming in and out of the floor at will. But then she noticed a rather large shape coming towards her and screamed,

"That's Sakura!"

"Move!"

The pair flew down the stairs to find a massive great white shark swimming casually through the room's wall, then lazily move through the firepit, and out the other side of the room. Sakura was on the floor petrified of the massive marine monster. Asuna raced over to the paled-faced girl, Tyler breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to warn you that happens from time to time."

"A shark swimming through your living room?"

"Ah, yeah. This is what makes this hut special. The sea life passes through like this is still the oceans, and check this out."

Tyler walked over and jumped through the barrier and was instantly underwater, he waved as he swam in his full outfit around the coral reef on the bottom of the seafloor, the denizens of the deep paying him no mind. There were sea ammonites, miles of multi-colored coral, clownfish, eels, various sharks, a few massive manta rays, lionfish, and basically any other reef dweller you could imagine. the girls were hypnotized by the sheer beauty of the scene before them. Tyler was smiling as had swam back to the barrier and pressed right through. He then pounced on little Sakura with a bearhug, making her squeal,

"Hey! I don't wanna get wet!"

"Are you wet?"

She was lifted up and hugged tighter,

"Wait, I'm not. What 's the deal?"

"A feature, that instadries any players that pass through. Here, watch."

He put her down and ran back upstairs. There was a splash and he was seen swimming down to the barrier again, and passed through dry on the other side. He smiled and went back to Sakura and Asuna.

"Remember, video games. Logic has no place here. Again, check it."

A manta ray was passing through the room and Tyler grabbed it's fin and held it in place for the girls to touch. The ray still flapping it's wings like it was still moving, and not being held by the wing. The girls were amazed at it's rough skin. Tyler released the fin and it swam away, completely unfazed. Tyler laughed at their expressions,

"We can try it with a shark next time, if you want. I kinda wanna pet that big guy."

"No thanks."

"yeah, hard pass."

"Your loss."

The girls stared incredulous at their either insane or stupid friend. Then Asuna had a question,

"How long we staying here?"

"Um, I'm thinking a week?"

"Sure that's fine....WAIT A WEEK?"

"Really?"

"Sure, why not? I own this cabin so might as well have a mini vacation. I've kinda gotten tired of the road, and that battle with the chestbeast kinda sapped my thirst for battle for awhile."

The girls then exchanged a look of concern,

"Tyler, are you feeling alright?"

"Umm, I feel fine. why you ask?"

"because even at the sex village, we only stayed a single night. Yet you want to spend a full week here?"

"Ah, yeah. This place is for recharging batteries, that village is for emptying tanks. Plus, I want a break. Seriously, guys, even I want a vacation every now and again."

"Who are you and what have you done with Goreleech?"

"He NEVER takes a vacation!"

Tyler smirked.

"Well, enjoy it. Because after this week, well, we won't see another town or village for at least another month. Plus, that mountain range has dragons, so we'll head up there for their scales. And a further point? It's cold up there."

Sakura and Asuna gulped.

"Okay."

"Yay! Vacation!"

That got a laugh as he unequipped his coat and sat on a couch looking at the under sea life. Asuna headed upstairs to partake of the massage functions, as Sakura curled up beside him on the couch and rested her head on his lap. He smiled as he stroked her pink hair. He opened his UI and was looking at some mats for Sakura's swimsuit when she rolled onto her back to look at him.

"Thanks for killing them."

She smiled as he rubbed her cheek.

"We'll be together now, Sakura. Plus, well, I think I made my point to them."

She giggled as she hugged the wolf fur scarf he'd made her the first day they'd been together.

"Like a good big brother should!"

HE smiled fondly as he looked to the interface.

"Preferences?"

She thought for a moment.

"Two piece!"

"Colors?"

"Red and blue!"

HE used some red drakeskin with a rare blue drakeskin with chinchilla linings. The thing had a frilly top with a bottom that had a frill skirt along the waist band. Sakura giggling the whole time as he finished it, and she equipped it when he gave it to her. It was mere clothing, and provided no stat boosts, but it made Sakura look sexy and cute as well. She hugged him tightly when she saw how it looked.

"I love it!"

"Go show off to Asuna."

"Kay!"

She sprinted off up the stairs as Tyler made himself a simple pair of black trunks from some bear leather and equipped them before swinging fully onto the couch and resting his head on the arm rest as twenty five foot white shark swam just above his face. He smiled as the thing went by.

"Nice to see Jaws was included."

He closed his eyes and dozed off as a happy squeal was heard from upstairs.

Tyler next opened his eyes to a loud splash from outside the room he was in. HE looked to see Sakura was swimming along the reef in her new swimsuit getting a load of her first tropical reef. He smiled at the sight, and then felt a weight on his chest. He looked to see Asuna had returned from her massage to sleep on his arm on the two person wide couch. Her fiery red haired head resting on his chest as she breathed deeply in sleep. She was still in her red and white outfit from the blood oath guild, only she had removed her over coat, leaving her in a shoulderless and backless gown-like thing. He smiled as he looked back to see Sakura paddling around under the waves outside the barrier. He'd trained her diving skills, so she could remain underwater for at least two full hours. The pink haired girl was clearly loving her dive, if the smile on her face was anything to go by. He waved at her as she swam by, and she pulled a cute underwater flip like a dolphin as she waved back. That was cute as hell. He was smiling as Asuna twitched in her sleep, and lifted her head. She yawned sleepily as she looked around, as if unsure where she was.

"Hiya, sleep well?"

She looked over to see Tyler smiling at her, and she blushed as she realized the situation.

"I…did."

"What your new swimsuit too?"

She sat up and smiled as she pulled her UI up.

"Please. I'd like to go swimming."

He pulled up his crafting UI and set the mats to work with. Asuna blushed again as he looked at her body measurements closely now, as he crafted her bikini. He used the wing membranes of the ice drake for the straps, and they were even wing shaped. The cups were fire dragon with a swirling pattern around the outside that seemed to spiral as you looked at them. The spirals also made them look bigger then they were when viewed as well. A point Asuna noticed with a secret smile as he used chinchilla fur for the inside. The bottoms got a fire dragon pattern that made it look like scales of fire were covering her, with winged strings and a chinchilla lining. HE finished it and she equipped it soon as she got it. She stood and looked in a nearby mirror. He laid back down.

"Am I good or what?"

She laughed as she looked at how her bust seemed a good half cup bigger now.

"My mom would be PISSED if she saw how good this looks."

"Should see me when I WANT to make a girl look good. That was just for fun."

She seemed a little surprised.

"I knew you made Sakura's outfits, but I didn't know you found it fun."

"I do. I like making things. It's why I preferred the crafting trees. I suck at it IRL, but in here? Well, we ever have to attend a ball or dance or some other fancy bullshit, I'll make you REALLY pop."

Asuna looked back at her new bikini.

"Now I kinda wanna see it. Thanks. It looks beautiful and feels amazing."

"Now go get wet. You need to wash that playdate with that poor masseuse off."

"And I was about to LIKE you."

He chuckled as she walked through the barrier to join Sakura in her underwater play. He then pulled up his UI again to look over a project he'd begun working on in secret for Sakura, a beautiful pink gown with frills, flowers, and a pattern of wings and wolves. He would use rare materials for it, but he was looking forward to seeing her mind break from the surprise. As it was, however, ne needed materials from floors 8 and up before he could get down to it. For now, he was just messing with different designs. He closed it and looked at how his build for Asuna's new Rapier was coming along. So far, he had a good majority of the things he needed to make a truly badass weapon for the fiery red head. HE was using some red steel from their current floor, some white dragon scales for the guard, some high grade leather for the grip, and the only piece he was currently missing was an ingot of the crystallite dragon mini boss that lived in the nearby mountain. HE smiled as he looked forward to that fight, as in the beta that dragon had been a favorite fight of his. He closed the schematic and looked at the sheer number of useless mats in the to-be-sold tab. He sighed and got up.

"Might as well."

HE looked to see the two girls swimming towards the barrier. He waited till they were on their feet to give the heads up.

"Hand the useless mats over and I'll go dump em off."

They smiled as they did.

"Have fun scaring them shitless."

"what she said."

"Sure. You two go play with each other."

They BOTH blushed hard at that. Tyler just laughed.

"If THAT'S the kinda play you're thinking, well, now I'm curious."

Sakura bawled as Asuna bristled.

"Hey!"

"I am NOT a lesbian!"

Tyler tilted his head as he put his gear back on.

"I didn't say you were. Hell, I didn't even MENTION that. Got something to work out there Asuna?"

Asuna gave off steam from how angry she was, as Sakura suddenly became thoughtful.

"Ya know, her masseuse WAS a tall blonde with big boobs. She was naked too."

Tyler just smiled as Asuna had a look of humiliation at this betrayal.

"Whatever floats your boat Asuna. I'll go do some selling now."

He left the now fighting a war behind her eyes Asuna with a giggling Sakura. He headed out the door and walked along the floating dock to the shore and shops. The hut was his own creation, and such was a prefect safe zone for the girls. He headed up the stairs passing people getting the fuck out of his way as his blood red coat was know throughout the playerbase and a dead giveaway. He spotted a vendor shop and strolled inside, nearly giving the blue haired lady behind the counter in the smith apron a heart attack. She was shaking as he approached.

"Hi, Demon. Welcome to my shop. How can I help you?"

"Looking to empty my inventory."

She blinked and they opened a trade window. She gasped at the thousands upon thousands of mats, weapons, gear and other items he was selling.

"So you know, the price is not up for debate. I don't have the time nor the patience for haggling."

She gulped.

"Very well."

She hit accept and he walked away 2.4 million Droy richer. The lady breathed a hefty sigh of relief the demon just left. Then she looked at her new inventory.

"I'll send these to my sister."

Tyler was on his way back to the girls at the hut, as he had no further reason to be in town. He walked in and found Asuna making something in the kitchen as Sakura was looking at the center console. Both girls in their swimsuits. He swapped into his trunks and went to sit on the circle couch he'd slept on more then the actual beds in the hut. HE settled down as Sakura came over with a small scale version of the hut UI to lay beside him on the cushion. She smiled as she pointed to a feature.

"why's this blank?"

Tyler took it and looked at it.

"Huh, if I remember right, this would allow you to watch IRL TV on any wall in the place. Or, if you get flat, the ceilings. Hey, I wonder."

He took it and scrolled to another button that said saved shows. He pressed it, and a massive list of thousands of shows were seen. He laughed.

"Ha! I KNEW that was a good idea!"

Sakura was curious.

"What are they?"

"Along with my music, I also ripped the entirety of my anime and movie collection onto my helmet to watch here or my place on 45. Since I WAS going to buy them anyway and since every waking moment I could I was going to live in here, seemed a good idea."

Sakura smiled as backed out to look at other still-intact features.

"Hey, cool. They left the town camera grid up."

"Town camera grid?"

Tyler looked to see Asuna leaning over the rim of the couch, and the position left her cleavage hanging.

"A sort of spectator mode where you can watch the comings and goings in the main town on the floor. I told them it might be a fun pass time for those that like to people watch. I didn't know they kept it."

The red head shrugged.

"Weird idea but whatever. Foods ready if your hungry."

"Menu?"

"Some pizza, ketchup, and soda."

"I freakin love you, Asuna."

"Eep!"

"Cute."

"Very."

Poor Asuna was as red in the face as her hair as the siblings went to sit at the table. Tyler pulled the people watching thing up and set to play on a large wall. Sakura sitting across from him with her feet dangling, as Asuna sat beside the small girl. They ate together as they watched and commented on different players as they did.

"Hey, look at that guy. Thinks he's a biker."

The man in question had a bandana, a black leather jacket with spikes and blue pants. Asuna sighed as she saw him.

"He's a member of the Biker Brother's Guild. All they like is looking tough. Most don't even level much at all."

"Tch, a group therapy session disguised as a guild."

"I'd have said more circle jerk."

Tyler and Asuna looked at the cutely smiling Sakura as she took a large bite of her pizza. Then at each other.

"I didn't teach her that one."

"I didn't either. Kinda scary."

"Totally. Hey, looks like some action."

They looked as the biker dude got in the face of a man in the red/white of the Bloodoath. Tyler tilted his head.

"I wonder if that cheat got shivved yet."

Asuna watched as a duel was set up.

"I heard he disappeared. They got a new leader, guy names Logain."

"No biggee really. Our guild is better anyway."

"Damn straight."

They smiled as the biker dude laid the Bloodoath guy out with his bare hands, and won the duel. That got a chuckle.

"A bare knuckle brawler, eh? Don't see one o those often."

The victor walked away with the loser's armor and sword, as Tyler noted something in the gathered on lookers.

"Hey, heads up, that biker's about to get it."

Sakura saw it soon as he said it.

"An assassin? Asuna, that guy in the ragged cloak near the wall."

She took a bite of her pizza.

"I see him. He's a member of that murder guild that's popped up."

Tyler sighed as the biker got hit and shattered.

"That took longer an I expected. How many strong?"

"We don't really know. Best estimates as maybe thirty? Forty?"

Tyler chuckled.

"It don't really matter to us much. If they try to follow US to the places WE go, the monsters would get him before we did."

They nodded as Tyler switched the view to another spot. This one a large plaza with a tall pillar like obelisk in the center. Tyler smiled as he spotted someone familiar.

"Hey, see that blonde?"

the girls did and smiled.

"It's Lorg and her party."

"Watch this."

He pulled up his massager and typed a quick line.

"I SEE you!"

The girls were laughing as he hit send. The samurai lady was looking at her friend when she got the message, and looked around as if looking for someone. Then, now obviously confused, sent a reply.

"I can't see you. Where are you?"

They were laughing as he sent another line.

"every where and no where."

That got a rather quick reply.

"asshole."

His reply made the now moving off group freeze.

" Tell Svenity that red armor looks badass. Oh, and that black sword you have on your blue belt is nifty too."

The group on the screen just stopped and were clearly scared as they now knew he COULD see them, by they couldn't see him. He then sent a quick message to Svenity to make the joke better.

"We're using a feature. See if you can poke Lorg subtly without her or your friends seeing."

The two girls had tears on their faces as Lorg got poked by her galpal, not know where it came from, and it only got worse.

"hi. Miss me?"

Poor Lorg jumped so hard as she got poked again as she read that one. Sakura was holding her sides as her laughter bounced off the walls, whereas Asuna was full on wheezing at the sight of Lorg now effectively losing her damned sanity. Then Tyler let the nearly freaking out woman off the hook.

"We're in a house with a people watching feature. Saw you on screen. Nice reactions."

The reaction on the screen was priceless as Lorg started hopping around in a fury, as her friends lost it too after reading the lines. She typed into her UI.

"fuck you! I nearly had a damned heart attack!"

"And Sakura nearly laughed herself to death. Asuna too."

"I am going to MURDER your balls when I see you next."

"Sorry, not into old ladies. Besides, I don't like cheap women."

Ohhh, that one pissed her OFF. The trio watched as she literally started screaming in a blind fury that made the other players nearby jump back a solid ten feet as Lorg's friend replied for her.

"I hope you lived a full live. Lorg just vowed to KILL you."

"Should see Sakura's new swimsuit I made her."

That got the woman's attention.

"If it is a sexually revealing or dirty thing we will ALL castrate you. Where are you?"

"Briyack. Hut at the end of the longest dock."

"I hope for your balls sake Sakura looks cute."

"Just shut up and come get your minds blown."

They watched as the group teleported off. Then Asuna smiled.

"I'll make some more food."

"Kinda feels like we're a family."

Tyler smiled as he patted Sakura's head.

"It kinda does, doesn't it?"

She smiled as Asuna set another set of pizzas in the oven as They waited for their guests. Tyler had just switched to a shot of another piece of town when there was a banging on the door. Tyler smiled as he walked over and got it himself, still in his trunks. He opened the door to see Lorg and her crew. She blinked at the sight of the demon in swim trunks.

"Hiya. Come to oogle me or them?"

She barged passed him with her crew to see Sakura standing in her little frilly two piece. Smiling.

"Lorgy! Aren't I cute?"

She spun as Tyler shut the door and walked over to pat her pink hair.

"So?"

Lorg and her friends were blown away by Sakura's cute swimsuit.

"Sakura! You look great!"

Asuna came out then in her flaming bikini to set more pizza on the table. The sight of the beautiful red head in her flaming bikini made the ladies jealous. Tyler smiled.

"I made hers too."

Lorg and Svenity just looked at each other.

"He's a fashion designer too?"

"I guess so. I kinda want one."

"Well, I'd need to see your UI's to make it right, and I'd charge you for the cost to make it, but sure."

The ladies then glared at him.

"You DO know what's on the UI right?"

Tyler smiled.

"Of course I do."

"And you've seen theirs?"

"The hell you think they fit so well?"

Lorg looked to Asuna, who shrugged.

"Best fitting bra and panty set I've ever worn. Swimsuit or otherwise. Plus, he's kinda open with this stuff."

"Okay, show my YOUR UI."

"Sure. Here."

He pulled his up and walked over to show the now stunned ladies his Ui. Lorg and Svenity went right to the number that they were curious about.

"Wow, 7.5."

"Kinda impressive to be honest."

Tyler chuckled.

"So, want new swimsuits?"

The lone dude in her party spoke up.

"So you know, you're not my type."

"Flattered, but not into dudes. Since you road trash don't strike me as having a set of suitable attire for MY house, seemed I had to make you one."

HE then walked to the couch and Lorg blinked.

"Wait, what do you mean YOUR house?"

"I bought it. Well, I DID design it myself as well, so that too."

THAT got a look of shock. But before they could explore the place more thoroughly,

"House rule, weapons and armor unequipped at the door. Beach attire ONLY. Issue? Doors behind you."

That made them burst out laughing as Lorg sat beside him and showed her Ui.

"Okay, playboy. Let's see what ya got."

Tyler smiled as he made her a purple and white bikini with a flower petal pattern out of white wolf, purple silk, and the skin of a fox for lining. Lorg blinked as she equipped it, and found it fit her busty form perfectly.

"Holy, kid, you have a talent."

"That will be 1000 droy."

She laughed as Svenity took her turn. Tyler smiled as he looked at her Ui.

"Oh. I got me a goodie."

He used white drake for the outside, with a scale pattern that made her small form seem curvier, with red badger fur for lining, and the bottom was black bear skin with white wolf. She looked sexy as hell as the straps were a scale like pattern and same with the strings. On the cups was a set of eyes that both made her small bust look bigger and seem to look at you as you passed, making them eye catching, where was the bottom had a pattern of rippling fur that seem to shimmer as she moved. She smiled as she put it on.

"Damn, kid, the hell you come up with this shit?"

"Eh, it's a hobby. 500 please."

So it went. He made a swimsuit for each, and it made the ladies look exceptionally better, while the one dude got a mere pair of black trunks, which got a snort.

"Okay, fair enough."

They then went to properly explore the place he'd designed as he rejoined Asuna and Sakura at the dinning table. Asuna was shaking her head.

"I really hope dad shows my mother those swimsuits. She'd lose it since those patterns are far better then her own."

Tyler smirked.

"Should see the dresses I can do in here."

That got looks of longing from the girls.

"Dresses?"

"Can you make me one?"

"Maybe. We're not on the proper floors for a true masterpiece. So, you'll have to wait."

Sakura sighed.

"Great. I got excited too."

Asuna had an idea.

"If we get high enough, and you get the right mats, can you make me one? Please?"

He leaned forward as he looker at her frame.

"I can. Something special you want it for?"

She smiled darkly.

"To show my mother you are better at her job then she is."

Tyler smiled as well.

"I can get the things I need on floor ten Asuna. Then, when I make it, we'll have that father o yours have her sit in under armed guard for the live presentation."

Sakura pouted.

"I want one too!"

"You? Well, I have a few ideas. Problem is we need to get to floor 15 at least."

She sighed.

"FINE. It BETTER be awesome."

"Like I said. A masterpiece."

Lorg and her friends came back to sit at the table. Lorg right beside Sakura, and she looked at Tyler with an amazed expression.

"You designed this house?"

"Yeah, and the resort as well."

They all looked at each other as Tyler pulled the small UI for the hut and went to credited creator.

"Here, in your face."

Lorg and her crew looked at the name. Sure enough, Goreleech was in the bracketed creationist box. They just shook their heads.

"Any other things with your name on them?"

"A few systems, like the anti-milking, hunting skill shots, challenge system, that idiots blood entrance, a boss on 15, another player home on 45 you are NOT to touch. That one is MINE. So, fair warning."

Lorg was shocked.

"You had THAT much input? Who the hell are you?"

Tyler chuckled.

"A gamer with a truly terrifying ability to scare people. I often think they took my ideas to keep me happy. Good or not."

Sakura and Asuna were happily munching on their pizza as they talked. Svenity then noticed the abundance of food.

"hey, we getting dinner too?"

"Kinda figured. Lorg looked a big eater."

They laughed as Lorg asked the question.

"Did YOU make this?"

"No."

"He's not ALLOWED to touch our food."

The table lost it as the two girls spoke in a cold, matter-of-fact tone. Tyler just shrugged.

"Tonight's feast is brought to you by Asuna. She and Sakura handle meals since I can only make high grade poisons."

"It's true."

"He made a pie that killed a minotaur on floor 5."

Lorg took a bite of Asuna's pizza and her eyes lit up.

"Holy sweet Jesus, Asuna! You MADE this?"

She smiled as she brushed her hair out of her face.

"Yup. Sakura cooks as well, so we share the detail."

"it's fun!"

"I'm just here to scare people."

The group laughed as they ate their meal and watched the other players through the screen. Svenity smiled as it switched back to the plaza.

"That was a very clever prank."

The blonde woman snorted.

"I thought that bastard had found an invisibility potion or some other bullshit."

Tyler laughed.

"Those ARE a thing. But they don't appear until floor 50. And the mats to make them don't appear till floor 45."

"they useful?"

"No clue. Only made to floor ten, remember? After that it's all new territory to me as well. Should be a lot of fun though."

Lorg and Asuna looked at each other before looking back to Tyler.

"Question."

"Shoot."

"Are you….enjoying this deathgame?"

"Oh hell yeah."

That got a sigh as Sakura giggled.

"I am too! I got a big brother!"

They smiled as Lorg looked to Tyler.

"Even though you could die in here?"

"Least I got a legit fighting chance to do something about it."

Lorg tilted her head as she got a refill.

"A legit fighting chance? I don't understand."

"Okay, how can I explain this? In the real world, if someone shoots you in the head with a gun, you die instantly. Yet, in here, if your numbers are high enough, you could get hit with a sledgehammer in the face and walk away without a scratch."

Asuna was reminded of her talk with Sakura.

"Plus, in here, the rules are simpler."

"Simpler?"

"Yeah. In the real world, someone hits you with a bat, you have to hope the cops arrest him, and then wait months sometimes for a punishment. Sometimes they get off Scott free for some bullshit reason. Hell, rapists get let go all the time for shit like a bad bust or a poorly signed document. In here, some idiot takes a shot at me, I drop them into pixels. Like that pedo at the village. We ALL KNEW what that creep was and wanted, yet in the real world, we'd have had no other choice but to leave it be since he had yet to lay a finger on Sakura."

Lorg sighed.

"We have laws for a reason. Otherwise it would be chaos. It still doesn't sit right how you just up an executed him."

"And if I'd spared him and he turned around and raped some other less well-defended girl?"

Svenity sighed.

"I get it. And agree. Sometimes it is a better idea to just remove a bad branch entirely then save it."

Lorg looked at her friend.

"But if you start making these kinds of choices, who is good or bad, lives and dies, you'll just be another dictator."

Tyler chuckled.

"That's the issue right there. I don't care what they call me or what I become, as long as Sakura is safe. People get so hung up on that shit. Oh, I did this so THEY think I'm bad. Okay, I did that, so I'm a good person to THEM. No. I do not hold myself to the standards of others like that, so am able to act in situations others cannot. Labels, titles, brands, reputations. These things mean nothing to me, for as long as I stay true to myself and Sakura, fuck the rest."

Lorg sat back as her friend was nodding slowly in agreement.

"You have a very hard way of seeing the world. Yet, I agree with it. People care way too much about things like those and end up literally enslaving themselves to things like titles, perceptions, hell, even nicknames sometimes."

"And in those times when action is required or needed, having someone like me to do it is a good thing."

"It is. I was abused as a child, pretty badly too. My parents got away with it because some cop forgot to sign some document as you said, and his lawyer got them off with it. They then put me up for adoption where all I got was more pain and misery. I was also burned from really trusting another person for many years."

"And if that cop had just shot them, and taken you in himself, it wouldn't have had to be as bad, right?"

She nodded again.

"Right. I mean wrong cop, but I see your point. Too many hoops and procedures ruin a chance for both justice and healing."

"Whereas a single, decisive action with an instant follow through is a better outcome altogether."

"Exactly. Plus, if they're dead,"

"They can't hurt anyone else."

Lorg sighed.

"That is a dark way to see the world. Even if it does make sense."

Asuna sighed as well.

"I can see his point because of my own family, yet I can also see the other side as well."

Svenity smiled as she took a drink of her soda.

"We see the world like this because we've been burned by it."

Sakura was happily humming as she fed on pizza as the others all chatted, just loving the company. Then Lorg sighed.

"Okay, my head hurts. So, how long are you all staying here?"

Tyler sat back in his chair.

"We're taking a break, so a week."

"Oh, okay, that seems fair. WAIT, YOU'RE TAKING A BREAK?"

Sakura and Asuna burst out laughing at Lorg's shocked reply.

"We said the same thing!"

"We did!"

Tyler shrugged.

"Well, last time I was here, I spent a week here. Then, I didn't see civilization for a solid two months. Woulda been longer but the beta closed."

Their laughter died, as Asuna looked at him.

"You mean,"

"Yup. After this is a deep dive into the wilds. I want to kill that dragon up on that mountain a few dozens times, since it gives some really good drops."

Lorg sighed.

"So you're aware, that dragon has killed ten people."

"Pff, idiots. I knew the guy that came up with that one, so we'll kill it."

Sakura tilted her head.

"It fly?"

"It does, but the thing's got a weakness while airborne you can exploit pretty easily."

"Kay!"

She went back to munching as he chuckled.

"Shouldn't be a problem for us. Was my favorite fight back in the beta."

They all sighed, knowing he was right. Sakura finished and hopped down to go lay on a couch again. Tyler followed and laid by her, and she cuddled against him as he did so.

"Enjoy it while you can."

Asuna sighed.

"I think I just might."

Lorg opened her mouth.

"You too Lorg. Just don't make a mess."

She closed her mouth and Asuna smiled at her.

"There's a parlor in the back room."

Tyler hugged his little sister to him as he closed his eyes again.

"Well, he's a vigilante."

Sakura's god-mother looked to the boy on the hospital bed next to the form of Sakura. His mother sighed.

"He's a dark one. He's always looked at the world like that. Fact he's right just makes it scarier."

Asuna's dad leaned back in his seat as well.

"It seems my daughter picked a dark teacher for her faith. But, at least he won't lie to her."

That got an unpleasant chuckle from the room.

"Why would he need to lie? You don't need to like what he has to say, and he doesn't care if you do."