Chapter 3: Two against the World
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A week has passed.
During this time, Kirito and I have become real hunters.
We didn't join the guilds—there was too much distrust, fear, and mistakes. Instead, we created our own tandem. The sword of light and shadow—that's what they started calling us on the first floors. One quick as a flash. The second one is precise and strong, like the hammer of fate.
We studied the behavior of monsters, memorized routes, and learned loot. Ren became a master of the one-handed heavy sword, Kirito honed the technique of single explosive strikes.
One day, returning from the battlefield, we came across a group of newcomers — three guys, almost without equipment, fighting off five wolves. Panic could be seen in their movements.
"We'll help," I said without hesitation.
Kirito didn't say anything, but he was already drawing his sword.
The battle lasted only a few seconds. Our swords flashed like lightning, and the wolves crumbled with a hiss of digital ash. One of the newbies fell to the ground, trembling.
"Thank you... thank you... we thought we were finished."…
I helped him up.
—Remember,— I said. — If you are afraid, act anyway. Fear is not weakness. The weakness is to give up.
The boys nodded silently.
After that, we began to notice that the players began to recognize us. Some came up and asked for advice. Others offered to join the guild. But we refused. Not because they were proud. But because we knew that if we got involved in guild politics, we would lose our freedom. And freedom was our weapon.
That same night, we were sitting on the roof of one of the buildings in the launch city.
—You know, Kirito," I said, looking up at the sky, "this world… He can be wonderful. Even if it's deadly.
—Yes," he replied, "but precisely because death is real here."… we see how much life is worth.
We were silent for a long time.
And then, almost in a whisper, he added:
"It's really just the two of us against the whole world.
I smiled.
— And that's enough.