Chapter 6: The name on the blood
⸻
We did not return to the city. There are too many questions. There was too much anger boiling inside.
The name is Blood Rapiers. We started asking questions. To look for traces.
And soon they found the first one — the name of one of the killers.:
Loxian is a former beta tester who disappeared after the first month. I used to be a solo player, but now I'm a predator.
— Do you think there are many of them? I asked, looking through the message log.
— So far, only a few. But if we don't stop it... there will be dozens. And everyone will believe that this is normal. That the death of others is the path to power.
I nodded.
— If they chose the path of blood... let them know what fear means.
⸻
On the 5th floor, we came across the first Rapier camp. Hidden between two rocky faults, with no name on the map.
We waited until nightfall.
—Four of them," Kirito whispered. "One on guard." Two are sleeping. One is in a fight with mobs near the camp.
— The plan is simple. Lightning fast. Without mercy.
Kirito looked at me.
"Are you sure?"
I drew my sword.
— They chose this path.
We attacked like a storm. The first guard didn't even have time to shout — the stun, and Kirito's sword went through his digital body.
The sleepers woke up in a panic, but were already dead when they got up. The last one remained. He was running, and Kirito caught up.
—P-please!" It's just a game! I didn't mean to..." he dropped the sword, his hands shaking.
"You killed," I said coldly. — Not in defense. Not in the arena. Out of interest.
I wanted to spare you.
But Kirito had already struck.
Then he stood in silence for a long time.
"Is everything okay?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer right away.
"No," I said.… It's not okay. But you know... if we're not the ones who can do the dirty work, it's left to those who enjoy it.
I shook his hand in silence. We are not murderers.
But we are the swords that this world must become in order to survive.
⸻
The next day, the rumors started to spread.
"Two men have appeared... killing the Reds."
"Black and White swordsmen. The ghosts. The punishment."
"Name on the blood."
From that day on, they were afraid of us.
But the main thing is that they started listening to us.