The Survival Logs || Sword Art Online Fanfic

PK Pandemonia Arc: Chapter 99 - The Witch's Worth

1 March 2024

Horizon's Edge guild base, 30th Floor

"Please, tell me you're kidding." Misuko shot me a look.

Well, I wasn't.

There had been too many examples of why I myself shouldn't stay in the role of a leader anymore.

"Raku's more of a leader than me," I pointed out. "Besides, I got dragged into being the leader for Land Company not long after I joined Horizon's Edge as well. "

".....That was Akiko's decision back then." Misuko recalled.

"Probably because I have one of the highest player levels in the guild," I sighed. "And no one else wanted the responsibility."

I was never with Land Company for half the time it existed. Even the times I was with them felt more like being a Drifter than a leader.

After all, being a Drifter meant having clients to guide and escort. The folks in Land Company were no different.

"Now that Land Company has become Damage Squad, here's what I think," I stood up and strolled to the large window. The view oversaw the whole guild base, as well as a partial bird's eye view of the 30th Floor.

"Damage Squad has grown stronger. And I mean it. My Drifting with them folks might have contributed to it, but in the end the reason why they became stronger was through their own efforts."

I turned to Misuko. "I'm sure you've seen the proof yourself during the Katalysis invasion. The fact that we suffered zero casualties in the guild after all that was already insane in its own right."

"I was proud of them. But I wasn't proud of myself for not being with them for half the time I was leader. As you know, I have my own way of doing things. Well, to be fair, Krieg's worse than me in that regard....."

"You can say that again." Raku looked annoyed at the mention of Krieg.

"Land Company didn't need me to evolve into what it is today," I continued. "Some of them are almost on par with me in terms of combat. They're not 'middle-level players' anymore."

I walked back to the sofa and sat. "What Damage Squad needs right now is someone who can give them as much morale support to keep getting stronger. Someone who can get along with them even better than I did."

Turning to Raku, I nodded. "And I believe that that someone is you, Rakuno."

Raku stayed silent in awe for a while. My commendations for her were genuine. She'd definitely have the charisma to bring everyone in the guild together.

"Well, I get where you're coming from," Misuko said. "I have heard of her strength during the Katalysis invasion."

She turned to me with a suspiciously wide smile on her face. "But it doesn't mean that I've seen what she can do with my very own eyes."

I stared back at her, realising her intentions. "I don't really like where this is going. Please no."

Misuko's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Oh yes."

She turned to Raku, reached out for the witch's hands, and pulled them in front of her.

"The condition to become the leader of Damage Squad, is to win Z-man in a duel."

Ah, shit.

Raku turned to take a look at me. Her mouth seemed to have curved into a smile.

Oh, hell no.

"I'll do it, but on one condition," Raku crossed her arms. "Zena must use his spear for the duel."

It was sort of a request for a rematch of that duel with Raku when we were in Katalysis. The one where I'd used Tekion's practice sword in and lost because of Raku's more superior experience with the one-handed sword.