17 Chapter 17: Path of Preta

Kotton opened his eyes to find that it was already early in the morning. He accidentally slept outside the safe zone while watching the sunset. Maybe because he was physically and mentally tired, made him fall asleep in such a dangerous place. It was good that only Rolando was left from the dimensional red player's side, making the game somewhat peaceful.

Does that mean all the red players are gone? Of course not. Even if the only surviving red-dimensional player was Rolando, the native red players were still there. But they were no longer a treat to him. He did not know how Rolando did it, but it seemed he was also the leader of the native red players.

Kotton messaged Rolando, telling them to meet him at a pub on the first floor in an hour because he would talk to him. Then Kotton replied to Asuna's message asking where he was and why he wasn't responding since last night before continuing to lie lazily with the flowers until he heard a scream.

After rushing over, Kotton saw a male and a little girl who had just freed herself from a plant-type monster acting bashful.

"Isn't that Kirito and Silica-chan?" (Kotton)

Silica, who saw him approaching, hid behind Kirito's back. Kirito was surprised to see who it was immediately greeted.

"Good morning, captain! What are you doing here?" (Kirito)

"Well, I was lying with some flowers and appreciating mother nature when I heard someone scream, so I followed the voice." (Kotton)

Kotton saw that Silica's dragon partner was missing and immediately knew why they were there. He thought Kirito and Silica might be a good pair and immediately teased.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I never thought that the famous black swordsman who only knows how to grind monsters will one day take a stroll on a flowery garden with a beautiful girl." (Kotton)

Kirito, who got teased, was flustered and did not know what to say.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you are not even planning on introducing her? My my, how the black swordsman had fallen." (Kotton)

Kotton indirectly asked for Silica's name because it would be weird if he already knew her.

"Sigh, captain, can you stop teasing us now? She looks uncomfortable.

Anyways, Silica, this is my guild master Kotton.

Captain, this is my friend Silica." (Kirito)

"Ah, hello, nice to meet you." (Silica)

"It is nice to meet you too, Silica-chan" (Kotton)

"Well, because there is no problem, I will head back now. I don't want to ruin your date and all." (Kotton)

"De-de-date?" (Silica)

Silica gazed at Kirito and blushed, thinking everything would have been perfect if her pet Pina were here. She becomes depressed again but immediately recovers, believing she will be able to revive Pina.

Kirito was looking at his captain unamused, but Silica was indeed beautiful. He shook his head, removing his weird thoughts and continued his journey with Silica to revive her pet.

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After arriving at the pub, Kotton found Rolando drinking beer on a corner. He then went and sat beside him.

"So? What do you want? It is rare for you to take the initiative to talk with me." (Rolando)

"Have you decided on who you will kill for your last title requirement?" (Kotton)

"I have two choices. The guild leader of Divine Dragons Alliance or that Heathcliff you told me about. I can easily lure the guild leader of DDA because of his greedy nature. While Heathcliff is so proud of his defense that I believe he will come if I send him a letter of challenge. I am still unsure of his strength, so I'm still investigating." (Rolando)

"Is that so?" (Kotton)

"So? What do you need? I am sure you did not call me here just for that." (Rolando)

Kotton looked him in the eye and asked.

"Why did you choose to be a red player?" (Kotton)

Rolando saw the look in his eyes and laughed as if understanding something.

"Do you regret what you did?" (Rolando)

Rolando was looking at him with a creepy smile.

"No, I don't regret what I did, but is it worth it?" (Kotton)

"Hahaha, you were asking why I chose to become a red player, right? It is simply for my happiness." (Rolando)

Kotton frowned at Rolando's answer.

"What? Did you think I'm someone who has a tragic past that made me become like this?

What do humans seek? Food? Money? Power? At first, that might be the case, but what comes next after you get those? Happiness. Everyone yearns for happiness. Well, my happiness is twisted, but who cares? Haha." (Rolando)

After hearing his answer, Kotton felt relief. At least he was not crazy like this guy.

"You know what? I realize that I really don't like you." (Kotton)

"Haha, what a shame. I like guys like you the most." (Rolando)

Kotton's eyes widened, and he could not believe what he had just heard. He shivered and moved backward while looking at Rolando with disgust.

"I'm sorry. I'm normal. I like girls the most. Goodbye" (Kotton)

Rolando watched Kotton's leaving figure and licked his lips. He thought Kotton was amusing, and he will surely provide him happiness.

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Lying on the bed on the guild house on the 22nd floor. Kotton, who reaffirmed his will, thought he needed to be stronger for himself and the lives he reaped, ensuring that the lives he took would not be sacrificed in vain. Suddenly, his eyes slowly turned dark and cloudy as an eerie purple aura surrounded him. But as if he did not notice anything, he only clenched his fist and muttered.

"I will not lose myself.

I will kill to get stronger, but I won't forget.

I will continue to live as I bear this sin." (Kotton)

After releasing his guilt and accepting what he had done, Kotton's eyes turned blank, and his eyes lost focus. His face lost all expression and turned somewhat like a Japanese Noh mask. He then muttered in a creepy, monotone-like voice.

"This time I must reach the end. I will not fail again." (Kotton)

As if answering Kotton, the purple aura flickered and shaped itself into human figures resembling the players he had slayed. The figures surrounded him as they eerily stared before turning into mist and diving into his soul.

The system has detected abnormal fluctuations in the user's soul.

The system will commence a throughout scan of the user's soul.

The system detected dangerous fluctuations in the user's soul.

The system will now remove the source of danger.

The system has failed.

The system has failed.

The system has failed.

The system has failed.

The system has failed.

The system detected that abnormal fluctuations had ceased.

Player 8760002 has obtained the title Path of Preta (Sealed State).

Player 8760002 has obtained the unique skill Soul Weaving (C).

As if everything was a lie. Kotton closed his eyes and fell asleep, and everything returned to normal.