Chapter 685

　　The two players stood at a stand-off . Wu Yan had his hands up in the air as he tried to gesture he’s not trying to pull anything . Meanwhile, the female player is covering her chest in a very vigilant manner . She looked very furious and embarra.s.sed .

　　The portal lit up again, dispelling the mood between both of them .

　　Asuna recalled something and she quickly hid behind Wu Yan, forgetting how he got a nice session of rabbit rubbing . She grabbed his s.h.i.+rt while looking at the teleport platform with an anxious look . Wu Yan was stunned by her quick change of att.i.tude .

　　At this instant, a player in a set of heavy armor came out of the teleport portal . Asuna raised her guard, even more, when she confirmed the ident.i.ty of this player . Wu Yan connected the dots in a few seconds .

　　The newcomer is Asuna’s bodyguard, Kuradeel…

　　“Asuna-sama…”

　　Kuradeel spotted Asuna soon after he arrived . He also got a good look at Wu Yan who was standing in between Asuna and Kuradeel . He hid his wavering eyes in almost an instant as he adopted his business face .

　　“Asuna-sama, please don’t run off on your own like that, it’s very troubling for me…”

　　“What do you mean run off like that?”

　　Asuna snapped back at him .

　　“There are no guild activities today and there are no frontline activities, are you telling me I don’t have the freedom to move around on my own accord?”

　　“Don’t say such selfish words, Asuna-sama!”

　　Kuradeel shook the cape behind him as he walked down the stairway .

　　“You should know your status . It’s very dangerous for a person with such a high profile such as yourself to go without someone guarding you . Did you forget that the guild appointed the humble me as your bodyguard?”

　　“You have no right telling me where I can and cannot go!”

　　Asuna is livid .

　　“The guild didn’t give you permission to dictate my movement . Also, who gave you permission to wait outside my house so early in the morning?!”

　　“Early in the morning…”

　　Wu Yan narrowed his eyes at Kuradeel .

　　As expected, this person is stalking Asuna .

　　“I am only doing that for your safety, Asuna-sama!”

　　Kuradeel made up a sappy excuse as he approached her .

　　“Anyway, it’s very dangerous for you to walk around unattended outside . Asuna-sama, return to the guild with me!”

　　Kuradeel didn’t wait for Asuna’s reply . It looked like he’s planning to drag her back by force if need be .

　　Asuna clenched down harder on Wu Yan’s s.h.i.+rt when Kuradeel drew close . Kuradeel ignored her reactions .

　　Wu Yan moved when it looked like Kuradeel is about to lay his hands on Asuna .

　　He blocked Kuradeel off . He nonchalantly looked into Kuradeel’s eyes, stopping him in his tracks .

　　Kuradeel ground his teeth as he growled at him .

　　“Sir, are you meddling in our guild affairs?”

　　If it’s another player, Kuradeel would probably curse the player without minding courtesy . However, the player in front of isn’t just an average player, he’s THE strongest player in SAO, a walking legend .

　　The Fae Swordsman, Wu Yan . Publicly acknowledged as The Strongest, he is someone who took down entire floors on his own . With the skills and capabilities to beat floor bosses on his own, his reputation soared further when news spread about his possession of the second Unique Skill discovered in SAO .

　　Dividing his achievements into singular ones, any player would turn into a legendary figure by having just one of his achievements . This is a player who continued churning out legend after legend in this death game .

　　Kuradeel is a prideful person, he is also supported by the strongest guild in SAO . But, he knows better than to p.i.s.s this player off with foul words .

　　Simply because he wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences .

　　“Don’t randomly accuse me of something I didn’t do…”

　　Wu Yan shrugged . He threw him a sarcastic grin .

　　“I am just protecting my friend from a bully…”

　　“Bully?”

　　Kuradeel laughed out of sheer anger .

　　“I am Asuna-sama’s bodyguard, my actions are justified by the need to keep Asuna-sama safe . ”

　　“Have you ever seen a subordinate ordering around his superior?”

　　Wu Yan tilted to the side to reveal Asuna who is very displeased with her bodyguard .

　　“Look at your vice-captain, then, look at yourself . 10/10 players would say you’re being a bully here . ”

　　“It’s all for Asuna-sama’s safety!”

　　Kuradeel continued using his perceived moral high ground .

　　“Even if you say I’m the bully here, I don’t care as long as Asuna-sama’s safe . ”

　　“You little…”

　　Asuna is absolutely disgusted by this shameless bodyguard . She’s not aware of his true nature . However, she is sure he isn’t doing this out of overzealous loyalty .

　　“Oh?”

　　Wu Yan shrugged and he helplessly continued .

　　“After failing to provide evidence of your accusations, you turned tail to put a tall hat on yourself?”

　　“You…”

　　“You said you’re doing this for Asuna-sama’s wellbeing, right?”

　　With a sharp look, he cast a scrutinizing gaze in his direction . Kuradeel subconsciously backed away .

　　“Well, if that’s the case, you can run back home . ”

　　Wu Yan laughed .

　　“I will be responsible for Asuna’s safety today . ”

　　“What…”

　　Kuradeel’s expression darkened .

　　“Hmm, you’re not going to say something silly like I can’t possibly keep Asuna safe, right?”

　　Wu Yan looked at him with a look of utter sarcasm .

　　Kuradeel’s mouth opened and closed . However, he couldn’t come up with a good retort .

　　How badly Kuradeel wanted to say that is something only he knows, but, truth be said, Wu Yan is the most qualified person in this world . Everyone would treat him like a clown if he spouted something like that .

　　Are you kidding me? If the Fae Swordsman, Wu Yan, can’t keep a player safe in this world, who else can keep her safe? Kuradeel? Hah!

　　He would be lucky if he deigned to let him hold his shoes for Wu Yan .

　　Kuradeel is clueless but he’s not a fool . When facing someone who is completely out of his league, he knew better than to say something he couldn’t take back or back up with actions .

　　This is the effect of Wu Yan’s solid reputation built up over two years in SAO .

　　In front of a very frustrated Kuradeel, Wu Yan grabbed Asuna’s hand as he walked off with her in tow . He chuckled before he left .

　　“I will be looking after Asuna for today . Run along now, report to Heathcliff, tell him exactly what I said . ”

　　Wu Yan looked back nonchalantly .

　　“I am sure Heathcliff wouldn’t mind compromising for my sake…”

　　Wu Yan pulled Asuna’s hand as they walked towards the labyrinth together .

　　As the two walked into the distance, Kuradeel’s expression twisted with anger and hatred . He leaked out his killing intent .

　　“Kill… I will kill you… I will definitely kill you…”

　　On the way to the labyrinth, Asuna kept looking at Wu Yan with her chestnut-brown eyes . Wu Yan’s hair stood on end from how intently she stared at him .

　　“Mind explaining why you’re looking at me like that?”

　　“It’s~ nothing~”

　　Asuna said with an ambiguous tone hidden in her words .

　　Wu Yan rolled his eyes and he pointed his thumb at the town behind him .

　　“I am not saying you must do it but I think you should get rid of that bodyguard as soon as possible…”

　　Asuna sighed as her smile dissipated . She perked herself up .

　　“Let’s forget about that for now, today is the day I start living it up!”

　　Asuna dashed ahead of Wu Yan . She turned around with a radiant smile on her face .

　　“You’re very charming today, just so you know!”

　　Wu Yan wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, he ran after her to keep up with her pace .