The boss is defeated.

As our heroes continued to languish in agony, an inhuman screech reached tgeir ears, followed shortly by a loud thud and a cheer. Dispite their bodies still being tormented by the plant, Kirito and Asuna smiled through the green acid.

"They did it!" Kirito said. "They beat it."

"Oh, thank god!" Asuna moaned. "We're almost free right? "

"Just a little bit longer." Kirito told his wife. "Once they've finished divvying up the loot they'll head home, and we can get out of this-"

A sudden explosion rang out. Not one of fire or of great concussion ****, but still one they were both familiar with. The explosion of pixels that followed the **** of a monster. For a second there was a sense of relief. The perverted tongue of the monstered that had wrapped itself around them was gone. They were free of its grasp and could truly breath for the first time in a while although the monster's green, acidic slime still caked their bodies leaving the slight burning sensation.

However, that relief quickly subsided as the pair felt themselves slowly start to fall over. They tried to stop it quickly grabbing on to one another for support and tried to plant their feet, but the slime made that impossible. They tumbled to the ground, Kirito falling on his back with Asuna falling on top of him. They quickly looked to one another trying to make sure the other was alright. Smiles were exchanged as they confirmed the others safety but as they refocused on the crowds cheers their expressions contorting into blushing terror.

"Oh, oh no." Kirito shakily said. The pair turned their heads towards the cheers and saw the party of adventures all dressed in medium level armor howling and hugging in celebration. Ignorant of the fact that a few meters away were two of Aincrad's most famous platers but naked.

"Oh God," Asuna whined as she rolled of Kirito and laid chest down in the grass. Kirito did the same and the couple carefully crawl backwards over the lip of the hill.

"Alright they haven't seen us yet." Kirito whispered breathing heavily. "I guess the slime is camouflaging us."

"W-we have to get to the scroll." Asuna replied shaking. "It'll teleport us to the next objective. It's our only chance to keep from getting caught!"

Kirito nodded and the pair began slowly crawling towards the hill's summit. Kirito felt the cool grass tickling his stomach and he moved although he was in no mood for laughing. The scroll was still there, invisible to all but them, floating above the peak. They'd have to stand up to grab it but if they were quick enough maybe no one would notice.

They were less than a meter from the peak, their hearts beating so loudly they though their partner could hear it, when suddenly a foot landed right between them and their prize. They both squealed thinking it was over but by some miracle their anonymity remained.

"My friends!" The party leader shouted oblivious of Asuna and Kirito's presence. "Today we have accomplished something great. Something no individual hear could do alone. We have overcome a high-ranking boss, one far beyond our levels. How? Because we worked together. Because we coordinated. BECAUSE WE HAVE THE GRIT! YAAAARR!"

As the group cheered and raised their hands a few noticed what appeared to be two green skinned monsters rise up behind their leader. Before they could react however a suddenly cloud of black mist exploded from that location. They all grabbed their swords expecting a fight but all that immerged from the smoke was their leader coughing up a storm. The party scratched their heads in confusion, wondering what had just happened.