Updates for this story might come every other few days for a while cause I have most of it outlined already. Lol. I came back prepared right?" If I have time later, I'll update SMHTL.
Boringsiot, thanks for your review! :)
Anyways mofos, enjoy!
Beater
Tolbana: December 2, 2024
A month had gone by since the game started and all those who logged on to Sword Art Online learned that they were trapped in the virtual game. A simple month had gone by and already two thousand players had died and the 1st Floor was still yet to be cleared. Most players stayed behind, in the Town of Beginnings, while other players had gone to different towns of the 1st Floor. Snix was currently walking towards the town's center of Tolbana. There was a meeting called for the players who were able to level up the most and she decided she would check it out. She glanced around as she took her seat, noticing most players were sitting together except for her. She looked around and frowned when she didn't see Saw. Before she could keep looking, her attention was brought back down to the front, as an older looking man stepped up. "Hey everyone, my name is David Martinez. The reason I called for this meeting was to let you all know that our scouts have finally found the Boss's room." He announced. Snix looked at him now with more attention now. Although she used to be a beta tester, even she couldn't find the boss's room. It looked like there were a few things that were different from the beta.
"We're the most capable players in the game, and it's our job that we work together. We have to tell other players back in the Town of Beginnings that we found the boss room. If we all work together, we can clear the game. We'll be teaming up in parties of six. This boss won't be an easy battle, and we'll need enough party groups to join us." David explained. At the mention of parties, Snix begins to panic slightly as she sees everyone join parties. She looks around and notices a lone player sitting not too far from her. She slowly slides her way to the hooded player, careful to not startle her. As Snix gets closer, she realizes that this player is also a girl. "Were you left out too? We can join parties together if you want." Snix says. The hooded girl scoffs but turns her body towards Snix. "Yeah right… I wasn't left out. Everyone else just seemed to know each other… but sure. I can party with you." She said. Snix smiles slightly, swiping her right hand up to access her menu. She then went to parties and sent a party invite to the other girl. She watched as the alert popped up in front of the girl, who then accepted the request.
Snix grins a bit and looks up to her HP bar, seeing that the mystery girl's was under hers. She focuses her eyes on the other HP bar and sees the other girl's name. 'Quinn…' She thinks to herself. The two girls focus their attention back to the front when David clears his throat to get everyone's attention. Before he could continue with his news, however, a boy jumped to the front. "Hold it right there!" The guy said, putting his hands on his waist and grunt. "Some of you owe us an apology for the deaths that have happened the past month." He said bitterly. A few questioning murmurs went around the plaza, Snix only staying quiet.
"Josh, I think I know who you're talking about. You're talking about those who used to be beta testers right?" David asked. Josh growled slightly before nodding. "Hell yeah, I'm talking about them. Once we learned that we'd be stuck here, they left everyone behind and took all the good spots and missions to level up. It's their damn fault people are dead!" He said in a strong voice. Snix hesitated before looking around. She didn't like anything this guy was saying at all, but felt like he did have a point, in a way. Another guy suddenly stood up and walked over to Josh and David, towering over them with his height.
Josh took a step back, unsure what the tall guy was going to do. "So let me get this straight. You think that the beta testers are the ones to blame for the two thousand players that have died." He said. Josh only nodded and wiped at his nose. "I don't think that's right. Look, you know what this is right?" The tall guy asked, pulling out a small book from his back pocket. Josh grunted again and placed his hands back on his hips again. "Yeah, and just who the hell are you exactly?" He asked in a challenging tone. The tall guy ignored it and turned to the crowd with the book still in his hand. "Listen, my name is Lurch. Everyone received a book just like this one a few days after the game started, right?" Lurch waited after everyone nodded. "It tells you just how one can level up, where to get supplies, information on monsters and more. You want to know who was passing them out? The beta testers and info brokers, that's who." He said. "The players who died had all this information, and they still died. I don't think the beta testers are the ones to blame."
David then walked up next to him and nodded. "That's right. Anyways, moving on… the Boss's name is Illfang, the Kobold Lord, and he has a few minions that fight alongside with him. He uses two different swords, switching to the other when he reaches his fourth, and last, health bar. We will go and fight the boss, tomorrow. For now, rest up, and enjoy your day. Tomorrow, we meet at ten in the morning and show everyone that we can clear this game!" He announced, earning cheers from most players in the plaza.
Snix stayed sitting down while everyone else slowly made their way out. She jumped up when she noticed Quinn already leaving and quickly joined her. "You know we'll see each other tomorrow right? You don't have to stick around me." Quinn said, never pulling down her cloak or hood. Snix was a bit taken back but continued walking next to Quinn. "I know, but I figured that since we'll be working together, might as well get to know each other a little bit." Snix said.
Snix continued to follow Quinn, the other walking at a slightly faster pace now. It was clear that the hooded girl didn't want to be followed, but as stubborn as ever, Snix followed her around, until Quinn stopped at an inn. "Look, I appreciate you trying to be friendly, but what's the point of making a friend when you don't know if one of us will make it out of here alive? I'll see you tomorrow." She said sharply. Not waiting for Snix to answer, she went inside the inn, closing the door on Snix.
"Well that was a fail." Snix heard someone say from a distance. She turned around with a glare, only to see another hooded girl, only that this one wasn't hiding her face. Snix was surprised to see this girl, forgetting her small anger and smiling as she walked over to her. "Is that really you Argo?" Snix asked when she was in front of the other girl. The other girl scratched at her nose and grinned playfully, pulling her hood down to reveal her blonde hair. "Of course it is the one and only Argo 'The Rat' Field!" She said. The two clasped their arms in a greeting and smirked at each other. "I knew I'd see you in this game again." Argo said, crossing her arms. The two began to walk in no particular direction as they caught up.
During the beta testing, Snix had met Argo in one of the higher floors, since not many beta testers could get past Floor Five. Argo wasn't the fighting type of player. She was more of the type of player who gathers information and sold it to other players for money in the game.
The two stopped when the approached a small lake and watched it as they spoke. "So, what brings you here? Aside from missing me, what's the real purpose that you were looking for me?" Snix asked teasingly. Argo rolled her eyes and shook her head at her. "Always the cocky one I see. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know about the Boss. I was in the scouting group David was talking about. The others didn't see it but I did… one of the boss's weapons isn't in the broker manual. I couldn't see what it was, but I just know that the manual is wrong in one of them. Be careful tomorrow." Argo said, her demeanor turning more serious. Snix stopped smiling and looked up at the sunset. "That means things are a bit more different than from the beta…" She mumbled. Argo only hummed her agreement.
Snix sighed as she wondered what else would be different. "Well, I should be going now. I told you all I needed to say. Goodluck Snix. I'll see you another time." Argo said, pulling her hood back on and walking away from Snix. After it got darker, Snix finally decided to call it a day and go to an inn.
Snix woke up to a beeping and bright light to her face. She groaned as she opened one eye to see a message icon beaming right in front of her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she opened the message as she sat up. "What the hell..." She mumbled. Her eyes opened wide when she saw it was a message from Quinn that said: 'WHERE ARE YOU?! The parties are heading over to the boss room!' She quickly jumped up, putting on her clothes and ran out of the room. 'Shit..' She thought to herself as she ran through the town.
Quinn was at the entrance of the forest when she was waiting for Snix. "Where the hell is she..." She asked herself in annoyance. A breeze went by, and she gripped her cloak tighter, making sure her hood didn't fall. She furrowed her eyebrows when she saw someone running her way. Her eyes widened when she realized that the person wasn't going to stop and crashed right into her. She fell on her back while the other person flipped in the air before rolling on the ground, landing face first. "What. the. hell. is. your. problem?!" Quinn snapped once she recovered and got up, quickly pulling her hood back on her head. She calmed down slightly when she saw it was Snix, who with a groan, groggily pushed herself up. Remembering she was mad, she glared at the tan girl and slapped her behind the head. "Ow! What the hell was that for?!" Snix growled, rubbing her head. Quinn only rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"For being an idiot! You're late! The other parties left already... and this is for crashing into me!" She said, slapping her behind the head again. Snix flinched and rubbed her head again, mumbling to herself as she followed behind Quinn. Snix only grumbled as she followed Quinn into the forest. She noticed that the girl was still wearing the hood, and was about to ask her why she was wearing it, when she remembered that the other girl was pissed at her. The two walked in awkward silence until they finally reached the other parties who were right in front of the Boss room. They had just joined the others when David was giving them a pep talk. "Squad E! You're late! You're in charge of keeping the minions from us with Squad D!" David yelled when he saw Snix and Quinn arrive.
Quinn gave an apologetic smile at the man while Snix gave him a nod. "Alright, now that everyone is here, I'll make this quick and simple. If we all work together, we can beat this boss easy! Let's show everyone that we're able to clear the game! Let's go!" He yelled, earning cheers from everyone, save for Quinn and Snix, who stayed quiet. David then gives them all a nod before opening the gates to the Boss room. As they all carefully walk in, Snix steps a little too close too Quinn, but before Quinn can say anything, Snix grabs her arm softly. "You don't have to be worried. Nothing bad will happen to you while you're in my party." She says. Quinn is a bit surprised but hides it with a small smile and only nods.
The lights suddenly turn on and a giant monster appears, with ten lizard demons in front of it. "That's Illfang and his minions! Remember what we planned! Squads D and E, you're up!" David orders. Snix and Quinn nod, and quickly run towards the minions, along with the other party. "Got it!" They yell. Snix quickly steps in front of Quinn when a lizard demon jumps in front of them, blocking it's attack. She then deflects it, making the demon step back. "Quinn! Switch!" Snix yells, stepping back for Quinn to take the quick kill. The lizard disintegrates and the two partners turn to face the other remaining minions.
As the Boss battle progresses, Snix notices how fast Quinn's movements are. 'Holy shit... she's really fast. I can barely see the tip of her sword.' She thinks to herself. "Snix!" She hears Quinn call, jumping back so Snix could take the next kill. Only a few more lizard demons are left, and Snix takes a chance to see how the battle with the Boss is going. She notices that the Boss is up to his last HP and David speaks up. "Everyone, stay back! I've got this!" He says, quickly running through the other players to stop in front of Illfang. 'I thought the plan was to attack him all together.' She thinks to herself. She then looks at the Boss throw its current sword to pull another one out. She narrows her eyes as she scrutinizes the sword. 'Wait a minute... that's not a Talwar... that's a Nodochi!' She thinks. She manages to see a lizard come at her just in time, and deflects it, turning back to David and the boss. "David, wait! It's no use!" She tries to warn, only that she was too late.
She grunts, remembering that this was the warning that Argo had given her the night before. She watches in horror as the Boss leaps into the air, hitting David so many times before the other could react. Gasps are heard when the Boss strikes David one final time before David goes flying back. Snix is the first to react and runs to him, taking out a potion. She tries to use it on him but David stops her. She looks down at him in confusion but only sees him smile softly at her. "What the hell were you thinking going at the Boss like that?" She asks him. David only chokes out a chuckle and smiles, that's when it hits Snix. "You were going for the kill bonus item! Then... that means... you're just like me..." She mumbles. David nods his head weakly at her. "You were a beta tester too, weren't you?" David asks in a soft voice. "Listen, you have to beat the boss... do it for everyone in here... please..." David says as he begins to fade before finally disintegrating. Snix only stares at where he was in complete shock.
After a while, she gathers herself, and stands up, gripping her sword tightly. Quinn then steps next to her and places her hand on Snix's shoulder. "I got your back." She quietly says. Snix glances at her and nods. "Right. We'll attack him the same way we attacked the minions!" Snix explained as the two started running toward the boss. Quinn only nodded as she let Snix make the first move. Snix charged at Illfang, who was already prepared for her, and struck her sword at his sword, who had it in a blocking stance, and make it step back. "Now!" Snix yelled as she stepped back from the recoil. Quinn only hummed as she sped past Snix and to the boss, however, the boss recovered faster than they'd thought. "Quinn, watch out!" Snix yelled. Quinn grunted when she saw Illfang's sword coming at her, and she quickly side stepped to the left, the Nodochi grazing her cloak.
As the cloak disintegrated, Quinn took this as her chance to quickly strike her sword, numerous times at the boss, making him stumble back. Completely thrown off by the blonde hair and beautiful face, Snix only stared in awe. 'Woah..' She thought. "Snix, switch again!" Quinn yelled, bringing her back. Snix shook her head and nodded, running to the boss. "Right!" She said, blocking Illfang's attack, parrying their swords up. She brought her sword down, ready to strike him, when the boss reacted quicker, only swinging his sword down on Snix.
Snix winced and fell black, slamming into Quinn. The two fell on the ground, Quinn holding onto Snix while the other panted out. Illfang charged at the two, when suddenly Lurch appeared in front of them, blocking the hit Snix would've received. He pushed the boss back, giving them space and glanced down to Quinn and Snix. "We can hold him off while you two recover. Come on everyone! Attack!" He yelled, everyone charging the boss at the same time.
After a few moments, Snix pushed herself up to her knees. "Are you okay?" Quinn asks, helping Snix up. Snix huffed out a breath and stood up. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go again." She said. The two girls dashed to the boss just as Lurch had deflected one of the boss's attack. Quinn slowed down a bit so Snix could take the lead, striking her sword through Illfang once, before jumping back and letting Quinn take the next strike. Illfang kept stumbling backwords, too many hits for him to recover. Just as his HP was about to deplete, Quinn jabs her sword a couple of times and ducks, Snix jumping over her and swinging her sword down on Illfang.
Everything went quiet for a few moments, until a 'Congratulations' alert popped up. Everyone broke into cheers and laughter as the boss was finally defeated. Snix was on her knees, panting and looking at her alert screen that read: 'You received the last bonus kill item: Midnight Cloak.' Before she could open it, she heard footsteps approach her. "That was some nice fighting you did back there." She looked back and saw Lurch and Quinn looking down at her with smiles. "Thanks." She breathed out.
Quinn opened her mouth to add on to what Lurch was saying, when someone else spoke up. "Stop cheering!" Everyone looked back and saw Josh kneeling on the floor, with a few players behind him. "Why'd you do it? Why'd you let David die?" He asked in an angry tone. Everyone then turned to look at Snix in a confusion. "You knew the Boss's skill before anyone noticed, and you didn't warn David! Now he's dead!" Josh cried out. A few whispers were heard here and there, Snix having a bad feeling as she saw players giving her odd looks. "I know why she knew the attack skills before any of us! She used to be a beta tester! I bet there's more beta testers here too! Come on out!" Another player yelled out. Everyone started to look at each other accusingly, growing nervous if another beta tester was near them. Lurch and Quinn both shared and expression before walking over to Josh. "Now calm down man.-" Lurch stopped when he heard laughter.
Quinn furrowed her eyebrows and looked back to see Snix laughing. Snix slowly got up and walked over to the other players. "Oh please... I'm nothing like those damn noobs. Personally, you guys are so much better than them. They didn't even know how to level up!" Snix said, a small smirk in her face. "The reason I knew the Boss's sword skill was because I reached higher levels with Boss's with greater Sword Skills." She said. Josh looked at her wide eyed before glaring at her. "That makes you worse than a beta tester... you're a fucking cheater!" He yelled. Everyone else began yelling their agreements while Quinn and Lurch looked at them with frowns and Snix still smirking. "You're a cheater!" "She's a beta and a cheater!" "She's a beater!" They yelled.
Snix's eyebrows rose at the nickname and chuckled. "A beta and cheater... a beater... I like that. Alright. You can call me a beater, I guess... so long as you don't mix me up with those beta losers." She said cockily. She then activates her items menu, and gets the Cloak of Midnight. She puts it on and heads to the Floor Gate. Everyone stares at her with menacing eyes, but she only ignores them, keeping the smirk on her face. Lurch sighs and looks back to Josh, shaking his head when he sees the other guy shaking from anger. Quinn suddenly runs to Snix just before the other girl activated the gate to the second Floor. Snix chuckled and turned slightly. "You're pretty strong, you know that? If someone ever asks you to join a guild, you should go for it, so long as the guild is a good one." Snix said. Quinn frowned and tilted her head a bit. "You talk like we aren't in a party anymore." She said, crossing her arms to look at Snix.
The Latina smiles slightly and accesses her party menu. "That's because I'm breaking our party. I wouldn't do you any good. I'm sure I'll see you around again though." Snix said, activating the gate and going to the next floor. Quinn pouts a bit as she sees the gate close, but looks back when she hears the Boss gates open and in coming another player. "Dammit, am I late? Did Snix beat the boss?" The player said. Quinn quirked an eyebrow as she saw the hooded player run up to her. "And you are?" Quinn asked. The hooded player looked up at her, revealing green eyes and blonde hair sticking out of her hood. "Oh, sorry. I'm Argo Field. I'm Snix's partner. Now, where is she?" Argo asked impatiently. Too confused about the whole situation, Quinn only pointed to the Floor Gate. "She already left to the 2nd Floor." She said. Argo huffed out a breath and rolled her eyes. "Figures she'd leave me hanging. Thanks anyways Quinn." Argo said before activating the gate to follow after Snix, leaving a completely confused Quinn behind. "What the hell?" She mumbled, looking at the gate.
And how was that? If it's still too close to the anime for ya'll, relax. Next chapter things will start changing more. So we got more characters brought in. Just to let you know, Josh really isn't that important so you don't have to remember him. However, who is Lurch though? Ya'll know Quinn already though. Lol. You should know who Snix is, even by the first chapter. Lol. Oh, and who the hell is Argo?! Lol. Keep reading to find out or not. Lol. Let me know your thoughts! Please follow and review! :) You can always leave me a message too!
