Nagisa's POV

It's been an hour since we went to see Karma. Karasuma went to check on him just a few minutes ago to try and ease our worries. But that's not enough to calm us down. We want, no, we need Karma to wake up. He need's to wake up so we can scold him for playing this game. For being so reckless. For not telling us. I wish we had known sooner. If we did maybe we wouldn't be worrying so much right now.

I felt something soft touch my shoulder. I jerked my head around and found Korosensei. He looked scared, and worried. "Karma's going to be okay, Nagisa. he's a strong boy, he can get through this."

Korosensei's reassuring words weren't enough to calm me down. It just made me feel worse. I was honestly scared. Karma was strong. I'm not doubting him, I'm just worried about him. It wouldn't be the same if he did die. The class would be... Boring. We couldn't keep him from dying, but we could at least watch his last moments alive. That would still be sad, but it's better than doing nothing the fact that he might die.

Ristu spoke up to break the awkward silence. "I have hacked into Karma's Nervegear, everyone!"

Korosensei looked surprised. "You did, Ristu? Why?"

"Well, Because we can't be at the hospital all day watching Karma fight in SAO, I thought, 'why don't I just download the monitor thing (I'm sorry. I don't know technology terms! :-P) onto my program'?"

"You can do that?" I asked feeling just a little bit relieved.

The 2D girl nodded. "Would you like to see what he's doing now?"

Well, of course...

Korosensei beat us to it. "Put it on NOW, Ritsu! NOW!"

Kayano chuckled nervously. "I wonder if Korosensei can hold up until Karma wakes up..."

Ritsu turned the monitor on. Karma was in front of a man, who looked a lot older than him, in a stadium.

Karma's POV

What did I just get myself into? Just because I spoke up when the one named Kibaou decided to point out the beta testers. He thought it was the beta testers faults the 2000 players died. I haven't seen any other players since the announcement in the plaza. I wouldn't know what he was talking about. But I don't like being thought of that way so I decided to speak up, and because I did I've now been challenged to a duel by an idiot named Kibaou. I can beat him easy, but I don't want to make a name for myself. Since when do I care though? I just want to get this over with.

"If I win the duel, then everyone here gets all of your money and belongings. If you win you get to keep your stuff," Kibaou said, "Deal?"

I sighed. This was annoying. "Fine."

After saying that a game window appeared in front of me. It read:

Kibaou has challenged you to a one-on-one duel.
Do you accept?
O X

I hit the circle button and slid my hands into my pockets.

You have agreed to a one-on-one duel with Kibaou.
Countdown 60.

He was in for a beating. I smirked as I saw him get his weapon out. I watched him smirk when he saw I didn't draw my sword. The counter was ticking down to zero. As I waited I sighed to calm my nerves. If I did go all out for this duel I'd become a red player (Player killer).

I glanced at the clock. Ten seconds. Why is the countdown so long?

The clock was at it's final numbers. Eight.

Seven...

Six...

Five...

I sighed again and closed my eyes. I could sense Kibaou's bloodlust. Wow, he really hated beta testers, huh? Three.

Two...

One...

Zero.

A/N

Wow, what a long countdown! And I'm interrupting your reading session by talking about that counter. I'm mean, seriously, why is a countdown that long? I can understand it in movies, but not in a game to start a duel. Um, you guys/girls are probably mad at me now, right? Yeah, figured as much. Moving on!

End (annoying) A/N

He lunged forward trying to hit me, but I dodged. That wasn't fast. Well...

Not as fast as Korosensei.

Once I dodged his attacks a few more times, I went up behind him and elbowed him in his neck. He fell forward a bit and then swung his weapon around to hit me. I grabbed it and sighed.

"Do you honestly expect to beat me with your speed? Compared to the monsters I've fought, this is child's play."

He swung again, this time out of frustration. I took out some throwing knives and threw them at Kibaou. Two hit his leg, and the other hit him in his chest. His HP was in the yellow zone. The duel was over.

"I win."

He looked at me with astonishment. I sighed and looked at the person leading this meeting.

"Diavel, correct?" I asked and answered before he could protest, "When do we meet here for the boss battle?"

"Uh, tomorrow at ten..."

"Okay, thanks." And with that I turned and walked away.

As I was walking out I heard footsteps, guessing it was that girl I stepped to the side, inside an alleyway. Once she came into view, I grabbed her shirt to show her where I was.

"H-hey!" She said, apparently flustered, "I've got something to tell you!"

I let go of her shirt. "Okay, what?"

"You can't participate in the boss battle..."

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"...Unless you team with someone"

I sighed in understanding. "I'm not too familiar with players to know somebody to team up with it."

"Good point. You said yourself that you haven't said anything to anybody since you started this game, right?"

I nodded. "Other than you, I don't know anybody."

She blushed and looked at me. "T-then you want to team up with me...?"

That caught me by surprise. I didn't expect her to say that. But... I can't fight unless I do team up with her.

"Yeah, sure."

A game window appeared in front of me. It read:

Shiki wants to join your party.
Do you accept?
O X

I sighed. I've never been in a party with anyone before. I'm a solo player. Eh, YOLO. :-P

I pressed the circle button and her username appeared below mine. Shiki, it read. Interesting.

"So Shiki is your username."

"Uh, yeah. How'd you figure that out?"

"First, it says your username when you sent the party invite. Second, your name appears below mine once the party is formed."

She let out a sound of realization and tapped my shoulder. "Guess we better start practicing."

"For what? The boss battle?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"But... what?"

"You have been fighting for two months straight.. I guess we can just go eat."

"Uh, okay. Can you cook?"

"Huh?"

"Figures. We can go to my place to eat if you want."

"What?! Wait a second, wait a second, wait a second!"

"Hm?"

"Give me a second to think this through!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You can think about it on the way there, now let's go."

She growled in annoyance, but in the end gave up.

I win. XD

A/N

Howdy! It's me! I hope you're enjoying this book! Please favourite and follow! Comments are appreciated! Either encouragement or criticism! I'm still an idiot! Thanks, goodbye!

End A/N