April 15th, What a grand day seeing as its my 23rd birthday =]. I would have had the chapter out earlier in the day today but you know, I was doing birthdayish stuff. That included watching the children while my wife slaved away at her job, and once she got home it was spent together writing and proof reading. SOOOO Now that this is done, It's time to really enjoy my night with the wife while the kids are asleep.

The boss fight is a little long, and I also tried NOT to allow it to seem as if hes overpowered. But again it went from 10k Players in the game to just about a Million solid. Of course the bosses and the mobs are going to be 10x stronger, I am no longer accepting OC's as I have a multitude of people submitting via inbox. Thanks for the support, as always Read and review! We like that, enjoy!


Boss Fight Floor One

Kazuma and and his new guild were at the front of the group of those who decided to pay heed to his warnings. Those who didn't keep to themselves continued on ahead of them, expecting to become the heroes of this boss fight. Once most of them were in the middle of the room the near pitch black room lit up, to reveal the fierce looking Kobold King. Instead of having the normal beta weapon, it immediately had a weapon that wasn't suppose to be on the level; the No-Dachi, a fierce alternative to what most would assume to be a Katana. The weapon allowed for ease of movement, fluid strokes and lethal consequences for anyone to fall victim to. None of the raid members would be allowed room to breathe as ten smaller Kobolds bolted out from behind the boss, fully clad in steel armor with shields and swords raised to attack.

Illfang, the Kobold Lord, immediately went to work, picking his first group before he leaped up into the air. The large body began to spin just before touching off with it's scaled green feet against the ceiling, which sent it hurling in a spiral toward the first group of five. The ground shook as the sheer weight of Illfang smashed into the first two, resulting in instant fatalities. Even though the boss looked like it would be slowed with it's weight, it immediately sliced it's No-Dachi outward and used the momentum to twist back onto its feet. The No-Dachi struck the last three members, decimating an entire squad within seconds. The surprise, awe and fear began to show in the faces of the raid members.

Even Kazuma, momentarily rooted by fear, knew he should have listened to Shizunei and tried harder. A new look of determination spread across his face, his resolve final.

"Mithos, on me! Shizunei and Keiko Sentinel's!" His voice boomed over the crowd of shouting, most of them now looked toward him for directions. "Everyone, Pair up switch out and take out these sentinels! Five forward groups, switch and bait Illfang into launching a leaping attack! Once he smashes into the ground, Shields up front, wait for the Talwar! Afterward, everyone Power attack!"

Most of the groups followed without hesitation to the booming orders, after all, half of them just wanted direction at this point in time. There were no retorts to his orders, or even agreement. Only battle cries, men and women fighting for their very lives. Kazuma began speeding toward Illfang with Mithos following close behind. A sentinel jumped in front of the men and forced Kazuma to slide to a stop. Kazuma reached out with his left hand, gripped the tip of it's shield and pulled it toward him to expose the chest of the sentinel. Mithos was quickly upon the Sentinel, his Two handed sword already being forced in a downward arc through the sentinel, but not enough to kill it. Instead, Mithos and Kazuma veered around it and continued their path toward Illfang, leaving Keiko and Shizunei to complete their work and take out the sentinel.

Mithos glanced at Kazuma "Whats the plan Kazuma?" His voice held a bit of fear, but fear is what kept you alive. One without fear would be the first to die in this cruel world.

Kazuma couldn't say much aside from the obvious "Stay alive, stay quick and use the switch like we have been. He's just another monster, we'll survive this."

Kazuma approached Illfang first, getting under Illfangs radar as it swung its No-Dachi toward a different group, shields met the No-Dachi head on causing sparks to fly. Kazuma brought back his right arm, and formed a fist then waited for it to glow a bright teal color. When it reached its bright teal, he slammed his fist into Illfang's ribcage, barely even budging the hitpoint bar. Following orders, after the No-Dachi had been swung, the rest of them followed suit and began to power their attacks and hit the Kobold, still barely budging it's hit point bar.

The invading voice of the barbarian from earlier now boomed over the cries of battle, barking orders to everyone that would listen. "Break shield lines! Everyone focus on attacking! Groups A, B, C an-"

"Negate that! Hold your shield lines! Breaking the shield lines will only cause more deaths! HOLD YOUR GROUND!" Kazuma shouted, though it would seem only half of the men stood their ground. Four shieldman broke their ranks and began to run, sentinel's quickly targeted them as stragglers and Kazuma was only able to watch as the four were turned into colored shards.

Shizunei and Keiko quickly took up their post at the sentinels and as Keiko lost her footing in a downward slash, a sentinel went in for a killing blow. Shizunei jabbed her blade into the chest of one of the sentinels, and using her dagger as a crutch, lifted her leg to kick the other sentinel. Kazuma approved of the women for the time being, and went on to continue his attacks and defenses on Illfang.

Illfang was now beginning to focus on Kazuma, its wild movements were only serving to make it difficult to block. Illfang roared and sliced in a downward arc toward Kazuma. Kazuma brought both arms up to crisscross in front of him, his steel armguards took the brute force of the attack, but caused one of them to break. The attack had caused over half of his health bar to disappear within mere seconds. The sheer force of the attack Kazuma was launched backward, and into Mithos, causing both of them to land in a heap on the ground. Kazuma's health was falling into the red zone fast, his right arm had a gash that spanned from his lower arm all the way up was left in its place. Kazuma was dead weight on top of Mithos, his eyes were closed tightly, in pain, as he gripped onto his arm. If he had enough time to scream out in pain, he probably would have however, the boss was ontop of them. Illfang raised his arm, his No-dachi clutched in hand, and with as much speed as he could muster, lunged in for the kill, attempting to impale both Kazuma and Mithos at the same time.

As the No-dachi neared the two men, a loud scream from Kazuma's sister could be heard. Her voice frantic, desperate for anyone to help her brother. The sound of metal against metal erupted through the battlefield, the sword evidently reaching its mark, and Keiko's eyes tightly shut afraid to see what had transpired. Though, as her eyes slowly opened, a man stood hard pressed against the bosses sword. His sword had blocked the No-Dachi with the flat side, while his free arm braced against the opposite side to support his blocking stance. The mans teeth were clenched, his arms barely able to sustain the block as more party members rushed in to distract the boss, relieving the new man.

After Illfangs attack on Kazuma, hearing the scream of Keiko forced his gaze on her. The man quickly turned around to help both Kazuma and Mithos to their feet, Kazuma could only nod his head in thanks as he pulled a healing potion from the pouch on his hip. He downed the potion quickly, the gash healed but left a visible scar in its place. Kazuma looked to his sister in horror as Illfang attacked her.

Illfang brought his massive no-dachi down on Keiko, and when she brought her shield up to block it, Shizunei jumped in the way with her dagger. The sound of metal scraping metal was heard as the no-dachi met with the dagger before it broke it. Shizunei was pushed out of the way of the no-dachi as it crashed down onto the shield that Keiko held, the force of his strike sent her sliding across the ground and into the nearest wall. A scream was heard, as the no-dachi had managed to sever Shizunei's lower leg.

Shizunei, now without a weapon, was targeted by the large kobold. A woman with a spear ran to Shizunei's aid, offering her a minor healing potion. Shizunei took the potion and downed it, getting her leg back and ran to Keiko. The woman with the spear was surrounded by another group, and together they took an attack from the kobold lord. Kazuma was staring at his sister, whose shield had just burst into splinters of color.

Shizunei nodded to Kazuma and pointed at the kobold, which focused him again. His worry for his sister was evident, but would give him the drive to kill this monster. As Shizunei looked around, she could see the dwindling raid; some hiding along the wall at the door, others fighting with everything they had. She clenched her teeth at those that were hiding, and helped Kazumas sister to her feet, her own leg still damaged.

Kazuma, finally regaining his focus, gave the new man an approving nod, a debt he was going to have to pay, eventually. "Thank you for helping me" Kazuma's voice held a respectful tone to it as he offered a half cracked smile.

The nameless man had just started to speak but it would seem that Illfang had other plans for the three men in front of them. Illfang was now barreling toward all three, planning on using its full body against the men. Illfang drew back his no-dachi and launched his sword toward the three men, and used his spare arm as momentum to turn his body into a spin. The momentum gave the No-Dachi enough power to chop all three men in half, but due to the speed and reaction time of Illfang all they could do was ready their blocks.

Mithos moved in front of the two and brought his massive two handed sword up to the center of his body and placed his forearm against the flat of the blade. He turned his head and clinched his eyes shut to ready for the attack. The nameless swordsman moved beside Mithos and readied his own block similar to Mithos', but in such close proximity it was going to serve as a double block.

Unfortunately, due to his one arm now being out of commission all he could do was attack while the others blocked. Kazuma waited just behind the two as the steel of the No-Dachi met the steel of the large two handed sword before Kazuma darted out from behind the two men. Kazuma was just low enough to fly under the bosses raider to the point he was in point blank nameless swordsman after the block used his own sword skill to disrupt the boss, sending the bosses sword rearing upward and causing the boss to lose balance quickly.

Kazuma took advantage of the boss losing his balance, his right hand reared back as his fist started to glow a bright teal. Kazuma connected his fist with Illfang's steel clad chest, one after another Kazuma began to furiously punch Illfang with all his might. His attacks seemed wild, but held discipline at the same time. His attacks began to increase in speed, each fist glowing in a fierce teal light.

Mithos recovered from Illfang's brutal attack before he looked over at the man "Lets help him!" and so Mithos followed after his friend Kazuma, slicing as fast and as strong as he could against Illfang.

Our Nameless swordsman rushed in beside Mithos but took up the rear side of Illfang, targeting his legs in an attempt to disable to creatures fast mobility. His speed was faster than the average swordsman, almost up to par with how quick Kazuma was beating his fists against Illfang's chest. The woman with the spear, and a few others had joined in the beating of the kobold. For a short while, it was only the six of them, attacking without a pause. Glowing arrows were seen sticking out of the kobolds head, as the attacks continued.

As if inspired by the furious attempts to beat the boss backward, the rest of the raid group seemed to join in. While Illfang was focused on recovering from the onslaught of the players, it wouldn't take long before Illfang's health bar dropped into the last red zone. Immediately Illfang jumped backwards toward his throne, and let loose a feral roar. Upon completion of the roar Illfang tossed his No-dachi aside, its eyes were a piercing red as it pulled a massive two handed axe from behind its throne. Both clawed hands gripped the axe with might before bolting toward the group.

Of course, like the massive nimrod Kazuma figured the Barbarian to be, he rushed to meet the boss head on. Letting out his own roar which in terms of comparison to Illfang's, was a squeak from a mouse. As the two neared each other their steel rang through the air, the bosses axe being sent upward into the air similar to how Mithos had. However, Illfang was now attuned to this strategy, he brought his left leg back and begun to throw his opposite foot around. Using the momentum of his leg he began to spin like a whirlwind. Illfang brought his large axe down and began cutting into the barbarian repeatedly.

Our local Barbarian menace didn't stand much of a chance as his HP dropped to zero in an instant. The man screamed as his body broke into thousands of little teal-green crystals. Illfangs momentum continued toward another group, like a raging tornado that tore away at the very foundation of what it passed. Both men and women alike began to fade one by one, the torrents of the storm unyielding.

It took Kazuma a few seconds before he finally composed himself. Even if the barbarian was mouthy he didn't deserve to die, no one did. "Everyone with shields up front! We must stop his momentum or we're all dead!" His voice bellowed out above the shouts and screams only serving to stir a few straggling souls to muster up their courage and race to the path of Illfang. All fifteen of the shieldman braced their shields into the ground as spearmen and swordsmen lined up behind them ready to strike once the raging torrents subsided. The archers remained at the back, still firing at the massive kobold.

"Mithos, on me!" Kazuma called out to what most people would assume to be his right hand man. Kazuma looked over at the man that had saved his life but before he could speak the man spoke first.

"Alexon" Alexon spoke out, and nodded before he himself fell into line with Kazuma and Mithos. The three of them charged toward the back of Illfang as Illfang's axe crashed brutally into the shield line, the shieldmen barely being able to subdue the beast, their health bars dropped quickly and a few shields were broken. The spearmen and swordsman began to target Illfang's arms desperately in an attempt to slow the beast down, little effect was shown.

Shizunei had made her way to the stragglers posted on the wall and taken their weapons and shields. If they werent going to use them, she was. She gave a shield to Keiko and raised a sword and shield of her own to join back into the fight. The girls joined forces with the spear using woman and together the three used power attacks on the kobold. Arrows were still being shot at the kobolds head. One landed in its eye, which for the moment, distracted it.

Mithos was the first to be within striking range with his two-handed sword, drawing back both arms to the right he sliced toward the back of Illfang's knee, connecting with enough force from his powered swing to knock Illfang off balance. Both Kazuma and Alexon followed suit, Kazuma jumped up and smashed his fist into Illfang's cheek, hurling the large monster toward Alexon. Alexon slid his footback and waited for when illfang got closer. At the very last second Alexon sliced his entire blade through Illfang. The kobold stopped all his movements, howled one last time and burst into colored crystals.


Each of the remaining raid members received their various experience points and equipment drops, but Alexon had the killing blow thus, earning him the attack bonus that would normally be gained here, along with a rare sword drop which had yet to be identified by someone skilled enough. Kazuma himself had gained a rare armor drop, also unidentified and a decent amount of Col. Mithos managed to somehow get a hold of a set of rings, each with their own special stats. Keiko had received a rare shield, and Shizunei, with no surprise, had somehow managed to get lucky and get a unique dagger.

Shizunei stood back as Kazuma and Keiko seemed to be trying to help those that couldnt walk. She had already given her healing potion to another and nearly got herself killed trying to save Keiko's life. After Kazuma and Keiko were finished helping a few of them, they joined Shizunei where she stood, Mithos seemed to be busying himself with another.

Only 46 had survived the raid out of 150 people. What was worse, was that all of them could actually feel their death. Keiko and Shizunei posted against the wall just inside the door while Kazuma went to help out Mithos, and when they rejoined the girls. Shizunei, herself had a slight limp, but it was nothing to be worried about, and Kazuma had a nice gash across his forearm. This battle had not been kind to any of them, and only proved what Kazuma had said from the beginning. This wasnt a game, anymore, and everything was harder and would need a lot more skill, strength, and knowledge to get through it alive.

Alexon met up with the small group they had and Kazuma greeted the man with a smile. "Thanks for that, back there. And congrats."

Alexon smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Not a problem. And thanks."

The small group stood around as others were filing out of the tower. Each of the members had pulled out the items they acquired from the boss fight. Each of them nearly drooled over their new items, and decided to get some food at the small diner the four usually ate at. Kazuma extended a hand and offered Alexon to join them, and pay for his meal.

Alexon, with his black hair, was stuck in the middle of the two red heads, Shizunei and Mithos. The two red heads bickered back and forth across Alexon about who was better, and agreed, eventually, that Alexon was better, as he was the one that had killed the boss. Kazuma had fallen to the back with his sister.

"You arent going back into battle." Kazuma's voice was stern, and he didnt take his eyes off of the path ahead of him. "You could have been killed. If Shiz wasnt there, you would have been. You are too reckless." At this he looked to his little sister, putting his hand on her arm to stop her. Turning to her, sadness was written in his eyes. He had almost lost his baby sister, and he wouldnt let her put her life at risk again.

"I just need more traini-"

"No." Kazuma stopped her short of her words, shaking his head. "You wont go back out. At all. You arent skilled enough, and even if you had been, you never would have gotten away from that strike alive. I wont allow it."

Keiko knew better than to beg or try to get her way with her brother, so she stayed quiet and nodded to him. her face had dropped, as she knew she wasnt useless, and didnt want to be shoved to the sidelines, but she also knew that she never would have survived that attack if Shzunei wasnt there. The two of them cought up with Shizunei, Alexon and Mithos, and they all walked silently to the tiny diner just inside the town walls. They all seemed to have their seating, as Keiko always sat next to her brother, which forced Mithos to sit next to Shizunei. Alexon took an odd seat on the end of the booth, pulling a chair from a random table to sit next to Kazuma.

Kazuma made sure to take the seat across from Mithos, as it seemed they always managed to speak to one another without even talking. "She wont be going back out."

Neither of the redheads questioned him, as they both knew who he was talking about and why. Even Alexon kept his thoughts to his self. Instead, they nodded without looking at him, and Shizunei looked across the table at Keiko with an unspoken 'sorry'. The five of them ate silently, with the women mostly picking at their food. The death of so many seemed to hit them all the same way, but as always, women seemed to show their sadness or frustration a little more than men.

Kazuma looked over to Alexon, then Mithos, still not speaking. The girls kept to their thoughts. As Kazuma looked to them, a tear rolled down Shizunei's cheek before she casually wiped it away. It was rare for her to show any kind of sorrow.

After eating, they all seemed to feel a little better, but the silence between them seemed to weigh heavily on them until the left the small diner. They had all agreed to get their items identified and made their way out to the local market. Each of them seemed to drool over their new items, each one had its unique attribute, and each of them equipped their new items.

The group smiled and talked as they walked and boasted about what their items had. Keikos shield added to defense and was far more durable than her last one, and Alexons sword added to his attack speed and his special ability. Shizunei's new dagger added to her speed, in general, and her attack. Kazuma recieved a breast plate that added to his agility and defenses, while Mithos' rings added to his health and his strength.

Shezunei and Mithos seemed to always be the first on a scene, and this time, it was a woman who seemed to be raging about something. When the two got close enough, it sounded as though she was talking about the boss fight they had just won. They recognized this woman from the dungeon as one of the few that fled to the corner to save them self.

"Coward!" Sheizunei's voice rang out over the crowed and this woman, both. Everyone went silent and the girl looked at Shizunei. "I saw you down there. Hiding to save your own ass!"

"I did what I felt was necessary." The girl automatically jumped to the offensive.

"No, I did what was necessary. You ran. Some of those lives could have been saved if you and certain others werent hiding." Shizunei's eyes traveled the crowed, stopping off at a few of the other players that she had seen. Each person looked away with guilt.

Just then a woman with brown hair stepped from the crowed to speak. She looked directly at Shizunei, "You saved lives.." then to the girl. "You saved yourself." The woman went to put an arm around the girls shoulder, her eyes trained on Shizunei as she was already toying with her dagger at her side. "Cant you see, she did save a life today." The womans words were sarcastic, which set Shizunei off.

"If you cant handle the fighting, then you shouldnt be in the damned field to begin with!" Sheizunei was screaming at the women this time, her blade had managed to go from her sheath to her hand. "I'll bet you havnt even faught out here! I'll bet you havnt felt the pain of getting hit!" With this, Shizunei lunged.

The woman next to the girl was quick to react and cought Shizunei right before she connected with the girl. Shizunei clenched her teeth at the woman and watched the girl as she ran. Shizunei made another lunge, this time pivoting around her and slicing high at the womans arm. A cry of pain was let out from the woman and then from Shizunei as the woman had managed to grab one of her arrows and shove one hard into the back of Shizunei's arm. At this point, the women were a match, and they were both wounded. It was clear that these women were not the type to give up, and so Mithos and Kazuma seemed to be forced to step in.

Mithos grabbed Shizunei up and forced her hard against the wall, pinning her, while Kazuma calmly pulled the other woman out the of the center of the crowed. Keiko's high pitched voice could be heard shooing away the crowed, as there was nothing left for them to see. Both women were being dragged away from each other. Shizunei's eye caught the girl that was complaining earlier and gave her a nasty look. Mithos responded to her with a subtle shake, that pulled her from the wall and pushed her back into it.

Kazuma always seemed to have a more calm approach to things, as he lead the woman to the other side of the courtyard. The woman was still looking back over her shoulder at Shizunei as she was led away. Kazumas voice was low and soft. "I know she can be hard to deal with, but she has a point." He looked at the woman next to him and let her stand at the side of him on her own.

"She didnt need to attack an innocent." The woman looked at him, then at Shizunei, who was finally being let go of and the arrow pulled from her arm. The woman smirked as she could see the pain on Shizunei's face.

"She would not have killed her." Kazumas voice was cold and matter-of-factly. "Shizunei wanted that girl to feel the pain of the others. To know what it could feel like to die." Kazumas eyes found the womans in front of him, a hint of sorrow flashing before going back to his regular cold look. The deaths in this game were really starting to get to him.

The woman looked him over and shook her head. "It gives her no excuse to attack anyone else. I was at that fight, I know what she did, and I know what that girl did. I understand that.." She thought over the name the man had given her. "Shizunei had saved lives, and I saw how she saved the other girl back there. But that does not excuse her from attacking another player."

Kazuma shook his head. "No, but Shizunei is brash, she hard to deal with and runs purely on impulse and her feelings. I would not have stepped in if you hadnt, and I would have been fine with seeing that other girl feel pain." Kazuma could see that the other girl didnt know that you could actually feel pain, yet. Maybe she hadnt been told, or maybe she was a beta tester, and didnt believe you could actually feel it.

"It was still out of line." The woman looked from Kazuma to Shizunei and crossed her arms. "Im going to need that arrow back."

Kazuma smirked at her words and nodded. "Will you play nice?"

The woman nodded to him and they both walked back to Shizunei, Mithos, Alexon and Keiko. Shizunei was holding the arrow that had been shoved into her arm, a smirk on her face. When the woman neared Shizunei had the tip in between her teeth, nibbling on it lightly. Mithos stood at the side of Shizunei, ready to pull her back again if she was to try to lunge at the woman again. Shizunei was known for getting even if she wasnt happy with an outcome. Keiko rested her forearm on Shizunei's shoulder to ensure that Shizunei couldnt just rush out, if she had wanted to.

"Im guessing you want this back." Shizunei had pulled the arrow from her teeth and was now swinging it in between her fingers.

"Mind reader." The woman had a sarcastic tone, but seemed a bit more playful.

Shizunei handed out the arrow with a pleasent smile. "I think I might like you, archer." Shizunei always liked a challenge and she liked someone that was like her.

"Like me? Im not sure if thats a good or a bad thing." The woman smirked and put the arrow in the quiver she held on her thigh.

The look of the others had seemed to think it a good thing if you were liked by this firey redhead. "Thats for you to decide." Shizunei chewed on the corner of her mouth as she looked around, then back to the woman. "Name is Shizunei."

The woman nodded. "I know. Miza. Maybe we will see each other around some time."

"The next floor boss, Im sure." Shizunei gave her a nod, the tone in her voice sounded more demanding than hopeful.

Mithos chimed into the conversation, before Miza could turn away. "If you are alone, you could join our group. You seem to have the skill, but are lacking in level. We do a lot of grinding." The others shook their heads to agree, but stood quietly. "Its up to you."Mithos wasnt much for words, but he seemed to act on impulse, as Shizunei had. Maybe it had something to do with the hair color. Miza nodded to them an agreement and let the men take the lead to the next level.


Second floor: Aesry

The six of them had managed to get to the nearest town called Aesry. On the way, Kazuma had decided that they were going to take a break from grinding and leveling for a few days. It was about time that they all get acquainted with one another, and possibly meet some of the others that had survived the boss fight. They all seemed to have agreed and paid for their own separate inn.

Everyone had separated with the intentions of meeting back up at the tavern at nightfall. Even Keiko had separated from her brother to frolic around in the market area meeting new people and buying pieces for her hair and other things. At 15, its a girls favorite thing to do, other than messing with boys. Keiko had a companion quick after she left a shop.

Keiko was spotted, by Shizunei, pulling around a spikey, red haired boy who looked to be her age. Keiko was a pretty girl, and obviously attracted most boys her age. Shizunei laughed, but kept to herself. She liked to post up in trees and watch people, or even cat nap. She couldnt wait to get the ability to hide and sneak. She was already working on her ability to listen.

Mithos had followed with Shizunei for a short time before parting to get some wares of his own. He had secret want for the herbology skill. He figured if he could make buffer potions, he could use them on the group, as well as selling them. Mithos liked money, and he liked a battle advantage. Maybe there was something else he could do with herbology that others hadnt already known? It was always fun to dabble in things he hadnt already known about.

Kazuma had went off with Alexon to the npc weaponsmith. He wanted to learn to forge, and Alexon thought it a good idea. It would be nice to have a weaponsmith in the group, or one that he knew to get free, or cheap wares. Alexon teased Kazuma about it, and Kazuma teased back with the retort of jacking his prices up specially for him.

Mizu went off on her own to scout the new area and get as much information on the place and its surroundings as she could. She considered herself an information broker, but at this point in time, as the game was new, and different, she knew practically nothing. She didnt like this, but if she had known before, what she knew now, maybe some of those people would have taken Kazuma more seriously, or even tried harder in the fight.

Later that night, they all met back up at the tavern Kazuma had selected and took up a round table at the back. Kazuma ordered a round of drinks and they all toasted to those that died. Shizunei and Keiko showed the most emotion for these people, the men remained silent, and only a quick flash of sorrow crossed Miza's features. She didnt seem to show much emotion, but everyone knew that she must be feeling the same way they had.

Kazuma blamed himself for some of the deaths. He heard Shizuneis voice in his head over and over, "try harder". And now, he wished he had. Shizunei could almost read his thoughts by the look on his face and reached out to rest her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her, offering her a fake half smile, and took a large dring of his beer. Or what the game would consider beer. It did seem to taste like it.

It was hard to celebrate the win of a boss when so many people had died. For a long while the group sat in silence, drinking away their newly earned money. Even Keiko was drinking something fruity.

The first to leave the group and go to the inn was Shizunei. Quickly followed by Keiko and then Mithos. The other three, Kazuma, Alexon and Miza returned to the inn together, and went to their separate rooms. The group would sleep for the night, and in the morning, breakfast at the new diner they would delegate as their own.


Even though the first boss was beaten, the effect Kazuma was hoping to have on the rest of the players just wasn't there. The group of one hundred and fifty went in, only forty-six came out. Those weren't odds to exactly encourage people to push harder. No, there was a record set the very next day for the amount of suicides that took place within just a short few hours.

Most of the men and woman even children had that dark side lurking in the back of their mind, begging for the easy way out. However It would be people like the ones in Kazuma's group that would be the leaders of this cruel world, and whats more, a new list of information for guild's was released. The closer they came to the 10th floor, the closer they came to guild wars.

However for the next couple months that was going to be the least of their worries; surviving til then was going to be their main priority. Only time would tell what this game had in store for Kazuma and his guild, but one things for sure, Cestus Dei is going to rise to the top. Determined to complete this game and get his sister out alive, Kazuma was ready to do anything to survive. Anything. Guild wars were going to play a vital role for their survival, but for now,the group was just going to have to pull together and hunt.

Kazuma had laid down various rules for the guild, no one was to hunt alone. This included himself. At least one other guild member was required to venture out into the wilds to hunt. Pre-Boss Dungeons would be handled with the entire guild, and drops would be kept by those who received them unless the person in question decided to share with the guild. Money was also going to be saved guild-wide to afford a guild headquarters as soon as they could afford one.

With the recent losses, they had decided to remain on floor two until enough players had gained the levels and equipment to fight the next boss. The next few weeks were going to go by slow, but life in this game was going to be hell for everyone.