Don't own Sword Art Online.


How long has it been? About a month? And where am I?

Still on floor one.

I'm definitely not reaching the hundredth floor within the year.

So my one month of traveling hasn't been all that interesting. I've just wandered about doing as I said I would; trying to get stronger. I've also changed my approach to people. When I see people that I don't recognize from the beta, I give them tips. Where nearby quests may be, good hunting spots, what to watch out for, how to fight depending on their choice of weapons. Most figure out that I'm a beta once I give the information. Most react with thanks and gratitude, though a select few do react badly, saying how I abandoned other players. I only let them speak their mind without interruption, since they do speak half the truth now. I did abandon the players in the beginning, but have been helping any I've seen while traveling. Only did one ever try and actually to kill me. Now that's some scary stuff. Thankfully I was at a higher level at the time. I ended up bringing his HP to the yellow before hightailing it out of there.

Now I'm standing on the outskirts of Tolbana, one of the larger towns on the floor. I've been hearing rumors around the area of some meeting regarding something big. Suppose to start around 4 pm.

Kind of foreboding though, considering the 300-meter wide, 100-meter tall squat tower a little off in the distance

The First Floor Dungeon.

Yeah, really foreboding.

"Well, still have a few hours, so let's get a bite to eat."

As I enter the city the purple letters [INNER AREA] flowed into my view, showing I had entered a safe town area. I let out a sigh of relief. It's stressful, traveling by yourself with some players wanting to kill you because you're a beta. At least in towns I can relax.

I absentmindedly scratch my head, even though I'm not itchy. It's become a trait of mine lately. Sometimes I just need to move.

"Yo, dude." I wave at a passing player, a boy who looks around 17. "You know where the blacksmith and bakery is?"

"Blacksmith is down this street next to the inn." The points to the east. "Bakery is in the center of town, that way." He points north.

"Thanks." I give him a nod as I begin moving to the blacksmith. Might as well rent a room for the night too anyways.

It's not a long walk, since the town isn't too big. The blacksmith is right across the street from the inn, so I decide to get a room first.

"Excuse me." I get the attention of the NPC innkeeper. "I'd like to rent a room."

"Sorry sir, but we're fresh out."

"Aw, damn it." I don't bother to speak to the NPC again as I exit the establishment. Guess I'll have to sleep on the streets tonight.

I walk to the NPC blacksmith and hand him my sword, asking him to add +1 Sharpness and +1 Durability to my Reinforced Steel Sword +4. I wait for a short minute before he finishes.

"The upgrade was a success, please come again." He hands me back my sword.

"Thanks." I return it to my scabbard.

"Alto?"

My body locks up. I recognize that voice. I turn quickly, eyes wide.

"Holy hell! Mako!"

She hadn't changed much physically, but her equipment has. She has that ax I told her about. She has some light metal armor that covered her chest and arms. Her clothes have changed from the simple garb she had when the game began into a clean iron chest plate, finguerless gloves, and boots that look more for hiking. The most noticeable thing is that she now has a bandana tied on her head which keeps her hair back.

"Nice to see you too." She smiles.

"Well I'll be damned. Good to see you're still alive." We shake hands. "So what brings you to Tolbana? Can I guess it's the meeting?"

"Yeah. Was hearing it from some players. Decided to investigate. Am I late?"

"No, we have a few hours. But don't bother looking for a room in the inn; they're sold out." I narrow my eyes.

"Aw, damn." She replies. "I wasn't feeling up to sleeping outside."

"Have you ever done that?" I ask curiously.

"No. I always slept in inns. Not once outside. Too dangerous." She crossed her arms.

"Preaching to the choir on that one. Well come on. I was just heading to the bakery to grab a bite. You must be hungry too." I motion for her to follow.

"Not anything too expensive I hope." She raises an eyebrow.

"Nah, just that bland 1 col black bread. Doesn't taste great, but it'll fill you."

"I have something for the bread." Mako looks at me.

"Really? What?"

"It's a cream I got from a quest. I don't think most people do it because it's so long. Took me a good six hours to complete."

"Oh, wow. I would have said to hell with it and left by hour two. You have a hell of a lot more patience than I do. Anything else interesting happen?"

"Well the NPC killing was strange. He respawned a few hours later with the same ax."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah. He recognized me the second time and tried killing me. Killed him again and got another weapon."

I frown and look at the ground. "Sorry about that. I didn't know that would happen."

"Alto, you may be a veteran, but you can't know everything about a mission. But question."

"Yeah?"

"Do you notice any...feeling? When you're injured?"

My mind goes back to the quest that helped get me the armor I'm wearing. When the Nightstalker bit into me and I felt pain.

"Yeah. I noticed it when that Nightstalker got my arm."

"What do you think of it?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Well, from what I can tell, Kayaba wanted to make his own reality. Something that's real for us. To make something real, you need to include all the senses, including pain. He's must have done something to make the pain come back, probably all the way."

"How would you know?"

"A week before, some player tried killing me. I obviously got away, but he took off my arm." I shake a little, looking at my right hand. "That was the most excruciating thing I've ever felt. I'm surprised I didn't pass out from pain."

Mako grims. "He tried killing you? For that reason?" I knew what she was referring to.

"Yeah."

We make it to the place quickly. Mako walks a little ahead of me to the bakery. She ends up buying for both of us.

"Okay, now let me try that cream." I ask as we siting the floor near a fountain.

"Sure. Here." She brings up her window. A few seconds later, a bottle appears from her hand and she places it before me. I tap the object and my finger begins to glow slightly. I bring it over my bread and soon find it covered in a honey colored cream. I take a bite out of the bread, chewing slowly.

"How is it?" Mako asks.

"I'm not fond of the yogurt taste, but it's a lot damn better than before."

"Tell me about it."

We eat in silence, watching as other players walk past us or into the bakery for something to munch on. Some come out with the same bread, while others pick more expensive loufs. Many don't bother glancing at us, but the select few that do give me a nod of recognition which I return. Mako seems to notice this because after we're done eating and the seventh nod is given she asks.

"You know all these people?" I just give her a nod.

"How?"

I don't want to say it out loud, so all I do is point to myself. Mako's confused, but after doing it another time, she gets it.

"Oh."

I chuckle as I look forward. "It shouldn't be all that surprising. I mean after what we...went...hm...is that?" I stand.

From across the courtyard, I spot short and neat black hair, delicate eyes and face. One I recognize.

"Ha ha! Hey, Kirito!" I wave as I take off running. I hear Mako's voice behind me, but can't hear what she says. Kirito looks up from his bread, eyes wide.

"Alto?"

"In the flesh." I stop before him. "How've you been?"

He gives me a small nod and speaks softly. "Good. Good."

"A little better than good I would think." I get close and whisper. "Anneal Blade? Damn it man, you get all the good stuff."

He seems to lose the shyness since he rolls his eyes. "And what about you? Has Arendale's Armor been treating you well?"

"Touché Prince Charming." I turn my head slightly and glance at the person sitting next to him. I couldn't tell much of who it was.

They had a skinny figure, somewhat slender. The torso was equipped with a dark red leather tunic with a lightweight copper breastplate, while the lower body was dressed in neat leather pants, with boots up to the knees. A hooded cape cloaked the body from head to below the waist, so the face could not be seen.

"So, you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?"

The girl bristled at my comment while Kirito's face took on a disturbed look.

"Um... Alto, this is..."

The girl stands, makes a sharp turn, and walks away from us.

"What'd you do Alto?" Mako's voice says from behind me.

"What, I just asked what the girl's name was. Is that so bad?" I raise my hands as I step to the side. "Mako, this is Kirito, also a veteran. Kirito, Mako."

"Nice to meet you Kirito." Mako nods.

"You as well." He nods back.

"Oh! Before anything Kirito, can I ask if you have a room?" I ask.

"Not at the inn. I rented the second floor of a farmhouse. Why?"

"You mind if Mako and I can stay over?" I point at said girl. Her eyes widen slightly as she looks at Kirito.

"Um, err-"

"Come on man, please! I don't care if I have to sleep on the floor, can we just please stay at your place for tonight?"

"Please?" Mako claps her hands together and bows slightly.

...

...

We hear a sigh. "Fine."

"Hell yeah!" I throw a fist into the air. Mako deflates in relief. "Thank you so much Kirito. I'll pay you if it's needed."

"There's no need." He shakes his hands. He looks to the bottom right for of of his vision. "Let's go guys, that meeting's about to start." He stands.


Tolbana's fountain plaza was a rather large one, the stairs reaching down maybe a dozen meters. Right bellow was a small open area that could be a stage.

Players were crowding around the area in groups 3 and five, though Kirito and the cloaked girl were sitting separately. Mako and I were together on the top of the plaza; Mako sitting down with her knees in her chest while I was standing, leaning on one of the pillars next to the stairs with crossed arms. Everyone's speaking in low voices, likely about what this meeting was about. Kirito, Mako, and myself seemed to have some idea of what it was, or at least guessed.

We hear. clapping sound, and a shouting voice that carried well flowed throughout the plaza.

"Okay! Now then, it's five minutes late, but let's start! Everyone, a bit more to the front...there, come three steps closer!"

The owner of the voice was a swordsman with shiny metallic armor covering his entire body. When I got a look at his face, I was honestly surprised. I would have mistaken him for a fantasy anime character, and I silently wondered if his hair was naturally blue.

"Today, thank you for heeding my summons! Some people here know me, but I will again introduce myself! I am Diabel, and my class in my heart is Knight!"

With that, the people around the fountain burst out with whistles and applause, mixed with various cries like 'You meant Hero, right!' flew through the air.

"Now then, as for the reason why I gathered you top players who are active at the front lines like this, I don't think I need to say it, but today, our party found the stairs leading to the top-most floor of that tower. In other words, tomorrow, or at the latest the day after tomorrow, we will reach it: the first floor's Boss Room!"

The players rustled and became noisy among each other. Even I was shocked despite anticipating something like this to happen.

"One month. Coming this far took one month...but even so, we have to set an example. We have to beat the boss, reach the second floor, and show everyone still waiting at the Starting City that it is definitely possible to clear this death game. That is the duty of us top players here right now! Isn't that right, everyone!"

Cheers began erupting from the crowd, along with clapping and whistles.

"Hold on a sec!" A deep and gravelly voice shouted.

The cheering immediately stopped, and the front of the crowd split into two. Standing at the center of the newly opened gap was a short yet solidly built man. The most noticeable feature on him was his hair which reminded me of a cactus.

Diabel merely smiled. "What is it that you need to say? Well, whatever it is, opinions are very welcome. But, if you are going to speak, you should tell us your name first."

"My name's Kibaou."

After taking plenty of time to look at everyone once, Kibaou eventually spoke in an even more threatening voice.

"We all know about the 2000 people that died so far, yeah? Well, some of you need to apologize to them right now!"

At that moment, the audience of forty-odd people that had been murmuring in low voices became completely silent. What Kibaou was insinuating, everyone finally understood. Myself included, of course.

In the oppressive silence, only the evening BGM from the NPC orchestra played quietly. No one tried to speak. If anything was said, then at that instant you would be labeled as one of 'those guys', that was the likely fear on everyone's mind. No, more than likely.

"Kibaou, are you referring to the beta testers?" Diabel asks.

"Course I mean them! The day this stupid ass game started the beta guys just upped and vanished, right? They ditched all us beginners! They snagged all the good hunting spots, and they grabbed all the easy quests too! They were to only ones getting stronger in here! This whole time, they've ignored us like we're nothing!" He growls. "Hell, I bet there's some of them here! Come on out beta testers! We should make them give us all the money and items they got! You can't expect the party to trust them when they don't trust us! Why should we?!"

He cut off his condemnation with a snap of his teeth, but still, no one tried to raise their voice to speak.

Well, almost no one.

I've always had a temper, and this man had raised it quite nicely. And I never thought rationally when angry.

"So that's it?" I shout back, and everyone's heads turn to me as fast as they can. I push myself off the pillar and start walking down the steps. "So I should hand you all the items I gathered, stuff I risked my life for because I'm a beta tester? Because some testers decided to up and leave? Look, I understand you're angry. I understand that not all beta testers are helpful, that some can be real bastards, but taking out your anger on all of them because some ran isn't going to help anyone."

I'm standing before him. I'm a little shorter than he is, but at the moment, I don't care. "But I'll say this right now. I'm not giving you shit. You can take my items after you've killed me."

The silence is so overbearing that I can't even hear the music from those NPCs from before. Kibaou's giving me such a death stare that it even unnerves me a little, but I stand my ground.

"May I speak?"

I raise my head, there was a silhouette moving forward and coming out from around the left end of the crowd.

This man is huge. I couldn't guess but he was taller then my grandpa, and he's 6'4. He had a rusty two-handed battle-axe slung over his back that seemed to add to his size. He had a completely bald head, and his skin was a chocolate color. He obviously wasn't Japanese.

Moving forward near fountain, the muscular giant lightly bowed to the other forty-odd players, and then turned to Kibaou and myself, who had a dramatically different height.

"My name is Agil. Kibaou, what you mean to say is that many beginners died because original beta testers did not take care of them, and that they should accept that responsibility and apologize along with giving reparations for it, is that correct?"

Kibaou stuttered. "That's...that's right." He takes a step back, but growls, looks at me with hatred and points at me.

"If they had not left us behind, 2000 people would not have had to die! Moreover, they were not just any 2000 people, most of them were top-ranked veterans from other MMOs! If these stupid testers had properly shared information, items and money, then there would have been 10 times as many people here right now... no, by now we would have broken through the 2nd or 3rd floor!"

"And what you fail to realize is that 300 of those dead are beta testers!" I growl back. On the inside I cringed. When Kirito told me about the numbers, I felt sick just knowing that a little less than half the people I worked with are now dead. "Just because we know the game doesn't mean we're invincible. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the game changed from the beta? That means we don't know if easy quests turned into death traps!"

Now whispers can be heard. Most likely from the information of dead testers I gave out. Even Kibaou seems a little shocked from hearing this from me.

"Where did you get this information?" Diabel asks, even he looks a little disturbed.

"A very reliable source. But I'm wasting people's time. Agil, please continue." I motion to him. He does so without a hitch.

"I don't know about the money and items, but I believe that there is in fact information from them." From the huge pouch on his leather armor-covered waist, he took out a simple sheepskin-bound book item. On the cover, there was a «Rat Mark» designed with round ears and three whiskers on each cheek.

"This guidebook, you got it too, right? It's freely distributed from the item shops in Horunka and Medai, after all."

"Yeah, I got it." One player says.

"Same here." This player pulls it out.

"I've got it too." Mako shouts from above.

"I got it. What about it?" Kibaou snaps.

"This guide, whenever I reach a new village or town, is always found in the item shop. You must have noticed that too. The information comes too quickly, don't you think?"

"So what if it's too quick!?"

"It means that the ones who provided the information on monsters and map data that appear in this cannot be anyone other than the original beta testers."

The chatting from the crowd began again, and Agil turns to face the crowd.

"You see, there is information. And even still, many players died. I think the reason for that is because they were veteran MMO players. They measured SAO with the same ruler as other titles, and missed points that they should have noticed. However, now is not the time to hunt down who is responsible for those casualties. Whether we are or aren't responsible, it will influence this meeting, is what I think."

His argument was extremely straightforward, and so Kibaou clenched his teeth as it seemed that he couldn't find any chink in what had been said. I smirked at the reaction, and he seemed to clench his teeth even harder.

Diabel gets between Agil, Kibaou, and myself, somehow. It almost seemed like he popped into existence right there. "Kibaou, I can also understand your point. I, too, went into fields without knowing left or right, and finally arrived here after many near deaths. But as Agil said, isn't it now the time to look forward? Even original beta testers...no, especially original testers, we need their fighting strength for this boss fight. If we removed them, and that resulted in the attack failing, what would be the point?"

"Contrary to what you think Kibaou, not all beta tester are evil. I've helped plenty of players during my travels, and I'm here, at a meeting discussing a strategy to take down the first floor boss. I'm here, with you, risking my life like you are. I'm not that different then the next player. I have some more experience, but that doesn't always garety safety or success. Maybe if you opened your mind a little more, you'd be a little more accepting." I say.

Diabel waited patiently for me to finish, then turned to the crowd. "Everyone, I'm sure you each have your own thoughts and feelings, but right now, I would like for you to cooperate to break through the first floor. If there are people who will not fight alongside original testers under any circumstance, then it is unfortunate, but you are free to leave. For a boss fight, teamwork is more important than anything else."

I nod in approval. Sweeping his gaze across everyone, the knight finally stared at Kibaou with a serious look. The cactus head swordsman took that gaze for a while, but made a huge snort and then spoke in a stifled voice.

"...Fine, I will obey you here. But I want it to be clear in black and white, that it is only up until the boss fight is over."

Kibaou retreated from the front of the group with his scale mail clinking, shoulder checking me in the process. I glanced at Agil and gave him a nod, while whispering a quick but sincere thank you. He nods back, but gives me a quick wink, a small grin on his face before he returns to his seat. I glance at the ground and shake my head, chuckling quietly to myself.

In the end, that scene was the highlight of the meeting. Said meeting seemed to only be to inform everyone of the boss room, and that once we found it, we'd discuss strategy.

Although the meeting lacked any real discussion, it still seemed to have boosted the players' morale, and the 20th floor of the First Floor Dungeon was mapped with unprecedented speed. On the afternoon of the day after the meeting, Saturday December 3rd, Diabel's party discovered huge double doors in the innermost depths of the dungeon. They had opened the door to take a look at the monster we would fight. At another meeting he described the beast, and it seemed to match that of the beta. They asked me to verify because of my status, and I confirmed this.

During this meeting, we actually temporarily paused it as all the participants purchased the guide book.

During the meeting, Diabel lowered his head as he seemed to think and consider something for several dozen seconds, but soon enough he quickly stood up straight and shouted in a voice filled with positivity.

"Everyone, right now, let's be thankful for this information!"

I half expected Kibaou to jump up and start something once more, but he stayed still. At least for the moment.

"Leaving aside its source, thanks to this guide, we can skip two or three days of scouting battles. Indeed, I think this is incredibly helpful. Because, scouting battles have the possibility of incurring the most deaths. If this is true, the boss's numerical stats are not so bad. If SAO was a normal MMO, then even if everyone's average level was level three... no, level five, that would be enough to kill it, I think. So, if we polish our tactics correctly and bring a lot of POTs to the fight, it's possible for us to defeat it without any deaths. No, sorry, not even that. There will be absolutely zero deaths. That, I promise you on my pride as a knight!"

The crowd cheered, and I had to smile. Diabel seemed to have this leadership thing down.

"Then, it's a bit fast, but I am thinking of starting the actual conquest strategy meeting right now! In any case, if we don't make a raid party, we cannot split up our duties, right? Everyone, first make a party with your friends or the people near you!"

"Okay. Mako, you in or out?" I send her a party request.

"You're an idiot." She say as she accepts. Her health bar and name appear on the top right corner of my vision just below my health bar. "Let's get Kirito and the girl in this too. He's looking a little lost." We both glance at Kirito, who seemed to forget that we were here and glances to and fro for a party member.

"Yo, Kirito! Remember us?" I smirk. "You didn't forget your roommates now did you?" Mako's the one to send the request since I'm too busy patronizing the boy. "Invite your girlfriend over too!"

"I'm not his girlfriend!" The nameless girl finally shouts back at me.

"She speaks!"

"Stop it Alto." Mako slaps my shoulder, just hard enough for the warning to show in my vision.

"Careful Mako. Hit me a little too hard." I give her a glance.

"Not my fault you're such a pansy."

"Oi! Not my fault this damn system can't take hits!"

Kirito's name appears below Mako's, and finally the unknown rapier user's name under his. Asuna.

Diabel checked over the seven completed 6-member parties, and with only the smallest number of switches, formed seven specialized parties out of them. Two heavy-armor Tank parties. Three high-mobility and high- firepower Attacker parties. And finally, two long-weapons Support parties. We were the only party that numbered four.

The knight came by our small group and after a moment lost in thought he made his decision.

"You four, please support Group E in order to make sure none of the Kobold Guards remain, okay? It's very important."

My face fell slightly. I should have expected this considering all things. Asuna doesn't seem very happy either, and looks ready to respond, but Kirito cuts her off, responding with a simple. "No problem."

"Important duty." She says sarcastically. "It will finish without us being able to land a single attack on the boss."

"Eh, I'm not complaining." Mako shrugged. "I'd like to survive and get out of this game."

"I'm a little put off." I say. "But whatever. Can't have em' all."

The second boss strategy meeting ended after a short greeting by the leaders of each group that were designated from A to G and the plan for how the col and item dropped in the Boss Battle would be divided was established. The giant ax user Agil was Tank Group B's leader, and Kibaou, who had a burning enmity for original beta testers, was Attacker Group E's leader. Since Group E's goal was to kill the Kobold Guards, it meant that the four of us would be assisting Kibaou. Now that's something I was against but didn't voice, since I wasn't sure if he'd leave me to die if the opportunity showed itself.

A day later, our raiding party of forty-six were making their way to the dungeon. Kirito seemed occupied by something since he seemed to stare into space while periodically glancing at Asuna for one reason or another. I think she knows since at one point she glares at him before harshly whispering, asking what was so interesting.

"Hey."

Hearing a voice that could hardly be called friendly from behind, I turned around to face Kibaou.

What does he want now?

"Listen here, today you should stay in the back. You guys are only here as support for my party."

"Mhhm." Mako mumbles. He doesn't seem very pleased with her response.

"Listen up, you guys should only take on the small fry Kobolds that slip past my party."

"Alright, we heard you the first time damn it." I respond.

He at least gives me a glare before spitting some virtual spit onto the ground for emphasis and turns around, returning to the other members of Group E.

"Son of a bitch, he just loves to repeat himself."

"Guys, you mind listening for a little?" Kirito asks. We all merely nod and step closer to him.

"Okay guys, today our opponents are the Ruin Kobold Sentinels, and even though they're small-fry that act as the boss' followers, they're still strong enemies. Like they roughly explained yesterday, a large portion of their head and body is tightly covered and protected by metal armor." Kirito explains to us.

"Their only weak spot is the throat." I add. I glance at Asuna. "From what Kirito told me, your skill Linear will come in handy here. When Kirito and Mako throw up their poleaxe, you and I will switch with them right after and finish them."

"Got it." The rapier user nods.

"Just stay vigilant and keep moving. Look out for each other, and everyone should come out of this alive."


The raid started off well enough.

Diabel was coordinating the battle very well. Group C, D, F, and G had all brought the boss's health to third layer which was already half way down. Group E and F had been busy keeping the Sentinels at bay, but we were taking them out so well that group F joined the main battle about half way through.

Our four man team was working well with each other. Kirito and Mako would attack head on, stun the Sentinel, and then Asuna and I would fly in right after and end them, each one erupting into shards of blue and white. Few ever got hits, and those that did died quickly.

One things for sure though; Kirito was not lying about Asuna's skills. I'm not sure how she's able to get that rapier to move so damn fast, or even aim the thing.

I can see the reasons why Kibaou wanted us back here. He knows about the item drop these little beasts give, and he had us back here so his group could get the kills, and therefore the items. Only problem was that our four man group was defeating them much faster than group E. And he couldn't exactly tell us anything now.

"I know what you're up to. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"What feels good?" I turn to the voice, once again Kibaou. The Sentinels had been dealt with and would respawn in another minute, but I'd rather not talk. Best not to be distracted, and I just don't feel like speaking to him.

"Don't pretend. I already know your motive for slipping into this boss raid."

"Aside from beating the boss in front of us?" I throw my arm out towards the boss, who gives a roar as if in emphasizing his presence. "How about you tell me what my motive is since you seem to know every damn thing about me? What, want to guess my age next? Maybe where I live? Do you want a cookie? No? Then get out of my face, and be ready. I have more important things to do than waste my breath speaking to you." I more or less push him back towards group E. He gives me a glare that's just as hateful as the first one he gave me, but he doesn't say anything and returns to his group.

"You two need a room."

"Oh, screw you Mako!"

Another roar caught all our attention.

Illfang the Kobold Lord's health was down to it's last bar.

Groups F and G were retreating after taking out the third HP gauge, and in their place the fully recovered Group C was rushing towards the boss. The party leader was the commander of the raid itself. They surrounded the boss in a wide circle, waiting for the animation to end so they could attack. The boss rid himself of his bone axe and buckler, throwing both at the same time before reaching for the in tattered cloth.

"I got this!" Diabel's call could be heard as he charged the boss. His group followed soon after.

'That wasn't part of the strategy.'

The Kobold king pulled out its secondary weapon soon after.

But something was wrong.

Instead of the rough texture of a cast iron Talwar, I see the forged, polished steel of a Nodachi.

My eyes widen, and Kirito shouts. "No! Get out of there!"

The king's huge body shook the floor, as it jumped up high. It turned its body in mid-air, while accumulating power to its weapon. As it fell down, it used the accumulated power, releasing a crimson beam of light. A three hundred sixty degree horizontal attack.

The HP gauge that was displayed on the left side of our field of vision, showing Group C's average HP, immediately dropped below fifty percent and became dyed yellow. All of them. And the worst part was the yellow lights rotating around most of their heads, indicating they were stunned. Not a good thing when a boss was directly in front of you.

Strangest thing was that none of the other groups came to the rescue. Group E and our four man group were too far to reach them in time, but group F and G could jump in there. Even A could have came in. Instead, they stood in stunned silence. They couldn't believe that the fight had changed so dramatically from a rather lax battle to this. Agil and several other players tried to move in to support the others after a few seconds, but by than the king had recovered from his delay. Much too late.

The Kobold King had his sights on Diabel, who had the unfortunate luck to land right before him. It gripped it's nodachi in both its hands and moved away from its
trajectory close to the floor and raised up high. It was aimed for the knight. Said knight in silver armor was sent flying high up into the air. The damage wasn't much. However, the Kobold Lord's movements didn't stop there. Diabel brandished his sword, trying to pull off a sword skill to counterattack, but due to his instability in the air, the system couldn't register.

The king let loose with a further strike followed by a thrust. A three hit strike; Hiōgi.

The bright colors and crashing sounds of the three consecutive hits showed that all the attacks were critical. He was blasted away 20 meters, over the heads of the raid members, and fell near our group. His HP gauge, which was already crimson, began to reduce further. He wasn't going to make it.

Near everyone froze once more, even Kirito. It was one thing for the situation to change, it was another for the leader to be the first to fall.

The pause was long enough for Illfang to recover from his delay to began his rampage again.

"Damn it!"

Illfang raised his sword to the right at an angle, preparing another sword skill. Gengetsu if I remember correctly. Group C was just recovering, and likely would take the damage.

The blade glowed red as the system registered, and flew forward.

Only to be blocked by a shield.

The sword was thrown back, and the shield then flew into the air, slamming into Illfang's face, causing him to stagger back. The shield then flew off to the left and into it's users hands.

Mine.

I'm running forward, trying to get to Group C.

"Group A, forward! Cover C's retreat! Group F, get ready to switch!"

None seem to question it. They seem to either be responding to the way I'm speaking, with such a commanding voice, or they're just following the next person to say something. Regardless, it doesn't matter. They respond in the manner that I need them to. Group A takes position in front of C while they recover, F taking position behind them, leaving a small gap between them for C to get by.

By the time Illfang recovers, group C had retreated to the back. Group A was now in front, myself included in the ranks.

"Don't surround it! Group B, behind F! Group D, behind B!"

Everyone did as they were told with no second thought. We had four files of players ready to take on this boss.

Illfang tried his previous attack, this one slamming into our shields. The violent vibrations are so much that I think my arm may fall off.

"Switch!"

Group A and I move back between gaps that F had left, with said group executing their attacks. Almost all made a hit, and the boss's fourth health bar dropped a good ten percent.

As I ran to join group B, a Sentinel jumped at me. My next move was on reflect. My shield came up to block it's strike, then I pushed it back. I positioned my shield to my side, reared back. The shield took on a green glow before I slammed it into the creature. The skill was called Bash, and did as it stated.

My sword flew at it's neck, and it shattered into blue shards.

"Group E, keep those damn Sentinels off us!" I screamed as I reached group B, joining their ranks. "Switch!"

Group B advanced before group F, covering them while their post motion ended. When Illfang landed another attack, we switched back, group D getting off their attacks.

"Come on, come on! Keep on the pressure! We can do this! Let's go!" I have to keep talking, make them see that I was confident in them. That they could finish this.

Each group was now switching with each other on reflex. As groups moved to cover the other, the others tended to themselves in the back of the column until they were back on the front.

It wasn't until Illfang was at ten percent health that things staggered a bit. Group A had gotten too close and he unleashed another three sixty degree attack. We bore it better than before, but it had caught the group behind us as well. Seven people were stunned.

Illfang threw another attack our way, aimed at a tank farther from the group. The man screamed as he saw the blade, but his life didn't end. I was before him in an instant, shield before me, bracing for the attack.

It was the same one it used on Diabel.

The first attack landed on the shield, but it still sent me into the air. The only thing I could do was curl up so that the shield could protect more of my body. This was followed by another strike and a thrust, each luckily landing on the shield. I was still blasted away however, and landing after flying twenty meters was still going to do damage.

"Alto!" I could hear Mako as I landed hard on the ground.

"I'm fine!" I shout back as I stand up, a decent pain now running up my back and my health down to fifty percent. I start running back to the raid party. "Kirito! Asuna! Take Illfang! I'll give you an opening! Mako, with me!" They all nod and take off to their respective paths. "Group B, cover A and F!"

When Mako and I reached the party, A and F were behind the others, with B taking the brunt of attacks.

"All groups, ten paces back! Stay in formation!" They did as they were told.

I lifted my arm that held the shield, and took in a very deep breath.

The world stopped completely for me. Everything ceased movement. Illfang was frozen in place, ready to move to another position to attack. Kirito and Asuna were right behind me, poised and ready. Mako was on my left, ax bared in a defensive posture.

My eyes focused onto Illfang himself, more specifically, his face. After a second, a green circle highlighted that body part, a yellow line from my shield connecting to the highlight.

I breathed out.

Time came back in full force. My arm released the shield, sending it flying at near unseeable speeds before it slammed directly into Illfang's snout. A loud ping could be heard as it connected, and he roared in either pain or irritation. My shield then returned to my hand, having bounced back.

"Go, go, go!"

Asuna and Kirito flew right past me, Asuna in front as she released a Linear on the boss's left flank. Kirito followed, his sword coated in blue light as it slashed across his right shoulder to his stomach.

He drew a "V" shaped trajectory along with the earlier slash, exiting from Illfang's left shoulder. A Vertical Arc.

The Kobold king's gigantic frame, suddenly losing its strength, staggered backwards. Its wolf-like face looked towards the ceiling, as it gave a thin and high howl. Over its body, numerous cracks noisily appeared, resounding with a snap and crackle. Both its hands went slack, and its nodachi fell to the floor. After that, the body of Aincrad's first floor's boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord shattered into millions of fragments, and scattered grandly in all directions.

No one moved, or possibly even breathed. I know I didn't. I was waiting for something, anything to go wrong. Maybe he'll just appear again, stronger than before. Maybe another boss would spawn to take his place. The room would be swarmed by Sentinels perhaps? I didn't know.

A message appeared in my view. The experience gained, distribution of col, and the items obtained.

I released the breath I was holding in, then fall onto my rear end. Everyone else must have gotten the message since faces brighten, and a second later, they cheered.

I wiped my face of sweat with my sleeve, willing to let a small smile appear on my face. Because even though we had ninety-nine levels to go, we had passed through the hardest obstacle on our way there. Many didn't think this game was beatable, that anyone could get higher than floor two, yet here we are, at that precipice.

Mako appeared before me, a big grin on her face as she offered me her hand. I accepted it and returned her smile. When I'm up nearly half the raid party surround me. They're all shouting over each other, but I make out words like, "Thank you!" and, "We did it!" I'm getting a lot of pats on the back and on top of my head. The man who I shielded earlier was in the mix and straight up embraced me.

Once we made it out of the mosh pit, Mako and I walked over to Asuna and Kirito, who was already joined by the dark skinned axe user Agil.

"Those were some fine swords skills." He was facing Kirito. He turned to face me when he heard my footsteps. "And you made excellent commands. Congrats, this victory is both of yours."

"No, this victory is yours. Without you guys this raid would have never taken place. Don't sell yourselves short." I reply.

"And modest too." Agil smiled.

"Why!"

Suddenly, that loud shout howled out behind me. I half-turned, and in response to that almost-scream-like shout, the cheering from the entire room calmed in an instant. Looking away from the four, I turned to see a man in light armor, a scimitar user, whose name I could not recall. However, as soon as his mouth parted and further disjointed words flowed from his lips.

"Why did you leave Diabel to die!"

I hear Kirito's body stiffen slightly. Then he responds. "Let him die...?"

"That's right! Because..." The player gives me a heated glare. "Because you knew the skills the boss used, didn't you! If you had given us that information from the start, Diabel wouldn't have died!"

The remaining raid members began to rumble. Things like "Now that you mention it..." and "Why...? It wasn't even written in the strategy guide..." were brought up and gradually spread. I half expected Kibaou to jump right in, but he just stood there, mouth shut, though it seemed he was trying very hard to keep it that way.

"I held nothing back." I respond. "I knew of Illfang's skills, but as I've said before, things could have changed from the beta. The only reason I recognized it's moves is that I fought another monster a few floors up during the beta that used them."

The tank I saved from group B spoke up. "Even so, the guide that was handed out yesterday, it was written that it was information on the boss's attack pattern only from the beta period like he said. His knowledge be the same as in the guide." His words had logic.

"That strategy guide was a lie. Argo's information shop was selling lies. That person was a beta tester after all, there's no way she would have given us the truth for free."

"And for what damn reason would she want to keep it to herself? If I remember correctly, she's stuck in here like the rest of us, and holding back on info of bosses would guarantee that we stay stuck. How does that help anyone? If all she was selling was lies, why were almost all the the skills and stats of Illfang near perfect before he pulled out the nodachi?" Again, more logic.

The scimitar user wasn't having it, and judging from the chatter, it seemed he had convinced at least a little less than half the raiding party. The scimitar user was walking briskly towards me, his fingers twitching.

"You killed him!" He spit when he came within a few meters, his hand reaching for his sword.

My shield was up, sword drawn and reared back. Mako was before me, ax raised, while Asuna and Kirito also took positions before me. I blinked in surprise at the speed which they had exhibited.

The scimitar user was immediately put off by the display. My guess is that he hadn't expected anyone to jump to my defense.

"Unbelievable." I mutter. "I helped you take on this boss, and now you accuse me holding information? Of killing someone? I just saved your lives!" Partial lie. Asuna and Kirito ended it, but I did keep everyone organized. "If I wasn't here, half of you'd be dead, and the raid would have failed! Don't start throwing bullshit at me!" I shake my head, sheathing my sword and placing my shield on my back. "I'm done. I'm activating the second floor transfer gate. You want to follow fine. If not, fine. I don't care." I wasn't in the light mood I was in a few minutes ago. These players had completely taken it out of me.

As I walked to the gate, I felt the gaze of everyone in the throne room on me. Some might have been simple glances, while others were heated glares. It didn't matter to me at the moment, or would at all.

I heard a pair of feet, tapping loudly on the ground in a run before they took position next to me and matched my speed. I turned to my left to find Mako. I actually raised an eyebrow at her.

"Don't think you'll get rid of me that easily." Was her only response.

My reaction was a quick twitch of my lip, showing I understood and appreciated it. We both walked in silence to the gate before pushing it open and leaving the throne room.

After climbing a narrow spiral staircase for a while, another door once again appeared. As I gently opened it, an absolutely amazing scenic view suddenly sprung into view. The door exited into the middle of some steep cliffs. A narrow staircase in the shape of a terrace extended downwards to the left along the rock face.

We didn't move for a moment, simply stating forward.

"So, what are you going to do?" I ask Mako.

"Seeing as how we work so well together, I was thinking of traveling with you." She replied evenly.

I turn to her. "You know that opens you up to being a target? Because you travel with a beta player?"

"And do I care? I just fought a boss. After doing that, you find it hard to really care what others think."

I smile as I stare at the flat top mountains. "Okay. You convinced me. Send me a friend request. That way we'll be able to communicate if we get separated."

"Alright." She quickly did as requested and I accepted.

"So what are we doing next?" She asked.

"Opening the teleport gate. People will hear of our raid, and a lot sooner than you think. We'll open that for them, then head off for some good quests. First thing's first though, I need a doctor. I'm out of health potions and kind of hurting after that last attack."

"It was painful just watching."

"Uh, my back still hurts after the landing. Damn it, I wish pain wasn't present in here."

"Okay, now you're complaining."

"Maybe. But you would too if I threw this shield at your back."

"Don't you dare. Alto? Alto! Put it down! Ah!"

"Ha, ha! Fooled ya!"

"You ass!"