Hey guys, I'm back with the fourth chapter in this series. I hope you guys are really enjoying this story. I'm gonna be taking a little break from writing these chapters so I can work on my other story, so I have no idea when I'll be uploading the next chapter. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

January 11, 2023. Western Hills, Second Floor, Aincrad.

Kirito blinked, blinded momentarily by the bright sunlight. He and Asuna had just reached the top of the steps leading to the second floor.

The second floor looked much like the first had, with large rolling plain and hills, roads crisscrossing the countryside, but without the massive forests that had been on the first floor. Far off to the south, like a sole watchtower, stood the dungeon, the gray pillar stretching up until it met the bottom of the floor above. Dotting the plains below were numerous cattle, sheep, and numerous types of monsters.

Looking at the valley below them, Kirito spotted the first town on a hill on the opposite side of the monster filled bowl.

Kirito turned to Asuna. "Do you want to try fighting our way through, or go around?"

Asuna quickly glanced down into the valley, as if estimating their chances of survival. "I think going around would be better, seeing as we just fought a boss."

"Good call." Kirito said, suddenly realizing that they were indeed dangerously close to having no supplies left.

"Besides, I wanted to have a talk with you." She said, already starting to walk along a path that curved around the valley below.

"About what, exactly?"

"Well, you can start by explaining why you made them hate you. We both know that by the time we get to the town everyone will have heard about Kirito the Beater."

"Well… I just hated the way Kibaou was always trying to blame the beta testers for stuff. Eventually, he would have convinced more people that the beta testers were evil, and I couldn't let that go. So, instead of hating the beta testers, I gave them something else to hate. Me."

Asuna was silent as they continued to walk the path. He took on all that hate so that 1,000 people wouldn't have to. She turned to say something to him, but as she turned, she saw something in the corner of her vision coming up behind Kirito. In an instant, her sword was drawn and pressed against the throat of the hooded figure behind them.

"Jesus! Mercy, mercy!"

Kirito sighed. "It's fine Asuna." Asuna sheathed her blade. "Argo, what are you doing here."

"What? After the fight I decided to get a head start on the second floor instead of waiting for the warp gate. I just happened to run into you and your friend." Argo said, holding her hand against her neck. "Also, K, when did you get friends?"

"Don't call me K." Kirito said, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"Whatever you say, K." Argo said, poking him in the arm.

Asuna turned towards him, a confused look on her face. "Kirito, who is this?"

"Asuna, this is Argo the Rat, the world's greatest info broker and writer of the guide book. Argo, this is Asuna."

Asuna's eyes widened. "You wrote the guide book?"

Argo gave a proud smile and puffed out her chest. "Yup. Wrote down all the basics and knowledge needed to survive the first floor and get used to the game."

"If you ever want to know something, all you do is ask Argo, as her information is 100% correct… well 99% correct."

Argo glared at Kirito. "Hey, how was I supposed to know they switched out Illfang's Talwar for a Nodachi? It's not like I could battle him myself to check."

"No, but it's not like you to not double check information, even if it is on a boss."

"You should be grateful I even put that information in the guide book to begin with!"

Kirito held up his hands in a sign of defeat. "Okay, okay, calm down. Listen, it's good to see you but did you need something or not, because we have to get to the town over there."

"You always say that! No matter where we meet, you always think that I want something! Is it wrong to want to see a friend every now and then? Do I have to have a reason to drop by and see how you're doing?"

"Calm down Argo, there's no reason to make such a big fuss over it. I was simply asking a question."

"Well, in answer to your question, no I didn't need anything from you, though it does seem like you have nothing to give. I saw the whole boss battle and what happened afterwards, so there's nothing I need to ask you."

"Okay then, we're gonna head to the next town and activate the teleport gate." Kirito said, turning to leave. Asuna glanced back one more time at Argo and then turned to follow him.

"Kirito." Argo said.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks… for taking the blame."

Kirito gave her a sad smile. "It's my pleasure."

Argo smirked. "Somehow I doubt that." And with that Argo the Rat was gone, rushing off to see if her information on the second floor was still the same as the beta test.

"Well she was…" Asuna said, pausing to look for the right word.

"Annoying? Eccentric? Unbearable?"

"Kirito! I thought she was your friend."

"I'm a Beater now, I can't have friends."

"Than what am I?"

"My partner in crime."

They continued on making small talk like this as they continued on their way to the first town. Once they were through the gate of the town, which was called Namma, they noticed various NPC's trying to call out to them and begging them to buy their wares. One even walked up to Kirito and grabbed his arm, refusing to let go until he bought a small water pouch the man was trying to sell. This continued until they finally reached the center plaza and approached the teleport gate, a simple metal ring that poked out of a raised platform.

As Kirito approached it a message appeared before him asking if he would like to unlock the gate.

"Hey, once I unlock it I wanna get out of here quick, okay? I don't want to have a mob after us now that Kibaou has had time to spread lies."

"Got it."

"Okay, here we go." And with that, Kirito touched a button on the screen before him and the teleport gate began to glow.

"Alright, let's go." Kirito said, walking away from the now glowing ring. "Right." Asuna replied, turning to follow her partner. "So what do we do…"

"Hold it right there!"

Kirito stopped and let out a large sigh. "Figures you would be the first to come through." He said turning to face Kibaou. Kibaou gave him a smug grin as more players appeared behind him. While most left to go explore the town, a small group stayed behind Kibaou, obviously his supporters.

"What do you want? We're kind of busy here."

"I want you to pay for Diabel's death! It's your fault he died! All you had to do is tell us about the boss's attack and Diabel would be alive right now!" Kibaou shouted, angrily walking towards the duo.

"We were all there and we all saw the same thing. Diabel ignored the original plan and rushed the boss by himself, which was stupid, even if it was almost dead." Asuna said, glaring at Kibaou.

Kibaou's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Asuna. "Why are you on his side? He's a beta tester! He admitted to cheating! He could have saved Diabel, but he didn't! So how can you just follow him around like some sort of puppy?"

"Kibaou, leave her alone." Kirito said, stepping in front of Asuna. "We all know it was Diabel's fault that Illfang…"

"Shut up!" Kibaou roared, drawing his mace and pointing it at Kirito. "Your gonna pay, Beater." And with that he charged Kirito.

Kirito sighed and held up his hand towards the incoming attack. Suddenly, right before the mace struck, it bounced off an invisible barrier, causing a purple message to appear were the weapon had hit. Kibaou stumbled back, stunned

"H… H… How?"

"You can't hurt me, no matter how much you try. It's impossible for players to lose health or die in a safe zone."

Kibaou's face went bright red from rage as he glared at Kirito's bored expression. Then he charged again, hitting the hand with a similar effect.

"Damn you, you filthy Beater!"

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have things to do." And with that, Kirito walked away, Asuna following close behind. As they left the plaza, they could hear Kibaou releasing a slew of words that would make any sailor flinch.

Once they were out of sight, Kirito fell to the ground, his back against the wall. Asuna looked at his pained expression in surprise. "I thought you couldn't take damage in a safe zone!"

"You can't, but that doesn't mean I didn't feel his attack. He couldn't kill me, but if he wanted to he could beat the hell out of me and I wouldn't die no matter what he did."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. No need to worry." Kirito said, pushing himself to his feet. "Let's head to the inn before it fills up."

"R… Right." Asuna said, still wearing a worried expression.

And with that the duo left to search for a room to sleep.

Alright guys, thanks so much for reading my story. I want to thank everyone who has left a review or pm for me so far. It's because of you guys that I do this, so if you guys want something special to happen in this story than please, please, please leave a review or pm me. I make it a point to answer every single pm so don't be shy. Anyways guys, you all rock, and I'll see you next time. Peace!