SAO: Comatose Chapter 4
It had been a day since Aster left Claire with Sasha and he had spent that time recovering in the only why he knew how to. Training, that was the one thing he could do.
He told himself that he wouldn't just sit around and dwell on the past. He could only move forward from here. No matter how hard it was.
He spent the better half of day hunting for the highest level Monsters he could since the others weren't doing it for him. He was able to fight mob after mobs of monster and he was able to level up twice before he came to a Safe Zone and using his Hiding ability that he had been training up. He rested up inside a tree so no one would come across him while he was resting.
*Beep Message Alert*
Aster opened his eyes to see a window appear before him, "Hmm?"
'Hey Aster, just letting you know that Claire is doing fine. She seems to be getting along with the other kids and it seems that Lloyd and Genis have taken it upon themselves to watch over her while you're away. Hope you're doing alright. - Sasha'
Aster smiled a bit as he closed the window before he jumped down from the tree as he looked around him.
"Still early," He said as his stomach growled out, "First eat something, and then head to the Cabin after to the dungeon to find out what I can." He said as he kneeled down and opened his inventory and brought out a sandwich.
His skills as a cook were amateurish but he could cook in real life so making something in SAO was simple to him since you needed the right ingredient's make the right things.
And a sandwich was a beginner's meal but his cooking level was enough that he gained some extra damage from eating it, but only for a little while as it wore out over time.
He ate his food keeping mind to watch the area around him as he finished up and brought his map up as he looked towards the north, as he took off in the direction.
It took him an hour but he made it to what once was his home.
The cabin was no longer there but the marker that showed it was there was all that was left.
Aster stood silently as he clenched his fist thinking if he had just stayed home instead of going out to train this wouldn't have happened. But as he told himself before, it was already down. He can't change the past no matter how badly he wanted too.
"I know this isn't much but it's the best I can do for now." He opened his inventory and a stone appeared at his feet. He pulled a hammer out from behind him and a chisel before he placed the chisel over the stone and hit it as a window appeared over it.
He hit some keys before a Light shone over the stone as it changed into a smoother slab of rock with words embedded into the top part.
'Rest in peace Maria. A loving Mother, her daughter and adoptive Son.' It read.
"I know, this isn't much but it's something." Aster said as he placed a hand over the memorial stone, "I promised I'd look After Claire and I intend to do so."
He stood back up and gave one last look at the area around him before he turned around and left towards the location of the dungeon he was informed around days ago.
-1 Hour Later-
Aster trekked through the lush forest, following the path he figured led to the Dungeon he was looking for. He found a few Bear's and even some Dire Wolves along the way.
"Almost there." He muttered out as he saw stronger mobs spawning more frequently.
He dodged to the right as the wolf leapt pass him, Aster lunged at the wolf slashing its body in half before he pivoted on his foot and did 3 consecutive strikes against its body before the two burst into data as another window appeared.
"Need to find stronger mobs if I want to level up any more. 480 Exp for 5 Wolves isn't that much but it'll do." He said as he brought out a health potion and drank it.
He had been fighting mobs for the past hour and for all that his health had fallen only half way down and now he was just relaxing as it healed back up to 100%.
"Alright, let's see. The entrance should be around here somewhere." Looking around he saw a cave hidden under a cliff side and knew that was it, "There."
Aster walked closer to the entrance he saw a shadow moving over his body as he looked up to see a large figure about to land right on top of him.
Reacting quickly, Aster jumped back into time that the large figure slammed against the ground creating a dust cloud.
"What was that?" Aster as he was coughing from the dust.
Suddenly a loud roar erupted from the smoke disbursing it to reveal a larger sized wolf only Aster recognized it.
"Wolfos. So, if he put you guys here then that would mean that that information was right." Aster said as he pulled out his sword and readied himself.
With a loud howl the Wolfos stood on its hind legs before it started to run towards him. It held its claws out as it swung at Aster who deflected it with his sword staggering it back as he slashed across with his blade only to miss as the Wolfos did a backflip and landed safely away from him.
Aster just smirked as he remembered his first encounter with one of the many types of Wolfos. This one being the most basic of their kind, it was strong and agile with two large and sharp claws. It was similar to other wolves on it was harder to take down.
"Alright, let do this." Aster pulled his blade to his waist and charged forward as he began to charge his sword skill into it.
The Wolfos dodged out of the way as Aster blade barely missed. It quickly went on the offensive and let out a barrage of strikes against Aster who couldn't dodge so he blocked as best he could but he was still hurt but it before he managed to break out of the attack and slam the hilt of his blade into its head staggering it for a moment which was all he needed as he started his chain attack.
The first strike cut the legs, the second and third strike over both before he lifted blade over his head as he cut down as the Wolfos howled out in pain before it burst into data. But he didn't have any time to rest as two more howls echoed from around him as two Wolfos jumped out from the woods.
"Like always, two appear when one dies." He readied himself once more.
Both leapt at him as he started to form another sword skill only for two shadows to move in front of him and blocked the attacks of both Wolfos.
"Groups B and D take them down!" A man shouted as the two men fighting back the Wolfos gave a chorus battle cry as more men came from the woods and began to attack the Wolfos in teams and before Aster knew it, they had defeated the Wolfos and more people came from inside the forest till a good number of them came out.
'34 people, not PK'ers from the looks of it. Could they be here for the Dungeon?' Aster thought as he just stood there and waited for what looked like the leader of the group. A man with Blue hair and blue clothing with leather armor on and a long sword strapped at his waist.
"Seems as if you were in a pinch there, good thing we showed up at the right moment." He said with a smile on his face.
"Thanks, but I didn't need your help. I had everything under control." Aster said not taking his eyes off the man as an orange haired man with a goatee came from behind the man with furious look on his face.
"Hey! Why are you being so ungrateful you bastard! We just saved you and this is how you thank us!" He shouted in Aster face to which he gripped the handle of his blade but was stopped when someone shouted out.
"It's you!"
Aster looked further behind to see a tall African-American coming towards him with a smirk on his face.
"Remember me? I asked you how to show me the ropes a month ago when this all started. Agil, I can't remember your name thou." He said looked at Aster.
Aster just looked at the man, he remembered him he wanted to know how to the basics like Kirito showed to Klein.
"I remember you, but I thought you would remember that I didn't give you it." He told the man who just started to laugh as he patted Aster on his back.
"And I thought I told you to lighten up." He said before he was stopped.
"Agil, do you know this player?" The blue haired man asked.
Agil turned around and nodded, "This is the guy that showed me the ropes when the game really started up a month ago. He's a good player." Agil said giving Aster a thumbs up.
"Well if you say he's good then how would you like to join us? I learned of some valuable information that the 1st floor boss is somewhere inside this Dungeon. And seeing as you're alone and by the looks of it you were thinking of heading inside yourself. Why not party up with us?" Dib asked Aster who was about to respond when the orange haired man from before stopped him.
"No! Diabel! Look above his head!" The man shouted as the entire group looked above Aster head as his marker which was orange.
"He's a PK!" "He killed someone!" "What do we do?" "I don't know but we can't have him in our party he might kill us when we're not looking."
Aster listened to the random mummers around the group and this was why he tried to avoid people as much as he could.
"What? But he isn't like that. I know this guy so unless there was a reason too he wouldn't of killed someone. Right?" Agil asked as he looked back to Aster who just nodded to him, "See." He said looking back at the smaller man that just clicked his tongue.
"Even so, if Agil says he's fine then I believe him." Diabel told everyone there even if he was getting complaints from the groups about a PK being near them.
"That's fine because I'm a solo player anyway." Aster said as he turned around and head for the dungeon with Diabel and Agil along with the whole group following behind him.
And due to this, Aster was able to run through the floors faster since he left most of the monsters for the others to take care of. Why push himself anymore then he should have to at the moment. If the boss was here he was going to need all the strength he has to stand against it.
"Looks like this it." Aster said as he found a pair of double wooden doors that was lit up by torches.
"Those Ruin Kobold Troopers gave just enough Exp to Level up again, one more and I should hit twenty." Aster said as he drank another health potion and looked at his stats, he divided and placed his skill points in his strength and speed much like he did in the beta but at the moment his speed was higher than his strength.
"There you are!" Aster heard and looked behind him to see Diabel and the others heading right for him, "Looks as if you found the entrance to the boss room. Good, let's take a moment to get ready and then we'll head in together." He said to the group, "Is that ok with you?" He turned around and asked Aster who just nodded as he opened up his stats and started to equip and un-equip some things he found in along the way in the dungeon.
Not long after Diabel stood up and walked over the front of the door as he stabbed his sword into the ground before him, "I only have one thing to say to you all." He said smirking to them all, "Let's go in there and win." He said as they all cheered and he grabbed his sword and pushed the doors open as he carefully walked inside as the torches began to light up.
Aster who waited until the last of them walked in noticed two players who were away from the groups and he recognized one of them.
"Kirito?" Aster said as said player walked closer to him.
Kirito stopped and looked at Aster having noticed him say his gamer name which he hasn't given to anyone there.
"How do you know my name?" He asked Aster who just chuckled a bit.
"That's right, I never showed you how I looked before. But from the looks of it, you weren't kidding when you said your Avatar was just an older looking you. I give you a hint. I'm probably a higher level than you right now." He said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Kirito looked at him for a moment before the shocking realization hit him, "Aster? Is that you?" He asked to which Aster nodded. Kirito for one was speechless, "Wow, and I thought you we're kidding when you told me that your Avatar looked nothing like the real you." He said with a small smirk on his face.
"Don't go falling for me now that you really see me Kirito. I don't swing that way." Aster joked as Kirito just snorted at him.
"So what's the deal?" Kirito asked point a thumb above his head.
Aster just sighed, "There some players trying to steal from some kids. They were going to kill them had I not…you know." Aster said but didn't need to say anymore as Kirito nodded and opened a window in front of him before clicking a few buttons as a message popped up in front of Aster.
'Party Invite Received'
"Same as always right." Aster said accepting the party invite seeing as they would party up when they had to fight the bosses in the beta that why the Exp was evened out between them. But he noticed that he was already in a party with someone else already.
'Asuna? A girl?' Aster thought as he looked at the said girl who was hiding under a hood much like he was only he took his off when he entered the Dungeon seeing as it was burned by a trap he accidently steeped on.
"You know this person." She said in a cold tone as she looked at Kirito.
"I met him a long time ago when I was playing another MMORPG. He's nothing going to try anything trust me." He said giving the girl some reassurance but Aster could tell she was still skeptic about him as she waited until after he went in first before following.
With a sudden change the room lit up showing a large two meter tall muscular monster that was covered in red fur and blur marking over its lower body. It two eyes glowed a bright golden as it roared at the players entering within its territory. Four green health bars appeared right above it as it pulled out a large axe and a shield and roared once more as it charged from its place across the room.
"Commence attack!" Diabel shouted as the groups charged in as the Ruin Kobold Sentinels appeared as each group took to fighting each one of them.
"Illfang the Kobold Lord, I remember him from the beta. Looks like this is going to be interesting." Aster said as he readied his blade and was about to charge in when Kirito stopped him.
"Wait, not yet. Diabel has a plan to defeat Illfang without anyone dying. And since you're a part of this party now just wait until we're needed." He said as he lowered his hand and Aster just clicked his tongue as he sheathed his blade and crossed his arms over his chest once more.
"Fine, but only this time Kirito." Aster said as he waited patiently.
Aster watched as Diabel lead the groups from his spot, he was a good leader. He made sure each group held their own while also defending each other. But from what he could see, Diabel wasn't just some random player. He knew how Illfang moved and even its sentinels.
"Squads D, E, and F, keep the sentinels off us!" He shouted as Aster looked to Kirito who nodded.
"About time." Aster said as he ran forward leaving Kirito and Asuna to fend for themselves.
"What is he doing? He's going to get himself killed!" The orange haired man, Kibaou shouted as he was the leader of their group but Kirito just stopped him.
"Don't worry about him. He can handle himself!" Kirito shouted as he charged in and using his sword art he threw the Sentinel off its guard, "Switch!" He shouted as Asuna rushed in faster than anything he had seen before as she defeated the Sentinel in three rapid strikes.
"Not bad." Aster said as he just his sword art to throw another Sentinel off before he reversed the blade in his hand and did a vertical slash cutting its body clean in half before it burst into data, "She's almost as fast as me." Aster said as he looked at a group that was struggling with their Sentinel and he rushed over to aid them.
All the while the groups managed to take Illfangs health down to the last bar and even halfway till it was defeated.
"Alright! He's almost finished!" Kibaou shouted as the moral of the groups was high. Just a little more and they would of defeated the first floor boss.
But just then Illfang tossed his weapon and shield away.
Kibaou smirked, "Looks like the information was right!" He shouted as Diabel rushed past his group.
"Everyone stand back!" He shouted as he charged forward smirking which didn't go unnoticed by Kirito or Aster.
'He's going in for the last strike.' Aster thought as he pushed another Sentinel back and killed it just to have another show up as he watched Illfang pull something other than the weapon it used in the beta.
'That's not right. It's different!' Aster shouted in his mind as Kirito shouted.
"Get away! Jump back now before it's too late!"
But it was too late.
Diabel was charging up a sword art when Illfang pulled out a Nodachi before it leapt into the air at amazing speeds before it landed behind Diabel who turned around just to get hit across the chest as he was sent flying back but Illfang didn't let up.
It leapt past Diabel's flying body and slashing him back the way he came only he was caught midair by Aster but with the force alone it was enough to send both of them flying to the ground hard.
Everyone could only watch as everything just happened before them before Illfang landed in the middle of them and the onslaught began once more.
"Shit." Aster whispered out as lifted his head and shook the slight headache away before he looked down to see Diabel who had a giant red slash marker across his entire body.
"Diabel!" Aster looked up to see Kirito running towards the two before he kneeled down and gently lifted Diabel up and brought out a health potion and was about to give it to him when he was stopped by Diabel himself.
"What are you doing?" Kirito asked as Diabel looked up to him before across to Aster.
"You both are beta testers, aren't you? You know what I was trying to do." He said breaking the ice, but they all knew what he was trying to do.
"You were after the last attack bonus rare item." Kirito said as Aster spoke up.
"You're a beta tester too. Aren't you Diabel?" He asked.
Diabel only nodded and gave them both a sad smile, "Please…Defeat…Defeat the boss. For everyone…" with his dying words he burst into shattered lights as he died on that spot.
Aster could only think of how he knew the man, he seemed good, wanting not judging or even once asked him to do something he didn't think was in the best nature for everyone.
But the look on Kirito's face told him that he was just realizing something right there. It was the same look he had not too ago.
"Kirito." Aster said standing back up with his blade at the ready.
Kirito only nodded to him as they looked towards Illfang.
"I'll go too." Asuna said coming to Kirito's side.
"Thanks." Was all Kirito said before the three players rushed in weapons at the read, "Well take him on like we did the Sentinels." He said before Illfang noticed they were coming.
"Ok."
Aster rushed in first, "I'll give you guys the opening you need." Aster said as he glanced back to see Kirito nod before he broke into his full speed nearly disappearing from in front of them before he appeared sword art at the read in front of Illfang who didn't even realize Aster was right there.
He jumped up as he upper cut Illfang's weapon knocking it away as he lifted his sword above his head in both hands as he arched it down cutting into its stomach taking a chuck of its health away, "Switch!" he shouted as Kirito moved in slipping past Aster as he did a horizontal slashing damaging Illfang more as Asuna moved in after he was pushed.
Only when she was about to strike Kirito noticed Illfang was recovering as it was about to strike her, "Asuna!" He shouted and she seemed to notice it was about to attack as she dodged the blade but it ripped her cloak off her showing the girl under it.
She wore simply clothes white and red clothes and had long brownish orange hair and hazel eyes. But as she was hurt it didn't stop her. She lunged forward using a sword art to push Illfang back some more before it recovered and was about to strike at her but Kirito blocked it's attack with his own as he was stuck in a deadlock with the boss before he went to block another attack when Illfang faked it and was able to catch him Kirito slip up and landed an art across his stomach as he was sent flying back into Asuna who went flying back with him.
Both landed on the ground as Illfang charged an attack over head as Asuna held her blade over her head in order to block it when someone stopped the attack.
"Kirito, heal up. We'll hold him off."
Everyone in the room was shocked to see that the one person they called a Killer standing over their best hope and he blocked the attack of the boss with only one hand on his blade.
"Aster." Asuna muttered out before he readied a sword art and turned around and sliding his blade down Illfangs he was able to get in nice and close to where he landed a knock back strike that sent Illfang flying backwards as Agil rushed in.
"Hold him off!" He shouted as his squad rushed in after him read to defend them while they recover themselves.
Aster for one could have ended this right here and now, but he thought against it as this was bigger than just him now. That much he realized at Diabel's death.
He pushed illfang on the defensive alongside Agil who had come a long way from what Aster could see. Even his men were holding their own with some help.
"Aster!"
That was all he needed to hear as he charged forward, his blade began to glow as Agil's men were knocked back. He watched Illfang leapt into the air ready to finish them off when he reversed his hold on his blade and jumped into the air to counter Illfnags attack with one that he learned from wielding a Katana type weapon.
"Gengestu!" He shouted as he uppercut Illfang's blade away before he returned to his normal hold on his blade and slashed downwards in a half-circle motion leaving behind a red streak before Illfang was sent flying down into the ground stunned.
"Switch!" he shouted as he saw Kirito and Asuna run forward their weapons posed to end this.
Kirito went in first knocking Illfang's weapon away as Asuna lunged in and did a rapid strike before Kirito came back and did a downward cut before he arched his sword and cut back up straight through Illfang's body sending it into the air as it roared in pain before it paused and burst into nothing but data.
There was a silent pause before a cheer erupted from all the players inside.
Aster smirked at the scene before him as even felt good. Everyone was excited. After a month, the first floor was cleared and this nightmare one step closer to being over.
"Good job Kirito." Aster said as he walked over with Asuna and Agil to Kirito who was reading a window that appeared before him.
"Good work." Asuna said.
"Excellent Swordsmanship there. This victory belongs to you." Agil said as Kirito looked back at them and smiled.
"No…" Kirito started but that's when everyone seemed to start cheering for him defeating the boss and ending the fight.
"Why?" A sudden shouted stopped everyone as they all turned to Kibaou who was glaring at Kirito and Aster, "Why did you let Diabel die!" He shouted again.
"Kirito, don't." It was too late.
"Let him die?"
Kirito answered which Aster was trying to stop but it was too late, Kibaou shouted at Kirito.
"You knew that Illfang was going to do that! If you'd told us that up front then Diabel wouldn't have died!" He shouted which case many of the players to give Kirito these looks.
"He must be a beta tester!" That's how he knew all the boss's attack patterns! He knew and he didn't tell us!" One of Kibaou's men shouted as he pointed a finger at everyone else, "There are other beta testers here too, right? Come out!"
Everyone began to look at each other not know what to think.
"Oi, everyone!" Agil tried to reason with them but he was ignored.
Aster who was just tired of the man was about to say something when he saw Kirito. He was looking down with his eyes closed and he knew he was going to try something.
"Kirito." Aster said as said person looked up at him, "I know what you're going to do and I'm not going to let you do this alone." He said as Kirito just gave a nod.
"Go along." He said as he stood up and began to laugh like a crazy person but it worked as everyone there looked towards him.
Aster thought what the hell and started to laugh like him.
"A beta tester?" Kirito started as he stood up, "I wish you wouldn't compare me to those newbies." He started to say as he began to walk towards Kibaou.
Aster just followed along with Kirito's act.
"You think we even compare to other beta testers?" Aster asked.
"Most of the thousand beta testers were beginners, who didn't even understand the leveling up system of the game. You all are better than they were." Kirito said coming to a stop in the middle of everyone.
"We're not even close to be called like them." Aster said stopping and crossing his arms.
"The reason I knew the boss's skills is because I fought monsters with Katana skills on floors far above us. I know a lot more than Information broker." Kirito said with a grin on his face.
"After all, we we're were able to make it to floors the other beta testers had trouble get getting to." Aster said as he glared at Kibaou.
Kibaou couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What? That's not even fair! That's cheating!" He cried out.
That's when another agreed with him, "Their Cheaters! Both of them!"
That's when everyone started to talk about them.
"Their cheaters!" "Their beta testers!" "They both! Their Beaters!" One shouted and the name seemed to stick.
"Beaters huh?" Aster said as he looked at Kirito who nodded as he opened up his menu.
"That's right, we're Beaters. From now on don't confuse us with those other testers." Kirito said as he clicked a button and a black coat appeared over him. And Aster had to admit he was pulling this stunt off.
With one last look Aster started to head over to the next floor entrance which was up a spiral staircase behind the throne of Illfang with Kirito right behind him.
But Aster stopped and Kirito looked at him, "I'll give you two a moment." He said as Kirito turned around and saw Asuna walking up the stairs behind them.
He continued up giving them their privacy which Kirito gave him a quick thanks for as he started to talk with her.
Aster walked up the stairs and waited for Kirito, when a window appeared in front of him.
"Hmm? Level up, new item received?" He said opening his menu and looking at the item he got, "Hmm…? A Dark stone? I got one? This is unexpected." He said as he looked at the ore that appeared in his hand.
It was a large stone that was black with crystals that gave off a slight black mist.
"What's that?" Aster heard as he looked to see Kirito behind him.
Aster held the ore out and Kirito took it and read the name over it, "You got one? That's really lucky there Aster. Figure out what you're going to make with it yet?" He asked since most stones like this were used to make new items or equipment.
"I don't know just yet but for now I guess I'll save it. But now I have to ask, I understand the whole act back there but was the laughing really necessary?" Aster asked with a light chuckle.
Kirito just rubbed the back of his head with an embarrassed look.
"Well it was a onetime moment type of thing. I thought it helped out." He said giving his own laugh, "But what now?" He asked as things were getting serious now.
Aster shook his head, "I don't know. We just told the entire SAO that we are the biggest threat when it comes to cheating an being beta testers. There are going to be players coming after us. But for what we should do? I know that I'm going to keep training. I promised someone I would get stronger and that's what I plan on doing. After all, with one floor I'm already a Level 19 thanks to the Exp from Illfang."
Kirito understood what this meant, "I already left the party. You should do the same, but here." He opened his menu and before Aster appeared a friend request, "At least this way we know we can reach each other."
Aster accepted the friend request and also left the party, "Well, until we cross paths again Kirito. I'll be seeing ya." Aster said heading through the doorway first.
"Aster!" Kirito shouted out as he stopped, "Don't die out there."
Aster just snorted, "I should be telling you that Kirito." He said as he went through the portal and when he appeared on the other side he found himself it what was another forest type floor he was familiar with.
He looked around and saw the main town not too far from where he was and he started to walk towards it as the sudden sound of buzzing got closer to him.
"The welcome party's here." Aster said as he placed his hand over the hilt of his blade as three large yellow bee's with large stingers for arms and on its rear appeared from out of the trees, "Beedrill's, and three of you. Well don't keep me waiting!" Aster shouted as they flew at him as he unleashed his blade slicing the three clean in half before more buzzing came from the trees.
"This is going to be fun." Aster muttered out as he saw a horde of yellow heading right for him.
-Link Error-
`Another day another chapter, -3ndless.