AN: Back again. Just wanted to say that I switched the way I write "spoken words" and written text. I didn't like the way it looked. Enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters (which is probably for the best).

Written text

"spoken words"

Chapter 4: The Town that never started

*Two days later*

How could this be possible?! It would have been barely understandable if this had just been an ordinary game. The envy of the experience boost in combination with their special gear could be called a reason to vote against them. But this wasn't a normal game. Two weeks ago Sword Art Online had become a death game. To complete the game we would need all the help we could get. Refusing the beta testers was just plain stupid! The beta testers were far more knowledgeable about the first 5 floors then the rest of the players combined. The player deaths that occurred when they tried to train against the Kobold Troopers could have been avoided if there had been a couple beta testers around. They weren't useful to anyone when they were all locked up in the Town of Beginnings, or as I already heard it being called once: The Town that never Started.

As I cut my way through a couple of boars that were in my way, I noticed the Town of Beginnings starting to appear on the horizon. I wondered what would be going on in there. Boars were probably the only monsters they could fight considering their level and you could only fight boars for a certain amount of time before you started to go insane. Some would probably try to set up a shop so they could at least do something. It was an awful waste of capable players, but I guess it was preferable to not being able to do anything. The only problem was that they wouldn't be able to travel between different towns on the first floor without an escort. The roads to the second town were quite hazardous to anyone below level three.

When I entered the town I immediately noticed that something was terribly off. The town was almost deserted. One thousand beta testers weren't enough to populate the enormous town and apparently none of the others players were visiting the main city. The beta testers themselves were doing absolutely nothing. All of them seemed to be trying to hear something. Everyone was just waiting to be released. The atmosphere was probably the worst thing about the town. I could almost taste the frustration. The frustration was primarily directed at Kayaba for now, but how long would it be before it would shift to the other players for keeping them locked up. I quickly made my way to the inn where Argo had agreed to meet me.

*Flashback two days ago*

I was just trying to comprehend the consequences of the results I just received when I received a message.

Kirito,

You must have seen the results of the first voting. I heard you didn't accept Kayaba's gift and because of this you never got your level capped. Meet me in two days at 6 pm at the copper kettle inn. It's a new inn that wasn't there in the Beta. It is located close to the south gate in the Town of Beginnings.

Don't be late,

Argo

P.S. for 300 col I will bring some decent food.

Immediately starting to write a message back to Argo agreeing to meet her. I thought for quite a long time before deciding to tell her that bringing the food wouldn't be necessary. My stomach was pretty desperate for something else than just bread rolls, but considering the way thing were going right now I decided against it. I just couldn't afford any luxury right now. All my money was needed to buy a lot of potions, teleport crystals and to upgrade my equipment.

I reread the message from Argo again. Something about it just seemed wrong… It was clear that she was just as shocked about the voting as I was. The fact that she hadn't used that stupid nickname she gave me was evidence of that. But what did she need me for? I decided to go back to farming experience again. In two days I would find out what she wanted of me anyway.

*Flashback end*

The inn was aside from the npc innkeeper completely abandoned, which was kind of strange because the place looked nice enough. Sure, it might be a bit dark inside, but the chairs looked comfortable and the flames burning in the fireplace gave it a cosy feeling. I sat down at the table furthest away from the door and chose the chair that gave me a good view on door. According to the clock in my menu I still got ten minutes left before Argo would show up. Not having anything to do I slowly drifted off to sleep.

"It's good to see that you're still the same Kii-bou that I used to know in the Beta."

"If you mean that I still know how to fake sleeping, than I am indeed an unchanged man." I responded without looking up. I opened my eyes and looked at the girl sitting beside me.

"How are you doing Argo? Still wearing those whiskers I see."

Argo frowned at me for a long time, frustrated that her entrance wasn't as surprising as she had hoped it would be, before a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.

"If you were truly awake, why did you never tell me? I've been sitting next to a snoring swordsman for the last twenty minutes."

Not eager to answer, I took another look at Argo. Her gear got my attention.

"You didn't accept Kayaba's offer either, didn't you?"

"No…"

"Why?"

"For 300 col I could tell you."

"Argo…"

"For you I could make it 150."

"Argo!"

"Relax Ki-bou. Let's just say being different than 80 percent of your clientele is bad for business."

I Sensed there was more behind it than just business, but I decided to just let it rest. There was usually a good reason for it when there was information that Argo wouldn't willingly give up. After a couple more minutes of catching up my curiosity finally got the best of me.

"Are you still going to tell me why I am here? And no, I won't be paying for that information!" I quickly added when I saw Argo's grin reappear.

Argo pouted playfully for a few seconds before her expression changed. She suddenly looked worried and very tired.

"I've decided to help the Beta testers to be released from the level cap by convincing normal players that we need them. The problem is that I can't do it all on my own. I can't convince 3000 players by myself. The problem is that I there is nobody willing to waste their time helping others players. Everyone is busy trying to become the strongest because of Kayaba's stupid tournament."

"You want me to help you, don't you?" I guessed, a frown appearing on my face.

"I need someone like you Ki-bou. I'm not very good at making friends, you know that! You seem to be able to make them without even trying… I would be able to pay you for your efforts." She added after a while.

While I agreed with Argo that something had to be done about the voting, I was reluctant to offer her my help. I needed all the time I had for hunting and experience farming. Then I remembered the frustration I had felt outside. They weren't able to do anything while the other players threw away lives that could otherwise be saved.

"What do you need me to do?"

AN: First conversation I've ever written! I hope it wasn't to awkward. Don't exactly know where to go from here on. I've already got some ideas for this story, but I have yet to decide how I will approach these events… Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave me a review if you have any comments on this story, ideas for the story or tips for my writing. I would like to improve.