Am I not strong enough? How? Why did this happen? "P-p-please, d-don't…"I was able to stammer.

"Shhhh." She pressed a finger to my lips. "It's ok, Blake-kun. It's not your fault."

"Blaaake-kun! Be sure to protect me today!" Sachi exclaimed enthusiastically as we approached the first level dungeon. I felt an atmosphere of hate and jealousy as the other players heard her comment.

"Tsch, y-yea, don't shout it out loud like that Sachi." I said, a bit annoyed. Kirito and Asuna were right behind us. Our group was in charge of handling the Ruin Kobold Sentinels that spawn near the boss. We decided that we were strong enough to divide into pairs and handle a Sentinel each, provided that we remained close to each other. I would pair up with Sachi, being Lvl 16 and Sachi being Lvl 11. Kirito, Lvl 14, would pair up with Asuna, Lvl 12. Although Sachi and I had a good chemistry and we were used to partnering up, I had never seen Asuna fight, nor had Kirito. She barely talked, even when necessary. She would keep to herself, always wearing the cloak, and never displayed emotions, emanating loneliness and what seemed like a hint of despair.

"Alright, everybody, we're here." Diavel said as we all reached the door to the Boss's lair. The raid group was formed by around 30 players. With this, Diavel formed 6 groups. 3 groups were to attack Illfang, including the group he was in, and the other three would work as support engaging the Sentinels. He would direct the parties during the fight, leaving the individual direction to the party members. "Remember the plan everybody. Groups D, E, and F will handle the Sentinels, distracting their attention from us." All mentioned nodded. Kirito, Asuna, Sachi and I were Group D. "Groups A, B, and C, we'll engage Illfang one group at a time, rotating whenever I see it necessary. When Illfang's HP drops to the last bar, it'll switch to a Talwar. At this, Groups D, E and F will join Groups A, B and C to finish Illfang off." I'm still a bit startled by Diavel's decision of making us support as we were a really strong group, being it a wiser decision for us to take on Illfang. Even though I'm fine with it, I still can't help thinking I saw something weird in his eyes earlier today.

"Blake, thanks for your support on this operation. I want you to know that even though you're a beta-tester, I feel no hate towards you and feel relieved that I can count on your strength during this raid."

"Hey, no problem. You'd probably be fine without me."

"Anyways, I'd like to ask of you to handle the Kobold Sentinels." I was a bit surprised at this "Groups A, B and C will handle Illfang, all being Lvl 10-12, including myself. However, the support groups are below these levels. I know that you're group is the strongest. That's why I want your group to make sure that the support team suffers the least casualties possible." I noticed a flash of mischief in his eyes as he said this, though it quickly disappeared.

If you want the least casualties possible, it would be better to finish Illfang as fast as possible. I thought this the wisest decision, but nonetheless, I agreed to his request.

I came to, as Diavel finished his speech. "It's time. Though the Deathgame is far from over, today we will take our first victory over it. Today, we will beat Illfang. Today, we start our ascension to the 100th level!" He finished dramatically as everyone burst into cheers.

Sachi hugged my arm, a worried look on her face. "Blake-kun, I have a bad feeling…"

"Hey, don't worry; I'm here to protect you." I assured her, patting her head. Still, I couldn't shake off that same feeling. Something was up. I looked over at Kirito. He nodded at my questioning face, knowing that something was wrong.

"Everybody, get ready." Diavel told us drawing his sword and shield. Everybody drew their own weapons as he opened the main doors.

I looked at Sachi with a serious face. "Stick by my side, ok?"

She nodded in response, no longer looking worried but concentrated. I'm glad she's gotten over her fears. We all entered the room cautiously, our footsteps echoing through the vast room. This looks very boss fight-ish. I thought to myself as I tended to forget this was a game. At the end of the room lied Illfang, with shining red eyes. At the sight of us, he drew his bone axe and shield, letting out a scream.

"Everybody, battle stations!" Diavel commanded, giving off the atmosphere of a Paladin leading his knights to battle. "Groups D and F, engage the sentinels. Group A and B, engage Illfang. Groups E and C, wait for your respectiverotation."

He's quite the strategist. "Sachi, on me." I said as I charged for one of the three Kobold Sentinels that had spawned.

"Ok" She rushed behind me.

I struck at the sentinel, following up with an upward strike to parry its attack, leaving it wide open. "Switch!" I called as I backed away as Sachi followed up with a sword skill that finished him off. "Nice!"

She smiled with contentment, before knocking back the next sentinel's advance with her shield. She used shield bash as it prepared to attack, making it stagger. "Switch!" she yelled as I rushed forward, using Quick Stabto thrust at the sentinel, finishing it off.

"Good job, Sachi." I complimented her, shaking the ominous feeling off.

"You too, Blake-kun."

I turned my attention over to the main groups. They're handling Illfang pretty well, and Diavel is directing them incredibly. He's practically overwhelming Illfang when he hasn't even engaged.

"Switch!" Kirito yelled. I turned my head the other way as both Kirito and a sentinel staggered back. I saw a crimson streak rush past Kirito with a green-glowing rapier. It was Asuna, who engaged at the sentinel extremely fast, finishing it off with a 6 hit combo in a mere second.

Kirito has experience, but from what I know, Asuna is new to this game. Even if it is a rapier, it's just too fast for a newbie, even for an experienced player.

"Blake-kun, switch!" Sachi's call made me break out of my trance, immediately engaging at the sentinel she had knocked back.

After a few minutes of back and forth, we had finished off all the waves of Sentinels. Kibaou's group, Group E, didn't even have to engage, and Group F only had the chance to engage one sentinel.

"Kirito, Asuna, great job." I complimented them as they finished off the last Sentinel. They both nodded. I turned my attention to Illfang as his health dropped to the last bar. I threw away its bone axe and shield, reaching behind him.

"Everybody, stand down! I'll finish him off!" Diavel yelled as he rushed for Illfang with a sword skill prepped.

This isn't the original plan. I thought to myself, as realization instantly crossed my mind. He's going for the final hit bonus. He must be a former beta-tester! Suddenly, as Diavel jumped in the air to strike, Illfang drew a different weapon and likewise lunged at Diavel. That's not a Talwar, that's a nodachi! I took notice as I rushed towards the two.

"Wait!" Kirito yelled, noticing likewise and following behind me. Illfang easily knocked Diavel back and struck him with a sword skill, sending him flying upward. Illfang followed up with spinning attack that knocked Diavel downward. As Illfang jumped at the fallen player, I rushed in between to intercept. Using the strength of my two-handed sword, I jumped at Illfang using Slant to parry his attack, knocking him back in mid-air.

"Kirito!" I called, hoping he was ready.

"Got it!" He responded as he rushed past me and jumped using Sonic Leap to knock Illfang into the ground.

Everyone rushed towards Diavel, but it was too late, as he burst into fragmented pixels.

"Let's finish this sucker off." I aimed my blade at Illfang.

"Yea. Watch out for that nodachi. It's pretty dangerous" Kirito answered.

"Dully noted." We both charged at him, dodging and slashing in synchrony instead of using Switch tactics. I knocked away Illfang's attack as Kirito dashed forward stabbing him. I followed up with an uppercut swing to Illfang's face, making him stagger. He used a spin attack as he recovered, knocking us both back. He rushed forward aiming for Sachi.

"Blake-kun!" She cried out as she raised her shield, being knocked back by a devastating blow

"Sachi!" I rushed to her side, intercepting Illfang's next attack. Kirito and Asuna proceeded to engage Illfang, in a perfectly synchronized Switch system. I directed my attention to a fallen Sachi. "Sachi! Are you ok?"

She nodded slightly, nearly unconscious. "It's my fault for not being careful. If you hadn't helped me level up so much, I probably would've died." Her HP was a few points away from being depleted, so I gave her a health potion and didn't leave her side, deciding that I should leave Illfang to the others. I looked back in time to see Asuna knock Illfang with a quick swipe of stabs, as Kirito followed up with and impressive sword skill that tore through Illfang's body, depleting the remaining HP. As Illfang burst, the 'CONGRATULATIONS!' message appeared. Everyone started cheering, swiftly silenced by Kibaou.

"WHY ARE YOU CHEERING!" we all turned our attention to him. "Diavel died. Illfang didn't have a Talwar, he had another weapon. The beta-tester who told us of this was wrong. And he knew!" He pointed an incriminating finger at Kirito. "You're probably a beta-tester. If you had told us about that sword it used, Diavel wouldn't have died. This is your fault!" As everyone grew silent, I tensed, ready to respond, when the still fallen Sachi grabbed my arm.

"You've done enough." She whispered with a smile. I sighed and I decided to stay by her side. All of a sudden, a near maniacal laughter broke the silence. I stared at its source. It was Kirito.

"Beta-tester? Don't compare me to those newbs. Yea, I was in the beta test, but you should really think twice if you wanna put me in the same group as them. Most beta-testers didn't know how to play when they released the beta. Hmph, you guys are probably better than them. But me, no, I'm way better than them. During the short time of the beta-test, I cleared levels higher than anyone could even imagine." Everyone was shocked at this statement.

"Blake-kun, what is he-" Sachi started to say before I put a finger on her lips.

"He's up to something."

Kibaou grunted at him. "Y-you're worse than a beta-tester. A cheater and a beta-tester… You're a Beater!"

Kirito smiled evilly at his comment. "Beater, huh. Sounds good." He said as he equipped the Final Hit bonus: Coat of midnight. "Just remember to not ever compare me to those 'beta-testers'." He finished as he started to make his way out. As he came next to me, all I did was look him in the eye and nod. He nodded slightly in return.

He's diverting all the hate for the beta-testers towards him. "Well, I guess we should get going." I told Sachi as Kirito left. It was necessary for me to lift her up and carry her home, as she felt extremely tired.

"Ok Blake-kun. Sorry for being a burden." She answered as I carried her.

"Naaah, its ok. You're light as a feather anyways." Even though it wasn't without incident and still a far way off from the end, we finally cleared the 1st level.

"Blake-kun, do you really think that you can beat the higher floor bosses?" Sachi asked, looking at me with scared eyes.

"Hey, don't worry about it. It's gonna be a piece of cake. They're no match for me. So just watch, I'm gonna get stronger and make sure to protect you next time." She seemed eased by my response and fell asleep in my arms. I won't ever forgive myself if I don't.